The FTSE 100 index is comprised of the 100 largest companies by market capitalization listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE). The index was established on January 3rd, 1984, with a value of 1000 points.

The FTSE Group (trading as FTSE Russell) is a subsidiary of the London Stock Exchange (LSE) Group that maintains the index.

While the FTSE 100 is a popular and widely followed index, it is a poor predictor of how the UK economy is doing because the majority of its constituents are multinational corporations with a global focus. Investors seeking a broader view of the UK economy may prefer the FTSE 250 or FTSE SmallCap Index.

The FTSE 100 is a major stock market index that tracks the performance of the 100 largest companies listed on the London Stock Exchange by market capitalisation. It represents a wide range of industries, including finance, energy, consumer goods, and healthcare. Because many FTSE 100 companies operate globally, the index is influenced not only by the UK economy but also by international markets and currency movements. It is often used as a benchmark to assess the overall health of the UK stock market and investor sentiment. Movements in the FTSE 100 are driven by corporate earnings, economic data, interest rates, and global events. Investors can gain exposure to the FTSE 100 through shares, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), index funds, and derivatives.