TradeSignalos
FTSE 100 Index (UK100)
Index of the 100 largest London-listed companies, used as the UK's main stock market benchmark.
The UK100 tracks the FTSE 100, the 100 largest companies listed on the London Stock Exchange by market value. Traders use it to speculate on or hedge the broad UK equity market through CFDs and futures. Many constituents earn most of their revenue abroad, so it also reflects global demand and currency moves.
🕐 Active hours: Most active 07:00–11:00 UTC (London open). Second peak 13:30–16:30 UTC, overlapping the US session. Times shift with UK daylight saving.
📜 History
The FTSE 100 was created by the Financial Times and the London Stock Exchange, with the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries helping build the methodology. Its base value was set at 1000 on 30 December 1983, and it was first published in January 1984. The index was designed to give a clear, investable measure of Britain's largest listed firms. It fell sharply in the October 1987 global crash, and the pound's exit from the European Exchange Rate Mechanism on Black Wednesday in September 1992 caused major volatility. Dot-com losses in 2000–2003 and the global financial crisis of 2008–2009 pushed it down heavily. The COVID-19 sell-off in March 2020 and the energy and gilt market shocks of 2022 were more recent sharp drops.
⚙️ What moves the price
- Bank of England interest rate decisions and guidance shape the outlook for UK banks and domestic stocks.
- GBP/USD moves matter because many constituents report in dollars or earn abroad.
- Oil, gas and metal prices affect the large energy and mining weighting.
- UK inflation, GDP and PMI releases shift expectations for growth and rates.
- Global risk sentiment, especially US equity markets, often drives the index during the overlap session.
Character
- Moderate to high volatility, with larger moves during London open and major UK or US news.
- Heavy sector weighting in banks, energy, miners and consumer staples, so sector rotation can move it sharply.
- Less of a pure domestic index than many expect, since foreign earnings link it to currency and global demand.
- Often quieter in Asian hours, with gaps possible at the London open.
When to trade
- London open (07:00–11:00 UTC) when liquidity and volume are highest.
- US session overlap (13:30–16:30 UTC) when global risk sentiment and US data move markets.
When not to trade
- Around Bank of England decisions or major UK data releases without a plan for sharp spikes.
- During thin trading on UK bank holidays or late in the day when liquidity drops.
- Trading without a stop loss after large overnight gaps, a common mistake when markets open.
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Simulation: $10,000 deposit, $100 risk per trade. Pips — price movement; $ — result at fixed risk.
Simulated account: every trade risks $100, spread included. Past and simulated results do not guarantee future results.
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