The calculation of the FTSE Global 100 is the first stage for FTSE in moving global indexes to a 24-hour real time environment. This will be followed, over the next 18 months, by 24-hour real time calculation and distribution of the FTSE All-World Index Series, which will be part of the programme to provide a threefold increase in the number of real time FTSE indexes providing investors with 24-hour coverage of markets worldwide.
The FTSE Global 100 Index calculation will begin each day at 02:00 (GMT) and close at 21:10 (GMT) and will be updated every 60 seconds. The index will be launched on 11 September 2000, and values will be available on Reuters and other vendors from that date.
Commenting on the development, Mark Makepeace, Managing Director at FTSE, said "Increasingly investors are structuring their portfolios on a global basis. In future, investors will be able to buy and sell shares whenever they choose and the world's largest multinationals will trade 24 hours. The real time calculation of the FTSE Global 100 is the first step in our plans to operate on a truly 24 hour global basis."
The FTSE Global 100 Index is part of the highly successful FTSE Multinational Index series, which was launched in September 1999. Today over US$30 billion is benchmarked against this index series.
The Multinational Index Series is due to be reviewed in early September. The outcome of this annual review will be announced on 11 September 2000. In addition to the annual review of this series, FTSE will also be undertaking quarterly reviews of other major index series during the week of 4 September. Details of the changes made at these reviews will be announced the week of 4 September 2000.
