The FTSE 100 index represents the top UK companies, but not all of them are performing optimally – Glencore PLC is a case in point. The FTSE 100 index is currently trading at 6,371.18, with over 552.53 million shares traded, and a year-to-date change of +0.49%. While this pales in comparison to top performing individual stocks and Asian stock markets, it is nonetheless a solid performer given the tumultuous activity in global markets since August. Between January 2015 and April 2015, the FTSE 100 index gained 6.39%, followed by a 3.72% drop between April 2015 and July 2015. From July through to the present day the FTSE 100 index has slid by 2.3%, but it is currently on an upward trajectory. My gut instinct tells me that short-term bulls will dominate the market, and ultimately so will long-term bulls. The shocks that we witnessed from the May highs to the September lows were largely the result of the China equities rout that decimated markets around the world.

The top/bottom performing equities in the FTSE 100

The constituent components of the FTSE 100 have fared poorly of late, although the 1-year percentage change in value for many of them has been positive. The Top 5 performers in the FTSE 100 index (by percentage appreciation) over the past 1 year include:

By contrast, the bottom 5 performers in the FTSE 100 index (by percentage depreciation) over the past 1 year include: