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FTSE 100 Marks 30th Anniversary With Record 7,000 High Forecast

FTSE 100 Set For New High As It Marks 30th Birthday
Asa Bennett
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UNITED KINGDOM - MARCH 03: A stockbroker talks on the telephone while working on his computer at Shore Capital Markets in London, U.K., on Tuesday, March 3, 2009. U.K. stocks retreated for a third day, sending the benchmark FTSE 100 Index to its lowest since 2003, amid concern banks may have to raise more capital. (Photo by Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Bloomberg via Getty Images

Britain's leading share index, the FTSE 100, marks its 30th anniversary today as forecasts suggest it will soar to record highs this year and smash through the 7,000 point barrier.

This would mark a milestone for the stock market index, which was set up on January 3 1984 at the base level of 1,000 index points. It is now one of the most widely used stock indices and a gauge of business prosperity.

Earlier this week, the index notched up its biggest annual climb since then, ending 2013 at 6749.1 points, 14% up on the end of 2012.

Here's what you need to know about the 30-year old FTSE100 and what it has been through.

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