The history of the FT30, 1935-2011

The FT30 index is based on the share prices of 30 British companies from a wide range of industries. Launched in 1935, the FT30 is the oldest continuous index in the UK and one of the oldest in the world. This interactive graphic shows the companies that have comprised the index since its inception.

FT30 constituents change only when a company is taken over or fails. FT editors chose replacements from among the largest companies in each sector so that the index continues to reflect the breadth of the UK economy.

Reflecting long-term changes in the British economy, there has been a steady shift of emphasis in the FT30’s composition away from heavy industry and towards companies providing services.

Textile companies were well represented in the original index but disappeared as a result of the industry’s long-term decline. Coal mines departed under nationalisation. Oil shares gained representation in the index for the first time in1977, with the inclusion of British Petroleum, and in 1984 National Westminster Bank became the first entry from the financial sector. BT and British Gas were added after privatisation. Only two companies have remained in the index since its inception: – Tate & Lyle and engineering firm GKN..