FTSE 100 average return, best months and biggest falls since 2004
23 years of daily prices in numbers: the average year, the best and worst months, every big fall and how long the recovery took. Prices to 14 October 2026.
The FTSE 100 follows the 100 largest companies listed in London, many of them global miners, oil companies and banks. Index prices, without dividends.
On 14 October 2026, the FTSE 100 stood 1.7% below its record close, on 27 February 2026. Over the past twelve months its highest close was 17% above its lowest.
How far the FTSE 100 stood below its record high, week by week since 2004
The FTSE 100 average return over the last 5, 10 and 20 years
Over the last 10 years the FTSE 100 rose 4.3% a year on average, +53% in total. The table shows the average yearly return for each span up to 14 October 2026.
| Period | From | A year on average | In total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 1 year | 14 Oct 2025 | +13.5% | +13% |
| Last 3 years | 13 Oct 2023 | +12.2% | +41% |
| Last 5 years | 14 Oct 2021 | +8.3% | +49% |
| Last 10 years | 14 Oct 2016 | +4.3% | +53% |
| Last 20 years | 13 Oct 2006 | +2.8% | +74% |
The average year
From 2005 to 2025, the FTSE 100 rose in 15 of 21 calendar years. The average year gained +4.4% and the median year +5.8%. The best year was 2009 (+22.1%), the worst 2008 (−31.3%). This year to 14 October: +8.0%.
* Year to date.
Best and worst months
April has been the strongest month on average (+2.0%, higher in 18 of 23 years) and June the weakest (−0.8%, higher in 10 of 23). The gaps between months are small next to the swings inside any single month, so read them as tendencies, not rules.
Average change of the FTSE 100 by calendar month, 2004–2025
Is the summer really weaker? We tested the old saying: Sell in May and go away.
The biggest falls, and how long the way back took
The deepest fall since 2004 took the FTSE 100 47.8% below its high of 15 June 2007. It hit bottom on 3 March 2009 after 21 months, and it took another 4.2 years to close above the old high again, on 20 May 2013.
| High | Low | Fall | Fall took | Back at the high | Recovery took |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 Jun 2007 | 3 Mar 2009 | −47.8% | 21 months | 20 May 2013 | 4.2 years |
| 22 May 2018 | 23 Mar 2020 | −36.6% | 22 months | 3 Feb 2023 | 2.9 years |
| 27 Apr 2015 | 11 Feb 2016 | −22.1% | 10 months | 28 Dec 2016 | 11 months |
| 3 Mar 2025 | 9 Apr 2025 | −13.4% | 37 days | 12 Jun 2025 | 2 months |
| 22 May 2013 | 24 Jun 2013 | −11.9% | 33 days | 24 Feb 2014 | 8 months |
How much it moves in a day
On a typical day the FTSE 100 closes about 0.5% higher or lower. A move of more than 2% happened on 6% of trading days, and a move of more than 5% 23 times in 5,755 days. The largest rise was +9.8% on 24 November 2008; the largest fall −10.9% on 12 March 2020.
| Day | Average change | Days higher | Days counted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | +0.01% | 51% | 1,073 |
| Tuesday | +0.07% | 53% | 1,171 |
| Wednesday | +0.04% | 54% | 1,180 |
| Thursday | −0.05% | 53% | 1,178 |
| Friday | +0.02% | 53% | 1,153 |
Differences between weekdays are small and change from decade to decade. They are not a reason to trade on a given day.
Questions people ask
What is the best month for the FTSE 100?
No month is reliable. Since 2004, April has been the strongest on average (+2.0%, higher in 18 of 23 years) and June the weakest.
What is the average return of the FTSE 100 over the last 10 years?
+4.3% a year from 14 October 2016 to 14 October 2026, +53% in total, price only.
How much has the FTSE 100 gained since 2004?
From 2 January 2004 to 14 October 2026: +138% in total, or +3.9% a year.
What was the biggest fall in the FTSE 100?
−47.8% from 15 June 2007 to 3 March 2009; it was back at its high on 20 May 2013.
How much does the FTSE 100 move in a day?
About 0.5% on a typical day. Days with a move of more than 2% made up 6% of all trading days since 2004.
About these numbers
Index prices, without dividends. Daily closing prices from 2 January 2004 to 14 October 2026. Before use, the series was checked for gaps and for jumps that are data errors rather than market moves.
This page describes past prices. It is not advice to buy or sell anything.