FTSE

When we say the word “footsie,” it’s likely during a convo about how strong our flirtation game is. Because it’s strong.

But when investors say “footsie,” it’s a lot more probable that they’re talking about the Financial Times Stock Exchange Group, or FTSE. “Footsie” is its nickname.

Anyway, the FTSE is owned by the London Stock Exchange Group, and their whole claim to fame is that they compile global stock market indices that European investors just go nuts over. Well, maybe not nuts, per se, but they do follow those hypothetical indices and use them to guide their investment decisions.

In 2015, the FTSE Group merged with Russell Indexes and became FTSE Russell. This power couple produces one of the most widely used indices in Europe: the FTSE 100. This index focuses on blue-chip stocks on the London Stock Exchange, and is usually a good barometer of financial performance in the UK in general. They produce other indices too, but the FTSE 100 is the most popular. Kind of like we are when we bust out our footsie moves.