M&S faces ejection from the top tier of British business – but are other big names set to follow?

The retailer, a member of the blue chip FTSE 100 index since 1984, is languishing at the bottom of the league table, writes James Moore

M&S Store in Westfield Shopping Centre, Stratford, London (iStock)

Is M&S about to be booted out of the FTSE 100? The index is preparing for one of its regular quarterly reshuffles, when the fastest-growing contenders from the second tier FTSE 250 are promoted and the slowpokes on the big board are sent down.

An analysis by broker AJ Bell suggests M&S, which has been a member since the index was created in 1984, is languishing above the trap door and, bar a miracle, will fall through it when the numbers are examined after the close of play on Tuesday.