FTSE to get 15-second update after 23 February

The FTSE 100 Index of leading shares will be calculated every 15 seconds from February 23, FTSE International, said yesterday. At present the index is calculated every minute.

FTSE International said it meant the index would reflect market movements faster and enable increased visibility for investors following the UK market.

Meanwhile, the options market LIFFE said it would introduce an electronic trading system for equity derivatives on individual stocks on 30 November. The new system, called LIFFE CONNECT, will allow investors to trade derivatives on electronic screens, using a system that matches buy and sell orders.