Financial Services Authority (FSA)
An independent watchdog set up by the government to regulate financial services and protect investors' rights. It provides free and independent information about financial matters on its website, which can be found in our useful links section.
The FSA also approves companies for admission to the Official List of the London Stock Exchange. The FSA, acting as the competent authority for listing, is referred to as the UK Listing Authority (UKLA).
Fixed interest securities
Securities like debenture stocks, loan stock and convertibles which carry a fixed rate of interest called a coupon.
FTSE 100 index
An index of the 100 largest UK companies trading on the London Stock Exchange. Its constituents are reviewed quarterly.
FTSE All-Share index
A broadly based index covering hundreds of the largest UK industrial, commercial and financial companies, including some investment companies. Commonly used as a benchmark against which performance of some investment companies or sectors are measured.
FTSE Equity Investment Instruments index
An index covering eligible UK investment companies. Often used as a measure of how the investment company sector as a whole has performed.
