BA to soar back into the FTSE 100

Based on Tuesday's closing prices, BA will rejoin the index after nine months on the sidelines.

BA will replace Provident Financial following the quarterly review, after its shares gained more than 44% over the last six months of trading.

Now worth 227.75p a share, BA should be ranked 80th among the top 100 British companies, with a market capitalisation of �1.595bn.

Missed out

Logistics company Hays is also to re-enter the top 100 of blue-chip shares, and will replace recent entrant pubs group Mitchells and Butlers.

BA missed out on rejoining the FTSE 100 at the last review in September, after the SARS outbreak in the Far East hit its shares.