The FTSE 100 index started on 3 January 1984 with a worth of 1,000. Since then, it’s doubled thrice — in 1987, 1997 and 2024.

With the index close to 8,205, can it double once more? Though optimistic outcomes aren’t assured, I feel it’s seemingly, and right here’s why.

Rising costs, long-term rising index

Over years, inflation retains a gentle upwards strain on the index. When costs rise, companies have a tendency to extend their revenues, money flows and earnings.

On prime of that, firms typically develop their companies and enhance their earnings due to operational progress. That course of may enhance the index.

Companies that fail to develop typically slip out of the Footsie to get replaced by higher enterprises with promising development prospects. In that sense, the index tends to be self-renewing with a bent to lean in the direction of development.

For traders taking a really long-term strategy, there’s a case for placing cash into low-cost, mechanically-managed index tracker funds.

I’d goal the FTSE 100, FTSE 250 and America’s S&P 500 indices as a place to begin. However there are numerous different tempting trackers to decide on between too.

Nonetheless, throughout the Footsie, particular person firms typically outperform. For instance, Rolls-Royce Holdings and Marks and Spencer most lately. So I’d additionally attempt to discover a few of these alternatives and put money into their shares alongside my tracker positions.

One FTSE 100 firm I’m eager on proper now could be Mondi (LSE: MNDI), the packaging and paper options producer.

After weaker earnings in 2023 and 2024, Metropolis analysts count on a powerful bounce-back subsequent yr. However one of many dangers is the enterprise may be cyclical and susceptible to the ups and downs of the economic system.

Worth within the sector

The previous few years have been tough for agency’s like Mondi due to all of the well-reported normal challenges for companies. Nonetheless, the underlying developments of web buying and ditching plastic packaging are supportive for the agency long term.

There’s competitors within the sector, and that’s an ongoing danger. However suppressed valuations have led to take-overs and consolidation within the business recently. For instance, with Smurfit Kappa, which is now Smurfit Westrock after merging with Atlanta, Georgia-based WestRock this month (July).

In one other deal, DS Smith agreed in April to be taken over by Tennessee-based Worldwide Paper and that course of is ongoing.

I feel all this company motion suggests there’s worth within the sector. Again in Could, Mondi up to date the market about first-quarter buying and selling. Chief govt Andrew King mentioned demand within the agency’s markets had been bettering throughout January, February and March.

The order e-book’s been getting stronger and better gross sales volumes have been coming by.

Nonetheless, Mondi began 2024 with decrease promoting costs in comparison with the prior yr. Nonetheless, King mentioned the enterprise is nicely positioned to profit if buying and selling circumstances and demand proceed to enhance.

We’ll learn how nicely the second-quarter went with the half-year outcomes due on 1 August.

In the meantime, with the share price close to 1,564p, the forward-looking price-to-earnings score is simply over 12 for 2025 and the anticipated dividend yield is round 4%.

I feel that’s an undemanding valuation and could be eager to dig in with additional research now. My intention could be to choose up just a few of the shares to carry long run.