For the year, the blue chip index is down 13.55 percent.

That's its biggest daily fall since 21 November, wiping £32m off the value of the blue chip index.

According to industry forecasts, 2012 will see a flat market, with the blue chip index making no significant losses or gains.

Here we ask some fund managers, and some other City insiders, their forecasts for the blue chip index in 2012.

The blue chip index closed at 8,934.78, erasing Monday's 90.88 gain.

At midday the blue chip index was up 85 points at 5851.

It was the blue chip index's ninth straight gain and its eighth consecutive record.

Since March 14, the blue- chip index has gained more than 1,000 points.

Alcoa, the Dow's best performer last year, led the blue chip index up.

Many well known commentators made predictions this time last year about where the blue chip index would finish 2011.