The following chart plots the returns for the FTSE 100 Index over the first five-day trading period of the year.
![FTSE 100 Index over first 5 days of year [1985-2016]](http://stockmarketalmanac.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/FTSE-100-Index-over-first-5-days-of-year-1985-2016.png)
As can be seen, the -5.3% return over the first five days of 2016 has been the worst start ever to the year for the FTSE 100 Index since it was formed in 1984.
