UK equity investors have had to wait a long time for the FTSE 100 to return to levels not seen since the early stages of the financial crisis. But the blue-chip index achieved that milestone this week when it reached its highest point since the Christmas period of 2007.

Shareholders of credit checking and monitoring company Experian had more reason than most to cheer: its stock was the top gainer of London's blue-chip rally, climbing a hefty 182% between January 2, 2008 and March 6, 2013. An investor who bought 1,000 shares of Experian on January 2, 2008 at £4.04 per share and sold them on March 6, 2013 at £11.45 per share would have made a gain of £7,050.