Shares in UK IT companies have soared by more than 50% in less than five months following the establishment of the FT Information Technology index in January. Launched at 1,000, the index is now over 1580 – boosted by good results over the past two days from Sage Group Plc and Micro Focus Group Plc. Although shares in the sector are now selling at a colossal 70 times earnings, investor demand continues unabated while the companies are able to report substantial increases in income. The next milestone is expected to be the move by software company Misys Plc onto the FTSE index of top 100 companies. While its shares fell back 100 pence to 3180 on profit-taking at yesterday’s close, it is expected to join the blue-chip elite soon.
