The company was responsible for more than 2.6% of the FTSE 100’s 14.4% rise last year – larger than that of the next three largest contributors combined, and the biggest since 2000.
Vodafone has reportedly made a record with its contribution as the highest percentage points contributor to the UK blue-chip index of any company in the last 10 years.
2013 saw the British firm sell its 45% stake in Verizon Wireless and acquire Kabel Deutschland, and despite difficulties in some of its European markets, the company’s share price increased 50% for the year.
Financial Times analysts noted a broader range of companies contributing to the index in 2013, compared to 2012 which was largely dominated by the banking sector.
Pharmaceutical firm GlaxoSmithKline was the second-largest contributor for this year – accounting for 0.9% of the total increase – and, for the second year running, Lloyds Banking Group and insurance company Prudential were among the top five contributors.