TATE & LYLE is on the verge of reclaiming its place in the FTSE 100 after soaring demand for sweeteners has sent its shares up 54 per cent.

The sugar refiner has undergone a rehabilitation with investors amid rising commodity prices and the spread of low-carbohydrate diets, which have boosted sales of Splenda, its sucralose sweetener.

It is the front-runner to gain a place in the FTSE 100 in this week’s quarterly review, which will be decided on the basis of tomorrow’s closing share price.

However, as of Friday’s rankings, Tate & Lyle, which has been out of the FTSE 100 for seven years, fell fractionally short of automatic promotion, meaning it needs to advance over the next two sessions or count on a borderline FTSE 100 constituent to lose value to be sure of a place.

Other contenders for promotion are International Power, the generating spin-off of the former National Power; P&O, the port operator; and RMC Group, the cement maker.

Tomkins, Bunzl and Schroders are favourites for demotion.

While it is possible there will be no promotions to the FTSE 100, changes to the FTSE 250 are a certainty. French Connection and Thus Group are destined for the exit, with their places set to be taken by Admiral Group, the insurer, and Peacock Group, the retailer.

The outcome of the review will be announced on Wednesday and implemented on December 20.