FTSE 100 Hits 10,000 Milestone in New Year Rally

The FTSE 100 index, which tracks the 100 largest companies on the London Stock Exchange, reached a record high of 10,000 points on the first trading day of the year. This milestone, confirmed by multiple news sources, marks a significant achievement for the index, which closed the day at 9951 after reaching 10,046 points.

The surge was fueled by strong performances in the mining, defense, and banking sectors. Shares in British brands such as Currys and Next also rose steeply alongside gains for precious metal mining companies, according to the BBC. The index's performance in 2025 left the benchmark more than 21% higher than a year ago, when it stood at just over 8,260.

While the FTSE 100's performance benefits investors and potentially influences investment strategies, multiple news sources indicate that it is not a direct reflection of the overall UK economy. Despite much discussion of high stock valuations in the US over the past year, the London index outperformed the major American indexes in 2025, according to the BBC.