London's premier stock index, the FTSE 100, has achieved a historic milestone, surging past the 10,000-point mark for the very first time. The blue-chip index reached an all-time intraday high of 10,046.3 points on Friday, 2 January 2026, as trading resumed after the new year holiday.
A Knockout Year Culminates in Record High
The breakthrough follows a stellar performance in 2025, during which the FTSE 100 climbed by an impressive 21.5% – its strongest annual gain since 2009. The index had been hovering close to the symbolic 10,000 level for months, bolstered by soaring share prices in sectors like precious metals, defence, and financial services. Despite broader economic challenges and global political uncertainty, investors have been attracted to the relative resilience of these major UK-listed firms.
Dan Coatsworth, head of markets at AJ Bell, hailed the moment as historic. "This is a historic moment and already makes 2026 one of the most significant years for the blue-chip index since its launch in 1984," he said. He added that breaking the 10,000 level was the "best new year’s present" for Chancellor Rachel Reeves and proved that the UK market "is not stuck in the mud."
Defence and Mining Stocks Lead the Charge
The new year rally was led by several key sectors. In thin trading volumes, defence firms were standout performers. Engine-maker Rolls-Royce was the top blue-chip riser, gaining 3%, closely followed by peers Babcock International and BAE Systems, both up just under 3%. This continues a remarkable run for the defence sector, which saw share prices for Rolls and Babcock roughly double in 2025 amid rising geopolitical tensions.
Mining giants also enjoyed significant boosts. Fresnillo, a silver specialist, rose 3%, while Glencore and Antofagasta each gained 2%. Furthermore, oil major BP lifted 2% as it continued to advance following the announcement that Meg O’Neill will become its new chief executive in April.
Outperforming Global Peers
The FTSE 100 closed 2025 at 9,931.38 points, having shot past previous record highs multiple times throughout the year. Its performance notably outstripped many European and US peers, including France’s Cac 40 and New York’s S&P 500. This success story was highlighted by extraordinary individual performances, such as that of Fresnillo, whose share price soared about five-fold over 2025, and Endeavor Mining, whose shares nearly tripled.
This landmark achievement underscores a growing confidence in the UK's blue-chip market, demonstrating its capacity for robust gains even against a backdrop of domestic economic uncertainty and global volatility.
