The FTSE 100 has broken through the 10,000-point level for the first time, marking a historic milestone for the UK's blue-chip index. On Friday, the first trading day of the year, the index jumped to a high of 10,046 before easing back slightly.
The index, created in 1984, rose by 21.5% over the course of last year, driven by gains in sectors such as defence and mining. Engineering company Rolls-Royce and luxury fashion group Burberry were among the top risers on Friday, each up about 4%.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves hailed the milestone as 'a vote of confidence in Britain's economy and a strong start to 2026'. Dan Coatsworth of AJ Bell said the achievement 'proves to cynics that the UK market is not stuck in the mud'.
The rally in London also lifted the pan-European Stoxx 600 index to a record high, led by mining and energy sectors. Global markets have risen sharply over the past 12 months, supported by hopes of interest rate cuts and the artificial intelligence boom.
The FTSE 100 contains the 100 most valuable companies listed in London, including mining groups Rio Tinto and Anglo American, oil giants BP and Shell, and banks such as Barclays and HSBC. Fresnillo was the best-performing stock last year, up about 450% as gold and silver prices surged.
