Historic Milestone: UK’s FTSE 100 Surpasses 10,000 Points

London’s Elite Index Hits Unprecedented High Since Its Inception in 1984

On Friday, January 2, 2026, the FTSE 100, Britain’s leading index, made a historic leap, momentarily crossing the symbolic 10,000 points threshold for the first time in its 42-year history. The index reached an intraday peak of 10,046.25 before settling at 9,951 points, marking the end of an extraordinary rally that saw the index rise by 21.5% in 2025—its most robust annual performance since 2009.

The surge was primarily driven by precious metals miners, aerospace, and defense stocks. Companies like Fresnillo, Rolls-Royce, Melrose Industries, Babcock, and BAE Systems were at the forefront of these gains. Dan Coatsworth, Head of Markets at AJ Bell, hailed it as “a historic moment” that “already makes 2026 one of the most significant years for the blue-chip index.”

The FTSE 100’s impressive performance significantly outshone many of its European and U.S. counterparts, including France’s CAC 40. The rally was sparked by a political drive across Western Europe for stronger defense infrastructure, coupled with appealing valuations and the growing allure of UK equities to international investors. Analysts credit the success to globally diversified earnings, robust cash generation, and the prospect of a more accommodative Bank of England. Many predict the index could reach 11,405 points in 2026.

Source: CNBC