London’s FTSE 100 stocks index has reached a milestone, surpassing 10,000 points for the first time. On the first trading day of 2026, the index gained 1.0 percent to reach an all-time high of 10,033.75 points. This extends the record run seen in 2025, during which the index rose more than 21 percent, its biggest gain in 16 years.
The significant increase in 2025 was largely driven by cuts to British interest rates, as well as reductions to borrowing costs by the US Federal Reserve, as global inflation retreated. This created a favorable environment for stock markets worldwide, with many reaching all-time peaks and achieving double-digit gains.
The FTSE 100 index features prominent companies such as energy group BP, telecoms firm Vodafone, and banking giant HSBC. The share price of gold miner Fresnillo also contributed to the index’s new record, having risen 436 percent in 2025 due to the precious metal’s price striking multiple record highs.
The global stock market trend in 2025 was marked by unprecedented growth, with many indices achieving record highs. The FTSE 100’s surpassing of 10,000 points is a notable milestone, reflecting the ongoing optimism in the global economy.
As the year begins, investors will be watching closely to see if this trend continues. The combination of favorable interest rates and reduced borrowing costs has created a positive outlook for many companies, and it remains to be seen how this will play out in the coming months. With the FTSE 100 reaching new heights, it will be important to monitor the index’s performance and its impact on the global economy.