Overview
- London’s benchmark hit a record intraday high near 10,046 before closing at 9,951.14, up 0.2% on the day after its first-ever break above 10,000.
- The FTSE 100 rose roughly 21–22% in 2025, its best annual gain since 2009, with miners, defense contractors and banks among the strongest contributors.
- Precious metals extended last year’s powerful rally, lifting UK miners such as Fresnillo, while defense names including Rolls-Royce and BAE Systems advanced in early trade.
- Global markets opened 2026 higher as AI-related optimism supported tech shares, with Britain and South Korea setting records, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng up 2.8%, and U.S. equities firmer early on.
- Regional momentum broadened, with India’s Nifty notching a record intraday high and Pakistan’s PSX-100 jumping past 176,000 on Jan. 1.