Overview
- London’s blue‑chip index crossed 10,000 intraday and reached a record high near 10,046 before closing at 9,951, up 0.2% on the day.
- The UK benchmark’s push follows a nearly 22% gain in 2025, with miners, defence groups and banks leading; early trade featured strength in Fresnillo and Rolls‑Royce.
- Equities advanced across regions as South Korea set new highs, India’s Nifty hit a record intraday, and Hong Kong rallied on tech; Pakistan’s PSX jumped past 176,000 on Jan. 1.
- Gold and silver added to their multi‑month surge after landmark 2025 gains, extending a parallel run alongside equities.
- Wall Street finished mixed on the first session of 2026, with the S&P 500 and Dow edging higher as the Nasdaq slipped, Treasury yields rose, and attention turned to upcoming U.S. jobs data.