LONDON: London's blue-chip FTSE 100 index hit the symbolic 10,000 points marker for the first time on Friday, the latest sign of surging stock markets around ‌the world. The British benchmark gained nearly ⁠22% in 2025, its best year since 2009, outperforming Europe's ​broad STOXX 600 index and the S&P 500. Its gains largely reflect euphoria towards stocks worldwide thanks to a rally in Artificial Intelligence, though British stock markets are little exposed to the sector. The FTSE, weighted-heavily towards internationally-focused companies, has also ⁠outperformed the domestically-focussed mid-cap FTSE 250. Still, the blue-chip index has lagged ⁠other markets such as Japan, Hong Kong, Spain and Italy .

Source: The Star January 02, 2026 10:20 UTC