FTSE 100 hits record high, breaking 9,000 points for the first time, boosted by positive earnings season with key stocks like BT and Reckitt Benckiser. UK stocks, previously unloved, are now benefiting from defensive qualities and increased investor interest in defense contractors like Rolls-Royce and BAE Systems, leading the FTSE higher.

Year to date, the FTSE 100 is up 10%, recovering from tariff-related global selloff. The UK market benefits from investor flows to Europe, offering an ideal combination of valuation and dividends. UK stocks have been out of favor for years, but the current defensive qualities make them attractive in uncertain times.

The FTSE 100 index has made a slow journey to 9,000 points, facing obstacles like dotcom boom, global financial crisis, Brexit, and pandemic. Technical analysis shows key support and resistance levels between 6,000 and 7,000 points, with the index taking years to break through each level. Rolls-Royce and BAE Systems are up around 60% this year, contributing to the FTSE’s rise.

Read more at Morningstar: Inside the FTSE 100’s Record Breaking Week as it Pushes Beyond 9,000 Points