The FTSE 100 reached a new high on the first trading day of 2026, surpassing 10,000 points driven by mining, aerospace, and defense stocks. Notably, the index last closed above 9,000 points in July 2025. UK blue-chip shares have been on a strong rally, with defense, financial, and mining sectors leading the way.

In 2025, the UK’s FTSE 100 outperformed the S&P 500, rising over 20% despite global economic disruptions. Political efforts in Western Europe for stronger defense infrastructure boosted UK defense stocks significantly. The market’s success highlights the potential for wealth creation through investing in UK shares, particularly in dividends and steady growth companies.

The FTSE 100 index, which started at 1,000 points in 1984, has risen over 600% to surpass 10,000 points in 2026. The journey to this milestone has been marked by various external factors like the dotcom bubble, financial crises, Brexit, and the pandemic. Key milestones include breaching 6,000 points in 1998 and 9,000 points in July 2025.

Read more at Morningstar: FTSE 100 Hits 10,000 Points for the First Time in History