FTSE 100 Breaks 10,000 Points Mark for the First Time
The FTSE 100 rose to 10,000 points for the first time on the first trading day of 2026, reaching this level within about 30 minutes of the market opening. The index, which includes the 100 most valuable UK-listed companies on the London Stock Exchange, features major banks such as Barclays, NatWest, HSBC, and Lloyds, as well as retailers like Tesco, Marks & Spencer, and Sainsbury’s. Rolls-Royce Holdings and Fresnillo were notable contributors to the morning rise.
Analysts from AJ Bell described this milestone as historic, linking the momentum to recent policy announcements by Chancellor Rachel Reeves. Among the budget changes, the cap on cash ISAs’ tax-free contributions has been set at £12,000 per year to encourage investment in the stock market. This milestone highlights a strong start to 2026 for UK equities and reflects the FTSE 100’s long history since its launch in 1984.
