FTSE 100 Crosses 10,000-Point Milestone with Strong 2025 Performance
The FTSE 100 surpassed the symbolic 10,000-point barrier in 2025, marking an upward trend for the UK's largest companies. The index rose 21.5% during the year, recording its best performance since 2009.
Comprised of sectors including banking, mining, defence, oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, and consumer brands, the FTSE 100 notably excludes technology giants. This absence has been cited as providing diversification and acting as a hedge against the valuations of US megacap tech firms.
Defence stocks led gains, with companies like Rolls-Royce benefiting from increased European defence spending. The mining sector experienced growth due to safe-haven demand for gold and a rally in silver prices, with Fresnillo’s shares rising more than 360% in 2025.
Banks and financial institutions also performed strongly amid the absence of tax-raising measures. Lloyds increased by about 80%, Standard Chartered and Prudential rose over 70%, and Barclays gained more than 60%. Pharmaceuticals firms AstraZeneca and GSK maintained steady performance, supported by a UK–US deal expected to boost NHS drug spending.
Many FTSE 100 constituents, including HSBC, Anglo American, BAE Systems, Shell, Unilever, and AstraZeneca, generate the majority of their revenue outside the UK. Meanwhile, the FTSE 250 rose approximately 9% in 2025, indicating a stronger performance by the top-tier index but reflecting weaker exposure to UK-centric trends within the mid-cap segment.
