The FTSE 100 index has climbed above 10,000 points for the first time, passing a significant stock market milestone, on the first trading day of the year.
Shares included in the index performed strongly in 2025, leaving the benchmark more than 21% higher than a year ago, when it stood at just over 8,260. It set a new all-time record reaching 10,046 points before dropping back and closing the day at 9951.
Despite much talk of high stock valuations in the US over the past year, the London index outperformed the major American indexes in 2025.
Shares in British brands such as Currys and Next rose steeply alongside gains for precious metal miners, defence and financial services companies.