The FTSE 100 stock market index has ticked past a pretty stunning milestone. It has crossed above the 10,000-point mark for the very first time ever in its history! As a result, on Monday, the benchmark index for the London Stock Exchange, the FTSE, jumped more than 1%. On Thursday, it hit an intraday record of 10,046.3 points. This notable achievement highlights the performance of the 100 largest companies listed on the exchange, which largely consist of international firms that generate substantial revenues from markets outside the UK.
The FTSE 100 is a proud showcase of Britain’s corporate strength. One year on, it has proved to be a testing force of extreme resilience. In fact, it’s up more than 21%, soaring from 8260 points to today’s all-time high of 10046. This growth trajectory outpaces that of France’s CAC 40 and the US’s S&P 500 indexes. Clearly, it is the better news at the moment for investors and market analysts, too.
The index is heavily weighted towards large multinationals, with heavyweights like Rio Tinto, Babcock and Rolls-Royce. Arguably, Next and Burberry have been the real surprise stars behind the index’s buoyant performance. The UK economy is doing terribly, but the stock market is in an economic boom on the FTSE 100. Both trends point toward a historic high in corporate giving.
On Monday, just before noon, the FTSE 100 fell to 9,981.21 points. It soon recovered, climbing back over the key 10,000-point barrier. This event has been described by some as a “vote of confidence in Britain’s economy and a strong start to 2026,” according to the Chancellor.
Analysts have long warned that the FTSE 100’s rise is not indicative of the UK’s economic state. Dan Coatsworth noted that “investors often seek solace in companies whose goods and services should be in demand no matter what’s happening in the world.” Further, investors increasingly are opting to invest in common stock. Specifically, they are moving away from the practice of keeping cash in bank accounts.
Despite all the index has accomplished, the road has not been without bumps. Large influential firms such as Greggs and Diageo have already experienced a 39% decline in their stock prices. The FTSE 100’s capacity to achieve this further milestone goes to show what may be attainable with the long-term strategy — investing right here in UK shares.
The climb of the FTSE 100 is a timely reminder for investors climbing uncertain economic terrains. Around two-thirds of the FTSE 100 companies earn more than three-quarters of their revenue from outside the UK. Therefore, their performance can often be out of step with domestic economic trends.