![Popular Small-Size Actress Aunty Ajara Dies After Liver Illness [VIDEO]](https://thepunchng.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/20241109_125042-75x75.jpg)
London’s benchmark FTSE 100 index surged past the 10,000-point mark for the first time on Friday, marking a historic milestone for the UK stock market and extending a record-breaking rally from last year.
In early trading on the first session of 2026, the blue-chip index — which includes heavyweight companies such as BP, Vodafone, and HSBC — climbed 1.0 per cent to a new all-time high of 10,033.75 points.
Strong Momentum From 2025 Rally
The FTSE 100 closed 2025 with a gain of over 21 per cent, its strongest annual performance in 16 years. Analysts attribute the rally largely to interest rate cuts in the UK, alongside lower borrowing costs driven by easing monetary policy from the US Federal Reserve as global inflation pressures subsided.
Gold Stocks Lead the Charge
A key driver of Friday’s record was another sharp rise in shares of gold miner Fresnillo. The company’s stock surged 436 per cent in 2025, benefiting from soaring gold prices that repeatedly hit new record highs amid global economic uncertainty.
Global Markets at Record Levels
The FTSE 100’s milestone reflects a broader trend across global financial markets. Stock indices worldwide reached all-time highs in 2025, posting double-digit gains as investor confidence improved and inflation continued to cool.
