FTSE 100 Index Pushes Beyond 10,000; Next Gains After Guidance Increase

The FTSE 100 extended its record-breaking run on Tuesday, rising 0.6% after closing above 10,000 for the first time on Monday.

The latest advance outpaced movements in some of the other European markets, where the DAX edged up 0.1%, the CAC 40 slipped 0.2% and the Stoxx 600 gained 0.2%.

Next was among the strongest performers, climbing more than 3% after issuing a bullish trading update for the nine weeks to December 27, 2025.

Full-price sales rose 10.6% year-on-year, beating the retailer’s forecast of 7%. The company said the outperformance, alongside expected additional January trading, allowed it to raise full-year profit-before-tax guidance by £15 million to £1,150 million.

Shares rose 3.5%, helping lift other retailers, with Tesco up 2.6% and Sainsbury’s 2.1% higher.

On the downside, JD Sports dropped 6.5%, leading the fallers, followed by Auto Trader down 2.4% and Burberry off 1.8%.

In corporate news, Rank Group said chief executive John O’Reilly will retire on January 29, 2026, after informing the board of his intention to step down. He will remain with the business until the end of the 2025/26 financial year to support the transition.

The company announced that chief financial officer Richard Harris will take over as interim CEO from January 30, 2026.

With the FTSE 100 continuing to push deeper into record territory, investors are looking to see whether the index can sustain momentum after its breakthrough above 10,000.