The FTSE 100 surpassed the 10,000 mark for the first time on the first trading day of 2026, a milestone that underscores the index’s strong run over recent months.
Although it has since eased back below the level, the benchmark remains up 0.7% on the day, supported by gains across European markets. The DAX has risen 0.5% and the CAC 40 is trading 0.6% higher.
Mining and industrial names lead Friday’s FTSE 100 advance. Fresnillo climbed 3.4%, Rolls-Royce gained 3.2%, Melrose rose 3% and Babcock advanced 2.5%. British American Tobacco was the biggest faller, down 1.2%, while Auto Trader slipped 1% and British Land fell 0.9%.
In economic news, fresh housing data pointed to cooling momentum in the property market. Nationwide reported that the average UK house price edged down to £271,068 in December, while annual growth slowed sharply to 0.6%, easing from 1.8% the previous month, the weakest pace since April 2024.
Elsewhere, InterContinental Hotels Group's switch to trading its ordinary shares in U.S. dollars takes effect today at 8 a.m. in London.
The company previously said the move, announced in its October third-quarter update, affects only the trading currency. The nominal share currency remains in sterling, and the change has no impact on IHG’s London listing or its ADR programme in New York.
The FTSE’s move above 10,000 marks a positive start to the new year, as investors gauge whether momentum can carry the index further higher in 2026.
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