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%.
Ready to put what you’ve learned into practice?
Try IG’s platform with £10,000 in virtual funds and practise trading
without putting your own money at risk.
Try IG with a demo account →
Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 69% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider.
Learn the markets with IG Academy
Build your knowledge with IG Academy educational content, then use a
demo account to practise what you’ve learned on the IG platform.
Explore IG →
Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 69% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider.
See how trading works before risking real money
IG’s demo gives you access to thousands of markets and £10,000 in
virtual funds, so you can explore the platform and test your ideas first.
Open an IG demo →
Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 69% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider.
Turn trading theory into practical experience
Learn with IG Academy, explore charts and market tools, and practise
strategies in a simulated trading environment before going live.
Start practising with IG →
Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 69% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider.
Ready to take your learning further?
IG combines market education, analysis and an established trading platform,
giving you the tools to keep learning as you develop your trading skills.
Discover IG →
Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 69% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider.
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.
Searching for the Perfect Broker?
Discover our top-recommended brokers for trading or investing in financial markets. Dive in and test their capabilities with complimentary demo accounts today!
YOUR CAPITAL IS AT RISK. 76% OF RETAIL CFD ACCOUNTS LOSE MONEY
