The FTSE 100 index has reached a historic milestone, breaking through the 10,000-point barrier for the first time ever. This achievement caps off an exceptional 12-month period for the UK’s leading share index, which rose by an impressive 21.5% over the course of last year.
The blue-chip index hit a new peak of 10,046 points on Friday morning, before settling back slightly. This landmark moment underscores the remarkable recovery and resilience of the British stock market, which has bounced back strongly from the economic challenges of recent years.
Analysts attribute the FTSE 100’s stellar performance to a combination of factors, including the easing of pandemic-related restrictions, a robust economic recovery, and the resilience of many British companies in the face of global headwinds. The index’s diverse composition, spanning sectors such as finance, energy, and pharmaceuticals, has helped it weather the storm and deliver impressive returns for investors.
Elsewhere in the automotive industry, the Chinese carmaker BYD has overtaken Tesla as the world’s top seller of electric vehicles. BYD sold 2.26 million electric cars in 2025, a 28% increase from the previous year, as the company accelerated its expansion into the European market. In contrast, Tesla’s deliveries fell by 9% to 1.64 million units during the same period.
The news comes as the UK housing market experienced an unexpected dip in December. According to Nationwide, the average property price fell by 0.4% to £271,068 compared to November, confounding City forecasts of a 0.1% rise. The building society also reported that the annual rate of house price growth slowed to 0.6% in December, the weakest year-on-year reading since April 2024.
In a separate development, the ride-hailing app Uber has managed to sidestep the UK’s new “taxi tax” by rewriting its contracts with drivers. The move allows the company to avoid paying millions of pounds to the UK exchequer under the new levy introduced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves.
Overall, the news paints a mixed picture of the UK economy, with the stock market reaching new heights while the housing market and gig economy face some challenges. However, the FTSE 100’s performance stands out as a particularly bright spot, underscoring the resilience and potential of the British business landscape.
