The FTSE 100 has climbed above 10,000 for the first time, a very strong start to 2026 for UK stocks. This climb reflects global exposure, steady earnings and renewed investor confidence.
The UK stock market started the year with a landmark moment; the FTSE 100 has moved above 10,000 for the first time, a level that once felt symbolic rather than inevitable. It is a striking way to open 2026 and of course a reminder that the UK market has quietly rebuilt its momentum after years of being overshadowed by US technology stocks and global uncertainty.
A milestone years in the making
The climb of the FTSE 100 Index has been about steady accumulation. Unlike growth-heavy indices elsewhere, the UK market is dominated by global earners; banks, energy firms, miners and defence groups whose revenues stretch far beyond domestic borders.
As inflation pressures eased through the second half of last year and interest-rate expectations stabilised, those characteristics became an advantage rather than a drawback. Investors searching for income, resilience and valuation support increasingly found it in London-listed stocks.
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The force driving the rally
Several forces have aligned behind the FTSE’s move higher. Banks have benefited from a period of stable, elevated interest rates, supporting margins without the shock of further aggressive tightening. Commodity-linked companies have found support from steady demand and constrained supply, and defence stocks remain underpinned by long-term government spending commitments.
The FTSE’s international exposure has also helped cushion it from weaker domestic growth, which is crucial. For global investors, the index has increasingly looked like a diversified play on world demand rather than a pure bet on the UK economy.
How the FTSE compares globally
As the US markets continue to wrestle with valuation concerns and narrow leadership, the FTSE’s progress has been broader and less dependent on a handful of stocks. This has not made the rally spectacular, however, it has made it durable.
European markets have also shown strength, yet the UK’s dividend-heavy structure and currency dynamics have made it particularly attractive for income-focused portfolios heading into the new year. We will be following UK Market News throughout 2026 to keep our trading community informed of important developments.
What does this mean for investors?
Crossing the 10,000 mark may not change the fundamentals overnight, however it does shift perception. Psychological milestones matter in markets because they influence positioning, confidence and narrative. Investors should see that the UK market is not suddenly risk-free, but that it has reasserted itself as a serious contender in global asset allocation discussions as 2026 begins.
Looking at the bigger picture
After years of being dismissed as dull or outdated, the FTSE’s recent milestone achievement reflects that the UK market still has a place in modern business portfolios. Now, as the year opens, focus will turn from the number itself to whether earnings, dividends and global conditions can continue to justify it.
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