Footsie beats Wall Street in its best year since 2009

THE UK’S biggest stock market index enjoyed its best year since recovering from the financial crisis, outperforming global rivals as shares soared despite economic and political uncertainty.

- By Anna Wise

Mining, defence and finance led the charge as the FTSE 100 gained 1,758.36 points — or 21.5% — from the last trading day of 2024 to December 31, 2025.

This was the biggest increase since 2009 when the index of firms listed on the London Stock Exchange climbed by 22.1% in the aftermath of the global financial crash.

Closing 2025 at 9,931.38, the FTSE shot past record-high levels on multiple occasions through the year and teetered close to surpassing 10,000.