Britain's FTSE 100 index hit 10,000 points for the first time since its inception in 1984. The index witnessed its best year since 2009, gaining nearly 22% in 2025. Its biggest gainers included miners like Fresnillo, defence firms such as Babcock and Rolls-Royce and banks including Lloyds. FTSE 100 outperformed Europe's STOXX 600 and S&P 500 indices too in 2025.