FTSE 100 Posts Best Year Since 2009
2025-12-31 13:09
By
Joana Ferreira
1 min. read
The FTSE 100 closed at 9,931 points in the final session of 2025, hovering just below record levels and securing a 21.6% annual gain, its strongest performance since 2009.
The more domestically focused FTSE 250 also advanced, rising 9% over the year.
The rally reflected resilient investor sentiment and the competitiveness of UK companies despite a challenging backdrop of slowing growth, elevated inflation, and strained public finances.
Precious metals miners led the gains, with Fresnillo soaring 436%, Endeavour up 172%, and Antofagasta rising 106%, supported by stronger safe-haven demand and lower US interest rates.
Defense contractor Babcock jumped 148%, while luxury group Burberry gained 30% amid progress in its turnaround strategy.
However, performance diverged sharply across the market.
Greggs fell 40%, advertising group WPP dropped 59%, and retailer WH Smith declined 46%.