FTSE 100 index enjoys its best year since 2009 with 21.5% rise

Shares in precious metal producers and defence firms surge in strong year for global equity markets

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Britain’s stock market has increased in value by a fifth over 2025 – its biggest annual gain since 2009 in a strong year for shares around the world.

The FTSE 100 index of blue-chip stocks closed up 21.5% on New Year’s Eve compared with the start of January. The wider all-share market was 19.75% higher.