31.12.202509:02:25UTC+00London Stocks Close 2025 at Records

In the concluding session of 2025, London's stock market hovered near record highs, setting the FTSE 100 on course for its most impressive annual achievement since 2009. The index remained largely unchanged at 9,930, projecting a gain of 21.5%. This performance underscores strong market sentiment and the durability of UK companies amidst a backdrop of decelerating growth, elevated inflation, and challenging public finances. The rally was prominently led by precious metals miners, with Fresnillo climbing an extraordinary 449%, Endeavour advancing by 169%, and Antofagasta growing by 107%. These gains were fueled by an increased demand for safe-haven assets and declining interest rates in the United States. The defense contractor Babcock surged by 148%, while the luxury brand Burberry saw a 30% increase, credited to effective turnaround strategies. Nonetheless, not all companies experienced prosperity. Greggs suffered a 39% loss, WPP, the advertising conglomerate, plummeted by 59%, and WH Smith, the retailer, dropped 46%, illustrating a year marked by significant variations in market performance.