The FTSE 100 edged lower in early afternoon trading on Christmas Eve, closing the shortened session at 9,865.86 as of 12:30 PM GMT on December 24, 2025. The benchmark index slipped 0.24%, down from its previous close of 9,889.22, as investors took a cautious stance amid thin holiday trading volumes.
Markets in London opened marginally lower and remained subdued throughout the session, with the FTSE briefly touching an intraday high of 9,893.15 before drifting lower to a session low of 9,862.04. Trading activity was lighter than usual, reflecting the reduced participation typical of the Christmas period.
Despite the modest decline on the day, the FTSE 100 remains close to record territory. The index’s 52-week high of 9,930.09 was reached in November 2025, capping a strong rally over the past year. On a one-year basis, the index has returned approximately 25.45%, supported by resilient earnings from heavyweight constituents and a favourable macroeconomic backdrop.
The FTSE 100 continues to benefit from its sector composition, with significant exposure to financials, energy and commodities. Major constituents such as HSBC Holdings, Shell, AstraZeneca and Unilever have provided stability and upside during periods of global market volatility. The index’s relatively modest price-to-earnings ratio of 14.88 has also made it attractive to value-focused investors compared with some international peers.
In 2025, the FTSE 100 has notably outperformed the S&P 500 on a year-to-date basis, driven by strong performances in banking stocks amid higher interest rates earlier in the year, as well as robust cash flows from oil and mining companies. The index’s international exposure has further cushioned it against slower domestic UK growth, as many listed firms generate a substantial share of revenues overseas.
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With UK markets closed on December 25 for the Christmas Day holiday, attention will shift to the final trading sessions of the year, where investors will assess portfolio positioning, central bank outlooks for 2026 and the sustainability of the FTSE’s near-record levels. While short-term volatility may remain muted due to low liquidity, analysts expect broader market direction to be shaped by expectations around interest rate cuts and global economic growth in the new year.
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