European stocks gain as FTSE briefly tops 10,000 and tech, defense drive rallies

Britain's FTSE 100 briefly surpassed the 10,000-point mark for the first time on Friday before settling 0.2% higher at 9,951, extending gains after a strong 2025. Analysts cautioned that the psychological milestone needs solid underlying support to hold. "Passing any large round number on an index is psychologically important but the foundations for the move have to be solid for the new level to set a floor rather than act as a ceiling for the index," said Toni Meadows, head of investment at BRI Wealth Management.

The pan-European Stoxx 600 provisionally closed about 0.6% higher, with most sectors and major bourses in the green. The index rose 16.7% in 2025, its third consecutive annual gain, led by banking stocks and a pickup in regional defense spending. Individual winners included Danish energy group Orsted, up 4.6% after it said it had challenged the U.S.

government's suspension of the lease for its Revolution Wind joint venture and would seek a court injunction. Dutch chip-equipment makers jumped after a Reuters report that the U.S. granted an annual licence to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company to import U.S. equipment into its Nanjing facilities.

Be Semiconductor and ASMI rose about 11.5% and 7%, respectively, while larger peer ASML finished roughly 7% higher. Mining and defense names were among the top performers, with Leonardo, Thyssenkrupp, Kongsberg Group, Saab and Rolls-Royce each closing more than 4% higher.

Key Topics

Business, Markets, Ftse 100, Stoxx 600, Gold, Semiconductors, Defense