London stocks lag US rivals in first half despite record highs

Key facts

• The FTSE 100 index gained 5% in the first half of 2026.
• The FTSE 100 reached a record high of around 10,911 points in February 2026.
• The S&P 500 rose 9.3% in the first half of 2026.
• The Nasdaq Composite surged 12.8% in the first half of 2026.
• US stock market gains were driven by AI-related stocks.

In the first half of 2026, London's stock market, represented by the FTSE 100 index, achieved a modest gain of 5%. The index reached an all-time high of around 10,911 points in February of that year. Despite this record high, the performance of the FTSE 100 lagged behind its US counterparts.