This week in the markets: The FTSE 100 finally hits 10,000; the US intervenes in Venezuela; and retailers report on Christmas trading. 

Happy new year! 2026 is upon us and many investors are feeling chipper. Late last week, the FTSE 100 reached 10,000 points for the first time in its 42-year history. It has retreated slightly since then, but the message is clear: mature sectors such as banking, mining and defence are back in fashion.

The US stock market is also on a roll. The S&P 500 rose by almost a fifth last year, despite tariffs, inflation fears, and a lengthy government shutdown. This was its third year in a row of double-digit growth.

AI was the big driver of gains, but the rally seemed to broaden out slightly, with smaller companies also rising in 2025. 

Elsewhere, Japanese stocks logged their highest ever year-end close on 30 December and European equities hit an all-time high this morning. 

We are now in a period of predictions. Everyone is speculating about what will unfold in 2026.

One thing that few of us predicted, though, was the strike on Venezuela over the weekend. On Saturday, US forces captured the Venezuelan president and his wife on suspected narcoterrorism. It has since laid out a series of demands it expects the country to meet. This marks Washington’s most direct intervention in Latin America since the invasion of Panama 37 years ago.

It has caused ripples in the market. Venezuela is home to some of the world’s biggest oil reserves, and the international oil benchmark fell this morning. Analysts are worried that America’s actions will increase oil exports from the country. 

In contrast, gold rose this morning due to the heightened geopolitical risk. 

Venezuela is likely to hog the headlines this week, but there are plenty of economic updates to look out for too. 

On Friday, the US will publish its December jobs report. The strength of the labour market could have a direct bearing on interest rates in 2026 - a weaker jobs market could mean more cuts. News of who will succeed Jerome Powell as Federal Reserve chair is also expected this month. 

Meanwhile, countries around the world are preparing to publish retail sales data, insights into consumer confidence, and mortgage lending figures. 

Corporate results are thin on the ground this week, but keep an eye out for trading updates from retailers such as Next and Marks & Spencer. These statements tend to be short but provide a useful insight into Christmas trading. 

Investors are also on the hunt for fresh opportunities. It is expected to be a busy year for IPOs. Three of the world’s biggest private tech firms - SpaceX, OpenAI and Anthropic - are all reportedly preparing to float. Nothing is certain, though. 2025 was also meant to be packed with IPOs, but things were derailed by a global trade war.

In fact, investors might be experiencing a general sense of déjà vu. As we step into 2026, many of the big concerns - like the global tech bubble, US trade policies, and the direction of inflation - are the same as last year. Let’s see if things become any less familiar.