The FTSE 100 has hit a record high. Is now the time to start investing?Getty ImagesAs the new year got into its stride, so did the UK's index of leading shares. The FTSE 100 climbed above 10,000 points for the first time since it was created in 1984, cheering investors - and the chancellor, who wants more of us to move money out of cash savings and into investments. The index tracks the performance of the 100 largest companies listed on the London Stock Exchange and rose by more than a fifth in 2025. But with many people still struggling with everyday costs, and with talk of some stocks being overvalued, does the FTSE's success really make it a good time to encourage first-time investors?Investing v savingPeople can invest their money in many different ways and in different things. Various apps and platforms have made it easy to do. Crucially, the value of investments can go up and down.
