The London Stock Exchange is preparing to launch overnight trading for the first time as it looks to strengthen the City’s competitiveness and respond to growing demand for near-continuous market access.
The new service, called LSE 24, will operate from 5pm to 7.50am on weekdays.
It will run alongside the exchange’s main market, which will retain its current trading hours of 8am to 4.30pm.
Testing is expected to begin by the end of 2026, with initial trading focused on exchange-traded products such as index funds from the first half of 2027.
Individual stocks are expected to be added at a later stage.
The move comes as global exchanges respond to investor demand for faster reaction to market-moving events across time zones, including economic data, geopolitical shocks and company announcements.
Algorithmic trading, retail investor activity and the rise of cryptocurrency markets, which trade around the clock, have also increased pressure for longer trading windows.
For London, the launch is part of broader efforts to improve market competitiveness after a period of subdued new listings and several high-profile companies shifting their focus to the US.
FTSE 100 names including CRH and Flutter have moved away from primary London listings, while IPO activity has remained weak.
Julia Hoggett, chief executive of London Stock Exchange Group, said LSE 24 was an important step in the evolution of the market and would provide greater flexibility beyond standard trading hours.
She said the service would support deeper liquidity, greater efficiency and broader participation, reinforcing London’s position as a leading global financial centre.
The LSE has also launched a new secondary market for privately held businesses, aimed at improving the UK’s appeal to high-growth companies.
Earlier this month, self-driving technology company Wayve completed an US$85 million share sale on the Private Securities Market, allowing early employees to sell part of their holdings.
