London Stock Exchange Considers 24-Hour Trading to Compete with Global Bourses.

The London Stock Exchange Group is considering launching a 24-hour trading service, which would extend trading hours beyond 4:30 pm on weekdays. This move would compete with other global bourses that have applied for regulatory permission to allow round-the-clock trading. LSEG is exploring the technology and regulatory impact of such a move.

The London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) is exploring the possibility of introducing a 24-hour trading service, as reported by the Financial Times. This initiative is part of the group's broader efforts to make the UK market more competitive and attractive to investors. LSEG is currently assessing the technological and regulatory implications of such a move, which would extend trading hours beyond the current 4:30 pm close on weekdays.

The consideration of 24-hour trading comes amid a broader trend among global stock exchanges to extend their trading hours. The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), Nasdaq, and Cboe Global Markets have all applied for regulatory permission to allow round-the-clock trading. In March, Nasdaq announced plans to introduce 24-hour trading on its flagship U.S. exchange, joining other exchanges in exploring extended trading hours [2].

LSEG is evaluating various aspects of extended trading hours, including the technology required to implement the change, regulatory hurdles, the effects on companies with dual listings, and the potential impact on liquidity. Currently, shares listed in London only trade between 8 am and 4:30 pm, a limitation that could be addressed by extending trading hours [3].

The exploration of 24-hour trading is part of a broader effort to make the UK stock market more competitive. In recent years, several high-profile companies have moved their primary listings to New York or Europe in search of better liquidity, higher valuations, and access to bigger investors. Companies such as Ryanair, Wise, and Flutter Entertainment have made such moves, prompting the UK government to rethink its regulations to stimulate growth [2].

While the potential benefits of 24-hour trading include increased market accessibility and liquidity, the move could also present challenges. Some brokers argue that extended hours could make it more difficult to clear or guarantee trades, requiring significant technology and staff changes. Additionally, extended hours could cause problems for managers of open-ended funds, which calculate their value once a day, typically at the 4 pm close [3].

LSEG has not yet commented on the report, but the exploration of 24-hour trading reflects the group's ongoing efforts to adapt to changing market conditions and investor demands.

References:
[1] https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-07-20/london-stock-exchange-group-weighs-24-hour-trading-ft-reports
[2] https://nypost.com/2025/07/20/business/london-stock-exchange-parent-exploring-24-hour-trading-launch-ft-reports/
[3] https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/jul/21/london-stock-exchange-24-hour-trading-boost-market