The London Stock Exchange is preparing to introduce a round-the-clock trading system. LSE24, a new platform scheduled for the first half of 2027, will initially allow trading in funds that track British and American stock indices.
The new exchange will operate independently of the main market. In its first phase, it will offer access to products listed on the LSE, particularly exchange-traded funds replicating the FTSE and S&P 500 indices. Future plans include expanding the offering to individual stocks.
„You can imagine a scenario where LSE24 trades exactly the same securities as the main market,” said Julia Hoggett, CEO of the London Stock Exchange, as quoted by Reuters. The platform is designed to meet growing demand from retail investors for around-the-clock trading and from international institutional clients, especially those in Asia.
What will be traded on LSE24?
The new exchange will operate on business days from 17:00 to 7:50 the following day, with a break between 18:30 and 19:00. The main market will continue to handle transactions from 8:00 to 16:30 as before. LSE24 will run as a separate system, not interfering with the traditional session.
„This will be another step,” Hoggett added, emphasising that the launch is part of a broader strategy to keep the London exchange competitive in a rapidly evolving market landscape. The choice of ETFs as the first product category is deliberate – these instruments are popular among both retail and institutional investors seeking low-cost exposure to broad markets.
Competition with Nasdaq heats up
The LSE’s move follows a similar initiative by the US-based Nasdaq, which since December has extended its trading hours on business days to 23 hours a day. Both exchanges are responding to the rise of alternative trading platforms and the increased appetite for after-hours investing among younger, tech-savvy clients.
For London, the decision is also about regaining its status as a global financial hub after Brexit and the subsequent shift of some trading activity to the European Union. By offering a 24-hour window, the LSE aims to attract more order flow from Asia and the Americas, overlapping with active market hours in those regions.
The exact list of securities eligible for LSE24 trading is yet to be finalised, but the exchange has confirmed that blue-chip stocks and major ETFs will be prioritised. Further details on fees and technology partners are expected later this year.
Źródło: WNP.PL, Fot. Victor Moussa / Shutterstock
