21-07-2025
London Stock Exchange could launch 24-hour trading to cater to smartphone investors
The London Stock Exchange Group is considering the introduction of 24-hour trading, amid increasing demand for out-of-hours trading from smaller investors.
LSEG is 'absolutely looking at it, whether it means 24-hour trading or extended trading,' a source familiar with the situation told the Financial Times.
The exchange is reportedly discussing the necessary technology and regulatory requirements of extending trading.
It comes as more small investors access markets via their smartphones outside of the traditional trading hours.
While London could become the first exchange in Europe to launch a 24-hour service, it is unclear whether there is sufficient demand for UK stocks, with concerns that liquidity could be impacted by 24-hour trading.
Most institutional investors are likely to favour regular hours to avoid the lower liquidity and higher volatility often seen in extended trading hours.
Much of the UK's trading activity takes place between 2:30pm and 4:30pm, after the US market opens.
This is Money has contacted LSEG for comment. The exchange declined to provide a comment to the Financial Times.
London would follow a number of US-based exchanges who have recently applied to the US Securities and Exchange Commission to extend their trading hours, with the New York Stock Exchange, Nasdaq and Cboe Global Markets all having done so.
The New York Stock exchange currently offers extended trading hours, allowing investors to trade both pre-market and in after-hours. The vast majority of trading still takes place during normal trading hours.
Meanwhile, back in 2024, the Securities and Exchange Commission approved plans in-principle for a new 24-hour exchange, 24X, to continue its plans to launch an around-the-clock bourse.
Full approval is dependent on the SEC being satisfied all conditions have been met.
The parent of the UK's principal exchange has expanded well beyond its original business.
The London Stock Exchange now makes up just four per cent of LSEG's business, as of 2023.
The firm has grown into a financial data giant, having acquired Refinitiv in 2019.
