London Stock Exchange announces platform for near round-the-clock trading

The Financial Times had previously reported on the plans. According to those reports, the platform is to be operated separately from the London Stock Exchange's main market. The main market will retain its current trading hours, as the company explicitly emphasized: "Der Hauptmarkt werde seine derzeitigen Handelszeiten beibehalten."

ETPs as the first asset class

Trading hours on the new platform are scheduled from Monday to Friday between 17:00 and 07:50 British time. A brief 30-minute interruption is planned at 06:30 for the determination and settlement of closing prices.

Exchange-traded products (ETPs) are to be introduced as the first asset class in the first half of 2027. As the company stated: "In der ersten Hälfte 2027 sollen dann börsengehandelte Produkte als erste Anlageklasse eingeführt werden." The start of trading is subject to regulatory approval: "Dies steht unter dem Vorbehalt der behördlichen Genehmigung."

Pressure from crypto trading and retail investors

In the medium term, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) on British and US equities are also to become tradable on the platform. The new trading platform is to be made available for client testing by the end of 2026, as the statement further noted: "Die neue Handelsplattform soll bis Ende 2026 für Kundentests zugänglich sein."

With this move, the London Stock Exchange is responding to structural pressure: cryptocurrencies can already be traded continuously on specialized online platforms, which is placing traditional exchanges under increasing competitive pressure. According to its own statements, the LSE is responding to increased demand, particularly from retail investors.

LSE chief Julia Hoggett pointed in this context to the growing importance of retail investors for trading volume. The London Stock Exchange Group had publicly announced the plans on Tuesday; initially, however, the LSE did not comment on the Financial Times report when asked, as Dow Jones Newswires reported on July 21, 2026 at 03:43 ET (07:43 GMT).

Criticism from the industry

Among exchange professionals, however, the plans are meeting with criticism. They warn of larger price swings, because trading volume during the night hours is typically significantly lower and prices can therefore react more sensitively to individual orders. Supporters, by contrast, see the extended trading hours as an adjustment to the reality of global markets.

Regardless of the new offering, the London Stock Exchange's main market will retain its existing trading hours. The previous structure of the British cash market thus remains unchanged, while the additional offering is being established as a stand-alone platform alongside it.

Investment bank Jefferies & Company Inc. had already issued a buy recommendation for the London Stock Exchange share on 06.07.26, as the corresponding note shows: "06.07.26 | London Stock Exchange (LSE) Buy | Jefferies & Company Inc."