The London Stock Exchange is set to open a new trading venue outside of regular hours, aiming to provide "near-continuous trading" throughout the working week.
According to a statement released on Tuesday, the new venue, named "LSE 24", will operate from 5 p.m. to 7:50 a.m. London time and is expected to be open for client testing by the end of 2026. This venue will operate independently from the exchange's main market, which will continue to function as usual.
Exchange-traded products (ETPs) will be the first tradable assets available on this platform, with an expected launch in the first half of 2027.
Julia Hoggett, CEO of the London Stock Exchange, stated that LSE 24 will offer clients "greater flexibility beyond traditional trading hours" while also enhancing market liquidity and participation.
This move comes at a turbulent time for the 300-year-old exchange. Struggling to attract new listings, initial public offerings (IPOs) have become a key focus for the London Stock Exchange, which has ultimately seen the platform fall out of the global top 20 rankings.