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The London Stock Exchange (LSE) is set to enter the race towards near round-the-clock trading, unveiling plans to launch a dedicated overnight trading venue in the first half of 2027 as global exchanges rethink traditional market hours to meet rising investor demand.
According to a report by the Financial Times on Tuesday, the new platform will operate independently of the LSE's main market and will initially offer trading in exchange-traded products (ETPs), including funds that track UK and US equity markets.
The move places London alongside some of the world's biggest exchange operators that are extending trading hours in response to the rapid growth of cryptocurrencies and increasing demand from retail investors for markets that are accessible almost anytime.
Why exchanges are extending trading hours For decades, stock exchanges have operated within fixed business hours.
But the rise of digital assets, which trade 24 hours a day, seven days a week, has changed investor expectations.
Retail investors increasingly want the flexibility to react immediately to breaking news, earnings announcements and geopolitical events, regardless of the time of day.
Advances in trading technology and growing participation from investors across different time zones have also accelerated the push for longer trading sessions.
The LSE's overnight venue is designed to tap into that shift while strengthening London's position as a global financial hub.
Separate venue for overnight trading The new exchange will operate from 5:00 pm to 7:50 am London time, according to the FT report.
It will include a 30-minute pause between 6:30 pm and 7:00 pm for end-of-day processing.
The LSE's main market will continue to trade during its normal hours of....
