LSE to launch 24/5 trading venue in 2027 as exchanges extend hours

The London Stock Exchange plans to launch a 24/5 trading venue by early 2027, joining a global push by major exchanges to extend trading beyond traditional hours as investors demand round-the-clock access to markets.

"The launch of LSE 24 marks an important step in the evolution of our markets, providing clients with greater flexibility beyond traditional trading hours and supporting more digital, connected global markets," Julia Hoggett, chief executive officer of LSE and head of Digital and Securities Markets at London Stock Exchange Group, said.

The venue, called LSE 24, will operate near-continuously from Monday to Friday, separate from the Main Market which will keep its existing hours. Client testing begins by the end of 2026, with exchange-traded products launching as the first asset class in the first half of 2027, subject to regulatory approval. The platform will combine central limit order book and request-for-quote functionality to support price transparency and on-demand liquidity, with plans to expand into equities as the next step.

The move positions London to compete with other global financial centers as exchanges from New York to Asia explore extending equity trading hours. LSE 24 will integrate with LSEG's Digital Securities Depository, currently under development, creating a foundation for digitized issuance, settlement and asset servicing across multiple asset classes. The depository is expected to expand into different asset classes to meet client demand and enable new functionalities across markets.

LSE 24 will enable secure native connectivity for agent-based trading capabilities, allowing clients to interact with market data, order management and execution workflows in more automated ways while maintaining the governance and controls of a regulated market. The venue draws on growing demand from algorithmic and digital-native traders who operate across time zones and require near-continuous access to liquidity.

The announcement follows a broader industry trend. In the US, the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq have both explored extended trading hours as retail participation grows and digital platforms enable 24/7 access. The shift reflects a structural change in how global equity markets operate, with brokerages and market makers poised to benefit from additional trading revenue during traditional off-hours.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.