The London Stock Exchange will introduce a new overnight trading session running from 5 p.m. to 7:50 a.m. London time starting in the first half of 2027. Named LSE 24, the platform aims to provide almost around-the-clock market access on weekdays by operating separately from the main exchange.
LSE 24 will pause trading briefly from 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. for end-of-day processing while the main market continues its usual hours from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This extension targets global retail investors, including those in Asia, who will gain daytime access to London-listed exchange-traded products (ETPs) linked to UK and US assets.
The LSE plans to focus initially on ETPs rather than individual stock shares due to the simpler operational and regulatory requirements involved. The exchange currently lists over 2,600 such products covering indexes, sectors, and commodities. A phased rollout will help the LSE monitor liquidity, spreads, and demand during overnight trading before considering expansion to individual shares.
The move reflects wider industry trends as crypto exchanges have accustomed traders to 24/7 market availability. Platforms like Coinbase and Kraken also offer stock trading with extended hours, blending digital accessibility with regulated products. In response, major traditional exchanges including Nasdaq and Cboe are also exploring longer trading hours, with Nasdaq planning a 23-hour session pending regulatory approval.
