Are London Stock Exchange Prices in Pence?

By Michael Ferguson

If you’re new to the London Stock Exchange, one question you may have is whether prices are listed in pence. The short answer is yes, but let’s dive a bit deeper into why and how this works.

Why are London Stock Exchange prices listed in pence?

The London Stock Exchange (LSE) is based in the United Kingdom, where the currency used is pounds sterling (£). However, when it comes to stock prices, they are typically quoted in pence rather than pounds. This can be a bit confusing for those used to seeing stock prices listed in dollars or euros, for example.

One reason for this is simply tradition. In the UK, shares have historically been traded in increments of one penny (or “pence,” as they are often called over there).

It’s also worth noting that many UK companies have relatively low share prices compared to their counterparts in other countries. For example, a company might have shares that trade for £1.50 on the LSE – which would be equivalent to 150 pence.

How do you read London Stock Exchange prices?

When looking at a quote for a UK stock on the LSE, you’ll typically see two numbers: the bid price and the ask price. The bid price is what buyers are willing to pay for the stock, while the ask price is what sellers are asking for it.

Both of these numbers will be listed in pence. For example, let’s say you’re looking at a quote for ABC Company on the LSE and see that the bid price is 750p and the ask price is 755p. This means that buyers are willing to pay up to 750p per share, while sellers want at least 755p per share.

How can you convert pence to pounds?

If you’re used to seeing stock prices listed in pounds rather than pence, it can be helpful to know how to convert between the two. Fortunately, it’s a simple process.

To convert pence to pounds, all you need to do is divide the number of pence by 100. For example, if you see a stock trading at 750p per share, that would be equivalent to £7.50 (750 divided by 100). Similarly, if you see a stock trading at 1,200p per share, that would be equivalent to £12.00 (1,200 divided by 100).

    Conclusion

  • London Stock Exchange prices are listed in pence rather than pounds.
  • This is due in part to tradition and the fact that many UK companies have relatively low share prices compared to other countries.
  • When looking at a stock quote on the LSE, you’ll see both bid and ask prices listed in pence.
  • To convert pence to pounds, simply divide by 100.
  • If you’re new to investing in UK stocks or just getting started on the London Stock Exchange, understanding how prices are quoted is an important first step. With this knowledge under your belt, you’ll be better equipped to make informed decisions about which stocks to buy or sell.