What Time Does London Stock Exchange Open for Trading?

By Michael Ferguson

If you are interested in trading stocks on the London Stock Exchange, one of the most important pieces of information you need to know is when it opens for trading. In this article, we will be discussing what time the London Stock Exchange opens for trading and why it’s important to know.

Why is it Important to Know When the London Stock Exchange Opens for Trading?

Before discussing what time the London Stock Exchange opens for trading, let’s first understand why it’s important to know. The opening time of a stock exchange determines when you can place trades and execute orders. If you miss the opening time of an exchange, you may miss out on opportunities to buy or sell shares at a favorable price.

What Time Does the London Stock Exchange Open for Trading?

The London Stock Exchange (LSE) opens for trading at 8:00 am UK time. This is also known as the market open time. The LSE is open from Monday to Friday every week, except for public holidays.

It’s worth noting that there are different markets within the LSE that open at different times. For example, the Main Market and AIM (Alternative Investment Market) both open at 8:00 am UK time, while the International Order Book (IOB) opens at 7:30 am UK time.

What Happens During Pre-Market Trading?

Pre-market trading refers to trades that occur before the official market open time. In some cases, certain exchanges may allow pre-market trading in order to facilitate early trades or react to international market events that happen outside of normal trading hours.

However, pre-market trading is not available on the London Stock Exchange. All trades must be made during regular market hours.

Conclusion

Knowing what time the London Stock Exchange opens for trading is crucial if you’re planning on buying or selling shares on this exchange. The LSE opens for trading at 8:00 am UK time from Monday to Friday, with different markets opening at different times. Remember that pre-market trading is not available on the LSE, so all trades must be made during regular market hours.