v256.0 · stock markets · GB · verified 2026-04
United Kingdom stock markets + capital markets
Stock markets in United Kingdom — main exchanges, total market cap, major indices, listing requirements, trading hours, foreign-investor access, IPO market, dividend + capital-gains tax, regulator, custody + clearing.
Main exchanges
London Stock Exchange (LSE) — Main Market + AIM (Alternative Investment Market) · 1,900+ companies listed total · USD 3T+ market cap · Aquis Stock Exchange (small-cap) · Cboe Europe (London-domiciled)
Market cap + indices
| Total market cap | USD 3T+ Main Market + AIM combined · Below US/China/Japan but largest in Europe · Post-Brexit some listing migration to US/EU debated |
| Major indices | FTSE 100 (large-cap, 100 stocks) · FTSE 250 (mid-cap, 250 stocks) · FTSE 350 · FTSE All-Share · FTSE AIM 100 + AIM All-Share · FTSE techMARK · FTSE4Good (sustainability) |
Listing + trading mechanics
| Listing requirements | Main Market Premium: 25% public float, 3-yr trading history, GBP 700K min market cap, FCA approval · Main Standard: lower bar · AIM: more flexible, no minimum, NOMAD (Nominated Adviser) sponsor required · IPO via prospectus + listing particulars · UK Listing Review reforms ongoing 2023-25 |
| Trading hours | 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM London time (regular) · No pre-market/after-hours for LSE Main Market (some venues offer) · Holidays per LSE calendar · Closed Christmas Day + Boxing Day + New Year + Good Friday + early/late May + August bank holidays |
Foreign investor access
Open · No restrictions · Direct brokerage account · 0% dividend withholding from UK companies for most non-residents · 0% capital-gains for non-residents · Stamp Duty Reserve Tax 0.5% on UK share purchases · Stamp Duty on land
IPO market (2024)
GBP 1B raised 2024 IPOs (significant decline from 2021 GBP 19B peak) · 2024 IPOs: Air Astana, Raspberry Pi (June 2024 GBP 178M), Applied Nutrition (Oct 2024) · UK lost some IPOs to NASDAQ (Arm Holdings 2023) · 2025 pipeline includes Shein potentially
Dividend + capital-gains tax
UK dividend tax: 0% on first GBP 500 (2024-25) · 8.75% (basic rate band) / 33.75% (higher) / 39.35% (additional) · Capital gain: 10%/20% (basic/higher) for assets · CGT allowance GBP 3,000 (2024-25, reduced from GBP 12,300) · ISA + SIPP tax-advantaged wrappers
Regulator + custody/clearing
| Regulator | FCA (Financial Conduct Authority) primary · PRA (Prudential Regulation Authority) for banks · Bank of England + FPC financial stability · UK Listing Authority (LSE's own) for technical · Treasury Select Committee parliamentary |
| Custody + clearing | CREST (Euroclear UK + Ireland) for UK shares · LCH (London Clearing House) clearing major · ICE Clear Europe · T+2 settlement (T+1 transition planned by Oct 2027 in line with EU) · ISDA standard |
Recent changes (2023-2026)
2024-25: UK Listing Review reforms — simplified prospectus regime · Single listing segment vs Premium/Standard · Easier IPO listings · Dual-class shares allowed (controversial) · Replacement of dis-application of pre-emption rights · British ISA (announced Mar 2024, then deferred) · Crypto ETN approvals
Source: official United Kingdom securities regulator · Last verified 2026-04
See also: United Kingdom country profile · stock markets atlas