The London Stock Exchange, abbreviated as the LSE, is one of the world’s oldest and most important stock exchanges. It has been in operation for over 300 years, and its history is full of exciting stories and important events.

The early years (1698-1801)

The London Stock Exchange traces its origins back to 1698 when a group of City merchants met under a buttonwood tree on Wall Street in New York City to trade stocks and shares. This informal gathering soon became known as the Buttonwood Agreement, which is considered the birth of the modern stock exchange.

In 1773, the brokers formalised the agreement and membership were restricted to just 35 brokers. It was known as the Stockbrokers’ Club. In 1801, the club moved to new premises in Capel Court and became known as the London Stock Exchange.

The 19th century (1801-1900)

The London Stock Exchange continued to grow throughout the 19th century. In 1836, it moved again to larger premises in Threadneedle Street. It was also the year that it introduced the use of ticker tape, which made share prices more accessible to investors.

In 1863, the Exchange began offering bonds for public sale, and in 1867 it launched a new index, the FTSE 100. By the end of the century, the Exchange had grown to become one of the most important stock exchanges in the world.

The 20th century (1900-2000)

The London Stock Exchange continued to go from strength to strength in the 20th century. In 1907, it launched the first-ever electronic trading system, known as The City’s Automated Quotation System (CAQS). It was followed by the introduction of an automated order-matching system in 1972.

In 1986, the Exchange underwent significant restructuring and became a public limited company. It paved the way for further growth and expansion in the following years.

In 2000, the London Stock Exchange merged with the Deutsche Borse to form a new company called iX. However, this merger was unsuccessful, and the two exchanges parted ways in 2007.

The 21st century (2000-present)

In 2001, the London Stock Exchange launched a new electronic trading platform called TradElect. It was designed to replace the ageing CAQS system and make share trading more efficient.

In 2007, the London Stock Exchange completed a significant merger with Borsa Italiana, creating a new company called London Stock Exchange Group plc. It made the London Stock Exchange one of the largest stock exchanges in the world.

In 2013, the London Stock Exchange underwent another significant change when it floated on the stock market. It marked a new era for the Exchange and paved the way for its future growth.

The London Stock Exchange is now one of the most important stock exchanges in the world, and it plays a vital role in the global economy. Its history is a fascinating story of growth, expansion, and change.

What can traders buy on the LSE?

Stocks

When you buy stock, you buy a small piece of ownership in a company. There are two types of stocks: common stock and preferred stock.

Bonds

A bond is a loan that you make to a company or government. In return for your loan, the borrower agrees to pay you interest and repay the principal (the original loan amount) when the bond matures.

ETFs

An ETF is a basket of securities you can buy or sell as a single unit. ETFs often track an index, such as the S&P 500, but they can also invest in other asset classes, such as commodities or bonds.

Options

An option is a contract that gives you the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell an underlying security at a specified price on or before a specific date. Options are often used as a way to hedge against risk.

What are some of the companies listed on the LSE?

AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca is a British-Swedish multinational pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical company. It is one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies.

Barclays

Barclays is a British multinational bank and financial services company. It is one of the world’s largest banks.

British American Tobacco

British American Tobacco is a British multinational tobacco company. It is one of the world’s largest tobacco companies.

GlaxoSmithKline

GlaxoSmithKline plc is a British multinational pharmaceutical, biologics, vaccines, and consumer healthcare company. It is one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies.

If you are interested in trading British stocks, you can do so on the LSE via a trading account with Saxo Bank.