London Stock Market

The London stock market is among the world's largest stock exchanges. As of 2008, the London stock market had over 2,800 company listings. The total market capitalisation of all of the companies reached over 1633.53 billion. An equity derivatives division was launched in 2003. The Macquarie Bank and NASDAQ have both tried a takeover of the London stock market by buying out the exchange. Rejecting the Macquarie Bank deal in 2005 and the NASDAQ deal in 2007, the London stock market is still part of the London Stock Exchange Group plc.

The London stock market is composed of four primary markets. The Main Market, Professional Securities Market (PSM), Alternative Investment Market (AIM) and the Specialist Fund Market (SFM). By 2008, approximately 1,800 companies were listed in the Main Market and over 1,000 companies listed on AIM. The London stock market handles the trades of 350 foreign companies from 54 different countries. Numerous systems and trading services are offered on the London stock market. All of the transactions on the London stock market are handled electronically through the SETS, SETSqx and SEAQ systems. The Infolect system is used by the London stock market to deliver information in real time. This increases speed, efficiency and transparency in the market.