London Stock Exchange (LSE) definition

The London Stock Exchange (LSE) is one of the oldest and largest stock exchanges in the world, based in London, UK.

Home Investing glossary London Stock Exchange (LSE)

What is the LSE?

The London Stock Exchange (LSE) is one of the oldest and largest stock exchanges in the world, based in London, UK. It’s where shares of a wide range of companies – both British and international – are bought and sold.

 

Key things to know about the LSE

  • It’s home to many big companies, like HSBC, BP, and Rolls-Royce.
  • The LSE also has a global reach, with companies from all over the world listing their shares here.
  • It includes several markets, like the Main Market for large companies and the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) for smaller, growing businesses.

The LSE plays a central role in the UK economy, and its performance (tracked by the FTSE 100) is often used as a gauge of economic health.

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Investing glossary

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It's important you know

Capital at risk. All investing should be for the longer term. The value of your investments can go up and down, and you may get back less than you invest. Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances and may be subject to change in the future.

A 25% government penalty applies if you withdraw money from a Lifetime ISA for any reason other than buying your first home (up to £450,000) or for retirement, and you may get back less than you paid into your Lifetime ISA.

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.

Payments you make into your pension won’t be accessible until the minimum pension age (currently 55, increasing to age 57 from 2028). Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances and may be subject to change in the future.

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