When Does the London Stock Exchange (LSE) Open?

If you’re trading European stocks or investing internationally, you’ll definitely want to know when the London Stock Exchange (LSE) opens. London is one of the world’s key financial centers, and its market hours overlap nicely with other major exchanges — which often means higher trading volume and more opportunities. Here’s what you need to know.

Regular LSE Trading Hours

The London Stock Exchange is open Monday through Friday, and its regular trading session runs:

• 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)

When the UK switches to British Summer Time (BST) — usually from late March to late October — the hours are still 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, but now one hour ahead of GMT.

Pre-Market and After-Hours Trading

The LSE also has limited pre-market and post-market sessions:

• Pre-market: 5:05 AM – 7:50 AM GMT

• Post-market: 4:40 PM – 5:15 PM GMT

However, most retail traders focus on the main session, when liquidity is highest and spreads are tighter.

What Time Does the London Stock Exchange Open in My Time Zone?

Since the NYSE follows Eastern Time (ET), you might have to do some quick timezone math - or you can just check our live countdown instead.

Here’s a quick look at local opening times for the LSE in major cities:

Depending on where you live, you might need to set your alarm early or stay up late! (Or, just bookmark ourMarket Countdownto check real-time opening hours easily.)

LSE Holidays

The London Stock Exchange is closed on major UK public holidays, including:

• New Year’s Day

• Good Friday

• Easter Monday

• Christmas Day

• Boxing Day

There are also a few days when trading closes early - usually around Christmas and New Year’s Eve.

Full holiday calendars can be foundhereso you’re never caught off guard.

Why LSE Trading Hours Matter

The LSE is particularly important because it overlaps with the end of the Asian trading session and the start of the U.S. session.

That overlap often means more trading volume, tighter spreads, and bigger price moves — a sweet spot for active traders.

If you’re trading European or international stocks, the London Stock Exchange opening bell should definitely be on your radar.

Want to see exactly when the LSE opens in your timezone?

Use ourMarket Countdown- no need to calculate or guess.