Tag: London Stock Exchange

  • Airtel Money Eyes London IPO to Raise at Least $800 Million

    Airtel Money Eyes London IPO to Raise at Least $800 Million

    Airtel Money, the digital financial services arm of Airtel Africa, has announced plans to pursue an initial public offering (IPO) on the London Stock Exchange. The proposed listing is expected to value the African mobile money business at between $8 billion and $9 billion, positioning it as one of London’s largest IPOs in recent years.

    Airtel Money Targets $800 Million From Share Sale

    The company is aiming to raise at least $800 million through the offering. However, the IPO will consist entirely of existing shares, meaning Airtel Money itself will not receive fresh capital from the transaction. Instead, current shareholders will sell part of their holdings to public investors, with the company planning to maintain a free float of at least 10% after listing.

    The targeted valuation range is slightly below earlier market expectations. Reports had previously suggested that Airtel Money was weighing a larger offering with a valuation of around $10 billion.

    Potential Boost for London’s IPO Market

    The proposed float arrives at a time when London’s IPO market has experienced a prolonged period of subdued activity. According to Reuters, the offering could rank among the biggest London listings in recent years, giving the exchange a significant African fintech deal.

    A successful listing would also give public-market investors direct exposure to Africa’s rapidly expanding digital payments sector. Airtel Money operates across multiple African markets, offering mobile payments and a range of other digital financial products.

    Prospectus Expected in October

    Airtel Money said it expects to publish further details about the proposed offer in early October, including the indicative price range and the number of shares to be offered. Final pricing is expected in mid-October, subject to market conditions and the completion of the listing process.

    The company’s latest quarterly performance underscores the scale of its business. Revenue for the quarter ended June 2026 rose 38% year over year to $399 million.

    The listing remains subject to regulatory approvals, market conditions, and other customary requirements. Airtel Money’s London debut will ultimately depend on the completion of the IPO process and final investor demand.

  • FTSE 100 Opens Higher as US-Iran Talks Resume; JD Sports Profit Falls, Airtel Money Plans London IPO

    FTSE 100 Opens Higher as US-Iran Talks Resume; JD Sports Profit Falls, Airtel Money Plans London IPO

    The FTSE 100 opened 40.75 points higher at 10,749.08 on Wednesday, as investors welcomed signs of renewed diplomacy between the United States and Iran. The positive start came ahead of a fresh batch of flash PMI data from Europe, the UK, and the US.

    Market Movers

    Brent crude futures fell 0.43% to USD 98.82 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) advanced 0.99% to USD 89.62. Sterling rose to USD 1.3382 early Wednesday from USD 1.3372 late Tuesday, and edged up against the euro to EUR 1.1661 from EUR 1.1658.

    Gainers

    • Rentokil rose 2.40% to 324.20p
    • Sage Group advanced 1.41% to 1,003.50p
    • Standard Chartered gained 1.24% to 2,294p
    • InterContinental Hotels Group rose 1.14% to USD 155.85
    • London Stock Exchange Group added 1.10% to 8,244p
    • 3i Group increased 1.09% to 2,702p

    Losers

    • Smiths Group fell 1.11% to 2,752p
    • Spirax Group dropped 0.76% to 7,220p
    • Severn Trent declined 0.71% to 3,086p
    • Admiral Group slipped 0.54% to 3,686p
    • AstraZeneca fell 0.36% to 12,626p
    • Next edged 0.34% lower to 14,640p

    US-Iran Diplomacy

    US President Donald Trump said envoys held a ‘very good’ three-hour meeting with an Iranian delegation on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff confirmed talks took place through mediators who “shuttled between the two sides throughout the day,” describing the round as “successfully completed” and indicating a further meeting is expected within days. Iran’s conditions, communicated through Qatari mediators, include a halt to hostilities on all fronts, removal of the US naval blockade, and the return of frozen funds, according to Esmaeil Baghaei, spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran.

    JD Sports H1 Profit Declines

    British sports and fashion retailer JD Sports reported a 19.7% decline in first-half profit, driven by weakness in its North American market. The group maintained its full-year earnings outlook. Shares are down 10% over the past year. Profit before tax and adjusting items was GBP 282 million, slightly above the GBP 279 million consensus estimate. Revenue fell to GBP 5.90 billion from GBP 5.94 billion a year earlier. Like-for-like sales fell 2.8%, while organic sales dipped 0.7%. JD Sports left its full-year profit before tax and adjusting items guidance at GBP 700 million to GBP 800 million and its free cash flow forecast unchanged at GBP 460 million to GBP 520 million.

    Airtel Money Confirms London IPO

    Airtel Money confirmed plans for a London IPO. The African mobile payments business is reportedly seeking a valuation as high as $9 billion (GBP 6.8 billion). The fintech, with more than 50 million active customers, aims to raise as much as $800 million. CEO Ian Ferrao said, “A London listing will underpin our next wave of growth. The opportunity ahead of us is substantial and, importantly, there are many demographic and digital tailwinds within the markets that we serve. This listing will give us the platform to continue transforming financial services across Africa and to keep building value for our customers, our partners, African governments and our shareholders.”

    Global Market View

    In the US, the tech-heavy Nasdaq climbed 0.45% to a record close of 27,244.28, supported by a nearly 7% gain in shares of SanDisk. The S&P 500 was marginally lower at 7,764.64, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average shed 0.36% to finish at 51,863.69. In Asia on Wednesday, Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 was closed, while China’s Shanghai Composite dipped 0.4%. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng declined 0.96%, and South Korea’s Kospi edged up 0.9%. In India, both the Nifty 50 and the Sensex rose by 0.53% and 0.52%, respectively.

    Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research before making any financial decisions.

  • FTSE 100 Rises 16.66 Points to 10,884.55 as Oil Prices Support and Investors Focus on US Jobs Data

    FTSE 100 Rises 16.66 Points to 10,884.55 as Oil Prices Support and Investors Focus on US Jobs Data

    The FTSE 100 traded 16.66 points higher at 10,884.55 on Friday, as investors assessed fresh US trade measures, firmer oil prices, and awaited the US jobs report later in the day. Brent crude futures rose 0.91% to $83.24 per barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) fell 0.57% to $77.73 per barrel.

    Sterling was quoted at $1.3452 early Friday, slightly lower than $1.3454 at the London equities close on Thursday. Against the euro, sterling fell marginally to €1.1674 from €1.1675 a day prior.

    Gainers & Losers

    On the upside, Fresnillo surged 2.74% to 2,813p. Convatec Group advanced 2.73% to 233p, while BAE Systems climbed 1.68% to 2,237p. London Stock Exchange Group gained 1.53% to 8,884p, Diageo rose 1.47% to 1,758p, and AstraZeneca added 1.38% to 12,014p.

    On the downside, Severn Trent fell 1.03% to 3,084p. Whitbread declined 0.87% to 2,506p, while Antofagasta slipped 0.76% to 3,944p. 3i Group eased 0.73% to 2,850p, Shell dropped 0.59% to 3,295.5p, and Unilever edged 0.40% lower to 4,690p.

    Oxford Biomedica Cuts Profit Forecast

    Oxford Biomedica slashed its revenue target for the year by nearly £40 million after slower customer demand. The firm lowered its full-year revenue forecast to £180 million to £200 million, from between £220 million and £240 million, due to clients delaying contract signings. CEO Dr. Frank Mathias said despite the profit warning, the company remains confident about its future in the cell and gene therapy sector.

    JD Sports Appoints Former IKEA Boss as Chair

    JD Sports named Peter Agnefjäll, the former CEO of IKEA, as its new chair, succeeding interim chair Darren Shapland. Agnefjäll’s appointment follows Andy Higginson’s resignation in April. Higginson noted he was proud of his tenure during a tough period in the sportswear market and the brand’s US expansion.

    Meta Fined $567 Million in New Mexico

    A New Mexico judge ordered Meta to pay $567 million (£421 million) for failing to protect children against online harms on its platforms. Judge Bryan Biedscheid described the tech giant as a “public nuisance” and compared it to air pollution. This fine adds to a $375 million penalty imposed in March, bringing total penalties to nearly $1 billion.

    Global Market Overview

    In the US, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.9% from its record high, the S&P 500 slipped 0.2%, and the Nasdaq edged 0.1% lower amid higher Treasury yields. In Asia, Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 fell 0.12%, while China’s Shanghai Composite gained 1.02%. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng advanced 0.45%, and South Korea’s Kospi edged lower by 0.6%. In India, both the Nifty 50 and the Sensex fell by 0.31% and 0.53%, respectively.

    Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Always conduct your own research before making any investment decisions.

  • Global Stock Exchange Trading Hours: A Complete Guide to Major Markets

    Global Stock Exchange Trading Hours: A Complete Guide to Major Markets

    Stock market trading hours vary across countries because of different time zones, regulations, and market practices. Understanding these schedules is essential for investors who trade international stocks, monitor global market movements, or react to overnight economic developments. Knowing when major exchanges open and close helps traders plan investments, execute orders efficiently, and stay updated with global financial trends.

    New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq

    The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and Nasdaq are the world’s largest stock exchanges by market capitalization. Both operate from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM Eastern Time (ET) on weekdays. They also offer pre-market and after-hours trading sessions, allowing investors to react to earnings announcements, economic data, and breaking news outside regular trading hours.

    London Stock Exchange

    The London Stock Exchange (LSE) is Europe’s leading financial marketplace and operates from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). It serves companies from around the world and is an important hub for international investors. The exchange also conducts opening and closing auctions that help determine fair market prices and improve trading efficiency.

    Indian Stock Exchanges

    India’s two primary exchanges—the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE)—operate from 9:15 AM to 3:30 PM Indian Standard Time (IST). A pre-opening session begins at 9:00 AM, allowing price discovery before regular trading starts. Both exchanges remain closed on weekends and designated public holidays announced by market regulators.

    Asian Market Trading Hours

    Asia is home to several influential stock exchanges. The Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE) trades from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM JST, with a lunch break between sessions. Meanwhile, the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX) operates from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM HKT, also including a midday trading break, unlike most Western exchanges.

    How Time Zones Affect Global Investors

    Global investors often monitor multiple exchanges throughout the day because markets open sequentially across different regions. Asian markets begin trading first, followed by European exchanges and finally North American markets. This continuous cycle means economic events in one region can influence investor sentiment and stock prices in another before local markets even open.

    Choosing the Right Time to Trade

    Successful investing isn’t only about selecting the right stocks—it also involves understanding when markets are active. Higher trading volumes during opening and closing hours often create greater price movements and liquidity. By tracking global stock market timings, investors can better manage risk, seize opportunities, and make informed decisions across international financial markets.

  • London Stock Exchange to Launch Overnight Trading Platform LSE 24 in 2027

    London Stock Exchange to Launch Overnight Trading Platform LSE 24 in 2027

    The London Stock Exchange (LSE) has announced plans to launch a new overnight trading platform called LSE 24 in the first half of 2027. The initiative aims to provide global investors with extended access to exchange-traded products (ETPs), offering greater flexibility and enhanced liquidity across different time zones.

    LSE 24 will operate as a separate trading venue, with sessions running from 5:00 PM to 7:50 AM GMT, including a 30-minute intermission at 6:30 PM and 7:00 PM for end-of-day processing. The main exchange will continue its regular trading hours from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Initially, the platform will focus on ETPs that track UK and US equity indices, with potential expansion to other asset classes in the future.

    The move comes as global exchanges increasingly extend their trading hours to meet investor demand for round-the-clock access to financial markets. Nasdaq is planning to expand trading to 23 hours on weekdays, while CME already offers 24-hour trading for cryptocurrency futures and options. LSE’s decision reflects a broader trend toward continuous market access, particularly driven by retail investors from Asia who seek the same flexibility as cryptocurrency markets provide.

    By enabling trading outside regular hours, LSE 24 allows investors to respond to overnight news and events, manage risk more effectively, and participate in global markets regardless of their time zone. The exchange expects the platform to strengthen its competitive position and attract a wider range of international participants.