Is the London Stock Exchange in peril?

More than 150 companies have left the London Stock Exchange or moved their primary listing since the start of 2024. What does it mean for investors and the economy?

The London Stock Exchange (LSE) logo displayed on a smartphone with a broken screen
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Is London burning? Take a look at the headlines about the stock market exodus, and you might think the answer is ‘yes’. Eighty-eight companies left the London market or moved their primary listing elsewhere last year, and more than 70 have done the same so far in 2025.

There were 28 cancellations on the main market and 42 on the junior market in the first five months of the year to 31 May, according to investment platform AJ Bell. We have seen a wave of further announcements since.

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Katie Williams
Staff Writer

Katie has a background in investment writing and is interested in everything to do with personal finance, politics, and investing. She enjoys translating complex topics into easy-to-understand stories to help people make the most of their money.

Katie believes investing shouldn’t be complicated, and that demystifying it can help normal people improve their lives.

Before joining the MoneyWeek team, Katie worked as an investment writer at Invesco, a global asset management firm. She joined the company as a graduate in 2019. While there, she wrote about the global economy, bond markets, alternative investments and UK equities.

Katie loves writing and studied English at the University of Cambridge. Outside of work, she enjoys going to the theatre, reading novels, travelling and trying new restaurants with friends.