UK Stock Exchange considers cutting market trading hours, says LSE

• A public consultation has found strong support for cutting stock market trading hours in the UK to help improve gender diversity and mental health across the financial sector.
• Feedback from the LSE’s public consultation found that a “significant majority” were sympathetic to arguments that the move would increase employee wellbeing and broaden the appeal of a high-pressure career in finance. The industry has traditionally attracted more men but is trying to recruit more women.
• Most of the respondents, who included investors, asset managers, banks and brokers, said they had a preference for a trading day lasting seven hours from 9am to 4pm. A small number suggested a lunch break in the middle of the day as an alternative to reducing trading hours. Trading currently runs for 8.5 hours from 8am to 4.30pm in the UK.
• However, some respondents questioned the impact that equity trading hours alone could have on diversity and mental health, saying employers could make a greater impact through their own initiatives, such as shift work.

 

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