London Stock Exchange Group

The London Stock Exchange Group plc is the leading diversified stock exchange group in Europe. It owns the London and the Borsa Italiana stock exchanges. It became a member of the FTSE 100 as of 4 December 2007.

History

The London Stock Exchange was founded in Sweeting's Alley in London in 1801. It moved to Capel Court the following year.

In 1972 the Exchange moved to a new purpose-built building and trading floor in Threadneedle Street. Deregulation, sometimes known as the "big bang", came in 1986 and external ownership of member firms was allowed for the first time.In 1995 the Alternative Investment Market was launched and in 2004 the Exchange moved again, this time to Paternoster Square

Nasdaq built up a stake of over 30% in the Exchange in 2007 in a failed attempt to acquire it. It has since sold its investment.

In 2007 the Exchange acquired the Milan-based Borsa Italiana for 1.6bn euros (£1.1bn; $2bn) to form the London Stock Exchange Group plc. The combination was intended to diversify the LSE's product offering and customer base. The all-share deal diluted the stakes of existing LSE shareholders, with Borsa Italiana shareholders receiving new shares representing 28 per cent of the enlarged register.

Operations

Following the merger with Borsa Italiana, the group is Europe's leading equities business, with 48% of the FTSEurofirst 100 by market capitalisation and with the most liquid order book by value and volume traded.

London Stock Exchange

The London Stock Exchange is Europe's leading stock exchange and is owned by the London Stock Exchange Group plc.