United Kingdom's main stock market index, the GB100, rose to 8785 points on July 1, 2025, gaining 0.28% from the previous session. Over the past month, the index has climbed 0.13% and is up 8.18% compared to the same time last year, according to trading on a contract for difference (CFD) that tracks this benchmark index from United Kingdom. United Kingdom Stock Market Index (GB100) - values, historical data, forecasts and news - updated on July of 2025.

As of January 29, 2025, the FTSE index stood at 8,557.81 points - well above its average value of around 7,500 points in the past few years.On the 12th of March 2020, amid the escalating crisis surrounding the coronavirus and fears of a global recession, the FTSE 100 suffered the second largest one day crash in its history and the biggest since the 1987 market crash. On the 23rd of March, the FTSE index saw its lowest value this year to date at 4,993.89 but has since began a tentative recovery. With the continuation of the pandemic, the FTSE 100 index was making a tentative recovery between late March 2020 and early June 2020. Since then the FSTE 100 index had plateaued towards the end of July, before starting a tentative upward trend in November. FTSE 100 The Financial Times Stock Exchange 100 Index, otherwise known as the FTSE 100 Index is a share index of the 100 largest companies trading on the London Stock Exchange in terms of market capitalization. At the end of March 2024, the largest company trading on the LSE was Shell. The largest ever initial public offering (IPO) on the LSE was Glencore International plc. European stock exchanges While nearly every country in Europe has a stock exchange, only five are considered major, and have a market capital of over one trillion U.S dollars. European stock exchanges make up two of the top ten major stock markets in the world. Europe’s biggest stock exchange is the Euronext which combines seven markets based in Belgium, France, England, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, and Portugal.

The total market capitalization of all companies trading on the London Stock Exchange (LSE) took a large hit during the early months of 2020, due mostly part to a mass sell-off of shares caused by the fears surrounding the global coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Between December 2019 and March 2020, the total value of market capitalization decreased by more than *** billion British pounds (GBP). The overall number of companies currently trading has also been falling. The number of daily trades spiked in March 2020 and then decreased as well. As of February 2025, the total market value of all companies trading on the London Stock Exchange stood at over **** trillion British pounds. European stock exchanges While almost every country has a stock Exchange, in Europe only five exchanges are considered major, with total market capital amounting to over *** trillion euros. The London Stock Exchange is the second largest in Europe and tenth largest worldwide. As of January 2025, Europe’s largest stock exchange, Euronext had a total market capital of listed companies valued at approximately **** trillion U.S. dollars.

Stock market return (%, year-on-year) in United Kingdom was reported at 14.38 % in 2021, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. United Kingdom - Stock market return (%, year-on-year) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on June of 2025.

United Kingdom UK: Market Capitalization: Listed Domestic Companies: % of GDP data was reported at 64.629 % in 2008. This records a decrease from the previous number of 125.114 % for 2007. United Kingdom UK: Market Capitalization: Listed Domestic Companies: % of GDP data is updated yearly, averaging 87.239 % from Dec 1975 (Median) to 2008, with 34 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 177.400 % in 1999 and a record low of 6.368 % in 1980. United Kingdom UK: Market Capitalization: Listed Domestic Companies: % of GDP data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United Kingdom – Table UK.World Bank.WDI: Financial Sector. Market capitalization (also known as market value) is the share price times the number of shares outstanding (including their several classes) for listed domestic companies. Investment funds, unit trusts, and companies whose only business goal is to hold shares of other listed companies are excluded. Data are end of year values.; ; World Federation of Exchanges database.; Weighted average; Stock market data were previously sourced from Standard & Poor's until they discontinued their 'Global Stock Markets Factbook' and database in April 2013. Time series have been replaced in December 2015 with data from the World Federation of Exchanges and may differ from the previous S&P definitions and methodology.

Between the first quarter of 2007 and the fourth quarter of 2024, the lowest market capitalization of all companies listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE) was recorded in the first quarter of 2009, at 2.6 trillion British pounds. As of the fourth quarter of 2024, the market capitalization of the entire LSE amounted to 4.6 trillion British pounds. Although the value of companies trading has fluctuated and increased overall, a downward trend can be seen in the number of companies listed on the LSE.

United Kingdom UK: Market Capitalization: Listed Domestic Companies data was reported at 1,868.153 USD bn in 2008. This records a decrease from the previous number of 3,846.462 USD bn for 2007. United Kingdom UK: Market Capitalization: Listed Domestic Companies data is updated yearly, averaging 972.400 USD bn from Dec 1975 (Median) to 2008, with 34 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 3,846.462 USD bn in 2007 and a record low of 30.096 USD bn in 1979. United Kingdom UK: Market Capitalization: Listed Domestic Companies data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United Kingdom – Table UK.World Bank.WDI: Financial Sector. Market capitalization (also known as market value) is the share price times the number of shares outstanding (including their several classes) for listed domestic companies. Investment funds, unit trusts, and companies whose only business goal is to hold shares of other listed companies are excluded. Data are end of year values converted to U.S. dollars using corresponding year-end foreign exchange rates.; ; World Federation of Exchanges database.; Sum; Stock market data were previously sourced from Standard & Poor's until they discontinued their 'Global Stock Markets Factbook' and database in April 2013. Time series have been replaced in December 2015 with data from the World Federation of Exchanges and may differ from the previous S&P definitions and methodology.

Key information about United Kingdom FTSE 100

• United Kingdom FTSE 100 closed at 8,809.7 points in Feb 2025, compared with 8,674.0 points at the previous month end
• UK Equity Market Index: Month End: FTSE 100 data is updated monthly, available from Jan 1984 to Feb 2025, with an average number of 5,430.8 points
• The data reached an all-time high of 8,809.7 points in Feb 2025 and a record low of 1,010.1 points in Jul 1984

FTSE Russell provides FTSE 100 Index, which is the key benchmark in the UK.


Further information about United Kingdom FTSE 100

• In the latest reports, FTSE All-Share recorded a daily P/E ratio of 14.4 in Jul 2022

UK Gas fell to 76.96 GBp/thm on June 30, 2025, down 1.29% from the previous day. Over the past month, UK Gas's price has fallen 5.35%, and is down 1.38% compared to the same time last year, according to trading on a contract for difference (CFD) that tracks the benchmark market for this commodity. UK Natural Gas - values, historical data, forecasts and news - updated on June of 2025.

As of May 2025, the pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca was the leading company listed on the London Exchange (LSE), with a market capitalization of 159 billion British pounds. This made them the largest of all companies listed on the LSE. Seen as the heart of the global financial community, the London Stock Exchange is the second-largest stock market in Europe and ranks eighth globally. Key information The London Stock Exchange (LSE) is among the largest stock market operators globally and ranks 11th in terms of the oldest stock exchanges in existence, with 224 years of operation as of 2025. Performance after Covid The COVID-19 pandemic had a profound effect on the global economy, causing considerable volatility on the stock market. The London Stock Exchange (LSE) saw a notable decline in the market capitalization value of its listed companies, reaching its lowest value in March 2020 at approximately three trillion British pounds in correlation with a surge in the average daily number of trades, which peaked at over two billion. Following this initial reaction, the LSE observed a decrease in the average daily active traders, alongside a gradual recovery in the market capitalization of the listed companies.

Key information about United Kingdom Market Capitalization

• United Kingdom Market Capitalization accounted for 3,182.091 USD bn in Feb 2025, compared with a percentage of 3,120.628 USD bn in the previous month
• UK Market Capitalization is updated monthly, available from Apr 1999 to Feb 2025
• The data reached an all-time high of 4,211.587 USD bn in Oct 2007 and a record low of 1,402.869 USD bn in Sep 2002

CEIC converts monthly Market Capitalization into USD. London Stock Exchange provides Market Capitalization in local currency. The Federal Reserve Board period end market exchange rate is used for currency conversions. Market capitalization includes only domestically listed companies. As of 2017, definitions from the revised Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID II) have been introduced.

Key information about United Kingdom Market Capitalization: % of GDP

• United Kingdom Market Capitalization accounted for 83.8 % of its Nominal GDP in Dec 2024, compared with a percentage of 70.5 % in the previous year
• UK Market Capitalization: % Nominal GDP is updated yearly, available from Dec 1999 to Dec 2024
• The data reached an all-time high of 131.2 % in Dec 2006 and a record low of 70.5 % in Dec 2023

CEIC calculates annual Market Capitalization as % of Nominal GDP from monthly Market Capitalization and quarterly Nominal GDP. London Stock Exchange provides Market Capitalization in local currency. The Office for National Statistics provides Nominal GDP in local currency. As of 2017, definitions from the revised Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID II) have been introduced. Market Capitalization includes domestically listed companies only.


Further information about United Kingdom Market Capitalization: % of GDP

• In the latest reports, FTSE All-Share recorded a daily P/E ratio of 14.4 in Jul 2022
• FTSE 100 closed at 8,674.0 points in Jan 2025

Social media platforms are integral to people's lives, offering ways to communicate, create and view content and share information. According to Ofcom, approximately 89% of UK internet users in 2023 used social media apps or sites. Teenagers and young adults are the biggest users, although there is rapid uptake among older age groups. Advertising is the primary revenue source for social media platforms, although subscription-based services are gaining momentum as platforms seek to diversify their incomes. TikTok is the success story of the last few years, becoming the most downloaded app between 2020 and 2022, according to Apptopia. The short-form video platform reported that it averaged revenue growth of over 450% between 2019 and 2022. After Musk's takeover, X, formerly known as Twitter, adjusted its content moderation and allowed previously banned accounts to return. As a result, over 600 advertisers have pulled their ads from the site because of fears their brand may be associated with malcontent. In response to falling ad revenue, X has introduced a subscription-based service which enables users to verify themselves and boosts the number of people who view their tweets. Meta-owned Facebook and Instagram have responded by introducing a similar service. Revenue is expected to grow by 14.3% in 2024-25, constrained by a slowdown in user growth for most major social media platforms. Over the five years through 2024-25, revenue is forecast to expand at a compound annual rate of 32.8% to reach £9.8 billion. Looking forward, regulations relating to how data is collected, stored, and shared will force advertisers and platforms to rethink how they can target their desired demographics. The rising prominence of AI will require the introduction of adequate regulations. The Online Safety Bill sets out new guidelines for social media platforms to abide by, with hefty fines in store for those who do not. Operating costs will swell as platforms look to meet consumers’ expectations, weighing on profit. Over the five years through 2029-30, social media platforms' revenue is projected to climb at an estimated 9.4% to reach £15.4 billion.

The Great Britain Historical Database has been assembled as part of the ongoing Great Britain Historical GIS Project. The project aims to trace the emergence of the north-south divide in Britain and to provide a synoptic view of the human geography of Britain at sub-county scales. Further information about the project is available on A Vision of Britain webpages, where users can browse the database's documentation system online.

The GBP/USD exchange rate rose to 1.3745 on July 1, 2025, up 0.10% from the previous session. Over the past month, the British Pound has strengthened 1.48%, and is up by 8.34% over the last 12 months. British Pound - values, historical data, forecasts and news - updated on July of 2025.

Forecast: Pulses Market Size Volume in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 2024 - 2028 Discover more data with ReportLinker!

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Foreign Exchange Market Size 2025-2029

The foreign exchange market size is forecast to increase by USD 582 billion, at a CAGR of 10.6% between 2024 and 2029.

The Foreign Exchange Market is segmented by type (reporting dealers, financial institutions, non-financial customers), trade finance instruments (currency swaps, outright forward and FX swaps, FX options), trading platforms (electronic trading, over-the-counter (OTC), mobile trading), and geography (North America: US, Canada; Europe: Germany, Switzerland, UK; Middle East and Africa: UAE; APAC: China, India, Japan; South America: Brazil; Rest of World). This segmentation reflects the market's global dynamics, driven by institutional trading, increasing digital adoption through electronic trading and mobile trading, and regional economic activities, with APAC markets like India and China showing significant growth alongside traditional hubs like the US and UK.
The market is experiencing significant shifts driven by the escalating trends of urbanization and digitalization. These forces are creating 24x7 trading opportunities, enabling greater accessibility and convenience for market participants. However, the market's dynamics are not without challenges. The uncertainty of future exchange rates poses a formidable obstacle for businesses and investors alike, necessitating robust risk management strategies. As urbanization continues to expand and digital technologies reshape the trading landscape, market players must adapt to remain competitive. One significant trend is the increasing use of money transfer agencies, venture capital investments, and mutual funds in foreign exchange transactions. Companies seeking to capitalize on these opportunities must navigate the challenges effectively, ensuring they stay abreast of exchange rate fluctuations and implement agile strategies to mitigate risk.
The ability to adapt and respond to these market shifts will be crucial for success in the evolving market.

What will be the Size of the Foreign Exchange Market during the forecast period?

Explore in-depth regional segment analysis with market size data - historical 2019-2023 and forecasts 2025-2029 - in the full report.
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In the dynamic and intricate realm of the market, entities such as algorithmic trading, order book, order management systems, and liquidity risk intertwine, shaping the ever-evolving market landscape. The market's continuous unfolding is characterized by the integration of various components, including sentiment analysis, Fibonacci retracement, mobile trading, and good-for-the-day orders. Market activities are influenced by factors like political stability, monetary policy, and market liquidity, which in turn impact economic growth and trade settlement. Technical analysis, with its focus on chart patterns and moving averages, plays a crucial role in informing trading decisions. The market's complexity is further amplified by the presence of entities like credit risk, counterparty risk, and operational risk.

Central bank intervention, order execution, clearing and settlement, and trade confirmation are essential components of the market's infrastructure, ensuring a seamless exchange of currencies. Geopolitical risk, currency correlation, and inflation rates contribute to currency volatility, necessitating hedging strategies and risk management. Market risk, interest rate differentials, and commodity currencies influence trading strategies, while cross-border payments and brokerage services facilitate international trade. The ongoing evolution of the market is marked by the emergence of advanced trading platforms, automated trading, and real-time data feeds, enabling traders to make informed decisions in an increasingly interconnected and complex global economy.

How is this Foreign Exchange Industry segmented?

The foreign exchange industry research report provides comprehensive data (region-wise segment analysis), with forecasts and estimates in 'USD billion' for the period 2025-2029, as well as historical data from 2019-2023 for the following segments.

Type

  Reporting dealers
  Financial institutions
  Non-financial customers


Trade Finance Instruments

  Currency swaps
  Outright forward and FX swaps
  FX options


Trading Platforms

  Electronic Trading
  Over-the-Counter (OTC)
  Mobile Trading


Geography

  North America

    US
    Canada


  Europe

    Germany
    Switzerland
    UK


  Middle East and Africa

    UAE


  APAC

    China
    India
    Japan


  South America

    Brazil


  Rest of World (ROW)

By Type Insights

The reporting dealers segment is estimated to witness significant growth during the forecast period.

The market is a dynamic and complex ecosystem where various entities interplay to manage currency risks and facilitate international trade. Reporting dealers, as key participants,

As of February 2025, British holding bank HSBC Holdings Plc was the leading finance company listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE) with a total market capitalization of almost 166 billion British pounds. Second in the ranking was Spanish bank Banco Santander S.A., with a market cap of nearly 77.7 billion U.S. dollars.