Flow Traders Looks to Gain, ICE Feels the Heat as LSE 24/5 Trading Goes Live
July 21, 2026, 9:36 AM EDT. The London Stock Exchange is rolling out LSE 24, its new 24/5 digital trading venue targeting cross-time-zone liquidity and fresh trading infrastructure. Flow Traders, a big name in ETP liquidity, could see a boost as non-stop trading ramps up. Intercontinental Exchange, with its US$79.1 billion market cap and multiple business lines, faces more competition as LSE 24 grabs for order flow in European and global markets. While ICE’s product suite and earnings have grown, its high-margin exchange business could take a hit if more automation and competition kick in. Investors are tracking moves in market share and possible regulatory changes as digital trading picks up pace.
Flow Traders Stock And 2 Exchange Shares F…
LSE to roll out 24/5 trading platform LSE 24 by 2027
July 21, 2026, 9:35 AM EDT. The London Stock Exchange said it plans to launch LSE 24, a new platform for 24/5 trading, in early 2027, targeting digital, algorithmic and agentic flows. LSE 24 will run Monday through Friday and aims to let global investors trade almost around the clock. The venue is set to list Exchange Traded Products (ETPs) first, pending sign-off from regulators, and will build on London’s ETP market. LSE 24 is expected to combine a central limit order book with request-for-quote, meant to boost price transparency and liquidity. The platform is set to operate next to the Main Market, using AI-enabled workflows and LSEG’s Digital Securities Depository.
London Stock Exchange to Launch LSE 24
Lloyds Banking Group LSE:LLOY Hits 112p High—Could It Reach 168p or Fall to 56p?
July 21, 2026, 9:18 AM EDT. Lloyds Banking Group shares LSE:LLOY touched 112p, marking their best level since 2008. The stock got a lift from solid numbers and talk of possible UK rate increases, which could mean more profit for the lender. But Lloyds is exposed to the UK economy, with risks from any housing slump or recession, plus rising unemployment could drive up bad debt. The bank is also dealing with a £1.95bn motor finance compensation issue, adding more pressure. With shares trading on a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.93, close to the FTSE 100’s 16.4 average, the market isn’t calling the stock overvalued. Analysts are split on the outlook, with some eyeing a run to 168p and others warning of a drop to 56p. Still, most don’t see shares crashing by half in a year unless bad news hits hard.
At 112p, where next for the Lloyds share p…
Legal & General dividend yield hits 7.3%, sees ISA demand rise
July 21, 2026, 9:03 AM EDT. Legal & General (LSE: LGEN) is getting more attention from UK Stocks and Shares ISA investors in 2026 as its forecast 7.3% dividend yield stands out. After reforms made Cash ISAs less competitive, investors have shifted money into high-yield picks like Legal & General. The insurer has grown its annual dividend from 5.55p in 2006 to 21.79p expected for 2025. Plans call for more than £5bn to go back to shareholders between 2025 and 2027, including a £1.2bn share buyback with its 2025 results. Risks like lower Solvency II coverage could weigh, but steady dividends and share buybacks keep passive income in focus for shareholders.
This dividend stock has a 7.3% yield, and …
UK Jobs Flat, Wage Growth Weakest Since 2019
July 21, 2026, 8:50 AM EDT.UK payroll numbers showed no growth, according to new figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Private sector pay gains slowed to their lowest rate since 2019. The figures come as Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham pushes on job creation. The stalled jobs market and weaker wage rises come as local economies continue to deal with inflation and the cost-of-living squeeze.
Lack of UK jobs growth highlights challeng…
LSE to Offer 24-Hour Trading by 2027
July 21, 2026, 8:49 AM EDT. The London Stock Exchange said it’s rolling out 24-hour trading in 2027. The LSE is making the shift as more trading moves to U.S. venues with longer or round-the-clock sessions. The new overnight option will give global investors near-continuous access outside the usual London window. LSE is trying to keep liquidity on its books and stay useful as trading patterns shift.
London Stock Exchange plans 24-hour tradin…
Vanguard Lowers Fee on Vanguard FTSE All-World UCITS ETF
July 21, 2026, 8:48 AM EDT. Vanguard cut the fee on its Vanguard FTSE All-World UCITS ETF, bringing costs down for investors looking for broad global equity exposure. The provider said the lower expense ratio should help the ETF stay competitive. The Vanguard FTSE All-World UCITS ETF tracks the FTSE All-World Index, covering developed and emerging markets. Vanguard said this fee change is part of its push to keep investment costs low.
Vanguard reduces fees on Vanguard FTSE All…
Analysts See Rolls-Royce Up 34% by Christmas, but Valuation Still Stretched
July 21, 2026, 8:33 AM EDT. Rolls-Royce Plc shares could gain up to 34% by Christmas, based on analyst forecasts. Sixteen of twenty analysts rate the stock a Buy, and the average 12-month price target is 1,450p to 1,490p. The stock is seen as having upside, but one estimate only calls for a 9% move, pointing to the high price-to-book ratio of 43. Analysts say Rolls-Royce’s financials look solid, with FY2025 revenue at £20.1 billion and pre-tax profit of £6.94 billion. There are risks-defence budget cuts and possible operating slowdowns could weigh on the shares. Investors are still factoring in those risks as Rolls-Royce deals with broader volatility.
Could Rolls-Royce shares lock in another 3…
Janus Electric (ASX: JNS) jumps on AUD10m North American order
July 21, 2026, 8:18 AM EDT. Janus Electric (ASX: JNS) shares traded higher after the company landed a North American truck conversion order worth about AUD10 million. The new deal brings the firm’s order book to 45 vehicles. Janus, which converts diesel trucks to battery-electric and supports those with a battery-swapping network, called it a key step in moving beyond the Australian market. The contract targets North American heavy transport fleets that want to cut emissions. Janus said recurring revenue from battery hire and servicing lifts with the new order, and it is putting more into manufacturing and infrastructure as it pushes ahead with commercializing its electric heavy truck tech.
Janus Electric (ASX: JNS) Rallies Followin…
Kelty Slams Australia’s Economic Management, Sees Missteps on Tax and Spending
July 21, 2026, 8:03 AM EDT. Bill Kelty, the former ACTU boss, told a parliamentary inquiry that Australia’s tax and spending settings are overdone. Kelty said there’s something wrong when commodity prices are strong but living standards go backwards. He said those conditions point to big policy errors, leveling fresh criticism at the government’s economic management.
Former ACTU boss Bill Kelty slams Australi…
Hammer Metals Gets Rival Bids for Mount Isa Assets
July 21, 2026, 7:47 AM EDT. Hammer Metals (ASX: HMX) has two takeover offers for its copper-gold assets in Queensland’s Mount Isa region. The board is backing a binding agreement with Larvotto Resources, citing certainty for the deal, even as Austral Resources has put forward a higher non-binding bid. If shareholders approve, Hammer holders would get Larvotto shares under a scheme arrangement, with the deal still needing regulatory and shareholder sign-off. Key tenements include the Kalman project and nearby deposits, all in an active mining area with existing infrastructure and processing plants. Shareholders are waiting to see scheme documents and meeting dates as management reviews any possible improved proposals.
Hammer Metals (ASX: HMX) Draws Competing A…
Mitie jumps 38% after OCS lines up £3.1bn takeover
July 21, 2026, 7:31 AM EDT. Mitie shares shot up 38% after OCS agreed to acquire the company in a cash deal worth about £3.1bn. Shareholders get 218.5p a share plus a possible 3.1p final dividend, taking the total up to 221.6p and a 44.7% premium to the last close. The move brings together two UK players with combined revenues of roughly £8.5bn, boosting reach in public sector, defence, healthcare and infrastructure. Mitie also showed a 10% revenue rise in the quarter to £1.406bn, with contract wins up 33% to £1.6bn. The deal is part of a steady stream of UK-listed firms exiting London’s equity market.
Mitie shares soar as takeover agreed
FTSE 100 up as investors react to Burnham's new team, early policies
July 21, 2026, 7:30 AM EDT. The FTSE 100 gained 0.3% after UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham named John Healey as chancellor and announced measures like scrapping VAT on household electricity bills. Healey, known for Treasury experience, reassured investors, helping gilt yields settle after some uncertainty over fiscal plans. Babcock and other defence stocks jumped on hopes for more sector funding. Miners Antofagasta rose 3%, Glencore added 2%. Marks & Spencer and other UK-focused names moved higher as markets priced in better consumer spending on Burnham’s early moves.
FTSE 100 reacts well to Burnham’s first mo…
Thames Water Lenders Offer Golden Share as Nationalisation Talk Grows
July 21, 2026, 7:15 AM EDT.Thames Water’s main lenders are putting a golden share on the table for the UK government, which would give ministers veto rights on moves like mergers as they try to block nationalisation. This comes after a £10 billion bailout plan-with debt write-offs and more cash-was turned down. Lenders also want more say for local councils, taking a page from the United Utilities-Greater Manchester setup. Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s government is pushing more public grip on vital services, but officials are still wary of big financial risks like full debt repayment. Ofwat still needs to sign off on any deal. Lenders say their reworked offer brings bigger benefits for customers and the environment.
Thames Water lenders offer 'golden share' …
LSE rolls out 24-hour trading platform
July 21, 2026, 7:14 AM EDT. The London Stock Exchange said it will launch a 24-hour trading venue, pushing global efforts for all-day stock dealing. The plan lets investors trade shares nonstop, in line with changes at other big exchanges. LSE says the move should boost market access in more time zones and cut trading gaps for global clients. Around-the-clock hours could help liquidity and give tighter pricing, even outside regular sessions. This is a major change for the LSE as demand for all-hours access keeps rising.
Another major stock exchange moves toward …
Harvest Minerals Surges on Brazil Rare Earth Deals; IQE Up as Earnings Beat | AIM Movers
July 21, 2026, 7:13 AM EDT.Harvest Minerals soared 77.8% after closing on eight rare earth assets in Brazil using a mix of cash and shares, moving deeper into critical minerals. IQE, which makes semiconductor wafers, came in ahead of forecasts for the first half, reporting at least £64 million in revenue and targeting 30% full-year growth as aerospace and 3D sensing orders rise. Shares leapt 21.3%. Gateley shares put on 15.75% with the CEO set to exit due to health, as the legal group reported 8% revenue growth but profits held back by higher costs. Midwich Group said sales hit £640 million and profits rose 10%, trading up 6.77% even with patchy regional results. Other active names: Guardian Metal Resources and Quantum Helium climbed. Revolution Beauty and Sintana Energy fell.
AIM movers: Harvest Minerals acquires rare…
ASX Futures Down as Middle East Tensions Drive Oil Higher
July 21, 2026, 6:58 AM EDT.Australian sharemarket futures point to a 0.4% drop for Tuesday, with renewed Middle East tensions lifting oil prices and rattling sentiment. Investors pulled back as energy supply fears grew, which hit risk appetite. Concerns over more volatile global markets remained, as conflict pushed commodity prices around.
The Morning Catch-Up: ASX set to fall as M…
Investec or Aberdeen: Which UK Dividend Stock Stands Out Now?
July 21, 2026, 6:30 AM EDT. Investec and Aberdeen Group are both on the radar for income-seekers in UK finance. Investec, now in the FTSE 100 after an upgrade, posted a 5.48% bump in its dividend, 4.2% revenue growth, and reports strong capital, which backs up its 6.2% yield as a potentially safe and growing payout. Aberdeen, whose shares have lost 50% since 2018 and faced struggles rebranding, has clawed back 26.6% in the last year and yields 5.8%. That payout’s future is less clear and will hinge on Aberdeen’s turnaround. Investors looking for stability are leaning toward Investec for its record. Those after a potential rebound could look to Aberdeen. With markets still choppy, both are getting attention from income hunters.
Investec vs Aberdeen: which is the better …
LSE to Roll Out 24/5 Digital Venue With LSE 24
July 21, 2026, 6:29 AM EDT. The London Stock Exchange said it plans to launch LSE 24, a new venue for digital, algorithmic, and agentic trading, aiming to offer 24/5 trading from Monday to Friday. The move is meant to let investors trade around the clock, reacting to market events and tapping liquidity no matter the time zone. LSE 24 will run alongside existing hours, not replace them, and uses LSEG’s current market infrastructure. It is set to start with Exchange Traded Products in the first half of 2027, waiting on regulatory sign-off, and could add equities later. CEO Julia Hoggett said the venue should boost liquidity, efficiency and participation, and help keep London a top global financial hub.
London Stock Exchange to launch LSE 24
London Stock Exchange to roll out LSE 24 overnight trading in 2027
July 21, 2026, 6:28 AM EDT. The London Stock Exchange said it will launch LSE 24, an overnight trading venue for exchange-traded products, in early 2027. Trading will run from 5 p.m. to 7:50 a.m. London time, keeping the venue open nearly through the weekday, except for a 30-minute pause for daily processing. LSE is pitching the project as a way to extend access to select securities outside the regular 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. market window. The exchange is targeting global investors, especially those in Asia, and moves as rivals like Nasdaq extend trading hours and crypto platforms run around the clock. LSE 24 will start without single stocks and will instead list diversified ETPs, which the exchange said should manage risk for market-makers.
LSE Plans Overnight Trading Venue for Earl…
FTSE 100 Gains as Oil Drops, Earnings in Focus
July 21, 2026, 6:27 AM EDT. The FTSE 100 pushed higher Tuesday, lifted by softer oil prices as reports surfaced on U.S.-Iran mediation. Traders kept an eye on a batch of earnings this week, with market sentiment shaped by mixed data. The slide in oil prices helped energy shares and underpinned the broader index. Market participants stayed cautious with more corporate results on deck.
London's FTSE 100 climbs as oil prices eas…
Amtech lands Cumberland Packaging ERP deal, extends reach in UK market
July 21, 2026, 6:12 AM EDT. Amtech Software picked up a deal to provide its Encore ERP platform to Cumberland Packaging Ltd., a big UK corrugated packaging maker. The move takes Amtech beyond its usual UK label business and into the packaging sector. Cumberland will run the ERP system to manage production, inventory and delivery. CEO Chuck Schneider called the win part of Amtech’s plan to grow across the UK and Ireland. Amtech is pushing further into UK packaging tech with this contract.
Amtech Wins UK ERP Contract, Expands Packa…
Intuitive Surgical (ISRG) Drops 41% Even With Solid Numbers
July 21, 2026, 6:11 AM EDT. Intuitive Surgical (NASDAQ:ISRG) stock has fallen about 41% since January, even as the robotic surgery leader posts strong recurring revenue at 84%, solid profit margins, and a firm balance sheet. The company’s da Vinci systems are in use by over 101,000 trained surgeons globally, which keeps switching costs high. Quarterly revenue jumped 19% to $2.9 billion, and earnings of $2.80 a share came in ahead of forecasts. Despite quick growth in procedures and healthy fundamentals, the shares still trade below value, which some think creates a possible buying chance with the wider market unsettled.
Down 41% since January, this quality S&P 5…
Compass Group Keeps Profit Outlook After Solid Q3
July 21, 2026, 5:57 AM EDT. Compass Group PLC stuck with its full-year profit guidance after a solid third quarter, saying it expects underlying operating profit to grow. The British foodservice and support services company pointed to strong operations and ongoing demand, even with market uncertainty. Management said it can handle cost and supply pressures. Compass shares were steady as investors took in the outlook. The company keeping its target is a positive sign as others in the sector weigh growth against inflation and rising costs.
Compass sticks with profit guidance after …
Burnham to Cut Hospitality Business Rates 20%, Targets Warehouse Levies
July 21, 2026, 5:56 AM EDT. Andy Burnham, now UK prime minister, said he’ll cut business rates for the hospitality sector by 20% to help pubs, clubs and music venues. He also wants to remove VAT from electricity bills to bring down household costs. Burnham says he’ll fund this by raising rates on large out-of-town warehouses, pointing to groups like Amazon. His push is aimed at backing family-run businesses and breathing new life into high streets. The Real Rates Reform Alliance said it’s good to see the issue acknowledged, but called for a hybrid system to better split the burden between online and physical shops. Some critics are still warning the funding plan isn’t clear, especially after the digital ID plan was dropped.
Exclusive: Andy Burnham To Slash Business …
Thames Water lenders ready 'golden share' offer to UK government in effort to stave off nationalisation
July 21, 2026, 5:40 AM EDT. Lenders to Thames Water are set to propose a ‘golden share’ for the UK government as they look to avoid nationalisation under the Burnham government. The arrangement would give the government veto rights on critical decisions without forcing a full takeover. Creditors are pushing this plan to protect their stakes and meet political demands. The move shows lenders are open to government oversight but want to keep management private, exposing the divide over control of the utility.
Thames Water lenders to offer ‘golden shar…
Defence stocks jump after Citi says Healey’s chancellor move should help spending
July 21, 2026, 5:39 AM EDT.Defence stocks jumped, led by Babcock International PLC (FTSE 100) up 6%. Citi pointed to Jeremy Healey’s appointment as Chancellor as the reason, saying this may mean more government defence spending. Investors appear to expect the sector could get fresh policy support. Interest in defence shares climbed as the market looked for action ahead of new fiscal announcements.
Defence stocks jump as Citi backs Healey c…
LSE launches 24/5 digital trading with LSE 24
July 21, 2026, 5:27 AM EDT. The London Stock Exchange is rolling out LSE 24, a 24/5 trading platform designed for digital, algorithmic, and agent-based trading. The new venue will first offer exchange traded products, with a launch set for early 2027 and client testing due by the end of 2026. The plan is to allow near-continuous trading Monday to Friday. LSE says investors will get more flexibility, better liquidity around the clock, and more ways to manage risk. LSE 24 will run separately from the Main Market and plug into LSEG digital systems to drive efficiency and participation. Core features include a central limit order book and request-for-quote, aimed at price transparency and on-demand liquidity. The exchange expects to connect with LSEG’s Digital Securities Depository for digital assets, subject to approval. CEO Julia Hoggett said the move shows LSE adapting its markets and shoring up London’s financial centre profile.
London Stock Exchange launches new 24/5 tr…
LSE targets 2027 launch for overnight trading with LSE 24
July 21, 2026, 5:26 AM EDT. The London Stock Exchange is setting up LSE 24, an overnight trading platform set to go live in the first half of 2027. LSE 24 will trade separately from the main exchange, running from 5 p.m. through 7:50 a.m. London time, and will start with exchange-traded products (ETPs). The plan is meant to meet investor calls for round-the-clock market access and support liquidity and risk management outside regular UK hours. The move brings the LSE in line with Nasdaq, CME Group and Cboe Global, which have already pushed out trading times in response to 24/7 crypto trading and shifting investor habits.
Global Market: London Stock Exchange to ro…
LSE sets 2025 start for around-the-clock weekday trading platform LSE 24
July 21, 2026, 5:25 AM EDT. The London Stock Exchange said it will roll out LSE 24 next year, a platform that will run 24 hours a day, five days a week. LSE said the move will support digital, algorithmic and AI-led trading, letting global investors trade Monday through Friday with more flexibility and constant market access. The exchange wants the longer trading window to meet demand for all-day market participation.
London Stock Exchange to launch 24/5 tradi…
Mitie set to exit London market after £3.1bn OCS buyout
July 21, 2026, 5:24 AM EDT. Mitie has agreed to a £3.1 billion takeover from OCS Group, which would end its London Stock Exchange run after close to four decades. The UK facilities group, with 84,000 staff, said its board is backing OCS’s 221.6p per share cash offer, a 44.7% premium. OCS, which is controlled by Clayton, Dubilier & Rice and has 135,000 employees, wants to combine the two to build a larger UK facilities giant. The deal is set to wrap up by early 2027. Shares jumped 41% to fresh highs as the board recommended the deal, even as Mitie faces public sector insourcing pressure and probes into worker conduct at immigration centres.
Mitie agrees £3.1bn takeover by OCS in blo…
GSK Seen Climbing 12% by Mid-2027—Analysts
July 21, 2026, 5:23 AM EDT. GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) shares have stalled in 2026, climbing just 2% since January and lagging the FTSE 100. Analysts in the City have set a 12-month price target at 2,099p, which would be a 12% move higher. That means a £6,000 stake could top £6,700, or close to £6,900 when factoring in dividends. GSK’s forward price-to-earnings ratio sits at 10.4, below AstraZeneca at 16.2 and Johnson & Johnson at 22, giving some support to the bullish calls. Some see potential for sector rotation into healthcare by late 2026 or into 2027, which could help shares. But sentiment stays limited as Q1 earnings were flattered by one-offs and the company has halted development of camlipixant, which was forecast for £2.5bn at peak sales. Analysts say price targets aren’t guaranteed but point to valuation and market rotation as the main themes.
By mid-2027, analysts expect £6,000 in GSK…
Thames Water investors float golden share for UK to block nationalisation
July 21, 2026, 5:08 AM EDT. London & Valley Water, a group of 100 institutional investors holding £17bn of Thames Water’s £21bn debt, has put forward a £10bn rescue plan that includes a “golden share” giving the UK government veto rights over key moves. The proposal is meant to head off a push for nationalisation led by Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, who wants more public oversight. It’s a package with a 10-year dividend freeze and a plan to expand social tariffs to cut bills for customers who are struggling. Thames Water, which supplies 16 million people, remains weighed down by debt from privatisation. Burnham is weighing a special administration regime, a step that could mean temporary public control and roughly £2bn in taxpayer costs. The investor group wants to hammer out new terms with ministers for more government oversight and a promise of big investment on infrastructure and the environment.
Thames Water investors offer ‘golden share…
JP Morgan Lifts Marks and Spencer Target to 450p on Online Margin Upside
July 21, 2026, 5:07 AM EDT. JP Morgan bumped its price target on Marks and Spencer Group PLC LSE:MKS to 450p from 440p, pointing to room for the retailer to pad margins through online. The bank said M&S could narrow the margin gap against rivals as e-commerce keeps growing with changing shopper habits. JP Morgan sees more confidence now in the retailer’s digital efforts and ongoing push to streamline how it runs things. Investors are watching the online margin angle closely as they weigh M&S’s future profits and where it stands in the market.
JP Morgan lifts M&S target on online margi…
LSE plans round-the-clock weekday trading
July 21, 2026, 4:53 AM EDT. The London Stock Exchange is set to open a 24-hour, five-day trading venue, letting investors trade stocks beyond regular UK hours. The exchange has not given a launch date or shared more details yet. LSE is responding to demand for extended trading as more global markets move to longer sessions to draw international money and boost liquidity.
London Stock Exchange to launch 24/5 tradi…
Bank of Queensland (BOQ) Trades Around $6.33; NIM, ROE, and Culture Scores Trail Sector
July 21, 2026, 4:52 AM EDT. Bank of Queensland (BOQ) is changing hands at about $6.33. The bank’s net interest margin sits at 1.56%, under the sector’s 1.78%. Return on equity is at 4.7%, well below the sector’s 9.35%. About 93% of income comes from lending. Employee culture gets a 2.6 out of 5, compared to 3.1 for the sector. Net margins, ROE, and workplace ratings are worth a look for investors thinking about BOQ’s long-term prospects.
4 best numbers to value BOQ shares
Marston’s boosts sales with World Cup effect, hits margin target ahead of schedule
July 21, 2026, 4:36 AM EDT. Marston’s said like-for-like sales jumped 22% on England World Cup matchdays. Sports-led Grandstand pubs saw 170% sales growth from last year, helping boost the group’s outlook. Marston’s finished 36 Grandstand conversions, lifting year-to-date growth 30% and now aims for 100 by FY2027. Group-wide pub sales fell 1.6% on weaker off-peak demand, but Order & Pay sales climbed 45%, supporting guest scores. The company now expects to hit its EBITDA margin target a year ahead, with more than 200 basis points of improvement. Pre-IFRS16 leverage should land at 4x, and Marston’s plans to return cash to shareholders, most likely through buybacks, while expanding formats. Shares rose 1% after the update.
Marston’s toasts World Cup boost as margin…
ASX Looks to Drop Diversity Targets, Seeks Auditor Tenure Disclosures
July 21, 2026, 4:22 AM EDT. The ASX wants to scrap diversity targets for senior management and staff from its corporate governance code. The exchange is also planning to require companies to disclose how long external auditors have served. ASX says the push would shift its guidelines, adding more focus on how long auditors stay in place. The proposed changes are part of a broader update to governance rules for listed companies in Australia.
ASX Eyes Diversity Target Removal, New Aud…
LSE Unveils Plans for Round-the-Clock Trading; IREN Jumps 20% on AI Cloud Agreements
July 21, 2026, 4:21 AM EDT. The London Stock Exchange said it will launch LSE 24, a 24-hour trading platform running five days a week. The exchange hasn’t given a start date or listed which instruments will trade. In the U.S., IREN shares shot up 20% Thursday after it signed $2.8 billion in multi-year deals with top AI developers. IREN bumped its AI Cloud ARR target to over $4 billion from $3.7 billion. The deals, with average terms of four years, come with prepayments covering 45% of GPU costs and will cut funding needs. IREN’s CEO said its AI Cloud platform has rapidly scaled, with capacity jumping from 3MW to 480MW this year and a 1.2GW target for 2027.
Stock Market Today: Live Updates 21.07.202…
LSE plans near-24-hour trading with launch of LSE 24
July 21, 2026, 4:20 AM EDT. The London Stock Exchange said it will launch LSE 24, an overnight trading venue offering near-continuous hours. The move puts LSE in line with global exchanges pushing longer trading to pick up more international flows. The new platform is meant to give investors more flexibility and tap liquidity outside standard hours. LSE is aiming to meet rising demand for round-the-clock market access as cross-border trading grows.
London Stock Exchange to launch overnight …
London Stock Exchange plans 24-hour trading with LSE 24
July 21, 2026, 4:01 AM EDT.London Stock Exchange (LSE) said it will roll out LSE 24, offering round-the-clock trading five days a week. The exchange said this will push trading hours past current limits and let investors trade more flexibly across time zones. LSE expects the project will bring in more liquidity and draw international traders. The plan follows calls for nonstop trading as markets become more connected. The exchange hasn’t given a start date or listed which instruments will trade yet.
London Stock Exchange to Launch LSE 24
IREN rallies 20% on $2.8bn AI cloud deals, boosts ARR outlook above $4bn
July 21, 2026, 4:00 AM EDT. IREN shares jumped 20% after the company signed $2.8 billion in multi-year deals with major AI developers, lifting its AI Cloud annualized run-rate revenue target to more than $4 billion from a previous $3.7 billion. The company, listed on Nasdaq and counting Microsoft and NVIDIA as clients, said 85% of its ARR is now locked into contracts for cloud services. Demand from hyperscalers, enterprises, and AI labs is running ahead of what IREN can supply, so the company is focusing on diversifying its customer base. The contracts run for an average of four years and come with prepayments that cover 45% of GPU capital costs, helping cut net funding needs. Co-CEO Daniel Roberts said the platform is scaling quickly, with AI Cloud capacity climbing from 3MW to 480MW this year and a target of 1.2GW by 2027.
IREN shares soar as AI cloud ARR hits $4bn
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