Could 24-hour trading revive the London Stock Exchange? We get two market experts to go head to head in this week’s Debate.

YES: Extending trading hours could attract fresh capital and relevance to London

The FTSE 100 may be at record highs, but don’t be fooled. This isn’t a comeback – it’s a momentary cheer on a slow downward spiral. Beneath the surface, London’s stock market is in a deep bout of depression, with more companies leaving than joining and a steady stream heading for the US every week.

While not a fix-all, 24-hour trading is exactly the kind of innovative action we need to stay competitive and keep our best businesses listed in London.

Traditional trading hours are no longer fit for purpose. Crypto trades 24/7, US exchanges are moving towards 22-hour days and a new generation of investors – shaped by constant access through the digital economy – expects the same from global stock exchanges. If the London Stock Exchange wants to reclaim influence and shed its status as a laggard, it must lead with bold, forward-looking reform.

Some argue the tech investment is too steep, or that overnight volumes are too thin. But that’s........

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