LSE suggests shorter timetables for UK listings – Bloomberg

London Stock Exchange Group PLC suggested shorter timetables for the listing process in the U.K., in response to a government review, Bloomberg News reported, citing a person familiar with the matter.

The U.K. government launched a review Nov. 19, 2020, seeking ways to attract high-quality innovative companies to list in the country. The UK Listings Review will assess the public capital market rules to help optimize the process. The results of the review are expected in early 2021, the report noted.

IPOs in London take five weeks from publication of the registration document to a stock's trading debut. The proposed changes would bring the listings in the City of London more in line with the swifter procedures on U.S. and continental exchanges, according to the Jan. 18 report.

The British stock exchange also suggested relaxing the minimum marketing period for listings related to retail participation. The minimum period is six working days, Bloomberg said.

LSE was backing an easing of rules that apply to blue-chip stocks. In submissions to the government, the stock exchange had also urged relaxing rules that require startups to sell a minimum of 25% of their company in a listing, the Financial Times had reported.

The exchange was also said to be in favor of dual-class share structures in the so-called premium segment.