What was the total number of UK listings in the first nine months of 2026?

The total number of UK listings in the first nine months of 2026 was eight, raising £606.9m.

Which sectors attracted significant investor interest globally?

Globally, defence, infrastructure, energy, and AI companies continued to attract significant investor interest.

London IPOs Hit Lowest Point Since 2023 in Q3

Only one company listed on the London Stock Exchange in the third quarter, marking the quietest period since late 2023, though capital raised saw an increase.

2026-10-14 · Updated 2026-10-14

London saw just one Initial Public Offering (IPO) in the third quarter of 2026, the lowest number of listings since 2023. The sole transaction was the AIM listing of 1947 Oil & Gas plc, which raised £29.8m. This marks the quietest period for London listings since the fourth quarter of 2023, when no companies listed.

Despite the low volume of new listings, the total capital raised in the third quarter increased significantly compared to the same period in 2025, rising from £199.1m to £5.3bn. This boost was largely due to the debut of African payments firm Airtel Money.

Analysts attribute the slowdown to several factors, including the typical lull in summer activity and broader macroeconomic uncertainty stemming from global conflicts and fiscal policy developments. Many companies are reportedly delaying their IPO plans until 2027, anticipating improved market conditions.

However, potential government decisions in the upcoming Autumn Budget could impact the IPO pipeline. Industry figures are urging the government to abolish the 0.5 per cent stamp duty on UK stocks, which they argue acts as a disincentive to investment.

Globally, the IPO market performed more strongly, with 387 IPOs across international markets in the third quarter, raising $95.6bn. Middle Eastern and African markets, particularly India, led global activity, while European and Asia-Pacific markets also saw significant investor interest in sectors like defence, infrastructure, energy, and AI.

FAQ

What was the total number of UK listings in the first nine months of 2026?: The total number of UK listings in the first nine months of 2026 was eight, raising £606.9m.
Which sectors attracted significant investor interest globally?: Globally, defence, infrastructure, energy, and AI companies continued to attract significant investor interest.