A little about the London Stock Exchange
Founded in the coffee houses of the City of London in the late 17th Century, the LSE has evolved into Europe's most important share market and one of the largest in the world.
There are around 3,000 companies listed on the LSE worth in excess £3,500bn.
A total of 1,800 firms are quoted on what is called the Main Market, while 1,100 are listed on the Alternative Investment Market, or Aim, which was set up a decade ago for young expanding firms.
The Stock Exchange floor has been replaced by large dealing rooms