Ordinary shares

Ordinary shares are the most common form of share in the UK. An ordinary share gives the right to its owner to share in the profits of the company (dividends) and to vote at general meetings of the company.

Ordinary shares of UK companies can be listed on the Main Market or admitted to AIM.  The more liquid Main Market securities (including all the constituents of the FTSE All Share index are found on the Exchange’s SETS Trading Service.  Less liquid Main Market securities are traded on SETSqx.  As well as SETS and SETSqx some AIM admitted securities can also be found on SEAQ.  More details of the Exchange’s Trading Services can be found here.

Companies seeking to join the Main Market may choose from a Premium Listing or a Standard Listing. Companies with a Premium Listing are required to meet the full suite of UK rules which are more extensive than minimum requirements set out in EU directives. A Standard Listing allows issuers to access the Main Market by meeting EU harmonised standards only.