Fears over £160bn blow to London’s stock market as AstraZeneca considers listing move to US
What AstraZeneca could cost London stock market if it moves to US
- AstraZeneca's CEO, Pascal Soriot, has reportedly held private discussions about moving the pharmaceutical firm's stock market listing from London to the US.
- The potential move is primarily driven by the CEO's long-standing frustrations with UK regulations, including restrictions on new medicines and pricing structures.
- Such a shift would represent a significant blow to the London Stock Exchange, as AstraZeneca is currently its largest listed company with a market capitalisation exceeding £161bn.
- The US is AstraZeneca's largest revenue source, contributing $21.8bn (£15.3bn) of its $54bn (£39bn) total revenue in 2024, highlighting the market's importance to its growth strategy.
- The company previously abandoned plans for a £450m vaccine hub near Liverpool, citing “timing” and a funding gap, amid ongoing discussions with the UK government regarding pharmaceutical industry support.