The International Retail Service was launched to enable private investors to trade international securities in sterling through their existing stockbroker. It substantially reduces the cost of cross-border trading and settlement by using the existing UK market infrastructure (including CRESTCo). The service also benefits from the London Stock Exchange's technology and regulatory expertise.
The service is supported by market makers that make continuous two-way sterling prices in their selected stocks. Five firms - Peel Hunt, CSFB, Merrill Lynch, Winterflood and Optiver - are currently market makers. We anticipate that more will join as the service develops, bringing greater price competition in existing stocks and possibly expanding the range on offer.
Commenting on the current additions to the service, Chris Broad, Head of Broker Services at the London Stock Exchange said: "The purpose of the International Retail Service was to enable every UK retail stockbroker to offer a straightforward and cheap international dealing service to their clients. Expanding the number of stocks on offer reflect our commitment to this goal and the retail market as a whole".
Private investors also benefit from the London Stock Exchange's decision to make real-time prices in these securities available on its website: www.londonstockexchange.com/irs
