The head of the UK’s most valuable company, AstraZeneca, has reportedly expressed its preference to move the company’s stock market list to the United States.
Sir Pascal Soriot, who has been in the helm for Pharma Juggernaut since 2012, is said to have spoken privately about his desire to abandon the UK’s listing in favor of the United States.
It is thought that board members, together with the British government, are expected to drive back towards such a move because of the company’s position in the market.
Soriot’s wishes, revealed by The Times, would mark a crushing blow for the London Stock Exchange due to the company’s market value of £ 160 billion – the highest in the market.
The FTSE 100 manager has been true that Europe is falling behind comrades USA and China on new medicine innovation.
Soriot denied a rift with the Labor government earlier this year after abandoning the plans for a vaccine factory of £ 450 million among questions about the “time and reduction in the final offer” by the government support.
AstraZeneca refused to comment on City Am.
AstraZeneca threatens a deadly blow
The loss of AstraZeneca would address drastic questions about stability and health in the London market.
In 2024, LSE suffered its largest emigration in 15 years when 88 companies ditched or transferred their primary listing. This included Paddy Power owners flutter and Tech Darling Dartrace.
Libra has continued until 2025 with a combination of takeover and notes leading to a struggling market.
UK Fintech wise gave a blow to the London market after transferring its primary listing to the United States. At the same time, three billion pounds resulted in foreign giants who intercepted London-listed assets.
In an attempt to increase investments in Britain’s assets and the audience in additional liquidity to maintain lists, the London Stock Exchange Chief Julia Hoggett has proposed a new “Tell Sid” advertising campaign.
But this has faced criticism from Lseg’s former director Xavier Rolet, who blasted the manager of the UK’s capital markets to focus on “Gimmicks and quick heading-sparking fixes” to liquidity levels.
