The London Stock Exchange (LSE) is one of the world's oldest and largest stock exchanges, providing a platform for buying and selling shares, bonds, and other securities. It makes money through transaction fees, listing fees from companies, and data services. Founded in 1801, the LSE has played a crucial role in global finance, including notable mergers such as its 2007 merger with Borsa Italiana. The exchange is known for its FTSE 100 Index, which tracks the performance of the top 100 companies listed on the LSE.