Top 5 Financial Centers/Cities of The World

2) London

GFCI rating: 766

London stock exchange market capitalization: US$4.59 trillion

London holds immense importance for the historical genesis of politics and economy. Standing on the River Thames, London has been an important settlement for humanity for two millennia and served as the global financial epicenter before being dethroned by New York in the early 20^th century. London has often traded places with New York in global lists of top financial centers of the world. It hosts the London Stock Exchange, one of the oldest stock exchanges in the world. More than 2600 local and global companies are listed in it. It has one of the most skilled labor forces available on the planet, with a very robust and developed infrastructure to support economic activity on a massive scale. Besides serving as the headquarters of multi-national corporations, London hosts some of the most important monuments of British history and culture. Toyota Motor Corporation (LON: TYT), Unilever Plc (LON: ULVR), and Royal Dutch Shell (LON: RDSA) are some of the biggest companies trading on LSE.