GSK CEO Change and AstraZeneca Dual Listing Shake UK Pharma Market

AstraZeneca and GSK have recently made significant strategic moves impacting their listings and leadership, influencing UK markets notably. AstraZeneca announced plans to list its shares directly on the New York Stock Exchange while maintaining its existing London and Stockholm listings, aiming to improve liquidity and access to US investors without abandoning its British and Swedish heritage. Meanwhile, GSK revealed that CEO Emma Walmsley will step down at the end of the year, succeeded by Luke Miels, the current chief commercial officer, as the company looks to address investor concerns and position itself for future growth amid challenges such as patent losses and competitive pressures. These developments have boosted shares in both companies, contributing to gains in the FTSE 100 index, which climbed near its all-time high. Despite Walmsley's mixed tenure, with successes in drug innovations and consumer healthcare spin-offs, GSK shares have underperformed, making the leadership change a positive signal to investors. Overall, both firms are laying down long-term markers to strengthen their global positions and respond to structural challenges in UK capital markets.