Headquartered in London and employing more than 70,000 staff, GlaxoSmithKline (now simply "GSK plc" – we'll explain why) is a giant of big pharma. Its greatest hits include the first ever malaria vaccine, Amoxicillin, and 2020's COVID-19 vaccine (ft. Sanofi). The company in is current form is the product of numerous mergers and acquisitions over the years, like a supergroup of drugmakers: Philadelphia's John K Smith & Co. made employee Mahlon Kline a partner and the name became Smith, Kline and Company. A few generations, acquisitions and mergers later, in 2000, SmithKline Beecham plc. (as it was then known) merged with Glaxo Wellcome.
But that's ancient history. Today the stock is listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE), under the conveniently easy-to-remember ticker "GSK", and traded in sterling. Its hefty market cap makes it a FTSE 100 constituent. Here's how you can get a stake.
The whole process can take as little as 15 minutes. You'll need a smartphone or computer, an internet connection, your passport or driving licence and a means of payment.
Throughout September, IG (capital at risk) is running a free-share giveaway for new customers who open a trading account and trade at least £50. Provided you hold your investment until at least the end of October, you'll receive between £40 and £200 worth of shares in one of 15 popular UK stocks (including GSK). T&Cs apply.
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Read the full methodologyAll investing should be regarded as longer term. The value of your investments can go up and down, and you may get back less than you invest. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. If you’re not sure which investments are right for you, please seek out a financial adviser. Capital at risk.
The gauge below shows real-time ratings that are based on 26 popular indicators such as moving averages, for specific time periods. It's not a recommendation but is simply technical analysis that can form part of your research.
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