LSEG launches £3bn buyback and leans into AI debate Proactive uses images sourced from Shutterstock
London Stock Exchange Group PLC has unveiled a fresh £3 billion share buyback after sharply increasing profits last year, thanks to strong growth across its data and markets businesses.
The FTSE 100-listed group leaned into the debate around artificial intelligence, after being caught up in the eye of the ‘AI fear trade’ in recent weeks.
Chief executive David Schwimmer said LSEG is positioning itself as “the partner of choice for licensed, trusted data as the use of AI in decision-making scales – and we are seeing very positive signs of adoption”.
AI-focused partnerships were highlighted with Anthropic, Databricks, Microsoft, OpenAI, Rogo and Snowflake, built on its data infrastructure.
The results showed total income excluding recoveries rose 5.8% to £9 billion, or 7.1% on an organic constant currency basis. Including recoveries, income increased 5.5% to £9.3 billion.
Operating profit jumped 45.4% to £2.1 billion, while reported pre-tax profits leapt 56.5% to £2 billion.
The group generated £2.4 billion of equity free cash flow. As well as the new buyback, the full year dividend was increased 15.4% to 150p per share.
Schwimmer said: “We have achieved another year of very strong financial performance, driving continued top line momentum through significant investment in our product right across the business.”
For 2026, LSEG expects organic constant currency income growth of 6.5-7.5%, with EBITDA margin expansion of 80-100 basis points and equity free cash flow of at least £2.7 billion.