London, January 7, 2026, 08:17 GMT — Regular session
- Shares up 0.6% early in London trade after a new Ascend platform data rollout
- Experian says lenders can now tap its UK commercial credit data inside Ascend
- Next catalysts include Thursday’s ex-dividend date and a Jan. 21 trading update
Experian (EXPN.L) shares rose 0.6% to 3,405 pence by 0802 GMT on Wednesday, after the credit data firm rolled out a new data capability for lenders earlier this week. 1
On Monday, Experian said its commercial data — covering the borrowing and repayment history of more than eight million UK businesses — is now available via its cloud-based Ascend analytics and decisioning platform. David Gallihawk, chief product officer for Experian’s UK and Ireland business information unit, said: “Clients can have an even better view of their customers and businesses so they can make smarter, faster decisions.” 2
The timing matters because investors have several near-term triggers to trade around, including the stock’s first interim ex-dividend date on Jan. 8 and a third-quarter trading update due on Jan. 21. Experian’s investor calendar also flags an exchange-rate setting date for the interim dividend on Jan. 16 and payment on Feb. 6, with full-year results scheduled for May 20. 3
The move came as London shares digested a rally that pushed the FTSE 100 above the 10,000 mark on Tuesday, driven by energy and defence stocks after U.S. military action in Venezuela raised worries over crude supply. 4
For income-focused investors, Experian’s website shows a first interim dividend of 21.25 U.S. cents per share, payable on Feb. 6 to shareholders on the register at the close of business on Jan. 9. It said shareholders have until Jan. 9 to elect to receive U.S. dollars, otherwise dividends will be paid in sterling using the exchange rate determined on Jan. 16. 5
The stock ended Tuesday at 3,384 pence, down 1.25%, after a 2.85% gain on Monday. The shares have traded between 3,049 and 4,101 pence over the last 52 weeks, leaving them about 17% below the high and keeping the 3,400 level in focus in early 2026 dealing. 6
But the product launch will matter to investors only if it feeds through into contract wins and usage, and that is harder to judge in a choppy lending backdrop. A slowdown in business borrowing or tighter credit conditions can curb demand for credit data and decision tools, even when new features land on schedule.
Next up is Thursday’s ex-dividend date, followed by Experian’s Jan. 21 third-quarter trading update for clearer signals on demand from lenders and uptake of its Ascend platform.
