London, January 29, 2026, 08:01 GMT — Regular session.
- LSEG shares ticked higher in early London trading following a new buyback announcement
- On Jan. 28, the group acquired 209,783 shares and intends to cancel them
- Investors are focused on LSEG’s preliminary results set for Feb. 26
Shares of London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) crept up roughly 0.1% to 8,304 pence in early London trading on Thursday, following news of additional buybacks. The stock fluctuated between 8,298 pence and 8,360 pence, hovering close to the lower end of its 52-week range. 1
The buyback is significant as it gradually cuts the share count, helping prop up earnings per share even amid weak trading volumes. It also comes at a time when investors are rethinking risk in equities and in rate-sensitive, “steady-fee” sectors such as market operators and data providers.
Macro factors are playing a role as well. Overnight, the U.S. Federal Reserve left its benchmark rate steady between 3.50% and 3.75%, emphasizing that inflation is still “somewhat elevated,” which cast a cautious note ahead of Europe’s market open. 2
LSEG disclosed in a regulatory filing that it purchased 209,783 shares on Jan. 28 via Citigroup Global Markets, under the buyback program announced Nov. 4. The shares traded at an average price of 8,295.63 pence. LSEG also confirmed its plan to cancel these shares. 3
London’s sentiment was shaky to start. The FTSE 100 slipped 0.5% on Wednesday as investors pulled back from UK and European shares, shifting their focus to U.S. tech, Axel Rudolph, senior financial analyst at IG, noted. 4
U.S. rates continue to weigh on the sector. “We expect the Federal Reserve to remain on an extended pause,” said Michael Pearce, chief U.S. economist at Oxford Economics, following the decision. He cautioned that a rate cut might not arrive anytime soon. 5
LSEG’s immediate focus is on whether market conditions can boost volumes in trading, clearing, and issuance—areas closely tied to risk appetite. Data revenue, driven largely by subscriptions, offers some stability, but investors typically value the group based on the market cycle regardless.
Investors are also watching the competitive landscape. European rivals like Deutsche Boerse and Euronext deal with a similar mix: trading and post-trade revenues linked to volatility, along with more stable data and index fees—though those could shift if rates rise or clients tighten their budgets.
The downside scenario is clear. If volumes remain weak or risk appetite drops again, valuations could shrink, and daily buybacks won’t prevent the share price from slipping — particularly if the market interprets the Fed’s message as “higher for longer” in real terms.
Feb. 26 marks the next major event, as LSEG plans to release its preliminary results for the year ending Dec. 31, 2025. Investors will be watching closely for updates on growth prospects, cost management, and any signals on shareholder return strategies. 6
