London, Jan 29, 2026, 08:52 GMT — Regular session
- Experian shares ticked up 0.04% to 2,720 pence, after earlier dipping to 2,685 pence, marking a 52-week low
- Shares have dropped roughly 19% this year amid investor concerns over credit volumes and the interest rate outlook
- Next date to watch: Experian reports full-year results on May 20
Experian (EXPN.L) shares held steady close to a new 52-week low in early London trade on Thursday, following a sluggish start to the year for the credit data firm. By 0852 GMT, the stock inched up 0.04% to 2,720 pence, recovering slightly from an earlier dip to 2,685 pence.
This drop hits hard in a business driven by volume — credit checks, mortgage inquiries, fraud screening — where investors are now bracing for a slowdown. Experian has slid roughly 19% in 2026 and lost over 11% just in the last week, leaving its shares stuck in a tight range.
Rate bets shifted again following the Federal Reserve’s decision to keep its policy rate steady at 3.50%-3.75% on Wednesday. “We expect the Federal Reserve to remain on an extended pause,” said Michael Pearce, chief U.S. economist at Oxford Economics, shortly after the announcement. Reuters
Experian shifted focus to its product this week, announcing a strategic tie-up with pensions data platform Fincentive. The collaboration aims to help providers comply with the UK’s Consumer Duty, FCA rules designed to improve customer outcomes. “Consumer Duty requires them to evidence member outcomes, not just prove they sent a letter,” said David Bates, managing director for credit and verification services at Experian UK&I. Fincentive CEO John Buttress highlighted the payslip as “the one piece of communication members consistently trust.” Experian
Experian said its platform can convert a pension payslip into as many as 12 monthly digital updates and highlight vulnerability risks. It referenced The Pensions Regulator’s data showing that one in four schemes still rely on non-digitised records, while under 60% feel confident about their data accuracy. The company also noted that 49% of UK adults display vulnerability characteristics.
The company tied the pitch to the upcoming Pension Dashboards — the system set to let savers see all their pensions in one spot — with a connection deadline for schemes in October 2026. It highlighted that the platform can trigger eligibility checks for unclaimed benefits like Pension Credit, which it says 761,000 pensioner households currently miss out on.
Experian reported an 8% rise in organic revenue for the quarter ending Dec. 31 in its latest trading update on Jan. 21, maintaining its full-year guidance. The company defines organic growth as excluding effects from currency fluctuations and acquisitions. Full-year results are slated for release on May 20.
The update failed to halt the slide. Shares dropped as much as 7% on Jan. 21. A Panmure Liberum analyst highlighted a weak U.S. dollar and policy risks tied to President Donald Trump’s plan to cap credit card interest rates at 10%. He also flagged the rising role of artificial intelligence in credit decisions. Another concern: Fair Isaac’s move to sell credit scores directly to mortgage lenders, which could cut out credit bureaus like Experian.
Experian belongs to a select group of major credit bureaus, including Equifax and TransUnion, typically viewed as stable growers linked to lending, identity verification, and fraud prevention. That perception has shifted sharply this month, with the stock behaving more like a macroeconomic indicator.
The pensions push won’t show results immediately and carries execution risks: schemes need to sign up, digitise records, and maintain clean data. A sharper drop in lending and mortgage activity would weigh on volumes, while currency fluctuations could dent reported growth since Experian reports in U.S. dollars.
Traders will be eyeing if shares can stay above the 2,685 pence low and if volumes settle as the month closes. The next major event comes with Experian’s full-year results on May 20. Investors will be keen to see if there’s any update on guidance and get a better sense of demand in North America.
