LSE Group stock: Q3 growth lifts 2026 outlook, Octus deal
Published on 11/02/2026 at 10:31 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWSGrowth and Credit Expansion
- LSEG lifted its 2026 organic income-growth target after strong third-quarter performance across its divisions.
- The Octus acquisition broadens LSEG's exposure to private and illiquid credit data and workflows.
- Management expects the transaction to close in the first half of 2027, subject to regulatory approval.
London Stock Exchange Group raised its 2026 outlook on October 22 after third-quarter income growth accelerated across its businesses. The company also agreed to acquire credit-data provider Octus for $3.535 billion, expanding its position in private and illiquid credit.
LSE Group stock traded at 113.73 euros on Lang & Schwarz at 10:29 CET on Monday, November 2, 2026. Investors can follow the real-time quote of London Stock Exchange Group stock.
Third-quarter growth broadens
Total income excluding recoveries reached GBP 2.407 billion in the third quarter, up 8.8% on an organic, constant-currency basis from GBP 2.219 billion a year earlier. Growth was led by Markets at 12.5%, followed by FTSE Russell at 10.2%, Risk Intelligence at 9.8% and Data & Analytics at 5.2%.
Including recoveries, total income increased to GBP 2.501 billion from GBP 2.308 billion. LSEG said subscription businesses continued to accelerate while its Markets division maintained strong momentum. The company described customer adoption of its artificial-intelligence solutions as another factor supporting the performance.
Higher targets for 2026
LSEG now expects organic constant-currency growth in total income excluding recoveries of at least 8.0% for 2026. That is above the 7.0% to 7.5% range given with its half-year results and would represent the group's strongest annual growth since 2018, according to management.
The company also raised its expected EBITDA margin expansion to 100 to 120 basis points and expects equity free cash flow of at least GBP 2.8 billion. The outlook gives investors a clearer measure of the operating leverage available as subscription growth and trading activity develop.
Octus adds private-credit reach
Under the agreed transaction, LSEG will buy Octus from funds advised by Permira and Octus management. Octus provides proprietary credit intelligence, data and workflows focused on private, illiquid and distressed credit. LSEG plans to combine those capabilities with its existing fixed-income data, analytics and distribution.
The deal is expected to close in the first half of 2027, subject to regulatory approval and other customary conditions. LSEG said Octus is expected to generate more than $300 million of revenue in 2026, with strong double-digit growth and an adjusted EBITDA margin of about 40%. Management expects the acquisition to be neutral to earnings per share in 2028 and accretive thereafter.
The transaction follows LSEG's planned acquisition of Trumid's credit-trading services. Together, the deals are intended to strengthen the group's coverage across public and private credit, but execution, integration and regulatory approval remain important milestones for investors.
London Stock Exchange Group at a glance
- Company: London Stock Exchange Group plc
- ISIN: GB00B0SWJX34
- Ticker: LSEG:LON
- Home exchange: London Stock Exchange
- Lang & Schwarz quote: 113.73 euros at 10:29 CET on November 2, 2026
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Further developments in the credit-market expansion and financial-market infrastructure can be followed through More news and analyses on London Stock Exchange Group stock.
