Key takeaways:
- LSEG agreed to acquire credit intelligence platform Octus for $3.54 billion.
- The company raised its 2026 income growth forecast to at least 8%.
- Third quarter income rose to £2.41 billion from £2.22 billion.
London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) shares rose nearly 4% on Thursday after the company raised its full-year 2026 growth outlook and announced a $3.54 billion acquisition of credit intelligence platform Octus. The LSEG Octus acquisition will expand LSEG’s credit data and analytics business, while its latest trading update showed higher income from subscription services and market operations.
LSEG acquires Octus to expand credit data business
LSEG will acquire Octus from investment company Permira and the platform’s management, including founder Kent Collier. The all-cash transaction is valued at $3.54 billion and will be funded through external debt. The company expects the acquisition to close in the first half of 2027, subject to regulatory clearances.
Octus provides credit intelligence, data, and workflow tools for financial professionals. LSEG plans to integrate the platform into its data and analytics division after the acquisition is completed.
LSEG already operates in liquid credit markets. Octus will add capabilities in illiquid and private credit, allowing the group to serve clients across a wider range of credit markets. This will broaden the information and workflow services available to financial institutions, investors, and other businesses that assess credit risk.
The LSEG Octus acquisition is expected to contribute immediately to organic revenue growth in LSEG’s data and analytics division. The company also expects the deal to support its group guidance for organic subscription revenue growth of 7% in 2027.
For businesses that rely on credit information, the transaction reflects continued investment in data services used to assess borrowers, track debt markets, and support financial decisions. LSEG’s planned integration of Octus will bring the platform’s specialised credit information into its existing data and analytics operations.
The transaction’s completion remains subject to regulatory clearances. LSEG has not stated that the acquisition has already closed.
LSEG raises income growth forecast after strong third quarter
Alongside the acquisition announcement, LSEG raised its full-year outlook for organic constant currency growth in total income, excluding recoveries, to at least 8% in 2026. Its previous forecast had projected growth of 7% to 7.5%.
For the 3 months ended September 30, total income excluding recoveries reached £2.41 billion, compared with £2.22 billion in the same period a year earlier. The increase reflected stronger subscription businesses and sustained performance in the markets division.
Subscription services provide recurring income by giving customers continued access to data, analytics, and related tools. Growth in this segment can help businesses such as LSEG build predictable revenue streams, while market operations provide another source of income.
The improved forecast indicates that LSEG expects its business to maintain stronger growth through the rest of 2026. The company’s latest results also provide the financial context for its planned acquisition, as it seeks to expand its services while growing existing operations.
The LSEG Octus acquisition and the higher outlook mark 2 separate developments for LSEG: an expansion of its credit intelligence offering and stronger expected income growth. Investors will continue to assess the acquisition’s progress and the company’s performance against its revised forecast.
