TOP NEWS: LSEG income balloons after Refinitiv deal, ups payout

(Alliance News) - London Stock Exchange Group PLC said on Thursday its Refinitiv deal has been ...

Alliance News 3 March, 2022 | 10:01AM
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(Alliance News) - London Stock Exchange Group PLC said on Thursday its Refinitiv deal has been "successful" with the firm's cost savings ahead of target amid burgeoning income which has led to increased shareholder payouts.

"LSEG has delivered a successful first year after completion of the Refinitiv acquisition. We have produced a strong financial performance, have met or are ahead of all targets and have good momentum into 2022," Chief Executive David Schwimmer said.

Shares in the trading and clearing operator and index provider were 4.4% higher in London on Thursday morning at 6,650.00 pence each, having hit 7,200.00p earlier in the session.

In 2021, pretax profit doubled to GBP987 million from GBP492 million in 2020.

Total income surged to GBP6.42 billion from GBP2.03 billion. Data & Analytics income ballooned to GBP4.29 billion from GBP824 million. Capital Markets income was up to GBP1.18 billion from GBP288 million, but Post Trade income was flat at GBP913 million versus GBP915 million in 2020.

Pro forma results - which assumes LSEG's Refinitiv acquisition took place at the start of 2020 - shows total income grew to GBP6.81 billion from GBP6.77 billion. Data & Analytics income was flat at GBP4.61 billion from GBP4.65 billion, while Capital Markets income increased to GBP1.26 billion from GBP1.17 billion, while Post Trade income was flat at GBP913 million versus GBP915 million in 2020.

Data & Analytics revenue growth came on the back of a strong sales performance and high retention rates in its subscription-based businesses, combined with strong growth in the asset-based business within Investment Solutions, and high organic and inorganic growth in Customer & Third-Party Risk.

Capital Markets revenue growth was driven by trading platform Tradeweb - where increased electronification of its operations in the Fixed Income market, alongside market volatility, drove record volumes. The unit also benefited from the highest level of IPO activity since 2007.

Post Trade saw a strong performances at SwapClear and RepoClear, with both seeing high volumes in the year - as a result of market volatility.

LSEG said its group 2021 performance gives it confidence it is on track to achieve the 5% to 7% 2020 to 2023 compound annual growth rate target.

Schwimmer said: "All of our businesses produced good results and are well positioned in markets demonstrating strong growth. Our clear focus on customer service and innovative solutions improved Data & Analytics' performance. Our Capital Markets and Post Trade businesses also delivered good growth. We are building a more scalable and efficient business, creating a platform for further growth and delivering the benefits of an interconnected global company."

LSEG declared a final dividend of 70.0 pence for 2021, giving it a total payout of 95.0p, which is increased by 27% from the 75p total dividend handed out to shareholders in 2020.

"We are in a strong financial position, with a business model based on high-quality, recurring revenues that generates considerable and predictable cashflows. We have brought our leverage to within our target range a year ahead of schedule and will continue with disciplined deployment of capital to create further shareholder value. We remain focused on our strategic priorities for the benefit of our customers and our shareholders," Schwimmer added.

LSEG said it is making "good progress on revenue synergies" stemming from its Refinitiv acquisition, expecting to generate run-rate revenue synergies of GBP40 million to GBP60 million by the end of 2022.

"We are delivering cost synergies ahead of the planned phasing target, through property consolidation, supplier optimisation, technology efficiencies and de-duplication of roles. Against a target of GBP88 million of run-rate synergies in the first year, we have delivered GBP151 million. In addition, we have identified another GBP50 million of cost synergies, increasing the 5-year target to at least GBP400 million per annum," LSEG added.

By Paul McGowan; paulmcgowan@alliancenews.com

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Security Name Price Change (%) Morningstar
Rating
London Stock Exchange Group PLC 11,920.00 GBX -0.33

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