London Stock Exchange Group – 2021 Q3 Trading Statement

London Stock Exchange Group plc

Q3 2021 Trading Statement

This release contains revenues and key performance indicators (KPIs) for the three months ended 30 September 2021 (Q3). All figures quoted in this release are on an underlying basis.  Figures are stated on both a statutory and pro-forma basis for Q3 2021 and Q3 2020. Pro-forma figures assume that the acquisition of Refinitiv took place on 1 January 2021 and the prior year comparator assumes that the acquisition of Refinitiv occurred on 1 January 2020. All pro-forma and statutory figures exclude the financial contribution from Borsa Italiana which was divested in H1 2021. Constant currency variance is calculated on the basis of consistent FX rates applied across the current and prior year period, the conversions have been made from the transactional values, which will eliminate any transactional and translational movements along with any related accounting adjustments. For more information, please refer to the “Accounting and modelling notes” section below. Organic variances have been removed from our disclosure due to the large variances associated with the acquisition of Refinitiv.

Highlights

Note: Unless otherwise stated, variances refer to Q3 growth rates on a pro-forma constant currency basis, excluding the impact of a deferred revenue accounting adjustment¹, to provide the best view of underlying performance

• Strong performance across all divisions driving 7.6% growth in Q3 total income¹ and gross profit growth of 7.3%
• Continued good progress on the integration of Refinitiv and comfortably on target for full year run-rate cost synergy delivery of £125 million, ahead of original phasing; 10 new products launched in Q3 as part of revenue synergy programme, taking the total to 37 year-to-date
• Data & Analytics revenue grew 6.0% and continues to perform well with growth in Annual Subscription Value increasing from 3.9% at H1 to 4.0% in Q3, reflecting strength in subscription-based new business wins
• Capital Markets revenue grew 17.2% driven by double-digit growth at Tradeweb, strong primary issuance within Equities and good dealer-to-client volumes at FXall
• Post Trade revenue grew 11.5% driven by increased clearing activity from both new and existing customers; total income up 2.3%, reflecting lower investment returns in Net Treasury Income compared to the strong comparator in Q3 2020
• Year-to-date total income¹ grew 5.6%, reflecting the good performance across the Group
• As previously guided, the Group expects total income¹ to grow between 4-5% for full year 2021, with Q4 2021 income not expected to grow as fast as Q3 on a constant currency basis due to the strong comparator in Q4 2020; no change to previous cost or capex guidance although supply chain pressures may impact timing of some technology spend this year
• The Group's second Investor Education Event on 1 October confirmed the strong growth ambitions for Data & Analytics, with revenues to increase by 4-6% annually over the medium term, reflecting multiple supportive trends and our ongoing focus on rigorous performance management and improvement of the customer experience. FX trading is also well-positioned for continued growth in electronic trading and the planned migration to new technology will strengthen it further. Replays of the two Investor Education Events are available online

¹ Excluding recoveries and a deferred revenue accounting impact. As previously stated, the deferred revenue impact is a one-time, non-cash, negative revenue impact resulting from the accounting treatment of deferred revenue within Refinitiv's accounts which have been re-evaluated upon acquisition by LSEG under purchase price accounting rules. The result of this accounting treatment is a £1m adjustment reducing revenue for Q3 2021, (£24m reduction for Q3 YTD). The vast majority impacts the Data & Analytics business with a smaller impact applied to the FX venues business within Capital Markets. There will be further immaterial impacts in Q4 2021. Further information is available in the “Accounting and modelling notes” section. Constant currency variance shows underlying financial performance, excluding currency impacts, by comparing the current and prior year periods at consistent exchange rates. 

David Schwimmer, CEO said:

“The Group has delivered a strong Q3 financial performance with revenue growth across all divisions.

“We are making excellent progress on the integration of Refinitiv and are comfortably on-track to achieve £125 million of cost synergies in 2021, ahead of our original phasing. We continue to execute across a number of workstreams to deliver the target revenue synergies. The Group is well placed as we make targeted investments in product and technology enhancements to help us meet the needs of our customers and capitalise on the growth trends driving change across our industry.”