London Stock Exchange Group announced a £3 billion ($4.1 billion) share buyback, seeking to reassure investors amid activist pressure and AI disruption concerns.
The move follows demands from Elliott Management, which has urged portfolio reviews, higher margins and stronger messaging on AI resilience.
LSEG executives denied the buyback responds to Elliott and said no asset sales are planned.
Shares jumped more than 6%, outperforming the FTSE 100, as analysts welcomed the sizeable repurchase and updated medium-term guidance.
The stock had fallen about 30% over the past year, weighed by fears AI could erode its lucrative data business.
CEO David Schwimmer dismissed those risks, calling it “verging on impossible” for AI to replicate LSEG’s proprietary datasets.
The group has expanded AI partnerships with OpenAI and Anthropic, integrating its financial data into advanced analytical platforms.
LSEG reported 7.1% organic income growth in 2025, projected up to 7.5% in 2026, and raised its dividend by 15%.
