LSEG Reports YoY Fall in Operating Profit in H1 of 2020

The London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) has published its financial results for the first six months of 2020, revealing a slight uptick in revenue but a fall in operating profit during the period.

Total revenue for the first half of 2020 increased by 4 percent to reach £1.058 billion, up from £1.018 billion in the first half of 2019. Total income for the six months increased by 8 percent, hitting £1.235 billion.

LCH sees record activity in H1 2020

LSEG closed the first half of 2020 with a 9 percent uptick in post-trade revenue, climbing from £342 million in H1 of 2019, to £372 million in H1 of 2020. This growth in revenue was driven by a strong performance from its clearing house - LCH, which saw record activity in foreign Exchange Exchange An exchange is known as a marketplace that supports the trading of derivatives, commodities, securities, and other financial instruments.Generally, an exchange is accessible through a digital platform or sometimes at a tangible address where investors organize to perform trading. Among the chief responsibilities of an exchange would be to uphold honest and fair-trading practices. These are instrumental in making sure that the distribution of supported security rates on that exchange are effectiv An exchange is known as a marketplace that supports the trading of derivatives, commodities, securities, and other financial instruments.Generally, an exchange is accessible through a digital platform or sometimes at a tangible address where investors organize to perform trading. Among the chief responsibilities of an exchange would be to uphold honest and fair-trading practices. These are instrumental in making sure that the distribution of supported security rates on that exchange are effectiv Read this Term (Forex Forex Foreign exchange or forex is the act of converting one nation’s currency into another nation’s currency (that possesses a different currency); for example, the converting of British Pounds into US Dollars, and vice versa. The exchange of currencies can be done over a physical counter, such as at a Bureau de Change, or over the internet via broker platforms, where currency speculation takes place, known as forex trading.The foreign exchange market, by its very nature, is the world’s largest tradi Foreign exchange or forex is the act of converting one nation’s currency into another nation’s currency (that possesses a different currency); for example, the converting of British Pounds into US Dollars, and vice versa. The exchange of currencies can be done over a physical counter, such as at a Bureau de Change, or over the internet via broker platforms, where currency speculation takes place, known as forex trading.The foreign exchange market, by its very nature, is the world’s largest tradi Read this Term), CDS, and cash equities clearing. In particular, the total income at LCH jumped by 19 percent to £548 million.

For the Group, operating profit sunk by 2 percent on a yearly comparison, falling from £399 million in the first six months of last year, down to £391 million in H1 of 2020. Adjusted operating profit, however, increased by 8 percent, coming in at £575 million.

During the six month period, profit before tax was £362 million, as compared to the £363 million in H1 of 2019. LSEG posted a profit after tax of £261 million, which is lower than the same period of the previous year, which had a profit after tax of £265 million.

LSEG is making good progress with Refinitiv deal

Commenting on the performance for the period, David Schwimmer, CEO said in the statement: “The Group has delivered a good financial performance and demonstrated strong operational resilience. During this unprecedented period, we have focused on ensuring the welfare of our employees and on continuity of services to our customers, maintaining access to our markets and clearing venues, with record volumes executed across our services.

“We are making good progress on the proposed transaction with Refinitiv, securing a number of regulatory approvals and engaging constructively with authorities on remaining approvals. We also continue to make good progress on integration planning to ensure we are ready to deliver the benefits of the transaction to our shareholders, customers and other stakeholders. We expect to close the transaction by the end of the year or in early 2021.”