LSEG lifts guidance after record first half Proactive uses images sourced from ShutterstockLondon Stock Exchange Group PLC (LSE:LSEG) has raised its income and margin guidance after reporting record first-half results, supported by double-digit growth from its markets business. Total income excluding recoveries increased 6.9% to £4.8 billion in the first six months of 2026, or 8.4% on an organic constant-currency basis. For the full year, the FTSE 100 group raised its income growth forecast to between 7% and 7.5%, narrowing the previous range of 6.5-7.5%. The board now expects constant-currency margins to improve by around one percentage point, against previous guidance of between 0.8 and one percentage point. The group returned £2.1 billion through share buybacks during the half and plans a further £1.35 billion by February 2027.