London Stock Exchange Group Reports Robust 2024 Performance, Projects Continued Growth Amidst Stable UK Financial System

London, UK – The London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) has announced strong financial results for 2024, reporting a 5.3% rise in pretax profit to £1.26 billion and a 6.1% increase in total income, excluding recoveries, to £8.49 billion. This positive performance across all business segments, coupled with a confident outlook for 2025, stands in stark contrast to recent social media speculation suggesting a collapse of Britain's financial system.

LSEG's Chief Executive Officer, David Schwimmer, highlighted the company's strategic achievements in 2024, noting a "strong performance across the Group enhanced by an exceptional year for Tradeweb." The company's capital markets division saw an 18% increase, while Risk Intelligence and FTSE Russell each grew by 11%. Data & Analytics, LSEG's largest business, recorded a 4.5% rise in income.

London's equity capital markets demonstrated significant strength in 2024, with 293 companies raising £25.3 billion through 378 transactions, marking a 34% year-on-year surge that outpaced global growth. The London Stock Exchange ranked as the fourth largest market for equity capital raised worldwide, exceeding the combined total of the next three largest European exchanges. Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) in London also delivered robust results, with 2024 IPOs closing the year up an average of 32%, significantly outperforming US-listed IPOs which ended the year down 3%.

Concurrently, the Bank of England's Financial Policy Committee (FPC) affirmed the resilience of the UK financial system in its November 2024 Financial Stability Report. The report concluded that "the UK banking system is strong enough to support households and businesses, even in a period of stress." While acknowledging high global risks and vulnerabilities within market-based finance, the FPC maintained the UK countercyclical capital buffer rate at its neutral setting of 2%, indicating confidence in the banking sector's ability to absorb shocks.

The broader UK economic outlook for 2025, as projected by various forecasters, indicates modest growth. While some reports note potential headwinds from trade disruption and persistent inflation, GDP growth is generally anticipated to be between 0.8% and 1.3%. Business investment is expected to improve in key sectors, contributing to this growth.

The positive assessments from LSEG and the Bank of England directly address the sentiment expressed in a recent tweet from "Overeducated Gibbon," which stated: > "LSE stans in shambles. Britain's financial system collapsing." The comprehensive data and official reports contradict these claims, painting a picture of a stable and growing UK financial landscape.