Global sports betting and gaming operator Entain reiterated its full-year 2026 financial guidance despite facing a sports margin headwind in the third quarter, while industrial firm Steppe Cement posted rising revenues and LSEG raised its annual outlook following strong subscription growth.
Entain Reiterate FY26 Guidance Amid Q3 Sports Margin Headwinds
Entain plc reported its trading update for the third period of the year spanning from July 1 to September 30, 2026. Total group net gaming revenue rose by 2% on a constant currency basis. Online net gaming revenue climbed 3%, lifted by an 8% increase in gaming revenue.
Retail net gaming revenue fell 2% due to the sports results headwind, though volumes rose 2%. In the UK and Ireland, performance beat expectations with an 8% increase in net gaming revenue, driven by strategic execution and investment. Online operations in the UK and Ireland jumped 14% with a 15% surge in volume, while retail in the region ticked up 1% on a like-for-like basis. Conversely, international net gaming revenue dropped 4%, pulled down by market challenges in Brazil.
Leadership Commentary on Tax Pressures and Full-Year Expectations
I am pleased with our Q3 performance which reflects the strength of our execution and reinforces the resilience of our globally scaled business as well as its ability to consistently deliver high-quality growth. Both online and retail are important parts of our business and valued contributors to tax revenues and local communities. We strongly urge the UK Government to carefully consider any further gambling tax increases which would threaten the viability of many shops, jobs and livelihoods.
Stella David
Backed by underlying momentum across its portfolio, the group reaffirmed its full-year 2026 outlook.
Steppe Cement Records Revenue Growth Supported by Higher Prices
In a separate trading update for the third quarter ended September 30, 2026, Steppe Cement Ltd reported unaudited revenue of KZT 21,824 million, approximately USD 47.2 million. This figure marked a 19% increase compared to the KZT 18,284 million, or approximately USD 34.1 million, achieved in the third quarter of 2025.
For the first nine months of 2026, the company generated revenue of KZT 51,321 million, approximately USD 107.3 million, up 32% from KZT 39,002 million, or approximately USD 75.0 million, in the corresponding period of 2025. The revenue increase in the third quarter stemmed from the appreciation of the Kazakh tenge and a 28% local currency price increase on products sold, which outpaced inflation despite a 6.5% drop in sales volume. Over the nine-month period, sales volume totaled 1.63 million tonnes compared with 1.55 million tonnes in 2025.
LSEG Raises Guidance Following Record Q3 Performance
LSEG reported continued record performance in the third quarter of 2026, driven by accelerating growth across subscription businesses and sustained momentum in Markets. Reflecting this operational strength, leadership raised full-year guidance for revenue, EBITDA margin, and free cash flow, placing the company on track to deliver its strongest annual growth rate since 2018.
The company advanced its strategy in fixed income data and trading through planned acquisitions, including Octus to build out proprietary solutions in the private credit space, alongside the acquisition of Trumid’s credit trading services. Capital returns to shareholders remain active, with 10% of market capitalization scheduled for return between January 2026 and February 2027 through buybacks and dividends, supported by capacity for an additional £1.0bn to £1.5bn in share buybacks during 2027.