Orsted’s $9B lifeline and LSEG’s fair access shift - Sep 5, 2025

As of September 5, today’s news features developments in energy and infrastructure sectors, as well as shifts in international relations and market trends. The London Stock Exchange Group has ceded exclusive rights to the rooftop of its data centre building to allow fair access to rivals, following a British probe into whether the arrangement restricted competition for high-speed trading services. Currently, only LSEG, which operates the London Stock Exchange and supplies data and analytics, can use the rooftop for radio equipment used for high-speed connectivity, which helps traders access data across asset classes. Meanwhile, Danish offshore wind developer Orsted secured shareholder approval on Friday for a 9.4 billion dollars emergency rights issue aimed at staving off a crippling credit downgrade as the Trump administration targets its U.S. projects. Once celebrated as a trailblazer in offshore wind, the state-controlled group now finds itself in dire straits, grappling with industry-wide challenges and U.S. President Donald Trump'sopposition to wind power. Shifting to market dynamics, copper prices have seen modest gains influenced by constraints on refined copper production in China, the world's leading producer. The three-month copper price rose by 0.55%, primarily spurred by speculation over U.S. jobs data and shifts in scrap copper policies that are expected to alter refined copper supply. Despite the challenges faced by BYD, the world's largest electric vehicle manufacturer, which has downsized its sales target significantly, analysts anticipate a rebound in copper consumption due to its crucial role in electric vehicle manufacturing. Furthermore, some of Britain’s so-called altnet broadband providers, according to Reuters Breakingviews, are approaching a cliff edge. High interest rates, coupled with lower-than-expected demand for superfast fibre internet, mean that debt restructurings are now firmly on the cards. Larger players and incumbents like Virgin Media O2 could pick up some discounted assets. The episode should provoke a moment of reflection for investors in infrastructure – a concept that has at times been stretched to breaking point. On the international stage, China has extended its investigation into Canadian canola imports, which may lead to a crucial trade agreement balancing tariffs on Chinese vehicles and canola shipments.