Trainline shares slump after profit slips on watchdog probe

Trainline’s profit slipped in the first half of the year after the ticket retailer was dragged down by a charge linked to an investigation from the UK competition watchdog. The rail ticketing platform recorded a £4m hit to its bottom line, which will cover legal fees and potential liabilities, following the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) inquiry. The watchdog launched a formal probe in August under new consumer protection powers that came into force in 2025. It is examining whether Trainline’s presentation of mandatory booking fees breach transparency rules. “The investigation is at an early stage, and there are many variables involved in predicting the possible range of outcomes of the investigation and therefore to quantify any potential financial impact,” the firm said in its update. The next case update is slated for January 2027. Shares in the firm were down 6.5 per cent in early trading on Wednesday, falling below 200p. Trainline’s pre-tax profit dropped t