London bourse operating profit up 52%

The London Stock Exchange Group today reported a 52 per cent rise in annual operating profit, driven by booming trading and the…

The London Stock Exchange Group today reported a 52 per cent rise in annual operating profit, driven by booming trading and the acquisition of the Milan bourse.

Europe's biggest stock market, with the highest value of equity trading, said today it generated earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) of £265.2 million ($521.2 million) for the year to March 31st, up from £174.2 million a year earlier.

Adjusted basic earnings per share (EPS) rose 30 per cent to 73.1 pence from 56.2p.

The result, the first set that incorporated Borsa Italiana, was in line with a consensus forecast of 274.5 million in EBIT and 71.9p in EPS.