London Stock Exchange (LSE) said today a strong start to its financial year underpinned its expectations of an "excellent trading performance".
Europe's biggest share market said in a trading statement that the five months to end-August was the strongest period for new issue activity in over three years, with total new issues up almost 50 per cent to 272.
LSE shares, which have outperformed their sector by 19 per cent over the past 12 months, closed at 568 pence last night to value the business at £1.45 billion (€2.12 billion).
"We have continued to see good momentum in all core business areas," Chief Executive Clara Furse said.
"SETS trading volumes have shown strong growth, with record performances during the period; primary market activity has been buoyant; and the number of professional terminals has shown further improvement," she said.
The average number of SETS bargains per day rose 30 per cent to 200,000, while the number of professional terminals rose to 84,000, up 4,000 since August 2004 and 1,000 since June 2005.
LSE, which is a bid target, still views Euronext as its most serious potential suitor despite having held exploratory talks with other potential bidders over the summer, sources said.