LSE's profits reach $79M for half year

London Stock Exchange Group reported operating profit up 41% to $78.6 million, and earnings per share up 48% to $0.73 in its six-months-ended Sept. 30. The United Kingdom’s primary stock exchange also reported a 24% increase in revenue to about $139.2 million (203.1 pounds) That sum exclude contributions from the stock exchange’s merger with Borsa Italiana in October, a deal valued at about $890.9 million, the exchange said in a press release. “This is another highly satisfactory result,” Chris Gibson-Smith, chairman of the exchange said. “Highlights of the half year include continued strong growth in each of our divisions; the successful introduction of TradElect, bringing with it faster and more efficient trading for the market; and the completion of the merger with Borsa Italiana. Through a buyback program, LSEG returned approximately $64.4 million to shareholders in its six-months-ended Sept. 30, and later announced $342.7 million in further returns. “Our very strong performance for the year so far and the contribution from Borsa Italiana in the second half supports our confidence in a good outcome for the full year,” Mr. Gibson-Smith said in a press release.