The London Stock Exchange, seen as a take-over target since its bid for a Canadian rival collapsed, reported a 14 percent rise in first-quarter revenue as its smaller post-trade unit outpaced a steady performance in its core trading business.
The U.K. exchange said on Wednesday revenue for its financial first quarter to the end of June rose to 190.2 million pounds ($307 million). Revenue in its main markets unit was up 4 percent to 79.7 million pounds, as an increase in bond trading linked to the European sovereign debt crisis and more initial public offerings (IPOs) made up for sluggish trading in equities and futures.
The LSE's smaller post-trade unit reported a 58 percent rise to 51.8 million pounds and data services rose by 6 percent to 44.7 million. LSE shares were 3 percent higher, at 10.26 pounds, at 0728 GMT on Wednesday.
LSE shares have risen by 17 percent since Maple opposed the LSE's deal as traders have gambled the U.K. exchange would itself become a take-over target if the TMX deal failed.