ASX Lifts Revenue, Profits

ASX Ltd (ASX), the operator of the Australian Securities Exchange, yesterday revealed a 10% rise in net profit in the nine months ended March 31 to $US286.9 million.

In a presentation to the Macquarie Group conference in Sydney, ASX said net profit rose $26.2 million from $US260.7 million in the first nine months to 2012-13.

Revenue over the nine months rose 6.8%, or $31.3 million, to $488.4 million from $457.1 million in the year-earlier period.

Total capital raised in listings increased 32.3%t to $US44.4 billion, driven by a strong second quarter that ended December 31.

ASX said operating expenses increased 6.9%, "driven by investment in new products and post-trade services”.

"Average staff numbers increased by 4.1% to 534 full-time equivalents. Expense growth in the third quarter slowed compared to the first half of the year.

"There is no change to previous expense growth guidance of approximately 5% for FY14.

"Capital expenditure to the end of March was $28.3 million.

"Key initiatives remain on track and there is no change to previous capital expenditure guidance of $40-45 million for FY14," ASX said in its presentation.

The average daily on market valued traded in the ASX cash market increased 5.4% to $US3.3 billion, the statement said.

Managing director Elmer Funke Kupper said the results were “building on the recovering global economy and the improved activity levels that were evident in the half-year results”.

ASX shares rose 0.4% to $35.49.

ASX 1Y – ASX lifts revenue, profits

About Glenn Dyer

Glenn Dyer has been a finance journalist and TV producer for more than 40 years. He has worked at Maxwell Newton Publications, Queensland Newspapers, AAP, The Australian Financial Review, The Nine Network and Crikey.

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