London Stock Exchange plc today reports results for the six months ended 30 September 2004.

Highlights:

• Gross turnover up five per cent to £126 million
  
• Operating profit (before goodwill amortisation) down six per cent to £39 million
  
• Profit before tax up nine per cent to £48.2 million
  
• Earnings per share up seven per cent to 12.2 pence per share
  
• Adjusted earnings per share in line with last year at 10.7 pence per share
  
• Dividend per share up from 1.4 pence to 2.0 pence per share reflecting in part a rebalancing of the interim dividend

Commenting on the six months, Chris Gibson-Smith, Chairman of the Exchange, said:

“We have successfully continued our focus on developing services that meet customers’ growing requirements. We are confident that the Exchange remains well positioned to capitalise on the opportunities presented by evolving markets.”

Clara Furse, Chief Executive, said:

“The Exchange has made a satisfactory start to the year with good top line growth in market conditions that remain mixed. We have benefited from continued growth on the SETS electronic order book and seen an increase in the number of new issues on our markets, most notably on AIM.”

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