NYSE Euronext Q1 profit climbs 25 pc to $130 mn

NEW YORK: American bourse NYSE Euronext has reported a 25 per cent jump in first quarter profit to USD 130 million, boosted by strong growth in derivatives business.

The entity had reported a profit of USD 104 million in the January-March quarter of the previous year.

"Our solid first quarter results were driven by strong growth from our derivatives businesses and the first full quarter's impact of the NYFIX acquisition," NYSE Euronext Chief Executive Officer Duncan L Niederauer said in a statement today.

Total revenues in the first three months of 2010 declined to USD 1.08 billion as compared to USD 1.14 billion in the corresponding period a year ago.

Revenue from derivatives business rose to USD 224 million in the first quarter from USD 156 million in the corresponding period last year.

The increase in derivatives net revenue was primarily driven by an USD 64 million, or 46 per cent, increase in net transaction and clearing revenue on the back of strong European derivatives products and US options trading volumes, it said.

"Results for the first quarter of 2010 and 2009 include USD 13 million and USD 23 million, respectively, of pre-tax merger expenses and exit costs," it added.

NYSE Euronext is a leading global operator of financial markets and a provider of innovative trading technologies.