 The LSE has also benefited from high share prices |
Takeover target the London Stock Exchange (LSE) has reported a strong start to its current financial year. In a trading statement covering the five months to the end of August, it saw its best period for new share issue activity in more than three years.
The LSE said new issues were up almost 50% to 272. It now expects "excellent" performance across the whole year.
The LSE has long been a takeover target - Deutsche Boerse and Euronext have both expressed interest this year.
'Australian interest'
Germany's Deutsche Boerse abandoned a �1.3bn ($2.5bn) bid for the LSE in March after a shareholders' revolt, but has retained the option of making another move.
Although European exchange Euronext has professed its interest in LSE, it has yet to launch a formal bid.
Media reports have also suggested that Australia's Macquarie Bank may be planning a move for the exchange.
"We have continued to see good momentum in all core business areas," said LSE chief executive Clara Furse in the trading statement.
The LSE has also benefited from recent share price increases led by the FTSE 100 index of leading UK shares reaching its highest point in four years.
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