London Stock Exchange plc Announcement Of Interim Results For The Six Months Ended 30 September 2001

Highlights:

• Turnover from continuing operations up 18 per cent to £106.8 million
• Operating profit from continuing operations before exceptional items up 18 per cent to £34.2 million
• Earnings per equity share up 126 per cent to 7.7 pence
• Adjusted earnings per equity share before exceptional items up 18 per cent to 9.0 pence
• Interim dividend up 10 per cent to 1.1 pence per share

Commenting on the results, Don Cruickshank, Chairman of the Exchange, said: "These results demonstrate the very real progress being made by the new management team headed by Clara Furse. We now have the flexibility to exploit strategic opportunities in pursuit of our primary objective - maximising shareholder value."

"Following our recent approach to LIFFE, we are disappointed that its Board did not share our bold vision for the future, however we are engaged in other opportunities to broaden the scope and scale of our business both organically and through corporate transactions."

Clara Furse, Chief Executive, said: "The first half results show the resilience of our business during a time of market volatility. This reflects the diversity of our revenue streams and the breadth of our customer base."