ASX Rejoicing - Net Profit Increased - Share Trading Boom

ASX Rejoicing over 25.9% Increase in Net Profit - Share Trading Boom

The good times are on a roll with ASX seeing a 25.9 per cent increase in net profit to $99.8 million for the first three quarters of 2005-06, as a jump in the volume of share trading increased in the ever booming Australian sharemarket. A revenue boost is also expected as a result of a new pricing model starting in July. There were 157 new listings on the ASX - two less from the corresponding period last year. ASX revenue rose 7.2 per cent to $223.2 million as daily trading in equities, warrants and interest rate securities rose 33.2 per cent to 114,953. However, the average revenue per trade fell to $3.93 from $4.79 in the same period last year. The effect of the new pricing model is hard ot predict but ASX has estimated that "the new pricing regime will result in an increase in revenue of approximately $10 million." Daily average option contracts volume was 88,915, with average revenue per contract falling to $1.44 from $1.47. The number of new warrant series listed rose 37.2 per cent to 3366.