Bursa Malaysia’s Q1 net profit up by 18%

KUALA LUMPUR: Bursa Malaysia Bhd's net profit for the first quarter ended March 31, 2014 rose 18% to RM45.15 million from RM38.2 million a year ago, on the back of higher operating revenue boosted by double-digit growth in trades from the securities and derivatives market.
Its revenue increased 12% to RM123.17 million compared with RM110.44 million in the previous corresponding period while operating revenue was up by 13% to RM115.1 million.
Bursa Malaysia CEO Datuk Tajuddin Atan said over the past three years, the company's operating revenue has continued its upward path.
"We have spent the last three years strengthening our foundations to position us for future growth and our efforts will continue well into this year. Among our key milestones to date is the revamp of participantship structure in which we have created a single trading right to encourage greater participation from the broader market. This move would enable trading participants to trade all categories of products on the derivatives market," he said in a statement.
Moving into the new quarter, Bursa Malaysia will unveil several initiatives as part of its efforts to engage younger Malaysians between the ages of 25 and 35.
"In the pipeline is the launch of our e-initiative, a digital and inclusive platform to grow retail participation through the offering of accurate and objective information. We are also working towards initiating the Environmental, Social and Governance Index to improve our visibility in the regional space," Tajuddin said.