The London Stock Exchange, the target of at least two potential bids, said today that it expects an excellent trading performance this year. Between April and the end of August, equity trading hit a record and new issues were the highest for three years.

In a pre-close trading statement ahead of its half year figures, the exchange said new listings rose 50% to 272 in the first five months of its financial year, the busiest period for new issues since 2002.