Clara Furse, chief executive of the London Stock Exchange, today said consolidation with another exchange is an "option but not the only option" as she revealed that net profits doubled to £54.3m (€81m) in the six months to September 30.

The exchange said revenues grew 20% to £163m during the period, and that this, coupled with tight cost control and "faster order book volume growth than any other major cash or equity derivatives exchange in the western world" had all contributed to the "outstanding results".