NYSE Euronext said today that London-based Liffe traded more equity derivatives in the six months to June than at any other time in its 25-year history, helping push profits at the combined group up two thirds in the second quarter, the first time the transatlantic exchange has reported its combined results.

The exchange, whose businesses were combined in April, said net profits hit $161m (€118m) in the second quarter, driven by European trading in cash and derivatives.