(Reuters) - Transatlantic exchange operator Nasdaq Inc (O:NDAQ) on Wednesday reported a better-than-expected quarterly profit as more people took to trading from home while under lockdown, with pandemic-driven market volatility also boosting volumes to record levels.
Trading in technology stocks, which were relatively insulated from coronavirus-led business curbs, soared during the quarter as more people under lockdown bought these stocks. Volumes were also boosted by the recent move by retail brokerages to offer commission-free trading.
Nasdaq benefits from trades on its exchange and when assets linked to its indexes rise.
Revenue at Nasdaq's market services unit, which accounted for 40% of total revenue, rose 22% to $276 million. The unit oversees transactions, clearing and settlements.
Nasdaq saw a spate of initial public offerings (IPO) during the quarter, after the pandemic brought new listings to a halt in March. Some of the largest IPOs by size listed on its stock market included Royalty Pharma PLC (O:RPRX), Warner Music Group (O:WMG) and ZoomInfo Technologies (O:ZI).
Since taking over as Nasdaq's chief in 2017, Adena Friedman has expanded its focus beyond traditional exchange functions to higher-growth opportunities in technology and analytics, while offloading less profitable units.
Information services, Nasdaq's biggest non-trading business, saw revenue jump nearly 10% to $213 million.
The company also narrowed its forecast for adjusted operating expenses for 2020 to between $1.33 billion and $1.36 billion, from an earlier range between $1.32 billion and $1.37 billion.
Net income attributable to Nasdaq rose to $241 million, or $1.45 per share, in the second quarter ended June 30, from $174 million, or $1.04 per share, a year earlier.
Excluding one-time items, the company earned $1.54 per share. Analysts expected a profit of $1.45 per share, according to IBES data from Refinitiv.
Revenue, excluding transaction-based expenses, rose 12% to $699 million.