Merger expenses and exit costs in the first quarter of 2011 included $15m related to the proposed merger with Deutsche Boerse.
Total revenues was $679m in the first quarter of 2011, compared to $645m in the first quarter of last year.
In the first quarter of 2011, the operating income was $264m, up $46m, compared to the first quarter of 2010.
NYSE Euronext group executive vice president and CFO Michael Geltzeiler said that the first quarter results represent a return to the growth trajectory established for NYSE Euronext before the second half of 2010, and underscores the power of the inherent leverage in the model both year-over-year and sequentially.
Net revenue growth of 5% year-over-year, accompanied by a 3% decrease in expenses drove a 21% increase in operating income, a 26% increase in diluted earnings per share and incremental margins of over 130%.
"We are continuing our multi-year cost containment initiative which has reduced our cost base by over $600 million since the merger with Euronext in 2007, on a constant dollar, constant portfolio basis," Geltzeiler said.
