LONDON, April 21 (Reuters) - The London Stock Exchange said
on Tuesday it was committed to completing its $27 billion
takeover of data and analytics company Refinitiv in the second
half of the year as coronavirus-related volatility in markets
lifted first quarter income.
"The Group continues to make good progress on planning for
the integration of Refinitiv," the LSE said in its earnings
update.
Refinitiv is 45%-owned by Thomson Reuters, which owns
Reuters News.
European Union competition regulators had requested a delay
on all filings from merger parties due to the coronavirus
pandemic.
The LSE said it was too early to say what the impact of the
pandemic would be on its own operations but that it has
sufficient cash resources to maintain continuity of business.
The LSE intends to pay its final dividend for the 2019
financial year, subject to approval from shareholders at the
annual meeting later on Tuesday morning, it said.
Many of the LSE's banking customers have come under pressure
from regulators not to pay a dividend. The exchange's settlement
house Euroclear said last week it would suspend its dividend.
First quarter total income rose 13% year-on-year to 615
million pounds ($763.22 million) as the exchange benefited from
higher trading in shares, and higher clearing activity.
Markets across the world faced bouts of extreme volatility
and record volumes during March as investors priced in
recessions following national lockdowns that have shut down
swathes of economic activity.
($1 = 0.8058 pounds)
(Reporting by Huw Jones; editing by Dhara Ranasinghe)