The Deutsche Börse saw its earnings jump to record levels in the first quarter of fiscal 2006, the most successful quarter in Deutsche Börse’s history, the German exchange said.

In the first quarter, sales revenue was up by 16% on the same period in 2005, rising to €464.7 million; a further €34.3 million was recorded in net interest income from banking business. EBITDA totaled €257 million, an increase of 45%. Earnings per share climbed 66% in the first quarter.

In terms of revenue and earnings, the company outstripped both the equivalent previous-year period and the third quarter of 2005, which was its most successful quarter so far until now.

“Strong double-digit growth rates across all core business areas combined with ongoing cost discipline made a substantial contribution to these excellent results, and prove impressively the merits of our business model,” commented CFO Mathias Hlubek.

Sustained growth in the core business, strict cost management and disciplined implementation of the capital management program are having a positive effect on the group’s key performance figures, said Hlubek. “We have already reached our goal of a 20% return on equity (post tax), which we originally set for 2007.” As a result of the excellent performance and sizeable share buybacks within the framework of the capital management program, earnings per share saw a substantial rise of 66%.