KUALA LUMPUR (July 26): Malaysia’s stock exchange operator Bursa Malaysia Bhd’s net profit for its second quarter ended June 30, 2017 (2QFY17) grew by 20.3%, up to RM59.5 million from RM49.5 million in last year’s corresponding quarter, due to an increase in profit in its securities market segment.

Quarterly revenue increased by 10% up to RM142.7 million, from RM129.7 million a year ago, the group said in a filing today.

Its first half (1HFY17) net profit grew by 16.9%, up to RM116.2 million from RM99.4 million a year ago, while revenue grew 8.2% to RM285.4 million, from RM263.7 million a year ago.

The group said its 1HFY17 operating revenue grew by 8.5% to RM269.4 million, from RM248.4 million last year.

“Bursa Malaysia’s strong performance in the first half of 2017 came on the back of increased trading activities across all segments. We are seeing renewed interest, especially from foreign funds who, I am pleased to note, are continuing to return to Malaysia’s capital market since the start of the year,” Bursa Malaysia chief executive officer Datuk Seri Tajuddin Atan said in a separate statement today.

“Going forward, we remain cautiously optimistic about the growth momentum for the rest of the year. Our aim continues to be creating a vibrant and sustainable capital market ecosystem to provide more opportunities for fund-raising and trading activities for all our stakeholders,” Datuk Seri Tajuddin added.

The group also proposed an interim dividend of 20 sen per share and a special dividend of 15 sen per share.

At 12.28pm, Bursa’s shares rose six sen at RM10.30, with some one million shares traded.