Official announcements by ASX Ltd. have confirmed that the company is on track to rebound from 2009's steep drop in profits, after it managed to beat market expectations for its first-half earnings. Also, the successful figures led to the company flagging stronger early third quarter trading activity.

The listed owner and operator of the Australian Securities Exchange reported net earnings of $168 Million for the six months up-to December 31, 2009.

Although, the profits were down by 2.3% as compared to the previous year's first half, it was 3% more than the average estimate of $163 Million.

Thanks to the profitable figures, shareholders will now end up bagging an 89.1 cent interim dividend.

"Early 2010 activity levels point to full-year cash earnings growth translating into full-year net profit growth, as long as global headwinds don't dampen the recovery strength of the domestic economy or trigger a second round of aftershocks in the global banking system", said ASX Chief Executive Robert Elstone.