NYSE Euronext this morning published first-quarter figures that vindicated IntercontinentalExchange chief executive Jeff Sprecher's decision to pursue an $8bn-plus deal for the transatlantic exchange operator.

NYSE's London-based Liffe futures exchange - long admired by Sprecher - was a driving force behind a 15% rise in group net profits, compared with the same period a year ago. The division picked up the slack from other parts of NYSE's business, including cash equities trading and listings and technology, which Sprecher is understood to be less keen on retaining.