Macquarie Bank, the Australian suitor bidding for the London Stock Exchange, posted its takeover offer today, and the LSE reiterated its rejection of the bid.

The board of the London Stock Exchange issued a statement noting the publication today of Macquarie’s offer document. “Macquarie’s offer ignores the quality and strength of the exchange’s business and its long-term growth prospects,” it says. “Macquarie’s offer is a blatant attempt to acquire the exchange on the cheap.”

The board adds that it will be writing to shareholders within the next 14 days to explain in detail its reasons for rejecting the Macquarie offer. “In the meantime, shareholders are strongly recommended to take no action in respect of Macquarie’s offer,” it says.

The cash offer was made by Goldman Sachs International on behalf of Macquarie London Exchange Investments Ltd. It notes that because of regulatory restrictions the offer will not be made, directly or indirectly, in or into, Canada or Japan or any jurisdiction “where to do so would constitute a breach of securities laws in that jurisdiction, and the offer is not capable of acceptance from or within Canada or Japan or any such other jurisdiction”.

Also today, the LSE issued its quarterly trading statement for the three months and nine months ended December 31, 2005. “In summary, the exchange has produced another very strong financial performance, benefiting from continued good momentum in all main business areas in the third quarter, compared to the same quarter last year,” it said.

Main Market new issues increased 20% to 36; total new issues, including AIM, were up from 148 to 168. For the three months, revenue was £80.9 million (2004: £62.5 million) including exceptional income of £6.4 million. Operating profit was £37.5 million (2004: £21.9 million).

Commenting on current trading and prospects, Clara Furse, CEO of the LSE, said, “The exchange has once again delivered very good top line growth in all main business areas and the strong momentum in earnings growth has been maintained, with adjusted EPS growth of 43% for the year so far.”

“This performance and the increasing value this creates for shareholders and customers, together with the quality of the exchange’s brand, technology, franchise and global position, reinforces our dismissal of Macquarie’s offer which entirely fails to recognise the value of the business and its unique position. We remain confident of an excellent outcome for this year and continued strong trading should keep us on course to deliver a strong performance in financial year 2007,” she added.