Lower revenues and higher expenses led to an 18% drop in net income for TMX Group Inc. in the third quarter, the company reported on Wednesday.

Net income in the three months ended Sept. 30 was $41.7 million, or $0.56 per common share, down 18% from $50.9 million, or $0.66 per common share, in the same quarter last year.

Revenue for the period was $130.2 million, down 6% from $139.2 million in the third quarter of 2008. The decline was a result of lower revenue from cash markets equity trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange, after the firm reduced trading fees earlier this year, as well as lower issuer services revenue.

The decreases were partially offset by higher revenue from energy trading, cash markets equity trading revenue on the TSX Venture Exchange and fixed income trading, the company said.

“While we experienced reductions in revenues in certain areas of the business, due in part to the global economic slowdown, we are encouraged by the improving market conditions, which have already resulted in a substantial increase in the value of IPO and secondary financing activities as well as overall volumes on the Toronto Stock Exchange,” commented Thomas Kloet, CEO of TMX Group.

Operating expenses in the third quarter were $68.4 million, up 10% from $62.2 million in the same period last year. The boost was driven by spending on new technology initiatives, as well as the inclusion of higher expenses related to Montreal Exchange and Boston Options Exchange.

“We continue to make necessary and important investments to allow us to excel in an increasingly competitive marketplace,” said Kloet. “The launch of our new TSX Quantum gateway, the construction of a substantial number of additional co-location spaces and the expansion of our enterprise infrastructure are just some of the initiatives that will come to fruition in the months ahead.”

Michael Ptasznik, CFO of TMX Group, said that while the quarter was challenging, the company remains focused on its operating results and on managing its overall cost base.

“Our diversified portfolio allowed us to maintain momentum in key areas with revenue growth in energy, fixed income and TSX Venture Exchange trading,” said Ptasznik.

For the first nine months of 2009, TMX Group net income was $131.5 million, or $1.78 per common share, down 1% from $132.9 million, or $1.82 per common share, in the same period last year. The decline was partially due to a payment to a subsidiary of International Securities Exchange Holdings, Inc., related to the termination of a derivatives joint venture. The dip was also related to higher technology spending and lower investment income, TMX Group said.

Investment income in the first nine months of year plunged 60% to $4.3 million from $10.7 million last year. The drop was due to a reduction in cash available for investment and lower overall returns on investments, the company said.

IE