TSX Group Inc. today reported a stronger fourth-quarter profit, and said it would raise its quarterly dividend.

The announcement came after markets closed.

Net income for the period ended Dec. 31 was $27.7 million, or 81¢ per share, up from $26.9 million, or 79¢ a share, in the year-before period.

Excluding the impact of an $8.7 million tax adjustment in the year-before quarter, profit would have risen by 52%, TSX said.

The company, which operates the Toronto Stock Exchange and the junior TSX Venture Exchange, also raised its quarterly dividend by 21% to 40¢ per share, and announced a two-for-one stock split.

Shareholders will vote on the stock split at TSX’s annual shareholders’ meeting in April.

Revenues rose 17% to $79 million, helped by stronger performances from TSX’s listing, trading and market data businesses.

The total value of securities traded on the senior and junior exchanges was $222 billion in the quarter, up 18% from the year-before period.

TSX shares closed up $1.80, or 3.1%, at $60.05 before the news was released.

The stock has more than tripled since the company went public at $18 per share in late 2002.