London Stock Exchange Group said adjusted pre-tax profits grew 19% to £491.7 million in 2014 as its markets saw the highest level of floats since before the financial crisis.

Chief executive Xavier Rolet said the group had delivered "another strong financial performance". He added: "In 2014, we were delighted to welcome 219 new firms, both large and small, to our markets in London and Italy making it our busiest year for IPOs [initial public offerings] since 2007."