Jan 29 (Reuters) - Nasdaq reported a higher

fourth-quarter profit on Wednesday, helped by strong demand for

the exchange operator's financial technology products.

The company has been expanding outside its market-sensitive

core activities of trading and listing to products that help

traders navigate compliance requirements and safeguard against

financial crimes.

Revenue from Nasdaq's financial technology business rose

nearly 9.8% in the fourth quarter.

Hopes of a soft landing for the U.S. economy, strong equity

markets and expectations of a friendlier regulatory environment

for deals and offerings under the Trump administration breathed

new life into the U.S. IPO market during the reported quarter.

Nasdaq stock market's total new listings rose to 162 in the

fourth quarter from 100 a year earlier, resulting in a 1.6%

increase in the company's data and listing services revenue.

Software firm ServiceTitan ( TTAN ) and China's self-driving

vehicle company WeRide ( WRD ) were some of the big names that

listed its shares on Nasdaq during the October-December quarter.

Nasdaq's solutions business, which houses the exchange

operator's financial technology products, reported revenue that

increased 10% to $949 million.

The company reported a net revenue of $1.23 billion, up from

$1.12 billion.

Net profit attributable to Nasdaq, on an adjusted basis,

came in at $438 million, or 76 cents per share, in the fourth

quarter ended Dec. 31, compared with $395 million, or 72 cents

per share, a year earlier.

The company's shares, which rose 33% in 2024, were up

marginally in trading before the bell.