Trading update

First Derivatives PLC
03 May 2005


3rd May 2005

First Derivatives PLC
('First Derivatives' or 'the Company')

Trading update and new contract with Kx Systems

The Company announces that the results for the year ended 28th February 2005 are
expected to be in line with Corporate Synergy's PBT forecast of £1.1m (pre
amortisation).

The start of the 2005 financial year has been extremely positive and the Company
announces the signing of a new, extended partner agreement with Kx Systems, the
global leader in high-performance databases and time-series analysis technology.
In the same period the previously loss making e-commerce division has moved into
profitability.

Under the enhanced agreement with Kx, FDP will increase sales and technical
headcount in the Kx New York sales office, which has been staffed by FDP
consultants since 2002. In addition FDP will continue to provide worldwide sales
support for Kx products in all industry sectors excluding insurance.

The new contract comes on the back of a very successful period for both FDP and
Kx. The past six months have seen FDP sign consulting and support agreements
with increasing numbers of Kx customers (a number of which are renewable on a
rolling basis) with total value well in excess of £1 million. The customers,
which include some of the world's largest investment banks, are mainly based in
NYC, London and Tokyo.

Brian Conlon, Managing Director of First Derivatives, commented:  'The upturn in
the second half of last year has continued into the current financial year, our
relationship with KX Systems remains strong with many of our existing clients
choosing to remain with us.  Low overheads coupled with high quality of staff
and service has ensured that we continue to grow organically.  I remain positive
about the forthcoming preliminary results and look forward to another profitable
year.'

FDP expects to announce its preliminary results for the year to 28 February 2005
on Friday 20th May 2005.

                                    -ends-


For further information, please contact:

Brian Conlon               Luke Ahern          Justine Howarth / Victoria Thomas
First Derivatives          Corporate Synergy            Parkgreen Communications
Tel: [phone]          Tel: [phone]                 Tel: [phone]

www.firstderivatives.com


                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange