ASX, which is battling to defend its market share from new entrant Chi-X, said adjusted net profit rose to A$180.7 million ($193.70 million) in the half-year to December 31 from A$175.6 million last year, slightly below a consensus forecast of A$183 million, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S. ASX last year lost its more-than-two-decade-old monopoly of the Australian market. It announced a new platform late last year, targeting high frequency trading in order to defend its market lead from Chi-X. ASX shares have slipped 0.3 percent since Chi-X was launched on Oct 31, while the broader benchmark index has risen in the same period.