NEW YORK (Bloomberg) — MF Global Ltd., the largest broker of exchange-traded futures and options, said client funds are higher than they were a week ago when it set aside $141.5 million to cover what it called "unauthorised" trades by an employee.

"Our clients have been very supportive over the last week," chief executive officer Kevin Davis said on Friday in a statement. "The fundamental strengths of our business — our balanced and diversified model — remain sound."

MF Global fell 40 percent in two days last week after saying broker Evan Dooley traded wheat futures in amounts that "substantially exceeded" his trading limits, generating a loss that may amount to about six percent of the brokerage's total equity. The company said it tightened risk controls and ordered an outside review.

Trading volume and revenue for the quarter are still higher than in any of other three periods this fiscal year, the company said today, adding that executives plan to meet with investors and analysts in coming weeks to discuss the matter.

MF Global first sold shares to the public in July at $30 apiece. They closed yesterday on the New York Stock Exchange at $18.39.

"We have tremendous confidence in the future of the company and its ability to deliver value to our shareholders," Davis said in yesterday's statement.

US prosecutors said earlier this week they were investigating Dooley's trades.