Three exchange firms expressed individual interests in buying Euronext. The news comes just one week after the company was acquired by IntercontinentalExchange Group Inc (ICE). This was according to people familiar with the matter, The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported.
London Stock Exchange Group PLC, Deutsche Borse AG, and Nasdaq OMX Group Inc each have discussed with advisers the possible bid for Euronext. However, the sources said none of these firms has hired bankers to make a formal offer, the WSJ report said.
The spotlight had been turned to Euronext after the exchange firm's owner, NYSE Euronext, was purchased last week for USD11 billion. Atlanta-based trading firm ICE expressed its commitment to separate Euronext from its owner. European policy makers and regulators were concerned about the standing of European businesses in the US-based firm, the report explained.
At present, Euronext is the fifth-largest listed stock exchange company in the world. The group lists stocks amounting to USD2.8 trillion in market capitalization. This was based on the 2012 year-end data from the World Federation of Exchanges, The Wall Street Journal said.
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