Nasdaq OMX Group (NDAQ.O) was centerstage on Thursday as the exchange industry buzzed with fresh merger speculation, despite a rash of failed plans underscored by London Stock Exchange Group Plc's (LSE.L) scuttled takeover of Canada's TMX Group Inc (X.TO) the day before. U.S.-based Nasdaq is in the "preliminary stages" of weighing an approach to LSE, the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday, citing a source familiar with the matter, though no deal approach had been made so far. While Nasdaq and LSE declined to comment, shares of the two exchange operators jumped the last two days as investors wagered the pair may have to do some sort of deal to keep up with U.S. and European rivals that aimed to bulk up. "It would not surprise me to see Nasdaq and LSE talking. They're sort of the two spurned lovers," said Jamie Selway, market structure expert and managing director of strategy at Investment Technology Group.
The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. is a global exchange group that delivers trading, exchange technology, securities listing, and public company services across six continents. Shares of NDAQ traded higher by 0.18% or $0.045/share to $25.18. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $17.18 and as high as $29.71. On average, 2446130 shares of NDAQ exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 1570530.
TMX Group Inc. is an integrated, multi-asset class exchange group. Shares of X traded higher by 0.61% or $0.28/share to $46.13. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $36.93 and as high as $64.03. On average, 8684530 shares of X exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 6383369.
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