IntercontinentalExchange's $8.2 billion takeover of New York Stock Exchange owner NYSE Euronext allows it to tap into a dramatic expansion of demand for clearing financial derivatives expected next year.The deal announced on Thursday gives commodities and energy bourse ICE control of NYSE Liffe, Europe's second-largest derivatives exchange, helping it to compete against larger U.S. rival CME Group, owner of the Chicago Board of Trade.Unlike stock trading, derivatives remain highly profitable for the exchanges, and new rules next year will sharply increase demand for clearing over-the-counter contracts.NYSE Euronext CEO Duncan Niederauer had long felt that his shareholders did not appreciate the true value of the London-based futures and options exchange, and had talked to bankers about how to improve NYSE's stock price, a person familiar with the matter said.
CME Group Inc. (CME Group) offers a range of global products across all asset classes based on interest rates, equity indexes, foreign exchange, energy, agricultural commodities, metals, weather and real estate. Shares of CME remained unchanged at $51.40. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $44.94 and as high as $60.92. On average, 1895390 shares of CME exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 0.
NYSE Euronext is a global operator of financial markets and provider of trading solutions. Shares of NYX remained unchanged at $32.25. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $22.25 and as high as $33.38. On average, 3968490 shares of NYX exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 250.
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