Asian bourse executives joined US lawmakers in giving a circumspect reaction to the prospect of a fresh wave of consolidation that promises to shake up global exchanges.
The world’s bourses have been forced to consider their long-term strategies after the two transatlantic deals announced on Wednesday. News of a proposed merger between the London Stock Exchange and TMX, Canada’s largest operator, was trumped hours later by confirmation that Deutsche B?rse and NYSE Euronext were in talks to create the world’s largest exchanges operator by revenues and profits.
The prospect of a shifting landscape pushed shares in Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing, which runs the world’s biggest exchange by market value, 4.9 per cent lower at HK$167.70.