Nasdaq OMX eyes to merge Baltic exchanges

Posted on: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 07:27:00 EST


Symbols: NDAQ, SWDBY
Nov 18, 2009 (M2 EQUITYBITES via COMTEX) --
SWDBY | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- 18 November 2009 - US-based stock exchange operator Nasdaq OMX Group
Inc (NASDAQ: NDAQ | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) said Wednesday it plans to merge its stock exchanges
in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania into a new Baltic marketplace, to be
launched by mid-2010.

Nasdaq has also bought the minority stake of Swedish bank Swedbank AB
(STO: SWED A) in the Tallinn bourse (13.2%) and those of Skandinaviska
Enskilda Banken (STO: SEB AA), or SEB, in Tallinn (12.1%) and Vilnius
(1.2%), the banks said today.

The new Baltic stock exchange will use the same trading platform as the
three separate markets with no additional costs for existing members,
Nasdaq said.

All shares listed on the stock exchanges in Tallinn, Riga and Vilnius
will be available on the new venue, where trade will be in euro.

"Trading and settling in one currency for the members and investors
will increase the accessibility to the Baltic market and thereby make
it more attractive," Hans-Ole Jochumsen, president of Nasdaq OMX
Nordic, said.

Following the launch, Nasdaq expects that most of the trading in
Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania will move to the new venue although
trading in local currencies will remain operational.

The merger plan is subject to approval by the members of the stock
exchanges in the three Baltic states and by the local authorities.

Comments on this story may be sent to 
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For full details on Nasdaq Omx Group Inc (NDAQ) NDAQ. Nasdaq Omx Group Inc (NDAQ) has Short Term PowerRatings at TradingMarkets. Details on Nasdaq Omx Group Inc (NDAQ) Short Term PowerRatings is available at This Link.

For full details on (SWDBY) SWDBY. (SWDBY) has Short Term PowerRatings at TradingMarkets. Details on (SWDBY) Short Term PowerRatings is available at This Link.

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