NYSE EURONEXT

The London Stock Exchange's offer for Borsa Italiana is worth about 1.6 billion euros ($2.14 billion), sources close to the situation said on Friday, a shade above a reported rival bid from NYSE Euronext and giving Borsa heavy board representation.

The New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX), the world's largest energy market, is exploring a sale for about $14.3 billion, a news agency reported on Friday, as exchanges worldwide hustle for the best merger partners.

Japan still lacks a culture of shareholder activism but that may change as it tries to keep up with rapid shifts in the global financial environment, European Commissioner Charlie McCreevy said on Wednesday.

Chicago Mercantile Exchange Holdings Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: CME) and Chicago Board of Trade owner CBOT Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: BOT) announced a revised merger agreement on Friday, with CME increasing its offer by 16 percent.

The chief executives leading the world's two largest stock markets - the New York Stock Exchange and Tokyo Stock Exchange - shook hands high above the NYSE trading floor before the opening bell on Wednesday, after announcing that the groups will create an alliance that sets the stage for a possible merger or acquisition.

The parent company of the New York Stock exchange and three other financial institutions have agreed to purchase a combined stake of 20 percent in the National Stock Exchange of India, a move which contributes to a global trend of financial markets consolidation.

The London Stock Exchange (LSE) board unanimously rejected a $5.1 billion buyout bid by the Nasdaq (NADQ) exchange on Monday. LSE rejected the offer, saying it fails to recognise the value of the exchange. Nasdaq failed in an earlier attempt this year to take over the company.

The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is focussed on increasing its Asian presence and discussing a range of topics with the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE)

Pan-European exchange operator Euronext on Monday denied it planned to postpone an extraordinary general meeting set for December, at which its shareholders are due to vote on a $10 billion plan to merge with NYSE Group .

Nordic and Baltic stock exchange operator OMX AB said Tuesday it will buy the Icelandic bourse in a deal worth about 250 million kronor.

Doughty Hanson & Co are planning to list Doughty Hanson & Co Investments LP Inc. as a vehicle on the Euronext Amsterdam stock exchange.

Nasdaq International said on Sunday it was focusing on the China market as strong economic growth creates a broad range of companies that are seeking overseas listings.

NYSE Group Inc. Chief Executive John Thain said on Friday that Deutsche Boerse could not compete strategically or financially for Euronext, the Paris-based exchange the NYSE has struck an agreement to buy.

Leading UK shares closed higher on Friday but finished the week with a moderate loss as the market's recent choppy trading pattern, sparked by inflation and interest rate jitters, persisted.

Euronext's $10 billion tie-up with NYSE Group Inc. puts pressure on other exchanges to seek partnerships to catch up with what will be the world's largest financial marketplace, analysts said on Friday.

NYSE Group, Inc. and Euronext N.V. announced on Thursday that they will merge in a cash and stock trade deal worth about $10 billion to create the first trans-Atlantic stock exchange to be called NYSE Euronext.

The London Stock Exchange and Euronext have held secret talks about a all-shares merger of equals to create a European super exchange valued at about 6 billion pounds ($10.5 billion), the Observer newspaper said on Sunday.