Nordic and Baltic bourse group OMX is holding talks about being acquired by New York-based exchange operator Nasdaq Stock Market, according to sources.
The talks are at a very early stage and Nasdaq, which may yet pursue an acquisition of the London Stock Exchange (LSE), is unlikely to conclude a deal with the Nordic company before making a decision on the LSE situation, the sources said.
Nasdaq has a stake of just more than 25 per cent in the LSE, but the British group rejected a $4.2 billion takeover in March.
Nasdaq officials declined to comment.
Shares in OMX gained as much as 10 per cent on Friday on rumours that it was in talks with the LSE or Nasdaq and were up 6.5 per cent at 130.50 Swedish crowns at midday today.
OMX has held talks with the LSE, and it was unclear whether Nasdaq was the only exchange talking to OMX.
OMX Chairman Olof Stenhammar said: "The only thing we can say is that we will see consolidation in the sector. The reason is that big volumes are drawn into the big, expensive trading systems."