NYSE and Euronext in USD20bn merger

The New York Stock Exchange has agreed to buy the pan-European Euronext Exchange to create the first transatlantic exchange. The new group will be named NYSE Euronext. One report states the combined entity will create the first global stock exchange. It says globally it will re-define the marketplace for trading cash and derivatives securities, producing significant benefits for shareholders, issuers and users. The deal also ends the bid by the NYSE for the London Stock Exchange, paving the way for a merger between the NASDAQ and LSE. A couple of days ago, one Bloomberg columnist expressed his own opinion in wondering if any of the (then) anticipated stock exchange mergers would actually create stronger companies.