Global Capital Markets

The London Stock Exchange (LSE) and the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) have made preliminary contacts regarding potential merger negotiations, a report in The Times said. Although the NYSE cannot officially make such a move, it is believed advisers to both parties have been in contact, according to the unsourced report. LSE said it is looking at potential mergers with its counterparts, without divulging the identity of any potential partner, a report in The Independent said. The Independent report also said LSE is thought to be in discussions with NYSE. Sources close to the talks cited by the Independent article thought LSE most likely to agree a merger with Euronext, the pan-European exchange.