NYSE Euronext has announced that it will sell a chunk of one of its options exchanges to a group of brokerage firms.

The NYSE said that it has agreed in principle on a framework to sell a significant equity interest in NYSE Amex options to a group of its leading liquidity providers and market making firms — BofA Merrill Lynch, Barclays Capital, Citadel Securities, Citi, Goldman Sachs, TD Ameritrade and UBS.

The contemplated transaction would call for NYSE Euronext to continue to manage the day-to-day operations of the exchange, and it would remain the largest shareholder. It would operate under the supervision of a separate board of directors and a dedicated chief executive officer.

The deal is subject to the negotiation and execution of final legal documentation and obtaining the requisite regulatory approvals. NYSE Euronext anticipates that the transaction could be completed by the end of 2009.

“This partnership will further align our business interests with those of our customers, and makes NYSE Amex options an even more compelling trading venue within an increasingly competitive marketplace,” said Duncan Niederauer, chief executive officer, NYSE Euronext. “We welcome this shared commitment to deliver the highest levels of innovation and market quality to our options trading platform.”

Edward Boyle, senior vice president, U.S. Options for NYSE Euronext, added, “Market participants will benefit from tighter spreads, deeper liquidity, superior technology, and the distinct market model of NYSE Amex options. We plan to continue to enhance technology and quoting speed, building upon existing service offerings, and introducing new products and order types to generate future order flow.”