The Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association is applauding the merger of the NYSE Group Inc. and Euronext NV.

SIFMA congratulated the NYSE and Euronext on their recent, successful votes in favor of a merger. Euronext’s shareholders and shareholders of the NYSE both voted in favor of the merger this week.

“The last 20 years have seen an incredible, technology-driven convergence among products, services and markets in our industry. This merger is an important step forward on the path to globalization of the financial markets,” said Marc Lackritz, co-CEO of SIFMA. “We expect this merger to deliver a deeper, more liquid market resulting in lower costs for investors, the industry and the marketplace.”

Lackritz added, “Congratulations are in order to the management of both the NYSE and Euronext for their vision and leadership.”