Chicago-based CME Group Inc. confirmed Friday that it’s in preliminary talks to acquire London-based financial technology firm NEX Group PLC.
CME has made a preliminary approach to NEX regarding a potential acquisition, and it is currently doing its due diligence in order to determine whether a firm offer can be made.
There’s “no certainty” that their current discussions will result in an offer, the firm’s say in a news release. Under U.K. takeover rules, CME now has until April 12 to announce whether it intends to proceed with a takeover offer or not.
NEX operates electronic trading platforms that aim to provide “better ways to execute trades and manage risk.” CME operates options and futures trading facilities in Chicago, New York, and London, along with clearing and settlement services, and certain financial indices.
CME says that it will take a “disciplined approach” to any acquisition “with clearly defined strategic and financial objectives,” and any offer in this case would have to meet these objectives.