Merger-mania in the exchange trading space continues apace, with Nasdaq OMX and IntercontinentalExchange reaching a critical stage in tie-up talks, according to Fox Business Network.
The station's Charlie Gasparino says members of both boards are being briefed on a possible deal although there is no document yet on the table.
The talks are a response to Nyse Euronext's agreement this week with Deutsche Börse to create the world's biggest exchange operator. News of that tie up came on the heels of the London Stock Exchange's proposed deal with Canada's TMX.
Meanwhile, an agreement between two upstarts, Bats Global Markets and Chi-X Europe, also appears to be edging closer. Bats confirmed in December that it was in talks to take over Europe's largest MTF and last week the pair extended exclusive negotiations.
Now Bloomberg, citing two people familiar with discussions, says a deal may be signed by the end of the week.