The agreement broadens the clearing options for energy traders in the U.S and expands NASDAQ OMX Commodities' global presence.

Customers who trade in physical and financial power and natural gas may as a result of this agreement conduct transactions using GFI's electronic commodities trading platform, EnergyMatch, with NASDAQ OMX Commodities Clearing Company serving as the clearing solution. The electronic trading and clearing allows for immediate execution and automatic clearing of trades.

"As pioneers in physical clearing of power and natural gas, we have a proven track record of delivering innovative solutions to our customers," said President of NASDAQ OMX Commodities Clearing Company George Sladoje. "This agreement combines our respective strengths in electronic trading and physical clearing and delivers seamless transactions, quality and value to our customers."

NASDAQ OMX is an experienced operator in the energy and commodities space through its ownership of the world's largest power derivatives exchange, which has been in operation for 15 years. It was also the first exchange in the world to offer a market for carbon emission allowances (EUAs and CERs). Recently, the exchange group launched N2EX, a marketplace for physical UK power contracts, together with Nord Pool Spot AS.

Ron Levi, GFI Group COO, said: "We are pleased to add a gold standard in global clearing to our customers trading in North American commodity products. This development represents another meaningful step in bringing greater competition, transparency and efficiency to the OTC commodity markets."

GFI Group's hybrid business model combines state-of-the-art electronic trading platforms with highly specialized and experienced brokers that can accommodate any customer demand.

GFI operates a number of electronic trading platforms in addition to EnergyMatch. These are: EnergyMatch Europe -- etrading platform for numerous commodities in the European markets, CreditMatch -- leading trading platform for fixed income and fixed income derivatives and GFI ForexMatch -- trading of forwards, NDFs and FX options.