The acquisition will enable Capital IQ to offer buy side clients the most comprehensive global research and earnings estimates alongside Capital IQ's already best-in-class financial data and analytics. With more than 1,000 global research and estimates contributors, Capital IQ will now offer the most complete investment research and analysis platform worldwide. The acquisition also allows Capital IQ to offer access to proprietary valuation models from the world's leading brokers, distinguishing it from all other investment research providers. Terms of the all-cash deal were not disclosed.

Customers of TheMarkets.com are the world's top buy side firms, including 75 percent of the 50 largest US asset managers, 80 percent of the 50 largest European asset managers, and 75 percent of the top 100 global hedge funds.

"Capital IQ has been a leader in providing data and analytics to hedge funds, investment banks and private equity firms. With this acquisition, Capital IQ is now strongly positioned to serve mutual funds and global asset managers and to provide even better, more complete solutions for our hedge fund, investment banking and private equity clients," said Randall Winn, executive managing director of Capital IQ. "We know that TheMarkets.com is a valued platform for thousands of clients around the world. We will maintain the exceptional level of service, content, and functionality that clients have come to expect from TheMarkets.com and our combined offering will add even more value over time."

"Capital IQ is an ideal partner for TheMarkets.com, offering a broad set of content and analytics to our buy side clients," said David Eisner, CEO of TheMarkets.com. "As one combined company, we can offer a complete set of solutions to the market. Additionally, we are positioned to be the premier provider of real-time research, estimates, and analyst models to global investment managers."

"This acquisition significantly enhances Capital IQ's capabilities to serveve its growing global customer base of financial professionals, and demonstrates our commitment to continually enhance our powerful suite of products for investment managers," said Deven Sharma, president of Standard & Poor's.

Financial Technology Partners LP acted as a financial advisor to TheMarkets.com.