The two companies agreed to the extension in order to allow the Competition Commission (CC) to complete its transaction review begun in late June 2011.

"While we continue to work with the CC towards a positive outcome for the transaction, BATS remains focused on providing our participants with tools and services that help them more efficiently navigate the European equities market," said Joe Ratterman, president and chief executive officer of BATS Global Markets.

"We remain committed to finalising the deal with BATS," said Alasdair Haynes, chief executive officer of Chi-X Europe. "In the meantime, Chi-X Europe will continue to develop its business and enable participants to achieve superior execution access for European equities."

Separately, the BATS Europe and Chi-X Europe platforms continue to operate independently as normal and both will continue to provide a high level of service to BATS Europe and Chi-X Europe's respective trading participants.
BATS and Chi-X Europe entered a definitive agreement on 18th Feb. 2011 for the sale of Chi-X Europe to BATS. On 20th June, the U.K. Office of Fair Trading announced the referral of the proposed acquisition to the CC.

The CC is expected to report its decision by 2nd Dec. 2011.

No additional statements will be made at this time.