Commission blocks proposed merger between Deutsche Börse and London Stock Exchange

The European Commission announced on 29 March 2017 it had decided to block the proposed merger between Deutsche Börse AG and London Stock Exchange Group under the EU Merger Regulation.

The Commission's investigation concluded the merger would have created a de facto monopoly in the markets for clearing fixed income instruments. The proposed merger would have combined the activities of the two largest European stock exchange operators.

The investigation was launched in September 2016. There had already been indications for such decision by the Commission.

• Primary Source

EUObserver, 29.03.17: Commission stops German-British stock merger https://euobserver.com/economic/137427

BBC News, 29.03.17: London Stock Exchange-Deutsche Boerse deal blocked by EU http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-39430799

The Guardian, 29.03.17: London Stock Exchange and Deutsche Börse merger blocked by EU https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/mar/29/london-stock-exchange-deutsche-borse-merger-blocked-ec

The New York Times, 29.03.17: E.U. Blocks Merger of London Stock Exchange and Deutsche Börse https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/29/business/dealbook/deutsche-borse-london-stock-exchange.html

The Independent, 29.03.17: European Commission blocks London Stock Exchange’s planned tie-up with Deutsche Börse http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/london-stock-exchange-european-commission-deutsche-boerse-planned-tie-up-frankfurt-germany-a7655406.html

Bloomberg, 29.03.17: EU Blocks Deutsche Boerse’s $14 Billion Takeover of London Stock Exchange https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-03-29/eu-blocks-deutsche-boerse-s-14-billion-takeover-of-rival-lse

Deutsche Welle, 29.03.17: EU blocks merger between Deutsche Börse and London Stock Exchange http://dw.com/p/2aCjD

EurActiv, 29.03.17: EU regulators scupper stock market merger on Brexit day http://www.euractiv.com/section/competition/news/eu-regulators-scupper-stock-market-merger/

European Commission: DG Communication: STATEMENT/17/792, 29.03.17: Statement by Commissioner Vestager on decision to block the proposed merger between Deutsche Börse and London Stock Exchange Group http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_STATEMENT-17-792_en.htm

Politico, 29.03.17: Commission blocks Deutsche Börse-London Stock Exchange merger http://www.politico.eu/article/commission-blocks-deutsche-borse-london-stock-exchange-merger/

London Stock Exchange Group: Press Release, 29.03.17: Termination of the Merger following EC decision http://www.lseg.com/sites/default/files/content/documents/LSEG%20Termination%20of%20the%20Merger%20following%20EC%20decision%2029Mar2017.pdf

London Stock Exchange Group: Proposed merger between London Stock Exchange Group plc (LSEG) and Deutsche Boerse AG (Deutsche Boerse) http://www.lseg.com/investor-relations/merger

Euro|Topics: Debates, March 2017: EU Commission blocks stock exchange merger http://www.eurotopics.net/en/176906/eu-commission-blocks-stock-exchange-merger

Deutsche Börse Group: Press Release, 29.03.17: EU Commission prohibits merger of Deutsche Börse and London Stock Exchange Group http://deutsche-boerse.com/dbg-en/media-relations/press-releases/EU-Commission-prohibits-merger-of-Deutsche-Boerse-and-London-Stock-Exchange-Group/2965856

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