FULL TEXT: NYSE Euronext Responds to FBN's Report

NYSE Euronext responds to a report from FOXBusiness' Charlie Gasparino saying European Union regulators have nixed the exchange operator's planned merger with Deutsche Boerse: 

NYSE Euronext has not yet received any official decision by the European Commission regarding the requested merger of both companies. The Commission has announced that it will make its final ruling on whether to clear the proposed merger by February 9, 2012. As a matter of policy, we cannot comment on speculation.

We have clearly demonstrated to the European Commission the strong benefits that our combination will bring to a broad set of stakeholders in Europe.

The proposed merger aims to create a regulated, highly liquid and integrated European market for stock and derivatives trading as well as clearing and settlement, thereby contributing to the stability, integrity and transparency of the European financial market.

We have also proposed substantial and tangible concessions that address the EC’s competition concerns and further contribute to the creation of a stable, regulated pan-European exchange infrastructure that would ensure Europe’s competitiveness in an increasingly competitive global market, and deliver significant benefits to participants in the real economy.

Under the European Commission's formal process, any preliminary recommendation by the case team would subsequently be vetted and acted on by the entire European Commission. We look forward to pressing the case for this compelling transaction in that forum."