WSJ : NYSE In Talks To Buy Chicago Stock Exchange

(RTTNews) - The New York Stock Exchange is in talks to buy the tiny Chicago Stock Exchange, after the recent collapse of a two-year acquisition effort by a Chinese-led investor group, the Wall Street Journal reported citing people familiar with the matter.

The talks could still fall apart. An acquisition by the NYSE would end the independence of the last U.S. regional stock exchange, which handles less than 1% of U.S. stock-trading volume. Instead of becoming a potential outpost for Chinese firms seeking to raise money from U.S. investors, the Chicago market would be swallowed by the country's best-known exchange operator, which is well positioned to win regulatory approval.

The NYSE has discussed paying about $70 million for CHX, the Journal reported. That would be more than triple the $20 million price agreed on with the Chinese-led group.