Copying and distributing are prohibited without permission of the publisher

Two Argentine exchanges hold merger talks

15 March 2010

Argentina’s leading futures exchanges, the Mercado a Término de Buenos Aires and Rosario Futures Exchange, are holding talks on a possible merger, FOW has learned.

Read more: [Rosario Futures Exchange] [Rofex] [Mercado a Término de Buenos Aires] [Matba] [Ismael Caram] [Gustavo Picolla] [Comisión Nacional de Valores] [Alejandro Vanoli] [Latin America]

“The second phase of talks began in March,” Rofex’s chief operating officer, Ismael Caram, told FOW. “They consist of negotiations to see what kind of agreements there can be between us.”

Matba’s CEO, Gustavo Picolla, echoed Caram’s sentiments, giving cautiously optimistic backing to the talks.

“Matba’s position is that... we’re open to [a merger], as long as our shareholders are happy with the idea”, he said. “Conversations are taking place now, because both boards agreed to them, but the final decision rests with the shareholders.”

Any merged exchange would...