The Singapore Exchange is reportedly ready to make a full takeover bid for the Australian Securities Exchange after the stocks of both companies went into a trading halt on Friday, according to The Australian newspaper.
SGX has a market value of around S$10 billion ($7.8 billion), versus $6.2 billion for the ASX.
According to the report, final details are still being worked out, but it is likely SGX will provide the chairman and chief executive, with ASX chair David Gonski likely to become deputy chair.
A well-placed source tells AsianInvestor that the report in The Australian is accurate.
The development comes after the ASX said last month that it is seeking global merger partners.
UBS is said to be acting for ASX in the talks, with Morgan Stanley acting on behalf of SGX. Spokespeople for both banks declined to comment on the matter.
Neither the ASX nor the SGX could be reached immediately for comment.
This alert was published on the AsianInvestor website on Friday afternoon.
