Monday, December 18, 2006

NYMEX initiates talks to acquire 9% stake in MCX

Multi-Commodity Exchange (MCX), whose IPO is one of the most looked forward to, is about to bring in a new strategic investor. The New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX) is said to be in discussions with MCX for a 7% stake. Earlier, Fidelity International had picked up 9% stake in MCX for $49 mn (Rs. 220 crores). Merrill Lynch is the advisor to MCX on the deal, as well as the manager to the issue. The deal may be valued anywhere upwards of $60 mn (Rs. 270 crores). Both exchanges have declined to comment on this issue. NYMEX had earlier tried to acquire ICICI’s 7% equity stake in NCDEX, which eventually went to Goldman Sachs. Founded by Financial Technologies India, MCX is India’s largest commodity exchange. It accounts for 56% of the total Indian commodity and futures market with an average daily turnover of about $1.5 billion. Indian exchanges are waiting for clarity on the FDI norms for exchanges, even as the government formulates the policy on foreign holding in Indian commodity bourses. SEBI recently issued guidelines for the BSE, proposing a cap of 49% on foreign holding, which includes 26% FDI and the balance 23% for FIIs. Industry anticipates that SEBI would maintain these norms for commodity exchanges in the country as well.

For more details, read the article from The Economic Times.

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