NYSE Euronext has agreed to acquire a 50% stake in AtosEuronext Market Solutions (AEMS), a provider of IT solutions for exchanges, clearing houses, banks and intermediaries, from current owner Atos Origin, an IT services company.
This agreement in principle follows a long-standing relationship between Atos Origin and Euronext, and allows the two companies to focus on their core businesses, they say.
For NYSE Euronext, insourcing technology has a number of benefits. “Insourcing our technology gives us greater flexibility and a competitive advantage in a fast-moving exchange landscape where technology is key," comments Jean-François Théodore, deputy CEO, NYSE Euronext. "Bringing the expertise of a large number of IT personnel back in-house will enable us to better deliver on our commitments to provide our customers with more efficient trading services and to deliver IT synergies to our shareholders. We will also be able to continue our strategy of selling our trading platforms to more exchanges around the world," he continues.
It is expected that the integration of the Atos Origin technology business within NYSE Euronext will be completed by the end of the summer in 2008.
The deal will free up Atos Origin to pursue other strategies going forward. "Atos Origin will be able to focus on strategies like payment services in Europe, where we believe we have a role to play in the future,” remarks Philippe Germond, CEO, Atos Origin.