Selling the farm
Shareholders in the 135 year old London Metal Exchange (“LME”) voted overnight to sell to Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing for US$2.1 billion. The LME will help the HKEx, whose focus has until now been almost exclusively on equity markets, challenge the Chicago Metals Exchange (CME) and the Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) for dominance in commodity markets.
The CME and ICE and the NYSE Euronext were all trying to acquire the LME in a wave of consolidation that has swept the global exchanges industry.
The concept of traders gathering in the coffee houses in the City of London (in 1877) with an open outcry system is rapidly being taken over by 24 hour electronic trading!
Roger Montgomery is the Founder and Chairman of Montgomery Investment Management. Roger has over three decades of experience in funds management and related activities, including equities analysis, equity and derivatives strategy, trading and stockbroking. Prior to establishing Montgomery, Roger held positions at Ord Minnett Jardine Fleming, BT (Australia) Limited and Merrill Lynch.
This post was contributed by a representative of Montgomery Investment Management Pty Limited (AFSL No. 354564). The principal purpose of this post is to provide factual information and not provide financial product advice. Additionally, the information provided is not intended to provide any recommendation or opinion about any financial product. Any commentary and statements of opinion however may contain general advice only that is prepared without taking into account your personal objectives, financial circumstances or needs. Because of this, before acting on any of the information provided, you should always consider its appropriateness in light of your personal objectives, financial circumstances and needs and should consider seeking independent advice from a financial advisor if necessary before making any decisions. This post specifically excludes personal advice.
