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STOCKHOLM, Sweden (AP) - Nasdaq Stock Market Inc., which lost its battle to cross the Atlantic with a failed bid for the London Stock Exchange, agreed Friday to buy Nordic stock exchange operator OMX AB for $3.67 billion.
The acquisition is a breakthrough for the Nasdaq, which still owns almost 30 percent of the London exchange and could use the purchase of OMX to persuade LSE shareholders to agree to a deal creating a giant European exchange.
Nasdaq Chief Executive Robert Greifeld tried to avoid commenting on the matter, saying "this day is about Nasdaq and OMX." But later he told a conference call that his position on its LSE stake has not changed. "We maintain optionality with regard to the London Stock Exchange," he said.
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