NYSE Euronext Shares Up On Reports Of Sale Talks

NEW YORK (AP) – Shares in the company that runs the New York Stock Exchange are surging amid reports that it is in talks to sell itself to a rival stock exchange.

The Wall Street Journal and CNBC are reporting that Atlanta-based IntercontinentalExchange Inc. is in talks to acquire NYSE Euronext Inc.

The reports published late Wednesday cite unnamed persons close to the discussions who say official word of a deal could emerge as early as Thursday.

NYSE declined to comment. IntercontinentalExchange did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment.

NYSE’s stock is up 21 percent in after-hours trading.

Last year, IntercontinentalExchange and Nasdaq OMX Group Inc. made a failed $11 billion bid to buy NYSE Euronext.

Earlier this year, European regulators blocked Deutsche Boerse AG from buying NYSE Euronext.