A preferred bidder for the Irish Stock Exchange could be finalised as early as the end of this month, with London Stock Exchange Group no longer expected to be in the fray to acquire the 224-year-old bourse.
The specialist investment banker Moelis is currently assessing interest in the exchange as part of a strategic review. It is understood that a first round of the process has been completed, and a shortlist of bidders is now expected to be whittled down over the next three weeks.
Potential bidders are likely to include the continental European exchanges Euronext and Deutsche Boerse, as well as the American exchanges Nasdaq and Bats, which is owned by the Chicago Board Options Exchange.
The Irish Stock Exchange is owned by the