Trading

London Stock Exchange confirms Refinitiv talks for ‘blockbuster’ $27bn deal

Acquisition would come at a critical time for London, which is seeking to defend its status as Europe's premier financial hub in the face of Brexit

David Schwimmer, chief executive officer of London Stock Exchange
David Schwimmer, chief executive officer of London Stock Exchange Photo: Getty Images

The London Stock Exchange has confirmed it is in talks to acquire Refinitiv for $27bn, including debt, in a seismic deal that would create a UK data and trading giant.

The LSE, which is valued at £19.7bn by market capitalisation, said on July 27 it is in discussions with the owners of Refinitiv to buy the data company. A consortium led by private equity company Blackstone owns 55% of Refinitiv, with Thomson Reuters owning the rest.

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