The deal, announced last May, was overwhelmingly approved by Euronext shareholders in December and sailed through European regulators with relatively few problems. Euronext encompasses stock markets with headquarters in Paris, Amsterdam, Brussels, and Lisbon, as well as the London derivatives market LIFFE.
It gives the NYSE a competitive advantage over rival Nasdaq Stock Market Inc., which failed in its hostile attempt to buy the London Stock Exchange, according to AP.
Thain has mapped out plans for his next step once the integration of the NYSE and Euronext are completed. He wants to make further inroads in Asia, where the exchange already has an expanded partnership with the Tokyo Stock Exchange and owns a stake in India's National Stock Market, said AP.
Asked about if NYSE Euronext will soon be looking for more acquisition, Thain has said it first must complete the integration process. There has been speculation NYSE Group president Catherine Kinney will move to Paris to ensure that the integration of the two companies goes smoothly, according to AP.
NYSE expects to create cost savings of $375 million, with some $250 million of that from integrating their technology platforms. The NYSE last year rolled out a hybrid trading system that combines floor specialists with electronic trading; Euronext has no floor traders, AP said.