OMX in Talks, But Denies Nasdaq Bid

Nordic bourse operator andtechnology firm OMX said on Thursday it was in cooperation talks ith several exchanges, but added it had not received any bid.

"Following media speculation, OMX confirms that it is inexploratory discussions with several exchanges and other market venues regarding possible forms of cooperation," it said in a statement.

"OMX further confirms that no offer, formal or informal, hasbeen received by the company."

A Swedish newspaper reported Nasdaq Stock Market had made a 23 billion Swedish crown ($3.33 billion) indicative bid for its Nordic peer.

Business daily Dagens Industri quoted sources as saying the top U.S. electronic stock exchange had offered 192 crowns per share for the Nordic and Baltic exchange owner and technology firm, although it added the bid level was uncertain.

Nasdaq was not immediately available for comment.

Amid a wave of consolidation in the exchange industry, Nasdaq has had talks with the Philadelphia Stock Exchange as one of several possible buyers, a source familiar with the situation said on Wednesday.

OMX owns and operates the exchanges in Stockholm, Helsinki, Copenhagen, Reykjavik and the Baltic countries and also makes trading technology for exchanges.

In a Reuters interview late last month, OMX Chief Executive Magnus Bocker was coy about rumors linking OMX with the London Stock Exchange, which rejected a bid from the Nordic firm in2000, or a U.S. partner.

The Swedish government -- OMX's second-biggest owner after investment firm Investor -- has said it plans to sell its 6.6% stake in OMX as part of the country's biggest privatisation program ever.