LSE sets out takeover requirements

London Stock Exchange boss Clara Furse today insisted the company would only agree to a takeover deal if it boosted the growth of the business.

LSE has been the subject of intense takeover interest since German rival Deutsche Boerse tabled a failed bid in late 2004.

It has led to further offers from Australian bank Macquarie and Wall Street exchange Nasdaq – which has since acquired a 25.1% stake in LSE – as well as interest from Paris-based Euronext and the New York Stock Exchange.

But Ms Furse, who has so far rebuffed all approaches claiming they under value the LSE, said the 300-year-old exchange would only change hands if it benefited the company.

She said: “Clearly we don’t need to do a deal and we’re not interested in doing a deal for the sake of doing a deal. We’re interested in doing a deal if it adds to our growth story.”