Wall Street rose smartly in a quiet session today as investors adjusted positions ahead of a bank holiday weekend and tried to determine whether a lacklustre week presaged a departure from the market’s months-long run-up or merely a temporary pause.

New York exchange Nasdaq has agreed a $3.7bn (€2.75bn) offer for Swedish bourse OMX after failing in a hostile bid for the London Stock Exchange earlier this year.

The London Stock Exchange was today said to be eyeing a possible merger with Paris-based rival Euronext.

THE London Stock Exchange was reported to have held talks with Swedish counterpart OMX about a merger and other potential tie-ups.

The London Stock Exchange was today reported to have held talks with Swedish counterpart OMX about a merger and a range of other potential tie-ups.