The owner of the New York Stock Exchange has confirmed it is considering making a takeover approach to the London Stock Exchange (LON:LSE), gatecrashing interest from Deutsche Boerse.
Intercontinental Exchange (NYSE:ICE) said in a statement that it noted recent media reports and it was considering making an offer for the LSE Group.
Atlanta-based ICE said in a statement: "No approach has been made to the board of LSEG, and no decision has yet been made as to whether to pursue such an offer.
"There can be no certainty any offer will be made, nor as to the terms. A further annnouncement will be made as appropriate."
Deutsche Boerse and LSE last week announced plans for a tie-up to create a global player worth at least £20bn, able to challenge ICE and derivative market CME Group.
The German exchange has until a UK Takeover Panel deadline of March 22 to make a formal offer for the LSE.
Chicago-based CME was also working with advisers to assess whether it could challenge the deal, financial news agency Bloomberg cited unidentified sources as saying.
Shares in London Stock Exchange rallied 200p to 2878p in early trading.