Global Market: Euronext, Deutsche Boerse shares rise on renewed merger talks

Shares in Euronext and Deutsche Boerse rose about 2% on Monday after Euronext CEO Stephane Boujnah expressed openness to a potential tie-up with the German exchange operator, reviving speculation about a long-discussed combination between Europe's two largest exchange groups, Reuters reported.

Euronext shares were up 2.2%, and Deutsche Boerse gained 2.5% by 0725 GMT, outperforming a slightly weaker broader European market. Both stocks have risen about 26% so far in 2026.

Boujnah said in an interview with the Financial Times that combining the exchanges' businesses could make strategic sense, while stressing that no discussions were currently underway between the two companies. Reuters reported.


A merger could create a pan-European market infrastructure group with a much larger scale, Boujnah said, although any deal would likely face significant regulatory and antitrust scrutiny.

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The renewed merger speculation comes as European policymakers seek to deepen the bloc's capital markets and improve the competitiveness of European financial institutions against the United States.

Boujnah's comments also come ahead of his planned departure as Euronext chief executive in May 2027. Kepler Cheuvreux noted that a successor has not yet been selected and identified Euronext Chief Financial Officer Giorgio Modica as a leading internal candidate. The brokerage cautioned that a future leadership team could take a different view of a potential combination, Reuters reported.

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Boujnah had also discussed the possibility of a merger at an Italian parliamentary hearing in May, saying that a combination could make sense but was unlikely in the near term.

Any deal between Euronext and Deutsche Boerse would combine major European trading, clearing and market infrastructure operations, but would also require approval from competition authorities and other regulators.

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