FTSE and TMX Datalinx create new global fixed income index business: FTSE TMX Debt Capital Markets

• FTSE TMX Debt Capital Markets will be one of the leading global fixed income ETF index providers
• Will combine TMX Datalinx's fixed income index business, PC-Bond, with FTSE's existing international fixed income business

TORONTO and LONDON, Feb. 27, 2013 /CNW/ - FTSE Group ("FTSE"), part of London Stock Exchange Group ("LSEG"), and TMX Group today announce that they have signed a definitive agreement to combine their fixed income index businesses in a new joint venture. FTSE TMX Debt Capital Markets will be the third largest fixed income exchange traded fund (ETF) index provider globally. Together these indices are used as benchmarks for more than C$1 trillion in fixed income assets.

TMX Datalinx is TMX Group's information service division. Its fixed income index business, PC-Bond, will be combined with FTSE's existing international fixed income index business upon completion. PC-Bond is the leading provider of fixed income indices in Canada; FTSE is a leading provider of fixed income indices in the UK. FTSE will own a 75 per cent majority stake in the joint venture, with TMX Group holding a 25 per cent stake.

FTSE TMX Debt Capital Markets will build on the successful track record of both organisations, combining the strengths of FTSE and TMX Datalinx to provide innovative fixed income index and analytical products and services. The transaction will significantly strengthen FTSE's position in fixed income, the second largest asset class globally with approximately C$13.7 trillion invested. It will also increase FTSE's profile in North America.

For TMX Datalinx, the joint venture will enable more rapid global expansion as it exports its industry leading fixed income index and analytic capabilities by leveraging the global distribution reach of FTSE, one of the world's most recognised index brands.

Commenting on today's announcement Mark Makepeace, CEO of FTSE & LSEG Director of Information Services, said:
"The fixed income market represents a significant growth opportunity for FTSE. In partnering with TMX Datalinx we can quickly create the scale, quality of operation and global distribution necessary to be a significant player in this rapidly evolving part of the index industry. To accelerate our expansion into North America, a key growth market for us, FTSE will be establishing an office in Toronto."

Eric Sinclair, President TMX Datalinx and Group Head of Information Services, TMX Group added:
"This transaction provides TMX Datalinx with a new global presence in the fixed income index business. By partnering with FTSE, we will grow the business globally, while continuing to serve our existing Canadian clients with the excellent quality index suite they trust and rely upon."

Demand for fixed income indices continues to grow rapidly driven by the need for multi-sourced prices, high governance standards and low cost strategies. FTSE TMX Debt Capital Markets will use the power of PC-Bond's fixed income capabilities and methodology to offer the global financial and capital markets community a suite of proven and valuable fixed income indices and analytics tools and to use this as a platform for future expansion.

In addition to holding a 25 per cent interest in the joint venture, TMX Group will receive C$112.2 million (£72.2 million), subject to adjustments, which will be funded from existing LSEG cash resources. The transaction will be slightly dilutive to earnings per share for TMX Group in 2013. The business, which will be jointly headquartered in London and Toronto, employs nine people and had combined pro forma revenues of C$21.3 million (£13.7 million) in 2012.

Closing is subject to customary conditions and is expected in Q2 2013.

About FTSE:
FTSE Group (FTSE) is a world-leader in the provision of global index and analytical solutions. FTSE calculates indices across a wide range of asset classes, on both a standard and custom basis. FTSE indices are used extensively by investors worldwide for investment analysis, performance measurement, asset allocation, portfolio hedging and the creation of a wide range of index derivatives, funds, Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs), and other structured products.

FTSE has built an enviable reputation for the reliability and accuracy of our indices and related data services. FTSE has a long tradition of listening and responding to the market so that it is at the forefront of developing new approaches to index design, many of which are now accepted as the market standard. FTSE prides itself in continuing to invest significant resource in researching and developing new index solutions.

The foundation for FTSE's global, regional, country and sector indices is the FTSE global equity universe, which covers over 7,400 securities in 47 different countries and captures 98% of the world's investable market capitalization. FTSE's flagship global benchmark, the FTSE All-World, is used by investors worldwide to structure and benchmark their international equity portfolios.

Exchanges around the world have chosen FTSE to calculate their domestic indices. These include ATHEX, Bolsas y Mercados Españoles, Borsa Italiana, Bursa Malaysia, Casablanca SE, Cyprus Stock Exchange, IDX, JSE, LSE, NASDAQ Dubai, NYSE Euronext, PSE, SGX, Stock Exchange of Thailand and TWSE. In addition, FTSE works with a variety of companies and associations to deliver innovative index solutions which provide the market with fresh opportunities.

FTSE is an independent company owned by the London Stock Exchange Group.

For more information visit www.ftse.com

About TMX Group (TSX:X):
TMX Group's key subsidiaries operate cash and derivative markets and clearinghouses for multiple asset classes including equities, fixed income and energy. Toronto Stock Exchange, TSX Venture Exchange, TMX Select, Alpha Group, The Canadian Depository for Securities, Montreal Exchange, Canadian Derivatives Clearing Corporation, Natural Gas Exchange, BOX Options Exchange, Shorcan, Shorcan Energy Brokers, Equicom and other TMX Group companies provide listing markets, trading markets, clearing facilities, depository services, data products and other services to the global financial community.  TMX Group is headquartered in Toronto and operates offices across Canada (Montreal, Calgary and Vancouver), in key U.S. markets (New York, Houston, Boston and Chicago) as well as in London, Beijing and Sydney.  For more information about TMX Group, visit our website at www.tmx.com.  Follow TMX Group on Twitter at http://twitter.com/tmxgroup.

About London Stock Exchange Group:
London Stock Exchange Group (LSE.L) sits at the heart of the world's financial community. The Group operates a broad range of international equity, bond and derivatives markets, including London Stock Exchange; Borsa Italiana; MTS, Europe's leading fixed income market; and Turquoise, offering UK and Russian derivatives trading, pan-European and US lit and dark equity trading. Through its markets, the Group offers international business unrivalled access to Europe's capital markets.

The Group is a leading developer of high performance trading platforms and capital markets software and also offers its customers around the world access and an extensive range of real-time and reference data products and market-leading post-trade services. The Group is also home to a world leading index provider FTSE, which creates and manages over 200,000 equity, bond and alternative asset class indices.

Headquartered in London, United Kingdom with significant operations in Italy and Sri Lanka, the Group employs around 1,900 people.

Further information on London Stock Exchange Group can be found at: http://www.londonstockexchangegroup.com/

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain information contained in this announcement may constitute "forward-looking statements," which can be identified by the use of terms such as "may", "will", "should", "expect", "anticipate", "project", "estimate", "intend", "continue," "target" or "believe" (or the negatives thereof) or other variations thereon or comparable terminology. These forward looking statements include matters that are not historical facts and include statements regarding LSEG's or TMX Group's intentions, beliefs or current expectations concerning, among other things, LSEG's or TMX Group's results of operations, financial condition, liquidity, prospects, growth and strategies. Due to various risks and uncertainties, actual events or results or actual performance of LSEG or TMX Group, as the case may be, may differ materially from those reflected or contemplated in such forward-looking statements. As a result, investors should not rely on such forward-looking statements in making their investment decisions. No representation or warranty is made as to the achievement or reasonableness of and no reliance should be placed on such forward-looking statements.

By their nature, forward looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to future events and circumstances. A number of factors could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward looking statements. Save as required by law (including without limitation applicable securities law) or, in the case of LSEG, by the Listing Rules of the Financial Services Authority, neither LSEG nor TMX Group undertakes any obligation to release publicly the results of any revisions to any forward looking statements in this announcement that may occur due to any change in its expectations or to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this announcement. 

SOURCE: TMX Group Inc.