Merger
TMX embarks on data diversification and expansion play with WSH buy
The Canadian exchange is the latest to acquire a data vendor business, bringing non-exchange content to help it grow its data assets.

Four years on, S&P's Kensho buy yields new automation tools, saving decades of manual data analysis
S&P-owned AI tool Kensho is leveraging its parent's massive datasets with its own machine learning to release a series of tools for analysts.

People Moves: TP Icap, ACA Group, BNP Paribas, Morningstar, and more
A look at some of the key people moves from this week, including Marie Luchet (pictured), who joins ACA Group as managing director of ESG.

BNY Mellon CDO: ‘Transformational’ data-centric model tackles data quality issues
BNY’s Eric Hirschhorn says processes—not just the data itself—need to be examined, and points to a data-centric approach.
All about the integration: Melding tech is key to getting full value from vendor M&A
Recent tech and data M&A deals aren’t just about acquiring clients or 'bolt-on' solutions, but will yield longer-term gains through granular integration of the vendors’ product lines and technologies.
Where have all the blockchain startups gone?
Building a startup is hard. Building a blockchain startup is harder. More than 10 current and former financial blockchain builders and users detail their experiences of trying to cut their teeth on a once-darling tech, and the lessons they’re still…
Cusip finds new home at FactSet as industry watches warily
Though the standard has always been operated by a private entity, industry sources say its new operator could create a perception issue for FactSet. For its part, the vendor says the purchase (for a “stunning” total of nearly $2 billion) is meant to…
Waters Wrap: Pico, Redline, & the shrinking mid-market, market data tech space
After pairings of the Options-Activ, Exegy-Vela, and now Pico-Redline, Anthony wonders whether the next wave of consolidation will involve the biggest tech and market data players.
EC ends S&P’s 53-year era as Cusip’s "cash-cow" operator
Sources ID Ice and DTCC as suitors, but new owners may not bring relief to users paying millions.
Options snaps up Activ Financial as battle for mid-market data vendors heats up
A once crowded space, the middle market for data technology companies is becoming more valuable as vendors target scale to fend off rivals and take on bigger providers.
Waters Wrap: Owning the data & doing something unique with it—the ultimate alchemy
Based off of Max Bowie’s recent deep-dive feature, Anthony says that the world of alt data M&A—and the factors that drive these deals—is likely to change in the near future. For an analogy, just look to sushi.
Alt data’s second inning: Brace for a long M&A game
The alternative data sector is still relatively nascent, and as such buy-side firms have struggled with how best to incorporate these non-traditional sources of information. While sources say that there will be continued M&A in the market, how those…
Waters Wrap: Some random thoughts about Big Tech disruption and M&A in Q4
Anthony looks at what he thinks will be the biggest topics during the last quarter of 2021.
This Week: CME/IHS Markit, Bloomberg, OpenExchange, Equinix, and more
A summary of some of the past week’s financial technology news.
Waters Wrap: A whole new way of looking at data spend (And CME-Cboe thoughts)
As brokers start to explore various forms of self-service models, Anthony wonders if this could lead to a complete rethink of how commercial terms and contracts are structured for adding on new datasets.
Waters Wrap: Broadway Technology, Symphony, and new beginnings (And other new CEOs)
Anthony takes a look at some major CEO changes from the last year, and what those moves might mean for clients of those vendors.
Waters Wrap: ESG’s growing influence on market data consolidation (And exchange data)
Anthony explains why he thinks ESG will play a major role in the anticipated market data consolidation that’s to come. He also looks at moves made by some exchanges to cut out the data vendor middleman.
Putting the ‘green’ in green data: Rise of impact investing drives ESG M&A
Socially responsible investors are putting their money where their mouth is—in ever-increasing amounts. With insatiable demand for new datasets and analytics to support these strategies, it’s not surprising that every data vendor wants a slice of the ESG…
Waters Wrap: When will Big Tech providers turn sights on the market data space? (And deep learning)
In recent years, the major cloud providers have expanded their service offerings specific to capital markets firms. Some industry observers believe it’s just a matter of time until they get involved in market data M&A activity.
Waters Wrap: Market data & consolidation—a never-ending timeline (And rise of the fees)
While last week it was announced that Exegy and Vela are merging, Anthony says that the deal is only a sign of what’s to come in the market data space. He also poses some questions about the LSE raising its Sedol fees.
Exegy, Vela merge; say scale will fuel further acquisitions
The deal will create growth synergies between the vendors' trading systems, and provide an execution capability based on Exegy's trading signals.
This Week: Bloomberg, Ice, DTCC, & More
A summary of some of the past week's financial technology news.
Is history repeating itself?
Broadridge’s acquisition of Itiviti presents many opportunities but also raises many questions about the combined company’s future. For a glimpse into that future, Wei-Shen Wong takes a look into Itiviti’s past.
This Week: TP Icap, Confluence, Bloomberg, Iress-Cosaic, Tradeweb, SmartStream, and more
A summary of some of the past week’s financial technology news