HKEX offers to buy LSE for $36.6b

Move would allow Asian bourse to extend reach, become global leader

Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Ltd announced on Wednesday that it had offered to buy London Stock Exchange Group Plc for $36.6 billion, marking a significant push by the Asian bourse operator to further extend its global reach.

The proposed combination represents "a highly compelling strategic opportunity to create a global market infrastructure leader", HKEX said in a statement.