NYSE said that nearly 99% of its shareholders voted in favor of the integration, while 99.68% of the shares of ICE present at the special meeting voted for the approval of the combination of both exchange houses.
The deal, which is likely to conclude during the second half of 2013, is subject to satisfying customary closing conditions as well as receipt of regulatory approvals in Europe and the US.
Originally signed in December 2012, the transaction will integrate the two exchange groups and will create a global exchange operator diversified across markets including agricultural and energy commodities, credit derivatives, equities and equity derivatives, foreign exchange and interest rates.
After closing of the transaction, the acquirer will continue to maintain the NYSE Euronext brand and operate from dual headquarters in Atlanta and New York, as per terms of the definitive merger agreement.
Jeffrey C Sprecher will serve as chairman and CEO of the integrated business and Scott Hill as CFO, whereas Duncan Niederauer will be appointed as the president and CEO of NYSE Group.
Morgan Stanley served as principal financial advisor to ICE, while further financial advice is being offered by BMO Capital Markets, Broadhaven Capital Partners, JPMorgan, Lazard, Societe Generale Corporate & Investment Banking, and Wells Fargo Securities.
