Euronext deal could be valuable

NEW YORK – This coming week could mark the beginning of a brave new world for individual investors as the New York Stock Exchange and Euronext NV move closer to forming the first trans-Atlantic stock market. Shareholders in both companies vote on the NYSE’s $13.7 billion deal to acquire Paris-based Euronext.

And, as the deal moves toward final approval, a growing number of individual investors are curious about how the deal might affect their own trading strategies. Top executives at some of the largest U.S. discount brokerages say they’re increasingly being asked this question – and believe that mom-and-investors traders are in store for a trading renaissance.

“By bringing the different exchanges together and doing a good job of integrating, you create synergies and productivity,” said TD Ameritrade Chief Executive Joe Moglia. “By definition, you will provide to the individual investor best of breed services.”

One day in the future, stock exchanges might be able to clear regulatory hurdles and offer investors around the world the ability to trade real-time 24 hours a day. A U.S. investor, might easily be able to push a button and buy a few shares of a company based in Africa or China.

All of this might be years off, Moglia admits. “It’s not going to happen right now, but that’s not as important as the benefits individual investors will get in the near term.”