Competition Commission clears BSE-USE deal

Fair trade watchdog CCI has given its green signal for the proposed merger of United Stock Exchange with BSE, saying the combination is not likely to have any adverse impact on competition.
CCI said the competition assessment of the proposed combination is also guided by the market dynamics of stock exchanges.
Both bourses had sought approval from the Competition Commission of India (CCI) in June.
"... The Commission is of the opinion that the proposed combination is not likely to have an appreciable adverse effect on competition in India in any of the relevant market(s)," the order, dated August 30, said.

The merger of the struggling currency bourse USE would see BSE, said, adding, its 27 state-run banks and some private and foreign banks as its shareholders. The BSE is already the single largest shareholder in USE with 15 per cent stake.
At present, there are four stock exchanges with nationwide terminals -- BSE, NSE, MCX-SX and USE.
"It is also observed that the stock exchanges in India are mostly vertically integrated except USE which has outsourced its operation and maintenance services and clearing and settlement functions to BSE and its subsidiaries," CCI said.