A new wave of exchange consolidations seems imminent, following Nasdaq’s £1.9bn ($3,7bn) agreed bid for Scandinavian group OMX.

Now energy market, New York Mercantile Exchange, is seeking partners for a possible $7.2bn ($14.2bn) deal going forward. Touted parties include NYSE Euronext, Chicago Mercantile Exchange and Deutsche Borse.

Nasdaq has denied that it could return for a third battle with the London Stock Exchange, but that could change come February since the American outfit already owns nearly 30 percent of LSE shares.