MarketAxess Holdings Inc., the operator of a leading electronic trading platform for U.S. and European corporate bonds, emerging markets bonds and other types of fixed-income securities, has agreed to acquire Xtrakter Limited, a leading provider of regulatory transaction reporting, financial market data and trade matching services to the European securities markets. Xtrakter is a wholly owned subsidiary of Euroclear SA/NV.

Rick McVey, Chief Executive Officer of MarketAxess, said: “Xtrakter is a strong fit with our business and provides MarketAxess with an expanded set of services that are highly complementary to our core strengths in electronic trading, market data and straight-through processing solutions for the global credit markets.  Xtrakter is a leading provider of regulatory trade reporting to the UK Financial Services Authority and is well positioned to play a key role in the UK and other European markets as regulators look to reduce trade settlement risk and increase market transparency under the proposed MiFID II mandate.”

Tim Howell, Chief Executive Officer of Euroclear, commented: “Xtrakter colleagues and clients will find an innovative and strong team at MarketAxess who are eager to move quickly and assertively to develop the portfolio of Xtrakter services to meet changing market needs. Post acquisition, we will continue working with Xtrakter and MarketAxess to deliver further transparency and efficiency to the international capital markets.”

The purchase price is £26.0 million (approximately $42.0 million) in cash, plus transaction costs. Closing of the transaction is subject to satisfaction of certain conditions, including FSA regulatory approval. The Company currently expects to complete the acquisition of Xtrakter in the first quarter of 2013.