Singapore Exchange Ltd News

Singapore Exchange Ltd (SGX) sees the potential to develop new freight derivatives centred on active Asian shipping routes and expand the use of freight derivatives with its acquisition of London's Baltic Exchange, a senior SGX official told Reuters. "We believe there are a number of opportunities that the Baltic Exchange and SGX can realise together, including the creation and adoption of new benchmarks of Asian shipping routes," Michael Syn, head of derivatives at SGX told Reuters. The Baltic's daily benchmark rates and indices are used to trade and settle freight contracts as well as for settling freight derivatives, or FFAs, that allow investors to take positions on freight rates in the future.

The Baltic Exchange board has unanimously backed a takeover bid from Singapore Exchange Ltd , a deal that will give SGX access to a trading platform for the multi-billion dollar freight derivatives market. On Aug. 4, SGX offered shareholders in London's privately owned Baltic Exchange 160.41 pounds in cash per share, for a total 77.6 million pounds ($102 million), and urged them to back the deal. The exchanges have agreed on the terms of the SGX offer, they said in a joint statement on Monday. "The proposed acquisition will accelerate the growth and development of the Baltic Exchange beyond what it could achieve on its own," Baltic Exchange Chairman Guy Campbell said.

Total valuation of potential deal at least $113 million; Baltic shareholders key to clinching sale agreement. Singapore Exchange Ltd (SGX) plans to buy one of London's oldest institutions, the Baltic Exchange where shipping rates are published, and urged shareholders on Thursday to support a deal. As the global shipping industry struggles with the worst market conditions for decades, SGX offered shareholders in the privately-owned Baltic Exchange 160.41 pounds in cash per share, for a total 77.6 million pounds ($102 million). Founded in 1744 as a forum for chartering vessels, the Baltic Exchange now produces benchmark indexes for global shipping rates and owns a trading platform for the multi-billion dollar freight derivatives market.

Singapore Exchange Ltd (SGX) said it planned to offer 77.6 million pounds ($103 million) to buy London's Baltic Exchange and was seeking support from Baltic's shareholders for the deal. In a statement on Thursday, SGX said it sought to acquire from Baltic shareholders their issued ordinary share capital for 160.41 pounds in cash per share, representing a total consideration of 77.6 million pounds. "SGX again states that there is no assurance that the exclusivity agreement signed on 25 May 2016 will lead to any definitive agreement(s) or completion of the Potential Transaction," SGX said in the statement. The announcement came after Reuters…

Singapore Exchange Ltd (SGX) is readying a formal offer to buy London's Baltic Exchange following months of discussions that culminated in exclusive talks between both parties, sources familiar with the matter said on Tuesday. Founded in 1744, the privately-owned Baltic Exchange is no longer a forum for chartering vessels but owns benchmark indexes for global shipping rates and provides a trading platform for the multi-billion dollar freight derivatives market. The sources said both sides had reached key milestones for a deal to proceed and that SGX was getting ready to make a formal offer. The Baltic Exchange declined to comment, while an SGX spokeswoman referred to a May statement where it said both exchanges would benefit from new growth opportunities.

Talks between the Baltic Exchange and a number of suitors are continuing, but any potential buyer of the business will have to provide assurances that its central role in shipping will not be "undermined", the Baltic's chairman said on Wednesday. On Feb. 26 the privately held Baltic Exchange confirmed it had received a number of "exploratory approaches" after the Singapore Exchange Ltd (SGX) said it was seeking to buy the business. Both statements came a day after Reuters reported the Baltic had held talks with SGX and other potential buyers including CME Group, ICE and Platts. Sources had estimated the Baltic's valuation was $120 million.

Members of the Singapore Shipping Association (SSA) have read with interest the recent announcement by the Singapore Exchange Ltd (SGX) in its bid to acquire the Baltic Exchange. Mr Esben Poulsson, President of SSA said: “We understand that for some time, the Board of the Baltic Exchange, which traces its origins back to 1744, has been considering a number of strategic options regarding future ownership of this venerable institution, and that a number of options have been under consideration. “In as much as the SGX is in itself a commercial organisation, listed on the Singapore Stock Exchange, the SSA is not in a position to comment on the reasons behind SGX’s decision to make a bid. But clearly, the SGX, no doubt, sees both value and synergies through such an acquisition.

Baltic says holding discussions with several parties. The Baltic Exchange confirmed on Friday it had received a number of "exploratory approaches" after the Singapore Exchange Ltd revealed it was seeking to buy the business which has been the hub of the global shipping market for centuries. Reuters exclusively reported on Thursday that the Baltic Exchange had held talks with SGX and other potential buyers, months after sources had said the London Metals Exchange (LME) made an approach to buy it. "The Baltic Exchange confirms that it has received a number of exploratory approaches and that it is now in confidential discussions with selected third parties regarding its future strategy and ownership," it said in a statement.