The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. (Nasdaq:NDAQ) has signed an agreement to acquire our client, SMARTS Group, the world-leading technology provider of market surveillance solutions to exchanges, regulators and brokers.
This acquisition is part of NASDAQ OMX’s strategy to diversify its commercial technology business and enter the broker surveillance and compliance market. SMARTS will be part of the NASDAQ OMX Market Technology business, which delivers technology to over 70 marketplaces in more than 50 countries.
Under the agreement NASDAQ OMX will acquire 100 percent of the shares in privately held SMARTS Group Holdings. The transaction is expected to be concluded within Q3 2010. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Marlin & Associates acted as exclusive financial and strategic advisor to SMARTS.
Australia-based SMARTS has set the benchmark for surveillance systems, with the most proven and widely adopted surveillance solutions in the world.