European exchange owner sweetens deal in Oslo bid

Netherlands-based Euronext increased its offer to acquire the Oslo stock exchange, stepping up a bidding war with rival Nasdaq, which owns all the other bourses in the Nordic-baltic region.

On Monday, Euronext offered $18.25 per share. It reportedly values the company at $784 million and topped the offer from Nasdaq, which is due to expire March 4.

Oslo Boers has indicated that it prefers a deal with Nasdaq. Nasdaq already operates the main stock exchanges in Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Iceland and the three Baltic countries.

Euronext, said the acceptance period had been extended to March 11. It launched its first bid Dec. 28.