Awwal 07, 1432, Feb 10, 2011, SPA -- Hong Kong's stock exchange said Thursday it would consider "international alliances and partnerships," as the Frankfurt and New York markets announced plans to merge, according to dpa. The statement by Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing, the holding company for the city's stock market, came amid a flurry of speculation about possible market alliances. "Due to changes in the financial market landscape, HKEx (the Hong Kong stock exchange) will consider international opportunities for alliances, partnerships and other relationships that present strategically compelling benefits consistent with its focus on markets in China," the statement said. The Hong Kong market Thursday recorded its biggest fall in weeks, closing almost 2 per cent down after the statement was released through government-run radio station RTHK. The decision to consider a merger represents a change of stance by the Hong Kong market, which in October reacted coolly to news of a planned merger between the Singapore and Australian bourses. Senior government officials then said the merger would not affect the Hong Kong exchange's ability to attract listings from mainland China. Hong Kong has the second-largest stock exchange by market capitalization in Asia, behind Tokyo in first place, and followed by India's Bombay Stock Exchange in third.
