Major Forex Acquisitions in 2012
FXCM Becomes a Major Institutional Forex Player by Purchasing the UK Based Lucid Markets (mid-2012)
FXCM purchased a 50% share of the UK company Lucid Markets. Lucid Markets is an institutional Forex company (market maker). In 2011, Lucid reported volumes of $13.4 trillion, and that makes Lucid a key player in the institutional Forex business. Furthermore, Lucid reported in 2011 EBITDA of over $110 million. So the price of $176 million for a 50% share that FXCM has paid to buy Lucid Markets seems more than fair for FXCM.
Tadawul FX was purchased and now Become Liquid Markets (November 2012)
Tadawul FX Forex Broker announced in November 2012 that it was purchased by Liquid Markets. As the company has stated, the key change during the transition to becoming Liquid Markets is the improvement of executions. The new company after taking advantage of the tier liquidity capabilities of Liquid Markets will be able to provide trading features such as direct market execution and five decimal trading. The next stage for the new company is to open an office in London.
Who is Liquid Markets
Liquid Markets is an institutional Forex broker which is licensed and regulated by CySEC (103/09). In addition, it is registered with FSA UK (516667) and with BAFIN Germany (123252).
GAIN Capital Holdings purchased Open E Cry, LLC (September 2012)
GAIN Capital Holdings, Inc. is a global provider of internet trading services. Gain capital during September 2012 has announced the purchase of Open E Cry, LLC which is an online futures broker. The new acquisition adds new trading services (futures and exchange-traded options) to GAIN's Forex Trading Services Portfolio. The seller was OptionsXpress Holdings, Inc. which is a subsidiary company of The Charles Schwab Corporation.
Who is GAIN Capital
GAIN Capital Holdings, Inc. is listed in New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: GCAP), and it provides traders with Forex market access and automated trading. Gain Capital also offers CFD Trading and other exchange-based financial products. Its client base is wide and contains retail as well as institutional investors.
Who is Open E Cry, LLC
As of July 2012, Open E Cry, LLC held more than 8,300 trading accounts and $104 million in customer assets. Open E Cry, LLC revenue for 2011 was about $13.6 million.
Thomson Reuters Purchased Avanon (October 2012)
Thomson Reuters (TSX / NYSE: TRI) is a company known as one of the leading sources of global intelligent information. Thomson Reuters announced the acquisition of Avanon. Avanon is a provider of integrated operational risk management software. The Avanon software platform is used by more than 15,000 professionals worldwide. Avanon client base is deriving from industries like insurance and banking.
Who is Thomson Reuters
Thomson Reuters is a huge company employs more than 60,000 people with offices in more than 100 countries. Thomson Reuters shares are listed on the New York and on the Toronto Stock Exchanges.
Thomson Reuters Purchased FX Alliance Inc. (FXALL) (July 2012)
Thomson Reuters during 2012 also announced the acquisition of FXall (NYSE:FX). FXall is a multi-bank electronic foreign exchange platform. The acquisition was completed through the subsidiary of Thomson Reuters, CB Transaction Corp.
Forex Industry: Major Acquisitions in 2012
OnlineForex.Biz (2013)
