Since Rupert is entering into his second adolescence, he could be forgiven for neglecting the family business and running off to play <G>. Hell, I would. (If I had $15 billion). While He wasn't looking, Yahoo or even Softbank might take a nibble. Seriously, I would be surprised at that. I mean, Softbank already has Ziff Davis and Comdex and is trying to shed some of this kind of stuff. It seems to me that the earnings growth of AOL is going to slow dramatically after this merger. I guess we'll see.
In the meantime I see that Softbank and Nasdaq is beginning to discuss their global ambitions more directly:
Tuesday, January 11, 2000
Nasdaq Japan To Trade Currently Listed Firms
TOKYO (Nikkei)--Nasdaq Japan hopes to trade shares of companies already listed on the Osaka Securities Exchange, the Tokyo Stock Exchange and other bourses, as well as those of firms making initial public offerings, it was learned Tuesday.
The U.S. National Association of Securities Dealers, Softbank Corp. (9984) and the OSE are jointly planning to set up Nasdaq Japan on OSE premises at the end of June.
To attract companies to list on Nasdaq Japan, the three concerns will stress that the market will by 2001 be linked to the U.S. Nasdaq and to Nasdaq Europe, which will be established in London.
By the end of June, Nasdaq Japan will establish listing standards and trading rules to invite listing of promising start-ups. At the same time, "Nasdaq Japan will seek to become a venue where any firm listed on other exchanges can also have its stock traded," a senior OSE official said.
Currently, shares of about 380 firms are traded on the first and second sections of the OSE. The early integration of these stocks into Nasdaq Japan's trading would enable the new market to enhance its attraction, stock market analysts say.
(The Nihon Keizai Shimbun Wednesday morning edition) |
