Nasdaq in early talks to buy OMX - report.

(From AFX Europe (Focus))

LONDON (AFX) - Nordic exchange operator OMX is in preliminary talks to be acquired by Nasdaq, the Financial Times reported.

The talks are at a very early stage and Nasdaq retains its interest in pursuing an acquisition of the London Stock Exchange, in which it has a 25.1 pct stake, the newspaper added without namign sources.

The talks, thought to have been initiated by OMX, come as Europe is bracing for a round of consolidation among its exchange operators.

Rumours of an imminent takeover bid from either the LSE or Nasdaq drove OMX's shares sharply higher …