The 213-year-old New York Stock Exchange vaulted into the top ranks of electronic stock trading Wednesday, announcing a merger with all-electronic rival Archipelago Holdings in a stunning move that will also transform the NYSE into a for-profit, publicly traded enterprise.

The NYSE, famous around the world for its busy trading floor, says it has no intention of becoming an entirely computer-based exchange. Instead, by offering a fast electronic option alongside the slower but less volatile floor-based operation, the NYSE hopes to effectively compete with its chief U.S. rival, the Nasdaq Stock Market, and tackle increasing global competition.

The NYSE's 1,366 seat holders, its current owners, will receive $400 million in cash and 70% of the shares in the new company, while Archipelago's shareholders will retain 30% of the shares, NYSE Chief Executive John Thain said at a news conference.

"This is an essential step to maintaining our global competitiveness and leadership," Thain said.

Using the NYSE's latest seat sale -- $1.62 million -- as a guide, the NYSE is roughly valued at $2.2 billion. Archipelago is valued at $844 million using Wednesday's closing stock price.

The new entity, a holding company to be called NYSE Group, will spin off the NYSE's regulatory arm -- recently invigorated after coming under intense criticism for failing to stem a floor-trading scandal -- into a not-for-profit oversight entity. That part of the deal answers the demands of some NYSE members who have been agitating for the exchange to turn for-profit in order to better compete as a business.

"I think the regulatory structure we're proposing will be a model for other self-regulating agencies," Thain said.

ArcaEx Chairman and CEO Jerry Putnam said the merger would create new opportunities for NYSE Group to expand its trading into other areas, including options and other equity derivatives. The exchange will not trade Nasdaq-listed stocks on the floor of the NYSE, but will continue to trade them through ArcaEx's electronic market. The NYSE also will continue its plan to create a hybrid market, combining its floor trading with an enhanced electronic system under development.

The merger also improves the NYSE's ability to compete following the Securities and Exchange Commission's approval earlier this month of Regulation National Market System. The regulation requires stock traders to accept the best bid or offer available, no matter which stock exchange or market posted it -- but customers could go to another market if they want to complete trades as quickly as possible. This option makes the pre-merger NYSE less competitive.

Thain will remain CEO of NYSE Group, while Putnam will become president and co-chief operating officer. The management teams of the two companies will be integrated, Thain said, and a transition team is already working on the deal.

NYSE Chief Financial Officer Amy Butte will become executive vice president of strategy and product development, while Archipelago CFO Nelson Chai will assume that role for the NYSE Group.

Pending regulatory approval, the merger is expected to be completed in either the fourth quarter of this year or the first quarter of 2006, Thain said. Three ArcaEx board members will join the NYSE board.

The company will continue to be headquartered at its iconic Wall Street building in New York.

Source: Agencies