Stock-exchange firms in talks to join together

8/24/2013

NEW YORK — Two electronic stock-exchange companies are in advanced talks on a merger that would create the second-biggest stock market operator in the U.S., according to a report.

BATS Global Markets and Direct Edge Holdings could announce a combination within days, the Wall Street Journal said Friday, citing unidentified people familiar with the matter.

A merger of BATS and Direct Edge would create the No. 2 U.S. operator, behind New York Stock Exchange owner NYSE Euronext Inc. and ahead of Nasdaq OMX Group Inc., the Journal said, accounting for 20 percent of the market.

The Andersons will pay dividend on Oct. 22

The Andersons Inc. announced a quarterly cash dividend of 16 cents per share, payable Oct. 22 to shareholders of record on Oct. 1.