ICE to acquire MarketAxess for $6 billion in cash

Intercontinental Exchange agreed on July 30, 2026, to buy MarketAxess for $167 per share in cash, a 33% premium and approximately $6.0 billion equity value, with the transaction expected to close in the first half of 2027 pending shareholder and regulatory approvals. ICE said the deal will be financed with debt, is expected to add $100 million in annual expense synergies within three years and be accretive to adjusted EPS in the first full year, while increasing quarterly share repurchases to $400 million from $350 million.