Press releases 2005

NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES, CANADA OR JAPAN

9 December 2005

Statement Re Approach

The Board of London Stock Exchange plc announces that it has received a proposal from Macquarie Bank Limited about making a cash offer to acquire London Stock Exchange for 580 pence per share.

The Board of London Stock Exchange rejects outright this derisory proposal which fundamentally undervalues the Company and lacks any strategic or commercial credibility.

The Board’s confidence in London Stock Exchange’s growth prospects as the largest equity market in Europe with a unique global franchise is reinforced by the strong interim results announced on 3 November 2005. 

A further statement will be made as appropriate.

For further information, please contact:

London Stock Exchange
John Wallace - Media - 020 7797 1222
Paul Froud - Investor Relations - 020 7797 3322

Merrill Lynch 
Matthew Greenburgh or Richard Slimmon - 020 7628 1000
Lehman Brothers 
Anthony Fry or Stephen Fox - 020 7102 1000

Finsbury

James Murgatroyd or Simon Moyse  - 020 7251 3801

Merrill Lynch International is acting exclusively for London Stock Exchange and no one else in connection with the Offer and will not be responsible to anyone other than London Stock Exchange  for providing the protections afforded to clients of Merrill Lynch International nor for providing advice in relation to the Offer.

Lehman Brothers Europe Limited, which is regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Services Authority, is acting exclusively for London Stock Exchange  and no one else in connection with the Offer and will not be responsible to anyone other than London Stock Exchange  for providing the protections afforded to clients of Lehman Brothers Europe Limited nor for providing advice in relation to the Offer.