Status:  Pending

Acquirer:  Chongqing Casin Enterprise Group (China)

Acquired:  Chicago Stock Exchange, Inc.  (US)

Value:  Unknown

Industry:  Financial Services

On February 5, 2016, The Chicago Stock Exchange, Inc. (“CHX”) announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by an investor group led by Chongqing, China based Chongqing Casin Enterprise Group (the “Casin Group”).  (See CHX Press Release, Investor Group to Acquire Chicago Stock Exchange, Feb. 5, 2016.)  The Casin Group is a “diversified holding company in China with investments in financial services, real estate and environmental services.”  (Id.) The announcement indicated that the acquisition was subjection to “regulatory approvals,” (id.), which includes approval by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS).  (See CHX Form 19b-4 Information, Nov. 23, 2016, SEC Filing.)  Shortly after the announcement, 45 members of the U.S. House of Representatives co-signed a letter urging CFIUS to conduct a “full and rigorous investigation” of the proposed acquisition.  (See Letter from Representatives to Assistant Secretary Lago of the Department of Treasury, February 16, 2106.)   According to a news report, the CFIUS review is pending but nearing completion.  (See Nikkei Asian Review, Ruling Nears on Chinese Bid for Chicago Exchange, Sept. 20, 2016.)