MarketAxess (MKTX) ripped higher today after financial services giant Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) announced a definitive agreement to acquire it for about $6 billion in cash. The ICE deal values MKTX shares at $167 each, representing a rather huge 33% premium over their previous closing price.
Even after the meteoric rally, MarketAxess stock remains down nearly 17% versus its year-to-date high.