In the sporadically exciting world of stock exchanges, it’s déjà vu all over again. Or is it another bout of amnesia?

Consider the following statements: a) "this transaction will form a platform to allow companies with worldwide demand to experience 24-hour trading of their shares", b) "this initiative recognises that the world is getting smaller and that neither a company's nor an investor's interests are confined within a national border" and c) "this new group will globally redefine the marketplace for trading cash and derivatives securities, producing significant benefits for shareholders, issuers and users."