Nasdaq chief executive Bob Greifeld has said the long-term success of the group’s London derivatives platform NLX "requires a new set of committed partners", reigniting speculation over a sale of at least part of the business.

Greifeld told analysts on a fourth-quarter earnings call that the "eventual long-term success of NLX requires a new set of committed partners". He added the firm was "excited by the progress" it was making in "discussions with leading market players to become true partners in the NLX venture".