Nasdaq OMX has today said it will introduce two new clearing houses to its northern European market by April next year, making it the fifth trading platform to move to the multiple clearer model in recent months. The announcement comes as competition among trading platforms and post-trade infrastructure intensifies amid declining margins in the equities trading business.

Nasdaq OMX, which currently clears its Nordic markets through EMCF, the Abn-Amro-owned clearing house in which Nasdaq OMX owns a 22% stake, said today that its customers will also be able to clear through EuroCCP and Swiss exchange-owned Six x-clear by Spring next year.