Nasdaq, the US exchange that yesterday launched its £2.9bn (€4.3bn) bid to buy the London Stock Exchange, is planning a share issue to raise capital amid speculation that it may be prepared to improve its offer price.

Nasdaq plans to issue preferred shares to existing shareholders to fund the deal, followed by a rights issue to buy back the shares with common stock. Nasdaq needs to raise as much as $5.8bn (€4.5bn) to fund the LSE deal.