Duncan Niederauer, chief executive of NYSE Euronext, said this afternoon that the exchange would continue to pursue strategic merger and acquisition opportunities as part of its broader growth plan, following the collapse of its mega tie-up with German exchange operator Deutsche Börse last week.

The Big Board chief executive also outlined the company's European clearing plans, which have been mired in uncertainty during the past year, confirming that the exchange will proceed with building a full service London-based clearing house.