Transatlantic exchange NYSE Euronext has agreed to sell a "significant" stake in its nascent US futures business NYSE Liffe US, in an attempt to increase traffic in competition with Chicago-based derivatives giant CME Group.

NYSE Euronext said it has agreed to sell the stake to five big derivative dealers: Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, UBS and Chicago-based trading firms Citadel and Getco. NYSE Euronext will remain the largest shareholder in the unit and will continue to manage day-to-day operations.