Their alliance, still called Globex, took in the Spanish exchange last month, and is in talks with exchanges in Italy, Belgium and Portugal.

ECONOMIST: Chicago��s ancient futures exchanges are showing their age

With trust eroding in the state of the Russian banking system, Globex stopped customers from withdrawing their funds after a run on the bank.

ECONOMIST: Business this week

Globex electronic-trading platform alongside agricultural products such as corn and soybeans.

WSJ: For Investors, a New Pick of the Crop

Floor trading volume dropped by half in the second quarter compared with last year, when Nymex agreed to start trading its contracts on the Merc's Globex electronic system.

FORBES: Trading Partners

Thanks to Globex, the Merc is better positioned.

ECONOMIST: Chicago��s ancient futures exchanges are showing their age

Its shares are likely to soar even higher, now that the exchange is getting into energy and gold trading in a big way, with a 10-year agreement to trade the most popular oil, gold and other benchmark contracts of the New York Mercantile Exchange through its Globex electronic trading system.

FORBES: Magazine Article