It would also supplant CME Group Inc. as the world's largest futures exchange by contract volume and create a clear leader in the U.S. options market.

WSJ: NYSE, Deutsche B?rse in Deal Talks

Eurex, an on-line system owned by Swiss and German exchanges, has whittled the London International Financial Futures and Options Exchange's share of the German bund futures contract from 70% to 10%.

FORBES: Last one out, shut the lights

In the U.S., the rice-futures contract has been moving in a narrow range for the past year, largely because China doesn't buy rice from the U.S. Some U.S. rice farmers have noticed and are pushing the USDA and Chinese authorities to allow U.S. rice to be sold in China.

WSJ: China Rice Imports Upset Global Market