Prague - The controlling stake of Prague Stock Exchange (PSE) is for sale. PSE confimed the information in a statement on Wednesday.

Majority shareholders have decided to sell their shares.

"The reason is increased interest from financial investors and strategic partners together with global trend of consolidation of exchanges," explains PSE in their statement.

Strategic decision

"The offers for a strategic partnership have been coming from the most renowned world stock exchanges," said Petr Koblic, director general of the exchange. It is a logical step by our shareholders, adds Koblic.

The trade is expected to happen within a few months. PSE didn't specify which of its shareholders decided to sell their stakes.

However, investment bank Patria Finance announced Tuesday they are ready to sell their 25 percent stake, which is the biggest stake in the bourse. Komerční banka and Česká spořitelna, two major Czech banks, confirmed Wednesday their decision, too.

Central European leader

According to Czech TV, ČSOB bank and investment group Tiger Holding Four may decide to sell their stakes as well. These two companies together with Patria Finance control more than 50 percent of PSE's stakes.

Prague stock exchange is a leader in terms of transaction volume in Central and Eastern Europe.

Consolidation trend

Its subsidiary is Energetic stock market Prague, which was launched last summer. Univyc and Central Coutnerparty, two companies that operate stock exchanges are part of the group, too.

The group reported a net profit of CZK 200 million (EUR 8.3 million).

Recently, a number of world's bourses have consolidated their systems. Head of PSE Koblic however doesn't rule out the new owner would keep PSE as a separate entity.