Finance Watch

   (FROM THE WALL STREET JOURNAL 3/22/16) 

NASDAQ

Boardvantage Deal

Totals $200 Million

Nasdaq Inc. agreed to acquire Boardvantage for $200 million as it bolsters its corporate-services offerings.

A Web-based communications system of Boardvantage allows directors to have interactive discussions, instant access to the latest company developments and a chance to grill management at any time.

The Menlo Park, Calif., company has global offices and data centers in the Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific.

Nasdaq has been expanding into more business services such as investor-relations management. In October, the exchange operator acquired SecondMarket Solutions Inc., a company that helps private companies facilitate trading of their shares.

-- Anne Steele

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AXA

CEO de Castries

Is Stepping Down

AXA SA, France's largest insurance company, said Chairman and Chief Executive Henri de Castries will step down on Sept. 1, in a surprise move after 16 years as head of the company.

He will be succeeded by the company's top official in Germany, Thomas Buberl. Denis Duverne, AXA's deputy CEO, will become nonexecutive chairman Sept. 1. "I wanted a new team to present and carry out the company's new strategic plan," Mr. de Castries said. The disclosure came after HSBC Holdings PLC said it started a search for a new chairman. Mr. de Castries said the timing was coincidental. The Sunday Times reported he is favored to succeed Douglas Flint as HSBC chairman. Mr. de Castries recently joined HSBC's board.

-- Noemie Bisserbe, Inti Landauro

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

March 22, 2016 02:48 ET (06:48 GMT)

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