Deutsche Börse launches new investment intelligence leader Qontigo
On 16 September 2019, Deutsche Börse Group is expanding its portfolio with a newly created growth company, Qontigo – a financial intelligence innovator and leader in the modernisation of investment management, from risk to return. This step follows the successful closing of the Axioma acquisition, announced earlier this year, and receipt of required regulatory approvals.
Qontigo combines Deutsche Börse’s world-class indices (STOXX and DAX) and Axioma’s best-of-breed portfolio-construction and risk analytics tools to enable clients to achieve a competitive advantage in a rapidly changing marketplace. Qontigo is uniquely equipped to address trends that are reshaping investment management. These include the growth of passive investing and smart beta, the modernisation of the investment management technology infrastructure to achieve efficiency and scale, and the transition towards customisation of investment solutions.
As part of the transaction, Deutsche Börse has entered into a strategic partnership with General Atlantic, a leading global growth equity investor. General Atlantic invested approximately USD 720 million in Qontigo, which was used to partly finance the acquisition of Axioma. Deutsche Börse’s index business (STOXX and DAX) was valued at EUR 2.6 billion and Axioma at USD 850 million in this transaction.
Lenz & Staehelin has advised Deutsche Börse AG and STOXX AG in this transaction, together with Hengeler Mueller, Munich. The team was led by Pascal Hinny (head Tax) and Hans-Jakob Diem (head Corporate and M&A) and included associates Stephan Brandner and Ann Francesca Weibel.