Deutsche Boerse and Nasdaq Hit by EU Derivatives Cartel Probe

Deutsche Boerse AG and Nasdaq Inc. risk hefty European Union fines after the bloc’s antitrust watchdog opened a full-scale investigation into a suspected cartel linked to listing, trading and clearing of derivatives.

The European Commission said Thursday it had concerns the firms may have entered into “agreements or concerted practices not to compete.” The firms may also have allocated demand, coordinated prices and exchanged commercially sensitive information, it said.