A recent article by F.William Engdahl responding to the notion that the proposed Iranian oil bourse is the driving factor behind a march to war with Iran. According to the author, the oil-for-Euros standard that the new oil exchange is supposed to create is an unrealistic outcome. Engdahl makes his case against the recently popularized notion of an Iranian oil bourse unseating the dollar's hegemoney in this editorial from Financial Sense.
S&P cut Nasdaq's credit rating to junk status citing debt burdens and its questionable strategy to buy a controlling interest in the London Stock Exchange. Financial Times reported that the exchange's counterparty credit & bank loan rating were lowered fromm BBB- (lowest investment grade rating) to BB+. The change will increase Nasdaq's borrowing costs should it wish to pursue aquisition targets. For an earlier look at the exchange consolidation trend that brought about Nasdaq's push for a stake in the LSE, please see "Exchange fever" .