NYSE Euronext, Deutsche Boerse

By GREG KELLER AP Business Writer

PARIS (AP) - Officials at stock exchange operators NYSE Euronext and Germany's Deutsche Boerse AG say trading of their own shares has been halted - after shares of the New York-based stock exchange operator soared 12 percent.

Caroline Tourrier, spokeswoman for NYSE Euronext, said the stock exchange's shares were suspended pending a press release. She declined further comment.

A Deutsche Boerse spokesman declined to comment on why trading in its shares has been halted.

Two rival exchanges - the London Stock Exchange Group PLC and TMX Group Inc., which operates the Toronto Stock Exchange - announced a merger earlier Wednesday.

NYSE Euronext shares last traded at euro27 ($36.81), up 12 percent, while Deutsche Boerse's last quoted share price was euro58.42, up 1.7 percent.