NEW YORK CITY-NYSE Euronext, which operates the New York Stock Exchange, is being acquired by Atlanta-based IntercontinentalExchange for $8.2 billion, the two companies announced Thursday morning. The combined company will have dual headquarters here and in Atlanta, while maintaining the iconic Lower Manhattan exchange from which NYSE Euronext operates.

In a release, ICE says the deal for NYSE Euronext is about 67% cash and 33% stock. “We believe the combined company will be better positioned to compete and serve customers across a broad range of asset classes by uniting our global brands, expertise and infrastructure,” says Jeffrey Sprecher, ICE chairman and and CEO, in a statement. “With a track record of growth and returns, clearing and M&A integration, we are well positioned to transform our combined companies into a premier global exchange operator that remains a leader in market evolution.” Sprecher will continue as chairman and CEO of the combined company, while NYSE Euronext's Duncan L. Niederauer will be president of the combined company and CEO of NYSE Group.

ICE had partnered with Nasdaq OMX in an $11-billion bid for NYSE Euronext last year, at about the same time NYSE Euronext and Deutsche Boerse were pursuing a merger. Nasdaq and ICE withdrew their offer in May 2011 when it become clear that it wouldn't stand up to antitrust concerns on the part of federal regulators. The Nasdaq/NYSE Euronext combination would have been headquartered globally in New York City, rather than the dual head offices specified in the NYSE Euronext/Deutsche Boerse proposal. This past February, the NYSE/Deustche Boerse combination similarly ran afoul of European regulators.