FNG Exclusive… FNG has learned via regulatory filings that Canadian investment dealer Canaccord Genuity has acquired a 5.88% stake in London based Aquis Exchange plc.

The Canaccord filing indicated that the Vancouver-based firm acquired 1,596,916 shares of Aquis as of June 12, representing 5.88% of Aquis’ outstanding share capital. At current share prices the Canaccord stake in Aquis is worth £5.4 million (about USD $6.8 million, or CAD$9.3 million).

The shares were acquired by Canaccord on behalf of “discretionary clients” of the firm.

Aquis operates the Aquis Stock Exchange (formerly NEX Exchange), the chief rival to the London Stock Exchange and its AIM market for small and medium size growth companies in the UK. It is one of only four equities-focused Recognised Investment Exchanges (RIEs) in the UK. Aquis’s own shares trade on the London Stock Exchange Group’s AIM (ticker: AQX).

Canaccord Genuity Group Inc. is a global, full-service investment banking and financial services company that specializes in wealth management and brokerage in capital markets. It is the largest independent investment dealer in Canada.