The offer is the latest attempt at an exchange mega-merger after multiple failures between LSE and Deutsche Boerse over the last 17 years.

The LSE's share price, up more than 2,000% since it listed in 2001, reflects its frequent position as a bid target.

MARCH 2017

An attempted merger between Deutsche Boerse and the London exchange was struck down by European regulators.

MARCH 2016

ICE said https://www.reuters.com/article/us-lse-m-a-interconti-exc/nyse-owner-ice-may-gatecrash-deutsche-boerse-lse-merger-idUSKCN0W33SQ it might launch a rival bid to Deutsche Boerse's offer for LSE but shelved https://www.reuters.com/article/us-lse-m-a-ice/ice-shelves-plans-for-london-bourse-counter-bid-idUSKCN0XV1D7 those plans in May.

FEBRUARY 2016

Nearly 16 years after their first attempt to merge, LSE and Deutsche Boerse confirmed https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-lse-m-a-deutsche-boerse/lse-and-deutsche-boerse-in-merger-talks-to-create-european-heavyweight-idUKKCN0VW1E2 they were holding detailed discussions on an all-share merger.

MAY 2014

LSE announced https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-lse-acquisition/lse-in-talks-to-buy-russell-to-expand-in-u-s-stock-indices-idUKKBN0DT12P20140513 talks to buy Russell Investments in a deal to expand its stock index business in the United States.

MARCH 2013

LSE acquired https://www.reuters.com/article/us-londonstockexchange/lse-and-lch-agree-revised-426-million-offer-idUSBRE9260E520130307 a majority stake in LCH Clearnet and has built its holding since. Clearing houses offered investment opportunities as regulators cracked down on markets.

FEBRUARY 2011

LSE agreed a merger with TMX Group, which operates the Toronto Stock Exchange. LSE's plans collapsed https://www.reuters.com/article/us-tmx-halt/lse-tmx-abort-their-merger-leaving-both-in-play-idUSTRE75S5KL20110629 in June 2011 in the face of a competing bid.

DECEMBER 2009

LSE bought https://www.reuters.com/article/us-lse-turquoise/lse-adds-turquoise-color-to-trading-idUSTRE5BK0QN20091221 a majority stake in platform rival Turquoise, granting it immediate access to pan-European share trading.

JUNE 2007

LSE agrees https://www.reuters.com/article/us-borsa-lse/lse-seals-2-2-billion-borsa-italiana-deal-idUSL2368118820070623 to buy its Italian counterpart for 1.6 billion euros ($1.8 billion), aiming to become "the world's capital market".

MARCH 2006

LSE rejects a $4.2 billion offer from Nasdaq. Bid turns hostile and Nasdaq's approach falls through in February 2007.

DECEMBER 2005

Macquarie makes a formal cash offer for LSE valuing it at 1.5 billion pounds.

DECEMBER 2004

Deutsche Boerse offers 520 pence a share for LSE, valuing it at 1.3 billion pounds ($1.6 billion). Proposed offer is withdrawn in March 2005.

SEPTEMBER 2000

LSE abandons a planned merger with its German counterpart which was announced in May.

AUGUST 2000

The Stockholm Stock Exchange launches a hostile bid for the LSE.

(Reporting by Noor Zainab Hussain in Bengaluru; Editing by Elaine Hardcastle)