NYSE Merger Symbolizes America's Financial Decline

The following commentary comes from an independent investor or market observer as part of TheStreet's guest contributor program, which is separate from the company's news coverage. The opinions expressed are those of the author and do not represent the views of TheStreet or its management.

NEW YORK (TheStreet) - The acquisition by merger of the New York Stock Exchange by Deutsche Borse is bad news for the U.S. economy. However, short of antitrust, the U.S. government is in no position to stop it, and antitrust concerns can be resolved without blocking the merger.

Efficiencies that derive from electronic trading technologies and 24/7 global trading in equities and derivatives make mergers and consolidation of leading stock exchanges across the globe inevitable.

Over past three decades, the United States has gone to great lengths to encourage other countries adopt more open investment policies, Germany is generally open to foreign investment, and the United States would champion the deal if the NYSE were acquiring DB.

The merger is 60-40 in favor of DB, which means that it will be the dominant party, even if seats on the board of directors are evenly split between NYSE and DB. Over time, this could have profound negative consequences.

First, is the obvious prestige impact. NYSE is the symbol of American capitalism, and essentially, it will be foreign-owned. This will further confirm in the minds of world political and financial leaders that gapping U.S. budget and trade deficits, and all the foreign borrowing and high unemployment that results, are significant attributes of an economic super power in decline.

The United Kingdom had a similar experience with trade deficits and borrowing in the 1950s and 1960s, and it went from the first tier of economic powers to the second, ultimately replaced by Germany and Japan. The United States will face growing difficulties in trying to influence global financial rules and institutions, as the Germans and Chinese will take the Americans less seriously.

Second, the takeover will erode New York's (hence the U.S.) primal position in global equities trading. Initially, electronic trading in New Jersey and backroom activities in New York and New Jersey may stay in place, but with technology evolving as it has, those activities can be moved anywhere. Pressure will mount to move to Europe or cheaper locations in Asia.