Easdaq, the pan-European market, faces further pressure in its bid for trading supremacy following revelations that the launch of its new low-cost electronic pan-European trading platform is six months behind schedule.

The delay until the end of the first quarter 2001 comes as Easdaq prepares to say goodby to Clive Pedder, its executive vice president of market development. Although Pedder's move to become the chief executive of a private international IT and software company, is more bad timing than anything else, it will be seen by many as a blow to Easdaq.