NYSE Euronext's European cash markets will clear through LCH.Clearnet for a further six years, according to an agreement announced today, ending years of uncertainty over the exchange's clearing plans for equities in the region.

The revised contract will commence on January 1 and run through to 2018. It replaces an existing contract that was due to expire on December 31, 2013. The technical elements of the agreement are still being finalised but LCH.Clearnet expects to reduce its fees for clearing blue chip stocks by 20% to €0.04, the firms said this morning.