German exchange operator Deutsche Börse on Thursday said that more than 80% of shareholders tendered their shares by the deadline Wednesday, surpassing the level needed for the proposed blockbuster merger with rival exchange operator NYSE Euronext to proceed.

The acceptance rate, which is a preliminary figure, tops the 75% threshold needed for the deal, announced in February, to go through before the final count-including votes sent by mail by investors' custodian banks-has been tabulated.