StoneX Completes Acquisition of The Benchmark Company to Expand Investment Banking Capabilities
Rhea-AI Summary
StoneX Group (NASDAQ: SNEX) has successfully completed its acquisition of The Benchmark Company, a significant move that expands its investment banking capabilities. The acquisition, initially announced on March 11, 2025, integrates Benchmark's investment banking, equity research, and institutional sales and trading services into StoneX's operations.
Benchmark's team will be incorporated into StoneX's Institutional division, maintaining its brand initially to ensure client continuity. The acquired firm brings expertise in key sectors including Technology, Industrials, Consumer, and Healthcare. This strategic acquisition enhances StoneX's capital markets offering and strengthens its presence in Investment Banking and Equity Research, leveraging Benchmark's established client relationships and sector expertise.
Positive
- Strategic expansion of capital markets capabilities through acquisition of established investment banking firm
- Addition of specialized expertise in high-growth sectors (Technology, Industrials, Consumer, Healthcare)
- Enhanced service offering with complementary investment banking, equity research, and trading services
- Maintained Benchmark brand ensures client continuity while expanding global reach
Negative
- Integration costs and challenges may impact short-term performance
- Potential cultural integration risks between the two organizations
Insights
StoneX's acquisition of Benchmark expands capital markets capabilities, enhancing investment banking and research offerings through strategic vertical integration.
StoneX Group's completed acquisition of The Benchmark Company represents a strategic vertical integration that significantly enhances the firm's capital markets capabilities. This transaction adds complementary services in investment banking, equity research, and institutional sales and trading to StoneX's existing financial services ecosystem.
The acquisition delivers three key strategic benefits: First, it provides StoneX immediate access to specialized expertise in high-growth sectors including Technology, Industrials, Consumer, and Healthcare. Second, it creates cross-selling opportunities between StoneX's global client base and Benchmark's specialized offerings. Third, it enhances StoneX's ability to provide end-to-end financial services across its network spanning more than 70 offices on six continents.
The integration plan appears methodically structured, with Benchmark's operations being incorporated into StoneX's Institutional division while temporarily maintaining the Benchmark brand—a prudent approach to preserve client relationships and business continuity during the transition period. This strategic expansion follows the classic financial services consolidation playbook: acquire specialized capabilities that complement existing offerings while expanding the client base.
For StoneX, which already serves over 54,000 commercial and institutional clients, this acquisition represents an expansion of service depth rather than just geographic reach—potentially creating opportunities for higher-margin advisory services and deeper client relationships across their global network.
NEW YORK, Aug. 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- StoneX Group Inc. (NASDAQ: SNEX), a global financial services firm connecting clients to the markets across asset classes and geographies, today announced the successful completion of its acquisition of The Benchmark Company, LLC (“Benchmark”), a leading provider of investment banking, equity research, and institutional sales and trading services.
The transaction, originally announced on March 11, 2025, adds a complementary suite of capabilities to StoneX’s existing offerings, enhancing its capital markets offering and establishing a deeper presence in Investment Banking and Equity Research.
Strategic Fit and Integration Plans
Benchmark brings a seasoned investment banking team, as well as professionals across institutional sales, trading, and equity research. The firm is recognized for its strong client relationships in high-growth sectors such as Technology, Industrials, Consumer, and Healthcare.
“We’re excited to officially welcome Benchmark to the StoneX global network,” said Jacob Rappaport, Global Head of Equities at StoneX. “This acquisition represents a strategic step in broadening our capital markets capabilities. With Benchmark’s deep sector expertise and client relationships, we are well-positioned to deliver differentiated value to corporate and institutional clients globally.”
Benchmark’s team and operations will become part of StoneX’s Institutional division, with the Benchmark brand maintained in the near term to ensure continuity for clients and counterparties.
“Joining StoneX gives us the ability to scale our reach, leverage a global cross-asset product platform, and deepen the resources we can offer our clients,” said Richard Messina, Founder and CEO of Benchmark. “The cultural alignment and entrepreneurial mindset were key drivers for us, and we look forward to accelerating growth together.”
“Our combined vision is one of global growth and expansion,” said Anthony Di Ciollo, President of StoneX Financial Inc. “Benchmark clients will benefit from expanded resources and distribution, while existing StoneX clients gain access to greater insights and capabilities across capital markets.”
About StoneX Group Inc.
StoneX Group Inc., through its subsidiaries, operates a global financial services network that connects companies, organizations, traders, and investors to the global markets ecosystem through a unique blend of digital platforms, end-to-end clearing and execution services, high-touch support, and deep expertise. The company strives to be the one trusted partner to its clients, offering its network, products, and services to help them pursue trading opportunities, manage market risk, make investments, and improve business performance.
A Fortune 100 company headquartered in New York City and listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market (NASDAQ: SNEX), StoneX Group Inc. and its more than 4,400 employees serve over 54,000 commercial, institutional, and payments clients, as well as more than 400,000 retail accounts, across more than 70 offices on six continents. Further information is available at www.stonex.com.
About The Benchmark Company
Founded in 1988 and headquartered in New York City, The Benchmark Company, LLC is an institutionally focused firm specializing in research, sales and trading, and investment banking services. With operations across the United States, Benchmark is committed to promoting client success through superior service, market access, and in-depth industry expertise. Further information is available at www.benchmarkcompany.com.
For inquires, please contact:
Jacob Rappaport
Global Head of Equities, StoneX
jacob.rappaport@stonex.com
For more information, including press releases, executive bios, and multimedia resources, please visit the StoneX Media Room at https://www.stonex.com/en/media-room/.
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