US publisher Asset International has agreed to buy London-based financial online and magazine publisher The Trade, the first in what it says will be a string of media M&A deals for the privately owned company. The Trade publishes thetradenews.com and quarterly magazine The Trade, both of which cover the institutional global securities trading market—which fits with Asset International’s aim of becoming the world’s leading information provider for institutional investors. AI’s CEO James Casella becomes CEO of The Trade though its founder, John Lee, retains control of the company day-to-day. Private equity firm Austin Ventures bought out Asset International in December. Release.