TIMELINE: Bid approaches for the London Stock Exchange

(Reuters) - Nasdaq Stock Market Inc (NDAQ.O: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) is abandoning its 31 percent stake in the London Stock Exchange (LSE.L: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) five months after its takeover bid failed and as both pursue separate acquisition strategies in the consolidating sector.

Following is a chronology of key events leading up to the latest bid for Europe's biggest share market:

2004:

December 13 - Deutsche Boerse (DB1Gn.DE: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) offers 530 pence a share for LSE, valuing it at 1.3 billion pounds ($2.6 billion). The offer is rejected but the LSE leaves the door open to a possible bid.

December 20 - Euronext ENXT.PA (NYX.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) says it is also interested, adding that any bid would be all cash.

2005:

February 9 - Euronext pledges to make twice as many cost savings as Deutsche Boerse but still does not give an indicative price for any bid.

March 6 - Deutsche Boerse withdraws its proposed offer after it fails to win a recommendation from LSE management.

March 14 - Deutsche Boerse asks the UK and German competition watchdogs to continue examining its takeover plan so it can revive the bid if Euronext makes a firm offer.