RENEE MONTAGNE, Host: The battle of the Bourses is at the top of NPR's business news.</s>RENEE MONTAGNE, Host: NASDAQ hit back last night with a statement saying its offer is superior. If NASDAQ decides to pursue its plan, it could start a hostile bidding war and appeal directly to the shareholders of the New York Stock Exchange.</s>STEVE INSKEEP, Host: Economists are concerned about higher gas prices cutting into consumer spending and affecting the broader economy.
Officials at the New York Stock Exchange rejected an offer by Nasdaq to buy the NYSE for $11.3 billion. The company said it was sticking with an earlier offer made by Germany's Deutsche Bourse for about $10 billion. Meanwhile, prices at the gas pump are at a 30 month high. As oil prices near $113 a barrel, the national average for regular gas has hit $3.74.