Deutsche Börse shares rose after it was disclosed that hedge fund TCI, led by Chris Hohn, has built a significant stake in the German exchange operator, marking a renewed investment in the company after a long absence from its shareholder base, according to a report by Bloomberg.

The stock gained around 2.6% in Frankfurt following confirmation that TCI holds approximately a 5.15% position in Deutsche Börse, structured through a mix of shares and derivatives. The disclosure positions the hedge fund as one of the company’s notable institutional investors once again.

Deutsche Börse said it welcomes TCI’s involvement and expects to maintain constructive engagement with shareholders, while sources familiar with the matter indicated that the stake is currently positioned as a long-term investment rather than an activist campaign.

TCI, founded by Chris Hohn, has a history with the exchange operator, including a previous period of active involvement during the mid-2000s when it played a high-profile role opposing Deutsche Börse’s attempted merger with the London Stock Exchange. The fund also supported a later, ultimately unsuccessful, merger proposal in 2016.

The latest position suggests a return to one of Europe’s most closely watched financial infrastructure names, though without any immediate indication of activist intent. Deutsche Börse shares have performed strongly this year, gaining more than 12%, with the latest disclosure adding further momentum to investor sentiment around the exchange group.