The operator of the Toronto Stock Exchange will determine “the need for a new and highly differentiated exchange” for early-stage companies and alternative asset classes to complement its TSX Venture Exchange, it said in a report Wednesday. (The Logic)

Talking point: TMX said it has heard that accessing its market “can be burdensome for some companies due to cost, time or other obstacles,” and that prevents them from pursuing a public listing. This year, it will explore a faster, cheaper and more flexible route to go public for companies, it said. The announcement comes amid a dearth of initial public offerings globally as changing economic conditions keep many firms on the sidelines. The TMX also said it plans to introduce a new “passport” process to help companies list and raise capital faster. Other items on its Venture Forward plan, which launched a year ago, include giving listed firms access to more digital products and launching TSXV Sandbox to support novel companies and transaction structures.