NYSE Euronext (NYX) intends to spin off Paris-based Matif, Europe’s largest grain futures market. Matif will be included alongside the four European stock markets earmarked to be spun off as part of the $8.2 billion ICE takeover of NYSE Euronext.   By spinning off the Euronext franchise, ICE and NYX strive to counteract objections from European policymakers and regulators concerned about their diminished profile in the planned merged entity which will be headquartered in the U.S.  Matif milling wheat is the pricing benchmark for European grain producers and buyers and also serves as a guidepost for other commodities such as barley.  Volume of the Matif contract climbed to 7.5 million contracts last year.