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NASDAQ OMX Acquires Nord Pool ASA
March 17, 2010--The NASDAQ OMX Group,
Inc. (Nasdaq:NDAQ) announces the acquisition of Nord Pool ASA, the
world's largest power derivatives exchange and one of Europe's largest
carbon exchanges, following Statnett's and Svenska Kraftnät's decision
to exercise their option to sell the shares in the company. Financial
terms were not disclosed.
In October 2008, NASDAQ OMX acquired Nord Pool Clearing ASA and Nord
Pool Consulting AS from Nord Pool ASA. In addition, the owners of Nord
Pool ASA, Statnett and Svenska Kraftnät, received an option to sell the
shares in Nord Pool ASA to NASDAQ OMX at a later date. Statnett and
Svenska Kraftnät have now decided to exercise that option. The
transaction is subject to regulatory approvals. The acquisition does
not comprise the Nordic physical electricity market operated by Nord
Pool Spot AS.
Nord Pool ASA will be a part of NASDAQ OMX Commodities, which is the common offering within commodities from the NASDAQ OMX Group. Today's activity in Nord Pool ASA will continue from the premises in Lysaker outside of Oslo, Norway.
"The transaction has strong strategic rationale by reuniting the power
and carbon derivatives exchange and clearing business under the same
parent, allowing attractive upside opportunities," says Geir Reigstad,
Head of NASDAQ OMX Commodities. "It will broaden the current
commodities product range and the aim is to attract new financial
participants onto the platform and increase liquidity and volume."
Semi-Annual Review Of NASDAQ OMX Russia 15 Index
March 12, 2010-The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. today announced the results of the semi-annual review of the NASDAQ OMX Russia 15 Index (Nasdaq:NORUX15), which will become effective with the market open on Monday, March 22, 2010.
As a result of the review, OJSC MAGNIT will replace OJSC POLYUS GOLD in the NORUX15 index.
The NASDAQ OMX Russia 15 Index consists of the 15 largest and most traded Russian Depository Receipts listed on the London Stock Exchange International Order Book, providing investors with an attractive tool for exposure to the Russian market. The index acts as an underlying benchmark for NORUX15 derivatives and is suitable for exchange-traded funds, structured products and other index funds.
The index is reviewed on a semi-annual basis in March and September. Changes as a result of the review are effective after the market close on the third Friday in March and September. For more information about the NASDAQ OMX Russia 15 Index, visit https://indexes.nasdaqomx.com/Data.aspx?IndexSymbol=NORUX15.
Effective March 22, 2010, the NASDAQ OMX Russia 15 Index will consist of:
Evraz Group S.A. JSC RushHydro JSC Uralkali JSC VTB Bank LUKOIL (OAO) MMC Norilsk Nickel OAO Gazprom OAO NOVATEK OAO Severstal OAO Tatneft OJSC Magnit OJSC Novolipetsk Steel OJSC OC Rosneft Sistema JSFC Surgutneftegaz
Exchanges recover from Volcker rule
March 11, 2010--FTSE Mondo Visione Exchanges Index climbs 2.4% in February 2010: Strong performances from US based exchanges, led by NYSE Euronext and Intercontinental Exchange, boosted the overall performance of February’s FTSE Mondo Visione Exchanges Index.
All four US listed exchanges experienced an increase in share prices, showing strong recovery from the previous month which had seen them outperformed by Asia-Pacific based exchanges.
The Index*, which aims to reflect market sentiment and is a key indicator of exchanges performance, saw a 2.4% increase, with Bolsa Mexica leading the index table with a 13.4 per cent rise in shares.
9% rise in 2009 sovereign wealth assets to $3.51 trillion, Preqin says
March 11, 2010--Sovereign wealth fund assets increased an estimated 9% to an aggregate $3.51 trillion in 2009, partly the result of the global economic recovery, according to a Preqin report.
Norway’s Government Pension Fund-Global, Oslo, was among the funds with the largest gains — up 25% to well over $400 billion as of Dec. 31,
Some of the biggest declines were in Russia’s Reserve Fund, Moscow, down 54% to about $60 billion, and Chile’s Economic and Social Stabilization Fund, Santiago, falling 45% to about $11 billion, Preqin spokesman Sam Meakin said in a telephone interview.
Preqin said that among the 60 funds it studied, many are looking closely at portfolio diversification and greater exposure to alternative investments.
Mr. Meakin, in an e-mail response to questions, noted the following changes:
• Norway’s global fund announced plans in November to establish a new environmental investment portfolio to include natural resources, clean technology, environmental services and renewable energy.
• Korea Investment Corp., Seoul, awarded in the third quarter $100 million in secondary markets to Partners Group.
• China Investment Corp., Beijing, announced in September a $1 billion investment with hedge fund firm Oaktree Capital Management and $200 million with fixed-income manager Capula Investment Management.
Dow Jones Islamic Market Indexes Index Review Results: 1st Quarter 2009
March 11, 2010--Dow Jones Indexes today announced the results of the regular quarterly review of the Dow Jones Islamic Market Indexes. As part of this review, the index universe of the Dow Jones Islamic Market World Index will be expanded to include Russia. All changes will be effective after the close of trading on Friday, March 20, 2009.
In the Dow Jones Islamic Market World Index, 134 companies will be exchanged, which keeps the number of components in the index at 2,538.
With 50 additions and 60 deletions, the number of components in the Dow Jones Islamic Market Asia/Pacific Index will decrease to 1,088. In the Dow Jones Islamic Market Europe Index, 33 components will be added, while 32 components will be deleted. That brings the number of components in the index to 473. The number of components in the Dow Jones Islamic Market Americas Index will increase to 820, with 40 additions and 34 deletions. In the Dow Jones Islamic Market Middle East & Africa Index, 11 components will be added, while eight components will be deleted. That brings the number of components in the index to 157.
In the Dow Jones Islamic Market BRIC Equal Weighted Index, four components will be added, while one component will be deleted. That brings the number of components in the index to 73.
In the Dow Jones Islamic Market China Offshore Index, 19 components will be added, while one component will be deleted. That brings the number of components to 40. With two additions and 22 deletions, the number of components in the Dow Jones Islamic Market Hong Kong Index will decrease to 80. In the Dow Jones Islamic Market India Index, eight components will be added, while seven components will be deleted. That brings the number of components in the index to 202. The number of components in the Dow Jones Islamic Market Turkey Index will decrease to 32, with two additions and three deletions.
The total free-float market capitalization of the reconstituted Dow Jones Islamic Market World Index increased to US$8.53 trillion from US$8.05 trillion(1).
KRX and Eurex to Start Link in August 2010
Eurex to launch daily futures on KOSPI 200 Options on 30 August 2010/ KRX to extend global reach of its KOSPI 200 Options
March 10, 2010--Eurex, Europe’s largest derivatives exchange, and the Korea Exchange (KRX), a leading Asian exchange, today announced the start date of their Eurex/KRX Link, a product cooperation to trade and clear KOSPI 200 Options. In-soo Kim, Executive Director of KRX, and Michael Peters, member of the Eurex Executive Board, stated today that both exchanges are jointly preparing to launch daily futures on KOSPI 200 Options at Eurex on 30 August 2010. For the first time, KOSPI 200 Options will be available worldwide after Korean trading hours.
Mr. In-soo Kim said: “Our agreement with Eurex today is part of our strategy to extend the global reach of KRX markets and furthermore, it is in line with KRX’s vision of becoming a world-class premier exchange. Through this cooperation, we will provide round-the-clock trading opportunities in the KOSPI 200 Options market, which is already the most liquid exchange-traded derivative product in the world.”
Michael Peters said: “This cooperation is another major milestone in our strategy to extend our global product suite by offering our members access to existing liquidity pools. The listing at Eurex of the most heavily traded options contract in the world will enable international investors and traders to access the KOSPI 200 Options market during core European trading hours.”
Both partners believe that the cooperation will increase the liquidity and efficiency of the Korean market. This newly extended market for KOSPI 200 Options will provide existing market participants trading and hedging opportunities for KRX positions after Korean trading hours and the potential to take positions as the global market fluctuates.
SGX and STOXX reach consensus on licensing of the EURO STOXX 50 Index
March 10, 2010--Singapore Exchange (SGX) and STOXX Ltd. (STOXX), a global index provider and the creator of the leading European equity indices, today announced that they have reached a consensus on a licence agreement which will allow the SGX to list U.S. dollar denominated EURO STOXX 50® Index futures and options on futures.
Subject to regulatory approval, the targeted launch date for the U.S. dollar denominated futures and options on futures contracts will be in the second half of 2010.
The EURO STOXX 50 Index is Europe’s most successful equity index. It is weighted by float-adjusted market capitalization, and each component's weight is capped at 10% of the index's total free-float market capitalization. The EURO STOXX 50 Index represents 50 supersector leaders in the 12 Euro zone countries Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxemburg, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain. It captures approximately 60% of the free-float market capitalization of the EURO STOXX TMI Index, and is widely used as an underlying index for financial products globally.
NYSE Euronext Announces Trading Volumes for February 2010 ...
European Derivatives Trading Volumes Increase 44% on Stronger Fixed Income Product Activity;
Largest U.S. Equity Options Exchange Group with Market Share of 27% in February 2010;
European Cash Trading Volumes Increase 9%
March 10, 2010--NYSE Euronext (NYX) today announced trading volumes for its global derivatives and cash equities exchanges for February 2010[1].
Derivatives trading volumes in February 2010 recorded strong year-over-year growth, with European derivatives volumes increasing 44.2% and U.S. options trading volumes increasing 56.4%. Cash equities trading volumes were mixed in February 2010, with European cash transactions increasing 9.1% and U.S. cash equities trading volumes declining 35.7% from prior year elevated levels. Both European and U.S. cash trading volumes, however, remain above fourth quarter 2009 levels.
National Stock Exchange Of India And CME Group Announce Cross-Listing Relationship
March 10, 2010--The National Stock Exchange of India (NSE), the largest stock exchange in India, and CME Group, the world's leading and most diverse derivatives marketplace, today announced cross-listing arrangements, including license agreements covering benchmark indexes for U.S. and Indian equities. The parties have also entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with respect to other areas of potential cooperation, including related to development and distribution of financial products and services.
Under the cross-listing arrangements, the S&P CNX Nifty Index (the Nifty 50), the leading Indian benchmark index for large companies accounting for 22 sectors of the Indian economy, will be made available to Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME), for the creation and listing of U.S. dollar denominated futures contracts for trading on CME, and the rights to the S&P 500® and Dow Jones Industrial Average™ (DJIA®) will also be made available to NSE for the creation and (subject to regulatory approval) listing of Rupee-denominated futures contracts for trading on NSE. The license to the Nifty 50 from NSE's affiliate India Index Services & Products Ltd. (IISL), which is exclusive to CME Group within the Americas and Europe, is in addition to the existing licensing arrangement between Singapore Exchange Ltd. (SGX) and IISL. The sublicenses to the S&P 500 and DJIA indexes, which are exclusive to NSE for Rupee-denominated futures contracts traded within India, are being made available via sublicenses from CME Group and each of Standard & Poor's and Dow Jones, respectively.
NASDAQ OMX Commemorates Its 20-Year Anniversary In Silicon Valley
World's Largest Exchange Celebrates Innovation And Entrepreneurship Of America's Game-changers
March 10, 2010--The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. (Nasdaq:NDAQ) will celebrate the 20-year anniversary of its presence in California's Silicon Valley on Tuesday, March 16, 2010. To mark the milestone, NASDAQ OMX will host several events including remote Opening and Closing Bell ceremonies from San Jose City Hall, and a press briefing to discuss NASDAQ OMX's initiatives, prospects for the valley and its IPO market.
During the remote Closing Bell ceremony, San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed will deliver a proclamation naming March 16, 2010 "NASDAQ Day" in honor of the exchange company's significance to Silicon Valley and its role in supporting economic growth over the last 20 years and in the future. In 1990, NASDAQ OMX established its office in Palo Alto, and it is currently based on Sand Hill Road in Menlo Park, California.
Bruce Aust, Executive Vice President, Global Corporate Client Group, NASDAQ OMX, commented, "We are proud that NASDAQ OMX established a presence in the Valley when many of today's major office parks were still fruit orchards. We are also proud to have served as the capital formation engine for so many Valley companies who have truly changed the world. The Silicon Valley area is a unique eco-system that cities all over the world have tried to emulate, and we will continue to play an important role in that growth well into the future."
With 513 listed companies from California and 203 companies from Silicon Valley listed on The NASDAQ Stock Market, the world's largest exchange company has also seen increased listings momentum through IPOs and listing applications since the second half of 2009. Since 2009, NASDAQ OMX has won 41 IPOs that have raised $8.3 billion. Currently the exchange has 102 listing applications in the pipeline from sectors including biotech, technology, and social media. There are 28 companies in Silicon Valley that are part of the NASDAQ-100 index, seven of which are headquartered in San Jose.
Mark Heesen, President of the National Venture Capital Association said, "Over the last 20 years the venture capital industry and NASDAQ have brought to the public markets some of the most exciting and value-added companies trading today. The resulting job creation and innovation have proven to be a tremendous source of economic growth for Silicon Valley and the country. We look forward to working with entrepreneurs to bring more emerging growth companies public on NASDAQ for the next 20 years and beyond."
Credentialed members of the press are invited to attend the NASDAQ OMX Silicon Valley Press Briefing with NASDAQ OMX CEO Bob Greifeld, Executive Vice President Bruce Aust, and San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed. The briefing will take place following the remote closing bell from 1:15-2:15 p.m. PST at San Jose City Hall, Room 120. Please RSVP to Marisha.chinsky@nasdaqomx.com.
