News Centre

Boston Options Exchange Has Second Most Active Trading Session

Date 14/10/2004

BOX traded 219,883 contracts on October 13, its second most active session ever. Average daily volume for the last ten sessions exceeds 157,000 contracts, also a record.

BEL20® Monthly Selection List

Date 14/10/2004

Based upon the figures until the end of September 2004, Euronext Brussels communicates the new monthly selection list for the BEL20® index. The first three reserve candidates are Tessenderlo, CMB and Deceuninck. This list is valid for replacements that would occur from Monday 18 October 2004 up to and including Monday 15 November 2004 after trading hours. This list is also available on the Euronext website:

Tokyo Stock Exchange Joining SWIFT To Offer Corporate Action Announcements In ISO15022 Formats

Date 13/10/2004

Tokyo Stock Exchange, Inc. (TSE) announced today that it will start distribution of corporate action information through SWIFTNet from January, 2005. Participation in SWIFTNet will create direct links between TSE, the source of corporate action information, and financial institutions around the world.

The Philadelphia Stock Exchange To Begin Trading Options On The iShares FTSE/Xinhua China 25 Index Fund (FXI) On Tuesday, October 19 “ - Options To Trade Exclusively At The PHLX”

Date 13/10/2004

The Philadelphia Stock Exchange (PHLX) announced today that it will begin trading options on the iShares FTSE/Xinhua China 25 Index Fund (FXI) on Tuesday, October 19. This is the first time investors in the United States and abroad will be able to track the performance of the largest and most widely traded Chinese stocks by mirroring the FTSE/Xinhua China 25 Index, which captures the top Chinese stocks available to international investors by total market capitalization.

Thailand Finance Minister Presided Over The Launch Of The Securities Investors Protection Fund (SIPF) To Enhance Investors’ Confidence

Date 13/10/2004

The Chairman of the Federation of Thai Capital Market Organizations (FeTCO), Mr. Suthep Peetakanont, disclosed that today (October 13, 2004) the Finance Minister, Dr. Somkid Jatusripitak, presided over the inauguration ceremony of the Securities Investors Protection Fund (SIPF) and delivered membership certificates to the 28 securities companies that joined the SIPF.

Sydney Futures Exchange Signs A Memorandum Of Understanding With The Chicago Board Of Trade

Date 13/10/2004

Sydney Futures Exchange today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Chicago Board of Trade to record the intention of the two companies to work more closely in the areas of product development and distribution.

Share Changes In The S&P/ASX 50 Index

Date 13/10/2004

Standard & Poor’s will make the following changes in the S&P/ASX 50 Index effective after the close of trading Monday, October 18th, 2004: Foster's Group Limited (Australia, SEDOL: 6349268, GICS Code: 30201010) a member of the S&P/ASX 50 Index will increase its shares to 2,029,843,980. This change is due to a Dividend Reinvestment Plan.

Securities Industry Association’s <I>Capital Alert</i> Report To Congress: Brokers-Dealers Raise $117 Billion In 2Q ’04 To Help Drive Economy

Date 13/10/2004

The securities industry continues as the key driver of the American economy, raising more than $117 billion in capital in the second quarter of 2004, according to the latest edition of the Securities Industry Association’s Capital Alert report. The report, which was sent to Congress this week, provides data on capital raised by equity and debt issues on a state-by-state basis.

SEC Proposes IPO Allocation Reforms

Date 13/10/2004

The Securities and Exchange Commission today proposed amendments to Regulation M that would prohibit certain market activities that undermine the integrity and fairness of the offering process, particularly with respect to the allocation of Initial Public Offerings (IPOs). The amendments would also enhance the transparency of underwriters’ aftermarket activities.

SEC Charges Royal Ahold And Three Former Top Executives With Fraud; Former Audit Committee Member Charged With Causing Violations Of The Securities Laws

Date 13/10/2004

The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced the filing of enforcement actions alleging fraud and other violations against Royal Ahold (Koninklijke Ahold N.V.) (Ahold) and three former top executives: Cees van der Hoeven, former CEO and chairman of executive board; A. Michiel Meurs, former CFO and executive board member; and Jan Andreae, former executive vice president and executive board member. The Commission also charged Roland Fahlin, former member of Ahold's supervisory board and