American Stock Exchange Signs To List And Trade Russell Equity Indexes Options - Will Launch Options Based On Russell U.S. Equity Indexes, Joining Current Options Trading In Russell-Based ETFs

The American Stock Exchange (Amex) announced today it received rights to trade options based on all of the 21 Russell U.S. equity indexes, including the Russell 1000 Index, which tracks large-cap stocks, and the Russell 2000 Index, which tracks small-cap issues.

The Amex currently lists 12 exchange traded funds (ETFs) based on Russell indexes and trades options based on seven of those Russell-based ETFs.

Russell equity indexes are all market cap-weighted and include only common stocks incorporated in the United States and its territories. All Russell indexes are subsets of the Russell 3000 Index, which represents approximately 98% of the investable U.S. equity market.

"We are pleased to be able to bring Russell-based products to the Amex," Mike Bickford, senior vice president and head of the Amex's Options business, said. "As a premier options exchange, these products will flourish at the Amex and benefit from the speed and stability of our market structure and new trading technology."

"The American Stock Exchange has long been viewed as a key innovator in the development and introduction of index-based products," said Kelly Haughton, strategic director for Russell indexes. "That"s why it's particularly gratifying to us that Amex will soon offer options products based on Russell indexes. As further options markets participants take advantage of Russell-based product offerings, we're sure to see a positive impact on volume and liquidity."

Amex will launch options based on the Russell indexes following Securities and Exchange Commission approval.