Changes In The SMI And SPI

As a result of yesterday's meeting of the Index Commission, the SWX Swiss Exchange has resolved that the pending securities issues of Givaudan AG (a spin-off of the flavours and fragrances division of the Roche Group) and Syngenta AG (representing the spin-offs and merger of the agrochemical divisions of Novartis AG and Astra Zeneca Ltd.) will be included in the Swiss Market Index (SMI) as of their respective first trading day, rather than delaying such inclusion until the normal index adjustment date.

The regular changes in the composition of the SMI will be discussed in July 2000. The Swiss Performance Index (SPI) will be accorded a new industry segment in addition to those which already exist. This will make the SPI more easily comparable to other leading European indices. ,p> The new industry sub-divisions are as follows: Chemicals; Basic Ressources; Cyclical Goods and Services; Auto; Retail; Media; Food and Beverage; Non Cyclical Goods and Services; Energy; Bank; Insurance; Financial Services; Healthcare; Construction; Industrial Goods and Services; Technology; Telecom; Utility Suppliers.