FTSE/Xinhua Appoints Amex Chairman Salvatore F. Sodano To International Index Committee

Salvatore F. Sodano, chairman & CEO of the American Stock Exchange, has been appointed to the FTSE/Xinhua Index Committee which oversees the FTSE/Xinhua China series of domestic indexes for Mainland China, which are designed to be used by both foreign and domestic investors. Mr. Sodano joins a respected group of international financial executives from companies such as Hang Seng Investment Management, Barclays Global Investors, Nomura Securities, Hewitt Associates, and Long Investment Management, among others. Representatives from the Shanghai Futures Exchange and the Shenzhen Stock Exchange are also among the committee's members.

"The Chinese economy is growing at an incredible rate, and the development of its capital markets will be a critical factor in assuring rational, sustained economic development," said Mr. Sodano. "The leadership of Xinhua and FTSE Group in developing sound and reliable indexes will help China attract foreign investment and keep it firmly on the path of becoming a full partner in the global economy."

The committee will be called on to ensure that the FTSE/Xinhua China index series will be a relevant and useful tool for investors anywhere in the world. More information on the FTSE/Xinhua China series can be found at www.ftse-xinhua.com.

The FTSE/Xinhua appointment is the latest in the continuing involvement for Mr. Sodano in the Chinese market. Last year, Mr. Sodano was appointed by the Mayor of Beijing to the Zhongguancun Science Park Advisory Committee. Zhongguancun is the flagship development zone of China's high tech sector. In addition, Mr. Sodano served as the keynote speaker at last year's annual Beijing International High Tech Week Conference. In May, Mr. Sodano will serve as Honorary Chairman and international keynote speaker for the World Trade Organization China Capital Markets Forum