Nasdaq Response To President Bush's "Corporate Responsibility" Speech

"The President's Wall Street speech was a much-needed effort to help restore investor confidence in America's capital markets," said Nasdaq CEO Wick Simmons. "The President's proposals to establish a Corporate Fraud Task Force, to double maximum prison terms for mail and wire fraud and to enhance prison time for criminal fraud are tough but necessary actions that must be taken in the current climate of investor skepticism. The President's recommendations are consistent with the reform principles Nasdaq has set forth and which it expects executives of its listed companies to faithfully adhere to."

Simmons continued, "The effectiveness of the world's capital markets depends on personal integrity and public trust. Ultimately, it's all about character and values. Nasdaq fully shares the President's belief that free and fair capital markets demand a renewed commitment to a higher corporate ethic, true board independence, information transparency and swift, harsh and certain punishment of acts of corruption. Those principles deserve the support of each and every capital market participant."

Nasdaq is the world's largest stock market. With nearly 4,000 companies, Nasdaq lists more companies and trades more shares per day than any other U.S. market. Over the past five years, Nasdaq has outpaced all other U.S. markets in listing IPOs. It is also home to category-defining companies that are leaders across all areas of business including technology, retail, communications, financial services, media and biotechnology industries. With operations on three continents, Nasdaq is a key driver of global capital formation.

For more information about The Nasdaq Stock Market, visit the Nasdaq Web site at http://www.nasdaq.com or the Nasdaq NewsroomSM at http://www.nasdaqnews.com.