News Centre

Statement By Securities And Exchange Commission Chairman Christopher Cox Concerning Subpoenas Of Journalists

Date 27/02/2006

SEC Chairman Christopher Cox issued the following statement in response to media reports over the weekend that the agency had "ordered columnists at two Dow Jones publications to provide information about conversations that they had with stock traders and analysts": The issuance of a subpoena to a journalist which seeks to compel production of his or her notes and records of conversations with sources is highly unusual. Until the appearance of media reports this weekend, neither the Chair

Standard & Poor's Announces Changes In The S&P/TSX Venture Composite Index

Date 27/02/2006

Standard & Poor's will make the following changes in the S&P/TSX Venture Composite Index after the close of trading on Monday, February 27, 2006: NEMI Northern Energy & Mining Inc. (TSXVN:NNE.A) will be removed from the index. The company will graduate to the TSX to trade under the same ticker symbol at the opening of trading on March 1, 2006. Newmex Minerals Inc. (TSXVN:NMM) will change its name to Pearl Exploration and Production Ltd. The company will trade under the new t

Standard & Poor's Announces Changes In S&P/TSX Canadian Indices

Date 27/02/2006

Standard & Poor's Canadian Index Operations announces the following index changes effective after the close of business on Tuesday, February 28, 2006: Hudson's Bay Company (TSX:HBC) will be removed from the S&P/TSX Composite and Capped Composite, the S&P/TSX MidCap and Equity MidCap, the S&P/TSX Equity and Capped Equity, the Provisional S&P/TSX Composite, the Provisional S&P/TSX MidCap and the S&P/TSX Capped Consumer Discretionary Indices. RioCan REIT (TSX:REI.UN) will replace Huds

Securities Industry Association: Industry Cost Of Compliance Increasing Dramatically

Date 27/02/2006

The Securities Industry Association (SIA) today released a study entitled The Costs of Compliance in the U.S. Securities Industry which found that compliance costs have nearly doubled in the past three years.

SEC: Martin Dunn Named Acting Director Of Division Of Corporation Finance

Date 27/02/2006

Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Christopher Cox has designated Martin P. Dunn to serve as Acting Director of the Division of Corporation Finance. Mr. Dunn has served as Deputy Director of the Division of Corporation Finance since 2002. Prior to that time, Mr. Dunn served in a number of senior positions in the Division, including Associate Director (Legal), Associate Director (Disclosure Operations), and Chief Counsel. Mr. Dunn joined the Commission as a staff attorney with the Divis

SEC Welcomes Plans of U.S., International Standard Setters For Convergence Of Accounting Systems

Date 27/02/2006

The Securities and Exchange Commission today welcomed the announcement by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) and the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) of a memorandum of understanding about their work plans from 2006-2008. Those plans indicate a commitment to make measurable progress towards improved and converged standards in a number of areas over the next several years.

SEC Halts “Paid Autosurf” Internet Ponzi Scheme That Raised Over $50 Million From 300,000 Investors Worldwide

Date 27/02/2006

The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced the filing of securities fraud charges against the operators of www.12dailypro.com, a “paid autosurf program” that in fact was a massive Ponzi scheme which raised more than $50 million from over 300,000 investors worldwide by offering a 44% return on investment in just 12 days. As a result of the SEC’s charges, the defendants, Charis Johnson, age 33, of Charlotte, N.C., and her companies, 12daily Pro and LifeClicks, LLC, ceased their solicit

Osaka Securities Exchange Modifications On Rules For Listing Of Strike Prices For Nikkei 225 Options

Date 27/02/2006

Summary of Modifications 1. Contracts to be affected: Nearest 3 Contract Months 2. Intervals between Strike Prices

NYSE/Archipelago Merger Gains Final SEC Approval - Transaction To Close March 7, 2006 - First Shares Of NYSE Group, Inc. To Trade March 8, 2006

Date 27/02/2006

"We have received SEC approval of the rule filing which completes the NYSE/Archipelago merger. The merger will close on March 7, 2006 and we plan to trade the first shares of the NYSE Group on March 8, 2006," said John A. Thain, Chief Executive Officer, New York Stock Exchange. "This will mark the beginning of a new era for the Exchange and America’s financial markets.

NYSE Composite Index Sets New Closing High

Date 27/02/2006

The New York Stock Exchange Composite Index® (NYA) closed at a new high of 8139.67 The previous closing high for the NYA was 8126.03 on Feb. 24, 2006.