Nymex Issues Statement On Interest In Acquiring Greater Equity In The International Petroleum Exchange

In response to press inquiries, the New York Mercantile Exchange, Inc., Chairman Daniel Rappaport today issued the following statement:

"The New York Mercantile Exchange, Inc., currently owns 136,720 ordinary shares in IPE Holdings plc, which is approximately 1.2% of IPE's issued ordinary capital. The Exchange confirms that it remains interested in making an offer for all or (subject to U.K. City Code on Takeovers and Mergers) some of the remaining issued ordinary share capital. The Exchange's current intention is that any such offer would only be made, if at all, with the support of the IPE board (although we reserve the right to waive this precondition in the future). No such proposal has been approved at this time by the board of the New York Mercantile Exchange."