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

"As a for-profit, publicly held company, the NYSE Group will be better positioned to grow, create value and compete globally. We will provide customers with more choice in trading, an advanced technology platform, a broader product mix, and listing opportunities among a wider group of companies.

"This is an exciting and historic time for the entire Exchange community, our Archipelago partners, our customers, our future shareholders and America’s investing public."

The SEC’s approval on the Exchange’s rule filing related to the merger, which was originally filed on Nov. 3, 2005 and subsequently amended, represents the final regulatory approval required for the merger, which will combine the world’s largest equities market and the first open, all-electronic stock market in the United States.

The merger of the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. and Archipelago Holdings, Inc. (PCX:AX) will be the largest ever among stock exchanges and will create a global multi-product, multi-asset class marketplace for the trading of listed and over-the-counter equities, fixed income products, options and other derivative products. NYSE Group, Inc. will trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol NYX.