NZFOX Options To List In Q1 2005

New Zealand Exchange Limited (NZX) wishes to advise all market participants that the NZFOX options products will list in February 2005.

“On the basis of recent market feedback regarding participant readiness, the need to concentrate attention on the recently launched FoX15 product, and the upcoming Christmas period, NZX has decided to delay the launch of the options contracts until February next year,” said Carl Daucher, NZX Strategy.

“NZX will use the intervening period to ensure that the introduction of the options in February will create real opportunities for both institutional and retail investors and we will be working with market participants in New Zealand and Australia to ensure that outcome.”

The five options will be the NZFOX Carter Holt Harvey Ltd Share Option, the NZFOX Contact Energy Ltd Share Option, the NZFOX Fletcher Building Ltd Share Option, the NZFOX Telecom Corporation of NZ Ltd Share Option and the NZFOX The Warehouse Group Ltd Share Option.

Details and final specifications on all NZFOX products are available on the NZX website at www.nzx.com/products. Further information on the NZX Futures & Options Rules can also be found on the NZX website at www.nzx.com/regulation.