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Standard & Poor’s Announces Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS®) Changes To The S&P Composite 1500 Index

Date 04/04/2005

On December 6, 2004, Standard & Poor’s and Morgan Stanley Capital International Inc. (MSCI) announced the results of the annual review of the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS®). Effective after the close of business April 29, 2005, definitions for several GICS categories will be changed slightly and several new categories will be implemented, to provide a more accurate picture of these groups in the global investment landscape. From that date forward the GICS structure will be comprised of 10 sectors, 24 industry groups, 64 industries and 139 sub-industries. For detailed information on the results of the GICS annual review, a list of revisions to the GICS structure and newly modified definitions, please see www.standardandpoors.com/gics .

A complete list of S&P Composite 1500 Index companies whose GICS designations have changed as a result of the review follows at the end of this release.

Additions to and deletions from an S&P equity index do not in any way reflect an opinion on the investment merits of the companies concerned.

About Standard & Poor's

Standard & Poor's, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE:MHP), is the world's foremost provider of independent credit ratings, indices, risk evaluation, investment research, data and valuations. With 6,000 employees in 21 countries, Standard & Poor's is an essential part of the world's financial infrastructure, and has played a leading role for more than 140 years in providing investors with the independent benchmarks they need to feel more confident about their investment and financial decisions. For more information, visit www.standardandpoors.com.

Founded in 1888, The McGraw-Hill Companies is a leading global information services provider meeting worldwide needs in the financial services, education and business information markets through leading brands such as Standard & Poor's, BusinessWeek and McGraw-Hill Education. The Corporation has more than 280 offices in 37 countries. Sales in 2004 were $5.3 billion. Additional information is available at www.mcgraw-hill.com.