Mondo Visione Worldwide Financial Markets Intelligence

FTSE Mondo Visione Exchanges Index:

The American Stock Exchange Reports Increase In Short Interest

Date 21/10/2002

The American Stock Exchange (Amex) member and non-member organizations today reported short interest of 508,476,752 shares as of the October 15 settlement date, an increase of 78,445,824 from the 430,030,928 (adjusted) shares reported in mid-September. The October figure represents trades through October 9, 2002.

In the year ago period, short interest totaled 377,563,693 (adjusted).

The October short interest position reflects short interest reported by all broker-dealers (not only Amex member firms) in Amex-listed stocks. A short position of 5,000 or more shares existed in 447 of the approximately 777 issues traded at the Exchange. Some short position was shown in 698 issues.

The attached short interest report was compiled by the Amex on the basis of information obtained from its member and non-member organizations covering all securities dealt in on the Exchange on both round and odd-lots.

Short interest for the preceding 12 months is shown below:

September 13, 2002 430,030,928 (A) March 15, 2002 501,719,431 (A)
August 15, 2002 466,244,596 (A) February 15, 2002 460,007,485 (A)
July 15, 2002 417,425,946 (A) January 15, 2002 441,155,816 (A)
June 14, 2002 406,093,260 (A) December 14, 2001 465,110,638 (A)
May 15, 2002 484,282,437 (A) November 15, 2001 448,885,831 (A)
April 15, 2002 471,093,059 (A) October 15, 2001 377,563,693 (A)

Changes in The Amex's Short Interest Reporting:

Please be advised that there is a new way of accessing short interest information for the Amex through www.amextrader.com. Access to the site will be in addition to the standard Amex press release on short interest. Interested members of the media must contact Eleanor Henry at the Amex in advance by phone at 212-306-1529 or email at ehenry@amex.com to obtain an ID and password to access the site on www.amextrader.com. This page will be available only to registered members of the media. The report will be available by 2:00 p.m. on the publication date.