Zarb Lauds Microsoft's And Intel's Inclusion In Dow Jones Average As Reflective Of New Economy - First Nasdaq Stocks To Be Included In Dow Jones Industrial Average On November 1

Frank G. Zarb, Chairman and CEO of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (NASD®)-parent of The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc.-praised the announcement this morning by Dow Jones Indexes Editor John C. Prestbo that the first Nasdaq® stocks will be included in the Dow Jones Industrial Average on November 1. "We're pleased by the decision to include Microsoft and Intel in the Dow Jones Average as it reflects the importance of these two companies in the new economy," said Zarb. "Microsoft and Intel now will be part of the Nasdaq-100®, as well as the Dow Jones Industrial Average, and that's a very special position. The companies that are being replaced are fine companies, but Dow Jones has carefully weighed all the factors involved and arrived at their decision. The inclusion of these two Nasdaq companies makes the Dow more reflective of today's global economy." The Nasdaq Stock Market® lists nearly 5,000 companies, has a larger dollar volume, and trades more shares per day than any other U.S. market. Nasdaq is a subsidiary of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., the largest securities-industry, self-regulatory organization in the United States. For more information about Nasdaq, visit the Nasdaq Web site at www.nasdaq.com or the Nasdaq NewsroomSM at www.nasdaqnews.com.