Eurex To Introduce Index Options On The European Mid-Cap Indices MDAX And SMIM - New Options To Be Launched On July 24, 2006

Eurex, the world's largest derivatives exchange, will introduce index options on the German mid-cap index MDAX® and Swiss mid-cap index SMIM on July 24, 2006. This will further expand Eurex’s portfolio of mid cap products following the successful launch of index futures on the MDAX and the SMIM. An average of ca. 3,800 MDAX index futures contracts per day was traded in June 2006. The launch of the product was in March 2005.

Eurex offers a wide range of mid-cap derivatives, including options on German and Swiss mid-cap equities and futures and options on the Dow Jones STOXX Mid® 200. In addition, U.S. traders have had direct access to the MDAX future since the U.S. regulator Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) issued the necessary approval in March 2006.