Eurex To Introduce Two New Options On Swiss Mid-Cap Equities - Options On Kühne & Nagel International And Phonak To Be Introduced On September 18 - 16 Percent Increase In Turnover In Trading With Swiss Equity Options In First Half Of 2006

Eurex, the world's largest derivatives exchange, will introduce options on two additional Swiss mid-cap equities on September 18. Eurex is expanding its portfolio of successful and liquid Swiss equity options with new options on registered shares of Kühne & Nagel International and Phonak, bringing the total number of options on Swiss equities to 34.

In addition, the maximum maturity for options on the Swiss equities Ciba Spezialitätenchemie Holding and Swiss Life Holding will be extended from currently 24 months to 60 months due to continuously increasing volumes in both products.

Turnover in trading with Swiss equity options on Eurex is on the rise, furthering Eurex’s position as the leading exchange for the trading of European equity options. A total of around 34 million Swiss equity options were traded in the first half of 2006, a year-on-year increase of 16 percent (January – June 2005: 29 million).

Eurex lists options on approximately 180 equities from 11 countries. In the first half of 2006, the equity options segment turned over 154 million contracts, an increase of approximately 20 percent on the previous year.