Montreal Exchange In Negotiations To Increase Ownership In BOX To A Maximum Of 53%

Montreal Exchange Inc. (MX) (TSX: MXX) announced today that it is engaged in negotiations aimed at increasing its ownership position in the Boston Options Exchange (BOX) from 31.4% to a maximum of 53.2%, subject to regulatory approval by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

MX had previously intended to increase its participation in BOX to 44.7%, following an agreement to purchase a 13.3% stake signed in August 2006 with the Boston Stock Exchange (BSE). The current intention is to acquire the entire 21.9% partnership interest in BOX held directly and indirectly by the BSE.

Earlier in the day NASDAQ announced its intention to acquire the BSE, which is currently a partner in BOX. It should be noted that the regulation of the BOX market will continue without interruption.

With the completion of the transaction, the BOX partners will be MX, Citadel, Citigroup, Credit Suisse First Boston, Interactive Brokers, JP Morgan, Morgan Stanley and UBS.

MX became a founding partner and technical operator of BOX in 2002. BOX launched operations in February 2004 with a fully automated trading platform. BOX is recognized as one of the most technically advanced equity options exchanges competing in the US market.