Standard & Poor’s Index Services And ASX: Consultation Period For Review Of Index Treatment Of Foreign-Domiciled Companies Closes

On May 18, 2006, Standard & Poor’s Index Services announced that it was commencing a consultation period on the proposed introduction of foreign-domiciled companies into the domestic suite of Australian indices. As a result of the high level of interest within the core investment community, the initial consultation period was extended until June 23, 2006.

The consultation period has now concluded, with Standard & Poor’s Index Services and the ASX having received a number of submissions from a variety of key index stakeholders. Standard & Poor’s Index Services wishes to thank those who have taken the time to comment in such a detailed manner on what is a complex issue. The Australian Index Committee has commenced analysing the submissions, and will likely be in a position to provide further guidance to the market by September 2006.