NEW YORK, Feb. 12, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Ryanair Holdings plc (Nasdaq:RYAAY) of Ireland, will become a component of the NASDAQ-100 Index(r) (Nasdaq:NDX) and the NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index (Nasdaq:NDXE) prior to market open on February 14, 2007. Ryanair Holdings plc will replace American Power Conversion Corporation (Nasdaq:APCC). Ryanair Holdings plc will also be included in the NASDAQ-100 Index Tracking Stock(sm) (Nasdaq:QQQQ).
Ryanair Holdings plc today has a NASDAQ listed market capitalization of $5.6 billion, which will be used in the NASDAQ-100 Index weighting, and a worldwide market capitalization of $12.3 billion. Ryanair is Europe's largest low fares airline with 19 bases and 454 low fare routes across 24 countries. Ryanair currently employs a team of 3,900 people and expects to carry approximately 50 million passengers this year, making it the world's largest international scheduled airline. The NASDAQ-100 Index, launched in January 1985, is one of the most widely followed benchmarks in the world. The NASDAQ-100 Index Tracking Stock represents ownership in the NASDAQ-100 Trust. The Trust holds a portfolio of equity securities that compose the NASDAQ-100 Index and aims to provide investment results that generally correspond with the performance of the Index.
NASDAQ is the largest U.S. electronic stock market. With approximately 3,200 companies, it lists more companies and, on average, its systems trade more shares per day than any other U.S. market. NASDAQ is home to companies that are leaders across all areas of business including technology, retail, communications, financial services, transportation, media and biotechnology. NASDAQ is the primary market for trading NASDAQ-listed stocks. For more information about NASDAQ, visit the NASDAQ Web site at http://www.nasdaq.com or the NASDAQ Newsroom at http://www.nasdaq.com/newsroom/.
The Trustee for the NASDAQ-100 Trust is required to adjust the composition of the Trust within three business days of the effective date of a change to the composition of the NASDAQ-100 Index.
The NASDAQ-100 Index Tracking Stock is subject to risks similar to those of stocks, including those regarding short selling and margin account maintenance. An investor cannot invest directly in the Index. Index performance does not reflect the fees and expenses associated with investing in the NASDAQ-100 Index Tracking Stock.
An investor should carefully consider investment objectives, risks charges and expenses before investing. For this and more complete information about NASDAQ-100 Index Tracking Stock(sm), a unit investment trust, obtain a prospectus from your broker, or call (888) 627-3837 or visit our Web site at www.nasdaq-100.com. Read it carefully before you invest.
While there is no assurance that the performance of the NASDAQ-100 Index can be fully matched, the NASDAQ-100 Index Tracking Stock is designed to provide investment results that generally correspond to the performance of the NASDAQ-100 Index before fees, expenses, and taxes. Past performance is not indicative of future performance.
ALPS Distributors, Inc., a registered broker-dealer, is distributor for the Trust.
The sponsor of the NASDAQ-100 Trust, a unit investment trust, is NASDAQ Global Funds, Inc. ("NGF"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. ("NASDAQ," and collectively with its affiliates except NGF, the "Corporations"). Investment returns and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor's shares, when redeemed or sold, may be worth more or less than the original cost.
"NASDAQ" and related marks are trademarks or service marks of NASDAQ and have been licensed for use for certain purposes by NGF. The NASDAQ-100 Index is comprised and calculated by NASDAQ without regard to the NASDAQ-100 Index Tracking Stock. The Corporations make no warranty, express or implied, and bear no liability with respect to NASDAQ-100 Index Tracking Stock. The Corporations and NGF make no warranty, express or implied, and bear no liability with respect to the NASDAQ-100 Index, its use or any data included therein. The Corporations do not guarantee the accuracy or the completeness of the Index, or any data used to calculate the index, or determine the index components.