NEW YORK, Aug. 18, 2008 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. (Nasdaq:NDAQ) announced the introduction today of a new series of global indexes designed to benchmark the performance of some of the world's most dynamic sectors. These new indexes are a continuation of NASDAQ OMX's commitment to designing and calculating world-class indexes. The NASDAQ OMX Global Sector Index Series is the latest series of indexes launched by NASDAQ OMX Global Financial Products (GFP).
The Global Sector Series is initially focusing on the following four sectors:
The NASDAQ OMX Global Biotechnology Index(sm) (Nasdaq:QGBI) is a modified market-capitalization weighted index designed to track the performance of the largest and most liquid companies engaged in the biotechnology sector;
The NASDAQ OMX Global Coal Index(sm) (Nasdaq:QCOL) is a modified market-capitalization weighted index designed to track the performance of the largest and most liquid companies engaged in the exploration for, mining of and other related activities for coal;
The NASDAQ OMX Global Steel Index(sm) (Nasdaq:QSTL) is a modified market-capitalization weighted index designed to track the performance of the largest and most liquid companies engaged in the manufacturing and storage of iron and steel products; and
The NASDAQ OMX Global Gold & Precious Metals Index(sm) (Nasdaq:QGLD) is a modified market-capitalization weighted index designed to track the performance of the largest and most liquid companies engaged in the gold, silver and other precious metals mining industries.
"These new NASDAQ OMX indexes will help international investors better manage their exposure to these increasingly important global sectors," said NASDAQ OMX Executive Vice President John Jacobs. "Their introduction underscores our commitment to providing investors with relevant, objective rules-based indexes."
The indexes will be calculated in real-time across the combined exchanges and will be disseminated in dollars. The indexes will begin calculating on August 18, 2008 with a value of 250.00.
About NASDAQ OMX Global Financial Products
NASDAQ OMX Global Financial Products (GFP) is engaged in the design, development, calculation, licensing, and marketing of NASDAQ OMX indexes. GFP specializes in the development of indexes focusing on NASDAQ OMX's brand themes of innovation, technology, growth, and globalization. GFP also provides custom index services and design solutions as a third-party provider to selected financial organizations. For more information about NASDAQ OMX indexes, visit www.nasdaq.com/indexes.
About NASDAQ OMX
The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. is the world's broadest and most diverse exchange company. It delivers trading, exchange technology, and public company services across six continents, and with over 3,900 companies, it is number one in worldwide listings among major markets. NASDAQ OMX offers multiple capital raising solutions to companies around the globe, including its U.S. listings market; the OMX Nordic Exchange, including First North; and the 144A PORTAL Market. The company offers trading across multiple asset classes including equities, derivatives, debt, commodities, structured products, and ETFs. NASDAQ OMX technology supports the operations of over 70 exchanges, clearing organizations and central securities depositories in more than 50 countries. OMX Nordic Exchange is not a legal entity but describes the common offering from Nasdaq OMX exchanges in Helsinki, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Iceland, Tallinn, Riga, and Vilnius. For more information about NASDAQ OMX, visit www.nasdaqomx.com.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
The matters described herein may contain forward-looking statements that are made under the Safe Harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements about the NASDAQ OMX Global Biotechnology Index, the NASDAQ OMX Global Coal Index, the NASDAQ OMX Global Steel Index, the NASDAQ OMX Global Gold & Precious Metals Index, and NASDAQ OMX's other products and offerings. We caution that these statements are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties or other factors beyond NASDAQ OMX's control. These factors include, but are not limited to, factors detailed in NASDAQ OMX's annual report on Form 10-K, and periodic reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. We undertake no obligation to release any revisions to any forward-looking statements.
The NASDAQ OMX Global Coal Index, the NASDAQ OMX Global Biotechnology Index, the NASDAQ OMX Global Steel Index, and the NASDAQ OMX Global Gold & Precious Metals Index ("Indexes") are the exclusive property of The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc., and with its affiliates, is collectively "NASDAQ OMX". NASDAQ OMX has contracted with Standard & Poor's ("S&P") to calculate and maintain the Indexes. S&P shall have no liability for any errors or omissions in calculating the Indexes.
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