NEW YORK, Sept. 18, 2008 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. (Nasdaq:NDAQ) today announced that The NASDAQ Stock Market(r) (NASDAQ(r)) has listed six new exchange-traded funds (ETF) sponsored by Invesco PowerShares Capital Management LLC -- a leading provider of ETFs.
NASDAQ is the most liquid U.S. market for ETFs, capturing 36.9% of all U.S. ETF volume in August. Average daily matched share volume was 458 million, more than any other U.S. exchange.
Effective today, NASDAQ listed the following new ETFs sponsored by Invesco PowerShares:
* PowerShares Global Agriculture Portfolio (PAGG) seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expense, of the NASDAQ OMX Global Agriculture Index(sm). * PowerShares Global Coal Portfolio (PKOL) seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expense, of the NASDAQ OMX Global Coal Index(sm). * PowerShares Global Steel Portfolio (PSTL) seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expense, of the NASDAQ OMX Global Steel Index(sm). * PowerShares Global Gold and Precious Metals Portfolio (PSAU) seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expense, of the NASDAQ OMX Global Gold and Precious Metals Index(sm). * PowerShares Global Progressive Transportation Portfolio (PTRP) seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expense, of the Wilder NASDAQ OMX Global Energy Efficient Transport Index(sm). * PowerShares Global Biotech Portfolio (PBTQ) seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expense, of the NASDAQ OMX Global Biotechnology Index(sm).
"These PowerShares ETFs will trade on the NASDAQ ETF Market, which is designed specifically to ensure that new ETFs enjoy high levels of liquidity and visibility," said John Jacobs, executive vice president, NASDAQ OMX Global Financial Products. "Our relationship with Invesco PowerShares -- a leading provider of ETFs -- shows our commitment to ETFs and those who invest in them."
"We are excited to expand our relationship with the NASDAQ OMX listing six new global equity portfolios that provide investors the convenience, transparency, and tax efficient benefits of the ETF structure," said Bruce Bond, president and CEO of Invesco PowerShares Capital Management LLC.
The addition of these six new ETFs increases to 12 the number of Invesco PowerShares ETFs that have listed on NASDAQ in 2008. A total of 27 Invesco PowerShares ETFs are currently listed on NASDAQ.
The NASDAQ ETF Market is designed specifically to support new ETFs such as PAGG, PKOL, PSTL, PSAU, PTRP and PBTQ. The focus of The NASDAQ ETF Market is the Designated Liquidity Provider, a Market Maker who has been selected to maintain liquidity in qualified ETFs (i.e., Qualified Securities). NASDAQ requires Designated Liquidity Providers to maintain a higher standard of market quality measured by spread, depth, and time quoting at or near the National Best Bid and Offer (NBBO). They receive price incentives to support ETFs during their period of initial listing, when ETFs need to develop more active trading.
NASDAQ OMX is a leading index calculator and designer and creator of some of the world's most popular ETFs. NASDAQ OMX indexes are the basis of 24 ETFs worldwide and the NASDAQ-100 Index(r) alone is the basis of more than 600 investment products in more than 36 countries.
For more information about the NASDAQ ETF Market, please contact Richard Keary, NASDAQ New Listings, at +1.212.401.8903 or richard.keary@nasdaqomx.com or NASDAQ Market Sales at 800.846.0047 or sales@nasdaq.com.
For more information about Invesco PowerShares' ETFs, please visit http://www.powershares.com/products/default.aspx.
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 largest 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 Group 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 Group 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 Group exchanges in Helsinki, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Iceland, Tallinn, Riga, and Vilnius. For more information about NASDAQ OMX, visit www.nasdaqomx.com.
About Invesco PowerShares
Invesco PowerShares is leading the intelligent ETF revolution through its family of more than 100 domestic and international index-based and actively managed exchange-traded funds. With assets under management as of June 30, 2008 of approximately $13.95 billion, PowerShares ETFs trade on all of the major U.S. stock exchanges that trade ETFs. For more information, please visit us at www.invescopowershares.com.
Invesco PowerShares is a part of Invesco Ltd., a leading independent global investment management company dedicated to helping people worldwide build their financial security. By delivering the combined power of its distinctive worldwide investment management capabilities, including AIM, Atlantic Trust, Invesco, Perpetual, PowerShares, Trimark, and WL Ross, Invesco provides a comprehensive array of enduring investment solutions for retail, institutional and high-net-worth clients around the world. Operating in 20 countries, the company is currently listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "IVZ." Additional information is available at www.invesco.com.
NASDAQ(r), OMX(r), NASDAQ OMX Global Agriculture Index(sm), the NASDAQ OMX Global Coal Index(sm), the NASDAQ OMX Global Steel Index(sm), the NASDAQ OMX Global Gold and Precious Metals Index(sm) and the NASDAQ OMX Global Biotechnology Index(sm) are trade/servicemarks of The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. (which with its affiliates are the "Corporations") and the Wilder NASDAQ OMX Global Energy Efficient Transport Index(sm) is a service mark of The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. and Wilder Transport Index LLC ("Wilder") and all are licensed for use by PowerShares Capital Management, LLC for purposes of the PowerShares Portfolios set forth above. The PowerShares Portfolios have not been passed on by the Corporations (or Wilder) as to their legality or suitability. The PowerShares Portfolios are not issued, endorsed or sold by the Corporations (or Wilder) and neither the Corporations nor Wilder makes any representation regarding the advisability of investing in the PowerShares Portfolios. NEITHER THE CORPORATIONS NOR WILDER MAKES ANY WARRANTIES OR BEARS ANY LIABILITY WITH RESPECT TO THE POWERSHARES PORTFOLIOS.
Neither the Corporations nor Wilder makes any recommendation to buy or sell any security. Investors should undertake their own due diligence before investing.
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 NASDAQ OMX's 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.
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