Creates NASDAQ OMX Commodities - a leading offer for energy related derivatives (Lysaker, 22 October 2008) — The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:NDAQ) announced the completion of its acquisition of Nord Pool's clearing, international derivatives and consulting subsidiaries. The combined companies will launch a new offering, ‘NASDAQ OMX Commodities,' based on Nord Pool's energy and carbon derivatives products. The regulated exchange, Nord Pool ASA, will remain a separate entity while clearing operations and all international products listed on Nord Pool ASA will be accounted for within NASDAQ OMX. Through gaining control of the Nord Pool clearing operations, NASDAQ OMX Commodities becomes the world leader in cleared power derivatives volumes. “With NASDAQ OMX Commodities, our intent is to create a global leader in energy derivatives and carbon products,” said Bob Greifeld, chief executive officer of NASDAQ OMX. “Combining Nord Pool's footprint in the commodities market with NASDAQ OMX's global distribution capabilities and customer base puts us in a unique position to create a financial center for energy related derivatives. As one company we can meet our customers' demands for trading in multiple asset classes, allowing us to grow liquidity in both existing and new markets.” Geir Reigstad, previously senior vice president of projects at Nord Pool ASA, will be appointed head of NASDAQ OMX Commodities, reporting directly to Hans-Ole Jochumsen, executive vice president NASDAQ OMX Nordic Transactions Services. “Under NASDAQ OMX Commodities we will be very well positioned for the increased competition and consolidation in the global energy market, and have the ability to introduce new products,” said Geir Reigstad. “When integrating our technology platforms, both customer bases will be able gain access to asset classes at each others markets through one single interface, providing efficiency advantages for all our members.” “In addition to Nord Pool's strong commodities and consulting offer, the transaction enables us to benefit from cost synergies on the clearing side,” said Hans Ole Jochumsen, executive vice president at NASDAQ OMX Transaction Services and head of the NASDAQ OMX Nordics. “Through the procurement of Nord Pool's clearing operations, we will handle clearing of all energy and carbon related products traded at Nord Pool, allowing our members to benefit from NASDAQ OMX's risk capital stability and confidence in the market.” Financial details of the acquisition NASDAQ OMX has acquired 100 percent of the shares in Nord Pool ASA's subsidiaries Nord Pool International, Nord Pool Clearing ASA and Nord Pool Consulting. The latter contains Nord Pool's international products, including CO2 (carbon) products and the international power contracts. NASDAQ OMX paid 2,182 million NOK (approximately 325 million USD) for the shares, of which 1,725 million NOK in cash and 457 million NOK in a vendor note due to current owners of Nord Pool within 18 months after completion. Furthermore, NASDAQ OMX has agreed to potential further earn-out payments of maximum 800 million NOK (approximately 119 million USD) based on volume over a five year period. Future Nord Pool ASA responsibilities The exchange license will still be held by Nord Pool ASA, maintaining the responsibility for operating the exchange traded products, including those owned by Nord Pool ASA (Nordic derivatives) and NASDAQ OMX Commodities (German/Dutch power derivatives and carbon contracts). Nord Pool ASA remains in charge of the financial market surveillance, market conduct rules and the trading rulebook in close cooperation with Nord Pool Spot AS. The parameters influencing price will still be published first and simultaneously to all members through the existing Nord Pool group information channels. Existing Nord Pool customers will not be affected by the transaction with regard to the trading and clearing or day-to-day contacts with the Nord Pool ASA exchange. For more information about the transaction and future organization within Nord Pool ASA and NASDAQ OMX Commodities, see http://www.nordpool.com/asa www.nordpool.com/asa and http://www.nasdaqomx.com/commodities www.nasdaqomx.com/commodities . About NASDAQ OMX Group The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. is the world's largest exchange company. It delivers trading, exchange technology and public company services across six continents, with over 3,900 listed companies. 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 http://www.nasdaqomx.com/ www.nasdaqomx.com . About Nord Pool ASA Nord Pool ASA is the world's largest power derivatives exchange and among Europe's largest carbon exchanges for trade in EUAs and CERs. The company has more than 400 members from 21 countries across a wide range of energy producers and consumers, as well as financial institutions. Nord Pool ASA embraces the wholly-owned Nord Pool Clearing ASA and Nord Pool Consulting AS subsidiaries. It is jointly owned by the transmission system operators (TSOs) Svenska Kraftnät and Statnett. The company has offices in Lysaker (Oslo), Stockholm, Helsinki and Amsterdam. For more information, please visit http://www.nordpool.com www.nordpool.com . For further information, please contact: Torger Lien, president and CEO Nord Pool ASA phone +47 91 88 81 12 Geir Reigstad, head of NASDAQ OMX Commodities phone + 47 9084 6735 Lars Galtung, corporate communications Nord Pool ASA, phone +47 9821 4812 Jonas Rodny NASDAQ OMX phone: +46 (8) 405 7267