Lysaker, 22 October 2008 With reference to /en/asa/Quotes-and-market-information/Exchange-information/2007/no-8907-OMX-AB-and-Nord-Pool-ASA-create-leading-international-energy-derivatives-exchange/ exchange information no 89/07 , the Norwegian Finance Department has approved NASDAQ OMX's acquisition of Nord Pool ASA's Clearing, International Derivatives and Consulting Business. The new business unit will be named NASDAQ OMX Commodities and be responsible for the global commodity trading within the NASDAQ OMX group. Nord Pool Clearing ASA will become a part of NASDAQ OMX Clearing business, allowing members to benefit from NASDAQ OMX risk capital stability and confidence in the market. Nord Pool Consulting will become a part of NASDAQ OMX International Market Services. Nord Pool ASA will continue as a separate company with a combined product offering together with NASDAQ OMX Commodities. Nord Pool Spot ASA is not affected by the transaction. 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 derivatives and carbon contracts). Nord Pool ASA remains in charge of the financial market surveillance, market conduct rules, the trading rulebook and the information distribution to the financial market 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. Short term consequences for members The existing customer relationships will not be affected by the transaction with regard to the trading and clearing systems, procedures or contact persons at the Nord Pool exchange. The only major change of the transaction at this point of time will be the change of ownership of Nord Pool ASA's international derivatives, clearing and consulting business. Ambitions for NASDAQ OMX Commodities Our common ambition is to create a Global Leader in Power Derivatives and CO2 products. We will strengthen our customers competitiveness by creating economies of scale following the future integration of the trading and clearing platforms. An important asset is that the new entity will provide an in-house technology development environment that will ensure optimized speed, reliability and functionality for new product development. Therefore, to meet customers demand for hedging and trading in various asset classes, NASDAQ OMX Commodities seeks to expand its energy product portfolio in the future. Customers from both companies will gain access to each others markets/products on a Pan-European/US basis, building on NASDAQ OMX distribution capabilities and Nord Pool's sector expertise. This will allow access to all asset classes and products through one single interface. For more information about the transaction and future responsibilities within Nord Pool ASA and NASDAQ OMX Commodities, see /en/asa/Newsroom/NASDAQ-OMX-Commodities/ newsroom . For further information, please contact Nord Pool ASA: Torger Lien, president and CEO, phone +47 9188 8112 Lars Galtung, corporate communications, phone +47 6752 8024/+ 47 9821 4812