NEW YORK, May 14, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. (Nasdaq:NDAQ) announced today the results of the semi-annual re-ranking of the NASDAQ Biotechnology Index® (Nasdaq:NBI), which will become effective prior to market open on Monday, May 21, 2012.
The following ten securities will be added to the Index: Cerus Corporation (Nasdaq:CERS), Celldex Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq:CLDX), Amicus Therapeutics, Inc.(Nasdaq:FOLD), Infinity Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq:INFI), Jazz Pharmaceuticals plc (Nasdaq:JAZZ), Omeros Corporation (Nasdaq:OMER), Orexigen Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq:OREX), Pacira Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq:PCRX), Raptor Pharmaceutical Corp. (Nasdaq:RPTP) and Trius Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq:TSRX).
The Index is designed to track the performance of a set of NASDAQ-listed securities that are classified as either biotechnology or pharmaceutical according to the Industry Classification Benchmark (ICB). The NASDAQ Biotechnology Index is re-ranked semi-annually in May and November. For more information about the NASDAQ Biotechnology Index, including detailed eligibility criteria, visit https://indexes.nasdaqomx.com/.
As a result of the re-ranking, the following five securities will be removed from the Index: BioSante Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq:BPAX), China Biologic Products, Inc. (Nasdaq:CBPO), Columbia Laboratories, Inc. (Nasdaq:CBRX), Cardiome Pharma Corp (Nasdaq:CRME) and DURECT Corporation (Nasdaq:DRRX).
The NASDAQ Biotechnology Index is the basis for the iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology IndexSM Fund (Nasdaq:IBB), which seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the NASDAQ Biotechnology Index. In addition, options based on the NASDAQ Biotechnology Index and the iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology Index Fund trade on various exchanges.
About NASDAQ OMX Global Indexes
NASDAQ OMX Global Indexes is engaged in the design, development, calculation, licensing, and marketing of NASDAQ OMX Indexes. NASDAQ OMX Global Indexes specializes in the development of indexes focusing on NASDAQ OMX's brand themes of innovation, technology, growth, and globalization. NASDAQ OMX Global Indexes 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 Group
The inventor of the electronic exchange, The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc., fuels economies and provides transformative technologies for the entire lifecycle of a trade - from risk management to trade to surveillance to clearing. In the US and Europe, we own and operate 24 markets, 3 clearinghouses and 5 central securities depositories supporting equities, options, fixed income, derivatives, commodities, futures and structured products. Able to process more than 1 million messages per second at sub-40 microsecond speeds with 99.999% uptime, our technology drives more than 70 marketplaces in 50 developed and emerging countries into the future, powering 1 in 10 of the world's securities transactions. Our award-winning data products and worldwide indexes are the benchmarks in the financial industry. Home to approximately 3,400 listed companies worth $5.1 trillion in market cap whose innovations shape our world, we give the ideas of tomorrow access to capital today. Welcome to where the world takes a big leap forward, daily. Welcome to the NASDAQ OMX Century. To learn more, visit www.nasdaqomx.com. Follow us on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/NASDAQ) and Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/nasdaqomx). (Symbol: NDAQ and member of S&P 500)
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
The matters described herein 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 The NASDAQ Biotechnology 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 information contained above is provided for informational and educational purposes only, and nothing contained herein should be construed as investment advice, either on behalf of a particular security or an overall investment strategy. Neither The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. nor any of its affiliates (collectively "NASDAQ OMX") makes any recommendation to buy or sell any security or any representation about the financial condition of any company. Statements regarding NASDAQ OMX's proprietary indexes are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied. PAST PERFORMANCE IS NOT INDICATIVE OF FUTURE RESULTS. INVESTORS SHOULD UNDERTAKE THEIR OWN DUE DILIGENCE AND CAREFULLY EVALUATE COMPANIES BEFORE INVESTING. ADVICE FROM A SECURITIES PROFESSIONAL IS STRONGLY ADVISED.
The ETFs set forth above are not issued, endorsed, sold, or promoted by NASDAQ OMX.
NASDAQ OMX MAKES NO WARRANTIES AND BEARS NO LIABILITY WITH RESPECT TO THE ETFS.
The Industry Classification Benchmark ("ICB") is owned by FTSE International Limited and has been licensed for use. "FTSE™" is a trade mark of London Stock Exchange Group companies and is used by FTSE under license. FTSE does not accept liability to any person for any loss or damage arising out of any error or omission in the ICB.
The iShares Funds are distributed by SEI Investments Distribution Co. ("SEI"). BlackRock Fund Advisors ("BFA") serves as the investment advisor to the Funds. BFA is a subsidiary of BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A., neither of which is affiliated with SEI. For a prospectus, call 1-800-iSHARES (1-800-474-2737), or by viewing or downloading a prospectus at http://www.ishares.com.
IShares are not FDIC Insured.
Have No Bank Guarantee.
May Lose Value.
NDAQG