DIFX is rebranded 'Nasdaq Dubai'; Nasdaq Group to list its shares on region’s International Exchange

Nasdaq Opening Bell Ceremony will be broadcast live from DIFC on November 20

Dubai, November 18, 2008 - The Dubai International Financial Exchange (DIFX) has rebranded its market as Nasdaq Dubai, effective today. Nasdaq Group (Nasdaq: NDAQ), the world’s largest exchange company, also announced today it will list its shares on Nasdaq Dubai on November 20th.

Both moves reflect the growing links between Nasdaq Group and Nasdaq Dubai, as well as the growth of Dubai as an international financial centre.

Soud Ba’alawy, Chairman of Nasdaq Dubai and a Director of Nasdaq Group, said, "As the international stock exchange serving this region, Nasdaq Dubai acts as a capital markets gateway for investors all over the world, including and especially in this region. Nasdaq Dubai’s growing ties to Nasdaq exchanges in the U.S. and Europe in listings, marketing, technology, and management expertise will support its continuing expansion.”

Nasdaq Dubai has attracted listings from around the world and from within its own region and built a world class exchange infrastructure.

Jeff Singer, Chief Executive of the DIFX, said, “Nasdaq Dubai is taking active steps to further develop its market including extending its opening hours, opening on Sundays, and allowing listings in UAE Dirhams. We will continue to develop new asset classes as well as seek further primary and secondary equity listings.”

Bob Greifeld, Chief Executive of Nasdaq Group and Vice Chairman of Nasdaq Dubai, said, “Nasdaq Dubai provides a first-class venue through which Nasdaq listed companies can reach new investors in the Gulf and the Middle East. We’ve attracted 29 companies to our first Middle East investor conference here in Dubai and there is clear and tangible interest in this market. At the same time, we can provide local investors with opportunities to invest in innovative, growth-oriented companies.” Greifeld added, “To facilitate dual listings on Nasdaq Dubai, we have created a fast-track listing process for companies looking to have a secondary listing here.”

Nasdaq acquired a one-third stake in Nasdaq Dubai in February 2008. The other two-thirds is owned by Borse Dubai.

Nasdaq Group will host its First Middle East Investor Conference in Dubai on November 20 to provide its issuers with access to investors in the region. The conference will be held jointly with Nasdaq Dubai. Also on November 20, The Nasdaq Stock Market will hold its Opening Bell Ceremony at the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), where Nasdaq Dubai is based. The ceremony, one of the most televised events in the world, will be broadcast live in Times Square in New York and around the globe.

Nasdaq Dubai will make a unique addition to the international equity and index derivative landscape by launching a UAE derivatives market on November 19. Members will be able to trade single stock futures on UAE-listed equities and a future on the FTSE DIFX UAE 20 equity index calculated by FTSE International. Derivatives trading can provide investors with price insurance and create liquidity and stability in the underlying shares.

The exchange opened with the name DIFX in September 2005. It is based in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC).

About Nasdaq Dubai

Nasdaq Dubai is the international financial exchange serving the region between Western Europe and East Asia. It welcomes regional as well as global issuers that seek regional and international investment. The exchange currently lists shares, structured products, Sukuk (Islamic bonds) and conventional bonds and is planning to list equity derivatives in 2008.

The majority shareholder of Nasdaq Dubai is Borse Dubai with a two-thirds stake. Nasdaq Group owns one third of the shares. The regulator of Nasdaq Dubai is the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA). Nasdaq Dubai is located in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). For more information, visit www.Nasdaqdubai.com

About Nasdaq Group

The Nasdaq 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 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 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 Group exchanges in Helsinki, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Iceland, Tallinn, Riga, and Vilnius. For more information about Nasdaq, visit www.Nasdaqomx.com

Top