STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Aug. 22, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Effective October 3, 2005, OMX will harmonize the index name structure for OMX exchanges in Stockholm, Helsinki, Copenhagen, Tallinn, Riga and Vilnius. The change is part of OMX's strive to create an integrated and efficient Nordic Baltic marketplace.
The new OMX index name structure covers the most important indexes -- all-share, tradable, benchmark and sector indexes. The name structure is constructed around the OMX name, the specific stock exchange and the index of choice, among others:
INDEX Copenhagen Stockholm Helsinki Riga Tallinn Vilnius
All-
share OMX OMX OMX OMX OMX OMX
Copenhagen Stockholm Helsinki Riga Tallinn Vilnius
(OMXC) (OMXS) (OMXH) (OMXR) (OMXT) (OMXV)
Tradable OMX OMX OMX
Copenhagen 20 Stockholm 30 Helsinki 25
(OMXC20) (OMXS30) (OMXH25)
Furthermore, the benchmark indexes in Copenhagen and Stockholm will be changed to OMXCB and OMXSB, respectively, in line with the name of the Helsinki benchmark index OMXHB. Sector, industry group and industry indexes will be harmonized accordingly. Attached is a chart with the complete OMX index standard.
"A harmonized index structure will facilitate the comparability of OMX's indexes and enhances the knowledge of the Nordic and Baltic markets, thereby encouraging a further increase in trading in the region's securities," says Jukka Ruuska, President of OMX Exchanges. "It is our ambition that the harmonization of the index structure will satisfy the requirements of both local and international players, while simultaneously contributing to the competitiveness of the region as a whole."
To date the index harmonization process has included rule harmonization, implementation of GICS classification standard, developed by MSCI and Standard & Poor's, a new benchmark and sector indexes in Helsinki and the introduction of a new index calculation system. The harmonization of the index names started last autumn, with the change of the tradable index names in Stockholm and Helsinki into OMX Stockholm 30 and OMX Helsinki 25.
For more information, please contact: Anu Ilvonen, Head of Communications OMX Exchanges +358 9 6166 7599
About OMX Exchanges:
OMX is a leading partner for more efficient securities transactions. OMX consists of two divisions: OMX Technology and OMX Exchanges. Through the OMX Exchanges division, OMX owns and operates the equity and derivatives exchanges in Copenhagen, Stockholm, Helsinki, Tallinn, Riga and Vilnius as well as the central securities depositories in Estonia and Latvia. Through OMX Exchanges, OMX offers access to approximately 80 percent of the Nordic and Baltic Securities market. For more information please visit www.omxgroup.com.
This information was brought to you by Waymaker.
The following files are available for download:
http://wpy.waymaker.net/client/waymaker1/WOLReleaseFile.aspx?id=123420&fn=wkr0001.pdf