OSAKA EXCHANGE, ISE CALL OFF PLANS FOR JOINT OPTIONS PLATFORM

Posted August 1, 2008

OSAKA -- The Osaka Securities Exchange Co., Ltd. (OSE) and International Securities Exchange Holdings, Inc. (ISE) have terminated their plans for a jointly owned equity options trading platform for the Japanese market.

Given market developments in Japan, the OSE, Japan’s largest derivatives exchange, says it has changed strategic direction to concentrate on strengthening its core business. ”This adoption of a new strategic direction will allow us to concentrate on growing our core business and further improving our technology platform,” says Michio Yoneda, President and Chief Executive Officer of OSE. “We deeply regret the announcement of the termination and offer our sincere appreciation for ISE’s understanding in the matter.”

The ISE operates electronic options and stock exchanges, and is owned by Eurex. “Although we are very disappointed that our joint venture with OSE did not come to fruition, we recognize OSE’s corporate priorities have changed, and we respect their decision to end discussions related to our joint project,” says Gary Katz, President and Chief Executive Officer of ISE. The two exchanges announced their joint venture plans in late February 2008.