Annual Changes to the NASDAQ-100 Index

NEW YORK, 2014-12-13 02:05 CET (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. (Nasdaq:NDAQ) today announced the results of the annual re-ranking of the NASDAQ-100 (Nasdaq:NDX), which will become effective prior to market open on Monday, December 22, 2014.

The following three companies will be added to the Index: American Airlines Group, Inc. (Nasdaq:AAL), Electronic Arts Inc. (Nasdaq:EA) and Lam Research Corporation (Nasdaq:LRCX).

As a result of the revision in the index methodology allowing multiple share classes of index participants to be included in the index, the following three securities will also be added to the index: Comcast Corporation Class A Special (Nasdaq:CMCSK), Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc. Class B (Nasdaq:FOX) and Liberty Global plc Class C (Nasdaq:LBTYK).

The NASDAQ-100 Index is composed of the 100 largest non-financial companies listed on The NASDAQ Stock Market^® and dates to January 1985 when it was launched along with the NASDAQ Financial-100 Index^®, which is comprised of the 100 largest financial stocks on NASDAQ®. These indexes act as benchmarks for financial products such as options, futures, and funds. The NASDAQ-100 is re-ranked each year in December, timed to coincide with the quadruple witch expiration Friday of the quarter.

On a cumulative price return basis, the NASDAQ-100 Index has returned almost 3,140% since inception, although past performance is not indicative of future performance.

The NASDAQ-100 Index is the basis of the PowerShares QQQ Trust (Nasdaq:QQQ) which aims to provide investment results that, before expenses, correspond with the NASDAQ-100 Index performance. In addition, options, futures and structured products based on the NASDAQ-100 Index and the PowerShares QQQ Trust trade on various exchanges.

As a result of the re-ranking, the following three companies will be removed from the Index: Expedia, Inc. (Nasdaq:EXPE), F5 Networks, Inc. (Nasdaq:FFIV) and Maxim Integrated Products, Inc. (Nasdaq:MXIM).

About Nasdaq Global Indexes

Nasdaq Global Indexes has been creating innovative, market-leading, transparent indexes since 1971. Today, our index offering spans geographies and asset classes and includes diverse families such as the Dividend Achievers, Global, Nordic, Green Economy, Sharia and Commodity Indexes. We continuously offer new opportunities for financial product sponsors across a wide-spectrum of investable products and for asset managers to measure risk and performance. Nasdaq Global Indexes also provides custom index services and design solutions to selected financial organizations. For more information about Nasdaq Global Indexes, visit indexes.nasdaqomx.com.

Daily index values, weightings and historical data for Nasdaq indexes are available via Nasdaq Global Index Watch and Nasdaq Global Index Data Service.

About Nasdaq

Nasdaq (Nasdaq:NDAQ) is a leading provider of trading, exchange technology, information and public company services across six continents. Through its diverse portfolio of solutions, Nasdaq enables customers to plan, optimize and execute their business vision with confidence, using proven technologies that provide transparency and insight for navigating today's global capital markets. As the creator of the world's first electronic stock market, its technology powers more than 70 marketplaces in 50 countries, and 1 in 10 of the world's securities transactions. Nasdaq is home to more than 3,500 listed companies with a market value of over $8.8 trillion and more than 10,000 corporate clients. To learn more, visit www.nasdaq.com/ambition or business.nasdaq.com.

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 financial product or an overall investment strategy. Neither The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. nor any of its affiliates makes any recommendation to buy or sell any financial product or any representation about the financial condition of any company or fund. Statements regarding Nasdaq'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.

NDAQG

         CONTACT: MEDIA CONTACT:
         Joe Christinat
         1.646.441.5121
         joseph.christinat@nasdaq.com
         
         ISSUER & INVESTOR CONTACT:
         Natasha Selzer
         1.301.978.8623
         natasha.selzer@nasdaq.com