Nasdaq Q2 profits soar

Operating income was $99.0 million for the second quarter of 2007, an increase of $62.7 million when compared to $36.3 million for the second quarter of 2006, and up $17.6 million, or 21.6% from $81.4 million reported in the first quarter of 2007.

Revenues, less liquidity rebates, brokerage, clearance and exchange fees ("net exchange revenues") were $198.7 million in the second quarter of 2007, an increase of 16.1% from $171.1 million in the year-ago period, and up 3.4% from $192.1 million reported in the first quarter of 2007.

"In the second quarter of 2007 NASDAQ's core business operated on all cylinders, reaching record operating earnings on the back of new product innovation and customer service initiatives. In addition, we are pleased with the pace of our integration planning efforts with our prospective merger partner OMX and are confident that together we will create the strongest global marketplace and technology platform," commented Bob Greifeld, President and Chief Executive Officer of NASDAQ. "Our ability to capture market share has grown NASDAQ into the largest single pool of liquidity for trading cash equities, creating a robust platform for growth. To that end, we believe our business is poised to deliver strong results over the second half of the year through continued product innovation and diversification."

Recent Highlights

• Entered into an agreement to combine with OMX AB to create the world's premier exchange and technology company.
• NASDAQ became the largest single pool of liquidity in which to trade U.S. listed equities. NASDAQ also achieved new market share highs in the trading of U.S. listed equities, matching a record high 28.8% of traded volume; while share volume matched by NASDAQ grew 19.7% from the prior year quarter.
• Quarterly operating income reached the highest level ever recorded for NASDAQ, increasing 172.7% from the prior year's quarter and 21.6% from the prior quarter.
• Expanded NASDAQ's comprehensive suite oe of crossing products with the launch of the intra-day and post-close cross, enabling institutional-sized orders to find liquidity anonymously and with greater efficiency.
• Announced plans to launch The NASDAQ ETF Market, a market segment designed specifically for exchange traded funds (ETFs) and Index Linked Notes (ILNs). The program will further strengthen NASDAQ's leadership position in the U.S. ETF sector. In June 2007, NASDAQ captured more U.S. ETF market share than any other U.S. exchange with total ETF volume at 52.1%

• Net income in the range of $171.0 million to $181.0 million for the year.
• Net exchange revenues in the range of $775.0 million to $790.0 million.
• Total operating expenses in the range of $400.0 million to $415.0 million.