SGX is the holding company of Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited (SGX-ST), while NYSE Euronext is the holding company of the American Stock Exchange (AMEX) following its acquisition of AMEX in October 2008.

The JV, owned equally by SGX-ST and AMEX®, was formed in April 2001 to promote the listing and trading of United States cross-listed exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in the Asian time zone, on SGX-ST. Based on the friendly relationship between SGX and NYSE Euronext, there is no longer a need for a JV for both Exchanges to collaborate to pursue their mutual and respective areas of focus in the ETF space.

With the termination, SGX Xtranet, the JV trading platform, will similarly cease operations on Thursday, 30 April 2009. The five US cross-listed ETFs under the JV on SGX Xtranet will be transferred to the SGX-ST Mainboard after market close that day for continued listing and trading. They will be available for trading on the SGX-ST Mainboard from Monday, 4 May 2009 as Friday, 1 May 2009 is a public holiday and non-trading day in Singapore .The five ETFs will remain fungible after the transfer.

The ETFs are:

• DIAMONDS®
• SPDRs®
• iSharesSMS&P500 Index Fund
• iSharesSMMSCI Singapore (Free) Index Fund
• iSharesSMDow Jones U.S. Technology Sector Index Fund

A sixth ETF listed on SGX Xtranet but not part of the JV, the streetTRACKS Straits Times Index Fund, will be transferred to the SGX-ST Mainboard and available for trading on the same dates as the five ETFs above.

"SGX is pleased to have worked with AMEX on this JV, to be among the first to introduce the listing and trading of US cross-listed ETFs to the Asian region. SGX now has a total of 30 ETFs, covering most of the major Asian equity markets as well as commodities, including gold. We look forward to exploring further opportunities to work with NYSE Euronext in the region," said Ms Janice Kan, V, Vice President & Head, Product Development of SGX.

"The ongoing relationship between SGX and NYSE Euronext reflects the global portability of exchange traded investment products," said Lisa Dallmer, Senior Vice President, Global

Indexes and Exchange Traded Products. "Given the proper trading model and regulatory recognition, cross-listings for the purpose of trading and asset gathering is a viable business strategy for fund sponsors. We look forward to working with the SGX in the future toward mutually beneficial initiatives and results."

SGX does not expect the termination of this JV to have any material impact on its financials.