Methodology Change to the NASDAQ-100 Index

December Modification to Fully Reflect Market Cap of N-100 Companies

NEW YORK, Aug. 26, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. (Nasdaq:NDAQ) today announced changes to the methodology of the NASDAQ-100 Index® (Nasdaq:NDX).

The Index, which acts as a benchmark for financial products, such as options, futures and funds including the PowerShares QQQ® Trust (Nasdaq:QQQ), is re-ranked annually. The next re-ranking will occur Friday, December 19, 2014.

Effective with the December 2014 evaluation, NASDAQ OMX® will modify the index methodology to allow for inclusion of all of a company's share classes that meet inclusion criteria of the NASDAQ-100 Index. The index will therefore better reflect the entire market capitalization of the 100 largest non-financial companies listed on The NASDAQ Stock Market®.

The NASDAQ-100 Index, launched in January 1985, is composed of the 100 largest non-financial stocks listed on The NASDAQ Stock Market® and acts as a benchmark for financial products such as options, futures, and funds.

This modification also emphasizes NASDAQ OMX's commitment to ensure the NASDAQ-100 Index remains one of the most widely-followed benchmarks in the world. Multiple share classes are becoming more prevalent in today's market, which was a leading factor in making this change in methodology.

For more information about the NASDAQ-100 Index, including these funds, detailed eligibility criteria, and a complete methodology, visit https://indexes.nasdaqomx.com/Index/Overview/NDX.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Information set forth in this communication contains forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. NASDAQ OMX cautions readers that any forward-looking information is not a guarantee of future performance and that actual results could differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking information. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to (i) projections about our future financial results, growth, trading volumes, taxes and achievement of synergy targets, (ii) statements about the closing or implementation dates and benefits of certain strategic, technology, de-leveraging and capital return initiatives, (iii) statements about our integrations of our recent acquisitions, (iv) statements relating to any litigation or regulatory or government investigation or action to which we are or could become a party, and (v) other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties or other factors beyond NASDAQ OMX's control. These factors include, but are not limited to, NASDAQ OMX's ability to implement its strategic initiatives, economic, political and market conditions and fluctuations, government and industry regulation, interest rate risk, U.S. and global competition, and other factors detailed in NASDAQ OMX's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its annual reports on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q which are available on NASDAQ OMX's website at http://www.nasdaqomx.com and the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. NASDAQ OMX undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.