CONTACT:
Ben Craig, PHLX, 215-496-6482
Danielle Romero-Apsilos, Citigroup, 212-816-2264
Mary Claire Delaney, Credit Suisse First Boston, 212-325-4290
Melissa Stonberg, Morgan Stanley, 212-762-7280
Mark Hengel, UBS, 212-882-5689
These transactions (along with the Citadel and Merrill Lynch transactions
in June) complete the first phase of the PHLX plan of strategic
alliances with major securities market participants. If all warrants
are fully exercised, the six strategic investors would own an aggregate
of 89.4% of the PHLX common stock.
“We expect that all six of our strategic investors will achieve
their performance criteria and will be entitled to exercise their
warrants in full as of June 30, 2006,” said Meyer “Sandy”
Frucher, chairman and CEO of the PHLX. “However, the importance
and true value of these investments is not found in the relatively
short performance period and terms, but rather in the long-term
commitment by each of our strategic partners that is reflected in
the significant equity stakes they have acquired.”
“ These investments by our partners will transform the Philadelphia
Stock Exchange’s place in the capital markets,” Mr.
Frucher continued. “This is a validation of our value proposition
in options, which is predicated on speed, price and our directed
order flow model. We also expect the business models we are developing
in the equities (cash) and futures trading marketplace to be energized
by the entry of our strategic partners. Overall, the Exchange should
benefit greatly from our alliance with these substantial partners,
each of which brings a significant securities market footprint and
intellectual capital to our vision of a low-cost, electronic/hybrid
market,” Frucher said.
The addition of Citigroup, Credit Suisse First Boston, Morgan
Stanley and UBS as strategic investors was made possible by the
demutualization of the PHLX in January 2004, when the members and
seat owners voted overwhelmingly to convert from a seat-based to
a share-based corporate structure. As a part of that effort, the
Exchange also committed to aggressively pursue a strategy of striking
alliances with major industry players and to fully develop its assets,
including licenses in equities, options and futures, proprietary
technology and its stock clearing subsidiary.
Frucher added, “The reorientation of the PHLX reflected
by the investments by our partners highlights our evolution from
a narrowly focused, reactive institution to one which emphasizes
speed of technology, breadth of product and close interaction with
all quarters of the trading community. The investments also speak
to our ongoing commitment to best practices in regulation and institutional
integrity.”
Frucher concluded, “These alliances will help us become a
strong new competitive force in the rapidly consolidating securities
exchange marketplace. Our long-term objective – to offer multiple
product classes traded in one venue, at a competitive cost - will
ensure that the investing public is not captive to the forces of
market center convergence. The PHLX is committed to competing vigorously
in the listed and OTC equity markets and to providing investors
choice and the ability to manage their portfolio more efficiently
and more comprehensively.”
Along with the addition of new strategic partners, the Exchange
intends to make a share buyback offer to its original shareholders,
whereby shareholders may tender their shares to the Exchange for
consideration in the amount of $900 per share, subject to certain
terms, conditions and procedures. The Exchange intends to offer
to repurchase up to 16,700 shares of Class A Common Stock, and will
reserve the right to purchase additional shares, with the expectation
that at least 100 shares will be purchased from each tendering stockholder.
The offer is expected to commence in September 2005, after documentation
is prepared and distributed, and will be kept open for a minimum
of 20 business days.
Robert A. Gerard worked with Exchange management to structure these
transactions and to represent the PHLX in negotiations with the
Strategic Investors. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, served as Co-Financial
Advisor, advising the PHLX Board. Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP
acted as counsel.
The Philadelphia Stock Exchange was founded in 1790.
The PHLX trades 2,000 stocks, 1,703 equity options, 25 sectors
index options and currency options and futures. For more information
about the PHLX and its products, visit www.phlx.com.
This press release contains “forward-looking
statements” concerning, among other things, the likelihood
that our strategic investors will be entitled to exercise their
warrants in full, the value of the investments by our strategic
partners, the commitment of our strategic partners to the PHLX,
the transformational nature of these strategic investments in the
PHLX, the business models we are developing in the equities and
futures trading marketplace, the benefits of our alliance with our
strategic partners, the evolution of the PHLX and the marketplaces
in which it operates, our long-term objectives and our intention
to make a share buyback offer on the terms presented. Such forward-looking
statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve
risks and uncertainties; actual results may differ materially as
a result of various factors that affect the PHLX, its strategic
partners and the marketplaces in which the PHLX and its strategic
partners operate. These factors include, but are not limited to,
general economic conditions; governmental and regulatory policies
and changes; business conditions in our marketplaces; competitive
forces, including price and fee pressures and technological developments;
the success of business, operating and financial initiatives; and
the level and timing of the growth and profitability of new products
and initiatives.