ICE Transitions US Russell Inded

IntercontinentalExchange (NYSE:ICE) , a has successfully transitioned the U.S. Russell Index complex to ICE Futures U.S.(TM) In June 2007, ICE signed an exclusive license agreement with Russell Investments. This agreement gives ICE exclusive rights to offer futures and options contracts based on Russell's industry-leading U.S. equity indexes, including the Russell 1000(R) Index and Russell 2000(R) Index, as well as the related value and growth indexes offered by Russell. Since the beginning of September, over 2.7 million Russell futures and options contracts have traded on the ICE platform. As of Friday, September 19, open interest in mini equivalent Russell contracts stood at 590,868 compared with 141,111 on September 2.

"We've enhanced our business by diversifying into new markets and executing on our plans to successfully expand and compete in a wide range of markets," said Jeff Sprecher, ICE Chairman and CEO. "We are proud to have the U.S. Russell Index futures complex as the cornerstone of our long-term strategy within the equity index segment. With the Russell 2000 contracts transitioned to ICE, we look forward to marketing and growing other key products within the valuable Russell suite."

"The transition reflects the industry's reliance on the Russell indexes as key benchmarks. In a short time, ICE's marketplace and platform have proven to deliver value in the dynamic equity index markets," said Kelly Haughton, Strategic Director of the Russell Indexes. "ICE has already demonstrated its commitment to building the Russell complex and to bringing effective risk management processes and marketing resources to our indexes. We look forward to continuing our work with the ICE team in capitalizing on the increasing investor interest in the Russell Index futures and options markets."