Global Sources to Buy Additional Shenzhen Office Space to Accommodate Expansion

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US$34.7 Million Invested in 6,364.5 Square Meters Grade-A Office Space Located in the Heart of Shenzhen’s Central Business District

Global Sources has entered into contracts to purchase additional office space in Shenzhen’s Central Business District, which will be leased to the Company’s sales representatives, as part of their China expansion.

The total purchase price for the 6,364.5 square meters (gross) space, which consists of 3 floors in the Shenzhen International Chamber of Commerce Tower, is RMB 238 million (approximately US$34.7 million), and the completion of the property purchase is expected to occur in September 2008.

Global Sources’ Chairman and CEO, Merle A. Hinrichs, said: “Shenzhen not only remains one of China’s key manufacturing and export centers, it is an ideal location to recruit the best sales and trade talent in the industry.

“This brings our total office space in the city to over 15,000 square meters, which will accommodate our China sales representatives’ plans to build a team of nearly 600 sales executives in Shenzhen.

“This represents our further commitment to the Greater China market. We also believe that Shenzhen real estate in this location will appreciate in value over time.”

The new office space purchase expands the company’s portfolio of real estate holdings in China, which includes its existing 9,000 square meters of office space in the Shenzhen International Chamber of Commerce Tower, bought for approximately US$19 million in 2004.

About Global Sources

Global Sources is a leading business-to-business media company and a primary facilitator of trade with Greater China. The core business is facilitating trade from Greater China to the world, using a wide range of English-language media. The other business segments facilitate trade from the world to Greater China, and trade within China, using Chinese-language media.

The company provides sourcing information to volume buyers and integrated marketing services to suppliers. It helps a community of over 700,000 active buyers source more profitably from complex overseas supply markets. With the goal of providing the most effective ways possible to advertise, market and sell, Global Sources enables suppliers to sell to hard-to-reach buyers in over 230 countries.

The company offers the most extensive range of media and export marketing services in the industries it serves. It delivers information on 2.6 million products and more than 195,000 suppliers annually through 14 online marketplaces, 13 monthly magazines, over 100 sourcing research reports and 9 specialized trade shows which run 27 times a year across eight cities.

Suppliers receive more than 32 million sales leads annually from buyers through Global Sources Online ( http://www.globalsources.com/ ) alone.

Global Sources has been facilitating global trade for 37 years. Global Sources’ network covers more than 69 cities worldwide. In mainland China, Global Sources has over 2,100 team members in more than 44 locations, and a community of over 1 million registered online users and magazine readers for Chinese-language media.

Source: Global Sources

How Much Money is Your Business Wasting?

New research from PowWowNow finds that businesses waste GBP55m of the GBP210m spent each year on conferences-by-’phone, according to a new study.

There’s no doubt that ‘phone conferencing is an important aspect of mobile working. Workers at all levels need to be able to reliably stay in touch with co-workers and clients. And it’s a powerful indication of how important it has become, particularly to people running small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs - typically up to 100 staff), that British business now spends a staggering GBP210m on conference call charges every year!

In a world where technology moves at amazing speed and new opportunities are created every few months, many voice conference users are shockingly unaware of what’s out there and the cost savings offered.

Maybe this is why it’s reported that SMEs are wasting GBP55m a year simply by not being aware how to be more efficient - both in terms of opportunities and deals that are available. Now, we’re all painfully aware how much effort is required to actually earn GBP55m, but taking that amount of cost out of the business can be much simpler!

But now, innovators such as PowWowNow are offering simple dial up voice conferences where each invited participant calls a central number and, using a PIN, joins the conference. This way there are no bills for organisers, no contracts, and each participant simply pays for their own 6.7p per minute call. That’s one heck of a difference and it’s no wonder that users of this service have risen from an initial 500 to now 50,000 every week!
Ten Top Tips for effective voice conferencing:

  • Meetings should be shorter than face-to-face discussions. They are more efficient but be aware that greater concentration is needed.
  • Don’t make agendas too long - hold shorter meetings more frequently.
  • In an ideal world, initial meetings are better face-to-face if those involved haven’t met, but if this isn’t possible, appoint a chairperson and get them to briefly introduce those involved, to break the ice.
  • Think about agreeing and observing an end time for the call as well as a start time - it’s courteous and it helps participants to plan
  • It’s helpful for a chairperson to cut in at intervals to summarise and check for views, since there’s no body language or eye contact to observe
  • Arrange not to be interrupted during the period of the call.
  • Call from a quiet location if possible - you need to concentrate and background noise from your ‘phone will disturb the other conference members
  • Don’t put your ‘phone on hold during a call if you have on-hold ads or music on your system - you will be broadcasting to everyone - not a way to be popular!
  • If you have a ‘call waiting’ facility, turn it off - the beeping will be heard by all participants
  • Make sure that you have all the necessary papers and references with you before the starting time.

Source: PowWowNow

Swicorp Links Deal With Leading Contemporary Carpet Manufacturer and Retailer in Turkey

Swicorp, a leading financial advisory and private equity firm in the Middle East and North Africa region, has acquired what will be a majority stake in Step, the leading contemporary carpet manufacturer and retailer in Turkey.

Having redefined the carpet business - one of the most traditional businesses in Turkey - and gained a foothold in the world market, Step operates over 80 points of sale, exports to 35 countries world wide and has embarked on an ambitious international growth strategy aimed at positioning the company as a leading global player in the contemporary carpet market.

Nabil Triki, Managing Director of Swicorp Private Equity, said: “We have been watching the development and exemplary working model of the Step Company for some time. We are very happy to be partners with Step, and have been monitoring their management style in admiration. Since this will be our first investment in Turkey, we believe in the growing economy, production and export potential of Turkey and the future of Swicorp through its partnership with Step. We have been investigating the Turkish markets for several years. Turkey is now a strategic market among the countries where we make our investments.”

Step Chairman Cem Åzengör said: “We are happy about securing a partnership with Swicorp, which is a strategic power in the Europe, Middle East and North Africa triangle, where Step plans to focus on its investments. We believe that in addition to being financial partners, Swicorp will give us new horizons with respect to understanding the conditions prevalent in the region and help us achieve our targets.”

With its private equity division, Swicorp, which focuses on international growth, will be uniting with Stepevi brand. Step aims to continue an average annual growth of 40% during the next 3-year period and grow their retail network to over 200 sales outlets by 2011. With the contribution of their new partnership with Swicorp, they plan to reach their goals together by focusing on their rapid growth and attracting the interest of foreign investors.

With the headquarters in Riyadh, and an extensive network of offices in Tunis, Jeddah, Dubai and Algiers, Swicorp provides in-depth local knowledge, plus its Geneva presence (offering financial advisory services) and proximity to major European financial centers provides access to international corporations and leading edge expertise.

Source: Swicorp

mobiclear Announces New Stock Symbol: MOBI

mobiclear, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: MBIR; Frankfurt: B3CA), (http://www.mobiclear.com/), owner of the unique, patent pending Personal Identification Verification solutions system to help eliminate credit and debit card fraud, announced that as of the opening of trading today, July 21, 2008, it has obtained a new trading symbol, OTC BB: MOBI, and effected a 250 for 1 reverse stock split.

“The reverse split enables the Company to stabilize and increase shareholder value as we now move forward with a strong product line and experienced management team,” said Stephen P. Cutler, CEO

“Credit and debit card fraud online cost businesses worldwide more than $60 billion a year. Fraud on the Internet discourages many from using it for purchases. We are confident that mobiclear has an answer that would quickly reduce this problem by at least 10 percent, saving businesses more than $6 billion,” said Mr. Cutler.

“Our unique, patent pending Personal Identification Verification solutions system means that, when using a credit card, the mobiclear customer receives a prompt via their cell phone. Responding with the four-digit pin code allows the transaction to proceed. Without the code, the credit card doesn’t work and the purchase fails.

“If someone else were using your credit card, even if they had all the other forms of identification from, for instance, a stolen wallet or pocketbook, without the four-digit code, they can’t use your credit card to steal,” Mr. Cutler said. We are looking forward to introducing this product, and other Internet security products, soon to a marketplace that is eager for these innovations.”

ABOUT mobiclear: mobiclear, Inc. (OTC BB: MOBI; Frankfurt: B3CA), (http://www.mobiclear.com/), headquartered in Manila, Philippines, offers a range of solutions to credit card and debit card fraud based on its patent-pending Personal Identification Verification system. It also offers products to ensure against fraud in all electronic transactions, including telephone and Internet transactions.

Source: mobiclear, Inc.

Financing Disaster: How Much Insurance Is Enough?

These days, you can insure everything from your pet to your daughter’s honeymoon. When it comes to daily living, there is so much to insure and the policies are difficult to understand.

When making choices to protect yourself and your family, the subject of insurance can be overwhelming, says Frank N. Darras, the nation’s leading disability and Long-Term Care insurance lawyer. At some point, you have to decide how much is enough. See http://www.darrasnews.com/.

“Life, Disability, Long-Term Care, Critical Illness and Mortgage insurance policies promise to pay the bills, should the unthinkable happen. It’s important to balance ‘financing disaster’ against winding up ‘in the premium paying poor house’,” says Darras.

Comparing the features and benefits of different policies is exhausting and most people aren’t able to decipher the fine print. The twists and turns of policies can wear out even the savviest decision maker.

Darras offers these tips:

  • Calculate your debt and ongoing financial obligations.
  • Life insurance usually covers those obligations and takes into consideration your income today and future value of that income.
  • Disability insurance is varied, complicated and often wrongfully denied. Ensure you are insuring your most important asset “your ability to earn” in what you are specifically trained to do. Buy your own individual “own-occupation” policy in addition to your company-sponsored plan, this way, you’re truly protected.
  • Long-Term Care is usually purchased in your 50s, for elder care, unless there is a family history of devastating disease.
  • Critical Illness is the same, unless family history dictates someone may become critically ill, it may not be the best use of your hard earned dollars.
  • If the debt on your home is covered in your life insurance policy, Mortgage insurance shouldn’t be necessary.

“Regardless of the insurance policy you’re shopping for, stick with it so you understand what you bought and how to access your benefits. Hard work and smart shopping will protect your family and give you peace of mind. When the policy arrives, carefully read it and make sure what you were promised is in your policy,” says Darras.

Remember; never buy a policy from a company you don’t recognize. What good are cheap premiums if the company won’t be in business in 20 years?

For more information see http://www.darrasnews.com/ or call 800-458-4577.

Source: Frank N. Darras

China TransInfo Technology Corp. Closes $15 Million Private Placement

China TransInfo Technology Corp. (BULLETIN BOARD: CTFO) , (”China TransInfo” or “the Company”), a leading provider of public transportation information systems technology and comprehensive solutions in the People’s Republic of China (”PRC”), today announced that it has successfully closed a private placement transaction with SAIF Partners III L.P. (”SAIF”), pursuant to which the Company issued and sold to SAIF about 2.59 million shares of the Company’s common stock at a purchase price of $5.80 per share, for an aggregate purchase price of $15 million.

The Company plans to use the net proceeds from the private placement for general working capital purposes, expansion of current business areas and possible acquisition opportunities.

“We are very pleased to have SAIF take part in the rapid development of China TransInfo. We believe that the proceeds from the private placement will provide us with sufficient capital to expand our taxi media business across China and realize potential strategic acquisitions,” commented Mr. Shudong Xia, Chief Executive Officer of China TransInfo. “As a leading traffic information processor, traffic volume surveyor, and real-time traffic information provider in China, we remain dedicated to maximizing value to shareholders and the investment community.”

“We are very excited to begin our partnership with China TransInfo,” stated Brandon Ho-Ping Lin, Partner of SAIF. “We believe that China TransInfo is one of the most dynamic companies in China’s transportation information industry and we are confident in the Company’s ability to build on its current success to continue expanding into the future.”

SAIF is one of the largest and most successful growth venture capital funds focused on China with $2.2 billion under management. SAIF has invested in over 100 private and public companies in Asia, primarily in China, including Perfect World, Shanda, China Digital TV, Eternal Asia, ATA Testing and SIFY Technologies. SAIF was recognized as the 2007 China venture capital fund of the year by Zero2IPO Research Center, a leading China venture capital and private equity research institute, and as the 2005 and 2006 Asia venture capital firm of the year by Private Equity International, a leading global private equity publication.

The securities issued in the private placement have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be sold by the investor in the United States, except pursuant to an effective registration statement or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. The Company has agreed to file a registration statement covering the re-sale of the securities by the investor.

For more detailed information on the financing referred to in this release, see the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or about July 18, 2008.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any security and shall not constitute an offer, solicitation or sale in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such jurisdiction.

About China TransInfo

China TransInfo, through its subsidiary Beijing PKU ChinaFront High Technology Co., Ltd. (”PKU”), is primarily focused on providing transportation information services. The Company aims to become the largest transportation information product and comprehensive solutions provider, as well as the largest integrated transportation information platform and commuter traffic media platform builder and operator in PRC. China TransInfo is involved in developing multiple applications in transportation, digital city, land and resource filling system based on Geographic Information Systems (”GIS”) technologies which is used to service the public sector. In addition, the Company is also developing its transportation system to include Electronic Toll Collection (”ETC”) technology. The Company is the co-formulator to several transportation technology national standards and has software copyrights to 23 software products. China TransInfo has won 3 of 4 model cases sponsored by the PRC Ministry of Communications. The Company’s affiliation with Peking University, which currently owns 5% of PKU, provides access to the University’s GeoGIS Research Laboratory, including over 30 Ph.D. researchers. As a result, the Company is currently playing a key role in setting the standards for electrified transportation information solutions. For more information please visit the company website at http://www.chinatransinfo.com/ .

Source: China TransInfo Technology Corp.

Aries Maritime Announces Extended Bareboat Charters for Two Products Tankers

Aries Maritime Transport Limited (NASDAQ: RAMS) today announced it has renewed the bareboat charters for the Stena Compass, a 2006-built double-hull products tanker, and its sister ship, the Stena Compassion, with Stena Group. The charters will be for 23 to 25 months at a gross rate of $18,700 per day per vessel, less 2.5% in brokerage commissions. The charters also include a profit-sharing component for Aries equal to 30% of the actual Time Charter Equivalent rate above $26,000 per day per vessel. The charters are scheduled to commence upon expiration of the vessels’ current charter.

Aries also announced that the CMA CGM Seine, a 1990-built container vessel, is expected to be redelivered to the Company on July 20, 2008 following completion of its scheduled voyage and cargo operations. Aries and the charterer mutually agreed to the redelivery following damage to the main engine of the vessel, which will undergo repairs that are expected to be completed by the end of August 2008.

Jeff Parry, Chief Executive Officer, commented, “We are pleased to renew the bareboat charters for the Stena Compass and Stena Compassion with a leading international shipping group. Our new management team is committed to increasing shareholder value, and we believe these charters represent a positive first step. Consistent with our turnaround efforts, we are working closely with our third-party ship managers to improve our fleet’s technical performance. As the CMA CGM Seine undergoes repairs, we will evaluate options including new period charter opportunities as well as a possible sale of the vessel.”

About Aries Maritime Transport Limited

Aries Maritime Transport Limited is an international shipping company that owns and operates products tankers and container vessels. The Company’s products tanker fleet consists of five MR tankers and four Panamax tankers, all of which are double-hulled. The Company also owns a fleet of three container vessels that range in capacity from 1,799 to 2,917 TEU. Eight of the Company’s 12 vessels have period charter coverage. Charters for three of the Company’s products tanker fleet currently have profit-sharing components.

Source: Aries Maritime Transport Ltd

CME Group Inc. and NYMEX Holdings, Inc. Approve Revised Merger Agreement

Revised Agreement Represents Full and Final Offer, Maintains Original Exchange Ratio and Cash Consideration Per Share

NYMEX Class A Members to Retain Seats and Receive Increased Consideration

CME Group and NYMEX Shareholders and NYMEX Class A Members to Vote on Transaction August 18, 2008, Subject to Completing SEC Review; Record Date is July 18, 2008

CME Group Inc. (NASDAQ:CME) and NYMEX Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:NMX) today announced they have revised the terms of their merger agreement, representing CME Group’s full and final offer to acquire NYMEX Holdings (NYMEX) and that the boards of directors of both companies and of New York Mercantile Exchange, Inc. have approved the revised agreement. The exchange ratio and cash consideration per share offered to holders of NYMEX Holdings common stock in the companies’ original agreement will remain unchanged.

The revised agreement increases the consideration payable to NYMEX Class A members from $612,000 to $750,000 per membership. Additionally, NYMEX Class A members will retain the right to use or lease their memberships for NYMEX open outcry and electronic trading purposes, the number of Class A memberships will be limited to 816 and the NYMEX seat market will be preserved. Substantially all other rights, including the revenue sharing rights contained in Section 311(G) of the NYMEX bylaws will be eliminated and replaced with the following commitments:

  • Trading Floor Commitment: NYMEX will maintain a trading floor in the current NYMEX facility until December 31, 2012; or, if the occupancy agreement is terminated, a trading floor will be maintained elsewhere in New York City. Thereafter, NYMEX will maintain a trading floor in New York City as long as profitability and revenue thresholds are met. If a trading pit is closed, it will not be reopened in Chicago for at least 18 months if a majority of NYMEX Class A members oppose the move.
  • Member Differentiated Pricing: For so long as CME or CBOT members retain a differentiated and lower fee than non-member customers of CME or CBOT, respectively, NYMEX will maintain differential pricing such that NYMEX Class A members are charged lower fees than non-members on current NYMEX products.
  • Trading Rights Commitments: NYMEX will preserve current NYMEX rules regarding account-based trading for Class A members, as well as rules establishing that clearing member firms or member firms must hold two full Class A memberships to clear at NYMEX or receive member rates.

The change in Class A member rights will be accomplished through amendments to the certificate of incorporation and bylaws of NYMEX which require the affirmative vote of the owners of 75 percent of the outstanding NYMEX Class A memberships. The approval of these amendments is a condition to the closing of the merger. Class A members will receive the specified consideration upon the closing of the merger and execution of a required release.

The companies have set July 18, 2008, as the record date for shareholders and members entitled to vote at the companies’ special meetings. NYMEX shareholders and members and CME Group shareholders will vote on the transaction on August 18, 2008, subject to completing SEC review.

General Atlantic LLC, which holds an approximately 7 percent equity stake in NYMEX, has endorsed the revised merger agreement and has committed to fully support the combination of CME Group and NYMEX, including committing to vote all of its NYMEX shares in favor of the transaction. Additionally, each director on the boards of NYMEX Holdings, NYMEX and CME Group has indicated an intent to vote all of their shares, and as applicable, their NYMEX seats, in favor of the merger.

The companies also announced that NYMEX has accepted the offer made by Chairman Richard Schaeffer, President and Chief Executive Officer James Newsome and other members of the executive management team to reduce their change in control severance benefits, which combined with the reduction of certain other merger related expenses by NYMEX, will equal $30 million in the aggregate.

Separately, the parties announced that they have entered into an agreement to extend the term for their highly successful technology partnership for an additional two years until 2018, and delayed the early termination right of either party by one year. This extension is effective following the NYMEX and CME shareholder vote. Upon a successful completion of the CME Group/NYMEX transaction, the technology partnership will no longer be in effect as the parties will utilize the CME Globex platform as the electronic trading solution for the combined company.

“CME Group and NYMEX have the potential to create tremendous value for our shareholders, customers and members, and today’s revised merger agreement makes that opportunity a reality,” said CME Group Executive Chairman Terry Duffy. “We remain committed to maintaining a significant presence in the NYMEX facility in New York and working with the NYMEX Class A members to achieve a seamless and successful integration.”

“We believe that the merger with CME is in the best interests of all NYMEX shareholders and Class A Members,” said NYMEX Chairman Richard Schaeffer. “CME Group remains the best partner for continuing to build the NYMEX business around the world, and NYMEX senior management has demonstrated that we are absolutely committed to delivering the benefits of this combination to our shareholders and members. We look forward to proceeding to our vote and focusing on a smooth integration so that our combined company can quickly achieve its significant growth potential.”

“We believe the additional consideration and commitments offered to NYMEX Class A members are warranted to compensate Class A members for the value of the rights they are giving up, which is essential to the successful integration of NYMEX into CME Group, while also solidifying Class A members’ commitment as users of the exchange in a way that should benefit all of our shareholders,” said CME Group Chief Executive Officer Craig Donohue. “As we look to further expand our business and generate efficiencies for all stakeholders, we are committed to completing this transaction and creating $60 million in cost synergies for shareholders. This transaction will also produce millions of dollars in savings for our clearing firms and additional efficiencies for customers, will further diversify our revenues going forward and better position our combined company to compete globally in all asset classes.”

“We are pleased today to move closer to completing our transaction with CME Group,” said NYMEX President and Chief Executive Officer James E. Newsome. “We continue to believe that a combination with CME Group is the best way to expand our opportunity for growth overall, and the enhancements announced today are further evidence of our confidence in and dedication to this transaction.

Bill Ford, a member of NYMEX’s Board of Directors and CEO of global growth investment firm General Atlantic LLC, stated, “As a growth investor and a prospective significant shareholder in the combined company, General Atlantic fully supports this transaction because we believe it provides the best strategic opportunity for NYMEX’s long-term growth. Together, NYMEX and CME Group will provide shareholders an investment in the largest and most diversified global futures and derivatives exchange, with world class technology, an outstanding management team and the opportunity for significant business synergies. Moreover, we believe the revised terms of the merger agreement will allow for an even more vibrant and competitive marketplace for current NYMEX Class A members and customers. General Atlantic will vote all of our shares in favor of the merger, and we look forward to participating in the growth and success of the combined company.”

Strategic Benefits of the Transaction:

  • Financially Attractive: CME Group and NYMEX Holdings expect the transaction to become accretive to earnings on a GAAP basis within 12 to 18 months after the closing.
  • Synergy Opportunities: Anticipated pre-tax cost savings of approximately $60 million annually, driven primarily by technology and administrative cost reductions.
  • Operational Efficiencies: Expected customer benefits derived from clearing efficiencies, harmonized trading and administrative technology systems.
  • Strategic Position: Affords CME Group the opportunity to continue to provide a regulated, transparent exchange for global energy and metals market participants.
  • Commitment to New York: The combined company will maintain a significant presence in New York City, continuing to develop the futures industry in New York and around the world.
  • Global Growth: The combination will also significantly expand CME Group’s presence where energy and metals products are central to risk management strategies, particularly in the Middle East and Asia.
  • Worldwide Partnerships: Efforts to expand NYMEX’s energy presence globally through its existing relationships with the Dubai Mercantile Exchange, the Norwegian derivatives exchange, Imarex, the recently announced Green Exchange and the initiative with LCH remain unchanged under the terms of the agreement and will complement CME Group’s existing partnerships with BM&F and Korea Exchange.

The transaction is subject to approvals of shareholders of both companies and of NYMEX Class A members, as well as the satisfaction of customary closing conditions. Subject to obtaining the necessary approvals, the companies expect to close the merger in the third quarter of 2008.

About CME Group

CME Group (www.cmegroup.com) is the world’s largest and most diverse exchange. Formed by the 2007 merger of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) and the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT), CME Group serves the risk management needs of customers around the globe. As an international marketplace, CME Group brings buyers and sellers together on the CME Globex electronic trading platform and on its trading floors. CME Group offers the widest range of benchmark products available across all major asset classes, including futures and options based on interest rates, equity indexes, foreign exchange, agricultural commodities, and alternative investment products such as weather and real estate. CME Group is traded on the NASDAQ under the symbol “CME.”

About NYMEX Holdings, Inc.

NYMEX Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:NMX) is the parent company of New York Mercantile Exchange, Inc., the world’s largest physical commodities exchange, offering futures and options trading in energy, metals and other contracts and clearing services for more than 400 off-exchange contracts. Through a hybrid model of open outcry floor trading and electronic trading on the CME Globex(R) electronic platform, as well as clearing off-exchange instruments through NYMEX ClearPort(R) Clearing, NYMEX offers crude oil, petroleum products, natural gas, coal, electricity, gold, silver, copper, aluminum, platinum group metals, emissions, and soft commodities contracts for trading and clearing virtually 24 hours each day. Further information about NYMEX Holdings, Inc. and the New York Mercantile Exchange, Inc. is available on the NYMEX website at http://www.nymex.com/.

Important Merger Information

In connection with the merger transaction involving CME Group and NYMEX Holdings, CME Group has filed a registration statement on Form S-4 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (”SEC”) on June 11, 2008 containing a preliminary joint proxy statement/prospectus. The registration statement has not yet become effective. This material is not a substitute for the final prospectus/proxy statement or any other documents the parties will file with the SEC. Investors and security holders are urged to read the final prospectus/proxy statement and any other such documents, when available, which will contain important information about the proposed transaction. The final prospectus/proxy statement will be, and other documents filed or to be filed by CME Group with the SEC are or will be available free of charge at the SEC’s Web site ( http://www.sec.gov/ ) or from CME Group Inc., Attention: Shareholder Relations, 20 S. Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606 , (312) 930-1000 or NYMEX Holdings, Inc., Attention: Investor Relations, at One North End Avenue, World Financial Center, New York, New York 10282, (212) 299-2000.

CME Group and NYMEX Holdings and their respective directors, executive officers and other members of management and employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from CME Group and NYMEX Holdings shareholders in respect of the proposed transaction. Information regarding CME Group and NYMEX Holdings’ directors and executive officers is available in their respective proxy statements for their 2008 annual meeting of stockholders. Additional information regarding the interests of such potential participants is included in the joint proxy statement/prospectus and the other relevant documents filed with the SEC when they become available. This document shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offering of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

CME-G

Source: CME Group Inc.; NYMEX Holdings, Inc.

Erie Insurance Earns Top J.D. Power Customer Satisfaction Award

Erie Insurance has earned J.D. Power and Associates’ award for “Highest in Customer Satisfaction with the Auto Insurance Purchase Experience.” This award recognizes the top score in J.D. Power’s 2008 Insurance New Buyer Study, which assesses customers’ experience in purchasing a new auto insurance policy.

The J.D. Power study examines the purchase behaviors and overall satisfaction of buyers who shop for a new auto insurance company. Three key factors are measured to determine overall satisfaction. In order of importance, they are: distribution channel (50 percent), price (29 percent) and policy offerings (21 percent). Erie Insurance achieved the highest ranking with strong performance across all factors.

“This award reflects the commitment of Erie Insurance employees and agents to being above all in service,” said John J. Brinling, Jr., president and CEO. “That commitment is deeply rooted in our 83-year history and our culture.”

The Insurance New Buyer Study is in its second year. J.D. Power first conducted the study in 2007, but no award was presented. J.D. Power typically conducts its studies first without an award and uses the initial findings to establish a benchmark for future studies and awards.

“We are thrilled to receive this prestigious recognition,” added Brinling. “It reflects our efforts to make an exceptional first impression and continue to delight our policyholders and exceed their expectations in every experience they have with Erie Insurance. That’s good business and it’s why our policyholders stay with us.”

Erie Insurance operates a Wisconsin Branch Office in Brookfield and has 107 independent agents throughout Wisconsin.

For more on the Insurance New Buyer Study and Erie Insurance’s award, see the J.D. Power and Associates’ Web site at http://www.jdpower.com/.

About Erie Insurance: According to A.M. Best Company, Erie Insurance Group, based in Erie, Pennsylvania, is the 16th largest automobile insurer in the United States based on direct premiums written and the 21st largest property/casualty insurer in the United States based on total lines net premium written. The Group, rated A+ (Superior) by A.M. Best Company, has over 3.9 million policies in force and operates in 11 states and the District of Columbia. Erie Insurance Group ranked 488 on the FORTUNE 500. To learn more, visit http://www.erieinsurance.com/.

About J.D. Power and Associates: Headquartered in Westlake Village, Calif., J.D. Power and Associates is a global marketing information services company operating in key business sectors including market research, forecasting, performance improvement, training and customer satisfaction. The company’s quality and satisfaction measurements are based on responses from millions of consumers annually. For more information on car reviews and ratings, car insurance, health insurance, cell phone ratings, and more, please visit JDPower.com. J.D. Power and Associates is a business unit of The McGraw-Hill Companies.

Source: Erie Insurance

Payment Processor Equens Becomes Societas Europaea

Societas Europaea (SE) Reflects European Ambitions of Equens

Equens - one of the largest payment processors in Europe - was transformed into a Societas Europaea and became Equens SE. This legal form is in line with Equens’ ambitions and positioning as a truly European player within the European payments market. The new company is the result of the legal mergers of Equens Nederland B.V. and the German Equens Deutschland AG into the holding Equens N.V., followed by the conversion into a Societas Europaea.

As a result of the finalised co-determination process associated with the formation of an SE, Equens will establish an SE Works Council and thereby implement a stable and future-orientated international co-determination regime. The existing two-tier governance structure with Supervisory Board and Board of Directors will remain unchanged. The SE conversion will lead to cost savings at operative level. Equens is the first significant operational SE in the Netherlands. Other prominent examples of SEs in Europe are Allianz, BASF, Fresenius, Porsche and Strabag.

A Societas Europaea, also referred to as ‘Europe Inc.’ or ‘Europa AG’ is a legal form under the laws of the European Union. Since the end of 2004, this legal form permits internationally operating companies like Equens to transform into European public limited-liability companies, which are governed by a largely uniform European body of law based on an EU directive.

Dr Gotz Moller, a member of Equens’ Board of Directors: “We are glad that we have taken the next step towards achieving our European ambition. It is a logical move after the successful operative integration of the - until now - separate legal entities in Germany and the Netherlands. This new legal form is in line with our European strategy to further improve our strong position through internal optimisation, as well as national and international partnerships, in order to further reduce the costs per transaction. With an explicit growth strategy Equens aims to maintain a top position in the European payments industry.”
The two-tier governance structure of Equens SE consists of:

Equens Supervisory Board

E. Dralans, ING Groep (Chairman)
G. Roth, DZ BANK (Deputy Chairman)
Dr J.J. Bos, Rabobank Nederland
M.C.A. Buitenhek, ING Groep
C. Defrancq, KBC Groep
Dr. J.J. Kamp, ABN AMRO Bank
H. Op den Brouw, Rabobank Nederland
J. Riecke, DZ BANK (nominated)
R.Teerlink, ABN AMRO Bank

Equens Board of Directors

M. Steinbach (Chairman)
A. Kuijpers, MBT (Deputy Chairman)
Dr. G. Moller

J. Sonneveld

Equens SE is the first truly pan-European, full-service payment processor. As one of the largest and most innovative payment processors in Europe, Equens is leading the market for future-proof payments and card processing solutions. Thanks to an extensive and competitive service portfolio and a flexible, customer-orientated approach, the company seamlessly meets the requirements of the European payments market. With an annual volume of 7.3 billion payments and 2.1 billion POS and ATM transactions, Equens has a market share of more than 15% within the euro zone. By continuously pursuing further growth and translating the achieved synergy benefits and economies of scale into advantages for the customer, the company contributes to the efficiency of European payments.

For additional information, please visit http://www.equens.com

Source: Equens