NASDAQ OMX Group (NDAQ)

Our business and operating results could be harmed by market fluctuations and other risks associated with the securities industry generally.

Trading volume is directly affected by economic and political conditions, broad trends in business and finance, and changes in price levels of securities and by the overall level of investor confidence. Weak economic conditions or a reduction in prices of securities trading on the securities markets could result in a decline in trading volume. A decline in trading volume would lower revenues from our Market Services segment and our profitability may be adversely affected if we are unable to reduce costs at the same rate. We are particularly affected by declines in trading volume in technology-related securities because a significant portion of our customers trade in these types of securities and a large number of technology-related companies are listed on The Nasdaq Stock Market. In addition, investor confidence and trader interest can be affected by factors outside our control, such as the publicity surrounding several recent investigations and prosecutions for corporate governance or accounting irregularities at public companies. Any stagnation or decline in the IPO market will have an

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adverse effect on our revenues, including, in particular, revenues from listing fees. Poor economic conditions could also lead to an increase in the number of companies delisted from The Nasdaq Stock Market also causing a decline in our revenues. During the year ended December 31, 2004, 63 companies were delisted from The Nasdaq Stock Market for regulatory non-compliance and 259 companies voluntarily delisted primarily due to mergers or to switch listing venues.