NASDAQ OMX Group (NDAQ)

Concentrations of Credit, Market and Other Risks

The Company is exposed to substantial credit risk from both parties to a securities transaction during the period between the transaction date and the settlement date. This period is generally three business days in the U.S. equities markets and can be as much as 30 days in some international markets. In addition, the Company may have credit exposure that extends beyond the settlement date in the case of a party that does not settle in a timely manner by failing either to make payment or to deliver securities. We hold the securities that are the subject of the transaction as collateral for our customer receivables. Adverse movements in the prices of these securities can increase our credit risk. The majority of the Company’s transactions and, consequently, the concentration of its credit exposure are with broker-dealers and other financial institutions, primarily located in the United States and the United Kingdom. The Company seeks to control its credit risk through a variety of reporting and control procedures, including establishing credit limits and enforcing credit standards based upon a review of the counterparties’ financial condition and credit ratings. The Company monitors trading activity and collateral levels on a daily basis for compliance with regulatory and internal guidelines and obtains additional collateral, if appropriate. For the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, losses from transactions in which a party refused or was unable to settle were immaterial.

The Company uses securities borrowed and loaned transactions to facilitate the settlement process to meet its customers’ needs. Under these transactions, the Company either receives or provides collateral, generally cash or securities. In the event the counterparty is unable to meet its contractual obligations to return the pledged collateral, the Company may be exposed to the market risk of acquiring the collateral at prevailing market prices.

The Company is subject to operational, technological and settlement risks. These include the risk of potential financial loss attributable to operational factors such as untimely or inaccurate trade execution, clearance or settlement or the inability to process large volumes or transactions. The Company is also subject to risk of loss attributable to technological limitations or computer failures that may constrain the Company’s ability to gather, process and communicate information efficiently, securely and without interruption.