NASDAQ OMX Group (NDAQ)

If our revenues decline and we are unable to reduce our costs, our profitability could be adversely affected.

We base our cost structure on historical and expected levels of demand for our products and services. Any decline in demand for our products and services and our resulting revenues may not cause a corresponding decline in our expenses and, therefore, we may not be able to adjust our cost structure on a timely basis. Over the last several years, the securities industry and securities markets have faced generally adverse conditions and increased competition. As a result, we have not been able, and in the future may not be able, to maintain revenues and income levels from prior periods when there was substantial growth in the securities industry. In addition, we may have difficulty managing our business as we are forced to reduce our expenses to deal with contraction in our business.

Any failure to achieve our goals on cost savings will have an adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations. We may fail in our initiatives to try to increase our business. We also may not have made adequate allowances for the changes and risks associated with the increasingly competitive securities market landscape or a weakened equities market. Our systems and procedures may not be adequate to support our operations. Our management may not be able to offer or expand our services successfully, particularly in adverse market conditions. If we are unable to manage our operations effectively, our business, financial condition and operating results could be adversely affected.