Category: Financial

Date: Feb 08 2010

NASDAQ OMX Announces Fourth Quarter 2009 Results

NEW YORK, Feb 8, 2010 (GlobeNewswire via COMTEX) --

The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. ("NASDAQ OMX(R)") (Nasdaq:NDAQ) today reported net income attributable to NASDAQ OMX of $43 million, or $0.20 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2009 compared with net income attributable to NASDAQ OMX of $60 million, or $0.28 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2009, and net income attributable to NASDAQ OMX of $35 million, or $0.17 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2008. Net income attributable to NASDAQ OMX for the full year of 2009 was $266 million, or $1.25 per diluted share.

Included in fourth quarter of 2009 results are:

  --  $51 million of impairment charges related to unconsolidated investees,
      net of tax;
  --  $16 million in pre-tax expenses associated with occupancy sub-lease
      reserves, workforce reductions, and other non-recurring items; and
  --  $12 million of pre-tax gains on the sales of certain businesses.


Excluding the above items net income attributable to NASDAQ OMX calculated on a non-GAAP basis was $99 million, compared with non-GAAP net income attributable to NASDAQ OMX of $89 million for the third quarter of 2009 and $110 million for the fourth quarter of 2008. Non-GAAP diluted earnings per common share were $0.46 for the fourth quarter of 2009 compared with non-GAAP diluted earnings per common share of $0.42 for the third quarter of 2009 and $0.52 for the fourth quarter of 2008.

"We've accomplished much in the past year, completing our integration efforts and furthering the diversity of our revenue model through growth in market technology, in European derivative trading, and in fee based services," commented Bob Greifeld, NASDAQ OMX's Chief Executive Officer. "Today we are a more efficient operator with better financial flexibility, placing us in a strong position to lever our expertise in trading technology, clearing, data distribution, and corporate services. The changing dynamics of our industry are providing numerous growth opportunities and our technology leadership leaves us well positioned to swiftly capitalize on those changes to expand our business."

Highlights

  --  Grew Nordic derivative volume in the fourth quarter of 2009 to 28.3
      million transactions, representing an increase of nearly 18% from prior
      quarter levels. Driving this growth was the transition to NASDAQ OMX of
      trading activity previously done on EDX.
  --  Welcomed, at the beginning of December, 34 new international members for
      trading and clearing in Nordic derivatives. This represents an annual
      member increase of more than 60 percent when compared to last year. A
      membership at NASDAQ OMX Stockholm allows access to all Nordic equities
      and fixed income derivatives products through one single trading
      platform. Among its products is the OMXS30, the third most traded
      domestic index in Europe.
  --  Completed the first cross border merger of clearinghouses, with the
      combination of the Nord Pool and Nordic clearinghouses. The combination
      provided clearing capital synergies while offering the ability to
      deliver enhanced services across financial derivative and commodity
      products through continued development of clearing technology.
  --  Together with Nord Pool Spot, launched N2EX, a marketplace for physical
      UK power contracts. N2EX establishes an auction-driven reference price
      based on the physical market which will be used as the basis for N2EX's
      planned derivatives market later in 2010.
  --  Witnessed volume growth in the European power market, with total cleared
      power contracts increasing 28% from the third quarter of 2009, and 14%
      from the fourth quarter of 2008.
  --  Reached new market share highs in the trading of U.S. equity options
      contracts. The combined market share of NASDAQ OMX PHLX and The NASDAQ
      Options Market ("NOM") averaged 22% during the fourth quarter of 2009,
      as PHLX averaged 19% and NOM averaged 3%, an increase of 2% when
      compared to combined market share of 20% in the third quarter of 2009.
      Total volume traded on these markets grew 30% in the fourth quarter of
      2009 when compared to the same period last year.
  --  Improved market share in trading of US equities. Market share for The
      NASDAQ Stock Market grew to 21% while NASDAQ OMX BX grew to 3%, for a
      combined share of 24%, up from a combined share of 22% in Q309.
  --  Captured a total of 143 new listings in 2009, including 131 on The
      NASDAQ Stock Market and 12 on the exchanges that comprise NASDAQ OMX
      Nordic and NASDAQ OMX Baltic. New listings include a record 33 Chinese
      companies, more than any other U.S. exchange. A total of 124 Chinese
      companies now list on NASDAQ. Also included in 2009 new listings are 34
      initial public offerings.
  --  Expanded the offering of Norwegian securities to include the 30 largest
      Norwegian shares and became the first regulated exchange to offer
      central counterparty clearing for trading of Norwegian equities,
      enabling significant cost, risk and liquidity advantages.
  --  Named Outstanding Data Provider of the Year by the Financial Information
      Services Division (FISD) of the Software and Information Industry
      Association. The award recognizes exchanges or data providers that most
      closely adhere to the FISD's best practices in customer service and
      communication.
  --  Selected as the primary source of real-time index values for Russell
      Investments' global indexes. In order to more broadly distribute this
      comprehensive, rules-based index information, NASDAQ OMX began
      disseminating real-time values for the Russell Global Indexes in early
      2010.
  --  Expanded the Global Index Group product offering by launching 28 new
      indexes in the fourth quarter of 2009, including both custom and NASDAQ
      OMX indexes. In addition, product sponsors launched 7 new ETFS based on
      NASDAQ OMX Indexes.
  --  Announced plans to expand an agreement with Morningstar, Inc.
      (Nasdaq:MORN), a leading provider of independent investment research, to
      provide comprehensive analyst research reports on NASDAQ-listed
      companies.
  --  Signed a commercial contract with BMFBOVESPA (BMFBOVESPA:BVMF3)
      regarding global distribution of market data and the provisioning of
      NASDAQ OMX products and corporate services to public companies in
      Brazil.   NASDAQ OMX also announced plans to develop a communications
      system to facilitate the routing of orders between participating brokers
      located in the United States and brokers located in Brazil, subject to
      required regulatory approvals and other customary conditions.
  --  Renewed our regulatory services relationship with FINRA, the premier
      independent regulatory services provider in the United States, and
      expanded our use of FINRA to NASDAQ OMX PHLX. This illustrates NASDAQ
      OMX's commitment to providing investors with access to the best
      regulated markets in the world.
  --  Refinanced existing debt by completing a $1 billion underwritten public
      offering of 5 and 10 year senior unsecured notes and entering into new
      senior unsecured credit facilities providing for up to $950 million in
      borrowings, including $700 million in funded term loans and $250 million
      in an unfunded revolving credit commitment. The refinancing provides
      increased flexibility regarding the use of free cash, extends the
      maturity date of debt obligations, and reduces interest rate risk.
      Additionally, NASDAQ OMX's corporate debt was recently upgraded by both
      Standard  Poor's (BBB) and Moody's (Baa3).   The ratings reflect an
      investment grade profile from both agencies.


"The strong cash flow of our diverse business model recently provided us with an opportunity to refinance our outstanding credit facility at extremely favorable terms," noted Adena Friedman, Chief Financial Officer. "The terms of the new debt provide us with increased flexibility in our capital management decisions while reducing our interest rate exposure. Additionally, the recent upgrades of our debt ratings speak to our sound financial policy and to the fact that we delivered on the promises of our integration efforts and improved the efficiency of our operations. In 2010, our goal is to maintain this financial discipline while delivering growth to our shareholders. For the full year of 2010, our guidance for total operating expenses is to be in the range of $865 million to $885 million, including approximately $50 million in non-recurring costs."

Financial Review

Revenues

Revenues less liquidity rebates, brokerage, clearance and exchange fees ("net exchange revenues") were $369 million for the fourth quarter of 2009, an increase of $20 million, or 6%, from third quarter of 2009 results. Net exchange revenues decreased $34 million, or 8%, from fourth quarter of 2008 results.

Market Services

Market Services net exchange revenues were $240 million, an increase of 4% from the third quarter of 2009, but a decrease of 14% from the fourth quarter of 2008.

Transaction Services

Net exchange revenues from Transaction Services were $150 million for the fourth quarter of 2009, an increase of $11 million, or 8%, when compared to the third quarter of 2009, but a decrease of $30 million, or 17%, when compared to the fourth quarter of 2008.

  --  Cash Equity Trading net exchange revenues were $54 million for the
      fourth quarter of 2009, up $5 million, or 10%, from the third quarter of
      2009 but down $40 million, or 43%, from the prior year quarter.


  --  Net U.S. cash equity trading revenues increased when compared to the
      third quarter of 2009 due to higher average net fees for shares matched
      on NASDAQ's and NASDAQ OMX BX's trading systems and higher market share.
      Somewhat offsetting the increase was a decline in industry trading
      volume, which was down 12% from third quarter of 2009 levels. Revenues
      decreased when compared to the prior year quarter due primarily to
      declines in matched share volume and lower average net fee per share
      matched on NASDAQ's trading system.
  --  European cash equity trading revenues declined when compared to the
      third quarter of 2009 and to the prior year quarter.   The modest
      decline from the third quarter of 2009 is due to lower value traded and
      to fee changes that were introduced with the implementation of central
      counterparty clearing during the fourth quarter of 2009. The decline
      from the fourth quarter of 2008 is primarily due to a decline in value
      traded, which dropped from EURO170 billion in the prior year quarter to
      EURO139 billion in the fourth quarter of 2009.
  --  Included in U.S. cash equity trading revenues in the fourth quarter of
      2009 are $103 million in SEC Section 31 fees, compared with $94 million
      in the third quarter of 2009 and $36 million in the fourth quarter of
      2008. Corresponding cost of revenues, reflecting the reimbursement of
      these fees to the SEC, is included in brokerage, clearance and exchange
      fees.


  --  Derivative trading and clearing net exchange revenues were $57 million
      for the fourth quarter of 2009, up $3 million, or 6%, from both the
      third quarter of 2009 and the prior year quarter.


  --  Net U.S. derivative trading revenues declined when compared to the third
      quarter of 2009 and to the prior year quarter, primarily due to lower
      average net fees for traded contracts.
  --  European derivative trading and clearing revenues increased when
      compared to the third quarter of 2009 and to the fourth quarter of 2008.
      Increases when compared to the third quarter of 2009 are due to
      increases in clearing activity for energy contracts and to increases in
      trading volume for index options and futures contracts. The increase in
      trading volumes for index options and futures contracts is primarily due
      to the migration of trading to NASDAQ OMX that was previously transacted
      at EDX. Growth when compared to the prior year quarter is primarily due
      to the inclusion of NASDAQ OMX Commodities revenues following the
      October 21, 2008 closing of NASDAQ OMX's acquisition of Nord Pool ASA's
      clearing, international derivatives and consulting subsidiaries, and to
      increases in clearing activity for energy contracts. Also contributing
      to the increase in revenues when compared to the fourth quarter of 2008
      are favorable changes in the exchange rates of various currencies as
      compared to the U.S. dollar.


  --  Access Services revenues were $39 million for the fourth quarter of
      2009, an increase of $3 million, or 8%, when compared to the third
      quarter of 2009 and $7 million, or 22%, when compared to the prior year
      quarter. The increase in access services revenues when compared to both
      the third quarter of 2009 and to the prior year quarter is primarily due
      to revised fees for access services and increased demand for co-location
      services.


Market Data

Market Data revenues were $83 million for the fourth quarter of 2009, up $4 million, or 5%, when compared to the third quarter of 2009, but down $2 million, or 2%, when compared to the fourth quarter of 2008.

  --  Net U.S. tape plans revenues were $33 million in the fourth quarter of
      2009, up $2 million, or 6%, when compared to the third quarter of 2009
      but down $4 million, or 11%, when compared to the prior year quarter.
      The increase when compared to the third quarter of 2009 is due to
      increases in NASDAQ's and NASDAQ OMX BX's trading and quoting market
      share of U.S equities.   The decline in U.S. tape plans revenues, net of
      revenue sharing plans, in the fourth quarter of 2009 when compared to
      the fourth quarter of 2008 is primarily due to the decline in NASDAQ's
      trading and quoting market share of U.S. equities and a reduction in the
      size of tape plan revenue pools.
  --   U.S. market data products revenues were $30 million in the fourth
      quarter of 2009, an increase of $1 million, or 3%, when compared to the
      third quarter of 2009, and an increase of $3 million, or 11%, when
      compared to the year ago quarter. Revenue growth when compared to the
      prior year quarter is driven primarily by the growth of products such as
      the NASDAQ Global Index Data Service, launched in the first quarter of
      2009, and other proprietary data products.
  --  European market data products revenues were $20 million in the fourth
      quarter of 2009, an increase of $1 million, or 5%, when compared to the
      third quarter of 2009, but a decrease of $1 million, or 5%, when
      compared to the prior year quarter.   The increase when compared to the
      third quarter of 2009 is primarily due to changes in the exchange rates
      of various currencies as compared to the U.S. dollar. The decrease when
      compared to the fourth quarter of 2008 is due to declines in subscriber
      populations.


Issuer Services

During the fourth quarter of 2009, Issuer Services revenues were $82 million, representing an increase of $1 million, or 1%, from the prior quarter, but a decrease of $3 million, or 4%, from the fourth quarter of 2008.

Global Listing Services

Global Listing Services revenues were $72 million for the fourth quarter of 2009, up $1 million, or 1%, from the third quarter of 2009, but down $3 million, or 4%, when compared to the fourth quarter of 2008. The increase when compared to the third quarter of 2009 is primarily due to higher market capitalization values for European listed equities, which in turn result in higher European listing fees. Decreases in revenues from the prior year period are due primarily to the fourth quarter of 2009 sale of Carpenter Moore, NASDAQ OMX's insurance brokerage business. Also contributing to the decline are lower U.S. annual renewal fees resulting from fewer listed companies.

Market Technology

Market Technology revenues were $44 million for the fourth quarter of 2009, up $8 million, or 22%, when compared to the third quarter of 2009, and up $9 million, or 26%, when compared to the fourth quarter of 2008. Revenue increases are primarily due to the increased deliveries of market technology contracts. Also contributing to the increases are changes in the exchange rates of various currencies as compared to the U.S. dollar.

Operating Expenses

Total non-GAAP operating expenses increased $7 million, or 4%, to $204 million from $197 million in the third quarter of 2009, but decreased $9 million, or 4%, from $213 million in the prior year quarter. The increase in expenses when compared to the third quarter of 2009 is primarily driven by higher compensation expense and increased marketing and advertising spending. The decrease in expenses from the fourth quarter of 2008 was realized through a reduction in compensation expense and lower general, administrative and other expense. These reductions were driven by successful integration efforts associated with NASDAQ's business combination with OMX and acquisition of the Philadelphia Stock Exchange.

Net Interest Expense

Net interest expense was $22 million for the fourth quarter of 2009, compared with $23 million for the third quarter of 2009 and $28 million for the fourth quarter of 2008. Included in interest expense for the fourth quarter of 2009 is $15 million in interest expense, $3 million of non-cash expense associated with accretion of 2.5% convertible notes, $3 million in non-cash debt amortization expenses, and $4 million in other related fees. Interest income for the fourth quarter of 2009 was $3 million.

Earnings Per Share

On a non-GAAP basis, fourth quarter 2009 earnings per diluted share were $0.46 as compared to non-GAAP earnings per diluted share of $0.42 in the third quarter of 2009 and non-GAAP earnings per diluted share of $0.52 in the prior year quarter. NASDAQ OMX's weighted average shares outstanding used to calculate diluted earnings per share was 215 million for the fourth quarter of 2009 compared with 215 million for the third quarter of 2009 and 214 million for the fourth quarter of 2008.

In June 2009, NASDAQ OMX filed an application for an advance tax ruling with the Swedish Tax Council for Advanced Tax Rulings. The application was filed to confirm whether certain interest expense is deductible for Swedish tax purposes under legislation that became effective on January 1, 2009. We expect to receive a favorable response from the Swedish Tax Council for Advance Tax Rulings. We recorded the Swedish tax benefit as described above in our condensed consolidated financial statements. In the fourth quarter of 2009, we recorded a tax benefit of $5 million, or $0.02 per diluted share. For the full year of 2009, we recorded a tax benefit of $19 million, or $0.09 per diluted share. We expect to record recurring quarterly tax benefits of $4 million to $5 million with respect to this issue for the foreseeable future.

About NASDAQ OMX

The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. is the world's largest exchange company. It delivers trading, exchange technology and public company services across six continents, with approximately 3,700 listed companies. NASDAQ OMX offers multiple capital raising solutions to companies around the globe, including its U.S. listings market, NASDAQ OMX Nordic, NASDAQ OMX Baltic, NASDAQ OMX First North, and the U.S. 144A sector. The company offers trading across multiple asset classes including equities, derivatives, debt, commodities, structured products and exchange-traded funds. NASDAQ OMX technology supports the operations of over 70 exchanges, clearing organizations and central securities depositories in more than 50 countries. NASDAQ OMX Nordic and NASDAQ OMX Baltic are not legal entities but describe the common offering from NASDAQ OMX exchanges in Helsinki, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Iceland, Tallinn, Riga, and Vilnius. For more information about NASDAQ OMX, visit http://www.nasdaqomx.com. *Please follow NASDAQ OMX on Twitter (http://twitter.com/nasdaq) and Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/pages/NASDAQcom/13881287428).

Non-GAAP Information

In addition to disclosing results determined in accordance with GAAP, NASDAQ OMX also discloses certain non-GAAP results of operations, including net income, diluted earnings per share, operating expenses, and operating income that make certain adjustments or exclude certain charges and gains that are described in the reconciliation table of GAAP to non-GAAP information provided at the end of this release. Management believes that this non-GAAP information provides investors with additional information to assess NASDAQ OMX's operating performance by making certain adjustments or excluding costs or gains and assists investors in comparing our operating performance to prior periods. Management uses this non-GAAP information, along with GAAP information, in evaluating its historical operating performance.

The non-GAAP information is not prepared in accordance with GAAP and may not be comparable to non-GAAP information used by other companies. The non-GAAP information should not be viewed as a substitute for, or superior to, other data prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Information set forth in this communication contains forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. NASDAQ OMX cautions readers that any forward-looking information is not a guarantee of future performance and that actual results could differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking information. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to (i) projections about our future financial results, growth, trading volumes and achievement of synergy targets, (ii) statements about the implementation dates and benefits of certain strategic initiatives, (iii) statements about our integrations of our recent acquisitions and (iv) other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties or other factors beyond NASDAQ OMX's control. These factors include, but are not limited to, NASDAQ OMX's ability to implement its strategic initiatives, economic, political and market conditions and fluctuations, government and industry regulation, interest rate risk, U.S. and global competition, and other factors detailed in NASDAQ OMX's filings with the U.S. Securities Exchange Commission, including its annual reports on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q which are available on NASDAQ OMX's website at http://www.nasdaqomx.com and the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. NASDAQ OMX undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

                                 The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc.
                             Consolidated Statements of Income
                          (in millions, except per share amounts)
                                        (unaudited)


                                          Three Months Ended            Year Ended
                                     -----------------------------  ------------------
                                     December  September  December  December  December
                                        31,       30,        31,       31,       31,

                                       2009       2009      2008      2009      2008
                                     --------  ---------  --------  --------  --------
  Revenues
  Market Services revenues               $686       $691      $901    $2,929    $3,176
  Cost of revenues:
  Liquidity rebates                     (308)      (329)     (528)   (1,475)   (1,744)
  Brokerage, clearance and
   exchange fees                        (138)      (132)      (94)     (481)     (446)
                                     --------  ---------  --------  --------  --------

   Total cost of revenues               (446)      (461)     (622)   (1,956)   (2,190)
                                     --------  ---------  --------  --------  --------
  Total Market Services revenues
   less liquidity rebates,
   brokerage, clearance and
   exchange fees                          240        230       279       973       986

  Issuer Services revenues                 82         81        85       324       343
  Market Technology revenues               44         36        35       145       119

  Other revenues                            3          2         4        11        12
                                     --------  ---------  --------  --------  --------

  Total revenues less liquidity
   rebates, brokerage, clearance
   and exchange fees                      369        349       403     1,453     1,460
                                     --------  ---------  --------  --------  --------
  Operating Expenses
  Compensation and benefits               110         99       106       412       401
  Marketing and advertising                 7          3         6        15        19
  Depreciation and amortization            27         27        27       104        93
  Professional and contract
   services                                20         20        19        76        72
  Computer operations and data
   communications                          16         14        13        58        54
  Occupancy                                26         19        17        81        65
  Regulatory                                3         10         7        32        29
  Merger expenses                          --          5        10        17        25
  General, administrative and
   other                                   11         21        18        55        62
                                     --------  ---------  --------  --------  --------

   Total operating expenses               220        218       223       850       820
                                     --------  ---------  --------  --------  --------

  Operating income                        149        131       180       603       640

  Interest income                           3          3         7        13        35
  Interest expense                       (25)       (26)      (35)     (102)      (97)
  Dividend and investment income           --          1         3         2         8
  Loss on sale of investment
   security                                --         --        --       (5)        --
  Gain on sales of businesses              12         --        --        12        --
  Income (loss) from
   unconsolidated investees, net         (87)         --        --     (107)        27
  Debt conversion expense                  --       (25)        --      (25)        --
  Asset impairment charges                 --         --      (35)        --      (42)
  Loss on foreign currency
   contracts, net                          --         --      (47)        --      (58)
                                     --------  ---------  --------  --------  --------
  Income before income taxes               52         84        73       391       513

  Income tax provision                     10         25        38       128       198
                                     --------  ---------  --------  --------  --------
  Net income                               42         59        35       263       315

  Net (income) loss attributable
   to noncontrolling interests              1          1        --         3       (1)
                                     --------  ---------  --------  --------  --------
  Net income attributable to
   NASDAQ OMX                             $43        $60       $35      $266      $314
                                     ========  =========  ========  ========  ========

  Basic and diluted earnings per
   share:

   Basic earnings per share             $0.20      $0.30     $0.17     $1.30     $1.65
                                     ========  =========  ========  ========  ========

   Diluted earnings per share           $0.20      $0.28     $0.17     $1.25     $1.55
                                     ========  =========  ========  ========  ========

  Weighted-average common shares
   outstanding for earnings per
   share:
   Basic                                  211        203       201       205       190
   Diluted                                215        215       214       215       205

                             The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc.
                                   Revenue Detail
                                   (in millions)
                                     (unaudited)


                                      Three Months Ended            Year Ended
                                 -----------------------------  ------------------
                                 December  September  December  December  December
                                    31,       30,        31,       31,       31,

                                   2009       2009      2008      2009      2008
                                 --------  ---------  --------  --------  --------
  MARKET SERVICES
   Transaction Services
   Cash Equity Trading
    Revenues:
   U.S. cash equity trading          $446       $461      $675    $2,010    $2,412
   Cost of revenues:
     Liquidity rebates              (286)      (310)     (516)   (1,394)   (1,718)
     Brokerage, clearance and
      exchange fees                 (130)      (127)      (93)     (465)     (444)
                                 --------  ---------  --------  --------  --------
     Total U.S. cash equity
      cost of revenues              (416)      (437)     (609)   (1,859)   (2,162)
                                 --------  ---------  --------  --------  --------
     Net U.S. cash equity
      trading revenues                 30         24        66       151       250

   European cash equity trading        24         25        28        99       116
                                 --------  ---------  --------  --------  --------
     Total net cash equity
      trading revenues                 54         49        94       250       366
                                 --------  ---------  --------  --------  --------

   Derivative Trading and
    Clearing Revenues:
   U.S. derivative trading             61         58        48       232        93
   Cost of revenues:
     Liquidity rebates               (22)       (19)      (12)      (81)      (26)
     Brokerage, clearance and
      exchange fees                   (8)        (5)       (1)      (16)       (2)
                                 --------  ---------  --------  --------  --------
     Total U.S. derivative cost
      of revenues                    (30)       (24)      (13)      (97)      (28)
                                 --------  ---------  --------  --------  --------
     Net U.S. derivative
      trading revenues                 31         34        35       135        65
   European derivative trading
    and clearing revenues              26         20        19        87        64
                                 --------  ---------  --------  --------  --------
    Total net derivative
     trading and clearing
     revenues                          57         54        54       222       129


   Access Services Revenues            39         36        32       138       112
                                 --------  ---------  --------  --------  --------
   Total Transaction
    Services revenues less
    liquidity rebates,
    brokerage, clearance and
    exchange fees            150        139       180       610       607
                                 --------  ---------  --------  --------  --------

   Market Data
   Net U.S. tape plans                 33         31        37       128       146
   U.S. market data products           30         29        27       116       107
   European market data
    products                           20         19        21        78        77
                                 --------  ---------  --------  --------  --------

     Total Market Data revenues        83         79        85       322       330
                                 --------  ---------  --------  --------  --------

   Broker Services                      6          9        11        32        41
                                 --------  ---------  --------  --------  --------


   Other Market Services                1          3         3         9         8
                                 --------  ---------  --------  --------  --------
   Total Market Services
    revenues less liquidity
    rebates, brokerage,
    clearance and exchange fees       240        230       279       973       986
                                 --------  ---------  --------  --------  --------

  ISSUER SERVICES
   Global Listing Services:
   Annual renewal fees                 29         29        31       117       125
   Listing of additional shares
    fees                               10          9        10        37        40

   Initial listing fees                 5          5         5        20        22
                                 --------  ---------  --------  --------  --------
     Total U.S. listing fees           44         43        46       174       187
   European listing fees               12         11        12        45        48

   Corporate services                  16         17        17        66        64
                                 --------  ---------  --------  --------  --------
     Total Global Listing
      Services                         72         71        75       285       299


   Global Index Group                  10         10        10        39        44
                                 --------  ---------  --------  --------  --------
     Total Issuer Services
      revenues                         82         81        85       324       343
                                 --------  ---------  --------  --------  --------

  MARKET TECHNOLOGY
   License, support and project
    revenues                           34         28        22       110        86
   Facility management services         9          7         9        30        29

   Other revenues                       1          1         4         5         4
                                 --------  ---------  --------  --------  --------
     Total Market Technology
      revenues                         44         36        35       145       119
                                 --------  ---------  --------  --------  --------


  Other                                 3          2         4        11        12
                                 --------  ---------  --------  --------  --------
  Total revenues less liquidity
   rebates, brokerage,
   clearance and exchange fees       $369       $349      $403    $1,453    $1,460
                                 --------  ---------  --------  --------  --------

               The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc.
               Consolidated Balance Sheets
                     (in millions)


                                  December    December
                                     31,         31,

                                    2009        2008
                                 -----------  --------
  Assets                         (unaudited)
   Current assets:
     Cash and cash equivalents          $594      $374
     Restricted cash                      60       141
     Financial investments, at
      fair value                         308       227
     Receivables, net                    301       339
     Deferred tax assets                  25        27
     Market value, outstanding
      derivative positions             2,054     4,122

     Other current assets                112       198
                                 -----------  --------
  Total current assets                 3,454     5,428
  Non-current restricted cash             50        50
  Property and equipment, net            164       183
  Non-current deferred tax
   assets                                504       659
  Goodwill                             4,800     4,492
  Intangible assets, net               1,631     1,583

  Other assets                           119       357
                                 -----------  --------

  Total assets                       $10,722   $12,752
                                 ===========  ========

  Liabilities
  Current liabilities:
     Accounts payable and
      accrued expenses                  $119      $242
     Section 31 fees payable to
      SEC                                137        49
     Accrued personnel costs             125       157
     Deferred revenue                    105        98
     Other accrued liabilities            79       165
     Deferred tax liabilities             23        19
     Market value, outstanding
      derivative positions             2,054     4,122
     Current portion of debt
      obligations                        225       225
                                 -----------  --------
  Total current liabilities            2,867     5,077
  Debt obligations                     1,867     2,299
  Non-current deferred tax
   liabilities                           683       696
  Non-current deferred revenue           160       155

  Other liabilities                      186       222
                                 -----------  --------
  Total liabilities                    5,763     8,449

  Commitments and contingencies
  Series A convertible
   preferred stock                        15        --
  Equity
  NASDAQ OMX stockholders'
   equity:
     Common stock                          2         2
     Preferred stock                      --        --
     Additional paid-in capital        3,731     3,569
     Common stock in treasury,
      at cost                           (10)      (10)
     Accumulated other
      comprehensive loss               (406)     (619)

     Retained earnings                 1,610     1,344
                                 -----------  --------
  Total NASDAQ OMX
   stockholders' equity                4,927     4,286

  Noncontrolling interests                17        17
                                 -----------  --------

  Total equity                         4,944     4,303
                                 -----------  --------
  Total liabilities, Series A
   convertible preferred stock
   and equity                        $10,722   $12,752
                                 ===========  ========

                   The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc.
        Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Earnings and
     Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Operating Expenses
            (in millions, except per share amounts)


                                     Three Months Ended
                                -----------------------------

                                December  September  December
                                31, 2009   30, 2009  31, 2008
                                --------  ---------  --------

  GAAP Net Income attributable
   to NASDAQ OMX:
  ----------------------------       $43        $60       $35

  Adjustments:
   Professional fees                   2          2        --
   Technology                          3         --        --
   Occupancy                           8         --        --
   Regulatory                        (3)         --        --
   Gain on sales of businesses      (12)         --        --
   Impairment of
    unconsolidated investees          87         --        --
   Workforce reductions                6          4        --
   Asset retirements                  --         10        --
   Debt conversion expense            --         25        --
   Merger expenses                    --          5        10
   Asset impairment charge            --         --        35
   Loss on foreign currency
    contracts, net                    --         --        47
                                --------  ---------  --------
   Total Adjustments                  91         46        92

   Adjustment to the income
    tax provision to reflect
    Non-GAAP adjustments(1)         (37)        (7)      (17)
   Non-recurring tax items,
    net                                2       (10)        --
                                --------  ---------  --------
   Total Adjustments, net of
    tax                               56         29        75

  Non-GAAP Net Income
   attributable to NASDAQ OMX:       $99        $89      $110
                                ========  =========  ========


  GAAP Diluted Earnings per
   Common Share:                   $0.20      $0.28     $0.17
   Total Adj. from Non-GAAP
    Net Income Above:               0.26       0.14      0.35
                                --------  ---------  --------

  Non-GAAP Diluted Earnings
   per Common Share:               $0.46      $0.42     $0.52
                                ========  =========  ========



                                     Three Months Ended
                                -----------------------------

                                December  September  December
                                31, 2009   30, 2009  31, 2008
                                --------  ---------  --------


  GAAP Operating Expenses:
  ----------------------------      $220       $218      $223

  Other Adjustments:
   Professional fees                 (2)        (2)        --
   Technology                        (3)         --        --
   Occupancy                         (8)         --        --
   Regulatory                          3         --        --
   Workforce reductions              (6)        (4)        --
   Asset retirements                  --       (10)        --

   Merger expenses                    --        (5)      (10)
                                --------  ---------  --------

   Total Adjustments                (16)       (21)      (10)
                                --------  ---------  --------


  Non-GAAP Operating Expenses       $204       $197      $213
                                ========  =========  ========

  (1) We determine the tax effect of each item based on the
   tax rules in the respective jurisdiction where the
   transaction occurred.

                The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc.
   Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Operating Income
                       (in millions)
                       (unaudited)



                                Three Months Ended
                           -----------------------------

                           December  September  December
                              31,       30,        31,
                             2009       2009      2008
                           --------  ---------  --------


  GAAP Operating Income:
  -----------------------      $149       $131      $180

  Other Adjustments:

   Professional fees              2          2        --
   Technology                     3         --        --
   Occupancy                      8         --        --
   Regulatory                   (3)         --        --
   Workforce reductions           6          4        --
   Asset retirements             --         10        --

   Merger expenses               --          5        10
                           --------  ---------  --------

   Total Adjustments             16         21        10
                           --------  ---------  --------

  Non-GAAP Operating
   Income                      $165       $152      $190
                           ========  =========  ========




  ------------------------------------------------------

  Total revenues less
   liquidity rebates,
   brokerage, clearance
   and exchange fees           $369       $349      $403

  Non-GAAP Operating
   Margin (1)                   45%        44%       47%



  ------------------------------------------------------
  (1) Non-GAAP Operating Margin equals Non-GAAP
   Operating Income divided by total revenues less
   liquidity rebates, brokerage, clearance, and exchange
   fees.

                       The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc.
                       Quarterly Key Drivers Detail
                               (unaudited)


                                               Three Months Ended
                                          -----------------------------

                                          December  September  December
                                             31,       30,        31,
                                            2009       2009      2009
                                          --------  ---------  --------
  Market Services
   Cash Equity Trading
   NASDAQ securities
    Average daily share volume (in
     billions)                                2.06       2.25      2.32
    Matched market share executed on
     NASDAQ                                  31.1%      30.4%     42.8%
    Matched market share executed on
     NASDAQ OMX BX                            2.7%       2.0%        --
    Market share reported to the
     FINRA/NASDAQ
      Trade Reporting Facility(1)            38.0%      39.3%     25.4%
    Total market share (2)                   71.8%      71.8%     68.3%

   NYSE securities
    Average daily share volume (in
     billions)                                4.72       5.53      6.01
    Matched market share executed on
     NASDAQ                                  15.0%      14.1%     22.0%
    Matched market share executed on
     NASDAQ OMX BX                            4.1%       3.1%        --
    Market share reported to the
     FINRA/NASDAQ
      Trade Reporting Facility(1)            33.2%      35.4%     21.7%
    Total market share (2)                   52.3%      52.6%     43.7%

  NYSE Amex and regional securities
   Average daily share volume (in
    billions)                                 1.43       1.53      2.17
   Matched market share executed on
    NASDAQ                                   23.5%      22.2%     34.8%
   Matched market share executed on
    NASDAQ OMX BX                             2.4%       2.1%        --
   Market share reported to the
    FINRA/NASDAQ
      Trade Reporting Facility(1)            32.9%      34.4%     17.2%
    Total market share (2)                   58.8%      58.6%     52.0%

  Total U.S.-listed equities
    Matched share volume (in billions)       126.1      131.4     196.6
    Matched market share executed on
     NASDAQ                                  20.6%       19.4      29.2
    Matched market share executed on
     NASDAQ OMX BX                            3.4%       2.7%        --

   NASDAQ OMX Nordic and NASDAQ OMX
    Baltic Markets
    Average daily number of equity
     trades                                219,811    189,002   250,497
    Average daily value of shares traded
     (in billions)                           $ 3.3      $ 3.0     $ 3.6

  Derivative Trading and Clearing
   U.S. Equity Options Contracts
   Total industry average daily volume
    (in millions)                             12.9       13.2      12.0
    Matched market share:
      NASDAQ OMX PHLX                        19.4%      17.0%     16.9%
      The NASDAQ Options Market               3.1%       3.2%      1.8%

   NASDAQ OMX Nordic and NASDAQ OMX
    Baltic Markets
   Average daily volume:
    Equity options and fixed-income
     contracts                             363,347    298,849   382,170
    Equity options contracts traded on
     EDX London                             51,498     87,636   136,446
    Finnish option contracts traded on
     Eurex                                  86,381     65,779    73,365

   NASDAQ OMX Commodities
    Clearing Turnover:
      Power contracts (TWh)(3)                 600        480       531
      Carbon contracts (1000 tCO2)(3)       12,155     13,745    18,882

  Issuer Services
   NASDAQ
    Initial public offerings                    18         12         1
    New listings (4)                            64         33        29
    Number of listed companies (5)           2,852      2,863     3,023

   NASDAQ OMX Nordic and NASDAQ OMX
    Baltic Markets
    Initial public offerings                     1         --         3
    New listings                                 3          2        10
    Number of listed companies (6)             797        800       824

  Market Technology
   Order intake (in millions)(7)             $ 148       $ 37      $ 30
   Total order value (in millions)(8)        $ 417      $ 318     $ 427


  (1) Transactions reported to the Financial Industry Regulatory
   Authority, or FINRA/NASDAQ Trade Reporting Facility.
  (2) Includes transactions executed on both NASDAQ's and NASDAQ OMX
   BX's systems plus trades reported through the FINRA/NASDAQ Trade
   Reporting Facility.
  (3) Transactions executed on Nord Pool ASA and reported for clearing
   to NASDAQ OMX Commodities measure by Terawatt hours (TWh) and one
   thousand metric tons of carbon dioxide (1000 tCO2).
  (4) New listings include IPOs, including those completed on a best
   efforts basis, issuers that switched from other listing venues,
   closed-end funds and separately listed ETFs.
  (5) Number of listed companies for NASDAQ at period end, including
   separately listed ETFs.
  (6) Represents companies listed on the exchanges that comprise NASDAQ
   OMX Nordic and NASDAQ OMX Baltic and companies on the alternative
   markets, NASDAQ OMX First North at period end.
  (7) Total contract value of orders signed.
  (8) Represents total contract value of orders signed that are yet to
   recognized as revenue.


This news release was distributed by GlobeNewswire, www.globenewswire.com

SOURCE: The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc.

CONTACT:  The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc.
Media Relations:
Bethany Sherman
+1.212.401.8714
Anna Rasin
+46(8)405.6612
Investor Relations:
Vincent Palmiere
+1.212.401.8742