For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – March 12, 2010 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include: Nasdaq OMX Group Inc. (NDAQ), CME Group Inc. (CME), IntercontinentalExchange Inc. (ICE), Bank of New York Mellon Corp. (BK) and PNC Financial Services Group (PNC).

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Here are highlights from Thursday’s Analyst Blog:

Nasdaq Adds Newedge Clearing

As reported by the Reuters on Wednesday, Nasdaq OMX Group Inc.’s (NDAQ) majority-owned International Derivatives Clearing Group (IDCG) has added Newedge USA, LLC, the world’s largest multi-asset brokerage and clearing firm, for offering a central counterparty clearing of Interest Rate Swap (IRS) products. IRS, a significant financial risk management tool, has the largest $400 trillion market in the over-the-counter (OTC) derivative sphere.

Nasdaq continues to perform and expand its net derivatives trading and clearing exchange platform on a strong base. In Dec 2008, Nasdaq acquired a majority interest in the IDCG. In Jan 2009, the company acquired a 22% stake in European Multilateral Clearing Facility N.V., a leading European clearing house now used for all Nordic transaction services.

In Jan 2010, Nasdaq increased its stake in Agora-X to 85% and on Mar 8, 2010, the company purchased North American Energy Credit and Clearing Corporation (NECC). Nasdaq now also intends to offer central clearing in its U.K. power derivatives market in 2010.

Through the addition of Newedge, Nasdaq continues to expand its clearing house and OTC operations, particularly enhancing its competitive edge over its derivatives-focused rivals CME Group Inc. (CME) where Newedge is already a clearing member, IntercontinentalExchange Inc. (ICE) and LCH.Clearnet. It will also help increase efficiencies through cost-savings, transparency and liquidity. Hence, the addition of Newedge appears appropriate for the company.

On the other hand, the clients of Newedge can continue to execute IRSs in the well-established OTC market while reducing counterparty risk by simultaneously navigating their positions to IDCG, which will also allow segregation of funds protection.

BNY Mellon Acquires BHF

As part of its initiative to expand its global market share, Bank of New York Mellon Corp. (BK) is acquiring Germany’s BHF Asset Servicing GmbH for $343 million.

The deal, which is expected to close in the third quarter of 2010, will make BNY Mellon the second largest organization in fund administration in Germany. With this acquisition, BNY Mellon’s combined German business will have $642 billion in assets under custody. Also, the deal is expected to be accretive to BNY Mellon’s earnings immediately.

Last month, BNY Mellon acquired PNC Financial Services Group’s (PNC) investment services division for about $2.3 billion. This acquisition increased BNY Mellon’s assets under administration by $855 billion. Yesterday, the deal was cleared by Federal antitrust regulators.

The BNY Mellon Corporation was incorporated on Jul 1, 2007, following the merger of The Bank of New York Company, Inc. and Mellon Financial Corporation. The New York-based financial services company provides various products and services to individuals and institutions in more than 100 markets worldwide.

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