030603_S&P/MIB partenza

Borsa Italiana and Standard & Poor's are pleased to announce the successful start of the real-time calculation of the S&P/MIB index, which closed today at 10,326 (+0.96%). The index was based at 10,000 on 31 December 1997.

"The new S&P/MIB index not only provides a more complete representation of the Italian equities market and a sector classification in line with the highest international standards, but will also allow the development of important new products such as ETFs" said Raffaele Jerusalmi, Executive Director, Markets at Borsa Italiana.

"The launch of the S&P/MIB is a testament to Standard & Poor's strategy of working with local exchange partners to deliver tailored and locally relevant indices coupled with the experience and knowledge of the world's leading index provider," said Eudald Canadell, Managing Director, Standard & Poor's Europe. He added, "We are pleased with the success of our relationship with Borsa Italiana and we look forward to expanding it to meet the changing needs of Italian investors and investors in Italy. And we also look forward to the creation of investable products that track the S&P/MIB such as an ETF for which there will shortly be a public request for proposals."

S&P/MIB real-time values can be accessed via Borsa Italiana, Bloomberg (SPMIB), Reuters (.SPMIB), and other data vendors.

Back history for the S&P/MIB values for the period 31 December 1997 to 30 May 2003, methodology, constituent information and ongoing updates, can be found by visiting the S&P Indices section of www.standardandpoors.com and by clicking on "S&P Italian indices".

Milan, June 2 2003