Sun Microsystems to Change Stock Ticker Symbol to JAVA

Sun Microsystems (Nasdaq: SUNW) today announced that it will change its Nasdaq stock ticker symbol from SUNW to JAVA, the ubiquitous technology and brand it created in 1995. The stock ticker change will go into effect for the trading community on Monday, August 27, 2007.


"The Java brand and technology have evolved to be among the most pervasive on the internet, yielding extraordinary awareness for Sun and opportunity for the community that leverages it," said Jonathan Schwartz, president and CEO of Sun. "More than a billion people across the globe, representing nearly every demographic, market and industry, rely upon Java's security, innovation and value to connect them with opportunity. That awareness positions Sun, and now our investor base, for the future."

The Java economy as a whole includes a broad array of businesses built with Java technology, from Google and eBay, to some of the world's largest financial and telecommunications companies. The Java platform powers and is made visible via more than 2.1 billion mobile devices (Ovum 2007), nearly every PC on the internet and numerous consumer electronics and embedded systems products such as Sony's Playstation 3 video game console. Sun estimates the number of consumers that recognize the ubiquitous cup and steam on Java's brand logo to be in excess of a billion people.

Sun today generates license revenues from Java technology, but more significantly derives revenue from the software, storage, servers, services and microelectronics that power the datacenters behind global Java deployments - whether on handsets, personal computers, or in the network. Sun believes its business is advantaged by such exposure, and the change in ticker symbol more effectively connects it with the marketplace.

A complete history of Java is online at http://www.sun.com/java/

Three Claymore/Morningstar Index ETFs list on NYSE Arca (MZG, MZO, MZN)

NYSE Euronext (NYSE Euronext: NYX) today announced that three Claymore/Morningstar Index ETFs listed and began trading on NYSE Arca.


Claymore/Morningstar Information Super Sector Index ETF
Trade Symbol: MZN

Claymore/Morningstar Manufacturing Super Sector Index ETF
Trade Symbol: MZG

Claymore/Morningstar Services Super Sector Index ETF
Trade Symbol: MZO

“NYSE Arca is thrilled to be the marketplace of choice for these Claymore/Morningstar ETFs as they offer the marketplace an innovative new design for defining economic sectors,” said NYSE Group Senior Vice President, ETFs and Indexes, Lisa Dallmer. “Through NYSE Arca, we are pleased to offer investors some of the industry’s fastest and most efficient trading tools for access to these new ETFs and we look forward to continuing to provide investors, customers and issuers with one the largest and best markets for trading ETFs.”

Including today’s listings, NYSE Group markets have 202 primary ETF listings and trade all other eligible ETFs on a UTP basis. In first half of 2007, NYSE Group handled 43% of all ETF shares traded in the U.S. market. As the largest public liquidity pool for ETF trading, NYSE Group is committed to offering investors the most innovative new investment options with superior pricing and market quality.

About NYSE Euronext
NYSE Euronext, a holding company created by the combination of NYSE Group, Inc. and Euronext N.V., commenced trading on April 4, 2007 . NYSE Euronext (NYSE Euronext: NYX) operates the world’s largest and most liquid exchange group and offers the most diverse array of financial products and services. NYSE Euronext, which brings together six cash equities exchanges in five countries and six derivatives exchanges in six countries, is a world leader for listings, trading in cash equities, equity and interest rate derivatives, bonds and the distribution of market data. Representing a combined $30.8 trillion/€22.8 trillion total market capitalization of listed companies and average daily trading value of approximately $127.0 billion/€94.0 billion (as of June 29, 2007), NYSE Euronext seeks to provide the highest standards of market quality and integrity, innovative products and services to investors, issuers, and all users of its markets.

Autodesk Completes Acquisition of Opticore AB

Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADSK) today announced that it has completed the acquisition of technology and product assets of Opticore, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Design Communication, based in Gothenburg, Sweden. On June 18, 2007, Autodesk announced an agreement to purchase the assets of Opticore, a premier software provider of advanced technology used to produce highly interactive and realistic 3D digital product visualizations and presentations. The acquisition delivers upon the Company's strategy to drive mass adoption of 3D among customers in key industries such as automotive and consumer products, by continually enhancing the depth and breadth of its Digital Prototyping solutions. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Autodesk plans to invest in the continued development and support of Opticore technology. By adding Opticore's deep visualization expertise and technology to the Company's strong solutions set, Autodesk will be able to deliver a more comprehensive and powerful design visualization offering through the Autodesk Showcase and Opticore product lines. Autodesk Showcase offers outstanding ease of use and dramatically simplifies the process of preparing data and scenes for design presentations and reviews. Opticore products offer high-end visualization capabilities, Real-time Raytracing along with diverse environments and materials. With both product lines, Autodesk is able to offer the industry's most compelling visualization solution available today as well as a scalable solution that anticipates the needs of a designer or modeler through to the high-end requirements of a visualization specialist.

"We are pleased to welcome the world-class Opticore team and add their high-end visualization technology to our already advanced solutions," says Robert "Buzz" Kross, senior vice president of Autodesk Manufacturing Solutions. "Autodesk is committed to providing the industry's most complete Digital Prototyping solution that allows our customers to experience superior business results by reducing the need for physical prototypes, shortening development cycles and increasing communications between their designers, managers and customers."

World-class companies who use Opticore technology include major automotive manufacturers around the world as well as large manufacturers. Automotive clients include: AUDI AG, Ford Motor Company (with the brands Ford, Volvo, Jaguar, Land Rover), Hyundai, KIA, FAW, Brilliance Auto, Tata Motor, Mahindra & Mahindra, Bajaj Auto, Honda, Nissan and Mitsubishi. Consumer product and transportation customers include: Canon Inc, Philips Consumer, Nokia Mobile, Electrolux and Bombardier Trains. Almost 50 companies throughout Asia including all major automotive manufacturers in Japan also use Opticore technology.

About Autodesk

Autodesk, Inc. is the world leader in 2D and 3D design software for the manufacturing, building and construction, and media and entertainment markets. Since its introduction of AutoCAD software in 1982, Autodesk has developed the broadest portfolio of state-of-the-art digital prototyping solutions to help customers experience their ideas before they are real. Fortune 1000 companies rely on Autodesk for the tools to visualize, simulate and analyze real-world performance early in the design process to save time and money, enhance quality and foster innovation. For additional information about Autodesk, visit http://www.autodesk.com/

General American Life Insurance Company, Former Senior VP Settle Late Trading Charges

The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced a settled enforcement action against General American Life Insurance Company and a former senior vice president, William C. Thater, for their roles in a late trading scheme. General American is a St. Louis-based insurance company and subsidiary of MetLife, Inc.

General American will pay a civil penalty of $3.3 million and Thater will pay disgorgement, prejudgment interest and civil penalties totaling $163,137 to settle charges that Thater permitted and General American failed to prevent late trading of mutual funds underlying one of General American's variable insurance products. The payments will be distributed to the affected funds. The Commission's order finds that Thater, 52, of Danbury, Conn., entered into a written agreement that gave a New York family exclusive late trading privileges in mutual funds underlying the private placement life insurance policies the family purchased from General American for approximately $20 million.

“By permitting a wealthy family to late trade, William Thater elevated the interests of a few select individuals over other investors,” said Linda Chatman Thomsen, Director of the Commission’s Division of Enforcement. “Whether it’s late trading of mutual funds directly or those that are part of variable insurance products, the Commission will continue to hold individuals and entities accountable for wrongful practices that unlawfully favor some investors over others.”

Merri Jo Gillette, Director of the Commission's Chicago Regional Office, said, "The Commission seeks to assure a level playing field for all investors, including investors in mutual funds. William Thater intentionally facilitated a late trading scheme and General American turned a blind eye to red flags, ignoring the interests of mutual fund investors who were harmed by this illegal conduct."

The Commission's Order finds that from Feb. 1, 2002, to Nov. 18, 2002, the New York family submitted, confirmed, or cancelled 79 mutual fund trade requests after 4 p.m. ET. As a result of the New York family's late trading, the value of the underlying mutual funds was diluted by approximately $3.3 million. Certain General American personnel became aware of the written agreement and the late trading activity, but failed to take adequate steps to investigate the activity and ensure that it ceased.

The Commission's Order requires in addition to the civil penalties that General American cease and desist from committing or causing violations of Sections 17(a)(2) and 17(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933 and Rule 22c-1 under the Investment Company Act, and comply with certain undertakings. The Order requires Thater to cease and desist from committing or causing violations of Sections 17(a)(1) and 17(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 thereunder and Rule 22c-1 under the Investment Company Act. The Order also requires Thater to pay disgorgement, prejudgment interest and civil penalties, and be barred from association with any broker, dealer or investment adviser with the right to reapply after three years. General American and Thater have consented to the Commission's Order, without admitting or denying the findings.

SEC Files Fraud Charges Against Nicor's Former CEO, CFO and Treasurer

The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced the filing of a civil injunctive action against former senior officials of Nicor, Inc., a major Chicago-area natural gas distributor, alleging financial fraud lasting from 1999 to 2002. The SEC's complaint alleges that former Chairman, CEO and President Thomas Fisher, former CFO and Executive Vice-President Kathleen Halloran, and former Treasurer and Vice-President George Behrens engaged in or approved improper transactions, and misrepresented Nicor's gas inventory in order to meet earnings targets and increase the company's revenues under a performance-based utility rate plan.

Linda Thomsen, Director of the Commission's Division of Enforcement, said, "This action against three senior officers of Nicor demonstrates the Commission's continued commitment to holding individual decision makers accountable for their conduct when it results in fraudulent financial statements."

Merri Jo Gillette, Director of the Commission's Chicago Regional Office, added, "Fisher, Halloran and Behrens engaged in a scheme to manipulate Nicor's earnings through fraudulent transactions and mislead investors by making improper disclosures regarding Nicor's financial performance. This case, like others, shows that the Commission will not tolerate accounting ploys and misleading disclosures by senior officers who are intent on making their numbers."

The complaint alleges that in 1999, Fisher, Halloran and Behrens participated in devising a method by which Nicor could profit by accessing its low-cost last-in, first-out (LIFO) layers of gas inventory. As a result, the former officers engaged in or approved improper transactions, and made material misrepresentations in financial statements and documents filed with the Commission. They also failed to disclose material information regarding Nicor's rigged reductions in gas inventory levels that enabled it to improperly manipulate its earnings and to increase Nicor's revenues under a performance-based utility rate plan. In addition, the former officers materially understated Nicor's expenses during the first and second quarters of 2001 by improperly bundling a weather-insurance contract with an agreement to supply gas to Nicor's insurance provider at below-market prices. Moreover, they caused the losses on the supply agreement with the insurance provider to be improperly charged to Nicor's utility customers. These improper transactions enabled Nicor to understate its expenses and to manipulate its earnings to achieve its earnings targets. As a result of the manipulative scheme, Nicor materially overstated its reported income for the years ending 2000 and 2001, and for each of the quarters within those years and the financial statements filed with those reports.

Additionally, the former officers failed to make disclosures required by GAAP about the effects of LIFO inventory liquidations on Nicor's reported income. Nicor, through Fisher, Halloran and Behrens, failed to disclose in either the Management's Discussion & Analysis section of its 2000 and 2001 annual and quarterly reports, or in financial statements filed with those reports, that it had recorded material increases to income resulting from the liquidation of its LIFO inventory, and that the continued liquidation of Nicor's low-cost inventory was not sustainable.

On March 29, 2007, Nicor consented to the entry of a court order enjoining it from violating the antifraud and reporting provisions of the federal securities laws and ordering that it pay a $10 million civil penalty (LR-20060).

The Commission's action seeks injunctive relief, disgorgement, civil penalties, and officer and director bars against Fisher, Halloran and Behrens.

WuXi PharmaTech Celebrates IPO on NYSE

WuXi PharmaTech, a leading China-based pharmaceutical and biotechnology research and development outsourcing company, today opened for trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “WX” after its successful IPO in which it raised $185 million.

E-House (China ) Holdings Ltd., a leading provider of real estate services in China , yesterday opened for trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “EJ” after its successful IPO raised $201 million.

"With the additions of Wuxi PharmaTech and E-House to our growing family of world-class listed companies, the New York Stock Exchange is now privileged to list 40 companies from Greater China," said NYSE Euronext John A. Thain. "We welcome the opportunity to offer Wuxi PharmaTech and E-House access to the U.S. capital marketplace and the world's largest pool of investors, and are committed to growing our partnership with the people and business community of China . NYSE Euronext also looks forward to providing these outstanding companies and their shareholders with the superior service, market quality and brand visibility that come with listing on NYSE Euronext markets."

The combined global market capitalization of the 40 NYSE-listed companies from Greater China listed on the NYSE is $1 trillion (July 31, 2007 ). The NYSE roster of companies from Greater China includes 28 from Mainland China , 7 from Hong Kong and 5 from Taiwan .

To celebrate today’s special occasion, WuXi PharmaTech Chairman and CEO Ge Li, joined by company executives and NYSE Euronext CEO John A. Thain, rang the opening bell.

View listed companies from Mainland China.
View listed companies from Hong Kong.
View listed companies from Taiwan.


About WuXi PharmaTech (NYSE: WX)

Founded in 2000, Shanghai-based WuXi PharmaTech is the leading China-based pharmaceutical and biotechnology R&D outsourcing company. As a research-driven and customer-focused company, WuXi PharmaTech provides pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies a broad and integrated portfolio of laboratory and manufacturing services throughout the drug discovery and development process. WuXi PharmaTech’s services are designed to assist its global partners in shortening the cycle and lowering the cost of drug discovery and development by providing cost-effective and efficient outsourcing solutions that save its customers both time and money. Its operations are grouped into two segments: laboratory services, consisting of discovery chemistry, service biology, analytical, pharmaceutical development and process development services, and manufacturing, focusing on manufacturing of advanced intermediates and active pharmaceutical ingredients for R&D use. In 2006, WuXi PharmaTech provided services to 70 pharmaceutical and biotechnology customers, including nine of the top 10 pharmaceutical companies in the world, as measured by 2006 total revenues.

About E-House (NYSE: EJ)

E-House (China ) Holdings Limited (“E-House”) is a leading real estate services company in China based on scope of services, brand recognition and geographical presence. Since its inception in 2000, E-House has experienced rapid growth and has become the largest real estate agency and consulting services company in China . E-House provides primary real estate agency services, secondary real estate brokerage services and real estate consulting and information services, and has received numerous awards and accolades for its innovation and quality, including “China ’s Best Company” from the National Association of Real Estate Brokerage and Appraisal Companies in 2006. E-House believes it has the largest and most comprehensive real estate database system in China , providing up-to-date and in-depth information covering residential and commercial real estate properties in all major regions in China .

About NYSE Euronext (NYSE: NYX)

NYSE Euronext, a holding company created by the combination of NYSE Group, Inc. and Euronext N.V., commenced trading on April 4, 2007 . NYSE Euronext (NYSE Euronext: NYX) operates the world’s largest and most liquid exchange group and offers the most diverse array of financial products and services. NYSE Euronext, which brings together six cash equities exchanges in five countries and six derivatives exchanges in six countries, is a world leader for listings, trading in cash equities, equity and interest rate derivatives, bonds and the distribution of market data. Representing a combined €21.7/$29.6 trillion total market capitalization of listed companies and average daily trading value of approximately €85/$115 billion (as of April 30, 2007), NYSE Euronext seeks to provide the highest standards of market quality and integrity, innovative products and services to investors, issuers, and all users of its markets.

E-House Celebrates IPO on NYSE

E-House (China) Holdings Ltd., a leading provider of real estate services in China, today opened for trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “EJ” after its successful IPO raised $201 million.

To celebrate this special occasion, Chairman and CEO Xin Zhou, joined by Ambassador Liu Biwei, Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in New York , and company executives, rang the opening bell.

The combined global market capitalization of the 39 NYSE-listed companies from Greater China listed on the NYSE is $1 trillion (July 31, 2007 ). The NYSE roster of companies from Greater China includes 27 from Mainland China , 7 from Hong Kong and 5 from Taiwan .

About E-House

E-House (China ) Holdings Limited (“E-House”) is a leading real estate services company in China based on scope of services, brand recognition and geographical presence. Since its inception in 2000, E-House has experienced rapid growth and has become the largest real estate agency and consulting services company in China . E-House provides primary real estate agency services, secondary real estate brokerage services and real estate consulting and information services, and has received numerous awards and accolades for its innovation and quality, including “China ’s Best Company” from the National Association of Real Estate Brokerage and Appraisal Companies in 2006. E-House believes it has the largest and most comprehensive real estate database system in China , providing up-to-date and in-depth information covering residential and commercial real estate properties in all major regions in China .

About NYSE Euronext (NYSE: NYX)

NYSE Euronext, a holding company created by the combination of NYSE Group, Inc. and Euronext N.V., commenced trading on April 4, 2007 . NYSE Euronext (NYSE Euronext: NYX) operates the world’s largest and most liquid exchange group and offers the most diverse array of financial products and services. NYSE Euronext, which brings together six cash equities exchanges in five countries and six derivatives exchanges in six countries, is a world leader for listings, trading in cash equities, equity and interest rate derivatives, bonds and the distribution of market data. Representing a combined €21.7/$29.6 trillion total market capitalization of listed companies and average daily trading value of approximately €85/$115 billion (as of April 30, 2007), NYSE Euronext seeks to provide the highest standards of market quality and integrity, innovative products and services to investors, issuers, and all users of its markets.

GE Money Signs European Deal with Ryanair

GE Money, the global consumer lending unit of GE and Ryanair today announced that they have signed a deal which will see GE Money provide co-branded credit cards for Europe’s largest low fares airline, across a number of European Markets.

The new Ryanair credit card was formerly launched today in the UK and will be introduced later in the year in two additional markets, Poland and Sweden. The agreement, which positions GE Money as Ryanair’s European credit card partner, also allows for the roll out of the card across other markets where Ryanair and GE Money operate. The card will be issued in association with Mastercard in the UK and will be available through Ryanair.com and at selected airports.

Cardholders will benefit from a rewards programme, based on their usage and spend, which will allow them redeem free flights across Ryanair’s extensive network of over 500 routes. Consumers can also transfer from an existing credit card provider to the Ryanair Mastercard with a 0% offer for 6 months on all balance transfers.

Commenting on the agreement Des O’Shea, Chief Commercial Officer of GE Money EMEA said;

“We are delighted to be selected by Ryanair as their partner of choice for its credit card. Both our organisations have an extensive presence across Europe coupled with an extensive customer base. We are also high growth companies with a keen focus on delivering value to the customer.

Our pan-European presence puts us in a unique position to offer partners, like Ryanair, best in class product knowledge and expertise with local market know-how. The development of these partnerships is a key platform of our organic growth strategy for the EMEA region.”

Michael Cawley, COO and Deputy CEO of Ryanair said;

“Ryanair’s new GE Money credit card is the icing on the cake for our passengers who already enjoy Europe’s lowest fares and best punctuality. This card offers competitive rates, free flights and a programme full of rewards for our millions of loyal customers”.

GE Money has over 130 million customers worldwide with operations in 54 countries, earnings of US $3.5 billion and assets of $190 billion. It operates multi market partnerships that include Apple, Dell, eBay/PayPal, Expert, Walmart (ASDA), Avon, Kia, Debenhams and the Metro Group in the EMEA region.

Ryanair is Europe's largest low fares airline and in the coming year will carry over 50m passengers on 512 routes across 136 airports in 26 countries with a fleet of 137 brand new Boeing 737-800 aircraft.



About GE Money

GE Money a unit of General Electric Company, with $190 billion in assets, is a leading provider of credit services to consumers, retailers and auto dealers in 54 countries around the world. GE Money, based in Stamford, Conn., offers a range of financial products globally, including private label credit cards, personal loans, bank cards, auto loans and leases, mortgages, corporate travel and purchasing cards, debt consolidation and home equity loans and credit insurance. More information can be found online at www.gemoney.com

GE Money EMEA

GE Money first established a presence in EMEA in 1992. Today GE Money operates in 25 countries in the region and employs over 24,000 employees. GE Money EMEA has assets of $88.7 billion (2006) and NI of $1.6 billion. The region accounts for approximately 45% of the total global assets of GE Money.