Virt-x Market Identification Code (MIC)

04/09/2006

Further to the announcement below, there are additional SEDOLs that require amendments in relation to the Virt-x MIC code. Please find attached a spreadsheet containing the SEDOL codes that will be affected (VIRT-X FINAL AMENDS.XLS) and the dates these changes will be implemented.

Should you have any further questions or concerns, please contact Emma Harding (0207 797 4156) or Jo Rule (0207 797 1103).

17/07/2006

Following the recent stock split on UBS AG, we have received a number of enquiries regarding our decision to move the Virt-x Market Identifier Code (MIC) to the UK SEDOL code. In response to these queries, we contacted Virt-x for further clarification, and are now in a position to communicate the final resolution of this issue to you.

Although Virt-x is classed as a UK market by SWIFT, it is essentially a Swiss trading platform. As a general rule, for European securities, Virt-x associates itself with the domestic listing. For non-European securities, regardless of a domestic listing, Virt-x associates itself with the London listing. For clarification, we discussed the following three examples with our contact at Virt-x:

UBS AG – as a Swiss company listed on the Swiss Stock Exchange, Virt-x associates itself with the Swiss listing, regardless of any other listings.

Deutsche Bank AG – as a German company, dual-listed on the Frankfurt and Swiss Stock Exchanges, Virt-x associates itself with the domestic listing (Frankfurt), regardless of the Swiss listing.

Canadian General Investments – as a Canadian company (non-European) Virt-x associates itself with the London listing, regardless of the domestic listing (Toronto).

In relation to SEDOL Masterfile, this will mean that the Virt-x MIC will be considered as a ‘floating MIC’ rather than specific to any one country. Due to our increased understanding, we will no longer be using XVTX (Virt-x) as an OPOL. This is due to the fact that trading on Virt-x is dependent upon the company being listed on an exchange.

In relation to UBS AG, the XVTX MIC was moved from the London SEDOL (B17MJS6) to the Swiss SEDOL (B18YFJ4) on 13^th July 2006.

We have also reconciled the Virt-x securities and have attached details where further amendments will be required (spreadsheet: SEDOL amendments relating to Virt-x.xls). Approximately 40 securities will be affected. These amendments will be actioned the week commencing 31^st July 2006. 

SEDOL Amendments relating to Virt-x