The NASDAQ Stock Market & AeA Partner to Launch Statewide Illinois Technology Index

OAKBROOK TERRACE, Ill., May. 19 /PRNewswire/ --

Index will Track Illinois' Leading Public Technology Companies

OAKBROOK TERRACE, Ill., May 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- AeA, the nation's largest technology trade association, and The NASDAQ Stock Market, a subsidiary of The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc., today announced the launch of "The NASDAQ OMX AeA Illinois Tech Index," the only existing statewide public technology index in the United States. The Illinois Tech Index is a public-private partnership developed with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Grant Thornton LLP, Baker & McKenzie, and the Illinois Biotechnology Industry Organization (iBIO), that will track the performance of publicly held technology companies that are headquartered in Illinois.

"Illinois is home to the fifth largest concentration of technology companies in the United States and we are supported by exceptional educational institutions," said Marty Singer, PCTEL's Chairman and CEO and Chairman of AeA's Midwest Council. "Illinois has far less visibility, however, than other high technology regions in the U.S. and we want to change that perception. The Illinois Tech Index will bring the state's technology assets into a sharper focus," added Singer.

"A core mission of AeA is to encourage growth in the high-tech industry and create opportunities to highlight the very innovation so crucial to sustaining our global competitive leadership in Illinois and the United States," said Ed Longanecker, Executive Director of AeA's Midwest Council. "With a combined market value of more than $300 billion and global employment of more than 480,000, the Illinois Tech Index illustrates the diversity and strength of our local technology economy."

The NASDAQ OMX AeA Illinois Tech Index was developed over the past two years to raise awareness of the Illinois' technology assets. AeA promoted the index to attract technology talent, venture capital, and to promote the activities of established technology companies in the state. The index will track public companies from major sectors including high tech manufacturing, information technology, biotech, and life sciences.

"Illinois is filled with world-class research and promising new technologies. Gov. Blagojevich and I believe that we must be strategic about increasing awareness of Illinois' strong technology sector to create more good jobs for Illinois workers," said Jack Lavin, Director of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. "The Illinois Tech Index will continue the state's progress to further highlight and develop our vibrant tech industry statewide."

Companies eligible for the Illinois Tech Index include public companies listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market, New York Stock Exchange or American Stock Exchange with U.S. headquarters located within the state of Illinois. They must be classified in technology industries as defined by the AeA and iBIO's definition of technology (using NAICS or SIC codes). The AeA advisory board also utilized publicly available information concerning products, services, intellectual property and research and development expenditures for candidate companies.

Subsidiaries of foreign-owned companies with their primary U.S. location in Illinois and meeting all other requirements are also eligible. Subsidiaries of U.S. companies, securities listed on foreign exchanges, and OTC entities, however, are excluded.

The NASDAQ OMX AeA Illinois Tech Index is a market capitalization-weighted index of common type securities and will be updated and rebalanced periodically with respect to established eligibility criteria. The AeA will provide quarterly updates on the performance of the index and is exploring options to highlight many of Illinois' leading private and numerous foreign exchange companies with US headquarters in Illinois.

"The Illinois Tech Index is comprised of some of the world's most innovative publicly traded technology companies," stated Demetrios Skalkotos, Vice President of the central region of NASDAQ's Corporate Client Group. "With the launch of this unique tool, NASDAQ and AeA have achieved our common objectives of raising the awareness of public technology companies in Illinois and providing institutional and retail investors easy and efficient access to this important sector."

Additional information is available on NASDAQ's Partner Index website under the symbol ILTI and the AeA Illinois Index website: >. Licensing and posting information for the Illinois Tech Index can be obtained by contacting AeA directly.

About AeA

AeA, the nation's largest technology trade association representing all segments of the high-tech industry, is dedicated solely to helping our members' top line and bottom line. We do this in partnership with our small, medium, and large member companies by lobbying governments at the state, federal, and international levels, providing access to capital and business opportunities, and offering select business services and networking programs. For more information, please visit >.