Semi-Annual Changes to the NASDAQ OMX CEA Smartphone Index

NEW YORK, March 17, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: NDAQ) today announced the results of the semi-annual evaluation of the NASDAQ OMX CEA Smartphone Index^SM (Nasdaq:QFON), in partnership with the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)^®, which will become effective prior to market open on Monday, March 24, 2014.

The Index is designed to track the performance of companies engaged in the Smartphone segment of the telecom and technology sectors. The Index includes companies primarily involved in the building and design of handsets, hardware, software, and mobile networks associated with the development, sale, and usage of Smartphones. A Smartphone is defined as a wireless, mobile communication device offering advanced capabilities and functionalities, including web access, through the use of an identifiable operating system. The securities must also meet other eligibility criteria which include minimum requirements for market capitalization and average daily dollar trading volume. The NASDAQ OMX^® CEA Smartphone Index is evaluated semi-annually in March and September. For more information about the NASDAQ OMX^® CEA Smartphone Index, including detailed eligibility criteria, visit https://indexes.nasdaqomx.com/.

The NASDAQ OMX CEA Smartphone Index is the basis for the First Trust NASDAQ CEA Smartphone Index Fund^SM (Nasdaq: FONE), which seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield of the NASDAQ OMX CEA Smartphone Index before fees and expenses.

As a result of the evaluation, the following security will be removed from the Index: ARM Holdings plc (Nasdaq: ARMH).

About NASDAQ OMX Global Indexes

NASDAQ OMX Global Indexes has been creating innovative, market-leading, transparent indexes since 1971. Today, our index offering spans geographies and asset classes and includes diverse families such as the Dividend Achievers, Global, Nordic, Green Economy, Sharia and Commodity Indexes. We continuously offer new opportunities for financial product sponsors across a wide-spectrum of investable products and for asset managers to measure risk and performance. NASDAQ OMX Global Indexes also provides custom index services and design solutions to selected financial organizations. For more information about NASDAQ OMX Global Indexes, visit indexes.nasdaqomx.com.

Daily index values, weightings and historical data for NASDAQ OMX indexes are available via NASDAQ OMX Global Index Watch and NASDAQ OMX Global Index Data Service.

About NASDAQ OMX Group

NASDAQ OMX (Nasdaq: NDAQ) is a leading provider of trading, exchange technology, information and public company services across six continents. Through its diverse portfolio of solutions, NASDAQ OMX enables customers to plan, optimize and execute their business vision with confidence, using proven technologies that provide transparency and insight for navigating today's global capital markets. As the creator of the world's first electronic stock market, its technology powers more than 80 marketplaces in 50 countries, and approximately 1 in 10 of the world's securities transactions. NASDAQ OMX is home to more than 3,300 listed companies with a market value of over $7 trillion and more than 10,000 corporate clients. To learn more, visit www.nasdaqomx.com.

About Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)

The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is the technology trade association representing the $208 billion U.S. consumer electronics industry. More than 2,000 companies enjoy the benefits of CEA membership, including legislative advocacy, market research, technical training and education, industry promotion, standards development and the fostering of business and strategic relationships. CEA also owns and produces the International CES – The Global Stage for Innovation. All profits from CES are reinvested into CEA's industry services. Find CEA online at www.CE.org, www.DeclareInnovation.com and through social media.

The information contained above is provided for informational and educational purposes only, and nothing contained herein should be construed as investment advice, either on behalf of a particular financial product or an overall investment strategy. Neither The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. nor any of its affiliates makes any recommendation to buy or sell any financial product or any representation about the financial condition of any company or fund. Statements regarding NASDAQ's proprietary indexes are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investors should undertake their own due diligence and carefully evaluate companies before investing. ADVICE FROM A SECURITIES PROFESSIONAL IS STRONGLY ADVISED.

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