To clarify: Hybrid and merger

By: Ray Pellecchia

File Under: NYSE

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I hate the fact that the NYSE is being purchased by Archipelago. Although it may make things faster, it just takes away from the "awe" of the NYSE, and the way things are handled. – Viksra

Viksra – You don’t have to hate the fact, because it ain’t the fact.

Archipelago is not buying the NYSE. The truth is: the NYSE and Archipelago are merging in a transaction that will create a new, for-profit, publicly held company -- NYSE Group, Inc. -- in which NYSE members will own 70 percent of the shares, and Archipelago shareholders, 30 percent.

Also, it is not the merger that will make things faster. It is our customers, and by extension, the Hybrid Market. Some of our customers want to trade anonymously, instantaneously and automatically, and we are responding to them by providing that choice and many other new choices in accessing our market.

Your humble blogger and many, many here have a deep appreciation for what you call the “awe of the NYSE, and the way things are handled.” We are proud that our auction creates best prices, dampens volatility and fills orders better than any other market for our listed stocks. We also have a deep desire to see our market grow and continue to be the world leader in an environment that grows more competitive every day.

The Hybrid Market is the path to that growth and leadership. Be assured that the Hybrid is designed to maintain the auction and the value it adds, and combine them with automated trading so that the market has greater choice; essentially, the best of both.

We believe this will offer customers the most compelling array of ways to access the world’s greatest pool of liquidity. In the future, perhaps part of the awe will be about how the NYSE once again adapted and evolved and maintained its essential value and leadership, proving the skeptics wrong for the umpteenth time.

Now, because we’ve been talking about the merger here, I have to append a word from our lawyers. Well, 735 words, to be precise.

Important Acquisition Information With Respect To The Merger
In connection with the proposed merger of the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. ("NYSE") and Archipelago Holdings, Inc. ("Archipelago"), NYSE Group, Inc. has filed a registration statement on Form S-4 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) containing a joint proxy statement/prospectus regarding the proposed transaction. The parties have filed other publicly available relevant documents concerning the proposed transaction with the SEC. The SEC declared the Registration Statement effective on November 3, 2005.

NYSE MEMBERS AND ARCHIPELAGO STOCKHOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE FINAL JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/ PROSPECTUS REGARDING THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION BECAUSE IT CONTAINS IMPORTANT INFORMATION.

NYSE members and Archipelago stockholders can obtain a free copy of the final joint proxy statement/prospectus, as well as other filings containing information about NYSE and Archipelago without charge, at the SEC's website (http://www.sec.gov). Copies of the final joint proxy statement/prospectus can also be obtained, without charge, by directing a request to the Office of the Corporate Secretary, NYSE, 11 Wall Street, New York 10005, 212-656-2061 or to Archipelago, Attention: Investor Relations, at 100 S. Wacker Drive, Suite 1800, Chicago, Illinois 60606 or calling (888) 514-7284.

The NYSE, Archipelago and their respective directors and executive officers and other members of management and employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from Archipelago stockholders in respect of the proposed transaction. Information regarding Archipelago's directors and executive officers is available in Archipelago's proxy statement for its 2005 annual meeting of stockholders, dated March 31, 2005.

Additional information regarding the interests of such potential participants is included in the joint proxy statement/prospectus and the other relevant documents filed with the SEC. This correspondence shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offering of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this correspondence may contain forward-looking information regarding the NYSE and Archipelago and the combined company after the completion of the transactions that are intended to be covered by the safe harbor for "forward-looking statements" provided by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include, but are not limited to, the benefits of the business combination transaction involving NYSE and Archipelago, including future financial and operating results, the new company's plans, objectives, expectations and intentions and other statements that are not historical facts. Such statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of NYSE's and Archipelago's management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.

The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements: the ability to obtain governmental approvals of the transaction on the proposed terms and schedule; the risk that the businesses will not be integrated successfully; the risk that the cost savings and any other synergies from the transaction may not be fully realized or may take longer to realize than expected; disruption from the transaction making it more difficult to maintain relationships with customers, employees or suppliers; competition and its effect on pricing, spending, third-party relationships and revenues; social and political conditions such as war, political unrest or terrorism; general economic conditions and normal business uncertainty. Additional risks and factors are identified in Archipelago's filings with the Securities Exchange Commission, including its Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2004 which is available on Archipelago's website at http://www.Archipelago.com, and the Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed by NYSE Group, Inc. with the SEC on July 21, 2005 (and amended on September 24, 2005, October 24, 2005 and November 3, 2005).

You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this document. Except for any obligation to disclose material information under the Federal securities laws, none of the NYSE, Archipelago or the combined company after the completion of the transactions undertake any obligation to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this document.