ISE Announces Joint Educational Effort with Optionetics for ISE FX Options

By International Securities Exchange

Published: March 27, 2007 10:24 AM EST

NEW YORK, March 27, 2007  The International Securities Exchange (NYSE: ISE) said today that it has partnered with Optionetics, Inc., a recognized leader in options education, in a joint effort to educate retail investors about ISE FX Options.  Optionetics will incorporate information and trading strategies for ISE FX Options into its two-day seminar series Trading the Foreign Exchange Markets, which are executed by its affiliate FX Trading Education Corp. (FXTE).  During these seminars, investors will learn how to enter into positions while controlling risk and targeting profit and will gain a greater understanding of the mechanics of foreign exchange trading.    

Bruce Goldberg, ISEs Chief Marketing Officer, said, ISE has long been committed to educating investors about the benefits of options trading.  As we prepare for the launch of ISE FX Options, we are pleased to partner with Optionetics and FXTE to complement and expand the reach of our educational efforts and increase awareness of the multiple trading strategies available for investors in this asset class.

ISE FX Options are an important addition to the range of FX products currently available to investors.  They will allow investors to trade their views on the strength of the dollar through straightforward strategies, and we look forward to providing this essential training to Optionetics and FXTE students, said Richard Cawood, CEO of Optionetics.  

ISE FX Options are scheduled to launch in the early second quarter of 2007, pending SEC approval.  ISE will initially list four currency pairs: USD/EUR (Symbol: EUI), USD/GBP (Symbol: BPX), USD/JPY (Symbol: YUK), and USD/CAD (Symbol: CDD).  

Investors will be able to access these securities through most major brokerage accounts that are approved for trading equity and index options.  Optionetics, FXTE and ISE have also collaborated to produce an interactive CD-ROM, featuring ISE instructors Alex Jacobson and Steve Meizinger, that provides an overview of trading strategies for ISE FX Options.  The CD-ROM will be available in April, and investors can contact their options broker for a complimentary copy.  

FXTEs seminar schedule for April includes Tampa, FL on April 9-10, 2007; Phoenix, AZ on April 12-13, 2007; and San Jose, CA on April 26-27, 2007.  For a complete schedule, please visit www.fxte.com.  For more information on ISE FX Options, please visit www.iseoptions.com/fx_options.aspx.  For more information on Optionetics, please visit www.optionetics.com.

ISE Background

International Securities Exchange Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: ISE), through its subsidiaries, operates a family of innovative securities markets.  ISE is founded on the principle that technology and competition create better, more efficient markets for investors and consists of an options exchange, a stock exchange and an alternative markets platform. ISE continually enhances its trading systems and develops new products to provide investors with the best marketplace and investment tools to trade smarter.                        

ISE developed a unique market structure for advanced screen-based trading systems and in May 2000 launched the first fully electronic US options exchange.  Currently, ISE operates the largest U.S. equity options exchange and is among the leading options exchanges in the world.  ISE offers index options, including a portfolio of proprietary index products, and enhanced market data products for sophisticated investors.  ISE FX Options are slated to launch in 2007.                                               

ISE Stock Exchange, launched in September 2006 with strategic partners, includes an innovative MidPoint Match platform which offers investors continuous price improvement. MidPoint Match was integrated with a fully displayed Best Bid Offer market in the fourth quarter of 2006.  

ISEs alternative markets business currently consists of an events market trading platform known as Longitude.  Longitudes patented and proprietary technology provides a unique parimutuel structure for derivatives auctions which results in greater trading and pricing flexibility for market participants.

For more information about ISE and its options exchange, visit www.iseoptions.com and for more information about ISE Stock Exchange, visit www.isestock.com.  Additionally, to learn more about ISE alternative markets technology, visit www.longitude.com.  

Optionetics Background

Since the creation of its 2-day Optionetics Seminar in 1993, Redwood City, California-based Optionetics has developed into the worlds leading investment education resource dedicated to teaching individuals how to create personal wealth by trading in financial markets with controlled risk and ongoing success. Avoiding overly theoretical or technically complicated material, Optionetics represents a practical, balanced approach to trading profitably in todays markets. Investors can learn the skills of options trading through Optionetics seminars, books, home study courses, CDs, daily articles, simulated trading experiences and software strategy products. Optionetics is proud to stand behind all of its educational programs by providing one of the most solid guarantees offered in its industry. To learn more about Optionetics, please visit www.optionetics.com.

CONTACT:

Media:
Molly H. McGregor
International Securities Exchange
212-897-0275
mmcgregor@iseoptions.com

Investors:
Thomas Gibbons
International Securities Exchange
212-897-8167
tgibbons@iseoptions.com 

Forward Looking Statements

Certain matters discussed in this press release are forward looking statements intended to qualify for the safe harbor from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  These statements relate to future events or our future financial performance, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements, to be materially different from those contemplated by the forward looking statements.  We undertake no ongoing obligation, other than that imposed by law, to update these statements. Factors that could affect our results, levels of activity, performance or achievements and cause them to materially differ from those contained in the forward looking statements can be found in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our annual report on Form 10-K, current reports on Form 8-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, as amended.