3.19.2008 - 05:07pm ET

(CSRwire) NEW YORK, NY - March 19, 2008 (PrimeNewswire via COMTEX News Network) -- The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. (Nasdaq:NDAQ) announced today the results of the semi-annual evaluation of the NASDAQ(r) Clean Edge(r) U.S. Index (Nasdaq:CLEN) and the NASDAQ(r) Clean Edge(r) U.S. Liquid Series Index (Nasdaq:CELS) (the "Indexes"), which will become effective with the market open on Monday, March 24, 2008.

The following eight securities will be added to the Indexes: Advanced Battery Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq:ABAT), Akeena Solar, Inc. (Nasdaq:AKNS), Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq:ASTI), Gushan Environmental Energy Limited (NYSE:GU), Orion Energy Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq:OESX), Solarfun Power Holdings Co., Ltd. (Nasdaq:SOLF), Ultralife Batteries, Inc. (Nasdaq:ULBI) and Valence Technology, Inc. (NYSE:VLNC).

The Indexes are designed to track the performance of clean-energy companies that are publicly traded in the U.S. The Indexes include companies engaged in the manufacturing, development, distribution, and installation of emerging clean-energy technologies such as solar photovoltaics, biofuels and advanced batteries. The five major sub-sectors that the index covers are Renewable Electricity Generation, Renewable Fuels, Energy Storage & Conversion, Energy Intelligence and Advanced Energy-Related Materials. The securities must also meet other eligibility criteria which include minimum requirements for market value, average daily share volume, and price. The Indexes are evaluated on a semi-annual basis in March and September. For more information about the NASDAQ Clean Edge U.S. Index and the NASDAQ Clean Edge U.S. Liquid Series Index, including detailed eligibility criteria, visit www.NASDAQ.com <http://www.NASDAQ.com> .

The NASDAQ Clean Edge U.S. Liquid Series Index is the basis for the First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge U.S. Liquid Series Index Fund (Nasdaq:QCLN), which seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield of the NASDAQ Clean Edge U.S. Liquid Series Index before fees and expenses.

As a result of the evaluation MGP Ingredients, Inc. (Nasdaq:MGPI) will be removed from the Index.

Clean Edge, a leading clean-tech research and publishing firm, released its annual Clean-Energy Trends 2008 report earlier this month. To view the report, and learn about Clean Edge's latest findings, visit http://www.cleanedge.com/reports/reports-trends2008.php.

About NASDAQ OMX

The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. is the world's largest exchange company. It delivers trading, exchange technology and public company services across six continents, and with over 3,900 companies, it is number one in worldwide listings among major markets. NASDAQ OMX Group offers multiple capital raising solutions to companies around the globe, including its U.S. listings market; the OMX Nordic Exchange, including First North; and the 144A PORTAL Market. The company offers trading across multiple asset classes including equities, derivatives, debt, commodities, structured products and ETFs. NASDAQ OMX Group technology supports the operations of over 60 exchanges, clearing organizations and central securities depositories in more than 50 countries. OMX Nordic Exchange is not a legal entity but describes the common offering from NASDAQ OMX Group exchanges in Helsinki, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Iceland, Tallinn, Riga, and Vilnius. For more information about NASDAQ OMX, visit www.nasdaqomx.com <http://www.nasdaqomx.com>

About Clean Edge

Clean Edge, Inc., with offices in Oakland, Calif. and Portland, Ore., is a leading research and publishing firm that helps companies, investors, and policymakers understand and profit from clean technologies. Through its research and reports, conferences and events, online publications, and strategic consulting services, Clean Edge tracks and analyzes clean-tech markets, trends, and opportunities. Launched in 2001 by environmental and high-tech business pioneers Ron Pernick and Joel Makower, Clean Edge and its network of partners and affiliates offer unparalleled insight and intelligence. For more information, visit www.cleanedge.com <http://www.cleanedge.com>.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.

The matters described herein may contain forward-looking statements that are made under the Safe Harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We caution that these statements are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties or other factors beyond NASDAQ's control. These factors include, but are not limited to, factors detailed in NASDAQ's annual report on Form 10-K, and periodic reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. We undertake no obligation to release any revisions to any forward-looking statements.

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