Deutsche Börse to repurchase own shares

Deutsche Börse AG (Deutsche Börse) announced today that it will commence an ongoing program to optimize Deutsche Börse Group’s capital structure. This program reflects the conviction of the Executive and Supervisory Boards to distribute to shareholders funds that are not required for the Group’s operations.

The company will begin the distribution of funds to shareholders by buying back its shares. The company currently has authorization from its shareholders to repurchase up to 10 percent of its share capital but is currently limited by law to a purchase in the amount of retained earnings which stood at 448.4 million euros as of 31 December 2004.

Deutsche Börse will begin buying back shares after the invitation and the agenda for the Annual General Meeting 2005 have been published. The launch of the share buy back program including details as to the duration will be announced separately. The buy back will be carried out in compliance with Directive (EU) No. 2273/2003 of the Commission of December 22, 2003. All shares will be bought in the market and will be retired.

The company further announced that the Supervisory Board and the Executive Board will propose to the upcoming shareholders meeting to authorize further share buy backs of up to ten percent of the share capital of Deutsche Börse. The Executive Board intends to continue the share buy back program based on any such authorization and approval of the Supervisory Board.

In addition, the Executive Board is evaluating all further options to optimize Deutsche Börse Group’s capital structure.