FTSE Group issues country classification changes

1) Israel will be promoted to Developed status from June 2008. Israel meets all quality of markets criteria for a Developed market and has done so since being included on the Watch List in 2006. A new FTSE Index for Developed markets in Europe, Middle East and Africa will be introduced for those investors wishing to integrate Israel within their existing Developed Europe portfolios;

2) Hungary and Poland will be promoted to Advanced Emerging status from Secondary Emerging from June 2008. Both countries now meet the quality of markets criteria for Developed markets but will continue to be classified as Advanced Emerging until their World Bank GNI Per Capita Rating classification is upgraded to High; and more ..