ZURICH, June 17, 2004 – STOXX Ltd. today announced it has licensed the Dow Jones Euro STOXX 50 Index to the Italian bank Cassa depositi et prestiti S.p.A. to be used as a benchmark for a state guaranteed structured product. The "BB1" are guaranteed through a special issued law by the Italian ministry of economy and finance.

"This is another step for STOXX Ltd. to further establish the Dow Jones Euro STOXX 50 as the leading pan-European equity index. It will satisfy market demand for a comprehensive index measuring European market performance," said Lars Hamich, managing director of STOXX Ltd. "This is the index that is preferred by benchmark users including plan sponsors, consultants, money managers and researchers. This licensing agreement ensures that Italian retail investors have easy access to this successful index."

This new capital guaranteed product also allows Italian investors for the first time to invest in Europe's most widely recognized market barometer.
The strong brand name of the Dow Jones Euro STOXX 50 will help retail investors to be comfortable with this new offer.