Alpha Group announces new Trading Fee Structure

TORONTO, May 26 /CNW/ - Alpha Group today announced that, subject to regulatory approval, it will implement a new trading fee structure as of June 1st, 2010.

For securities with a value greater than or equal to $1 and less than $ 5, active fees will be reduced from 35 mils per share to 25 mils per share and passive fee rebates will be decreased from 31 mil per share to 21 mils per share. This fee reduction positions Alpha as the market with the lowest active fees in securities with a value greater than or equal to $ 1 and less than $ 5 - a segment that represents about 20% of the overall volume traded in Canada across all Canadian marketplaces.

For a dealer facing a majority of "taker" trades, this new fee schedule represents close to 30% savings on these trades. This new fee schedule combined with free opening trades, full rebates on iceberg orders and the lowest active/passive ratio for dealers posting their resting orders on Alpha, means that Alpha is the trading venue that stands for liquidity at the lowest cost.

"We continue to execute upon our commitment of reducing the cost of trading in Canada" noted Jos Schmitt, CEO of Alpha Group. "Finding the right balance between the interests of all our constituents drives our strategy. Now that our volume, our order to trade ratio and our average trade size have demonstrated Alpha's unparalleled liquidity, it was time again to address the cost issue. And in line with our mantra - For the Industry, By the Industry - these new benefits are available to all dealers without any restrictions".

About Alpha Group - Alpha Group comprises the leading Alternative Trading System for Canadian Securities - Alpha ATS, and a data distribution plant for Alpha ATS market data. Alpha Group was established in May, 2007 by nine of Canada's leading financial institutions with the aim of increasing the country's securities trading efficiencies and making the Canadian marketplace more globally competitive. Established for the Industry, by the Industry, the Alpha Group focuses on increasing liquidity, reducing the cost of trading and providing innovative services leveraging its unique expertise, operating model and technological capabilities.

For further information regarding Alpha Group, visit www.alphatradingsystems.ca.

For further information: Kate McGrogan, [phone], [email protected]