NEW YORK, Feb 19, 2003 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- AutoNation Inc. (NYSE: AN)
will replace Rational Software Corp. (Nasdaq: RATL) in the S&P 500 Index after
the close of trading on a date to be announced. S&P 500 component International
Business Machines Corp. (NYSE: IBM) is acquiring Rational Software. The
transaction is still subject to European Union approval.
Following is a summary of the announced change:
S&P 500 INDEX -- TBA
COMPANY GICS ECONOMIC SECTOR GICS SUB-INDUSTRY
ADDED AutoNation Inc. Consumer Discretionary Specialty Stores
DELETED Rational Software Information Technology Application Software
AutoNation is an automotive dealer which also offers vehicle maintenance and
repair services, vehicle parts, extended service contracts and insurance
products. The company, headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, FL, will be added to
the S&P 500 GICS (Global Industry Classification Standard) Specialty Stores
sub-industry.
Company additions to and deletions from an S&P equity index do not in any way
reflect an opinion on the investment merits of the company.
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SOURCE AutoNation Inc.
CONTACT: David Blitzer, Managing Director, Quantitative Services,
+1-212-438-3907, or Carol Levine, Communications Manager, +1-212-438-3534,
sp_global@standardandpoors.com, both of Standard & Poor's, for AutoNation
Inc.
URL: http://www.standardandpoors.com
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