CNXS Connexus Corporation (CE)

NEW YORK, Dec. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Standard & Poor's will make the following changes to the S&P SmallCap 600 and S&P REIT Composite indices: -- MKS Instruments Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI) will replace Aleris International Inc. (NYSE:ARS) in the S&P SmallCap 600 after the close of trading on Tuesday, December 19. Aleris is being acquired by Texas Pacific Group in a deal expected to close on or about that date, pending final approvals. -- CT Communications Inc. (NASDAQ:CTCI) will replace CNS Inc. (NASDAQ: NASDAQ:CNXS) in the S&P SmallCap 600 after the close of trading on Tuesday, December 19. CNS is being acquired by S&P Global 1200 constituent GlaxoSmithKline plc in a deal expected to close on or about that date, pending final approvals. -- U-Store-It Trust (NYSE:YSI) will replace Windrose Medical Properties Trust (NYSE:WRS) in the S&P REIT Composite after the close of trading on Tuesday, December 19. Windrose is being acquired by S&P REIT Composite constituent Health Care REIT Inc. (NYSE:HCN) in a deal expected to close on or about that date, pending final approvals. Standard & Poor's will monitor these transactions, and post any relevant updates on its website: http://www.standardandpoors.com/. MKS Instruments supplies the semiconductor and other industries with gas measurement, control and analysis components, power supplies, and vacuum products. Headquartered in Wilmington, MA, the company will be added to the S&P 600 GICS (Global Industry Classification Standard) Semiconductor Equipment Sub-Industry index. CT Communications provides a variety of telecommunications-related services to its residential and business customers. Headquartered in Concord, NC, the company will be added to the S&P 600 GICS Integrated Telecommunication Services Sub-Industry index. U-Store-It engages in the ownership, operation, acquisition, and development of self-storage facilities. Headquartered in Cleveland, OH, the company will be added to the S&P REIT Composite GICS Specialized REITs sub- industry. Following is a summary of the changes: S&P SMALLCAP 600 INDEX - December 19, 2006 COMPANY GICS ECONOMIC GICS SUB-INDUSTRY SECTOR ADDED MKS Instruments Information Semiconductor Technology Equipment CT Communications Telecommunication Integrated Services Telecommunication Services DELETED Aleris Materials Aluminum CNS Inc. Health Care Pharmaceuticals S&P REIT COMPOSITE INDEX - December 19, 2006 COMPANY GICS ECONOMIC SECTOR GICS SUB-INDUSTRY ADDED U-Store-It Financials Specialized REITs DELETED Windrose Financials Specialized REITs Additions to and deletions from an S&P equity index do not in any way reflect an opinion on the investment merits of the companies concerned. About Standard & Poor's Standard & Poor's, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE:MHP), is the world's foremost provider of financial market intelligence, including independent credit ratings, indices, risk evaluation, investment research and data. With approximately 7,500 employees, including wholly owned affiliates, located in 21 countries, Standard & Poor's is an essential part of the world's financial infrastructure and has played a leading role for more than 140 years in providing investors with the independent benchmarks they need to feel more confident about their investment and financial decisions. For more information, visit http://www.standardandpoors.com/. About The McGraw-Hill Companies: Founded in 1888, The McGraw-Hill Companies is a leading global information services provider meeting worldwide needs in the financial services, education and business information markets through leading brands such as Standard & Poor's, McGraw-Hill Education, BusinessWeek and J.D. Power and Associates. The Corporation has more than 240 offices in 36 countries. Sales in 2005 were $6.0 billion. Additional information is available at http://www.mcgraw-hill.com/. DATASOURCE: Standard & Poor's CONTACT: David M. Blitzer, Ph.D. Managing Director & Chairman of the Index Committee +1-212-438-3907 Web site: http://www.standardandpoors.com/ http://www.mcgraw-hill.com/

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