IDC Interactive Data Corp.

Interactive Data Corporation (NYSE: IDC), a leading provider of financial market data, analytics and related services, today announced its intention to acquire the majority of NTT DATA Financial Corporation (NDF) from NTT DATA Corporation for 1.9 billion yen (or approximately U.S. $20.2 million based on current foreign exchange rates) in cash. The transaction is expected to be completed by the end of 2008, contingent upon customary closing conditions. NDF, which is based in Tokyo, is a leading provider of securities pricing, reference data and related services to most of the major financial institutions in Japan. Interactive Data and NDF have been partners in a re-distribution relationship in Japan for more than 14 years, providing financial institutions with global end-of-day securities pricing, evaluations and reference data for clients� mission-critical investment operations, including portfolio valuation and accounting. NDF�s services are widely used in Japan by banks, asset and funds management companies, insurance companies, custody banks, trust banks and securities firms. This acquisition advances Interactive Data�s strategy of expanding its business in the Asia-Pacific region. By combining NDF�s knowledge of the Japanese market with Interactive Data�s experience in delivering information for millions of global securities every day and robust technology infrastructure, Interactive Data will be able to directly provide financial institutions in Japan with an even broader range of financial data and services, including fixed income analytics, valuations of complex financial instruments and indicative valuations of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and other related structures. After the transaction is closed, Interactive Data plans to change the name of NDF to Interactive Data Japan KK while retaining the personnel and operating the business in a manner consistent with current practices. �It is important for Interactive Data to have a strong and direct presence in the world�s second-largest economy,� said Stuart Clark, president and chief executive officer of Interactive Data Corporation. �We have enjoyed a successful and long-standing relationship with NDF in Japan over the past 14 years, and share a common approach to building long-term, trusting relationships with our clients. We believe that acquiring NDF will enable Interactive Data to accelerate its growth in Japan and make progress toward our objective of being the first choice for financial market data and related services in that marketplace.� �The acquisition of NDF will provide Interactive Data with a strong direct presence in Japan, which will help us to further grow our business in the Asia-Pacific region,� stated James Farrer, managing director of Interactive Data Asia-Pacific. �Moving from a distributor model to an ownership model in Japan is an important milestone for us. Financial institutions are focused on driving efficiencies in financial operations across their front, middle and back offices while remaining compliant with evolving regulations. The NDF team is a very capable, client-oriented organization and we look forward to working with them to capitalize on our growth opportunities in Japan. Interactive Data plans to build on NDF�s strengths of high-quality services, in-depth market knowledge and responsive client support to expand the range of content and services that we can provide to Japanese financial institutions.� Based on the unaudited financial statements provided to Interactive Data, NDF generated revenue for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008 of approximately $11.7 million with operating expenses of approximately $8.8 million, which includes depreciation and $4.4 million in royalties payable to Interactive Data Corporation. Based on the contractual parameters of Interactive Data�s existing relationship with NDF, royalty revenue generated through NDF has been classified as U.S. revenue for the Company. Following the completion of the acquisition, all NDF revenue will be included in the Company�s Asia-Pacific revenue. NDF�s historical financial statements were not prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and thus future measures of NDF�s results prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP could be materially different from NDF�s historical results. Assuming the transaction closes before the end of 2008, Interactive Data anticipates that the transaction will not have a material impact on 2008 results. The transaction is expected to be cash flow positive but earnings neutral in 2009, and, through a combination of planned revenue growth and operational synergies, accretive to earnings in 2010. At the initial closing, Interactive Data will acquire 64% of NDF from NTT DATA Corporation for 1.9 billion yen (or approximately U.S. $20.2 million based on current foreign exchange rates) in cash and NTT DATA Corporation will retain a 10% interest in NDF. At that time, minority shareholders, who collectively own 26% of NDF, will also be able to tender their shares. Interactive Data plans to work with NTT DATA Corporation for a smooth transition of the business in Japan and to acquire the remaining equity of NDF over the coming years. The purchase price to acquire 100% of NDF will be 3.0 billion yen (or approximately U.S. $31.6 million assuming constant foreign exchange rates) in cash. Interactive Data Corporation Forward-looking and Cautionary Statements This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and Federal securities laws, and is subject to the safe-harbor created by such Act and laws. Forward-looking statements include all statements that are not historical and include our statements discussing our goals, beliefs, strategies, objectives, plans, prospects and opportunities, and our statements relating to (i) the fact that the initial closing or the subsequent closing of the minority interests may not occur on a timely basis or at all; (ii) our ability to successfully integrate the NDF business; (iii) our ability to retain key employees of NDF; (iv) the fact that since NDF�s historical financial statements were not prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, future NDF results, prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, could differ materially from NDF�s historical results; (v) the anticipated impact of the NDF business on our business, including any impact on our earnings; (vi) our plans to expand the services we offer in Japan, and (vii) our ability to further expand our business in Japan and the Asia Pacific market . These statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other factors that may cause actual results to be materially different from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Such factors include: (i) the fact that the acquisition may not close on a timely basis or at all, (ii) our ability to successfully integrate the NDF business, (iii) our ability to retain key employees of NDF, and other factors identified in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We undertake no obligation to update these forward-looking statements. About Interactive Data Corporation Interactive Data Corporation (NYSE: IDC) is a leading global provider of financial market data, analytics and related services to financial institutions, active traders and individual investors. The Company's businesses supply real-time market data, time-sensitive pricing, evaluations and reference data for millions of securities traded around the world, including hard-to-value instruments. Many of the world's best-known financial service and software companies subscribe to the Company's services in support of their trading, analysis, portfolio management and valuation activities. Through its businesses, Interactive Data Pricing and Reference Data, Interactive Data Real-Time Services, Interactive Data Fixed Income Analytics, and eSignal, the Company has approximately 2,300 employees in offices located throughout North America, Europe, Asia and Australia. The Company is headquartered in Bedford, Mass. Pearson plc (NYSE: PSO; LSE: PSON), an international media company, whose businesses include the Financial Times Group, Pearson Education, and the Penguin Group, is Interactive Data Corporation's majority stockholder. Interactive Data Corporation is celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2008. For more information about Interactive Data Corporation and its businesses, please visit www.interactivedata.com.