Standard & Poor's Announces Changes to U.S. Indices

NEW YORK, Aug. 25  /PRNewswire/ -- Standard & Poor's will make the following changes to the S&P MidCap 400 and S&P SmallCap 600 indices:

  * Mercury General Corp. (NYSE:MCY) will replace Hibernia Corp.
    (NYSE:HIB) in the S&P MidCap 400 after the close of trading on
    Wednesday, August 31.  Hibernia is being acquired by S&P 500 constituent
    Capital One Financial Corp. (NYSE:COF) in a deal expected to close on
    or about that date.

  * Comtech Telecommunications Corp. (NASD: CMTL) will replace BEI
    Technologies Inc. (NASD: BEIQ) in the S&P SmallCap 600 after the close
    of trading on Tuesday, August 30.  BEI is being acquired by S&P Global
    1200 constituent Schneider Electric SA in a deal expected to close on or
    about that date, pending final approvals.

  * Hansen Natural Corp. (NASD: HANS) will replace Argosy Gaming Co.
    (NYSE:AGY) in the S&P SmallCap 600 after the close of trading on a date
    to be announced.  Argosy is being acquired by Penn National Gaming Inc.
    (NASD: PENN) in a deal pending final approvals.



Standard & Poor's will monitor these transactions, and post any relevant updates on its website: http://www.standardandpoors.com/.

Mercury General primarily underwrites all risk classifications of automobile insurance in a number of states, principally California. Headquartered in Los Angeles, CA, the company will be added to the S&P MidCap 400 GICS (Global Industry Classification Standard) Property & Casualty Insurance Sub-Industry Index.

Comtech Telecommunications produces systems and services for advanced communications.  Headquartered in Melville, NY, the company will be added to the S&P SmallCap 600 GICS Communications Equipment Sub-Industry Index.

Hansen Natural produces natural sodas and other beverages, nutrition bars and cereals.  Headquartered in Corona, CA, the company will be added to the S&P SmallCap 600 GICS Soft Drinks Sub-Industry Index.

  Following is a summary of the changes:

                  S&P MIDCAP 400 INDEX - August 31, 2005
           COMPANY           GICS ECONOMIC SECTOR   GICS SUB-INDUSTRY
  ADDED    Mercury General   Financials             Property & Casualty
                                                     Insurance
  DELETED  Hibernia          Financials             Regional Banks


                 S&P SMALLCAP 600 INDEX - August 30, 2005
           COMPANY           GICS ECONOMIC SECTOR   GICS SUB-INDUSTRY
  ADDED    Comtech           Information Technology Communications Equipment
          Telecommunications
  DELETED  BEI Technologies  Information Technology Electronic Equipment
                                                     Manufacturers


                       S&P SMALLCAP 600 INDEX - TBA
           COMPANY           GICS ECONOMIC SECTOR   GICS SUB-INDUSTRY
  ADDED    Hansen Natural    Consumer Staples       Soft Drinks
  DELETED  Argosy Gaming     Consumer Discretionary Casinos & Gaming



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 independent credit ratings, indices, risk evaluation, investment research, data and valuations. With 6,500 employees located in 22 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/.

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, BusinessWeek and McGraw-Hill Education. The Corporation has more than 300 offices in 40 countries. Sales in 2004 were $5.3 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

212 438-3907



Web site:  http://www.standardandpoors.com/

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