Standard & Poor's Announces Changes to Indices

Standard & Poor's Announces Changes to Indices 


NEW YORK, Oct. 19  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Standard & Poor's will make the
following changes to the S&P MidCap 400 and S&P SmallCap 600 indices after the
close of trading Friday, October 22:

  -- VCA Antech Inc. (NASDAQ:WOOF) will replace IMC Global Inc. (NYSE:IGL)
     in the S&P MidCap 400.  IMC Global is merging with a subsidiary of
     privately-held Cargill Inc. in a deal expected to close on or about
     that date, subject to final approval.

  -- Amedisys Inc. (NASDAQ:AMED) will replace Tower Automotive Inc.
     (NYSE:TWR) in the S&P SmallCap 600.  Tower Automotive's stock has
     traded below $2.00 per share for ten consecutive days.



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

VCA Antech operates a network of veterinary diagnostic laboratories and
freestanding, full-service animal hospitals.  Headquartered in Los Angeles, CA,
the company will be added to the S&P MidCap 400 GICS (Global Industry
Classification Standard) Health Care Facilities Sub-Industry Index.

Amedisys is a provider of home healthcare nursing services.  Headquartered in
Baton Rouge, LA, the company will be added to the S&P SmallCap 600 GICS Health
Care Services Sub-Industry Index.

  Following is a summary of the changes:

                 S&P MIDCAP 400 INDEX - October 22, 2004

            COMPANY     GICS ECONOMIC SECTOR    GICS SUB-INDUSTRY
  ADDED     VCA Antech     Health Care       Health Care Facilities
  DELETED   IMC Global      Materials   Fertilizers & Agricultural Chemicals

                S&P SMALLCAP 600 INDEX - October 22, 2004

           COMPANY     GICS ECONOMIC SECTOR      GICS SUB-INDUSTRY
  ADDED    Amedisys       Health Care            Health Care Services
  DELETED  Tower       Consumer Discretionary    Auto Parts & Equipment
            Automotive



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.

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DATASOURCE: Standard & Poor's



CONTACT: David M. Blitzer, Ph.D.

Managing Director & Chairman of the Index Committee

[phone]



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

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