ABB Ltd. is a Switzerland-based worldwide provider of power and automation technologies that enable utility and industry customers to improve performance while lowering environmental impact. ABB's core businesses comprises two divisions: Power Technologies and Automation Technologies. The Power Technologies segment serves industrial and commercial customers, electric, gas and water utilities with a range of products, systems and services for power transmission, distribution and power plant automation. The Automation Technologies segment delivers automation systems for measurement, control, motion, protection and plant optimization across a range of industries. In September 2006, the Company's Chapter 11 plan of reorganization of its United States-based subsidiary, ABB Lummus Global Inc., became effective. The Company is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland and has offices in the Middle East, Asia, Africa and in the North and South America.

Baxter International Inc. (Baxter) is a global diversified medical products and services company with capabilities in medical devices, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology that assists healthcare professionals and their patients with the treatment of complex medical conditions, including hemophilia, immune disorders, cancer, infectious diseases, kidney disease, trauma and other conditions. Baxter�s products are used by hospitals, clinical and medical research laboratories, kidney dialysis centers, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, doctors� offices and by patients at home under physician supervision. Baxter manufactures products in 28 countries and sells them in over 100 countries. The Company operates in three segments: The BioScience, Medication Delivery and Renal. In March 2007, Baxter completed the sale of its Transfusion Therapies business to Texas Pacific Group and Maverick Capital, Ltd.

Herley Industries, Inc. is a supplier of microwave products and systems to defense and aerospace entities worldwide. The Company provides microwave technologies for use in command and control systems, flight instrumentation, weapons sensors and electronic warfare systems. The Company supplies to defense prime contractors, including Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon and Boeing; the United States Government, including the Department of Defense, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and other United States Government agencies, and international customers, including the Egyptian, German, Japanese and South Korean militaries, and suppliers to international militaries.

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VASCO Data Security International, Inc. designs, develops, markets and supports open standards-based hardware and software security systems that manage and secure access to information assets. The Company designs, develops, markets and supports the Strong User Authentication products for e-business and e-commerce. Strong User Authentication is delivered via the Company's hardware and software Digipass security products, called Digipass devices, most of which incorporate an electronic signature capability, guarantee the integrity of electronic transactions and data transmissions. Some of the Digipass units are compliant with the Europay MasterCard Visa standard, and are compatible with MasterCard's and VISA's Chip Authentication Program. The backbone of the Company's product range is the VACMAN Controller. During the year ended December 31, 2006, the Company acquired Logico Smart Card Solutions GmbH and Able NV.

Strategy for iShares Trust S&P 500 Index The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the S&P 500 Index. Uses a replication strategy to try to track the Index, which includes approximately 77% of the market capitalization of all publicly traded US equity securities.

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