2010

• On February 8, NASDAQ OMX Nordic and Baltic exchanges introduced new trading system for equity trading - INET, the most advanced securities trading technology in the world. As a result all NASDAQ OMX equity markets across the world trade on the same global trading platform.
• In February, the internet-based trading platform e-Broker was upgraded, thereafter offering its users a number of significant enhancements and new functionalities.
• In February, a correlation between the stock price index OMX Riga movements and the Latvian GDP growth pattern was identified in a study initiated by the stock exchange. The research results suggest that stock price dynamics can be used for forecasting the trends in the Latvian economy a half year later. Though the appreciation of stock prices is not a guarantee to economic upturn, with a 75% probability, the price dynamics tend to be replicated by GDP dynamics two quarters later. This is the first ever study on using a stock price index for forecasting purposes with regard to the economic outlook in the Baltic countries.
• In March, within the framework of the Baltic Summit organized by the Baltic Institute of Baltic Corporate Governance Daiga Auziņa-Melalksne, CEO of NASDAQ OMX Riga, participated in a discussion on the topic of governance of state-owned enterprises in the Baltics and the necessity to of guidance for corporate governance.
• On March 23, Daiga Auziņa-Melalksne, CEO of NASDAQ OMX Riga, was elected to the Board of the American Chamber of Commerce in Latvia. Taking up this position, the intentions are to promote a transparent, predictable and conducive business environment in Latvia.
• In June, with the objective to encourage investing in securities, NASDAQ OMX Riga published a stock exchange newsletter explaining in a simple way how the stock exchange operates, its role in the national economy and in raising capital to businesses, as well as the investment options. The newsletter was delivered to over 30,000 Latvian subscribers to printed media.
• In August, NASDAQ OMX Riga and Latvian Central Depository celebrated the 15^th anniversary since the inception of securities market in Latvia. The first trading session took place and the first trades were settled by the Latvian Central Depository in 1995. Artis Kampars, Minister of Economics, expressed his appreciations to the progress made by the stock exchange within these 15 years, and confirmed his support to the initiatives by NASDAQ OMX Riga in establishing a transparent business environment and the principles of good corporate governance in Latvia.  
• In September, the Baltic Institute of Corporate Governance in collaboration with the key financial experts, including experts from NASDAQ OMX Riga, for the first time compiled and analyzed information on the Latvian state-owned enterprises, their financial position and also compared their financial performance with that of peer companies in Europe and the Baltic countries. The conclusion: provided that the assets of state-owned companies are managed as efficiently as in comparable companies in Europe, their annual dividend contribution to the government budget would increase by 75 million LVL (last year, state-owned companies paid dividends in the amount of 185 million LVL). After studying the Report, Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis suggests to set up an intersectoral working group with the assignment to develop state-owned asset management policy.  
• In October, NASDAQ OMX Riga developed a video guides for investors how to use its own website and also that of Baltic Fund Center.
• In November, for the fifth year in row NASDAQ OMX Riga, teamed up with investment banking company Prudentia and magazine Kapitāls and compiled a list of Top 101 Latvian most valuable businesses. The companies are ranked according to their business value. Latvenergo was the most valuable company in Latvia in 2010 with a business value of over 1 billion LVL.
• In December, the annual conference „CEO Meets Investor” was organized. Private investors and other securities market representatives had an opportunity to meet in person Chief Executive Officers of several Baltic-listed companies and get their vision of the key events in their company’s business and future outlook. This year, the management of Liepājas Metalurgs, SAF Tehnika, Olainfarm and TEO LT participated in the conference. In the final part of the conference there was a seminar where securities experts discoursed on risk diversification, the methods of forecasting share price movements, the most prospective companies in the Baltics and the possibility to make profit in case of share buyback offers. More information: www.naudaslietas.lv
• The annual Baltic Market Awards ceremony took place in early 2011, where the winners of the Baltic Market Awards 2010 were announced, recognizing the best practices in the Baltic securities market. TEO LT was awarded for the Best Investor Relations in the Baltic Countries and was also recognized as having the Best Investor Relations in NASDAQ OMX Vilnius and the Best Annual Report in the Baltic market. Latvian company Grindeks was awarded for the Best Investor Relations Online and also won the award for the Best investor Relations in NASDA Q OMX Riga. SAF Tehnika, another Riga-listed company, was awarded for the Best Investor Relations among Small Cap Companies. Tallinna Vesi was admitted to have the Best Investor Relations in NASDA Q OMX Tallinn. The prize for the Most Visible Improvement over the year went to Grigiškės from Lithuania which had improved its performance by 33%. SEB Bankas from Lithuania became Member of the Year.
• As part of the Baltic Market Awards ceremony, NASDAQ OMX Riga awarded its traditional annual awards. Deniss Makedonskis from Finasta was named Broker of the Year 2010, while Special Award 2010 went to Alminas Žaldokas, a lecturer from Stockholm School of Economics in Riga, who has been tutoring several research papers that have won prizes at the annual theses contests organized by the stock exchange.
• Laurynas Barauskas and Justinas Noreika, students from Stockholm School of Economics in Riga, won the contest of bachelors and masters theses with their bachelor’s thesis entitled „Momentum in Mature and Emerging Markets under Different Market States: the Case of the Baltic Region”. The authors were awarded with a money prize of 1000 EUR. 

2009

• On January 10, the Riga Stock Exchange changed its official company name to NASDAQ OMX Riga. The new name is expected to give an unequivocal message that the stock exchange is a part of NASDAQ OMX, the leading global stock exchange group. 
• As of January 12, NASDAQ OMX Baltic exchanges have launched real-time last price display on the website – previously, it used to be with a 15 minutes delay.
• As of February 2, NASDAQ OMX Baltic exchanges have extended the trading session by two hours, to close at 16:00, with a purpose to attract more foreign investors and increase the trading volumes in the Baltic market.
• In March, NASDAQ OMX Riga accomplished the implementation of its initiative on publishing a book „No idejas līdz panākumiem. Alternatīvie finansējuma avoti” (in the Latvian language) dealing with the alternatives to bank loans when a company needs to raise capital. Daiga Auziņa-Melalksne, Chairman of Management Board, is among the authors of the book.
• In April, NASDAQ OMX Riga became a member of the American Chamber of Commerce in Latvia, simultaneously joining the declaration of good corporate citizenship. Thus, NASDAQ OMX Riga attests its commitment to work to the benefit of both its shareholders and community, assure the transparency of business environment, be environment-conscious, care for its employees and other stakeholders.
• On May 28, NASDAQ OMX Baltic Exchanges announced the establishment of Emerging Nordic Research (ENR), the first independent institutional equity research company founded with the aim of serving institutional investors. The ENR research will only be available to institutional and professional investors and will concentrate rather on investment ideas than on the traditional investment recommendations to buy, sell or hold.
• In August, NASDAQ OMX Riga involves itself in the foundation of the Baltic Corporate Governance Institute. The institute is a not-for-profit initiative, and its goal is to raise the awareness of good corporate governance in the Baltic region.
• On October 21, the stock exchange invited private investors and securities market professionals to the annual conference CEO Meets Investor 2009. The CEOs of Tallink Grupp, Olympic Entertainment Group, City Service, Olainfarm and Valmieras Stikla Šķiedra presented their companies' business, financial performance and future plans to the audience.
• In October, Latvenergo was ranked as the most valuable company in Latvia with business value LVL 871 million. The evaluation of TOP 101 Latvian companies has been performed already for the fourth time by NASDAQ OMX Riga, investment banking company IBS „Prudentia”, magazine for business ideas „Kapitāls”, and supported by information partner „Lursoft”.
• The stock exchange annual award ceremony took place on December 10. Nataļja Oha from SEB banka became Broker of the Year 2009, while Special Award went to Stockholm School of Economics in Riga for its more than 15-year-long contribution to promoting the Latvian stock market.
• The Baltic Market Awards ceremony took place on December 10, when the best companies in the Baltic market in terms of investor relations during 2009 were awarded. TEO LT was awarded the Best Investor Relations in the Baltic Countries and also the Best Investor Relations in NASDAQ OMX Vilnius. SAF Tehnika was awarded for the Best Investor Relations among Small Cap Companies and for the Best Investor Relations in NASDAQ OMX Riga. Tallinna Vesi was awarded for the Best Annual Report and for the Best Investor Relations in NASDAQ OMX Tallinn. The Most Visible Improvement over the year in Investor Relations in the Baltic Countries was made by City Service from Lithuania. As to Best Investor Relations Online, four companies were awarded – Grindeks, SAF Tehnika, TEO LT un VST. The Member of the Year in the Baltic countries award was given to AB SEB bankas from Lithuania.
• As in the previous years, in December the stock exchange awarded the authors of the best students' theses in Latvia. This year Ernesta Orlovaite and Aurimas Račas, Stockholm School of Economics in Riga students, won a EUR 1000 prize for their joint research paper "In Search of Money Illusion in CEE Stock Markets: The CAPM Approach".

2008

• On January 1 Riga Stock Exchange reduced commission fees for its members. Fee on manual trades was reduced for 40%, the fee for trades executed in Automatch market was reduced for 10%.
• On February 27 OMX AB, a parent company of Riga Stock Exchange and Latvian Central Depository, combined with the largest US electronic securities exchange The NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. creating the world’s largest exchange company, The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc.
• Starting with March, investors have been able to tailor their own subscriptions to listed company news and the Riga Stock Exchange notices, to be received on-line by e-mail.
• On June 11, the Riga Stock Exchange published the first in Latvia digital guide to investing in shares under the title „10:00 – 14:00. Vērtspapīru tirgus. Latvijas pieredze 2008” (10:00-14:00. Securities Market. Latvian Experience 2008). The Guide is available on internet in the Latvian and Russian languages free of charge.
• In October, Latvia's TOP 101 companies according to business value were announced. This exercise was carried out already for the third year running in the framework of a joint project by the Riga Stock Exchange, business magazine Kapitāls and IBS Prudentia, an investment banking company.
• On October 22, the 3rd conference CEO Meets Investor 2008 was held. Investors were able to attend face-to-face meetings with the chief executives of listed companies: three Latvian companies – Valmieras stikla šķiedra, SAF Tehnika and Olainfarm; a Lithuanian company Apranga; and an Estonian company Eesti Ehitus. This year, a panel discussion was introduced in the agenda of the conference. The participants were industry experts and professionals: N. Točelovska (SEB banka), J. Praņēvičs (Parex Asset Management) and M. Kazāks (Swedbank).
• In November, technical upgrades were made to the Baltic Fund Centre. The improvements now allow automatic sorting, and the funds can be selected by several criteria. Also, the comparing of performance of several funds in one chart has become possible; it is possible to sort funds according to investment region.
• In December, the Riga Stock Exchange awarded the best participants of the Latvian securities market. J. Janovskis (Swedbank) became Broker of the Year. Journalists A. Pelane and I. Ukenābele (news agency BNS) were the winners of Special Award.
• In December the winners of The Baltic Market Awards 2008 were announced. SAF Tehnika from Latvia was awarded for The Best Investor Relations in the Baltic Countries. SAF Tehnika was the winner in two more categories – The Best Investor Relations in the Baltic Countries among Small Cap Companies and The Best Investor Relations in the Riga Stock Exchange. Baltika and TEO LT were the companies to win the prize The Best Investor Relations in the Tallinn Stock Exchange and The Best Investor Relations in the Vilnius Stock Exchange. Grindeks was awarded The Best Investor Relations Online; VST won the award for The Best Annual Report; Eesti Ehitus won award for The Most Visible Improvement over the Year in Investor Relations. The Member of the Year prize was awarded to SEB Bankas from Lithuania.

2007

• On January 1 Baltic stock exchanges introduced joint OMX Baltic Membership in order to further integrate the Baltic securities market.
• On January 11 Riga Stock Exchange Surveillance Committee commenced its operations. The Riga Stock Exchange has delegated a part of its functions related to surveillance of regulated market to an independent body.
• On February 19 OMX’s Nordic and Baltic information service, Company News Service, went live. The service serves as a portal for information about companies on the Nordic Exchange.
• On April 2 Riga Stock Exchange signed the letter of intent with the following companies from financial consultancy sector “Biznesa risinājumi”, “KPMG Baltic”, “Laika stars” and “PriBalt” on co-operation on development of alternative securities market “First North” in Latvia.
• On May 21 a new list structure was introduced on OMX stock exchanges in Tallinn, Riga and Vilnius. The new list structure has two notable changes: modified admission and listing criteria on Baltic Main List and a new list - Baltic Secondary List - created by merging current Baltic I-List with Free List in Riga.
• On June 1 OMX launches the alternative market First North in Latvia. The launch of First North opens vast growth opportunities for small and medium sized companies in Latvia that faced limited access to equity financing before.
• On August 31 futures on the tradable index OMX Baltic 10 (OMXB10) were introduced marking the first exchange-traded derivatives on a Baltic underlying exposed to investors in one of the leading derivatives marketplaces in Europe.
• On September 17 index OMXR reached all - time high in the history of Riga Stock Exchange – 759.44.
• From September till November four companies - Eventus Partners, SEB Enskilda, Deloitte Latvia and LAIKA STARS - became certified advisors on Riga Stock Exchange alternative market First North.
• In October Riga Stock Exchange in cooperation with business journal „Kapitāls” and investment bank „IBS Prudentia” for the second year already developed TOP 101 of the most valuable companies by the business value in Latvia.
• On October 30 Riga Stock Exchange for the second time organized conference “CEO Meets Investors” in order to introduce private investors to the listed companies on the Baltic Market. The participants of the conference were: on Riga Stock Exchange listed Olainfarm, SAF Tehnika, Grindeks and Latvijas kuģniecība; on Tallinn Stock Exchange listed Olympic Entertainment Group and on Vilnius Stock Exchange listed City Service.
• From November 1 the Baltic Market stock exchanges decided to implement the following changes in the Baltic Market setup: to review and harmonize the trade types on the Baltic Market, to introduce a Pre-trade anonymity, new block trade criteria and deferred publication option for members.
• From November 1 the Baltic exchanges discontinued disclosing member firms' ID codes with orders on the Equities submarket through implementing Pre- trade anonymity.
• In December the winners of The Baltic Market Awards 2007 were announced. TEO LT from Lithuania was awarded for the Best Investor Relations in the Baltic Countries, while Hansapank from Estonia won the title of Member of the Year. The winners of other categories were - Eesti Telekom: The Best Investor Relations in Tallinn; TEO LT: The Best Investor Relations in Vilnius; SAF Tehnika: The Best Investor Relations in Riga and The Best Investor Relations among Small Cap Companies; Olainfarm: The Best Investor Relations Online; This year awards were also given in two new categories: Sanitas won the award for The Best Annual Report; Silvano Fashion Group won award for The Most Visible Improvement over the Year in investor relations.

2006

• On January 1 Riga Stock Exchange introduced Corporate Governance principles and recommendations for their implementation.
• On January 11 Investor Calendar was introduced, which makes it easier for investors to follow the issuers’ announcements.
• On February 20 Riga Stock Exchange conducted a meeting with educators from Latvian universities and colleges. The educators received a copy of textbook on capital market "Vērtspapīru tirgus zinības" as a gift. This is already the second edition of the book, revised and updated.
• On March 15 OMX’s exchanges in Tallinn, Riga and Vilnius launched The Baltic Market Awards. The annual contest will identify and rank the best Baltic market participants.
• On March 24 the Tallinn, Riga and Vilnius stock exchanges opened the Baltic Fund Center – an information environment on investment funds for investors. The Baltic Fund Center brings more transparency to the funds and helps to make investment decisions.
• On October 5 in Riga Stock Exchange the privatization cash auction of 40,345,556 (38.62%) state-owned Ventspils nafta shares was a success. The price was LVL 1.84 per share, thus raising LVL 74.2 million to the state. Sale was organized by “Parex banka”, “Suprema” and “Suprema Securities”.
• On October 12 Riga Stock Exchange for the first time organized event „CEO Meets Investors” in order to introduce active private investors to the listed companies on the Baltic Market and to facilitate liquidity in the Baltic Market.
• On November 1 Riga Stock Exchange in cooperation with business journal „Kapitāls” and investment bank „IBS Prudentia” developed TOP 101 of the most valuable companies by the business value in Latvia.
• On December 4 OMX introduced the new Batlic index family, which includes the Baltic All-share (OMX Baltic), Benchmark (OMX Baltic Benchmark), Tradable (OMX Baltic 10) and Sector indexes.
• On December 7 the winners of The Baltic Market Awards 2006 were announced. TEO LT from Lithuania was awarded for the Best Investor Relations in the Baltic Countries, while Hansapank from Estonia won the title of Member of the Year. Eesti Telekom: The Best Investor Relations in Tallinn; TEO LT: The Best Investor Relations in Vilnius; SAF Tehnika: The Best Investor Relations in Riga and The Best Investor Relations among Small Cap Companies and The Best Investor Relations Online.

2005

• On January 26 Gundars Kokorevičs, President of Riga Stock Exchange, announced his intention to leave OMX Exchanges on March 30, 2005 and to take on his new position, as responsible for Business Development at Dalkia International in Latvia.
• On February 11 Daiga Auziņa-Melalksne was elected Chairman of Management Board (previously - Deputy Chairman of Management Board), to start on March 31, 2005. Indars Aščuks was elected Deputy Chairman of Management Board. Previously he was a member of the Riga Stock Exchange and Latvian Central Depository Management Board, and Integration Project Manager.
• On April 26 BALTIX index exceeded 500 points.
• On June 13 Riga Stock Exchange was selected by Minister of Finance as the financial agent for primary placement of Government debt securities. The RSE will run on the SAXESS trading platform the primary placement auctions of Government debt securities according to three models – competitive multiprice auction, fixed rate auction and taps.
• On July 1 as a part of the integration of the Nordic and Baltic securities markets, all six OMX exchanges started to use the same Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS) for classifying listed securities.
• Latvian Government T-bill competitive multi-price auction for the first time was run on the Riga Stock Exchange SAXESS trading system on July 6, 2005; non-competitive fixed rate auction – on July 7, 2005.
• Starting with August 1, the trading system in Riga and Tallinn stock exchanges are complemented by a new market segment for debt securities. The orders are matched automatically according to yield to maturity specified in the buy or sell orders. The launch of the automatch submarket for debt securities in the Riga and Tallinn stock exchanges is another step in harmonization of the cash markets in the Baltics.
• On October 3 OMX harmonized the index name structure for OMX exchanges in Stockholm, Helsinki, Copenhagen, Tallinn, Riga and Vilnius. The change was part of OMX’s strive to create an integrated and efficient Nordic Baltic marketplace. The name structure was constructed around the OMX name, the specific stock exchange and the index of choice.
• On October 31 Riga Stock Exchange, in alliance with Latvian colleges and universities, announced a contest of bachelor thesis on topical issues in the Latvian capital market. The purpose of the contest is to encourage the students to do research on the Latvian capital market itself and the opportunities it is opening to the businesses, as well as to increase the awareness of the role of capital market in national economy. The task of the participants is to write a bachelor thesis in economics.
• On December 1, the Riga Stock Exchange annual awards were distributed to the best market participants. Broker of the Year 2005 went to Aigars Rubiķis from “SEB Latvijas Unibanka”, Contact Person of the Year 2005 went to Viktorija Žuka-Nikuļina from “Olainfarm”, and Stock Exchange Special Award 2005 went to “Grindeks”.

2004

• Starting with January 1, the 15% price spread limit was lift for Free list companies. The resolution has been passed considering that for a number of Free list companies the average mean price has been some santims, thus, lifting the price spread may give more opportunities to the buyers and sellers to arrive at a mutually acceptable price in a shorter time.
• Starting with March 29, trading with fund units is possible on the RSE. The first tradable funds are “Baltic Index fonds” and “Valsts obligāciju fonds” – both open-end. Thus, there are two types of funds listed – traded and non-traded.
• On March 29 Daiga Auziņa Melalksne was appointed a Riga Stock Exchange Vice-president.
• On April 7 a new NOREX agreement was signed between HEX Integrated Markets and Copenhagen Stock Exchange, Oslo Stock Exchange and Iceland Stock Exchange. The new agreement provides for Helsinki, Tallinn and Riga exchanges joining the NOREX alliance.
• On May 18 the Riga Stock Exchange organised a conference on IPO. This was the first conference on this topic ever organised in Latvia.
• Starting with August 1, new ticker symbols are assigned to the RSE listed shares and fund units, in anticipation of migration to the SAXESS trading platform at the end of September.
• As of September 1, as a part of a comprehensive brand strategy project, OM HEX AB – owner and operator of Northern Europe’s largest securities marketplace and a leading provider of transaction technology, processing and outsourcing solutions – has changed name to OMX AB.
• On September 27, OMX Exchanges' marketplaces in Helsinki, Tallinn and Riga successfully launched the common Nordic trading platform SAXESS™, already in use at the Stockholm Stock Exchange, for trading on the cash markets. The launch of SAXESS, developed and operated by OMX Technology, is a milestone in OMX's effort to realize the vision of an integrated Nordic and Baltic securities market.

2003

• On July 21 the first closed-end fund listed on the RSE Investment Fund list – “Baltijas nekustamā īpašuma fonds”, with Parex Asset Management as the asset manager.
• On September 4 HEX Group (Finland), owner of the RSE, merged with OM Group (Sweden), thus creating the OMHEX Group – a leading market services and solutions provider in global financial and energy markets. HEX Integrated Markets, a division of OMHEX, is the operator of the largest securities market in the Nordic/Baltic region and consists of Stockholmsbörsen, Helsinki, Tallinn and Riga stock exchanges, as well as the central securities depositories in Finland, Estonia and Latvia. HEX Integrated markets gives access to 80% of the Nordic and 75% of the Baltic equity markets.
• On December 7 the Riga Stock Exchange celebrates the 10th anniversary since foundation.
• On December 11 the traditional RSE annual award giving ceremony took place. The awards went to: “Broker of the Year 2003” - Andrejs Martinovs from Latvijas krājbanka; “Contact Person of the Year 2003” – Gundega Vārpa from Ventspils nafta, and “Special Award” - Ieva Mārtiņa from BNS.

2002

• In April the all-times largest public privatisation auction for vouchers takes place at the RSE. Over 64 million shares or 32% of Latvijas kuģniecība shares were auctioned at the price of LVL 1.11 per share.
• On June 26 the all-times largest public privatisation auction for cash takes place at the RSE. 102 million shares or 51% of the Latvijas kuģniecība shares were auctioned at total value LVL 35.7 million. The offer and the auction was organised by the Riga Stock Exchange in co-operation with investment bankers Suprema and Williams de Broe.
• In August a major European stock exchange group, HEX Group (Finland), becomes the main shareholder of the RSE. HEX Group is an international group consisting of the stock exchanges and central securities depositories of Finland, Estonia and Latvia. Simultaneously, the RSE becomes a 100% owner of the Latvian Central Depository. As a result, a group has been created which provides securities trading, settlement and custody services in the Latvian market, and is expected to promote the market development and increase the variety of services. Consolidation of trading and settlement services into a single group is typical for a number of European markets.

2001

• On April 17 investment fund units are first listed on the RSE, namely, Baltic Index Fund (closed-end), managed by Baltikums Asset Management.
• On June 29 the Riga Stock Exchange president Guntars Kokorevičs is elected the Managing Director of Latvian Association of Professional Capital Market Participants. Further on he will represent the interests of market participants at Financial and Capital Market Commission Consultative Council.
• A new Enforcement Note on Securities lists has been developed and adopted. It fully complies with the respective EU Directives and the requirements of the Nordic stock exchanges.
• Pursuant to the new enforcement note, the lists are restructured. Equities may be listed on the Official and Second lists; debt instruments – also on Official and Second lists, while a separate list is designated for investment funds. Based on the practices of some of the leading stock exchanges, two additional lists are introduced for equity issuers – Pre-list and Surveillance list. Both are a part of the Official and Second lists.
• Pursuant to the new structure based on the newly developed enforcement note, the issuers were reviewed pursuant to the new listing requirements.  
• Implementing the Riga Stock Exchange and Latvian Central Depository strategy of closer co-operation and increasing of efficiency, and promote the integration of the two organisations, amendments to the law “On Securities” were attained, stipulating the cancellation of not-for-profit status to the stock exchange and depository, and lifting restrictions for shareholder structure. Both companies became for-profit businesses starting with January 1, 2002.

2000

• In spring the Riga Stock Exchange offers its members a new service – I-broker, allowing their clients to trade directly via Internet connection.
• On June 8 the Riga Stock Exchange is admitted as a Corresponding Exchange to the Federation of European Stock Exchanges (FESE)
• On July 5 is the 1000th trading session. To mark it, the RSE jointly with its members runs A Week of Opportunities – cancelling any fees associated with securities transactions during this week.
• On October 26 Uldis Cērps, the RSE President, becomes Chairman of the newly founded Financial and Capital Market Commission. On December 21 the shareholders elect a new president – Guntars Kokorevičs, formerly Chief Financial Officer and Management Board member, and the RSE employee since inception.
• Two foreign debt instruments are listed – Svenska Exportkredit and Nordic Investment Bank bonds.
• One more annual prize – Stock Exchange Special Prize- joins the Broker of the Year and Issuer Contact Person of the Year. It is awarded to Ainārs Sedlenieks from Dienas bizness for his contribution to public education in the area of securities.

1999

•  On February 15 the first mortgage bonds, issued by Latvijas Hipotēku un zemes banka, are listed on the RSE Official list.
• A new facility ACCEPT complements the trading platform – mainly to be used for block trading of government debt paper, mortgage bonds, as well as shares.
• The Issuers’ Contact Person of the Year joins the annual prize Broker of the Year. The first winner is Ineta Limbēna from Balta.

1998

• On February 2 the Riga Stock Exchange price index RICI is launched. It is calculated according to equal-lat weighted principle after each deal during continuous trading, thus representing the price changes at all times during trading. The index has been developed, introduced, maintained and reviewed by the RSE itself.
• On April 6 an agreement was signed about information exchange with the Tallinn Stock Exchange. This is the first step towards the co-operation between the stock exchanges of the Baltic countries.

1997

• Starting with February, trading sessions on the RSE are run on each business day.
• Remote terminals are installed, allowing the RSE members to trade directly from their offices. The terminals may also be located outside Riga.
• In June Dow Jones Riga Stock Exchange Index, developed jointly by the Dow Jones Company and the Riga Stock Exchange, is launched. This is a capitalisation weighted index, calculated both in lats and in US dollars according to Dow Jones Global Index methodology. Latvia is the first economy in Eastern Europe where Dow Jones developed its index. The index is published by The Wall Street Journal on a daily basis.
• On November 3, a new trading segment – continuous trading at variable prices – is introduced. Very quickly it turns into the most popular segment for transacting. The Riga Stock Exchange was the first of Baltic stock exchanges to offer the continuous trading facility based on the public order book. This is a system allowing an automatic order matching from the public order book, and an execution at the best price for the moment.
• A tradition is started to give a prize to the best broker of the year. Uldis Bulavs from Trasta komercbanka becomes the first Broker of the Year.
• In September the Riga Stock Exchange is admitted as a Corresponding Emerging Market to the International Federation of Stock Exchanges.

1996

• On January 16 the first company, JSC Latvijas Unibanka, is listed on the Official list.
• On February 29 Uldis Cērps, the former Director of International Relations Department, is elected the RSE President.
• Since May trading takes place twice a week - on Tuesdays and Thursdays; since October - three times a week - on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays; since December four times a week - from Tuesday till Friday.

1995

• On July 25 trading is launched at the RSE, and the official opening takes place. The securities traded at the first session were JSC "Kaija", "Vitransauto", "Rīgas alus" and "Saldus naftas bāze" shares and government bonds. Trading takes place once a week - on Tuesdays, as a single price auction. The brokers’ physical presence at the RSE is needed to submit the order.

1994

• Conceptual framework for capital market is developed and presented to the Government and mass media
• The most suitable trading model is selected, based on the platform offered by the Paris Stock Exchange and the Central Depository of France

1993

• December 7 is the Riga Stock Exchange incorporation day – and this is the foundation date. Mr. Kārlis Cerbulis, a graduate of the Harvard University (USA), is the first president of the RSE. Four Latvian commercial banks are the founding members of the Riga Stock Exchange.