NEW YORK, Aug. 27, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- S&P Dow Jones Indices will make the following changes to the S&P 500:

• Activision Blizzard (NASD:ATVI) will replace Pall Corp. (NYSE: PLL) in the S&P 500 after the close of trading on Friday, August 28. S&P 500 constituent Danaher Corp. (NYSE:DHR) is acquiring Pall in a transaction expected to be completed on or about that date pending final approvals.
• United Continental Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:UAL) will replace Hospira, Inc. (NYSE:HSP) in the S&P 500 after the close of trading on Wednesday, September 2. Hospira is being acquired by Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) in a transaction expected to be completed on or about that date.

Activision Blizzard develops and publishes online, personal computer (PC), video game console, handheld, mobile, and tablet games. Headquartered in Santa Monica, CA, the company will be added to the S&P 500 GICS (Global Industry Classification Standard) Home Entertainment Software Sub-Industry index.

United Continental Holdings provides air transportation services throughout the world. Headquartered in Chicago, IL, the company will be added to the S&P 500 GICS Airlines Sub-Industry index.

Following is a summary of the changes:

Additions to and deletions from S&P  Dow Jones Indices do not in any way reflect an opinion on the investment merits of the companies involved.

About S&P Dow Jones Indices
S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, a part of McGraw Hill Financial, is the world's largest, global resource for index-based concepts, data and research. Home to iconic financial market indicators, such as the S&P 500® and the Dow Jones Industrial Average®, S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC has over 115 years of experience constructing innovative and transparent solutions that fulfill the needs of investors. More assets are invested in products based upon our indices than any other provider in the world. With over 1,000,000 indices covering a wide range of asset classes across the globe, S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC defines the way investors measure and trade the markets. To learn more about our company, please visit www.spdji.com.  

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For more information:

David Blitzer
Managing Director and Chairman of the Index Committee
S&P Dow Jones Indices
(+) 212 438 3907
david.blitzer@spdji.com 

David R. Guarino
Communications
S&P Dow Jones Indices
(+1) 212 438 1471
dave.guarino@spdji.com

SOURCE S&P Dow Jones Indices