Clara-Christina F. Streit

Reliable, transparent, innovative, that's your Deutsche Borse Group. Shareholders, shareholder representatives, ladies and gentlemen, as Chairwoman of the Supervisory Board, I call this year's Annual General Meeting of Deutsche Borse AG to order.

And pursuant to the company's articles of incorporation, I shall be presiding over this meeting. I'd like to welcome you very warmly on behalf of both the Supervisory Board and the Executive Board.

Following last year's face-to-face AGM, the Executive Board decided to have another digital Annual General Meeting this year. This decision was mainly based on the company's positive experience with virtual format in previous years as well as on this year's agenda.

When it comes to resolving on future AGM formats, the Executive Board will always bear in mind the items on the agenda and the interest of shareholders. As in previous years, shareholders' right to ask questions was deliberately not limited to the period preceding this AGM.

In other words, dear shareholders, please feel free to raise any questions you might have as if this were a face-to-face event. I look forward to a lively debate with you.

Ladies and gentlemen, before we proceed to the business to be transacted, allow me to make the following formal remarks. This AGM is being held pursuant