Start up procedures for appointment of advisors DATA

Milan, 19 December 2006 - The Board of Directors of Il Sole 24 ORE Group met today under the chairmanship of Innocenzo Cipolletta to deliberate on the proposal of the shareholder, Confindustria, to start up procedures for appointment of advisors, in view of the forthcoming plan for stock-market listing and review of the business plan. Furthermore, the Board conferred to Giancarlo Cerutti, head of the commission hired to study the placement procedures, all the powers necessary to complete the task assigned to him by the Confindustria commission for the part related to the bond loan considered.