NEW YORK, Nov. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Standard & Poor's will make the following changes to the S&P 500, S&P MidCap 400 and S&P SmallCap 600 indices:

• S&P MidCap 400 constituent The Dun & Bradstreet Corp. (NYSE: DNB) will replace Liz Claiborne Inc. (NYSE: LIZ) in the S&P 500, Thoratec Corp. (Nasdaq: THOR) will replace Dun & Bradstreet in the S&P MidCap 400, and Liz Claiborne will replace Material Sciences Corp. (NYSE: MSC) in the S&P SmallCap 600 after the close of trading on Monday, December 1. As of today's close of trading, Liz Claiborne's market capitalization made it more appropriate for inclusion in the S&P SmallCap 600, and Material Sciences had a market capitalization of approximately $17 million, whereas the minimum market capitalization needed for admission to the S&P SmallCap 600 index is currently $250 million.

• S&P MidCap 400 constituent Republic Services Inc.(NYSE: RSG) will replace Allied Waste Industries Inc. (NYSE: AW) in the S&P 500, and FTI Consulting Inc. (NYSE: FCN) will replace Republic Services in the S&P MidCap 400 after the close of trading on Wednesday, December 3. Allied Waste Industries is being acquired by Republic Services in a transaction expected to be completed on or about that date, pending final approvals.

Standard & Poor's will monitor these transactions, and post any relevant updates on its website: www.standardandpoors.com.

Dun & Bradstreet provides business information. Headquartered in Short Hills, NJ, the company will be added to the S&P 500 GICS (Global Industry Classification Standard) Research & Consulting Services Sub-Industry index.

Thoratec is a manufacturer of circulatory support products. Headquartered in Pleasanton, CA, the company will be added to the S&P MidCap 400 GICS Health Care Equipment Sub-Industry index.

Liz Claiborne designs and markets a portfolio of retail-based brands. Headquartered in New York, NY, the company will be added to the S&P SmallCap 600 GICS Apparel, Accessories & Luxury Goods Sub-Industry index.

Republic Services is a provider of environmental services. The combined company will be headquartered in Phoenix, AZ, and will be added to the S&P 500 GICS Environmental & Facilities Services Sub-Industry index.

FTI Consulting is a business advisory firm.