Press Release iShares to Offer New MSCI Emerging Markets Exchange Traded Fund
San Francisco - September 23, 2002 - Barclays Global Investors (BGI) announces that iShares has filed a prospectus with the Securities and Exchange Commission to add iShares MSCI Emerging Market Index Fund to its international ETF product offerings. The new fund will track the MSCI Emerging Markets Free (EMF) Index (SM), the emerging market benchmark most widely followed in the industry¹. With 33 international/global ETFs, iShares remains the sole provider of an international ETF family for all types of investors. BGI manages $3.7 billion in emerging market assets.
"There is strong demand to bring to market a cost-effective, tax efficient way for investors to gain broad-based exposure in emerging markets. The basket of emerging markets is a great complement to the current international iShares line-up, which includes iShares MSCI EAFE Index Fund and five single emerging market country funds," said Lee Kranefuss, BGI's CEO of the Individual Investor Business.
Henry Fernandez, President and CEO of MSCI said, "We are pleased that BGI has licensed our most popular emerging market equity benchmark - the MSCI Emerging Markets Free (EMF) Index (SM) for use as the basis of an ETF."
The benchmark is a free float-adjusted market capitalization index that is designed to measure equity market performance in the global emerging markets and currently tracks 26 emerging market country indices.
iShares are index funds that are bought and sold like common stocks on national securities exchanges as well as certain foreign exchanges. iShares are attractive to many individual and institutional investors and financial intermediaries because of their relatively low cost, tax efficiency and trading flexibility. Investors can purchase and sell shares through any brokerage firm, financial advisor, or online broker, and hold the funds in any type of brokerage account. For a list of available iShares, visit www.ishares.com.
Barclays Global Investors is one of the world's largest asset managers², and the world's largest provider of structured investment strategies such as indexing, tactical asset allocation, and quantitative active strategies³. BGI managed more than $761 billion in assets as of 6/30/02, and over 2,000 funds, which track over 250 global indexes, for nearly 2,000 clients in 41 countries around the world. As the creator of the first index strategy 30 years ago, BGI is an innovator in investment management, applying science and technology to the investment process. BGI has over 2,000 employees worldwide and is owned by Barclays PLC, one of the UK's largest companies, and one of the world's leading global financial services providers, with operations in over 60 countries worldwide.
1. Source: "MSCI and InterSec Research Corp." 2. Source: "Special Report: Money Managers Directory," Pensions & Investments, May 27, 2002, p.22. 3. Source: "Index Assets Grow 10% in First 6 Months of Year," Pensions & Investments, September 17, 2001, p.20 and BGI internal data. To determine if the fund(s) are an appropriate investment for you, carefully consider the funds' investment objectives, risk factors and charges and expenses before investing. This and other information can be found in the funds' prospectuses, which may be obtained by calling 1-800-iShares or click here to view or download a prospectus. Read the prospectus carefully before investing. There are risks involved with investing, including possible loss of principal. iShares are distributed by SEI Investments Distribution Co. (SEI). Barclays Global Fund Advisors (BGFA) serves as an advisor to iShares. Barclays Global Investors Services (BGIS) assists in the marketing of iShares. BGFA and BGIS are subsidiaries of Barclays Global Investors, N.A., none of which is affiliated with SEI. iShares transactions will result in brokerage commissions and will generate tax consequences. Mutual funds and iShares are obliged to distribute portfolio gains to shareholders iShares may be sold throughout the day at market value on stock exchanges through any brokerage account. However, iShares may only be redeemed directly from the fund by Authorized Participants, in very large Creation/Redemption Units. Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal. In addition to the normal risks associated with equity investing, international investments may involve risk of capital loss from unfavorable fluctuation in currency values, from differences in generally accepted accounting principles or from economic or political instability in other nations. Emerging markets involve heightened risks related to the same factors, in addition to those associated with their relatively small size and lesser liquidity. MSCI, Morgan Stanley Capital International and MSCI Index are service marks of Morgan Stanley Capital International and have been licensed for use by Barclays Global Investors, N.A. iShares are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by MSCI. MSCI nor any of its affiliates make any representation regarding the advisability of investing in iShares. MSCI is not affiliated with SEI, BGI N.A. or its affiliates. ©2002, 2004 Barclays Global Investors. All rights reserved. iShares is a registered trademark of Barclays Global Investors, N.A. All other trademarks, servicemarks or registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners. As of December 1, 2009, the former Barclays Global Investors entities referred to in this publication are owned and controlled ultimately by BlackRock Inc. and neither Barclays nor any Barclays affiliate is responsible for, or associated with, the contents of this publication. Help for Journalists iShares offers insights on ETFs and financial news topics. Journalists may request information, photos or media support by contacting the PR Group. Experts Members of the press can select from a list of investment categories to find iShares experts who can assist with stories. Please contact a member of Public Relations to speak with any of our experts. About iShares Learn more about the past, present and future of iShares. The Idea The Facts The Timeline The Growth |
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