Press Release Barclays Global Investors Announces Expansion of iShares® Emerging Markets Exchange-Traded Funds To Trade in Mexico's Global Platform of the Bolsa Mexicana Valores
Mexico City - February 22, 2007 - Barclays Global Investors (BGI) announced today that five iShares emerging markets ETFs began trading under their existing U.S. ticker symbols on the Mercado Global platform of the Bolsa Mexicana de Valores. This addition further extends the investment choices Mexican institutional investors have available to them, and expands the iShares ETF family in Mexico to a total of 44 cross listed funds. The new ETFs are the following:
"We're pleased to provide Mexican investors with the trading flexibility to access several additional emerging markets using an iShares ETF," said Daniel Gamba, Managing Director of Latin America at BGI. "For many investors the ability to gain broad exposure to a specific country makes emerging markets an important asset class."
The availability of iShares ETFs in Mexico reflects a regulatory change in the regime that permits certain qualified Mexican investors, primarily institutions, to take advantage of investment opportunities, such as ETFs and other foreign securities that trade through the Mercado Global platform. Mexican pension funds, for example, which in the past were not permitted to invest in foreign securities, can now do so through the Mercado Global platform.
In Mexico, cross listed iShares funds can be bought and sold by qualified investors via any broker-dealer who is a member of the Bolsa Mexicana de Valores. In 2006, trading of iShares ETFs represented about 15% of total equities volume traded in pesos at the Bolsa Mexicana de Valores.
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 by visiting www.ishares.com. Read the prospectus carefully before investing.
Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal. In addition to the normal risks associated with 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 as well as increased volatility and lower trading volume. Transactions in shares of the iShares Funds will result in brokerage commissions.
Barclays Global Investors is one of the world's largest asset managers¹ providing structured investment strategies such as risk-controlled active strategies and indexing. In the U.S., BGI is one of the largest active managers², set apart by its risk-controlled approach. BGI manages 65% of the world's 100 largest pension plans³ and is the leader in assets and products in exchange traded funds through its iShares® brand with more than 180 ETFs globally. The firm managed over $1.6 trillion in assets as of 9/30/06, for more than 2,800 clients in 52 countries around the world. BGI is a majority-owned subsidiary of Barclays Bank PLC.
1. Source: "P&I/Watson Wyatt World 500," Pensions & Investments, September 4, 2006. 2. Source: "Special Reports: Money Manager Directory," Pensions & Investments, May 29, 2006. 3. Source: "P&I/Watson Wyatt World 300: Largest Pension Funds," Pensions & Investments, September 18, 2006. The iShares Funds ("Funds") that are registered with the US Securities and Exchange Commission under the Investment Company Act of 1940 are distributed in the US by SEI Investments Distribution Co. (SEI). Barclays Global Fund Advisors (BGFA) serves as an advisor to the Funds. Barclays Global Investors Services (BGIS) assists in the marketing of the Funds. BGFA and BGIS are subsidiaries of Barclays Global Investors, N.A., which is a majority owned subsidiary of Barclays Bank PLC, none of which is affiliated with SEI. This material does not constitute an offer or solicitation to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any shares of any Fund (nor shall any such shares be offered or sold to any person) in any jurisdiction in which an offer, solicitation, purchase or sale would be unlawful under the securities law of that jurisdiction. The iShares Funds are not sponsored, endorsed, issued, sold or promoted by FTSE/Xinhua Index Limited ("FXI") or Morgan Stanley Capital International. None of these companies make any representation regarding the advisability of investing in the Funds. Neither SEI nor BGI, nor any of their affiliates, are affiliated with the companies listed above. FXI does not make any warranty regarding the FTSE/Xinhua Index. All rights in the FTSE/Xinhua index vest in FXI. "FTSE" is a trade and service mark of London Stock Exchange and The Financial Times; "Xinhua" is a trade and service mark of Xinhua Financial Network Limited. ©2007 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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