BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
State Street Global Advisors (SSgA), the investment management arm
of State Street Corporation (NYSE: STT), today announced the launch of
10 new SPDR(R) exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that began trading on the
American Stock Exchange today (July 22, 2008). With the launch of
these new international sector ETFs, State Street's family of SPDR
ETFs will number 80, including 31 that provide access to global and
international markets.
The 10 new international sector SPDR ETFs offer a complete suite
of precise tools to gain access to investment opportunities outside of
the United States benchmarked to a series of the S&P(R) World ex U.S.
Broad Market Indices, these SPDR ETFs are market cap weighted, include
only non-U.S. holdings and utilize the widely recognized Global
Industry Classification Standard, or GICS as it is more commonly
known.
"Developed in response to demand from investors seeking targeted
exposure to sectors that do not include US-listed securities, our
international sector SPDR ETFs offer the opportunity to make precise,
cost-effective tactical and strategic allocations that can help manage
portfolio risk and improve returns," said James Ross, senior managing
director at State Street Global Advisors. "Having launched the
industry's first sector ETFs in 1998, we are pleased to enhance our
family of international ETFs with the addition of these new
international investment tools."
The new offerings include:
ETF Name Ticker Index Description Expense Ratio
----------------------------------------------------------------------
SPDR(R) S&P(R) IPD Index includes more 0.50%
International than 990 non-U.S.
Consumer consumer
Discretionary discretionary
Sector ETF companies with
market
capitalizations of
at least $100
million.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
SPDR(R) S&P(R) IPS Index includes more 0.50%
International than 330 non-U.S.
Consumer Staples consumer staples
Sector ETF companies with
market
capitalizations of
at least $100
million.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
SPDR(R) S&P(R) IPF Index includes more 0.50%
International than 1,000 non-U.S.
Financial Sector financial services
ETF companies with
market
capitalizations of
at least $100
million.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
SPDR(R) S&P(R) IRY Index includes more 0.50%
International than 330 non-U.S.
Health Care Sector health care
ETF companies with
market
capitalizations of
at least $100
million.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
SPDR(R)S&P(R) IPN Index includes more 0.50%
International than 1,200 non-U.S.
Industrial Sector industrial
ETF companies with
market
capitalizations of
at least $100
million.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
SPDR(R) S&P(R) IRV Index includes more 0.50%
International than 640 non-U.S.
Materials Sector materials companies
ETF with market
capitalizations of
at least $100
million.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
SPDR(R) S&P(R) IPK Index includes more 0.50%
International than 650 non-U.S.
Technology Sector technology
ETF companies with
market
capitalizations of
at least $100
million.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
SPDR(R) S&P(R) IST Index includes more 0.50%
International than 70 non-U.S.
Telecommunications telecommunications
Sector ETF companies with
market
capitalizations of
at least $100
million.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
SPDR(R)S&P(R) IPU Index includes more 0.50%
International than 130 non-U.S.
Utilities Sector utilities companies
ETF with market
capitalizations of
at least $100
million.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
SPDR(R) S&P(R) IPW Index includes more 0.50%
International than 300 non-U.S.
Energy Sector ETF energy companies
with market
capitalizations of
at least $100
million.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
State Street Global Advisors is one of the largest ETF providers
in the United States and globally. As of June 30, 2008, US assets
under management in State Street's ETFs totaled more than $138.5
billion - up from $102.1 billion year over year.
About State Street Global Advisors
State Street Global Advisors, the investment management arm of
State Street Corporation (NYSE: STT), delivers investment strategies
and integrated solutions to clients worldwide across every asset
class, investment approach and style. With $1.9 trillion in assets
under management at June 30, 2008, State Street Global Advisors has
investment centers in Boston, Hong Kong, London, Montreal, Munich,
Paris, Singapore, Sydney, Tokyo, Toronto and Zurich, and offices in 27
cities worldwide. For more information, visit State Street Global
Advisors at www.ssga.com.
Note to Editors: SPDR(R) Exchange Traded Funds
SPDR ETFs are a comprehensive family spanning an array of
international and domestic asset classes. Offered by State Street
Global Advisors, SPDR ETFs provide professional investors with the
flexibility to select investments that are precisely aligned to their
investment strategy. Recognized as the industry pioneer, State
Street--in partnership with the American Stock Exchange--created the
first ETF in 1993 (SPDR S&P 500 - Ticker SPY). Since then, we've
sustained our place as an industry innovator through the introduction
of many ground-breaking products, including first-to-market with gold,
international real estate, international fixed income and sector ETFs.
SPDR ETFs are managed by SSgA Funds Management, Inc, a registered
investment adviser and wholly owned subsidiary of State Street Bank
and Trust Company.
ETFs trade like stocks, are subject to investment risk and will
fluctuate in market value.
Foreign investments involve greater risks than U.S. investments,
including political and economic risks and the risk of currency
fluctuations, all of which may be magnified in emerging markets.
Diversification does not ensure a profit or guarantee against loss.
Because of their narrow focus, sector funds tend to be more
volatile than broadly diversified funds and generally result in
greater price fluctuations than the overall market.
Investments in mid-sized companies may involve greater risks than
those in larger, better known companies, but may be less volatile than
investments in smaller companies.
Frequent trading of ETFs could significantly increase commissions
and other costs such that they may offset any savings from low fees or
costs.
The "SPDR(R)" trademark is used under license from The McGraw-Hill
Companies, Inc. ("McGraw-Hill"). No financial product offered by State
Street Corporation or its affiliates is sponsored, endorsed, sold or
promoted by McGraw Hill.
Investors should consider the investment objectives, risks,
charges and expenses of the fund carefully before investing. A
prospectus that contains this and other information about the fund may
be obtained by calling 866.787.2257. Please read the prospectus
carefully before investing. Diversification does not protect against
loss.
Distributor: State Street Global Markets, LLC, member FINRA, SIPC,
a wholly owned subsidiary of State Street Corporation. References to
State Street may include State Street Corporation and its affiliates.
Certain State Street affiliates provide services and receive fees from
the SPDR ETFs.
10924-0709
Source: State Street Corporation
Contact: State Street Corporation
Marie McGehee, 617-664-1898
or
River Communications
Troy Mayclim, 914-686-5599