News Details

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- State Street Global Advisors, the investment management arm of State Street Corporation (NYSE: STT), today announced that assets under management in SPDR ETFs totaled $159.4 billion at the end of 2008. During the year, net inflows into State Street's family of 80 SPDR ETFs reached a record high of $70.1 billion, which represents approximately 39 percent of the ETF industry's annual net inflows.(1)

"The growth of SPDR ETFs amid unprecedented market volatility underscores State Street's commitment to providing innovative investment vehicles that are helping to change the way financial advisors and investors construct and manage their portfolios," said Anthony Rochte, senior managing director at State Street Global Advisors.

Net inflows spanned across nearly the entire family of SPDR ETFs, as 70 of the 80 SPDR ETFs (87.5 percent) posted positive cash flows during the year. Amid turbulent market conditions in 2008, demand for fixed income SPDR ETFs and the SPDR Gold Shares (Symbol: GLD) was particularly strong with assets increasing 444 percent and 29 percent respectively.

"The record high inflows into SPDR ETFs in 2008 are a testament to the strength of our diversified product lineup and the unmatched support we provide to financial professionals seeking to better understand how ETFs can be used to simultaneously manage portfolio challenges and costs," said James Ross, senior managing director at State Street Global Advisors.

SPDR University Hosts "The Running of the Bears: Stay Ahead of the Stampede & Strengthen Client Relationships" Webcast

SPDR University (www.spdru.com), State Street's award-winning online educational resource for investment professionals' use only, today introduced a new on-demand webcast titled, "The Running of the Bears: Stay Ahead of the Stampede and Strengthen Client Relationships."

Designed as part of a broad initiative to help financial advisors retain client relationships during uncertain times, the webcast features research findings on the impact of the financial crisis on the affluent client-advisor relationship, best practices on building stronger client relationships, and actionable advice on using wealth counseling skills to effectively communicate with clients from Hannah Shaw Grove, the principal of HSGrove Private Wealth Consultancy and Dr. James Grubman, a nationally recognized wealth psychologist.

For more information on SPDR University and "The Running of the Bears" webcast, investment professionals can log on to www.spdru.com.

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 $1.4 trillion in assets under management at December 31, 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 Exchange Traded Funds

SPDR ETFs are a comprehensive family spanning an array of international and domestic asset classes. 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 successes with gold, international real estate, international fixed income and sector ETFs. For more information, visit www.spdrs.com.

(1)SPDR ETFs are managed by SSgA Funds Management, Inc. ("SSgA FM"), a registered investment adviser. As of 12/31/2008, SSgA FM has $198 billion in assets under management.

ETFs trade like stocks, are subject to investment risk and will fluctuate in market value.

State Street Global Markets, LLC, member FINRA, SIPC is distributor for SPDR ETFs (other than the SPDR Series Trust and Select Sector SPDR ETFs) and is 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. ALPS Distributors, Inc., a registered broker-dealer, is distributor for SPDR shares, MidCap SPDRs and Dow Diamonds, all unit investment trusts and Select Sector SPDRs.

Before investing, consider the funds' investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses. To obtain a prospectus which contains this and other information, call 1-866-787-2257 or visit www.spdrs.com. Read it carefully.

    Source: State Street Corporation