HONG KONG, April 23 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- iShares, the world's leading provider of Exchange Traded Funds ("ETFs")(1), is pleased to announce the total turnover of the new iShares Asia ETF Series that started trading on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong today.
The total turnover of the iShares Asia ETF Series, which includes four new iShares ETFs, was HKD 21.97 million. The individual turnover and closing price of the four ETFs on April 23, 2009 are as follows:
iShares Asia ETF Series Turnover(2) Closing price(3)
(HKD million) (HKD)
iShares MSCI Asia APEX 50 Index ETF
(Stock Code: 3010) 7.24 24.60
iShares MSCI Asia APEX Mid Cap Index ETF
(Stock Code: 3032) 1.65 26.05
iShares MSCI Asia APEX Small Cap Index ETF
(Stock Code: 3004) 1.13 26.80
iShares MSCI Emerging Asia Index ETF
(Stock Code: 2802) 11.95 25.45
(1) Source: In terms of assets under management as of 31/12/08. Barclays
Global Investors, Bloomberg.
(2) Source: HKEx
(3) Source: HKEx
Commenting on the first trading day of the four new products, Nick Good, CEO of iShares Asia-Pacific said, "The Hong Kong ETF market has great potential and the turnover of these new iShares ETFs reflects that investors are embracing ETFs. With transparency and diversification as strong themes for 2009, iShares will continue to introduce innovative and relevant products to the market."
iShares is the world's largest provider of ETFs with nearly US$325 billion (4) in assets under management in ETFs. More than 360 iShares ETFs (5) are currently available in markets around the world covering a comprehensive range of asset classes, market sectors and segments.
(4) Source: ETF Industry Preview Year End 2008 by Barclays Global
Investors
(5) Ibid
Notes to Editors
About iShares ETFs -- iShares ETFs are index funds managed by BGI that are bought and sold like ordinary stocks on a stock exchange. iShares ETFs are attractive to many individual and institutional investors and financial intermediaries because of their relatively low cost and trading flexibility. Investors can purchase and sell units through any brokerage account. ETFs generally can be used to achieve many investment strategies:
-- for buy and hold investing
-- for active traders who wish to take advantage of market movements
-- for investors wishing to hedge the market
-- to enhance returns on cash deposits by equitising
-- as an alternative to futures and other institutional investment tools
About Barclays Global Investors
BGI is one of the world's largest asset managers and a leading global provider of investment management products and services with more than 3,000 institutional clients and approximately $1.5 trillion of assets under management as of December 31, 2008. BGI transformed the investment industry by creating the first index strategy in 1971 and the first quantitative active strategy in 1979. BGI is the global product leader in exchange traded funds (iShares(TM)) with over 360 funds for institutions and individuals globally.
About the Benchmark Indices
iShares funds are not sponsored, endorsed, or promoted by MSCI and MSCI bears no liability with respect to any such funds or any index on which such funds are based. The Prospectus contains a more detailed description of the limited relationship MSCI has with Barclays Global Investors and any related funds, accounts, products or securities.
Important Notice
Before deciding to invest, investors should read the prospectus carefully including the investment objective and risk factors relating to the iShares MSCI Asia APEX 50 Index ETF, iShares MSCI Asia APEX Mid Cap Index ETF, iShares MSCI Asia APEX Small Cap Index ETF and iShares MSCI Emerging Asia Index ETF ("Index Funds"). The Index Funds' prospectus will be available and may be obtained from Barclays Global Investors North Asia Ltd (the "Manager") or the website http://www.iShares.com.hk . Investors should note that the Index Funds differ from a typical unit trust as units may only be redeemed by a participating dealer in large creation/redemption unit sizes. The listing of units of the Index Funds on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong does not guarantee a liquid market for the units. Transactions in units of the Index Funds will result in brokerage commissions.
-- Each fund described in this document (called an "Index Fund") aims to
provide investment results that, before fees and expenses, closely
correspond to the performance of its underlying index. Each index
relates to the Asia ex Japan regional equity markets and/or Asian
emerging markets.
-- Generally, investments in emerging markets are subject to a greater
risk of loss than investments in a developed market due to greater
political, economic, foreign exchange, liquidity and regulatory risks,
etc.
-- iShares MSCI Asia Mid Cap Index ETF and iShares MSCI Asia Small Cap
Index ETF invest in mid and small-capitalisation companies
respectively. The stock prices of mid and small-capitalisation
companies are typically more volatile and their trading may be less
active than those of larger capitalisation companies. Therefore, the
Index Funds investing in mid and small capitalisation companies may
increase or decrease by a greater percentage than those Index Funds
that invest in stocks issued by large capitalisation companies.
-- The Index Funds are traded on the SEHK. Their prices on the SEHK are
based on secondary market trading factors and may deviate
significantly from the net asset value of the relevant Index Fund.
IMPORTANT: Investments involve risks, including the loss of principal. Investors are advised to consider their own investment objectives and circumstances in determining the suitability of an investment in any of the Index Funds described in this document. An investment in an Index Fund may not be suitable for everyone. If you are in any doubt about the contents of this document, you should consult your stockbroker, bank manager, solicitor, accountant or other financial adviser for independent financial advice.
Disclaimer
This press release has been issued in Hong Kong by Barclays Global Investors North Asia Limited and has not been reviewed by the SFC. This document is for informational purposes and does not constitute an offer or solicitation to purchase or sell units in any iShares funds, nor shall any units be offered or sold to any person in any jurisdiction in which an offer, solicitation, purchase or sale would be unlawful under the securities laws of such jurisdiction. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Certain information in this document may be taken from external sources, which we consider reliable. We do not represent that this information is accurate or complete and should not be relied upon as such. Any opinions contained herein, which reflect our judgment at this date, are subject to change. No part of this document may be reproduced in any manner or distributed without the prior written permission of BGI.
iShares is a registered mark of Barclays Global Investors N.A.
(C) 2009 Barclays Global Investor
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APCO Worldwide
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