State Street Global Advisors (SSgA)*, the asset management business of State Street Corporation (NYSE: STT), today announced that the SPDR S&P® Aerospace & Defense ETF (Symbol: XAR), SPDR S&P Health Care Services ETF (Symbol: XHS), and SPDR S&P Software & Services ETF (Symbol: XSW) began trading on the NYSE Arca on September 29, 2011. The new funds strengthen State Street’s marketplace leading industry and sector ETF offering, which now includes 44 SPDRs with $58 billion in assets.
The three new SPDR industry ETFs seek to track the performance of a series of S&P Select Industry Indices, which are designed to measure the performance of Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS®) sub-industries, the most detailed level of industry definition. Constituent stocks are members of the S&P Total Market Index, which includes all common equities listed on the NYSE and NASDAQ US exchanges.
“Having pioneered the first sector ETFs in 1998, State Street Global Advisors continues to work closely with investors and advisors to develop new SPDR ETFs that provide precise exposure to a range of industries and sectors,” said James Ross, senior managing director and global head of SPDR Exchange Traded Funds at State Street Global Advisors. “By offering diversified, cost-efficient access to the aerospace and defense, health care services, and software and services sub-industries, these three new SPDR ETFs provide investors with an opportunity to gain tactical exposure without taking on the risk of buying an individual stock.”
The three new SPDR ETFs include:
| ETF Name | Ticker | Index Description | Expense Ratio | |||||||||
| SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF | XAR | The S&P Aerospace & Defense Select Index is an equal-weighted index that includes 34 manufacturers of civil or military aerospace and defense equipment, parts or products, including defense electronics and space equipment. | 0.35% | |||||||||
| SPDR S&P Health Care Services ETF | XHS | The S&P Health Care Services Select Index is an equal-weighted index that includes 57 providers of patient health care services, including dialysis centers, lab testing services, pharmacy management services, and companies providing business support services to health care providers. | 0.35% | |||||||||
| SPDR S&P Software & Services ETF | XSW | The S&P Computer Software Select Index is an equal-weighted index that includes 112 companies engaged in the research, design, support production, or distribution of products or processes that relate to software applications, software and internet systems, and information-based services. | 0.35% |
State Street manages more than $266** billion in SPDR ETF assets worldwide (as of June 30, 2011) and is one of the largest ETF providers in the US and globally.
About SPDR Exchange Traded Funds
SPDR ETFs are a comprehensive family spanning an array of international and domestic asset classes. SPDR ETFs are managed by SSgA Funds Management, Inc., a registered investment adviser and wholly owned subsidiary of State Street Bank and Trust Company. The funds provide professional investors with the flexibility to select investments that are precisely aligned to their investment strategy. Recognized as the industry pioneer, State Street 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 launches with gold, international real estate, international fixed income and sector ETFs. For more information, visit www.spdrs.com.
About State Street Global Advisors
State Street Global Advisors (SSgA) is a global leader in asset management. The firm is relied on by sophisticated investors worldwide for its disciplined investment process, powerful global investment platform and access to every major asset class, capitalization range and style. SSgA is the asset management business of State Street, one of the world’s leading providers of financial services to institutional investors.
*SPDR ETFs are managed by SSgA Funds Management, Inc., a registered investment adviser and wholly owned subsidiary of State Street Bank & Trust Company.
**This AUM includes the assets of the SPDR Gold Trust (approx. $58 billion as of June 30, 2011), for which State Street Global Markets, LLC, an affiliate of State Street Global Advisors serves as the marketing agent.
ETFs trade like stocks, are subject to investment risk, fluctuate in market value and may trade at prices above or below the ETFs net asset value. Brokerage commissions and ETF expenses will reduce returns.
Because of their narrow focus, sector funds tend to be more volatile than funds that diversify across many sectors and companies.
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.
Before investing, consider the funds’ investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses. To obtain a prospectus or summary prospectus which contains this and other information, call 1-866-787-2257 or visit www.spdrs.com. Read it carefully.
CORP-0399
Contacts:
Marie McGehee, 617-664-1898
or
River
Communications
Troy Mayclim, 914-686-5599
