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Standard & Poor’s Index Services Australia (S&P Index) and its index partner, the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX), today announced changes to Australia’s premier index series. The changes allow the inclusion of foreign-domiciled stocks on the core S&P/ASX suite of indices, and will result in a more-fully diversified investible benchmark.
The foreign-domiciled changes affect the key domestic benchmark index—the S&P/ASX 200—and more than 90 associated indices, which represent an expanded index suite suitable for every investment type. The changes also offer Australia-focused investors two new Australian-only indices: the S&P/ASX All Australian 50 and S&P/ASX All Australian 200. The new S&P/ASX All Australian 50 index will form the Australian component of the S&P Global 1200 index.
The enhanced index suite has been developed after consultation with a wide variety of key index stakeholders over the past 18 months, and reflects the increased globalisation and dynamic nature of the Australian equity market.
“Standard & Poor's Australian Index team wishes to thank the Australian financial market for its patience with the time taken to introduce the foreign-domiciled changes and for the high level of engagement we have had from all interested parties,” said Jason Hill, Director and Head of Standard & Poor’s Index Services Australia. “Any changes to the domestic indices will affect a wide variety of stakeholders, and it has been important to ensure that everyone who will be affected was given an opportunity to participate and comment via the review process.”
“There were also a number of important methodological and data issues to be worked through, and we wish to thank the ASX for their support and assistance as we worked to resolve these to the satisfaction of all stakeholders,” said Mr. Hill. “We believe that the changes announced today will continue to support the Australian equity market’s strong position in a highly competitive global marketplace. The true test of the success of the indices will be the level of market support that we expect will build on the extremely positive early feedback.”
For further details regarding the constituent changes announced today and details related to Standard & Poor’s Australian and global indices as well as licencing contact details please visit the S&P web-site at www.standardandpoors.com.au and click on the indices tab.
