FTSE Strengthens Index Range In Asian Markets

FTSE Group, the global index provider, has expanded its range of indices for international investors in the Asian markets by announcing a collaboration with HSI International, the company which calculates the Hang Seng indices. The two index providers will jointly launch a comprehensive series of Asian indices for investors to use as the basis for tradable derivative products, including exchange traded funds (ETFs).

The FTSE/Hang Seng indices, which will begin calculation on Thursday 28 February, will measure market activity in mainland China (Shanghai & Shenzhen), Hong Kong, Indonesia, Korea, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand.

The new indices include the FTSE/Hang Seng Asiatop index, comprising the 30 largest companies in eligible Asian markets and 11 FTSE/Hang Seng Asian Sector Indices, which cover Resources, Basic Industries, General Industrials, Cyclical, Non-cyclical, Telecoms, Utilities, Financials, Banks, Real Estate and Technology. Full details of all these indices, including constituent lists can be found at www.ftse.com/ftsehangseng

Mark Makepeace, FTSE Group's Chief Executive said "FTSE and HSI have collaborated to create the most innovative index products covering the Asian markets. We aim to make the FTSE/Hang Seng indices the most tradable in Asia."

Vincent Kwan, Director of HSI International Ltd said "We are pleased to co-operate with FTSE, a the leading global index provider, to launch the FTSE/Hang Seng Index series. The indices will help meet increasingly sophisticated needs of investors in the Asian region for index-related derivative products."

An independent committee of experienced market practitioners will review the FTSE/Hang Seng series every six months in March and September.