FTSE Group (“FTSE”), the global index provider, announces the licensing of Value Partners Group (“Value Partners”), for its wholly-owned subsidiary, Sensible Asset Management Hong Kong Limited (“SAMHK”), to create a series of country specific Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs). The ETFs will be based on new customised versions of the existing FTSE Value-Stocks Japan, FTSE Value-Stocks Korea and FTSE Value-Stocks Taiwan indices. The licensing forms part of an extended cooperation agreement with Value Partners, and will see the new ETFs listed today on Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (“HKEx”).
The three new ETFs expand SAMHK’s suite of Value ETFs within its “Alpha” Equity Series and highlight increasing appetite amongst product providers for customised solutions. Demand for the new customised versions follows the success of the existing indices, as well as the FTSE Value-Stocks China Index, which forms the basis of the Value China ETF listed since December 2009.
The FTSE Value-Stocks China and FTSE Value-Stocks China A-Share indices form part of FTSE’s wider regional index offering. Over US $13 billion, representing approximately 60% of AuM in China themed ETFs, is globally benchmarked to a FTSE China index.
Jessie Pak, Managing Director, Asia, FTSE Group said, “FTSE indices and custom solutions are globally sought by product providers and asset owners to support a range of investment challenges and mandates. We are delighted to extend our agreement with Value Partners and Sensible Asset Management Hong Kong, which provides investors exposure to unique value investment opportunities in Japan, Korea and Taiwan.”
The new and customised FTSE Value-Stocks Japan Index, FTSE Value-Stocks Korea Index and FTSE Value-Stocks Taiwan Index will be used as the basis for the Value Japan ETF, Value Korea ETF and Value Taiwan ETF respectively. The indices incorporate Value Partners’ unique value methodology and are calculated and maintained by FTSE.
The range captures the performance of quality, liquid value stocks selected from the investable universe of companies listed on the Japan, Korea and Taiwan’s exchanges.
For more information on the FTSE Value-Stocks indices, including performance and turnover reports, please visit www.ftse.com/valuestocks