The International Securities Exchange (ISE) today announced the launch of two new indexes in collaboration with Horizon Kinetics: the Horizon Kinetics ISE Asia ex-Japan Wealth IndexTM (Ticker: WEALTHAX), which tracks publicly-held companies that are managed by some of the wealthiest individuals in Asian countries excluding Japan; and the Horizon Kinetics ISE Global Wealth IndexTM (Ticker: WEALTHGL), which tracks the performance of publicly-held companies that are managed by some of the wealthiest individuals in the world.
The new wealth indexes include companies led by individuals who have demonstrated superior track records and industry knowledge, and have used their respective companies as the primary means of accumulating substantial personal wealth. Well-known component companies of the Asia ex-Japan Wealth Index include Cheung Kong Holdings Limited (Ticker: 1 HK) and Want Want China Holdings Limited (Ticker: 151 HK), led by Li Ka-shing and Tsai Eng-Meng, respectively, two of the wealthiest individuals in Asia. Likewise, the Global Wealth Index includes companies such as LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton S.A. (Ticker: MC FP) and Noble Group Limited (Ticker: NOBL SP), led by Bernard Arnault and Richard Elman, respectively, two of the wealthiest individuals in the world. These latest indexes add to the growing suite of wealth indexes created by ISE and Horizon Kinetics and follow last month's launch of the Virtus Wealth Masters Fund (Tickers: VWMAX, VWMCX, VWMIX), the first mutual fund to track the Horizon Kinetics ISE Wealth Index (Ticker: RCH).
"Our partnership with Horizon Kinetics continues to expand our product portfolio with the latest two indexes adding to our wealth index family," said Kris Monaco, Head of New Product Development at ISE. "These unique indexes expose investors to some of the most successful companies headed by the wealthiest individuals in Asia and around the world, whose vested interests contribute to the creation of significant shareholder value."
"We are pleased to announce the release of two additional indexes driven by Horizon Kinetics fundamental global research process," said Doug Kramer, CEO of Horizon Kinetics LLC. "The performance of the three indexes that constitute the wealth index family highlight the long-term benefits of investing in publicly-listed, owner-operated companies globally and regionally. By expanding the wealth index suite to include Global, Asia ex-Japan and the United States, we have provided investors the flexibility to tailor their exposure to best meet their needs."
The Horizon Kinetics ISE Asia ex-Japan Index and the Horizon Kinetics ISE Global Wealth Index launched on October 1, 2012. More information about both products can be found at www.ise.com/indexes.
