No Changes To FTSE Country Classification In 2006

FTSE Group (FTSE) announced today that no changes will be made to the current country classification in 2006 (i.e. whether stock markets are classified as either Developed or Emerging markets within the FTSE Global Equity Series). This decision has been taken at the FTSE Equity Committee meeting in September 2005. The Committee based its decision on the results of an ongoing engagement programme between FTSE Group and stock exchanges around the world, including a close examination of market structures and conditions.

Although FTSE’s analysis showed that no countries currently meet the criteria to be moved to a new category or to join the FTSE Global Equity Index Series for the first time, the Committee noted the substantial progress that has been made to improve investment conditions across a large number of countries.