STOXX Limited Announces Changes To The Index Universe Definiton For Chinese Shares - STOXX Americas 600 Index To Be Renamed

STOXX Limited, the market-moving provider of innovative, tradable and global index concepts, today announced a rule change to its indices in regard to the definition of the index universe for Chinese and Hong Kong share types. Furthermore, a name change for the STOXX Americas 600 Index and all sub- and sector-indices was announced. All changes will become effective with the Q2 Benchmark Review on June 18, 2012.

The STOXX Americas 600 Index is a sub-set of the STOXX Global 1800 Index, and represents the 600 largest companies in the Americas portion of the global index. As it only covers Canada and the United States, the index will be renamed to STOXX North America 600 Index as of June 18, 2012, for clarity’s sake. The index universe of this index remains unchanged.

As of June 18, 2012, the definition of the index universe for Chinese and Hong Kong shares will change. This will affect the STOXX Asia/Pacific 600, STOXX China Total Market and STOXX Hong Kong Total Market indices, as well as all related sub- and sector indices.

Currently, China Red Chip shares are classified to be part of Hong Kong. With the implementation of the rule change, these shares will become classified as Chinese shares. The selection universe for the STOXX Asia/Pacific 600 Index will be expanded to also include the share category “China Red Chips”. Furthermore, Chinese B-Shares will be added to the selection universe for China.

Changes in the STOXX Asia/Pacific 600 Index universe:

Changes in share classification:

Today’s changes to the index rules and names is reflects STOXX Limited’s commitment to the constant development of its index family. All changes will become effective with the open of markets on June 18, 2012. At the same time, a new version of the STOXX Index Guide can be downloaded at www.stoxx.com/indices/rulebooks.html.