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The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. (Nasdaq:NDAQ) today announced the iShares PHLX SOX Semiconductor Sector Index Fund (Nasdaq:SOXX), the first unlevered exchange-traded fund (ETF) based on the PHLX Semiconductor Sector Index(SM) (Nasdaq:SOX), will commence trading on the NASDAQ Stock Market(R) on October 15. This ETF is designed to track the performance of the PHLX Semiconductor Sector Index, the most widely recognized benchmark investors use to track the semiconductor industry. The index is a known institutional benchmark and is the underlying index for 27 structured products, 3 ETFs, an index option and an ETF option.
Due to increased investor interest in the PHLX Semiconductor Sector Index, iShares Exchange Traded Funds, the world's largest provider of ETFs, recently announced it changed the index, name, ticker and primary listing exchange of its semiconductor ETF.
Fund shareholders are not required to take any action as a result of this announcement. The changes are effective October 15, 2010, and are generally summarized below.
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Current New
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iShares S&P North
Fund Name American iShares PHLX SOX
Technology-Semiconductor Semiconductor Sector
s Index Index
Fund Fund
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S&P North American PHLX Semiconductor
Index Technology- Sector
Semiconductors Index Index
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Ticker IGW SOXX
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Exchange NYSE ARCA NASDAQ
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Index Names 52 (as of 8/31/10) 30 (as of 8/31/10)
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Weighting Modified market cap Modified market cap
Methodology
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"The PHLX Semiconductor Sector Index continues to evolve as a widely-recognized benchmark for a growing array of investment strategies," said John Jacobs, Executive Vice President, NASDAQ OMX Global Index Group. "With the introduction of this new iShares ETF, investors now have another option to invest in a sector that is poised to be a leader on the road to U.S. economic recovery."
The PHLX Semiconductor Sector index is a modified capitalization-weighted index composed of companies primarily involved in the design, distribution, manufacture, and sale of semiconductors. To view a complete list of component companies, visit https://indexes.nasdaqomx.com/weighting.aspx?IndexSymbol=SOX&menuIndex=0.
NASDAQ OMX is a global leader in creating and licensing strategy indexes and is home to the most widely watched indexes in the world. As a premier, full-service provider, NASDAQ OMX Global Index Group specializes in the development of indexes focusing on NASDAQ OMX's brand themes of innovation, technology, growth, and globalization. NASDAQ OMX Global Index Group also provides custom index services and design solutions as a third-party provider to selected financial organizations. For more information about NASDAQ OMX indexes, visit www.nasdaqomx.com/indexes.
Access to essential historical index data for NASDAQ OMX indexes can be accessed from a single source, NASDAQ OMX Global Index Watch. For additional information, please visit https://indexes.nasdaqomx.com/indexwatch.aspx.
