Three First Trust ETFs Launch On NYSE Arca - Offering Exposure To China And India , Natural Gas And Water Industries

NYSE Euronext (NYSE Euronext: NYX) subsidiary, NYSE Group, Inc. today announced that three First Trust ETFs listed and began trading on NYSE Arca.  The funds seek to track the performance of indexes developed by the International Securities Exchange (NYSE: ISE) in consultation with Standard & Poor’s. 

First Trust ISE ChIndia Index Fund (NYSE Arca: FNI)
The ISE ChIndia Index is a modified market capitalization weighted portfolio of 50 stocks that is a benchmark for investors interested in the share performance of companies from the emerging markets of China and India .

First Trust ISE-Revere Natural Gas Index Fund (NYSE Arca: FCG)
The ISE-Revere Natural Gas Index is a modified market capitalization weighted portfolio of 30 stocks that derive a substantial portion of their revenues from the exploration and production of natural gas.   Eligible candidates are screened to optimize the performance of the Index and to ensure its correlation to the price to natural gas.

First Trust ISE Water Index Fund (NYSE Arca: FIW)
The ISE Water Index is a modified market-cap weighted portfolio of 36 stocks that derive a substantial portion of their revenues from the potable and wastewater industries.

"We are pleased to bring these listings to NYSE Arca," said Dan Waldron, Senior Vice President of First Trust Advisors L.P.   "At First Trust, we are dedicated to providing a wide range of investment products to help broaden investors' financial opportunities.   Companies in the management of water resources and exploration and production of natural gas resources should continue to benefit from the expansion of emerging markets,” Mr. Waldron said.   "We believe that China and India are poised to lead the developing world in economic growth, because nearly 40% of the total global population resides in these two countries."

“We believe that our portfolio of innovative sector and emerging market indexes provides a unique opportunity for investors to gain exposure to these targeted segments.   The launch of First Trust’s ETFs is an initial step to broaden the reach of our index products beyond options trading, and we plan to continue our efforts to expand our index product offerings,” said Gary Katz, ISE’s Chief Operating Officer.

“NYSE Arca is proud to add these dynamic new products to our growing list of ETFs,” said Senior Vice President, Indexes and ETFs, Lisa Dallmer .  “We are thrilled to welcome First Trust to our growing list of ETF issuers at NYSE Group.  Our ETF listings represent $279 billion dollars in assets under management, the largest exchange group for ETFs by market capitalization.  Through NYSE Arca, we are pleased to offer investors fast and efficient trading tools for access to these innovative new products.”

Including today’s listings, NYSE Group markets have 189 primary ETF listings and trade all other eligible ETFs on a UTP basis.  In first-quarter 2007, NYSE Group handled 45% of all ETF shares traded in the U.S. market.  As the largest exchange group for ETF trading, NYSE Group is committed to offering investors the most innovative new investment options with superior pricing and market quality.