World's First Kuwait ETF Launched On London Stock Exchange

The London Stock Exchange today welcomed the world’s first ETF to offer access to Kuwait. The Lyxor ETF Kuwait (FTSE Coast Kuwait 40) will trade on the Main Market and is the first ETF on the Exchange to focus exclusively on the Middle East, reflecting international investors’ growing interest in the region.

Commenting on the launch of the Lyxor ETF Kuwait (FTSE Coast Kuwait 40), Pietro Poletto, Head of ETF and ETC Markets at London Stock Exchange Group, said:

“I am delighted that Lyxor has chosen the London Stock Exchange to launch the world’s first ETF focused on Kuwait. This launch is great news for investors as it provides them with the opportunity to access to Kuwait’s fast growing banking, telecom and IT sectors while benefiting from the low-cost, instant diversification offered by ETFs”.

The launch of this new fund takes the total number of ETFs on the London Stock Exchange to 147, covering equity and bond indices from around the world. The total value traded in ETFs on the London Stock Exchange during the first half of 2008 was £13.6 billion, up 46% on the same period last year.