Assets In ETFs Tracking MSCI Indices Reach $50 Billion

MSCI Barra, a provider of benchmark indices and risk analytics software, has announced that ETFs tracking MSCI equity indices have exceeded $50 billion in assets. There are over 70 ETFs based on MSCI equity indices, and they are traded in the U.S., Europe and Asia.

Another 30 ETFs, with $47 billion in assets, are based on the MSCI international equity indices, and an additional 18 ETFs with $8.5 billion in assets are based on MSCI U.S. equity indices.

"MSCI equity indices are being increasingly used as the basis of ETFs," said Rabbe Ekholm, managing director at MSCI Barra. "This growth is based on MSCI Barra's longstanding position as the leading provider of international indices, and on our comprehensive suite of indices, which allow investors to allocate assets across regions and asset classes with a globally consistent approach."

The increasing adoption of MSCI indices is exemplified by several facts: The MSCI international equity indices are the basis of 90% of international equity ETF assets in the U.S.; the MSCI EAFE index became the world's second-largest ETF in September; and six of the top 10 ETFs launched in the U.S. in 2004 are based on MSCI U.S. equity indices.

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