State Street Global Advisors [profile] just launched two international equity ETFs. On Tuesday the Boston-based mutual fund firm released the SPDR MSCI ACWI IMI ETF (ACIM) and the SPDR EM 50 ETF (EMFT) on the NYSE Arca.

Michael Johnston of Seeking Alpha reported on the news.

ACIM offers global equity markets exposure with a wide net across developed and emerging markets, for 25 basis points. And EMFT focuses on emerging markets, targeting 50 of the largest companies from the developing world, for 50 basis points.

James Ross, senior managing director and global head of SPDR ETFs at SSgA, described emerging market equity as "a more attractive entry" thanks in part to a rough patch last year. He added that "global equity is increasingly viewed as a single, core asset class."

As of December 31, SSgA boasted more than $274 billion in SPDR ETF assets worldwide.

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Company Press Release

State Street Global Advisors Launches New Emerging Markets and Global Equity SPDR® Exchange Traded Funds

February 28, 2012 09:55 AM Eastern Time

BOSTON--State Street Global Advisors (SSgA)*, the asset management business of State Street Corporation (NYSE: STT), today announced that the SPDR® MSCI EM 50 ETF (Symbol: EMFT) and the SPDR MSCI ACWI IMI ETF (Symbol: ACIM) began trading on the NYSE Arca on February 28, 2012. The new SPDR ETFs are designed to provide investors with an opportunity to tap into the growth potential of emerging market and international equities.

The SPDR MSCI EM 50 ETF seeks to track the performance of the MSCI EM 50 Index. The Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization- weighted index that includes 50 of the largest MSCI Emerging Markets Index constituents. To enhance liquidity, the Index applies eligibility screens that exclude smaller emerging market countries and replaces constituent securities for selected markets with depositary receipts. The SPDR MSCI EM 50 ETF expense ratio is 0.50%.

“Against a backdrop of a reduction in emerging market equity values in 2011, the asset class now offers a more attractive entry,” said James Ross, senior managing director and global head of SPDR Exchange Traded Funds at State Street Global Advisors. “The launch of the SPDR MSCI EM 50 ETF enhances our emerging market SPDR ETF offering and provides investors with very precise access to a well-established index.”

The SPDR MSCI ACWI IMI ETF seeks to track the performance of the MSCI All Country World Investable Market Index. The Index is a free float- adjusted market capitalization-weighted index that captures up to 98 percent of the developed and emerging investable market universe. As of December 31, 2011, the Index was comprised of 8,920 publicly traded securities across 45 countries. The SPDR MSCI ACWI IMI ETF expense ratio is 0.25%.

“The SPDR MSCI ACWI IMI ETF provides investors with an opportunity to capture the global equity investment opportunity set in a single trade,” said Ross. “As awareness of the benefits of reducing home country bias in a portfolio grows, global equity is increasingly viewed as a single, core asset class.”

State Street manages more than $274** billion in SPDR ETF assets worldwide (as of December 31, 2011) and is one of the largest ETF providers globally.

About SPDR Exchange Traded Funds

SPDR ETFs are a comprehensive family spanning an array of international and domestic asset classes. SPDR ETFs are managed by SSgA Funds Management, Inc., a registered investment adviser and wholly owned subsidiary of State Street Bank and Trust Company. The funds provide professional investors with the flexibility to select investments that are precisely aligned to their investment strategy. Recognized as the industry pioneer, State Street created the first ETF in 1993 (SPDR S&P 500® – Ticker SPY). Since then, we’ve sustained our place as an industry innovator through the introduction of many ground-breaking products, including first-to-market launches with gold, international real estate, international fixed income and sector ETFs. For more information, visit www.spdrs.com.

About State Street Global Advisors

State Street Global Advisors (SSgA) is a global leader in asset management. The firm is relied on by sophisticated investors worldwide for its disciplined investment process, powerful global investment platform and access to every major asset class, capitalization range and style. SSgA is the asset management business of State Street Corporation, one of the world’s leading providers of financial services to institutional investors.

*SPDR ETFs are managed by SSgA Funds Management, Inc., a registered investment adviser and wholly owned subsidiary of State Street Bank& Trust Company.

**This AUM includes the assets of the SPDR Gold Trust (approx. $63 billion as of December 31, 2011), for which State Street Global Markets, LLC, an affiliate of State Street Global Advisors serves as the marketing agent.

Important Risk Information

ETFs trade like stocks, fluctuate in market value and may trade at prices above or below the ETFs net asset value. Brokerage commissions and

ETF expenses will reduce returns.

Returns on investments in foreign securities could be more volatile than, or trail the returns on, investments in U.S. securities. Investment in emerging markets subjects the Fund to a greater risk of loss than investments in a developed market.

Distributor: State Street Global Markets, LLC, member FINRA, SIPC, a wholly owned subsidiary of State Street Corporation. References to State Street may include State Street Corporation and its affiliates. Certain State Street affiliates provide services and receive fees from the SPDR ETFs.

Before investing, consider the funds’ investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses. To obtain a prospectus or summary prospectus which contains this and other information, call 866.787.2257 or visit www.spdrs.com. Read it carefully. 

Edited by: HFD


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