Global ETF News Older than One Year
Russell and NASDAQ OMX to Launch RussellTick
March 9, 2010--Russell Investments and The
NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. (Nasdaq:NDAQ) today announced that NASDAQ OMX(R)
has been selected as the primary source of real-time index values for
all of Russell's equity indexes via RussellTick™, a new proprietary
data service. Developed by NASDAQ OMX, RussellTick will offer investors
and traders worldwide real-time access to Russell Index values,
including the industry-leading U.S. small-cap Russell 2000(R) Index and
U.S. broad-market Russell 3000(R) Index
In December of 2009, Russell selected NASDAQ OMX to disseminate real-time values for Russell's indexes that reflect the global market, but not the well-known U.S. benchmarks, leveraging NASDAQ OMX's global distribution capabilities through NASDAQ OMX's Global Index Data Service (GIDS). Today's announcement broadens the partnership through the creation of a consolidated primary data service that covers the entire family of Russell Indexes. NASDAQ OMX is scheduled to launch RussellTick on June 1, 2010.
"RussellTick will consolidate all of Russell's intra-day index information for the first time into one data source," said Sara Wilson, regional director for third-party index partners at Russell Investments. "Easy access to real-time index values empowers investors to better gauge market performance and more easily track portfolio investments. We're very pleased to leverage the reliable technology and far-reaching distribution capability of NASDAQ OMX as a single point of access."
"Russell's selection of NASDAQ OMX as an independent provider of its index information is a result of our shared objective of promoting transparency," said Randall Hopkins, Senior Vice President of Global Data Products, NASDAQ OMX. "This development further expands the relationship between our organizations, which share a commitment to providing all market participants access to information in a highly scalable manner."
Russell's and NASDAQ OMX's partnership is made possible by the NASDAQ OMX Global Access program. Global Access enables Russell to distribute its data through one of the largest and most successful data distribution organizations in the world. By leveraging the sales, administrative, technical and brand strength of NASDAQ OMX, Global Access provides customers turn-key access to a premier data business. For details, visit http://www.nasdaqtrader.com/globalaccessprogram.
Source: NASDAQ OMX
Gold May Gain on Concern About Sovereign Debts, Survey Shows
March 5, 2010--Gold may gain on concern about European sovereign debts and rising holdings in exchange-traded funds, a survey showed.
Nineteen of 26 traders, investors and analysts surveyed by Bloomberg, or 73 percent, said bullion would rise next week.
Six forecast lower prices and one was neutral. Gold for delivery in April was up 1.1 percent for this week at $1,131 an ounce at 11:30 a.m. in New York yesterday.
Source: Bloomberg
STOXX Ltd. Changes Composition Of Select Dividend, Style And Grand Prix Indices
April 5, 2010--- STOXX Limited, a global index provider and creator of the leading European equity indices, today announced the result of the annual review of the STOXX Select Dividend Index series and the STOXX Global Grand Prix Index; as well as the result of the semi-annual review of the STOXX TMI Growth and STOXX TMI Value indices, its respective large, mid- and small sub-indices as well as the respective indices for the Euro zone. All changes will be effective on March 22, 2010.
Effective as of the open of European markets on March 22, 2010, 21 components will be replaced in the STOXX Global Select Dividend 100 Index. The index comprises the 100 highest dividend-paying companies in the three regions of the STOXX Global 1800 Index.
In the European portion of the STOXX Global Select Dividend 100 Index, the three largest components that are being added measured by dividend yield are Catlin GRP (U.K., Insurance, CGL.L), BCO Sabadell (Spain, Banks, SABE.MC) and Astrazeneca (U.K., Health Care, AZN.L). The three largest components exiting the index are D/S Norden (Denmark, Industrial Goods & Services, DNORD.CO), Koninklijke DSM (Netherlands, Chemicals, DSMN.AS) and DCC (Ireland, Industrial Goods & Services, DCC.I).
Source: STOXX Limited
NASDAQ OMX Introduces Investor Relations Website Solution for the Banking Sector
WebCenter360 Banking Suite to Feature Highline Financial Data and Analytics to Maximize the Transparency and Interactivity of Investor Communications
March 4, 2010--he NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc.
(Nasdaq:NDAQ) today launched its WebCenter360 Banking Suite, a
competitively priced investor relations website solution built for
global, regional and community banks. NASDAQ announced that the
WebCenter360 Banking Suite will be powered by data and analytics from
Highline Financial, the preferred source for banking information and
analytics for the financial sector.
"Investor Relations websites are increasingly becoming the number one source of information for investors," said Demetrios N. Skalkotos, Senior Vice President of Global Corporate Services, NASDAQ OMX. "Our WebCenter360 Banking Suite is specially designed to increase the transparency of this critically important communications channel employing high quality competitive research, stock information and data from Highline Financial to those investing in the banking industry."
"We welcome this strategic partnership with NASDAQ OMX as the need for access to on demand banking sector data is crucial for investors to inform their daily investment and business decisions," said Terry Waters, President and CEO, Highline Financial. "The integration of Highline Financial data and analytics in the WebCenter360 Banking Suite will allow the delivery of timely, accurate and comprehensive banking information to NASDAQ's investor relations customers."
Source: NASDAQ OMX
First estimates for the fourth quarter of 2009-Euro area and EU27 GDP up by 0.1%
March 4, 2010--GDP increased by 0.1% in both the euro area1 (EA16) and the EU271 during the fourth quarter of 2009, compared with the previous quarter, according to first estimates released by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In the third quarter of 2009, growth rates were +0.4% in the euro area and +0.3% in the EU27.
Compared with the fourth quarter of 2008, seasonally adjusted GDP declined by 2.1% in the euro area and by 2.3% in the EU27, after -4.1% and -4.3% respectively for the previous quarter.
Variation in components of GDP
During the fourth quarter of 2009, household2 final consumption expenditure was stable in both the euro area and the EU27 (after -0.2% in both zones in the previous quarter). Investments fell by 0.8% in the euro area and by 1.3% in the EU27 (after -0.9% and -0.7% respectively). Exports increased by 1.7% in the euro area and by 1.9% in the EU27 (after +2.9% and +2.5%). Imports increased by 0.9% in the euro area and by 1.4% in the EU27 (after +2.8% in both zones).
US and Japanese GDP increased
In the United States GDP increased by 1.4% during the fourth quarter of 2009, after +0.6% in the third quarter of 2009. In Japan GDP increased by 1.1% in the fourth quarter of 2009, after 0.0% in the previous quarter. Compared with the fourth quarter of 2008, GDP increased by 0.1% in the United States (after -2.6% in the previous quarter), but decreased by 0.9% in Japan (after -4.9%).
GDP decreased by 4.1% in the euro area and by 4.2% in the EU27 in 2009
Over the whole year 2009, GDP decreased by 4.1% in the euro area and by 4.2% in the EU27, compared with +0.6% and +0.8% respectively for 2008. Over the whole year 2009, GDP decreased by 2.4% in the US (+0.4% in 2008) and by 5.0% in Japan (-1.2% in 2008).
Source: Eurostat
Morningstar Bond Commentary: Credit Takes a Back Seat…Again
March 3, 2010--The U.S. bond markets had a relatively quiet month when compared with recent history and the developments in Europe. Credit yield spreads changed little for a third consecutive month. Speculation over an aid package for Greece kept volatility high in the European markets and sovereign credit worthiness remains a growing concern.
The sovereign credit crisis will not be ending any time soon and if Greece turns out to be an epicenter, the tremors will be felt worldwide. The comparison of the UK debt burden and Greece are coming fast a furious. The markets know no patriotism and an out of order fiscal house can only be tolerated for so long.
Source: Morningstar
Index Data Monthly Report: Dow Jones-UBS Commodity Indexes
March 3, 2010--The Index Data Monthly Report: Dow Jones-UBS Commodity Indexes is now available.
Source: Dow Jones
Index Data Monthly Report: Dow Jones Islamic Market Indexes
March 3, 2010--Index Data Monthly Report: Dow Jones Islamic Market Indexes is now available.
Source: Dow Jones Indexes
CME Group Volume Averaged 12.5 Million Contracts Per Day In February 2010, Up 17 Percent From February 2009
March 2, 2010--CME Group, the world's largest and most diverse derivatives marketplace, today announced that February volume averaged 12.5 million contracts per day, up 17 percent from February 2009. Total volume was 238 million contracts for February, of which a record 84 percent was traded electronically.
Electronic volume averaged 10.5 million contracts per day, up 23 percent from the prior February. Average daily volume cleared through CME ClearPort was 467,000 contracts for February 2010, down 26 percent compared with February 2009. The rolling three-month ClearPort rate per contract through January is up 9 percent, even though the rolling three-month ClearPort average daily volume is down 2 percent in the same period due to a product mix shift and the wide variance in rate per contract for individual CME ClearPort products.
In February 2010, CME Group interest rate volume averaged 5.7 million contracts per day, up 37 percent compared with the prior February, and up 19 percent sequentially. Treasury futures volume averaged 2.7 million contracts per day, up 55 percent compared with the same period in 2009, and Treasury options volume averaged 273,000 contracts per day, up 14 percent. Eurodollar futures volume averaged 2.0 million contracts per day, up 28 percent versus February 2009, while Eurodollar options volume averaged 615,000 contracts per day, up 6 percent.
CME Group equity index volume averaged 3.0 million contracts per day, down 14 percent from February 2009, but up 3 percent from January 2010. CME Group foreign exchange (FX) volume averaged 931,000 contracts per day, up 82 percent compared with the same period a year ago, reflecting average daily notional value of approximately $121 billion, an all time record for both daily notional and volume.
Source: CME Group
Thomson Reuters And Lepus Survey Reveals Data Quality And Consistency Key To Risk Management And Transparency
March 2, 2010--Thomson Reuters and Lepus, the independent research firm, today released the results of a survey highlighting the responsibility fragmented IT systems played in the financial crisis and the role data will play as the market rebuilds.
The survey of data management strategies at over 100 top tier buy- and sell-side firms revealed how more than three quarters (77%) of participants intend to increase spending on projects that address data quality and consistency issues. Firms are increasingly looking to exploit data consistency to support data hungry risk management processes and achieve a more extensive view of risk, with an overwhelming majority (87%) citing improvements in this area as a priority.
The need for clarity of data to facilitate compliance is a key focus for 44% of survey participants, likely driven by the need for data intensive stress tests as firms look to improve scenario modeling for low probability, high impact events following largely unpredicted volatility across financial markets in recent years.
Portfolio management, regulatory compliance, trading, finance, clearing and client profitability were all highlighted as areas that would benefit from an improved data infrastructure, according to the executives who took part in the survey.
Robert Smith, Head of Research, Lepus, said: “A huge majority of firms have looked to revise their data management solutions in the wake of the credit crisis. The results of this survey show that firms are committed to improving data quality and consistency across the organization and are investing significantly in a bid to move closer to their ideal data management solution.”
Jason du Preez, Global Business Manager, Enterprise Platform for Data Management, Thomson Reuters, said: "As the economy recovers, financial institutions are looking to improve and simplify data operations by demanding greater consistency and quality of data across the front, middle and back-office. Through this survey, the industry has outlined the importance of next-generation data management solutions to support effective risk, regulatory compliance and trading strategies."
Thomson Reuters recently unveiled the latest release of its Enterprise Platform for Data Management, the only integrated platform in the market today that unifies the acquisition, management and distribution of multi-sourced enterprise data assets. It incorporates a market standard canonical data model that simplifies data integration and promotes data transparency throughout the enterprise. Not only does the platform handle the aggregation, cleansing and normalization of a firm’s data sources but uniquely addresses new and changing business needs including risk management, compliance and portfolio valuation.
Source: Thomson Reuters
