MutualFundWire.com: SSgA Spins Out an International Bond ETF
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Thursday, May 20, 2010

SSgA Spins Out an International Bond ETF


State Street Global Advisors continues to launch new fixed income ETFs. The Boston-based asset manager claims that its latest offering, the SPDR Barclays Capital International Corporate Bond ETF, is the "first international corporate bond exchange traded fund."

"As the first US-listed ETF to provide access to international corporate bonds, the SPDR Barclays Capital International Corporate Bond ETF offers a level of fixed income diversification that has not been readily accessible to investors," stated James Ross, senior managing director.

The new ETF carries an expense ratio of 55 basis points. SSgA's own Stephen Yeats and John Hutson manage the fund, which tracks the Barclays Capital Global Aggregate ex-USD > $1 billion Aggregate Bond Index. State Street handles administration, custody, distribution and transfer agency.


Company Press Release

BOSTON, May 20, 2010 -- State Street Global Advisors (SSgA), the investment management business of State Street Corporation, today announced that the SPDR(R) Barclays Capital International Corporate Bond ETF (Symbol: IBND) began trading on the NYSE Arca on May 20, 2010. Its annual expense ratio is 0.55 percent.

Designed to provide investors with cost efficient exposure to investment-grade corporate bonds outside of the US, the SPDR Barclays Capital International Corporate Bond ETF seeks to track the performance of the Barclays Capital Global Aggregate ex-USD > $1 billion Aggregate Bond Index. The Index includes Euro-Dollar and Euro-Yen corporate bonds, Canadian government, agency, and corporate securities that have a minimum of $1 billion market capitalization and at least one year remaining to maturity.

"As the first US-listed ETF to provide access to international corporate bonds, the SPDR Barclays Capital International Corporate Bond ETF offers a level of fixed income diversification that has not been readily accessible to investors," said James Ross, senior managing director at State Street Global Advisors. "Demand for foreign debt issues, which account for more than 60 percent of the world's bond supply, is increasing among investors looking to participate in growth outside of the US and strengthen the diversification of their fixed-income portfolios."

The SPDR Barclays Capital International Corporate Bond ETF enhances State Street Global Advisors' growing family of fixed income SPDRs, which provides unmatched access to a broad range of markets and maturities. As of April 30, 2010, State Street Global Advisors managed more than $11 billion in 19 fixed income SPDRs.

State Street Global Advisors is one of the largest ETF providers globally with assets under management for SPDR ETFs totaling more than $204 billion as of March 31, 2010.*

About State Street Global Advisors

State Street Global Advisors, the investment management business of State Street Corporation (STT 39.82, -0.79, -1.93%) , delivers investment strategies and integrated solutions to clients worldwide across every asset class, investment approach and style. With $1.9 trillion in assets under management at March 31, 2010, State Street Global Advisors has investment centers in Boston, Hong Kong, London, Montreal, Munich, Paris, Singapore, Sydney, Tokyo, and Toronto, and offices in 27 cities worldwide. For more information, visit State Street Global Advisors at www.ssga.com.

* SSgA's Intermediary Business Group -- Strategy & Research

ETFs trade like stocks, are subject to investment risk, 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.

Frequent trading of ETF's could significantly increase commissions and other costs such that they may offset any savings from low fees or costs.

Bond funds contain interest rate risk (as interest rates rise bond prices usually fall); the risk of issuer default; issuer credit risk; liquidity risk; and inflation risk.

Foreign investments involve greater risks than U.S. investments, including political and economic risks and the risk of currency fluctuations.

Neither diversification nor asset allocation ensure a profit or guarantee against loss.

"SPDR(R)" is a registered trademark of Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC ("S&P") and has been licensed for use by State Street Corporation. No financial product offered by State Street Corporation or its affiliates is sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by S&P or its Affiliates, and S&P and its affiliates make no representation, warranty or condition regarding the advisability of buying, selling or holding units/shares in such products. Standard & Poor's(R), S&P(R), SPDR(R), S&P 500(R) and Select Sector SPDRs(R) are registered trademark of Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC and have been licensed for use by State Street Corporation.

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 1-866-787-2257 or visit www.spdrs.com. Read it carefully.

Corp-0105

SOURCE: State Street Global Advisors (SSgA)


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