MutualFundWire.com: SSgA Floats Two More Fixed Income SPDRs
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Thursday, December 1, 2011

SSgA Floats Two More Fixed Income SPDRs


State Street Global Advisors [profile] just launched a pair of new fixed income exchange-traded funds. Today the Boston-based mutual fund firm unveiled the SPDR Barclays Capital Short Term Treasury ETF (SST) and the SPDR Barclays Capital Investment Grade Floating Rate ETF (FLRN) on the NYSE Arca, boosting SSgA's fixed income SPDR count to 26.

The Barclays Capital Short Term Treasury ETF tracks the Barclays Capital 1-5 Year U.S. Treasury Index and charges an expense ratio of 12 basis points. The Barclays Capital Investment Grade Floating Rate ETF tracks the Barclays Capital U.S. Dollar Floating Rate Note 5 Years Index for 15 bps.

A few years ago an SSgA ETF tracking a Barclays index would've been hard to imagine, as Barclays once owned ETF titan iShares. Yet clearly enough distance now exists between the present and the iShares sale to BlackRock.

James Ross, senior managing director and global head of the SPDRs, described the floating rate ETF as "a compelling solution to investors seeking to enhance the diversification of their bond portfolio." As for the short-term ETF, he put it in the context of fears of looming rising interest rates.

As of September 30, the SPDRs held more than $245 billion worldwide.


Company Press Release

BOSTON – December 1, 2011 — State Street Global Advisors (SSgA)*, the asset management business of State Street Corporation (NYSE: STT), today announced that the SPDR® Barclays Capital Short Term Treasury ETF (Symbol: SST) and the SPDR Barclays Capital Investment Grade Floating Rate ETF (Symbol: FLRN) began trading on the NYSE Arca on December 1, 2011. The addition of these two exchange traded funds (ETFs) strengthens State Street’s family of fixed income ETFs, which now includes 26 SPDR ETFs that provide precise access to a wide range of fixed income investments.

The SPDR Barclays Capital Short Term Treasury ETF is the first ETF designed to track the performance of the Barclays Capital 1-5 Year U.S. Treasury Index. The Index includes all publicly issued US Treasury securities that have a remaining maturity of greater than or equal to one year and less than five years, are rated investment grade, and have $250 million or more of outstanding face value. As of November 18, 2011, there were approximately 114 securities included in the Index with an average maturity of 2.8 years. The SPDR Barclays Capital Short Term Treasury ETF’s expense ratio is 0.12 percent.

“With short-term interest rates near zero, the potential for a rising interest rate environment is a concern for many investors in long-term Treasury bonds,” said James Ross, senior managing director and global head of SPDR Exchange Traded Funds at State Street Global Advisors. “The launch of the SPDR Barclays Capital Short Term Treasury ETF enhances our short-term government bond SPDR ETF offering, which also includes the SPDR Barclays Capital 1-3 Month T-Bill ETF.”

The SPDR Barclays Capital Investment Grade Floating Rate ETF is designed to track the performance of the Barclays Capital U.S. Dollar Floating Rate Note 5 Years Index. The Index includes US dollar-denominated, investment grade floating rate notes that have a remaining maturity of greater than or equal to one month and less than five years, and have $300 million or more of outstanding face value. As of November 18, 2011, there were approximately 320 securities in the Index with an average maturity of 1.71 years. The SPDR Barclays Capital Investment Grade Floating Rate ETF’s expense ratio is 0.15 percent.

Floating rate notes, which are often referred to as “FRNs” or “floaters,” are debt issues with variable coupon payments that are based on a reference rate, such as 3-month LIBOR with a fixed spread. Coupons are reset periodically and can rise or fall with changes in the reference rate while the spread remains constant.

“With cost efficient access to floating rate notes, an asset class that is also well positioned for a rising rate environment and features low correlations to many traditional equity and fixed income investments, the SPDR Barclays Capital Investment Grade Floating Rate ETF offers a compelling solution to investors seeking to enhance the diversification of their bond portfolio,” said Ross.

State Street manages more than $245** billion in SPDR ETF assets worldwide (as of September 30, 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. $64 billion as of September 30, 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, 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 could significantly increase commissions and other costs such that they may offset any savings from low fees or costs.

"SPDR" is a registered trademark of Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC ("S&P") and has been licensed for use by State Street Corporation. STANDARD & POOR'S, S&P, S&P 500 and S&P MIDCAP 400 are registered trademarks of Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC. 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. Further limitations and important information that could affect investors' rights are described in the prospectus for the applicable product.

Securities with floating or variable interest rates may decline in value if their coupon rates do not keep pace with comparable market interest rates. Narrowly focused investments typically exhibit higher volatility and are subject to greater geographic or asset class risk. The Fund is subject to credit risk, which refers to the possibility that the debt issuers will not be able to make principal and interest payments.

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.

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.


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