HSBC launches its first eurozone equity ETF

Published: 5 October 2009

HSBC is to launch the HSBC DJ EURO STOXX 50 ETF on 6 October 2009.

Listed on the London Stock Exchange, and domiciled in Ireland, the new Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) is designed to replicate the performance of the Dow Jones EURO STOXX 50® Index (total return) covering the 50 largest companies in the eurozone. The total expense ratio (TER) of the fund is up to 0.15 per cent.

In August, HSBC announced its entry into the European ETF market with the launch of the HSBC FTSE 100 ETF. It plans to progressively build a comprehensive range of ETFs over the next two years, covering the main asset classes and both developed and emerging market indices.

Christophe Chazot, Co-Head of Global Equities at HSBC Global Markets, said: “HSBC is intent on being among the leading ETF providers within three years by joining up our asset management, sales, trading and securities services capabilities. In addition to building our ETF business in Europe, we plan to expand internationally, starting with Asia. We see ETFs having an important role within the broad continuum of market access products that HSBC can bring to investors.”

Farley Thomas, Global Head of Wholesale at HSBC Global Asset Management, said: "The ETF market is growing very fast due to investors' demand for simple, transparent and flexible products that are very attractively priced. To meet this demand, we are prioritising the launch of HSBC ETFs tracking mainstream indices such as the Dow Jones EURO STOXX 50® Index, which is by far the most popular index in the European ETF industry."

Copies of the HSBC DJ EUROSTOXX 50 ETF Supplement will shortly be available for inspection at the Document Viewing Facility of the UK Listing Authority and will also be available on the company's website at www.etfs.hsbc.com, where the Simplified Prospectus will also be available.

Further information:

Jenne Mannion 44 0 20 7024 0444 or at e-mail Jenne.mannion@hsbc.com

Notes to editors:

Photos available upon request

HSBC ETFs PLC

HSBC ETFs PLC is an investment company with variable capital incorporated in Ireland as a public limited company. It is authorised by the Financial Regulator as a UCITS pursuant to the UCITS Regulations. The Company is structured as an umbrella fund, with segregated liability between sub-funds, and may comprise several portfolios of assets. The Company is recognised in the United Kingdom under section 264 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000.

The admission of the HSBC DJ EURO STOXX 50 ETF to the Official List and to trading on the London Stock Exchange's main market for listed securities will become effective, and dealings will commence on 6 October 2009.

HSBC Global Asset Management

HSBC Global Asset Management comprises four specialist investment businesses: Halbis, Sinopia, Multimanager and Liquidity. HSBC Global Asset Management acts as the global representative of its specialist investment businesses and manages assets totalling USD390.1 billion at the end of June 2009. It is one of the world's leading emerging markets asset management businesses. Through its network of offices in over 20 countries around the world, HSBC Global Asset Management has strong relationships with corporates, institutions and financial intermediaries of all sizes and types. It is part of HSBC Global Banking and Markets, a division of HSBC Holdings plc. For more information see www.assetmanagement.hsbc.com

HSBC Global Banking and Markets

HSBC Global Banking and Markets is an emerging markets-led and financing-focused business that provides tailored financial solutions to major government, corporate and institutional clients worldwide. Global Banking and Markets has offices in more than 60 countries and territories. Managed as a global business, HSBC offers clients geographic reach and deep local knowledge. For more information on Global Banking and Markets, please visit www.hsbcnet.com

HSBC Holdings plc

HSBC Holdings plc, the parent company of the HSBC Group, is headquartered in London. The Group serves customers worldwide from around 8,500 offices in 86 countries and territories in Europe, the Asia-Pacific region, the Americas, the Middle East and Africa. With assets of USD2,422 billion at 30 June 2009, HSBC is one of the world’s largest banking and financial services organisations. HSBC is marketed worldwide as ‘the world’s local bank’.

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