Johannesburg, 12 August 2021: The Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) and FTSE Russell have once more partnered to launch a new multi-asset index solution for the South African market, leveraging the long-standing relationship between the two organisations and the rich base of the existing index offering.

The JSE and FTSE Russell today announced that they have launched the FTSE/JSE Multi-Asset Composite Index, which offers investors a broad and integrated coverage of South African equities, fixed-income securities, listed property, and options that include global equities and fixed-income markets.

“We’ve worked closely with our partners at JSE to give investors comprehensive coverage of South African equity and fixed income markets in recent years. Today’s launch provides an enriched choice set by launching a variety of multi-asset benchmarks calibrated to achieve a range of asset class exposures, including South Africa’s listed property markets. It also supports common investment approaches by applying capping, exclusions and hedging functionality and is underpinned by FTSE Russell’s robust and transparent governance framework,” said Scott Harman, FTSE’s Global Head of Fixed Income and Multi-Asset Product Management.

The FTSE/JSE Multi-Asset Composite Index offering is delivered in four variants:

• Local equity + Local fixed income
• Local equity + Local fixed income + Global equity
• Local equity + Local fixed income + Global equity + Global fixed income
• Local equity + Local fixed income + Global equity + Local property

The JSE and FTSE Russell have a long-standing partnership, having jointly launched the FTSE/JSE All Share Index in 2002, made up of JSE’s 40 largest companies, representing 99% of market capitalisation of the JSE.

Last year, the JSE and FTSE Russell further strengthened their partnership when they launched the FTSE/JSE Fixed Income Indices, which offers investors an enhanced exposure to the South African government-issued debt.

Mark Randall, JSE’s Director of Information Services, said the launch of the FTSE/JSE Multi-Asset Composite Index was in line with the strategy of the Johannesburg-based exchange to enhance services and products that it offers to issuers and investors to ensure unsurpassed market quality, settlement assurance, and governance standards.

“The partnership combines the regional expertise of the JSE with FTSE Russell’s global multi-asset indexing expertise and robust governance framework to produce transparent, objective investment tools,” said Randall.

Randall also pointed out that the FTSE/JSE Multi-Asset Composite Index could be used by investors to inform investment research or as a performance benchmark for active funds. It could also be utilised as the basis for passive tracking strategies.

ENDS

ABOUT THE JSE

The Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) has a well-established history operating as a market place for trading financial products. It is a pioneering, globally connected exchange group that enables inclusive economic growth through trusted, world class, socially responsible products, and services for the investor of the future. It offers secure and efficient primary and secondary capital markets across a diverse range of securities, spanning equities, derivatives, and debt markets. It prides itself as being the market of choice for local and international investors looking to gain exposure to leading capital markets on the African continent. The JSE is currently ranked in the Top 20 largest stock exchanges in the world by market capitalisation, and is the largest stock exchange in Africa, having been in operation for over 130 years.

As a leading global exchange, the JSE co-creates, unlocks value & makes real connections happen.

www.jse.co.za 

About FTSE Russell:

FTSE Russell is a global index leader that provides innovative benchmarking, analytics and data solutions for investors worldwide. FTSE Russell calculates thousands of indexes that measure and benchmark markets and asset classes in more than 70 countries, covering 98% of the investable market globally.

FTSE Russell index expertise and products are used extensively by institutional and retail investors globally. Approximately $16 trillion is currently benchmarked to FTSE Russell indexes. For over 30 years, leading asset owners, asset managers, ETF providers and investment banks have chosen FTSE Russell indexes to benchmark their investment performance and create ETFs, structured products and index-based derivatives.

A core set of universal principles guides FTSE Russell index design and management: a transparent rules-based methodology is informed by independent committees of leading market participants.

FTSE Russell is focused on applying the highest industry standards in index design and governance and embraces the IOSCO Principles. FTSE Russell is also focused on index innovation and customer partnerships as it seeks to enhance the breadth, depth and reach of its offering.

FTSE Russell is wholly owned by London Stock Exchange Group.

For more information, visit www.ftserussell.com.