Introduction of first global STOXX dividend index derivatives/ Launch of STOXX Global Select Dividend 100 Index contracts on 20 July
Eurex: The international derivatives marketplace Eurex Exchange, part of Deutsche Börse Group, launched new futures and options based on the STOXX Global Select Dividend 100 Index yesterday. With this step, Eurex Exchange expands its dividend index product suite, which currently comprises the DivDAX and Euro STOXX Select Dividend 30 indices. Whereas the two existing contracts cover German and European stocks, the STOXX Global Select Dividend 100 Index offers investors the ideal tool to invest into 100 high dividend-yielding companies across developed countries from North America, Europe and Asia/Pacific. As of June 2015, nearly 1.7 billion euros in assets are invested in ETFs that are based on the STOXX Global Select Dividend 100 Index.
“The STOXX Global Select Dividend 100 Index was launched in 2007 and has been one of the first innovative smart beta concepts that STOXX has brought to the market,” said Hartmut Graf, chief executive officer, STOXX Limited. “By weighting the components in this index by dividend yield rather than market cap, investors are able to participate directly in the performance of high-dividend paying companies.”
Mehtap Dinc, member of the Eurex Executive Board, commented: “Smart beta and systematic factor exposure strategies are being increasingly used. Therefore investment demand for products incorporating these factors continues to grow. With the launch of these new dividend index futures and options contracts, we offer for the first time an investment and hedging tool for a global high-dividend yield strategy.”
The STOXX Global Select Dividend 100 Index combines the highest-yielding stocks relative to their home markets. The 100 index components are weighted by their indicated annual net dividend yield, i.e. the largest dividend-yielding companies have the highest weight in the index. The weight of individual components in the index is capped at 10 percent in order to prevent the index from being dominated by single high-dividend paying stocks. The composition of the index is reviewed on an annual basis in March.
Eurex Exchange offers a special market-making incentive program. The new futures and options are cash settled, and the contract value is 10 euros per index point.
