Jim Wiandt

Parade of iShares Continues

Barclays Global Investors continues its rollout of iShares. By mid-July, there will be over 50 domestic and international iShare funds available covering just about every broad U.S. market sector, and most of the major international markets.

"Nearly four billion has been invested in iShares thus far, in part because iShares offer a compelling approach to asset allocation strategies. iShares combine low costs, broad diversification, tax efficiency and the flexibility of common stocks, with performance relevant to the index selected. With the launch of the additional products, iShares now offer a complete and modular set of sector funds," said Lee Kranefuss, CEO of BGI's Individual Investor business.

Beginning trading June 16 were 12 new funds, including a wide array of Dow Jones sector funds, as well as a Dow Jones U.S. Total Market fund. A Standard & Poor's/ TSE 60 Canada fund will also be unveiled. For Europhiles, on July 14, the S&P Europe 350 fund hits the market, while an MSCI EMU comes to the market on July 28.

As an added bonus, Barclay's reduced the expense ratios on many of their international MSCI funds effective May 13, 2000. Most MSCI iShares now have expense ratios of 0.84%, down from as high as 1.59%.

The parade of exchange-traded funds continues through July 28th, when Barclays launches iShares funds covering S&P 500/ BARRA Small and MidCap Growth and Value funds, as well as Russell 2000 and 3000 Growth and Value funds.

New MSCI iShare funds for Taiwan and Brazil have already been launched, despite the realignment of Brazil's index as well as regulatory snafus. The South African market was not so lucky, as the planned launch of the South Africa MSCI iShares has been put off indefinitely owing to the potential realignment of its index.

Complete List of iShares