(Source: PrimeNewswire)
STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Nov. 18, 2008 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. (Nasdaq:NDAQ) today announced the launch of a Nordic Sustainability Index, the OMX GES Sustainability Index. It is a benchmark index which comprises the 50 leading Nordic listed companies in terms of sustainability. The index criteria are based upon international guidelines for environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues, and supports investor considerations to the UN Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI).
The assessment is conducted by GES Investment Services, Northern Europe's leading research and service provider for Responsible Investment. The most traded companies are rated by GES Investment Services on their preparedness in ESG issues. The OMX GES Nordic Sustainability Index is designed to provide investors with a liquid, objective and reliable benchmark for responsible investments. It also ensures that investor portfolios are up to date to meet the global recognized sustainability criteria as these evolve.
"We have seen growing demand for sustainability investments in the Nordic region. Therefore we are very pleased to announce the launch of the first Nordic sustainability index," said Magdalena Hartman, Vice President, NASDAQ OMX Global Index Group. "NASDAQ OMX is committed to continue providing investors with independent and reliable benchmark indexes."
"The interest in sustainability investments has increased tremendously in the last few years, so we are very pleased to expand our co-operation with NASDAQ OMX in this area," said Magnus Furugard, President, GES Investment Services. "ESG issues have a relatively long record in the Nordics and thus should be attractive for investors that want to minimize environmental, social and ethical risks within their portfolios."
NASDAQ OMX already calculates a Sustainability Index based on the Swedish market. The OMX GES Sustainability Index Series now consists of:
* OMX GES Sustainability Nordic Index * OMX GES Sustainability Sweden Index
For more information about OMX GES Sustainability Indexes visit: http://omxnordicexchange.com/produkter/index/OMX_index/Responsible_Investment/
About NASDAQ OMX Global Index Group
NASDAQ OMX Global Index Group (NOGIG) is engaged in the design, development, calculation, licensing, and marketing of NASDAQ OMX indexes. NOGIG specializes in the development of indexes focusing on NASDAQ OMX's brand themes of innovation, technology, growth, and globalization. NOGIG also provides custom index services and design solutions as a third-party provider to selected financial organizations.
