●determining the global minimum size range for each size segment;
●determining the market size−segment cutoffs and associated segment number of companies;
●assigning companies to the size segments; and
●applying final size−segment investability requirements.
Index Continuity Rules for the Standard Indices.
In order to achieve index continuity, as well as to provide some basic level of diversification within a market index, and notwithstanding the effect of other index construction rules described in this section, a minimum number of five constituents will be maintained for a DM Standard Index, a minimum number of three constituents will be maintained for an EM Standard Index and a minimum number of one constituent will be maintained for an FM Standard Index.
Classifying Securities under the Global Industry Classification Standard.
All securities in the global investable equity universe are assigned to the industry that best describes their business activities. To this end, MSCI has designed, in conjunction with S&P Dow Jones Indices, the GICS. The GICS currently consists of 11 Sectors, 24 Industry Groups, 69 Industries and 158 Sub-Industries. Under the GICS, each company is assigned to one Sub−Industry according to its principal business activity. Therefore, a company can belong to only one grouping at each of the four levels of the GICS.
Calculation Methodology for the MSCI® Japan Index.
The performance of the underlying index is a free-float weighted average of the U.S. dollar values of its component securities.
Prices used to calculate the component securities are the official exchange closing prices or prices accepted as such in the relevant market. In the case of a market closure, or if a security does not trade on a specific day or during a specific period, MSCI carries forward the previous day’s price (or latest available closing price). In the event of a market outage resulting in any component security price to be unavailable, MSCI will generally use the last reported price for such component security for the purpose of performance calculation unless MSCI determines that another price is more appropriate based on the circumstances. Closing prices are converted into U.S. dollars, as applicable, using the closing exchange rates calculated by WM/Reuters at 4:00PM London Time.
Index Maintenance
The MSCI Global Investable Market Indices are maintained with the objective of reflecting the evolution of the underlying equity markets and segments on a timely basis, while seeking to achieve index continuity, continuous investability of constituents and replicability of the indices, and index stability and low index turnover. In particular, index maintenance involves:
Quarterly Index Reviews in February, May, August and November of the Size Segment Indices which include:
●updating the indices on the basis of a fully refreshed equity universe;
●taking buffer rules into consideration for migration of securities across size and style segments; and
●updating FIFs and Number of Shares (“NOS”).
Ongoing Event−Related Changes: changes of this type are generally implemented in the indices as they occur. Significantly large IPOs are included in the indices after the close of the company’s tenth day of trading.
MSCI’s quarterly index review is designed to systematically reassess the component securities of the index. During each quarterly index review, the universe of component securities is updated and the global minimum size range for the index is recalculated. Then, the following index maintenance activities, among others, are undertaken: the eligible equity securities are reviewed, minimum size requirements are reevaluated, and size-segment requirements are reassessed. The results of the quarterly index reviews are announced at least two weeks in advance of their effective implementation date as of the close of the last business day of February, May, August and November.
These guidelines and the policies implementing the guidelines are the responsibility of, and, ultimately, subject to adjustment by, MSCI. Neither we nor any of our affiliates, including BMOCM, accepts any responsibility for the calculation, maintenance, or publication of, or for any error, omission, or disruption in the MSCI® Japan Index, or any successor to the index. MSCI does not guarantee the accuracy or the completeness of the MSCI® Japan Index, or any data included in the index. MSCI assumes no liability for any errors, omissions, or disruption in the calculation and dissemination of the MSCI® Japan Index. MSCI disclaims all responsibility for any errors or omissions in the calculation and dissemination of the MSCI® Japan Index, or the manner in which the index is applied in determining the amount payable on the notes at maturity.
iShares® MSCI South Korea ETF (“EWY”)
The iShares® South Korea ETF is an investment portfolio maintained and managed by iShares, Inc. and advised by BlackRock Fund Advisors (“BFA”). iShares, Inc. is a registered investment company that consists of numerous separate investment portfolios, including the EWY. The EWY seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the MSCI Korea 25/50 Index. The MSCI Korea 25/50 Index was developed by MSCI as an equity benchmark for Korean stock performance, and is designed to measure equity market performance in Korea. Information about the iShares® MSCI South Korea ETF filed with the SEC can be found by reference to its SEC file numbers: 033-97598 and 811-09102 or its CIK Code: 0000930667.Shares of the iShares® MSCI South Korea ETF are listed on the NYSE Arca under ticker symbol “EWY.”
The MSCI Korea 25/50 Index