BEIJING, Dec. 11, 2006 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Dow Jones Indexes, a leading global index provider, today announced changes in the composition of the Dow Jones China Index Series (Dow-China Indexes). Component changes in the Dow Jones China Total Market (Dow-China Total Market), Dow Jones Shanghai (Dow-Shanghai), Dow Jones Shenzhen (Dow-Shenzhen), and Dow Jones CBN China 600 indexes will be effective on December 18, 2006.
With 25 additions and 26 deletions, the number of components in the Dow-China Total Market Index will decrease to 1135 from 1136 with 1069 A-shares and 66 B-shares. The Dow-China Total Market Index reflects approximately 95% percent of the free-float market capitalization for both the Shanghai and Shenzhen markets.
The number of components in the Dow-Shanghai Index will decrease to 705 from 707, with 11 additions and 13 deletions, while the number of components in the Dow-Shenzhen Index will increase to 430 from 429 components (14 additions and 13 deletions). The Dow-Shanghai and Dow-Shenzhen indexes represent approximately 95% of the free-float market capitalization of their respective markets.
Twenty-nine components will be replaced in the Dow Jones CBN China 600 Index, which reflects roughly 80% of China's free-float market capitalization. Changes are being announced today after the conclusion of a regular quarterly review.
Dow Jones Indexes also completed the regular semiannual review for the Dow Jones CBN China 600 Sector Blue-Chip Indexes, which were launched on September 8, 2005 as subsets of the Dow Jones CBN China 600 Index.
The Dow-China Indexes are designed to provide investors globally with accurate tools for measuring equity performance in China. Float-adjusted shares, which exclude all state-owned and unlisted employee shares, are used for stock selection and index calculation, in order to accurately reflect shares available to the public. Block holdings of individuals, other companies or governments that exceed 5% of total market value are also excluded.
The Dow-China Total Market, Dow-Shanghai and Dow-Shenzhen indexes were launched on May 27, 1996 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Dow Jones Industrial Average, the world's most widely quoted stock market indicator.
The methodology, as well as a full list of components, weightings and values of the Dow Jones China Indexes, is available at http://chinaindex.dowjones.com.
Company additions to and deletions from the Dow Jones China Indexes do not in any way reflect an opinion on the investment merits of the company.
Journalists may e-mail questions regarding this press release to: PR-Indexes@dowjones.com or contact Dow Jones Indexes/STOXX press office:
New York: +1-212-597-5720 Frankfurt: +49-69-29-725-290
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