NEW YORK, July 22, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NASDAQ OMX today announced that First Trust will launch a new exchange traded fund (ETF), First Trust Dorsey Wright International Focus 5 ETF (Symbol: IFV), which will be listed on The NASDAQ Stock Market ® (NASDAQ ® ). IFV will begin trading on NASDAQ on Wednesday, July 23, 2014.
"International investing has always been a passion of mine," said Tom Dorsey, President and CEO of Dorsey, Wright & Associates. "I am excited that we have collaborated with First Trust to bring a second ETF that captures the Dorsey Wright Focus Five methodology and now provides investors with a tactical international equity strategy."
IFV is designed to provide targeted exposure to the five First Trust international ETFs identified by the Dorsey, Wright & Associates (DWA) index methodology to offer the greatest potential to outperform the other ETFs in the selection universe. First Trust international ETFs provide the universe for the index selection. Using DWA's relative strength ranking system, the ETFs are compared to each other to determine inclusion. The top five ranking ETFs are included in the index and the relative strength analysis is conducted on a weekly basis with ETFs replaced when they fall sufficiently out of favor. The index is rebalanced periodically so each position is equally weighted. DWA believes the design of the index allows them to identify major themes in the market, have exposure to those countries or regions whose price action is superior to others and eliminate exposure to those countries or regions whose price action is sub-par relative to others.
"We are thrilled to expand our partnership with First Trust and welcome their new exchange traded product (ETP) to the NASDAQ marketplace," said Dave LaValle, Head of Exchange Traded Product Listings at NASDAQ OMX. "With this new product, we will build on the success of the domestic version of the First Trust Dorsey Wright Focus 5 ETF and we believe the international version will be well received by a broad spectrum of investors."
NASDAQ OMX operates an efficient platform for successfully introducing a product suite into one of the single largest pools of liquidity, including market participants which represent a full spectrum of investors. ETF issuers benefit from an end-to-end solution that provides ongoing product support at every level including index licensing, listings opportunities, data offerings and trading services. As a home to some of the world's most innovative ventures, NASDAQ OMX generates opportunities for issuers to access new markets and deliver new concepts that change the way the industry develops, manages and applies ETFs.
About First Trust:
First Trust Advisors L.P., along with its affiliate First Trust Portfolios L.P., are privately held companies which provide a variety of investment services, including asset management and financial advisory services, with collective assets under management or supervision of approximately $98 billion as of June 30, 2014 through unit investment trusts, exchange-traded funds, closed-end funds, mutual funds and separate managed accounts. First Trust is based in Wheaton, Illinois. For more information, visit http://www.ftportfolios.com .
About NASDAQ OMX:
NASDAQ OMX (Nasdaq: NDAQ ) is a leading provider of trading, exchange technology, information and public company services across six continents. Through its diverse portfolio of solutions, NASDAQ OMX enables customers to plan, optimize and execute their business vision with confidence, using proven technologies that provide transparency and insight for navigating today's global capital markets. As the creator of the world's first electronic stock market, its technology powers more than 70 marketplaces in 50 countries, and 1 in 10 of the world's securities transactions. NASDAQ OMX is home to more than 3,400 listed companies with a market value of over $8.5 trillion and more than 10,000 corporate clients. To learn more, visit www.nasdaqomx.com .
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
The matters described herein contain forward-looking statements that are made under the Safe Harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements about NASDAQ OMX and its products and offerings. We caution that these statements are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties or other factors beyond NASDAQ OMX's control. These factors include, but are not limited to factors detailed in NASDAQ OMX's annual report on Form 10-K, and periodic reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. We undertake no obligation to release any revisions to any forward-looking statements.
The First Trust Dorsey Wright International Focus 5 ETF has not been passed on by NASDAQ OMX as to its legality or suitability, and it is not issued or sold by NASDAQ OMX. NASDAQ OMX MAKES NO WARRANTIES AND BEARS NO LIABILITY WITH RESPECT TO THE FIRST TRUST DORSEY WRIGHT INTERNATIONAL FOCUS 5 ETF.
Nothing contained herein should be construed as investment advice from NASDAQ OMX, either on behalf of a particular financial product or an overall investment strategy. NASDAQ OMX makes no recommendation to buy or sell any financial product or any representation about the financial condition of any company or fund. Investors should undertake their own due diligence and carefully evaluate financial products before investing. ADVICE FROM A SECURITIES PROFESSIONAL IS STRONGLY ADVISED.
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First Trust Media Contact: Ryan Issakaninen +1 (630) 765-8689 NASDAQ OMX Media Contact: Alexa Sugrue +1 (212) 231-5552
