BGI Broadens Its Global Line

Barclays Global Investors (BGI) has introduced eight new iShares international ETFs that provide exposure to Asian shares, emerging markets, various real estate opportunities and small-cap stocks in developed economies.

“We offer the broadest set of international ETFs because we recognize the hurdles that investors face with international investing. This is particularly the case with investing in emerging markets, international sectors and small-cap securities,” says Noel Archard, head of U.S. iShares product development.

Three of the funds (focusing on Asia, Chile and the “BRIC” emerging markets of Brazil, Russia, India and China) are trading on the NYSE Arca; the other funds (four real estate-oriented options specializing in various regions, as well as the small-cap portfolio) track FTSE indices and are the first iShares to trade on the Nasdaq.