First Convertible-Bond ETF Debuts

The SPDR Barclays Capital Convertible Bond ETF is benchmarked to the Barclays Capital U.S. Convertible Bond >$500MM Index. Convertible bonds are bonds that can be exchanged, at the option of the holder, for a specific number of shares of the issuer’s preferred or common stock. At the end of 2008, 156 issues were included in the Convertible Index. The fund’s annual expense ratio is 0.40 percent.

“Offering a unique risk-return profile that combines the yield of corporate bonds with the capital appreciation potential of stocks, convertible bond exposure is experiencing increased demand as investors look to improve the diversification of their portfolios,” said James Ross, senior managing director at State Street Global Advisors.