iShares innovates on Deutsche Borse with timber and sharia ETFs

iShares, the exchange-traded fund (ETF) arm of Barclays Global Investors, has launched five ETFs on Deutsche Borse. The iShares S&P Global Timber and Forestry ETF offers access to the timber and forestry industry via an ETF for the first time. The ETF comprises 25 of the largest publicly traded companies in the timber and forestry industry across a spectrum of countries.

Also within the range are the first sharia-compliant ETFs: The iShares MSCI World Islamic, the MSCI USA Islamic and the MSCI Emerging Markets. The ETFs offer investment in compliance with Islamic law, while providing exposure to Emerging Markets, the US and the global market. Constructing the ETFs in accordance with sharia principles was overseen by the new Barclays sharia panel of Islamic scholars. The new iShares have a relatively high exposure to the energy, materials and technology sectors.

iShares has also launched the MSCI Latin America, its 10th ETF on developing countries listed in the German market. The ETF provides access to equity markets in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru.