With the launch of the benchmark indices, Solactive complements its product range and allows clients to do three things: Firstly, construct smart beta indices directly by using broad Solactive benchmarks as starting universe. Secondly, use the benchmark itself as an underlying for investment products or to benchmark an active strategy and lastly, conduct index analytics across countries, regions or sectors, and therefore slice and dice individual index strategies.

The wider product range will broaden the customer base, by adding two important groups – firstly, the active fund-companies that need a cost-efficient benchmark to measure their fund performance and secondly, the product shop that is looking for interesting smart beta concepts.

Commenting on the new strategy, Astrid Ludwig, Head of Bond & Complex Indexing says: "This is definitely a milestone for Solactive, enabling us to focus our development efforts on smart beta strategies and offer well researched and innovative index concepts for our customers."

Steffen Scheuble, CEO and founder of Solactive explains: "We have been approached by several asset owners, who are unhappy with either the service offered by the existing benchmark providers or find that the pricing for their service is unreasonable. Therefore we decided to close the gap and offer exactly what is missing - a cost-efficient and high quality service alternative."

In a first step the following benchmark indices will be launched:

The following performance figures represent the market movement of the US stock market for the Solactive equity indices as well as the corporate bond market for the fixed income index. The table below shows different performance figures as well as information on components. The Solactive US Equity Index family is calculated in USD. The Solactive Euro IG Corporate Index is calculated in EUR with coupons reinvested at each monthly rebalancing.