LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Xtrackers (IE) plc
Investment Company with Variable Capital
Registered Office: 78 Sir John Rogerson's Quay, Dublin 2, Ireland
Registration number: 393802
(the “Company”)
Important notice to the Shareholders of
Xtrackers ESG MSCI World UCITS ETF (ISIN: IE00BZ02LR44)
Xtrackers ESG MSCI Emerging Markets UCITS ETF (ISIN: IE00BG370F43)
Xtrackers ESG MSCI Europe UCITS ETF (ISIN: IE00BFMNHK08)
Xtrackers ESG MSCI Japan UCITS ETF (ISIN: IE00BG36TC12)
Xtrackers ESG MSCI USA UCITS ETF (ISIN: IE00BFMNPS42)
(each the “Fund”, together the “Funds”)
30 April 2020
This letter is to inform you on behalf of the board of directors of the Company (the "Board of Directors") about certain changes to the Funds, as outlined below.
Changes to Reference Indices
As of 1 April 2020, MSCI Limited (the “Index Administrator”) announced certain upcoming changes to the methodology of the relevant Reference Indices of the Funds, as follows:
- The High ESG Performance Selection Rules aspect of the Reference Indices, currently based on the MSCI ESG Leaders Indexes methodology, will be modified such that the MSCI ESG Business Involvement Screening Research shall be determined according to the Values-Based Exclusions of the MSCI SRI Indexes methodology (the “SRI Values-Based Exclusions”), instead of the Controversial Business Involvement Criteria used in the MSCI ESG Leaders Indexes methodology. Such change represents a tightening of revenue screens for certain identified business activities. The ESG Ratings and ESG Controversies Score eligibility rules will continue to be derived from the MSCI ESG Leaders Indexes methodology.
b. The Reference Indices currently include an additional screen for tobacco involvement which will be incorporated within the SRI Values-Based Exclusions.
The full announcement from the Index Administrator is available on: https://www.msci.com/index-announcements
Full details of the SRI Values-Based Exclusions can be found in the MSCI SRI Indexes methodology available on the Index Administrator’s website www.msci.com/index-methodology.
The Index Administrator has also announced that each Reference Index will be renamed, as set out at Schedule 1 hereto, in light of these changes.
For the avoidance of doubt, the methodology of other screens and research products used by the Reference Indices will remain unchanged.
Change of name of the Funds
As a consequence of the changes in the names of the relevant Reference Indices, the names of each of the Funds will likewise be amended, as set out at Schedule 1 hereto.
Timing for Implementation and Impact of the Changes
It is intended that the changes to the Reference Indices, and corresponding changes to the Funds as outlined above, shall take effect from on or about 1 June 2020, though Shareholders should note that due to the continued uncertainty and operational challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic this may be subject to further change or postponement by the Index Administrator (the “Effective Date”).
Accordingly, Shareholders are advised to consult the website of the Index Administrator for any further updates that may impact the Effective Date.
For the avoidance of doubt, neither the changes in the methodology of the relevant Reference Indices, nor the changes to the Funds represent material changes, and each Fund’s investment policy, investment objective, risk profile and fees remains unchanged.
General Information
Further information in relation to the changes may be obtained from the offices of foreign representatives or by sending an email to Xtrackers@dws.com.
Copies of the revised Supplements for the Funds and the key investor information documents of the Funds reflecting the changes will be made available on the website of the Company (www.Xtrackers.com) as and from the Effective Date, and copies thereof may be obtained on request free of charge at the registered office of the Company or at the offices of foreign representatives, once available.
Capitalised terms not defined herein shall have the meaning given to them in the prospectus of the Company unless the context otherwise requires.
This notice is for information purposes only. The Shareholders are not required to take any action. If you have any queries or if any of the above is not clear you should seek advice from your stockbroker, bank manager, legal adviser, accountant or other independent financial advisor.
Neither the contents of the Company's website nor the contents of any other website accessible from hyperlinks on the Company's website is incorporated into, or forms part of, this announcement.
______________________
Director
for and on behalf of
Xtrackers (IE) plc
Schedule 1
Current Fund name |
New Fund name |
Current Reference Index name |
New Reference Index name |
Xtrackers ESG MSCI World UCITS ETF |
Xtrackers MSCI World ESG UCITS ETF |
MSCI World ESG Leaders Low Carbon ex Tobacco Involvement 5% Index |
MSCI World Low Carbon SRI Leaders Index |
Xtrackers ESG MSCI Emerging Markets UCITS ETF |
Xtrackers MSCI Emerging Markets ESG UCITS ETF |
MSCI Emerging Markets ESG Leaders Low Carbon ex Tobacco Involvement 5% Index |
MSCI Emerging Markets Low Carbon SRI Leaders Index |
Xtrackers ESG MSCI Europe UCITS ETF |
Xtrackers MSCI Europe ESG UCITS ETF |
MSCI Europe ESG Leaders Low Carbon ex Tobacco Involvement 5% Index |
MSCI Europe Low Carbon SRI Leaders Index |
Xtrackers ESG MSCI Japan UCITS ETF |
Xtrackers MSCI Japan ESG UCITS ETF |
MSCI Japan ESG Leaders Low Carbon ex Tobacco Involvement 5% Index |
MSCI Japan Low Carbon SRI Leaders Index |
Xtrackers ESG MSCI USA UCITS ETF |
Xtrackers MSCI USA ESG UCITS ETF |
MSCI USA ESG Leaders Low Carbon ex Tobacco Involvement 5% Index |
MSCI USA Low Carbon SRI Leaders Index |