MSCI Adds Brazil, China Firms to Emerging Markets Index

MSCI Inc. (MSCI) announced a series of changes to its equity indexes, including making Brazil's AmBev (ABV, AMBV4.BR) and China's Haitong Securities (600837.SH) two of the largest additions to the MSCI Emerging Markets Index.

Two Hong Kong-based companies were added to the MSCI World Index as part of MSCI's semiannual review: Swire Properties (1972.HK) and telecom HKT Trust and HKT Ltd. (6823.HK), MSCI said in a statement.

The MSCI Emerging Markets Index also added Turkish auto maker Tofas Turk Otomobil Fabrikasi (TOASO.IS), Thai hospital operator Bangkok Dusit Medical Services (BGH.TH), Indonesia media group Global Mediacom (BMTR.JK) and Mexican petrochemical group Alpek (ALPEKA.MX), among others.

Meanwhile, several companies were removed from the MSCI Emerging Markets Index, including Philippines-based Manila Electric Co. (MER.PH), Malaysia property developer SP Setia (8664.KU) and Peruvian-based mining company Volcan Compania Minera (VOLCABC1.VL).

Bangladesh's Unique Hotel and Resorts Ltd. (UNIQUEHRL.DH), Lithuania retail clothing chain Apranga (APG1L.LV) and Raysut Cement (RCCI.ON), Oman's largest cement producer, were also added to the MSCI Frontiers Market Index.

Many funds are benchmarked to MSCI indexes. All changes will go into effect as of the close of Nov. 30, MSCI said.

Write to Georgia Wells at [e-mail]

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