FAQ

The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (XDJ) encompasses those industries that tend to be the most sensitive to economic cycles. Its manufacturing segment includes automotive, household durable goods, textiles and apparel and leisure equipment. The services segment includes hotels, restaurants and other leisure facilities, media production and services, and consumer retailing and services.

The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (XPJ) contains the listed vehicles classified as REITs. REITs own property and derive income from rental returns. A REITs sector has been created for the Australian market, where REITs are treated almost as a separate asset class to equity, and are often managed on a separate basis.

The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (XSJ) comprises companies whose businesses are less sensitive to economic cycles. It includes manufacturers and distributors of food, beverages and tobacco and producers of non-durable household goods and personal products. It also includes food & drug retailing companies as well as hypermarkets and consumer super centers.

The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (XEJ) comprises companies whose businesses are dominated by either of the following activities: the construction or provision of oil rigs, drilling equipment and other energy related service and equipment, including seismic data collection; or, companies engaged in the exploration, production, marketing, refining and/or transportation of oil and gas products, coal and other consumable fuels.

The S&P/ASX 200 Financial Index (XFJ) contains companies involved in activities such as banking, mortgage finance, consumer finance, specialised finance, investment banking and brokerage, asset management and custody, corporate lending, insurance, and financial investment, and real estate, including REITs.

The S&P/ASX 200 Financials excluding A-REITs Index (XXJ) contains all the companies in the Financials sector except those that are classified as A-REITs. (REITs own property and derive income from rental returns.)

The S&P/ASX 200 Health Care Index (XHJ) encompasses two main industry groups. The first includes companies who manufacture health care equipment and supplies or provide health care related services, and owners and operators of health care products, providers of basic health-care services, and owners and operators of health care facilities and organisations. The second group includes companies primarily involved in the research, development, production and marketing of pharmaceuticals and biotechnology products.

The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (XNJ) includes companies whose businesses are dominated by one of the following activities: the manufacture and distribution of capital goods, including aerospace & defense, construction, engineering & building products, electrical equipment and industrial machinery; or, the provision of commercial services and supplies, including printing, employment, environmental and office services; or, the provision of transportation services, including airlines, couriers, marine, road & rail and transportation infrastructure.

The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (XIJ) covers the following general areas: firstly, Software & Services, including companies that primarily develop software in various fields such as the Internet, applications, systems, databases management and/or home entertainment, and companies that provide information technology consulting and services, as well as data processing and outsourced services; secondly, Technology Hardware & Equipment, including manufacturers and distributors of communications equipment, computers & peripherals, electronic equipment and related instruments; and third

ASX in conjunction with Listed Investment Companies (LICs) have established a composite LIC index (stock ticker code: XIC) which comprises of LICs listed on ASX that invest directly in Australian and International Equities.