I knew it would happen soon or later.
Today marks availability of what I believe is the first electronically traded fund that has a pretty global perspective on social media companies.
Global X Funds has launched the Global X Social Media Index ETF; its NASDAQ ticker is SOCL.
(BTW: What ever happened to that social media fund that JP Morgan was going to start? There was a flurry of coverage in February following a filing...)
SOCL includes companies from around the world that provide social networking, file sharing, and other web-based media applications.
As the Global X folks touted in their prepared statement, it seems the world has begun to engage with social media.
According to a Pew Research Center survey they cite, 2011 has thus far seen approximately 65% of adult Internet users reporting that they use a social networking site — nearly double the 2008 percentage.
They cited other studies that demonstrate the growth in social networking through mobile devices and significant increases in corp. social media support in Asia.
“SOCL can provide an efficient way to tap into this global, dynamic sector,” said Bruno del Ama, chief executive officer of Global X Funds in the prepared statement.
“As the industry continues to expand through IPOs, the index will capture these new companies shortly after their public debut, providing a relatively cost effective way to gain exposure to the social media industry,” he continued.
A bit more detail from the release along with some fine print info.:
The Global X Social Media Index ETF tracks the Solactive Social Media Index, which is designed to reflect the equity performance of companies involved in the social media industry. As of November 11, 2011, the Underlying Index's three largest stocks were DeNA Co., Sina Corp. and Netease.com Inc. International country exposure as of November 11, 2011 includes: China [36.28%], US [26.22%], Japan [19.95%], Russia [9.55%], Germany [2.28%], and other [5.65%].
Global X Funds is a New York-based provider of exchange-traded funds that facilitates access to investment opportunities across the global markets. With $1.4 billion in managed assets and over 100,000 investors from more than 100 countries as of October 28, 2011, Global X Funds currently offers exchange-traded funds that target Europe, Emerging Markets, Commodity Producers, Income Producers and Special Opportunities fund suites. For more information, please visit www.globalxfunds.com
Global X Management Company, LLC serves as an advisor to the Global X Funds. The Funds are distributed by SEI Investments Distribution Co., which is not affiliated with Global X Management Company or any of its affiliates.
Structured Solutions AG Indexes have been licensed for use by Global X Management Company, LLC. Global X Funds are not sponsored, endorsed, issued, sold, or promoted by Structured Solutions AG, nor does this company make any representations regarding the advisability of investing in the Global X Funds.
Index data source: Structured Solutions AG. Index components subject to change.
Advisers, let me know what you think of this and fill me in if there are other ETFs out there I have missed with significant social media/social networking holdings.(
djanowski@investmentnews.com)
Related information:
JPMorgan to Start Social Media Fund [New York Times DealBook]
