STOXX announce results on Europe Christian Index

STOXX , the provider and creator of European equity indices, today announced the results of the first semi-annual review of the STOXX Europe Christian Index.

All changes will be effective as of the open of European markets on June 21, 2010.

In the STOXX Europe Christian Index, 22 components will be added while 11 components will be deleted.

This increases the number of components in the index to 545 from 534.

Launched on April 26, 2010 in collaboration with Christian Brothers Investment Services, trading in Europe as CBIS Global, the STOXX Europe Christian Index is the first Christian equity index for the European region.

It is meant to enable investors to participate in the performance of European companies which are compliant with Christian moral and social doctrines.

To ensure the quality of the index and the integrity of the underlying index methodology, an Independent Committee - which is made up from experts of the Christian community, as well as members of the academic and investment community - has been mandated to define, build and implement the screening criteria related to the compliance of index-eligible companies.

To be included in the index, stocks must pass a set of screens for compliance with Christian values and principles.

Excluded from the index are companies which do not meet predetermined tolerance levels for certain areas of activity, such as for example pornography, strategic and non-strategic weapons, birth control and gambling.

Changes are being announced today after the conclusion of a regular semi-annual component review.

All changes will be effective as of the open of European markets on June 21.