MSCI Barra has launched the MSCI BRIC Equity Index, which combines the firm's Brazil, Russia, China and India Combined indexes into one benchmark Index.

The MSCI BRIC Index is designed to provide an objective representation of the overall performance of these four emerging markets, and may be licensed for benchmarking, research, and product development purposes. Brazil, Russia, China and India are of particular combined interest to investment professionals because of their economic profiles and possible long-term growth prospects. MSCI BRIC Value and Growth Indices are also available.

"The new MSCI BRIC Index responds to requests from investment professionals for an emerging markets benchmark index that reflects the performance of these four countries," says Rabbe Ekholm, Managing Director at MSCI Barra. "We are encouraged by the strong interest that has already been expressed in the use of this index for both actively and passively managed funds, exchange-traded funds, as well as for the basis of custom indices."

As of October 31, 2005 the MSCI BRIC Index consisted of 202 securities with a total market capitalization of over USD 419 billion. The index level history will be calculated back to December 30, 1994 for the MSCI BRIC Index, and back to December 31, 1996 for the MSCI BRIC Value and Growth Indices.

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