Cedrus Investments, a boutique investment firm, has launched two global nanotechnology indices: Cedrus Nanotechnology Index – Diversified and Cedrus Nanotechnology Index – Pure.

The indices are designed to serve as benchmarks for professional investors to capitalise on the fastest growing technology companies spanning the five markets most impacted by nanotechnology - manufacturing, electronics, energy, life sciences and environment.

Cedrus’ diversified index includes 220 equally-weighted companies spanning all five nano-markets and is inclusive of both diversified companies that have nanotechnology as only one of many growth drivers, and pure-play companies that have nanotechnology as their primary driver of growth.

Cedrus’ pure index  is a concentrated index, comprised of 67 equally-weighted pure-play companies spanning all five nano-markets and best-suited for small cap investors.

Kimberly Nearing, executive vice president, says: “Companies developing nanotechnology have been among the best performing stocks over the past decade. While the past is no guarantee of the future, we believe their outperformance will continue, led by strong growth in innovation and demand for their products and services.”

Both indices will be rebalanced quarterly to reflect structural changes in the industry and exchange-traded fund versions of each will be launched shortly.