the first real-time, free-float weighted world index, covering 29 countries and approximately 70% of global market capitalization. It is comprised of seven regional indices: the S&P 500; S&P/TSX 60 (Canada); the S&P Latin America 40 (Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Chile); the S&P/TOPIX 150 (Japan); the S&P Asia 50 (Hong Kong, Korea, Singapore, Taiwan); the S&P/ASX 50 (Australia), and the S&P Europe 350. The European index is divided into three subindices: the S&P Euro, covering the Euro zone markets; the S&P Euro Plus, adding Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Switzerland; and the S&P United Kingdom. Constituents of the S&P Global 1200 are selected to ensure sectoral and country balance. Constituent weights are determined by a company's free-float market capitalization: corporate cross-holdings, government ownership, strategic holders, and foreign investment restrictions are removed. The component indices are maintained by an index committee consisting of Standard & Poor's worldwide staff, using the same index governance and maintenance principles used by the S&P 500.
Standard & Poor's collaborates with the Toronto Stock Exchange, the Tokyo Stock Exchange, and the Australian Stock Exchange on maintenance of the Canada, Japan, and Australia indices, respectively. Exchange-traded funds are available on the S&P 500, S&P Europe 350, S&P/TSX 60, S&P/ASX 50, and the S&P Latin America 40. Futures and options are traded on the S&P 500, the S&P/TSX 60, and the S&P/ASX 50. Like all S&P indices, the S&P Global 1200 is classified according to the Global Industry Classification System (GICS), which consists of 10 sectors-Energy, Materials, Industrials, Consumer Discretionary, Consumer Staples, Health Care, Financials, Information Technology, Telecommunications Services, and Utilities. In terms of market capitalization, the largest sectors in the S&P 500 are Financials, Information Technology, and Health Care. The largest, in terms of market capitalization, is Financials. Other top sectors represented are Consumer Discretionary, Health Care, and Information Technology. Among the smallest are Utilities, Materials, Telecommunications Services, and Energy. www.indices.standardandpoors.com.
