FTSE Group has launched the new FTSE EPRA/NAREIT global real estate index series. Following the December 2008 expansion of the FTSE EPRA/NAREIT index series to include emerging markets, the new global indexes now represent a composite of developed and emerging market subsets. The new indexes are:

• FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Global Index
• FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Global ex US Index
• FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Americas Index
• FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Asia Pacific Index
• FTSE EPRA/NAREIT EMEA Index
• FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Europe Index
• FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Middle East and Africa Index
• FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Developed EMEA Index

The new structure of the index series is designed to better enable investors to measure listed real estate performance across all major geographies, country classifications and property types. "Globalization of REITs and public real estate will continue to grow, driven by the fact that investors worldwide are seeking diversification; but diversification can only be achieved when coverage includes both geographic and property type exposure," said FTSE's Head of Alternatives Ronnee Ades.
 
FTSE reminded investors in a press release this morning that, despite recent market turmoil and the devaluation of real estate stocks in concert with broad global equities markets, real estate remains widely recognized as one of the four primary core asset classes in institutional portfolios, and represents nearly 50% of global wealth.