Sudan-Free ETF

Yesterday Claymore Securities launched the first exchange traded fund(ETF) based on the Sudan divestment issue on the American Stock Exchange. This socially responsible ETF is the Claymore/KLD Sudan Free Large-Cap Core ETF (KSF) that tracks the KLD Large-Cap Sudan Free Social Index, according to the press release. Claymore is the first to offer an ETF based on an index with a Sudan-free mandate in the methodology. Citizens concerned about the crisis in Darfur have worked toward legislature and mandates to eliminate corporate support of Sudan’s current regime. To be part of the KLD index, business involvement is screened for:

• Owns or controls business or property in Sudan
• Has employees or facilities in Sudan
• Provides goods or services to companies domiciled in Sudan
• Obtains goods/services from Sudan
• Has distribution agreements with companies domiciled in Sudan
• Issues credits or loans to companies domiciled in Sudan
• Purchases goods or commercial paper issued by the government of Sudan