You'll recall that last year, GENI partnered with KLD Research and Analytics
of Boston to create the Global Climate 100 Index (GC100). The GC100 tracks
the leading 100 public companies that are working to decarbonize
(take out CO2), from all sectors of the economy. There are
three equally important themes represented: renewable energy, clean/efficient
technology and future fuels. A complete listing is at www.kld.com/indexes/gc100/index.html
We now have a track record to talk about, and it's a great start. The GC100 showed a total return of 22.2% in the first year,
compared to the 17.5% for the Morgan Stanley World Index. By comparison, the
S&P 500 showed a 9% return over the same 12 months. We believe this shows
a growing concern about global warming and that companies who bring solutions
will reap the benefits.
The first firm to license the GC100 for investment purposes is Shinko
Securities in Japan. On July 1, 2006, they launched the Chikyuryoku
Fund (Global Warming Protection Fund), the first environmental index fund
in Japan. As of today, over $17 million dollars has been invested,
and you can follow the fund's performance on www.bloomberg.com
- ticker symbol: 06312066
JP.
At this time, only account holders in Japan can invest in the Chikyuryoku
Fund. We expect to name European and U.S. licensees soon (probably an exchange
traded fund) and thus enable more market exposure. The Kyoto Protocol
was forged in Japan, and so it is appropriate that Shinko is the first. If the
world is to truly combat climate change, these are the 100 companies who will
bring the new technologies, strategies and fuels to the consumer.
In partnership for the planet,
