Provides Fixed Income Mortgage-Backed Pass-Through Securities Sector Exposure

NEW YORK, Sept. 4, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NASDAQ OMX today announced that FlexShares, managed by Northern Trust, listed a new exchange traded fund, FlexShares Disciplined Duration MBS Index Fund (Nasdaq:MBSD), on The NASDAQ Stock Market® (NASDAQ®). MBSD will begin trading on NASDAQ today, September 4, 2014.

"Our Disciplined Duration MBS Index Fund is designed to reduce effective duration volatility while providing incremental yield potential and fixed income diversification," said Shundrawn A. Thomas, Head of Northern Trust's Funds and Managed Accounts Group. "It is another example of our flexible indexing approach enabling investors to construct and manage portfolios for the outcomes they seek to achieve."

MBSD features a fixed income portfolio consisting of fixed rate mortgage-backed pass-through securities (MBS) issued by U.S. government agencies. The Fund is an accessible, daily traded and efficient investment product which provides fixed income MBS exposure. MBSD will be FlexShares' first listing on NASDAQ.

FlexShares came to market in 2011 and manages almost $9 billion in assets. It leverages Northern Trust's deep investment expertise, collaborative client relationships, and rich fiduciary heritage to deliver distinctive exchange traded products. Northern Trust's portfolio management capabilities in global index management, quantitative active strategies, global fixed income and multi-asset class solutions, provide the foundation for innovative product development.

"We appreciate Northern Trust's confidence in choosing NASDAQ to launch their new exchange-traded product," said Walt Smith, Vice President, Head of U.S. Equities & Group Revenue Management at NASDAQ OMX. "As a leader in cutting-edge exchange-traded product innovations, we are pleased to offer Northern Trust exposure to traders that participate in multiple asset classes and execution platforms globally."

NASDAQ OMX operates an efficient platform for successfully introducing a product suite into one of the single largest pools of liquidity, including market participants which represent a full spectrum of investors. ETF issuers benefit from an end-to-end solution that provides ongoing product support including index licensing, listings opportunities, data offerings and trading services. As the home to some of the world's most innovative ventures, NASDAQ OMX generates opportunities for issuers to access new markets and deliver new concepts that change the way the industry develops, manages and applies ETFs.

About FlexShares:

FlexShares ETFs are designed to help long-term investors pursue real world goals. FlexShares leverage investment expertise and research across multiple disciplines to offer distinctive solutions. Individual investors can purchase and sell shares through any brokerage firm, financial advisor or online broker. For additional information, please visit www.flexshares.com:
http://www.flexshares.com/.

Northern Trust:

Northern Trust Corporation is a leading provider of asset servicing, fund administration, asset management, fiduciary, and banking solutions for corporations, institutions, families, and individuals worldwide. Chicago-based Northern Trust has offices in 19 states, Washington, D.C., and 19 international locations in Canada, Europe, the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific region. As of June 30, 2014, Northern Trust had assets under custody of US$6 trillion, and assets under investment management of US$924.4 billion. For 125 years, Northern Trust has earned distinction as an industry leader in combining exceptional service and expertise with innovative products and technology. For more information, visit www.northerntrust.com:
http://www.northerntrust.com/ and follow us on Twitter @NorthernTrust.

About NASDAQ OMX:

NASDAQ OMX (Nasdaq:NDAQ) is a leading provider of trading, exchange technology, information and public company services across six continents. Through its diverse portfolio of solutions, NASDAQ OMX enables customers to plan, optimize and execute their business vision with confidence, using proven technologies that provide transparency and insight for navigating today's global capital markets. As the creator of the world's first electronic stock market, its technology powers more than 70 marketplaces in 50 countries, and 1 in 10 of the world's securities transactions. NASDAQ OMX is home to more than 3,400 listed companies with a market value of over $8.5 trillion and more than 10,000 corporate clients.  To learn more, visit www.nasdaqomx.com:
http://www.nasdaqomx.com/.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

The matters described herein contain forward-looking statements that are made under the Safe Harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements about NASDAQ OMX and its products and offerings. We caution that these statements are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties or other factors beyond NASDAQ OMX's control. These factors include, but are not limited to factors detailed in NASDAQ OMX's annual report on Form 10-K, and periodic reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. We undertake no obligation to release any revisions to any forward-looking statements.

Nothing contained herein should be construed as investment advice from NASDAQ OMX, either on behalf of a particular financial product or an overall investment strategy. NASDAQ OMX makes no recommendation to buy or sell any financial product or any representation about the financial condition of any company or fund. Investors should undertake their own due diligence and carefully evaluate financial products before investing. ADVICE FROM A SECURITIES PROFESSIONAL IS STRONGLY ADVISED.

NDAQG 
CONTACT: Northern Trust Media Contact:
         Doug Holt
         + 1 (312) 557-1571 (office)
         Doug_Holt@ntrs.com
         
         NASDAQ OMX Media Contact:
         Alexa Sugrue
         +1 (212) 231-5552 (office)
         +1 (646) 577-3157 (mobile)
         Alexa.Sugrue@NASDAQOMX.com


This announcement is distributed by NASDAQ OMX Corporate Solutions on behalf of NASDAQ OMX Corporate Solutions clients.
The issuer of this announcement warrants that they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein.
Source: The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. via Globenewswire
HUG#1853618
Share
© GlobeNewswire - 2014