Northern Trust Launches First U.S. Listed ETF Tracking Irish Stock Exchange's Index

Northern Trust Launches First U.S. Listed ETF Tracking Irish Stock Exchange's
Index
- Newest NETS(TM) ETF Tracks ISEQ 20(TM), With Full NETS(TM) Suite Now Giving
U.S. Investors International Securities Exposure to 15 Global Markets -

CHICAGO, June 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Northern Trust Global Investments (NTGI),
the asset management arm of Northern Trust, today launched the first U.S.
listed ETF tracking the ISEQ 20(TM) Index, the leading investment benchmark
for investing in Irish companies. NETS(TM) ISEQ 20(TM) Index Fund (Ireland),
which is traded on the NYSE Arca under the ticker IQE, enables American
investors for the first time to invest in an ETF tracking the 20 Irish
securities comprising the index. The move is the latest in a series of fifteen
NETS(TM) (Northern Exchange Traded Shares(TM)) ETF products launched by
Northern Trust, designed to give investors exposure to some of the world's
best-recognized international equities indexes, via shares traded on U.S.
exchanges.
Steven A. Schoenfeld, chief investment officer for Northern Trust's Global
Quantitative Management Group, said: "This latest launch is further
confirmation of our commitment to providing investors with unparalleled direct
access to attractive overseas markets. U.S. investors now have the opportunity
to participate in the Irish stock market, giving them greater portfolio
diversification and access to a market with strong growth potential."
The decision by Northern Trust to launch the first U.S. listed ETF
tracking the senior index in the Irish stock market reflects Ireland's
continued economic growth and status as one of the most affluent member states
of the European Union. In recent years the country has seen major growth in
investment and trade, a transformation of its infrastructure and a
corresponding growth in the employment market. This has had the overall effect
of driving wealth creation and enhancing the attractiveness of Ireland for
foreign direct investment.
Peter K. Ewing, head of Northern Trust's ETF business, said: "IQE and the
other fourteen NETS(TM) ETFs launched to-date aim to provide investors with
the most efficient and targeted exposure to global equity markets." He added,
"We will continue to identify opportunities to expand our NETS(TM) ETF product
suite in order to give investors unique choices in terms of international
investment opportunities." Previous NETS(TM) ETFs launched in 2008 include:

NYSE Arca Exchange:
-- NETS(TM) TA-25 Index Fund (Israel) / Symbol: TAV
-- NETS(TM) Hang Seng Index Fund (Hong Kong) / Symbol: HKG
-- NETS(TM) TOPIX(R) Index Fund (Japan) / Symbol: TYI
-- NETS(TM) CAC40(R) Index Fund (France) / Symbol: FRC
-- NETS(TM) AEX-index(R) Fund (The Netherlands) / Symbol: AEX
-- NETS(TM) BEL 20(R) Index Fund (Belgium) / Symbol: BRU
-- NETS(TM) PSI 20(R) Index Fund (Portugal) / Symbol: LIS
-- NETS(TM) Hang Seng China Enterprises Index Fund / Symbol: SNO

American Stock Exchange:
-- NETS(TM) FTSE 100 Index Fund (UK) / Symbol: LDN
-- NETS(TM) DAX(R) Index Fund (Germany) / Symbol: DAX
-- NETS(TM) S&P/ASX 200 Index Fund (Australia) / Symbol: AUS
-- NETS(TM) S&P/MIB Index Fund (Italy) / Symbol: ITL
-- NETS(TM) FTSE/JSE Top 40 Index Fund (South Africa) / Symbol: JNB
-- NETS(TM) FTSE Singapore Straits Times Index Fund / Symbol: SGT

NETS(TM) and Northern Trust's ETF business are managed under NTGI's Global
Quantitative Management Group (GQM), which is headed by Michael A. Vardas, Jr.
Chad Rakvin heads the team of portfolio managers who oversee NETS(TM)
investment portfolios. Mr. Ewing reports to Mr. Schoenfeld.
NETS(TM), like many other ETFs, offer certain advantages over mutual
funds, including lower expense ratios, higher liquidity (in the form of
intraday trading and pricing), reduced portfolio turnover and the ability to
sell ETF shares short. NETS(TM), which are available to both institutional and
individual investors alike, may be purchased via U.S. brokerage accounts and
through registered investment advisors (RIAs). (ETFs are subject to trading
expenses which may affect the expense benefits depending on the frequency of
trades.)
More information on the NETS(TM) ISEQ 20(TM) Index Fund (Ireland) and
other NETS(TM) ETFs is available on the NETS(TM) website: www.netsetfs.com.
Before investing you should carefully consider the NETS(TM) Funds'
investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses. This and other information
is in the prospectus, a copy of which may be obtained by visiting the Funds'
website at www.netsetfs.com. Please read the prospectus carefully before you
invest. Foreside Fund Services, LLC, distributor.
An investment in NETS(TM) Funds is subject to investment risk, including
the possible loss of principal amount invested. Fund returns may not match the
return of their respective index, known as non-correlation risk, due to
operating expenses incurred by each Fund and other factors. NETS(TM) Funds
may invest in foreign or emerging market securities, which involve certain
risks and increased volatility not associated with investing solely in U.S.
securities. These risks include currency fluctuations, economic or financial
instability, and lack of timely or reliable financial information. NETS(TM)
Funds may also invest in small- and medium-sized companies, which involves
greater risk than is customarily associated with investing in more established
companies. NETS(TM) Funds are non-diversified, which means that each Fund may
invest most of its assets in securities issued by or representing a small
number of companies. Please refer to the prospectus for a complete description
of the Funds' risks.
Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Index performance
returns do not reflect any management fees, transaction costs or expenses. It
is not possible to invest directly in any index. There are risks involved in
investing including possible loss of principal. There is no guarantee that the
investment objectives of any fund or strategy will be met. Risk controls and
models do not promise any level of performance or guarantee against loss of
principal. One cannot invest directly in an index or average.
Northern Trust Global Investments comprises Northern Trust Investments,
N.A., Northern Trust Global Investments Ltd., Northern Trust Global
Investments Japan, K.K., the investment adviser division of The Northern Trust
Company and Northern Trust Global Advisors, Inc. and its subsidiaries to offer
investment products and services to personal and institutional markets.
About Northern Trust
Northern Trust Corporation (Nasdaq: NTRS) is a leading provider of
investment management, asset and fund administration, fiduciary and banking
solutions for corporations, institutions and affluent individuals worldwide.
Northern Trust, a multibank holding company based in Chicago, has a growing
network of 85 offices in 18 U.S. states and has international offices in 15
locations in North America, Europe, the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific
region. As of March 31, 2008, Northern Trust had assets under custody of
US$4.0 trillion, and assets under investment management of US$778.6 billion.
Northern Trust, founded in 1889, has earned distinction as an industry leader
in combining exceptional service and expertise with innovative products and
technology. For more information, visit http://www.northerntrust.com.
Northern Trust Global Investments (NTGI) is the trading name for the asset
management activities of the entities that belong to the Northern Trust
Corporation, a holding company based in Chicago. NTGI offers a full array of
active, passive and enhanced products, as well as manager-of-managers programs
for alternative and long-only investments. NTGI comprises The Northern Trust
Company, Northern Trust Investments, N.A., Northern Trust Global Investments
Limited, Northern Trust Global Investments Japan, K.K., and Northern Trust
Global Advisors, Inc. and its subsidiaries. NTGIL and NTGAL are United Kingdom
entities which are authorized and regulated in the United Kingdom by the
Financial Services Authority.
The Northern Trust Company (http://www.northerntrust.com) is the principal
subsidiary of Northern Trust Corporation (Nasdaq: NTRS).
Press Inquiries: NETS(TM) Investor Inquiries:
Tom Steiner / Marisha Mistry 866-928-NETS
Edelman Public Relations netsetfs@ntrs.com
212-704-8272 / 212-704-4592
tom.steiner@edelman.com /
marisha.mistry@edelman.com

SOURCE Northern Trust Global Investments

Press Inquiries: Tom Steiner, +1-212-704-8272, tom.steiner@edelman.com, or
Marisha Mistry, +1-212-704-4592, marisha.mistry@edelman.com, or NETS(TM)
Investor Inquiries: 866-928-NETS netsetfs@ntrs.com