MSCI USA Minimum Volatility Index

The MSCI USA Minimum Volatility Index aims to reect the performance characteristics of a minimum variance strategy applied to the US large and mid cap equity universe. The index is calculated by optimizing the MSCI USA Index, its parent index, for the lowest absolute risk (within a given set of constraints). Historically, the index has shown lower beta and volatility characteristics relative to the MSCI USA Index.

Indices

Cumulative Index PerformanceTotal Returns (Dec 31, 1998 Mar 31, 2011)
180
MSCI USA Minimum Volatility

160

MSCI USA

157.01

140
131.48

120

100

80

60 Dec-98

Dec-99

Dec-00

Dec-01

Dec-02

Dec-03

Dec-04

Dec-05

Dec-06

Dec-07

Dec-08

Dec-09

Dec-10

Index PerformanceTotal Returns (%) (March 31, 2011)

Index 1 Mo MSCI USA Min. Vol. MSCI USA 1.57 0.12 3 Mo 4.56 5.96 1 Yr 16.26 16.03

Index Fundamentals (March 31, 2011)

Annualized 5 Yr 10 Yr 3.67 2.80 4.13 3.35 Since
12/31/1998

3 Yr 4.57 2.55

3.75 2.26

Div. Yld (%) P/E P/B P/CE

MSCI USA Min. Vol. 2.56 15.71 2.70 10.47

MSCI USA 1.83 16.19 2.31 10.19

Index Risk and Return Characteristics (Dec 31, 1998 Mar 31, 2011)
Beta MSCI USA Min. Vol. 0.70 MSCI USA 1.00
1

Tracking Error 6.81 0.00

3 Yr 0.22 0.08

Sharpe Ratio1 Annualized Std Dev2 (%) 5 Yr Since 12/31/98 3 Yr 5 Yr Since 12/31/98 0.08 0.02 0.06 -0.05 17.26 21.61 14.34 17.74 12.28 16.18

Based on BBA USD LIBOR 1M

Based on monthly total return data

The MSCI USA Minimum Volatility Index was launched on May 30, 2008. Data prior to the initial calculation date is back-tested data (i.e., calculations of how the index might have performed over that time period had the index existed).

March 31, 2011

Index Constituent Characteristics
Number of Sec. Index Top 10 Average Median Largest Smallest MSCI USA Min. Vol. 128 Mkt Cap
(USD Billions)

MSCI USA Minimum Volatility Index

Top 10 Constituents
Constituent
(USD Millions)

MSCI USA

Mkt Cap MSCI USA MV MSCI USA Sector Weight (%) Weight (%) 1.81 1.79 1.73 1.66 1.65 1.65 1.59 1.56 1.51 1.49 16.43 0.12 1.73 0.28 3.38 0.86 1.06 0.20 1.61 1.44 0.12 10.80 Energy Info Tech Energy Info Tech Info Tech Info Tech Utilities

Sector Weight (%) 11.9 11.8 12.00 10.9 11.5 11.0 10.8 18.5

Aon 591 Chevron Accenture A Exxon Mobil Verizon Oracle ADP IBM AT&T Con Edison Total

219,897.9 218,206.5 209,814.2 201,561.1 200,783.8 200,532.6 193,256.2 189,259.6 183,045.5 181,546.2

Financials

12,156.5 1,997.9 95.0 87.3 219.9 5.4

12,572.4 2,267.8 21.3 9.8 424.2 1.7

Telecom Srvcs 28.8

Telecom Srvcs 26.3

Sector Weights

Index Methodology
The MSCI Minimum Volatility Indices are designed to provide the lowest return variance for a given covariance matrix of stock returns. Each MSCI Minimum Volatility Index is calculated using Barra Optimizer to optimize a given MSCI parent index for the lowest absolute volatility with a certain set of constraints. These constraints help maintain index replicability and investability and include index turnover limits, for example, along with minimum and maximum constituent, sector and/or country weights relative to the parent index. Each Minimum Volatility Index is rebalanced (or is re-optimized) semi-annually in May and November. Indices may also be optimized for various currencies.

About MSCI

www.msci.com

clientservice@msci.com

MSCI Inc. is a leading provider of investment decision support tools to investors globally, including asset managers, banks, hedge funds and pension funds. MSCI products and services include indices, portfolio risk and performance analytics, and governance tools. The companys agship product offerings are: the MSCI indices which include over 148,000 daily indices covering more than 70 countries; Barra portfolio risk and performance analytics covering global equity and xed income markets; RiskMetrics market and credit risk analytics; ISS governance research and outsourced proxy voting and reporting services; FEA valuation models and risk management software for the energy and commodities markets; and CFRA forensic accounting risk research, legal/regulatory risk assessment, and due-diligence. MSCI is headquartered in New York, with research and commercial ofces around the world. The information contained herein (the Information) may not be reproduced or redisseminated in whole or in part without prior written permission from MSCI. The Information may not be used to verify or correct other data, to create indices, risk models, or analytics, or in connection with issuing, offering, sponsoring, managing or marketing any securities, portfolios, nancial products or other investment vehicles. Historical data and analysis should not be taken as an indication or guarantee of any future performance, analysis, forecast or prediction. None of the Information or MSCI index or other product or service constitutes an offer to buy or sell, or a promotion or recommendation of, any security, nancial instrument or product or trading strategy. Further, none of the Information or any MSCI index is intended to constitute investment advice or a recommendation to make (or refrain from making) any kind of investment decision and may not be relied on as such. The Information is provided as is and the user of the Information assumes the entire risk of any use it may make or permit to be made of the Information. NONE OF MSCI INC. OR ANY OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES OR ITS OR THEIR DIRECT OR INDIRECT SUPPLIERS OR ANY THIRD PARTY INVOLVED IN THE MAKING OR COMPILING OF THE INFORMATION (EACH, AN MSCI PARTY) MAKES ANY WARRANTIES OR REPRESENTATIONS AND, TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, EACH MSCI PARTY HEREBY EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING AND TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, IN NO EVENT SHALL ANY OF THE MSCI PARTIES HAVE ANY LIABILITY REGARDING ANY OF THE INFORMATION FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, CONSEQUENTIAL (INCLUDING LOST PROFITS) OR ANY OTHER DAMAGES EVEN IF NOTIFIED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. The foregoing shall not exclude or limit any liability that may not by applicable law be excluded or limited.

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