BRUSSELS, Belgium, Sept. 19, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Fortis (Pink Sheets:FORSY) has again been included in the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (DJSWI) and the Dow Jones Sustainability Stoxx Index (DJSSI). Fortis was included for the first time in 2003. Dow Jones makes an annual evaluation of companies' economic, environmental and social behaviour, based on more than fifty general and industry-specific criteria. Only the top ten per cent of companies in each sector make it to the index.
"This substantiates our commitment to corporate sustainability. We will certainly maintain this commitment and intend to publish our first dedicated sustainability report in 2005," comments Fortis CEO Anton van Rossum.
The Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) are, together with the FTSE4Good Index (which also includes Fortis), the most prominent indices addressing the increased interest in sustainable investment. Among those influenced by membership of the indices are the 45 asset managers licensed to use the DJSI family as the underlying benchmark for their sustainable portfolios. These licensees currently manage assets of EUR 2.2 billion.
The new indices will come into effect when trading opens on 20 September 2004. The Dow Jones World Index consists of 300 companies in 24 countries that are leaders in corporate sustainability in their own industry. The European version, the Dow Jones Stoxx Sustainability Index, is made up of 167 companies from 13 countries.
Fortis is an integrated financial services provider active in the fields of banking and insurance. With a market capitalization of EUR 24.4 billion (31/08/2004) and around 53,000 employees, Fortis ranks in the top 20 of European financial institutions. In its home market, the Benelux countries, Fortis occupies a leading position which it aims to develop and bolster. Fortis is drawing on the expertise it has acquired in its home market to realize its European ambitions via growth platforms. Fortis also operates successfully worldwide in selected activities. In specific countries in Europe and Asia it effectively exploits its know-how and experience in bancassurance. Fortis is listed on the exchanges of Amsterdam, Brussels and Luxembourg and has a sponsored ADR programme in the United States.
More information is available on www.fortis.com