COPENHAGEN/ZUG (June 12, 2025) – Sparinvest and STOXX Ltd., part of the ISS STOXX group of companies, today announced Sparinvest’s launch of an Exchange Traded Mutual Fund (the Fund) tracking the newly developed iSTOXX Europe Total Market Defense Enhanced Index.
The iSTOXX Europe Total Market Defense Enhanced Index is designed to capture the performance of European companies classified in the ICB Aerospace and Defense sector, with proven revenue exposure to Defense activities. The enhanced index also places greater emphasis on companies whose core business model is focused on defense activities.
The launch comes amid surging interest from investors in European equities[1], and as the continent undertakes a historic upgrade of its military capabilities. The new fund leverages the combined strengths of Sparinvest, a leading Nordic asset manager, and STOXX, a leading provider of benchmark and custom index solutions, recognized for its transparent methodological approach and sophisticated customization capabilities.
“We are seeing strong interest from both retail investors and institutional clients in investing particularly in European defense stocks. As an asset manager, we want to meet our clients’ needs while also contributing to the important societal task of strengthening Europe’s defense capabilities. The fund is the first of its kind in Denmark, and together with our partners, it gives Sparinvest a strong position among investors looking for a Danish-listed fund with exposure to the European defense industry,” says Jørgen Soegaard-Andersen, CEO of Sparinvest.
The fund is part of the Sparindex universe, which comprises a broad range of passively managed index funds. Indexed funds have become increasingly popular among both institutional and private investors, not least because they offer low costs and broad exposure to, for example, global equities or more specialized indices.
“We know that in the coming years, massive resources will be allocated to the defense industry, which has generally been deprioritized in Europe since the fall of the Berlin Wall. At the same time, the sector is facing significant demand for its products, as Europe’s rearmament will largely take place through procurement from European manufacturers. We are already seeing interest from professional investors and expect strong overall demand for the fund from both institutional and private clients when it is soon listed,” says Jørgen Soegaard-Andersen.
“The iSTOXX Europe Total Market Defense Enhanced Index provides Sparinvest with a highly focused, systematic benchmark to track European companies with a core business model that may benefit from a massive re-deployment of investments into defense,” said Axel Lomholt, General Manager at STOXX. “This tailored, enhanced index employs a highly-targeted approach towards defined defense business lines and does not dilute that exposure with broader aerospace activities.”
The benchmark offering showcases STOXX’s advanced index customization capabilities combining thematic and sector selection criteria to meet evolving investor needs.
###
About STOXX
STOXX® and DAX® indices comprise a global and comprehensive family of more than 18,000 strictly rules-based and transparent indices. Best known for the leading European equity indices EURO STOXX 50®, STOXX® Europe 600 and DAX®, the portfolio of index solutions consists of total market, benchmark, blue-chip, sustainability, thematic and factor-based indices covering a complete set of world, regional and country markets. STOXX and DAX indices are licensed to more than 550 companies around the world for benchmarking purposes and as underlyings for ETFs, futures and options, structured products, and passively managed investment funds. STOXX Ltd., part of the ISS STOXX group of companies, is the administrator of the STOXX and DAX indices under the European Benchmark Regulation. stoxx.com
About ISS STOXX
ISS STOXX GmbH, through its group companies, is a leading provider of comprehensive and data-centric research and technology solutions that help capital market participants identify investment opportunities, detect qualitative and quantitative portfolio company risks, and meet evolving regulatory requirements. With roots dating back to 1985, we today deliver world-class benchmark and custom indices across asset classes and geographies and serve as a premier source of independent corporate governance, sustainability, cyber risk, and fund intelligence research, data, and related offerings. Our products and services give clients the scale and leverage they need to grow their business more effectively and efficiently. ISS STOXX, which is majority owned by Deutsche Börse Group, is comprised of more than 3,800 professionals operating across 30 global locations in 20 countries. Its approximately 5,500 clients include many of the world’s leading institutional investors who turn to ISS STOXX for its objective and varied offerings, as well as companies focused on ESG, cyber, and governance risk mitigation as a shareholder value enhancing measure. Clients rely on ISS STOXX’s expertise to help them make informed decisions to benefit their stakeholders.
About Sparinvest
Founded in 1968 as Denmark’s first listed mutual fund, Sparinvest has grown into an international asset manager with approximately DKK 225 billion under management. We offer long-term investment solutions across 14 European countries. Sparinvest is majority-owned by Nykredit, with the remaining shares held by a group of Danish banks and insurance companies.
Media Contact:
Sarah Ball
Executive Director, Communications
press@iss-stoxx.com
Legal disclaimer:
STOXX Ltd., ISS STOXX GmbH, ISS STOXX Index GmbH, Deutsche Börse Group and their licensors, research partners or data providers do not make any warranties or representations, express or implied, with respect to the timeliness, sequence, accuracy, completeness, currentness, merchantability, quality or fitness for any particular purpose of its index data and exclude any liability in connection therewith. STOXX Ltd., ISS STOXX GmbH, ISS STOXX Index GmbH, Deutsche Börse Group and their licensors, research partners or data providers are not providing investment advice through the publication of indices or in connection therewith. None of their products or services recommends, endorses, approves or otherwise expresses any opinion regarding any issuer, securities, financial products or trading strategies. In particular, the inclusion of a company in an index, its weighting, or the exclusion of a company from an index, does not in any way reflect an opinion of STOXX Ltd., ISS STOXX GmbH, ISS STOXX Index GmbH, Deutsche Börse Group or their licensors, research partners or data providers on the merits of that company and may not be relied on as such. Financial instruments based on the STOXX® indices, DAX® indices or on any other indices supported by STOXX are in no way sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by STOXX Ltd., ISS STOXX GmbH, ISS STOXX Index GmbH, Deutsche Börse Group or their licensors, research partners or data providers.
[1] EUR 22 billion were invested in EMEA-focused ETFs in the first two months of 2025, according to STOXX data, nearly three-quarters of the entire net flows for all of 2024.
Sparinvest and STOXX Collaborate on Sparinvest’s Launch of Fund Tracking iSTOXX Enhanced Defense Index
COPENHAGEN/ZUG (June 12, 2025) – Sparinvest and STOXX Ltd., part of the ISS STOXX group of companies, today announced Sparinvest’s launch of an Exchange Traded Mutual Fund (the Fund) tracking the newly developed iSTOXX Europe Total Market Defense Enhanced Index.
The iSTOXX Europe Total Market Defense Enhanced Index is designed to capture the performance of European companies classified in the ICB Aerospace and Defense sector, with proven revenue exposure to Defense activities. The enhanced index also places greater emphasis on companies whose core business model is focused on defense activities.
The launch comes amid surging interest from investors in European equities[1], and as the continent undertakes a historic upgrade of its military capabilities. The new fund leverages the combined strengths of Sparinvest, a leading Nordic asset manager, and STOXX, a leading provider of benchmark and custom index solutions, recognized for its transparent methodological approach and sophisticated customization capabilities.
“We are seeing strong interest from both retail investors and institutional clients in investing particularly in European defense stocks. As an asset manager, we want to meet our clients’ needs while also contributing to the important societal task of strengthening Europe’s defense capabilities. The fund is the first of its kind in Denmark, and together with our partners, it gives Sparinvest a strong position among investors looking for a Danish-listed fund with exposure to the European defense industry,” says Jørgen Soegaard-Andersen, CEO of Sparinvest.
The fund is part of the Sparindex universe, which comprises a broad range of passively managed index funds. Indexed funds have become increasingly popular among both institutional and private investors, not least because they offer low costs and broad exposure to, for example, global equities or more specialized indices.
“We know that in the coming years, massive resources will be allocated to the defense industry, which has generally been deprioritized in Europe since the fall of the Berlin Wall. At the same time, the sector is facing significant demand for its products, as Europe’s rearmament will largely take place through procurement from European manufacturers. We are already seeing interest from professional investors and expect strong overall demand for the fund from both institutional and private clients when it is soon listed,” says Jørgen Soegaard-Andersen.
“The iSTOXX Europe Total Market Defense Enhanced Index provides Sparinvest with a highly focused, systematic benchmark to track European companies with a core business model that may benefit from a massive re-deployment of investments into defense,” said Axel Lomholt, General Manager at STOXX. “This tailored, enhanced index employs a highly-targeted approach towards defined defense business lines and does not dilute that exposure with broader aerospace activities.”
The benchmark offering showcases STOXX’s advanced index customization capabilities combining thematic and sector selection criteria to meet evolving investor needs.
###
About STOXX
STOXX® and DAX® indices comprise a global and comprehensive family of more than 18,000 strictly rules-based and transparent indices. Best known for the leading European equity indices EURO STOXX 50®, STOXX® Europe 600 and DAX®, the portfolio of index solutions consists of total market, benchmark, blue-chip, sustainability, thematic and factor-based indices covering a complete set of world, regional and country markets. STOXX and DAX indices are licensed to more than 550 companies around the world for benchmarking purposes and as underlyings for ETFs, futures and options, structured products, and passively managed investment funds. STOXX Ltd., part of the ISS STOXX group of companies, is the administrator of the STOXX and DAX indices under the European Benchmark Regulation. stoxx.com
About ISS STOXX
ISS STOXX GmbH, through its group companies, is a leading provider of comprehensive and data-centric research and technology solutions that help capital market participants identify investment opportunities, detect qualitative and quantitative portfolio company risks, and meet evolving regulatory requirements. With roots dating back to 1985, we today deliver world-class benchmark and custom indices across asset classes and geographies and serve as a premier source of independent corporate governance, sustainability, cyber risk, and fund intelligence research, data, and related offerings. Our products and services give clients the scale and leverage they need to grow their business more effectively and efficiently. ISS STOXX, which is majority owned by Deutsche Börse Group, is comprised of more than 3,800 professionals operating across 30 global locations in 20 countries. Its approximately 5,500 clients include many of the world’s leading institutional investors who turn to ISS STOXX for its objective and varied offerings, as well as companies focused on ESG, cyber, and governance risk mitigation as a shareholder value enhancing measure. Clients rely on ISS STOXX’s expertise to help them make informed decisions to benefit their stakeholders.
About Sparinvest
Founded in 1968 as Denmark’s first listed mutual fund, Sparinvest has grown into an international asset manager with approximately DKK 225 billion under management. We offer long-term investment solutions across 14 European countries. Sparinvest is majority-owned by Nykredit, with the remaining shares held by a group of Danish banks and insurance companies.
Media Contact:
Sarah Ball
Executive Director, Communications
press@iss-stoxx.com
Legal disclaimer:
STOXX Ltd., ISS STOXX GmbH, ISS STOXX Index GmbH, Deutsche Börse Group and their licensors, research partners or data providers do not make any warranties or representations, express or implied, with respect to the timeliness, sequence, accuracy, completeness, currentness, merchantability, quality or fitness for any particular purpose of its index data and exclude any liability in connection therewith. STOXX Ltd., ISS STOXX GmbH, ISS STOXX Index GmbH, Deutsche Börse Group and their licensors, research partners or data providers are not providing investment advice through the publication of indices or in connection therewith. None of their products or services recommends, endorses, approves or otherwise expresses any opinion regarding any issuer, securities, financial products or trading strategies. In particular, the inclusion of a company in an index, its weighting, or the exclusion of a company from an index, does not in any way reflect an opinion of STOXX Ltd., ISS STOXX GmbH, ISS STOXX Index GmbH, Deutsche Börse Group or their licensors, research partners or data providers on the merits of that company and may not be relied on as such. Financial instruments based on the STOXX® indices, DAX® indices or on any other indices supported by STOXX are in no way sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by STOXX Ltd., ISS STOXX GmbH, ISS STOXX Index GmbH, Deutsche Börse Group or their licensors, research partners or data providers.
[1] EUR 22 billion were invested in EMEA-focused ETFs in the first two months of 2025, according to STOXX data, nearly three-quarters of the entire net flows for all of 2024.
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