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About Us
Our History
From our roots as an indexing pioneer to our capabilities in active, smart beta, alternatives and ETFs, our clients’ investing challenges have served as a catalyst for our innovation for more than 40 years.
We work closely with investors and intermediaries to better understand their needs and objectives, and to develop thoughtful, precise solutions designed to help meet a wide range of investment goals.
1978
State Street Global Advisors Established
State Street Corporation established State Street Global Advisors to provide institutional investment management services focused on equity indexing and cash. The new entity begins launching domestic and international equity index funds.
1984
Introduce New Active Quantitative Equity Strategies
We complement our indexing prowess with new active quantitative equity strategies, to help meet client demand for systematic approaches to portfolio management and their underlying return drivers.
1990
First Non-US Locations in London and Hong Kong
We open our first non-US locations in London and Hong Kong; live trading desks in both locations offer clients local insight and execution.
1993
First US ETF – Now the World’s Oldest and Largest
Together with the American Stock Exchange, we launch SPY, the first US-listed and still-largest ETF. The product offers investors broader, more efficient access to capital markets.*
1998
Industry’s First Sector-Specific ETFs
We launch Sector SPDRs, the industry’s first family of sector-specific ETFs offering tactical asset allocation strategies to more investors.
1999
Asia ex-Japan’s First ETF
Our collaborative work with the government of Hong Kong, we establish Asia ex-Japan’s first ETF, the Tracker Fund of Hong Kong, offering unprecedented access to local markets.1
Pioneering Multi-Class Asset Strategy
We introduce multi-asset class, liability-driven investing strategies designed to be more closely aligned with plan sponsors’ risk, return and cash-flow objectives.
2000
Launch Official Institutions Group (OIG)
We create our Official Institutions Group, among the first dedicated to serving the investment needs of sovereign wealth funds and central banks. As of 2020, it manages more than $490 billion globally for 70 official institutions around the world.
2004
First Gold - Backed ETF in US
In partnership with the World Gold Council, we launch the first gold backed ETF in the US; the fund raises more than $2 billion in just two months.2
2008
Launch Managed Volatility Strategies
We introduce Managed Volatility Strategies, providing clients with a new risk management tool seeking compelling equity returns with less volatility.
2011
Acquire Bank of Ireland Asset Management
We announce our acquisition of Bank of Ireland Asset Management, adding fundamental value equity portfolio management expertise.
Establish Investment Solutions Group (ISG)
We establish our Investment Solutions Group, providing portfolio solutions to meet complex client needs.
2012
First Actively Managed Senior Loan ETF
We partner with specialty asset manager Blackstone/GSO to offer the first of-its-kind actively managed senior loan ETF.
2014
Launch Timewise Target Retirement Funds
We expand our presence in the UK defined contribution marketplace with the launch of the Timewise Target Retirement Funds, a series of funds designed to serve as default options in retirement plans.
2015
Successful new ETF launches
We have five of the year’s top ten most successful new ETF launches. Among those launched is our first S&P 500 fossil-fuel-free ETF in partnership with the U.S. Natural Resources Defense Council, adding to the firm’s ESG lineup, and an active fixed income ETF in partnership with DoubleLine Capital that raised US $1 billion in assets within six months of launch.3
2016
Acquire GE Asset Management
We acquire GE Asset Management, providing multiple benefits to State Street Global Advisors and our clients, including the addition of new alternatives capabilities, strengthening fundamental growth equity and active fixed income teams, and establishing us as a leading provider of outsourced chief investment officer (OCIO) services.
Launch proprietary Gender Diversity Index and ETF
We launch our first proprietary index – the State Street Global Advisors Gender Diversity Index.
State Street Global Advisors Trust Company Established
State Street Global Advisors Trust Company was established for purposes of State Street Global Advisors’ US institutional investment management business.
2017
Call for More Women on Boards with Launch of Fearless Girl
We place the Fearless Girl statue in NYC financial district symbolizing women who are taking charge today and inspiring the next generation of women leaders. At the same time, we call on companies to take intentional steps to increase the number of women on their corporate boards.
2018
New Global Hub in Poland
We announce a new global hub in Poland. Initially the office will focus on supporting and servicing investment, risk, funds management and distribution, as well as operations.
2019
Launch ESG Money Market Fund
We announce the launch of the firm’s first ESG Money Market Fund. The State Street ESG Liquid Reserves Fund seeks to apply financially material environmental, social and governance scores to the management of the fund. The fund is the first money market fund to offer a portfolio composed entirely of investments that meet ESG criteria at the time of purchase.
Introduce ESG Scoring Tool R-Factor
We launch R-Factor™, an innovative ESG scoring system for companies to evaluate their investments and practices. R-Factor supports the development of sustainable capital markets by giving investors the ability to integrate financially material ESG data into their investment decision making while also incentivizing companies to improve their ESG practices and disclosure.
1 Diversification does not ensure a profit or guarantee against loss.
2 Bloomberg L.P.
3 State Street Global Advisors SPDR ETFs as of 8/31/2015.
*Image used with permission of NYSE Group, Inc. © 1993 NYSE Group, Inc. All rights reserved.) Pictured left to right: Harold McGraw III (McGraw Hill Publishing Co), James R. Jones (Chairman of the American Stock Exchange), Mr. Marshall N. Carter (CEO of State Street Corporation).
Products referenced in this piece are not available in all regions. These references are provided for illustrative purposes only. The content of this web page should not be considered a recommendation to invest in a particular sector or to buy or sell any security mentioned.
The above-referenced SPDR S&P 500 (SPY), fund has not been registered for sale in or listed on any market outside of the United States, nor has any regulatory authority outside of the United States approved the sale or distribution of the funds. Persons wishing to invest in the SPDR S&P 500 (SPY), fund should satisfy themselves as to full observance of the laws of the relevant territory in which they are resident in connection with any such investment.