Dow Jones ranking of the worlds leading companies in terms of Sustainability

Following SAM’s comprehensive Corporate Sustainability Assessment, 41 companies will be added to, and 23 firms will be deleted from the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (DJSI World), resulting in a total of 342 components. The largest additions (by free-float market capitalization) to the DJSI World include Medtronic Inc., Schneider Electric S.A. and Societe Generale S.A., while the largest deletions (by free-float market capitalization) are Coca-Cola Co., Hewlett-Packard Co. and EnCana Corp. All changes will become effective with the open of the stock markets on September 19, 2011.

The 2011 DJSI review also yielded the following regional index component changes:

Michael Baldinger, CEO, SAM: “In spite of the current economic turmoil, it’s clear that sustainability remains a high priority on corporate and investor agendas. Through the DJSI, we are pleased to provide access to a benchmark that offers investors exposure to sustainability leaders in each sector around the world, while also enabling them to create innovative passive and structured products.”

Michael A. Petronella, President, Dow Jones Indexes: “The DJSI have become the gold standard in recognizing the world’s corporate sustainability leaders. These indexes have become an invaluable market tool for those seeking to support companies that are committed to creating and adopting sustainable business practices.”

The DJSI follow a best-in-class approach, including companies across all industries that outperform their peers in numerous sustainability metrics. Each year, SAM invites the world’s 2,500 largest companies, measured by free-float market capitalization, from the 57 sectors to report on their sustainability performance. The result of the Corporate Sustainability Assessment provides an in-depth analysis of economic, environmental and social criteria, such as corporate governance, water-related risks and stakeholder relations, with a special focus on industry-specific risks and opportunities.

Swedish companies on the list are SCA, Atlas Copco, Electrolux, SKF and Volvo.