Nikkei invests in Wilshire Indexes
Nikkei has taken a stake in Wilshire Indexes, a UK-based leading global benchmark platform. Following a capital increase by Wilshire Indexes, Nikkei is now an 8% shareholder. Nikkei Group member the Financial Times (FT) also has a stake in Wilshire Indexes, which currently offers the “FT Wilshire 5000” stock price index. Nikkei’s investment takes the Nikkei-FT Group shareholding in Wilshire Indexes to approximately 20%, furthering the global expansion of its index business and reinforcing the Nikkei brand internationally.
Wilshire Indexes was established in March 2023 when investment information service provider Wilshire spun off its index business. CEO Mark Makepeace founded FTSE International (now FTSE Russell) in 1995 and was responsible for turning a nine-person startup into one of the world’s largest developers of indices.
In 2022, Nikkei and Wilshire Indexes jointly developed the Nikkei 225 Climate Change 1.5℃ Target Index as a powerful tool for ESG investment, and futures trading has begun on the Singapore Exchange (SGX) and Osaka Exchange. Through its investment the Nikkei Group, including the FT, aims to strengthen its cooperation with Wilshire Indexes and work to develop new indices. Nikkei plans to increase its brand recognition in the global market through joint promotion with Wilshire Indexes.
Tsuyoshi Hasebe, President & CEO of Nikkei Inc, said: “We are very pleased to be investing in Wilshire Indexes, led by Mr. Makepeace with his outstanding track record in index development. The Nikkei index business, which includes the Nikkei 225, is well known in Japan, and we plan to expand our presence globally.”
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