Index Families — ISS & STOXX Glossary

About This Section

This glossary covers specific index names, families, and benchmarks administered by STOXX, including the DAX, EURO STOXX, and STOXX index families. Terms are sourced from STOXX official documentation and index detail pages.

~46 terms across multiple sources.


B

Blue-Chip Index

▰▰▰▰ 54

Quote

“The blue chips are the aristocracy of the stock market — they set the tone for everything else.”

Peter Lynch, One Up on Wall Street (1989)

A stock market index composed of shares in the largest, most liquid, and most financially stable companies within a given market or region. Blue-chip indices serve as headline benchmarks and are widely used as underlyings for financial products including ETFs, futures, and options.

Note

a blue-chip index is a list of the biggest, most well-known companies in a market. When financial news reports that “the market is up,” they are usually referring to a blue-chip index such as the DAX or the EURO STOXX 50.

Key characteristics

  • Geographic coverage: Varies by index (national, regional, or global)
  • Number of constituents: Typically 20-50 of the largest companies
  • Weighting method: Usually free-float market capitalisation
  • Review frequency: Quarterly or semi-annually

Related terms


D

DAX

▰▰▰▰▰▰ 3,832

Quote

“The DAX is the pulse of German industry — when the DAX moves, it moves with the weight of Europe’s largest economy.”

Deutsche Borse, DAX 30th Anniversary Publication (2018)

The DAX (Deutscher Aktienindex) is the blue-chip index of the 40 largest and most liquid companies trading on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. Launched in 1988 with a base value of 1,000 points, the DAX was expanded from 30 to 40 constituents in September 2021. It is a total-return index by default, meaning dividends are reinvested into the index calculation.

Note

The DAX is Germany’s most important stock market index. It functions like a scoreboard for the health of the German economy, tracking the 40 biggest publicly listed companies in the country, including names such as SAP, Siemens, and Allianz.

Key characteristics

  • Geographic coverage: Germany
  • Number of constituents: 40
  • Weighting method: Free-float market capitalisation with a 10% cap per constituent
  • Review frequency: Quarterly (March, June, September, December)
  • Base date: 30 December 1987
  • Base value: 1,000

Related terms


DAX 50 ESG

▰▰▰▰▰ 204

Quote

“Sustainability is no longer about doing less harm. It is about doing more good.”

Jochen Zeitz

The DAX 50 ESG index comprises 50 large and liquid German equities selected from the HDAX universe (the combined constituents of DAX, MDAX, and TecDAX) that meet environmental, social, and governance (ESG) screening criteria. Companies involved in controversial weapons, tobacco, coal, nuclear energy, and military contracting, and those violating the UN Global Compact principles, are excluded.

Note

Think of the DAX 50 ESG as a filtered version of the broader German stock market. It starts with the biggest German companies, removes those involved in activities many investors consider harmful, and then ranks the remaining companies partly by their ESG scores to arrive at the final 50.

Key characteristics

  • Geographic coverage: Germany
  • Number of constituents: 50
  • Weighting method: Free-float market capitalisation
  • Review frequency: Quarterly
  • Selection universe: HDAX (DAX + MDAX + TecDAX)
  • ESG data provider: ISS ESG (formerly Sustainalytics data supplemented by ISS)

Related terms


DAX ESG Target

▰▰▰▰ 127

The DAX ESG Target index is derived from the DAX universe and applies a best-in-class ESG optimisation approach. The index aims to achieve a significantly improved aggregate ESG score relative to the parent DAX index while maintaining similar risk and return characteristics. It uses an optimisation framework that maximises the ESG score subject to constraints on tracking error, sector weights, and individual stock weights.

Note

the DAX ESG Target takes the standard DAX and reweights its companies so that the overall portfolio tilts toward companies with better ESG practices. The goal is to look a lot like the regular DAX in terms of financial performance while being measurably “greener” and more responsible.

Key characteristics

  • Geographic coverage: Germany
  • Number of constituents: Derived from DAX (up to 40)
  • Weighting method: Optimised weights (ESG-score maximisation subject to constraints)
  • Review frequency: Quarterly
  • Benchmark: DAX
  • Tracking error target: Minimised relative to DAX

Related terms


E

eb.rexx Bond Indices

▰ 5

The eb.rexx index family tracks the performance of the most liquid German government bonds (Bundesanleihen, Bundesobligationen, and Bundesschatzanweisungen) traded on the Eurex Bonds electronic trading platform. Sub-indices cover different maturity buckets (1-3 years, 3-5 years, 5-7 years, 7-10 years, and 10+ years). Prices are based on real-time tradeable quotes rather than dealer estimates.

Note

The eb.rexx indices measure how German government bonds are performing. Unlike many bond indices that rely on estimated prices, eb.rexx uses actual tradeable prices from the Eurex electronic platform, making the indices highly transparent and reliable. They are the bond-market equivalent of the DAX for fixed income.

Key characteristics

  • Geographic coverage: Germany
  • Asset class: Government bonds (sovereign fixed income)
  • Weighting method: Market-value weighted (nominal outstanding)
  • Maturity buckets: Overall, 1-3y, 3-5y, 5-7y, 7-10y, 10y+
  • Pricing source: Eurex Bonds real-time tradeable quotes
  • Review frequency: Monthly (rebalancing on the last business day)

Related terms


EURO STOXX 50

▰▰▰▰▰▰ 2,242

Quote

“The EURO STOXX 50 is to the Eurozone what the Dow Jones is to America — the index everyone watches.”

Axel Lomholt, General Manager, STOXX

The EURO STOXX 50 is Europe’s leading blue-chip index, comprising 50 of the largest and most liquid stocks from Eurozone countries. Constituents are selected from the EURO STOXX index (the Eurozone subset of the STOXX Europe 600) using free-float market capitalisation ranking, subject to a review buffer and sector representation considerations. It was launched on 26 February 1998 with a base value of 1,000 as of 31 December 1991.

Note

The EURO STOXX 50 is the benchmark most people think of when they talk about European stock markets. It captures the 50 biggest companies across Eurozone nations — France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, and others that use the euro. It is the underlying for some of the most heavily traded futures and options contracts in the world.

Key characteristics

  • Geographic coverage: Eurozone (countries using the euro)
  • Number of constituents: 50
  • Weighting method: Free-float market capitalisation
  • Cap: No explicit single-stock cap (but monitored for concentration)
  • Review frequency: Annually in September; quarterly fast-exit/fast-entry reviews
  • Base date: 31 December 1991
  • Base value: 1,000
  • Derivatives: Among the most traded index futures globally (Eurex)

Related terms


EURO STOXX 50 Volatility (VSTOXX) Subindices

▰▰▰▰ 68

Quote

“Volatility is the price of admission for long-term returns.”

Nick Murray, Simple Wealth, Inevitable Wealth (1999)

The EURO STOXX 50 Volatility (VSTOXX) subindex family extends the headline VSTOXX index by providing implied-volatility measures across multiple fixed time horizons. Subindices are calculated for constant maturities of 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180, 210, 240, 300, 330, and 360 calendar days using interpolation of EURO STOXX 50 option prices, enabling a term structure view of expected Eurozone equity volatility.

Note

While the headline VSTOXX captures 30-day implied volatility, the subindices show what the market expects at different time horizons. Plotting them together reveals the “volatility term structure” — whether markets expect turbulence to be short-lived (higher short-term volatility) or prolonged (higher long-term volatility). This information is valuable for options traders and risk managers.

Key characteristics

  • Underlying: EURO STOXX 50 options
  • Maturities covered: 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180, 210, 240, 300, 330, and 360 calendar days
  • Methodology: Constant-maturity interpolation of variance swap values
  • Calculation frequency: Real-time during trading hours
  • Unit: Annualised percentage points
  • Use cases: Volatility term structure analysis, relative-value volatility trading, risk management
  • Derivatives: Selected subindices serve as underlyings for Eurex-listed futures

Related terms


EURO STOXX Banks

▰▰▰ 34

Quote

“Banking is necessary, banks are not.”

Bill Gates

The EURO STOXX Banks index tracks the performance of Eurozone banking-sector stocks within the EURO STOXX index. It includes all constituents classified under the ICB Banks supersector. The index is widely used as a barometer of Eurozone financial-sector health and serves as the underlying for Eurex-listed futures and options.

Note

This index is a focused lens on Eurozone banks. If you want to know how the big European banks — such as BNP Paribas, Deutsche Bank, or Santander — are performing collectively, this is the index to watch. It tends to be more volatile than the broader EURO STOXX 50 because banking stocks are sensitive to interest rate changes and economic cycles.

Key characteristics

  • Geographic coverage: Eurozone
  • Number of constituents: Variable (typically 20-30)
  • Weighting method: Free-float market capitalisation
  • Sector focus: ICB Banks supersector
  • Review frequency: Quarterly
  • Volatility profile: Higher than broad Eurozone benchmarks

Related terms


EURO STOXX Select Dividend 30

▰▰ 6

Quote

“Do you know the only thing that gives me pleasure? It’s to see my dividends coming in.”

John D. Rockefeller

The EURO STOXX Select Dividend 30 index selects 30 high-dividend-yielding stocks from the EURO STOXX index. Stocks are ranked by indicated annual net dividend yield, subject to filters on dividend growth history and payout ratio. The index is weighted by indicated annual net dividend yield rather than by market capitalisation, giving higher weight to stocks with the largest yields.

Note

This is a dividend-hunter’s index. Instead of picking companies by size (like the EURO STOXX 50 does), it picks the 30 Eurozone companies that pay the most generous dividends relative to their share price. It also weights them by dividend yield, so the highest-yielding stocks matter the most. It is popular with income-focused investors.

Key characteristics

  • Geographic coverage: Eurozone
  • Number of constituents: 30
  • Weighting method: Net dividend yield weighted (not market-cap weighted)
  • Selection criteria: Dividend growth, payout ratio filter, net dividend yield ranking
  • Review frequency: Annually in March
  • Income focus: Designed for yield-oriented investment strategies

Related terms


EUROGOV Bond Indices

▰ 2

Quote

“The full faith and credit of a government is only as good as its people.”

Anonymous

The EUROGOV index family measures the performance of euro-denominated government bonds issued by Eurozone sovereign issuers. The family includes a broad overall index and sub-indices segmented by maturity band (1-3y, 3-5y, 5-7y, 7-10y, 10y+) and by individual issuer country. Bonds must meet minimum outstanding amount and remaining maturity thresholds to qualify for inclusion.

Note

The EUROGOV indices are the Eurozone equivalent of tracking how well government bonds from countries like Germany, France, Italy, and Spain are doing. They break the bond universe down by how long until the bonds mature, making it easy for investors to target specific parts of the yield curve.

Key characteristics

  • Geographic coverage: Eurozone sovereign issuers
  • Asset class: Government bonds (euro-denominated)
  • Weighting method: Market-value weighted (outstanding amount)
  • Maturity buckets: Overall, 1-3y, 3-5y, 5-7y, 7-10y, 10y+
  • Minimum outstanding: Varies by sub-index
  • Review frequency: Monthly rebalancing
  • Country sub-indices: Available for individual Eurozone issuers

Related terms


I

ISS STOXX Biodiversity Indices

▰▰▰ 40

Quote

“Nature is the next frontier of financial risk — biodiversity loss threatens supply chains, asset values, and long-term returns.”

TNFD, Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (2023)

The ISS STOXX Biodiversity index family integrates biodiversity-related data from ISS ESG into equity index construction. These indices aim to reduce portfolio exposure to companies with high negative impacts on biodiversity, including deforestation, water pollution, and habitat destruction, while increasing exposure to companies offering biodiversity-positive solutions. The methodology draws on frameworks such as the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

Note

These indices are designed for investors who want their portfolios to account for biodiversity risk. They systematically underweight or exclude companies whose operations damage ecosystems — for example, through deforestation or chemical runoff — and overweight companies that contribute to biodiversity preservation or restoration.

Key characteristics

  • Geographic coverage: Global (multiple regional variants)
  • Number of constituents: Varies by variant
  • Weighting method: Optimised weights based on biodiversity scores
  • Data provider: ISS ESG biodiversity impact and dependency data
  • Frameworks referenced: TNFD, Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework
  • Review frequency: Quarterly or semi-annually
  • Thematic focus: Biodiversity impact reduction, nature-positive tilting

Related terms


ISS STOXX Net Zero Transition Indices

▰▰▰ 38

Quote

“A Paris-aligned benchmark must self-decarbonise at a rate consistent with limiting warming to 1.5 degrees.”

EU Technical Expert Group on Sustainable Finance, EU Climate Benchmarks Regulation (2020)

The ISS STOXX Net Zero Transition index family is designed to align investment portfolios with a 1.5 degree Celsius global warming trajectory. These indices comply with the EU Paris-Aligned Benchmark (PAB) and Climate Transition Benchmark (CTB) regulations, incorporating greenhouse gas emissions data, forward-looking decarbonisation targets, and fossil fuel revenue thresholds. The methodology mandates a minimum year-on-year self-decarbonisation rate of 7% for PAB-aligned variants.

Note

In simple terms, these indices reweight the stock market to favour companies that are reducing their carbon footprint and penalise those that are not. They are built to meet strict EU rules about what qualifies as a “climate-friendly” benchmark, making them suitable for funds that want to market themselves as aligned with the Paris Agreement goals.

Key characteristics

  • Geographic coverage: Global, European, and regional variants
  • Number of constituents: Varies by parent index
  • Weighting method: Optimised (emissions-intensity reduction subject to constraints)
  • Regulatory alignment: EU PAB and CTB regulations
  • Decarbonisation rate: Minimum 7% year-on-year (PAB variant)
  • Data provider: ISS ESG climate data (Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions)
  • Review frequency: Quarterly

Related terms


M

MDAX

▰▰▰▰▰ 665

The MDAX comprises 50 mid-cap companies that rank immediately below the DAX constituents in terms of order-book volume and free-float market capitalisation on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. It represents the second tier of the German equity market and covers companies across all sectors except technology (which has its own dedicated index, TecDAX, though dual-listing in both MDAX and TecDAX is permitted since September 2018).

Note

The MDAX is where you find Germany’s mid-sized listed companies — firms that are large and well-established but not quite big enough to make it into the DAX. It is often considered a better gauge of the domestic German economy than the DAX because its companies tend to earn a larger share of revenue within Germany.

Key characteristics

  • Geographic coverage: Germany
  • Number of constituents: 50
  • Weighting method: Free-float market capitalisation
  • Review frequency: Quarterly (March, June, September, December)
  • Selection universe: Companies listed on Frankfurt Stock Exchange below DAX threshold
  • Relationship to DAX: Second tier; companies promoted to DAX are removed from MDAX

Related terms


S

SDAX

▰▰▰▰▰ 416

The SDAX comprises 70 small-cap companies ranking below the MDAX constituents in terms of order-book volume and free-float market capitalisation on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. It represents the third tier of the German equity market and offers exposure to smaller, often domestically focused, growth companies.

Note

The SDAX covers the next layer of German companies below the MDAX. These are smaller firms that are still big enough to be meaningfully traded on the stock exchange. The index often includes fast-growing companies that may eventually graduate into the MDAX or even the DAX.

Key characteristics

  • Geographic coverage: Germany
  • Number of constituents: 70
  • Weighting method: Free-float market capitalisation
  • Review frequency: Quarterly (March, June, September, December)
  • Selection universe: Companies listed on Frankfurt Stock Exchange below MDAX threshold
  • Relationship to MDAX: Third tier; companies promoted to MDAX are removed from SDAX

Related terms


STOXX AI Global Artificial Intelligence Index

▰▰ 16

The STOXX AI Global Artificial Intelligence index identifies and tracks companies that are significant participants in the artificial intelligence value chain. Constituents are selected using a combination of natural language processing (NLP) analysis of company filings, patent data, and revenue exposure to AI-related activities. The index covers hardware, software, and services companies involved in machine learning, robotics, autonomous systems, and related technologies.

Note

This index is a way to invest in the AI theme across the entire global stock market. Rather than just picking the obvious big tech names, it uses data-driven methods — including analysis of patents and company filings — to find companies genuinely involved in AI, from chipmakers to software companies to firms deploying AI in their operations.

Key characteristics

  • Geographic coverage: Global (developed and emerging markets)
  • Number of constituents: Variable (typically 80-200)
  • Weighting method: Modified market capitalisation (with diversification constraints)
  • Selection methodology: NLP-based analysis of filings, patents, and revenue data
  • Review frequency: Quarterly
  • Thematic focus: Artificial intelligence value chain

Related terms


STOXX Asia/Pacific 600

▰▰▰ 50

The STOXX Asia/Pacific 600 index tracks 600 companies across developed markets in the Asia/Pacific region, including Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand, and Singapore. It is one of the three regional building blocks of the STOXX Global 1800, alongside the STOXX Europe 600 and the STOXX North America 600, and serves as the primary STOXX benchmark for Asia/Pacific developed-market equities.

Note

This is STOXX’s main index for the Asia/Pacific region’s developed stock markets. It covers 600 companies across countries like Japan, Australia, Hong Kong, and Singapore. Together with the STOXX Europe 600 and STOXX North America 600, it forms the STOXX Global 1800.

Key characteristics

  • Geographic coverage: Asia/Pacific developed markets (Japan, Australia, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Singapore)
  • Number of constituents: 600
  • Weighting method: Free-float market capitalisation
  • Review frequency: Quarterly
  • Role: Asia/Pacific component of the STOXX Global 1800
  • Base date: 31 December 1991
  • Base value: 100

Related terms


STOXX Digital Asset Indices

▰ 2

Quote

“Digital currency is going to be a very powerful thing.”

John Donahoe

The STOXX Digital Asset index family provides benchmarks for the digital asset and cryptocurrency space. These indices track the performance of digital assets such as Bitcoin and Ethereum, applying institutional-grade methodology including multi-exchange pricing, anti-manipulation safeguards, and liquidity filters. The family is designed to meet the requirements of regulated financial products including ETPs, futures, and structured products.

Note

These indices bring the same methodological rigour that STOXX applies to traditional stock indices into the world of cryptocurrencies and digital assets. They aggregate price data from multiple exchanges, apply safeguards against price manipulation, and filter for liquidity, making them suitable as benchmarks for institutional investment products.

Key characteristics

  • Asset class: Digital assets and cryptocurrencies
  • Coverage: Bitcoin, Ethereum, and broader digital asset baskets
  • Pricing methodology: Volume-weighted across multiple exchanges with outlier filtering
  • Anti-manipulation: Multi-source aggregation, staleness checks
  • Review frequency: Varies by sub-index (monthly to quarterly)
  • Product use cases: ETPs, futures, structured products, fund benchmarks

Related terms


STOXX Emerging Markets

▰▰▰▰ 55

Quote

“Emerging markets are where the growth is — ignoring them means ignoring the future of the global economy.”

Antoine van Agtmael, who coined the term “emerging markets” (1981)

The STOXX Emerging Markets index family provides broad equity coverage of emerging-market countries worldwide. The indices track large, mid, and small capitalisation segments across markets in Asia, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. The family is part of the broader STOXX World Equity index framework and complements the developed-market STOXX Global 1800.

Note

These indices cover stock markets in developing economies — countries like China, India, Brazil, South Korea, Taiwan, South Africa, and Mexico. They give investors a systematic way to access the growth potential of emerging markets using STOXX’s standardised methodology, making performance directly comparable to STOXX’s developed-market benchmarks.

Key characteristics

  • Geographic coverage: Emerging markets globally (Asia, Latin America, EMEA)
  • Number of constituents: Variable (typically 800+)
  • Weighting method: Free-float market capitalisation
  • Countries covered: China, India, Brazil, South Korea, Taiwan, South Africa, Mexico, and others
  • Size segments: Large, mid, and small capitalisation variants
  • Review frequency: Quarterly
  • Role: Complement to developed-market STOXX indices within the World Equity framework

Related terms


STOXX Europe 600

▰▰▰▰▰ 980

Quote

“The STOXX Europe 600 is the de facto broadest representation of the European equity market.”

Stuart Heath, Director, Equity & Index Product Design, Eurex

The STOXX Europe 600 index covers 600 companies across 17 European countries, representing large, mid, and small capitalisation segments. It is derived from the STOXX Europe Total Market Index and subdivides into the STOXX Europe Large 200, STOXX Europe Mid 200, and STOXX Europe Small 200 sub-indices. The index serves as the primary pan-European equity benchmark for institutional investors.

Note

The STOXX Europe 600 is the go-to index for a broad view of European stock markets. It spans 600 companies across 17 countries — not just the Eurozone but also the UK, Switzerland, Sweden, and others. Because it covers large, medium, and small companies, it offers a more complete picture of European equities than narrower indices like the EURO STOXX 50.

Key characteristics

  • Geographic coverage: 17 European countries (including non-Eurozone)
  • Number of constituents: 600
  • Weighting method: Free-float market capitalisation
  • Size segments: Large 200, Mid 200, Small 200
  • Review frequency: Quarterly (March, June, September, December)
  • Countries covered: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom
  • Base date: 31 December 1991
  • Base value: 100

Related terms


STOXX Europe Large 200

▰▰ 8

The STOXX Europe Large 200 index comprises the 200 largest constituents of the STOXX Europe 600 by free-float market capitalisation. It represents the large-cap segment of the pan-European equity market and serves as the top size tier within the STOXX Europe 600 framework.

Note

This index captures the biggest companies in Europe — the top third of the STOXX Europe 600 by market value. These are multinational giants like Nestle, ASML, Shell, and Novo Nordisk. Because large caps dominate the market-cap-weighted STOXX Europe 600, the Large 200 behaves quite similarly to the full 600 but with slightly lower volatility and higher liquidity.

Key characteristics

  • Geographic coverage: 17 European countries (same as STOXX Europe 600)
  • Number of constituents: 200
  • Weighting method: Free-float market capitalisation
  • Review frequency: Quarterly (aligned with STOXX Europe 600)
  • Size segment: Large cap (top 200 of STOXX Europe 600)
  • Base date: 31 December 1991
  • Base value: 100

Related terms


STOXX Europe Small 200

▰ 1

The STOXX Europe Small 200 index comprises the 200 smallest constituents of the STOXX Europe 600, ranked between positions 401 and 600 by free-float market capitalisation. It represents the small-cap segment of the pan-European equity market.

Note

The Small 200 is the bottom third of the STOXX Europe 600 by company size. These are still sizeable firms by most standards, but they are smaller and often more domestically focused than the large-cap names. Small-cap indices tend to offer higher long-term growth potential but also greater volatility and lower liquidity.

Key characteristics

  • Geographic coverage: 17 European countries (same as STOXX Europe 600)
  • Number of constituents: 200
  • Weighting method: Free-float market capitalisation
  • Review frequency: Quarterly (aligned with STOXX Europe 600)
  • Size segment: Small cap (ranks 401-600 of STOXX Europe 600)
  • Base date: 31 December 1991
  • Base value: 100

Related terms


STOXX Europe Total Market

▰▰▰▰ 100

The STOXX Europe Total Market index is the broadest European equity benchmark in the STOXX family, covering approximately 95% of the free-float market capitalisation across European developed markets. It serves as the starting universe from which the STOXX Europe 600 and other narrower European indices are derived.

Note

Think of this as the “everything” index for European stocks. While the STOXX Europe 600 selects 600 companies from across Europe, the Total Market index captures nearly the full investable universe. It is primarily used as the selection pool and as a benchmark for funds that want exposure to the entire European market, including micro-caps that fall outside the Europe 600.

Key characteristics

  • Geographic coverage: European developed markets
  • Number of constituents: Variable (typically 1,000+)
  • Weighting method: Free-float market capitalisation
  • Coverage target: ~95% of free-float market capitalisation
  • Review frequency: Quarterly
  • Role: Parent universe for STOXX Europe 600 and sub-indices

Related terms


STOXX Global 1800

▰▰▰▰▰ 816

The STOXX Global 1800 index comprises 1,800 stocks from developed markets worldwide, constructed by combining three regional sub-indices: the STOXX Europe 600, the STOXX North America 600, and the STOXX Asia/Pacific 600. Each region contributes exactly 600 constituents, ensuring balanced global representation.

Note

The STOXX Global 1800 is a straightforward way to track the global developed-market stock universe. It combines three regional indices of equal size — 600 from Europe, 600 from North America, and 600 from Asia/Pacific — into one global benchmark. This structure makes it easy to decompose global performance into regional contributions.

Key characteristics

  • Geographic coverage: Global developed markets (Europe, North America, Asia/Pacific)
  • Number of constituents: 1,800 (600 per region)
  • Weighting method: Free-float market capitalisation (within each region)
  • Regional sub-indices: STOXX Europe 600, STOXX North America 600, STOXX Asia/Pacific 600
  • Review frequency: Quarterly
  • Base date: 31 December 1991
  • Base value: 100

Related terms


STOXX Global Metaverse

▰▰▰ 37

The STOXX Global Metaverse index captures companies positioned to benefit from the development of the metaverse ecosystem, including virtual worlds, augmented reality, virtual reality, blockchain-based digital ownership, and supporting infrastructure. Companies are selected based on revenue exposure, patent activity, and strategic positioning within defined metaverse sub-themes.

Note

This thematic index tracks companies building or enabling the “metaverse” — the convergence of virtual reality, augmented reality, gaming, digital economies, and related technologies. It casts a wide net across hardware manufacturers, software platforms, content creators, and infrastructure providers.

Key characteristics

  • Geographic coverage: Global (developed and emerging markets)
  • Number of constituents: Variable (typically 50-100)
  • Weighting method: Modified market capitalisation with diversification constraints
  • Thematic sub-categories: VR/AR hardware, virtual worlds, blockchain infrastructure, content platforms
  • Review frequency: Quarterly
  • Selection methodology: Revenue exposure, patents, and strategic analysis

Related terms


STOXX Global Select Dividend 100

▰▰ 8

Quote

“Do you know the only thing that gives me pleasure? It’s to see my dividends coming in.”

John D. Rockefeller

The STOXX Global Select Dividend 100 index selects the 100 highest-dividend-yielding stocks from the STOXX Global 1800 universe. Constituents are drawn from three regional Select Dividend sub-indices: STOXX Europe Select Dividend 30, STOXX North America Select Dividend 40, and STOXX Asia/Pacific Select Dividend 50 (with a total of 30 + 40 + 30 = 100 stocks). Selection is based on indicated annual net dividend yield, subject to filters on dividend growth and payout ratio. The index is weighted by net dividend yield.

Note

This is the global version of the STOXX Select Dividend family. It combines the highest-yielding stocks from Europe, North America, and Asia/Pacific into one worldwide income-focused index. Like its regional siblings, it weights stocks by dividend yield rather than market cap, making it a distinctly income-oriented benchmark.

Key characteristics

  • Geographic coverage: Global developed markets (Europe, North America, Asia/Pacific)
  • Number of constituents: 100
  • Weighting method: Net dividend yield weighted
  • Selection criteria: Dividend yield ranking, non-negative DPS growth, payout ratio filter
  • Regional composition: Europe 30, North America 40, Asia/Pacific 30
  • Review frequency: Annually in March
  • Parent universe: STOXX Global 1800

Related terms


STOXX ICE Fixed Income Sustainability Indices

▰ 3

The STOXX ICE Fixed Income Sustainability index family, developed in partnership with Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), integrates ISS ESG data into fixed income benchmarks. The indices apply ESG screening, norms-based exclusions, and sustainability scoring to corporate and government bond universes. Variants include EU PAB and CTB-aligned bond indices as well as broad ESG-screened fixed income benchmarks.

Note

These indices extend ESG and sustainability principles into the bond market. While most ESG indices focus on stocks, this family applies similar screening and scoring to bonds — both corporate and government. Partnering with ICE (a major bond data provider) ensures broad, accurate fixed income coverage, and ISS ESG provides the sustainability data layer.

Key characteristics

  • Asset class: Fixed income (corporate bonds, government bonds)
  • Geographic coverage: Global, European, and US variants
  • Data providers: ICE (bond data and pricing), ISS ESG (sustainability data)
  • Weighting method: Market-value weighted (outstanding notional)
  • ESG integration: Screening, exclusions, and ESG-score tilting
  • Regulatory alignment: EU PAB and CTB variants available
  • Review frequency: Monthly rebalancing

Related terms


STOXX Industry Neutral Ax Factor Indices

▰▰ 10

Quote

“The capital asset pricing model has been the backbone of modern portfolio theory.”

William Sharpe

The STOXX Industry Neutral Ax Factor index family isolates single risk-factor exposures (value, momentum, quality, low risk, size) while neutralising industry tilts. Each index targets maximum exposure to one specific factor by reweighting constituents within each ICB industry group, ensuring that outperformance or underperformance is attributable to the targeted factor rather than sector bets.

Note

Factor investing is about targeting specific characteristics — like buying cheap stocks (value) or stocks with rising prices (momentum). These indices do exactly that, but with an important twist: they keep sector allocations neutral. This means when the value index outperforms, you know it is because of the value factor, not because value stocks happened to cluster in a hot sector.

Key characteristics

  • Geographic coverage: Global, European, US, and regional variants
  • Number of constituents: Varies by parent index
  • Weighting method: Factor-score weighted within industry groups
  • Factors available: Value, Momentum, Quality, Low Risk, Size
  • Industry neutrality: Achieved by reweighting within ICB industry groups
  • Review frequency: Quarterly
  • Parent indices: STOXX Europe 600, STOXX USA 500, STOXX Global 1800

Related terms


STOXX Minimum Variance Indices

▰▰▰▰ 174

Quote

“The portfolio with the highest return is not necessarily the most desirable one.”

Harry Markowitz

The STOXX Minimum Variance index family uses portfolio optimisation techniques to construct indices that target the lowest possible portfolio volatility for a given universe of stocks. The optimisation process considers the variance-covariance matrix of constituent returns and applies constraints on turnover, individual stock weights, and sector/country deviations relative to the parent index.

Note

These indices are built for investors who want stock market exposure with reduced volatility. Instead of weighting stocks by market cap, the index uses mathematical optimisation to find the combination of weights that historically produces the smoothest ride. Constraints prevent the optimiser from producing extreme or impractical portfolios.

Key characteristics

  • Geographic coverage: Global, European, US, and regional variants
  • Number of constituents: Derived from parent index (e.g., STOXX Europe 600)
  • Weighting method: Optimised weights (minimum variance objective)
  • Optimisation constraints: Maximum stock weight, sector/country deviation limits, turnover caps
  • Review frequency: Quarterly
  • Risk objective: Minimise portfolio variance
  • Parent indices: STOXX Europe 600, STOXX USA 500, STOXX Global 1800

Related terms


STOXX North America 600

▰▰▰▰ 51

The STOXX North America 600 index tracks 600 companies across the United States and Canada, serving as the North American building block of the STOXX Global 1800. It is subdivided into the STOXX USA 500 (covering the 500 largest US equities) and a Canadian component. The index provides a STOXX-methodology-consistent benchmark for the North American equity market.

Note

This is STOXX’s comprehensive index for North American stocks, covering 600 companies from the US and Canada. It pairs with the STOXX Europe 600 and STOXX Asia/Pacific 600 to form the STOXX Global 1800, ensuring that each of the three main developed-market regions is represented by the same number of constituents.

Key characteristics

  • Geographic coverage: United States and Canada
  • Number of constituents: 600
  • Weighting method: Free-float market capitalisation
  • Review frequency: Quarterly
  • Sub-indices: STOXX USA 500 (US component), Canadian component
  • Role: North American component of the STOXX Global 1800
  • Base date: 31 December 1991
  • Base value: 100

Related terms


STOXX Select Dividend Indices

▰▰ 14

Quote

“Do you know the only thing that gives me pleasure? It is to see my dividends coming in.”

John D. Rockefeller

The STOXX Select Dividend index family identifies high-dividend-yielding stocks from regional and global universes. Selection is based on indicated annual net dividend yield, with filters on dividend growth history (non-negative dividend-per-share growth over a trailing period) and payout ratio (to exclude unsustainable payouts). Indices are weighted by net dividend yield, giving higher weights to stocks with larger yields. The family includes regional variants such as STOXX Europe Select Dividend 30, STOXX North America Select Dividend 40, and STOXX Asia/Pacific Select Dividend 50.

Note

The Select Dividend family is a set of indices for income-seeking investors across different regions. Each index screens for companies that pay generous, growing dividends without stretching their finances too thin. By weighting stocks by dividend yield rather than company size, these indices prioritise the highest-yielding opportunities.

Key characteristics

  • Geographic coverage: Regional variants (Europe, North America, Asia/Pacific, Global)
  • Number of constituents: Varies by region (30, 40, or 50)
  • Weighting method: Net dividend yield weighted
  • Selection criteria: Dividend yield ranking, non-negative DPS growth, payout ratio screen
  • Review frequency: Annually (March)
  • Regional variants: Europe 30, North America 40, Asia/Pacific 50, Global 100

Related terms


STOXX USA 500

▰▰▰▰ 134

The STOXX USA 500 index tracks 500 of the largest US equities by free-float market capitalisation. It is the US component of the STOXX North America 600 index and provides a broad, STOXX-methodology-consistent benchmark for the US market. The index is comparable in scope to other major US large-cap indices but follows STOXX’s own selection and maintenance rules.

Note

The STOXX USA 500 is STOXX’s benchmark for the US stock market, covering the 500 biggest American companies. It serves a similar role to other well-known US large-cap indices but uses STOXX’s standardised methodology, making it directly comparable to the STOXX Europe 600 and other STOXX regional indices.

Key characteristics

  • Geographic coverage: United States
  • Number of constituents: 500
  • Weighting method: Free-float market capitalisation
  • Review frequency: Quarterly
  • Parent index: STOXX North America 600
  • Role: US component of the STOXX Global 1800 framework

Related terms


STOXX World Equity Indices

▰▰▰▰ 95

The STOXX World Equity index family provides comprehensive coverage of global equity markets, including both developed and emerging markets. The family includes the STOXX World AC (All Countries) index, which covers approximately 95% of the global free-float market capitalisation, and sub-indices by region, country, size, and sector. It serves as the broadest equity universe in the STOXX family.

Note

This is STOXX’s widest-reaching equity index family, covering stocks from virtually every investable market on the planet — developed and emerging alike. It is the starting point for investors who want a truly global equity benchmark, and it is the universe from which many narrower STOXX indices and thematic strategies are derived.

Key characteristics

  • Geographic coverage: Global (developed and emerging markets)
  • Number of constituents: Variable (typically 3,000+ for All Countries variant)
  • Weighting method: Free-float market capitalisation
  • Coverage target: ~95% of global free-float market capitalisation
  • Sub-indices: By region, country, size segment, sector, and style
  • Review frequency: Quarterly
  • Variants: Developed Markets, Emerging Markets, All Countries

Related terms


T

TecDAX

▰▰▰▰▰ 413

The TecDAX comprises the 30 largest and most liquid technology stocks listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, ranked by order-book volume and free-float market capitalisation. Since September 2018, TecDAX membership is no longer mutually exclusive with the DAX or MDAX, meaning a company can belong to multiple indices simultaneously. Technology classification is based on sector assignment.

Note

The TecDAX is Germany’s answer to a technology-focused index. It tracks the 30 biggest tech companies listed in Frankfurt. Since 2018, companies can be in both the TecDAX and the DAX or MDAX at the same time, so large tech companies like SAP appear in both the DAX and TecDAX.

Key characteristics

  • Geographic coverage: Germany
  • Number of constituents: 30
  • Weighting method: Free-float market capitalisation
  • Sector focus: Technology (broadly defined)
  • Review frequency: Quarterly (March, June, September, December)
  • Dual membership: Allowed with DAX and MDAX since September 2018
  • Base date: 30 December 1997
  • Base value: 1,000

Related terms


V

VSTOXX

▰▰▰▰▰ 890

Quote

“Volatility is not risk — what matters is the permanent impairment of capital.”

Seth Klarman, Margin of Safety (1991)

The VSTOXX index measures the implied volatility of the EURO STOXX 50 index over a 30-day horizon. It is calculated from the prices of EURO STOXX 50 put and call options across multiple strike prices and expiration dates, using a variance swap methodology. The VSTOXX is expressed in annualised percentage points and rises when market uncertainty or fear increases.

Note

The VSTOXX is Europe’s “fear gauge.” When investors are nervous about the future and rush to buy options to protect their portfolios, option prices rise and the VSTOXX goes up. When markets are calm and complacent, the VSTOXX falls. A VSTOXX reading of 20, for example, implies that the market expects the EURO STOXX 50 to fluctuate by roughly 20% over the next year (annualised).

Key characteristics

  • Underlying: EURO STOXX 50 options
  • Measurement: 30-day implied volatility (annualised)
  • Methodology: Variance swap approach across multiple strikes
  • Calculation frequency: Real-time during trading hours
  • Unit: Annualised percentage points
  • Typical range: 10-30 in normal markets; spikes above 40 during crises
  • Derivatives: VSTOXX futures and options traded on Eurex
  • Analogue: Comparable to the CBOE VIX for S&P 500

Related terms


Additional Index Families

STOXX Europe 50

▰▰▰▰ 79

The STOXX Europe 50 index comprises 50 blue-chip stocks from 17 European countries, selected from the STOXX Europe 600. It covers the largest companies across the full geographic scope of European developed markets, including non-Eurozone countries such as the United Kingdom and Switzerland.

Note

This is the broader European counterpart to the EURO STOXX 50. While the EURO STOXX 50 is limited to Eurozone countries, the STOXX Europe 50 includes heavyweights from the UK, Switzerland, and Scandinavia, providing a pan-European blue-chip view.

Key characteristics

  • Geographic coverage: 17 European developed-market countries
  • Number of constituents: 50
  • Weighting method: Free-float market capitalisation
  • Review frequency: Annually in September; quarterly fast-entry/fast-exit
  • Base date: 31 December 1991
  • Base value: 1,000

Related terms


STOXX Europe 600 Sector Indices

▰ 5

The STOXX Europe 600 Sector index family breaks the STOXX Europe 600 into its constituent ICB supersectors and sectors. Each sector index contains all STOXX Europe 600 members classified under a given ICB grouping. The family provides granular views of European equity performance by industry.

Note

These are sub-indices of the STOXX Europe 600, each tracking a specific sector — banks, healthcare, technology, energy, and so on. They allow investors to isolate the performance of individual industries within the broader European market.

Key characteristics

  • Geographic coverage: 17 European countries (same as STOXX Europe 600)
  • Number of constituents: Variable by sector
  • Weighting method: Free-float market capitalisation
  • Classification system: ICB (Industry Classification Benchmark)
  • Number of sector indices: 20 supersector indices, additional sector and sub-sector breakdowns
  • Review frequency: Quarterly (aligned with STOXX Europe 600 reviews)

Related terms


STOXX ESG-X Indices

▰▰▰▰ 59

Quote

“Exclusion is the simplest form of responsible investing — remove what you cannot accept, keep the rest.”

Rodolphe Bocquet, Global Head of Sustainable Investing, Qontigo

The STOXX ESG-X index family applies exclusionary ESG screening to standard STOXX benchmark indices. Companies involved in controversial weapons (cluster munitions, anti-personnel mines, biological and chemical weapons), tobacco production, and those violating the UN Global Compact principles are removed. The “X” in the name denotes “exclusion.”

Note

ESG-X indices are the simplest form of ESG integration: they take a standard STOXX benchmark and remove companies that fail basic ethical screens. There is no fancy ESG scoring or optimisation — just straightforward exclusion of the most controversial business activities. This makes them a low-tracking-error, easy-to-implement ESG option.

Key characteristics

  • Geographic coverage: Mirrors parent index (Europe 600, Global 1800, etc.)
  • Number of constituents: Parent index minus exclusions (typically 2-5% removed)
  • Weighting method: Free-float market capitalisation (same as parent)
  • Exclusion criteria: Controversial weapons, tobacco, UN Global Compact violations
  • Review frequency: Quarterly (aligned with parent index)
  • Tracking error: Very low relative to parent index

Related terms


STOXX True Exposure Indices

▰ 1

The STOXX True Exposure index family redefines geographic allocation based on where companies earn their revenues rather than where they are listed. Using revenue-source data, the indices reweight or reclassify companies to reflect their actual economic exposure. A European-listed company generating most of its revenue in emerging markets would be classified accordingly.

Note

Most indices assign a company to a country based on where its headquarters or listing is. True Exposure indices flip this logic: they look at where a company actually makes its money. This matters because many European-listed multinationals generate the bulk of their revenues in the US or Asia, meaning their stock prices behave more like US or Asian equities.

Key characteristics

  • Geographic coverage: Global
  • Number of constituents: Derived from parent index
  • Weighting method: Revenue-source adjusted weights
  • Data requirement: Company-level geographic revenue breakdown
  • Review frequency: Annually (revenue data refresh)
  • Use case: Investors seeking exposure based on economic activity, not listing location

Related terms


STOXX Sustainability Indices

▰▰▰▰▰ 219

The STOXX Sustainability index family selects companies from standard STOXX benchmarks based on comprehensive ESG criteria provided by ISS ESG. The selection process combines exclusionary screening (controversial activities and norms violations) with best-in-class ESG performance within each sector, retaining the top-ranked companies. These indices were among the earliest sustainability benchmarks in Europe.

Note

The STOXX Sustainability indices represent a middle ground in ESG indexing — stricter than simple exclusion-only approaches (like ESG-X) but less complex than full optimisation-based methods. They first exclude controversial companies, then rank the rest by ESG performance within each sector and keep the leaders.

Key characteristics

  • Geographic coverage: European and global variants
  • Number of constituents: Approximately 50% of parent index retained
  • Weighting method: Free-float market capitalisation
  • Selection methodology: Exclusion screening + best-in-class ESG ranking by sector
  • Data provider: ISS ESG
  • Review frequency: Annually
  • History: Among the earliest European sustainability benchmarks (launched 2001)

Related terms


iSTOXX Indices

▰ 5

The iSTOXX index family is a range of customisable and innovative indices designed primarily for use as underlyings for structured products, ETFs, and other financial instruments. The “i” prefix denotes indices that use non-standard or proprietary methodologies, including risk-control mechanisms, leverage overlays, decrement features, and bespoke selection rules.

Note

The iSTOXX brand is where STOXX puts its more specialised, product-oriented indices. If a bank needs a custom index for a structured product — for example, one that caps volatility at a certain level or deducts a fixed annual amount — it will typically be an iSTOXX index. These indices are more exotic than the standard STOXX benchmarks.

Key characteristics

  • Geographic coverage: Varies (global, regional, or single-country)
  • Number of constituents: Varies by design
  • Weighting method: Varies (risk-controlled, leveraged, decrement, custom)
  • Use cases: Structured products, risk-controlled strategies, decrement indices
  • Features: Volatility targeting, fixed decrement, leverage, custom rules
  • Review frequency: Varies by specific index

Related terms


STOXX Maximum Dividend 40 Index

▰ 4

The STOXX Maximum Dividend 40 index selects the 40 stocks from the STOXX Global 1800 with the highest expected dividend yields for the upcoming 12-month period. Expected dividends are derived from exchange-traded dividend futures rather than historical dividends, making the index forward-looking. The index is equally weighted.

Note

Unlike most dividend indices that look at what companies have paid in the past, this index uses dividend futures — financial contracts that price what the market expects companies to pay in the future. This forward-looking approach can identify dividend opportunities that backward-looking screens would miss.

Key characteristics

  • Geographic coverage: Global developed markets (STOXX Global 1800 universe)
  • Number of constituents: 40
  • Weighting method: Equal weighted
  • Dividend source: Exchange-traded dividend futures (forward-looking)
  • Review frequency: Annually
  • Unique feature: Uses implied (expected) dividends rather than trailing dividends

Related terms


DAX Risk Control Indices

▰ 4

Quote

“Risk comes from not knowing what you are doing.”

Warren Buffett

The DAX Risk Control index family applies a volatility-targeting mechanism to the DAX. The strategy dynamically shifts allocation between the DAX (the risky asset) and a cash component (the risk-free asset) to target a specified level of realised volatility. Variants target different volatility levels, such as 5%, 10%, 15%, or 20% annualised.

Note

Risk control indices are like an autopilot for managing market turbulence. When the DAX becomes volatile, the index automatically shifts money out of stocks and into cash to dampen swings. When markets calm down, it shifts back into stocks. The result is an index that aims to deliver more predictable volatility over time.

Key characteristics

  • Geographic coverage: Germany (DAX as underlying)
  • Mechanism: Dynamic allocation between DAX and cash
  • Volatility targets: 5%, 10%, 15%, 20% annualised variants
  • Rebalancing: Daily or intraday (depending on variant)
  • Inputs: Realised volatility of the DAX over lookback period
  • Use cases: Structured products, insurance portfolios, risk-managed mandates

Related terms


STOXX Global ESG Leaders Index

▰▰▰ 44

Quote

“ESG integration is not about sacrificing returns — it is about understanding the full picture of risk.”

Larry Fink, BlackRock CEO, Annual Letter to CEOs (2020)

The STOXX Global ESG Leaders index selects companies from the STOXX Global 1800 that demonstrate leadership in environmental, social, and governance performance. Companies are assessed across ESG pillars and ranked within their sectors; those in the top quartile of each pillar are eligible for inclusion. The index targets approximately 300-400 constituents.

Note

This index identifies global ESG leaders by evaluating companies across three separate pillars — environment, social, and governance — rather than relying on a single blended ESG score. A company must rank well in at least one pillar to be included, and the sector-relative approach prevents any single industry from dominating.

Key characteristics

  • Geographic coverage: Global developed markets (STOXX Global 1800 universe)
  • Number of constituents: ~300-400
  • Weighting method: Free-float market capitalisation
  • Selection methodology: Top-quartile ESG ranking within each sector across E, S, and G pillars
  • Data provider: ISS ESG
  • Review frequency: Annually
  • Sub-indices: Environmental Leaders, Social Leaders, Governance Leaders

Related terms


Last updated: 2026-03-28