The S&P Global Dividend Aristocrats Index is designed to measure the performance of high dividend-yield companies included in the S&P Global BMI (Broad Market Index) that have followed a managed-dividends policy of increasing or stable dividends for at least ten consecutive years.

To be included in the Index, stocks must meet the following criteria:

(i) increased dividends or maintained stable dividends every year for at least ten consecutive years;

(ii) a float-adjusted market capitalization greater than $1 billion as of the last business day of December (the “Rebalancing Reference Date”);

(iii) a three-month average daily value traded greater than $5 million prior to the Rebalancing Reference Date;

(iv) new constituents must have a maximum 100% dividend payout ratio and current constituents must have a non-negative dividend payout ratio; and a maximum indicated dividend yield of 10% as of the Rebalancing Reference Date.