On July 31, 2017, S&P Dow Jones Indices ("S&P") issued a press release announcing a methodology change for multi-class shares following its consultation published on April 3, 2017. The S&P Composite 1500 and its component indices will no longer add companies with multiple share class structures, such as Snap Inc. and Blue Apron Holdings, Inc. The methodology change is effective immediately. However, existing constituents of the S&P Composite 1500 will be grandfathered in and will not be affected by the methodology change, such as Alphabet Inc. and Facebook, Inc. The S&P Global BMI Indices and S&P Total Market Index will continue to include companies with multiple share classes or with limited or no shareholder voting. S&P noted that unlike the S&P Global BMI Indices and S&P Total Market Index, the S&P Composite 1500 (comprised of the S&P 500, S&P MidCap 400 and S&P SmallCap 600) follows more restrictive eligibility rules including a minimum float of 50% and positive earnings as measured by GAAP. S&P also clarified that the methodologies of other S&P and Dow Jones branded indices remain unchanged.
A copy of the S&P press release is available here.
Because of the generality of this update, the information provided herein may not be applicable in all situations and should not be acted upon without specific legal advice based on particular situations.
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