NEW YORK, March 21 /PRNewswire/ — HealthShares(TM), a family of Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) created by XShares Advisors LLC, a financial services company based in New York, is pleased to announce that Tommy G. Thompson, former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services and Governor of Wisconsin, has been appointed Chairman of the Board of HealthShares effective immediately.
“We are delighted that Governor Thompson has been appointed Chairman of HealthShares,” said Jeffrey L. Feldman, Founder and Chairman of XShares Group LLC. “Governor Thompson has long been recognized as a progressive voice for healthcare reform, in particular recognizing the need to engage the capital markets to improve efficiency and innovation in healthcare development and delivery. He also brings unique insights into how public policy and new legislation will directly impact the industry. It is this experience and vast knowledge of the healthcare sector that will be invaluable to our company.”
“I’m looking forward to working with the other members of the board and contributing to HealthShares,” said Governor Thompson. “As spending on healthcare increases and new legislation continues to be introduced, interesting developments will continue to affect the healthcare sector. XShares is bringing innovative investment tools to the public providing opportunities to invest in specific therapeutic ‘Verticals’ in the complex and rapidly changing healthcare, life science and biotechnology industries.”
Governor Thompson has dedicated his professional life to public service. He has fostered and developed innovative solutions that drive efficiencies and improve the health care challenges facing the United States. In 2001, President George W. Bush appointed Governor Thompson U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services. He worked on countless initiatives while in office, including the Medicare Modernization Act, which provided a prescription drug benefit and increased preventive screenings to Medicare beneficiaries. Since he left this position in 2005, Governor Thompson has been active in the health arena as the President of Logistics Health, Inc., a senior advisor at the consulting firm Deloitte & Touche and independent chairman of the Deloitte Center for Health Solutions. He is also senior partner at Akin Gump, a Washington, D.C. law firm. He frequently speaks on health-related issues from these posts.
Governor Thompson was the 42nd Governor of Wisconsin, serving from 1987 to 2001 — an unprecedented four terms. During his 14 years in office, Governor Thompson garnered national attention for his leadership on welfare reform, access to health care, and education programs.
Governor Thompson has also served on Wisconsin’s state Assembly, first as a representative and later as minority leader, in the Wisconsin National Guard and the Army Reserve after graduating from the University of Wisconsin. He has received numerous awards for public service, including the Anti-Defamation League’s Distinguished Public Service Award, Governing Magazine’s Public Official of the Year Award, and the Horatio Alger Award in 1998. Governor Thompson has served as chairman of the National Governors’ Association, the Education Commission of the States and the Midwestern Governors’ Conference. Governor Thompson is also on the boards of Centene Corporation and C.R. Bard Inc.
About HealthShares(TM)
XShares Advisors LLC, a financial services company based in New York, is the creator of the HealthShares(TM) family of Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs). HealthShares(TM) ETFs are organized into therapeutic ‘Verticals’ and represent specific areas of the healthcare, life science and biotechnology industries. Each Vertical addresses a distinct sub-segment of healthcare, such as the diagnosis and treatment of specific therapeutic areas (e.g. cardiology, cancer, infectious disease, etc.) and the development of medical devices (e.g. orthopedic repair, cardio devices, etc.). Each ETF tracks an index of 22-25 stocks and offers institutional and individual investors a more precise financial instrument that leverages the potential of healthcare investing while mitigating the risks of single stock picking. For more information, visit the company’s website at: www.healthsharesinc.com.
About XShares
XShares Advisors LLC, a subsidiary of XShares Group LLC, is a registered investment advisor that provides investment advisory services to Exchange Traded Funds. XShares also partners with major institutions and index providers seeking to bring innovative Exchange Traded Funds to market using its administrative platform. In addition, XShares creates and licenses distinctive intellectual property for its ETFs, developing products that allow for innovative trading strategies and alternative investments for the financial community. For more information, visit the company’s website at www.xsharesadvisors.com.
An Investor should consider the fund’s investment objective, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing. For this and more complete information about the fund call 800.925.2870 or visit the website www.healthsharesinc.com for a prospectus. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing.
There are risks involved with investing in ETFs including possible loss of money. HealthShares(TM) are not actively managed and are subject to risks similar to stocks, including those related to short selling and margin maintenance. HealthShares(TM) ETFs are subject to increased risks associated with investing in a specific sector compared to more a diversified investment.
The prospectus is not an offer to buy or sell the portfolio shares, nor is the fund soliciting an offer to buy its shares in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.
HealthShares(TM) Funds are distributed by ALPS Distributors, Inc. HSI 171 exp. 3/30/07
