Cleantech Index ETF Was #1 of 36 Funds in 2010

SAN FRANCISCO, April 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The PowerShares Cleantech Portfolio ETF (NYSE: PZD) finished first of 36 public equity funds focused on clean energy and/or clean technology according to Bloomberg New Energy Finance.

Of the 36 mutual and exchange traded funds worldwide that Bloomberg NEF tracked, the average fund fell 6.6% in 2010.  In contrast, PZD, which tracks The Cleantech Index™ (AMEX: CTIUS) rose 7.5% in 2010 and rose 11.6% in Q1 2011.

Rafael Coven, Cleantech Indices' Managing Director and Index Advisor, noted that the poor performance of most renewable energy stocks in 2011 was a major reason why Cleantech Index-based funds significantly outperformed their peers.  "Since the Cleantech Index is diversified across many industries, it had less exposure to the volatile renewable energy sector.  In addition, the Index includes only the best companies in each sector which tend to fare better than their sectors as a whole.  I expect this strategy will result in continued long-term outperformance of peer funds and indices, but I certainly don't expect that CTIUS-linked funds will finish first in a given year. That's short-term stuff.  We track a long-term trend."    

Added Cleantech Group's Managing Director for Europe & Asia, Richard Youngman, "The Index doesn't track an industry or a region, but rather a global megatrend that cuts across a wide range of industries and geographies.  Narrow industry sectors will rise and fall dramatically, but we believe the growth in demand for clean technology will continue to accelerate across many industries for decades.  The Index's four-year performance relative to the S&P underlines that."

Other funds tracking the Cleantech Index had similar performance: they include the recently listed PowerShares Cleantech ETF in Mexico (ticker: PZD.MX) and the KSM Cleantech Index ETF (Bloomberg ticker: KSMCLNT) in Israel.  

As part of its quarterly rebalancing, the Cleantech Index has added Switzerland's SGS S.A. (SGSN.VX) and Mistras Group (MG: NYSE) effective March 31, 2011.

About The Cleantech Index™  (CTIUS)

The Cleantech Index is the first, and only, equity index intended to reflect the surging global demand for clean technology products and services.  CTIUS is comprised of 72 public companies that are leaders in cleantech innovation and commercial deployment from a broad spectrum of industry sectors: from energy efficiency and renewables to advanced materials, water purification, eco-friendly agriculture, etc.

By tracking the market performance of the premier cleantech companies, CTIUS is the industry standard index used for a growing range of financial products.  Investors now have an easy, cost-effective, and liquid means to invest in the broad cleantech investment category - and do so with less risk than previously possible.    

For more information visit: www.cleantechindex.com
Contact:   [email protected]

About Cleantech Group™

Cleantech Group is a trusted global research and advisory firm focused on cleantech innovation helping business leaders make smarter, more strategic decisions involving clean technologies. In addition to covering global innovation and investment trends, Cleantech Group offers market intelligence and insights into companies in the energy efficiency, smart grid, energy storage, water and green transportation sectors. The company's growing international client base includes global corporations, investors, entrepreneurs, governments and service providers. Cleantech Group also produces the premier Cleantech Forum® and Focus™ events worldwide, including upcoming events in Amsterdam, Toronto and San Francisco.

For more information: http://www.cleantech.com

SOURCE Cleantech Group, LLC