Cautious investors might not be in any rush to invest in Europe these days, given the ongoing uncertainty over the euro-zone's debt crisis -- but that's not stopping Dow Jones Indexes from launching eight new indexes designed to track various stocks within the region. And where indexes go, exchange-traded funds tend to follow.
The new indexes are apparently designed to give investors a narrower view of the European market, with particular focus on dividend-generating companies and real-estate investment trusts. They include the Dow Jones Europe Select Dividend 30 index, the Dow Jones France Select Dividend 20 Distributing index and the Dow Jones Europe Developed Markets Select REIT index.
In other words, here's a chance to invest in quality European stocks without having to worry about some of the companies that are significantly exposed to the debt crisis and likely economic dowturn. No word yet, though, on whether any ETFs are being launched to track the indexes.
"The indexes can be particularly appealing in times of uncertain market conditions, when investor interest in dividend-paying companies tends to grow," Dow Jones said in its release. "Further, Dow Jones Indexes goes beyond basing the selection of stocks for these gauges entirely by dividend yield as it integrates other key indicators of dividend quality and company health into the indexes' methodology."