BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

State Street Global Advisors (SSGA), the asset management business of State Street Corporation (NYSE:STT), today announced plans to close and liquidate the following five exchange traded funds based on an ongoing review of the SPDR ETF offering and market demand:

• SPDR MSCI International Real Estate Currency Hedged ETF (HREX)
• SPDR MSCI South Korea StrategicFactors^SM ETF (QKOR)
• SPDR MSCI Mexico StrategicFactors^SM ETF (QMEX)
• SPDR MSCI Taiwan StrategicFactors^SM ETF (QTWN)
• The Financial Services Select Sector SPDR® Fund (XLFS)

The final day for creations will be November 14, 2016 with the exception of HREX, for which the final day for creations will be November 11, 2016. Trading of all five funds will be suspended on the NYSE Arca at the open of market on November 15, 2016, and proceeds of the liquidation are scheduled to be sent to shareholders on or about November 22, 2016. For additional information on the liquidation, shareholders of the funds can visit www.spdrs.com.

About SPDR Exchange Traded Funds

SPDR ETFs are a comprehensive family spanning an array of international and domestic asset classes. SPDR ETFs are managed by SSGA Funds Management, Inc., a registered investment adviser and wholly owned subsidiary of State Street Corporation. The funds provide investors with the flexibility to select investments that are precisely aligned to their investment strategy. Recognized as an industry pioneer, State Street created the first US listed ETF in 1993 (SPDR S&P 500® – Ticker SPY) and has remained on the forefront of responsible innovation, as evidenced by the introduction of many ground-breaking products, including first-to-market launches with gold, international real estate, international fixed income, and sector ETFs. For more information, visit www.spdrs.com.

About State Street Global Advisors

For nearly four decades, State Street Global Advisors has been committed to helping financial professionals and those who rely on them achieve their investment objectives. We partner with institutions and financial professionals to help them reach their goals through a rigorous, research-driven process spanning both active and index disciplines. We take pride in working closely with our clients to develop precise investment strategies, including our pioneering family of SPDR ETFs. With approximately $28 trillion in assets under custody and administration and $2 trillion* in assets under management, our scale and global footprint provide unrivaled access to markets and asset classes, and allow us to deliver expert insights and investment solutions.

State Street Global Advisors is the investment management arm of State Street Corporation.

*Assets under management were $2.3 trillion as of June 30, 2016. AUM reflects approx. $40 billion (as of 6/30/2016) with respect to which State Street Global Markets, LLC (SSGM) serves as marketing agent; SSGM and State Street Global Advisors are affiliated.

ETFs trade like stocks, are subject to investment risk, fluctuate in market value and may trade at prices above or below the ETF's net asset value. Brokerage commissions will reduce returns. Index-based ETFs are passively managed and seek to track an index of securities. Expenses may cause the ETF's returns to deviate from the returns of the index.

Distributor: State Street Global Markets, LLC, member FINRA, SIPC, a wholly owned subsidiary of State Street Corporation. References to State Street may include State Street Corporation and its affiliates. Certain State Street affiliates provide services and receive fees from the SPDR ETFs. ALPS Distributors, Inc., a registered broker-dealer, is distributor for SPDR® S&P® 500, SPDR® S&P® MidCap 400 and SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average, and all unit investment trusts. ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc. is distributor for Select Sector SPDRs. ALPS Distributors, Inc. and ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc. are not affiliated with State Street Global Markets, LLC.

ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc., a registered broker-dealer, is the distributor for the Select Sector SPDR Trust.

Before investing, consider the funds' investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses. To obtain a prospectus or summary prospectus which contains this and other information, call 1-866-787-2257 or visit www.spdrs.com. Read it carefully.

Not FDIC Insured • No Bank Guarantee • May Lose Value

(C) 2016 State Street Corporation - All Rights Reserved

Expiration date: 09/30/2017

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