S&P owns the most important index in the world, the S&P 500 index, which is the foundation of the largest index funds and most liquid index futures markets in the world. The S&P 500 index is used by professionals around the world as the standard measure of the US market. Over US$ 800 billion is indexed, or directly linked, to the S&P 500 through index or tracker funds, more than any other index in the world. Daily trading volumes of derivatives transactions based on the S&P 500 amount to over US$ 50 billion.

Standard & Poor's plays an active role in the construction, development and maintenance of IISL's indices and brings its international expertise to the joint venture. With this involvement, IISL is committed to providing to the market the same assured quality, objectivity, integrity and service which are a constant source of inspiration to the international markets. This marks the first time Standard & Poor's, the world's largest index services provider, has offered its brand name and technical support to any such venture anywhere in the world.