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Christine St Anne is Morningstar's online funds and ETFs editor.

The Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) and S&P Indices have launched a range of indices for fixed-income markets.

The S&P/ASX Australian Fixed Income Index Series is designed to measure the performance of the Australian short-term money market and the Australian bond market which meet the index eligibility criteria.

"The launch of the indices is a sign that the market is moving in the right direction. These indices will support the development of fixed-income exchange traded funds in Australia," Morningstar senior research analyst John Valtwies says.

"The growth of fixed-income ETFs in Australia will provide more options for investors." 

The S&P/ASX Australian Fixed Income Series includes the flagship bond index, the S&P/ASX Australian Fixed Interest Index.

The index series also includes the S&P/ASX Government Bond Index; the S&P/ASX Commonwealth Government Bond Index; the S&P/ASX State Government Bond Index; the S&P/ASX Corporate Bond Index; the S&P/ASX Supranational and Sovereign Bond Index; and the S&P/ASX Bank Bill Index.

"The development of the S&P/ASX Fixed Income Series underpins ASX's determination to improve investor understanding of this critical asset class and to help develop fixed-income assets and supporting infrastructure," ASX general manager for futures and options Ken Chapman said.

State Street Global Advisors head of SPDR ETFs Frank Henze said the firm was keen to introduce a fixed-income ETF in Australia, but the timing was dependent on ASIC finalising regulations that would allow the products to be offered.