BlackRock Expands Suite of iShares Currency Hedged ETFs

BlackRock, Inc. (NYSE:BLK) has expanded its suite of iShares Currency Hedged ETFs. iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (HEEM) began trading today while iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EMU ETF (HEZU) began trading in July. The new funds join three additional iShares funds that launched in February 2014. The current suite includes:

• iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE ETF (HEFA)
• iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Germany ETF (HEWG)
• iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Japan ETF (HEWJ)
• iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EMU ETF (HEZU)
• iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (HEEM)

Many investors seek growth and diversification by investing internationally. iShares Currency Hedged ETFs are designed to reduce the impact of currency fluctuations on returns while investing in international equities. By investing in their related unhedged, parent iShares ETFs (EFA, EWG, EWJ, EZU and EEM) and implementing foreign currency forward contracts, iShares Currency Hedged ETFs provide an easy and cost-effective way to mitigate unwanted currency risk.

Daniel Gamba, Head of iShares Americas Institutional Business at BlackRock, commented:

“Recent events in the global economy signal an opportunity for currency hedged iShares. Central banks are diverging in monetary policies, with the ECB becoming more accommodative – weakening the Euro – while in the U.S. a looming increase in rates strengthens the dollar. iShares Currency Hedged ETFs offer an efficient and cost-effective solution in a single transaction, so investors don’t have to manage complex currency hedging strategies.”

iShares Currency Hedged ETFs benefit from the deep liquidity of the underlying iShares ETFs in which they invest. Institutional investors have been able express their market views while accessing the liquidity of the underlying, unhedged iShares ETFs.

About BlackRock

BlackRock is a leader in investment management, risk management and advisory services for institutional and retail clients worldwide. At June 30, 2014, BlackRock’s AUM was $4.594 trillion. BlackRock helps clients meet their goals and overcome challenges with a range of products that include separate accounts, mutual funds, iShares® (exchange-traded funds), and other pooled investment vehicles. BlackRock also offers risk management, advisory and enterprise investment system services to a broad base of institutional investors through BlackRock Solutions®. Headquartered in New York City, as of June 30, 2014, the firm had approximately 11,600 employees in more than 30 countries and a major presence in key global markets, including North and South America, Europe, Asia, Australia and the Middle East and Africa. For additional information, please visit the Company’s website at www.blackrock.com | Twitter: @blackrock_news | Blog: www.blackrockblog.com | LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/blackrock

About iShares

iShares is a global product leader in exchange traded funds with over 600 funds globally across equities, fixed income and commodities, which trade on 20 exchanges worldwide. The iShares Funds are bought and sold like common stocks on securities exchanges. The iShares Funds are attractive to many individual and institutional investors and financial intermediaries because of their relative low cost, tax efficiency and trading flexibility. Investors can purchase and sell shares through any brokerage firm, financial advisor, or online broker, and hold the funds in any type of brokerage account. The iShares customer base consists of the institutional segment of pension plans and fund managers, as well as the retail segment of financial advisors and high net worth individuals.

Carefully consider the iShares Funds’ investment objectives, risk factors, and charges and expenses before investing. This and other information can be found in the Funds’ prospectuses, which may be obtained by calling 1-800-iShares (1-800-474-2737) or by visiting www.iShares.com. Read the prospectus carefully before investing.

Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal. International investments may involve risk of capital loss from unfavorable fluctuation in currency values, from differences in generally accepted accounting principles or from economic or political instability in other nations. Securities focusing on a single country may be subject to higher volatility.

If and when a fund invests in forward foreign currency contracts or uses other investments to hedge against currency risks, it will be subject to special risks, including counterparty risk, which is the risk that the other party in the transaction will not fulfill its contractual obligation. Increased volatility will generally reduce the effectiveness of a fund’s currency hedging strategy. While hedging can reduce or eliminate losses, it can also reduce or eliminate gains. The iShares Currency Hedge ETF’s hedging strategy will not necessarily eliminate the funds’ exposure to the component currencies and there can be no assurance that a fund’s hedging transactions will be effective.

Transactions in shares of the iShares Funds will result in brokerage commissions and will generate tax consequences. iShares Funds are obliged to distribute portfolio gains to shareholders. Shares of the iShares Funds may be sold throughout the day on the exchange through any brokerage account. However, shares may only be redeemed directly from a Fund by Authorized Participants, in very large creation/redemption units. Diversification may not protect against market risk or loss of principal.

The iShares Funds are distributed by BlackRock Investments, LLC (together with its affiliates, “BlackRock”). ©2014 BlackRock. All rights reserved. iSHARES and BLACKROCK are registered trademarks of BlackRock. All other marks are the property of their respective owners. iS-13567-0914

Disclaimer

The Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by MSCI or any affiliate of MSCI. Neither MSCI nor any other party makes any representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the shares of the Fund or any member of the public regarding advisability of investing in funds generally or in the Fund particularly or the ability of the Underlying Index to track general stock market performance. MSCI is the licensor of certain trademarks, service marks and trade names of MSCI and of the Underlying Index which is determined, composed and calculated by MSCI without regard to the Company, BFA or its affiliates or the Fund. MSCI has no obligation to take the needs of the BFA or its affiliates or the owners of the shares of the Fund into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the Underlying Index. MSCI is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination of the timing of, prices at, or quantities of the Fund to be issued or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the Fund is redeemable for cash. Neither MSCI nor any other party has any obligation or liability to owners of the shares of the Fund in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the Fund.

ALTHOUGH MSCI SHALL OBTAIN INFORMATION FOR INCLUSION IN OR FOR USE IN THE CALCULATION OF THE INDEXES FROM SOURCES WHICH MSCI CONSIDERS RELIABLE, NEITHER MSCI NOR ANY OTHER PARTY GUARANTEES THE ACCURACY AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF THE INDEXES OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. NEITHER MSCI NOR ANY OTHER PARTY MAKES ANY WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY LICENSEE, LICENSEE'S CUSTOMERS AND COUNTERPARTIES, OWNERS OF THE SHARES OF THE FUND, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF THE INDEXES OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN IN CONNECTION WITH THE RIGHTS LICENSED BY MSCI FOR USE HEREIN OR FOR ANY OTHER USE. NEITHER MSCI NOR ANY OTHER PARTY MAKES ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND MSCI HEREBY EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE WITH RESPECT TO THE INDEXES OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT SHALL MSCI OR ANY OTHER PARTY HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, CONSEQUENTIAL OR ANY OTHER DAMAGES (INCLUDING LOST PROFITS) EVEN IF NOTIFIED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

©2014 BlackRock. All rights reserved. iSHARES, BLACKROCK, and BLACKROCK SOLUTIONS are registered and unregistered trademarks of BlackRock. All other marks are those of their respective owners.