BlackRock® Canada Announces Risk Rating Updates, Name Changes and Semi-Annual Distributions for Certain iShares Exchange-Traded Funds

TORONTO, June 25, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited (“ BlackRock Canada”), an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of BlackRock , Inc. (“ BlackRock ”) (NYSE:BLK) today announced an update to the investment risk ratings of certain iShares exchange-traded funds (“iShares ETFs”), changes to the names of certain iShares ETFs and semi-annual distributions for certain iShares ETFs. These changes are reflected in the prospectus for the iShares ETFs that was filed on or about June 25, 2021 (the “Prospectus”). Capitalized terms not otherwise defined in this press release have the meaning ascribed to them in the Prospectus.

Risk Rating Updates

BlackRock Canada has updated the investment risk ratings of the iShares ETFs, or class of the iShares ETF, as applicable, listed below, effective on or about June 25, 2021:

iShares ETF Name	Previous Risk Rating	Updated Risk Rating
iShares MSCI World Index ETF	Medium	Low to Medium
iShares Core MSCI All Country World ex Canada Index ETF1	Medium	Low to Medium
iShares MSCI Min Vol USA Index ETF2	Medium	Low to Medium
iShares Core S&P 500 Index ETF1	Medium	Low to Medium
iShares Global Water Index ETF	Medium	Low to Medium
iShares MSCI Min Vol Emerging Markets Index ETF	Medium	Low to Medium
iShares U.S. High Dividend Equity Index ETF	Low to Medium	Medium
iShares S&P/TSX Canadian Preferred Share Index ETF	Low to Medium	Medium
iShares S&P/TSX SmallCap Index ETF	Medium to High	High

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¹ The investment risk rating change only applies to the CAD Units and not the USD Units of the fund.
² The investment risk rating change only applies to the USD Units and not the CAD Units of the fund.

A copy of the standardized risk classification methodology used by BlackRock Canada to identify the investment risk levels of the iShares ETFs is available on request, at no cost, by calling us at 1-855-255-5951 or by writing to BlackRock Canada at 161 Bay Street, Suite 2500, Toronto, Ontario M5J 2S1.

Name Changes

Additionally, effective June 25, 2021, the iShares ETFs listed below have changed their names as follows:

Former iShares ETF Name	New iShares ETF Name
iShares Canadian Corporate Bond Index ETF	iShares Core Canadian Corporate Bond Index ETF
iShares Canadian Government Bond Index ETF	iShares Core Canadian Government Bond Index ETF
iShares ESG Canadian Aggregate Bond Index ETF	iShares ESG Aware Canadian Aggregate Bond Index ETF
iShares ESG Canadian Short Term Bond Index ETF	iShares ESG Aware Canadian Short Term Bond Index ETF

Semi-Annual Distributions

BlackRock Canada today announced that for distributions beginning in 2022, the iShares ETFs listed below will change from paying distributions on a quarterly basis to paying distributions on a semi-annual basis:

iShares Emerging Markets Fundamental Index ETF
iShares S&P/TSX Global Base Metals Index ETF
iShares S&P/TSX Global Gold Index ETF

Additionally, for distributions beginning in 2022, the iShares ETFs listed below will change from paying distributions on an annual basis to paying distributions on a semi-annual basis:

iShares Global Agriculture Index ETF
iShares Japan Fundamental Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)

About BlackRock

BlackRock ’s purpose is to help more and more people experience financial well-being. As a fiduciary to investors and a leading provider of financial technology, we help millions of people build savings that serve them throughout their lives by making investing easier and more affordable. For additional information on BlackRock , please visit www.blackrock.com/corporate

About iShares

iShares unlocks opportunity across markets to meet the evolving needs of investors. With more than twenty years of experience, a global line-up of 900+ exchange traded funds (ETFs) and US$2.81 trillion in assets under management as of March 31, 2021, iShares continues to drive progress for the financial industry. iShares funds are powered by the expert portfolio and risk management of BlackRock , trusted to manage more money than any other investment firm.

iShares ETFs are managed by BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited.

Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with investing in iShares ETFs. Please read the relevant prospectus before investing. The funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. Tax, investment and all other decisions should be made, as appropriate, only with guidance from a qualified professional.

MSCI is a trademark of MSCI, Inc. (“MSCI”). The ETF is permitted to use the MSCI mark pursuant to a license agreement between MSCI and BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A., relating to, among other things, the license granted to BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A. to use the Index. BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A. has sublicensed the use of this trademark to BlackRock . The ETF is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by MSCI and MSCI makes no representation, condition or warranty regarding the advisability of investing in the ETF.

Standard & Poor’s® and S&P® are registered trademarks of Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC (“S&P”). TSX is a registered trademark of TSX Inc. (“TSX”). All of the foregoing trademarks have been licensed to S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC and sublicensed for certain purposes to BlackRock Fund Advisors (“BFA”), which in turn has sub-licensed these marks to its affiliate, BlackRock on behalf of the applicable ETF. The Index is a product of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, and has been licensed for use by BFA and by extension, BlackRock and the applicable ETF. The ETF is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, Dow Jones, S&P, any of their respective affiliates (collectively known as “S&P Dow Jones Indices”) or TSX, or any of their respective affiliates. Neither S&P Dow Jones Indices nor TSX make any representations regarding the advisability of investing in the ETF.

©2021 BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited. All rights reserved. iSHARES and BLACKROCK are registered trademarks of BlackRock , Inc., or its subsidiaries in the United States and elsewhere. Used with permission.

Contact for Media:
Grace Christus
T – 1 (646) 231-8710
Email: Grace.Christus@blackrock.com