TORONTO, ONTARIO — (Marketwire) — 11/20/12 — (TSX: XIU)(TSX: XSB)(TSX: XBB)(TSX: XIC)(TSX: XMD)(TSX: XEG)(TSX: XIT)(TSX: XGD)(TSX: XFN)(TSX: XSP)(TSX: XIN)(TSX: XRE)(TSX: XDV)(TSX: XRB)(TSX: XTR)(TSX: XMA)(TSX: XLB)(TSX: XCB)(TSX: XGB)(TSX: XCV)(TSX: XCG)(TSX: XCS)(TSX: XSU)(TSX: XEN)(TSX: XCR)(TSX: XGR)(TSX: XGC)(TSX: XAL)(TSX: XEM)(TSX: XWD)(TSX: XCH)(TSX: XBZ)(TSX: XLA)(TSX: XIG)(TSX: XHY)(TSX: XID)(TSX: XHB)(TSX: XPF)(TSX: XST)(TSX: XUT)(TSX: XBM)(TSX: XEI)(TSX: XHC)(TSX: XEB)(TSX: XQQ)(TSX: XVX)(TSX: XSH)(TSX: XFR)(TSX: XMV)(TSX: XMU)(TSX: XMI)(TSX: XMM)(TSX: XMW)(TSX: XHD)
BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited, an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of BlackRock, Inc. (NYSE: BLK), today announced the estimated annual capital gains distributions for the iShares® Funds listed below for the 2012 tax year. Please note that these are estimated amounts only as of November 6, 2012 and include forward-looking information which may cause the estimates to change before the Funds- December 15, 2012 tax year-end. These estimates are for the year-end capital gains distributions only, which are typically reinvested rather than paid in cash, and do not include estimates of ongoing monthly, quarterly, or semi-annual cash distribution amounts.
We expect to announce the final year-end distribution amounts, as well as the monthly, quarterly, and semi-annual cash distribution amounts, on or about December 17, 2012. The ex-dividend date for the 2012 annual distributions will be December 24, 2012. The record date for the 2012 annual distributions will be December 28, 2012. The actual taxable amounts of reinvested and cash distributions for 2012, including the tax characteristics of the distributions, will be reported to brokers (through CDS Clearing and Depository Services Inc. or “CDS”) in early 2013.
Reasons for some of the larger estimated capital gains distributions
XSP
The iShares S&P 500 Index Fund (CAD-Hedged) (“XSP”) experienced capital gains in 2012 due primarily to the increase in value of the underlying U.S. iShares fund. In addition, XSP realized capital gains on forward contracts used to hedge currency exposure to the U.S. dollar.
XDV
The iShares Dow Jones Canada Select Dividend Index Fund (“XDV”) experienced capital gains in 2012 due primarily to the disposition of securities that were removed from its underlying index, the Dow Jones Canada Select Dividend Index. Large contributors to realized capital gains included Enbridge Inc. and Canadian Utilities Ltd. which were removed from the Dow Jones Canada Select Dividend Index (and therefore sold by XDV).
XRE
The iShares S&P/TSX Capped REIT Index Fund (“XRE”) experienced capital gains in 2012 due primarily to the increase in value of the securities held in its portfolio. XRE must periodically buy and sell securities as a result of changes to its underlying index and in order to manage cash.
Forward-looking information
This notice contains forward-looking statements with respect to the estimated annual distributions for the iShares Funds. By their nature, these forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual distributions to differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Material factors that could cause the actual distributions to differ from the estimated distributions between now and December 15, 2012 (the iShares Funds- tax year ends)include, but are not limited to: the actual amounts of distributions received by the iShares Funds; the actual amounts of capital gains generated from sales of securities; trading activity within the iShares Funds, including buying and selling of securities; index changes which cause rebalancing within the iShares Funds; and subscription and redemption activity.
Further information on iShares Funds can be found at .
About BlackRock
BlackRock is a leader in investment management, risk management and advisory services for institutional and retail clients worldwide. At September 30, 2012, BlackRock-s AUM was $3.673 trillion. BlackRock offers products that span the risk spectrum to meet clients- needs, including active, enhanced and index strategies across markets and asset classes. Products are offered in a variety of structures including 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 September 30, 2012, the firm has approximately 10,400 employees in 29 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 .
About iShares
iShares is the 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.
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Media Relations Contact:
Veritas Communications
Tara Wood
416-955-4571 or C – 416-301-5724