UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM N-CSR
CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES
Investment Company Act file number:
Fund Address: c/o BlackRock Fund Advisors, 400 Howard Street, San Francisco, CA 94105
Name and address of agent for service: The Corporation Trust Company, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, DE 19801
Registrant's telephone number, including area code:
Date of reporting period:
Item 1 — Report to Stockholders
(a) The Report to Shareholders is attached herewith
iShares Asia 50 ETF
AIA | NASDAQ
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report — September 30, 2024
This semi-annual shareholder report contains important information about iShares Asia 50 ETF (the “Fund”) for the period of April 1, 2024 to September 30, 2024. You can find additional information about the Fund at blackrock.com/fundreports. You can also request this information by contacting us at 1‑800‑iShares (1‑800‑474‑2737).
What were the Fund costs for the last six months?
(based on a hypothetical $10,000 investment)
| Fund name | Costs of a $10,000
investment | Costs paid as a percentage of a
$10,000 investment |
| iShares Asia 50 ETF | $27 | 0.50%(a) |
| Average annual total returns | | | | | | | | |
| 6-Month
Total
Returns | | 1 Year | | 5 Years | | 10 Years | |
| Fund NAV | 18.99 | % | 33.51 | % | 6.31 | % | 6.72 | % |
| S&P Developed ex US Broad Market Index | 9.49 | | 25.40 | | (0.85 | ) | 2.25 | |
| S&P Asia 50TM | 22.24 | | 36.22 | | 7.31 | | 7.49 | |
| Key Fund statistics | |
| Net Assets | $1,418,992,316 |
| Number of Portfolio Holdings | 58 |
| Portfolio Turnover Rate | 9% |
The Fund has added the S&P Developed ex US Broad Market Index in response to new regulatory requirements.
Performance results may include adjustments made for financial reporting purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
Past performance is not an indication of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. Visit iShares.com for more recent performance information.
What did the Fund invest in?
(as of September 30, 2024)
| Sector | Percent of Total
Investments(a) | |
| Information Technology | 40.8 | % |
| Financials | 20.3 | % |
| Consumer Discretionary | 18.0 | % |
| Communication Services | 15.4 | % |
| Industrials | 1.6 | % |
| Materials | 1.2 | % |
| Energy | 1.0 | % |
| Real Estate | 1.0 | % |
| Health Care | 0.7 | % |
Country/Geographic allocation
| Country/Geographic Region | Percent of Total
Investments(a) | |
| China | 39.9 | % |
| Taiwan | 30.8 | % |
| South Korea | 17.6 | % |
| Hong Kong | 6.9 | % |
| Singapore | 4.8 | % |
(a) | Excludes money market funds. |
Additional Information
If you wish to view additional information about the Fund, including but not limited to financial statements, the Fund’s prospectus, and proxy voting policies and procedures, please visit blackrock.com/fundreports. For proxy voting records, visit blackrock.com/proxyrecords.
The Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, issued, sold, or promoted by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC and its affiliates, nor does this company make any representation regarding the advisability of investing in the Fund. BlackRock is not affiliated with the company listed above.
©2024 BlackRock, Inc. or its affiliates. All rights reserved. iSHARES and BLACKROCK are registered trademarks of BlackRock, Inc. or its affiliates. All other trademarks are those of their respective owners.
iShares Asia 50 ETF
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report — September 30, 2024
AIA-09/24-SAR
iShares Blockchain and Tech ETF
IBLC | NYSE Arca
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report — September 30, 2024
This semi-annual shareholder report contains important information about iShares Blockchain and Tech ETF (the “Fund”) for the period of April 1, 2024 to September 30, 2024. You can find additional information about the Fund at blackrock.com/fundreports. You can also request this information by contacting us at 1‑800‑iShares (1‑800‑474‑2737).
What were the Fund costs for the last six months?
(based on a hypothetical $10,000 investment)
| Fund name | Costs of a $10,000
investment | Costs paid as a percentage of a
$10,000 investment |
| iShares Blockchain and Tech ETF | $23 | 0.47%(a) |
| Average annual total returns | | | | | | |
| 6-Month
Total
Returns | | 1 Year | | Since Fund
Inception | |
| Fund NAV | (6.38 | ) % | 85.80 | % | 7.37 | % |
| MSCI All Country World Index | 9.67 | | 31.76 | | 12.44 | |
| NYSE® FactSet® Global Blockchain Technologies Index | (6.17 | ) | 85.99 | | 6.90 | |
| Key Fund statistics | |
| Net Assets | $26,472,479 |
| Number of Portfolio Holdings | 39 |
| Portfolio Turnover Rate | 27% |
The Fund has added the MSCI All Country World Index in response to new regulatory requirements.
The inception date of the Fund was April 25, 2022.
Certain sectors and markets performed exceptionally well based on market conditions during the one-year period. Achieving such exceptional returns involves the risk of volatility and investors should not expect that such exceptional returns will be repeated.
Past performance is not an indication of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. Visit iShares.com for more recent performance information.
What did the Fund invest in?
(as of September 30, 2024)
| Sector | Percent of Total
Investments(a) | |
| Information Technology | 74.2 | % |
| Financials | 21.5 | % |
| Communication Services | 4.3 | % |
| Security | Percent of Total
Investments(a) | |
| MARA Holdings Inc. | 11.9 | % |
| Coinbase Global Inc., Class A | 11.9 | % |
| Core Scientific Inc. | 9.1 | % |
| Cleanspark Inc. | 8.4 | % |
| Iris Energy Ltd. | 4.8 | % |
| Terawulf Inc. | 4.6 | % |
| Riot Platforms Inc. | 4.3 | % |
| Advanced Micro Devices Inc. | 4.0 | % |
| Nvidia Corp. | 3.9 | % |
| Tencent Holdings Ltd. | 3.8 | % |
(a) | Excludes money market funds. |
Additional Information
If you wish to view additional information about the Fund, including but not limited to financial statements, the Fund’s prospectus, and proxy voting policies and procedures, please visit blackrock.com/fundreports. For proxy voting records, visit blackrock.com/proxyrecords.
The Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, issued, sold, or promoted by MSCI Inc. or ICE Data Indices, LLC, and their respective affiliates, nor do these companies make any representation regarding the advisability of investing in the Fund. BlackRock is not affiliated with the companies listed above.
©2024 BlackRock, Inc. or its affiliates. All rights reserved. iSHARES and BLACKROCK are registered trademarks of BlackRock, Inc. or its affiliates. All other trademarks are those of their respective owners.
iShares Blockchain and Tech ETF
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report — September 30, 2024
IBLC-09/24-SAR
iShares Copper and Metals Mining ETF
ICOP | NASDAQ
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report — September 30, 2024
This semi-annual shareholder report contains important information about iShares Copper and Metals Mining ETF (the “Fund”) for the period of April 1, 2024 to September 30, 2024. You can find additional information about the Fund at blackrock.com/fundreports. You can also request this information by contacting us at 1‑800‑iShares (1‑800‑474‑2737).
What were the Fund costs for the last six months?
(based on a hypothetical $10,000 investment)
| Fund name | Costs of a $10,000
investment | Costs paid as a percentage of a
$10,000 investment |
| iShares Copper and Metals Mining ETF | $25 | 0.47%(a) |
| Average annual total returns | | | | | | |
| 6-Month
Total
Returns | | 1 Year | | Since Fund
Inception | |
| Fund NAV | 13.45 | % | 37.32 | % | 23.37 | % |
| STOXX Emerging Markets All Cap Index | 13.56 | | 25.63 | | 16.80 | |
| STOXX Global Copper and Metals Mining Index | 14.28 | | 37.88 | | 24.68 | |
| Key Fund statistics | |
| Net Assets | $33,594,439 |
| Number of Portfolio Holdings | 45 |
| Portfolio Turnover Rate | 30% |
The Fund has added the STOXX Emerging Markets All Cap Index in response to new regulatory requirements.
The inception date of the Fund was June 21, 2023.
Certain sectors and markets performed exceptionally well based on market conditions during the one-year period. Achieving such exceptional returns involves the risk of volatility and investors should not expect that such exceptional returns will be repeated.
Past performance is not an indication of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. Visit iShares.com for more recent performance information.
What did the Fund invest in?
(as of September 30, 2024)
| Industry | Percent of Total
Investments(a) | |
| Copper | 47.8 | % |
| Diversified Metals & Mining | 41.2 | % |
| Gold | 8.2 | % |
| Steel | 2.8 | % |
| Security | Percent of Total
Investments(a) | |
| BHP Group Ltd. | 8.4 | % |
| Freeport-McMoRan Inc. | 8.3 | % |
| Grupo Mexico SAB de CV, Series B | 7.4 | % |
| Antofagasta PLC | 6.3 | % |
| Southern Copper Corp. | 6.1 | % |
| Amman Mineral Internasional PT | 4.7 | % |
| Lundin Mining Corp. | 4.6 | % |
| Ivanhoe Mines Ltd., Class A | 4.6 | % |
| First Quantum Minerals Ltd. | 4.3 | % |
| Evolution Mining Ltd. | 4.2 | % |
(a) | Excludes money market funds. |
Additional Information
If you wish to view additional information about the Fund, including but not limited to financial statements, the Fund’s prospectus, and proxy voting policies and procedures, please visit blackrock.com/fundreports. For proxy voting records, visit blackrock.com/proxyrecords.
The Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, issued, sold, or promoted by STOXX Ltd., and its affiliates, nor does this company make any representation regarding the advisability of investing in the Fund. BlackRock is not affiliated with the company listed above.
©2024 BlackRock, Inc. or its affiliates. All rights reserved. iSHARES and BLACKROCK are registered trademarks of BlackRock, Inc. or its affiliates. All other trademarks are those of their respective owners.
iShares Copper and Metals Mining ETF
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report — September 30, 2024
ICOP-09/24-SAR
iShares Emerging Markets Infrastructure ETF
EMIF | NASDAQ
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report — September 30, 2024
This semi-annual shareholder report contains important information about iShares Emerging Markets Infrastructure ETF (the “Fund”) for the period of April 1, 2024 to September 30, 2024. You can find additional information about the Fund at blackrock.com/fundreports. You can also request this information by contacting us at 1‑800‑iShares (1‑800‑474‑2737).
What were the Fund costs for the last six months?
(based on a hypothetical $10,000 investment)
| Fund name | Costs of a $10,000
investment | Costs paid as a percentage of a
$10,000 investment |
| iShares Emerging Markets Infrastructure ETF | $31 | 0.60%(a) |
| Average annual total returns | | | | | | | | |
| 6-Month
Total
Returns | | 1 Year | | 5 Years | | 10 Years | |
| Fund NAV | 6.76 | % | 15.38 | % | (1.14 | ) % | (1.18 | ) % |
| S&P Emerging Broad Market Index | 16.74 | | 27.57 | | 6.84 | | 4.83 | |
| S&P Emerging Markets Infrastructure IndexTM | 5.17 | | 13.81 | | (0.85 | ) | (0.85 | ) |
| Key Fund statistics | |
| Net Assets | $9,249,182 |
| Number of Portfolio Holdings | 33 |
| Portfolio Turnover Rate | 7% |
The Fund has added the S&P Emerging Broad Market Index in response to new regulatory requirements.
Past performance is not an indication of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. Visit iShares.com for more recent performance information.
What did the Fund invest in?
(as of September 30, 2024)
| Sector | Percent of Total
Investments(a) | |
| Utilities | 40.4 | % |
| Industrials | 39.1 | % |
| Energy | 20.5 | % |
Country/Geographic allocation
| Country/Geographic Region | Percent of Total
Investments(a) | |
| China | 38.3 | % |
| Brazil | 24.4 | % |
| Mexico | 17.4 | % |
| Thailand | 10.0 | % |
| United Arab Emirates | 5.0 | % |
| Qatar | 4.9 | % |
(a) | Excludes money market funds. |
Additional Information
If you wish to view additional information about the Fund, including but not limited to financial statements, the Fund’s prospectus, and proxy voting policies and procedures, please visit blackrock.com/fundreports. For proxy voting records, visit blackrock.com/proxyrecords.
The Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, issued, sold, or promoted by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC and its affiliates, nor does this company make any representation regarding the advisability of investing in the Fund. BlackRock is not affiliated with the company listed above.
©2024 BlackRock, Inc. or its affiliates. All rights reserved. iSHARES and BLACKROCK are registered trademarks of BlackRock, Inc. or its affiliates. All other trademarks are those of their respective owners.
iShares Emerging Markets Infrastructure ETF
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report — September 30, 2024
EMIF-09/24-SAR
iShares Environmental Infrastructure and Industrials ETF
EFRA | NASDAQ
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report — September 30, 2024
This semi-annual shareholder report contains important information about iShares Environmental Infrastructure and Industrials ETF (the “Fund”) for the period of April 1, 2024 to September 30, 2024. You can find additional information about the Fund at blackrock.com/fundreports. You can also request this information by contacting us at 1‑800‑iShares (1‑800‑474‑2737).
What were the Fund costs for the last six months?
(based on a hypothetical $10,000 investment)
| Fund name | Costs of a $10,000
investment | Costs paid as a percentage of a
$10,000 investment |
| iShares Environmental Infrastructure and Industrials ETF | $25 | 0.47%(a) |
| Average annual total returns | | | | | | |
| 6-Month
Total
Returns | | 1 Year | | Since Fund
Inception | |
| Fund NAV | 10.99 | % | 32.73 | % | 18.49 | % |
| FTSE All World ex-US Index | 9.19 | | 25.28 | | 21.40 | |
| FTSE Green Revenues Select Infrastructure and Industrials Index | 11.15 | | 32.94 | | 18.84 | |
| Key Fund statistics | |
| Net Assets | $5,420,406 |
| Number of Portfolio Holdings | 63 |
| Portfolio Turnover Rate | 20% |
The Fund has added the FTSE All World ex-US Index in response to new regulatory requirements.
The inception date of the Fund was November 1, 2022.
Past performance is not an indication of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. Visit iShares.com for more recent performance information.
What did the Fund invest in?
(as of September 30, 2024)
| Sector | Percent of Total
Investments(a) | |
| Industrials | 52.3 | % |
| Utilities | 29.7 | % |
| Materials | 11.6 | % |
| Information Technology | 6.4 | % |
| Security | Percent of Total
Investments(a) | |
| Smurfit WestRock PLC | 6.5 | % |
| Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corp. | 6.2 | % |
| Xylem Inc./New York | 5.9 | % |
| Veolia Environnement SA | 5.8 | % |
| American Water Works Co. Inc. | 5.7 | % |
| Pentair PLC | 5.5 | % |
| Tetra Tech Inc. | 4.3 | % |
| Clean Harbors Inc. | 4.2 | % |
| Advanced Drainage Systems Inc. | 3.7 | % |
| Essential Utilities Inc. | 3.3 | % |
(a) | Excludes money market funds. |
Additional Information
If you wish to view additional information about the Fund, including but not limited to financial statements, the Fund’s prospectus, and proxy voting policies and procedures, please visit blackrock.com/fundreports. For proxy voting records, visit blackrock.com/proxyrecords.
The Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, issued, sold, or promoted by FTSE International Limited and its affiliates, nor does this company make any representation regarding the advisability of investing in the Fund. BlackRock is not affiliated with the company listed above.
©2024 BlackRock, Inc. or its affiliates. All rights reserved. iSHARES and BLACKROCK are registered trademarks of BlackRock, Inc. or its affiliates. All other trademarks are those of their respective owners.
iShares Environmental Infrastructure and Industrials ETF
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report — September 30, 2024
EFRA-09/24-SAR
iShares Europe ETF
IEV | NYSE Arca
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report — September 30, 2024
This semi-annual shareholder report contains important information about iShares Europe ETF (the “Fund”) for the period of April 1, 2024 to September 30, 2024. You can find additional information about the Fund at blackrock.com/fundreports. You can also request this information by contacting us at 1‑800‑iShares (1‑800‑474‑2737).
What were the Fund costs for the last six months?
(based on a hypothetical $10,000 investment)
| Fund name | Costs of a $10,000
investment | Costs paid as a percentage of a
$10,000 investment |
| iShares Europe ETF | $31 | 0.59%(a) |
| Average annual total returns | | | | | | | | |
| 6-Month
Total
Returns | | 1 Year | | 5 Years | | 10 Years | |
| Fund NAV | 7.11 | % | 25.66 | % | 9.02 | % | 5.48 | % |
| S&P Developed ex US Broad Market Index | 9.49 | | 25.40 | | (0.85 | ) | 2.25 | |
| S&P Europe 350TM | 7.23 | | 25.43 | | 9.17 | | 5.72 | |
| Key Fund statistics | |
| Net Assets | $1,771,221,657 |
| Number of Portfolio Holdings | 366 |
| Portfolio Turnover Rate | 2% |
The Fund has added the S&P Developed ex US Broad Market Index in response to new regulatory requirements.
Past performance is not an indication of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. Visit iShares.com for more recent performance information.
What did the Fund invest in?
(as of September 30, 2024)
| Sector | Percent of Total
Investments(a) | |
| Financials | 19.9 | % |
| Industrials | 16.7 | % |
| Health Care | 15.9 | % |
| Consumer Staples | 10.7 | % |
| Consumer Discretionary | 9.7 | % |
| Information Technology | 7.5 | % |
| Materials | 6.5 | % |
| Energy | 4.8 | % |
| Utilities | 4.2 | % |
| Communication Services | 3.3 | % |
| Real Estate | 0.8 | % |
Country/Geographic allocation
| Country/Geographic Region | Percent of Total
Investments(a) | |
| United Kingdom | 23.4 | % |
| France | 16.9 | % |
| Switzerland | 15.1 | % |
| Germany | 13.6 | % |
| Netherlands | 7.3 | % |
| Sweden | 5.2 | % |
| Denmark | 5.2 | % |
| Spain | 4.5 | % |
| Italy | 4.1 | % |
| Belgium | 1.4 | % |
| Other# | 3.3 | % |
(a) | Excludes money market funds. |
# | Ten largest country/geographic regions are presented. Additional country/geographic regions are found in Other. |
Additional Information
If you wish to view additional information about the Fund, including but not limited to financial statements, the Fund’s prospectus, and proxy voting policies and procedures, please visit blackrock.com/fundreports. For proxy voting records, visit blackrock.com/proxyrecords.
The Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, issued, sold, or promoted by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC and its affiliates, nor does this company make any representation regarding the advisability of investing in the Fund. BlackRock is not affiliated with the company listed above.
©2024 BlackRock, Inc. or its affiliates. All rights reserved. iSHARES and BLACKROCK are registered trademarks of BlackRock, Inc. or its affiliates. All other trademarks are those of their respective owners.
iShares Europe ETF
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report — September 30, 2024
IEV-09/24-SAR
iShares Future AI & Tech ETF
ARTY | NYSE Arca
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report — September 30, 2024
This semi-annual shareholder report contains important information about iShares Future AI & Tech ETF (the “Fund”) (formerly known as iShares Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Multisector ETF) for the period of August 1, 2024 to September 30, 2024. You can find additional information about the Fund at blackrock.com/fundreports. You can also request this information by contacting us at 1‑800‑iShares (1‑800‑474‑2737).
What were the Fund costs for the period?
(based on a hypothetical $10,000 investment)
| Fund name | Costs of a $10,000
investment | Costs paid as a percentage of a
$10,000 investment |
| iShares Future AI & Tech ETF | $8(a) | 0.47%(b) |
(a) | Expenses for a full reporting period would be higher than the amount shown. |
(b) | Annualized. |
| Average annual total returns | | | | | | | | |
| 6-Month
Total
Returns | | 1 Year | | 5 Years | | Since Fund
Inception | |
| Fund NAV | 0.25 | % | 13.33 | % | 8.19 | % | 6.99 | % |
| MSCI All Country World Index | 9.67 | | 31.76 | | 12.19 | | 10.62 | |
| Underlying Index | 0.29 | | 13.43 | | 8.39 | | 7.21 | |
| Morningstar® Global Artificial Intelligence Select IndexSM | N/A | | N/A | | N/A | | N/A | |
| NYSE® FactSet® Global Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Index | (1.83 | ) | 12.13 | | 8.08 | | 6.94 | |
| Key Fund statistics | |
| Net Assets | $609,459,071 |
| Number of Portfolio Holdings | 50 |
| Portfolio Turnover Rate | 90% |
Effective August 12, 2024, the Board of Trustees approved to change the Fund’s fiscal year end from July 31 to March 31. The Fund’s total return is 1.95% for the period from August 1, 2024 to September 30, 2024.
The inception date of the Fund was June 26, 2018.
The performance of the Underlying Index in this report reflects the performance of the NYSE® FactSet® Global Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Index through August 11, 2024 and, beginning on August 12, 2024, the performance of the Morningstar® Global Artificial Intelligence Select IndexSM, which, effective as of August 12, 2024, replaced the NYSE® FactSet® Global Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Index as the underlying index of the Fund.
The inception date of the Morningstar® Global Artificial Intelligence Select IndexSM was May 14, 2024. The cumulative total return for this index for the period May 14, 2024 through September 30, 2024 was 5.35%.
Effective August 30, 2024, the NYSE® FactSet® Global Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Index was discontinued by the index provider. Returns shown are through August 29, 2024.
Past performance is not an indication of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. Visit iShares.com for more recent performance information.
What did the Fund invest in?
(as of September 30, 2024)
| Sector | Percent of Total
Investments(a) | |
| Information Technology | 90.7 | % |
| Communication Services | 6.4 | % |
| Consumer Discretionary | 2.9 | % |
| Industrials | 0.0 | % (b) |
Country/Geographic allocation
| Country/Geographic Region | Percent of Total
Investments(a) | |
| United States | 88.5 | % |
| France | 5.0 | % |
| Taiwan | 3.9 | % |
| Canada | 2.2 | % |
| South Korea | 0.4 | % |
| Hong Kong | 0.0 | % (b) |
| Japan | 0.0 | % (b) |
(a) | Excludes money market funds. |
(b) | Rounds to less than 0.1%. |
Additional Information
If you wish to view additional information about the Fund, including but not limited to financial statements, the Fund’s prospectus, and proxy voting policies and procedures, please visit blackrock.com/fundreports. For proxy voting records, visit blackrock.com/proxyrecords.
The Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, issued, sold, or promoted by MSCI Inc., Morningstar Inc., NYSE Group, Inc., and their respective affiliates, nor do these companies make any representation regarding the advisability of investing in the Fund. BlackRock is not affiliated with the companies listed above.
©2024 BlackRock, Inc. or its affiliates. All rights reserved. iSHARES and BLACKROCK are registered trademarks of BlackRock, Inc. or its affiliates. All other trademarks are those of their respective owners.
iShares Future AI & Tech ETF
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report — September 30, 2024
ARTY-09/24-SAR
iShares Future Metaverse Tech and Communications ETF
IVRS | NYSE Arca
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report — September 30, 2024
This semi-annual shareholder report contains important information about iShares Future Metaverse Tech and Communications ETF (the “Fund”) for the period of April 1, 2024 to September 30, 2024. You can find additional information about the Fund at blackrock.com/fundreports. You can also request this information by contacting us at 1‑800‑iShares (1‑800‑474‑2737).
What were the Fund costs for the last six months?
(based on a hypothetical $10,000 investment)
| Fund name | Costs of a $10,000
investment | Costs paid as a percentage of a
$10,000 investment |
| iShares Future Metaverse Tech and Communications ETF | $24 | 0.47%(a) |
| Average annual total returns | | | | | | |
| 6-Month
Total
Returns | | 1 Year | | Since Fund
Inception | |
| Fund NAV | 4.22 | % | 23.29 | % | 20.19 | % |
| MSCI All Country World Index | 9.67 | | 31.76 | | 19.87 | |
| Morningstar® Global Metaverse & Virtual Interaction Select IndexSM | 4.73 | | 24.09 | | 21.03 | |
| Key Fund statistics | |
| Net Assets | $6,863,676 |
| Number of Portfolio Holdings | 40 |
| Portfolio Turnover Rate | 14% |
The Fund has added the MSCI All Country World Index in response to new regulatory requirements.
The inception date of the Fund was February 14, 2023.
Performance results may include adjustments made for financial reporting purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
Past performance is not an indication of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. Visit iShares.com for more recent performance information.
What did the Fund invest in?
(as of September 30, 2024)
| Industry | Percent of Total
Investments(a) | |
| Software | 35.8 | % |
| Entertainment | 30.3 | % |
| Interactive Media & Services | 17.7 | % |
| Household Durables | 7.9 | % |
| Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals | 4.3 | % |
| Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment | 3.9 | % |
| Communications Equipment | 0.1 | % |
| Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components | 0.0 | % (b) |
| Security | Percent of Total
Investments(a) | |
| Meta Platforms Inc., Class A | 6.3 | % |
| Kuaishou Technology | 5.8 | % |
| Unity Software Inc. | 5.5 | % |
| NetEase Inc. | 5.1 | % |
| Sony Group Corp. | 4.5 | % |
| Autodesk Inc. | 4.5 | % |
| PTC Inc. | 4.5 | % |
| Kakao Games Corp. | 4.5 | % |
| Krafton Inc. | 4.5 | % |
| Dassault Systemes SE | 4.3 | % |
(a) | Excludes money market funds. |
(b) | Rounds to less than 0.1%. |
Additional Information
If you wish to view additional information about the Fund, including but not limited to financial statements, the Fund’s prospectus, and proxy voting policies and procedures, please visit blackrock.com/fundreports. For proxy voting records, visit blackrock.com/proxyrecords.
The Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, issued, sold, or promoted by MSCI Inc., Morningstar Inc., and their respective affiliates, nor do these companies make any representation regarding the advisability of investing in the Fund. BlackRock is not affiliated with the companies listed above.
©2024 BlackRock, Inc. or its affiliates. All rights reserved. iSHARES and BLACKROCK are registered trademarks of BlackRock, Inc. or its affiliates. All other trademarks are those of their respective owners.
iShares Future Metaverse Tech and Communications ETF
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report — September 30, 2024
IVRS-09/24-SAR
iShares Global 100 ETF
IOO | NYSE Arca
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report — September 30, 2024
This semi-annual shareholder report contains important information about iShares Global 100 ETF (the “Fund”) for the period of April 1, 2024 to September 30, 2024. You can find additional information about the Fund at blackrock.com/fundreports. You can also request this information by contacting us at 1‑800‑iShares (1‑800‑474‑2737).
What were the Fund costs for the last six months?
(based on a hypothetical $10,000 investment)
| Fund name | Costs of a $10,000
investment | Costs paid as a percentage of a
$10,000 investment |
| iShares Global 100 ETF | $21 | 0.40%(a) |
| Average annual total returns | | | | | | | | |
| 6-Month
Total
Returns | | 1 Year | | 5 Years | | 10 Years | |
| Fund NAV | 11.65 | % | 37.07 | % | 16.81 | % | 12.15 | % |
| S&P Global Broad Market Index | 9.32 | | 30.73 | | 11.62 | | 9.06 | |
| S&P Global 100TM | 11.75 | | 37.05 | | 16.81 | | 12.06 | |
| Key Fund statistics | |
| Net Assets | $6,251,710,550 |
| Number of Portfolio Holdings | 105 |
| Portfolio Turnover Rate | 3% |
The Fund has added the S&P Global Broad Market Index in response to new regulatory requirements.
Certain sectors and markets performed exceptionally well based on market conditions during the one-year period. Achieving such exceptional returns involves the risk of volatility and investors should not expect that such exceptional returns will be repeated.
Past performance is not an indication of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. Visit iShares.com for more recent performance information.
What did the Fund invest in?
(as of September 30, 2024)
| Sector | Percent of Total
Investments(a) | |
| Information Technology | 43.0 | % |
| Health Care | 10.6 | % |
| Consumer Discretionary | 9.7 | % |
| Financials | 9.1 | % |
| Communication Services | 7.9 | % |
| Consumer Staples | 7.8 | % |
| Industrials | 4.6 | % |
| Energy | 4.2 | % |
| Materials | 2.1 | % |
| Utilities | 0.6 | % |
| Real Estate | 0.4 | % |
Country/Geographic allocation
| Country/Geographic Region | Percent of Total
Investments(a) | |
| United States | 80.1 | % |
| United Kingdom | 4.5 | % |
| Switzerland | 3.4 | % |
| France | 3.0 | % |
| Germany | 2.4 | % |
| Japan | 2.1 | % |
| Netherlands | 1.4 | % |
| China | 1.2 | % |
| South Korea | 0.8 | % |
| Spain | 0.6 | % |
| Australia | 0.5 | % |
(a) | Excludes money market funds. |
Additional Information
If you wish to view additional information about the Fund, including but not limited to financial statements, the Fund’s prospectus, and proxy voting policies and procedures, please visit blackrock.com/fundreports. For proxy voting records, visit blackrock.com/proxyrecords.
The Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, issued, sold, or promoted by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC and its affiliates, nor does this company make any representation regarding the advisability of investing in the Fund. BlackRock is not affiliated with the company listed above.
©2024 BlackRock, Inc. or its affiliates. All rights reserved. iSHARES and BLACKROCK are registered trademarks of BlackRock, Inc. or its affiliates. All other trademarks are those of their respective owners.
iShares Global 100 ETF
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report — September 30, 2024
IOO-09/24-SAR
iShares Global Comm Services ETF
IXP | NYSE Arca
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report — September 30, 2024
This semi-annual shareholder report contains important information about iShares Global Comm Services ETF (the “Fund”) for the period of April 1, 2024 to September 30, 2024. You can find additional information about the Fund at blackrock.com/fundreports. You can also request this information by contacting us at 1‑800‑iShares (1‑800‑474‑2737).
What were the Fund costs for the last six months?
(based on a hypothetical $10,000 investment)
| Fund name | Costs of a $10,000
investment | Costs paid as a percentage of a
$10,000 investment |
| iShares Global Comm Services ETF | $21 | 0.39%(a) |
| Average annual total returns | | | | | | | | |
| 6-Month
Total
Returns | | 1 Year | | 5 Years | | 10 Years | |
| Fund NAV | 12.33 | % | 39.52 | % | 11.90 | % | 6.75 | % |
| S&P Global Broad Market Index | 9.32 | | 30.73 | | 11.62 | | 9.06 | |
| S&P Global 1200 Communication Services 4.5/22.5/45 Capped IndexTM | 12.66 | | 39.77 | | 12.15 | | 6.82 | |
| Key Fund statistics | |
| Net Assets | $381,163,502 |
| Number of Portfolio Holdings | 70 |
| Portfolio Turnover Rate | 12% |
The Fund has added the S&P Global Broad Market Index in response to new regulatory requirements.
The performance of the S&P Global 1200 Communication Services 4.5/22.5/45 Capped IndexTM in this report reflects the performance of the S&P Global 1200 Communication Services Sector IndexTM through June 23, 2019 and, beginning on June 24, 2019, the performance of the S&P Global 1200 Communication Services 4.5/22.5/45 Capped IndexTM.
Certain sectors and markets performed exceptionally well based on market conditions during the one-year period. Achieving such exceptional returns involves the risk of volatility and investors should not expect that such exceptional returns will be repeated.
Past performance is not an indication of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. Visit iShares.com for more recent performance information.
What did the Fund invest in?
(as of September 30, 2024)
| Industry | Percent of Total
Investments(a) | |
| Interactive Media & Services | 54.0 | % |
| Diversified Telecommunication Services | 17.5 | % |
| Entertainment | 13.6 | % |
| Media | 7.7 | % |
| Wireless Telecommunication Services | 7.2 | % |
Country/Geographic allocation
| Country/Geographic Region | Percent of Total
Investments(a) | |
| United States | 73.7 | % |
| China | 6.8 | % |
| Japan | 6.7 | % |
| Germany | 2.4 | % |
| United Kingdom | 1.8 | % |
| Canada | 1.7 | % |
| France | 1.3 | % |
| Spain | 1.1 | % |
| Australia | 1.1 | % |
| Netherlands | 0.8 | % |
| Other# | 2.6 | % |
(a) | Excludes money market funds. |
# | Ten largest country/geographic regions are presented. Additional country/geographic regions are found in Other. |
Additional Information
If you wish to view additional information about the Fund, including but not limited to financial statements, the Fund’s prospectus, and proxy voting policies and procedures, please visit blackrock.com/fundreports. For proxy voting records, visit blackrock.com/proxyrecords.
The Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, issued, sold, or promoted by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC and its affiliates, nor does this company make any representation regarding the advisability of investing in the Fund. BlackRock is not affiliated with the company listed above.
©2024 BlackRock, Inc. or its affiliates. All rights reserved. iSHARES and BLACKROCK are registered trademarks of BlackRock, Inc. or its affiliates. All other trademarks are those of their respective owners.
iShares Global Comm Services ETF
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report — September 30, 2024
IXP-09/24-SAR
iShares Global Consumer Discretionary ETF
RXI | NYSE Arca
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report — September 30, 2024
This semi-annual shareholder report contains important information about iShares Global Consumer Discretionary ETF (the “Fund”) for the period of April 1, 2024 to September 30, 2024. You can find additional information about the Fund at blackrock.com/fundreports. You can also request this information by contacting us at 1‑800‑iShares (1‑800‑474‑2737).
What were the Fund costs for the last six months?
(based on a hypothetical $10,000 investment)
| Fund name | Costs of a $10,000
investment | Costs paid as a percentage of a
$10,000 investment |
| iShares Global Consumer Discretionary ETF | $21 | 0.40%(a) |
| Average annual total returns | | | | | | | | |
| 6-Month
Total
Returns | | 1 Year | | 5 Years | | 10 Years | |
| Fund NAV | 6.82 | % | 22.93 | % | 9.34 | % | 9.56 | % |
| S&P Global Broad Market Index | 9.32 | | 30.73 | | 11.62 | | 9.06 | |
| S&P Global 1200 Consumer Discretionary (Sector) Capped IndexTM | 7.29 | | 23.34 | | 9.59 | | 9.73 | |
| Key Fund statistics | |
| Net Assets | $248,907,495 |
| Number of Portfolio Holdings | 141 |
| Portfolio Turnover Rate | 5% |
The Fund has added the S&P Global Broad Market Index in response to new regulatory requirements.
The performance of the S&P Global 1200 Consumer Discretionary (Sector) Capped IndexTM in this report reflects the performance of the S&P Global 1200 Consumer Discretionary Sector IndexTM through September 22, 2019 and, beginning on September 23, 2019, the performance of the S&P Global 1200 Consumer Discretionary (Sector) Capped IndexTM.
Past performance is not an indication of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. Visit iShares.com for more recent performance information.
What did the Fund invest in?
(as of September 30, 2024)
| Industry | Percent of Total
Investments(a) | |
| Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail | 34.5 | % |
| Automobiles & Components | 25.1 | % |
| Consumer Services | 22.0 | % |
| Consumer Durables & Apparel | 18.4 | % |
Country/Geographic allocation
| Country/Geographic Region | Percent of Total
Investments(a) | |
| United States | 58.1 | % |
| Japan | 12.3 | % |
| China | 8.1 | % |
| France | 5.8 | % |
| Germany | 3.1 | % |
| United Kingdom | 2.5 | % |
| Spain | 1.6 | % |
| Italy | 1.6 | % |
| Switzerland | 1.5 | % |
| Australia | 1.4 | % |
| Other# | 4.0 | % |
(a) | Excludes money market funds. |
# | Ten largest country/geographic regions are presented. Additional country/geographic regions are found in Other. |
Additional Information
If you wish to view additional information about the Fund, including but not limited to financial statements, the Fund’s prospectus, and proxy voting policies and procedures, please visit blackrock.com/fundreports. For proxy voting records, visit blackrock.com/proxyrecords.
The Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, issued, sold, or promoted by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC and its affiliates, nor does this company make any representation regarding the advisability of investing in the Fund. BlackRock is not affiliated with the company listed above.
©2024 BlackRock, Inc. or its affiliates. All rights reserved. iSHARES and BLACKROCK are registered trademarks of BlackRock, Inc. or its affiliates. All other trademarks are those of their respective owners.
iShares Global Consumer Discretionary ETF
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report — September 30, 2024
RXI-09/24-SAR
iShares Global Consumer Staples ETF
KXI | NYSE Arca
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report — September 30, 2024
This semi-annual shareholder report contains important information about iShares Global Consumer Staples ETF (the “Fund”) for the period of April 1, 2024 to September 30, 2024. You can find additional information about the Fund at blackrock.com/fundreports. You can also request this information by contacting us at 1‑800‑iShares (1‑800‑474‑2737).
What were the Fund costs for the last six months?
(based on a hypothetical $10,000 investment)
| Fund name | Costs of a $10,000
investment | Costs paid as a percentage of a
$10,000 investment |
| iShares Global Consumer Staples ETF | $21 | 0.40%(a) |
| Average annual total returns | | | | | | | | |
| 6-Month
Total
Returns | | 1 Year | | 5 Years | | 10 Years | |
| Fund NAV | 8.94 | % | 18.77 | % | 6.25 | % | 6.63 | % |
| S&P Global Broad Market Index | 9.32 | | 30.73 | | 11.62 | | 9.06 | |
| S&P Global 1200 Consumer Staples (Sector) Capped IndexTM | 8.89 | | 18.50 | | 6.15 | | 6.54 | |
| Key Fund statistics | |
| Net Assets | $749,925,550 |
| Number of Portfolio Holdings | 104 |
| Portfolio Turnover Rate | 4% |
The Fund has added the S&P Global Broad Market Index in response to new regulatory requirements.
The performance of the S&P Global 1200 Consumer Staples (Sector) Capped IndexTM in this report reflects the performance of the S&P Global 1200 Consumer Staples Sector IndexTM through June 23, 2019 and, beginning on June 24, 2019, the performance of the S&P Global 1200 Consumer Staples (Sector) Capped IndexTM.
Past performance is not an indication of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. Visit iShares.com for more recent performance information.
What did the Fund invest in?
(as of September 30, 2024)
| Industry | Percent of Total
Investments(a) | |
| Consumer Staples Merchandise Retail | 17.2 | % |
| Packaged Foods & Meats | 16.9 | % |
| Household Products | 16.1 | % |
| Soft Drinks & Non-alcoholic Beverages | 11.3 | % |
| Personal Care Products | 10.6 | % |
| Tobacco | 9.8 | % |
| Food Retail | 7.7 | % |
| Distillers & Vintners | 4.1 | % |
| Brewers | 4.0 | % |
| Agricultural Products & Services | 1.1 | % |
| Other* | 1.2 | % |
Country/Geographic allocation
| Country/Geographic Region | Percent of Total
Investments(a) | |
| United States | 61.2 | % |
| United Kingdom | 12.1 | % |
| Japan | 5.7 | % |
| Switzerland | 5.2 | % |
| France | 4.7 | % |
| Canada | 2.3 | % |
| Netherlands | 1.6 | % |
| Belgium | 1.5 | % |
| Australia | 1.4 | % |
| Mexico | 1.1 | % |
| Other# | 3.2 | % |
(a) | Excludes money market funds. |
* | Ten largest industries are presented. Additional industries are found in Other. |
# | Ten largest country/geographic regions are presented. Additional country/geographic regions are found in Other. |
Additional Information
If you wish to view additional information about the Fund, including but not limited to financial statements, the Fund’s prospectus, and proxy voting policies and procedures, please visit blackrock.com/fundreports. For proxy voting records, visit blackrock.com/proxyrecords.
The Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, issued, sold, or promoted by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC and its affiliates, nor does this company make any representation regarding the advisability of investing in the Fund. BlackRock is not affiliated with the company listed above.
©2024 BlackRock, Inc. or its affiliates. All rights reserved. iSHARES and BLACKROCK are registered trademarks of BlackRock, Inc. or its affiliates. All other trademarks are those of their respective owners.
iShares Global Consumer Staples ETF
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report — September 30, 2024
KXI-09/24-SAR
iShares Global Energy ETF
IXC | NYSE Arca
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report — September 30, 2024
This semi-annual shareholder report contains important information about iShares Global Energy ETF (the “Fund”) for the period of April 1, 2024 to September 30, 2024. You can find additional information about the Fund at blackrock.com/fundreports. You can also request this information by contacting us at 1‑800‑iShares (1‑800‑474‑2737).
What were the Fund costs for the last six months?
(based on a hypothetical $10,000 investment)
| Fund name | Costs of a $10,000
investment | Costs paid as a percentage of a
$10,000 investment |
| iShares Global Energy ETF | $20 | 0.40%(a) |
| Average annual total returns | | | | | | | | |
| 6-Month
Total
Returns | | 1 Year | | 5 Years | | 10 Years | |
| Fund NAV | (3.61 | ) % | 1.95 | % | 10.93 | % | 3.25 | % |
| S&P Global Broad Market Index | 9.32 | | 30.73 | | 11.62 | | 9.06 | |
| S&P Global 1200 Energy 4.5/22.5/45 Capped IndexTM | (3.62 | ) | 1.50 | | 10.37 | | 2.89 | |
| Key Fund statistics | |
| Net Assets | $2,058,538,000 |
| Number of Portfolio Holdings | 55 |
| Portfolio Turnover Rate | 3% |
The Fund has added the S&P Global Broad Market Index in response to new regulatory requirements.
The performance of the S&P Global 1200 Energy 4.5/22.5/45 Capped IndexTM in this report reflects the performance of the S&P Global 1200 Energy Sector IndexTM through April 19, 2023 and, beginning on April 20, 2023, the performance of the S&P Global 1200 Energy 4.5/22.5/45 Capped IndexTM.
Past performance is not an indication of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. Visit iShares.com for more recent performance information.
What did the Fund invest in?
(as of September 30, 2024)
| Industry | Percent of Total
Investments(a) | |
| Integrated Oil & Gas | 55.9 | % |
| Oil & Gas Exploration & Production | 18.7 | % |
| Oil & Gas Storage & Transportation | 12.9 | % |
| Oil & Gas Refining & Marketing | 6.9 | % |
| Oil & Gas Equipment & Services | 4.8 | % |
| Coal & Consumable Fuels | 0.8 | % |
Country/Geographic allocation
| Country/Geographic Region | Percent of Total
Investments(a) | |
| United States | 60.2 | % |
| Canada | 13.1 | % |
| United Kingdom | 10.9 | % |
| France | 5.4 | % |
| Brazil | 2.1 | % |
| Australia | 2.0 | % |
| Italy | 1.5 | % |
| China | 1.2 | % |
| Japan | 1.1 | % |
| Norway | 1.0 | % |
| Other# | 1.5 | % |
(a) | Excludes money market funds. |
# | Ten largest country/geographic regions are presented. Additional country/geographic regions are found in Other. |
Additional Information
If you wish to view additional information about the Fund, including but not limited to financial statements, the Fund’s prospectus, and proxy voting policies and procedures, please visit blackrock.com/fundreports. For proxy voting records, visit blackrock.com/proxyrecords.
The Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, issued, sold, or promoted by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC and its affiliates, nor does this company make any representation regarding the advisability of investing in the Fund. BlackRock is not affiliated with the company listed above.
©2024 BlackRock, Inc. or its affiliates. All rights reserved. iSHARES and BLACKROCK are registered trademarks of BlackRock, Inc. or its affiliates. All other trademarks are those of their respective owners.
iShares Global Energy ETF
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report — September 30, 2024
IXC-09/24-SAR
iShares Global Financials ETF
IXG | NYSE Arca
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report — September 30, 2024
This semi-annual shareholder report contains important information about iShares Global Financials ETF (the “Fund”) for the period of April 1, 2024 to September 30, 2024. You can find additional information about the Fund at blackrock.com/fundreports. You can also request this information by contacting us at 1‑800‑iShares (1‑800‑474‑2737).
What were the Fund costs for the last six months?
(based on a hypothetical $10,000 investment)
| Fund name | Costs of a $10,000
investment | Costs paid as a percentage of a
$10,000 investment |
| iShares Global Financials ETF | $21 | 0.40%(a) |
| Average annual total returns | | | | | | | | |
| 6-Month
Total
Returns | | 1 Year | | 5 Years | | 10 Years | |
| Fund NAV | 10.94 | % | 37.94 | % | 11.11 | % | 8.14 | % |
| S&P Global Broad Market Index | 9.32 | | 30.73 | | 11.62 | | 9.06 | |
| S&P Global 1200 Financials IndexTM | 10.94 | | 37.61 | | 11.09 | | 8.15 | |
| Key Fund statistics | |
| Net Assets | $415,763,123 |
| Number of Portfolio Holdings | 214 |
| Portfolio Turnover Rate | 4% |
The Fund has added the S&P Global Broad Market Index in response to new regulatory requirements.
Certain sectors and markets performed exceptionally well based on market conditions during the one-year period. Achieving such exceptional returns involves the risk of volatility and investors should not expect that such exceptional returns will be repeated.
Past performance is not an indication of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. Visit iShares.com for more recent performance information.
What did the Fund invest in?
(as of September 30, 2024)
| Industry | Percent of Total
Investments(a) | |
| Banks | 38.7 | % |
| Insurance | 20.2 | % |
| Financial Services | 19.8 | % |
| Capital Markets | 18.9 | % |
| Consumer Finance | 2.4 | % |
Country/Geographic allocation
| Country/Geographic Region | Percent of Total
Investments(a) | |
| United States | 56.8 | % |
| Canada | 6.7 | % |
| Japan | 4.9 | % |
| United Kingdom | 4.8 | % |
| Australia | 4.4 | % |
| Germany | 2.9 | % |
| Switzerland | 2.8 | % |
| China | 1.9 | % |
| Italy | 1.9 | % |
| Sweden | 1.8 | % |
| Other# | 11.1 | % |
(a) | Excludes money market funds. |
# | Ten largest country/geographic regions are presented. Additional country/geographic regions are found in Other. |
Additional Information
If you wish to view additional information about the Fund, including but not limited to financial statements, the Fund’s prospectus, and proxy voting policies and procedures, please visit blackrock.com/fundreports. For proxy voting records, visit blackrock.com/proxyrecords.
The Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, issued, sold, or promoted by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC and its affiliates, nor does this company make any representation regarding the advisability of investing in the Fund. BlackRock is not affiliated with the company listed above.
©2024 BlackRock, Inc. or its affiliates. All rights reserved. iSHARES and BLACKROCK are registered trademarks of BlackRock, Inc. or its affiliates. All other trademarks are those of their respective owners.
iShares Global Financials ETF
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report — September 30, 2024
IXG-09/24-SAR
iShares Global Healthcare ETF
IXJ | NYSE Arca
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report — September 30, 2024
This semi-annual shareholder report contains important information about iShares Global Healthcare ETF (the “Fund”) for the period of April 1, 2024 to September 30, 2024. You can find additional information about the Fund at blackrock.com/fundreports. You can also request this information by contacting us at 1‑800‑iShares (1‑800‑474‑2737).
What were the Fund costs for the last six months?
(based on a hypothetical $10,000 investment)
| Fund name | Costs of a $10,000
investment | Costs paid as a percentage of a
$10,000 investment |
| iShares Global Healthcare ETF | $21 | 0.40%(a) |
| Average annual total returns | | | | | | | | |
| 6-Month
Total
Returns | | 1 Year | | 5 Years | | 10 Years | |
| Fund NAV | 6.17 | % | 20.79 | % | 11.42 | % | 8.94 | % |
| S&P Global Broad Market Index | 9.32 | | 30.73 | | 11.62 | | 9.06 | |
| S&P Global 1200 Health Care IndexTM | 6.09 | | 20.51 | | 11.40 | | 8.97 | |
| Key Fund statistics | |
| Net Assets | $4,288,642,831 |
| Number of Portfolio Holdings | 115 |
| Portfolio Turnover Rate | 3% |
The Fund has added the S&P Global Broad Market Index in response to new regulatory requirements.
Past performance is not an indication of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. Visit iShares.com for more recent performance information.
What did the Fund invest in?
(as of September 30, 2024)
| Industry | Percent of Total
Investments(a) | |
| Pharmaceuticals | 42.3 | % |
| Health Care Equipment & Supplies | 19.1 | % |
| Health Care Providers & Services | 15.8 | % |
| Biotechnology | 13.9 | % |
| Life Sciences Tools & Services | 8.8 | % |
| Health Care Technology | 0.1 | % |
Country/Geographic allocation
| Country/Geographic Region | Percent of Total
Investments(a) | |
| United States | 71.3 | % |
| Switzerland | 7.8 | % |
| Denmark | 5.2 | % |
| United Kingdom | 4.3 | % |
| Japan | 4.2 | % |
| France | 2.6 | % |
| Australia | 1.6 | % |
| Germany | 1.5 | % |
| Belgium | 0.7 | % |
| Netherlands | 0.3 | % |
| Other# | 0.5 | % |
(a) | Excludes money market funds. |
# | Ten largest country/geographic regions are presented. Additional country/geographic regions are found in Other. |
Additional Information
If you wish to view additional information about the Fund, including but not limited to financial statements, the Fund’s prospectus, and proxy voting policies and procedures, please visit blackrock.com/fundreports. For proxy voting records, visit blackrock.com/proxyrecords.
The Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, issued, sold, or promoted by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC and its affiliates, nor does this company make any representation regarding the advisability of investing in the Fund. BlackRock is not affiliated with the company listed above.
©2024 BlackRock, Inc. or its affiliates. All rights reserved. iSHARES and BLACKROCK are registered trademarks of BlackRock, Inc. or its affiliates. All other trademarks are those of their respective owners.
iShares Global Healthcare ETF
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report — September 30, 2024
IXJ-09/24-SAR
iShares Global Industrials ETF
EXI | NYSE Arca
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report — September 30, 2024
This semi-annual shareholder report contains important information about iShares Global Industrials ETF (the “Fund”) for the period of April 1, 2024 to September 30, 2024. You can find additional information about the Fund at blackrock.com/fundreports. You can also request this information by contacting us at 1‑800‑iShares (1‑800‑474‑2737).
What were the Fund costs for the last six months?
(based on a hypothetical $10,000 investment)
| Fund name | Costs of a $10,000
investment | Costs paid as a percentage of a
$10,000 investment |
| iShares Global Industrials ETF | $21 | 0.40%(a) |
| Average annual total returns | | | | | | | | |
| 6-Month
Total
Returns | | 1 Year | | 5 Years | | 10 Years | |
| Fund NAV | 7.70 | % | 33.96 | % | 12.04 | % | 9.66 | % |
| S&P Global Broad Market Index | 9.32 | | 30.73 | | 11.62 | | 9.06 | |
| S&P Global 1200 Industrials IndexTM | 7.72 | | 33.71 | | 12.09 | | 9.68 | |
| Key Fund statistics | |
| Net Assets | $826,106,022 |
| Number of Portfolio Holdings | 213 |
| Portfolio Turnover Rate | 2% |
The Fund has added the S&P Global Broad Market Index in response to new regulatory requirements.
Past performance is not an indication of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. Visit iShares.com for more recent performance information.
What did the Fund invest in?
(as of September 30, 2024)
| Industry | Percent of Total
Investments(a) | |
| Capital Goods | 69.3 | % |
| Transportation | 16.3 | % |
| Commercial & Professional Services | 14.4 | % |
Country/Geographic allocation
| Country/Geographic Region | Percent of Total
Investments(a) | |
| United States | 56.0 | % |
| Japan | 13.6 | % |
| France | 6.8 | % |
| United Kingdom | 4.9 | % |
| Germany | 3.9 | % |
| Sweden | 3.4 | % |
| Canada | 3.3 | % |
| Switzerland | 2.5 | % |
| Denmark | 0.9 | % |
| Australia | 0.9 | % |
| Other# | 3.8 | % |
(a) | Excludes money market funds. |
# | Ten largest country/geographic regions are presented. Additional country/geographic regions are found in Other. |
Additional Information
If you wish to view additional information about the Fund, including but not limited to financial statements, the Fund’s prospectus, and proxy voting policies and procedures, please visit blackrock.com/fundreports. For proxy voting records, visit blackrock.com/proxyrecords.
The Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, issued, sold, or promoted by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC and its affiliates, nor does this company make any representation regarding the advisability of investing in the Fund. BlackRock is not affiliated with the company listed above.
©2024 BlackRock, Inc. or its affiliates. All rights reserved. iSHARES and BLACKROCK are registered trademarks of BlackRock, Inc. or its affiliates. All other trademarks are those of their respective owners.
iShares Global Industrials ETF
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report — September 30, 2024
EXI-09/24-SAR
iShares Global Infrastructure ETF
IGF | NASDAQ
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report — September 30, 2024
This semi-annual shareholder report contains important information about iShares Global Infrastructure ETF (the “Fund”) for the period of April 1, 2024 to September 30, 2024. You can find additional information about the Fund at blackrock.com/fundreports. You can also request this information by contacting us at 1‑800‑iShares (1‑800‑474‑2737).
What were the Fund costs for the last six months?
(based on a hypothetical $10,000 investment)
| Fund name | Costs of a $10,000
investment | Costs paid as a percentage of a
$10,000 investment |
| iShares Global Infrastructure ETF | $22 | 0.40%(a) |
| Average annual total returns | | | | | | | | |
| 6-Month
Total
Returns | | 1 Year | | 5 Years | | 10 Years | |
| Fund NAV | 15.86 | % | 30.14 | % | 6.16 | % | 5.59 | % |
| S&P Global Broad Market Index | 9.32 | | 30.73 | | 11.62 | | 9.06 | |
| S&P Global Infrastructure IndexTM | 15.82 | | 29.68 | | 5.97 | | 5.38 | |
| Key Fund statistics | |
| Net Assets | $4,201,173,017 |
| Number of Portfolio Holdings | 81 |
| Portfolio Turnover Rate | 8% |
The Fund has added the S&P Global Broad Market Index in response to new regulatory requirements.
Past performance is not an indication of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. Visit iShares.com for more recent performance information.
What did the Fund invest in?
(as of September 30, 2024)
| Industry | Percent of Total
Investments(a) | |
| Transportation Infrastructure | 39.3 | % |
| Electric Utilities | 26.7 | % |
| Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels | 19.8 | % |
| Multi-Utilities | 11.7 | % |
| Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers | 1.9 | % |
| Gas Utilities | 0.3 | % |
| Water Utilities | 0.3 | % |
Country/Geographic allocation
| Country/Geographic Region | Percent of Total
Investments(a) | |
| United States | 41.0 | % |
| Australia | 8.8 | % |
| Canada | 8.2 | % |
| Spain | 7.9 | % |
| Mexico | 6.5 | % |
| France | 5.8 | % |
| China | 4.6 | % |
| New Zealand | 3.2 | % |
| Italy | 2.6 | % |
| United Kingdom | 2.3 | % |
| Other# | 9.1 | % |
(a) | Excludes money market funds. |
# | Ten largest country/geographic regions are presented. Additional country/geographic regions are found in Other. |
Additional Information
If you wish to view additional information about the Fund, including but not limited to financial statements, the Fund’s prospectus, and proxy voting policies and procedures, please visit blackrock.com/fundreports. For proxy voting records, visit blackrock.com/proxyrecords.
The Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, issued, sold, or promoted by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC and its affiliates, nor does this company make any representation regarding the advisability of investing in the Fund. BlackRock is not affiliated with the company listed above.
©2024 BlackRock, Inc. or its affiliates. All rights reserved. iSHARES and BLACKROCK are registered trademarks of BlackRock, Inc. or its affiliates. All other trademarks are those of their respective owners.
iShares Global Infrastructure ETF
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report — September 30, 2024
IGF-09/24-SAR
iShares Global Materials ETF
MXI | NYSE Arca
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report — September 30, 2024
This semi-annual shareholder report contains important information about iShares Global Materials ETF (the “Fund”) for the period of April 1, 2024 to September 30, 2024. You can find additional information about the Fund at blackrock.com/fundreports. You can also request this information by contacting us at 1‑800‑iShares (1‑800‑474‑2737).
What were the Fund costs for the last six months?
(based on a hypothetical $10,000 investment)
| Fund name | Costs of a $10,000
investment | Costs paid as a percentage of a
$10,000 investment |
| iShares Global Materials ETF | $20 | 0.39%(a) |
| Average annual total returns | | | | | | | | |
| 6-Month
Total
Returns | | 1 Year | | 5 Years | | 10 Years | |
| Fund NAV | 5.61 | % | 22.34 | % | 11.53 | % | 7.42 | % |
| S&P Global Broad Market Index | 9.32 | | 30.73 | | 11.62 | | 9.06 | |
| S&P Global 1200 Materials IndexTM | 5.94 | | 22.27 | | 11.67 | | 7.54 | |
| Key Fund statistics | |
| Net Assets | $247,187,589 |
| Number of Portfolio Holdings | 101 |
| Portfolio Turnover Rate | 5% |
The Fund has added the S&P Global Broad Market Index in response to new regulatory requirements.
Past performance is not an indication of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. Visit iShares.com for more recent performance information.
What did the Fund invest in?
(as of September 30, 2024)
| Industry | Percent of Total
Investments(a) | |
| Chemicals | 49.3 | % |
| Metals & Mining | 37.4 | % |
| Construction Materials | 6.2 | % |
| Containers & Packaging | 5.4 | % |
| Paper & Forest Products | 1.7 | % |
Country/Geographic allocation
| Country/Geographic Region | Percent of Total
Investments(a) | |
| United States | 41.0 | % |
| Australia | 10.6 | % |
| United Kingdom | 8.2 | % |
| Canada | 7.9 | % |
| Japan | 6.6 | % |
| Switzerland | 6.0 | % |
| France | 5.0 | % |
| Germany | 3.6 | % |
| Brazil | 1.8 | % |
| Netherlands | 1.6 | % |
| Other# | 7.7 | % |
(a) | Excludes money market funds. |
# | Ten largest country/geographic regions are presented. Additional country/geographic regions are found in Other. |
Additional Information
If you wish to view additional information about the Fund, including but not limited to financial statements, the Fund’s prospectus, and proxy voting policies and procedures, please visit blackrock.com/fundreports. For proxy voting records, visit blackrock.com/proxyrecords.
The Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, issued, sold, or promoted by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC and its affiliates, nor does this company make any representation regarding the advisability of investing in the Fund. BlackRock is not affiliated with the company listed above.
©2024 BlackRock, Inc. or its affiliates. All rights reserved. iSHARES and BLACKROCK are registered trademarks of BlackRock, Inc. or its affiliates. All other trademarks are those of their respective owners.
iShares Global Materials ETF
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report — September 30, 2024
MXI-09/24-SAR
iShares Global Tech ETF
IXN | NYSE Arca
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report — September 30, 2024
This semi-annual shareholder report contains important information about iShares Global Tech ETF (the “Fund”) for the period of April 1, 2024 to September 30, 2024. You can find additional information about the Fund at blackrock.com/fundreports. You can also request this information by contacting us at 1‑800‑iShares (1‑800‑474‑2737).
What were the Fund costs for the last six months?
(based on a hypothetical $10,000 investment)
| Fund name | Costs of a $10,000
investment | Costs paid as a percentage of a
$10,000 investment |
| iShares Global Tech ETF | $21 | 0.39%(a) |
| Average annual total returns | | | | | | | | |
| 6-Month
Total
Returns | | 1 Year | | 5 Years | | 10 Years | |
| Fund NAV | 10.45 | % | 43.53 | % | 22.70 | % | 19.46 | % |
| S&P Global Broad Market Index | 9.32 | | 30.73 | | 11.62 | | 9.06 | |
| S&P Global 1200 Information Technology 4.5/22.5/45 Capped IndexTM | 10.75 | | 43.84 | | 22.91 | | 19.63 | |
| Key Fund statistics | |
| Net Assets | $5,221,869,276 |
| Number of Portfolio Holdings | 124 |
| Portfolio Turnover Rate | 21% |
The Fund has added the S&P Global Broad Market Index in response to new regulatory requirements.
The performance of the S&P Global 1200 Information Technology 4.5/22.5/45 Capped IndexTM in this report reflects the performance of the S&P Global 1200 Information Technology Sector IndexTM through April 19, 2023 and, beginning on April 20, 2023, the performance of the S&P Global 1200 Information Technology 4.5/22.5/45 Capped IndexTM.
Certain sectors and markets performed exceptionally well based on market conditions during the one-year period. Achieving such exceptional returns involves the risk of volatility and investors should not expect that such exceptional returns will be repeated.
Performance results may include adjustments made for financial reporting purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
Past performance is not an indication of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. Visit iShares.com for more recent performance information.
What did the Fund invest in?
(as of September 30, 2024)
| Industry | Percent of Total
Investments(a) | |
| Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment | 32.8 | % |
| Software | 31.8 | % |
| Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals | 23.1 | % |
| IT Services | 5.3 | % |
| Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components | 4.0 | % |
| Communications Equipment | 3.0 | % |
Country/Geographic allocation
| Country/Geographic Region | Percent of Total
Investments(a) | |
| United States | 81.1 | % |
| Taiwan | 5.9 | % |
| Japan | 3.6 | % |
| Netherlands | 2.4 | % |
| South Korea | 2.2 | % |
| Germany | 1.8 | % |
| Canada | 1.3 | % |
| France | 0.4 | % |
| Sweden | 0.3 | % |
| China | 0.3 | % |
| Other# | 0.7 | % |
(a) | Excludes money market funds. |
# | Ten largest country/geographic regions are presented. Additional country/geographic regions are found in Other. |
Additional Information
If you wish to view additional information about the Fund, including but not limited to financial statements, the Fund’s prospectus, and proxy voting policies and procedures, please visit blackrock.com/fundreports. For proxy voting records, visit blackrock.com/proxyrecords.
The Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, issued, sold, or promoted by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC and its affiliates, nor does this company make any representation regarding the advisability of investing in the Fund. BlackRock is not affiliated with the company listed above.
©2024 BlackRock, Inc. or its affiliates. All rights reserved. iSHARES and BLACKROCK are registered trademarks of BlackRock, Inc. or its affiliates. All other trademarks are those of their respective owners.
iShares Global Tech ETF
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report — September 30, 2024
IXN-09/24-SAR
iShares Global Timber & Forestry ETF
WOOD | NASDAQ
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report — September 30, 2024
This semi-annual shareholder report contains important information about iShares Global Timber & Forestry ETF (the “Fund”) for the period of April 1, 2024 to September 30, 2024. You can find additional information about the Fund at blackrock.com/fundreports. You can also request this information by contacting us at 1‑800‑iShares (1‑800‑474‑2737).
What were the Fund costs for the last six months?
(based on a hypothetical $10,000 investment)
| Fund name | Costs of a $10,000
investment | Costs paid as a percentage of a
$10,000 investment |
| iShares Global Timber & Forestry ETF | $20 | 0.40%(a) |
| Average annual total returns | | | | | | | | |
| 6-Month
Total
Returns | | 1 Year | | 5 Years | | 10 Years | |
| Fund NAV | 3.80 | % | 18.91 | % | 9.92 | % | 7.67 | % |
| S&P Global Broad Market Index | 9.32 | | 30.73 | | 11.62 | | 9.06 | |
| S&P Global Timber & Forestry IndexTM | 4.00 | | 18.54 | | 9.80 | | 7.51 | |
| Key Fund statistics | |
| Net Assets | $192,031,918 |
| Number of Portfolio Holdings | 32 |
| Portfolio Turnover Rate | 55% |
The Fund has added the S&P Global Broad Market Index in response to new regulatory requirements.
Performance results may include adjustments made for financial reporting purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
Past performance is not an indication of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. Visit iShares.com for more recent performance information.
What did the Fund invest in?
(as of September 30, 2024)
| Industry | Percent of Total
Investments(a) | |
| Paper Products | 49.9 | % |
| Timber REITs | 17.8 | % |
| Paper & Plastic Packaging Products & Materials | 17.2 | % |
| Forest Products | 11.0 | % |
| Homebuilding | 4.1 | % |
Country/Geographic allocation
| Country/Geographic Region | Percent of Total
Investments(a) | |
| United States | 30.6 | % |
| Japan | 13.6 | % |
| Brazil | 9.8 | % |
| Sweden | 9.1 | % |
| Finland | 9.0 | % |
| Ireland | 5.9 | % |
| Canada | 5.7 | % |
| United Kingdom | 4.0 | % |
| China | 3.7 | % |
| Chile | 3.2 | % |
| Other# | 5.4 | % |
(a) | Excludes money market funds. |
# | Ten largest country/geographic regions are presented. Additional country/geographic regions are found in Other. |
Additional Information
If you wish to view additional information about the Fund, including but not limited to financial statements, the Fund’s prospectus, and proxy voting policies and procedures, please visit blackrock.com/fundreports. For proxy voting records, visit blackrock.com/proxyrecords.
The Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, issued, sold, or promoted by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC and its affiliates, nor does this company make any representation regarding the advisability of investing in the Fund. BlackRock is not affiliated with the company listed above.
©2024 BlackRock, Inc. or its affiliates. All rights reserved. iSHARES and BLACKROCK are registered trademarks of BlackRock, Inc. or its affiliates. All other trademarks are those of their respective owners.
iShares Global Timber & Forestry ETF
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report — September 30, 2024
WOOD-09/24-SAR
iShares Global Utilities ETF
JXI | NYSE Arca
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report — September 30, 2024
This semi-annual shareholder report contains important information about iShares Global Utilities ETF (the “Fund”) for the period of April 1, 2024 to September 30, 2024. You can find additional information about the Fund at blackrock.com/fundreports. You can also request this information by contacting us at 1‑800‑iShares (1‑800‑474‑2737).
What were the Fund costs for the last six months?
(based on a hypothetical $10,000 investment)
| Fund name | Costs of a $10,000
investment | Costs paid as a percentage of a
$10,000 investment |
| iShares Global Utilities ETF | $22 | 0.39%(a) |
| Average annual total returns | | | | | | | | |
| 6-Month
Total
Returns | | 1 Year | | 5 Years | | 10 Years | |
| Fund NAV | 21.50 | % | 35.31 | % | 7.17 | % | 7.55 | % |
| S&P Global Broad Market Index | 9.32 | | 30.73 | | 11.62 | | 9.06 | |
| S&P Global 1200 Utilities (Sector) Capped IndexTM | 21.31 | | 34.59 | | 6.69 | | 7.15 | |
| Key Fund statistics | |
| Net Assets | $158,904,705 |
| Number of Portfolio Holdings | 68 |
| Portfolio Turnover Rate | 4% |
The Fund has added the S&P Global Broad Market Index in response to new regulatory requirements.
Certain sectors and markets performed exceptionally well based on market conditions during the one-year period. Achieving such exceptional returns involves the risk of volatility and investors should not expect that such exceptional returns will be repeated.
Past performance is not an indication of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. Visit iShares.com for more recent performance information.
What did the Fund invest in?
(as of September 30, 2024)
| Industry | Percent of Total
Investments(a) | |
| Electric Utilities | 61.6 | % |
| Multi-Utilities | 27.3 | % |
| Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers | 5.0 | % |
| Gas Utilities | 3.5 | % |
| Water Utilities | 2.6 | % |
Country/Geographic allocation
| Country/Geographic Region | Percent of Total
Investments(a) | |
| United States | 67.3 | % |
| United Kingdom | 6.7 | % |
| Spain | 5.8 | % |
| Italy | 4.6 | % |
| Canada | 3.6 | % |
| Germany | 3.2 | % |
| France | 2.8 | % |
| Japan | 2.2 | % |
| Australia | 1.0 | % |
| Portugal | 0.7 | % |
| Other# | 2.1 | % |
(a) | Excludes money market funds. |
# | Ten largest country/geographic regions are presented. Additional country/geographic regions are found in Other. |
Additional Information
If you wish to view additional information about the Fund, including but not limited to financial statements, the Fund’s prospectus, and proxy voting policies and procedures, please visit blackrock.com/fundreports. For proxy voting records, visit blackrock.com/proxyrecords.
The Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, issued, sold, or promoted by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC and its affiliates, nor does this company make any representation regarding the advisability of investing in the Fund. BlackRock is not affiliated with the company listed above.
©2024 BlackRock, Inc. or its affiliates. All rights reserved. iSHARES and BLACKROCK are registered trademarks of BlackRock, Inc. or its affiliates. All other trademarks are those of their respective owners.
iShares Global Utilities ETF
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report — September 30, 2024
JXI-09/24-SAR
iShares India 50 ETF
INDY | NASDAQ
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report — September 30, 2024
This semi-annual shareholder report contains important information about iShares India 50 ETF (the “Fund”) for the period of April 1, 2024 to September 30, 2024. You can find additional information about the Fund at blackrock.com/fundreports. You can also request this information by contacting us at 1‑800‑iShares (1‑800‑474‑2737).
What were the Fund costs for the last six months?
(based on a hypothetical $10,000 investment)
| Fund name | Costs of a $10,000
investment | Costs paid as a percentage of a
$10,000 investment |
| iShares India 50 ETF | $47 | 0.89%(a) |
| Average annual total returns | | | | | | | | |
| 6-Month
Total
Returns | | 1 Year | | 5 Years | | 10 Years | |
| Fund NAV | 11.78 | % | 24.91 | % | 11.46 | % | 8.10 | % |
| MSCI Emerging Markets Index | 14.16 | | 26.05 | | 5.75 | | 4.02 | |
| Nifty 50 IndexTM | 16.02 | | 31.80 | | 15.05 | | 10.40 | |
| Key Fund statistics | |
| Net Assets | $1,008,100,444 |
| Number of Portfolio Holdings | 52 |
| Portfolio Turnover Rate | 8% |
The Fund has added the MSCI Emerging Markets Index in response to new regulatory requirements.
Performance results may include adjustments made for financial reporting purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
Past performance is not an indication of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. Visit iShares.com for more recent performance information.
What did the Fund invest in?
(as of September 30, 2024)
| Sector | Percent of Total
Investments(a) | |
| Financials | 33.0 | % |
| Information Technology | 12.8 | % |
| Energy | 11.2 | % |
| Consumer Discretionary | 10.9 | % |
| Consumer Staples | 8.6 | % |
| Materials | 6.4 | % |
| Industrials | 5.9 | % |
| Communication Services | 4.0 | % |
| Health Care | 4.0 | % |
| Utilities | 3.2 | % |
| Security | Percent of Total
Investments(a) | |
| HDFC Bank Ltd. | 11.3 | % |
| Reliance Industries Ltd. | 8.6 | % |
| ICICI Bank Ltd. | 7.8 | % |
| Infosys Ltd. | 5.8 | % |
| ITC Ltd. | 4.2 | % |
| Bharti Airtel Ltd. | 4.0 | % |
| Tata Consultancy Services Ltd. | 3.8 | % |
| Larsen & Toubro Ltd. | 3.7 | % |
| Axis Bank Ltd. | 3.0 | % |
| State Bank of India | 2.6 | % |
(a) | Excludes money market funds. |
Additional Information
If you wish to view additional information about the Fund, including but not limited to financial statements, the Fund’s prospectus, and proxy voting policies and procedures, please visit blackrock.com/fundreports. For proxy voting records, visit blackrock.com/proxyrecords.
The Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, issued, sold, or promoted by MSCI Inc., NSE Indices Ltd., and their respective affiliates, nor do these companies make any representation regarding the advisability of investing in the Fund. BlackRock is not affiliated with the companies listed above.
©2024 BlackRock, Inc. or its affiliates. All rights reserved. iSHARES and BLACKROCK are registered trademarks of BlackRock, Inc. or its affiliates. All other trademarks are those of their respective owners.
iShares India 50 ETF
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report — September 30, 2024
INDY-09/24-SAR
iShares International Developed Small Cap Value Factor ETF
ISVL | Cboe BZX
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report — September 30, 2024
This semi-annual shareholder report contains important information about iShares International Developed Small Cap Value Factor ETF (the “Fund”) for the period of April 1, 2024 to September 30, 2024. You can find additional information about the Fund at blackrock.com/fundreports. You can also request this information by contacting us at 1‑800‑iShares (1‑800‑474‑2737).
What were the Fund costs for the last six months?
(based on a hypothetical $10,000 investment)
| Fund name | Costs of a $10,000
investment | Costs paid as a percentage of a
$10,000 investment |
| iShares International Developed Small Cap Value Factor ETF | $16 | 0.30%(a) |
| Average annual total returns | | | | | | |
| 6-Month
Total
Returns | | 1 Year | | Since Fund
Inception | |
| Fund NAV | 9.48 | % | 28.64 | % | 6.26 | % |
| FTSE All-World Index | 9.78 | | 31.56 | | 8.90 | |
| FTSE Developed ex US ex Korea Small Cap Focused Value Index | 9.58 | | 28.25 | | 6.44 | |
| Key Fund statistics | |
| Net Assets | $201,196,055 |
| Number of Portfolio Holdings | 513 |
| Portfolio Turnover Rate | 45% |
The Fund has added the FTSE All-World Index in response to new regulatory requirements.
The inception date of the Fund was March 23, 2021.
Past performance is not an indication of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. Visit iShares.com for more recent performance information.
What did the Fund invest in?
(as of September 30, 2024)
| Sector | Percent of Total
Investments(a) | |
| Industrials | 24.9 | % |
| Materials | 16.9 | % |
| Financials | 13.8 | % |
| Consumer Discretionary | 8.1 | % |
| Energy | 7.6 | % |
| Real Estate | 7.5 | % |
| Consumer Staples | 6.2 | % |
| Health Care | 4.9 | % |
| Information Technology | 3.7 | % |
| Utilities | 3.3 | % |
| Communication Services | 3.1 | % |
Country/Geographic allocation
| Country/Geographic Region | Percent of Total
Investments(a) | |
| Japan | 25.9 | % |
| Canada | 17.6 | % |
| United Kingdom | 11.4 | % |
| Australia | 7.6 | % |
| Switzerland | 7.2 | % |
| Sweden | 6.2 | % |
| Spain | 4.2 | % |
| Germany | 3.3 | % |
| Italy | 2.7 | % |
| Finland | 2.7 | % |
| Other# | 11.2 | % |
(a) | Excludes money market funds. |
# | Ten largest country/geographic regions are presented. Additional country/geographic regions are found in Other. |
Additional Information
If you wish to view additional information about the Fund, including but not limited to financial statements, the Fund’s prospectus, and proxy voting policies and procedures, please visit blackrock.com/fundreports. For proxy voting records, visit blackrock.com/proxyrecords.
The Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, issued, sold, or promoted by FTSE International Limited and its affiliates, nor does this company make any representation regarding the advisability of investing in the Fund. BlackRock is not affiliated with the company listed above.
©2024 BlackRock, Inc. or its affiliates. All rights reserved. iSHARES and BLACKROCK are registered trademarks of BlackRock, Inc. or its affiliates. All other trademarks are those of their respective owners.
iShares International Developed Small Cap Value Factor ETF
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report — September 30, 2024
ISVL-09/24-SAR
iShares International Dividend Growth ETF
IGRO | Cboe BZX
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report — September 30, 2024
This semi-annual shareholder report contains important information about iShares International Dividend Growth ETF (the “Fund”) for the period of April 1, 2024 to September 30, 2024. You can find additional information about the Fund at blackrock.com/fundreports. You can also request this information by contacting us at 1‑800‑iShares (1‑800‑474‑2737).
What were the Fund costs for the last six months?
(based on a hypothetical $10,000 investment)
| Fund name | Costs of a $10,000
investment | Costs paid as a percentage of a
$10,000 investment |
| iShares International Dividend Growth ETF | $8 | 0.15%(a) |
| Average annual total returns | | | | | | | | |
| 6-Month
Total
Returns | | 1 Year | | 5 Years | | Since Fund
Inception | |
| Fund NAV | 12.14 | % | 28.29 | % | 8.97 | % | 8.08 | % |
| MSCI All Country World Index | 9.67 | | 31.76 | | 12.19 | | 11.60 | |
| Morningstar® Global ex-US Dividend Growth IndexSM | 12.48 | | 28.14 | | 8.99 | | 8.08 | |
| Key Fund statistics | |
| Net Assets | $897,875,655 |
| Number of Portfolio Holdings | 400 |
| Portfolio Turnover Rate | 12% |
The Fund has added the MSCI All Country World Index in response to new regulatory requirements.
The inception date of the Fund was May 17, 2016.
Past performance is not an indication of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. Visit iShares.com for more recent performance information.
What did the Fund invest in?
(as of September 30, 2024)
| Sector | Percent of Total
Investments(a) | |
| Financials | 25.8 | % |
| Health Care | 15.2 | % |
| Industrials | 14.6 | % |
| Consumer Staples | 10.3 | % |
| Utilities | 9.6 | % |
| Information Technology | 8.2 | % |
| Materials | 5.7 | % |
| Energy | 3.9 | % |
| Consumer Discretionary | 3.2 | % |
| Communication Services | 2.6 | % |
| Real Estate | 0.9 | % |
Country/Geographic allocation
| Country/Geographic Region | Percent of Total
Investments(a) | |
| Canada | 19.8 | % |
| Japan | 19.7 | % |
| Switzerland | 11.4 | % |
| United Kingdom | 8.3 | % |
| China | 5.1 | % |
| France | 4.9 | % |
| Germany | 4.9 | % |
| Italy | 3.9 | % |
| India | 3.4 | % |
| Spain | 3.2 | % |
| Other# | 15.4 | % |
(a) | Excludes money market funds. |
# | Ten largest country/geographic regions are presented. Additional country/geographic regions are found in Other. |
Additional Information
If you wish to view additional information about the Fund, including but not limited to financial statements, the Fund’s prospectus, and proxy voting policies and procedures, please visit blackrock.com/fundreports. For proxy voting records, visit blackrock.com/proxyrecords.
The Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, issued, sold, or promoted by MSCI Inc., Morningstar Inc., and their respective affiliates, nor do these companies make any representation regarding the advisability of investing in the Fund. BlackRock is not affiliated with the companies listed above.
©2024 BlackRock, Inc. or its affiliates. All rights reserved. iSHARES and BLACKROCK are registered trademarks of BlackRock, Inc. or its affiliates. All other trademarks are those of their respective owners.
iShares International Dividend Growth ETF
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report — September 30, 2024
IGRO-09/24-SAR
iShares JPX-Nikkei 400 ETF
JPXN | NYSE Arca
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report — September 30, 2024
This semi-annual shareholder report contains important information about iShares JPX-Nikkei 400 ETF (the “Fund”) for the period of April 1, 2024 to September 30, 2024. You can find additional information about the Fund at blackrock.com/fundreports. You can also request this information by contacting us at 1‑800‑iShares (1‑800‑474‑2737).
What were the Fund costs for the last six months?
(based on a hypothetical $10,000 investment)
| Fund name | Costs of a $10,000
investment | Costs paid as a percentage of a
$10,000 investment |
| iShares JPX-Nikkei 400 ETF | $24 | 0.48%(a) |
| Average annual total returns | | | | | | | | |
| 6-Month
Total
Returns | | 1 Year | | 5 Years | | 10 Years | |
| Fund NAV | 3.53 | % | 23.34 | % | 7.07 | % | 6.20 | % |
| MSCI ACWI ex USA Index | 9.10 | | 25.35 | | 7.59 | | 5.22 | |
| JPX-Nikkei Index 400 | 3.87 | | 23.12 | | 7.38 | | 6.54 | |
| Key Fund statistics | |
| Net Assets | $184,619,481 |
| Number of Portfolio Holdings | 393 |
| Portfolio Turnover Rate | 15% |
The Fund has added the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index in response to new regulatory requirements.
The performance of the JPX-Nikkei Index 400 in this report reflects the performance of the S&P/TOPIX 150TM through September 3, 2015 and, beginning on September 4, 2015, the performance of the JPX-Nikkei Index 400.
Performance results may include adjustments made for financial reporting purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
Past performance is not an indication of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. Visit iShares.com for more recent performance information.
What did the Fund invest in?
(as of September 30, 2024)
| Sector | Percent of Total
Investments(a) | |
| Industrials | 24.2 | % |
| Information Technology | 15.2 | % |
| Consumer Discretionary | 15.1 | % |
| Financials | 11.8 | % |
| Health Care | 9.3 | % |
| Consumer Staples | 7.1 | % |
| Communication Services | 6.9 | % |
| Materials | 5.3 | % |
| Real Estate | 2.6 | % |
| Utilities | 1.3 | % |
| Energy | 1.2 | % |
| Security | Percent of Total
Investments(a) | |
| Hitachi Ltd. | 1.6 | % |
| Sony Group Corp. | 1.6 | % |
| Recruit Holdings Co. Ltd. | 1.6 | % |
| ITOCHU Corp. | 1.6 | % |
| Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corp. | 1.5 | % |
| Keyence Corp. | 1.5 | % |
| Hoya Corp. | 1.5 | % |
| Shin-Etsu Chemical Co. Ltd. | 1.5 | % |
| Mitsubishi Corp. | 1.5 | % |
| Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. | 1.5 | % |
(a) | Excludes money market funds. |
Additional Information
If you wish to view additional information about the Fund, including but not limited to financial statements, the Fund’s prospectus, and proxy voting policies and procedures, please visit blackrock.com/fundreports. For proxy voting records, visit blackrock.com/proxyrecords.
The Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, issued, sold, or promoted by MSCI Inc., The Japan Exchange Group, Inc., JPX Market Innovation & Research, Inc., or Nikkei, Inc., S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, and their respective affiliates, nor do these companies make any representation regarding the advisability of investing in the Fund. BlackRock is not affiliated with the companies listed above.
©2024 BlackRock, Inc. or its affiliates. All rights reserved. iSHARES and BLACKROCK are registered trademarks of BlackRock, Inc. or its affiliates. All other trademarks are those of their respective owners.
iShares JPX-Nikkei 400 ETF
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report — September 30, 2024
JPXN-09/24-SAR
iShares Latin America 40 ETF
ILF | NYSE Arca
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report — September 30, 2024
This semi-annual shareholder report contains important information about iShares Latin America 40 ETF (the “Fund”) for the period of April 1, 2024 to September 30, 2024. You can find additional information about the Fund at blackrock.com/fundreports. You can also request this information by contacting us at 1‑800‑iShares (1‑800‑474‑2737).
What were the Fund costs for the last six months?
(based on a hypothetical $10,000 investment)
| Fund name | Costs of a $10,000
investment | Costs paid as a percentage of a
$10,000 investment |
| iShares Latin America 40 ETF | $23 | 0.48%(a) |
| Average annual total returns | | | | | | | | |
| 6-Month
Total
Returns | | 1 Year | | 5 Years | | 10 Years | |
| Fund NAV | (6.56 | ) % | 7.13 | % | 2.30 | % | 0.78 | % |
| S&P Emerging Broad Market Index | 16.74 | | 27.57 | | 6.84 | | 4.83 | |
| S&P Latin America 40TM | (6.04 | ) | 7.74 | | 2.67 | | 1.19 | |
| Key Fund statistics | |
| Net Assets | $1,384,236,136 |
| Number of Portfolio Holdings | 44 |
| Portfolio Turnover Rate | 9% |
The Fund has added the S&P Emerging Broad Market Index in response to new regulatory requirements.
Past performance is not an indication of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. Visit iShares.com for more recent performance information.
What did the Fund invest in?
(as of September 30, 2024)
| Sector | Percent of Total
Investments(a) | |
| Financials | 37.8 | % |
| Materials | 20.4 | % |
| Energy | 13.0 | % |
| Consumer Staples | 12.3 | % |
| Industrials | 6.5 | % |
| Communication Services | 4.4 | % |
| Utilities | 2.3 | % |
| Health Care | 1.4 | % |
| Consumer Discretionary | 1.2 | % |
| Real Estate | 0.7 | % |
Country/Geographic allocation
| Country/Geographic Region | Percent of Total
Investments(a) | |
| Brazil | 62.6 | % |
| Mexico | 24.2 | % |
| Chile | 6.5 | % |
| Peru | 5.0 | % |
| Colombia | 1.7 | % |
(a) | Excludes money market funds. |
Additional Information
If you wish to view additional information about the Fund, including but not limited to financial statements, the Fund’s prospectus, and proxy voting policies and procedures, please visit blackrock.com/fundreports. For proxy voting records, visit blackrock.com/proxyrecords.
The Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, issued, sold, or promoted by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC and its affiliates, nor does this company make any representation regarding the advisability of investing in the Fund. BlackRock is not affiliated with the company listed above.
©2024 BlackRock, Inc. or its affiliates. All rights reserved. iSHARES and BLACKROCK are registered trademarks of BlackRock, Inc. or its affiliates. All other trademarks are those of their respective owners.
iShares Latin America 40 ETF
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report — September 30, 2024
ILF-09/24-SAR
iShares Lithium Miners and Producers ETF
ILIT | NASDAQ
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report — September 30, 2024
This semi-annual shareholder report contains important information about iShares Lithium Miners and Producers ETF (the “Fund”) for the period of April 1, 2024 to September 30, 2024. You can find additional information about the Fund at blackrock.com/fundreports. You can also request this information by contacting us at 1‑800‑iShares (1‑800‑474‑2737).
What were the Fund costs for the last six months?
(based on a hypothetical $10,000 investment)
| Fund name | Costs of a $10,000
investment | Costs paid as a percentage of a
$10,000 investment |
| iShares Lithium Miners and Producers ETF | $22 | 0.47%(a) |
| Average annual total returns | | | | | | |
| 6-Month
Total
Returns | | 1 Year | | Since Fund
Inception | |
| Fund NAV | (15.55 | ) % | (37.18 | ) % | (45.28 | ) % |
| STOXX Emerging Markets All Cap Index | 13.56 | | 25.63 | | 16.80 | |
| STOXX Global Lithium Miners and Producers Index | (15.71 | ) | (38.21 | ) | (45.89 | ) |
| Key Fund statistics | |
| Net Assets | $4,551,686 |
| Number of Portfolio Holdings | 32 |
| Portfolio Turnover Rate | 38% |
The Fund has added the STOXX Emerging Markets All Cap Index in response to new regulatory requirements.
The inception date of the Fund was June 21, 2023.
Performance results may include adjustments made for financial reporting purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
Past performance is not an indication of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. Visit iShares.com for more recent performance information.
What did the Fund invest in?
(as of September 30, 2024)
| Industry | Percent of Total
Investments(a) | |
| Diversified Metals & Mining | 41.7 | % |
| Specialty Chemicals | 33.2 | % |
| Electrical Components & Equipment | 10.5 | % |
| Commodity Chemicals | 7.4 | % |
| Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals | 4.4 | % |
| Industrial Machinery & Supplies & Components | 1.0 | % |
| Steel | 0.9 | % |
| IT Consulting & Other Services | 0.9 | % |
| Security | Percent of Total
Investments(a) | |
| Mineral Resources Ltd. | 7.8 | % |
| Pilbara Minerals Ltd. | 7.8 | % |
| POSCO Future M Co. Ltd. | 7.3 | % |
| Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile SA | 7.3 | % |
| Albemarle Corp. | 7.1 | % |
| Lithium Americas Argentina Corp. | 4.6 | % |
| Sigma Lithium Corp. | 4.6 | % |
| Arcadium Lithium PLC | 4.5 | % |
| CosmoAM&T Co. Ltd. | 4.4 | % |
| Liontown Resources Ltd. | 4.3 | % |
(a) | Excludes money market funds. |
Additional Information
If you wish to view additional information about the Fund, including but not limited to financial statements, the Fund’s prospectus, and proxy voting policies and procedures, please visit blackrock.com/fundreports. For proxy voting records, visit blackrock.com/proxyrecords.
The Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, issued, sold, or promoted by STOXX Ltd., and its affiliates, nor does this company make any representation regarding the advisability of investing in the Fund. BlackRock is not affiliated with the company listed above.
©2024 BlackRock, Inc. or its affiliates. All rights reserved. iSHARES and BLACKROCK are registered trademarks of BlackRock, Inc. or its affiliates. All other trademarks are those of their respective owners.
iShares Lithium Miners and Producers ETF
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report — September 30, 2024
ILIT-09/24-SAR
(b) Not applicable
| Item 2 – | Code of Ethics – Not Applicable to this semi-annual report |
| Item 3 – | Audit Committee Financial Expert – Not Applicable to this semi-annual report |
| Item 4 – | Principal Accountant Fees and Services– Not Applicable to this semi-annual report |
| Item 5 – | Audit Committee of Listed Registrant – Not Applicable |
(a) The registrant’s Schedule of Investments is included as part of the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights for Open-End Management Investment Companies filed under Item 7 of this Form.
(b) Not applicable due to no such divestments during the semi-annual period covered since the previous Form N-CSR filing.
| Item 7 – | Financial Statements and Financial Highlights for Open-End Management Investment Companies |
(a) The registrant’s Financial Statements are attached herewith.
(b) The registrant’s Financial Highlights are attached herewith.
2024 Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information (Unaudited) |
|
• iShares Copper and Metals Mining ETF | ICOP | NASDAQ |
• iShares Environmental Infrastructure and Industrials ETF | EFRA | NASDAQ |
• iShares Global 100 ETF | IOO | NYSE Arca |
• iShares Global Infrastructure ETF | IGF | NASDAQ |
• iShares Global Timber & Forestry ETF | WOOD | NASDAQ |
• iShares Lithium Miners and Producers ETF | ILIT | NASDAQ |
|
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)September 30, 2024
iShares® Copper and Metals Mining ETF(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)
| | |
|
|
Al Masane Al Kobra Mining Co. | | |
Amman Mineral Internasional PT(a) | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Baiyin Nonferrous Group Co. Ltd., Class A | | |
| | |
| | |
China Nonferrous Mining Corp Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
First Quantum Minerals Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Grupo Mexico SAB de CV, Series B | | |
| | |
Ivanhoe Mines Ltd., Class A(a)(b) | | |
Jiangxi Copper Co. Ltd., Class A | | |
Jinchuan Group International Resources Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
Metals Acquisition Ltd., Class A(a) | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
North Copper Co. Ltd., Class A | | |
| | |
Sandfire Resources Ltd.(a) | | |
| | |
| | |
Metals & Mining (continued) |
| | |
| | |
Teck Resources Ltd., Class B | | |
| | |
WA1 Resources Ltd., NVS(a) | | |
Western Mining Co. Ltd., Class A | | |
Yunnan Copper Co. Ltd., Class A | | |
Zijin Mining Group Co. Ltd., Class A | | |
| | |
Total Long-Term Investments — 99.4%
(Cost: $32,288,914) | |
|
Money Market Funds — 2.3% |
BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares, 5.05%(c)(d)(e) | | |
BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares, 4.88%(c)(d) | | |
Total Short-Term Securities — 2.3%
(Cost: $770,268) | |
Total Investments — 101.7%
(Cost: $33,059,182) | |
Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (1.7)% | |
| |
| Non-income producing security. |
| All or a portion of this security is on loan. |
| |
| Annualized 7-day yield as of period end. |
| All or a portion of this security was purchased with the cash collateral from loaned securities. |
Affiliates
Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended September 30, 2024 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:
| | | | | Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation) | | | | Capital
Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds |
BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares | | | | | | | | | |
BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| Represents net amount purchased (sold). |
| All or a portion represents securities lending income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral from loaned securities, net of fees and collateral investment expenses, and other payments to and from borrowers of securities. |
32024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)(continued)September 30, 2024
iShares® Copper and Metals Mining ETF
Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End
| | | | Value/
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation) |
| | | | |
Micro E-Mini Russell 2000 Index | | | | |
Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure
As of period end, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities were as follows:
| | | | Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts | | | |
Assets—Derivative Financial Instruments | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Unrealized appreciation on futures contracts(a) | | | | | | | |
| Net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts are reported in the Schedule of Investments. In the Statements of Assets and Liabilities, only current day's variation margin is reported in receivables or payables and the net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is included in accumulated earnings (loss). |
For the period ended September 30, 2024, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:
| | | | Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts | | | |
Net Realized Gain (Loss) from | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments
| |
Average notional value of contracts — long | |
For more information about the Fund’s investment risks regarding derivative financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.
Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End
Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments at the measurement date. For a description of the input levels and information about the Fund’s policy regarding valuation of financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.
The following table summarizes the Fund’s financial instruments categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The breakdown of the Fund’s financial instruments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)(continued)September 30, 2024
iShares® Copper and Metals Mining ETF
Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End (continued)
| | | | |
Derivative Financial Instruments(a) | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| Derivative financial instruments are futures contracts. Futures contracts are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument. |
See notes to financial statements.
52024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)September 30, 2024
iShares® Environmental Infrastructure and Industrials ETF(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)
| | |
|
|
Advanced Drainage Systems Inc. | | |
China Lesso Group Holdings Ltd. | | |
Reliance Worldwide Corp. Ltd. | | |
| | |
Zhejiang Weixing New Building Materials Co. Ltd., Class A | | |
| | |
|
| | |
Commercial Services & Supplies — 10.8% |
| | |
Beijing Originwater Technology Co. Ltd., Class A | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Construction & Engineering — 4.8% |
Integrated Design & Engineering Holdings Co. Ltd., NVS | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Containers & Packaging — 9.4% |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components — 6.3% |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
Franklin Electric Co. Inc. | | |
Fujian Longking Co. Ltd., Class A | | |
| | |
| | |
Mueller Water Products Inc., Class A | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Torishima Pump Manufacturing Co. Ltd. | | |
Watts Water Technologies Inc., Class A | | |
Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corp. | | |
| | |
Yangzijiang Shipbuilding Holdings Ltd. | | |
Yutong Bus Co. Ltd., Class A | | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
Qatar Electricity & Water Co. QSC | | |
| | |
| | |
Professional Services — 1.7% |
| | |
|
Aguas Andinas SA, Class A | | |
American States Water Co. | | |
American Water Works Co. Inc. | | |
Beijing Capital Eco-Environment Protection Group Co. Ltd., Class A | | |
Beijing Enterprises Water Group Ltd. | | |
California Water Service Group | | |
Chengdu Xingrong Environment Co. Ltd., Class A | | |
China Water Affairs Group Ltd. | | |
Cia de Saneamento Basico do Estado de Sao Paulo SABESP | | |
Cia de Saneamento de Minas Gerais Copasa MG | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
United Utilities Group PLC | | |
Zhongshan Public Utilities Group Co. Ltd., Class A | | |
| | |
Total Common Stocks — 99.3%
(Cost: $4,096,601) | |
|
|
Marcopolo SA, Preference Shares, NVS | | |
Total Preferred Stocks — 0.4%
(Cost: $13,680) | |
Total Investments — 99.7%
(Cost: $4,110,281) | |
Other Assets Less Liabilities — 0.3% | |
| |
| Security exempt from registration pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration to qualified institutional investors. |
| Non-income producing security. |
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)(continued)September 30, 2024
iShares® Environmental Infrastructure and Industrials ETF
Affiliates
Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended September 30, 2024 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:
| | | | | Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation) | | | | Capital
Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds |
BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares(a) | | | | | | | | | |
BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares(a) | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| As of period end, the entity is no longer held. |
| Represents net amount purchased (sold). |
| All or a portion represents securities lending income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral from loaned securities, net of fees and collateral investment expenses, and other payments to and from borrowers of securities. |
Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End
| | | | Value/
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation) |
| | | | |
Micro E-Mini Russell 2000 Index | | | | |
Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure
As of period end, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities were as follows:
| | | | Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts | | | |
Assets—Derivative Financial Instruments | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Unrealized appreciation on futures contracts(a) | | | | | | | |
| Net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts are reported in the Schedule of Investments. In the Statements of Assets and Liabilities, only current day's variation margin is reported in receivables or payables and the net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is included in accumulated earnings (loss). |
For the period ended September 30, 2024, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:
| | | | Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts | | | |
Net Realized Gain (Loss) from | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments
| |
Average notional value of contracts — long | |
For more information about the Fund’s investment risks regarding derivative financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.
72024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)(continued)September 30, 2024
iShares® Environmental Infrastructure and Industrials ETF
Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End
Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments at the measurement date. For a description of the input levels and information about the Fund’s policy regarding valuation of financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.
The following table summarizes the Fund’s financial instruments categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The breakdown of the Fund’s financial instruments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Derivative Financial Instruments(a) | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| Derivative financial instruments are futures contracts. Futures contracts are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument. |
See notes to financial statements.
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)September 30, 2024
iShares® Global 100 ETF(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)
| | |
|
|
| | |
|
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
Deutsche Bank AG, Registered | | |
Deutsche Telekom AG, Registered | | |
| | |
| | |
Muenchener Rueckversicherungs-Gesellschaft AG in Muenchen, Registered | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc. | | |
Seven & i Holdings Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. | | |
|
Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
United Kingdom (continued) |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Alphabet Inc., Class C, NVS | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (The) | | |
Honeywell International Inc. | | |
| | |
| | |
International Business Machines Corp. | | |
| | |
Johnson Controls International PLC | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Marsh & McLennan Companies Inc. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Philip Morris International Inc. | | |
Procter & Gamble Co. (The) | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. | | |
92024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)(continued)September 30, 2024
iShares® Global 100 ETF(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)
| | |
United States (continued) |
| | |
| | |
Total Long-Term Investments — 99.8%
(Cost: $3,672,733,038) | |
|
Money Market Funds — 0.1% |
BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares, 4.88%(b)(c) | | |
Total Short-Term Securities — 0.1%
(Cost: $6,770,000) | |
Total Investments — 99.9%
(Cost: $3,679,503,038) | |
Other Assets Less Liabilities — 0.1% | |
| |
| Non-income producing security. |
| |
| Annualized 7-day yield as of period end. |
Affiliates
Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended September 30, 2024 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:
| | | | | Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation) | | | | Capital
Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds |
BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares(a) | | | | | | | | | |
BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| As of period end, the entity is no longer held. |
| Represents net amount purchased (sold). |
| All or a portion represents securities lending income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral from loaned securities, net of fees and collateral investment expenses, and other payments to and from borrowers of securities. |
Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End
| | | | Value/
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation) |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Schedule of Investments10
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)(continued)September 30, 2024
Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure
As of period end, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities were as follows:
| | | | Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts | | | |
Assets—Derivative Financial Instruments | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Unrealized appreciation on futures contracts(a) | | | | | | | |
| Net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts are reported in the Schedule of Investments. In the Statements of Assets and Liabilities, only current day's variation margin is reported in receivables or payables and the net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is included in accumulated earnings (loss). |
For the period ended September 30, 2024, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:
| | | | Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts | | | |
Net Realized Gain (Loss) from | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments
| |
Average notional value of contracts — long | |
For more information about the Fund’s investment risks regarding derivative financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.
Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End
Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments at the measurement date. For a description of the input levels and information about the Fund’s policy regarding valuation of financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.
The following table summarizes the Fund’s financial instruments categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The breakdown of the Fund’s financial instruments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Derivative Financial Instruments(a) | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| Derivative financial instruments are futures contracts. Futures contracts are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument. |
See notes to financial statements.
112024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)September 30, 2024
iShares® Global Infrastructure ETF(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)
| | |
|
|
Corp. America Airports SA(a)(b) | | |
|
| | |
Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure Ltd.(b) | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
Centrais Eletricas Brasileiras SA, ADR | | |
Cia de Saneamento Basico do Estado de Sao Paulo SABESP, ADR(b) | | |
Ultrapar Participacoes SA, ADR | | |
| | |
Cameroon, United Republic of — 0.2% |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Westshore Terminals Investment Corp. | | |
| | |
|
Anhui Expressway Co. Ltd., Class H | | |
Beijing Capital International Airport Co. Ltd., Class H(a) | | |
CGN Power Co. Ltd., Class H(c) | | |
| | |
China Longyuan Power Group Corp. Ltd., Class H | | |
China Merchants Port Holdings Co. Ltd. | | |
China Resources Gas Group Ltd. | | |
China Resources Power Holdings Co. Ltd. | | |
COSCO Shipping Ports Ltd. | | |
Huaneng Power International Inc., Class H | | |
Jiangsu Expressway Co. Ltd., Class H | | |
| | |
Shenzhen Expressway Corp. Ltd., Class H | | |
Shenzhen International Holdings Ltd. | | |
Yuexiu Transport Infrastructure Ltd. | | |
Zhejiang Expressway Co. Ltd., Class H | | |
| | |
|
Svitzer Group A/S, NVS(a) | | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
Fraport AG Frankfurt Airport Services Worldwide(a) | | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
Japan Airport Terminal Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
|
Grupo Aeroportuario del Centro Norte SAB de CV, ADR | | |
Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico SAB de CV, Class A, ADR | | |
Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste SAB de CV, ADR | | |
| | |
|
Auckland International Airport Ltd. | | |
|
| | |
|
Hutchison Port Holdings Trust, Class U | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
Flughafen Zurich AG, Registered | | |
|
| | |
|
American Electric Power Co. Inc. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Constellation Energy Corp. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Public Service Enterprise Group Inc. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Williams Companies Inc. (The) | | |
| | |
| | |
Total Common Stocks — 99.0%
(Cost: $3,506,726,543) | |
Schedule of Investments12
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)(continued)September 30, 2024
iShares® Global Infrastructure ETF(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)
| | |
|
|
Cia Energetica de Minas Gerais, Preference Shares, ADR | | |
Total Preferred Stocks — 0.1%
(Cost: $3,923,622) | |
Total Long-Term Investments — 99.1%
(Cost: $3,510,650,165) | |
|
Money Market Funds — 0.2% |
BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares, 5.05%(d)(e)(f) | | |
BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares, 4.88%(d)(e) | | |
Total Short-Term Securities — 0.2%
(Cost: $7,691,284) | |
Total Investments — 99.3%
(Cost: $3,518,341,449) | |
Other Assets Less Liabilities — 0.7% | |
| |
| Non-income producing security. |
| All or a portion of this security is on loan. |
| Security exempt from registration pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration to qualified institutional investors. |
| |
| Annualized 7-day yield as of period end. |
| All or a portion of this security was purchased with the cash collateral from loaned securities. |
Affiliates
Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended September 30, 2024 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:
| | | | | Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation) | | | | Capital
Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds |
BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares | | | | | | | | | |
BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| Represents net amount purchased (sold). |
| All or a portion represents securities lending income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral from loaned securities, net of fees and collateral investment expenses, and other payments to and from borrowers of securities. |
Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End
| | | | Value/
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation) |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Dow Jones U.S. Real Estate Index | | | | |
| | | | |
132024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)(continued)September 30, 2024
iShares® Global Infrastructure ETF
Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure
As of period end, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities were as follows:
| | | | Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts | | | |
Assets—Derivative Financial Instruments | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Unrealized appreciation on futures contracts(a) | | | | | | | |
Liabilities—Derivative Financial Instruments | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Unrealized depreciation on futures contracts(a) | | | | | | | |
| Net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts are reported in the Schedule of Investments. In the Statements of Assets and Liabilities, only current day's variation margin is reported in receivables or payables and the net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is included in accumulated earnings (loss). |
For the period ended September 30, 2024, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:
| | | | Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts | | | |
Net Realized Gain (Loss) from | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments
| |
Average notional value of contracts — long | |
For more information about the Fund’s investment risks regarding derivative financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.
Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End
Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments at the measurement date. For a description of the input levels and information about the Fund’s policy regarding valuation of financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.
The following table summarizes the Fund’s financial instruments categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The breakdown of the Fund’s financial instruments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Derivative Financial Instruments(a) | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Schedule of Investments14
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)(continued)September 30, 2024
iShares® Global Infrastructure ETF
Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End (continued)
| Derivative financial instruments are futures contracts. Futures contracts are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument. |
See notes to financial statements.
152024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)September 30, 2024
iShares® Global Timber & Forestry ETF(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)
| | |
|
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
|
| | |
|
Nine Dragons Paper Holdings Ltd.(a) | | |
Shandong Sun Paper Industry JSC Ltd., Class A | | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
Indah Kiat Pulp & Paper Tbk PT | | |
|
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
Nippon Paper Industries Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
Sumitomo Forestry Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
|
| | |
|
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
Svenska Cellulosa AB SCA, Class B | | |
| | |
|
| | |
|
Clearwater Paper Corp.(a) | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Total Long-Term Investments — 99.4%
(Cost: $181,897,786) | |
|
Money Market Funds — 1.4% |
BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares, 5.05%(c)(d)(e) | | |
BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares, 4.88%(c)(d) | | |
Total Short-Term Securities — 1.4%
(Cost: $2,698,303) | |
Total Investments — 100.8%
(Cost: $184,596,089) | |
Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (0.8)% | |
| |
| Non-income producing security. |
| All or a portion of this security is on loan. |
| |
| Annualized 7-day yield as of period end. |
| All or a portion of this security was purchased with the cash collateral from loaned securities. |
Affiliates
Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended September 30, 2024 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:
| | | | | Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation) | | | | Capital
Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds |
BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares | | | | | | | | | |
BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| Represents net amount purchased (sold). |
| All or a portion represents securities lending income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral from loaned securities, net of fees and collateral investment expenses, and other payments to and from borrowers of securities. |
Schedule of Investments16
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)(continued)September 30, 2024
iShares® Global Timber & Forestry ETF
Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End
| | | | Value/
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation) |
| | | | |
E-Mini Russell 1000 Value Index | | | | |
Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure
As of period end, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities were as follows:
| | | | Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts | | | |
Assets—Derivative Financial Instruments | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Unrealized appreciation on futures contracts(a) | | | | | | | |
| Net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts are reported in the Schedule of Investments. In the Statements of Assets and Liabilities, only current day's variation margin is reported in receivables or payables and the net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is included in accumulated earnings (loss). |
For the period ended September 30, 2024, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:
| | | | Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts | | | |
Net Realized Gain (Loss) from | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments
| |
Average notional value of contracts — long | |
For more information about the Fund’s investment risks regarding derivative financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.
Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End
Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments at the measurement date. For a description of the input levels and information about the Fund’s policy regarding valuation of financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.
The following table summarizes the Fund’s financial instruments categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The breakdown of the Fund’s financial instruments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.
172024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)(continued)September 30, 2024
iShares® Global Timber & Forestry ETF
Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End (continued)
| | | | |
Derivative Financial Instruments(a) | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| Derivative financial instruments are futures contracts. Futures contracts are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument. |
See notes to financial statements.
Schedule of Investments18
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)September 30, 2024
iShares® Lithium Miners and Producers ETF(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)
| | |
|
|
| | |
Arcadium Lithium PLC, NVS(a)(b) | | |
Canmax Technologies Co. Ltd., Class A | | |
| | |
CNGR Advanced Material Co. Ltd., Class A | | |
Do-Fluoride New Materials Co. Ltd., Class A | | |
Ganfeng Lithium Group Co. Ltd., Class A | | |
Guangzhou Tinci Materials Technology Co. Ltd., Class A | | |
| | |
Ningbo Shanshan Co. Ltd., Class A | | |
Shenzhen Capchem Technology Co. Ltd., Class A | | |
Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile SA, ADR | | |
Tianqi Lithium Corp., Class A | | |
Yunnan Energy New Material Co. Ltd., Class A | | |
| | |
Electrical Equipment — 10.5% |
Beijing Easpring Material Technology Co. Ltd., Class A | | |
Hunan Yuneng New Energy Battery Material Co. Ltd., Class A, NVS | | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
|
Kangwon Energy Co. Ltd.(a) | | |
|
| | |
Latin Resources Ltd., NVS(a) | | |
Liontown Resources Ltd.(a)(b) | | |
Lithium Americas Argentina Corp.(a) | | |
| | |
Metals & Mining (continued) |
Lithium Americas Corp.(a)(b) | | |
| | |
Piedmont Lithium Inc.(a)(b) | | |
Pilbara Minerals Ltd.(a)(b) | | |
Sigma Lithium Corp.(a)(b) | | |
Sinomine Resource Group Co. Ltd., Class A | | |
YongXing Special Materials Technology Co. Ltd., Class A | | |
| | |
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals — 4.4% |
| | |
Total Long-Term Investments — 99.7%
(Cost: $5,386,096) | |
|
Money Market Funds — 23.3% |
BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares, 5.05%(c)(d)(e) | | |
Total Short-Term Securities — 23.3%
(Cost: $1,062,157) | |
Total Investments — 123.0%
(Cost: $6,448,253) | |
Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (23.0)% | |
| |
| Non-income producing security. |
| All or a portion of this security is on loan. |
| |
| Annualized 7-day yield as of period end. |
| All or a portion of this security was purchased with the cash collateral from loaned securities. |
Affiliates
Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended September 30, 2024 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:
| | | | | Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation) | | | | Capital
Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds |
BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares | | | | | | | | | |
BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares(c) | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| Represents net amount purchased (sold). |
| All or a portion represents securities lending income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral from loaned securities, net of fees and collateral investment expenses, and other payments to and from borrowers of securities. |
| As of period end, the entity is no longer held. |
192024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)(continued)September 30, 2024
iShares® Lithium Miners and Producers ETF
Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure
For the period ended September 30, 2024, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:
| | | | Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts | | | |
Net Realized Gain (Loss) from | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
For more information about the Fund’s investment risks regarding derivative financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.
Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End
Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments at the measurement date. For a description of the input levels and information about the Fund’s policy regarding valuation of financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.
The following table summarizes the Fund’s financial instruments categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The breakdown of the Fund’s financial instruments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.
See notes to financial statements.
Schedule of Investments20
Statements of Assets and Liabilities (unaudited)September 30, 2024
| iShares
Copper and Metals Mining ETF | iShares
Environmental Infrastructure and Industrials ETF | | iShares
Global Infrastructure ETF |
| | | | |
Investments, at value—unaffiliated(a)(b) | | | | |
Investments, at value—affiliated(c) | | | | |
| | | | |
Cash pledged for futures contracts | | | | |
Foreign currency collateral pledged for futures contracts(d) | | | | |
Foreign currency, at value(e) | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Securities lending income—affiliated | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Variation margin on futures contracts | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Collateral on securities loaned, at value | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Deferred foreign capital gain tax | | | | |
| | | | |
IRS compliance fee for foreign withholding tax claims | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Variation margin on futures contracts | | | | |
| | | | |
Commitments and contingent liabilities | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
(a) Investments, at cost—unaffiliated | | | | |
(b) Securities loaned, at value | | | | |
(c) Investments, at cost—affiliated | | | | |
(d) Foreign currency collateral pledged, at cost | | | | |
(e) Foreign currency, at cost | | | | |
See notes to financial statements.
212024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Statements of Assets and Liabilities (unaudited)(continued)September 30, 2024
| iShares
Global Timber & Forestry ETF | iShares
Lithium Miners and Producers ETF |
| | |
Investments, at value—unaffiliated(a)(b) | | |
Investments, at value—affiliated(c) | | |
| | |
Cash pledged for futures contracts | | |
Foreign currency, at value(d) | | |
| | |
| | |
Securities lending income—affiliated | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Variation margin on futures contracts | | |
| | |
| | |
Collateral on securities loaned, at value | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Commitments and contingent liabilities | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
(a) Investments, at cost—unaffiliated | | |
(b) Securities loaned, at value | | |
(c) Investments, at cost—affiliated | | |
(d) Foreign currency, at cost | | |
See notes to financial statements.
Statements of Assets and Liabilities22
Statements of Operations (unaudited)Six Months Ended September 30, 2024
| iShares
Copper and Metals Mining ETF | iShares
Environmental Infrastructure and Industrials ETF | | iShares
Global Infrastructure ETF |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Securities lending income—affiliated—net | | | | |
| | | | |
Foreign withholding tax claims | | | | |
IRS compliance fee for foreign withholding tax claims | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) | | | | |
Net realized gain (loss) from: | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Foreign currency transactions | | | | |
| | | | |
In-kind redemptions—unaffiliated(a) | | | | |
| | | | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on: | | | | |
Investments—unaffiliated(b) | | | | |
| | | | |
Foreign currency translations | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Net realized and unrealized gain | | | | |
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS | | | | |
(a) See Note 2 of the Notes to Financial Statements. |
(b) Net of increase in deferred foreign capital gain tax of | | | | |
See notes to financial statements.
232024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Statements of Operations (unaudited)(continued)Six Months Ended September 30, 2024
| iShares
Global Timber & Forestry ETF | iShares
Lithium Miners and Producers ETF |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Securities lending income—affiliated—net | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) | | |
Net realized gain (loss) from: | | |
| | |
| | |
Foreign currency transactions | | |
| | |
In-kind redemptions—unaffiliated(b) | | |
| | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on: | | |
| | |
| | |
Foreign currency translations | | |
| | |
| | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | | |
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS | | |
(a) Includes $2,840,219 related to a special distribution from Mondi PLC, NVS. |
(b) See Note 2 of the Notes to Financial Statements. |
See notes to financial statements.
Statements of Operations24
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
| iShares
Copper and Metals Mining ETF | iShares
Environmental Infrastructure and Industrials ETF |
| Six Months Ended
09/30/24
(unaudited) | | Six Months Ended
09/30/24
(unaudited) | |
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | | | | |
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations | | | | |
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(b) | | | | |
Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders | | | | |
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS | | | | |
Net increase in net assets derived from capital share transactions | | | | |
| | | | |
Total increase in net assets | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| Commencement of operations. |
| Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations. |
| A portion of the distributions from net investment income may be deemed a return of capital or net realized gain at fiscal year-end. |
See notes to financial statements.
252024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Statements of Changes in Net Assets(continued)
| | iShares
Global Infrastructure ETF |
| Six Months Ended
09/30/24
(unaudited) | | Six Months Ended
09/30/24
(unaudited) | |
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | | | | |
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations | | | | |
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a) | | | | |
Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders | | | | |
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets derived from capital share transactions | | | | |
| | | | |
Total increase (decrease) in net assets | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations. |
| A portion of the distributions from net investment income may be deemed a return of capital or net realized gain at fiscal year-end. |
See notes to financial statements.
Statements of Changes in Net Assets26
Statements of Changes in Net Assets(continued)
| iShares
Global Timber & Forestry ETF | iShares
Lithium Miners and Producers ETF |
| Six Months Ended
09/30/24
(unaudited) | | Six Months Ended
09/30/24
(unaudited) | |
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | | | | |
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(b) | | | | |
Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders | | | | |
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets derived from capital share transactions | | | | |
| | | | |
Total increase (decrease) in net assets | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| Commencement of operations. |
| Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations. |
| A portion of the distributions from net investment income may be deemed a return of capital or net realized gain at fiscal year-end. |
See notes to financial statements.
272024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Financial Highlights(For a share outstanding throughout each period)
| iShares Copper and Metals Mining ETF |
| Six Months Ended
09/30/24
(unaudited) | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | |
| | |
Net realized and unrealized gain(c) | | |
Net increase from investment operations | | |
Distributions from net investment income(d) | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | |
| | |
| | |
Ratios to Average Net Assets(h) | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Net assets, end of period (000) | | |
Portfolio turnover rate(j) | | |
(a) Commencement of operations. |
(b) Based on average shares outstanding. |
(c) The amounts reported for a share outstanding may not accord with the change in aggregate gains and losses in securities for the fiscal period due to the timing of capital share transactions in relation to the fluctuating market values of the Fund’s underlying securities. |
(d) Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations. |
(e) A portion of the distributions from net investment income may be deemed a return of capital or net realized gain at fiscal year-end. |
(f) Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions. |
|
(h) Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds. |
|
(j) Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions, if any. |
See notes to financial statements.
Financial Highlights(continued)(For a share outstanding throughout each period)
| iShares Environmental Infrastructure and Industrials ETF |
| Six Months Ended
09/30/24
(unaudited) | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | |
| | | |
Net realized and unrealized gain(c) | | | |
Net increase from investment operations | | | |
Distributions from net investment income(d) | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | | |
| | | |
| | | |
Ratios to Average Net Assets(h) | | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
Net assets, end of period (000) | | | |
Portfolio turnover rate(j) | | | |
(a) Commencement of operations. |
(b) Based on average shares outstanding. |
(c) The amounts reported for a share outstanding may not accord with the change in aggregate gains and losses in securities for the fiscal period due to the timing of capital share transactions in relation to the fluctuating market values of the Fund’s underlying securities. |
(d) Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations. |
(e) A portion of the distributions from net investment income may be deemed a return of capital or net realized gain at fiscal year-end. |
(f) Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions. |
|
(h) Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds. |
|
(j) Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions, if any. |
See notes to financial statements.
292024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Financial Highlights(continued)(For a share outstanding throughout each period)
| |
| Six Months Ended
09/30/24
(unaudited) | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(c) | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations | | | | | | |
Distributions from net investment income(d) | | | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Ratios to Average Net Assets(h) | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Total expenses excluding professional fees for foreign withholding tax claims | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000) | | | | | | |
Portfolio turnover rate(j) | | | | | | |
(a) Based on average shares outstanding. |
(b) Reflects the positive effect of foreign withholding tax claims, net of the associated professional fees, which resulted in the following increases for the six months ended September 30, 2024 and the years ended March 31, 2024 and March 31, 2023, respectively: • Net investment income per share by $0.01, $0.03 and $0.06. • Total return by 0.01%, 0.04% and 0.08%. • Ratio of net investment income to average net assets by 0.03%, 0.04% and 0.09%. |
(c) The amounts reported for a share outstanding may not accord with the change in aggregate gains and losses in securities for the fiscal period due to the timing of capital share transactions in relation to the fluctuating market values of the Fund’s underlying securities. |
(d) Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations. |
(e) A portion of the distributions from net investment income may be deemed a return of capital or net realized gain at fiscal year-end. |
(f) Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions. |
|
(h) Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds. |
|
(j) Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions, if any. |
See notes to financial statements.
Financial Highlights(continued)(For a share outstanding throughout each period)
| iShares Global Infrastructure ETF |
| Six Months Ended
09/30/24
(unaudited) | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(c) | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations | | | | | | |
Distributions from net investment income(d) | | | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Ratios to Average Net Assets(i) | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Total expenses excluding professional fees for foreign withholding tax claims | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000) | | | | | | |
Portfolio turnover rate(k) | | | | | | |
(a) Based on average shares outstanding. |
(b) Reflects the positive effect of foreign withholding tax claims, net of the associated professional fees, which resulted in the following increases for the six months ended September 30, 2024 and the years ended March 31, 2024 and March 31, 2023, respectively: • Net investment income per share by $0.01, $ 0.04 and $ 0.00. • Total return by 0.01%, 0.08% and 0.01%. • Ratio of net investment income to average net assets by 0.02%, 0.08% and 0.01%. |
(c) The amounts reported for a share outstanding may not accord with the change in aggregate gains and losses in securities for the fiscal period due to the timing of capital share transactions in relation to the fluctuating market values of the Fund’s underlying securities. |
(d) Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations. |
(e) A portion of the distributions from net investment income may be deemed a return of capital or net realized gain at fiscal year-end. |
(f) Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions. |
|
(h) Includes payment received from an affiliate, which had no impact on the Fund’s total return. |
(i) Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds. |
|
(k) Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions, if any. |
See notes to financial statements.
312024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Financial Highlights(continued)(For a share outstanding throughout each period)
| iShares Global Timber & Forestry ETF |
| Six Months Ended
09/30/24
(unaudited) | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(d) | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations | | | | | | |
Distributions from net investment income(e) | | | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Ratios to Average Net Assets(i) | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Total expenses excluding professional fees for foreign withholding tax claims | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000) | | | | | | |
Portfolio turnover rate(k) | | | | | | |
(a) Based on average shares outstanding. |
(b) Includes a one-time special distribution from Mondi PLC, NVS. Excluding such special distribution, the net investment income would have been $0.70 per share and 0.87% of average net assets. |
(c) Reflects the positive effect of foreign withholding tax claims, net of the associated professional fees, which resulted in the following increases for the year ended March 31, 2023 and March 31, 2022, respectively: • Net investment income per share by $0.05 and $0.07. • Total return by 0.07% and 0.09%. • Ratio of net investment income to average net assets by 0.06% and 0.07%. |
(d) The amounts reported for a share outstanding may not accord with the change in aggregate gains and losses in securities for the fiscal period due to the timing of capital share transactions in relation to the fluctuating market values of the Fund’s underlying securities. |
(e) Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations. |
(f) A portion of the distributions from net investment income may be deemed a return of capital or net realized gain at fiscal year-end. |
(g) Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions. |
|
(i) Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds. |
|
(k) Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions, if any. |
See notes to financial statements.
Financial Highlights(continued)(For a share outstanding throughout each period)
| iShares Lithium Miners and Producers ETF |
| Six Months Ended
09/30/24
(unaudited) | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | |
| | |
Net realized and unrealized loss(c) | | |
Net decrease from investment operations | | |
Distributions from net investment income(d) | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | |
| | |
| | |
Ratios to Average Net Assets(h) | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Net assets, end of period (000) | | |
Portfolio turnover rate(j) | | |
(a) Commencement of operations. |
(b) Based on average shares outstanding. |
(c) The amounts reported for a share outstanding may not accord with the change in aggregate gains and losses in securities for the fiscal period due to the timing of capital share transactions in relation to the fluctuating market values of the Fund’s underlying securities. |
(d) Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations. |
(e) A portion of the distributions from net investment income may be deemed a return of capital or net realized gain at fiscal year-end. |
(f) Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions. |
|
(h) Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds. |
|
(j) Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions, if any. |
See notes to financial statements.
332024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited)
1. ORGANIZATION
iShares Trust (the “Trust”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as an open-end management investment company. The Trust is organized as a Delaware statutory trust and is authorized to have multiple series or portfolios.
These financial statements relate only to the following funds (each, a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”):
| Diversification
Classification |
| |
Environmental Infrastructure and Industrials | |
| |
| |
| |
Lithium Miners and Producers | |
| The Fund intends to be diversified in approximately the same proportion as its underlying index is diversified. The Fund may become non-diversified, as defined in the 1940 Act, solely as a result of a change in relative market capitalization or index weighting of one or more constituents of its underlying index. Shareholder approval will not be sought if the Fund crosses from diversified to non-diversified status due solely to a change in its relative market capitalization or index weighting of one or more constituents of its underlying index. |
2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”), which may require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities in the financial statements, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Each Fund is considered an investment company under U.S. GAAP and follows the accounting and reporting guidance applicable to investment companies. Below is a summary of significant accounting policies:
Investment Transactions and Income Recognition: For financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are recorded on the dates the transactions are executed. Realized gains and losses on investment transactions are determined using the specific identification method. Dividend income and capital gain distributions, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Non-cash dividends, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend date at fair value. Dividends from foreign securities where the ex-dividend date may have passed are subsequently recorded when the Funds are informed of the ex-dividend date. Under the applicable foreign tax laws, a withholding tax at various rates may be imposed on capital gains, dividends and interest. Upon notification from issuers or as estimated by management, a portion of the dividend income received from a real estate investment trust may be redesignated as a reduction of cost of the related investment and/or realized gain. Interest income, including amortization and accretion of premiums and discounts on debt securities, is recognized daily on an accrual basis.
Foreign Currency Translation: Each Fund's books and records are maintained in U.S. dollars. Securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars using prevailing market rates as quoted by one or more data service providers. Purchases and sales of investments are recorded at the rates of exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions. Generally, when the U.S. dollar rises in value against a foreign currency, the investments denominated in that currency will lose value; the opposite effect occurs if the U.S. dollar falls in relative value.
Each Fund does not isolate the effect of fluctuations in foreign exchange rates from the effect of fluctuations in the market prices of investments for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, the effects of changes in exchange rates on investments are not segregated in the Statements of Operations from the effects of changes in market prices of those investments, but are included as a component of net realized and unrealized gain (loss) from investments. Each Fund reports realized currency gains (losses) on foreign currency related transactions as components of net realized gain (loss) for financial reporting purposes, whereas such components are generally treated as ordinary income for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Foreign Taxes: The Funds may be subject to foreign taxes (a portion of which may be reclaimable) on income, stock dividends, capital gains on investments, or certain foreign currency transactions. All foreign taxes are recorded in accordance with the applicable foreign tax regulations and rates that exist in the foreign jurisdictions in which each Fund invests. These foreign taxes, if any, are paid by each Fund and are reflected in its Statements of Operations as follows: foreign taxes withheld at source are presented as a reduction of income, foreign taxes on securities lending income are presented as a reduction of securities lending income, foreign taxes on stock dividends are presented as “Other foreign taxes”, and foreign taxes on capital gains from sales of investments and foreign taxes on foreign currency transactions are included in their respective net realized gain (loss) categories. Foreign taxes payable or deferred as of September 30, 2024, if any, are disclosed in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.
Consistent with U.S. GAAP accrual requirements, for uncertain tax positions, each Fund recognizes tax reclaims when the Fund determines that it is more likely than not that the Fund will sustain its position that it is due the reclaim.
The Funds file withholding tax reclaims in certain jurisdictions to recover a portion of amounts previously withheld. The Funds may record a reclaim receivable based on collectability, which includes factors such as the jurisdiction’s applicable laws, payment history and market convention. The Statements of Operations include tax reclaims recorded as well as professional and other fees, if any, associated with recovery of foreign withholding taxes.
Notes to Financial Statements34
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
Bank Overdraft: Certain Funds had outstanding cash disbursements exceeding deposited cash amounts at the custodian during the reporting period. The Funds are obligated to repay the custodian for any overdraft, including any related costs or expenses, where applicable. For financial reporting purposes, overdraft fees, if any, are included in interest expense in the Statements of Operations.
Collateralization: If required by an exchange or counterparty agreement, the Funds may be required to deliver/deposit cash and/or securities to/with an exchange, or broker-dealer or custodian as collateral for certain investments.
In-kind Redemptions: For financial reporting purposes, in-kind redemptions are treated as sales of securities resulting in realized capital gains or losses to the Funds. Because such gains or losses are not taxable to the Funds and are not distributed to existing Fund shareholders, the gains or losses are reclassified from accumulated net realized gain (loss) to paid-in capital at the end of the Funds’ tax year. These reclassifications have no effect on net assets or net asset value (“NAV”) per share.
Distributions: Dividends and distributions paid by each Fund are recorded on the ex-dividend dates. Distributions are determined on a tax basis and may differ from net investment income and net realized capital gains for financial reporting purposes. Dividends and distributions are paid in U.S. dollars and cannot be automatically reinvested in additional shares of the Funds.
Indemnifications: In the normal course of business, each Fund enters into contracts that contain a variety of representations that provide general indemnification. The Funds’ maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown because it involves future potential claims against the Funds, which cannot be predicted with any certainty.
3. INVESTMENT VALUATION AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
Investment Valuation Policies: Each Fund’s investments are valued at fair value (also referred to as “market value” within the financial statements) each day that the Fund’s listing exchange is open and, for financial reporting purposes, as of the report date. U.S. GAAP defines fair value as the price a fund would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”) of each Fund has approved the designation of BlackRock Fund Advisors (“BFA”), the Funds’ investment adviser, as the valuation designee for each Fund. Each Fund determines the fair values of its financial instruments using various independent dealers or pricing services under BFA’s policies. If a security’s market price is not readily available or does not otherwise accurately represent the fair value of the security, the security will be valued in accordance with BFA’s policies and procedures as reflecting fair value. BFA has formed a committee (the “Valuation Committee”) to develop pricing policies and procedures and to oversee the pricing function for all financial instruments, with assistance from other BlackRock pricing committees.
Fair Value Inputs and Methodologies: The following methods and inputs are used to establish the fair value of each Fund’s assets and liabilities:
• Equity investments traded on a recognized securities exchange are valued at that day’s official closing price, as applicable, on the exchange where the stock is primarily traded. Equity investments traded on a recognized exchange for which there were no sales on that day are valued at the last traded price.
• Investments in open-end U.S. mutual funds (including money market funds) are valued at that day’s NAV.
• Futures contracts are valued based on that day’s last reported settlement or trade price on the exchange where the contract is traded.
Generally, trading in foreign instruments is substantially completed each day at various times prior to the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”). Each business day, the Funds use current market factors supplied by independent pricing services to value certain foreign instruments (“Systematic Fair Value Price”). The Systematic Fair Value Price is designed to value such foreign securities at fair value as of the close of trading on the NYSE, which occurs after the close of the local markets.
If events (e.g., market volatility, company announcement or a natural disaster) occur that are expected to materially affect the value of such investment, or in the event that application of these methods of valuation results in a price for an investment that is deemed not to be representative of the market value of such investment, or if a price is not available, the investment will be valued by the Valuation Committee, in accordance with BFA’s policies and procedures as reflecting fair value (“Fair Valued Investments”). The fair valuation approaches that may be used by the Valuation Committee include market approach, income approach and cost approach. Valuation techniques such as discounted cash flow, use of market comparables and matrix pricing are types of valuation approaches and are typically used in determining fair value. When determining the price for Fair Valued Investments, the Valuation Committee seeks to determine the price that each Fund might reasonably expect to receive or pay from the current sale or purchase of that asset or liability in an arm’s-length transaction. Fair value determinations shall be based upon all available factors that the Valuation Committee deems relevant and consistent with the principles of fair value measurement as of the measurement date.
Fair value pricing could result in a difference between the prices used to calculate a fund’s NAV and the prices used by the fund’s underlying index, which in turn could result in a difference between the fund’s performance and the performance of the fund’s underlying index.
Fair Value Hierarchy: Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments at the measurement date. These inputs to valuation techniques are categorized into a fair value hierarchy consisting of three broad levels for financial reporting purposes as follows:
• Level 1 – Unadjusted price quotations in active markets/exchanges that each Fund has the ability to access for identical assets or liabilities;
• Level 2 – Inputs other than quoted prices included within level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly; and
• Level 3 – Inputs that are unobservable and significant to the entire fair value measurement for the asset or liability (including the Valuation Committee’s assumptions used in determining the fair value of financial instruments).
352024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized in Level 3. The inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, for disclosure purposes, the fair value hierarchy classification is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. Investments classified within Level 3 have significant unobservable inputs used by the Valuation Committee in determining the price for Fair Valued Investments. Level 3 investments include equity or debt issued by privately held companies or funds that may not have a secondary market and/or may have a limited number of investors. The categorization of a value determined for financial instruments is based on the pricing transparency of the financial instruments and is not necessarily an indication of the risks associated with investing in those securities.
4. SECURITIES AND OTHER INVESTMENTS
Securities Lending: Each Fund may lend its securities to approved borrowers, such as brokers, dealers and other financial institutions. The borrower pledges and maintains with the Fund collateral consisting of cash, an irrevocable letter of credit issued by an approved bank, or securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government. The initial collateral received by each Fund is required to have a value of at least 102% of the current market value of the loaned securities for securities traded on U.S. exchanges and a value of at least 105% for all other securities. The collateral is maintained thereafter at a value equal to at least 100% of the current value of the securities on loan. The market value of the loaned securities is determined at the close of each business day of the Fund and any additional required collateral is delivered to the Fund or excess collateral is returned by the Fund, on the next business day. During the term of the loan, each Fund is entitled to all distributions made on or in respect of the loaned securities but does not receive interest income on securities received as collateral. Loans of securities are terminable at any time and the borrower, after notice, is required to return borrowed securities within the standard time period for settlement of securities transactions.
As of period end, any securities on loan were collateralized by cash and/or U.S. Government obligations. Cash collateral invested in money market funds managed by BFA, or its affiliates is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments. Any non-cash collateral received cannot be sold, re-invested or pledged by the Fund, except in the event of borrower default. The securities on loan, if any, are also disclosed in each Fund’s Schedule of Investments. The market value of any securities on loan and the value of any related cash collateral are disclosed in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.
Securities lending transactions are entered into by the Funds under Master Securities Lending Agreements (each, an “MSLA”) which provide the right, in the event of default (including bankruptcy or insolvency) for the non-defaulting party to liquidate the collateral and calculate a net exposure to the defaulting party or request additional collateral. In the event that a borrower defaults, the Funds, as lender, would offset the market value of the collateral received against the market value of the securities loaned. When the value of the collateral is greater than that of the market value of the securities loaned, the lender is left with a net amount payable to the defaulting party. However, bankruptcy or insolvency laws of a particular jurisdiction may impose restrictions on or prohibitions against such a right of offset in the event of an MSLA counterparty’s bankruptcy or insolvency. Under the MSLA, absent an event of default, the borrower can resell or re-pledge the loaned securities, and the Funds can reinvest cash collateral received in connection with loaned securities. Upon an event of default, the parties’ obligations to return the securities or collateral to the other party are extinguished, and the parties can resell or re-pledge the loaned securities or the collateral received in connection with the loaned securities in order to satisfy the defaulting party’s net payment obligation for all transactions under the MSLA. The defaulting party remains liable for any deficiency.
As of period end, the following table is a summary of the securities on loan by counterparty which are subject to offset under an MSLA:
iShares ETF and Counterparty | Securities Loaned
at Value | | Non-Cash Collateral
Received, at Fair Value(a) | |
| | | | |
Citigroup Global Markets, Inc. | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Wells Fargo Securities LLC | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Citigroup Global Markets, Inc. | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Notes to Financial Statements36
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
iShares ETF and Counterparty | Securities Loaned at Value | Cash Collateral Received(a) | Non-Cash Collateral Received, at Fair Value(a) | |
Lithium Miners and Producers | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Citigroup Global Markets, Inc. | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| Collateral received, if any, in excess of the market value of securities on loan is not presented in this table. The total cash collateral received by each Fund is disclosed in the Fund’s Statements of Assets and Liabilities. |
The risks of securities lending include the risk that the borrower may not provide additional collateral when required or may not return the securities when due. To mitigate these risks, each Fund benefits from a borrower default indemnity provided by BlackRock, Inc. (“BlackRock”). BlackRock’s indemnity allows for full replacement of the securities loaned to the extent the collateral received does not cover the value of the securities loaned in the event of borrower default. Each Fund could incur a loss if the value of an investment purchased with cash collateral falls below the market value of the loaned securities or if the value of an investment purchased with cash collateral falls below the value of the original cash collateral received. Such losses are borne entirely by each Fund.
5. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
Futures Contracts: Futures contracts are purchased or sold to gain exposure to, or manage exposure to, changes in interest rates (interest rate risk) and changes in the value of equity securities (equity risk) or foreign currencies (foreign currency exchange rate risk).
Futures contracts are exchange-traded agreements between the Funds and a counterparty to buy or sell a specific quantity of an underlying instrument at a specified price and on a specified date. Depending on the terms of a contract, it is settled either through physical delivery of the underlying instrument on the settlement date or by payment of a cash amount on the settlement date. Upon entering into a futures contract, the Funds are required to deposit initial margin with the broker in the form of cash or securities in an amount that varies depending on a contract’s size and risk profile. The initial margin deposit must then be maintained at an established level over the life of the contract. Amounts pledged, which are considered restricted, are included in cash pledged for futures contracts in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.
Securities deposited as initial margin are designated in the Schedule of Investments and cash deposited, if any, are shown as cash pledged for futures contracts in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. Pursuant to the contract, the Funds agree to receive from or pay to the broker an amount of cash equal to the daily fluctuation in market value of the contract (“variation margin”). Variation margin is recorded as unrealized appreciation (depreciation) and, if any, shown as variation margin receivable (or payable) on futures contracts in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. When the contract is closed, a realized gain or loss is recorded in the Statements of Operations equal to the difference between the notional amount of the contract at the time it was opened and the notional amount at the time it was closed. The use of futures contracts involves the risk of an imperfect correlation in the movements in the price of futures contracts and interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates or underlying assets.
6. INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES
Investment Advisory Fees: Pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement with the Trust, BFA manages the investment of each Fund’s assets. BFA is a California corporation indirectly owned by BlackRock. Under the Investment Advisory Agreement, BFA is responsible for substantially all expenses of the Funds, except (i) interest and taxes; (ii) brokerage commissions and other expenses connected with the execution of portfolio transactions; (iii) distribution fees; (iv) the advisory fee payable to BFA; and (v) litigation expenses and any extraordinary expenses (in each case as determined by a majority of the independent trustees).
For its investment advisory services to each of the following Funds, BFA is entitled to an annual investment advisory fee, accrued daily and paid monthly by the Funds, based on the average daily net assets of each Fund as follows:
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Environmental Infrastructure and Industrials | |
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Lithium Miners and Producers | |
372024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
For its investment advisory services to each of the iShares Global Infrastructure and iShares Global Timber & Forestry ETFs, BFA is entitled to an annual investment advisory fee, accrued daily and paid monthly by the Funds, based on each Fund’s allocable portion of the aggregate of the average daily net assets of the Fund and certain other iShares funds as follows:
Aggregate Average Daily Net Assets | |
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Over $10 billion, up to and including $20 billion | |
Over $20 billion, up to and including $30 billion | |
Over $30 billion, up to and including $40 billion | |
| |
Distributor: BlackRock Investments, LLC, an affiliate of BFA, is the distributor for each Fund. Pursuant to the distribution agreement, BFA is responsible for any fees or expenses for distribution services provided to the Funds.
Securities Lending: The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) has issued an exemptive order which permits BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A. (“BTC”), an affiliate of BFA, to serve as securities lending agent for the Funds, subject to applicable conditions. As securities lending agent, BTC bears all operational costs directly related to securities lending, including any custodial costs. Each Fund is responsible for fees in connection with the investment of cash collateral received for securities on loan (the “collateral investment fees”). The cash collateral is invested in a money market fund, BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional or BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, managed by BFA, or its affiliates. However, BTC has agreed to reduce the amount of securities lending income it receives in order to effectively limit the collateral investment fees each Fund bears to an annual rate of 0.04%. The SL Agency Shares of such money market fund will not be subject to a sales load, redemption fee, distribution fee or service fee. The money market fund in which the cash collateral has been invested may impose a discretionary liquidity fee of up to 2% of the value redeemed, if such fee is determined to be in the best interests of such money market fund.
Securities lending income is generally equal to the total of income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral (and excludes collateral investment fees), and any fees or other payments to and from borrowers of securities. Each Fund retains a portion of the securities lending income and remits the remaining portion to BTC as compensation for its services as securities lending agent.
Pursuant to the current securities lending agreement, the iShares Global 100 ETF (the “Group 1 Fund”), retains 81% of securities lending income (which excludes collateral investment fees) and the amount retained can never be less than 70% of the total of securities lending income plus the collateral investment fees.
Pursuant to the current securities lending agreement, the iShares Copper and Metals Mining ETF, iShares Environmental Infrastructure and Industrials ETF, iShares Global Infrastructure ETF, iShares Global Timber & Forestry ETF and iShares Lithium Miners and Producers ETF (the “Group 2 Fund”), retains 82% of securities lending income (which excludes collateral investment fees) and the amount retained can never be less than 70% of the total of securities lending income plus the collateral investment fees.
In addition, commencing the business day following the date that the aggregate securities lending income plus the collateral investment fees generated across all 1940 Act iShares exchange-traded funds (the “iShares ETF Complex”) in a given calendar year exceeds a specified threshold: (1) the Group 1 Fund, pursuant to the securities lending agreement, will retain for the remainder of that calendar year 81% of securities lending income (which excludes collateral investment fees), and the amount retained can never be less than 70% of the total of securities lending income plus the collateral investment fees, and (2) each Group 2 Fund will retain for the remainder of that calendar year 85% of securities lending income (which excludes collateral investment fees), and the amount retained can never be less than 70% of the total of securities lending income plus the collateral investment fees.
The share of securities lending income earned by each Fund is shown as securities lending income – affiliated – net in its Statements of Operations. For the six months ended September 30, 2024, the Funds paid BTC the following amounts for securities lending agent services:
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Environmental Infrastructure and Industrials | |
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Lithium Miners and Producers | |
Officers and Trustees: Certain officers and/or trustees of the Trust are officers and/or trustees of BlackRock or its affiliates.
Notes to Financial Statements38
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
Other Transactions: Cross trading is the buying or selling of portfolio securities between funds to which BFA (or an affiliate) serves as investment adviser. At its regularly scheduled quarterly meetings, the Board reviews such transactions as of the most recent calendar quarter for compliance with the requirements and restrictions set forth by Rule 17a-7.
For the six months ended September 30, 2024, transactions executed by the Funds pursuant to Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act were as follows:
Each Fund may invest its positive cash balances in certain money market funds managed by BFA or an affiliate. The income earned on these temporary cash investments is shown as dividends – affiliated in the Statements of Operations.
A fund, in order to improve its portfolio liquidity and its ability to track its underlying index, may invest in shares of other iShares funds that invest in securities in the fund’s underlying index.
For the six months ended September 30, 2024, purchases and sales of investments, excluding short-term securities and in-kind transactions, were as follows:
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Environmental Infrastructure and Industrials | | |
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Lithium Miners and Producers | | |
For the six months ended September 30, 2024, in-kind transactions were as follows:
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Lithium Miners and Producers | | |
8. INCOME TAX INFORMATION
Each Fund is treated as an entity separate from the Trust’s other funds for federal income tax purposes. It is each Fund’s policy to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, applicable to regulated investment companies, and to distribute substantially all of its taxable income to its shareholders. Therefore, no U.S. federal income tax provision is required.
Management has analyzed tax laws and regulations and their application to the Funds as of September 30, 2024, inclusive of the open tax return years, and does not believe that there are any uncertain tax positions that require recognition of a tax liability in the Funds’ financial statements. Management’s analysis is based on the tax laws and judicial and administrative interpretations thereof in effect as of the date of these financial statements, all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect, which may impact the Funds’ NAV.
392024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
As of March 31, 2024, the Funds had non-expiring capital loss carryforwards available to offset future realized capital gains and qualified late-year losses as follows:
| Non-Expiring
Capital Loss
Carryforwards | Qualified
Late-Year
Ordinary
Losses |
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Environmental Infrastructure and Industrials | | |
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Lithium Miners and Producers | | |
A fund may own shares in certain foreign investment entities, referred to, under U.S. tax law, as “passive foreign investment companies.” Such fund may elect to mark-to-market annually the shares of each passive foreign investment company and would be required to distribute to shareholders any such marked-to-market gains.
As of September 30, 2024, gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation based on cost of investments (including short positions and derivatives, if any) for U.S. federal income tax purposes were as follows:
| | Gross Unrealized
Appreciation | Gross Unrealized
Depreciation | Net Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation) |
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Environmental Infrastructure and Industrials | | | | |
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Lithium Miners and Producers | | | | |
The Funds, along with certain other iShares funds (“Participating Funds”), are parties to a $800 million credit agreement (“Syndicated Credit Agreement”) with a group of lenders, which expires on October 16, 2024. The line of credit may be used for temporary or emergency purposes, including redemptions, settlement of trades and rebalancing of portfolio holdings in certain target markets. The Funds may borrow up to the aggregate commitment amount subject to asset coverage and other limitations as specified in the Syndicated Credit Agreement. The Syndicated Credit Agreement has the following terms: a commitment fee of 0.15% per annum on the unused portion of the credit agreement and interest at a rate equal to the higher of (a) Daily Simple Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) plus 0.10% and 1.00% per annum or (b) the U.S. Federal Funds rate plus 1.00% per annum on amounts borrowed. The commitment fee is generally allocated to each Participating Fund based on the lesser of a Participating Fund’s relative exposure to certain target markets or a Participating Fund’s maximum borrowing amount as set forth by the terms of the Syndicated Credit Agreement.
During the six months ended September 30, 2024, the Funds did not borrow under the Syndicated Credit Agreement.
In the normal course of business, each Fund invests in securities or other instruments and may enter into certain transactions, and such activities subject the Fund to various risks, including, among others, fluctuations in the market (market risk) or failure of an issuer to meet all of its obligations. The value of securities or other instruments may also be affected by various factors, including, without limitation: (i) the general economy; (ii) the overall market as well as local, regional or global political and/or social instability; (iii) regulation, taxation or international tax treaties between various countries; or (iv) currency, interest rate or price fluctuations. Local, regional or global events such as war, acts of terrorism, the spread of infectious illness or other public health issues, recessions, or other events could have a significant impact on the Funds and their investments. Each Fund’s prospectus provides details of the risks to which the Fund is subject.
BFA uses an indexing approach to try to achieve each Fund’s investment objective. The Fund is not actively managed, and BFA generally does not attempt to take defensive positions under any market conditions, including declining markets.
The Funds may be exposed to additional risks when reinvesting cash collateral in money market funds that do not seek to maintain a stable NAV per share of $1.00, which may be subject to discretionary liquidity fees under certain circumstances.
Valuation Risk: The market values of equities, such as common stocks and preferred securities or equity related investments, such as futures and options, may decline due to general market conditions which are not specifically related to a particular company. They may also decline due to factors which affect a particular industry or industries. A fund may invest in illiquid investments. An illiquid investment is any investment that a fund reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment. A fund may experience difficulty in selling illiquid investments in a timely manner at the price that it believes the investments are worth. Prices may fluctuate widely over short or extended periods in response to
Notes to Financial Statements40
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
company, market or economic news. Markets also tend to move in cycles, with periods of rising and falling prices. This volatility may cause a fund’s NAV to experience significant increases or decreases over short periods of time. If there is a general decline in the securities and other markets, the NAV of a fund may lose value, regardless of the individual results of the securities and other instruments in which a fund invests. Each Fund’s ability to value its investments may also be impacted by technological issues and/or errors by pricing services or other third-party service providers.
Counterparty Credit Risk: The Funds may be exposed to counterparty credit risk, or the risk that an entity may fail to or be unable to perform on its commitments related to unsettled or open transactions, including making timely interest and/or principal payments or otherwise honoring its obligations. The Funds manage counterparty credit risk by entering into transactions only with counterparties that BFA believes have the financial resources to honor their obligations and by monitoring the financial stability of those counterparties. Financial assets, which potentially expose the Funds to market, issuer and counterparty credit risks, consist principally of financial instruments and receivables due from counterparties. The extent of the Funds’ exposure to market, issuer and counterparty credit risks with respect to these financial assets is approximately their value recorded in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities, less any collateral held by the Funds.
A derivative contract may suffer a mark-to-market loss if the value of the contract decreases due to an unfavorable change in the market rates or values of the underlying instrument. Losses can also occur if the counterparty does not perform under the contract.
With exchange-traded futures, there is less counterparty credit risk to the Funds since the exchange or clearinghouse, as counterparty to such instruments, guarantees against a possible default. The clearinghouse stands between the buyer and the seller of the contract; therefore, credit risk is limited to failure of the clearinghouse. While offset rights may exist under applicable law, the Fund does not have a contractual right of offset against a clearing broker or clearinghouse in the event of a default (including the bankruptcy or insolvency). Additionally, credit risk exists in exchange-traded futures with respect to initial and variation margin that is held in a clearing broker’s customer accounts. While clearing brokers are required to segregate customer margin from their own assets, in the event that a clearing broker becomes insolvent or goes into bankruptcy and at that time there is a shortfall in the aggregate amount of margin held by the clearing broker for all its clients, typically the shortfall would be allocated on a pro rata basis across all the clearing broker’s customers, potentially resulting in losses to the Funds.
Geographic/Asset Class Risk: A diversified portfolio, where this is appropriate and consistent with a fund’s objectives, minimizes the risk that a price change of a particular investment will have a material impact on the NAV of a fund. The investment concentrations within each Fund’s portfolio are disclosed in its Schedule of Investments.
The Funds invest a significant portion of their assets in securities of issuers located in the United States. A decrease in imports or exports, changes in trade regulations, inflation and/or an economic recession in the United States may have a material adverse effect on the U.S. economy and the securities listed on U.S. exchanges. Proposed and adopted policy and legislative changes in the United States may also have a significant effect on U.S. markets generally, as well as on the value of certain securities. Governmental agencies project that the United States will continue to maintain elevated public debt levels for the foreseeable future which may constrain future economic growth. Circumstances could arise that could prevent the timely payment of interest or principal on U.S. government debt, such as reaching the legislative “debt ceiling.” Such non-payment would result in substantial negative consequences for the U.S. economy and the global financial system. If U.S. relations with certain countries deteriorate, it could adversely affect issuers that rely on the United States for trade. The United States has also experienced increased internal unrest and discord. If these trends were to continue, they may have an adverse impact on the U.S. economy and the issuers in which the the Funds invest.
Certain Funds invest a significant portion of their assets in securities of issuers located in Europe or with significant exposure to European issuers or countries. The European financial markets have recently experienced volatility and adverse trends due to concerns about economic downturns in, or rising government debt levels of, several European countries as well as acts of war in the region. These events may spread to other countries in Europe and may affect the value and liquidity of certain of the Funds’ investments.
Responses to the financial problems by European governments, central banks and others, including austerity measures and reforms, may not work, may result in social unrest and may limit future growth and economic recovery or have other unintended consequences. Further defaults or restructurings by governments and others of their debt could have additional adverse effects on economies, financial markets and asset valuations around the world. The United Kingdom has withdrawn from the European Union, and one or more other countries may withdraw from the European Union and/or abandon the Euro, the common currency of the European Union. These events and actions have adversely affected, and may in the future adversely affect, the value and exchange rate of the Euro and may continue to significantly affect the economies of every country in Europe, including countries that do not use the Euro and non-European Union member states. The impact of these actions, especially if they occur in a disorderly fashion, is not clear but could be significant and far reaching. In addition, Russia launched a large-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. The extent and duration of the military action, resulting sanctions and resulting future market disruptions in the region are impossible to predict, but have been, and may continue to be, significant and have a severe adverse effect on the region, including significant negative impacts on the economy and the markets for certain securities and commodities, such as oil and natural gas, as well as other sectors.
Certain Funds invest a significant portion of their assets in securities within a single or limited number of market sectors. When a fund concentrates its investments in this manner, it assumes the risk that economic, regulatory, political and social conditions affecting such sectors may have a significant impact on the Fund and could affect the income from, or the value or liquidity of, the Fund’s portfolio.
Significant Shareholder Redemption Risk: Certain shareholders may own or manage a substantial amount of fund shares and/or hold their fund investments for a limited period of time. Large redemptions of fund shares by these shareholders may force a fund to sell portfolio securities, which may negatively impact the fund’s NAV, increase the fund’s brokerage costs, and/or accelerate the realization of taxable income/gains and cause the fund to make additional taxable distributions to shareholders.
412024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
11. CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS
Capital shares are issued and redeemed by each Fund only in aggregations of a specified number of shares or multiples thereof (“Creation Units”) at NAV. Except when aggregated in Creation Units, shares of each Fund are not redeemable.
Transactions in capital shares were as follows:
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Lithium Miners and Producers(a) | | | | |
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| The Fund commenced operations on June 21, 2023. |
The consideration for the purchase of Creation Units of a fund in the Trust generally consists of the in-kind deposit of a designated portfolio of securities and a specified amount of cash. Certain funds in the Trust may be offered in Creation Units solely or partially for cash in U.S. dollars. Authorized Participants purchasing and redeeming Creation Units may pay a purchase transaction fee and a redemption transaction fee directly to State Street Bank and Trust Company, the Trust’s administrator, to offset transfer and other transaction costs associated with the issuance and redemption of Creation Units, including Creation Units for cash. Authorized Participants transacting in Creation Units for cash may also pay an additional variable charge to compensate the relevant fund for certain transaction costs (i.e., stamp taxes, taxes on currency or other financial transactions, and brokerage costs) and market impact expenses relating to investing in portfolio securities. Such variable charges, if any, are included in shares sold in the table above.
To the extent applicable, to facilitate the timely settlement of orders for the Funds using a clearing facility outside of the continuous net settlement process, the Funds, at their sole discretion, may permit an Authorized Participant to post cash as collateral in anticipation of the delivery of all or a portion of the applicable Deposit Securities or Fund Securities, as further described in the applicable Authorized Participant Agreement. The collateral process is subject to a Control Agreement among the Authorized Participant, each Funds’ custodian, and the Funds. In the event that the Authorized Participant fails to deliver all or a portion of the applicable Deposit Securities or Fund Securities, the Funds may exercise control over such collateral pursuant to the terms of the Control Agreement in order to purchase the applicable Deposit Securities or Fund Securities.
From time to time, settlement of securities related to in-kind contributions or in-kind redemptions may be delayed. In such cases, securities related to in-kind transactions are reflected as a receivable or a payable in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.
Notes to Financial Statements42
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
12. FOREIGN WITHHOLDING TAX CLAIMS
Certain of the outstanding foreign tax reclaims are not deemed by the Funds to meet the recognition criteria under U.S. GAAP as of September 30, 2024 and have not been recorded in the applicable Fund’s net asset value. The recognition by the Funds of these amounts would have a positive impact on the applicable Fund's performance. If a Fund receives a tax refund that has not been previously recorded, investors in the Fund at the time the claim is successful will benefit from any resulting increase in the Fund’s NAV. Investors who sold their shares prior to such time will not benefit from such NAV increase.
The Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) has issued guidance to address U.S. income tax liabilities attributable to fund shareholders resulting from the recovery of foreign taxes withheld in prior calendar years. These withheld foreign taxes were passed through to shareholders in the form of foreign tax credits in the year the taxes were withheld. Assuming there are sufficient foreign taxes paid which the iShares Global Infrastructure ETF is able to pass through to shareholders as a foreign tax credit in the current year, the Fund will be able to offset the prior years’ withholding taxes recovered against the foreign taxes paid in the current year. Accordingly, no federal income tax liability is recorded by the Fund.
The iShares Global 100 ETF is seeking a closing agreement with the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) to address any prior years’ U.S. income tax liabilities attributable to Fund shareholders resulting from the recovery of foreign taxes. The closing agreement would result in the Fund paying a compliance fee to the IRS, on behalf of its shareholders, representing the estimated tax savings generated from foreign tax credits claimed by Fund shareholders on their tax returns in prior years. The Fund has accrued a liability for the estimated IRS compliance fee related to foreign withholding tax claims, which is disclosed in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The actual IRS compliance fee may differ from the estimate and that difference may be material.
Management’s evaluation of the impact of all subsequent events on the Funds’ financial statements was completed through the date the financial statements were available to be issued and the following item was noted:
Effective October 16, 2024, the Syndicated Credit Agreement to which the Participating Funds are party was amended to extend the maturity date to October 15, 2025 under the same terms.
432024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Electronic Delivery
Shareholders can sign up for e-mail notifications announcing that the shareholder report or prospectus has been posted on the iShares website at iShares.com. Once you have enrolled, you will no longer receive prospectuses and shareholder reports in the mail.
To enroll in electronic delivery:
• Go to icsdelivery.com.
• If your brokerage firm is not listed, electronic delivery may not be available. Please contact your broker-dealer or financial advisor.
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants
Remuneration Paid to Trustees, Officers, and Others
Because BFA has agreed in the Investment Advisory Agreements to cover all operating expenses of the Funds, subject to certain exclusions as provided for therein, BFA pays the compensation to each Independent Trustee for services to the Funds from BFA's investment advisory fees.
Availability of Portfolio Holdings Information
A description of the Company’s policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of the Fund’s portfolio securities is available in the Fund Prospectus. The Fund discloses its portfolio holdings daily and provides information regarding its top holdings in Fund fact sheets, when available, at iShares.com.
Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract
iShares Copper and Metals Mining ETF, iShares Environmental Infrastructure and Industrials ETF, iShares Global 100 ETF, iShares Lithium Miners and Producers ETF (each the “Fund”)
Under Section 15(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), the Trust's Board of Trustees (the “Board”), including a majority of Board Members who are not “interested persons” of the Trust (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act) (the “Independent Board Members”), is required annually to consider the approval of the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and BFA (the “Advisory Agreement”) on behalf of the Fund. The Board’s consideration entails a year-long process whereby the Board and its committees (composed solely of Independent Board Members) assess BlackRock’s services to the Fund, including investment management; fund accounting; administrative and shareholder services; oversight of the Fund’s service providers; risk management and oversight; and legal and compliance services; including the ability to meet applicable legal and regulatory requirements. The Independent Board Members requested, and BFA provided, such information as the Independent Board Members, with advice from independent counsel, deemed reasonably necessary to evaluate the Advisory Agreement. At meetings held on May 6, 2024 and May 17, 2024, a committee composed of all of the Independent Board Members (the “15(c) Committee”), with independent counsel, met with management and reviewed and discussed information provided in response to initial requests of the 15(c) Committee and/or its independent counsel. Prior to and in preparation for the meeting, the Board received and reviewed materials specifically relating to matters relevant to the renewal of the Advisory Agreement. Following discussion, the 15(c) Committee subsequently requested certain additional information, which management agreed to provide. At a meeting held on June 4-5, 2024, the Board, including the Independent Board Members, reviewed the additional information provided by management in response to these requests.
After extensive discussions and deliberations, the Board, including all of the Independent Board Members, approved the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the Fund, based on a review of qualitative and quantitative information provided by BFA and their cumulative experience as Board Members. The Board noted its satisfaction with the extent and quality of information provided and its frequent interactions with management, as well as the detailed responses and other information provided by BFA. The Independent Board Members were advised by their independent counsel throughout the process, including about the legal standards applicable to their review. In approving the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the Fund, the Board, including the Independent Board Members, considered various factors, including: (i) the expenses and performance of the Fund; (ii) the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by BFA; (iii) the costs of services provided to the Fund and profits realized by BFA and its affiliates; (iv) potential economies of scale and the sharing of related benefits; (v) the fees and services provided for other comparable funds/accounts managed by BFA and its affiliates; and (vi) other benefits to BFA and/or its affiliates. The Board Members did not identify any particular information or any single factor as determinative, and each Board Member may have attributed different weights to the various matters and factors considered. The material factors, considerations and conclusions that formed the basis for the Board, including the Independent Board Members, to approve the continuance of the Advisory Agreement are discussed below.
Expenses and Performance of the Fund: The Board reviewed statistical information prepared by Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (“Broadridge”), an independent provider of investment company data, regarding the expense ratio components, including gross and net total expenses, fees and expenses of other fund(s) in which the Fund invests (if applicable), and waivers/reimbursements (if applicable) of the Fund in comparison with the same information for other ETFs, objectively selected by Broadridge as comprising the Fund’s applicable expense peer group pursuant to Broadridge’s proprietary ETF methodology (the “Peer Group”). The Board was provided with a detailed description of the proprietary ETF methodology used by Broadridge to determine the Fund’s Peer Group. The Board noted that, due to the limitations in providing comparable funds in the Peer Group, the statistical information provided in Broadridge’s report may or may not provide meaningful direct comparisons to the Fund in all instances. The Board also noted that the investment advisory fee rate and overall expenses (net of any waivers and reimbursements) for the Fund were lower than the median of the investment advisory fee rates and overall expenses (net of any waivers and reimbursements) of the funds in its Peer Group, excluding iShares funds.
In addition, to the extent that any of the comparison funds included in the Peer Group, excluding iShares funds, track the same index as the Fund, Broadridge also provided, and the Board reviewed, a comparison of the Fund’s performance for the one-year, three-year, five-year, ten-year, and since inception periods, as applicable, and for the quarter ended December 31, 2023, to that of such relevant comparison fund(s) for the same periods. The Board noted that the Fund seeks to track its specified underlying index and that, during the year, the Board received periodic reports on the Fund’s short- and longer-term performance in comparison with its underlying index. Such periodic comparative performance information, including additional detailed information as requested by the Board, was also considered. The Board noted that the Fund generally performed in line with its underlying index over the relevant periods.
Based on this review, the other relevant factors and information considered at the meeting, and their general knowledge of ETF pricing, the Board concluded that the investment advisory fee rate and expense level and the historical performance of the Fund supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.
Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided: Based on management’s representations, including information about ongoing enhancements and initiatives with respect to the iShares product line and BFA’s business, including with respect to capital markets support and analysis, technology, portfolio management, product design and quality, compliance and risk management, global public policy and other services, the Board expected that there would be no diminution in the scope of services required of or provided by BFA under the Advisory Agreement for the coming year as compared with the scope of services provided by BFA during prior years. In reviewing the scope of these services, the Board considered BFA’s investment philosophy and experience, noting that BFA and its affiliates have committed significant resources over time, including during the past year, to support the iShares funds and their shareholders and have made significant investments into the iShares business. The Board also considered BFA’s compliance program and its compliance record with respect to the Fund, including related programs implemented pursuant to regulatory requirements. In that regard, the Board noted that BFA reports to the Board about portfolio management and compliance matters on a periodic basis in connection with regularly scheduled meetings of the Board, and on other occasions as necessary and appropriate, and has provided information and made relevant officers and other employees of BFA (and its affiliates) available as needed to provide further assistance with these matters. The Board also reviewed the background and experience of the persons responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund, as well as the resources available to them in managing the Fund. In addition to the above considerations, the Board reviewed and considered detailed presentations regarding BFA’s investment performance, investment and risk management processes and strategies provided at the May 6, 2024
452024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract (continued)
meeting and throughout the year, and matters related to BFA’s portfolio compliance program and other compliance programs and services, as well as BlackRock’s continued investments in its ETF business.
Based on review of this information, and the performance information discussed above, the Board concluded that the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund under the Advisory Agreement supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.
Costs of Services Provided to the Fund and Profits Realized by BFA and its Affiliates: The Board reviewed information about the estimated profitability to BlackRock in managing the Fund, based on the fees payable to BFA and its affiliates (including fees under the Advisory Agreement), and other sources of revenue and expense to BFA and its affiliates from the Fund’s operations for the last calendar year. The Board reviewed BlackRock’s methodology for calculating estimated profitability of the iShares funds, noting that the 15(c) Committee and the Board had focused on the methodology and profitability presentation. The Board recognized that profitability may be affected by numerous factors, including, among other things, fee waivers by BFA, the types of funds managed, expense allocations and business mix. The Board thus recognized that calculating and comparing profitability at individual fund levels is challenging. The Board discussed with management the sources of direct and ancillary revenue, including the revenues to BTC, a BlackRock affiliate, from securities lending by the Fund. The Board also discussed BFA’s estimated profit margin as reflected in the Fund’s profitability analysis and reviewed information regarding potential economies of scale (as discussed below).
Based on this review, the Board concluded that the information considered with respect to the profits realized by BFA and its affiliates under the Advisory Agreement and from other relationships between the Fund and BFA and/or its affiliates, if any, and related costs of the services provided as well as the other factors considered at the meeting, supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.
Economies of Scale: The Board reviewed information and considered the extent to which economies of scale might be realized as the assets of the Fund increase, noting that the issue of potential economies of scale had been focused on by the 15(c) Committee and the Board during their meetings and addressed by management. The 15(c) Committee and the Board received information regarding BlackRock’s historical estimated profitability (as discussed above), including BFA’s and its affiliates’ estimated costs in providing services. The estimated cost information distinguished, among other things, between fixed and variable costs, and showed how the level and nature of fixed and variable costs may impact the existence or size of scale benefits, with the Board recognizing that potential economies of scale are difficult to measure. The 15(c) Committee and the Board reviewed information provided by BFA regarding the sharing of scale benefits with the iShares funds through various means, including, as applicable, through breakpoints, waivers, or other fee reductions, as well as through additional investment in the iShares business, including enhancements to or the provision of additional infrastructure and services to the iShares funds and their shareholders and, with respect to New Funds, set management fees at levels that anticipate scale over time. The Board noted that the Advisory Agreement for the Fund did not provide for breakpoints in the Fund’s investment advisory fee rate as the assets of the Fund increase. However, the Board noted that it would continue to assess the appropriateness of adding breakpoints in the future.
The Board concluded that this review of potential economies of scale and the sharing of related benefits, as well as the other factors considered at the meeting, supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.
Fees and Services Provided for Other Comparable Funds/Accounts Managed by BFA and its Affiliates: The Board received and considered information regarding the investment advisory/management fee rates for other funds/accounts in the U.S. for which BFA (or its affiliates) provides investment advisory/management services, including open-end funds registered under the 1940 Act (including sub-advised funds), collective trust funds and institutional separate accounts (collectively, the “Other Accounts”).
The Board received detailed information regarding how the Other Accounts generally differ from the Fund, including in terms of the types of services and generally more extensive character and scope of services provided to the Fund, as well as other significant differences. In that regard, the Board considered that the pricing of services to institutional clients is typically based on a number of factors beyond the nature and extent of the specific services to be provided and often depends on the overall relationship between the client and its affiliates and the adviser and its affiliates. In addition, the Board considered the relative complexity and inherent risks and challenges of managing and providing other services to the Fund, as a publicly traded investment vehicle, as compared to the Other Accounts, particularly those that are institutional clients, in light of differing regulatory requirements and client-imposed mandates. The Board acknowledged BFA’s representation that the iShares funds are fundamentally different investment vehicles from the Other Accounts in its consideration of relevant qualitative and quantitative comparative information provided. The Board noted that BFA and its affiliates do not manage Other Accounts with substantially the same investment objective and strategy as the Fund and that track the same index as the Fund. The Board also acknowledged management’s assertion that, for certain iShares funds, and for client segmentation purposes, BlackRock has launched an iShares fund that may provide a similar investment exposure at a lower investment advisory fee rate.
The Board considered the “all-inclusive” nature of the Fund’s advisory fee structure, and the Fund’s expenses borne by BFA under this arrangement and noted that the investment advisory fee rate under the Advisory Agreement for the Fund was generally higher than the investment advisory/management fee rates for certain of the Other Accounts (particularly institutional clients) and concluded that the differences appeared to be consistent with the factors discussed.
Other Benefits to BFA and/or its Affiliates: The Board reviewed other benefits or ancillary revenue received by BFA and/or its affiliates in connection with the services provided to the Fund by BFA, both direct and indirect, including, but not limited to, payment of revenue to BTC, the Fund’s securities lending agent, for loaning portfolio securities, as applicable (which was included in the profit margins reviewed by the Board pursuant to BFA’s estimated profitability methodology), payment of advisory fees or other fees to BFA (or its affiliates) in connection with any investments by the Fund in other funds (including cash sweep vehicles) for which BFA (or its affiliates) provides investment advisory services or other services, and BlackRock’s profile in the investment community. The Board further considered other direct benefits that might accrue to BFA, including actual and potential reductions in the Fund’s expenses that are borne by BFA under the “all-inclusive” management fee arrangement, due in part to the size and scope of BFA’s investment operations servicing the Fund (and other funds in the iShares complex) as well as in response to a changing market environment. The Board also reviewed and considered information provided by BFA concerning authorized participant primary market order processing services that are provided by BlackRock Investments, LLC (“BRIL”), an affiliate of BFA, and paid for by authorized participants under the ETF Servicing Platform. The Board also noted the revenue
Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract46
Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract (continued)
received by BFA and/or its affiliates pursuant to an agreement that permits a service provider to use certain portions of BlackRock’s technology platform to service accounts managed by BFA and/or its affiliates, including the iShares funds. The Board noted that BFA generally does not use soft dollars or consider the value of research or other services that may be provided to BFA (including its affiliates) in selecting brokers for portfolio transactions for the Fund. The Board concluded that any such ancillary benefits would not be disadvantageous to the Fund and thus would not alter the Board’s conclusion with respect to the appropriateness of approving the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.
Conclusion: Based on a review of the factors described above, as well as such other factors as deemed appropriate by the Board, the Board, including all of the Independent Board Members, determined that the Fund’s investment advisory fee rate under the Advisory Agreement does not constitute a fee that is so disproportionately large as to bear no reasonable relationship to the services rendered and that could not have been the product of arm’s-length bargaining, and concluded to approve the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.
iShares Global Infrastructure ETF, iShares Global Timber & Forestry ETF (each the “Fund”)
Under Section 15(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), the Trust's Board of Trustees (the “Board”), including a majority of Board Members who are not “interested persons” of the Trust (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act) (the “Independent Board Members”), is required annually to consider the approval of the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and BFA (the “Advisory Agreement”) on behalf of the Fund. The Board’s consideration entails a year-long process whereby the Board and its committees (composed solely of Independent Board Members) assess BlackRock’s services to the Fund, including investment management; fund accounting; administrative and shareholder services; oversight of the Fund’s service providers; risk management and oversight; and legal and compliance services; including the ability to meet applicable legal and regulatory requirements. The Independent Board Members requested, and BFA provided, such information as the Independent Board Members, with advice from independent counsel, deemed reasonably necessary to evaluate the Advisory Agreement. At meetings held on May 6, 2024 and May 17, 2024, a committee composed of all of the Independent Board Members (the “15(c) Committee”), with independent counsel, met with management and reviewed and discussed information provided in response to initial requests of the 15(c) Committee and/or its independent counsel. Prior to and in preparation for the meeting, the Board received and reviewed materials specifically relating to matters relevant to the renewal of the Advisory Agreement. Following discussion, the 15(c) Committee subsequently requested certain additional information, which management agreed to provide. At a meeting held on June 4-5, 2024, the Board, including the Independent Board Members, reviewed the additional information provided by management in response to these requests.
After extensive discussions and deliberations, the Board, including all of the Independent Board Members, approved the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the Fund, based on a review of qualitative and quantitative information provided by BFA and their cumulative experience as Board Members. The Board noted its satisfaction with the extent and quality of information provided and its frequent interactions with management, as well as the detailed responses and other information provided by BFA. The Independent Board Members were advised by their independent counsel throughout the process, including about the legal standards applicable to their review. In approving the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the Fund, the Board, including the Independent Board Members, considered various factors, including: (i) the expenses and performance of the Fund; (ii) the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by BFA; (iii) the costs of services provided to the Fund and profits realized by BFA and its affiliates; (iv) potential economies of scale and the sharing of related benefits; (v) the fees and services provided for other comparable funds/accounts managed by BFA and its affiliates; and (vi) other benefits to BFA and/or its affiliates. The Board Members did not identify any particular information or any single factor as determinative, and each Board Member may have attributed different weights to the various matters and factors considered. The material factors, considerations and conclusions that formed the basis for the Board, including the Independent Board Members, to approve the continuance of the Advisory Agreement are discussed below.
Expenses and Performance of the Fund: The Board reviewed statistical information prepared by Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (“Broadridge”), an independent provider of investment company data, regarding the expense ratio components, including gross and net total expenses, fees and expenses of other fund(s) in which the Fund invests (if applicable), and waivers/reimbursements (if applicable) of the Fund in comparison with the same information for other ETFs, objectively selected by Broadridge as comprising the Fund’s applicable expense peer group pursuant to Broadridge’s proprietary ETF methodology (the “Peer Group”). The Board was provided with a detailed description of the proprietary ETF methodology used by Broadridge to determine the Fund’s Peer Group. The Board noted that, due to the limitations in providing comparable funds in the Peer Group, the statistical information provided in Broadridge’s report may or may not provide meaningful direct comparisons to the Fund in all instances. The Board also noted that the investment advisory fee rate and overall expenses (net of any waivers and reimbursements) for the Fund were lower than the median of the investment advisory fee rates and overall expenses (net of any waivers and reimbursements) of the funds in its Peer Group, excluding iShares funds.
In addition, to the extent that any of the comparison funds included in the Peer Group, excluding iShares funds, track the same index as the Fund, Broadridge also provided, and the Board reviewed, a comparison of the Fund’s performance for the one-year, three-year, five-year, ten-year, and since inception periods, as applicable, and for the quarter ended December 31, 2023, to that of such relevant comparison fund(s) for the same periods. The Board noted that the Fund seeks to track its specified underlying index and that, during the year, the Board received periodic reports on the Fund’s short- and longer-term performance in comparison with its underlying index. Such periodic comparative performance information, including additional detailed information as requested by the Board, was also considered. The Board noted that the Fund generally performed in line with its underlying index over the relevant periods.
Based on this review, the other relevant factors and information considered at the meeting, and their general knowledge of ETF pricing, the Board concluded that the investment advisory fee rate and expense level and the historical performance of the Fund supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.
Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided: Based on management’s representations, including information about ongoing enhancements and initiatives with respect to the iShares product line and BFA’s business, including with respect to capital markets support and analysis, technology, portfolio management, product design and quality, compliance and risk management, global public policy and other services, the Board expected that there would be no diminution in the scope of services required of or provided by BFA under the Advisory Agreement for the coming year as compared with the scope of services provided by BFA during prior years. In reviewing the scope of these services, the Board considered BFA’s investment philosophy and experience, noting that BFA and its affiliates have committed significant resources over
472024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract (continued)
time, including during the past year, to support the iShares funds and their shareholders and have made significant investments into the iShares business. The Board also considered BFA’s compliance program and its compliance record with respect to the Fund, including related programs implemented pursuant to regulatory requirements. In that regard, the Board noted that BFA reports to the Board about portfolio management and compliance matters on a periodic basis in connection with regularly scheduled meetings of the Board, and on other occasions as necessary and appropriate, and has provided information and made relevant officers and other employees of BFA (and its affiliates) available as needed to provide further assistance with these matters. The Board also reviewed the background and experience of the persons responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund, as well as the resources available to them in managing the Fund. In addition to the above considerations, the Board reviewed and considered detailed presentations regarding BFA’s investment performance, investment and risk management processes and strategies provided at the May 6, 2024 meeting and throughout the year, and matters related to BFA’s portfolio compliance program and other compliance programs and services, as well as BlackRock’s continued investments in its ETF business.
Based on review of this information, and the performance information discussed above, the Board concluded that the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund under the Advisory Agreement supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.
Costs of Services Provided to the Fund and Profits Realized by BFA and its Affiliates: The Board reviewed information about the estimated profitability to BlackRock in managing the Fund, based on the fees payable to BFA and its affiliates (including fees under the Advisory Agreement), and other sources of revenue and expense to BFA and its affiliates from the Fund’s operations for the last calendar year. The Board reviewed BlackRock’s methodology for calculating estimated profitability of the iShares funds, noting that the 15(c) Committee and the Board had focused on the methodology and profitability presentation. The Board recognized that profitability may be affected by numerous factors, including, among other things, fee waivers by BFA, the types of funds managed, expense allocations and business mix. The Board thus recognized that calculating and comparing profitability at individual fund levels is challenging. The Board discussed with management the sources of direct and ancillary revenue, including the revenues to BTC, a BlackRock affiliate, from securities lending by the Fund. The Board also discussed BFA’s estimated profit margin as reflected in the Fund’s profitability analysis and reviewed information regarding potential economies of scale (as discussed below).
Based on this review, the Board concluded that the information considered with respect to the profits realized by BFA and its affiliates under the Advisory Agreement and from other relationships between the Fund and BFA and/or its affiliates, if any, and related costs of the services provided as well as the other factors considered at the meeting, supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.
Economies of Scale: The Board reviewed information and considered the extent to which economies of scale might be realized as the assets of the Fund increase, noting that the issue of potential economies of scale had been focused on by the 15(c) Committee and the Board during their meetings and addressed by management. The 15(c) Committee and the Board received information regarding BlackRock’s historical estimated profitability (as discussed above), including BFA’s and its affiliates’ estimated costs in providing services. The estimated cost information distinguished, among other things, between fixed and variable costs, and showed how the level and nature of fixed and variable costs may impact the existence or size of scale benefits, with the Board recognizing that potential economies of scale are difficult to measure. The 15(c) Committee and the Board reviewed information provided by BFA regarding the sharing of scale benefits with the iShares funds through various means, including, as applicable, through breakpoints, waivers, or other fee reductions, as well as through additional investment in the iShares business, including enhancements to or the provision of additional infrastructure and services to the iShares funds and their shareholders and, with respect to New Funds, set management fees at levels that anticipate scale over time. The Board noted that the Advisory Agreement for the Fund already provided for breakpoints in the Fund’s investment advisory fee rate as the assets of the Fund, on an aggregated basis with the assets of certain other iShares funds, increase. The Board noted that it would continue to assess the appropriateness of adding new or revised breakpoints in the future.
The Board concluded that this review of potential economies of scale and the sharing of related benefits, as well as the other factors considered at the meeting, supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.
Fees and Services Provided for Other Comparable Funds/Accounts Managed by BFA and its Affiliates: The Board received and considered information regarding the investment advisory/management fee rates for other funds/accounts in the U.S. for which BFA (or its affiliates) provides investment advisory/management services, including open-end funds registered under the 1940 Act (including sub-advised funds), collective trust funds and institutional separate accounts (collectively, the “Other Accounts”).
The Board received detailed information regarding how the Other Accounts generally differ from the Fund, including in terms of the types of services and generally more extensive character and scope of services provided to the Fund, as well as other significant differences. In that regard, the Board considered that the pricing of services to institutional clients is typically based on a number of factors beyond the nature and extent of the specific services to be provided and often depends on the overall relationship between the client and its affiliates and the adviser and its affiliates. In addition, the Board considered the relative complexity and inherent risks and challenges of managing and providing other services to the Fund, as a publicly traded investment vehicle, as compared to the Other Accounts, particularly those that are institutional clients, in light of differing regulatory requirements and client-imposed mandates. The Board acknowledged BFA’s representation that the iShares funds are fundamentally different investment vehicles from the Other Accounts in its consideration of relevant qualitative and quantitative comparative information provided. The Board noted that BFA and its affiliates do not manage Other Accounts with substantially the same investment objective and strategy as the Fund and that track the same index as the Fund. The Board also acknowledged management’s assertion that, for certain iShares funds, and for client segmentation purposes, BlackRock has launched an iShares fund that may provide a similar investment exposure at a lower investment advisory fee rate.
The Board considered the “all-inclusive” nature of the Fund’s advisory fee structure, and the Fund’s expenses borne by BFA under this arrangement and noted that the investment advisory fee rate under the Advisory Agreement for the Fund was generally higher than the investment advisory/management fee rates for certain of the Other Accounts (particularly institutional clients) and concluded that the differences appeared to be consistent with the factors discussed.
Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract48
Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract (continued)
Other Benefits to BFA and/or its Affiliates: The Board reviewed other benefits or ancillary revenue received by BFA and/or its affiliates in connection with the services provided to the Fund by BFA, both direct and indirect, including, but not limited to, payment of revenue to BTC, the Fund’s securities lending agent, for loaning portfolio securities, as applicable (which was included in the profit margins reviewed by the Board pursuant to BFA’s estimated profitability methodology), payment of advisory fees or other fees to BFA (or its affiliates) in connection with any investments by the Fund in other funds (including cash sweep vehicles) for which BFA (or its affiliates) provides investment advisory services or other services, and BlackRock’s profile in the investment community. The Board further considered other direct benefits that might accrue to BFA, including actual and potential reductions in the Fund’s expenses that are borne by BFA under the “all-inclusive” management fee arrangement, due in part to the size and scope of BFA’s investment operations servicing the Fund (and other funds in the iShares complex) as well as in response to a changing market environment. The Board also reviewed and considered information provided by BFA concerning authorized participant primary market order processing services that are provided by BlackRock Investments, LLC (“BRIL”), an affiliate of BFA, and paid for by authorized participants under the ETF Servicing Platform. The Board also noted the revenue received by BFA and/or its affiliates pursuant to an agreement that permits a service provider to use certain portions of BlackRock’s technology platform to service accounts managed by BFA and/or its affiliates, including the iShares funds. The Board noted that BFA generally does not use soft dollars or consider the value of research or other services that may be provided to BFA (including its affiliates) in selecting brokers for portfolio transactions for the Fund. The Board concluded that any such ancillary benefits would not be disadvantageous to the Fund and thus would not alter the Board’s conclusion with respect to the appropriateness of approving the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.
Conclusion: Based on a review of the factors described above, as well as such other factors as deemed appropriate by the Board, the Board, including all of the Independent Board Members, determined that the Fund’s investment advisory fee rate under the Advisory Agreement does not constitute a fee that is so disproportionately large as to bear no reasonable relationship to the services rendered and that could not have been the product of arm’s-length bargaining, and concluded to approve the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.
492024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Glossary of Terms Used in this Report
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| American Depositary Receipt |
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Glossary of Terms Used in this Report50
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This report is intended for the Funds’ shareholders. It may not be distributed to prospective investors unless it is preceded or accompanied by the current prospectus.
Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal.
The iShares Funds are distributed by BlackRock Investments, LLC (together with its affiliates, “BlackRock”).
The iShares Funds are not sponsored, endorsed, issued, sold or promoted by FTSE International Limited, S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC or STOXX Ltd., nor do these companies make any representation regarding the advisability of investing in the iShares Funds. BlackRock is not affiliated with the companies listed above.
©2024 BlackRock, Inc. All rights reserved. iSHARES and BLACKROCK are registered trademarks of BlackRock, Inc. or its subsidiaries. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.
2024 Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information (Unaudited) |
|
• iShares Global Comm Services ETF | IXP | NYSE Arca |
• iShares Global Consumer Discretionary ETF | RXI | NYSE Arca |
• iShares Global Consumer Staples ETF | KXI | NYSE Arca |
• iShares Global Energy ETF | IXC | NYSE Arca |
• iShares Global Financials ETF | IXG | NYSE Arca |
• iShares Global Healthcare ETF | IXJ | NYSE Arca |
• iShares Global Industrials ETF | EXI | NYSE Arca |
• iShares Global Materials ETF | MXI | NYSE Arca |
• iShares Global Tech ETF | IXN | NYSE Arca |
• iShares Global Utilities ETF | JXI | NYSE Arca |
|
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)September 30, 2024
iShares® Global Comm Services ETF(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)
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Telefonica Brasil SA, Class A, ADR NVS | | |
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Rogers Communications Inc., Class B, NVS | | |
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Kuaishou Technology(a)(b) | | |
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Deutsche Telekom AG, Registered | | |
|
Telecom Italia SpA/Milano(a) | | |
|
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Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corp. | | |
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America Movil SAB de CV, Series B | | |
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Chunghwa Telecom Co. Ltd. | | |
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Alphabet Inc., Class C, NVS | | |
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Charter Communications Inc., Class A(a)(c) | | |
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Interpublic Group of Companies Inc. (The) | | |
Live Nation Entertainment Inc.(a) | | |
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Meta Platforms Inc., Class A | | |
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Paramount Global, Class B, NVS | | |
Take-Two Interactive Software Inc.(a)(c) | | |
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Verizon Communications Inc. | | |
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Warner Bros Discovery Inc.(a) | | |
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Total Common Stocks — 99.7%
(Cost: $337,516,992) | |
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Telecom Italia SpA, Preference Shares, NVS | | |
Total Preferred Stocks — 0.0%
(Cost: $249,881) | |
Total Long-Term Investments — 99.7%
(Cost: $337,766,873) | |
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Money Market Funds — 1.5% |
BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares, 5.05%(d)(e)(f) | | |
32024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)(continued)September 30, 2024
iShares® Global Comm Services ETF(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)
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Money Market Funds (continued) |
BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares, 4.88%(d)(e) | | |
Total Short-Term Securities — 1.5%
(Cost: $5,580,067) | |
Total Investments — 101.2%
(Cost: $343,346,940) | |
Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (1.2)% | |
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| Non-income producing security. |
| Security exempt from registration pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration to qualified institutional investors. |
| All or a portion of this security is on loan. |
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| Annualized 7-day yield as of period end. |
| All or a portion of this security was purchased with the cash collateral from loaned securities. |
Affiliates
Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended September 30, 2024 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:
| | | | | Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation) | | | | Capital
Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds |
BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares | | | | | | | | | |
BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| Represents net amount purchased (sold). |
| All or a portion represents securities lending income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral from loaned securities, net of fees and collateral investment expenses, and other payments to and from borrowers of securities. |
Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End
| | | | Value/
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation) |
| | | | |
| | | | |
E-Mini S&P Communication Services Select Sector Index | | | | |
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Schedule of Investments (unaudited)(continued)September 30, 2024
iShares® Global Comm Services ETF
Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure
As of period end, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities were as follows:
| | | | Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts | | | |
Assets—Derivative Financial Instruments | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Unrealized appreciation on futures contracts(a) | | | | | | | |
| Net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts are reported in the Schedule of Investments. In the Statements of Assets and Liabilities, only current day's variation margin is reported in receivables or payables and the net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is included in accumulated earnings (loss). |
For the period ended September 30, 2024, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:
| | | | Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts | | | |
Net Realized Gain (Loss) from | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments
| |
Average notional value of contracts — long | |
For more information about the Fund’s investment risks regarding derivative financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.
Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End
Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments at the measurement date. For a description of the input levels and information about the Fund’s policy regarding valuation of financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.
The following table summarizes the Fund’s financial instruments categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The breakdown of the Fund’s financial instruments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.
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Derivative Financial Instruments(a) | | | | |
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| Derivative financial instruments are futures contracts. Futures contracts are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument. |
See notes to financial statements.
52024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)September 30, 2024
iShares® Global Consumer Discretionary ETF(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)
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Canadian Tire Corp. Ltd., Class A, NVS | | |
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Restaurant Brands International Inc. | | |
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Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., Class A | | |
ANTA Sports Products Ltd. | | |
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Cie Generale des Etablissements Michelin SCA | | |
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LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE | | |
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Bayerische Motoren Werke AG | | |
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Delivery Hero SE, Class A(a)(b) | | |
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Bandai Namco Holdings Inc. | | |
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| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Oriental Land Co. Ltd./Japan | | |
Pan Pacific International Holdings Corp. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
Industria de Diseno Textil SA | | |
| | |
|
| | |
H & M Hennes & Mauritz AB, Class B | | |
| | |
|
Cie Financiere Richemont SA, Class A, Registered | | |
Swatch Group AG (The), Bearer | | |
Swatch Group AG (The), Registered | | |
| | |
|
| | |
Berkeley Group Holdings PLC | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
InterContinental Hotels Group PLC | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Caesars Entertainment Inc.(a) | | |
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)(continued)September 30, 2024
iShares® Global Consumer Discretionary ETF(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)
| | |
United States (continued) |
| | |
| | |
Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc., Class A(a) | | |
| | |
Deckers Outdoor Corp.(a)(c) | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Lululemon Athletica Inc.(a) | | |
Marriott International Inc, Class A | | |
| | |
MGM Resorts International(a) | | |
Mohawk Industries Inc.(a) | | |
| | |
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.(a) | | |
| | |
O'Reilly Automotive Inc.(a) | | |
| | |
| | |
Ralph Lauren Corp., Class A | | |
| | |
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Total Common Stocks — 98.9%
(Cost: $243,926,169) | |
| | |
|
|
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, Preference Shares, NVS | | |
Dr Ing hc F Porsche AG, Preference Shares, NVS(b) | | |
Porsche Automobil Holding SE, Preference Shares, NVS | | |
Volkswagen AG, Preference Shares, NVS | | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
Series 2, Preference Shares, NVS | | |
| | |
Total Preferred Stocks — 0.8%
(Cost: $3,093,948) | |
Total Long-Term Investments — 99.7%
(Cost: $247,020,117) | |
|
Money Market Funds — 0.5% |
BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares, 5.05%(d)(e)(f) | | |
BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares, 4.88%(d)(e) | | |
Total Short-Term Securities — 0.5%
(Cost: $1,240,225) | |
Total Investments — 100.2%
(Cost: $248,260,342) | |
Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (0.2)% | |
| |
| Non-income producing security. |
| Security exempt from registration pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration to qualified institutional investors. |
| All or a portion of this security is on loan. |
| |
| Annualized 7-day yield as of period end. |
| All or a portion of this security was purchased with the cash collateral from loaned securities. |
72024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)(continued)September 30, 2024
iShares® Global Consumer Discretionary ETF
Affiliates
Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended September 30, 2024 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:
| | | | | Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation) | | | | Capital
Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds |
BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares | | | | | | | | | |
BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| Represents net amount purchased (sold). |
| All or a portion represents securities lending income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral from loaned securities, net of fees and collateral investment expenses, and other payments to and from borrowers of securities. |
Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End
| | | | Value/
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation) |
| | | | |
E-Mini Consumer Discretionary Select Sector Index | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure
As of period end, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities were as follows:
| | | | Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts | | | |
Assets—Derivative Financial Instruments | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Unrealized appreciation on futures contracts(a) | | | | | | | |
Liabilities—Derivative Financial Instruments | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Unrealized depreciation on futures contracts(a) | | | | | | | |
| Net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts are reported in the Schedule of Investments. In the Statements of Assets and Liabilities, only current day's variation margin is reported in receivables or payables and the net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is included in accumulated earnings (loss). |
For the period ended September 30, 2024, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:
| | | | Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts | | | |
Net Realized Gain (Loss) from | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)(continued)September 30, 2024
iShares® Global Consumer Discretionary ETF
Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments
| |
Average notional value of contracts — long | |
For more information about the Fund’s investment risks regarding derivative financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.
Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End
Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments at the measurement date. For a description of the input levels and information about the Fund’s policy regarding valuation of financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.
The following table summarizes the Fund’s financial instruments categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The breakdown of the Fund’s financial instruments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Derivative Financial Instruments(a) | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| Derivative financial instruments are futures contracts. Futures contracts are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument. |
See notes to financial statements.
92024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)September 30, 2024
iShares® Global Consumer Staples ETF(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)
| | |
|
|
| | |
Endeavour Group Ltd./Australia | | |
Treasury Wine Estates Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
|
| | |
|
Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
|
| | |
|
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
Asahi Group Holdings Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Nissin Foods Holdings Co. Ltd. | | |
Seven & i Holdings Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
Arca Continental SAB de CV | | |
Fomento Economico Mexicano SAB de CV | | |
Grupo Bimbo SAB de CV, Series A | | |
Wal-Mart de Mexico SAB de CV | | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
Koninklijke Ahold Delhaize NV | | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
|
| | |
|
Barry Callebaut AG, Registered | | |
Chocoladefabriken Lindt & Spruengli AG, Participation Certificates, NVS | | |
Chocoladefabriken Lindt & Spruengli AG, Registered | | |
| | |
| | |
|
Associated British Foods PLC | | |
British American Tobacco PLC | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Marks & Spencer Group PLC | | |
| | |
Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
Archer-Daniels-Midland Co. | | |
Brown-Forman Corp., Class B | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Constellation Brands Inc., Class A | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Estee Lauder Companies Inc. (The), Class A | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Lamb Weston Holdings Inc. | | |
McCormick & Co. Inc., NVS | | |
Schedule of Investments10
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)(continued)September 30, 2024
iShares® Global Consumer Staples ETF(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)
| | |
United States (continued) |
Molson Coors Beverage Co., Class B | | |
Mondelez International Inc., Class A | | |
Monster Beverage Corp.(a) | | |
| | |
Philip Morris International Inc. | | |
Procter & Gamble Co. (The) | | |
| | |
| | |
Tyson Foods Inc., Class A | | |
Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. | | |
| | |
| | |
Total Common Stocks — 98.9%
(Cost: $735,763,595) | |
|
|
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, Preference Shares, NVS | | |
Total Preferred Stocks — 0.4%
(Cost: $3,016,906) | |
Total Long-Term Investments — 99.3%
(Cost: $738,780,501) | |
| | |
|
Money Market Funds — 0.8% |
BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares, 5.05%(c)(d)(e) | | |
BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares, 4.88%(c)(d) | | |
Total Short-Term Securities — 0.8%
(Cost: $5,706,277) | |
Total Investments — 100.1%
(Cost: $744,486,778) | |
Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (0.1)% | |
| |
| Non-income producing security. |
| All or a portion of this security is on loan. |
| |
| Annualized 7-day yield as of period end. |
| All or a portion of this security was purchased with the cash collateral from loaned securities. |
Affiliates
Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended September 30, 2024 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:
| | | | | Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation) | | | | Capital
Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds |
BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares | | | | | | | | | |
BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| Represents net amount purchased (sold). |
| All or a portion represents securities lending income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral from loaned securities, net of fees and collateral investment expenses, and other payments to and from borrowers of securities. |
Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End
| | | | Value/
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation) |
| | | | |
E-Mini Consumer Staples Index | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
112024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)(continued)September 30, 2024
iShares® Global Consumer Staples ETF
Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure
As of period end, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities were as follows:
| | | | Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts | | | |
Assets—Derivative Financial Instruments | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Unrealized appreciation on futures contracts(a) | | | | | | | |
Liabilities—Derivative Financial Instruments | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Unrealized depreciation on futures contracts(a) | | | | | | | |
| Net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts are reported in the Schedule of Investments. In the Statements of Assets and Liabilities, only current day's variation margin is reported in receivables or payables and the net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is included in accumulated earnings (loss). |
For the period ended September 30, 2024, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:
| | | | Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts | | | |
Net Realized Gain (Loss) from | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments
| |
Average notional value of contracts — long | |
For more information about the Fund’s investment risks regarding derivative financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.
Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End
Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments at the measurement date. For a description of the input levels and information about the Fund’s policy regarding valuation of financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.
The following table summarizes the Fund’s financial instruments categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The breakdown of the Fund’s financial instruments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Derivative Financial Instruments(a) | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Schedule of Investments12
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)(continued)September 30, 2024
iShares® Global Consumer Staples ETF
Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End (continued)
| Derivative financial instruments are futures contracts. Futures contracts are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument. |
See notes to financial statements.
132024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)September 30, 2024
iShares® Global Energy ETF(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)
| | |
|
|
| | |
| | |
Woodside Energy Group Ltd. | | |
| | |
|
| | |
|
Petroleo Brasileiro SA, ADR | | |
|
| | |
Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
China Petroleum & Chemical Corp., Class H | | |
PetroChina Co. Ltd., Class H | | |
| | |
|
| | |
|
| | |
|
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
|
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
Baker Hughes Co., Class A | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Occidental Petroleum Corp. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Williams Companies Inc. (The) | | |
| | |
Total Common Stocks — 98.4%
(Cost: $2,092,381,910) | |
|
|
Petroleo Brasileiro SA, Preference Shares, ADR | | |
Total Preferred Stocks — 1.1%
(Cost: $29,198,848) | |
Total Long-Term Investments — 99.5%
(Cost: $2,121,580,758) | |
|
Money Market Funds — 0.1% |
BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares, 4.88%(a)(b) | | |
Total Short-Term Securities — 0.1%
(Cost: $1,760,000) | |
Total Investments — 99.6%
(Cost: $2,123,340,758) | |
Other Assets Less Liabilities — 0.4% | |
| |
| |
| Annualized 7-day yield as of period end. |
Schedule of Investments14
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)(continued)September 30, 2024
iShares® Global Energy ETF
Affiliates
Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended September 30, 2024 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:
| | | | | Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation) | | | | Capital
Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds |
BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares(a) | | | | | | | | | |
BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| As of period end, the entity is no longer held. |
| Represents net amount purchased (sold). |
| All or a portion represents securities lending income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral from loaned securities, net of fees and collateral investment expenses, and other payments to and from borrowers of securities. |
Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End
| | | | Value/
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation) |
| | | | |
E-Mini Energy Select Sector Index | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure
As of period end, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities were as follows:
| | | | Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts | | | |
Assets—Derivative Financial Instruments | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Unrealized appreciation on futures contracts(a) | | | | | | | |
Liabilities—Derivative Financial Instruments | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Unrealized depreciation on futures contracts(a) | | | | | | | |
| Net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts are reported in the Schedule of Investments. In the Statements of Assets and Liabilities, only current day's variation margin is reported in receivables or payables and the net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is included in accumulated earnings (loss). |
152024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)(continued)September 30, 2024
iShares® Global Energy ETF
For the period ended September 30, 2024, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:
| | | | Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts | | | |
Net Realized Gain (Loss) from | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments
| |
Average notional value of contracts — long | |
For more information about the Fund’s investment risks regarding derivative financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.
Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End
Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments at the measurement date. For a description of the input levels and information about the Fund’s policy regarding valuation of financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.
The following table summarizes the Fund’s financial instruments categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The breakdown of the Fund’s financial instruments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Derivative Financial Instruments(a) | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| Derivative financial instruments are futures contracts. Futures contracts are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument. |
See notes to financial statements.
Schedule of Investments16
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)September 30, 2024
iShares® Global Financials ETF(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)
| | |
|
|
| | |
| | |
Commonwealth Bank of Australia | | |
Insurance Australia Group Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
National Australia Bank Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
|
| | |
Groupe Bruxelles Lambert NV | | |
| | |
| | |
|
B3 SA - Brasil Bolsa Balcao | | |
| | |
NU Holdings Ltd./Cayman Islands, Class A(a) | | |
| | |
|
| | |
Bank of Nova Scotia (The) | | |
Brookfield Asset Management Ltd., Class A | | |
Brookfield Corp., Class A | | |
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Toronto-Dominion Bank (The) | | |
| | |
|
| | |
Banco Santander Chile, ADR | | |
| | |
|
Bank of China Ltd., Class H | | |
China Construction Bank Corp., Class H | | |
China Merchants Bank Co. Ltd., Class H | | |
Industrial & Commercial Bank of China Ltd., Class H | | |
Ping An Insurance Group Co. of China Ltd., Class H | | |
| | |
|
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
Deutsche Bank AG, Registered | | |
| | |
| | |
Muenchener Rueckversicherungs-Gesellschaft AG in Muenchen, Registered | | |
| | |
|
| | |
Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing Ltd. | | |
| | |
|
| | |
Bank of Ireland Group PLC | | |
| | |
|
| | |
FinecoBank Banca Fineco SpA | | |
| | |
| | |
Mediobanca Banca di Credito Finanziario SpA | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
Dai-ichi Life Holdings Inc. | | |
Daiwa Securities Group Inc. | | |
Japan Exchange Group Inc. | | |
Japan Post Holdings Co. Ltd. | | |
Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc. | | |
Mizuho Financial Group Inc. | | |
MS&AD Insurance Group Holdings Inc. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc. | | |
Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings Inc. | | |
| | |
Tokio Marine Holdings Inc. | | |
| | |
|
Grupo Financiero Banorte SAB de CV, Class O | | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
172024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)(continued)September 30, 2024
iShares® Global Financials ETF(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
|
| | |
|
| | |
Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp. Ltd. | | |
United Overseas Bank Ltd. | | |
| | |
|
| | |
Shinhan Financial Group Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
|
Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
Industrivarden AB, Class A | | |
Industrivarden AB, Class C | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB, Class A | | |
Svenska Handelsbanken AB, Class A | | |
| | |
| | |
|
Baloise Holding AG, Registered | | |
| | |
Partners Group Holding AG | | |
Swiss Life Holding AG, Registered | | |
| | |
| | |
Zurich Insurance Group AG | | |
| | |
|
Cathay Financial Holding Co. Ltd. | | |
CTBC Financial Holding Co. Ltd. | | |
Fubon Financial Holding Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Intermediate Capital Group PLC | | |
Legal & General Group PLC | | |
| | |
London Stock Exchange Group PLC | | |
| | |
| | |
United Kingdom (continued) |
| | |
Phoenix Group Holdings PLC | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
American International Group Inc. | | |
Ameriprise Financial Inc. | | |
| | |
Arch Capital Group Ltd.(a) | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Bank of New York Mellon Corp. (The) | | |
Berkshire Hathaway Inc., Class B(a) | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Capital One Financial Corp. | | |
| | |
Charles Schwab Corp. (The) | | |
| | |
Cincinnati Financial Corp. | | |
| | |
Citizens Financial Group Inc. | | |
| | |
| | |
Discover Financial Services | | |
Erie Indemnity Co., Class A, NVS | | |
| | |
FactSet Research Systems Inc. | | |
Fidelity National Information Services Inc. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (The) | | |
Hartford Financial Services Group Inc. (The) | | |
Huntington Bancshares Inc./Ohio | | |
Intercontinental Exchange Inc. | | |
| | |
Jack Henry & Associates Inc. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
MarketAxess Holdings Inc. | | |
Marsh & McLennan Companies Inc. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Schedule of Investments18
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)(continued)September 30, 2024
iShares® Global Financials ETF(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)
| | |
United States (continued) |
| | |
PNC Financial Services Group Inc. (The) | | |
Principal Financial Group Inc. | | |
| | |
Prudential Financial Inc. | | |
Raymond James Financial Inc. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Travelers Companies Inc. (The) | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Total Common Stocks — 98.8%
(Cost: $347,831,683) | |
|
|
Banco Bradesco SA, Class A, Preference Shares, ADR | | |
Itau Unibanco Holding SA, Preference Shares, ADR | | |
Itausa SA, Preference Shares, NVS | | |
| | |
Total Preferred Stocks — 0.5%
(Cost: $2,618,398) | |
Total Long-Term Investments — 99.3%
(Cost: $350,450,081) | |
| | |
|
Money Market Funds — 4.3% |
BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares, 5.05%(c)(e)(f) | | |
BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares, 4.88%(c)(e) | | |
Total Short-Term Securities — 4.3%
(Cost: $17,901,888) | |
Total Investments — 103.6%
(Cost: $368,351,969) | |
Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (3.6)% | |
| |
| Non-income producing security. |
| Security exempt from registration pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration to qualified institutional investors. |
| |
| All or a portion of this security is on loan. |
| Annualized 7-day yield as of period end. |
| All or a portion of this security was purchased with the cash collateral from loaned securities. |
Affiliates
Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended September 30, 2024 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:
| | | | | Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation) | | | | Capital
Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds |
BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares | | | | | | | | | |
BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| Represents net amount purchased (sold). |
| All or a portion represents securities lending income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral from loaned securities, net of fees and collateral investment expenses, and other payments to and from borrowers of securities. |
192024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)(continued)September 30, 2024
iShares® Global Financials ETF
Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End
| | | | Value/
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation) |
| | | | |
E-Mini Financial Select Sector Index | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure
As of period end, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities were as follows:
| | | | Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts | | | |
Assets—Derivative Financial Instruments | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Unrealized appreciation on futures contracts(a) | | | | | | | |
Liabilities—Derivative Financial Instruments | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Unrealized depreciation on futures contracts(a) | | | | | | | |
| Net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts are reported in the Schedule of Investments. In the Statements of Assets and Liabilities, only current day's variation margin is reported in receivables or payables and the net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is included in accumulated earnings (loss). |
For the period ended September 30, 2024, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:
| | | | Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts | | | |
Net Realized Gain (Loss) from | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments
| |
Average notional value of contracts — long | |
For more information about the Fund’s investment risks regarding derivative financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.
Schedule of Investments20
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)(continued)September 30, 2024
iShares® Global Financials ETF
Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End
Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments at the measurement date. For a description of the input levels and information about the Fund’s policy regarding valuation of financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.
The following table summarizes the Fund’s financial instruments categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The breakdown of the Fund’s financial instruments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Derivative Financial Instruments(a) | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| Derivative financial instruments are futures contracts. Futures contracts are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument. |
See notes to financial statements.
212024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)September 30, 2024
iShares® Global Healthcare ETF(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)
| | |
|
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
Novo Nordisk A/S, Class B | | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA | | |
Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA(a) | | |
| | |
| | |
Siemens Healthineers AG(b)(c) | | |
| | |
|
| | |
Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Ono Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
|
Koninklijke Philips NV(a) | | |
|
| | |
|
| | |
|
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
|
Lonza Group AG, Registered | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Sonova Holding AG, Registered | | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
Agilent Technologies Inc. | | |
| | |
| | |
Baxter International Inc. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Boston Scientific Corp.(a) | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Charles River Laboratories International Inc.(a) | | |
| | |
Cooper Companies Inc. (The)(a) | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Edwards Lifesciences Corp.(a) | | |
| | |
| | |
GE HealthCare Technologies Inc., NVS(a) | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
IDEXX Laboratories Inc.(a) | | |
| | |
| | |
Intuitive Surgical Inc.(a) | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Mettler-Toledo International Inc.(a) | | |
| | |
Molina Healthcare Inc.(a) | | |
| | |
| | |
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc.(a) | | |
Schedule of Investments22
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)(continued)September 30, 2024
iShares® Global Healthcare ETF(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)
| | |
United States (continued) |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. | | |
| | |
Universal Health Services Inc., Class B | | |
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc.(a) | | |
| | |
| | |
West Pharmaceutical Services Inc. | | |
Zimmer Biomet Holdings Inc. | | |
| | |
| | |
Total Common Stocks — 99.5%
(Cost: $3,375,154,215) | |
|
|
Sartorius AG, Preference Shares, NVS | | |
Total Preferred Stocks — 0.1%
(Cost: $5,339,172) | |
Total Long-Term Investments — 99.6%
(Cost: $3,380,493,387) | |
| | |
|
Money Market Funds — 0.7% |
BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares, 5.05%(d)(e)(f) | | |
BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares, 4.88%(d)(e) | | |
Total Short-Term Securities — 0.7%
(Cost: $28,106,363) | |
Total Investments — 100.3%
(Cost: $3,408,599,750) | |
Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (0.3)% | |
| |
| Non-income producing security. |
| Security exempt from registration pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration to qualified institutional investors. |
| All or a portion of this security is on loan. |
| |
| Annualized 7-day yield as of period end. |
| All or a portion of this security was purchased with the cash collateral from loaned securities. |
Affiliates
Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended September 30, 2024 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:
| | | | | Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation) | | | | Capital
Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds |
BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares | | | | | | | | | |
BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| Represents net amount purchased (sold). |
| All or a portion represents securities lending income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral from loaned securities, net of fees and collateral investment expenses, and other payments to and from borrowers of securities. |
Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End
| | | | Value/
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation) |
| | | | |
E-Mini Health Care Sector Index | | | | |
232024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)(continued)September 30, 2024
iShares® Global Healthcare ETF
Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure
As of period end, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities were as follows:
| | | | Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts | | | |
Liabilities—Derivative Financial Instruments | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Unrealized depreciation on futures contracts(a) | | | | | | | |
| Net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts are reported in the Schedule of Investments. In the Statements of Assets and Liabilities, only current day's variation margin is reported in receivables or payables and the net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is included in accumulated earnings (loss). |
For the period ended September 30, 2024, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:
| | | | Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts | | | |
Net Realized Gain (Loss) from | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments
| |
Average notional value of contracts — long | |
For more information about the Fund’s investment risks regarding derivative financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.
Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End
Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments at the measurement date. For a description of the input levels and information about the Fund’s policy regarding valuation of financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.
The following table summarizes the Fund’s financial instruments categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The breakdown of the Fund’s financial instruments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Derivative Financial Instruments(a) | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| Derivative financial instruments are futures contracts. Futures contracts are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument. |
See notes to financial statements.
Schedule of Investments24
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)September 30, 2024
iShares® Global Industrials ETF(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)
| | |
|
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
Canadian National Railway Co. | | |
Canadian Pacific Kansas City Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
|
AP Moller - Maersk A/S, Class A | | |
AP Moller - Maersk A/S, Class B, NVS | | |
| | |
Vestas Wind Systems A/S(a) | | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
Deutsche Post AG, Registered | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
CK Hutchison Holdings Ltd. | | |
| | |
|
Techtronic Industries Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
|
| | |
Ryanair Holdings PLC, ADR(b) | | |
| | |
|
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
Central Japan Railway Co. | | |
Dai Nippon Printing Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Hankyu Hanshin Holdings Inc. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Kintetsu Group Holdings Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Mitsubishi Electric Corp. | | |
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Odakyu Electric Railway Co. Ltd. | | |
Recruit Holdings Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
Grupo Carso SAB de CV, Series A1 | | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
252024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)(continued)September 30, 2024
iShares® Global Industrials ETF(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)
| | |
|
LG Energy Solution Ltd.(a) | | |
|
ACS Actividades de Construccion y Servicios SA | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Nibe Industrier AB, Class B | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
Adecco Group AG, Registered | | |
| | |
Kuehne + Nagel International AG, Registered | | |
Schindler Holding AG, Participation Certificates, NVS | | |
Schindler Holding AG, Registered | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC(a) | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
Amentum Holdings Inc., NVS(a) | | |
| | |
Automatic Data Processing Inc. | | |
| | |
| | |
Broadridge Financial Solutions Inc. | | |
Builders FirstSource Inc.(a) | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
United States (continued) |
CH Robinson Worldwide Inc. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Expeditors International of Washington Inc. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Honeywell International Inc. | | |
| | |
| | |
Huntington Ingalls Industries Inc. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Jacobs Solutions Inc., NVS | | |
JB Hunt Transport Services Inc. | | |
Johnson Controls International PLC | | |
L3Harris Technologies Inc. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Old Dominion Freight Line Inc.(b) | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Republic Services Inc., Class A | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Stanley Black & Decker Inc. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Uber Technologies Inc.(a) | | |
| | |
United Airlines Holdings Inc.(a) | | |
United Parcel Service Inc., Class B | | |
| | |
| | |
Verisk Analytics Inc., Class A | | |
Schedule of Investments26
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)(continued)September 30, 2024
iShares® Global Industrials ETF(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)
| | |
United States (continued) |
| | |
Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corp. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Total Long-Term Investments — 99.5%
(Cost: $702,793,675) | |
|
Money Market Funds — 0.8% |
BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares, 5.05%(d)(e)(f) | | |
BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares, 4.88%(d)(e) | | |
Total Short-Term Securities — 0.8%
(Cost: $6,869,265) | |
Total Investments — 100.3%
(Cost: $709,662,940) | |
Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (0.3)% | |
| |
| Non-income producing security. |
| All or a portion of this security is on loan. |
| Security exempt from registration pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration to qualified institutional investors. |
| |
| Annualized 7-day yield as of period end. |
| All or a portion of this security was purchased with the cash collateral from loaned securities. |
Affiliates
Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended September 30, 2024 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:
| | | | | Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation) | | | | Capital
Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds |
BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares | | | | | | | | | |
BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| Represents net amount purchased (sold). |
| All or a portion represents securities lending income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral from loaned securities, net of fees and collateral investment expenses, and other payments to and from borrowers of securities. |
Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End
| | | | Value/
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation) |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
272024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)(continued)September 30, 2024
iShares® Global Industrials ETF
Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure
As of period end, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities were as follows:
| | | | Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts | | | |
Assets—Derivative Financial Instruments | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Unrealized appreciation on futures contracts(a) | | | | | | | |
| Net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts are reported in the Schedule of Investments. In the Statements of Assets and Liabilities, only current day's variation margin is reported in receivables or payables and the net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is included in accumulated earnings (loss). |
For the period ended September 30, 2024, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:
| | | | Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts | | | |
Net Realized Gain (Loss) from | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments
| |
Average notional value of contracts — long | |
For more information about the Fund’s investment risks regarding derivative financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.
Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End
Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments at the measurement date. For a description of the input levels and information about the Fund’s policy regarding valuation of financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.
The following table summarizes the Fund’s financial instruments categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The breakdown of the Fund’s financial instruments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Derivative Financial Instruments(a) | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| Derivative financial instruments are futures contracts. Futures contracts are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument. |
See notes to financial statements.
Schedule of Investments28
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)September 30, 2024
iShares® Global Materials ETF(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)
| | |
|
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
James Hardie Industries PLC(a) | | |
| | |
Northern Star Resources Ltd. | | |
Pilbara Minerals Ltd.(a)(b) | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
CCL Industries Inc., Class B, NVS | | |
First Quantum Minerals Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Teck Resources Ltd., Class B | | |
Wheaton Precious Metals Corp. | | |
| | |
|
| | |
Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile SA, ADR | | |
| | |
|
Novonesis (Novozymes) B, Class B | | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corp. | | |
Nippon Paint Holdings Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
Shin-Etsu Chemical Co. Ltd. | | |
Sumitomo Metal Mining Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
Grupo Mexico SAB de CV, Series B | | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
Svenska Cellulosa AB SCA, Class B | | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
Air Products and Chemicals Inc. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
CF Industries Holdings Inc. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. | | |
292024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)(continued)September 30, 2024
iShares® Global Materials ETF(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)
| | |
United States (continued) |
| | |
| | |
LyondellBasell Industries NV, Class A | | |
Martin Marietta Materials Inc. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Packaging Corp. of America | | |
| | |
Sherwin-Williams Co. (The) | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Total Common Stocks — 99.2%
(Cost: $258,088,639) | |
|
|
Gerdau SA, Preference Shares, ADR | | |
Total Preferred Stocks — 0.2%
(Cost: $1,035,536) | |
Total Long-Term Investments — 99.4%
(Cost: $259,124,175) | |
| | |
|
Money Market Funds — 0.3% |
BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares, 5.05%(d)(e)(f) | | |
BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares, 4.88%(d)(e) | | |
Total Short-Term Securities — 0.3%
(Cost: $877,276) | |
Total Investments — 99.7%
(Cost: $260,001,451) | |
Other Assets Less Liabilities — 0.3% | |
| |
| Non-income producing security. |
| All or a portion of this security is on loan. |
| Security exempt from registration pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration to qualified institutional investors. |
| |
| Annualized 7-day yield as of period end. |
| All or a portion of this security was purchased with the cash collateral from loaned securities. |
Affiliates
Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended September 30, 2024 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:
| | | | | Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation) | | | | Capital
Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds |
BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares | | | | | | | | | |
BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| Represents net amount purchased (sold). |
| All or a portion represents securities lending income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral from loaned securities, net of fees and collateral investment expenses, and other payments to and from borrowers of securities. |
Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End
| | | | Value/
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation) |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
MSCI Emerging Markets Index | | | | |
| | | | |
Schedule of Investments30
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)(continued)September 30, 2024
iShares® Global Materials ETF
Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure
As of period end, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities were as follows:
| | | | Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts | | | |
Assets—Derivative Financial Instruments | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Unrealized appreciation on futures contracts(a) | | | | | | | |
Liabilities—Derivative Financial Instruments | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Unrealized depreciation on futures contracts(a) | | | | | | | |
| Net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts are reported in the Schedule of Investments. In the Statements of Assets and Liabilities, only current day's variation margin is reported in receivables or payables and the net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is included in accumulated earnings (loss). |
For the period ended September 30, 2024, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:
| | | | Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts | | | |
Net Realized Gain (Loss) from | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments
| |
Average notional value of contracts — long | |
For more information about the Fund’s investment risks regarding derivative financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.
Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End
Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments at the measurement date. For a description of the input levels and information about the Fund’s policy regarding valuation of financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.
The following table summarizes the Fund’s financial instruments categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The breakdown of the Fund’s financial instruments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Derivative Financial Instruments(a) | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
312024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)(continued)September 30, 2024
iShares® Global Materials ETF
Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End (continued)
| Derivative financial instruments are futures contracts. Futures contracts are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument. |
See notes to financial statements.
Schedule of Investments32
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)September 30, 2024
iShares® Global Tech ETF(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)
| | |
|
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
Constellation Software Inc./Canada | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
Xiaomi Corp., Class B(a)(b) | | |
|
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Murata Manufacturing Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
Nomura Research Institute Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Renesas Electronics Corp. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
BE Semiconductor Industries NV | | |
| | |
|
STMicroelectronics NV , New | | |
|
Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
|
Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson, Class B | | |
| | |
|
Logitech International SA, Registered | | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. | | |
United Microelectronics Corp. | | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
Advanced Micro Devices Inc.(a) | | |
Akamai Technologies Inc.(a) | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Cadence Design Systems Inc.(a) | | |
| | |
| | |
Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., Class A | | |
| | |
Crowdstrike Holdings Inc., Class A(a) | | |
Dell Technologies Inc., Class C | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co. | | |
| | |
| | |
International Business Machines Corp. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Keysight Technologies Inc.(a) | | |
| | |
| | |
Microchip Technology Inc. | | |
| | |
| | |
Monolithic Power Systems Inc. | | |
332024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)(continued)September 30, 2024
iShares® Global Tech ETF(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)
| | |
United States (continued) |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
ON Semiconductor Corp.(a) | | |
| | |
Palantir Technologies Inc., Class A(a) | | |
Palo Alto Networks Inc.(a) | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Seagate Technology Holdings PLC | | |
| | |
| | |
Super Micro Computer Inc.(a) | | |
| | |
| | |
Teledyne Technologies Inc.(a) | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Tyler Technologies Inc.(a) | | |
| | |
| | |
Zebra Technologies Corp., Class A(a) | | |
| | |
Total Common Stocks — 99.5%
(Cost: $3,423,538,265) | |
|
|
Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., Preference Shares, NVS | | |
Total Preferred Stocks — 0.2%
(Cost: $9,831,772) | |
| | |
|
|
Constellation Software Inc., (Issued 08/29/23, 1 Share for 1 Warrant, Expires 03/31/40, Strike Price CAD 11.50 )(a)(c) | | |
Total Warrants — 0.0%
(Cost: $—) | |
Total Long-Term Investments — 99.7%
(Cost: $3,433,370,037) | |
|
Money Market Funds — 0.2% |
BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares, 4.88%(d)(e) | | |
Total Short-Term Securities — 0.2%
(Cost: $10,360,000) | |
Total Investments — 99.9%
(Cost: $3,443,730,037) | |
Other Assets Less Liabilities — 0.1% | |
| |
| Non-income producing security. |
| Security exempt from registration pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration to qualified institutional investors. |
| Security is valued using significant unobservable inputs and is classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. |
| |
| Annualized 7-day yield as of period end. |
Affiliates
Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended September 30, 2024 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:
| | | | | Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation) | | | | Capital
Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds |
BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares(a) | | | | | | | | | |
BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| As of period end, the entity is no longer held. |
| Represents net amount purchased (sold). |
| All or a portion represents securities lending income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral from loaned securities, net of fees and collateral investment expenses, and other payments to and from borrowers of securities. |
Schedule of Investments34
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)(continued)September 30, 2024
Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End
| | | | Value/
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation) |
| | | | |
E-Mini Technology Select Sector Index | | | | |
Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure
As of period end, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities were as follows:
| | | | Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts | | | |
Assets—Derivative Financial Instruments | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Unrealized appreciation on futures contracts(a) | | | | | | | |
| Net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts are reported in the Schedule of Investments. In the Statements of Assets and Liabilities, only current day's variation margin is reported in receivables or payables and the net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is included in accumulated earnings (loss). |
For the period ended September 30, 2024, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:
| | | | Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts | | | |
Net Realized Gain (Loss) from | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments
| |
Average notional value of contracts — long | |
For more information about the Fund’s investment risks regarding derivative financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.
Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End
Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments at the measurement date. For a description of the input levels and information about the Fund’s policy regarding valuation of financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.
The following table summarizes the Fund’s financial instruments categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The breakdown of the Fund’s financial instruments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.
352024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)(continued)September 30, 2024
Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End (continued)
| | | | |
Derivative Financial Instruments(a) | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| Derivative financial instruments are futures contracts. Futures contracts are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument. |
See notes to financial statements.
Schedule of Investments36
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)September 30, 2024
iShares® Global Utilities ETF(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)
| | |
|
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
|
Centrais Eletricas Brasileiras SA | | |
|
Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp. | | |
Brookfield Infrastructure Partners LP(a) | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
|
Interconexion Electrica SA ESP | | |
|
| | |
|
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
Terna - Rete Elettrica Nazionale | | |
| | |
|
Chubu Electric Power Co. Inc. | | |
Kansai Electric Power Co. Inc. (The) | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
United Kingdom (continued) |
| | |
| | |
United Utilities Group PLC | | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
American Electric Power Co. Inc. | | |
American Water Works Co. Inc. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Constellation Energy Corp. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Pinnacle West Capital Corp. | | |
| | |
Public Service Enterprise Group Inc. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Total Long-Term Investments — 99.6%
(Cost: $152,994,945) | |
|
Money Market Funds — 0.6% |
BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares, 4.88%(c)(d) | | |
Total Short-Term Securities — 0.6%
(Cost: $950,000) | |
Total Investments — 100.2%
(Cost: $153,944,945) | |
Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (0.2)% | |
| |
| Non-income producing security. |
| Security exempt from registration pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration to qualified institutional investors. |
| |
| Annualized 7-day yield as of period end. |
372024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)(continued)September 30, 2024
iShares® Global Utilities ETF
Affiliates
Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended September 30, 2024 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:
| | | | | Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation) | | | | Capital
Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds |
BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares(a) | | | | | | | | | |
BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| As of period end, the entity is no longer held. |
| Represents net amount purchased (sold). |
| All or a portion represents securities lending income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral from loaned securities, net of fees and collateral investment expenses, and other payments to and from borrowers of securities. |
Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End
| | | | Value/
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation) |
| | | | |
E-Mini Utilities Select Sector Index | | | | |
Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure
As of period end, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities were as follows:
| | | | Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts | | | |
Assets—Derivative Financial Instruments | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Unrealized appreciation on futures contracts(a) | | | | | | | |
| Net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts are reported in the Schedule of Investments. In the Statements of Assets and Liabilities, only current day's variation margin is reported in receivables or payables and the net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is included in accumulated earnings (loss). |
For the period ended September 30, 2024, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:
| | | | Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts | | | |
Net Realized Gain (Loss) from | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments
| |
Average notional value of contracts — long | |
For more information about the Fund’s investment risks regarding derivative financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.
Schedule of Investments38
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)(continued)September 30, 2024
iShares® Global Utilities ETF
Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End
Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments at the measurement date. For a description of the input levels and information about the Fund’s policy regarding valuation of financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.
The following table summarizes the Fund’s financial instruments categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The breakdown of the Fund’s financial instruments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Derivative Financial Instruments(a) | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| Derivative financial instruments are futures contracts. Futures contracts are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument. |
See notes to financial statements.
392024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Statements of Assets and Liabilities (unaudited)September 30, 2024
| iShares
Global Comm Services ETF | iShares
Global Consumer Discretionary ETF | iShares
Global Consumer Staples ETF | |
| | | | |
Investments, at value—unaffiliated(a)(b) | | | | |
Investments, at value—affiliated(c) | | | | |
| | | | |
Cash pledged for futures contracts | | | | |
Foreign currency collateral pledged for futures contracts(d) | | | | |
Foreign currency, at value(e) | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Securities lending income—affiliated | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Variation margin on futures contracts | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Collateral on securities loaned, at value | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
IRS compliance fee for foreign withholding tax claims | | | | |
| | | | |
Variation margin on futures contracts | | | | |
| | | | |
Commitments and contingent liabilities | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
(a) Investments, at cost—unaffiliated | | | | |
(b) Securities loaned, at value | | | | |
(c) Investments, at cost—affiliated | | | | |
(d) Foreign currency collateral pledged, at cost | | | | |
(e) Foreign currency, at cost | | | | |
See notes to financial statements.
Statements of Assets and Liabilities40
Statements of Assets and Liabilities (unaudited)(continued)September 30, 2024
| iShares
Global Financials ETF | iShares
Global Healthcare ETF | iShares
Global Industrials ETF | iShares
Global Materials ETF |
| | | | |
Investments, at value—unaffiliated(a)(b) | | | | |
Investments, at value—affiliated(c) | | | | |
| | | | |
Cash pledged for futures contracts | | | | |
Foreign currency collateral pledged for futures contracts(d) | | | | |
Foreign currency, at value(e) | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Securities lending income—affiliated | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Variation margin on futures contracts | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Collateral on securities loaned, at value | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
IRS compliance fee for foreign withholding tax claims | | | | |
| | | | |
Variation margin on futures contracts | | | | |
| | | | |
Commitments and contingent liabilities | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Accumulated earnings (loss) | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
(a) Investments, at cost—unaffiliated | | | | |
(b) Securities loaned, at value | | | | |
(c) Investments, at cost—affiliated | | | | |
(d) Foreign currency collateral pledged, at cost | | | | |
(e) Foreign currency, at cost | | | | |
See notes to financial statements.
412024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Statements of Assets and Liabilities (unaudited)(continued)September 30, 2024
| | iShares
Global Utilities ETF |
| | |
Investments, at value—unaffiliated(a) | | |
Investments, at value—affiliated(b) | | |
| | |
Cash pledged for futures contracts | | |
Foreign currency, at value(c) | | |
| | |
Securities lending income—affiliated | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Variation margin on futures contracts | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
IRS compliance fee for foreign withholding tax claims | | |
| | |
| | |
Commitments and contingent liabilities | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Accumulated earnings (loss) | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
(a) Investments, at cost—unaffiliated | | |
(b) Investments, at cost—affiliated | | |
(c) Foreign currency, at cost | | |
See notes to financial statements.
Statements of Assets and Liabilities42
Statements of Operations (unaudited)Six Months Ended September 30, 2024
| iShares
Global Comm Services ETF | iShares
Global Consumer Discretionary ETF | iShares
Global Consumer Staples ETF | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Securities lending income—affiliated—net | | | | |
| | | | |
Foreign withholding tax claims | | | | |
IRS compliance fee for foreign withholding tax claims | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) | | | | |
Net realized gain (loss) from: | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Foreign currency transactions | | | | |
| | | | |
In-kind redemptions—unaffiliated(a) | | | | |
| | | | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on: | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Foreign currency translations | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | | | | |
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS | | | | |
(a) See Note 2 of the Notes to Financial Statements. |
See notes to financial statements.
432024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Statements of Operations (unaudited)(continued)Six Months Ended September 30, 2024
| iShares
Global Financials ETF | iShares
Global Healthcare ETF | iShares
Global Industrials ETF | iShares
Global Materials ETF |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Securities lending income—affiliated—net | | | | |
Other income—unaffiliated | | | | |
| | | | |
Foreign withholding tax claims | | | | |
IRS compliance fee for foreign withholding tax claims | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) | | | | |
Net realized gain (loss) from: | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Foreign currency transactions | | | | |
| | | | |
In-kind redemptions—unaffiliated(a) | | | | |
In-kind redemptions—affiliated(a) | | | | |
| | | | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on: | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Foreign currency translations | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Net realized and unrealized gain | | | | |
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS | | | | |
(a) See Note 2 of the Notes to Financial Statements. |
See notes to financial statements.
Statements of Operations44
Statements of Operations (unaudited)(continued)Six Months Ended September 30, 2024
| | iShares
Global Utilities ETF |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Securities lending income—affiliated—net | | |
Non-cash dividends—unaffiliated | | |
Other income—unaffiliated | | |
| | |
Foreign withholding tax claims | | |
IRS compliance fee for foreign withholding tax claims | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) | | |
Net realized gain (loss) from: | | |
| | |
| | |
Foreign currency transactions | | |
| | |
In-kind redemptions—unaffiliated(a) | | |
| | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on: | | |
| | |
| | |
Foreign currency translations | | |
| | |
| | |
Net realized and unrealized gain | | |
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS | | |
(a) See Note 2 of the Notes to Financial Statements. |
See notes to financial statements.
452024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
| iShares
Global Comm Services ETF | iShares
Global Consumer Discretionary ETF |
| Six Months Ended
09/30/24
(unaudited) | | Six Months Ended
09/30/24
(unaudited) | |
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | | | | |
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations | | | | |
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a) | | | | |
Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders | | | | |
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets derived from capital share transactions | | | | |
| | | | |
Total increase (decrease) in net assets | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations. |
| A portion of the distributions from net investment income may be deemed a return of capital or net realized gain at fiscal year-end. |
See notes to financial statements.
Statements of Changes in Net Assets46
Statements of Changes in Net Assets(continued)
| iShares
Global Consumer Staples ETF | |
| Six Months Ended
09/30/24
(unaudited) | | Six Months Ended
09/30/24
(unaudited) | |
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | | | | |
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a) | | | | |
Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders | | | | |
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets derived from capital share transactions | | | | |
| | | | |
Total increase (decrease) in net assets | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations. |
| A portion of the distributions from net investment income may be deemed a return of capital or net realized gain at fiscal year-end. |
See notes to financial statements.
472024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Statements of Changes in Net Assets(continued)
| iShares
Global Financials ETF | iShares
Global Healthcare ETF |
| Six Months Ended
09/30/24
(unaudited) | | Six Months Ended
09/30/24
(unaudited) | |
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | | | | |
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations | | | | |
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a) | | | | |
Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders | | | | |
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS | | | | |
Net decrease in net assets derived from capital share transactions | | | | |
| | | | |
Total increase (decrease) in net assets | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations. |
| A portion of the distributions from net investment income may be deemed a return of capital or net realized gain at fiscal year-end. |
See notes to financial statements.
Statements of Changes in Net Assets48
Statements of Changes in Net Assets(continued)
| iShares
Global Industrials ETF | iShares
Global Materials ETF |
| Six Months Ended
09/30/24
(unaudited) | | Six Months Ended
09/30/24
(unaudited) | |
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | | | | |
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations | | | | |
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a) | | | | |
Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders | | | | |
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets derived from capital share transactions | | | | |
| | | | |
Total increase (decrease) in net assets | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations. |
| A portion of the distributions from net investment income may be deemed a return of capital or net realized gain at fiscal year-end. |
See notes to financial statements.
492024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Statements of Changes in Net Assets(continued)
| | iShares
Global Utilities ETF |
| Six Months Ended
09/30/24
(unaudited) | | Six Months Ended
09/30/24
(unaudited) | |
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | | | | |
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations | | | | |
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a) | | | | |
Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders | | | | |
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets derived from capital share transactions | | | | |
| | | | |
Total increase (decrease) in net assets | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations. |
| A portion of the distributions from net investment income may be deemed a return of capital or net realized gain at fiscal year-end. |
See notes to financial statements.
Statements of Changes in Net Assets50
Financial Highlights(For a share outstanding throughout each period)
| iShares Global Comm Services ETF |
| Six Months Ended
09/30/24
(unaudited) | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(c) | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations | | | | | | |
Distributions from net investment income(d) | | | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Ratios to Average Net Assets(h) | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Total expenses excluding professional fees for foreign withholding tax claims | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000) | | | | | | |
Portfolio turnover rate(j) | | | | | | |
(a) Based on average shares outstanding. |
(b) Reflects the positive effect of foreign withholding tax claims, net of the associated professional fees, which resulted in the following increases for the years ended March 31, 2024, March 31, 2023 and March 31, 2022 respectively: • Net investment income per share by$0.01, $0.03 and $0.10. • Total return by 0.02%, 0.05% and 0.15%. • Ratio of net investment income to average net assets by 0.01%, 0.06% and 0.12%. |
(c) The amounts reported for a share outstanding may not accord with the change in aggregate gains and losses in securities for the fiscal period due to the timing of capital share transactions in relation to the fluctuating market values of the Fund’s underlying securities. |
(d) Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations. |
(e) A portion of the distributions from net investment income may be deemed a return of capital or net realized gain at fiscal year-end. |
(f) Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions. |
|
(h) Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds. |
|
(j) Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions, if any. |
See notes to financial statements.
512024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Financial Highlights(continued)(For a share outstanding throughout each period)
| iShares Global Consumer Discretionary ETF |
| Six Months Ended
09/30/24
(unaudited) | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(c) | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations | | | | | | |
Distributions from net investment income(d) | | | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Ratios to Average Net Assets(i) | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Total expenses excluding professional fees for foreign withholding tax claims | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000) | | | | | | |
Portfolio turnover rate(k) | | | | | | |
(a) Based on average shares outstanding. |
(b) Reflects the positive effect of foreign withholding tax claims, net of the associated professional fees, which resulted in the following increases for the six months ended September 30, 2024 and years ended March 31, 2024, March 31, 2023 and March 31, 2022 respectively: • Net investment income per share by $0.03, $0.02, $0.01 and $0.03. • Total return by 0.02%, 0.02%, 0.00% and 0.02%. • Ratio of net investment income to average net assets by 0.04%, 0.01%, 0.01% and 0.02%. |
(c) The amounts reported for a share outstanding may not accord with the change in aggregate gains and losses in securities for the fiscal period due to the timing of capital share transactions in relation to the fluctuating market values of the Fund’s underlying securities. |
(d) Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations. |
(e) A portion of the distributions from net investment income may be deemed a return of capital or net realized gain at fiscal year-end. |
(f) Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions. |
|
(h) Includes payment received from an affiliate, which had no impact on the Fund’s total return. |
(i) Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds. |
|
(k) Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions, if any. |
See notes to financial statements.
Financial Highlights(continued)(For a share outstanding throughout each period)
| iShares Global Consumer Staples ETF |
| Six Months Ended
09/30/24
(unaudited) | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(c) | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations | | | | | | |
Distributions from net investment income(d) | | | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Ratios to Average Net Assets(h) | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000) | | | | | | |
Portfolio turnover rate(j) | | | | | | |
(a) Based on average shares outstanding. |
(b) Reflects the positive effect of foreign withholding tax claims, net of the associated professional fees, which resulted in the following increases for the six months ended September 30, 2024 and year ended March 31, 2023 respectively: • Net investment income per share by $0.01 and $0.00. • Total return by 0.02% and 0.01%. • Ratio of net investment income to average net assets by 0.04% and 0.01%. |
(c) The amounts reported for a share outstanding may not accord with the change in aggregate gains and losses in securities for the fiscal period due to the timing of capital share transactions in relation to the fluctuating market values of the Fund’s underlying securities. |
(d) Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations. |
(e) A portion of the distributions from net investment income may be deemed a return of capital or net realized gain at fiscal year-end. |
(f) Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions. |
|
(h) Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds. |
|
(j) Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions, if any. |
See notes to financial statements.
532024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Financial Highlights(continued)(For a share outstanding throughout each period)
| iShares Global Energy ETF |
| Six Months Ended
09/30/24
(unaudited) | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(c) | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations | | | | | | |
Distributions from net investment income(d) | | | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Ratios to Average Net Assets(h) | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Total expenses excluding professional fees for foreign withholding tax claims | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000) | | | | | | |
Portfolio turnover rate(j) | | | | | | |
(a) Based on average shares outstanding. |
(b) Reflects the positive effect of foreign withholding tax claims, net of the associated professional fees, which resulted in the following increases for the six months ended September 30, 2024 and year ended March 31, 2023: • Net investment income per share by $0.01 and $0.07. • Total return by 0.03% and 0.24%. • Ratio of net investment income to average net assets by 0.05% and 0.18%. |
(c) The amounts reported for a share outstanding may not accord with the change in aggregate gains and losses in securities for the fiscal period due to the timing of capital share transactions in relation to the fluctuating market values of the Fund’s underlying securities. |
(d) Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations. |
(e) A portion of the distributions from net investment income may be deemed a return of capital or net realized gain at fiscal year-end. |
(f) Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions. |
|
(h) Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds. |
|
(j) Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions, if any. |
See notes to financial statements.
Financial Highlights(continued)(For a share outstanding throughout each period)
| iShares Global Financials ETF |
| Six Months Ended
09/30/24
(unaudited) | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(c) | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations | | | | | | |
Distributions from net investment income(d) | | | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Ratios to Average Net Assets(j) | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Total expenses excluding professional fees for foreign withholding tax claims | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000) | | | | | | |
Portfolio turnover rate(m) | | | | | | |
(a) Based on average shares outstanding. |
(b) Reflects the positive effect of foreign withholding tax claims, net of the associated professional fees, which resulted in the following increases for the six months ended September 30, 2024 and years ended March 31, 2024,March 31, 2023 and March 31, 2022 respectively: • Net investment income per share by $0.04, $0.01, $0.03 and $0.01. • Total return by 0.06%, 0.01%, 0.06% and 0.02%. • Ratio of net investment income to average net assets by 0.10%, 0.01%, 0.04% and 0.01%. |
(c) The amounts reported for a share outstanding may not accord with the change in aggregate gains and losses in securities for the fiscal period due to the timing of capital share transactions in relation to the fluctuating market values of the Fund’s underlying securities. |
(d) Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations. |
(e) A portion of the distributions from net investment income may be deemed a return of capital or net realized gain at fiscal year-end. |
(f) Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions. |
|
(h) Includes proceeds received from a class action litigation, which impacted the Fund’s total return. Not including these proceeds, the Fund’s total return would have been (9.92)% for the year ended March 31, 2023. |
(i) Includes payment received from an affiliate, which had no impact on the Fund’s total return. |
(j) Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds. |
|
(l) Professional fees and interest expense were not annualized in the calculation of the expense ratio. If this expense was annualized, the total expense would have been 0.41%. |
(m) Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions, if any. |
See notes to financial statements.
552024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Financial Highlights(continued)(For a share outstanding throughout each period)
| iShares Global Healthcare ETF |
| Six Months Ended
09/30/24
(unaudited) | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(c) | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations | | | | | | |
Distributions from net investment income(d) | | | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Ratios to Average Net Assets(h) | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Total expenses excluding professional fees for foreign withholding tax claims | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000) | | | | | | |
Portfolio turnover rate(j) | | | | | | |
(a) Based on average shares outstanding. |
(b) Reflects the positive effect of foreign withholding tax claims, net of the associated professional fees, which resulted in the following increases for the six months ended September 30, 2024 and years ended March 31, 2024 and March 31, 2023 respectively: • Net investment income per share by $0.03 and $0.00 and $0.01. • Total return by 0.03% and 0.01% and 0.01%. • Ratio of net investment income to average net assets by 0.06% and 0.01% and 0.01%. |
(c) The amounts reported for a share outstanding may not accord with the change in aggregate gains and losses in securities for the fiscal period due to the timing of capital share transactions in relation to the fluctuating market values of the Fund’s underlying securities. |
(d) Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations. |
(e) A portion of the distributions from net investment income may be deemed a return of capital or net realized gain at fiscal year-end. |
(f) Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions. |
|
(h) Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds. |
|
(j) Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions, if any. |
See notes to financial statements.
Financial Highlights(continued)(For a share outstanding throughout each period)
| iShares Global Industrials ETF |
| Six Months Ended
09/30/24
(unaudited) | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(c) | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations | | | | | | |
Distributions from net investment income(d) | | | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Ratios to Average Net Assets(h) | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Total expenses excluding professional fees for foreign withholding tax claims | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000) | | | | | | |
Portfolio turnover rate(j) | | | | | | |
(a) Based on average shares outstanding. |
(b) Reflects the positive effect of foreign withholding tax claims, net of the associated professional fees, which resulted in the following increases for the six months ended September 30, 2024 and years ended March 31, 2023 and March 31, 2022 respectively: • Net investment income per share by $0.04, $0.02 and $0.05. • Total return by 0.02%, 0.01% and 0.05%. • Ratio of net investment income to average net assets by 0.05%, 0.01% and 0.04%. |
(c) The amounts reported for a share outstanding may not accord with the change in aggregate gains and losses in securities for the fiscal period due to the timing of capital share transactions in relation to the fluctuating market values of the Fund’s underlying securities. |
(d) Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations. |
(e) A portion of the distributions from net investment income may be deemed a return of capital or net realized gain at fiscal year-end. |
(f) Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions. |
|
(h) Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds. |
|
(j) Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions, if any. |
See notes to financial statements.
572024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Financial Highlights(continued)(For a share outstanding throughout each period)
| iShares Global Materials ETF |
| Six Months Ended
09/30/24
(unaudited) | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(c) | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations | | | | | | |
Distributions from net investment income(d) | | | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Ratios to Average Net Assets(h) | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Total expenses excluding professional fees for foreign withholding tax claims | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000) | | | | | | |
Portfolio turnover rate(k) | | | | | | |
(a) Based on average shares outstanding. |
(b) Reflects the positive effect of foreign withholding tax claims, net of the associated professional fees, which resulted in the following increases for the years ended March 31, 2024, March 31, 2023 and March 31, 2022 respectively: • Net investment income per share by $0.05, $0.00 and $0.01. • Total return by 0.07%, 0.01% and (0.01%). • Ratio of net investment income to average net assets by 0.06%, 0.00% and 0.01%. |
(c) The amounts reported for a share outstanding may not accord with the change in aggregate gains and losses in securities for the fiscal period due to the timing of capital share transactions in relation to the fluctuating market values of the Fund’s underlying securities. |
(d) Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations. |
(e) A portion of the distributions from net investment income may be deemed a return of capital or net realized gain at fiscal year-end. |
(f) Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions. |
|
(h) Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds. |
|
(j) Professional fees were not annualized in the calculation of the expense ratio. If this expense was annualized, the total expense would have been 0.40%. |
(k) Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions, if any. |
See notes to financial statements.
Financial Highlights(continued)(For a share outstanding throughout each period)
| |
| Six Months Ended
09/30/24
(unaudited) | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(d) | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations | | | | | | |
Distributions from net investment income(e) | | | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Ratios to Average Net Assets(i) | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000) | | | | | | |
Portfolio turnover rate(k) | | | | | | |
(a) Per share amounts reflect a six-for-one stock split effective after the close of trading on July 16, 2021. |
(b) Based on average shares outstanding. |
(c) Reflects the positive effect of foreign withholding tax claims, net of the associated professional fees, which resulted in the following increases for the year ended March 31, 2023 and March 31,2022 respectively: • Net investment income per share by $0.00 and $0.00. • Total return by 0.01% and 0.01%. • Ratio of net investment income to average net assets by 0.00% and 0.00%. |
(d) The amounts reported for a share outstanding may not accord with the change in aggregate gains and losses in securities for the fiscal period due to the timing of capital share transactions in relation to the fluctuating market values of the Fund’s underlying securities. |
(e) Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations. |
(f) A portion of the distributions from net investment income may be deemed a return of capital or net realized gain at fiscal year-end. |
(g) Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions. |
|
(i) Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds. |
|
(k) Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions, if any. |
See notes to financial statements.
592024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Financial Highlights(continued)(For a share outstanding throughout each period)
| iShares Global Utilities ETF |
| Six Months Ended
09/30/24
(unaudited) | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(c) | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations | | | | | | |
Distributions from net investment income(d) | | | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Ratios to Average Net Assets(h) | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Total expenses excluding professional fees for foreign withholding tax claims | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000) | | | | | | |
Portfolio turnover rate(j) | | | | | | |
(a) Based on average shares outstanding. |
(b) Reflects the positive effect of foreign withholding tax claims, net of the associated professional fees, which resulted in the following increases for the years ended March 31, 2024 and March 31, 2023 respectively: • Net investment income per share by $0.31 and $0.06. • Total return by 0.56% and 0.12%. • Ratio of net investment income to average net assets by 0.53% and 0.11%. |
(c) The amounts reported for a share outstanding may not accord with the change in aggregate gains and losses in securities for the fiscal period due to the timing of capital share transactions in relation to the fluctuating market values of the Fund’s underlying securities. |
(d) Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations. |
(e) A portion of the distributions from net investment income may be deemed a return of capital or net realized gain at fiscal year-end. |
(f) Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions. |
|
(h) Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds. |
|
(j) Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions, if any. |
See notes to financial statements.
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited)
1. ORGANIZATION
iShares Trust (the “Trust”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as an open-end management investment company. The Trust is organized as a Delaware statutory trust and is authorized to have multiple series or portfolios.
These financial statements relate only to the following funds (each, a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”):
| Diversification
Classification |
| |
Global Consumer Discretionary | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”), which may require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities in the financial statements, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Each Fund is considered an investment company under U.S. GAAP and follows the accounting and reporting guidance applicable to investment companies. Below is a summary of significant accounting policies:
Investment Transactions and Income Recognition: For financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are recorded on the dates the transactions are executed. Realized gains and losses on investment transactions are determined using the specific identification method. Dividend income and capital gain distributions, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Non-cash dividends, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend date at fair value. Dividends from foreign securities where the ex-dividend date may have passed are subsequently recorded when the Funds are informed of the ex-dividend date. Under the applicable foreign tax laws, a withholding tax at various rates may be imposed on capital gains, dividends and interest. Upon notification from issuers or as estimated by management, a portion of the dividend income received from a real estate investment trust may be redesignated as a reduction of cost of the related investment and/or realized gain. Interest income, including amortization and accretion of premiums and discounts on debt securities, is recognized daily on an accrual basis.
Foreign Currency Translation: Each Fund's books and records are maintained in U.S. dollars. Securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars using prevailing market rates as quoted by one or more data service providers. Purchases and sales of investments are recorded at the rates of exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions. Generally, when the U.S. dollar rises in value against a foreign currency, the investments denominated in that currency will lose value; the opposite effect occurs if the U.S. dollar falls in relative value.
Each Fund does not isolate the effect of fluctuations in foreign exchange rates from the effect of fluctuations in the market prices of investments for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, the effects of changes in exchange rates on investments are not segregated in the Statements of Operations from the effects of changes in market prices of those investments, but are included as a component of net realized and unrealized gain (loss) from investments. Each Fund reports realized currency gains (losses) on foreign currency related transactions as components of net realized gain (loss) for financial reporting purposes, whereas such components are generally treated as ordinary income for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Foreign Taxes: Certain Funds may be subject to foreign taxes (a portion of which may be reclaimable) on income, stock dividends, capital gains on investments, or certain foreign currency transactions. All foreign taxes are recorded in accordance with the applicable foreign tax regulations and rates that exist in the foreign jurisdictions in which each Fund invests. These foreign taxes, if any, are paid by each Fund and are reflected in its Statements of Operations as follows: foreign taxes withheld at source are presented as a reduction of income, foreign taxes on securities lending income are presented as a reduction of securities lending income, foreign taxes on stock dividends are presented as “Other foreign taxes”, and foreign taxes on capital gains from sales of investments and foreign taxes on foreign currency transactions are included in their respective net realized gain (loss) categories. Foreign taxes payable or deferred as of September 30, 2024, if any, are disclosed in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.
Consistent with U.S. GAAP accrual requirements, for uncertain tax positions, each Fund recognizes tax reclaims when the Fund determines that it is more likely than not that the Fund will sustain its position that it is due the reclaim.
Certain Funds file withholding tax reclaims in certain jurisdictions to recover a portion of amounts previously withheld. The Funds may record a reclaim receivable based on collectability, which includes factors such as the jurisdiction’s applicable laws, payment history and market convention. The Statements of Operations include tax reclaims recorded as well as professional and other fees, if any, associated with recovery of foreign withholding taxes.
612024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
Bank Overdraft: Certain Funds had outstanding cash disbursements exceeding deposited cash amounts at the custodian during the reporting period. The Funds are obligated to repay the custodian for any overdraft, including any related costs or expenses, where applicable. For financial reporting purposes, overdraft fees, if any, are included in interest expense in the Statements of Operations.
Collateralization: If required by an exchange or counterparty agreement, the Funds may be required to deliver/deposit cash and/or securities to/with an exchange, or broker-dealer or custodian as collateral for certain investments.
In-kind Redemptions: For financial reporting purposes, in-kind redemptions are treated as sales of securities resulting in realized capital gains or losses to the Funds. Because such gains or losses are not taxable to the Funds and are not distributed to existing Fund shareholders, the gains or losses are reclassified from accumulated net realized gain (loss) to paid-in capital at the end of the Funds’ tax year. These reclassifications have no effect on net assets or net asset value (“NAV”) per share.
Distributions: Dividends and distributions paid by each Fund are recorded on the ex-dividend dates. Distributions are determined on a tax basis and may differ from net investment income and net realized capital gains for financial reporting purposes. Dividends and distributions are paid in U.S. dollars and cannot be automatically reinvested in additional shares of the Funds.
Indemnifications: In the normal course of business, each Fund enters into contracts that contain a variety of representations that provide general indemnification. The Funds’ maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown because it involves future potential claims against the Funds, which cannot be predicted with any certainty.
3. INVESTMENT VALUATION AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
Investment Valuation Policies: Each Fund’s investments are valued at fair value (also referred to as “market value” within the financial statements) each day that the Fund’s listing exchange is open and, for financial reporting purposes, as of the report date. U.S. GAAP defines fair value as the price a fund would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”) of each Fund has approved the designation of BlackRock Fund Advisors (“BFA”), the Funds’ investment adviser, as the valuation designee for each Fund. Each Fund determines the fair values of its financial instruments using various independent dealers or pricing services under BFA’s policies. If a security’s market price is not readily available or does not otherwise accurately represent the fair value of the security, the security will be valued in accordance with BFA’s policies and procedures as reflecting fair value. BFA has formed a committee (the “Valuation Committee”) to develop pricing policies and procedures and to oversee the pricing function for all financial instruments, with assistance from other BlackRock pricing committees.
Fair Value Inputs and Methodologies: The following methods and inputs are used to establish the fair value of each Fund’s assets and liabilities:
• Equity investments traded on a recognized securities exchange are valued at that day’s official closing price, as applicable, on the exchange where the stock is primarily traded. Equity investments traded on a recognized exchange for which there were no sales on that day are valued at the last traded price.
• Investments in open-end U.S. mutual funds (including money market funds) are valued at that day’s NAV.
• Futures contracts are valued based on that day’s last reported settlement or trade price on the exchange where the contract is traded.
Generally, trading in foreign instruments is substantially completed each day at various times prior to the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”). Each business day, the Funds use current market factors supplied by independent pricing services to value certain foreign instruments (“Systematic Fair Value Price”). The Systematic Fair Value Price is designed to value such foreign securities at fair value as of the close of trading on the NYSE, which occurs after the close of the local markets.
If events (e.g., market volatility, company announcement or a natural disaster) occur that are expected to materially affect the value of such investment, or in the event that application of these methods of valuation results in a price for an investment that is deemed not to be representative of the market value of such investment, or if a price is not available, the investment will be valued by the Valuation Committee, in accordance with BFA’s policies and procedures as reflecting fair value (“Fair Valued Investments”). The fair valuation approaches that may be used by the Valuation Committee include market approach, income approach and cost approach. Valuation techniques such as discounted cash flow, use of market comparables and matrix pricing are types of valuation approaches and are typically used in determining fair value. When determining the price for Fair Valued Investments, the Valuation Committee seeks to determine the price that each Fund might reasonably expect to receive or pay from the current sale or purchase of that asset or liability in an arm’s-length transaction. Fair value determinations shall be based upon all available factors that the Valuation Committee deems relevant and consistent with the principles of fair value measurement as of the measurement date.
Fair value pricing could result in a difference between the prices used to calculate a fund’s NAV and the prices used by the fund’s underlying index, which in turn could result in a difference between the fund’s performance and the performance of the fund’s underlying index.
Fair Value Hierarchy: Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments at the measurement date. These inputs to valuation techniques are categorized into a fair value hierarchy consisting of three broad levels for financial reporting purposes as follows:
• Level 1 – Unadjusted price quotations in active markets/exchanges that each Fund has the ability to access for identical assets or liabilities;
• Level 2 – Inputs other than quoted prices included within level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly; and
• Level 3 – Inputs that are unobservable and significant to the entire fair value measurement for the asset or liability (including the Valuation Committee’s assumptions used in determining the fair value of financial instruments).
Notes to Financial Statements62
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized in Level 3. The inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, for disclosure purposes, the fair value hierarchy classification is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. Investments classified within Level 3 have significant unobservable inputs used by the Valuation Committee in determining the price for Fair Valued Investments. Level 3 investments include equity or debt issued by privately held companies or funds that may not have a secondary market and/or may have a limited number of investors. The categorization of a value determined for financial instruments is based on the pricing transparency of the financial instruments and is not necessarily an indication of the risks associated with investing in those securities.
4. SECURITIES AND OTHER INVESTMENTS
Warrants: Warrants entitle a fund to purchase a specified number of shares of common stock and are non-income producing. The purchase price and number of shares are subject to adjustment under certain conditions until the expiration date of the warrants, if any. If the price of the underlying stock does not rise above the strike price before the warrant expires, the warrant generally expires without any value and a fund will lose any amount it paid for the warrant. Thus, investments in warrants may involve more risk than investments in common stock. Warrants may trade in the same markets as their underlying stock; however, the price of the warrant does not necessarily move with the price of the underlying stock.
Securities Lending: Each Fund may lend its securities to approved borrowers, such as brokers, dealers and other financial institutions. The borrower pledges and maintains with the Fund collateral consisting of cash, an irrevocable letter of credit issued by an approved bank, or securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government. The initial collateral received by each Fund is required to have a value of at least 102% of the current market value of the loaned securities for securities traded on U.S. exchanges and a value of at least 105% for all other securities. The collateral is maintained thereafter at a value equal to at least 100% of the current value of the securities on loan. The market value of the loaned securities is determined at the close of each business day of the Fund and any additional required collateral is delivered to the Fund or excess collateral is returned by the Fund, on the next business day. During the term of the loan, each Fund is entitled to all distributions made on or in respect of the loaned securities but does not receive interest income on securities received as collateral. Loans of securities are terminable at any time and the borrower, after notice, is required to return borrowed securities within the standard time period for settlement of securities transactions.
As of period end, any securities on loan were collateralized by cash and/or U.S. Government obligations. Cash collateral invested in money market funds managed by BFA, or its affiliates is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments. Any non-cash collateral received cannot be sold, re-invested or pledged by the Fund, except in the event of borrower default. The securities on loan, if any, are also disclosed in each Fund’s Schedule of Investments. The market value of any securities on loan and the value of any related cash collateral are disclosed in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.
Securities lending transactions are entered into by the Funds under Master Securities Lending Agreements (each, an “MSLA”) which provide the right, in the event of default (including bankruptcy or insolvency) for the non-defaulting party to liquidate the collateral and calculate a net exposure to the defaulting party or request additional collateral. In the event that a borrower defaults, the Funds, as lender, would offset the market value of the collateral received against the market value of the securities loaned. When the value of the collateral is greater than that of the market value of the securities loaned, the lender is left with a net amount payable to the defaulting party. However, bankruptcy or insolvency laws of a particular jurisdiction may impose restrictions on or prohibitions against such a right of offset in the event of an MSLA counterparty’s bankruptcy or insolvency. Under the MSLA, absent an event of default, the borrower can resell or re-pledge the loaned securities, and the Funds can reinvest cash collateral received in connection with loaned securities. Upon an event of default, the parties’ obligations to return the securities or collateral to the other party are extinguished, and the parties can resell or re-pledge the loaned securities or the collateral received in connection with the loaned securities in order to satisfy the defaulting party’s net payment obligation for all transactions under the MSLA. The defaulting party remains liable for any deficiency.
As of period end, the following table is a summary of the securities on loan by counterparty which are subject to offset under an MSLA:
iShares ETF and Counterparty | Securities Loaned
at Value | | Non-Cash Collateral
Received, at Fair Value(a) | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Citigroup Global Markets Inc. | | | | |
| | | | |
Global Consumer Discretionary | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Citigroup Global Markets, Inc. | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
632024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
iShares ETF and Counterparty | Securities Loaned at Value | Cash Collateral Received(a) | Non-Cash Collateral Received, at Fair Value(a) | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
J.P. Morgan Securities LLC | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | | |
| Collateral received, if any, in excess of the market value of securities on loan is not presented in this table. The total cash collateral received by each Fund is disclosed in the Fund’s Statements of Assets and Liabilities. |
The risks of securities lending include the risk that the borrower may not provide additional collateral when required or may not return the securities when due. To mitigate these risks, each Fund benefits from a borrower default indemnity provided by BlackRock, Inc. (“BlackRock”). BlackRock’s indemnity allows for full replacement of the securities loaned to the extent the collateral received does not cover the value of the securities loaned in the event of borrower default. Each Fund could incur a loss if the value of an investment purchased with cash collateral falls below the market value of the loaned securities or if the value of an investment purchased with cash collateral falls below the value of the original cash collateral received. Such losses are borne entirely by each Fund.
5. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
Futures Contracts: Futures contracts are purchased or sold to gain exposure to, or manage exposure to, changes in interest rates (interest rate risk) and changes in the value of equity securities (equity risk) or foreign currencies (foreign currency exchange rate risk).
Futures contracts are exchange-traded agreements between the Funds and a counterparty to buy or sell a specific quantity of an underlying instrument at a specified price and on a specified date. Depending on the terms of a contract, it is settled either through physical delivery of the underlying instrument on the settlement date or by payment of a cash amount on the settlement date. Upon entering into a futures contract, the Funds are required to deposit initial margin with the broker in the form of cash or securities in an amount that varies depending on a contract’s size and risk profile. The initial margin deposit must then be maintained at an established level over the life of the contract. Amounts pledged, which are considered restricted, are included in cash pledged for futures contracts in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.
Securities deposited as initial margin are designated in the Schedule of Investments and cash deposited, if any, are shown as cash pledged for futures contracts in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. Pursuant to the contract, the Funds agree to receive from or pay to the broker an amount of cash equal to the daily fluctuation in market value of the contract (“variation margin”). Variation margin is recorded as unrealized appreciation (depreciation) and, if any, shown as variation margin receivable (or payable) on futures contracts in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. When the contract is closed, a realized gain or loss is recorded in the Statements of Operations equal to the difference between the notional amount of the contract at the time it was opened and the notional amount at the time it was closed. The use of futures contracts involves the risk of an imperfect correlation in the movements in the price of futures contracts and interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates or underlying assets.
6. INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES
Investment Advisory Fees: Pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement with the Trust, BFA manages the investment of each Fund’s assets. BFA is a California corporation indirectly owned by BlackRock. Under the Investment Advisory Agreement, BFA is responsible for substantially all expenses of the Funds, except (i) interest and taxes; (ii) brokerage commissions and other expenses connected with the execution of portfolio transactions; (iii) distribution fees; (iv) the advisory fee payable to BFA; and (v) litigation expenses and any extraordinary expenses (in each case as determined by a majority of the independent trustees).
For its investment advisory services to each Fund, BFA is entitled to an annual investment advisory fee, accrued daily and paid monthly by the Funds, based on each Fund’s allocable portion of the aggregate of the average daily net assets of the Fund and certain other iShares funds as follows:
Aggregate Average Daily Net Assets | |
| |
Over $10 billion, up to and including $20 billion | |
Over $20 billion, up to and including $30 billion | |
Over $30 billion, up to and including $40 billion | |
| |
Distributor: BlackRock Investments, LLC, an affiliate of BFA, is the distributor for each Fund. Pursuant to the distribution agreement, BFA is responsible for any fees or expenses for distribution services provided to the Funds.
Securities Lending: The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) has issued an exemptive order which permits BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A. (“BTC”), an affiliate of BFA, to serve as securities lending agent for the Funds, subject to applicable conditions. As securities lending agent, BTC bears all operational costs directly related to securities lending, including any custodial costs. Each Fund is responsible for fees in connection with the investment of cash collateral received for
Notes to Financial Statements64
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
securities on loan (the “collateral investment fees”). The cash collateral is invested in a money market fund, BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional or BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, managed by BFA, or its affiliates. However, BTC has agreed to reduce the amount of securities lending income it receives in order to effectively limit the collateral investment fees each Fund bears to an annual rate of 0.04%. The SL Agency Shares of such money market fund will not be subject to a sales load, redemption fee, distribution fee or service fee. The money market fund in which the cash collateral has been invested may impose a discretionary liquidity fee of up to 2% of the value redeemed, if such fee is determined to be in the best interests of such money market fund.
Securities lending income is generally equal to the total of income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral (and excludes collateral investment fees), and any fees or other payments to and from borrowers of securities. Each Fund retains a portion of the securities lending income and remits the remaining portion to BTC as compensation for its services as securities lending agent.
Pursuant to the current securities lending agreement, each of iShares Global Comm Services ETF and iShares Global Tech ETF (the “Group 1 Funds”), retains 81% of securities lending income (which excludes collateral investment fees) and the amount retained can never be less than 70% of the total of securities lending income plus the collateral investment fees.
Pursuant to the current securities lending agreement, each of iShares Global Consumer Discretionary ETF, iShares Global Consumer Staples ETF, iShares Global Energy ETF, iShares Global Financials ETF, iShares Global Healthcare ETF, iShares Global Industrials ETF, iShares Global Materials ETF and iShares Global Utilities ETF (the “Group 2 Funds”), retains 82% of securities lending income (which excludes collateral investment fees) and the amount retained can never be less than 70% of the total of securities lending income plus the collateral investment fees.
In addition, commencing the business day following the date that the aggregate securities lending income plus the collateral investment fees generated across all 1940 Act iShares exchange-traded funds (the “iShares ETF Complex”) in a given calendar year exceeds a specified threshold: (1) each Group 1 Fund, pursuant to the securities lending agreement, will retain for the remainder of that calendar year 81% of securities lending income (which excludes collateral investment fees), and the amount retained can never be less than 70% of the total of securities lending income plus the collateral investment fees, and (2) each Group 2 Fund will retain for the remainder of that calendar year 85% of securities lending income (which excludes collateral investment fees), and the amount retained can never be less than 70% of the total of securities lending income plus the collateral investment fees.
The share of securities lending income earned by each Fund is shown as securities lending income – affiliated – net in its Statements of Operations. For the six months ended September 30, 2024, the Funds paid BTC the following amounts for securities lending agent services:
| |
| |
Global Consumer Discretionary | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Officers and Trustees: Certain officers and/or trustees of the Trust are officers and/or trustees of BlackRock or its affiliates.
Other Transactions: Cross trading is the buying or selling of portfolio securities between funds to which BFA (or an affiliate) serves as investment adviser. At its regularly scheduled quarterly meetings, the Board reviews such transactions as of the most recent calendar quarter for compliance with the requirements and restrictions set forth by Rule 17a-7.
For the six months ended September 30, 2024, transactions executed by the Funds pursuant to Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act were as follows:
| | | |
| | | |
Global Consumer Discretionary | | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
652024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
Each Fund may invest its positive cash balances in certain money market funds managed by BFA or an affiliate. The income earned on these temporary cash investments is shown as dividends – affiliated in the Statements of Operations.
A fund, in order to improve its portfolio liquidity and its ability to track its underlying index, may invest in shares of other iShares funds that invest in securities in the fund’s underlying index.
For the six months ended September 30, 2024, purchases and sales of investments, excluding short-term securities and in-kind transactions, were as follows:
| | |
| | |
Global Consumer Discretionary | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
For the six months ended September 30, 2024, in-kind transactions were as follows:
| | |
| | |
Global Consumer Discretionary | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
8. INCOME TAX INFORMATION
Each Fund is treated as an entity separate from the Trust’s other funds for federal income tax purposes. It is each Fund’s policy to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, applicable to regulated investment companies, and to distribute substantially all of its taxable income to its shareholders. Therefore, no U.S. federal income tax provision is required.
Management has analyzed tax laws and regulations and their application to the Funds as of September 30, 2024, inclusive of the open tax return years, and does not believe that there are any uncertain tax positions that require recognition of a tax liability in the Funds’ financial statements. Management’s analysis is based on the tax laws and judicial and administrative interpretations thereof in effect as of the date of these financial statements, all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect, which may impact the Funds’ NAV.
As of March 31, 2024, the Funds had non-expiring capital loss carryforwards available to offset future realized capital gains as follows:
| Non-Expiring
Capital Loss
Carryforwards |
| |
Global Consumer Discretionary | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Notes to Financial Statements66
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
A fund may own shares in certain foreign investment entities, referred to, under U.S. tax law, as “passive foreign investment companies.” Such fund may elect to mark-to-market annually the shares of each passive foreign investment company and would be required to distribute to shareholders any such marked-to-market gains.
As of September 30, 2024, gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation based on cost of investments (including short positions and derivatives, if any) for U.S. federal income tax purposes were as follows:
| | Gross Unrealized
Appreciation | Gross Unrealized
Depreciation | Net Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation) |
| | | | |
Global Consumer Discretionary | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
The iShares Global Comm Services ETF, iShares Global Consumer Discretionary ETF, iShares Global Consumer Staples ETF, iShares Global Energy ETF, iShares Global Financials ETF, iShares Global Industrials ETF, iShares Global Materials ETF, iShares Global Tech ETF and iShares Global Utilities ETF, along with certain other iShares funds (“Participating Funds”), are parties to a $800 million credit agreement (“Syndicated Credit Agreement”) with a group of lenders, which expires on October 16, 2024. The line of credit may be used for temporary or emergency purposes, including redemptions, settlement of trades and rebalancing of portfolio holdings in certain target markets. The Funds may borrow up to the aggregate commitment amount subject to asset coverage and other limitations as specified in the Syndicated Credit Agreement. The Syndicated Credit Agreement has the following terms: a commitment fee of 0.15% per annum on the unused portion of the credit agreement and interest at a rate equal to the higher of (a) Daily Simple Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) plus 0.10% and 1.00% per annum or (b) the U.S. Federal Funds rate plus 1.00% per annum on amounts borrowed. The commitment fee is generally allocated to each Participating Fund based on the lesser of a Participating Fund’s relative exposure to certain target markets or a Participating Fund’s maximum borrowing amount as set forth by the terms of the Syndicated Credit Agreement.
During the six months ended September 30, 2024, the Funds did not borrow under the Syndicated Credit Agreement.
In the normal course of business, each Fund invests in securities or other instruments and may enter into certain transactions, and such activities subject the Fund to various risks, including, among others, fluctuations in the market (market risk) or failure of an issuer to meet all of its obligations. The value of securities or other instruments may also be affected by various factors, including, without limitation: (i) the general economy; (ii) the overall market as well as local, regional or global political and/or social instability; (iii) regulation, taxation or international tax treaties between various countries; or (iv) currency, interest rate or price fluctuations. Local, regional or global events such as war, acts of terrorism, the spread of infectious illness or other public health issues, recessions, or other events could have a significant impact on the Funds and their investments. Each Fund’s prospectus provides details of the risks to which the Fund is subject.
BFA uses an indexing approach to try to achieve each Fund’s investment objective. The Fund is not actively managed, and BFA generally does not attempt to take defensive positions under any market conditions, including declining markets.
The Funds may be exposed to additional risks when reinvesting cash collateral in money market funds that do not seek to maintain a stable NAV per share of $1.00, which may be subject to discretionary liquidity fees under certain circumstances.
Valuation Risk: The market values of equities, such as common stocks and preferred securities or equity related investments, such as futures and options, may decline due to general market conditions which are not specifically related to a particular company. They may also decline due to factors which affect a particular industry or industries. A fund may invest in illiquid investments. An illiquid investment is any investment that a fund reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment. A fund may experience difficulty in selling illiquid investments in a timely manner at the price that it believes the investments are worth. Prices may fluctuate widely over short or extended periods in response to company, market or economic news. Markets also tend to move in cycles, with periods of rising and falling prices. This volatility may cause a fund’s NAV to experience significant increases or decreases over short periods of time. If there is a general decline in the securities and other markets, the NAV of a fund may lose value, regardless of the individual results of the securities and other instruments in which a fund invests. Each Fund’s ability to value its investments may also be impacted by technological issues and/or errors by pricing services or other third-party service providers.
The price each Fund could receive upon the sale of any particular portfolio investment may differ from each Fund’s valuation of the investment, particularly for securities that trade in thin or volatile markets or that are valued using a fair valuation technique or a price provided by an independent pricing service. Changes to significant unobservable inputs and assumptions (i.e., publicly traded company multiples, growth rate, time to exit) due to the lack of observable inputs may significantly impact the
672024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
resulting fair value and therefore each Fund’s results of operations. As a result, the price received upon the sale of an investment may be less than the value ascribed by each Fund, and each Fund could realize a greater than expected loss or lesser than expected gain upon the sale of the investment.
Counterparty Credit Risk: The Funds may be exposed to counterparty credit risk, or the risk that an entity may fail to or be unable to perform on its commitments related to unsettled or open transactions, including making timely interest and/or principal payments or otherwise honoring its obligations. The Funds manage counterparty credit risk by entering into transactions only with counterparties that BFA believes have the financial resources to honor their obligations and by monitoring the financial stability of those counterparties. Financial assets, which potentially expose the Funds to market, issuer and counterparty credit risks, consist principally of financial instruments and receivables due from counterparties. The extent of the Funds’ exposure to market, issuer and counterparty credit risks with respect to these financial assets is approximately their value recorded in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities, less any collateral held by the Funds.
A derivative contract may suffer a mark-to-market loss if the value of the contract decreases due to an unfavorable change in the market rates or values of the underlying instrument. Losses can also occur if the counterparty does not perform under the contract.
With exchange-traded futures, there is less counterparty credit risk to the Funds since the exchange or clearinghouse, as counterparty to such instruments, guarantees against a possible default. The clearinghouse stands between the buyer and the seller of the contract; therefore, credit risk is limited to failure of the clearinghouse. While offset rights may exist under applicable law, the Fund does not have a contractual right of offset against a clearing broker or clearinghouse in the event of a default (including the bankruptcy or insolvency). Additionally, credit risk exists in exchange-traded futures with respect to initial and variation margin that is held in a clearing broker’s customer accounts. While clearing brokers are required to segregate customer margin from their own assets, in the event that a clearing broker becomes insolvent or goes into bankruptcy and at that time there is a shortfall in the aggregate amount of margin held by the clearing broker for all its clients, typically the shortfall would be allocated on a pro rata basis across all the clearing broker’s customers, potentially resulting in losses to the Funds.
Geographic/Asset Class Risk: A diversified portfolio, where this is appropriate and consistent with a fund’s objectives, minimizes the risk that a price change of a particular investment will have a material impact on the NAV of a fund. The investment concentrations within each Fund’s portfolio are disclosed in its Schedule of Investments.
The Funds invest a significant portion of their assets in securities of issuers located in the United States. A decrease in imports or exports, changes in trade regulations, inflation and/or an economic recession in the United States may have a material adverse effect on the U.S. economy and the securities listed on U.S. exchanges. Proposed and adopted policy and legislative changes in the United States may also have a significant effect on U.S. markets generally, as well as on the value of certain securities. Governmental agencies project that the United States will continue to maintain elevated public debt levels for the foreseeable future which may constrain future economic growth. Circumstances could arise that could prevent the timely payment of interest or principal on U.S. government debt, such as reaching the legislative “debt ceiling.” Such non-payment would result in substantial negative consequences for the U.S. economy and the global financial system. If U.S. relations with certain countries deteriorate, it could adversely affect issuers that rely on the United States for trade. The United States has also experienced increased internal unrest and discord. If these trends were to continue, they may have an adverse impact on the U.S. economy and the issuers in which the the Funds invest.
Certain Funds invest a significant portion of their assets in securities of issuers located in Europe or with significant exposure to European issuers or countries. The European financial markets have recently experienced volatility and adverse trends due to concerns about economic downturns in, or rising government debt levels of, several European countries as well as acts of war in the region. These events may spread to other countries in Europe and may affect the value and liquidity of certain of the Funds’ investments.
Responses to the financial problems by European governments, central banks and others, including austerity measures and reforms, may not work, may result in social unrest and may limit future growth and economic recovery or have other unintended consequences. Further defaults or restructurings by governments and others of their debt could have additional adverse effects on economies, financial markets and asset valuations around the world. The United Kingdom has withdrawn from the European Union, and one or more other countries may withdraw from the European Union and/or abandon the Euro, the common currency of the European Union. These events and actions have adversely affected, and may in the future adversely affect, the value and exchange rate of the Euro and may continue to significantly affect the economies of every country in Europe, including countries that do not use the Euro and non-European Union member states. The impact of these actions, especially if they occur in a disorderly fashion, is not clear but could be significant and far reaching. In addition, Russia launched a large-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. The extent and duration of the military action, resulting sanctions and resulting future market disruptions in the region are impossible to predict, but have been, and may continue to be, significant and have a severe adverse effect on the region, including significant negative impacts on the economy and the markets for certain securities and commodities, such as oil and natural gas, as well as other sectors.
Certain Funds invest a significant portion of their assets in securities within a single or limited number of market sectors. When a fund concentrates its investments in this manner, it assumes the risk that economic, regulatory, political and social conditions affecting such sectors may have a significant impact on the Fund and could affect the income from, or the value or liquidity of, the Fund’s portfolio.
Significant Shareholder Redemption Risk: Certain shareholders may own or manage a substantial amount of fund shares and/or hold their fund investments for a limited period of time. Large redemptions of fund shares by these shareholders may force a fund to sell portfolio securities, which may negatively impact the fund’s NAV, increase the fund’s brokerage costs, and/or accelerate the realization of taxable income/gains and cause the fund to make additional taxable distributions to shareholders.
11. CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS
Capital shares are issued and redeemed by each Fund only in aggregations of a specified number of shares or multiples thereof (“Creation Units”) at NAV. Except when aggregated in Creation Units, shares of each Fund are not redeemable.
Notes to Financial Statements68
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
Transactions in capital shares were as follows:
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The consideration for the purchase of Creation Units of a fund in the Trust generally consists of the in-kind deposit of a designated portfolio of securities and a specified amount of cash. Certain funds in the Trust may be offered in Creation Units solely or partially for cash in U.S. dollars. Authorized Participants purchasing and redeeming Creation Units may pay a purchase transaction fee and a redemption transaction fee directly to State Street Bank and Trust Company, the Trust’s administrator, to offset transfer and other transaction costs associated with the issuance and redemption of Creation Units, including Creation Units for cash. Authorized Participants transacting in Creation Units for cash may also pay an additional variable charge to compensate the relevant fund for certain transaction costs (i.e., stamp taxes, taxes on currency or other financial transactions, and brokerage costs) and market impact expenses relating to investing in portfolio securities. Such variable charges, if any, are included in shares sold in the table above.
To the extent applicable, to facilitate the timely settlement of orders for the Funds using a clearing facility outside of the continuous net settlement process, the Funds, at their sole discretion, may permit an Authorized Participant to post cash as collateral in anticipation of the delivery of all or a portion of the applicable Deposit Securities or Fund Securities, as further described in the applicable Authorized Participant Agreement. The collateral process is subject to a Control Agreement among the Authorized
692024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
Participant, each Funds’ custodian, and the Funds. In the event that the Authorized Participant fails to deliver all or a portion of the applicable Deposit Securities or Fund Securities, the Funds may exercise control over such collateral pursuant to the terms of the Control Agreement in order to purchase the applicable Deposit Securities or Fund Securities.
From time to time, settlement of securities related to in-kind contributions or in-kind redemptions may be delayed. In such cases, securities related to in-kind transactions are reflected as a receivable or a payable in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.
12. FOREIGN WITHHOLDING TAX CLAIMS
Certain of the outstanding foreign tax reclaims are not deemed by the Funds to meet the recognition criteria under U.S. GAAP as of September 30, 2024 and have not been recorded in the applicable Fund’s net asset value. The recognition by the Funds of these amounts would have a positive impact on the applicable Fund's performance. If a Fund receives a tax refund that has not been previously recorded, investors in the Fund at the time the claim is successful will benefit from any resulting increase in the Fund’s NAV. Investors who sold their shares prior to such time will not benefit from such NAV increase.
The iShares Global Comm Services ETF, iShares Global Energy ETF, iShares Global Financials ETF, iShares Global Industrials ETF and iShares Global Utilities ETF are seeking a closing agreement with the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) to address any prior years’ U.S. income tax liabilities attributable to Fund shareholders resulting from the recovery of foreign taxes.The closing agreement would result in the Funds paying a compliance fee to the IRS, on behalf of its shareholders, representing the estimated tax savings generated from foreign tax credits claimed by Fund shareholders on their tax returns in prior years. The Funds have accrued a liability for the estimated IRS compliance fee related to foreign withholding tax claims, which is disclosed in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. The actual IRS compliance fee may differ from the estimate and that difference may be material.
Management’s evaluation of the impact of all subsequent events on the Funds’ financial statements was completed through the date the financial statements were available to be issued and the following item was noted:
Effective October 16, 2024, the Syndicated Credit Agreement to which the Participating Funds are party was amended to extend the maturity date to October 15, 2025 under the same terms.
Notes to Financial Statements70
Electronic Delivery
Shareholders can sign up for e-mail notifications announcing that the shareholder report or prospectus has been posted on the iShares website at iShares.com. Once you have enrolled, you will no longer receive prospectuses and shareholder reports in the mail.
To enroll in electronic delivery:
• Go to icsdelivery.com.
• If your brokerage firm is not listed, electronic delivery may not be available. Please contact your broker-dealer or financial advisor.
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants
Remuneration Paid to Trustees, Officers, and Others
Because BFA has agreed in the Investment Advisory Agreements to cover all operating expenses of the Funds, subject to certain exclusions as provided for therein, BFA pays the compensation to each Independent Trustee for services to the Funds from BFA's investment advisory fees.
Availability of Portfolio Holdings Information
A description of the Company’s policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of the Fund’s portfolio securities is available in the Fund Prospectus. The Fund discloses its portfolio holdings daily and provides information regarding its top holdings in Fund fact sheets, when available, at iShares.com.
712024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract
iShares Global Comm Services ETF, iShares Global Consumer Discretionary ETF, iShares Global Consumer Staples ETF, iShares Global Energy ETF, iShares Global Financials ETF, iShares Global Healthcare ETF, iShares Global Industrials ETF, iShares Global Materials ETF, iShares Global Tech ETF (each the “Fund”)
Under Section 15(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), the Trust's Board of Trustees (the “Board”), including a majority of Board Members who are not “interested persons” of the Trust (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act) (the “Independent Board Members”), is required annually to consider the approval of the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and BFA (the “Advisory Agreement”) on behalf of the Fund. The Board’s consideration entails a year-long process whereby the Board and its committees (composed solely of Independent Board Members) assess BlackRock’s services to the Fund, including investment management; fund accounting; administrative and shareholder services; oversight of the Fund’s service providers; risk management and oversight; and legal and compliance services; including the ability to meet applicable legal and regulatory requirements. The Independent Board Members requested, and BFA provided, such information as the Independent Board Members, with advice from independent counsel, deemed reasonably necessary to evaluate the Advisory Agreement. At meetings held on May 6, 2024 and May 17, 2024, a committee composed of all of the Independent Board Members (the “15(c) Committee”), with independent counsel, met with management and reviewed and discussed information provided in response to initial requests of the 15(c) Committee and/or its independent counsel. Prior to and in preparation for the meeting, the Board received and reviewed materials specifically relating to matters relevant to the renewal of the Advisory Agreement. Following discussion, the 15(c) Committee subsequently requested certain additional information, which management agreed to provide. At a meeting held on June 4-5, 2024, the Board, including the Independent Board Members, reviewed the additional information provided by management in response to these requests.
After extensive discussions and deliberations, the Board, including all of the Independent Board Members, approved the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the Fund, based on a review of qualitative and quantitative information provided by BFA and their cumulative experience as Board Members. The Board noted its satisfaction with the extent and quality of information provided and its frequent interactions with management, as well as the detailed responses and other information provided by BFA. The Independent Board Members were advised by their independent counsel throughout the process, including about the legal standards applicable to their review. In approving the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the Fund, the Board, including the Independent Board Members, considered various factors, including: (i) the expenses and performance of the Fund; (ii) the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by BFA; (iii) the costs of services provided to the Fund and profits realized by BFA and its affiliates; (iv) potential economies of scale and the sharing of related benefits; (v) the fees and services provided for other comparable funds/accounts managed by BFA and its affiliates; and (vi) other benefits to BFA and/or its affiliates. The Board Members did not identify any particular information or any single factor as determinative, and each Board Member may have attributed different weights to the various matters and factors considered. The material factors, considerations and conclusions that formed the basis for the Board, including the Independent Board Members, to approve the continuance of the Advisory Agreement are discussed below.
Expenses and Performance of the Fund: The Board reviewed statistical information prepared by Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (“Broadridge”), an independent provider of investment company data, regarding the expense ratio components, including gross and net total expenses, fees and expenses of other fund(s) in which the Fund invests (if applicable), and waivers/reimbursements (if applicable) of the Fund in comparison with the same information for other ETFs, objectively selected by Broadridge as comprising the Fund’s applicable expense peer group pursuant to Broadridge’s proprietary ETF methodology (the “Peer Group”). The Board was provided with a detailed description of the proprietary ETF methodology used by Broadridge to determine the Fund’s Peer Group. The Board noted that, due to the limitations in providing comparable funds in the Peer Group, the statistical information provided in Broadridge’s report may or may not provide meaningful direct comparisons to the Fund in all instances. The Board also noted that the investment advisory fee rate and overall expenses (net of any waivers and reimbursements) for the Fund were lower than the median of the investment advisory fee rates and overall expenses (net of any waivers and reimbursements) of the funds in its Peer Group, excluding iShares funds.
In addition, to the extent that any of the comparison funds included in the Peer Group, excluding iShares funds, track the same index as the Fund, Broadridge also provided, and the Board reviewed, a comparison of the Fund’s performance for the one-year, three-year, five-year, ten-year, and since inception periods, as applicable, and for the quarter ended December 31, 2023, to that of such relevant comparison fund(s) for the same periods. The Board noted that the Fund seeks to track its specified underlying index and that, during the year, the Board received periodic reports on the Fund’s short- and longer-term performance in comparison with its underlying index. Such periodic comparative performance information, including additional detailed information as requested by the Board, was also considered. The Board noted that the Fund generally performed in line with its underlying index over the relevant periods.
Based on this review, the other relevant factors and information considered at the meeting, and their general knowledge of ETF pricing, the Board concluded that the investment advisory fee rate and expense level and the historical performance of the Fund supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.
Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided: Based on management’s representations, including information about ongoing enhancements and initiatives with respect to the iShares product line and BFA’s business, including with respect to capital markets support and analysis, technology, portfolio management, product design and quality, compliance and risk management, global public policy and other services, the Board expected that there would be no diminution in the scope of services required of or provided by BFA under the Advisory Agreement for the coming year as compared with the scope of services provided by BFA during prior years. In reviewing the scope of these services, the Board considered BFA’s investment philosophy and experience, noting that BFA and its affiliates have committed significant resources over time, including during the past year, to support the iShares funds and their shareholders and have made significant investments into the iShares business. The Board also considered BFA’s compliance program and its compliance record with respect to the Fund, including related programs implemented pursuant to regulatory requirements. In that regard, the Board noted that BFA reports to the Board about portfolio management and compliance matters on a periodic basis in connection with regularly scheduled meetings of the Board, and on other occasions as necessary and appropriate, and has provided information and made relevant officers and other employees of BFA (and its affiliates) available as needed to provide further assistance with these matters. The Board also reviewed the background and experience of the persons responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund, as well as the resources available to them in managing the Fund. In addition to the above considerations, the Board reviewed and considered detailed presentations regarding BFA’s investment performance, investment and risk management processes and strategies provided at the May 6, 2024
Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract72
Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract (continued)
meeting and throughout the year, and matters related to BFA’s portfolio compliance program and other compliance programs and services, as well as BlackRock’s continued investments in its ETF business.
Based on review of this information, and the performance information discussed above, the Board concluded that the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund under the Advisory Agreement supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.
Costs of Services Provided to the Fund and Profits Realized by BFA and its Affiliates: The Board reviewed information about the estimated profitability to BlackRock in managing the Fund, based on the fees payable to BFA and its affiliates (including fees under the Advisory Agreement), and other sources of revenue and expense to BFA and its affiliates from the Fund’s operations for the last calendar year. The Board reviewed BlackRock’s methodology for calculating estimated profitability of the iShares funds, noting that the 15(c) Committee and the Board had focused on the methodology and profitability presentation. The Board recognized that profitability may be affected by numerous factors, including, among other things, fee waivers by BFA, the types of funds managed, expense allocations and business mix. The Board thus recognized that calculating and comparing profitability at individual fund levels is challenging. The Board discussed with management the sources of direct and ancillary revenue, including the revenues to BTC, a BlackRock affiliate, from securities lending by the Fund. The Board also discussed BFA’s estimated profit margin as reflected in the Fund’s profitability analysis and reviewed information regarding potential economies of scale (as discussed below).
Based on this review, the Board concluded that the information considered with respect to the profits realized by BFA and its affiliates under the Advisory Agreement and from other relationships between the Fund and BFA and/or its affiliates, if any, and related costs of the services provided as well as the other factors considered at the meeting, supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.
Economies of Scale: The Board reviewed information and considered the extent to which economies of scale might be realized as the assets of the Fund increase, noting that the issue of potential economies of scale had been focused on by the 15(c) Committee and the Board during their meetings and addressed by management. The 15(c) Committee and the Board received information regarding BlackRock’s historical estimated profitability (as discussed above), including BFA’s and its affiliates’ estimated costs in providing services. The estimated cost information distinguished, among other things, between fixed and variable costs, and showed how the level and nature of fixed and variable costs may impact the existence or size of scale benefits, with the Board recognizing that potential economies of scale are difficult to measure. The 15(c) Committee and the Board reviewed information provided by BFA regarding the sharing of scale benefits with the iShares funds through various means, including, as applicable, through breakpoints, waivers, or other fee reductions, as well as through additional investment in the iShares business, including enhancements to or the provision of additional infrastructure and services to the iShares funds and their shareholders and, with respect to New Funds, set management fees at levels that anticipate scale over time. The Board noted that the Advisory Agreement for the Fund already provided for breakpoints in the Fund’s investment advisory fee rate as the assets of the Fund, on an aggregated basis with the assets of certain other iShares funds, increase. The Board noted that it would continue to assess the appropriateness of adding new or revised breakpoints in the future.
The Board concluded that this review of potential economies of scale and the sharing of related benefits, as well as the other factors considered at the meeting, supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.
Fees and Services Provided for Other Comparable Funds/Accounts Managed by BFA and its Affiliates: The Board received and considered information regarding the investment advisory/management fee rates for other funds/accounts in the U.S. for which BFA (or its affiliates) provides investment advisory/management services, including open-end funds registered under the 1940 Act (including sub-advised funds), collective trust funds and institutional separate accounts (collectively, the “Other Accounts”).
The Board received detailed information regarding how the Other Accounts generally differ from the Fund, including in terms of the types of services and generally more extensive character and scope of services provided to the Fund, as well as other significant differences. In that regard, the Board considered that the pricing of services to institutional clients is typically based on a number of factors beyond the nature and extent of the specific services to be provided and often depends on the overall relationship between the client and its affiliates and the adviser and its affiliates. In addition, the Board considered the relative complexity and inherent risks and challenges of managing and providing other services to the Fund, as a publicly traded investment vehicle, as compared to the Other Accounts, particularly those that are institutional clients, in light of differing regulatory requirements and client-imposed mandates. The Board acknowledged BFA’s representation that the iShares funds are fundamentally different investment vehicles from the Other Accounts in its consideration of relevant qualitative and quantitative comparative information provided. The Board noted that BFA and its affiliates do not manage Other Accounts with substantially the same investment objective and strategy as the Fund and that track the same index as the Fund. The Board also acknowledged management’s assertion that, for certain iShares funds, and for client segmentation purposes, BlackRock has launched an iShares fund that may provide a similar investment exposure at a lower investment advisory fee rate.
The Board considered the “all-inclusive” nature of the Fund’s advisory fee structure, and the Fund’s expenses borne by BFA under this arrangement and noted that the investment advisory fee rate under the Advisory Agreement for the Fund was generally higher than the investment advisory/management fee rates for certain of the Other Accounts (particularly institutional clients) and concluded that the differences appeared to be consistent with the factors discussed.
Other Benefits to BFA and/or its Affiliates: The Board reviewed other benefits or ancillary revenue received by BFA and/or its affiliates in connection with the services provided to the Fund by BFA, both direct and indirect, including, but not limited to, payment of revenue to BTC, the Fund’s securities lending agent, for loaning portfolio securities, as applicable (which was included in the profit margins reviewed by the Board pursuant to BFA’s estimated profitability methodology), payment of advisory fees or other fees to BFA (or its affiliates) in connection with any investments by the Fund in other funds (including cash sweep vehicles) for which BFA (or its affiliates) provides investment advisory services or other services, and BlackRock’s profile in the investment community. The Board further considered other direct benefits that might accrue to BFA, including actual and potential reductions in the Fund’s expenses that are borne by BFA under the “all-inclusive” management fee arrangement, due in part to the size and scope of BFA’s investment operations servicing the Fund (and other funds in the iShares complex) as well as in response to a changing market environment. The Board also reviewed and considered information provided by BFA concerning authorized participant primary market order processing services that are provided by
732024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract (continued)
BlackRock Investments, LLC (“BRIL”), an affiliate of BFA, and paid for by authorized participants under the ETF Servicing Platform. The Board also noted the revenue received by BFA and/or its affiliates pursuant to an agreement that permits a service provider to use certain portions of BlackRock’s technology platform to service accounts managed by BFA and/or its affiliates, including the iShares funds. The Board noted that BFA generally does not use soft dollars or consider the value of research or other services that may be provided to BFA (including its affiliates) in selecting brokers for portfolio transactions for the Fund. The Board concluded that any such ancillary benefits would not be disadvantageous to the Fund and thus would not alter the Board’s conclusion with respect to the appropriateness of approving the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.
Conclusion: Based on a review of the factors described above, as well as such other factors as deemed appropriate by the Board, the Board, including all of the Independent Board Members, determined that the Fund’s investment advisory fee rate under the Advisory Agreement does not constitute a fee that is so disproportionately large as to bear no reasonable relationship to the services rendered and that could not have been the product of arm’s-length bargaining, and concluded to approve the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.
iShares Global Utilities ETF (the “Fund”)
Under Section 15(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), the Trust's Board of Trustees (the “Board”), including a majority of Board Members who are not “interested persons” of the Trust (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act) (the “Independent Board Members”), is required annually to consider the approval of the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and BFA (the “Advisory Agreement”) on behalf of the Fund. The Board’s consideration entails a year-long process whereby the Board and its committees (composed solely of Independent Board Members) assess BlackRock’s services to the Fund, including investment management; fund accounting; administrative and shareholder services; oversight of the Fund’s service providers; risk management and oversight; and legal and compliance services; including the ability to meet applicable legal and regulatory requirements. The Independent Board Members requested, and BFA provided, such information as the Independent Board Members, with advice from independent counsel, deemed reasonably necessary to evaluate the Advisory Agreement. At meetings held on May 6, 2024 and May 17, 2024, a committee composed of all of the Independent Board Members (the “15(c) Committee”), with independent counsel, met with management and reviewed and discussed information provided in response to initial requests of the 15(c) Committee and/or its independent counsel. Prior to and in preparation for the meeting, the Board received and reviewed materials specifically relating to matters relevant to the renewal of the Advisory Agreement. Following discussion, the 15(c) Committee subsequently requested certain additional information, which management agreed to provide. At a meeting held on June 4-5, 2024, the Board, including the Independent Board Members, reviewed the additional information provided by management in response to these requests.
After extensive discussions and deliberations, the Board, including all of the Independent Board Members, approved the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the Fund, based on a review of qualitative and quantitative information provided by BFA and their cumulative experience as Board Members. The Board noted its satisfaction with the extent and quality of information provided and its frequent interactions with management, as well as the detailed responses and other information provided by BFA. The Independent Board Members were advised by their independent counsel throughout the process, including about the legal standards applicable to their review. In approving the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the Fund, the Board, including the Independent Board Members, considered various factors, including: (i) the expenses and performance of the Fund; (ii) the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by BFA; (iii) the costs of services provided to the Fund and profits realized by BFA and its affiliates; (iv) potential economies of scale and the sharing of related benefits; (v) the fees and services provided for other comparable funds/accounts managed by BFA and its affiliates; and (vi) other benefits to BFA and/or its affiliates. The Board Members did not identify any particular information or any single factor as determinative, and each Board Member may have attributed different weights to the various matters and factors considered. The material factors, considerations and conclusions that formed the basis for the Board, including the Independent Board Members, to approve the continuance of the Advisory Agreement are discussed below.
Expenses and Performance of the Fund: The Board reviewed statistical information prepared by Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (“Broadridge”), an independent provider of investment company data, regarding the expense ratio components, including gross and net total expenses, fees and expenses of other fund(s) in which the Fund invests (if applicable), and waivers/reimbursements (if applicable) of the Fund in comparison with the same information for other ETFs, objectively selected by Broadridge as comprising the Fund’s applicable expense peer group pursuant to Broadridge’s proprietary ETF methodology (the “Peer Group”). The Board was provided with a detailed description of the proprietary ETF methodology used by Broadridge to determine the Fund’s Peer Group. The Board noted that, due to the limitations in providing comparable funds in the Peer Group, the statistical information provided in Broadridge’s report may or may not provide meaningful direct comparisons to the Fund in all instances. The Board also noted that the investment advisory fee rate and overall expenses (net of any waivers and reimbursements) for the Fund were within range of the median of the investment advisory fee rates and overall expenses (net of any waivers and reimbursements) of the funds in its Peer Group, excluding iShares funds.
In addition, to the extent that any of the comparison funds included in the Peer Group, excluding iShares funds, track the same index as the Fund, Broadridge also provided, and the Board reviewed, a comparison of the Fund’s performance for the one-year, three-year, five-year, ten-year, and since inception periods, as applicable, and for the quarter ended December 31, 2023, to that of such relevant comparison fund(s) for the same periods. The Board noted that the Fund seeks to track its specified underlying index and that, during the year, the Board received periodic reports on the Fund’s short- and longer-term performance in comparison with its underlying index. Such periodic comparative performance information, including additional detailed information as requested by the Board, was also considered. The Board noted that the Fund generally performed in line with its underlying index over the relevant periods.
Based on this review, the other relevant factors and information considered at the meeting, and their general knowledge of ETF pricing, the Board concluded that the investment advisory fee rate and expense level and the historical performance of the Fund supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.
Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided: Based on management’s representations, including information about ongoing enhancements and initiatives with respect to the iShares product line and BFA’s business, including with respect to capital markets support and analysis, technology, portfolio management, product design and quality, compliance and risk management, global public policy and other services, the Board expected that there would be no diminution in the scope of services required of or provided by BFA under the Advisory Agreement for the coming year as compared with the scope of services provided by BFA during prior years. In reviewing
Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract74
Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract (continued)
the scope of these services, the Board considered BFA’s investment philosophy and experience, noting that BFA and its affiliates have committed significant resources over time, including during the past year, to support the iShares funds and their shareholders and have made significant investments into the iShares business. The Board also considered BFA’s compliance program and its compliance record with respect to the Fund, including related programs implemented pursuant to regulatory requirements. In that regard, the Board noted that BFA reports to the Board about portfolio management and compliance matters on a periodic basis in connection with regularly scheduled meetings of the Board, and on other occasions as necessary and appropriate, and has provided information and made relevant officers and other employees of BFA (and its affiliates) available as needed to provide further assistance with these matters. The Board also reviewed the background and experience of the persons responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund, as well as the resources available to them in managing the Fund. In addition to the above considerations, the Board reviewed and considered detailed presentations regarding BFA’s investment performance, investment and risk management processes and strategies provided at the May 6, 2024 meeting and throughout the year, and matters related to BFA’s portfolio compliance program and other compliance programs and services, as well as BlackRock’s continued investments in its ETF business.
Based on review of this information, and the performance information discussed above, the Board concluded that the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund under the Advisory Agreement supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.
Costs of Services Provided to the Fund and Profits Realized by BFA and its Affiliates: The Board reviewed information about the estimated profitability to BlackRock in managing the Fund, based on the fees payable to BFA and its affiliates (including fees under the Advisory Agreement), and other sources of revenue and expense to BFA and its affiliates from the Fund’s operations for the last calendar year. The Board reviewed BlackRock’s methodology for calculating estimated profitability of the iShares funds, noting that the 15(c) Committee and the Board had focused on the methodology and profitability presentation. The Board recognized that profitability may be affected by numerous factors, including, among other things, fee waivers by BFA, the types of funds managed, expense allocations and business mix. The Board thus recognized that calculating and comparing profitability at individual fund levels is challenging. The Board discussed with management the sources of direct and ancillary revenue, including the revenues to BTC, a BlackRock affiliate, from securities lending by the Fund. The Board also discussed BFA’s estimated profit margin as reflected in the Fund’s profitability analysis and reviewed information regarding potential economies of scale (as discussed below).
Based on this review, the Board concluded that the information considered with respect to the profits realized by BFA and its affiliates under the Advisory Agreement and from other relationships between the Fund and BFA and/or its affiliates, if any, and related costs of the services provided as well as the other factors considered at the meeting, supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.
Economies of Scale: The Board reviewed information and considered the extent to which economies of scale might be realized as the assets of the Fund increase, noting that the issue of potential economies of scale had been focused on by the 15(c) Committee and the Board during their meetings and addressed by management. The 15(c) Committee and the Board received information regarding BlackRock’s historical estimated profitability (as discussed above), including BFA’s and its affiliates’ estimated costs in providing services. The estimated cost information distinguished, among other things, between fixed and variable costs, and showed how the level and nature of fixed and variable costs may impact the existence or size of scale benefits, with the Board recognizing that potential economies of scale are difficult to measure. The 15(c) Committee and the Board reviewed information provided by BFA regarding the sharing of scale benefits with the iShares funds through various means, including, as applicable, through breakpoints, waivers, or other fee reductions, as well as through additional investment in the iShares business, including enhancements to or the provision of additional infrastructure and services to the iShares funds and their shareholders and, with respect to New Funds, set management fees at levels that anticipate scale over time. The Board noted that the Advisory Agreement for the Fund already provided for breakpoints in the Fund’s investment advisory fee rate as the assets of the Fund, on an aggregated basis with the assets of certain other iShares funds, increase. The Board noted that it would continue to assess the appropriateness of adding new or revised breakpoints in the future.
The Board concluded that this review of potential economies of scale and the sharing of related benefits, as well as the other factors considered at the meeting, supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.
Fees and Services Provided for Other Comparable Funds/Accounts Managed by BFA and its Affiliates: The Board received and considered information regarding the investment advisory/management fee rates for other funds/accounts in the U.S. for which BFA (or its affiliates) provides investment advisory/management services, including open-end funds registered under the 1940 Act (including sub-advised funds), collective trust funds and institutional separate accounts (collectively, the “Other Accounts”).
The Board received detailed information regarding how the Other Accounts generally differ from the Fund, including in terms of the types of services and generally more extensive character and scope of services provided to the Fund, as well as other significant differences. In that regard, the Board considered that the pricing of services to institutional clients is typically based on a number of factors beyond the nature and extent of the specific services to be provided and often depends on the overall relationship between the client and its affiliates and the adviser and its affiliates. In addition, the Board considered the relative complexity and inherent risks and challenges of managing and providing other services to the Fund, as a publicly traded investment vehicle, as compared to the Other Accounts, particularly those that are institutional clients, in light of differing regulatory requirements and client-imposed mandates. The Board acknowledged BFA’s representation that the iShares funds are fundamentally different investment vehicles from the Other Accounts in its consideration of relevant qualitative and quantitative comparative information provided. The Board noted that BFA and its affiliates do not manage Other Accounts with substantially the same investment objective and strategy as the Fund and that track the same index as the Fund. The Board also acknowledged management’s assertion that, for certain iShares funds, and for client segmentation purposes, BlackRock has launched an iShares fund that may provide a similar investment exposure at a lower investment advisory fee rate.
The Board considered the “all-inclusive” nature of the Fund’s advisory fee structure, and the Fund’s expenses borne by BFA under this arrangement and noted that the investment advisory fee rate under the Advisory Agreement for the Fund was generally higher than the investment advisory/management fee rates for certain of the Other Accounts (particularly institutional clients) and concluded that the differences appeared to be consistent with the factors discussed.
752024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract (continued)
Other Benefits to BFA and/or its Affiliates: The Board reviewed other benefits or ancillary revenue received by BFA and/or its affiliates in connection with the services provided to the Fund by BFA, both direct and indirect, including, but not limited to, payment of revenue to BTC, the Fund’s securities lending agent, for loaning portfolio securities, as applicable (which was included in the profit margins reviewed by the Board pursuant to BFA’s estimated profitability methodology), payment of advisory fees or other fees to BFA (or its affiliates) in connection with any investments by the Fund in other funds (including cash sweep vehicles) for which BFA (or its affiliates) provides investment advisory services or other services, and BlackRock’s profile in the investment community. The Board further considered other direct benefits that might accrue to BFA, including actual and potential reductions in the Fund’s expenses that are borne by BFA under the “all-inclusive” management fee arrangement, due in part to the size and scope of BFA’s investment operations servicing the Fund (and other funds in the iShares complex) as well as in response to a changing market environment. The Board also reviewed and considered information provided by BFA concerning authorized participant primary market order processing services that are provided by BlackRock Investments, LLC (“BRIL”), an affiliate of BFA, and paid for by authorized participants under the ETF Servicing Platform. The Board also noted the revenue received by BFA and/or its affiliates pursuant to an agreement that permits a service provider to use certain portions of BlackRock’s technology platform to service accounts managed by BFA and/or its affiliates, including the iShares funds. The Board noted that BFA generally does not use soft dollars or consider the value of research or other services that may be provided to BFA (including its affiliates) in selecting brokers for portfolio transactions for the Fund. The Board concluded that any such ancillary benefits would not be disadvantageous to the Fund and thus would not alter the Board’s conclusion with respect to the appropriateness of approving the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.
Conclusion: Based on a review of the factors described above, as well as such other factors as deemed appropriate by the Board, the Board, including all of the Independent Board Members, determined that the Fund’s investment advisory fee rate under the Advisory Agreement does not constitute a fee that is so disproportionately large as to bear no reasonable relationship to the services rendered and that could not have been the product of arm’s-length bargaining, and concluded to approve the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.
Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract76
Glossary of Terms Used in this Report
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| American Depositary Receipt |
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772024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
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This report is intended for the Funds’ shareholders. It may not be distributed to prospective investors unless it is preceded or accompanied by the current prospectus.
Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal.
The iShares Funds are distributed by BlackRock Investments, LLC (together with its affiliates, “BlackRock”).
The iShares Funds are not sponsored, endorsed, issued, sold or promoted by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, nor does this company make any representation regarding the advisability of investing in the iShares Funds. BlackRock is not affiliated with the company listed above.
©2024 BlackRock, Inc. All rights reserved. iSHARES and BLACKROCK are registered trademarks of BlackRock, Inc. or its subsidiaries. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.
2024 Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information (Unaudited) |
|
• iShares Asia 50 ETF | AIA | NASDAQ |
• iShares Blockchain and Tech ETF | IBLC | NYSE Arca |
• iShares Emerging Markets Infrastructure ETF | EMIF | NASDAQ |
• iShares Europe ETF | IEV | NYSE Arca |
• iShares Future AI & Tech ETF | ARTY | NYSE Arca |
• iShares Future Metaverse Tech and Communications ETF | IVRS | NYSE Arca |
• iShares India 50 ETF | INDY | NASDAQ |
• iShares International Developed Small Cap Value Factor ETF | ISVL | Cboe BZX |
• iShares International Dividend Growth ETF | IGRO | Cboe BZX |
• iShares Latin America 40 ETF | ILF | NYSE Arca |
|
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)September 30, 2024
iShares® Asia 50 ETF(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)
| | |
|
|
Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., Class A | | |
ANTA Sports Products Ltd. | | |
| | |
Bank of China Ltd., Class H | | |
| | |
China Construction Bank Corp., Class H | | |
China Merchants Bank Co. Ltd., Class H | | |
China Petroleum & Chemical Corp., Class H | | |
Industrial & Commercial Bank of China Ltd., Class H | | |
| | |
Kuaishou Technology(a)(b) | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
PetroChina Co. Ltd., Class H | | |
Ping An Insurance Group Co. of China Ltd., Class H | | |
| | |
| | |
Xiaomi Corp., Class B(a)(b) | | |
| | |
|
| | |
CK Hutchison Holdings Ltd. | | |
Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing Ltd. | | |
| | |
Sun Hung Kai Properties Ltd. | | |
Techtronic Industries Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
|
| | |
Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp. Ltd. | | |
United Overseas Bank Ltd. | | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
LG Energy Solution Ltd.(a)(c) | | |
| | |
| | |
Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
Shinhan Financial Group Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
|
Cathay Financial Holding Co. Ltd. | | |
Chunghwa Telecom Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
|
CTBC Financial Holding Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
Fubon Financial Holding Co. Ltd. | | |
Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. | | |
United Microelectronics Corp. | | |
| | |
Total Common Stocks — 95.8%
(Cost: $1,130,505,835) | |
|
|
| | |
| | |
Series 2, Preference Shares, NVS | | |
Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., Preference Shares, NVS | | |
| | |
Total Preferred Stocks — 1.3%
(Cost: $15,920,414) | |
Total Long-Term Investments — 97.1%
(Cost: $1,146,426,249) | |
|
Money Market Funds — 0.3% |
BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares, 5.05%(d)(e)(f) | | |
BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares, 4.88%(d)(e) | | |
Total Short-Term Securities — 0.3%
(Cost: $4,769,382) | |
Total Investments — 97.4%
(Cost: $1,151,195,631) | |
Other Assets Less Liabilities — 2.6% | |
| |
| Non-income producing security. |
| Security exempt from registration pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration to qualified institutional investors. |
| All or a portion of this security is on loan. |
| |
| Annualized 7-day yield as of period end. |
| All or a portion of this security was purchased with the cash collateral from loaned securities. |
32024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)(continued)September 30, 2024
Affiliates
Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended September 30, 2024 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:
| | | | | Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation) | | | | Capital
Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds |
BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares | | | | | | | | | |
BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| Represents net amount purchased (sold). |
| All or a portion represents securities lending income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral from loaned securities, net of fees and collateral investment expenses, and other payments to and from borrowers of securities. |
Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End
| | | | Value/
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation) |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
MSCI Emerging Markets Index | | | | |
| | | | |
Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure
As of period end, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities were as follows:
| | | | Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts | | | |
Liabilities—Derivative Financial Instruments | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Unrealized depreciation on futures contracts(a) | | | | | | | |
| Net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts are reported in the Schedule of Investments. In the Statements of Assets and Liabilities, only current day's variation margin is reported in receivables or payables and the net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is included in accumulated earnings (loss). |
For the period ended September 30, 2024, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:
| | | | Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts | | | |
Net Realized Gain (Loss) from | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)(continued)September 30, 2024
Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments
| |
Average notional value of contracts — long | |
For more information about the Fund’s investment risks regarding derivative financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.
Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End
Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments at the measurement date. For a description of the input levels and information about the Fund’s policy regarding valuation of financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.
The following table summarizes the Fund’s financial instruments categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The breakdown of the Fund’s financial instruments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Derivative Financial Instruments(a) | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| Derivative financial instruments are futures contracts. Futures contracts are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument. |
See notes to financial statements.
52024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)September 30, 2024
iShares® Blockchain and Tech ETF(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)
| | |
|
|
| | |
| | |
Coinbase Global Inc., Class A(a) | | |
Galaxy Digital Holdings Ltd.(a) | | |
Robinhood Markets Inc., Class A(a) | | |
| | |
Voyager Digital Ltd.(a)(b) | | |
| | |
Financial Services — 6.2% |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
Interactive Media & Services — 4.0% |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
Applied Digital Corp., NVS(a) | | |
Core Scientific Inc.(a)(d) | | |
| | |
International Business Machines Corp. | | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 8.0% |
Advanced Micro Devices Inc.(a) | | |
Cambricon Technologies Corp. Ltd., Class A(a) | | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
Bitdeer Technologies Group, Class A, NVS(a)(d) | | |
Bitfarms Ltd./Canada(a)(d) | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
Hive Digital Technologies Ltd., NVS(a)(d) | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Riot Platforms Inc.(a)(d) | | |
| | |
| | |
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals — 1.1% |
| | |
Wireless Telecommunication Services — 0.1% |
| | |
Total Long-Term Investments — 99.8%
(Cost: $20,632,950) | |
|
Money Market Funds — 43.9% |
BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares, 5.05%(e)(f)(g) | | |
BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares, 4.88%(e)(f) | | |
Total Short-Term Securities — 43.9%
(Cost: $11,613,551) | |
Total Investments — 143.7%
(Cost: $32,246,501) | |
Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (43.7)% | |
| |
| Non-income producing security. |
| Security is valued using significant unobservable inputs and is classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. |
| Security exempt from registration pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration to qualified institutional investors. |
| All or a portion of this security is on loan. |
| |
| Annualized 7-day yield as of period end. |
| All or a portion of this security was purchased with the cash collateral from loaned securities. |
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)(continued)September 30, 2024
iShares® Blockchain and Tech ETF
Affiliates
Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended September 30, 2024 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:
| | | | | Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation) | | | | Capital
Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds |
BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares | | | | | | | | | |
BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| Represents net amount purchased (sold). |
| All or a portion represents securities lending income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral from loaned securities, net of fees and collateral investment expenses, and other payments to and from borrowers of securities. |
Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End
| | | | Value/
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation) |
| | | | |
Micro E-Mini Russell 2000 Index | | | | |
Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure
As of period end, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities were as follows:
| | | | Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts | | | |
Liabilities—Derivative Financial Instruments | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Unrealized depreciation on futures contracts(a) | | | | | | | |
| Net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts are reported in the Schedule of Investments. In the Statements of Assets and Liabilities, only current day's variation margin is reported in receivables or payables and the net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is included in accumulated earnings (loss). |
For the period ended September 30, 2024, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:
| | | | Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts | | | |
Net Realized Gain (Loss) from | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments
| |
Average notional value of contracts — long | |
For more information about the Fund’s investment risks regarding derivative financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.
72024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)(continued)September 30, 2024
iShares® Blockchain and Tech ETF
Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End
Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments at the measurement date. For a description of the input levels and information about the Fund’s policy regarding valuation of financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.
The following table summarizes the Fund’s financial instruments categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The breakdown of the Fund’s financial instruments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Derivative Financial Instruments(a) | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| Derivative financial instruments are futures contracts. Futures contracts are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument. |
See notes to financial statements.
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)September 30, 2024
iShares® Emerging Markets Infrastructure ETF(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)
| | |
|
|
| | |
Centrais Eletricas Brasileiras SA, ADR | | |
Cia de Saneamento Basico do Estado de Sao Paulo SABESP, ADR | | |
Cia Paranaense de Energia - Copel, ADR | | |
Ultrapar Participacoes SA, ADR | | |
| | |
|
Beijing Capital International Airport Co. Ltd., Class H(a) | | |
CGN Power Co. Ltd., Class H(b) | | |
| | |
China Longyuan Power Group Corp. Ltd., Class H | | |
China Merchants Port Holdings Co. Ltd. | | |
China Oilfield Services Ltd., Class H | | |
China Power International Development Ltd. | | |
China Resources Gas Group Ltd. | | |
China Resources Power Holdings Co. Ltd. | | |
China Suntien Green Energy Corp. Ltd., Class H | | |
Cosco Shipping Energy Transportation Co. Ltd., Class H | | |
COSCO Shipping Ports Ltd. | | |
Huaneng Power International Inc., Class H | | |
Jiangsu Expressway Co. Ltd., Class H | | |
| | |
Shenzhen Expressway Corp. Ltd., Class H | | |
Shenzhen International Holdings Ltd. | | |
Zhejiang Expressway Co. Ltd., Class H | | |
| | |
|
Grupo Aeroportuario del Centro Norte SAB de CV, ADR | | |
Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico SAB de CV, Class A, ADR | | |
Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste SAB de CV, ADR | | |
| | |
|
Qatar Gas Transport Co. Ltd. | | |
|
Airports of Thailand PCL, NVDR(c) | | |
| | |
United Arab Emirates — 4.8% |
| | |
Total Common Stocks — 93.2%
(Cost: $8,181,423) | |
|
|
Cia Energetica de Minas Gerais, Preference Shares, ADR | | |
Total Preferred Stocks — 3.3%
(Cost: $235,275) | |
Total Long-Term Investments — 96.5%
(Cost: $8,416,698) | |
|
Money Market Funds — 7.6% |
BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares, 5.05%(d)(e)(f) | | |
BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares, 4.88%(d)(e) | | |
Total Short-Term Securities — 7.6%
(Cost: $706,718) | |
Total Investments — 104.1%
(Cost: $9,123,416) | |
Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (4.1)% | |
| |
| Non-income producing security. |
| Security exempt from registration pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration to qualified institutional investors. |
| All or a portion of this security is on loan. |
| |
| Annualized 7-day yield as of period end. |
| All or a portion of this security was purchased with the cash collateral from loaned securities. |
Affiliates
Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended September 30, 2024 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:
| | | | | Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation) | | | | Capital
Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds |
BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares | | | | | | | | | |
BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| Represents net amount purchased (sold). |
| All or a portion represents securities lending income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral from loaned securities, net of fees and collateral investment expenses, and other payments to and from borrowers of securities. |
92024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)(continued)September 30, 2024
iShares® Emerging Markets Infrastructure ETF
Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End
| | | | Value/
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation) |
| | | | |
MSCI Emerging Markets Index | | | | |
Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure
As of period end, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities were as follows:
| | | | Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts | | | |
Assets—Derivative Financial Instruments | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Unrealized appreciation on futures contracts(a) | | | | | | | |
| Net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts are reported in the Schedule of Investments. In the Statements of Assets and Liabilities, only current day's variation margin is reported in receivables or payables and the net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is included in accumulated earnings (loss). |
For the period ended September 30, 2024, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:
| | | | Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts | | | |
Net Realized Gain (Loss) from | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments
| |
Average notional value of contracts — long | |
For more information about the Fund’s investment risks regarding derivative financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.
Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End
Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments at the measurement date. For a description of the input levels and information about the Fund’s policy regarding valuation of financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.
The following table summarizes the Fund’s financial instruments categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The breakdown of the Fund’s financial instruments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.
Schedule of Investments10
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)(continued)September 30, 2024
iShares® Emerging Markets Infrastructure ETF
Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End (continued)
| | | | |
Derivative Financial Instruments(a) | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| Derivative financial instruments are futures contracts. Futures contracts are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument. |
See notes to financial statements.
112024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)September 30, 2024
iShares® Europe ETF(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)
| | |
|
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
Groupe Bruxelles Lambert NV | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
AP Moller - Maersk A/S, Class A | | |
AP Moller - Maersk A/S, Class B, NVS | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Novo Nordisk A/S, Class B | | |
Novonesis (Novozymes) B, Class B | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Vestas Wind Systems A/S(a) | | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Cie Generale des Etablissements Michelin SCA | | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, New | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Delivery Hero SE, Class A(a)(b) | | |
Deutsche Bank AG, Registered | | |
| | |
Deutsche Post AG, Registered | | |
Deutsche Telekom AG, Registered | | |
| | |
Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA | | |
Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA(a) | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Schedule of Investments12
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)(continued)September 30, 2024
iShares® Europe ETF(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)
| | |
|
| | |
Muenchener Rueckversicherungs-Gesellschaft AG in Muenchen, Registered | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Siemens Healthineers AG(b)(c) | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
Bank of Ireland Group PLC | | |
| | |
| | |
Ryanair Holdings PLC, ADR(c) | | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
FinecoBank Banca Fineco SpA | | |
| | |
| | |
Mediobanca Banca di Credito Finanziario SpA | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Telecom Italia SpA/Milano(a) | | |
| | |
Terna - Rete Elettrica Nazionale | | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
BE Semiconductor Industries NV | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Koninklijke Ahold Delhaize NV | | |
| | |
Koninklijke Philips NV(a) | | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
STMicroelectronics NV , New | | |
|
ACS Actividades de Construccion y Servicios SA | | |
| | |
| | |
Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Industria de Diseno Textil SA | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
H & M Hennes & Mauritz AB, Class B | | |
| | |
Industrivarden AB, Class A | | |
Industrivarden AB, Class C | | |
| | |
132024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)(continued)September 30, 2024
iShares® Europe ETF(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)
| | |
|
| | |
Nibe Industrier AB, Class B(c) | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB, Class A | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Svenska Cellulosa AB SCA, Class B | | |
Svenska Handelsbanken AB, Class A | | |
| | |
| | |
Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson, Class B | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
Adecco Group AG, Registered | | |
| | |
Baloise Holding AG, Registered | | |
Barry Callebaut AG, Registered | | |
Chocoladefabriken Lindt & Spruengli AG, Participation Certificates, NVS | | |
Chocoladefabriken Lindt & Spruengli AG, Registered | | |
Cie Financiere Richemont SA, Class A, Registered | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Kuehne + Nagel International AG, Registered | | |
Logitech International SA, Registered | | |
Lonza Group AG, Registered | | |
| | |
| | |
Partners Group Holding AG | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Schindler Holding AG, Participation Certificates, NVS | | |
Schindler Holding AG, Registered | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Sonova Holding AG, Registered | | |
| | |
Swatch Group AG (The), Bearer | | |
Swatch Group AG (The), Registered | | |
Swiss Life Holding AG, Registered | | |
Swiss Prime Site AG, Registered | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Zurich Insurance Group AG | | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
United Kingdom (continued) |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Associated British Foods PLC | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Berkeley Group Holdings PLC | | |
| | |
British American Tobacco PLC | | |
British Land Co. PLC (The) | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
InterContinental Hotels Group PLC | | |
Intermediate Capital Group PLC | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Land Securities Group PLC | | |
Legal & General Group PLC | | |
| | |
London Stock Exchange Group PLC | | |
| | |
Marks & Spencer Group PLC | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Phoenix Group Holdings PLC | | |
| | |
Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Schedule of Investments14
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)(continued)September 30, 2024
iShares® Europe ETF(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)
| | |
United Kingdom (continued) |
| | |
Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC(a) | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
United Utilities Group PLC | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Total Common Stocks — 99.2%
(Cost: $1,580,068,422) | |
|
|
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, Preference Shares, NVS | | |
Dr Ing hc F Porsche AG, Preference Shares, NVS(b)(c) | | |
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, Preference Shares, NVS | | |
Porsche Automobil Holding SE, Preference Shares, NVS | | |
Sartorius AG, Preference Shares, NVS | | |
| | |
|
Volkswagen AG, Preference Shares, NVS | | |
| | |
|
Telecom Italia SpA, Preference Shares, NVS | | |
Total Preferred Stocks — 0.6%
(Cost: $17,070,751) | |
Total Long-Term Investments — 99.8%
(Cost: $1,597,139,173) | |
|
Money Market Funds — 0.4% |
BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares, 5.05%(d)(e)(f) | | |
BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares, 4.88%(d)(e) | | |
Total Short-Term Securities — 0.4%
(Cost: $7,151,858) | |
Total Investments — 100.2%
(Cost: $1,604,291,031) | |
Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (0.2)% | |
| |
| Non-income producing security. |
| Security exempt from registration pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration to qualified institutional investors. |
| All or a portion of this security is on loan. |
| |
| Annualized 7-day yield as of period end. |
| All or a portion of this security was purchased with the cash collateral from loaned securities. |
Affiliates
Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended September 30, 2024 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:
| | | | | Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation) | | | | Capital
Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds |
BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares | | | | | | | | | |
BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| Represents net amount purchased (sold). |
| All or a portion represents securities lending income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral from loaned securities, net of fees and collateral investment expenses, and other payments to and from borrowers of securities. |
152024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)(continued)September 30, 2024
Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End
| | | | Value/
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation) |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure
As of period end, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities were as follows:
| | | | Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts | | | |
Assets—Derivative Financial Instruments | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Unrealized appreciation on futures contracts(a) | | | | | | | |
Liabilities—Derivative Financial Instruments | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Unrealized depreciation on futures contracts(a) | | | | | | | |
| Net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts are reported in the Schedule of Investments. In the Statements of Assets and Liabilities, only current day's variation margin is reported in receivables or payables and the net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is included in accumulated earnings (loss). |
For the period ended September 30, 2024, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:
| | | | Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts | | | |
Net Realized Gain (Loss) from | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments
| |
Average notional value of contracts — long | |
For more information about the Fund’s investment risks regarding derivative financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.
Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End
Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments at the measurement date. For a description of the input levels and information about the Fund’s policy regarding valuation of financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.
The following table summarizes the Fund’s financial instruments categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The breakdown of the Fund’s financial instruments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.
Schedule of Investments16
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)(continued)September 30, 2024
Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End (continued)
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Derivative Financial Instruments(a) | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| Derivative financial instruments are futures contracts. Futures contracts are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument. |
See notes to financial statements.
172024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)September 30, 2024
iShares® Future AI & Tech ETF(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)
| | |
|
|
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
|
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
Advanced Micro Devices Inc.(a) | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Cloudflare Inc., Class A(a) | | |
Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., Class A | | |
Crowdstrike Holdings Inc., Class A(a) | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
International Business Machines Corp. | | |
| | |
Meta Platforms Inc., Class A | | |
| | |
| | |
United States (continued) |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Palantir Technologies Inc., Class A(a)(b) | | |
Palo Alto Networks Inc.(a)(b) | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
SentinelOne Inc., Class A(a) | | |
| | |
Snowflake Inc., Class A(a) | | |
Super Micro Computer Inc.(a)(b) | | |
| | |
ZoomInfo Technologies Inc., Class A(a) | | |
| | |
| | |
Total Long-Term Investments — 99.8%
(Cost: $551,938,160) | |
|
Money Market Funds — 7.1% |
BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares, 5.05%(c)(d)(e) | | |
BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares, 4.88%(c)(d) | | |
Total Short-Term Securities — 7.1%
(Cost: $42,979,180) | |
Total Investments — 106.9%
(Cost: $594,917,340) | |
Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (6.9)% | |
| |
| Non-income producing security. |
| All or a portion of this security is on loan. |
| |
| Annualized 7-day yield as of period end. |
| All or a portion of this security was purchased with the cash collateral from loaned securities. |
Schedule of Investments18
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)(continued)September 30, 2024
iShares® Future AI & Tech ETF
Affiliates
Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the period from August 1, 2024 through September 30, 2024 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:
| | | | | Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation) | | | | Capital
Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds |
BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares | | | | | | | | | |
BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| Represents net amount purchased (sold). |
| All or a portion represents securities lending income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral from loaned securities, net of fees and collateral investment expenses, and other payments to and from borrowers of securities. |
Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End
| | | | Value/
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation) |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure
As of period end, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities were as follows:
| | | | Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts | | | |
Assets—Derivative Financial Instruments | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Unrealized appreciation on futures contracts(a) | | | | | | | |
| Net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts are reported in the Schedule of Investments. In the Statements of Assets and Liabilities, only current day's variation margin is reported in receivables or payables and the net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is included in accumulated earnings (loss). |
For the period August 1, 2024 through September 30, 2024, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:
| | | | Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts | | | |
Net Realized Gain (Loss) from | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments
| |
Average notional value of contracts — long | |
192024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)(continued)September 30, 2024
iShares® Future AI & Tech ETF
Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End
Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments at the measurement date. For a description of the input levels and information about the Fund’s policy regarding valuation of financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.
The following table summarizes the Fund’s financial instruments categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The breakdown of the Fund’s financial instruments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Derivative Financial Instruments(a) | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| Derivative financial instruments are futures contracts. Futures contracts are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument. |
See notes to financial statements.
Schedule of Investments20
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)September 30, 2024
iShares® Future Metaverse Tech and Communications ETF(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)
| | |
|
Communications Equipment — 0.2% |
| | |
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components — 0.0% |
AAC Technologies Holdings Inc. | | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Take-Two Interactive Software Inc.(a) | | |
Ubisoft Entertainment SA(a) | | |
| | |
Household Durables — 7.8% |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Interactive Media & Services — 17.7% |
| | |
Kuaishou Technology(a)(c) | | |
| | |
Meta Platforms Inc., Class A | | |
Snap Inc., Class A, NVS(a) | | |
| | |
| | |
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 3.9% |
Advanced Micro Devices Inc.(a) | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
Cadence Design Systems Inc.(a) | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Unity Software Inc.(a)(b) | | |
Zoom Video Communications Inc., Class A(a) | | |
| | |
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals — 4.3% |
| | |
Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
Total Long-Term Investments — 99.8%
(Cost: $5,985,298) | |
|
Money Market Funds — 5.6% |
BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares, 5.05%(d)(e)(f) | | |
Total Short-Term Securities — 5.6%
(Cost: $383,454) | |
Total Investments — 105.4%
(Cost: $6,368,752) | |
Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (5.4)% | |
| |
| Non-income producing security. |
| All or a portion of this security is on loan. |
| Security exempt from registration pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration to qualified institutional investors. |
| |
| Annualized 7-day yield as of period end. |
| All or a portion of this security was purchased with the cash collateral from loaned securities. |
Affiliates
Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended September 30, 2024 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:
| | | | | Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation) | | | | Capital
Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds |
BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares | | | | | | | | | |
BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares(c) | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| Represents net amount purchased (sold). |
| All or a portion represents securities lending income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral from loaned securities, net of fees and collateral investment expenses, and other payments to and from borrowers of securities. |
| As of period end, the entity is no longer held. |
212024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)(continued)September 30, 2024
iShares® Future Metaverse Tech and Communications ETF
Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure
For the period ended September 30, 2024, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:
| | | | Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts | | | |
Net Realized Gain (Loss) from | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments
Average notional value of contracts — long | |
| Derivative financial instrument not held at any quarter-end. The risk exposure table serves as an indicator of activity during the period. |
For more information about the Fund’s investment risks regarding derivative financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.
Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End
Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments at the measurement date. For a description of the input levels and information about the Fund’s policy regarding valuation of financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.
The following table summarizes the Fund’s financial instruments categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The breakdown of the Fund’s financial instruments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.
See notes to financial statements.
Schedule of Investments22
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)September 30, 2024
iShares® India 50 ETF(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)
| | |
|
Aerospace & Defense — 0.9% |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
Construction & Engineering — 3.7% |
| | |
Construction Materials — 2.1% |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
Electric Utilities — 1.4% |
Power Grid Corp. of India Ltd. | | |
Financial Services — 0.9% |
| | |
|
Britannia Industries Ltd. | | |
| | |
Tata Consumer Products Ltd. | | |
| | |
Health Care Providers & Services — 0.6% |
Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Ltd. | | |
Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers — 1.8% |
| | |
|
HDFC Life Insurance Co. Ltd.(a) | | |
SBI Life Insurance Co. Ltd.(a) | | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
Tata Consultancy Services Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 11.2% |
Bharat Petroleum Corp. Ltd. | | |
| | |
Oil & Natural Gas Corp. Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
Personal Care Products — 2.3% |
| | |
|
| | |
Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Ltd. | | |
Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. | | |
| | |
|
| | |
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods — 1.4% |
| | |
|
| | |
Trading Companies & Distributors — 0.3% |
| | |
Transportation Infrastructure — 0.9% |
Adani Ports & Special Economic Zone Ltd. | | |
Wireless Telecommunication Services — 4.0% |
| | |
Total Long-Term Investments — 99.5%
(Cost: $719,668,376) | |
|
Money Market Funds — 2.3% |
BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares, 4.88%(b)(c) | | |
Total Short-Term Securities — 2.3%
(Cost: $23,420,000) | |
Total Investments — 101.8%
(Cost: $743,088,376) | |
Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (1.8)% | |
| |
| Security exempt from registration pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration to qualified institutional investors. |
| |
| Annualized 7-day yield as of period end. |
232024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)(continued)September 30, 2024
Affiliates
Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended September 30, 2024 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:
| | | | | Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation) | | | | Capital
Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds |
BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares | | | | | | | | | |
| Represents net amount purchased (sold). |
Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End
| | | | Value/
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation) |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure
As of period end, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities were as follows:
| | | | Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts | | | |
Liabilities—Derivative Financial Instruments | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Unrealized depreciation on futures contracts(a) | | | | | | | |
| Net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts are reported in the Schedule of Investments. In the Statements of Assets and Liabilities, only current day's variation margin is reported in receivables or payables and the net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is included in accumulated earnings (loss). |
For the period ended September 30, 2024, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:
| | | | Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts | | | |
Net Realized Gain (Loss) from | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments
| |
Average notional value of contracts — long | |
For more information about the Fund’s investment risks regarding derivative financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.
Schedule of Investments24
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)(continued)September 30, 2024
Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End
Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments at the measurement date. For a description of the input levels and information about the Fund’s policy regarding valuation of financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.
The following table summarizes the Fund’s financial instruments categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The breakdown of the Fund’s financial instruments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Derivative Financial Instruments(a) | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| Derivative financial instruments are futures contracts. Futures contracts are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument. |
See notes to financial statements.
252024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)September 30, 2024
iShares® International Developed Small Cap Value Factor ETF(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)
| | |
|
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Charter Hall Social Infrastructure REIT | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Ingenia Communities Group | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Reliance Worldwide Corp. Ltd. | | |
Sandfire Resources Ltd.(a) | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Ventia Services Group Pty. Ltd. | | |
Viva Energy Group Ltd.(b) | | |
| | |
| | |
|
Vienna Insurance Group AG Wiener Versicherung Gruppe | | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Brookfield Renewable Corp., Class A | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
H&R Real Estate Investment Trust | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
North West Co. Inc. (The) | | |
| | |
Paramount Resources Ltd., Class A | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Transcontinental Inc., Class A | | |
| | |
| | |
Westshore Terminals Investment Corp. | | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
Scandinavian Tobacco Group A/S, Class A(b) | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Television Francaise 1 SA | | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Hornbach Holding AG & Co. KGaA | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
United Internet AG, Registered(d) | | |
| | |
|
Chow Sang Sang Holdings International Ltd. | | |
CITIC Telecom International Holdings Ltd. | | |
Pacific Basin Shipping Ltd. | | |
| | |
|
| | |
Schedule of Investments26
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)(continued)September 30, 2024
iShares® International Developed Small Cap Value Factor ETF(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)
| | |
|
| | |
Formula Systems 1985 Ltd. | | |
Menora Mivtachim Holdings Ltd. | | |
Migdal Insurance & Financial Holdings Ltd. | | |
| | |
|
| | |
Arnoldo Mondadori Editore SpA | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
Aichi Financial Group Inc., NVS | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Arisawa Manufacturing Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
Asahi Diamond Industrial Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
Aska Pharmaceutical Holdings Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
Bando Chemical Industries Ltd. | | |
Bank of Nagoya Ltd. (The) | | |
| | |
| | |
Bell System24 Holdings Inc. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Chubu Steel Plate Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
Chugoku Marine Paints Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
Daiki Aluminium Industry Co. Ltd. | | |
Dainichiseika Color & Chemicals Manufacturing Co. Ltd. | | |
Daishi Hokuetsu Financial Group Inc. | | |
| | |
|
Daito Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. | | |
Doutor Nichires Holdings Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Fuji Seal International Inc. | | |
| | |
| | |
Fukushima Galilei Co. Ltd. | | |
Furukawa Battery Co. Ltd. (The)(c) | | |
| | |
Furukawa Electric Co. Ltd. | | |
Futaba Industrial Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
GungHo Online Entertainment Inc. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Hodogaya Chemical Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Integrated Design & Engineering Holdings Co. Ltd., NVS | | |
Ishihara Sangyo Kaisha Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
Japan Petroleum Exploration Co. Ltd. | | |
Japan Pulp & Paper Co. Ltd. | | |
Japan Wool Textile Co. Ltd. (The) | | |
| | |
| | |
Juroku Financial Group Inc. | | |
| | |
| | |
Kanto Denka Kogyo Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Kissei Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
272024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)(continued)September 30, 2024
iShares® International Developed Small Cap Value Factor ETF(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)
| | |
|
| | |
Konoike Transport Co. Ltd. | | |
Koshidaka Holdings Co. Ltd. | | |
KPP Group Holdings Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
Kumiai Chemical Industry Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Kyorin Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Makino Milling Machine Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
Mars Group Holdings Corp. | | |
| | |
Marusan Securities Co. Ltd. | | |
Maruzen Showa Unyu Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Megmilk Snow Brand Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
Mimasu Semiconductor Industry Co. Ltd.(c) | | |
| | |
Mitsubishi Pencil Co. Ltd. | | |
Mitsubishi Research Institute Inc. | | |
Mitsubishi Shokuhin Co. Ltd. | | |
Mitsui DM Sugar Holdings Co. Ltd. | | |
Mitsui-Soko Holdings Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
Musashi Seimitsu Industry Co. Ltd. | | |
Musashino Bank Ltd. (The) | | |
| | |
Nakayama Steel Works Ltd. | | |
| | |
Nihon Parkerizing Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Nippon Beet Sugar Manufacturing Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
Nippon Densetsu Kogyo Co. Ltd. | | |
Nippon Light Metal Holdings Co. Ltd. | | |
Nippon Road Co. Ltd. (The) | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Nippon Yakin Kogyo Co. Ltd. | | |
Nishimatsu Construction Co. Ltd. | | |
Nishi-Nippon Financial Holdings Inc. | | |
| | |
| | |
Nisshin Oillio Group Ltd. (The) | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
NS United Kaiun Kaisha Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
Oki Electric Industry Co. Ltd. | | |
Okinawa Financial Group Inc. | | |
Okura Industrial Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Pacific Industrial Co. Ltd. | | |
Pacific Metals Co. Ltd.(a) | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Sakai Chemical Industry Co. Ltd. | | |
Sakai Moving Service Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
San-In Godo Bank Ltd. (The) | | |
Sanoh Industrial Co. Ltd. | | |
Sanyo Chemical Industries Ltd. | | |
| | |
Sanyo Special Steel Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
Seikitokyu Kogyo Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Senshu Ikeda Holdings Inc. | | |
Shibaura Machine Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
Shikoku Kasei Holdings Corp. | | |
Shin-Etsu Polymer Co. Ltd. | | |
Shinmaywa Industries Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
Sinfonia Technology Co. Ltd. | | |
SKY Perfect JSAT Holdings Inc. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Sumitomo Mitsui Construction Co. Ltd. | | |
Sumitomo Osaka Cement Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
Sumitomo Warehouse Co. Ltd. (The) | | |
| | |
| | |
Schedule of Investments28
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)(continued)September 30, 2024
iShares® International Developed Small Cap Value Factor ETF(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)
| | |
|
Tachibana Eletech Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
Taihei Dengyo Kaisha Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Toho Holdings Co. Ltd.(c) | | |
| | |
| | |
Tokyo Kiraboshi Financial Group Inc. | | |
Tokyo Steel Manufacturing Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
United Super Markets Holdings Inc.(c) | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Yodogawa Steel Works Ltd. | | |
Yokogawa Bridge Holdings Corp. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
Precinct Properties Group | | |
Summerset Group Holdings Ltd. | | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
Banco Comercial Portugues SA, Class R | | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
COSCO Shipping International Singapore Co. Ltd.(a)(c) | | |
Digital Core REIT Management Pte. Ltd. | | |
| | |
Frasers Centrepoint Trust | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Raffles Medical Group Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
Atresmedia Corp. de Medios de Comunicacion SA | | |
| | |
Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles SA | | |
Ence Energia y Celulosa SA | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Laboratorios Farmaceuticos Rovi SA | | |
Linea Directa Aseguradora SA Cia de Seguros y Reaseguros | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Electrolux Professional AB, Class B | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
292024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)(continued)September 30, 2024
iShares® International Developed Small Cap Value Factor ETF(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
Modern Times Group MTG AB, Class B(a) | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
ALSO Holding AG, Registered | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Bossard Holding AG, Class A, Registered | | |
Bucher Industries AG, Registered | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Huber + Suhner AG, Registered | | |
| | |
LEM Holding SA, Registered | | |
| | |
Rieter Holding AG, Registered | | |
Schweiter Technologies AG, NVS | | |
| | |
Siegfried Holding AG, Registered | | |
St. Galler Kantonalbank AG, Class A, Registered | | |
| | |
Swissquote Group Holding SA, Registered | | |
| | |
Valiant Holding AG, Registered | | |
| | |
|
| | |
Bank of Georgia Group PLC | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Mitchells & Butlers PLC(a) | | |
| | |
Petershill Partners PLC(b) | | |
| | |
United Kingdom (continued) |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Total Common Stocks — 99.0%
(Cost: $173,283,235) | |
|
|
Danieli & C Officine Meccaniche SpA, Preference Shares, NVS | | |
Total Preferred Stocks — 0.2%
(Cost: $241,796) | |
Total Long-Term Investments — 99.2%
(Cost: $173,525,031) | |
|
Money Market Funds — 1.0% |
BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares, 5.05%(e)(f)(g) | | |
BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares, 4.88%(e)(f) | | |
Total Short-Term Securities — 1.0%
(Cost: $2,126,352) | |
Total Investments — 100.2%
(Cost: $175,651,383) | |
Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (0.2)% | |
| |
| Non-income producing security. |
| Security exempt from registration pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration to qualified institutional investors. |
| All or a portion of this security is on loan. |
| This security may be resold to qualified foreign investors and foreign institutional buyers under Regulation S of the Securities Act of 1933. |
| |
| Annualized 7-day yield as of period end. |
| All or a portion of this security was purchased with the cash collateral from loaned securities. |
Schedule of Investments30
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)(continued)September 30, 2024
iShares® International Developed Small Cap Value Factor ETF
Affiliates
Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended September 30, 2024 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:
| | | | | Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation) | | | | Capital
Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds |
BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares | | | | | | | | | |
BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| Represents net amount purchased (sold). |
| All or a portion represents securities lending income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral from loaned securities, net of fees and collateral investment expenses, and other payments to and from borrowers of securities. |
Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End
| | | | Value/
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation) |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure
As of period end, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities were as follows:
| | | | Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts | | | |
Assets—Derivative Financial Instruments | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Unrealized appreciation on futures contracts(a) | | | | | | | |
| Net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts are reported in the Schedule of Investments. In the Statements of Assets and Liabilities, only current day's variation margin is reported in receivables or payables and the net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is included in accumulated earnings (loss). |
For the period ended September 30, 2024, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:
| | | | Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts | | | |
Net Realized Gain (Loss) from | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
312024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)(continued)September 30, 2024
iShares® International Developed Small Cap Value Factor ETF
Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments
| |
Average notional value of contracts — long | |
For more information about the Fund’s investment risks regarding derivative financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.
Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End
Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments at the measurement date. For a description of the input levels and information about the Fund’s policy regarding valuation of financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.
The following table summarizes the Fund’s financial instruments categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The breakdown of the Fund’s financial instruments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Derivative Financial Instruments(a) | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| Derivative financial instruments are futures contracts. Futures contracts are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument. |
See notes to financial statements.
Schedule of Investments32
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)September 30, 2024
iShares® International Dividend Growth ETF(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)
| | |
|
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Northern Star Resources Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
Telekom Austria AG, Class A | | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. | | |
| | |
Brookfield Asset Management Ltd., Class A | | |
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce | | |
Canadian National Railway Co. | | |
Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. | | |
Canadian Tire Corp. Ltd., Class A, NVS | | |
| | |
| | |
CCL Industries Inc., Class B, NVS | | |
Cogeco Communications Inc. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Finning International Inc. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
North West Co. Inc. (The) | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Premium Brands Holdings Corp., Class A | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Toronto-Dominion Bank (The) | | |
| | |
| | |
Wheaton Precious Metals Corp. | | |
| | |
|
Anhui Honglu Steel Construction Group Co. Ltd., Class A | | |
Apeloa Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Class A | | |
Asymchem Laboratories Tianjin Co. Ltd., Class A | | |
Bank of Chengdu Co. Ltd., Class A | | |
Bank of Communications Co. Ltd., Class A | | |
China Coal Energy Co. Ltd., Class A | | |
China Coal Energy Co. Ltd., Class H | | |
China Construction Bank Corp., Class A | | |
| | |
China Merchants Bank Co. Ltd., Class A | | |
China Merchants Bank Co. Ltd., Class H | | |
China Merchants Energy Shipping Co. Ltd., Class A | | |
China National Nuclear Power Co. Ltd., Class A | | |
China Overseas Property Holdings Ltd. | | |
China Railway Group Ltd., Class A | | |
CSPC Pharmaceutical Group Ltd. | | |
| | |
Greentown China Holdings Ltd. | | |
Guangdong Construction Engineering Group Co. Ltd., Class A | | |
Guangzhou Baiyunshan Pharmaceutical Holdings Co. Ltd. | | |
Guangzhou Kingmed Diagnostics Group Co. Ltd., Class A | | |
Haier Smart Home Co. Ltd., Class A | | |
Haohua Chemical Science & Technology Co. Ltd., Class A, NVS | | |
Huaibei Mining Holdings Co. Ltd., Class A | | |
Huaxia Bank Co. Ltd., Class A | | |
IEIT Systems Co. Ltd., Class A | | |
Jiangsu King's Luck Brewery JSC Ltd., Class A | | |
Jiangsu Pacific Quartz Co. Ltd., Class A, NVS | | |
Kweichow Moutai Co. Ltd., Class A | | |
Lao Feng Xiang Co. Ltd., Class A | | |
Luzhou Laojiao Co. Ltd., Class A | | |
Metallurgical Corp. of China Ltd., Class A | | |
NAURA Technology Group Co. Ltd., Class A | | |
Ping An Insurance Group Co. of China Ltd., Class A | | |
Shanghai Tunnel Engineering Co. Ltd., Class A | | |
Shede Spirits Co. Ltd., Class A | | |
Sinoma Science & Technology Co. Ltd., Class A | | |
332024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)(continued)September 30, 2024
iShares® International Dividend Growth ETF(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)
| | |
|
Tsingtao Brewery Co. Ltd., Class A | | |
Tsingtao Brewery Co. Ltd., Class H | | |
Wuliangye Yibin Co. Ltd., Class A | | |
Xi'An Shaangu Power Co. Ltd., Class A | | |
Zhangzhou Pientzehuang Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Class A | | |
Zhengzhou Coal Mining Machinery Group Co. Ltd., Class A | | |
Zhongsheng Group Holdings Ltd. | | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
Novo Nordisk A/S, Class B | | |
Scandinavian Tobacco Group A/S, Class A(b) | | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
Metlen Energy & Metals SA | | |
|
| | |
United Laboratories International Holdings Ltd. (The)(a) | | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Honeywell Automation India Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Persistent Systems Ltd., NVS | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
ZF Commercial Vehicle Control Systems India Ltd. | | |
| | |
|
| | |
|
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Recordati Industria Chimica e Farmaceutica SpA | | |
| | |
Terna - Rete Elettrica Nazionale | | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Heiwa Real Estate Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Japan Elevator Service Holdings Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
Schedule of Investments34
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)(continued)September 30, 2024
iShares® International Dividend Growth ETF(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
KeePer Technical Laboratory Co. Ltd. | | |
Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Kurita Water Industries Ltd. | | |
Kusuri no Aoki Holdings Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Maruzen Showa Unyu Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc. | | |
| | |
| | |
Morinaga & Co. Ltd./Japan | | |
MS&AD Insurance Group Holdings Inc. | | |
Murata Manufacturing Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
NEC Networks & System Integration Corp. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Nippon Sanso Holdings Corp. | | |
| | |
Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corp. | | |
| | |
Nisshin Seifun Group Inc. | | |
| | |
| | |
Nomura Real Estate Holdings Inc. | | |
Nomura Research Institute Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
Okinawa Cellular Telephone Co. | | |
Open House Group Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Pan Pacific International Holdings Corp. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Rohto Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Seven & i Holdings Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
|
Shin-Etsu Chemical Co. Ltd. | | |
Shin-Etsu Polymer Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
Ship Healthcare Holdings Inc. | | |
SHO-BOND Holdings Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc. | | |
Sumitomo Realty & Development Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
Takeuchi Manufacturing Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Tokio Marine Holdings Inc. | | |
Tokyo Steel Manufacturing Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
Tri Chemical Laboratories Inc. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Yamaguchi Financial Group Inc. | | |
| | |
Yokogawa Bridge Holdings Corp. | | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
Corporativo Fragua SAB de CV | | |
Grupo Bimbo SAB de CV, Series A | | |
Grupo Comercial Chedraui SA de CV | | |
Orbia Advance Corp. SAB de CV | | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
Summerset Group Holdings Ltd. | | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
International Container Terminal Services Inc. | | |
352024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)(continued)September 30, 2024
iShares® International Dividend Growth ETF(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
|
Mouwasat Medical Services Co. | | |
|
| | |
PSG Financial Services Ltd. | | |
| | |
|
| | |
Hankook Tire & Technology Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
NICE Information Service Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Youngone Holdings Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
Atrium Ljungberg AB, Class B | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Platzer Fastigheter Holding AB, Class B | | |
| | |
|
ALSO Holding AG, Registered | | |
Chocoladefabriken Lindt & Spruengli AG, Participation Certificates, NVS | | |
Chocoladefabriken Lindt & Spruengli AG, Registered | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Interroll Holding AG, Registered | | |
Logitech International SA, Registered | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Siegfried Holding AG, Registered | | |
| | |
Tecan Group AG, Registered | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Sinbon Electronics Co. Ltd. | | |
Topco Scientific Co. Ltd. | | |
Unimicron Technology Corp. | | |
Universal Vision Biotechnology Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
|
Gulf Energy Development PCL, NVDR(a) | | |
|
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Coca-Cola HBC AG, Class DI | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC | | |
| | |
| | |
London Stock Exchange Group PLC | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Total Common Stocks — 99.4%
(Cost: $746,520,959) | |
|
|
FUCHS SE, Preference Shares, NVS | | |
|
LG Corp., Preference Shares, NVS | | |
Total Preferred Stocks — 0.1%
(Cost: $635,391) | |
Total Long-Term Investments — 99.5%
(Cost: $747,156,350) | |
Schedule of Investments36
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)(continued)September 30, 2024
iShares® International Dividend Growth ETF(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)
| | |
|
Money Market Funds — 0.0% |
BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares, 5.05%(c)(d)(e) | | |
Total Short-Term Securities — 0.0%
(Cost: $443,912) | |
Total Investments — 99.5%
(Cost: $747,600,262) | |
Other Assets Less Liabilities — 0.5% | |
| |
| All or a portion of this security is on loan. |
| Security exempt from registration pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration to qualified institutional investors. |
| |
| Annualized 7-day yield as of period end. |
| All or a portion of this security was purchased with the cash collateral from loaned securities. |
Affiliates
Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended September 30, 2024 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:
| | | | | Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation) | | | | Capital
Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds |
BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares | | | | | | | | | |
BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares(c) | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| Represents net amount purchased (sold). |
| All or a portion represents securities lending income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral from loaned securities, net of fees and collateral investment expenses, and other payments to and from borrowers of securities. |
| As of period end, the entity is no longer held. |
Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End
| | | | Value/
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation) |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
372024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)(continued)September 30, 2024
iShares® International Dividend Growth ETF
Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure
As of period end, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities were as follows:
| | | | Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts | | | |
Assets—Derivative Financial Instruments | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Unrealized appreciation on futures contracts(a) | | | | | | | |
| Net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts are reported in the Schedule of Investments. In the Statements of Assets and Liabilities, only current day's variation margin is reported in receivables or payables and the net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is included in accumulated earnings (loss). |
For the period ended September 30, 2024, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:
| | | | Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts | | | |
Net Realized Gain (Loss) from | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments
| |
Average notional value of contracts — long | |
For more information about the Fund’s investment risks regarding derivative financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.
Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End
Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments at the measurement date. For a description of the input levels and information about the Fund’s policy regarding valuation of financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.
The following table summarizes the Fund’s financial instruments categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The breakdown of the Fund’s financial instruments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Derivative Financial Instruments(a) | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| Derivative financial instruments are futures contracts. Futures contracts are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument. |
The Fund may hold assets and/or liabilities in which the fair value approximates the carrying amount for financial statement purposes. As of period end, bank borrowings payable of $921 are categorized as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy.
See notes to financial statements.
Schedule of Investments38
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)September 30, 2024
iShares® Latin America 40 ETF(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)
| | |
|
|
| | |
B3 SA - Brasil Bolsa Balcao | | |
| | |
| | |
Centrais Eletricas Brasileiras SA | | |
| | |
NU Holdings Ltd./Cayman Islands, Class A(a) | | |
Petroleo Brasileiro SA, ADR | | |
| | |
Telefonica Brasil SA, Class A, ADR NVS | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
Banco Santander Chile, ADR | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile SA, ADR | | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
Interconexion Electrica SA ESP | | |
| | |
|
America Movil SAB de CV, Series B | | |
Arca Continental SAB de CV | | |
| | |
Fibra Uno Administracion SA de CV | | |
Fomento Economico Mexicano SAB de CV | | |
Grupo Bimbo SAB de CV, Series A | | |
Grupo Carso SAB de CV, Series A1 | | |
Grupo Financiero Banorte SAB de CV, Class O | | |
Grupo Mexico SAB de CV, Series B | | |
Wal-Mart de Mexico SAB de CV | | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
Total Common Stocks — 78.6%
(Cost: $1,135,260,694) | |
|
|
Banco Bradesco SA, Class A, Preference Shares, ADR | | |
Gerdau SA, Preference Shares, ADR | | |
Itau Unibanco Holding SA, Preference Shares, ADR | | |
Itausa SA, Preference Shares, NVS | | |
Petroleo Brasileiro SA, Preference Shares, ADR | | |
| | |
Total Preferred Stocks — 20.3%
(Cost: $337,966,811) | |
Total Long-Term Investments — 98.9%
(Cost: $1,473,227,505) | |
|
Money Market Funds — 0.2% |
BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares, 4.88%(c)(d) | | |
Total Short-Term Securities — 0.2%
(Cost: $3,320,000) | |
Total Investments — 99.1%
(Cost: $1,476,547,505) | |
Other Assets Less Liabilities — 0.9% | |
| |
| Non-income producing security. |
| Security exempt from registration pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration to qualified institutional investors. |
| |
| Annualized 7-day yield as of period end. |
392024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)(continued)September 30, 2024
iShares® Latin America 40 ETF
Affiliates
Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended September 30, 2024 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:
| | | | | Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation) | | | | Capital
Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds |
BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares(a) | | | | | | | | | |
BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| As of period end, the entity is no longer held. |
| Represents net amount purchased (sold). |
| All or a portion represents securities lending income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral from loaned securities, net of fees and collateral investment expenses, and other payments to and from borrowers of securities. |
Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End
| | | | Value/
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation) |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure
As of period end, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities were as follows:
| | | | Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts | | | |
Liabilities—Derivative Financial Instruments | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Unrealized depreciation on futures contracts(a) | | | | | | | |
| Net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts are reported in the Schedule of Investments. In the Statements of Assets and Liabilities, only current day's variation margin is reported in receivables or payables and the net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is included in accumulated earnings (loss). |
For the period ended September 30, 2024, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:
| | | | Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts | | | |
Net Realized Gain (Loss) from | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Schedule of Investments40
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)(continued)September 30, 2024
iShares® Latin America 40 ETF
Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments
| |
Average notional value of contracts — long | |
For more information about the Fund’s investment risks regarding derivative financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.
Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End
Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments at the measurement date. For a description of the input levels and information about the Fund’s policy regarding valuation of financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.
The following table summarizes the Fund’s financial instruments categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The breakdown of the Fund’s financial instruments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Derivative Financial Instruments(a) | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| Derivative financial instruments are futures contracts. Futures contracts are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument. |
See notes to financial statements.
412024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Statements of Assets and Liabilities (unaudited)September 30, 2024
| | iShares
Blockchain and Tech ETF | iShares
Emerging Markets Infrastructure ETF | |
| | | | |
Investments, at value—unaffiliated(a)(b) | | | | |
Investments, at value—affiliated(c) | | | | |
| | | | |
Cash pledged for futures contracts | | | | |
Foreign currency collateral pledged for futures contracts(d) | | | | |
Foreign currency, at value(e) | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Securities lending income—affiliated | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Collateral on securities loaned, at value | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
IRS compliance fee for foreign withholding tax claims | | | | |
| | | | |
Variation margin on futures contracts | | | | |
| | | | |
Commitments and contingent liabilities | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Accumulated earnings (loss) | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
(a) Investments, at cost—unaffiliated | | | | |
(b) Securities loaned, at value | | | | |
(c) Investments, at cost—affiliated | | | | |
(d) Foreign currency collateral pledged, at cost | | | | |
(e) Foreign currency, at cost | | | | |
See notes to financial statements.
Statements of Assets and Liabilities42
Statements of Assets and Liabilities (unaudited)(continued)September 30, 2024
| iShares
Future AI & Tech ETF | iShares
Future Metaverse Tech and Communications ETF | | iShares
International Developed Small Cap Value Factor ETF |
| | | | |
Investments, at value—unaffiliated(a)(b) | | | | |
Investments, at value—affiliated(c) | | | | |
| | | | |
Cash pledged for futures contracts | | | | |
Foreign currency, at value(d) | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Securities lending income—affiliated | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Variation margin on futures contracts | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Collateral on securities loaned, at value | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Deferred foreign capital gain tax | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Variation margin on futures contracts | | | | |
| | | | |
Commitments and contingent liabilities | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Accumulated earnings (loss) | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
(a) Investments, at cost—unaffiliated | | | | |
(b) Securities loaned, at value | | | | |
(c) Investments, at cost—affiliated | | | | |
(d) Foreign currency, at cost | | | | |
See notes to financial statements.
432024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Statements of Assets and Liabilities (unaudited)(continued)September 30, 2024
| iShares
International Dividend Growth ETF | iShares
Latin America 40 ETF |
| | |
Investments, at value—unaffiliated(a)(b) | | |
Investments, at value—affiliated(c) | | |
| | |
Cash pledged for futures contracts | | |
Foreign currency collateral pledged for futures contracts(d) | | |
Foreign currency, at value(e) | | |
| | |
| | |
Securities lending income—affiliated | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Collateral on securities loaned, at value | | |
| | |
| | |
Deferred foreign capital gain tax | | |
| | |
| | |
Variation margin on futures contracts | | |
| | |
Commitments and contingent liabilities | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Accumulated earnings (loss) | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
(a) Investments, at cost—unaffiliated | | |
(b) Securities loaned, at value | | |
(c) Investments, at cost—affiliated | | |
(d) Foreign currency collateral pledged, at cost | | |
(e) Foreign currency, at cost | | |
See notes to financial statements.
Statements of Assets and Liabilities44
Statements of Operations (unaudited)Six Months Ended September 30, 2024
| | iShares
Blockchain and Tech ETF | iShares
Emerging Markets Infrastructure ETF | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Securities lending income—affiliated—net | | | | |
| | | | |
Foreign withholding tax claims | | | | |
IRS compliance fee for foreign withholding tax claims | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) | | | | |
Net realized gain (loss) from: | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Foreign currency transactions | | | | |
| | | | |
In-kind redemptions—unaffiliated(a) | | | | |
| | | | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on: | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Foreign currency translations | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | | | | |
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS | | | | |
(a) See Note 2 of the Notes to Financial Statements. |
See notes to financial statements.
452024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Statements of Operations (unaudited)(continued)Six Months Ended September 30, 2024
| iShares
Future AI & Tech ETF |
| Period From
08/01/24
(unaudited) | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Securities lending income—affiliated—net | | |
| | |
Foreign withholding tax claims | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) | | |
Net realized gain (loss) from: | | |
Investments—unaffiliated(b) | | |
| | |
Foreign currency transactions | | |
| | |
In-kind redemptions—unaffiliated(c) | | |
| | |
Net change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on: | | |
Investments—unaffiliated(d) | | |
| | |
Foreign currency translations | | |
| | |
| | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | | |
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS | | |
(a) The Fund’s fiscal year-end changed from July 31 to March 31. |
(b) Net of foreign capital gain tax and capital gain tax refund, if applicable of | | |
(c) See Note 2 of the Notes to Financial Statements. |
(d) Net of reduction/increase in deferred foreign capital gain tax of | | |
See notes to financial statements.
Statements of Operations46
Statements of Operations (unaudited)(continued)Six Months Ended September 30, 2024
| iShares
Future Metaverse Tech and Communications ETF | | iShares
International Developed Small Cap Value Factor ETF | iShares
International Dividend Growth ETF |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Securities lending income—affiliated—net | | | | |
Non-cash dividends—unaffiliated | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Net investment income (loss) | | | | |
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) | | | | |
Net realized gain (loss) from: | | | | |
Investments—unaffiliated(a) | | | | |
| | | | |
Foreign currency transactions | | | | |
| | | | |
In-kind redemptions—unaffiliated(b) | | | | |
| | | | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on: | | | | |
Investments—unaffiliated(c) | | | | |
| | | | |
Foreign currency translations | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Net realized and unrealized gain | | | | |
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS | | | | |
(a) Net of foreign capital gain tax and capital gain tax refund, if applicable of | | | | |
(b) See Note 2 of the Notes to Financial Statements. |
(c) Net of increase in deferred foreign capital gain tax of | | | | |
See notes to financial statements.
472024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Statements of Operations (unaudited)(continued)Six Months Ended September 30, 2024
| iShares
Latin America 40 ETF |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Securities lending income—affiliated—net | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) | |
Net realized gain (loss) from: | |
| |
| |
Foreign currency transactions | |
| |
In-kind redemptions—unaffiliated(a) | |
| |
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on: | |
| |
Foreign currency translations | |
| |
| |
Net realized and unrealized loss | |
NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS | |
(a) See Note 2 of the Notes to Financial Statements. |
See notes to financial statements.
Statements of Operations48
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
| | iShares
Blockchain and Tech ETF |
| Six Months Ended
09/30/24
(unaudited) | | Six Months Ended
09/30/24
(unaudited) | |
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | | | | |
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a) | | | | |
Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders | | | | |
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets derived from capital share transactions | | | | |
| | | | |
Total increase (decrease) in net assets | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations. |
| A portion of the distributions from net investment income may be deemed a return of capital or net realized gain at fiscal year-end. |
See notes to financial statements.
492024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Statements of Changes in Net Assets(continued)
| iShares
Emerging Markets Infrastructure ETF | |
| Six Months Ended
09/30/24
(unaudited) | | Six Months Ended
09/30/24
(unaudited) | |
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | | | | |
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations | | | | |
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a) | | | | |
Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders | | | | |
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS | | | | |
Net decrease in net assets derived from capital share transactions | | | | |
| | | | |
Total increase (decrease) in net assets | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations. |
| A portion of the distributions from net investment income may be deemed a return of capital or net realized gain at fiscal year-end. |
See notes to financial statements.
Statements of Changes in Net Assets50
Statements of Changes in Net Assets(continued)
| iShares
Future AI & Tech ETF |
| Period From
08/01/24
(unaudited) | | |
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS | | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | | | |
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(b) | | | |
Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders | | | |
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets derived from capital share transactions | | | |
| | | |
Total increase (decrease) in net assets | | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| The Fund’s fiscal year-end changed from July 31 to March 31. |
| Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations. |
See notes to financial statements.
512024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Statements of Changes in Net Assets(continued)
| iShares
Future Metaverse Tech and Communications ETF | |
| Six Months Ended
09/30/24
(unaudited) | | Six Months Ended
09/30/24
(unaudited) | |
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS | | | | |
| | | | |
Net investment income (loss) | | | | |
| | | | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | | | | |
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations | | | | |
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a) | | | | |
Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders | | | | |
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets derived from capital share transactions | | | | |
| | | | |
Total increase in net assets | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations. |
| A portion of the distributions from net investment income may be deemed a return of capital or net realized gain at fiscal year-end. |
See notes to financial statements.
Statements of Changes in Net Assets52
Statements of Changes in Net Assets(continued)
| iShares
International Developed Small Cap Value Factor ETF | iShares
International Dividend Growth ETF |
| Six Months Ended
09/30/24
(unaudited) | | Six Months Ended
09/30/24
(unaudited) | |
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | | | | |
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations | | | | |
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a) | | | | |
Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders | | | | |
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets derived from capital share transactions | | | | |
| | | | |
Total increase in net assets | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations. |
| A portion of the distributions from net investment income may be deemed a return of capital or net realized gain at fiscal year-end. |
See notes to financial statements.
532024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Statements of Changes in Net Assets(continued)
| iShares
Latin America 40 ETF |
| Six Months Ended
09/30/24
(unaudited) | |
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | | |
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a) | | |
Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders | | |
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets derived from capital share transactions | | |
| | |
Total increase (decrease) in net assets | | |
| | |
| | |
| Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations. |
| A portion of the distributions from net investment income may be deemed a return of capital or net realized gain at fiscal year-end. |
See notes to financial statements.
Statements of Changes in Net Assets54
Financial Highlights(For a share outstanding throughout each period)
| |
| Six Months Ended
09/30/24
(unaudited) | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(b) | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations | | | | | | |
Distributions from net investment income(c) | | | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Ratios to Average Net Assets(h) | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000) | | | | | | |
Portfolio turnover rate(j) | | | | | | |
(a) Based on average shares outstanding. |
(b) The amounts reported for a share outstanding may not accord with the change in aggregate gains and losses in securities for the fiscal period due to the timing of capital share transactions in relation to the fluctuating market values of the Fund’s underlying securities. |
(c) Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations. |
(d) A portion of the distributions from net investment income may be deemed a return of capital or net realized gain at fiscal year-end. |
(e) For financial reporting purposes, the market values of certain investments were adjusted as of the report date. Accordingly, the NAV per share and total return presented herein is different than the information previously published as of March 28, 2024. |
(f) Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions. |
|
(h) Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds. |
|
(j) Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions, if any. |
See notes to financial statements.
552024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Financial Highlights(continued)(For a share outstanding throughout each period)
| iShares Blockchain and Tech ETF |
| Six Months Ended
09/30/24
(unaudited) | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | |
| | | |
Net realized and unrealized gain(c) | | | |
Net increase from investment operations | | | |
Distributions from net investment income(d) | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | | |
| | | |
| | | |
Ratios to Average Net Assets(h) | | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
Net assets, end of period (000) | | | |
Portfolio turnover rate(j) | | | |
(a) Commencement of operations. |
(b) Based on average shares outstanding. |
(c) The amounts reported for a share outstanding may not accord with the change in aggregate gains and losses in securities for the fiscal period due to the timing of capital share transactions in relation to the fluctuating market values of the Fund’s underlying securities. |
(d) Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations. |
(e) A portion of the distributions from net investment income may be deemed a return of capital or net realized gain at fiscal year-end. |
(f) Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions. |
|
(h) Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds. |
|
(j) Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions, if any. |
See notes to financial statements.
Financial Highlights(continued)(For a share outstanding throughout each period)
| iShares Emerging Markets Infrastructure ETF |
| Six Months Ended
09/30/24
(unaudited) | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(b) | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations | | | | | | |
Distributions from net investment income(c) | | | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Ratios to Average Net Assets(g) | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000) | | | | | | |
Portfolio turnover rate(j) | | | | | | |
(a) Based on average shares outstanding. |
(b) The amounts reported for a share outstanding may not accord with the change in aggregate gains and losses in securities for the fiscal period due to the timing of capital share transactions in relation to the fluctuating market values of the Fund’s underlying securities. |
(c) Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations. |
(d) A portion of the distributions from net investment income may be deemed a return of capital or net realized gain at fiscal year-end. |
(e) Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions. |
|
(g) Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds. |
|
(i) Interest expense was not annualized in the calculation of the expense ratio. If this expense was annualized, the total expense would have been 0.61%. |
(j) Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions, if any. |
See notes to financial statements.
572024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Financial Highlights(continued)(For a share outstanding throughout each period)
| |
| Six Months Ended
09/30/24
(unaudited) | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(c) | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations | | | | | | |
Distributions from net investment income(d) | | | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Ratios to Average Net Assets(h) | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Total expenses excluding professional fees for foreign withholding tax claims | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000) | | | | | | |
Portfolio turnover rate(k) | | | | | | |
(a) Based on average shares outstanding. |
(b) Reflects the positive effect of foreign withholding tax claims, net of the associated professional fees, which resulted in the following increases for the six months ended September 30,2024, year ended March 31, 2024, March 31, 2023 and March 31, 2022 respectively: • Net investment income per share by $0.00, $0.04, $0.27 and $0.18. • Total return by 0.01%, 0.10%, 0.56% and 0.36%. • Ratio of net investment income to average net assets by 0.01, 0.08%, 0.60% and 0.34%. |
(c) The amounts reported for a share outstanding may not accord with the change in aggregate gains and losses in securities for the fiscal period due to the timing of capital share transactions in relation to the fluctuating market values of the Fund’s underlying securities. |
(d) Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations. |
(e) A portion of the distributions from net investment income may be deemed a return of capital or net realized gain at fiscal year-end. |
(f) Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions. |
|
(h) Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds. |
|
(j) Professional fees were not annualized in the calculation of the expense ratio. If this expense was annualized, the total expense would have been 0.60%. |
(k) Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions, if any. |
See notes to financial statements.
Financial Highlights(continued)(For a share outstanding throughout each period)
| iShares Future AI & Tech ETF |
| Period from
08/01/24
to 09/30/24
| | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(c) | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations | | | | | | |
Distributions from net investment income(d) | | | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Ratios to Average Net Assets(h) | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000) | | | | | | |
Portfolio turnover rate(j) | | | | | | |
(a) The Fund’s fiscal year-end changed from July 31 to March 31. |
(b) Based on average shares outstanding. |
(c) The amounts reported for a share outstanding may not accord with the change in aggregate gains and losses in securities for the fiscal period due to the timing of capital share transactions in relation to the fluctuating market values of the Fund’s underlying securities. |
(d) Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations. |
(e) Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions. |
|
(g) Reflects the positive effect of foreign withholding tax claims, net of the associated professional fees, which resulted in the following increases for the years ended July 31, 2024 and July 31, 2023 respectively: • Total return by 0.00% and 0.01%. • Ratio of net investment income to average net assets by 0.01% and 0.01%. |
(h) Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds. |
|
(j) Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions, if any. |
See notes to financial statements.
592024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Financial Highlights(continued)(For a share outstanding throughout each period)
| iShares Future Metaverse Tech and Communications ETF |
| Six Months Ended
09/30/24
(unaudited) | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | |
| | | |
Net realized and unrealized gain(d) | | | |
Net increase from investment operations | | | |
Distributions from net investment income(e) | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | | |
| | | |
| | | |
Ratios to Average Net Assets(i) | | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
Net assets, end of period (000) | | | |
Portfolio turnover rate(k) | | | |
(a) Commencement of operations. |
(b) Based on average shares outstanding. |
(c) Rounds to less than $0.01. |
(d) The amounts reported for a share outstanding may not accord with the change in aggregate gains and losses in securities for the fiscal period due to the timing of capital share transactions in relation to the fluctuating market values of the Fund’s underlying securities. |
(e) Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations. |
(f) A portion of the distributions from net investment income may be deemed a return of capital or net realized gain at fiscal year-end. |
(g) Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions. |
|
(i) Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds. |
|
(k) Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions, if any. |
See notes to financial statements.
Financial Highlights(continued)(For a share outstanding throughout each period)
| |
| Six Months Ended
09/30/24
(unaudited) | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(c) | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
From net investment income | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Ratios to Average Net Assets(h) | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000) | | | | | | |
Portfolio turnover rate(k) | | | | | | |
(a) Consolidated Financial Highlights. |
(b) Based on average shares outstanding. |
(c) The amounts reported for a share outstanding may not accord with the change in aggregate gains and losses in securities for the fiscal period due to the timing of capital share transactions in relation to the fluctuating market values of the Fund’s underlying securities. |
(d) Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations. |
(e) A portion of the distributions from net investment income may be deemed a return of capital or net realized gain at fiscal year-end. |
(f) Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions. |
|
(h) Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds. |
|
(j) Includes non-recurring expense of Interest expense. Without this cost, total expenses would have been 0.89%. |
(k) Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions, if any. |
See notes to financial statements.
612024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Financial Highlights(continued)(For a share outstanding throughout each period)
| iShares International Developed Small Cap Value Factor ETF |
| Six Months Ended
09/30/24
(unaudited) | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(c) | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations | | | | | |
Distributions from net investment income(d) | | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
Ratios to Average Net Assets(i) | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Total expenses after fees waived | | | | | |
Total expenses excluding professional fees for foreign withholding tax claims | | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000) | | | | | |
Portfolio turnover rate(k) | | | | | |
(a) Commencement of operations. |
(b) Based on average shares outstanding. |
(c) The amounts reported for a share outstanding may not accord with the change in aggregate gains and losses in securities for the fiscal period due to the timing of capital share transactions in relation to the fluctuating market values of the Fund’s underlying securities. |
(d) Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations. |
(e) A portion of the distributions from net investment income may be deemed a return of capital or net realized gain at fiscal year-end. |
(f) Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions. |
|
(h) Reflects the positive effect of foreign withholding tax claims, net of the associated professional fees, which resulted in the following increases for the year ended March 31, 2024: • Total return by 0.01%. • Ratio of net investment income to average net assets by 0.01%. |
(i) Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds. |
|
(k) Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions, if any. |
See notes to financial statements.
Financial Highlights(continued)(For a share outstanding throughout each period)
| iShares International Dividend Growth ETF |
| Six Months Ended
09/30/24
(unaudited) | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(c) | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations | | | | | | |
Distributions from net investment income(d) | | | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Ratios to Average Net Assets(h) | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000) | | | | | | |
Portfolio turnover rate(j) | | | | | | |
(a) Based on average shares outstanding. |
(b) Reflects the positive effect of foreign withholding tax claims, net of the associated professional fees, which resulted in the following increases for the year ended March 31, 2024: • Net investment income per share by $0.01. • Total return by 0.01%. • Ratio of net investment income to average net assets by 0.01%. |
(c) The amounts reported for a share outstanding may not accord with the change in aggregate gains and losses in securities for the fiscal period due to the timing of capital share transactions in relation to the fluctuating market values of the Fund’s underlying securities. |
(d) Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations. |
(e) A portion of the distributions from net investment income may be deemed a return of capital or net realized gain at fiscal year-end. |
(f) Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions. |
|
(h) Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds. |
|
(j) Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions, if any. |
See notes to financial statements.
632024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Financial Highlights(continued)(For a share outstanding throughout each period)
| iShares Latin America 40 ETF |
| Six Months Ended
09/30/24
(unaudited) | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(b) | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations | | | | | | |
Distributions from net investment income(c) | | | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Ratios to Average Net Assets(g) | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000) | | | | | | |
Portfolio turnover rate(i) | | | | | | |
(a) Based on average shares outstanding. |
(b) The amounts reported for a share outstanding may not accord with the change in aggregate gains and losses in securities for the fiscal period due to the timing of capital share transactions in relation to the fluctuating market values of the Fund’s underlying securities. |
(c) Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations. |
(d) A portion of the distributions from net investment income may be deemed a return of capital or net realized gain at fiscal year-end. |
(e) Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions. |
|
(g) Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds. |
|
(i) Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions, if any. |
See notes to financial statements.
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited)
1. ORGANIZATION
iShares Trust (the “Trust”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as an open-end management investment company. The Trust is organized as a Delaware statutory trust and is authorized to have multiple series or portfolios.
These financial statements relate only to the following funds (each, a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”):
| Diversification
Classification |
| |
| |
Emerging Markets Infrastructure | |
| |
| |
Future Metaverse Tech and Communications | |
| |
International Developed Small Cap Value Factor | |
International Dividend Growth | |
| |
| Formerly the iShares Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Multisector ETF. |
| The Fund’s fiscal year-end changed from July 31 to March 31 during the reporting period. |
Basis of Consolidation: The accompanying consolidated financial statements for iShares India 50 ETF included the accounts of its subsidiary in the Republic of Mauritius, which was a wholly-owned subsidiary (the "Subsidiary") of the Fund that invested in Indian securities. On March 29, 2023, iShares India 50 ETF filed to liquidate its Subsidiary with the Mauritius Financial Services Commission.
On June 5, 2024, the Board of Trustees approved a proposal to change the fund name of iShares Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Multisector ETF to iShares Future AI & Tech ETF, the ticker from IRBO to ARTY, the fiscal year-end from July 31 to March 31, and the underlying index from NYSE FactSet Global Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Index to Morningstar Global Artificial Intelligence Select Index and to make related changes to the Fund’s investment objective, investment strategy, and investment risks. The Fund’s revised investment objective is to seek to track the investment results of an index composed of U.S. and non U.S. companies that provide products and services that are expected to contribute to artificial intelligence (“AI”) technologies in areas including generative AI, AI data and infrastructure, AI software, and AI services. These changes became effective on August 12, 2024.
2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”), which may require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities in the financial statements, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Each Fund is considered an investment company under U.S. GAAP and follows the accounting and reporting guidance applicable to investment companies. Below is a summary of significant accounting policies:
Investment Transactions and Income Recognition: For financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are recorded on the dates the transactions are executed. Realized gains and losses on investment transactions are determined using the specific identification method. Dividend income and capital gain distributions, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Non-cash dividends, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend date at fair value. Dividends from foreign securities where the ex-dividend date may have passed are subsequently recorded when the Funds are informed of the ex-dividend date. Under the applicable foreign tax laws, a withholding tax at various rates may be imposed on capital gains, dividends and interest. Upon notification from issuers or as estimated by management, a portion of the dividend income received from a real estate investment trust may be redesignated as a reduction of cost of the related investment and/or realized gain. Interest income, including amortization and accretion of premiums and discounts on debt securities, is recognized daily on an accrual basis.
Foreign Currency Translation: Each Fund's books and records are maintained in U.S. dollars. Securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars using prevailing market rates as quoted by one or more data service providers. Purchases and sales of investments are recorded at the rates of exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions. Generally, when the U.S. dollar rises in value against a foreign currency, the investments denominated in that currency will lose value; the opposite effect occurs if the U.S. dollar falls in relative value.
Each Fund does not isolate the effect of fluctuations in foreign exchange rates from the effect of fluctuations in the market prices of investments for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, the effects of changes in exchange rates on investments are not segregated in the Statements of Operations from the effects of changes in market prices of those investments, but are included as a component of net realized and unrealized gain (loss) from investments. Each Fund reports realized currency gains (losses) on foreign currency related transactions as components of net realized gain (loss) for financial reporting purposes, whereas such components are generally treated as ordinary income for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Foreign Taxes: The Funds may be subject to foreign taxes (a portion of which may be reclaimable) on income, stock dividends, capital gains on investments, or certain foreign currency transactions. All foreign taxes are recorded in accordance with the applicable foreign tax regulations and rates that exist in the foreign jurisdictions in which
652024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
each Fund invests. These foreign taxes, if any, are paid by each Fund and are reflected in its Statements of Operations as follows: foreign taxes withheld at source are presented as a reduction of income, foreign taxes on securities lending income are presented as a reduction of securities lending income, foreign taxes on stock dividends are presented as “Other foreign taxes”, and foreign taxes on capital gains from sales of investments and foreign taxes on foreign currency transactions are included in their respective net realized gain (loss) categories. Foreign taxes payable or deferred as of September 30, 2024, if any, are disclosed in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.
Consistent with U.S. GAAP accrual requirements, for uncertain tax positions, each Fund recognizes tax reclaims when the Fund determines that it is more likely than not that the Fund will sustain its position that it is due the reclaim.
The Funds file withholding tax reclaims in certain jurisdictions to recover a portion of amounts previously withheld. The Funds may record a reclaim receivable based on collectability, which includes factors such as the jurisdiction’s applicable laws, payment history and market convention. The Statements of Operations include tax reclaims recorded as well as professional and other fees, if any, associated with recovery of foreign withholding taxes.
Collateralization: If required by an exchange or counterparty agreement, the Funds may be required to deliver/deposit cash and/or securities to/with an exchange, or broker-dealer or custodian as collateral for certain investments.
In-kind Redemptions: For financial reporting purposes, in-kind redemptions are treated as sales of securities resulting in realized capital gains or losses to the Funds. Because such gains or losses are not taxable to the Funds and are not distributed to existing Fund shareholders, the gains or losses are reclassified from accumulated net realized gain (loss) to paid-in capital at the end of the Funds’ tax year. These reclassifications have no effect on net assets or net asset value (“NAV”) per share.
Distributions: Dividends and distributions paid by each Fund are recorded on the ex-dividend dates. Distributions are determined on a tax basis and may differ from net investment income and net realized capital gains for financial reporting purposes. Dividends and distributions are paid in U.S. dollars and cannot be automatically reinvested in additional shares of the Funds.
Indemnifications: In the normal course of business, each Fund enters into contracts that contain a variety of representations that provide general indemnification. The Funds’ maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown because it involves future potential claims against the Funds, which cannot be predicted with any certainty.
3. INVESTMENT VALUATION AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
Investment Valuation Policies: Each Fund’s investments are valued at fair value (also referred to as “market value” within the financial statements) each day that the Fund’s listing exchange is open and, for financial reporting purposes, as of the report date. U.S. GAAP defines fair value as the price a fund would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”) of each Fund has approved the designation of BlackRock Fund Advisors (“BFA”), the Funds’ investment adviser, as the valuation designee for each Fund. Each Fund determines the fair values of its financial instruments using various independent dealers or pricing services under BFA’s policies. If a security’s market price is not readily available or does not otherwise accurately represent the fair value of the security, the security will be valued in accordance with BFA’s policies and procedures as reflecting fair value. BFA has formed a committee (the “Valuation Committee”) to develop pricing policies and procedures and to oversee the pricing function for all financial instruments, with assistance from other BlackRock pricing committees.
Fair Value Inputs and Methodologies: The following methods and inputs are used to establish the fair value of each Fund’s assets and liabilities:
• Equity investments traded on a recognized securities exchange are valued at that day’s official closing price, as applicable, on the exchange where the stock is primarily traded. Equity investments traded on a recognized exchange for which there were no sales on that day are valued at the last traded price.
• Investments in open-end U.S. mutual funds (including money market funds) are valued at that day’s NAV.
• Futures contracts are valued based on that day’s last reported settlement or trade price on the exchange where the contract is traded.
Generally, trading in foreign instruments is substantially completed each day at various times prior to the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”). Each business day, the Funds use current market factors supplied by independent pricing services to value certain foreign instruments (“Systematic Fair Value Price”). The Systematic Fair Value Price is designed to value such foreign securities at fair value as of the close of trading on the NYSE, which occurs after the close of the local markets.
If events (e.g., market volatility, company announcement or a natural disaster) occur that are expected to materially affect the value of such investment, or in the event that application of these methods of valuation results in a price for an investment that is deemed not to be representative of the market value of such investment, or if a price is not available, the investment will be valued by the Valuation Committee, in accordance with BFA’s policies and procedures as reflecting fair value (“Fair Valued Investments”). The fair valuation approaches that may be used by the Valuation Committee include market approach, income approach and cost approach. Valuation techniques such as discounted cash flow, use of market comparables and matrix pricing are types of valuation approaches and are typically used in determining fair value. When determining the price for Fair Valued Investments, the Valuation Committee seeks to determine the price that each Fund might reasonably expect to receive or pay from the current sale or purchase of that asset or liability in an arm’s-length transaction. Fair value determinations shall be based upon all available factors that the Valuation Committee deems relevant and consistent with the principles of fair value measurement as of the measurement date.
Fair value pricing could result in a difference between the prices used to calculate a fund’s NAV and the prices used by the fund’s underlying index, which in turn could result in a difference between the fund’s performance and the performance of the fund’s underlying index.
Notes to Financial Statements66
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
Fair Value Hierarchy: Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments at the measurement date. These inputs to valuation techniques are categorized into a fair value hierarchy consisting of three broad levels for financial reporting purposes as follows:
• Level 1 – Unadjusted price quotations in active markets/exchanges that each Fund has the ability to access for identical assets or liabilities;
• Level 2 – Inputs other than quoted prices included within level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly; and
• Level 3 – Inputs that are unobservable and significant to the entire fair value measurement for the asset or liability (including the Valuation Committee’s assumptions used in determining the fair value of financial instruments).
The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized in Level 3. The inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, for disclosure purposes, the fair value hierarchy classification is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. Investments classified within Level 3 have significant unobservable inputs used by the Valuation Committee in determining the price for Fair Valued Investments. Level 3 investments include equity or debt issued by privately held companies or funds that may not have a secondary market and/or may have a limited number of investors. The categorization of a value determined for financial instruments is based on the pricing transparency of the financial instruments and is not necessarily an indication of the risks associated with investing in those securities.
4. SECURITIES AND OTHER INVESTMENTS
Securities Lending: Each Fund may lend its securities to approved borrowers, such as brokers, dealers and other financial institutions. The borrower pledges and maintains with the Fund collateral consisting of cash, an irrevocable letter of credit issued by an approved bank, or securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government. The initial collateral received by each Fund is required to have a value of at least 102% of the current market value of the loaned securities for securities traded on U.S. exchanges and a value of at least 105% for all other securities. The collateral is maintained thereafter at a value equal to at least 100% of the current value of the securities on loan. The market value of the loaned securities is determined at the close of each business day of the Fund and any additional required collateral is delivered to the Fund or excess collateral is returned by the Fund, on the next business day. During the term of the loan, each Fund is entitled to all distributions made on or in respect of the loaned securities but does not receive interest income on securities received as collateral. Loans of securities are terminable at any time and the borrower, after notice, is required to return borrowed securities within the standard time period for settlement of securities transactions.
As of period end, any securities on loan were collateralized by cash and/or U.S. Government obligations. Cash collateral invested in money market funds managed by BFA, or its affiliates is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments. Any non-cash collateral received cannot be sold, re-invested or pledged by the Fund, except in the event of borrower default. The securities on loan, if any, are also disclosed in each Fund’s Schedule of Investments. The market value of any securities on loan and the value of any related cash collateral are disclosed in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.
Securities lending transactions are entered into by the Funds under Master Securities Lending Agreements (each, an “MSLA”) which provide the right, in the event of default (including bankruptcy or insolvency) for the non-defaulting party to liquidate the collateral and calculate a net exposure to the defaulting party or request additional collateral. In the event that a borrower defaults, the Funds, as lender, would offset the market value of the collateral received against the market value of the securities loaned. When the value of the collateral is greater than that of the market value of the securities loaned, the lender is left with a net amount payable to the defaulting party. However, bankruptcy or insolvency laws of a particular jurisdiction may impose restrictions on or prohibitions against such a right of offset in the event of an MSLA counterparty’s bankruptcy or insolvency. Under the MSLA, absent an event of default, the borrower can resell or re-pledge the loaned securities, and the Funds can reinvest cash collateral received in connection with loaned securities. Upon an event of default, the parties’ obligations to return the securities or collateral to the other party are extinguished, and the parties can resell or re-pledge the loaned securities or the collateral received in connection with the loaned securities in order to satisfy the defaulting party’s net payment obligation for all transactions under the MSLA. The defaulting party remains liable for any deficiency.
As of period end, the following table is a summary of the securities on loan by counterparty which are subject to offset under an MSLA:
iShares ETF and Counterparty | Securities Loaned
at Value | | Non-Cash Collateral
Received, at Fair Value(a) | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
J.P. Morgan Securities LLC | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Emerging Markets Infrastructure | | | | |
| | | | |
672024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
iShares ETF and Counterparty | Securities Loaned at Value | Cash Collateral Received(a) | Non-Cash Collateral Received, at Fair Value(a) | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
J.P. Morgan Securities LLC | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Future Metaverse Tech and Communications | | | | |
| | | | |
J.P. Morgan Securities LLC | | | | |
| | | | |
International Developed Small Cap Value Factor | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
J.P. Morgan Securities LLC | | | | |
State Street Bank & Trust Co. | | | | |
| | | | |
International Dividend Growth | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| Collateral received, if any, in excess of the market value of securities on loan is not presented in this table. The total cash collateral received by each Fund is disclosed in the Fund’s Statements of Assets and Liabilities. |
The risks of securities lending include the risk that the borrower may not provide additional collateral when required or may not return the securities when due. To mitigate these risks, each Fund benefits from a borrower default indemnity provided by BlackRock, Inc. (“BlackRock”). BlackRock’s indemnity allows for full replacement of the securities loaned to the extent the collateral received does not cover the value of the securities loaned in the event of borrower default. Each Fund could incur a loss if the value of an investment purchased with cash collateral falls below the market value of the loaned securities or if the value of an investment purchased with cash collateral falls below the value of the original cash collateral received. Such losses are borne entirely by each Fund.
5. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
Futures Contracts: Futures contracts are purchased or sold to gain exposure to, or manage exposure to, changes in interest rates (interest rate risk) and changes in the value of equity securities (equity risk) or foreign currencies (foreign currency exchange rate risk).
Futures contracts are exchange-traded agreements between the Funds and a counterparty to buy or sell a specific quantity of an underlying instrument at a specified price and on a specified date. Depending on the terms of a contract, it is settled either through physical delivery of the underlying instrument on the settlement date or by payment of a cash amount on the settlement date. Upon entering into a futures contract, the Funds are required to deposit initial margin with the broker in the form of cash or securities in an amount that varies depending on a contract’s size and risk profile. The initial margin deposit must then be maintained at an established level over the life of the contract. Amounts pledged, which are considered restricted, are included in cash pledged for futures contracts in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.
Securities deposited as initial margin are designated in the Schedule of Investments and cash deposited, if any, are shown as cash pledged for futures contracts in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. Pursuant to the contract, the Funds agree to receive from or pay to the broker an amount of cash equal to the daily fluctuation in market value of the contract (“variation margin”). Variation margin is recorded as unrealized appreciation (depreciation) and, if any, shown as variation margin receivable (or payable) on futures contracts in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. When the contract is closed, a realized gain or loss is recorded in the Statements of Operations equal to the difference between the notional amount of the contract at the time it was opened and the notional amount at the time it was closed. The use of futures contracts involves the risk of an imperfect correlation in the movements in the price of futures contracts and interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates or underlying assets.
Notes to Financial Statements68
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
6. INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES
Investment Advisory Fees: Pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement with the Trust, BFA manages the investment of each Fund’s assets. BFA is a California corporation indirectly owned by BlackRock. Under the Investment Advisory Agreement, BFA is responsible for substantially all expenses of the Funds, except (i) interest and taxes; (ii) brokerage commissions and other expenses connected with the execution of portfolio transactions; (iii) distribution fees; (iv) the advisory fee payable to BFA; and (v) litigation expenses and any extraordinary expenses (in each case as determined by a majority of the independent trustees).
For its investment advisory services to each of the following Funds, BFA is entitled to an annual investment advisory fee, accrued daily and paid monthly by the Funds, based on the average daily net assets of each Fund as follows:
| |
| |
| |
Emerging Markets Infrastructure | |
| |
Future Metaverse Tech and Communications | |
| |
International Developed Small Cap Value Factor | |
International Dividend Growth | |
For its investment advisory services to the iShares Europe ETF, BFA is entitled to an annual investment advisory fee, accrued daily and paid monthly by the Fund, based on the Fund’s allocable portion of the aggregate of the average daily net assets of the Fund and certain other iShares funds, as follows:
Aggregate Average Daily Net Assets | |
| |
Over $12 billion, up to and including $18 billion | |
Over $18 billion, up to and including $24 billion | |
Over $24 billion, up to and including $30 billion | |
| |
For its investment advisory services to the iShares Latin America 40 ETF, BFA is entitled to an annual investment advisory fee, accrued daily and paid monthly by the Fund, based on the Fund’s allocable portion of the aggregate of the average daily net assets of the Fund and certain other iShares funds, as follows:
Aggregate Average Daily Net Assets | |
| |
Over $46 billion, up to and including $81 billion | |
Over $81 billion, up to and including $111 billion | |
Over $111 billion, up to and including $141 billion | |
Over $141 billion, up to and including $171 billion | |
| |
Expense Waivers: A fund may incur its pro rata share of fees and expenses attributable to its investments in other investment companies (“acquired fund fees and expenses”). The total of the investment advisory fee and acquired fund fees and expenses, if any, is a fund’s total annual operating expenses. Total expenses as shown in the Statements of Operations does not include acquired fund fees and expenses.
For the iShares Emerging Markets Infrastructure ETF, BFA has contractually agreed to waive a portion of its investment advisory fee for the Fund through July 31, 2027 in an amount equal to the acquired fund fees and expenses, if any, attributable to the Fund’s investments in other iShares funds.
For six months ended September 31, 2024, there were no fees waived by BFA pursuant to this arrangement.
Distributor: BlackRock Investments, LLC, an affiliate of BFA, is the distributor for each Fund. Pursuant to the distribution agreement, BFA is responsible for any fees or expenses for distribution services provided to the Funds.
Securities Lending: The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) has issued an exemptive order which permits BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A. (“BTC”), an affiliate of BFA, to serve as securities lending agent for the Funds, subject to applicable conditions. As securities lending agent, BTC bears all operational costs directly related to securities lending, including any custodial costs. Each Fund is responsible for fees in connection with the investment of cash collateral received for securities on loan (the “collateral investment fees”). The cash collateral is invested in a money market fund, BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional or BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, managed by BFA, or its affiliates. However, BTC has agreed to reduce the amount of securities lending income it receives in order to effectively limit the collateral investment fees each Fund bears to an annual rate of 0.04%. The SL Agency Shares of such money market fund will not be subject to a sales load, redemption
692024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
fee, distribution fee or service fee. The money market fund in which the cash collateral has been invested may impose a discretionary liquidity fee of up to 2% of the value redeemed, if such fee is determined to be in the best interests of such money market fund.
Securities lending income is generally equal to the total of income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral (and excludes collateral investment fees), and any fees or other payments to and from borrowers of securities. Each Fund retains a portion of the securities lending income and remits the remaining portion to BTC as compensation for its services as securities lending agent.
Pursuant to the current securities lending agreement, the iShares Blockchain and Tech ETF (the “Group 1 Funds”), retains 81% of securities lending income (which excludes collateral investment fees) and the amount retained can never be less than 70% of the total of securities lending income plus the collateral investment fees.
Pursuant to the current securities lending agreement, each of iShares Asia 50 ETF, iShares Emerging Markets Infrastructure ETF, iShares Europe ETF, iShares Future AI & Tech ETF, iShares Future Metaverse Tech and Communications ETF, iShares India 50 ETF, iShares International Developed Small Cap Value Factor ETF, iShares International Dividend Growth ETF and iShares Latin America 40 ETF (the “Group 2 Funds”), retains 82% of securities lending income (which excludes collateral investment fees) and the amount retained can never be less than 70% of the total of securities lending income plus the collateral investment fees.
In addition, commencing the business day following the date that the aggregate securities lending income plus the collateral investment fees generated across all 1940 Act iShares exchange-traded funds (the “iShares ETF Complex”) in a given calendar year exceeds a specified threshold: (1) the Group 1 Fund, pursuant to the securities lending agreement, will retain for the remainder of that calendar year 81% of securities lending income (which excludes collateral investment fees), and the amount retained can never be less than 70% of the total of securities lending income plus the collateral investment fees, and (2) each Group 2 Fund will retain for the remainder of that calendar year 85% of securities lending income (which excludes collateral investment fees), and the amount retained can never be less than 70% of the total of securities lending income plus the collateral investment fees.
The share of securities lending income earned by each Fund is shown as securities lending income – affiliated – net in its Statements of Operations. For the six months ended September 30, 2024, the Funds paid BTC the following amounts for securities lending agent services:
| |
| |
| |
Emerging Markets Infrastructure | |
| |
Future Metaverse Tech and Communications | |
International Developed Small Cap Value Factor | |
International Dividend Growth | |
| |
For the period August 1, 2024 through September 30, 2024 and year ended July 31, 2024, the iShares Future AI & Tech ETF paid BTC $130,428 and $512,531, respectively, for securities lending agent services.
Officers and Trustees: Certain officers and/or trustees of the Trust are officers and/or trustees of BlackRock or its affiliates.
Other Transactions: Cross trading is the buying or selling of portfolio securities between funds to which BFA (or an affiliate) serves as investment adviser. At its regularly scheduled quarterly meetings, the Board reviews such transactions as of the most recent calendar quarter for compliance with the requirements and restrictions set forth by Rule 17a-7.
For the six months ended September 30, 2024, transactions executed by the Funds pursuant to Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act were as follows:
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
Emerging Markets Infrastructure | | | |
| | | |
International Developed Small Cap Value Factor | | | |
International Dividend Growth | | | |
| | | |
For the period August 1, 2024 through September 30, 2024, transactions executed by the iShares Future AI & Tech ETF pursuant to Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act were $20,115,497, $28,777,186 and $3,824,200 for purchases, sales and net realized gain, respectively.
Each Fund may invest its positive cash balances in certain money market funds managed by BFA or an affiliate. The income earned on these temporary cash investments is shown as dividends – affiliated in the Statements of Operations.
A fund, in order to improve its portfolio liquidity and its ability to track its underlying index, may invest in shares of other iShares funds that invest in securities in the fund’s underlying index.
Notes to Financial Statements70
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
7. PURCHASES AND SALES
For the six months ended September 30, 2024, purchases and sales of investments, excluding short-term securities and in-kind transactions, were as follows:
| | |
| | |
| | |
Emerging Markets Infrastructure | | |
| | |
Future Metaverse Tech and Communications | | |
| | |
International Developed Small Cap Value Factor | | |
International Dividend Growth | | |
| | |
For the period August 1, 2024 through September 30, 2024, purchases and sales of investments, excluding short-term securities and in-kind transactions, for iShares Future AI & Tech ETF were $546,250,706 and $548,141,483, respectively.
For the six months ended September 30, 2024, in-kind transactions were as follows:
| | |
| | |
| | |
Emerging Markets Infrastructure | | |
| | |
International Developed Small Cap Value Factor | | |
International Dividend Growth | | |
| | |
For the period August 1, 2024 through September 30, 2024, in-kind purchases and in-kind sales for iShares Future AI & Tech ETF were $0 and $34,904,470, respectively.
8. INCOME TAX INFORMATION
Each Fund is treated as an entity separate from the Trust’s other funds for federal income tax purposes. It is each Fund’s policy to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, applicable to regulated investment companies, and to distribute substantially all of its taxable income to its shareholders. Therefore, no U.S. federal income tax provision is required.
Management has analyzed tax laws and regulations and their application to the Funds as of September 30, 2024, inclusive of the open tax return years, and does not believe that there are any uncertain tax positions that require recognition of a tax liability in the Funds’ financial statements. Management’s analysis is based on the tax laws and judicial and administrative interpretations thereof in effect as of the date of these financial statements, all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect, which may impact the Funds’ NAV.
As of March 31, 2024, the Funds had non-expiring capital loss carryforwards available to offset future realized capital gains and qualified late-year losses as follows:
| Non-Expiring
Capital Loss
Carryforwards | Qualified
Late-Year
Capital
Losses | Qualified
Late-Year
Ordinary
Losses |
| | | |
| | | |
Emerging Markets Infrastructure | | | |
| | | |
| | | |
International Developed Small Cap Value Factor | | | |
International Dividend Growth | | | |
| | | |
As of July 31, 2024, the iShares Future AI & Tech ETF had non-expiring capital loss carryforwards of $77,661,199 available to offset future realized capital gains.
A fund may own shares in certain foreign investment entities, referred to, under U.S. tax law, as “passive foreign investment companies.” Such fund may elect to mark-to-market annually the shares of each passive foreign investment company and would be required to distribute to shareholders any such marked-to-market gains.
712024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
As of September 30, 2024, gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation based on cost of investments (including short positions and derivatives, if any) for U.S. federal income tax purposes were as follows:
| | Gross Unrealized
Appreciation | Gross Unrealized
Depreciation | Net Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation) |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Emerging Markets Infrastructure | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Future Metaverse Tech and Communications | | | | |
| | | | |
International Developed Small Cap Value Factor | | | | |
International Dividend Growth | | | | |
| | | | |
The iShares Asia 50 ETF, iShares Emerging Markets Infrastructure ETF, iShares Future AI & Tech ETF, iShares Future Metaverse Tech and Communications ETF, iShares India 50 ETF, iShares International Dividend Growth ETF and iShares Latin America 40 ETF, along with certain other iShares funds (“Participating Funds”), are parties to a $800 million credit agreement (“Syndicated Credit Agreement”) with a group of lenders, which expires on October 16, 2024. The line of credit may be used for temporary or emergency purposes, including redemptions, settlement of trades and rebalancing of portfolio holdings in certain target markets. The Funds may borrow up to the aggregate commitment amount subject to asset coverage and other limitations as specified in the Syndicated Credit Agreement. The Syndicated Credit Agreement has the following terms: a commitment fee of 0.15% per annum on the unused portion of the credit agreement and interest at a rate equal to the higher of (a) Daily Simple Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) plus 0.10% and 1.00% per annum or (b) the U.S. Federal Funds rate plus 1.00% per annum on amounts borrowed. The commitment fee is generally allocated to each Participating Fund based on the lesser of a Participating Fund’s relative exposure to certain target markets or a Participating Fund’s maximum borrowing amount as set forth by the terms of the Syndicated Credit Agreement.
During the six months ended September 30, 2024, the iShares Asia 50 ETF, iShares Emerging Markets Infrastructure ETF, iShares Future AI & Tech ETF, iShares Future Metaverse Tech and Communications ETF, iShares India 50 ETF and iShares Latin America 40 ETF did not borrow under the Syndicated Credit Agreement.
For the six months ended September 30, 2024, the maximum amount borrowed, the average daily borrowing and the weighted average interest rate, if any, under the Syndicated Credit Agreement were as follows:
| | | Weighted
Average
Interest Rates |
International Dividend Growth | | | |
In the normal course of business, each Fund invests in securities or other instruments and may enter into certain transactions, and such activities subject the Fund to various risks, including, among others, fluctuations in the market (market risk) or failure of an issuer to meet all of its obligations. The value of securities or other instruments may also be affected by various factors, including, without limitation: (i) the general economy; (ii) the overall market as well as local, regional or global political and/or social instability; (iii) regulation, taxation or international tax treaties between various countries; or (iv) currency, interest rate or price fluctuations. Local, regional or global events such as war, acts of terrorism, the spread of infectious illness or other public health issues, recessions, or other events could have a significant impact on the Funds and their investments. Each Fund’s prospectus provides details of the risks to which the Fund is subject.
BFA uses an indexing approach to try to achieve each Fund’s investment objective. The Fund is not actively managed, and BFA generally does not attempt to take defensive positions under any market conditions, including declining markets.
The Funds may be exposed to additional risks when reinvesting cash collateral in money market funds that do not seek to maintain a stable NAV per share of $1.00, which may be subject to discretionary liquidity fees under certain circumstances.
Market Risk: Investments in the securities of issuers domiciled in countries with emerging capital markets involve certain additional risks that do not generally apply to investments in securities of issuers in more developed capital markets, such as (i) low or nonexistent trading volume, resulting in a lack of liquidity and increased volatility in prices for such securities; (ii) lack of reliable settlement procedures and significant delays in registering the transfer of securities; (iii) uncertain national policies and social, political and economic instability, increasing the potential for expropriation of assets, confiscatory taxation, high rates of inflation or unfavorable diplomatic developments; (iv) lack of publicly available or reliable information about issuers as a result of not being subject to the same degree of regulatory requirements and accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards; and (v) possible fluctuations in exchange rates, differing legal systems and the existence or possible imposition of exchange controls, custodial restrictions or other foreign or U.S. governmental laws or restrictions applicable to such investments.
Notes to Financial Statements72
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
Valuation Risk: The market values of equities, such as common stocks and preferred securities or equity related investments, such as futures and options, may decline due to general market conditions which are not specifically related to a particular company. They may also decline due to factors which affect a particular industry or industries. A fund may invest in illiquid investments. An illiquid investment is any investment that a fund reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment. A fund may experience difficulty in selling illiquid investments in a timely manner at the price that it believes the investments are worth. Prices may fluctuate widely over short or extended periods in response to company, market or economic news. Markets also tend to move in cycles, with periods of rising and falling prices. This volatility may cause a fund’s NAV to experience significant increases or decreases over short periods of time. If there is a general decline in the securities and other markets, the NAV of a fund may lose value, regardless of the individual results of the securities and other instruments in which a fund invests. Each Fund’s ability to value its investments may also be impacted by technological issues and/or errors by pricing services or other third-party service providers.
The price each Fund could receive upon the sale of any particular portfolio investment may differ from each Fund’s valuation of the investment, particularly for securities that trade in thin or volatile markets or that are valued using a fair valuation technique or a price provided by an independent pricing service. Changes to significant unobservable inputs and assumptions (i.e., publicly traded company multiples, growth rate, time to exit) due to the lack of observable inputs may significantly impact the resulting fair value and therefore each Fund’s results of operations. As a result, the price received upon the sale of an investment may be less than the value ascribed by each Fund, and each Fund could realize a greater than expected loss or lesser than expected gain upon the sale of the investment.
Counterparty Credit Risk: The Funds may be exposed to counterparty credit risk, or the risk that an entity may fail to or be unable to perform on its commitments related to unsettled or open transactions, including making timely interest and/or principal payments or otherwise honoring its obligations. The Funds manage counterparty credit risk by entering into transactions only with counterparties that BFA believes have the financial resources to honor their obligations and by monitoring the financial stability of those counterparties. Financial assets, which potentially expose the Funds to market, issuer and counterparty credit risks, consist principally of financial instruments and receivables due from counterparties. The extent of the Funds’ exposure to market, issuer and counterparty credit risks with respect to these financial assets is approximately their value recorded in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities, less any collateral held by the Funds.
A derivative contract may suffer a mark-to-market loss if the value of the contract decreases due to an unfavorable change in the market rates or values of the underlying instrument. Losses can also occur if the counterparty does not perform under the contract.
With exchange-traded futures, there is less counterparty credit risk to the Funds since the exchange or clearinghouse, as counterparty to such instruments, guarantees against a possible default. The clearinghouse stands between the buyer and the seller of the contract; therefore, credit risk is limited to failure of the clearinghouse. While offset rights may exist under applicable law, the Fund does not have a contractual right of offset against a clearing broker or clearinghouse in the event of a default (including the bankruptcy or insolvency). Additionally, credit risk exists in exchange-traded futures with respect to initial and variation margin that is held in a clearing broker’s customer accounts. While clearing brokers are required to segregate customer margin from their own assets, in the event that a clearing broker becomes insolvent or goes into bankruptcy and at that time there is a shortfall in the aggregate amount of margin held by the clearing broker for all its clients, typically the shortfall would be allocated on a pro rata basis across all the clearing broker’s customers, potentially resulting in losses to the Funds.
Geographic/Asset Class Risk: A diversified portfolio, where this is appropriate and consistent with a fund’s objectives, minimizes the risk that a price change of a particular investment will have a material impact on the NAV of a fund. The investment concentrations within each Fund’s portfolio are disclosed in its Schedule of Investments.
Certain Funds invest a significant portion of their assets in issuers located in a single country or a limited number of countries. When a fund concentrates its investments in this manner, it assumes the risk that economic, regulatory, political and social conditions in that country or those countries may have a significant impact on the fund and could affect the income from, or the value or liquidity of, the Fund’s portfolio. Unanticipated or sudden political or social developments may cause uncertainty in the markets and as a result adversely affect the Fund’s investments. Foreign issuers may not be subject to the same uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and practices as used in the United States. Foreign securities markets may also be more volatile and less liquid than U.S. securities and may be less subject to governmental supervision not typically associated with investing in U.S. securities. Investment percentages in specific countries are presented in the Schedule of Investments.
Certain Funds invest a significant portion of their assets in securities of issuers located in Europe or with significant exposure to European issuers or countries. The European financial markets have recently experienced volatility and adverse trends due to concerns about economic downturns in, or rising government debt levels of, several European countries as well as acts of war in the region. These events may spread to other countries in Europe and may affect the value and liquidity of certain of the Funds’ investments.
Responses to the financial problems by European governments, central banks and others, including austerity measures and reforms, may not work, may result in social unrest and may limit future growth and economic recovery or have other unintended consequences. Further defaults or restructurings by governments and others of their debt could have additional adverse effects on economies, financial markets and asset valuations around the world. The United Kingdom has withdrawn from the European Union, and one or more other countries may withdraw from the European Union and/or abandon the Euro, the common currency of the European Union. These events and actions have adversely affected, and may in the future adversely affect, the value and exchange rate of the Euro and may continue to significantly affect the economies of every country in Europe, including countries that do not use the Euro and non-European Union member states. The impact of these actions, especially if they occur in a disorderly fashion, is not clear but could be significant and far reaching. In addition, Russia launched a large-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. The extent and duration of the military action, resulting sanctions and resulting future market disruptions in the region are impossible to predict, but have been, and may continue to be, significant and have a severe adverse effect on the region, including significant negative impacts on the economy and the markets for certain securities and commodities, such as oil and natural gas, as well as other sectors.
732024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
Certain Funds invest a significant portion of their assets in securities of issuers located in China or with significant exposure to Chinese issuers. Investments in Chinese securities, including certain Hong Kong-listed securities, involve risks specific to China. China may be subject to considerable degrees of economic, political and social instability and demonstrates significantly higher volatility from time to time in comparison to developed markets. Chinese markets generally continue to experience inefficiency, volatility and pricing anomalies resulting from governmental influence, a lack of publicly available information and/or political and social instability. Internal social unrest or confrontations with other neighboring countries may disrupt economic development in China and result in a greater risk of currency fluctuations, currency non-convertibility, interest rate fluctuations and higher rates of inflation. Incidents involving China’s or the region’s security may cause uncertainty in Chinese markets and may adversely affect the Chinese economy and a fund’s investments. Reduction in spending on Chinese products and services, supply chain diversification, institution of tariffs, sanctions or other trade barriers, or a downturn in any of the economies of China’s key trading partners may have an adverse impact on the Chinese economy. In addition, measures may be taken to limit the flow of capital and/or sanctions may be imposed, which could prohibit or restrict the ability to own or transfer fund assets and may also include retaliatory actions, such as seizure of fund assets.
Certain Funds invest a significant portion of their assets in securities of issuers located in Asia or with significant exposure to Asian issuers or countries. The Asian financial markets have recently experienced volatility and adverse trends due to concerns in several Asian countries regarding monetary policy, government intervention in the markets, rising government debt levels or economic downturns. These events may spread to other countries in Asia and may affect the value and liquidity of certain of the Funds’ investments.
Certain Funds invest a significant portion of their assets in securities within a single or limited number of market sectors. When a fund concentrates its investments in this manner, it assumes the risk that economic, regulatory, political and social conditions affecting such sectors may have a significant impact on the Fund and could affect the income from, or the value or liquidity of, the Fund’s portfolio.
Significant Shareholder Redemption Risk: Certain shareholders may own or manage a substantial amount of fund shares and/or hold their fund investments for a limited period of time. Large redemptions of fund shares by these shareholders may force a fund to sell portfolio securities, which may negatively impact the fund’s NAV, increase the fund’s brokerage costs, and/or accelerate the realization of taxable income/gains and cause the fund to make additional taxable distributions to shareholders.
11. CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS
Capital shares are issued and redeemed by each Fund only in aggregations of a specified number of shares or multiples thereof (“Creation Units”) at NAV. Except when aggregated in Creation Units, shares of each Fund are not redeemable.
Transactions in capital shares were as follows:
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Notes to Financial Statements74
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
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| The Fund’s fiscal year-end changed from July 31 to March 31. |
The consideration for the purchase of Creation Units of a fund in the Trust generally consists of the in-kind deposit of a designated portfolio of securities and a specified amount of cash. Certain funds in the Trust may be offered in Creation Units solely or partially for cash in U.S. dollars. Authorized Participants purchasing and redeeming Creation Units may pay a purchase transaction fee and a redemption transaction fee directly to State Street Bank and Trust Company, the Trust’s administrator, to offset transfer and other transaction costs associated with the issuance and redemption of Creation Units, including Creation Units for cash. Authorized Participants transacting in Creation Units for cash may also pay an additional variable charge to compensate the relevant fund for certain transaction costs (i.e., stamp taxes, taxes on currency or other financial transactions, and brokerage costs) and market impact expenses relating to investing in portfolio securities. Such variable charges, if any, are included in shares sold in the table above.
To the extent applicable, to facilitate the timely settlement of orders for the Funds using a clearing facility outside of the continuous net settlement process, the Funds, at their sole discretion, may permit an Authorized Participant to post cash as collateral in anticipation of the delivery of all or a portion of the applicable Deposit Securities or Fund Securities, as further described in the applicable Authorized Participant Agreement. The collateral process is subject to a Control Agreement among the Authorized Participant, each Funds’ custodian, and the Funds. In the event that the Authorized Participant fails to deliver all or a portion of the applicable Deposit Securities or Fund Securities, the Funds may exercise control over such collateral pursuant to the terms of the Control Agreement in order to purchase the applicable Deposit Securities or Fund Securities.
From time to time, settlement of securities related to in-kind contributions or in-kind redemptions may be delayed. In such cases, securities related to in-kind transactions are reflected as a receivable or a payable in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.
12. FOREIGN WITHHOLDING TAX CLAIMS
Certain of the outstanding foreign tax reclaims are not deemed by the Fund to meet the recognition criteria under U.S. GAAP as of September 31, 2024 and have not been recorded in the applicable Fund's net asset value. The recognition by the Fund of these amounts would have a positive impact on the applicable Fund's performance. If a Fund receives a tax refund that has not been previously recorded, investors in the Fund at the time the claim is successful will benefit from any resulting increase in the Fund's NAV. Investors who sold their shares prior to such time will not benefit from such NAV increase.
752024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
The Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") has issued guidance to address U.S. income tax liabilities attributable to fund shareholders resulting from the recovery of foreign taxes withheld in prior calendar years. These withheld foreign taxes were passed through to shareholders in the form of foreign tax credits in the year the taxes were withheld. Assuming there are sufficient foreign taxes paid which the iShares Europe ETF is able to pass through to shareholders as a foreign tax credit in the current year, the Fund will be able to offset the prior years' withholding taxes recovered against the foreign taxes paid in the current year. Accordingly, no federal income tax liability is recorded by the Fund.
The iShares Europe ETF is seeking a closing agreement with the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) to address any prior years’ U.S. income tax liabilities attributable to Fund shareholders resulting from the recovery of foreign taxes. The closing agreement would result in the Fund paying a compliance fee to the IRS, on behalf of its shareholders, representing the estimated tax savings generated from foreign tax credits claimed by Fund shareholders on their tax returns in prior years. The Fund has accrued a liability for the estimated IRS compliance fee related to foreign withholding tax claims, which is disclosed in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. The actual IRS compliance fee may differ from the estimate and that difference may be material.
During the period, the iShares Europe ETF filed a closing agreement with the IRS related to the recovery of foreign taxes received in fiscal year 2022, and the related tax compliance fee, including interest, was paid to the IRS.
Management’s evaluation of the impact of all subsequent events on the Funds’ financial statements was completed through the date the financial statements were available to be issued and the following item was noted:
Effective October 16, 2024, the Syndicated Credit Agreement to which the Participating Funds are party was amended to extend the maturity date to October 15, 2025 under the same terms.
Notes to Financial Statements76
Electronic Delivery
Shareholders can sign up for e-mail notifications announcing that the shareholder report or prospectus has been posted on the iShares website at iShares.com. Once you have enrolled, you will no longer receive prospectuses and shareholder reports in the mail.
To enroll in electronic delivery:
• Go to icsdelivery.com.
• If your brokerage firm is not listed, electronic delivery may not be available. Please contact your broker-dealer or financial advisor.
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants
Remuneration Paid to Trustees, Officers, and Others
Because BFA has agreed in the Investment Advisory Agreements to cover all operating expenses of the Funds, subject to certain exclusions as provided for therein, BFA pays the compensation to each Independent Trustee for services to the Funds from BFA's investment advisory fees.
Availability of Portfolio Holdings Information
A description of the Company’s policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of the Fund’s portfolio securities is available in the Fund Prospectus. The Fund discloses its portfolio holdings daily and provides information regarding its top holdings in Fund fact sheets, when available, at iShares.com.
772024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract
iShares Asia 50 ETF (the “Fund”)
Under Section 15(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), the Trust's Board of Trustees (the “Board”), including a majority of Board Members who are not “interested persons” of the Trust (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act) (the “Independent Board Members”), is required annually to consider the approval of the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and BFA (the “Advisory Agreement”) on behalf of the Fund. The Board’s consideration entails a year-long process whereby the Board and its committees (composed solely of Independent Board Members) assess BlackRock’s services to the Fund, including investment management; fund accounting; administrative and shareholder services; oversight of the Fund’s service providers; risk management and oversight; and legal and compliance services; including the ability to meet applicable legal and regulatory requirements. The Independent Board Members requested, and BFA provided, such information as the Independent Board Members, with advice from independent counsel, deemed reasonably necessary to evaluate the Advisory Agreement. At meetings held on May 6, 2024 and May 17, 2024, a committee composed of all of the Independent Board Members (the “15(c) Committee”), with independent counsel, met with management and reviewed and discussed information provided in response to initial requests of the 15(c) Committee and/or its independent counsel. Prior to and in preparation for the meeting, the Board received and reviewed materials specifically relating to matters relevant to the renewal of the Advisory Agreement. Following discussion, the 15(c) Committee subsequently requested certain additional information, which management agreed to provide. At a meeting held on June 4-5, 2024, the Board, including the Independent Board Members, reviewed the additional information provided by management in response to these requests.
After extensive discussions and deliberations, the Board, including all of the Independent Board Members, approved the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the Fund, based on a review of qualitative and quantitative information provided by BFA and their cumulative experience as Board Members. The Board noted its satisfaction with the extent and quality of information provided and its frequent interactions with management, as well as the detailed responses and other information provided by BFA. The Independent Board Members were advised by their independent counsel throughout the process, including about the legal standards applicable to their review. In approving the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the Fund, the Board, including the Independent Board Members, considered various factors, including: (i) the expenses and performance of the Fund; (ii) the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by BFA; (iii) the costs of services provided to the Fund and profits realized by BFA and its affiliates; (iv) potential economies of scale and the sharing of related benefits; (v) the fees and services provided for other comparable funds/accounts managed by BFA and its affiliates; and (vi) other benefits to BFA and/or its affiliates. The Board Members did not identify any particular information or any single factor as determinative, and each Board Member may have attributed different weights to the various matters and factors considered. The material factors, considerations and conclusions that formed the basis for the Board, including the Independent Board Members, to approve the continuance of the Advisory Agreement are discussed below.
Expenses and Performance of the Fund: The Board reviewed statistical information prepared by Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (“Broadridge”), an independent provider of investment company data, regarding the expense ratio components, including gross and net total expenses, fees and expenses of other fund(s) in which the Fund invests (if applicable), and waivers/reimbursements (if applicable) of the Fund in comparison with the same information for other ETFs, objectively selected by Broadridge as comprising the Fund’s applicable expense peer group pursuant to Broadridge’s proprietary ETF methodology (the “Peer Group”). The Board was provided with a detailed description of the proprietary ETF methodology used by Broadridge to determine the Fund’s Peer Group. The Board noted that, due to the limitations in providing comparable funds in the Peer Group, the statistical information provided in Broadridge’s report may or may not provide meaningful direct comparisons to the Fund in all instances. The Board also noted that the investment advisory fee rate and overall expenses (net of any waivers and reimbursements) for the Fund were within range of the median of the investment advisory fee rates and overall expenses (net of any waivers and reimbursements) of the funds in its Peer Group, excluding iShares funds.
In addition, to the extent that any of the comparison funds included in the Peer Group, excluding iShares funds, track the same index as the Fund, Broadridge also provided, and the Board reviewed, a comparison of the Fund’s performance for the one-year, three-year, five-year, ten-year, and since inception periods, as applicable, and for the quarter ended December 31, 2023, to that of such relevant comparison fund(s) for the same periods. The Board noted that the Fund seeks to track its specified underlying index and that, during the year, the Board received periodic reports on the Fund’s short- and longer-term performance in comparison with its underlying index. Such periodic comparative performance information, including additional detailed information as requested by the Board, was also considered. The Board noted that the Fund generally performed in line with its underlying index over the relevant periods.
Based on this review, the other relevant factors and information considered at the meeting, and their general knowledge of ETF pricing, the Board concluded that the investment advisory fee rate and expense level and the historical performance of the Fund supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.
Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided: Based on management’s representations, including information about ongoing enhancements and initiatives with respect to the iShares product line and BFA’s business, including with respect to capital markets support and analysis, technology, portfolio management, product design and quality, compliance and risk management, global public policy and other services, the Board expected that there would be no diminution in the scope of services required of or provided by BFA under the Advisory Agreement for the coming year as compared with the scope of services provided by BFA during prior years. In reviewing the scope of these services, the Board considered BFA’s investment philosophy and experience, noting that BFA and its affiliates have committed significant resources over time, including during the past year, to support the iShares funds and their shareholders and have made significant investments into the iShares business. The Board also considered BFA’s compliance program and its compliance record with respect to the Fund, including related programs implemented pursuant to regulatory requirements. In that regard, the Board noted that BFA reports to the Board about portfolio management and compliance matters on a periodic basis in connection with regularly scheduled meetings of the Board, and on other occasions as necessary and appropriate, and has provided information and made relevant officers and other employees of BFA (and its affiliates) available as needed to provide further assistance with these matters. The Board also reviewed the background and experience of the persons responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund, as well as the resources available to them in managing the Fund. In addition to the above considerations, the Board reviewed and considered detailed presentations regarding BFA’s investment performance, investment and risk management processes and strategies provided at the May 6, 2024
Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract78
Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract (continued)
meeting and throughout the year, and matters related to BFA’s portfolio compliance program and other compliance programs and services, as well as BlackRock’s continued investments in its ETF business.
Based on review of this information, and the performance information discussed above, the Board concluded that the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund under the Advisory Agreement supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.
Costs of Services Provided to the Fund and Profits Realized by BFA and its Affiliates: The Board reviewed information about the estimated profitability to BlackRock in managing the Fund, based on the fees payable to BFA and its affiliates (including fees under the Advisory Agreement), and other sources of revenue and expense to BFA and its affiliates from the Fund’s operations for the last calendar year. The Board reviewed BlackRock’s methodology for calculating estimated profitability of the iShares funds, noting that the 15(c) Committee and the Board had focused on the methodology and profitability presentation. The Board recognized that profitability may be affected by numerous factors, including, among other things, fee waivers by BFA, the types of funds managed, expense allocations and business mix. The Board thus recognized that calculating and comparing profitability at individual fund levels is challenging. The Board discussed with management the sources of direct and ancillary revenue, including the revenues to BTC, a BlackRock affiliate, from securities lending by the Fund. The Board also discussed BFA’s estimated profit margin as reflected in the Fund’s profitability analysis and reviewed information regarding potential economies of scale (as discussed below).
Based on this review, the Board concluded that the information considered with respect to the profits realized by BFA and its affiliates under the Advisory Agreement and from other relationships between the Fund and BFA and/or its affiliates, if any, and related costs of the services provided as well as the other factors considered at the meeting, supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.
Economies of Scale: The Board reviewed information and considered the extent to which economies of scale might be realized as the assets of the Fund increase, noting that the issue of potential economies of scale had been focused on by the 15(c) Committee and the Board during their meetings and addressed by management. The 15(c) Committee and the Board received information regarding BlackRock’s historical estimated profitability (as discussed above), including BFA’s and its affiliates’ estimated costs in providing services. The estimated cost information distinguished, among other things, between fixed and variable costs, and showed how the level and nature of fixed and variable costs may impact the existence or size of scale benefits, with the Board recognizing that potential economies of scale are difficult to measure. The 15(c) Committee and the Board reviewed information provided by BFA regarding the sharing of scale benefits with the iShares funds through various means, including, as applicable, through breakpoints, waivers, or other fee reductions, as well as through additional investment in the iShares business, including enhancements to or the provision of additional infrastructure and services to the iShares funds and their shareholders and, with respect to New Funds, set management fees at levels that anticipate scale over time. The Board noted that the Advisory Agreement for the Fund did not provide for breakpoints in the Fund’s investment advisory fee rate as the assets of the Fund increase. However, the Board noted that it would continue to assess the appropriateness of adding breakpoints in the future.
The Board concluded that this review of potential economies of scale and the sharing of related benefits, as well as the other factors considered at the meeting, supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.
Fees and Services Provided for Other Comparable Funds/Accounts Managed by BFA and its Affiliates: The Board received and considered information regarding the investment advisory/management fee rates for other funds/accounts in the U.S. for which BFA (or its affiliates) provides investment advisory/management services, including open-end funds registered under the 1940 Act (including sub-advised funds), collective trust funds and institutional separate accounts (collectively, the “Other Accounts”).
The Board received detailed information regarding how the Other Accounts generally differ from the Fund, including in terms of the types of services and generally more extensive character and scope of services provided to the Fund, as well as other significant differences. In that regard, the Board considered that the pricing of services to institutional clients is typically based on a number of factors beyond the nature and extent of the specific services to be provided and often depends on the overall relationship between the client and its affiliates and the adviser and its affiliates. In addition, the Board considered the relative complexity and inherent risks and challenges of managing and providing other services to the Fund, as a publicly traded investment vehicle, as compared to the Other Accounts, particularly those that are institutional clients, in light of differing regulatory requirements and client-imposed mandates. The Board acknowledged BFA’s representation that the iShares funds are fundamentally different investment vehicles from the Other Accounts in its consideration of relevant qualitative and quantitative comparative information provided. The Board noted that BFA and its affiliates do not manage Other Accounts with substantially the same investment objective and strategy as the Fund and that track the same index as the Fund. The Board also acknowledged management’s assertion that, for certain iShares funds, and for client segmentation purposes, BlackRock has launched an iShares fund that may provide a similar investment exposure at a lower investment advisory fee rate.
The Board considered the “all-inclusive” nature of the Fund’s advisory fee structure, and the Fund’s expenses borne by BFA under this arrangement and noted that the investment advisory fee rate under the Advisory Agreement for the Fund was generally higher than the investment advisory/management fee rates for certain of the Other Accounts (particularly institutional clients) and concluded that the differences appeared to be consistent with the factors discussed.
Other Benefits to BFA and/or its Affiliates: The Board reviewed other benefits or ancillary revenue received by BFA and/or its affiliates in connection with the services provided to the Fund by BFA, both direct and indirect, including, but not limited to, payment of revenue to BTC, the Fund’s securities lending agent, for loaning portfolio securities, as applicable (which was included in the profit margins reviewed by the Board pursuant to BFA’s estimated profitability methodology), payment of advisory fees or other fees to BFA (or its affiliates) in connection with any investments by the Fund in other funds (including cash sweep vehicles) for which BFA (or its affiliates) provides investment advisory services or other services, and BlackRock’s profile in the investment community. The Board further considered other direct benefits that might accrue to BFA, including actual and potential reductions in the Fund’s expenses that are borne by BFA under the “all-inclusive” management fee arrangement, due in part to the size and scope of BFA’s investment operations servicing the Fund (and other funds in the iShares complex) as well as in response to a changing market environment. The Board also reviewed and considered information provided by BFA concerning authorized participant primary market order processing services that are provided by BlackRock Investments, LLC (“BRIL”), an affiliate of BFA, and paid for by authorized participants under the ETF Servicing Platform. The Board also noted the revenue
792024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract (continued)
received by BFA and/or its affiliates pursuant to an agreement that permits a service provider to use certain portions of BlackRock’s technology platform to service accounts managed by BFA and/or its affiliates, including the iShares funds. The Board noted that BFA generally does not use soft dollars or consider the value of research or other services that may be provided to BFA (including its affiliates) in selecting brokers for portfolio transactions for the Fund. The Board concluded that any such ancillary benefits would not be disadvantageous to the Fund and thus would not alter the Board’s conclusion with respect to the appropriateness of approving the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.
Conclusion: Based on a review of the factors described above, as well as such other factors as deemed appropriate by the Board, the Board, including all of the Independent Board Members, determined that the Fund’s investment advisory fee rate under the Advisory Agreement does not constitute a fee that is so disproportionately large as to bear no reasonable relationship to the services rendered and that could not have been the product of arm’s-length bargaining, and concluded to approve the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.
iShares Blockchain and Tech ETF, iShares Future Metaverse Tech and Communications ETF, iShares International Developed Small Cap Value Factor ETF, iShares International Dividend Growth ETF
Under Section 15(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), the Trust's Board of Trustees (the “Board”), including a majority of Board Members who are not “interested persons” of the Trust (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act) (the “Independent Board Members”), is required annually to consider the approval of the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and BFA (the “Advisory Agreement”) on behalf of the Fund. The Board’s consideration entails a year-long process whereby the Board and its committees (composed solely of Independent Board Members) assess BlackRock’s services to the Fund, including investment management; fund accounting; administrative and shareholder services; oversight of the Fund’s service providers; risk management and oversight; and legal and compliance services; including the ability to meet applicable legal and regulatory requirements. The Independent Board Members requested, and BFA provided, such information as the Independent Board Members, with advice from independent counsel, deemed reasonably necessary to evaluate the Advisory Agreement. At meetings held on May 6, 2024 and May 17, 2024, a committee composed of all of the Independent Board Members (the “15(c) Committee”), with independent counsel, met with management and reviewed and discussed information provided in response to initial requests of the 15(c) Committee and/or its independent counsel. Prior to and in preparation for the meeting, the Board received and reviewed materials specifically relating to matters relevant to the renewal of the Advisory Agreement. Following discussion, the 15(c) Committee subsequently requested certain additional information, which management agreed to provide. At a meeting held on June 4-5, 2024, the Board, including the Independent Board Members, reviewed the additional information provided by management in response to these requests.
After extensive discussions and deliberations, the Board, including all of the Independent Board Members, approved the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the Fund, based on a review of qualitative and quantitative information provided by BFA and their cumulative experience as Board Members. The Board noted its satisfaction with the extent and quality of information provided and its frequent interactions with management, as well as the detailed responses and other information provided by BFA. The Independent Board Members were advised by their independent counsel throughout the process, including about the legal standards applicable to their review. In approving the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the Fund, the Board, including the Independent Board Members, considered various factors, including: (i) the expenses and performance of the Fund; (ii) the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by BFA; (iii) the costs of services provided to the Fund and profits realized by BFA and its affiliates; (iv) potential economies of scale and the sharing of related benefits; (v) the fees and services provided for other comparable funds/accounts managed by BFA and its affiliates; and (vi) other benefits to BFA and/or its affiliates. The Board Members did not identify any particular information or any single factor as determinative, and each Board Member may have attributed different weights to the various matters and factors considered. The material factors, considerations and conclusions that formed the basis for the Board, including the Independent Board Members, to approve the continuance of the Advisory Agreement are discussed below.
Expenses and Performance of the Fund: The Board reviewed statistical information prepared by Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (“Broadridge”), an independent provider of investment company data, regarding the expense ratio components, including gross and net total expenses, fees and expenses of other fund(s) in which the Fund invests (if applicable), and waivers/reimbursements (if applicable) of the Fund in comparison with the same information for other ETFs, objectively selected by Broadridge as comprising the Fund’s applicable expense peer group pursuant to Broadridge’s proprietary ETF methodology (the “Peer Group”). The Board was provided with a detailed description of the proprietary ETF methodology used by Broadridge to determine the Fund’s Peer Group. The Board noted that, due to the limitations in providing comparable funds in the Peer Group, the statistical information provided in Broadridge’s report may or may not provide meaningful direct comparisons to the Fund in all instances. The Board also noted that the investment advisory fee rate and overall expenses (net of any waivers and reimbursements) for the Fund were lower than the median of the investment advisory fee rates and overall expenses (net of any waivers and reimbursements) of the funds in its Peer Group, excluding iShares funds.
In addition, to the extent that any of the comparison funds included in the Peer Group, excluding iShares funds, track the same index as the Fund, Broadridge also provided, and the Board reviewed, a comparison of the Fund’s performance for the one-year, three-year, five-year, ten-year, and since inception periods, as applicable, and for the quarter ended December 31, 2023, to that of such relevant comparison fund(s) for the same periods. The Board noted that the Fund seeks to track its specified underlying index and that, during the year, the Board received periodic reports on the Fund’s short- and longer-term performance in comparison with its underlying index. Such periodic comparative performance information, including additional detailed information as requested by the Board, was also considered. The Board noted that the Fund generally performed in line with its underlying index over the relevant periods.
Based on this review, the other relevant factors and information considered at the meeting, and their general knowledge of ETF pricing, the Board concluded that the investment advisory fee rate and expense level and the historical performance of the Fund supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.
Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided: Based on management’s representations, including information about ongoing enhancements and initiatives with respect to the iShares product line and BFA’s business, including with respect to capital markets support and analysis, technology, portfolio management, product design and quality, compliance and risk management, global public policy and other services, the Board expected that there would be no diminution in the scope of services required of or provided by BFA under the Advisory Agreement for the coming year as compared with the scope of services provided by BFA during prior years. In reviewing
Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract80
Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract (continued)
the scope of these services, the Board considered BFA’s investment philosophy and experience, noting that BFA and its affiliates have committed significant resources over time, including during the past year, to support the iShares funds and their shareholders and have made significant investments into the iShares business. The Board also considered BFA’s compliance program and its compliance record with respect to the Fund, including related programs implemented pursuant to regulatory requirements. In that regard, the Board noted that BFA reports to the Board about portfolio management and compliance matters on a periodic basis in connection with regularly scheduled meetings of the Board, and on other occasions as necessary and appropriate, and has provided information and made relevant officers and other employees of BFA (and its affiliates) available as needed to provide further assistance with these matters. The Board also reviewed the background and experience of the persons responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund, as well as the resources available to them in managing the Fund. In addition to the above considerations, the Board reviewed and considered detailed presentations regarding BFA’s investment performance, investment and risk management processes and strategies provided at the May 6, 2024 meeting and throughout the year, and matters related to BFA’s portfolio compliance program and other compliance programs and services, as well as BlackRock’s continued investments in its ETF business.
Based on review of this information, and the performance information discussed above, the Board concluded that the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund under the Advisory Agreement supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.
Costs of Services Provided to the Fund and Profits Realized by BFA and its Affiliates: The Board reviewed information about the estimated profitability to BlackRock in managing the Fund, based on the fees payable to BFA and its affiliates (including fees under the Advisory Agreement), and other sources of revenue and expense to BFA and its affiliates from the Fund’s operations for the last calendar year. The Board reviewed BlackRock’s methodology for calculating estimated profitability of the iShares funds, noting that the 15(c) Committee and the Board had focused on the methodology and profitability presentation. The Board recognized that profitability may be affected by numerous factors, including, among other things, fee waivers by BFA, the types of funds managed, expense allocations and business mix. The Board thus recognized that calculating and comparing profitability at individual fund levels is challenging. The Board discussed with management the sources of direct and ancillary revenue, including the revenues to BTC, a BlackRock affiliate, from securities lending by the Fund. The Board also discussed BFA’s estimated profit margin as reflected in the Fund’s profitability analysis and reviewed information regarding potential economies of scale (as discussed below).
Based on this review, the Board concluded that the information considered with respect to the profits realized by BFA and its affiliates under the Advisory Agreement and from other relationships between the Fund and BFA and/or its affiliates, if any, and related costs of the services provided as well as the other factors considered at the meeting, supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.
Economies of Scale: The Board reviewed information and considered the extent to which economies of scale might be realized as the assets of the Fund increase, noting that the issue of potential economies of scale had been focused on by the 15(c) Committee and the Board during their meetings and addressed by management. The 15(c) Committee and the Board received information regarding BlackRock’s historical estimated profitability (as discussed above), including BFA’s and its affiliates’ estimated costs in providing services. The estimated cost information distinguished, among other things, between fixed and variable costs, and showed how the level and nature of fixed and variable costs may impact the existence or size of scale benefits, with the Board recognizing that potential economies of scale are difficult to measure. The 15(c) Committee and the Board reviewed information provided by BFA regarding the sharing of scale benefits with the iShares funds through various means, including, as applicable, through breakpoints, waivers, or other fee reductions, as well as through additional investment in the iShares business, including enhancements to or the provision of additional infrastructure and services to the iShares funds and their shareholders and, with respect to New Funds, set management fees at levels that anticipate scale over time. The Board noted that the Advisory Agreement for the Fund did not provide for breakpoints in the Fund’s investment advisory fee rate as the assets of the Fund increase. However, the Board noted that it would continue to assess the appropriateness of adding breakpoints in the future.
The Board concluded that this review of potential economies of scale and the sharing of related benefits, as well as the other factors considered at the meeting, supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.
Fees and Services Provided for Other Comparable Funds/Accounts Managed by BFA and its Affiliates: The Board received and considered information regarding the investment advisory/management fee rates for other funds/accounts in the U.S. for which BFA (or its affiliates) provides investment advisory/management services, including open-end funds registered under the 1940 Act (including sub-advised funds), collective trust funds and institutional separate accounts (collectively, the “Other Accounts”).
The Board received detailed information regarding how the Other Accounts generally differ from the Fund, including in terms of the types of services and generally more extensive character and scope of services provided to the Fund, as well as other significant differences. In that regard, the Board considered that the pricing of services to institutional clients is typically based on a number of factors beyond the nature and extent of the specific services to be provided and often depends on the overall relationship between the client and its affiliates and the adviser and its affiliates. In addition, the Board considered the relative complexity and inherent risks and challenges of managing and providing other services to the Fund, as a publicly traded investment vehicle, as compared to the Other Accounts, particularly those that are institutional clients, in light of differing regulatory requirements and client-imposed mandates. The Board acknowledged BFA’s representation that the iShares funds are fundamentally different investment vehicles from the Other Accounts in its consideration of relevant qualitative and quantitative comparative information provided. The Board noted that BFA and its affiliates do not manage Other Accounts with substantially the same investment objective and strategy as the Fund and that track the same index as the Fund. The Board also acknowledged management’s assertion that, for certain iShares funds, and for client segmentation purposes, BlackRock has launched an iShares fund that may provide a similar investment exposure at a lower investment advisory fee rate.
The Board considered the “all-inclusive” nature of the Fund’s advisory fee structure, and the Fund’s expenses borne by BFA under this arrangement and noted that the investment advisory fee rate under the Advisory Agreement for the Fund was generally higher than the investment advisory/management fee rates for certain of the Other Accounts (particularly institutional clients) and concluded that the differences appeared to be consistent with the factors discussed.
812024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract (continued)
Other Benefits to BFA and/or its Affiliates: The Board reviewed other benefits or ancillary revenue received by BFA and/or its affiliates in connection with the services provided to the Fund by BFA, both direct and indirect, including, but not limited to, payment of revenue to BTC, the Fund’s securities lending agent, for loaning portfolio securities, as applicable (which was included in the profit margins reviewed by the Board pursuant to BFA’s estimated profitability methodology), payment of advisory fees or other fees to BFA (or its affiliates) in connection with any investments by the Fund in other funds (including cash sweep vehicles) for which BFA (or its affiliates) provides investment advisory services or other services, and BlackRock’s profile in the investment community. The Board further considered other direct benefits that might accrue to BFA, including actual and potential reductions in the Fund’s expenses that are borne by BFA under the “all-inclusive” management fee arrangement, due in part to the size and scope of BFA’s investment operations servicing the Fund (and other funds in the iShares complex) as well as in response to a changing market environment. The Board also reviewed and considered information provided by BFA concerning authorized participant primary market order processing services that are provided by BlackRock Investments, LLC (“BRIL”), an affiliate of BFA, and paid for by authorized participants under the ETF Servicing Platform. The Board also noted the revenue received by BFA and/or its affiliates pursuant to an agreement that permits a service provider to use certain portions of BlackRock’s technology platform to service accounts managed by BFA and/or its affiliates, including the iShares funds. The Board noted that BFA generally does not use soft dollars or consider the value of research or other services that may be provided to BFA (including its affiliates) in selecting brokers for portfolio transactions for the Fund. The Board concluded that any such ancillary benefits would not be disadvantageous to the Fund and thus would not alter the Board’s conclusion with respect to the appropriateness of approving the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.
Conclusion: Based on a review of the factors described above, as well as such other factors as deemed appropriate by the Board, the Board, including all of the Independent Board Members, determined that the Fund’s investment advisory fee rate under the Advisory Agreement does not constitute a fee that is so disproportionately large as to bear no reasonable relationship to the services rendered and that could not have been the product of arm’s-length bargaining, and concluded to approve the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.
iShares Emerging Markets Infrastructure ETF, iShares India 50 ETF (each the “Fund”)
Under Section 15(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), the Trust's Board of Trustees (the “Board”), including a majority of Board Members who are not “interested persons” of the Trust (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act) (the “Independent Board Members”), is required annually to consider the approval of the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and BFA (the “Advisory Agreement”) on behalf of the Fund. The Board’s consideration entails a year-long process whereby the Board and its committees (composed solely of Independent Board Members) assess BlackRock’s services to the Fund, including investment management; fund accounting; administrative and shareholder services; oversight of the Fund’s service providers; risk management and oversight; and legal and compliance services; including the ability to meet applicable legal and regulatory requirements. The Independent Board Members requested, and BFA provided, such information as the Independent Board Members, with advice from independent counsel, deemed reasonably necessary to evaluate the Advisory Agreement. At meetings held on May 6, 2024 and May 17, 2024, a committee composed of all of the Independent Board Members (the “15(c) Committee”), with independent counsel, met with management and reviewed and discussed information provided in response to initial requests of the 15(c) Committee and/or its independent counsel. Prior to and in preparation for the meeting, the Board received and reviewed materials specifically relating to matters relevant to the renewal of the Advisory Agreement. Following discussion, the 15(c) Committee subsequently requested certain additional information, which management agreed to provide. At a meeting held on June 4-5, 2024, the Board, including the Independent Board Members, reviewed the additional information provided by management in response to these requests.
After extensive discussions and deliberations, the Board, including all of the Independent Board Members, approved the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the Fund, based on a review of qualitative and quantitative information provided by BFA and their cumulative experience as Board Members. The Board noted its satisfaction with the extent and quality of information provided and its frequent interactions with management, as well as the detailed responses and other information provided by BFA. The Independent Board Members were advised by their independent counsel throughout the process, including about the legal standards applicable to their review. In approving the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the Fund, the Board, including the Independent Board Members, considered various factors, including: (i) the expenses and performance of the Fund; (ii) the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by BFA; (iii) the costs of services provided to the Fund and profits realized by BFA and its affiliates; (iv) potential economies of scale and the sharing of related benefits; (v) the fees and services provided for other comparable funds/accounts managed by BFA and its affiliates; and (vi) other benefits to BFA and/or its affiliates. The Board Members did not identify any particular information or any single factor as determinative, and each Board Member may have attributed different weights to the various matters and factors considered. The material factors, considerations and conclusions that formed the basis for the Board, including the Independent Board Members, to approve the continuance of the Advisory Agreement are discussed below.
Expenses and Performance of the Fund: The Board reviewed statistical information prepared by Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (“Broadridge”), an independent provider of investment company data, regarding the expense ratio components, including gross and net total expenses, fees and expenses of other fund(s) in which the Fund invests (if applicable), and waivers/reimbursements (if applicable) of the Fund in comparison with the same information for other ETFs, objectively selected by Broadridge as comprising the Fund’s applicable expense peer group pursuant to Broadridge’s proprietary ETF methodology (the “Peer Group”). The Board was provided with a detailed description of the proprietary ETF methodology used by Broadridge to determine the Fund’s Peer Group. The Board noted that, due to the limitations in providing comparable funds in the Peer Group, the statistical information provided in Broadridge’s report may or may not provide meaningful direct comparisons to the Fund in all instances. The Board also noted that the investment advisory fee rate and overall expenses (net of any waivers and reimbursements) for the Fund were higher than the median of the investment advisory fee rates and overall expenses (net of any waivers and reimbursements) of the funds in its Peer Group, excluding iShares funds.
In addition, to the extent that any of the comparison funds included in the Peer Group, excluding iShares funds, track the same index as the Fund, Broadridge also provided, and the Board reviewed, a comparison of the Fund’s performance for the one-year, three-year, five-year, ten-year, and since inception periods, as applicable, and for the quarter ended December 31, 2023, to that of such relevant comparison fund(s) for the same periods. The Board noted that the Fund seeks to track its specified underlying index and that, during the year, the Board received periodic reports on the Fund’s short- and longer-term performance in comparison with its underlying index. Such periodic comparative performance information, including additional detailed information as requested by the Board, was also considered. The Board noted that the Fund generally performed in line with its underlying index over the relevant periods.
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Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract (continued)
Based on this review, the other relevant factors and information considered at the meeting, and their general knowledge of ETF pricing, the Board concluded that the investment advisory fee rate and expense level and the historical performance of the Fund supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.
Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided: Based on management’s representations, including information about ongoing enhancements and initiatives with respect to the iShares product line and BFA’s business, including with respect to capital markets support and analysis, technology, portfolio management, product design and quality, compliance and risk management, global public policy and other services, the Board expected that there would be no diminution in the scope of services required of or provided by BFA under the Advisory Agreement for the coming year as compared with the scope of services provided by BFA during prior years. In reviewing the scope of these services, the Board considered BFA’s investment philosophy and experience, noting that BFA and its affiliates have committed significant resources over time, including during the past year, to support the iShares funds and their shareholders and have made significant investments into the iShares business. The Board also considered BFA’s compliance program and its compliance record with respect to the Fund, including related programs implemented pursuant to regulatory requirements. In that regard, the Board noted that BFA reports to the Board about portfolio management and compliance matters on a periodic basis in connection with regularly scheduled meetings of the Board, and on other occasions as necessary and appropriate, and has provided information and made relevant officers and other employees of BFA (and its affiliates) available as needed to provide further assistance with these matters. The Board also reviewed the background and experience of the persons responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund, as well as the resources available to them in managing the Fund. In addition to the above considerations, the Board reviewed and considered detailed presentations regarding BFA’s investment performance, investment and risk management processes and strategies provided at the May 6, 2024 meeting and throughout the year, and matters related to BFA’s portfolio compliance program and other compliance programs and services, as well as BlackRock’s continued investments in its ETF business.
Based on review of this information, and the performance information discussed above, the Board concluded that the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund under the Advisory Agreement supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.
Costs of Services Provided to the Fund and Profits Realized by BFA and its Affiliates: The Board reviewed information about the estimated profitability to BlackRock in managing the Fund, based on the fees payable to BFA and its affiliates (including fees under the Advisory Agreement), and other sources of revenue and expense to BFA and its affiliates from the Fund’s operations for the last calendar year. The Board reviewed BlackRock’s methodology for calculating estimated profitability of the iShares funds, noting that the 15(c) Committee and the Board had focused on the methodology and profitability presentation. The Board recognized that profitability may be affected by numerous factors, including, among other things, fee waivers by BFA, the types of funds managed, expense allocations and business mix. The Board thus recognized that calculating and comparing profitability at individual fund levels is challenging. The Board discussed with management the sources of direct and ancillary revenue, including the revenues to BTC, a BlackRock affiliate, from securities lending by the Fund. The Board also discussed BFA’s estimated profit margin as reflected in the Fund’s profitability analysis and reviewed information regarding potential economies of scale (as discussed below).
Based on this review, the Board concluded that the information considered with respect to the profits realized by BFA and its affiliates under the Advisory Agreement and from other relationships between the Fund and BFA and/or its affiliates, if any, and related costs of the services provided as well as the other factors considered at the meeting, supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.
Economies of Scale: The Board reviewed information and considered the extent to which economies of scale might be realized as the assets of the Fund increase, noting that the issue of potential economies of scale had been focused on by the 15(c) Committee and the Board during their meetings and addressed by management. The 15(c) Committee and the Board received information regarding BlackRock’s historical estimated profitability (as discussed above), including BFA’s and its affiliates’ estimated costs in providing services. The estimated cost information distinguished, among other things, between fixed and variable costs, and showed how the level and nature of fixed and variable costs may impact the existence or size of scale benefits, with the Board recognizing that potential economies of scale are difficult to measure. The 15(c) Committee and the Board reviewed information provided by BFA regarding the sharing of scale benefits with the iShares funds through various means, including, as applicable, through breakpoints, waivers, or other fee reductions, as well as through additional investment in the iShares business, including enhancements to or the provision of additional infrastructure and services to the iShares funds and their shareholders and, with respect to New Funds, set management fees at levels that anticipate scale over time. The Board noted that the Advisory Agreement for the Fund did not provide for breakpoints in the Fund’s investment advisory fee rate as the assets of the Fund increase. However, the Board noted that it would continue to assess the appropriateness of adding breakpoints in the future.
The Board concluded that this review of potential economies of scale and the sharing of related benefits, as well as the other factors considered at the meeting, supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.
Fees and Services Provided for Other Comparable Funds/Accounts Managed by BFA and its Affiliates: The Board received and considered information regarding the investment advisory/management fee rates for other funds/accounts in the U.S. for which BFA (or its affiliates) provides investment advisory/management services, including open-end funds registered under the 1940 Act (including sub-advised funds), collective trust funds and institutional separate accounts (collectively, the “Other Accounts”).
The Board received detailed information regarding how the Other Accounts generally differ from the Fund, including in terms of the types of services and generally more extensive character and scope of services provided to the Fund, as well as other significant differences. In that regard, the Board considered that the pricing of services to institutional clients is typically based on a number of factors beyond the nature and extent of the specific services to be provided and often depends on the overall relationship between the client and its affiliates and the adviser and its affiliates. In addition, the Board considered the relative complexity and inherent risks and challenges of managing and providing other services to the Fund, as a publicly traded investment vehicle, as compared to the Other Accounts, particularly those that are institutional clients, in light of differing regulatory requirements and client-imposed mandates. The Board acknowledged BFA’s representation that the iShares funds are fundamentally different investment vehicles from the Other Accounts in its consideration of relevant qualitative and quantitative comparative information provided. The Board noted that BFA and its affiliates do not manage Other Accounts with substantially the same investment objective and strategy as the Fund and that track the same index as the Fund.
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Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract (continued)
The Board also acknowledged management’s assertion that, for certain iShares funds, and for client segmentation purposes, BlackRock has launched an iShares fund that may provide a similar investment exposure at a lower investment advisory fee rate.
The Board considered the “all-inclusive” nature of the Fund’s advisory fee structure, and the Fund’s expenses borne by BFA under this arrangement and noted that the investment advisory fee rate under the Advisory Agreement for the Fund was generally higher than the investment advisory/management fee rates for certain of the Other Accounts (particularly institutional clients) and concluded that the differences appeared to be consistent with the factors discussed.
Other Benefits to BFA and/or its Affiliates: The Board reviewed other benefits or ancillary revenue received by BFA and/or its affiliates in connection with the services provided to the Fund by BFA, both direct and indirect, including, but not limited to, payment of revenue to BTC, the Fund’s securities lending agent, for loaning portfolio securities, as applicable (which was included in the profit margins reviewed by the Board pursuant to BFA’s estimated profitability methodology), payment of advisory fees or other fees to BFA (or its affiliates) in connection with any investments by the Fund in other funds (including cash sweep vehicles) for which BFA (or its affiliates) provides investment advisory services or other services, and BlackRock’s profile in the investment community. The Board further considered other direct benefits that might accrue to BFA, including actual and potential reductions in the Fund’s expenses that are borne by BFA under the “all-inclusive” management fee arrangement, due in part to the size and scope of BFA’s investment operations servicing the Fund (and other funds in the iShares complex) as well as in response to a changing market environment. The Board also reviewed and considered information provided by BFA concerning authorized participant primary market order processing services that are provided by BlackRock Investments, LLC (“BRIL”), an affiliate of BFA, and paid for by authorized participants under the ETF Servicing Platform. The Board also noted the revenue received by BFA and/or its affiliates pursuant to an agreement that permits a service provider to use certain portions of BlackRock’s technology platform to service accounts managed by BFA and/or its affiliates, including the iShares funds. The Board noted that BFA generally does not use soft dollars or consider the value of research or other services that may be provided to BFA (including its affiliates) in selecting brokers for portfolio transactions for the Fund. The Board concluded that any such ancillary benefits would not be disadvantageous to the Fund and thus would not alter the Board’s conclusion with respect to the appropriateness of approving the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.
Conclusion: Based on a review of the factors described above, as well as such other factors as deemed appropriate by the Board, the Board, including all of the Independent Board Members, determined that the Fund’s investment advisory fee rate under the Advisory Agreement does not constitute a fee that is so disproportionately large as to bear no reasonable relationship to the services rendered and that could not have been the product of arm’s-length bargaining, and concluded to approve the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.
iShares Europe ETF (the “Fund”)
Under Section 15(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), the Trust's Board of Trustees (the “Board”), including a majority of Board Members who are not “interested persons” of the Trust (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act) (the “Independent Board Members”), is required annually to consider the approval of the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and BFA (the “Advisory Agreement”) on behalf of the Fund. The Board’s consideration entails a year-long process whereby the Board and its committees (composed solely of Independent Board Members) assess BlackRock’s services to the Fund, including investment management; fund accounting; administrative and shareholder services; oversight of the Fund’s service providers; risk management and oversight; and legal and compliance services; including the ability to meet applicable legal and regulatory requirements. The Independent Board Members requested, and BFA provided, such information as the Independent Board Members, with advice from independent counsel, deemed reasonably necessary to evaluate the Advisory Agreement. At meetings held on May 6, 2024 and May 17, 2024, a committee composed of all of the Independent Board Members (the “15(c) Committee”), with independent counsel, met with management and reviewed and discussed information provided in response to initial requests of the 15(c) Committee and/or its independent counsel. Prior to and in preparation for the meeting, the Board received and reviewed materials specifically relating to matters relevant to the renewal of the Advisory Agreement. Following discussion, the 15(c) Committee subsequently requested certain additional information, which management agreed to provide. At a meeting held on June 4-5, 2024, the Board, including the Independent Board Members, reviewed the additional information provided by management in response to these requests.
After extensive discussions and deliberations, the Board, including all of the Independent Board Members, approved the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the Fund, based on a review of qualitative and quantitative information provided by BFA and their cumulative experience as Board Members. The Board noted its satisfaction with the extent and quality of information provided and its frequent interactions with management, as well as the detailed responses and other information provided by BFA. The Independent Board Members were advised by their independent counsel throughout the process, including about the legal standards applicable to their review. In approving the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the Fund, the Board, including the Independent Board Members, considered various factors, including: (i) the expenses and performance of the Fund; (ii) the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by BFA; (iii) the costs of services provided to the Fund and profits realized by BFA and its affiliates; (iv) potential economies of scale and the sharing of related benefits; (v) the fees and services provided for other comparable funds/accounts managed by BFA and its affiliates; and (vi) other benefits to BFA and/or its affiliates. The Board Members did not identify any particular information or any single factor as determinative, and each Board Member may have attributed different weights to the various matters and factors considered. The material factors, considerations and conclusions that formed the basis for the Board, including the Independent Board Members, to approve the continuance of the Advisory Agreement are discussed below.
Expenses and Performance of the Fund: The Board reviewed statistical information prepared by Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (“Broadridge”), an independent provider of investment company data, regarding the expense ratio components, including gross and net total expenses, fees and expenses of other fund(s) in which the Fund invests (if applicable), and waivers/reimbursements (if applicable) of the Fund in comparison with the same information for other ETFs, objectively selected by Broadridge as comprising the Fund’s applicable expense peer group pursuant to Broadridge’s proprietary ETF methodology (the “Peer Group”). The Board was provided with a detailed description of the proprietary ETF methodology used by Broadridge to determine the Fund’s Peer Group. The Board noted that, due to the limitations in providing comparable funds in the Peer Group, the statistical information provided in Broadridge’s report may or may not provide meaningful direct comparisons to the Fund
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Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract (continued)
in all instances. The Board also noted that the investment advisory fee rate and overall expenses (net of any waivers and reimbursements) for the Fund were higher than the median of the investment advisory fee rates and overall expenses (net of any waivers and reimbursements) of the funds in its Peer Group, excluding iShares funds.
In addition, to the extent that any of the comparison funds included in the Peer Group, excluding iShares funds, track the same index as the Fund, Broadridge also provided, and the Board reviewed, a comparison of the Fund’s performance for the one-year, three-year, five-year, ten-year, and since inception periods, as applicable, and for the quarter ended December 31, 2023, to that of such relevant comparison fund(s) for the same periods. The Board noted that the Fund seeks to track its specified underlying index and that, during the year, the Board received periodic reports on the Fund’s short- and longer-term performance in comparison with its underlying index. Such periodic comparative performance information, including additional detailed information as requested by the Board, was also considered. The Board noted that the Fund generally performed in line with its underlying index over the relevant periods.
Based on this review, the other relevant factors and information considered at the meeting, and their general knowledge of ETF pricing, the Board concluded that the investment advisory fee rate and expense level and the historical performance of the Fund supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.
Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided: Based on management’s representations, including information about ongoing enhancements and initiatives with respect to the iShares product line and BFA’s business, including with respect to capital markets support and analysis, technology, portfolio management, product design and quality, compliance and risk management, global public policy and other services, the Board expected that there would be no diminution in the scope of services required of or provided by BFA under the Advisory Agreement for the coming year as compared with the scope of services provided by BFA during prior years. In reviewing the scope of these services, the Board considered BFA’s investment philosophy and experience, noting that BFA and its affiliates have committed significant resources over time, including during the past year, to support the iShares funds and their shareholders and have made significant investments into the iShares business. The Board also considered BFA’s compliance program and its compliance record with respect to the Fund, including related programs implemented pursuant to regulatory requirements. In that regard, the Board noted that BFA reports to the Board about portfolio management and compliance matters on a periodic basis in connection with regularly scheduled meetings of the Board, and on other occasions as necessary and appropriate, and has provided information and made relevant officers and other employees of BFA (and its affiliates) available as needed to provide further assistance with these matters. The Board also reviewed the background and experience of the persons responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund, as well as the resources available to them in managing the Fund. In addition to the above considerations, the Board reviewed and considered detailed presentations regarding BFA’s investment performance, investment and risk management processes and strategies provided at the May 6, 2024 meeting and throughout the year, and matters related to BFA’s portfolio compliance program and other compliance programs and services, as well as BlackRock’s continued investments in its ETF business.
Based on review of this information, and the performance information discussed above, the Board concluded that the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund under the Advisory Agreement supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.
Costs of Services Provided to the Fund and Profits Realized by BFA and its Affiliates: The Board reviewed information about the estimated profitability to BlackRock in managing the Fund, based on the fees payable to BFA and its affiliates (including fees under the Advisory Agreement), and other sources of revenue and expense to BFA and its affiliates from the Fund’s operations for the last calendar year. The Board reviewed BlackRock’s methodology for calculating estimated profitability of the iShares funds, noting that the 15(c) Committee and the Board had focused on the methodology and profitability presentation. The Board recognized that profitability may be affected by numerous factors, including, among other things, fee waivers by BFA, the types of funds managed, expense allocations and business mix. The Board thus recognized that calculating and comparing profitability at individual fund levels is challenging. The Board discussed with management the sources of direct and ancillary revenue, including the revenues to BTC, a BlackRock affiliate, from securities lending by the Fund. The Board also discussed BFA’s estimated profit margin as reflected in the Fund’s profitability analysis and reviewed information regarding potential economies of scale (as discussed below).
Based on this review, the Board concluded that the information considered with respect to the profits realized by BFA and its affiliates under the Advisory Agreement and from other relationships between the Fund and BFA and/or its affiliates, if any, and related costs of the services provided as well as the other factors considered at the meeting, supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.
Economies of Scale: The Board reviewed information and considered the extent to which economies of scale might be realized as the assets of the Fund increase, noting that the issue of potential economies of scale had been focused on by the 15(c) Committee and the Board during their meetings and addressed by management. The 15(c) Committee and the Board received information regarding BlackRock’s historical estimated profitability (as discussed above), including BFA’s and its affiliates’ estimated costs in providing services. The estimated cost information distinguished, among other things, between fixed and variable costs, and showed how the level and nature of fixed and variable costs may impact the existence or size of scale benefits, with the Board recognizing that potential economies of scale are difficult to measure. The 15(c) Committee and the Board reviewed information provided by BFA regarding the sharing of scale benefits with the iShares funds through various means, including, as applicable, through breakpoints, waivers, or other fee reductions, as well as through additional investment in the iShares business, including enhancements to or the provision of additional infrastructure and services to the iShares funds and their shareholders and, with respect to New Funds, set management fees at levels that anticipate scale over time. The Board noted that the Advisory Agreement for the Fund already provided for breakpoints in the Fund’s investment advisory fee rate as the assets of the Fund, on an aggregated basis with the assets of certain other iShares funds, increase. The Board noted that it would continue to assess the appropriateness of adding new or revised breakpoints in the future.
The Board concluded that this review of potential economies of scale and the sharing of related benefits, as well as the other factors considered at the meeting, supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.
852024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract (continued)
Fees and Services Provided for Other Comparable Funds/Accounts Managed by BFA and its Affiliates: The Board received and considered information regarding the investment advisory/management fee rates for other funds/accounts in the U.S. for which BFA (or its affiliates) provides investment advisory/management services, including open-end funds registered under the 1940 Act (including sub-advised funds), collective trust funds and institutional separate accounts (collectively, the “Other Accounts”).
The Board received detailed information regarding how the Other Accounts generally differ from the Fund, including in terms of the types of services and generally more extensive character and scope of services provided to the Fund, as well as other significant differences. In that regard, the Board considered that the pricing of services to institutional clients is typically based on a number of factors beyond the nature and extent of the specific services to be provided and often depends on the overall relationship between the client and its affiliates and the adviser and its affiliates. In addition, the Board considered the relative complexity and inherent risks and challenges of managing and providing other services to the Fund, as a publicly traded investment vehicle, as compared to the Other Accounts, particularly those that are institutional clients, in light of differing regulatory requirements and client-imposed mandates. The Board acknowledged BFA’s representation that the iShares funds are fundamentally different investment vehicles from the Other Accounts in its consideration of relevant qualitative and quantitative comparative information provided. The Board noted that BFA and its affiliates do not manage Other Accounts with substantially the same investment objective and strategy as the Fund and that track the same index as the Fund. The Board also acknowledged management’s assertion that, for certain iShares funds, and for client segmentation purposes, BlackRock has launched an iShares fund that may provide a similar investment exposure at a lower investment advisory fee rate.
The Board considered the “all-inclusive” nature of the Fund’s advisory fee structure, and the Fund’s expenses borne by BFA under this arrangement and noted that the investment advisory fee rate under the Advisory Agreement for the Fund was generally higher than the investment advisory/management fee rates for certain of the Other Accounts (particularly institutional clients) and concluded that the differences appeared to be consistent with the factors discussed.
Other Benefits to BFA and/or its Affiliates: The Board reviewed other benefits or ancillary revenue received by BFA and/or its affiliates in connection with the services provided to the Fund by BFA, both direct and indirect, including, but not limited to, payment of revenue to BTC, the Fund’s securities lending agent, for loaning portfolio securities, as applicable (which was included in the profit margins reviewed by the Board pursuant to BFA’s estimated profitability methodology), payment of advisory fees or other fees to BFA (or its affiliates) in connection with any investments by the Fund in other funds (including cash sweep vehicles) for which BFA (or its affiliates) provides investment advisory services or other services, and BlackRock’s profile in the investment community. The Board further considered other direct benefits that might accrue to BFA, including actual and potential reductions in the Fund’s expenses that are borne by BFA under the “all-inclusive” management fee arrangement, due in part to the size and scope of BFA’s investment operations servicing the Fund (and other funds in the iShares complex) as well as in response to a changing market environment. The Board also reviewed and considered information provided by BFA concerning authorized participant primary market order processing services that are provided by BlackRock Investments, LLC (“BRIL”), an affiliate of BFA, and paid for by authorized participants under the ETF Servicing Platform. The Board also noted the revenue received by BFA and/or its affiliates pursuant to an agreement that permits a service provider to use certain portions of BlackRock’s technology platform to service accounts managed by BFA and/or its affiliates, including the iShares funds. The Board noted that BFA generally does not use soft dollars or consider the value of research or other services that may be provided to BFA (including its affiliates) in selecting brokers for portfolio transactions for the Fund. The Board concluded that any such ancillary benefits would not be disadvantageous to the Fund and thus would not alter the Board’s conclusion with respect to the appropriateness of approving the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.
Conclusion: Based on a review of the factors described above, as well as such other factors as deemed appropriate by the Board, the Board, including all of the Independent Board Members, determined that the Fund’s investment advisory fee rate under the Advisory Agreement does not constitute a fee that is so disproportionately large as to bear no reasonable relationship to the services rendered and that could not have been the product of arm’s-length bargaining, and concluded to approve the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.
iShares Latin America 40 ETF (the “Fund”)
Under Section 15(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), the Trust's Board of Trustees (the “Board”), including a majority of Board Members who are not “interested persons” of the Trust (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act) (the “Independent Board Members”), is required annually to consider the approval of the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and BFA (the “Advisory Agreement”) on behalf of the Fund. The Board’s consideration entails a year-long process whereby the Board and its committees (composed solely of Independent Board Members) assess BlackRock’s services to the Fund, including investment management; fund accounting; administrative and shareholder services; oversight of the Fund’s service providers; risk management and oversight; and legal and compliance services; including the ability to meet applicable legal and regulatory requirements. The Independent Board Members requested, and BFA provided, such information as the Independent Board Members, with advice from independent counsel, deemed reasonably necessary to evaluate the Advisory Agreement. At meetings held on May 6, 2024 and May 17, 2024, a committee composed of all of the Independent Board Members (the “15(c) Committee”), with independent counsel, met with management and reviewed and discussed information provided in response to initial requests of the 15(c) Committee and/or its independent counsel. Prior to and in preparation for the meeting, the Board received and reviewed materials specifically relating to matters relevant to the renewal of the Advisory Agreement. Following discussion, the 15(c) Committee subsequently requested certain additional information, which management agreed to provide. At a meeting held on June 4-5, 2024, the Board, including the Independent Board Members, reviewed the additional information provided by management in response to these requests.
After extensive discussions and deliberations, the Board, including all of the Independent Board Members, approved the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the Fund, based on a review of qualitative and quantitative information provided by BFA and their cumulative experience as Board Members. The Board noted its satisfaction with the extent and quality of information provided and its frequent interactions with management, as well as the detailed responses and other information provided by BFA. The Independent Board Members were advised by their independent counsel throughout the process, including about the legal standards applicable to their review. In approving the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the Fund, the Board, including the Independent Board Members, considered various factors, including: (i) the expenses and performance of the Fund; (ii) the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by BFA; (iii) the costs of services provided to the Fund and profits realized by BFA and its affiliates; (iv) potential economies of scale and the sharing of related benefits; (v) the fees and services provided for other comparable funds/accounts
Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract86
Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract (continued)
managed by BFA and its affiliates; and (vi) other benefits to BFA and/or its affiliates. The Board Members did not identify any particular information or any single factor as determinative, and each Board Member may have attributed different weights to the various matters and factors considered. The material factors, considerations and conclusions that formed the basis for the Board, including the Independent Board Members, to approve the continuance of the Advisory Agreement are discussed below.
Expenses and Performance of the Fund: The Board reviewed statistical information prepared by Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (“Broadridge”), an independent provider of investment company data, regarding the expense ratio components, including gross and net total expenses, fees and expenses of other fund(s) in which the Fund invests (if applicable), and waivers/reimbursements (if applicable) of the Fund in comparison with the same information for other ETFs, objectively selected by Broadridge as comprising the Fund’s applicable expense peer group pursuant to Broadridge’s proprietary ETF methodology (the “Peer Group”). The Board was provided with a detailed description of the proprietary ETF methodology used by Broadridge to determine the Fund’s Peer Group. The Board noted that, due to the limitations in providing comparable funds in the Peer Group, the statistical information provided in Broadridge’s report may or may not provide meaningful direct comparisons to the Fund in all instances. The Board also noted that the investment advisory fee rate and overall expenses (net of any waivers and reimbursements) for the Fund were lower than the median of the investment advisory fee rates and overall expenses (net of any waivers and reimbursements) of the funds in its Peer Group, excluding iShares funds.
In addition, to the extent that any of the comparison funds included in the Peer Group, excluding iShares funds, track the same index as the Fund, Broadridge also provided, and the Board reviewed, a comparison of the Fund’s performance for the one-year, three-year, five-year, ten-year, and since inception periods, as applicable, and for the quarter ended December 31, 2023, to that of such relevant comparison fund(s) for the same periods. The Board noted that the Fund seeks to track its specified underlying index and that, during the year, the Board received periodic reports on the Fund’s short- and longer-term performance in comparison with its underlying index. Such periodic comparative performance information, including additional detailed information as requested by the Board, was also considered. The Board noted that the Fund generally performed in line with its underlying index over the relevant periods.
Based on this review, the other relevant factors and information considered at the meeting, and their general knowledge of ETF pricing, the Board concluded that the investment advisory fee rate and expense level and the historical performance of the Fund supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.
Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided: Based on management’s representations, including information about ongoing enhancements and initiatives with respect to the iShares product line and BFA’s business, including with respect to capital markets support and analysis, technology, portfolio management, product design and quality, compliance and risk management, global public policy and other services, the Board expected that there would be no diminution in the scope of services required of or provided by BFA under the Advisory Agreement for the coming year as compared with the scope of services provided by BFA during prior years. In reviewing the scope of these services, the Board considered BFA’s investment philosophy and experience, noting that BFA and its affiliates have committed significant resources over time, including during the past year, to support the iShares funds and their shareholders and have made significant investments into the iShares business. The Board also considered BFA’s compliance program and its compliance record with respect to the Fund, including related programs implemented pursuant to regulatory requirements. In that regard, the Board noted that BFA reports to the Board about portfolio management and compliance matters on a periodic basis in connection with regularly scheduled meetings of the Board, and on other occasions as necessary and appropriate, and has provided information and made relevant officers and other employees of BFA (and its affiliates) available as needed to provide further assistance with these matters. The Board also reviewed the background and experience of the persons responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund, as well as the resources available to them in managing the Fund. In addition to the above considerations, the Board reviewed and considered detailed presentations regarding BFA’s investment performance, investment and risk management processes and strategies provided at the May 6, 2024 meeting and throughout the year, and matters related to BFA’s portfolio compliance program and other compliance programs and services, as well as BlackRock’s continued investments in its ETF business.
Based on review of this information, and the performance information discussed above, the Board concluded that the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund under the Advisory Agreement supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.
Costs of Services Provided to the Fund and Profits Realized by BFA and its Affiliates: The Board reviewed information about the estimated profitability to BlackRock in managing the Fund, based on the fees payable to BFA and its affiliates (including fees under the Advisory Agreement), and other sources of revenue and expense to BFA and its affiliates from the Fund’s operations for the last calendar year. The Board reviewed BlackRock’s methodology for calculating estimated profitability of the iShares funds, noting that the 15(c) Committee and the Board had focused on the methodology and profitability presentation. The Board recognized that profitability may be affected by numerous factors, including, among other things, fee waivers by BFA, the types of funds managed, expense allocations and business mix. The Board thus recognized that calculating and comparing profitability at individual fund levels is challenging. The Board discussed with management the sources of direct and ancillary revenue, including the revenues to BTC, a BlackRock affiliate, from securities lending by the Fund. The Board also discussed BFA’s estimated profit margin as reflected in the Fund’s profitability analysis and reviewed information regarding potential economies of scale (as discussed below).
Based on this review, the Board concluded that the information considered with respect to the profits realized by BFA and its affiliates under the Advisory Agreement and from other relationships between the Fund and BFA and/or its affiliates, if any, and related costs of the services provided as well as the other factors considered at the meeting, supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.
Economies of Scale: The Board reviewed information and considered the extent to which economies of scale might be realized as the assets of the Fund increase, noting that the issue of potential economies of scale had been focused on by the 15(c) Committee and the Board during their meetings and addressed by management. The 15(c) Committee and the Board received information regarding BlackRock’s historical estimated profitability (as discussed above), including BFA’s and its affiliates’ estimated costs in providing services. The estimated cost information distinguished, among other things, between fixed and variable costs, and showed how the level and nature of fixed and variable costs may impact the existence or size of scale benefits, with the Board recognizing that potential economies of scale are difficult to measure. The 15(c) Committee and the Board reviewed information provided by BFA regarding the sharing of scale benefits with the iShares funds through various means, including, as applicable, through breakpoints, waivers, or other fee reductions, as well as through additional investment in the iShares business, including enhancements to or the
872024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract (continued)
provision of additional infrastructure and services to the iShares funds and their shareholders and, with respect to New Funds, set management fees at levels that anticipate scale over time. The Board noted that the Advisory Agreement for the Fund already provided for breakpoints in the Fund’s investment advisory fee rate as the assets of the Fund, on an aggregated basis with the assets of certain other iShares funds, increase. The Board noted that it would continue to assess the appropriateness of adding new or revised breakpoints in the future.
The Board concluded that this review of potential economies of scale and the sharing of related benefits, as well as the other factors considered at the meeting, supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.
Fees and Services Provided for Other Comparable Funds/Accounts Managed by BFA and its Affiliates: The Board received and considered information regarding the investment advisory/management fee rates for other funds/accounts in the U.S. for which BFA (or its affiliates) provides investment advisory/management services, including open-end funds registered under the 1940 Act (including sub-advised funds), collective trust funds and institutional separate accounts (collectively, the “Other Accounts”).
The Board received detailed information regarding how the Other Accounts generally differ from the Fund, including in terms of the types of services and generally more extensive character and scope of services provided to the Fund, as well as other significant differences. In that regard, the Board considered that the pricing of services to institutional clients is typically based on a number of factors beyond the nature and extent of the specific services to be provided and often depends on the overall relationship between the client and its affiliates and the adviser and its affiliates. In addition, the Board considered the relative complexity and inherent risks and challenges of managing and providing other services to the Fund, as a publicly traded investment vehicle, as compared to the Other Accounts, particularly those that are institutional clients, in light of differing regulatory requirements and client-imposed mandates. The Board acknowledged BFA’s representation that the iShares funds are fundamentally different investment vehicles from the Other Accounts in its consideration of relevant qualitative and quantitative comparative information provided. The Board noted that BFA and its affiliates do not manage Other Accounts with substantially the same investment objective and strategy as the Fund and that track the same index as the Fund. The Board also acknowledged management’s assertion that, for certain iShares funds, and for client segmentation purposes, BlackRock has launched an iShares fund that may provide a similar investment exposure at a lower investment advisory fee rate.
The Board considered the “all-inclusive” nature of the Fund’s advisory fee structure, and the Fund’s expenses borne by BFA under this arrangement and noted that the investment advisory fee rate under the Advisory Agreement for the Fund was generally higher than the investment advisory/management fee rates for certain of the Other Accounts (particularly institutional clients) and concluded that the differences appeared to be consistent with the factors discussed.
Other Benefits to BFA and/or its Affiliates: The Board reviewed other benefits or ancillary revenue received by BFA and/or its affiliates in connection with the services provided to the Fund by BFA, both direct and indirect, including, but not limited to, payment of revenue to BTC, the Fund’s securities lending agent, for loaning portfolio securities, as applicable (which was included in the profit margins reviewed by the Board pursuant to BFA’s estimated profitability methodology), payment of advisory fees or other fees to BFA (or its affiliates) in connection with any investments by the Fund in other funds (including cash sweep vehicles) for which BFA (or its affiliates) provides investment advisory services or other services, and BlackRock’s profile in the investment community. The Board further considered other direct benefits that might accrue to BFA, including actual and potential reductions in the Fund’s expenses that are borne by BFA under the “all-inclusive” management fee arrangement, due in part to the size and scope of BFA’s investment operations servicing the Fund (and other funds in the iShares complex) as well as in response to a changing market environment. The Board also reviewed and considered information provided by BFA concerning authorized participant primary market order processing services that are provided by BlackRock Investments, LLC (“BRIL”), an affiliate of BFA, and paid for by authorized participants under the ETF Servicing Platform. The Board also noted the revenue received by BFA and/or its affiliates pursuant to an agreement that permits a service provider to use certain portions of BlackRock’s technology platform to service accounts managed by BFA and/or its affiliates, including the iShares funds. The Board noted that BFA generally does not use soft dollars or consider the value of research or other services that may be provided to BFA (including its affiliates) in selecting brokers for portfolio transactions for the Fund. The Board concluded that any such ancillary benefits would not be disadvantageous to the Fund and thus would not alter the Board’s conclusion with respect to the appropriateness of approving the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.
Conclusion: Based on a review of the factors described above, as well as such other factors as deemed appropriate by the Board, the Board, including all of the Independent Board Members, determined that the Fund’s investment advisory fee rate under the Advisory Agreement does not constitute a fee that is so disproportionately large as to bear no reasonable relationship to the services rendered and that could not have been the product of arm’s-length bargaining, and concluded to approve the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.
Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract88
Glossary of Terms Used in this Report
|
| American Depositary Receipt |
| Non-Voting Depositary Receipt |
| |
| Public Joint Stock Company |
| Real Estate Investment Trust |
892024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK.
Want to know more?
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This report is intended for the Funds’ shareholders. It may not be distributed to prospective investors unless it is preceded or accompanied by the current prospectus.
Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal.
The iShares Funds are distributed by BlackRock Investments, LLC (together with its affiliates, “BlackRock”).
The iShares Funds are not sponsored, endorsed, issued, sold or promoted by ICE Data Indices, LLC, FTSE International Limited, Morningstar Inc., NSE Indices Ltd., or S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, nor do these companies make any representation regarding the advisability of investing in the iShares Funds. BlackRock is not affiliated with the companies listed above.
©2024 BlackRock, Inc. All rights reserved. iSHARES and BLACKROCK are registered trademarks of BlackRock, Inc. or its subsidiaries. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.
2024 Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information (Unaudited) |
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• iShares JPX-Nikkei 400 ETF | JPXN | NYSE Arca |
|
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)September 30, 2024
iShares® JPX-Nikkei 400 ETF(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)
| | |
|
Air Freight & Logistics — 0.4% |
AZ-COM MARUWA Holdings Inc. | | |
Mitsui-Soko Holdings Co. Ltd. | | |
Nippon Express Holdings Inc. | | |
| | |
Senko Group Holdings Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Automobile Components — 2.3% |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Koito Manufacturing Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd. | | |
Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd. (The) | | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
Concordia Financial Group Ltd. | | |
Fukuoka Financial Group Inc. | | |
Mebuki Financial Group Inc. | | |
Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc. | | |
Mizuho Financial Group Inc. | | |
| | |
| | |
Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc. | | |
Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings Inc. | | |
| | |
|
Asahi Group Holdings Ltd. | | |
| | |
Suntory Beverage & Food Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
Pan Pacific International Holdings Corp. | | |
| | |
Broadline Retail (continued) |
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| | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Takasago Thermal Engineering Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
|
Daiwa Securities Group Inc. | | |
Japan Exchange Group Inc. | | |
| | |
Nihon M&A Center Holdings Inc. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corp. | | |
Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Co. Inc. | | |
| | |
Nippon Paint Holdings Co. Ltd. | | |
Nippon Sanso Holdings Corp. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Shin-Etsu Chemical Co. Ltd. | | |
Sumitomo Bakelite Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
Tokyo Ohka Kogyo Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Commercial Services & Supplies — 0.8% |
Dai Nippon Printing Co. Ltd. | | |
Japan Elevator Service Holdings Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
Sohgo Security Services Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
Construction & Engineering — 1.0% |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
SHO-BOND Holdings Co. Ltd. | | |
32024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)(continued)September 30, 2024
iShares® JPX-Nikkei 400 ETF(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)
| | |
Construction & Engineering (continued) |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
AEON Financial Service Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail — 1.6% |
Cosmos Pharmaceutical Corp. | | |
Create SD Holdings Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
Kusuri no Aoki Holdings Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
Seven & i Holdings Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Diversified Telecommunication Services — 1.6% |
Internet Initiative Japan Inc. | | |
Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corp. | | |
| | |
| | |
Electric Utilities — 0.7% |
Chubu Electric Power Co. Inc. | | |
Kansai Electric Power Co. Inc. (The) | | |
Kyushu Electric Power Co. Inc. | | |
| | |
Electrical Equipment — 1.4% |
| | |
| | |
Mitsubishi Electric Corp. | | |
| | |
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components — 5.0% |
| | |
Canon Marketing Japan Inc. | | |
| | |
Daiwabo Holdings Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Kaga Electronics Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
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| | |
Meiko Electronics Co. Ltd. | | |
Murata Manufacturing Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
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Tokyo Electron Device Ltd. | | |
| | |
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components (continued) |
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|
| | |
GungHo Online Entertainment Inc. | | |
Koei Tecmo Holdings Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
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Square Enix Holdings Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Financial Services — 1.2% |
Financial Products Group Co. Ltd. | | |
Fuyo General Lease Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
Mitsubishi HC Capital Inc. | | |
| | |
| | |
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|
| | |
| | |
| | |
Kotobuki Spirits Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
Morinaga & Co. Ltd./Japan | | |
Morinaga Milk Industry Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
Nissin Foods Holdings Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
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|
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Ground Transportation — 0.9% |
Central Japan Railway Co. | | |
| | |
Kintetsu Group Holdings Co. Ltd. | | |
Odakyu Electric Railway Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 3.2% |
| | |
| | |
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| | |
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| | |
| | |
| | |
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)(continued)September 30, 2024
iShares® JPX-Nikkei 400 ETF(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)
| | |
Health Care Providers & Services — 0.1% |
| | |
| | |
Ship Healthcare Holdings Inc. | | |
| | |
Health Care Technology — 0.1% |
| | |
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 1.2% |
Food & Life Companies Ltd. | | |
McDonald's Holdings Co. Japan Ltd. | | |
Oriental Land Co. Ltd./Japan | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Household Durables — 3.3% |
| | |
Iida Group Holdings Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
Open House Group Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
Sekisui Chemical Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
Sumitomo Forestry Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
Household Products — 0.5% |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers — 0.1% |
Electric Power Development Co. Ltd. | | |
Industrial Conglomerates — 1.8% |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
Dai-ichi Life Holdings Inc. | | |
MS&AD Insurance Group Holdings Inc. | | |
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Tokio Marine Holdings Inc. | | |
| | |
Interactive Media & Services — 0.3% |
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|
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NEC Networks & System Integration Corp. | | |
| | |
Nomura Research Institute Ltd. | | |
| | |
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Bandai Namco Holdings Inc. | | |
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Hitachi Construction Machinery Co. Ltd. | | |
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| | |
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Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. | | |
Mitsubishi Logisnext Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Nomura Micro Science Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
Sumitomo Heavy Industries Ltd. | | |
Takeuchi Manufacturing Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Marine Transportation — 1.1% |
| | |
Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
Hakuhodo DY Holdings Inc. | | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Mitsui Mining & Smelting Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
Sumitomo Metal Mining Co. Ltd. | | |
Tokyo Steel Manufacturing Co. Ltd. | | |
52024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)(continued)September 30, 2024
iShares® JPX-Nikkei 400 ETF(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)
| | |
Metals & Mining (continued) |
| | |
| | |
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 1.2% |
Cosmo Energy Holdings Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Japan Petroleum Exploration Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
Paper & Forest Products — 0.1% |
| | |
Personal Care Products — 1.1% |
| | |
Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. | | |
Rohto Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Ono Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
Professional Services — 2.1% |
| | |
Bell System24 Holdings Inc. | | |
| | |
| | |
MEITEC Group Holdings Inc. | | |
| | |
| | |
Recruit Holdings Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Real Estate Management & Development — 2.6% |
Daito Trust Construction Co. Ltd. | | |
Daiwa House Industry Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
Mitsubishi Estate Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
Nomura Real Estate Holdings Inc. | | |
| | |
Sumitomo Realty & Development Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
Tokyu Fudosan Holdings Corp. | | |
| | |
| | |
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 4.3% |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Renesas Electronics Corp. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Shinko Electric Industries Co. Ltd.(a) | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
PAL GROUP Holdings Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals — 2.0% |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods — 0.5% |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | |
Trading Companies & Distributors — 6.6% |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)(continued)September 30, 2024
iShares® JPX-Nikkei 400 ETF(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)
| | |
Trading Companies & Distributors (continued) |
| | |
Mitsui Matsushima Holdings Co. Ltd. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Wireless Telecommunication Services — 2.4% |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Total Long-Term Investments — 99.0%
(Cost: $168,809,048) | |
|
Money Market Funds — 0.1% |
BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares, 5.05%(c)(d)(e) | | |
| | |
Money Market Funds (continued) |
BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares, 4.88%(c)(d) | | |
Total Short-Term Securities — 0.1%
(Cost: $162,950) | |
Total Investments — 99.1%
(Cost: $168,971,998) | |
Other Assets Less Liabilities — 0.9% | |
| |
| Non-income producing security. |
| All or a portion of this security is on loan. |
| |
| Annualized 7-day yield as of period end. |
| All or a portion of this security was purchased with the cash collateral from loaned securities. |
Affiliates
Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended September 30, 2024 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:
| | | | | Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation) | | | | Capital
Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds |
BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares | | | | | | | | | |
BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| Represents net amount purchased (sold). |
| All or a portion represents securities lending income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral from loaned securities, net of fees and collateral investment expenses, and other payments to and from borrowers of securities. |
Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End
| | | | Value/
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation) |
| | | | |
| | | | |
72024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)(continued)September 30, 2024
iShares® JPX-Nikkei 400 ETF
Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure
As of period end, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities were as follows:
| | | | Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts | | | |
Liabilities—Derivative Financial Instruments | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Unrealized depreciation on futures contracts(a) | | | | | | | |
| Net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts are reported in the Schedule of Investments. In the Statement of Assets and Liabilities, only current day's variation margin is reported in receivables or payables and the net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is included in accumulated earnings (loss). |
For the period ended September 30, 2024, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statement of Operations was as follows:
| | | | Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts | | | |
Net Realized Gain (Loss) from | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments
| |
Average notional value of contracts — long | |
For more information about the Fund’s investment risks regarding derivative financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.
Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End
Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments at the measurement date. For a description of the input levels and information about the Fund’s policy regarding valuation of financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.
The following table summarizes the Fund’s financial instruments categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The breakdown of the Fund’s financial instruments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Derivative Financial Instruments(a) | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| Derivative financial instruments are futures contracts. Futures contracts are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument. |
See notes to financial statements.
Statement of Assets and Liabilities (unaudited)September 30, 2024
| |
| |
Investments, at value—unaffiliated(a)(b) | |
Investments, at value—affiliated(c) | |
| |
Foreign currency collateral pledged for futures contracts(d) | |
Foreign currency, at value(e) | |
| |
Securities lending income—affiliated | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Collateral on securities loaned, at value | |
| |
| |
Variation margin on futures contracts | |
| |
Commitments and contingent liabilities | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
(a) Investments, at cost—unaffiliated | |
(b) Securities loaned, at value | |
(c) Investments, at cost—affiliated | |
(d) Foreign currency collateral pledged, at cost | |
(e) Foreign currency, at cost | |
See notes to financial statements.
92024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Statement of Operations (unaudited)Six Months Ended September 30, 2024
| |
| |
| |
| |
Securities lending income—affiliated—net | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) | |
Net realized gain (loss) from: | |
| |
| |
Foreign currency transactions | |
| |
| |
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on: | |
| |
| |
Foreign currency translations | |
| |
| |
Net realized and unrealized gain | |
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS | |
See notes to financial statements.
Statement of Operations10
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
| iShares
JPX-Nikkei 400 ETF |
| Six Months Ended
09/30/24
(unaudited) | |
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | | |
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations | | |
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a) | | |
Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders | | |
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS | | |
Net increase in net assets derived from capital share transactions | | |
| | |
Total increase in net assets | | |
| | |
| | |
| Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations. |
| A portion of the distributions from net investment income may be deemed a return of capital or net realized gain at fiscal year-end. |
See notes to financial statements.
112024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Financial Highlights(For a share outstanding throughout each period)
| iShares JPX-Nikkei 400 ETF |
| Six Months Ended
09/30/24
(unaudited) | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(b) | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations | | | | | | |
Distributions from net investment income | | | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Ratios to Average Net Assets(g) | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000) | | | | | | |
Portfolio turnover rate(i) | | | | | | |
(a) Based on average shares outstanding. |
(b) The amounts reported for a share outstanding may not accord with the change in aggregate gains and losses in securities for the fiscal period due to the timing of capital share transactions in relation to the fluctuating market values of the Fund’s underlying securities. |
(c) Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations. |
(d) A portion of the distributions from net investment income may be deemed a return of capital or net realized gain at fiscal year-end. |
(e) Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions. |
|
(g) Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds. |
|
(i) Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions, if any. |
See notes to financial statements.
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited)
1. ORGANIZATION
iShares Trust (the “Trust”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as an open-end management investment company. The Trust is organized as a Delaware statutory trust and is authorized to have multiple series or portfolios.
These financial statements relate only to the following fund (the “Fund”):
| Diversification
Classification |
| |
2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”), which may require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities in the financial statements, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Fund is considered an investment company under U.S. GAAP and follows the accounting and reporting guidance applicable to investment companies. Below is a summary of significant accounting policies:
Investment Transactions and Income Recognition: For financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are recorded on the dates the transactions are executed. Realized gains and losses on investment transactions are determined using the specific identification method. Dividend income and capital gain distributions, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Non-cash dividends, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend date at fair value. Dividends from foreign securities where the ex-dividend date may have passed are subsequently recorded when the Fund is informed of the ex-dividend date. Under the applicable foreign tax laws, a withholding tax at various rates may be imposed on capital gains, dividends and interest.
Foreign Currency Translation: The Fund's books and records are maintained in U.S. dollars. Securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars using prevailing market rates as quoted by one or more data service providers. Purchases and sales of investments are recorded at the rates of exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions. Generally, when the U.S. dollar rises in value against a foreign currency, the investments denominated in that currency will lose value; the opposite effect occurs if the U.S. dollar falls in relative value.
The Fund does not isolate the effect of fluctuations in foreign exchange rates from the effect of fluctuations in the market prices of investments for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, the effects of changes in exchange rates on investments are not segregated in the Statement of Operations from the effects of changes in market prices of those investments, but are included as a component of net realized and unrealized gain (loss) from investments. The Fund reports realized currency gains (losses) on foreign currency related transactions as components of net realized gain (loss) for financial reporting purposes, whereas such components are generally treated as ordinary income for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Foreign Taxes: The Fund may be subject to foreign taxes (a portion of which may be reclaimable) on income, stock dividends, capital gains on investments, or certain foreign currency transactions. All foreign taxes are recorded in accordance with the applicable foreign tax regulations and rates that exist in the foreign jurisdictions in which the Fund invests. These foreign taxes, if any, are paid by the Fund and are reflected in its Statement of Operations as follows: foreign taxes withheld at source are presented as a reduction of income, foreign taxes on securities lending income are presented as a reduction of securities lending income, foreign taxes on stock dividends are presented as “Other foreign taxes”, and foreign taxes on capital gains from sales of investments and foreign taxes on foreign currency transactions are included in their respective net realized gain (loss) categories. Foreign taxes payable or deferred as of September 30, 2024, if any, are disclosed in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
Consistent with U.S. GAAP accrual requirements, for uncertain tax positions, each Fund recognizes tax reclaims when the Fund determines that it is more likely than not that the Fund will sustain its position that it is due the reclaim.
The Fund files withholding tax reclaims in certain jurisdictions to recover a portion of amounts previously withheld. The Fund may record a reclaim receivable based on collectability, which includes factors such as the jurisdiction’s applicable laws, payment history and market convention. The Statement of Operations includes tax reclaims recorded as well as professional and other fees, if any, associated with recovery of foreign withholding taxes.
Collateralization: If required by an exchange or counterparty agreement, the Fund may be required to deliver/deposit cash and/or securities to/with an exchange, or broker-dealer or custodian as collateral for certain investments.
In-kind Redemptions: For financial reporting purposes, in-kind redemptions are treated as sales of securities resulting in realized capital gains or losses to the Fund. Because such gains or losses are not taxable to the Fund and are not distributed to existing Fund shareholders, the gains or losses are reclassified from accumulated net realized gain (loss) to paid-in capital at the end of the Fund’s tax year. These reclassifications have no effect on net assets or net asset value (“NAV”) per share.
Distributions: Dividends and distributions paid by the Fund are recorded on the ex-dividend dates. Distributions are determined on a tax basis and may differ from net investment income and net realized capital gains for financial reporting purposes. Dividends and distributions are paid in U.S. dollars and cannot be automatically reinvested in additional shares of the Fund.
Indemnifications: In the normal course of business, the Fund enters into contracts that contain a variety of representations that provide general indemnification. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown because it involves future potential claims against the Fund, which cannot be predicted with any certainty.
132024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
3. INVESTMENT VALUATION AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
Investment Valuation Policies: The Fund’s investments are valued at fair value (also referred to as “market value” within the financial statements) each day that the Fund’s listing exchange is open and, for financial reporting purposes, as of the report date. U.S. GAAP defines fair value as the price a fund would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”) of the Fund has approved the designation of BlackRock Fund Advisors (“BFA”), the Fund’s investment adviser, as the valuation designee for the Fund. The Fund determines the fair values of its financial instruments using various independent dealers or pricing services under BFA’s policies. If a security’s market price is not readily available or does not otherwise accurately represent the fair value of the security, the security will be valued in accordance with BFA’s policies and procedures as reflecting fair value. BFA has formed a committee (the “Valuation Committee”) to develop pricing policies and procedures and to oversee the pricing function for all financial instruments, with assistance from other BlackRock pricing committees.
Fair Value Inputs and Methodologies: The following methods and inputs are used to establish the fair value of the Fund’s assets and liabilities:
• Equity investments traded on a recognized securities exchange are valued at that day’s official closing price, as applicable, on the exchange where the stock is primarily traded. Equity investments traded on a recognized exchange for which there were no sales on that day are valued at the last traded price.
• Investments in open-end U.S. mutual funds (including money market funds) are valued at that day’s NAV.
• Futures contracts are valued based on that day’s last reported settlement or trade price on the exchange where the contract is traded.
Generally, trading in foreign instruments is substantially completed each day at various times prior to the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”). Each business day, the Fund uses current market factors supplied by independent pricing services to value certain foreign instruments (“Systematic Fair Value Price”). The Systematic Fair Value Price is designed to value such foreign securities at fair value as of the close of trading on the NYSE, which occurs after the close of the local markets.
If events (e.g., market volatility, company announcement or a natural disaster) occur that are expected to materially affect the value of such investment, or in the event that application of these methods of valuation results in a price for an investment that is deemed not to be representative of the market value of such investment, or if a price is not available, the investment will be valued by the Valuation Committee, in accordance with BFA’s policies and procedures as reflecting fair value (“Fair Valued Investments”). The fair valuation approaches that may be used by the Valuation Committee include market approach, income approach and cost approach. Valuation techniques such as discounted cash flow, use of market comparables and matrix pricing are types of valuation approaches and are typically used in determining fair value. When determining the price for Fair Valued Investments, the Valuation Committee seeks to determine the price that the Fund might reasonably expect to receive or pay from the current sale or purchase of that asset or liability in an arm’s-length transaction. Fair value determinations shall be based upon all available factors that the Valuation Committee deems relevant and consistent with the principles of fair value measurement as of the measurement date.
Fair value pricing could result in a difference between the prices used to calculate a fund’s NAV and the prices used by the fund’s underlying index, which in turn could result in a difference between the fund’s performance and the performance of the fund’s underlying index.
Fair Value Hierarchy: Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments at the measurement date. These inputs to valuation techniques are categorized into a fair value hierarchy consisting of three broad levels for financial reporting purposes as follows:
• Level 1 – Unadjusted price quotations in active markets/exchanges that the Fund has the ability to access for identical assets or liabilities;
• Level 2 – Inputs other than quoted prices included within level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly; and
• Level 3 – Inputs that are unobservable and significant to the entire fair value measurement for the asset or liability (including the Valuation Committee’s assumptions used in determining the fair value of financial instruments).
The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized in Level 3. The inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, for disclosure purposes, the fair value hierarchy classification is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. Investments classified within Level 3 have significant unobservable inputs used by the Valuation Committee in determining the price for Fair Valued Investments. Level 3 investments include equity or debt issued by privately held companies or funds that may not have a secondary market and/or may have a limited number of investors. The categorization of a value determined for financial instruments is based on the pricing transparency of the financial instruments and is not necessarily an indication of the risks associated with investing in those securities.
4. SECURITIES AND OTHER INVESTMENTS
Securities Lending: The Fund may lend its securities to approved borrowers, such as brokers, dealers and other financial institutions. The borrower pledges and maintains with the Fund collateral consisting of cash, an irrevocable letter of credit issued by an approved bank, or securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government. The initial collateral received by the Fund is required to have a value of at least 102% of the current market value of the loaned securities for securities traded on U.S. exchanges and a value of at least 105% for all other securities. The collateral is maintained thereafter at a value equal to at least 100% of the current value of the securities on loan. The market value of the loaned securities is determined at the close of each business day of the Fund and any additional required collateral is delivered to the Fund or excess collateral is returned by the Fund, on the next business day. During the term of the loan, the Fund is entitled to all distributions made on or in respect of the loaned securities
Notes to Financial Statements14
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
but does not receive interest income on securities received as collateral. Loans of securities are terminable at any time and the borrower, after notice, is required to return borrowed securities within the standard time period for settlement of securities transactions.
As of period end, any securities on loan were collateralized by cash and/or U.S. Government obligations. Cash collateral invested in money market funds managed by BFA, or its affiliates is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments. Any non-cash collateral received cannot be sold, re-invested or pledged by the Fund, except in the event of borrower default. The securities on loan, if any, are also disclosed in the Fund’s Schedule of Investments. The market value of any securities on loan and the value of any related cash collateral are disclosed in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
Securities lending transactions are entered into by the Fund under Master Securities Lending Agreements (each, an “MSLA”) which provide the right, in the event of default (including bankruptcy or insolvency) for the non-defaulting party to liquidate the collateral and calculate a net exposure to the defaulting party or request additional collateral. In the event that a borrower defaults, the Fund, as lender, would offset the market value of the collateral received against the market value of the securities loaned. When the value of the collateral is greater than that of the market value of the securities loaned, the lender is left with a net amount payable to the defaulting party. However, bankruptcy or insolvency laws of a particular jurisdiction may impose restrictions on or prohibitions against such a right of offset in the event of an MSLA counterparty’s bankruptcy or insolvency. Under the MSLA, absent an event of default, the borrower can resell or re-pledge the loaned securities, and the Fund can reinvest cash collateral received in connection with loaned securities. Upon an event of default, the parties’ obligations to return the securities or collateral to the other party are extinguished, and the parties can resell or re-pledge the loaned securities or the collateral received in connection with the loaned securities in order to satisfy the defaulting party’s net payment obligation for all transactions under the MSLA. The defaulting party remains liable for any deficiency.
As of period end, the following table is a summary of the securities on loan by counterparty which are subject to offset under an MSLA:
iShares ETF and Counterparty | Securities Loaned
at Value | | Non-Cash Collateral
Received, at Fair Value(a) | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
J.P. Morgan Securities LLC | | | | |
| | | | |
| Collateral received, if any, in excess of the market value of securities on loan is not presented in this table. The total cash collateral received by the Fund is disclosed in the Fund’s Statements of Assets and Liabilities. |
The risks of securities lending include the risk that the borrower may not provide additional collateral when required or may not return the securities when due. To mitigate these risks, the Fund benefits from a borrower default indemnity provided by BlackRock, Inc. (“BlackRock”). BlackRock’s indemnity allows for full replacement of the securities loaned to the extent the collateral received does not cover the value of the securities loaned in the event of borrower default. The Fund could incur a loss if the value of an investment purchased with cash collateral falls below the market value of the loaned securities or if the value of an investment purchased with cash collateral falls below the value of the original cash collateral received. Such losses are borne entirely by the Fund.
5. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
Futures Contracts: Futures contracts are purchased or sold to gain exposure to, or manage exposure to, changes in interest rates (interest rate risk) and changes in the value of equity securities (equity risk) or foreign currencies (foreign currency exchange rate risk).
Futures contracts are exchange-traded agreements between the Fund and a counterparty to buy or sell a specific quantity of an underlying instrument at a specified price and on a specified date. Depending on the terms of a contract, it is settled either through physical delivery of the underlying instrument on the settlement date or by payment of a cash amount on the settlement date. Upon entering into a futures contract, the Fund is required to deposit initial margin with the broker in the form of cash or securities in an amount that varies depending on a contract’s size and risk profile. The initial margin deposit must then be maintained at an established level over the life of the contract. Amounts pledged, which are considered restricted, are included in cash pledged for futures contracts in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
Securities deposited as initial margin are designated in the Schedule of Investments and cash deposited, if any, are shown as cash pledged for futures contracts in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Pursuant to the contract, the Fund agrees to receive from or pay to the broker an amount of cash equal to the daily fluctuation in market value of the contract (“variation margin”). Variation margin is recorded as unrealized appreciation (depreciation) and, if any, shown as variation margin receivable (or payable) on futures contracts in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. When the contract is closed, a realized gain or loss is recorded in the Statement of Operations equal to the difference between the notional amount of the contract at the time it was opened and the notional amount at the time it was closed. The use of futures contracts involves the risk of an imperfect correlation in the movements in the price of futures contracts and interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates or underlying assets.
6. INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES
Investment Advisory Fees: Pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement with the Trust, BFA manages the investment of the Fund’s assets. BFA is a California corporation indirectly owned by BlackRock. Under the Investment Advisory Agreement, BFA is responsible for substantially all expenses of the Fund, except (i) interest and taxes; (ii) brokerage commissions and other expenses connected with the execution of portfolio transactions; (iii) distribution fees; (iv) the advisory fee payable to BFA; and (v) litigation expenses and any extraordinary expenses (in each case as determined by a majority of the independent trustees).
152024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
For its investment advisory services to the Fund, BFA is entitled to an annual investment advisory fee of 0.48%, accrued daily and paid monthly by the Fund, based on the average daily net assets of the Fund.
Distributor: BlackRock Investments, LLC, an affiliate of BFA, is the distributor for the Fund. Pursuant to the distribution agreement, BFA is responsible for any fees or expenses for distribution services provided to the Fund.
Securities Lending: The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) has issued an exemptive order which permits BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A. (“BTC”), an affiliate of BFA, to serve as securities lending agent for the Fund, subject to applicable conditions. As securities lending agent, BTC bears all operational costs directly related to securities lending, including any custodial costs. The Fund is responsible for fees in connection with the investment of cash collateral received for securities on loan (the “collateral investment fees”). The cash collateral is invested in a money market fund, BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional or BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, managed by BFA, or its affiliates. However, BTC has agreed to reduce the amount of securities lending income it receives in order to effectively limit the collateral investment fees the Fund bears to an annual rate of 0.04%. The SL Agency Shares of such money market fund will not be subject to a sales load, redemption fee, distribution fee or service fee. The money market fund in which the cash collateral has been invested may impose a discretionary liquidity fee of up to 2% of the value redeemed, if such fee is determined to be in the best interests of such money market fund.
Securities lending income is generally equal to the total of income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral (and excludes collateral investment fees), and any fees or other payments to and from borrowers of securities. The Fund retains a portion of the securities lending income and remits the remaining portion to BTC as compensation for its services as securities lending agent.
Pursuant to the current securities lending agreement, the Fund retains 82% of securities lending income (which excludes collateral investment fees), and the amount retained can never be less than 70% of the total of securities lending income plus the collateral investment fees.
In addition, commencing the business day following the date that the aggregate securities lending income plus the collateral investment fees generated across all 1940 Act iShares exchange-traded funds (the “iShares ETF Complex”) in that calendar year exceeds a specified threshold, the Fund, pursuant to the securities lending agreement, will retain for the remainder of that calendar year 85% of securities lending income (which excludes collateral investment fees), and the amount retained can never be less than 70% of the total of securities lending income plus the collateral investment fees.
The share of securities lending income earned by the Fund is shown as securities lending income – affiliated – net in its Statement of Operations. For the six months ended September 30, 2024, the Fund paid BTC $71 for securities lending agent services.
Officers and Trustees: Certain officers and/or trustees of the Trust are officers and/or trustees of BlackRock or its affiliates.
Other Transactions: Cross trading is the buying or selling of portfolio securities between funds to which BFA (or an affiliate) serves as investment adviser. At its regularly scheduled quarterly meetings, the Board reviews such transactions as of the most recent calendar quarter for compliance with the requirements and restrictions set forth by Rule 17a-7.
For the six months ended September 30, 2024, transactions executed by the Fund pursuant to Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act were as follows:
The Fund may invest its positive cash balances in certain money market funds managed by BFA or an affiliate. The income earned on these temporary cash investments is shown as dividends – affiliated in the Statement of Operations.
A fund, in order to improve its portfolio liquidity and its ability to track its underlying index, may invest in shares of other iShares funds that invest in securities in the fund’s underlying index.
For the six months ended September 30, 2024, purchases and sales of investments, excluding short-term securities and in-kind transactions, were as follows:
For the six months ended September 30, 2024, in-kind transactions were as follows:
Notes to Financial Statements16
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
8. INCOME TAX INFORMATION
The Fund is treated as an entity separate from the Trust’s other funds for federal income tax purposes. It is the Fund’s policy to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, applicable to regulated investment companies, and to distribute substantially all of its taxable income to its shareholders. Therefore, no U.S. federal income tax provision is required.
Management has analyzed tax laws and regulations and their application to the Fund as of September 30, 2024, inclusive of the open tax return years, and does not believe that there are any uncertain tax positions that require recognition of a tax liability in the Fund’s financial statements. Management’s analysis is based on the tax laws and judicial and administrative interpretations thereof in effect as of the date of these financial statements, all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect, which may impact the Fund’s NAV.
As of March 31, 2024, the Fund had non-expiring capital loss carryforwards of $26,185,343 available to offset future realized capital gains.
A fund may own shares in certain foreign investment entities, referred to, under U.S. tax law, as “passive foreign investment companies.” Such fund may elect to mark-to-market annually the shares of each passive foreign investment company and would be required to distribute to shareholders any such marked-to-market gains.
As of September 30, 2024, gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation based on cost of investments (including short positions and derivatives, if any) for U.S. federal income tax purposes were as follows:
| | Gross Unrealized
Appreciation | Gross Unrealized
Depreciation | Net Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation) |
| | | | |
The Fund, along with certain other iShares funds (“Participating Funds”), is a party to a $800 million credit agreement (“Syndicated Credit Agreement”) with a group of lenders, which expires on October 16, 2024. The line of credit may be used for temporary or emergency purposes, including redemptions, settlement of trades and rebalancing of portfolio holdings in certain target markets. The Funds may borrow up to the aggregate commitment amount subject to asset coverage and other limitations as specified in the Syndicated Credit Agreement. The Syndicated Credit Agreement has the following terms: a commitment fee of 0.15% per annum on the unused portion of the credit agreement and interest at a rate equal to the higher of (a) Daily Simple Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) plus 0.10% and 1.00% per annum or (b) the U.S. Federal Funds rate plus 1.00% per annum on amounts borrowed. The commitment fee is generally allocated to each Participating Fund based on the lesser of a Participating Fund’s relative exposure to certain target markets or a Participating Fund’s maximum borrowing amount as set forth by the terms of the Syndicated Credit Agreement.
During the six months ended September 30, 2024, the Fund did not borrow under the Syndicated Credit Agreement.
In the normal course of business, the Fund invests in securities or other instruments and may enter into certain transactions, and such activities subject the Fund to various risks, including, among others, fluctuations in the market (market risk) or failure of an issuer to meet all of its obligations. The value of securities or other instruments may also be affected by various factors, including, without limitation: (i) the general economy; (ii) the overall market as well as local, regional or global political and/or social instability; (iii) regulation, taxation or international tax treaties between various countries; or (iv) currency, interest rate or price fluctuations. Local, regional or global events such as war, acts of terrorism, the spread of infectious illness or other public health issues, recessions, or other events could have a significant impact on the Fund and its investments. The Fund’s prospectus provides details of the risks to which the Fund is subject.
BFA uses an indexing approach to try to achieve the Fund’s investment objective. The Fund is not actively managed, and BFA generally does not attempt to take defensive positions under any market conditions, including declining markets.
The Fund may be exposed to additional risks when reinvesting cash collateral in money market funds that do not seek to maintain a stable NAV per share of $1.00, which may be subject to discretionary liquidity fees under certain circumstances.
Valuation Risk: The market values of equities, such as common stocks and preferred securities or equity related investments, such as futures and options, may decline due to general market conditions which are not specifically related to a particular company. They may also decline due to factors which affect a particular industry or industries. A fund may invest in illiquid investments. An illiquid investment is any investment that a fund reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment. A fund may experience difficulty in selling illiquid investments in a timely manner at the price that it believes the investments are worth. Prices may fluctuate widely over short or extended periods in response to company, market or economic news. Markets also tend to move in cycles, with periods of rising and falling prices. This volatility may cause a fund’s NAV to experience significant increases or decreases over short periods of time. If there is a general decline in the securities and other markets, the NAV of a fund may lose value, regardless of the individual results of the securities and other instruments in which a fund invests. The Fund’s ability to value its investments may also be impacted by technological issues and/or errors by pricing services or other third-party service providers.
172024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
Counterparty Credit Risk: The Fund may be exposed to counterparty credit risk, or the risk that an entity may fail to or be unable to perform on its commitments related to unsettled or open transactions, including making timely interest and/or principal payments or otherwise honoring its obligations. The Fund manages counterparty credit risk by entering into transactions only with counterparties that BFA believes have the financial resources to honor their obligations and by monitoring the financial stability of those counterparties. Financial assets, which potentially expose the Fund to market, issuer and counterparty credit risks, consist principally of financial instruments and receivables due from counterparties. The extent of the Fund’s exposure to market, issuer and counterparty credit risks with respect to these financial assets is approximately their value recorded in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities, less any collateral held by the Fund.
A derivative contract may suffer a mark-to-market loss if the value of the contract decreases due to an unfavorable change in the market rates or values of the underlying instrument. Losses can also occur if the counterparty does not perform under the contract.
With exchange-traded futures, there is less counterparty credit risk to the Fund since the exchange or clearinghouse, as counterparty to such instruments, guarantees against a possible default. The clearinghouse stands between the buyer and the seller of the contract; therefore, credit risk is limited to failure of the clearinghouse. While offset rights may exist under applicable law, a Fund does not have a contractual right of offset against a clearing broker or clearinghouse in the event of a default (including the bankruptcy or insolvency). Additionally, credit risk exists in exchange-traded futures with respect to initial and variation margin that is held in a clearing broker’s customer accounts. While clearing brokers are required to segregate customer margin from their own assets, in the event that a clearing broker becomes insolvent or goes into bankruptcy and at that time there is a shortfall in the aggregate amount of margin held by the clearing broker for all its clients, typically the shortfall would be allocated on a pro rata basis across all the clearing broker’s customers, potentially resulting in losses to the Fund.
Geographic/Asset Class Risk: A diversified portfolio, where this is appropriate and consistent with a fund’s objectives, minimizes the risk that a price change of a particular investment will have a material impact on the NAV of a fund. The investment concentrations within the Fund’s portfolio are disclosed in its Schedule of Investments.
The Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in issuers located in a single country or a limited number of countries. When a fund concentrates its investments in this manner, it assumes the risk that economic, regulatory, political and social conditions in that country or those countries may have a significant impact on the fund and could affect the income from, or the value or liquidity of, the Fund’s portfolio. Unanticipated or sudden political or social developments may cause uncertainty in the markets and as a result adversely affect the Fund's investments. Foreign issuers may not be subject to the same uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and practices as used in the United States. Foreign securities markets may also be more volatile and less liquid than U.S. securities and may be less subject to governmental supervision not typically associated with investing in U.S. securities.
The Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in securities of issuers located in Asia or with significant exposure to Asian issuers or countries. The Asian financial markets have recently experienced volatility and adverse trends due to concerns in several Asian countries regarding monetary policy, government intervention in the markets, rising government debt levels or economic downturns. These events may spread to other countries in Asia and may affect the value and liquidity of certain of the Fund’s investments.
Significant Shareholder Redemption Risk: Certain shareholders may own or manage a substantial amount of fund shares and/or hold their fund investments for a limited period of time. Large redemptions of fund shares by these shareholders may force a fund to sell portfolio securities, which may negatively impact the fund’s NAV, increase the fund’s brokerage costs, and/or accelerate the realization of taxable income/gains and cause the fund to make additional taxable distributions to shareholders.
11. CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS
Capital shares are issued and redeemed by the Fund only in aggregations of a specified number of shares or multiples thereof (“Creation Units”) at NAV. Except when aggregated in Creation Units, shares of the Fund are not redeemable.
Transactions in capital shares were as follows:
The consideration for the purchase of Creation Units of a fund in the Trust generally consists of the in-kind deposit of a designated portfolio of securities and a specified amount of cash. Certain funds in the Trust may be offered in Creation Units solely or partially for cash in U.S. dollars. Authorized Participants purchasing and redeeming Creation Units may pay a purchase transaction fee and a redemption transaction fee directly to State Street Bank and Trust Company, the Trust’s administrator, to offset transfer and other transaction costs associated with the issuance and redemption of Creation Units, including Creation Units for cash. Authorized Participants transacting in Creation Units for cash may also pay an additional variable charge to compensate the relevant fund for certain transaction costs (i.e., stamp taxes, taxes on currency or other financial transactions, and brokerage costs) and market impact expenses relating to investing in portfolio securities. Such variable charges, if any, are included in shares sold in the table above.
Notes to Financial Statements18
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
To the extent applicable, to facilitate the timely settlement of orders for the Fund using a clearing facility outside of the continuous net settlement process, the Fund, at its sole discretion, may permit an Authorized Participant to post cash as collateral in anticipation of the delivery of all or a portion of the applicable Deposit Securities or Fund Securities, as further described in the applicable Authorized Participant Agreement. The collateral process is subject to a Control Agreement among the Authorized Participant, the Fund’s custodian, and the Fund. In the event that the Authorized Participant fails to deliver all or a portion of the applicable Deposit Securities or Fund Securities, the Fund may exercise control over such collateral pursuant to the terms of the Control Agreement in order to purchase the applicable Deposit Securities or Fund Securities.
From time to time, settlement of securities related to in-kind contributions or in-kind redemptions may be delayed. In such cases, securities related to in-kind transactions are reflected as a receivable or a payable in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
Management’s evaluation of the impact of all subsequent events on the Fund’s financial statements was completed through the date the financial statements were available to be issued and the following item was noted:
Effective October 16, 2024, the Syndicated Credit Agreement to which the Participating Funds are party was amended to extend the maturity date to October 15, 2025 under the same terms.
192024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Electronic Delivery
Shareholders can sign up for e-mail notifications announcing that the shareholder report or prospectus has been posted on the iShares website at iShares.com. Once you have enrolled, you will no longer receive prospectuses and shareholder reports in the mail.
To enroll in electronic delivery:
• Go to icsdelivery.com.
• If your brokerage firm is not listed, electronic delivery may not be available. Please contact your broker-dealer or financial advisor.
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants
Remuneration Paid to Trustees, Officers, and Others
Because BFA has agreed in the Investment Advisory Agreements to cover all operating expenses of the Fund, subject to certain exclusions as provided for therein, BFA pays the compensation to each Independent Trustee for services to the Fund from BFA's investment advisory fees.
Availability of Portfolio Holdings Information
A description of the Trust’s policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of the Fund’s portfolio securities is available in the Fund Prospectus. The Fund discloses its portfolio holdings daily and provides information regarding its top holdings in Fund fact sheets, when available, at iShares.com.
Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract
iShares JPX-Nikkei 400 ETF (the “Fund”)
Under Section 15(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), the Trust's Board of Trustees (the “Board”), including a majority of Board Members who are not “interested persons” of the Trust (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act) (the “Independent Board Members”), is required annually to consider the approval of the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and BFA (the “Advisory Agreement”) on behalf of the Fund. The Board’s consideration entails a year-long process whereby the Board and its committees (composed solely of Independent Board Members) assess BlackRock’s services to the Fund, including investment management; fund accounting; administrative and shareholder services; oversight of the Fund’s service providers; risk management and oversight; and legal and compliance services; including the ability to meet applicable legal and regulatory requirements. The Independent Board Members requested, and BFA provided, such information as the Independent Board Members, with advice from independent counsel, deemed reasonably necessary to evaluate the Advisory Agreement. At meetings held on May 6, 2024 and May 17, 2024, a committee composed of all of the Independent Board Members (the “15(c) Committee”), with independent counsel, met with management and reviewed and discussed information provided in response to initial requests of the 15(c) Committee and/or its independent counsel. Prior to and in preparation for the meeting, the Board received and reviewed materials specifically relating to matters relevant to the renewal of the Advisory Agreement. Following discussion, the 15(c) Committee subsequently requested certain additional information, which management agreed to provide. At a meeting held on June 4-5, 2024, the Board, including the Independent Board Members, reviewed the additional information provided by management in response to these requests.
After extensive discussions and deliberations, the Board, including all of the Independent Board Members, approved the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the Fund, based on a review of qualitative and quantitative information provided by BFA and their cumulative experience as Board Members. The Board noted its satisfaction with the extent and quality of information provided and its frequent interactions with management, as well as the detailed responses and other information provided by BFA. The Independent Board Members were advised by their independent counsel throughout the process, including about the legal standards applicable to their review. In approving the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the Fund, the Board, including the Independent Board Members, considered various factors, including: (i) the expenses and performance of the Fund; (ii) the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by BFA; (iii) the costs of services provided to the Fund and profits realized by BFA and its affiliates; (iv) potential economies of scale and the sharing of related benefits; (v) the fees and services provided for other comparable funds/accounts managed by BFA and its affiliates; and (vi) other benefits to BFA and/or its affiliates. The Board Members did not identify any particular information or any single factor as determinative, and each Board Member may have attributed different weights to the various matters and factors considered. The material factors, considerations and conclusions that formed the basis for the Board, including the Independent Board Members, to approve the continuance of the Advisory Agreement are discussed below.
Expenses and Performance of the Fund: The Board reviewed statistical information prepared by Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (“Broadridge”), an independent provider of investment company data, regarding the expense ratio components, including gross and net total expenses, fees and expenses of other fund(s) in which the Fund invests (if applicable), and waivers/reimbursements (if applicable) of the Fund in comparison with the same information for other ETFs, objectively selected by Broadridge as comprising the Fund’s applicable expense peer group pursuant to Broadridge’s proprietary ETF methodology (the “Peer Group”). The Board was provided with a detailed description of the proprietary ETF methodology used by Broadridge to determine the Fund’s Peer Group. The Board noted that, due to the limitations in providing comparable funds in the Peer Group, the statistical information provided in Broadridge’s report may or may not provide meaningful direct comparisons to the Fund in all instances. The Board also noted that the investment advisory fee rate and overall expenses (net of any waivers and reimbursements) for the Fund were higher than the median of the investment advisory fee rates and overall expenses (net of any waivers and reimbursements) of the funds in its Peer Group, excluding iShares funds.
In addition, to the extent that any of the comparison funds included in the Peer Group, excluding iShares funds, track the same index as the Fund, Broadridge also provided, and the Board reviewed, a comparison of the Fund’s performance for the one-year, three-year, five-year, ten-year, and since inception periods, as applicable, and for the quarter ended December 31, 2023, to that of such relevant comparison fund(s) for the same periods. The Board noted that the Fund seeks to track its specified underlying index and that, during the year, the Board received periodic reports on the Fund’s short- and longer-term performance in comparison with its underlying index. Such periodic comparative performance information, including additional detailed information as requested by the Board, was also considered. The Board noted that the Fund generally performed in line with its underlying index over the relevant periods.
Based on this review, the other relevant factors and information considered at the meeting, and their general knowledge of ETF pricing, the Board concluded that the investment advisory fee rate and expense level and the historical performance of the Fund supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.
Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided: Based on management’s representations, including information about ongoing enhancements and initiatives with respect to the iShares product line and BFA’s business, including with respect to capital markets support and analysis, technology, portfolio management, product design and quality, compliance and risk management, global public policy and other services, the Board expected that there would be no diminution in the scope of services required of or provided by BFA under the Advisory Agreement for the coming year as compared with the scope of services provided by BFA during prior years. In reviewing the scope of these services, the Board considered BFA’s investment philosophy and experience, noting that BFA and its affiliates have committed significant resources over time, including during the past year, to support the iShares funds and their shareholders and have made significant investments into the iShares business. The Board also considered BFA’s compliance program and its compliance record with respect to the Fund, including related programs implemented pursuant to regulatory requirements. In that regard, the Board noted that BFA reports to the Board about portfolio management and compliance matters on a periodic basis in connection with regularly scheduled meetings of the Board, and on other occasions as necessary and appropriate, and has provided information and made relevant officers and other employees of BFA (and its affiliates) available as needed to provide further assistance with these matters. The Board also reviewed the background and experience of the persons responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund, as well as the resources available to them in managing the Fund. In addition to the above considerations, the Board reviewed and considered detailed presentations regarding BFA’s investment performance, investment and risk management processes and strategies provided at the May 6, 2024
212024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract (continued)
meeting and throughout the year, and matters related to BFA’s portfolio compliance program and other compliance programs and services, as well as BlackRock’s continued investments in its ETF business.
Based on review of this information, and the performance information discussed above, the Board concluded that the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund under the Advisory Agreement supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.
Costs of Services Provided to the Fund and Profits Realized by BFA and its Affiliates: The Board reviewed information about the estimated profitability to BlackRock in managing the Fund, based on the fees payable to BFA and its affiliates (including fees under the Advisory Agreement), and other sources of revenue and expense to BFA and its affiliates from the Fund’s operations for the last calendar year. The Board reviewed BlackRock’s methodology for calculating estimated profitability of the iShares funds, noting that the 15(c) Committee and the Board had focused on the methodology and profitability presentation. The Board recognized that profitability may be affected by numerous factors, including, among other things, fee waivers by BFA, the types of funds managed, expense allocations and business mix. The Board thus recognized that calculating and comparing profitability at individual fund levels is challenging. The Board discussed with management the sources of direct and ancillary revenue, including the revenues to BTC, a BlackRock affiliate, from securities lending by the Fund. The Board also discussed BFA’s estimated profit margin as reflected in the Fund’s profitability analysis and reviewed information regarding potential economies of scale (as discussed below).
Based on this review, the Board concluded that the information considered with respect to the profits realized by BFA and its affiliates under the Advisory Agreement and from other relationships between the Fund and BFA and/or its affiliates, if any, and related costs of the services provided as well as the other factors considered at the meeting, supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.
Economies of Scale: The Board reviewed information and considered the extent to which economies of scale might be realized as the assets of the Fund increase, noting that the issue of potential economies of scale had been focused on by the 15(c) Committee and the Board during their meetings and addressed by management. The 15(c) Committee and the Board received information regarding BlackRock’s historical estimated profitability (as discussed above), including BFA’s and its affiliates’ estimated costs in providing services. The estimated cost information distinguished, among other things, between fixed and variable costs, and showed how the level and nature of fixed and variable costs may impact the existence or size of scale benefits, with the Board recognizing that potential economies of scale are difficult to measure. The 15(c) Committee and the Board reviewed information provided by BFA regarding the sharing of scale benefits with the iShares funds through various means, including, as applicable, through breakpoints, waivers, or other fee reductions, as well as through additional investment in the iShares business, including enhancements to or the provision of additional infrastructure and services to the iShares funds and their shareholders and, with respect to New Funds, set management fees at levels that anticipate scale over time. The Board noted that the Advisory Agreement for the Fund did not provide for breakpoints in the Fund’s investment advisory fee rate as the assets of the Fund increase. However, the Board noted that it would continue to assess the appropriateness of adding breakpoints in the future.
The Board concluded that this review of potential economies of scale and the sharing of related benefits, as well as the other factors considered at the meeting, supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.
Fees and Services Provided for Other Comparable Funds/Accounts Managed by BFA and its Affiliates: The Board received and considered information regarding the investment advisory/management fee rates for other funds/accounts in the U.S. for which BFA (or its affiliates) provides investment advisory/management services, including open-end funds registered under the 1940 Act (including sub-advised funds), collective trust funds and institutional separate accounts (collectively, the “Other Accounts”).
The Board received detailed information regarding how the Other Accounts generally differ from the Fund, including in terms of the types of services and generally more extensive character and scope of services provided to the Fund, as well as other significant differences. In that regard, the Board considered that the pricing of services to institutional clients is typically based on a number of factors beyond the nature and extent of the specific services to be provided and often depends on the overall relationship between the client and its affiliates and the adviser and its affiliates. In addition, the Board considered the relative complexity and inherent risks and challenges of managing and providing other services to the Fund, as a publicly traded investment vehicle, as compared to the Other Accounts, particularly those that are institutional clients, in light of differing regulatory requirements and client-imposed mandates. The Board acknowledged BFA’s representation that the iShares funds are fundamentally different investment vehicles from the Other Accounts in its consideration of relevant qualitative and quantitative comparative information provided. The Board noted that BFA and its affiliates do not manage Other Accounts with substantially the same investment objective and strategy as the Fund and that track the same index as the Fund. The Board also acknowledged management’s assertion that, for certain iShares funds, and for client segmentation purposes, BlackRock has launched an iShares fund that may provide a similar investment exposure at a lower investment advisory fee rate.
The Board considered the “all-inclusive” nature of the Fund’s advisory fee structure, and the Fund’s expenses borne by BFA under this arrangement and noted that the investment advisory fee rate under the Advisory Agreement for the Fund was generally higher than the investment advisory/management fee rates for certain of the Other Accounts (particularly institutional clients) and concluded that the differences appeared to be consistent with the factors discussed.
Other Benefits to BFA and/or its Affiliates: The Board reviewed other benefits or ancillary revenue received by BFA and/or its affiliates in connection with the services provided to the Fund by BFA, both direct and indirect, including, but not limited to, payment of revenue to BTC, the Fund’s securities lending agent, for loaning portfolio securities, as applicable (which was included in the profit margins reviewed by the Board pursuant to BFA’s estimated profitability methodology), payment of advisory fees or other fees to BFA (or its affiliates) in connection with any investments by the Fund in other funds (including cash sweep vehicles) for which BFA (or its affiliates) provides investment advisory services or other services, and BlackRock’s profile in the investment community. The Board further considered other direct benefits that might accrue to BFA, including actual and potential reductions in the Fund’s expenses that are borne by BFA under the “all-inclusive” management fee arrangement, due in part to the size and scope of BFA’s investment operations servicing the Fund (and other funds in the iShares complex) as well as in response to a changing market environment. The Board also reviewed and considered information provided by BFA concerning authorized participant primary market order processing services that are provided by BlackRock Investments, LLC (“BRIL”), an affiliate of BFA, and paid for by authorized participants under the ETF Servicing Platform. The Board also noted the revenue
Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract22
Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract (continued)
received by BFA and/or its affiliates pursuant to an agreement that permits a service provider to use certain portions of BlackRock’s technology platform to service accounts managed by BFA and/or its affiliates, including the iShares funds. The Board noted that BFA generally does not use soft dollars or consider the value of research or other services that may be provided to BFA (including its affiliates) in selecting brokers for portfolio transactions for the Fund. The Board concluded that any such ancillary benefits would not be disadvantageous to the Fund and thus would not alter the Board’s conclusion with respect to the appropriateness of approving the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.
Conclusion: Based on a review of the factors described above, as well as such other factors as deemed appropriate by the Board, the Board, including all of the Independent Board Members, determined that the Fund’s investment advisory fee rate under the Advisory Agreement does not constitute a fee that is so disproportionately large as to bear no reasonable relationship to the services rendered and that could not have been the product of arm’s-length bargaining, and concluded to approve the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.
232024 iShares Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
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iShares.com | 1-800-474-2737
This report is intended for the Fund’s shareholders. It may not be distributed to prospective investors unless it is preceded or accompanied by the current prospectus.
Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal.
The iShares Funds are distributed by BlackRock Investments, LLC (together with its affiliates, “BlackRock”).
The iShares Funds are not sponsored, endorsed, issued, sold or promoted by The Japan Exchange Group, Inc., JPX Market Innovation & Research, Inc., or Nikkei, Inc., nor do these companies make any representation regarding the advisability of investing in the iShares Funds. BlackRock is not affiliated with the companies listed above.
©2024 BlackRock, Inc. All rights reserved. iSHARES and BLACKROCK are registered trademarks of BlackRock, Inc. or its subsidiaries. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.
| Item 8 – | Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants for Open-End Management Investment Companies – See Item 7 |
| Item 9 – | Proxy Disclosures for Open-End Management Investment Companies – See Item 7 |
| Item 10 – | Remuneration Paid to Directors, Officers, and Others of Open-End Management Investment Companies – See Item 7 |
| Item 11 – | Statement Regarding Basis for Approval of Investment Advisory Contract – See Item 7 |
| Item 12 – | Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies – Not Applicable |
| Item 13 – | Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies – Not Applicable |
| Item 14 – | Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers – Not Applicable |
| Item 15 – | Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders – There have been no material changes to these procedures. |
| Item 16 – | Controls and Procedures |
(a) The registrant’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, have concluded that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940
Act”)) are effective as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report based on the evaluation of these controls and procedures required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the 1940 Act and Rule 13a-15(b) or 15d-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
(b) There were no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the 1940 Act) that occurred during the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
| Item 17 – | Disclosure of Securities Lending Activities for Closed-End Management Investment Companies – Not Applicable |
| Item 18 – | Recovery of Erroneously Awarded Compensation – Not Applicable |
| Item 19 – | Exhibits attached hereto |
(a)(1) Code of Ethics –Not Applicable to this semi-annual report
(a)(2) Any policy required by the listing standards adopted pursuant to Rule 10D-1 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.10D-1) by the registered national securities exchange or registered national securities association upon which the registrant’s securities are listed – Not Applicable
(a)(3) Section 302 Certifications are attached
(a)(4) Any written solicitation to purchase securities under Rule 23c-1 – Not Applicable
(a)(5) Change in registrant’s independent public accountant – Not Applicable
(b) Section 906 Certifications are attached
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
iShares Trust
| | |
| By: | | /s/ Jessica Tan |
| | Jessica Tan |
| | President (principal executive officer) of |
| | iShares Trust |
|
| Date: November 21, 2024 |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
| | |
| By: | | /s/ Jessica Tan |
| | Jessica Tan |
| | President (principal executive officer) of |
| | iShares Trust |
|
| Date: November 21, 2024 |
| | |
| By: | | /s/ Trent Walker |
| | Trent Walker |
| | Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer) of |
| | iShares Trust |
|
| Date: November 21, 2024 |
