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iShares Launches Core ETFs for International Equity and Fixed Income Exposure

BlackRock, Inc. (NYSE: BLK) announced today that its iShares Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) business, the world’s largest manager of ETFs1, has launched four new core funds designed to meet the needs of long-term investors looking for exposure to international equities and U.S. fixed income.

The funds that launched today will trade on NYSEAcra:

ExposureFund nameTickerManagement feesIndex
International Equity

iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF

IXUS 0.16% MSCI ACWI ex USA Investable Market Index (IMI)
International Equity iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF IEMG 0.18% MSCI Emerging Markets Investable Market Index (IMI)
International Equity iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF IEFA 0.14% MSCI EAFE Investable Market Index (IMI)
U.S. Fixed Income iShares Core Short-Term U.S. Bond ETF ISTB 0.12% Barclays U.S. 1-5 Year Government/Credit Bond Index

These new funds will complement the six existing funds in the iShares Core Series. This suite combines competitive pricing with diversified, tax-efficient products. The iShares Core Series is designed to provide broad equity and fixed-income exposure, and allow long-term investors to tailor the mix of funds in their portfolio to match their individual choice.

Patrick Dunne, iShares Head of Global Markets & Investments commented, “The iShares Core Series demonstrates our commitment to delivering quality products that help investors navigate today’s volatile markets. These products are designed to meet the needs of long-term investors for cost-effective solutions combined with the liquidity and tax efficiency investors expect from iShares.

“All three iShares Core international equity ETFs track segments of the flagship MSCI ACWI Investable Market Index (IMI), providing investors access to some of the broadest exposure available in the global equity universe today. The iShares Core Short-Term U.S. Bond ETF tracks the Barclays U.S. 1-5 Year Government/Credit Bond Index, to further meet the needs of investors using ETFs for targeted fixed income exposure.”

About BlackRock

BlackRock is a leader in investment management, risk management and advisory services for institutional and retail clients worldwide. At September 30, 2012, BlackRock’s AUM was $3.673 trillion. BlackRock offers products that span the risk spectrum to meet clients’ needs, including active, enhanced and index strategies across markets and asset classes. Products are offered in a variety of structures including separate accounts, mutual funds, iShares® (exchange traded funds), and other pooled investment vehicles. BlackRock also offers risk management, advisory and enterprise investment system services to a broad base of institutional investors through BlackRock Solutions®. Headquartered in New York City, as of September 30, 2012, the firm has approximately 10,400 employees in 29 countries and a major presence in key global markets, including North and South America, Europe, Asia, Australia and the Middle East and Africa. For additional information, please visit the Company's website at www.blackrock.com.

About iShares

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

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

Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal.

The iShares Funds are distributed by BlackRock Investments, LLC (together with its affiliates, “BlackRock”).

In addition to the normal risks associated with investing, international investments may involve risk of capital loss from unfavorable fluctuation in currency values, from differences in generally accepted accounting principles or from economic or political instability in other nations. Emerging markets involve heightened risks related to the same factors as well as increased volatility and lower trading volume.

Bonds and bond funds will decrease in value as interest rates rise and are subject to credit risk, which refers to the possibility that the debt issuers may not be able to make principal and interest payments or may have their debt downgraded by ratings agencies. Diversification is no guarantee against market loss. Transactions in shares of the iShares Funds will result in brokerage commissions and will generate tax consequences. iShares Funds are obliged to distribute portfolio gains to shareholders. There can be no assurance that an active trading market for shares of an ETF will develop or be maintained.

BlackRock does not provide tax advice. Please note that (i) any discussion of U.S. tax matters contained in this communication cannot be used by you for the purpose of avoiding tax penalties; (ii) this communication was written to support the promotion or marketing of the matters addressed herein; and (iii) you should seek advice based on your particular circumstances from an independent tax advisor.

The iShares Funds are not sponsored, endorsed, issued, sold or promoted MSCI Inc., nor are they sponsored, endorsed or issued by Barclays Capital Inc. None of these companies make any representation regarding the advisability of investing in the Funds. BlackRock is not affiliated with the companies listed above.

1 BlackRock ETP Landscape Report – September 2012

Contacts:

BlackRock, Inc.
Christine Hudacko, 415-670-2687
christine.hudacko@blackrock.com
Melissa Garville, 212-810-5528
melissa.garville@blackrock.com

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