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 811-09729

 

 

iShares Trust

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

 

c/o: State Street Bank and Trust Company

100 Summer Street, 4th Floor, Boston, MA 02110

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

 

 

The Corporation Trust Company

1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, DE 19801

(Name and address of agent for service)

 

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (415) 670-2000

Date of fiscal year end: August 31, 2021

Date of reporting period: August 31, 2021

 

 

 


Item 1 – Reports to Stockholders.

(a) The Report to Shareholders is attached herewith.


 

LOGO

  AUGUST 31, 2021

 

 

   

 

   2021 Annual Report

 

iShares Trust

 

·  

iShares MSCI Argentina and Global Exposure ETF | AGT | Cboe BZX

 

·  

iShares MSCI Brazil Small-Cap ETF | EWZS | NASDAQ

 

·  

iShares MSCI China ETF | MCHI | NASDAQ

 

·  

iShares MSCI China Small-Cap ETF | ECNS | NYSE Arca

 

·  

iShares MSCI Indonesia ETF | EIDO | NYSE Arca

 

·  

iShares MSCI Peru ETF | EPU | NYSE Arca

 

·  

iShares MSCI Philippines ETF | EPHE | NYSE Arca

 

·  

iShares MSCI Poland ETF | EPOL | NYSE Arca

 

·  

iShares MSCI Qatar ETF | QAT | NASDAQ

 

·  

iShares MSCI Saudi Arabia ETF | KSA | NYSE Arca

 

·  

iShares MSCI UAE ETF | UAE | NASDAQ


The Markets in Review

Dear Shareholder,

The 12-month reporting period as of August 31, 2021 was a remarkable period of adaptation and recovery, as the global economy dealt with the implications of the coronavirus (or “COVID-19”) pandemic. The United States, along with most of the world, began the reporting period emerging from a severe recession, prompted by pandemic-related restrictions that disrupted many aspects of daily life. However, easing restrictions and robust government intervention led to a strong rebound, and the economy grew at a significant pace for the reporting period, eventually regaining the output lost from the pandemic.

Equity prices rose with the broader economy, as strong fiscal and monetary support, as well as the development of vaccines, made investors increasingly optimistic about the economic outlook. The implementation of mass vaccination campaigns and passage of two additional fiscal stimulus packages further boosted stocks, and many equity indices neared or surpassed all-time highs late in the reporting period. In the United States, returns of small-capitalization stocks, which benefited the most from the resumption of in-person activities, outpaced large-capitalization stocks. International equities also gained, as both developed and emerging markets rebounded substantially.

The 10-year U.S. Treasury yield (which is inversely related to bond prices) had fallen sharply prior to the beginning of the reporting period, which meant bonds were priced for extreme risk avoidance and economic disruption. Despite expectations of doom and gloom, the economy expanded rapidly, stoking inflation concerns in early 2021, which led to higher yields and a negative overall return for most U.S. Treasuries. In the corporate bond market, support from the U.S. Federal Reserve (the “Fed”) assuaged credit concerns and led to solid returns for high-yield corporate bonds, although investment-grade corporates declined slightly.

The Fed remained committed to accommodative monetary policy by maintaining near-zero interest rates and by reiterating that inflation could exceed its 2% target for a sustained period without triggering a rate increase. In response to rising inflation late in the period, the Fed changed its market guidance, raising the possibility of higher rates in 2023 and reducing bond purchasing beginning in late 2022.

Looking ahead, we believe that the global expansion will continue to broaden as Europe and other developed market economies gain momentum, although the delta variant of the coronavirus remains a threat, particularly in emerging markets. While we expect inflation to remain elevated in the medium-term as the expansion continues, we believe the recent uptick owes more to temporary supply disruptions than a lasting change in fundamentals. The change in Fed policy also means that moderate inflation is less likely to be followed by interest rate hikes that could threaten the economic expansion.

Overall, we favor a moderately positive stance toward risk, with an overweight in equities. Sectors that are better poised to manage the transition to a lower-carbon world, such as technology and healthcare, are particularly attractive in the long-term. U.S. small-capitalization stocks and European equities are likely to benefit from the continuing vaccine-led restart. We are underweight long-term credit, but inflation-protected U.S. Treasuries and Asian fixed income offer potential opportunities. We believe that international diversification and a focus on sustainability can help provide portfolio resilience, and the disruption created by the coronavirus appears to be accelerating the shift toward sustainable investments.

In this environment, our view is that investors need to think globally, extend their scope across a broad array of asset classes, and be nimble as market conditions change. We encourage you to talk with your financial advisor and visit iShares.com for further insight about investing in today’s markets.

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

Rob Kapito

President, BlackRock, Inc.

LOGO

Rob Kapito

President, BlackRock, Inc.

 

Total Returns as of August 31, 2021

 

 
     
     6-Month     12-Month  
   

U.S. large cap equities
(S&P 500® Index)

    19.52%       31.17%  
   

U.S. small cap equities
(Russell 2000® Index)

    3.81          47.08     
   

International equities
(MSCI Europe, Australasia, Far East Index)

    10.31          26.12     
   

Emerging market equities
(MSCI Emerging Markets Index)

    (0.98)         21.12     
   

3-month Treasury bills
(ICE BofA 3-Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index)

    0.02          0.08     
   

U.S. Treasury securities
(ICE BofA 10-Year U.S. Treasury Index)

    2.36          (4.12)    
   

U.S. investment grade bonds
(Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index)

    1.49          (0.08)    
   

Tax-exempt municipal bonds
(S&P Municipal Bond Index)

    2.50          3.44     
   

U.S. high yield bonds
(Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index)

    3.82          10.14     

Past performance is not an indication of future results. Index performance is shown for illustrative purposes only. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

 

 

 

2  

T H I S   P A G E   I S   N O T   P A R T   O F   Y O U R   F U N D   R E P O R T


Table of Contents

 

     Page  

 

 

The Markets in Review

     2  

Market Overview

     4  

Fund Summary

     5  

About Fund Performance

     27  

Shareholder Expenses

     27  

Schedules of Investments

     28  

Financial Statements

  

Statements of Assets and Liabilities

     66  

Statements of Operations

     69  

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

     72  

Financial Highlights

     78  

Notes to Financial Statements

     89  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     102  

Important Tax Information (Unaudited)

     103  

Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract

     104  

Supplemental Information

     114  

Trustee and Officer Information

     116  

General Information

     118  

Glossary of Terms Used in this Report

     119  

 

 

 


Market Overview

 

iShares Trust

Global Market Overview

Global equity markets advanced significantly during the 12 months ended August 31, 2021 (“reporting period”). The MSCI ACWI, a broad global equity index that includes both developed and emerging markets, returned 28.64% in U.S. dollar terms for the reporting period. Stocks continued to recover from the initial impact of the coronavirus pandemic, nearing all-time highs by the end of the reporting period. Reopening economies led to a substantial global economic expansion, and the development and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines bolstered investors’ optimism. Nonetheless, vaccination rates varied considerably across countries, and the spread of the more contagious Delta variant led to increased cases and renewed restrictions toward the end of the reporting period. Inflation also rose in many parts of the world amid supply chain constraints and elevated consumer spending.

Equity markets in the U.S. advanced strongly, helped by fiscal and monetary stimulus and an ongoing mass vaccination program. Congress passed two fiscal stimulus bills during the reporting period, providing significant relief in the form of direct payments to individuals, tax credits, aid to state and local governments, and assistance for homeowners and renters. Personal incomes rose significantly following the stimulus payments, and consumer spending recovered, surpassing pre-pandemic levels. Increased consumer spending and the easing of pandemic-related restrictions helped the U.S. economy continue to grow following a significant rebound in the third quarter of 2020, as activity recovered from the pandemic-induced recession in the first half of 2020. The economy grew at a brisk pace for the rest of the reporting period, finally exceeding pre-pandemic output levels in the second quarter of 2021. The U.S. Federal Reserve Bank’s (“the Fed”) action also played a notable role in the recovery. Monetary policy remained accommodative, with short-term interest rates maintained near zero to encourage lending and stimulate economic activity. The Fed further acted to stabilize bond markets by continuing an unlimited, open-ended, bond-buying program for U.S. Treasuries and mortgage-backed securities.

Stocks in Europe also posted strong gains, despite a recovery that trailed other major economies. The European Central Bank (“ECB”) provided monetary stimulus by maintaining ultra-low interest rates and continuing a large bond-buying program. Growth resumed with a significant rebound in the third quarter of 2020 as restrictions eased, and Eurozone countries enacted a deal for a collective 750 billion of stimulus spending. However, a new wave of coronavirus cases beginning in October 2020 led to renewed restrictions, weakening the fragile recovery. Consequently, the Eurozone economy contracted slightly in the fourth quarter of 2020 and first quarter of 2021, even as much of the world was returning to growth. Although the initial vaccine rollout trailed in many European countries, the pace of vaccinations accelerated late in the reporting period, and economic growth resumed in the second quarter of 2021.

Asia-Pacific regional stocks also posted a solid advance amid a sharp rebound in economic activity. Continued economic growth in China helped the regional economy recover, as many Asia-Pacific countries rely on China as a major trading partner. Japanese and Australian stocks benefited from a sharp rise in exports amid resurgent global trade. Emerging market stocks advanced overall, aided by economic recovery and rising prices for many commodities. However, investor concerns about increased government regulatory activity weighed on Chinese stocks late in the reporting period. Relatively slow vaccination rollouts in parts of Asia also prompted concerns, particularly as the Delta variant spread.

 

 

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Fund Summary as of August 31, 2021    iShares® MSCI Argentina and Global Exposure ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares MSCI Argentina and Global Exposure ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of a broad-based equity index with exposure to Argentina, as represented by the MSCI All Argentina 25/50 Index (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index.

Performance

 

     Average Annual Total Returns                Cumulative Total Returns    
      1 Year    

Since   

Inception   

         1 Year     Since   
Inception   

Fund NAV

     43.35   6.16%       43.35   29.72%

Fund Market

     42.82     6.06          42.82     29.18   

Index

     43.78     6.13                43.78     29.50   

GROWTH OF $10,000 INVESTMENT

(SINCE INCEPTION AT NET ASSET VALUE)

 

LOGO

The inception date of the Fund was 4/25/17. The first day of secondary market trading was 4/27/17.

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 no guarantee 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. See “About Fund Performance” on page 27 for more information.

Expense Example

 

    Actual        

Hypothetical 5% Return

          
                                                            

Beginning

Account Value

(03/01/21)

 

 

 

      

Ending

Account Value

(08/31/21)

 

 

 

      

Expenses

Paid During

the Period 

 

 

(a) 

     

Beginning

Account Value

(03/01/21)

      

Ending

Account Value

(08/31/21)

 

 

 

      


Expenses

Paid During
the Period

 

 
 (a) 

      

Annualized

Expense

Ratio

 

 

 

      $      1,000.00          $      1,249.60          $       1.36         $       1,000.00        $     1,024.00          $       1.22          0.24

 

  (a)

Expenses are calculated using the Fund’s annualized expense ratio (as disclosed in the table), multiplied by the average account value for the period, multiplied by the number of days in the period (184 days) and divided by the number of days in the year (365 days). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Shareholder Expenses” on page 27 for more information.

 

 

 

F U N D   S U M M A R Y

  5


Fund Summary as of August 31, 2021  (continued)    iShares® MSCI Argentina and Global Exposure ETF

 

Portfolio Management Commentary

Equities with exposure to Argentina advanced strongly during the reporting period as the country moved from a steep economic contraction amid the coronavirus pandemic into expansion. The Argentine government, which was already weak financially prior to the pandemic, widened the budget deficit for pandemic relief and sought to extend the term of its loan from the International Monetary Fund. On the upside, Argentina resolved its position with private bond holders and worked to reduce its budget deficit, raising taxes on wealth and exports and using heavy-handed market interventions, like price caps and export bans, to artificially support its goods. A prominent market index provider reacted to the tightening by revoking the country’s emerging markets status, which weighed on investor sentiment, as it can pull billions of dollars of tracking fund investment from the local economy. While the government’s tightened capital controls artificially supported the Argentine peso’s value, it nevertheless declined 24% relative to the U.S. dollar, due in part to hyperinflation of 51.4% annually.

The consumer discretionary sector contributed the most to the Index’s return, led by the internet and direct marketing retail industry. Online purchases amid pandemic-related restrictions continued to drive record revenue growth for large online retailers, which also benefited from digital payments and expanded logistics networks.

The information technology sector also contributed meaningfully to the Index’s return. A large software company advanced due to rising sales amid increased commercial demand for digital transformation strategies that leverage 5G networks, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence.

The consumer staples sector also contributed. A large food producer benefited from price and production increases of its core products, sugar and ethanol. A beer and wine conglomerate posted steady demand during 2020 and projected a sharp rise in consumption and profitability in 2021.

Portfolio Information

 

ALLOCATION BY SECTOR

 

 

 
Sector  

Percent of   

Total Investments(a)

 

 

 

Consumer Discretionary

    27.4%  

Information Technology

    18.9     

Consumer Staples

    16.1     

Financials

    11.8     

Materials

    10.7     

Energy

    6.1     

Utilities

    5.2     

Communication Services

    2.2     

Other (each representing less than 1%)

    1.6     

 

 

GEOGRAPHIC ALLOCATION

 

 

 
Country/Geographic Region   Percent of   
Total Investments(a)
 

 

 

Argentina

    53.7%  

United States

    21.5     

Chile

    12.0     

Canada

    8.7     

Brazil

    4.1     

 

 
 

 

  (a)

Excludes money market funds.

 

 

 

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Fund Summary as of August 31, 2021       iShares® MSCI Brazil Small-Cap ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares MSCI Brazil Small-Cap ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of small-capitalization Brazilian equities, as represented by the MSCI Brazil Small Cap Index (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index.

Performance

 

    Average Annual Total Returns           Cumulative Total Returns  
     1 Year      5 Years      10 Years            1 Year      5 Years      10 Years  

Fund NAV

    30.34      12.15      (1.45 )%        30.34      77.41      (13.59 )% 

Fund Market

    30.57        12.10        (1.55       30.57        76.99        (14.44

Index

    32.58        13.27        (0.81             32.58        86.48        (7.82

GROWTH OF $10,000 INVESTMENT

(AT NET ASSET VALUE)

 

LOGO

Past performance is no guarantee 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. See “About Fund Performance” on page 27 for more information.

Expense Example

 

    Actual        

Hypothetical 5% Return

        
                                                          

Beginning

Account Value

(03/01/21)

 

 

 

      

Ending
Account Value
(08/31/21)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
 (a) 
     

Beginning

Account Value

(03/01/21)

      

Ending
Account Value
(08/31/21)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
 (a) 
    

Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 
 
 
      $        1,000.00          $      1,177.10          $         3.13         $      1,000.00        $      1,022.30          $         2.91        0.57

 

  (a)

Expenses are calculated using the Fund’s annualized expense ratio (as disclosed in the table), multiplied by the average account value for the period, multiplied by the number of days in the period (184 days) and divided by the number of days in the year (365 days). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Shareholder Expenses” on page 27 for more information.

 

 

 

F U N D   S U M M A R Y

  7


Fund Summary as of August 31, 2021   (continued)    iShares® MSCI Brazil Small-Cap ETF

 

Portfolio Management Commentary

Brazilian equities advanced during the reporting period, despite a severe second wave of COVID-19 infections, rising inflation, and a depreciating currency. Although the country’s economy contracted later in the reporting period with persistently high unemployment, investors anticipated that Brazil’s economy would benefit from improving global growth. As a leading producer and exporter of select crops, Brazil benefited from strong global demand for its agricultural products.

The industrials sector was the largest contributor to the Index’s return, as industrial output stabilized toward the end of the reporting period, rising above pre-pandemic levels for the first half of 2021. As the capital goods industry expanded, a major aerospace and defense company increased deliveries as travelers slowly returned to flying, posting a profit for the second quarter of 2021, along with significant backlogs and new orders of jets. Similarly, airline companies advanced as COVID-19 cases declined, and expectations of acquisitions activity in the industry were reported. Trucking companies also contributed as long-term contracts, market position, and diversified service offerings supported business operations.

The materials sector was another contributor to the Index’s return as several government infrastructure programs were announced. The metals and mining industry advanced as steel prices remained elevated and supplies limited. Analysts’ expectations that steel sales would continue to increase further benefited the industry. Meanwhile, key producers announced production expansion efforts to meet ongoing demand.

The consumer staples sector also contributed to the Index’s return, driven by the food and staples retail industry. Consumer spending increased overall in the second quarter of 2021 despite high unemployment and inflation rates. Although hypermarkets and supercenters posted mixed performance amid pandemic-related restrictions, cost control strategies, loyalty programs, and robust e-commerce platforms were sources of strength.

Portfolio Information

 

ALLOCATION BY SECTOR

 

   

Sector

   
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Consumer Discretionary

    23.1

Industrials

    19.2  

Utilities

    13.6  

Consumer Staples

    12.0  

Real Estate

    7.0  

Financials

    6.2  

Materials

    5.8  

Information Technology

    4.4  

Energy

    4.1  

Health Care

    3.7  

Communication Services

    0.9  

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

   

Security

   
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Embraer SA

    4.3

Sendas Distribuidora SA

    3.6  

Petro Rio SA

    3.1  

Eneva SA

    2.9  

Azul SA

    2.8  

Locaweb Servicos de Internet SA

    2.8  

Metalurgica Gerdau SA (Preferred)

    2.5  

Sul America SA

    2.3  

Cia. de Locacao das Americas

    2.2  

Marfrig Global Foods SA

    2.1  
 

 

  (a)

Excludes money market funds.

 

 

 

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Fund Summary as of August 31, 2021       iShares® MSCI China ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares MSCI China ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of Chinese equities that are available to international investors, as represented by the MSCI China Index (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index.

Performance

 

    Average Annual Total Returns           Cumulative Total Returns  
     1 Year      5 Years      10 Years            1 Year      5 Years      10 Years  

Fund NAV

    (5.69 )%       10.15      6.65       (5.69 )%       62.12      90.36

Fund Market

    (5.50      10.18        6.61         (5.50      62.35        89.70  

Index

    (5.10      10.80        7.25               (5.10      67.03        101.30  

GROWTH OF $10,000 INVESTMENT

(AT NET ASSET VALUE)

 

LOGO

Past performance is no guarantee 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. See “About Fund Performance” on page 27 for more information.

Expense Example

 

    Actual        

Hypothetical 5% Return

      
                                                        

Beginning

Account Value

(03/01/21)

 

 

 

      

Ending
Account Value
(08/31/21)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period 
 
 
(a) 
     

Beginning

Account Value

(03/01/21)

      

Ending
Account Value
(08/31/21)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period 
 
 
(a) 
  

Annualized

Expense

Ratio

      $       1,000.00          $       821.80          $         2.57         $      1,000.00        $      1,022.40          $         2.85      0.56%

 

  (a)

Expenses are calculated using the Fund’s annualized expense ratio (as disclosed in the table), multiplied by the average account value for the period, multiplied by the number of days in the period (184 days) and divided by the number of days in the year (365 days). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Shareholder Expenses” on page 27 for more information.

 

 

 

F U N D   S U M M A R Y

  9


Fund Summary as of August 31, 2021   (continued)    iShares® MSCI China ETF

 

Portfolio Management Commentary

Chinese stocks declined during the reporting period as government crackdowns on technology-related companies and other industries weighed on the market. Chinese equities advanced through February 2021 as global demand for goods propelled strong export growth, then retreated amid investor concerns surrounding regulatory actions and signs of a decelerating domestic economic recovery.

The consumer discretionary sector detracted the most from the Index’s return due to the impact of government restrictions. A large online retailer’s stock fell sharply amid new antitrust rules and penalties, including the suspension of a sizeable initial public offering (“IPO”) and a $2.75 billion fine. Additional rules under consideration raised significant concerns about Chinese companies’ continued ability to launch IPOs, list shares abroad, or store data on privately owned cloud platforms. Education services stocks, particularly tutoring companies, also declined substantially as new guidelines designed to reduce education costs would require shifting to a not-for-profit model, fee standardization, and prohibitions on foreign ownership and raising capital.

The government crackdown also pressured China’s media and entertainment industry in the communication services sector. New limits on online gaming and concerns that cloud storage could be restricted to a state-sponsored platform constrained the Index’s performance, as did the threat of large fines. Real estate stocks also declined amid concerns over high debt levels, regulatory investigations, and asset freezes.

In contrast, the materials sector contributed to the Index’s return as recovering demand outpaced supply, driving up prices for copper, lithium, and other metals. Capital goods stocks in the industrials sector further aided performance, led by manufacturers of electric vehicle batteries, as demand grew for vehicles powered by renewable energy.

Healthcare stocks also advanced as treatments used to combat COVID-19 drove strong profits. Robust project pipelines and increased backlogs amid rising global demand fueled earnings growth.

Portfolio Information

 

ALLOCATION BY SECTOR

 

   

Sector

   
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Consumer Discretionary

    32.9

Communication Services

    17.4  

Financials

    13.4  

Health Care

    7.8  

Information Technology

    7.3  

Industrials

    5.1  

Consumer Staples

    4.8  

Real Estate

    4.2  

Materials

    3.3  

Utilities

    2.4  

Energy

    1.4  

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

   

Security

   
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Tencent Holdings Ltd.

    12.6

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.

    11.3  

Meituan, Class B

    4.6  

China Construction Bank Corp., Class H

    2.5  

JD.com Inc.

    2.4  

Wuxi Biologics Cayman Inc.

    2.0  

NIO Inc.

    1.9  

Ping An Insurance Group Co. of China Ltd., Class H

    1.7  

Xiaomi Corp., Class B

    1.6  

Pinduoduo Inc.

    1.6  
 

 

  (a)

Excludes money market funds.

 

 

 

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Fund Summary as of August 31, 2021     iShares® MSCI China Small-Cap ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares MSCI China Small-Cap ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of small-capitalization Chinese equities that are available to international investors, as represented by the MSCI China Small Cap Index (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index.

Performance

 

    Average Annual Total Returns            Cumulative Total Returns  
     1 Year     5 Years     10 Years             1 Year     5 Years     10 Years  

Fund NAV

    23.33     8.41     6.29        23.33     49.77     84.06

Fund Market

    22.63       8.53       6.12          22.63       50.60       81.05  

Index

    22.22       7.53       5.44                22.22       43.74       69.91  

GROWTH OF $10,000 INVESTMENT

(AT NET ASSET VALUE)

 

LOGO

Past performance is no guarantee 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. See “About Fund Performance” on page 27 for more information.

Expense Example

 

    Actual        

Hypothetical 5% Return

        
                                                          

Beginning

Account Value

(03/01/21)

 

 

 

      

Ending
Account Value
(08/31/21)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period 
 
 
(a) 
     

Beginning

Account Value

(03/01/21)

      

Ending
Account Value
(08/31/21)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period 
 
 
(a) 
    

Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 
 
 
      $       1,000.00          $      929.10          $         2.72         $        1,000.00        $     1,022.40          $         2.85        0.56

 

  (a)

Expenses are calculated using the Fund’s annualized expense ratio (as disclosed in the table), multiplied by the average account value for the period, multiplied by the number of days in the period (184 days) and divided by the number of days in the year (365 days). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Shareholder Expenses” on page 27 for more information.

 

 

 

F U N D   S U M M A R Y

  11


Fund Summary as of August 31, 2021   (continued)    iShares® MSCI China Small-Cap ETF

 

Portfolio Management Commentary

Small-capitalization Chinese equities advanced during the reporting period amid a continued economic recovery, as surging global demand for Chinese goods propelled exports to all-time highs. Stocks peaked in February 2021, before trimming gains amid concerns around regulatory crackdowns and signs of a decelerating recovery. Smaller stocks proved more resilient than their larger peers, supported by investors’ search for earnings growth and the perception that smaller companies were less likely to be targets of government antitrust actions.

Information technology (“IT”) stocks contributed the most to the Index’s return. Smaller companies benefited as investors moved away from large technology firms targeted by new government regulations. The software and services industry advanced amid increased corporate spending on technology, such as tools to improve productivity. The acceleration of digital transformation drove demand for cloud services and data centers, fueling earnings growth for IT services companies. E-commerce growth and demand for online merchant services helped application software companies attract new customers and increase earnings. Manufacturers of semiconductors and semiconductor equipment used in solar energy also advanced sharply amid China’s decarbonization efforts.

The materials sector added to the Index’s performance as demand for chemicals and other commodities outpaced supply, driving prices sharply higher. Chemicals companies exposed to surging demand for electric vehicles posted strong earnings growth and attracted attention from foreign investors. Metals and mining stocks benefited from rising prices for metals and steel export limits.

On the downside, the real estate sector detracted from the Index’s return as several new government rules aimed at cooling home prices weighed on real estate management and development stocks. Media and entertainment stocks in the communication services sector also declined amid new limits on online gaming and negative statements about gaming in state-run media.

Portfolio Information

 

ALLOCATION BY SECTOR

 

   

Sector

   
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Real Estate

    17.9
Consumer Discretionary     16.0  
Health Care     15.3  
Information Technology     10.5  
Industrials     10.3  
Materials     10.2  
Communication Services     6.3  
Utilities     5.2  
Financials     4.8  
Consumer Staples     2.4  

Energy

    1.1  

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

   

Security

   
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Dongyue Group Ltd.

    3.7

GCL-Poly Energy Holdings Ltd.

    3.0  

Xtep International Holdings Ltd.

    2.1  

Lifetech Scientific Corp.

    1.9  

JinkoSolar Holding Co. Ltd.

    1.7  

China Overseas Grand Oceans Group Ltd.

    1.0  

Sihuan Pharmaceutical Holdings Group Ltd.

    1.0  

Fu Shou Yuan International Group Ltd.

    1.0  

CIMC Enric Holdings Ltd.

    1.0  

XD Inc.

    0.9  
 

 

  (a)

Excludes money market funds.

 

 

 

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Fund Summary as of August 31, 2021     iShares® MSCI Indonesia ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares MSCI Indonesia ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of a broad-based index composed of Indonesian equities, as represented by the MSCI Indonesia IMI 25/50 Index (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index.

Performance

 

    Average Annual Total Returns           Cumulative Total Returns  
     1 Year      5 Years      10 Years            1 Year      5 Years      10 Years  

Fund NAV

    9.88      (2.27 )%       (2.35 )%        9.88      (10.86 )%       (21.13 )% 

Fund Market

    9.91        (2.09      (2.80       9.91        (10.03      (24.73

Index

    11.18        (1.70      (1.85             11.18        (8.22      (17.03

GROWTH OF $10,000 INVESTMENT

(AT NET ASSET VALUE)

 

LOGO

Index performance through May 28, 2019 reflects the performance of MSCI Indonesia Investable Market Index. Index performance beginning on May 29, 2019 reflects the performance of the MSCI Indonesia IMI 25/50 Index.

Past performance is no guarantee 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. See “About Fund Performance” on page 27 for more information.

Expense Example

 

    Actual          

Hypothetical 5% Return

          
                                                              

Beginning

Account Value

(03/01/21)

 

 

 

      

Ending
Account Value
(08/31/21)
 
 
 
      

Expenses

Paid During

the Period

 

 

 (a) 

         

Beginning

Account Value

(03/01/21)

      

Ending
Account Value
(08/31/21)
 
 
 
      

Expenses

Paid During

the Period

 

 

 (a) 

      

Annualized

Expense

Ratio

 

 

 

      $       1,000.00          $        925.30          $       2.72             $      1,000.00        $      1,022.40          $      2.85          0.56

 

  (a)

Expenses are calculated using the Fund’s annualized expense ratio (as disclosed in the table), multiplied by the average account value for the period, multiplied by the number of days in the period (184 days) and divided by the number of days in the year (365 days). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Shareholder Expenses” on page 27 for more information.

 

 

 

F U N D   S U M M A R Y

  13


Fund Summary as of August 31, 2021   (continued)    iShares® MSCI Indonesia ETF

 

Portfolio Management Commentary

Indonesian stocks rose significantly during the reporting period as the economy expanded at a historic rate, rebounding from a coronavirus pandemic-related recession. To counter economic disruptions due to COVID-19, Bank Indonesia, Indonesia’s central bank, added liquidity to the financial system, reduced the reserve requirement for banks, and lowered interest rates to record-low levels. The government announced a large stimulus program, although slow disbursement of funds limited its effects. As global economies rebounded, Indonesian exporters benefited from higher commodities prices and the economic recovery of its large trading partners. Domestic industrial activity increased and consumer optimism rose as the government eased pandemic-related restrictions, boosting household consumption, which constitutes the majority of the country’s economy.

The communication services sector contributed the most to the Index’s return, led by the telecommunication services industry. Indonesia began its rollout of 5G internet technology, boosting stocks of telecommunication services providers as investors anticipated growth in consumer demand amid the strengthening economic recovery. In addition, government plans to significantly increase communications infrastructure buoyed companies that lease space on towers for communications equipment.

The financials sector also contributed significantly to the Index’s performance. Indonesia’s diversified banks led the advance, bolstered by Bank Indonesia’s assurances of continued supportive monetary policy. Bank profits rose due to substantial increases in microcredit loans to small- and medium-sized businesses as well as growth in demand for consumer credit.

On the downside, the consumer staples sector detracted from the Index’s return. In the household and personal products industry, profits declined due to increased commodities prices and lingering effects of reduced demand for consumer goods as households exercised caution in purchases amid ongoing disruptions from the pandemic.

Portfolio Information

 

ALLOCATION BY SECTOR

 

   

Sector

   

 

Percent of

 

Total Investments

 

 

(a) 

Financials

    43.8

Communication Services

    16.5  

Consumer Staples

    10.9  

Materials

    10.3  

Consumer Discretionary

    6.4  

Energy

    3.8  

Real Estate

    3.2  

Health Care

    2.0  
Industrials     1.8  

Other (each representing less than 1%)

    1.3  

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

   

Security

   

 

Percent of

 

Total Investments

 

 

(a) 

Bank Central Asia Tbk PT

    21.4

Bank Rakyat Indonesia Persero Tbk PT

    12.6  

Telkom Indonesia Persero Tbk PT

    9.7  

Bank Mandiri Persero Tbk PT

    4.6  

Astra International Tbk PT

    4.3  

Charoen Pokphand Indonesia Tbk PT

    3.1  

Bank Negara Indonesia Persero Tbk PT

    2.6  

Unilever Indonesia Tbk PT

    2.0  
Barito Pacific Tbk PT     2.0  

Kalbe Farma Tbk PT

    1.9  
 

 

  (a)

Excludes money market funds.

 

 

 

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Fund Summary as of August 31, 2021     iShares® MSCI Peru ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares MSCI Peru ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of Peruvian equities, as represented by the MSCI All Peru Capped Index (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index.

Performance

 

    Average Annual Total Returns           Cumulative Total Returns  
     1 Year      5 Years      10 Years            1 Year      5 Years      10 Years  

Fund NAV

    (13.49 )%       (1.63 )%       (2.31 )%        (13.49 )%       (7.88 )%       (20.81 )% 

Fund Market

    (13.45      (1.22      (2.27       (13.45      (5.93      (20.54

Index

    (14.43      (1.40      (1.93             (14.43      (6.79      (17.74

GROWTH OF $10,000 INVESTMENT

(AT NET ASSET VALUE)

 

LOGO

Past performance is no guarantee 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. See “About Fund Performance” on page 27 for more information.

Expense Example

 

    Actual          

Hypothetical 5% Return

          
                                                              

Beginning

Account Value

(03/01/21)

 

 

 

      

Ending
Account Value
(08/31/21)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
 (a) 
         

Beginning

Account Value

(03/01/21)

      

Ending
Account Value
(08/31/21)
 
 
 
      

Expenses

Paid During

the Period

 

 

 (a) 

      

Annualized

Expense

Ratio

 

 

 

      $       1,000.00          $        733.00          $       2.45             $      1,000.00        $      1,022.40          $      2.85          0.56

 

  (a)

Expenses are calculated using the Fund’s annualized expense ratio (as disclosed in the table), multiplied by the average account value for the period, multiplied by the number of days in the period (184 days) and divided by the number of days in the year (365 days). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Shareholder Expenses” on page 27 for more information.

 

 

 

F U N D   S U M M A R Y

  15


Fund Summary as of August 31, 2021   (continued)    iShares® MSCI Peru ETF

 

Portfolio Management Commentary

Peruvian equities declined for the reporting period amid a change in government that weighed on markets. As the new, leftist president promised to limit public spending and debt, Peru’s economy, long considered one of the most stable in the region, rebounded from a steep decline during the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. However, equity markets did not reflect the broader economy amid political turmoil that concerned investors; Peru’s current president is the fifth in five years, and he appointed a member of his own party as prime minister. Stocks stabilized on the appointment of a moderate finance minister, but friction between the president and congress drove continued uncertainty, weighing on equities. The government also pursued a deal with Peru’s mining sector, which comprises the world’s second-largest copper producer, with incentives for social justice goals. Sovereign bond prices declined during the reporting period, and the Peruvian sol weakened significantly against the U.S. dollar.

The materials sector gained as copper prices rallied due to increased demand amid recovering markets across the globe. The price rally combined with supply constraints to support Peruvian copper companies, which posted increased revenues. With revenue rising, mining companies worked to bring new mines online to meet the increased demand and announced plans for a railway to connect the copper-rich Andean region to the coast.

Financials stocks declined as a socialist government and the prospect of increasing government involvement in business, such as public credit facilities, fee regulations, and other interventions, weighed on investor sentiment. Despite increased COVID-19 vaccination levels and an economic recovery that drove income for banks, political risk discouraged some investors.

Portfolio Information

 

ALLOCATION BY SECTOR

 

   

Sector

   
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Materials

    51.4

Financials

    27.5  

Consumer Staples

    7.1  

Industrials

    5.6  

Consumer Discretionary

    4.2  

Real Estate

    2.3  

Energy

    1.9  

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

   

Security

   
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Credicorp Ltd.

    23.5

Southern Copper Corp.

    20.9  

Cia. de Minas Buenaventura SAA

    4.7  

Hochschild Mining PLC

    4.1  

Alicorp SAA

    3.9  

Ferreycorp SAA

    3.3  

MMG Ltd.

    3.1  

Volcan Cia. Minera SAA, Class B

    2.8  

Wheaton Precious Metals Corp.

    2.8  

Union Andina de Cementos SAA

    2.8  
 

 

  (a)

Excludes money market funds.

 

 

 

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Fund Summary as of August 31, 2021       iShares® MSCI Philippines ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares MSCI Philippines ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of a broad-based index composed of Philippine equities, as represented by the MSCI Philippines IMI 25/50 Index (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index.

Performance

 

    Average Annual Total Returns           Cumulative Total Returns  
     1 Year      5 Years      10 Years            1 Year      5 Years      10 Years  

Fund NAV

    15.57      (4.24 )%       2.93       15.57      (19.48 )%       33.47

Fund Market

    14.24        (4.13      2.69         14.24        (19.03      30.43  

Index(a)

    16.44        (3.56      3.68         16.44        (16.59      43.54  

MSCI Philippines Investable Market Index (IMI)

    16.96        (3.48      3.73         16.96        (16.22      44.19  

MSCI Philippines IMI 25/50 Index(b)

    17.82        (3.88      N/A               17.82        (17.93      N/A  

GROWTH OF $10,000 INVESTMENT

(AT NET ASSET VALUE)

 

LOGO

 

  (a)

Index performance through November 30, 2020 reflects the performance of the MSCI Philippines Investible Market Index (IMI). Index performance beginning on December 1, 2020 reflects the performance of the MSCI Philippines IMI 25/50 Index, which, effective as of December 1, 2020, replaced the MSCI Philippines Investible Market Index as the underlying index of the fund.

 

 

  (b)

The inception date of the MSCI Philippines IMI 25/50 Index was July 20, 2016. The cumulative total return for this index for the period July 20, 2016 through August 31, 2021 was -19.58%.

 

Past performance is no guarantee 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. See “About Fund Performance” on page 27 for more information.

Expense Example

 

    Actual        

Hypothetical 5% Return

        
                                                          

Beginning

Account Value

(03/01/21)

 

 

 

      

Ending
Account Value
(08/31/21)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
 (a) 
     

Beginning

Account Value

(03/01/21)

      

Ending
Account Value
(08/31/21)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
 (a) 
    

Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 
 
 
      $       1,000.00          $      1,003.20          $       2.83         $      1,000.00        $      1,022.40          $       2.85        0.56

 

  (a)

Expenses are calculated using the Fund’s annualized expense ratio (as disclosed in the table), multiplied by the average account value for the period, multiplied by the number of days in the period (184 days) and divided by the number of days in the year (365 days). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Shareholder Expenses” on page 27 for more information.

 

 

 

F U N D   S U M M A R Y

  17


Fund Summary as of August 31, 2021   (continued)    iShares® MSCI Philippines ETF

 

Portfolio Management Commentary

Stocks in the Philippines advanced substantially during the reporting period as the economy rebounded from a recession driven by the coronavirus pandemic. The economy grew at a historic rate as pandemic-related restrictions eased, leading to increased commerce and reduced unemployment. While government spending declined, household consumption and industrial activity increased, supporting economic growth. Accommodative monetary policy aided recovery as the Philippine central bank kept interest rates at historically low levels. As the economies of the country’s largest trading partners rebounded due to the rollout of coronavirus vaccines, demand for exports, especially electronics, increased sharply, supporting economic recovery.

The Philippine industrials sector was the leading contributor to the Index’s return. Profits rose sharply within the industrial conglomerates industry amid successful expansion in banking and real estate. Conglomerates’ retail sales profitability also increased due to cost reductions and the rise of online ordering and delivery services. International demand for alcoholic beverages rose amid pandemic-related restrictions, bolstering the industry. In the transportation infrastructure industry, volumes increased at shipping terminals as international trade recovered, leading to sharp revenue increases for trading port operators.

The financials sector also contributed substantially to the Index’s performance, led by banks. While demand for loans remained relatively flat as the Philippine economy recovered, customer deposits and service fees increased, leading to sharply higher profits. As the economy improved, banks reduced their excess reserves for nonperforming loans, bolstering profitability.

The real estate sector added significantly to the Index’s return. In the real estate management and development industry, revenue from domestic and international malls recovered as pandemic-related restrictions were lifted and demand for residential units rose sharply. Solid office leasing revenues and new construction further benefited the industry.

Portfolio Information

 

ALLOCATION BY SECTOR

 

   

Sector

   
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Industrials

    32.2

Real Estate

    23.2  

Financials

    15.3  

Consumer Staples

    7.7  

Communication Services

    7.1  

Consumer Discretionary

    6.8  

Utilities

    5.7  

Materials

    1.0  

Energy

    1.0  

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

   

Security

   
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

SM Prime Holdings Inc.

    10.7

Ayala Land Inc.

    8.5  

SM Investments Corp.

    7.4  

Ayala Corp.

    6.7  

JG Summit Holdings Inc.

    5.9  

International Container Terminal Services Inc.

    4.5  

Bank of the Philippine Islands

    4.3  

BDO Unibank Inc.

    4.3  

PLDT Inc.

    4.1  

Universal Robina Corp.

    3.9  
 

 

  (a)

Excludes money market funds.

 

 

 

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Fund Summary as of August 31, 2021       iShares® MSCI Poland ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares MSCI Poland ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of a broad-based index composed of Polish equities, as represented by the MSCI Poland IMI 25/50 Index (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index.

Performance

 

    Average Annual Total Returns           Cumulative Total Returns  
     1 Year      5 Years      10 Years            1 Year      5 Years      10 Years  

Fund NAV

    27.44 %(a)       7.09      (0.15 )%        27.44 %(a)       40.84      (1.50 )% 

Fund Market

    28.35        7.14        (0.10       28.35        41.19        (0.99

Index

    28.27        7.25        0.14               28.27        41.87        1.40  

GROWTH OF $10,000 INVESTMENT

(AT NET ASSET VALUE)

 

LOGO

Index performance through February 11, 2013 reflects the performance of the MSCI Poland Investable Market Index. Index performance beginning on February 12, 2013 reflects the performance of the MSCI Poland IMI 25/50 Index.

 

  (a)

The NAV total return presented in the table for the one-year period differs from the same period return disclosed in the financial highlights. The total return in the financial highlights is calculated in the same manner but differs due to certain adjustments made for financial reporting purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

 

Past performance is no guarantee 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. See “About Fund Performance” on page 27 for more information.

Expense Example

 

    Actual          

Hypothetical 5% Return

          
                                                              

Beginning

Account Value

(03/01/21)

 

 

 

      

Ending
Account Value
(08/31/21)
 
 
 
      


Expenses

Paid During
the Period 

 

 
(a) 

         

Beginning

Account Value

(03/01/21)

      

Ending
Account Value
(08/31/21)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period 
 
 
(a) 
      

Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 
 
 
      $       1,000.00          $      1,225.50          $       3.59             $      1,000.00        $      1,022.00          $       3.26          0.64

 

  (a)

Expenses are calculated using the Fund’s annualized expense ratio (as disclosed in the table), multiplied by the average account value for the period, multiplied by the number of days in the period (184 days) and divided by the number of days in the year (365 days). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Shareholder Expenses” on page 27 for more information.

 

 

 

F U N D   S U M M A R Y

  19


Fund Summary as of August 31, 2021   (continued)    iShares® MSCI Poland ETF

 

Portfolio Management Commentary

Stocks in Poland advanced strongly for the reporting period, rebounding from a relatively modest economic contraction due to the coronavirus pandemic. To counteract the economic disruptions of the pandemic, the government spent robustly to stimulate the economy. Despite concerns about rising inflation, the National Bank of Poland maintained loose monetary policy, keeping interest rates low, purchasing government bonds, and selling some of its currency reserves to weaken the Polish zloty. In this environment, unemployment rates remained low, and the weak currency aided exports. As pandemic-related restrictions eased, the economy grew briskly, driven by recovery in household consumption. Industrial production also rebounded, despite disruptions to global supply networks.

The financials sector contributed the most to the Index’s return, driven by banks. While Polish banks continued to be challenged by reduced demand for loans and the National Bank of Poland’s maintenance of low interest rates, banks nonetheless rebounded from sharp declines in revenue amid the pandemic. Reduced operating costs, increased commissions and fees, and lower credit loss provisions increased bank profitability. Diversification into new business areas, especially insurance, helped one large bank post record profits.

The consumer discretionary sector also contributed significantly to the Index’s return. The textiles and apparel industry led the advance as retail sales rebounded sharply after pandemic-related restrictions eased in April 2021. Domestic businesses benefited from reduced competition as foreign competitors closed stores during the pandemic. Additionally, companies with a strong digital infrastructure advanced as shoppers increasingly turned to e-commerce for purchases.

On the downside, the communication services sector detracted substantially from the Index’s performance. The entertainment industry led the decline as a video game company released a new title with significant technical issues, leading to low sales and multiple lawsuits, which weighed heavily on the stock.

Portfolio Information

 

ALLOCATION BY SECTOR

 

   

Sector

   
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Financials

    36.0

Consumer Discretionary

    14.9  

Energy

    12.4  

Communication Services

    11.1  

Materials

    9.8  

Utilities

    5.8  

Consumer Staples

    4.6  

Information Technology

    2.5  

Health Care

    1.5  

Industrials

    1.4  

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

   

Security

   
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Powszechna Kasa Oszczednosci Bank Polski SA

    11.0

KGHM Polska Miedz SA

    7.3  

Allegro.eu SA

    7.3  

Powszechny Zaklad Ubezpieczen SA

    7.1  

Polski Koncern Naftowy ORLEN SA

    6.3  

Bank Polska Kasa Opieki SA

    5.5  

LPP SA

    4.7  

Dino Polska SA

    4.1  

Santander Bank Polska SA

    4.0  

Cyfrowy Polsat SA

    3.9  
 

 

  (a)

Excludes money market funds.

 

 

 

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Fund Summary as of August 31, 2021     iShares® MSCI Qatar ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares MSCI Qatar ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of Qatar equities, as represented by the MSCI All Qatar Capped Index (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index.

Performance

 

    Average Annual Total Returns           Cumulative Total Returns  
     1 Year      5 Years      Since
Inception
           1 Year      5 Years      Since
Inception
 

Fund NAV

    13.70      2.99      0.50       13.70      15.85      3.73

Fund Market

    15.26        3.07        0.59         15.26        16.34        4.41  

Index

    15.10        3.88        1.27               15.10        20.94        9.66  

GROWTH OF $10,000 INVESTMENT

(SINCE INCEPTION AT NET ASSET VALUE)

 

LOGO

The inception date of the Fund was 4/29/14. The first day of secondary market trading was 5/1/14.

Past performance is no guarantee 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. See “About Fund Performance” on page 27 for more information.

Expense Example

 

    Actual          

Hypothetical 5% Return

          
                      
                                                              

Beginning

Account Value

(03/01/21)

 

 

 

      

Ending
Account Value
(08/31/21)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
 (a) 
         

Beginning

Account Value

(03/01/21)

      

Ending
Account Value
(08/31/21)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
 (a) 
      

Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 
 
 
      $       1,000.00          $       1,112.40          $        3.03             $       1,000.00        $      1,022.30          $        2.91          0.57

 

  (a)

Expenses are calculated using the Fund’s annualized expense ratio (as disclosed in the table), multiplied by the average account value for the period, multiplied by the number of days in the period (184 days) and divided by the number of days in the year (365 days). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Shareholder Expenses” on page 27 for more information.

 

 

 

F U N D   S U M M A R Y

  21


Fund Summary as of August 31, 2021   (continued)    iShares® MSCI Qatar ETF

 

Portfolio Management Commentary

Qatari stocks advanced significantly for the reporting period. The economy rebounded from the economic disruptions of the coronavirus pandemic as restrictions eased amid a relatively successful vaccination program. Demand for natural gas and oil, key drivers of Qatar’s economy and government revenues, recovered, and prices rose as world economies reopened. Higher natural gas prices particularly benefited Qatar. Already the world’s leading producer of liquified natural gas due to its low production costs, Qatar boosted production amid increased commitments from world governments to reduce carbon emissions. Construction spending in preparation for hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup soccer tournament also supported Qatar’s economic recovery. In addition, the favorable resolution of a conflict with regional neighbors removed a lingering constraint on economic growth.

The financials industry, which represented approximately 50% of the Index on average for the reporting period, contributed the most to the Index’s return, led by banks. Bank profits rebounded to pre-pandemic levels, supported by the recovery of oil prices, strong capital buffers, and reduced interest expenses in the low interest rate environment. Profits rose due to strength in demand for loans and a sharp increase in non-interest income as fee waivers implemented during the pandemic were removed. Banks also benefited from reduced risks from non-performing loans and wider diversification of financing sources, which led to increased customer deposits. Cost-control measures, such as reducing travel expenses, further increased bank profits.

The industrials sector also contributed significantly to the Index’s return. Profits rose sharply in the capital goods industry as the easing of pandemic-related restrictions led to increased international consumer demand for industrial products. Global supply chain challenges drove up prices of inputs such as fertilizer and steel, boosting industry profit margins. Increased production and higher sales volumes bolstered revenues.

Portfolio Information

 

ALLOCATION BY SECTOR

 

   

Sector

   
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Financials

    51.1

Industrials

    13.9  

Energy

    8.5  

Materials

    8.3  

Real Estate

    6.6  

Communication Services

    4.4  

Utilities

    3.7  

Consumer Staples

    2.4  

Health Care

    1.1  

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

   

Security

   
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Qatar National Bank QPSC

    22.4

Qatar Islamic Bank SAQ

    8.1  

Industries Qatar QSC

    8.0  

Masraf Al Rayan QSC

    6.3  

Commercial Bank PSQC (The)

    4.6  

Mesaieed Petrochemical Holding Co.

    4.0  

Qatar Fuel QSC

    3.9  

Qatar Electricity & Water Co. QSC

    3.7  

Qatar Gas Transport Co. Ltd.

    3.5  

Qatar International Islamic Bank QSC

    3.3  
 
  (a)

Excludes money market funds.

 

 

 

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Fund Summary as of August 31, 2021     iShares® MSCI Saudi Arabia ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares MSCI Saudi Arabia ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of a broad-based index composed of Saudi Arabian equities, as represented by the MSCI Saudi Arabia IMI 25/50 Index (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index.

Performance

 

    Average Annual Total Returns           Cumulative Total Returns  
     1 Year      5 Years      Since
Inception
           1 Year      5 Years      Since
Inception
 

Fund NAV

    45.37      16.38      11.23       45.37      113.46      88.60

Fund Market

    44.60        16.35        11.23         44.60        113.20        88.57  

Index

    46.66        17.21        12.06               46.66        121.21        97.06  

GROWTH OF $10,000 INVESTMENT

(SINCE INCEPTION AT NET ASSET VALUE)

 

LOGO

The inception date of the Fund was 9/16/15. The first day of secondary market trading was 9/17/15.

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 no guarantee 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. See “About Fund Performance” on page 27 for more information.

Expense Example

 

   

Actual

       

Hypothetical 5% Return

          
                                                          

Beginning

Account Value

(03/01/21)

      

Ending
Account Value
(08/31/21)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period(a)
 
 
 
     

Beginning

Account Value

(03/01/21)

      

Ending
Account Value
(08/31/21)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period(a)
 
 
 
      

Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 
 
 
    $        1,000.00        $        1,265.10          $        4.22         $        1,000.00        $        1,021.50          $        3.77          0.74

 

  (a)

Expenses are calculated using the Fund’s annualized expense ratio (as disclosed in the table), multiplied by the average account value for the period, multiplied by the number of days in the period (184 days) and divided by the number of days in the year (365 days). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Shareholder Expenses” on page 27 for more information.

 

 

 

F U N D   S U M M A R Y

  23


Fund Summary as of August 31, 2021   (continued)    iShares® MSCI Saudi Arabia ETF

 

Portfolio Management Commentary

Stocks in Saudi Arabia climbed sharply during the reporting period as oil prices strengthened, global economies recovered, and vaccines against the coronavirus spread. Saudi Arabia increased oil production late in the reporting period as it phased out a previous cut in production, leading the oil output from OPEC to rise to the highest levels in 15 months. The Saudi Arabian economy grew in the second quarter of 2021 for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic began, boosted by strong growth outside of the oil sector. Disruptions in pilgrimages to Saudi Arabia’s two holiest cities impacted the economy for a second year, particularly the hospitality and tourism sectors, although authorities expanded the number of worshippers who could take part during the reporting period.

The financial services sector contributed the most to the Index’s performance, led by the diversified banking industry. Banks posted higher earnings amid signs of the economic turnaround, an increase in financing and investment income, and growth in mortgages. Despite the stronger earnings, Saudi Arabian banks faced the risk of increased non-performing loans due to the ongoing pandemic disrupting industries such as hospitality, retail, and tourism.

Saudi Arabia’s materials sector also contributed strongly to the Index’s performance. Chemicals companies posted higher earnings as the global economic recovery fueled a rebound in demand for products such as packaging, flooring, and roofing materials. Higher prices for chemical ingredients such as polyethylene and polyvinyl chloride, used to make plastics, solvents, and construction materials, as well as supply constraints, contributed to the industry’s higher earnings.

Stocks in the communication services sector also contributed to the Index’s return. Telecommunication services companies posted stronger revenues, driven by increased sales in cloud computing, cybersecurity, and other areas.

Portfolio Information

 

ALLOCATION BY SECTOR

 

   

Sector

   
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Financials

    41.9

Materials

    24.4  

Energy

    7.7  

Communication Services

    7.3  

Consumer Staples

    4.4  

Health Care

    3.8  

Consumer Discretionary

    3.5  

Utilities

    2.6  

Real Estate

    2.2  

Industrials

    2.1  

Information Technology

    0.1  

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

   

Security

   
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Al Rajhi Bank

    13.2

Saudi National Bank (The)

    11.8  

Saudi Basic Industries Corp.

    9.7  

Saudi Arabian Oil Co.

    6.6  

Saudi Telecom Co.

    4.6  

Riyad Bank

    3.5  

Saudi Arabian Mining Co.

    3.1  

Saudi British Bank (The)

    2.8  

Banque Saudi Fransi

    2.4  

Saudi Electricity Co.

    2.3  
 

 

  (a)

Excludes money market funds.

 

 

 

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Fund Summary as of August 31, 2021     iShares® MSCI UAE ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares MSCI UAE ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of UAE equities, as represented by the MSCI All UAE Capped Index (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index.

Performance

 

    Average Annual Total Returns            Cumulative Total Returns  
     1 Year     5 Years     Since
Inception
            1 Year     5 Years     Since
Inception
 

Fund NAV

    40.74     1.39     (2.91 )%         40.74     7.14     (19.52 )% 

Fund Market

    43.65       1.73       (2.83        43.65       8.94       (19.01

Index

    44.90       2.23       (2.22              44.90       11.63       (15.22

GROWTH OF $10,000 INVESTMENT

(SINCE INCEPTION AT NET ASSET VALUE)

 

LOGO

The inception date of the Fund was 4/29/14. The first day of secondary market trading was 5/1/14.

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 no guarantee 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. See “About Fund Performance” on page 27 for more information.

Expense Example

 

    Actual        

Hypothetical 5% Return

          
                                                            

Beginning

Account Value

(03/01/21)

 

 

 

      

Ending
Account Value
(08/31/21)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period 
 
 
 (a) 
     

Beginning

Account Value

(03/01/21)

      

Ending
Account Value
(08/31/21)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period 
 
 
(a) 
      

Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 
 
 
      $      1,000.00          $      1,204.50          $        3.17         $      1,000.00        $      1,022.30          $        2.91          0.57

 

  (a)

Expenses are calculated using the Fund’s annualized expense ratio (as disclosed in the table), multiplied by the average account value for the period, multiplied by the number of days in the period (184 days) and divided by the number of days in the year (365 days). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Shareholder Expenses” on page 27 for more information.

 

 

 

F U N D   S U M M A R Y

  25


Fund Summary as of August 31, 2021   (continued)    iShares® MSCI UAE ETF

 

Portfolio Management Commentary

Stocks in the United Arab Emirates (“U.A.E.”) rose sharply during the reporting period, boosted by an accelerating economic recovery, recovering oil output, and higher oil prices. The U.A.E., a federation of seven emirates, has among the most diversified economies in the Gulf region, but is still largely dependent upon oil wealth. Despite having one of the highest COVID-19 vaccination rates in the world, daily infections remained high, and border restrictions on travelers impacted the region’s tourism industry. The U.A.E. eased some restrictions on tourists late in the reporting period ahead of the opening of the Expo 2020 world fair, originally scheduled for 2020 but postponed to October 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The financials sector contributed the most to the Index’s performance. Banks posted stronger earnings in the first half of 2021 as non-performing loans declined and fee incomes rose amid growing economic activity and the continued disbursement of vaccinations. Despite low interest rates, which pressure banking margins, the expected costs from loan losses and other risks returned to pre-pandemic levels. Gains in investments and derivatives also boosted the banking industry.

The real estate sector also contributed to the Index’s return. Property developers in the emirate of Abu Dhabi posted profits nearly unchanged from the previous year, despite the economic impact of the coronavirus, due to strong sales and the phased start of new projects. Real estate developers in the emirate of Dubai fared worse than those in nearby Abu Dhabi, due to the weaker tourism industry, but nevertheless posted an increase in sales. The communication services sector also contributed to the Index’s performance. Telecommunication services companies increased subscriber levels as more people worked remotely due to the pandemic.

Portfolio Information

 

ALLOCATION BY SECTOR

 

   

Sector

   
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Financials

    52.9

Real Estate

    14.4  

Communication Services

    12.0  

Industrials

    9.8  

Consumer Discretionary

    4.4  

Energy

    4.1  

Consumer Staples

    2.4  

Health Care

    0.0 (b) 

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

   

Security

   
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

First Abu Dhabi Bank PJSC

    22.0

Emirates Telecommunications Group Co. PJSC

    12.1  

Emirates NBD Bank PJSC

    9.7  

Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank PJSC

    4.4  

Abu Dhabi National Oil Co. for Distribution PJSC

    4.4  

Aldar Properties PJSC

    4.4  

Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank PJSC

    4.4  

Emaar Properties PJSC

    4.2  

Dubai Islamic Bank PJSC

    3.9  

Dana Gas PJSC

    3.5  
 

 

  (a)

Excludes money market funds.

 
  (b)

Rounds to less than 0.1%.

 

 

 

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About Fund Performance

 

Past performance is not an indication of future results. Financial markets have experienced extreme volatility and trading in many instruments has been disrupted. These circumstances may continue for an extended period of time and may continue to affect adversely the value and liquidity of each Fund’s investments. As a result, current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. Performance data current to the most recent month-end is available at iShares.com. Performance results assume reinvestment of all dividends and capital gain distributions and do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. The investment return and principal value of shares will vary with changes in market conditions. Shares may be worth more or less than their original cost when they are redeemed or sold in the market. Performance for certain funds may reflect a waiver of a portion of investment advisory fees. Without such a waiver, performance would have been lower.

Net asset value or “NAV” is the value of one share of a fund as calculated in accordance with the standard formula for valuing mutual fund shares. Beginning August 10, 2020, the price used to calculate market return (“Market Price”) is the closing price. Prior to August 10, 2020, Market Price was determined by using the midpoint between the highest bid and the lowest ask on the primary stock exchange on which shares of a fund are listed for trading, as of the time that such fund’s NAV is calculated. Since shares of a fund may not trade in the secondary market until after the fund’s inception, for the period from inception to the first day of secondary market trading in shares of the fund, the NAV of the fund is used as a proxy for the Market Price to calculate market returns. Market and NAV returns assume that dividends and capital gain distributions have been reinvested at Market Price and NAV, respectively.

An index is a statistical composite that tracks a specified financial market or sector. Unlike a fund, an index does not actually hold a portfolio of securities and therefore does not incur the expenses incurred by a fund. These expenses negatively impact fund performance. Also, market returns do not include brokerage commissions that may be payable on secondary market transactions. If brokerage commissions were included, market returns would be lower.

Shareholder Expenses

As a shareholder of your Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including brokerage commissions on purchases and sales of fund shares and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees and other fund expenses. The expense example, which is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period (or from the commencement of operations if less than 6 months) and held through the end of the period, is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars and cents) of investing in your Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other funds.

Actual Expenses – The table provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. Annualized expense ratios reflect contractual and voluntary fee waivers, if any. To estimate the expenses that you paid on your account over the period, simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During the Period.”

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes – The table also provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on your Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in your Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as brokerage commissions and other fees paid on purchases and sales of fund shares. Therefore, the hypothetical examples are useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

 

A B O U T   F U N D   P E R F O R M A N C E / S H A R E H O L D E R   E X P E N S E S

  27


Schedule of Investments

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® MSCI Argentina and Global Exposure ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

 

 

Common Stocks

   
Argentina — 53.6%            

Arcos Dorados Holdings Inc., Class A(a)

    53,080     $ 289,817  

Banco BBVA Argentina SA, ADR(a)

    29,392       127,855  

Banco Macro SA, ADR(a)

    18,405       344,173  

Central Puerto SA, ADR(a)

    40,468       118,571  

Corp. America Airports SA(a)(b)

    13,209       74,499  

Cresud SACIF y A, ADR(a)

    14,597       84,955  

Despegar.com Corp.(a)

    21,480       257,545  

Empresa Distribuidora y Comercializadora Norte, ADR(a)(b)

    8,637       62,532  

Globant SA(a)

    5,508        1,775,118  

Grupo Financiero Galicia SA, ADR

    44,750       482,405  

Grupo Supervielle SA, ADR(b)

    25,987       65,487  

IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones SA, ADR(a)(b)

    9,518       43,878  

IRSA Propiedades Comerciales SA, ADR

    11,128       32,160  

Loma Negra Cia Industrial Argentina SA, ADR

    24,509       192,151  

Pampa Energia SA, ADR(a)

    16,758       305,163  

Telecom Argentina SA, ADR(b)

    36,157       202,841  

Transportadora de Gas del Sur SA, Class B, ADR(a)

    28,819       153,893  

YPF SA, ADR(a)

    80,856       421,260  
   

 

 

 
      5,034,303  
Brazil — 4.1%            

Adecoagro SA(a)

    41,013       383,471  
   

 

 

 
Canada — 8.7%            

SSR Mining Inc.

    24,827       414,816  

Yamana Gold Inc.

    90,677       400,326  
   

 

 

 
      815,142  
Chile — 8.3%            

Cencosud SA

    211,517       399,066  

Cia. Cervecerias Unidas SA

    37,359       377,044  
   

 

 

 
      776,110  
Security   Shares     Value  

 

 
United States — 21.5%            

MercadoLibre Inc.(a)

    1,082     $ 2,020,581  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 96.2%
(Cost: $9,998,268)

 

    9,029,607  
   

 

 

 

Preferred Stocks

 

Chile — 3.7%            

Embotelladora Andina SA, Class B, Preference Shares

    145,179       345,010  
   

 

 

 

Total Preferred Stocks — 3.7%
(Cost: $353,120)

 

    345,010  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Investments

 

Money Market Funds — 1.2%  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares, 0.06%(c)(d)(e)

    114,807       114,864  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments — 1.2%
(Cost: $114,844)

 

    114,864  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities — 101.1%
(Cost: $10,466,232)

 

    9,489,481  

Other Assets, Less Liabilities — (1.1)%

 

    (99,428
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

    $  9,390,053  
   

 

 

 

 

(a)

Non-income producing security.

(b)

All or a portion of this security is on loan.

(c)

Affiliate of the Fund.

(d)

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

(e)

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 year ended August 31, 2021 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

 

 
Affiliated Issuer    Value at
08/31/20
     Purchases
at Cost
     Proceeds
from Sales
     Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
     Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
     Value at
08/31/21
     Shares
Held at
08/31/21
     Income     

Capital

Gain

Distributions

from

Underlying

Funds

 

 

 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares

   $ 335,147      $      $ (220,075 )(a)     $ (200    $ (8    $ 114,864        114,807      $ 1,891 (b)     $  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares(c)

            0 (a)                                          3         
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 
            $ (200    $ (8    $ 114,864         $ 1,894      $  
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 
  (b)

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.

 
  (c)

As of period end, the entity is no longer held.

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments. 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.

 

 

28  

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Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® MSCI Argentina and Global Exposure ETF

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End (continued)

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.

 

                                                                       

 

 
     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

 

 

Investments

           

Assets

           

Common Stocks

   $ 9,029,607      $      $      $ 9,029,607  

Preferred Stocks

     345,010                      345,010  

Money Market Funds

     114,864                      114,864  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 9,489,481      $      $      $ 9,489,481  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

S C H E D U L E   O F   I N V E S T M E N T S

  29


Schedule of Investments

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® MSCI Brazil Small-Cap ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

 

Aerospace & Defense — 4.3%  

Embraer SA(a)

    1,026,033     $ 4,647,190  
   

 

 

 
Air Freight & Logistics — 0.3%  

Sequoia Logistica e Transportes SA(a)

    90,265       349,134  
   

 

 

 
Auto Components — 0.8%  

Mahle-Metal Leve SA

    56,084       429,079  

Tupy SA

    105,231       453,421  
   

 

 

 
      882,500  
Commercial Services & Supplies — 0.8%  

Ambipar Participacoes e Empreendimentos S/A

    66,058       849,551  
   

 

 

 
Communications Equipment — 0.6%  

Intelbras SA Industria de Telecomunicacao Eletronica Brasileira

    119,914       670,209  
   

 

 

 
Diversified Consumer Services — 5.3%  

Anima Holding SA(a)

    441,238       826,873  

Cogna Educacao(a)

    2,737,199       1,699,236  

Cruzeiro do Sul Educacional SA

    138,160       259,177  

MPM Corporeos SA

    196,798       690,780  

YDUQS Participacoes SA

    450,834       2,231,152  
   

 

 

 
        5,707,218  
Electric Utilities — 6.4%  

AES Brasil Energia SA

    232,853       685,392  

Alupar Investimento SA

    213,617       1,046,437  

EDP - Energias do Brasil SA

    442,573       1,578,295  

Light SA

    489,065       1,309,962  

Transmissora Alianca de Energia Eletrica SA

    305,454       2,239,452  
   

 

 

 
    6,859,538  
Electrical Equipment — 0.5%  

Aeris Industria E Comercio De Equipamentos Para Geracao De Energia SA(a)

    336,376       520,424  
   

 

 

 
Food & Staples Retailing — 5.8%  

Cia Brasileira de Distribuicao

    235,013       1,287,599  

Grupo Mateus SA(a)

    805,775       1,111,081  

Sendas Distribuidora SA

    1,174,245       3,817,409  
   

 

 

 
    6,216,089  
Food Products — 6.2%  

Camil Alimentos SA

    188,282       345,919  

M. Dias Branco SA

    123,369       754,653  

Marfrig Global Foods SA

    570,678       2,261,390  

Minerva SA

    402,607       650,924  

Sao Martinho SA

    258,179       1,604,756  

SLC Agricola SA

    139,000       1,095,161  
   

 

 

 
    6,712,803  
Health Care Providers & Services — 3.7%  

Fleury SA

    277,744       1,270,872  

Instituto Hermes Pardini SA

    76,133       376,925  

Odontoprev SA

    389,185       944,587  

Qualicorp Consultoria e Corretora de Seguros SA

    331,408       1,369,651  
   

 

 

 
    3,962,035  
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 1.8%  

BK Brasil Operacao e Assessoria a Restaurantes SA(a)

    322,704       585,396  

CVC Brasil Operadora e Agencia de Viagens SA(a)

    290,774       1,197,219  

CVC Brasil Operadora e Agencia de Viagens SA, NVS(a)

    39,283       160,146  
   

 

 

 
    1,942,761  
Security   Shares     Value  
Household Durables — 4.3%  

Construtora Tenda SA

    106,756     $ 417,048  

Cyrela Brazil Realty SA Empreendimentos e Participacoes

    437,296       1,710,011  

Even Construtora e Incorporadora SA

    156,345       253,076  

Ez Tec Empreendimentos e Participacoes SA

    165,357       857,037  

MRV Engenharia e Participacoes SA

    457,806       1,212,069  

Trisul SA

    122,726       181,331  
   

 

 

 
    4,630,572  
Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers — 4.0%  

Eneva SA(a)

    1,015,647       3,077,897  

Omega Geracao SA(a)

    185,913       1,191,528  
   

 

 

 
    4,269,425  
Insurance — 3.6%  

IRB Brasil Resseguros S/A

    1,386,999       1,432,385  

Sul America SA

    435,841       2,473,879  
   

 

 

 
        3,906,264  
Interactive Media & Services — 0.9%  

Meliuz SA(b)

    127,544       1,003,421  
   

 

 

 
IT Services — 3.7%  

Cielo SA

    1,791,102       994,133  

Locaweb Servicos de Internet SA(b)

    636,413       3,014,186  
   

 

 

 
    4,008,319  
Machinery — 0.5%  

Iochpe Maxion SA(a)

    191,076       574,987  
   

 

 

 
Marine — 0.5%  

Hidrovias do Brasil SA(a)

    612,692       526,099  
   

 

 

 
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 4.1%  

3R Petroleum Oleo Gas SA(a)

    86,876       645,841  

Enauta Participacoes SA

    155,118       411,284  

Petro Rio SA(a)

    896,787       3,324,709  
   

 

 

 
    4,381,834  
Paper & Forest Products — 1.7%  

Dexco SA

    454,063       1,809,824  
   

 

 

 
Professional Services — 0.7%  

Boa Vista Servicos SA

    309,671       775,555  
   

 

 

 
Real Estate Management & Development — 7.0%  

Aliansce Sonae Shopping Centers SA

    211,575       1,027,023  

BR Malls Participacoes SA(a)

    1,273,555       2,224,066  

BR Properties SA

    323,488       523,632  

Iguatemi Empresa de Shopping Centers SA

    128,666       850,756  

Jereissati Participacoes SA

    51,016       293,519  

JHSF Participacoes SA

    454,056       580,434  

LOG Commercial Properties e Participacoes SA

    66,975       365,003  

Multiplan Empreendimentos Imobiliarios SA

    412,187       1,681,973  
   

 

 

 
    7,546,406  
Road & Rail — 4.8%  

Cia. de Locacao das Americas

    482,318       2,324,469  

Movida Participacoes SA

    195,696       700,158  

SIMPAR SA

    422,452       1,213,238  

Vamos Locacao de Caminhoes Maquinas e Equipamentos SA(a)

    332,173       977,093  
   

 

 

 
    5,214,958  
Specialty Retail — 3.8%  

C&A Modas Ltda(a)

    156,438       268,959  

Grupo SBF SA(a)

    141,751       951,531  

Lojas Quero Quero S/A

    259,399       995,798  
 

 

 

30  

2 0 2 1   I S H A R E S   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® MSCI Brazil Small-Cap ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Specialty Retail (continued)  

Pet Center Comercio e Participacoes SA

    373,536     $ 1,912,902  
   

 

 

 
    4,129,190  
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods — 5.5%  

Arezzo Industria e Comercio SA

    79,927       1,382,199  

Cia. Hering

    189,656       1,365,532  

Grendene SA

    462,596       956,361  

GRUPO DE MODA SOMA SA(a)

    283,324       964,906  

Guararapes Confeccoes SA

    146,020       435,168  

Vivara Participacoes SA

    138,416       888,723  
   

 

 

 
        5,992,889  
Transportation Infrastructure — 1.9%  

EcoRodovias Infraestrutura e Logistica SA(a)

    507,507       966,764  

Santos Brasil Participacoes SA(a)

    691,737       1,052,829  
   

 

 

 
    2,019,593  
Water Utilities — 1.5%  

Cia. de Saneamento de Minas Gerais-COPASA

    276,706       747,044  

Cia. de Saneamento do Parana

    237,784       891,207  
   

 

 

 
    1,638,251  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 85.0%
(Cost: $73,432,374)

 

    91,747,039  
   

 

 

 

Preferred Stocks

 

Airlines — 3.9%  

Azul SA, Preference Shares, NVS(a)

    413,543       3,017,517  

Gol Linhas Aereas Inteligentes SA, Preference Shares, NVS(a)

    297,944       1,150,105  
   

 

 

 
    4,167,622  
Banks — 2.5%  

Banco ABC Brasil SA, Preference Shares, NVS

    123,062       398,164  

Banco do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul SA, Class B Preference Shares, NVS

    296,728       716,169  

Banco Pan SA, Preference Shares, NVS

    439,214       1,596,894  
   

 

 

 
    2,711,227  
Chemicals — 1.0%  

Unipar Carbocloro SA, Preference Shares, NVS

    64,798       1,133,226  
   

 

 

 
Electric Utilities — 0.2%  

Cia. Energetica do Ceara, Class A, Preference Shares, NVS

    20,677       239,888  
   

 

 

 
Security   Shares     Value  
Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers — 1.2%  

Cia. Energetica de Sao Paulo, Class B, Preference Shares, NVS

    276,919     $ 1,255,315  
   

 

 

 
Internet & Direct Marketing Retail — 1.4%  

Lojas Americanas SA, Preference Shares, NVS

    1,341,196       1,545,898  
   

 

 

 
Machinery — 0.9%  

Marcopolo SA, Preference Shares, NVS

    706,165       379,658  

Randon SA Implementos e Participacoes, Preference Shares, NVS

    266,513       597,371  
   

 

 

 
          977,029  
Metals & Mining — 3.0%  

Cia. Ferro Ligas da Bahia-Ferbasa, Preference Shares, NVS

    55,940       603,561  

Metalurgica Gerdau SA, Preference Shares, NVS

    1,053,294       2,633,846  
   

 

 

 
      3,237,407  
Water Utilities — 0.4%  

Cia. de Saneamento do Parana, Preference Shares, NVS

    518,351       391,961  
   

 

 

 

Total Preferred Stocks — 14.5%
(Cost: $11,804,185)

 

    15,659,573  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Investments

 

 
Money Market Funds — 0.1%        

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares, 0.00%(c)(d)

    100,000       100,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments — 0.1%
(Cost: $100,000)

      100,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities — 99.6%
(Cost: $85,336,559)

      107,506,612  

Other Assets, Less Liabilities — 0.4%

      469,370  
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

    $   107,975,982  
   

 

 

 

 

(a)

Non-income producing security.

(b)

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.

(c)

Affiliate of the Fund.

(d)

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

 

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the year ended August 31, 2021 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

 

 
Affiliated Issuer    Value at
08/31/20
     Purchases
at Cost
     Proceeds
from Sales
     Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
     Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
     Value at
08/31/21
     Shares
Held at
08/31/21
     Income     

Capital

Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds

 

 

 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

   $ 150,000      $        $(50,000)(a)      $      $      $ 100,000        100,000      $ 306      $  
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 

 

 

S C H E D U L E   O F   I N V E S T M E N T S

  31


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® MSCI Brazil Small-Cap ETF

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Futures Contracts

 

 

 
Description   Number of
Contracts
    Expiration
Date
    Notional
Amount
(000)
    Value/
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

 

 

Long Contracts

       

MSCI Brazil Index

    10       09/17/21     $ 515     $ (29,192
       

 

 

 

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:

 

 

 
     Equity
Contracts
 

 

 

Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instruments

  

Futures contracts

  

Unrealized depreciation on futures contracts(a)

   $ 29,192  
  

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Net cumulative 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 August 31, 2021, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

 

 
     Equity
Contracts
 

 

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from:

  

Futures contracts

   $ 307,900  
  

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:

  

Futures contracts

   $ (9,087
  

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

   

Futures contracts:

  

Average notional value of contracts — long

   $ 819,847  

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. 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.

 

                                                                                       

 

 
     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

 

 

Investments

           

Assets

 

Common Stocks

   $ 91,747,039      $      $      $ 91,747,039  

Preferred Stocks

     15,659,573                      15,659,573  

Money Market Funds

     100,000                      100,000  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 107,506,612      $      $      $ 107,506,612  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Derivative financial instruments(a)

           

Liabilities

           

Futures Contracts

   $ (29,192    $      $      $ (29,192
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Derivative financial instruments are futures contracts. Futures contracts are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

 

32  

2 0 2 1   I S H A R E S   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® MSCI China ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

 

Aerospace & Defense — 0.2%  

AECC Aviation Power Co. Ltd., Class A

    348,876     $ 3,681,716  

AVIC Electromechanical Systems Co. Ltd., Class A

    610,400       1,324,262  

AviChina Industry & Technology Co. Ltd., Class H

    5,668,000       4,742,737  
   

 

 

 
    9,748,715  
Air Freight & Logistics — 0.5%  

SF Holding Co. Ltd., Class A

    610,483       5,454,390  

Yunda Holding Co. Ltd., Class A

    436,557       1,042,149  

ZTO Express Cayman Inc., ADR

    950,916       26,825,340  
   

 

 

 
    33,321,879  
Airlines — 0.2%  

Air China Ltd., Class A(a)

    872,089       978,969  

Air China Ltd., Class H(a)(b)

    4,360,000       2,924,117  

China Eastern Airlines Corp. Ltd., Class A(a)

    1,744,096       1,269,929  

China Southern Airlines Co. Ltd., Class A(a)

    1,744,088       1,555,955  

China Southern Airlines Co. Ltd., Class H(a)

    3,488,000       2,028,657  

Spring Airlines Co. Ltd., Class A(a)

    130,885       1,078,318  
   

 

 

 
        9,835,945  
Auto Components — 0.4%  

Changzhou Xingyu Automotive Lighting Systems Co. Ltd., Class A

    34,195       1,025,829  

Fuyao Glass Industry Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    261,698       1,942,086  

Fuyao Glass Industry Group Co. Ltd.,
Class H(c)

    1,395,200       8,585,789  

Huayu Automotive Systems Co. Ltd., Class A

    479,672       1,723,168  

Kuang-Chi Technologies Co. Ltd., Class A(a)

    305,200       1,080,534  

Minth Group Ltd.

    1,744,000       7,238,100  

Shandong Linglong Tyre Co. Ltd., Class A

    218,028       1,009,942  

Weifu High-Technology Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    174,441       626,079  
   

 

 

 
    23,231,527  
Automobiles — 5.9%  

Brilliance China Automotive Holdings Ltd.

    5,760,000       2,223,331  

Brilliance China Automotive Holdings Ltd., ADR(a)

    27,344       105,548  

BYD Co. Ltd., Class A

    218,059       9,388,926  

BYD Co. Ltd., Class H

    1,744,000       58,631,708  

Chongqing Changan Automobile Co. Ltd., Class A

    855,118       2,733,005  

Dongfeng Motor Group Co. Ltd., Class H

    5,890,000       6,449,487  

Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd.

    13,080,000       47,404,852  

Great Wall Motor Co. Ltd., Class A

    305,400       3,135,833  

Great Wall Motor Co. Ltd., Class H

    6,758,000       31,170,070  

Guangzhou Automobile Group Co. Ltd., Class H

    6,104,400       6,146,026  

Li Auto Inc., ADR(a)(b)

    1,183,304       36,516,761  

NIO Inc., ADR(a)

    2,976,136       116,991,906  

SAIC Motor Corp. Ltd., Class A

    1,133,676       3,394,286  

XPeng Inc., ADR(a)(b)

    843,224       35,837,020  

Yadea Group Holdings Ltd.(c)

    2,342,000       4,167,185  
   

 

 

 
    364,295,944  
Banks — 8.1%  

Agricultural Bank of China Ltd., Class A

    10,333,200       4,738,570  

Agricultural Bank of China Ltd., Class H

    55,808,000       18,708,957  

Bank of Beijing Co. Ltd., Class A

    3,488,099       2,344,843  

Bank of Chengdu Co. Ltd., Class A

    610,493       1,143,919  

Bank of China Ltd., Class A

    4,447,200       2,087,753  

Bank of China Ltd., Class H

    173,092,000       60,657,235  

Bank of Communications Co. Ltd., Class A

    5,319,222       3,642,244  

Bank of Communications Co. Ltd., Class H

    18,312,200       10,516,747  

Bank of Hangzhou Co. Ltd., Class A

    915,660       1,897,979  

Bank of Jiangsu Co. Ltd., Class A

    2,354,455       2,342,965  

Bank of Nanjing Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,569,600       2,279,622  
Security   Shares     Value  
Banks (continued)  

Bank of Ningbo Co. Ltd., Class A

    828,484     $ 4,144,804  

Bank of Shanghai Co. Ltd., Class A

    2,180,097       2,435,294  

China Bohai Bank Co. Ltd., Class H(c)

    6,540,000       2,657,221  

China CITIC Bank Corp. Ltd., Class H

    19,184,800       8,819,724  

China Construction Bank Corp., Class A

    1,090,009       987,446  

China Construction Bank Corp., Class H

    210,152,000       151,426,629  

China Everbright Bank Co. Ltd., Class A

    5,842,400       3,031,304  

China Everbright Bank Co. Ltd., Class H

    6,104,000       2,187,809  

China Merchants Bank Co. Ltd., Class A

    2,746,868       20,838,144  

China Merchants Bank Co. Ltd., Class H

    8,502,150       70,122,375  

China Minsheng Banking Corp. Ltd., Class A

    4,708,870       2,896,833  

China Minsheng Banking Corp. Ltd., Class H(b)

    12,426,160       5,189,540  

China Zheshang Bank Co. Ltd., Class A

    2,523,500       1,387,906  

Chongqing Rural Commercial Bank Co. Ltd., Class H

    7,848,000       3,002,208  

Huaxia Bank Co. Ltd., Class A

    2,180,091       1,890,747  

Industrial & Commercial Bank of China Ltd., Class A

    8,414,800       6,019,949  

Industrial & Commercial Bank of China Ltd., Class H(b) .

    122,952,000       68,468,824  

Industrial Bank Co. Ltd., Class A

    2,790,400       7,993,019  

Ping An Bank Co. Ltd., Class A

    2,572,455       7,089,345  

Postal Savings Bank of China Co. Ltd., Class A

    3,749,600       2,982,920  

Postal Savings Bank of China Co. Ltd., Class H(c)

    17,440,000       12,564,191  

Shanghai Pudong Development Bank Co. Ltd., Class A

    4,011,298       5,624,864  
   

 

 

 
        502,121,930  
Beverages — 2.1%  

Anhui Gujing Distillery Co. Ltd., Class A

    54,396       1,787,190  

Anhui Gujing Distillery Co. Ltd., Class B

    262,030       3,197,632  

China Resources Beer Holdings Co. Ltd.

    3,252,000       26,742,432  

Chongqing Brewery Co. Ltd., Class A(a)

    87,200       1,898,792  

Jiangsu King’s Luck Brewery JSC Ltd., Class A

    174,403       1,137,083  

Jiangsu Yanghe Brewery Joint-Stock Co. Ltd., Class A

    218,076       5,669,056  

JiuGui Liquor Co. Ltd., Class A

    44,200       1,439,225  

Kweichow Moutai Co. Ltd., Class A

    168,104       40,615,979  

Luzhou Laojiao Co. Ltd., Class A

    194,900       5,145,293  

Nongfu Spring Co. Ltd., Class H(c)

    872,000       4,614,588  

Shanghai Bairun Investment Holding Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    122,140       1,357,513  

Shanxi Xinghuacun Fen Wine Factory Co. Ltd., Class A

    174,486       7,512,119  

Sichuan Swellfun Co. Ltd., Class A

    43,600       787,680  

Tsingtao Brewery Co. Ltd., Class A

    87,263       1,166,932  

Tsingtao Brewery Co. Ltd., Class H

    1,204,000       9,851,650  

Wuliangye Yibin Co. Ltd., Class A

    479,677       15,022,099  
   

 

 

 
    127,945,263  
Biotechnology — 1.7%  

3SBio Inc.(a)(c)

    2,834,000       3,157,154  

Akeso Inc.(a)(c)

    636,000       3,294,030  

BeiGene Ltd., ADR(a)(b)

    100,280       30,916,324  

Beijing Tiantan Biological Products Corp. Ltd., Class A

    174,472       838,059  

Beijing Wantai Biological Pharmacy Enterprise Co. Ltd., Class A

    43,600       1,571,249  

BGI Genomics Co. Ltd., Class A

    87,299       1,268,414  

Burning Rock Biotech Ltd., ADR(a)

    95,484       1,778,867  

Chongqing Zhifei Biological Products Co. Ltd., Class A

    218,040       5,978,389  

Hualan Biological Engineering Inc., Class A

    259,872       1,185,475  

I-Mab, ADR(a)

    70,632       5,009,221  

Imeik Technology Development Co. Ltd., Class A

    20,000       1,819,044  

Innovent Biologics Inc.(a)(c)

    2,616,000       21,123,287  

Shanghai RAAS Blood Products Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,177,200       1,265,793  
 

 

 

S C H E D U L E   O F   I N V E S T M E N T S

  33


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® MSCI China ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Biotechnology (continued)  

Shenzhen Kangtai Biological Products Co. Ltd., Class A(a)

    87,255     $ 1,638,253  

Walvax Biotechnology Co. Ltd., Class A

    218,097       2,623,538  

Zai Lab Ltd., ADR(a)

    164,808       23,814,756  
   

 

 

 
    107,281,853  
Building Products — 0.2%  

Beijing New Building Materials PLC, Class A

    261,670       1,341,320  

China Lesso Group Holdings Ltd.

    2,616,000       5,599,141  

Guangdong Kinlong Hardware Products Co. Ltd., Class A

    44,200       1,107,302  

Zhuzhou Kibing Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    348,800       1,474,309  
   

 

 

 
    9,522,072  
Capital Markets — 1.8%  

Changjiang Securities Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,264,436       1,465,025  

China Cinda Asset Management Co. Ltd., Class H

    19,184,000       3,402,478  

China Everbright Ltd.

    1,744,000       2,188,615  

China Galaxy Securities Co. Ltd., Class A

    631,000       1,005,984  

China Galaxy Securities Co. Ltd., Class H

    7,630,000       4,283,168  

China Huarong Asset Management Co. Ltd., Class H(a)(c)(d)

    20,400,000       2,006,570  

China International Capital Corp. Ltd., Class H(c)

    3,488,000       8,110,547  

China Merchants Securities Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,002,868       2,820,579  

CITIC Securities Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,482,475       5,898,898  

CITIC Securities Co. Ltd., Class H

    4,796,000       12,147,196  

CSC Financial Co. Ltd., Class A

    610,499       2,646,364  

Dongxing Securities Co. Ltd., Class A

    610,494       1,050,900  

East Money Information Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,395,281       6,693,359  

Everbright Securities Co. Ltd., Class A

    523,299       1,288,271  

First Capital Securities Co. Ltd., Class A

    697,689       691,726  

Founder Securities Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,438,899       1,902,241  

GF Securities Co. Ltd., Class A

    860,199       2,528,018  

GF Securities Co. Ltd., Class H

    2,354,400       4,183,860  

Guosen Securities Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,046,433       1,977,986  

Guotai Junan Securities Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,177,243       3,238,444  

Guoyuan Securities Co. Ltd., Class A

    784,860       957,059  

Haitong Securities Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,351,659       2,662,099  

Haitong Securities Co. Ltd., Class H

    5,929,600       5,478,527  

Hithink RoyalFlush Information Network Co. Ltd., Class A

    75,387       1,350,754  

Huatai Securities Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,220,893       3,098,750  

Huatai Securities Co. Ltd., Class H(c)

    3,052,000       4,377,853  

Huaxi Securities Co. Ltd., Class A

    654,073       982,967  

Industrial Securities Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,046,440       1,611,762  

Noah Holdings Ltd., ADR(a)(b)

    74,556       2,906,193  

Orient Securities Co. Ltd., Class A

    915,664       2,122,293  

Pacific Securities Co. Ltd. (The), Class A(a)

    1,124,193       568,178  

SDIC Capital Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,127,414       1,629,334  

Sealand Securities Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,351,660       867,203  

Shanxi Securities Co. Ltd., Class A

    741,221       752,131  

Shenwan Hongyuan Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    3,749,639       2,731,085  

Sinolink Securities Co. Ltd., Class A

    479,626       816,222  

SooChow Securities Co. Ltd., Class A

    697,650       1,022,029  

Up Fintech Holding Ltd., ADR(a)(b)

    175,708       2,421,256  

Western Securities Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,002,830       1,265,815  

Zheshang Securities Co. Ltd., Class A(a)

    566,800       1,088,999  
   

 

 

 
        108,240,738  
Chemicals — 0.7%  

Guangzhou Tinci Materials Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    131,200       2,771,169  
Security   Shares     Value  
Chemicals (continued)            

Hengli Petrochemical Co. Ltd., Class A

    828,410     $ 3,361,793  

Hengyi Petrochemical Co. Ltd., Class A

    741,276       1,344,945  

Huabao International Holdings Ltd.

    1,744,000       4,166,342  

Huafon Chemical Co. Ltd., Class A

    740,000       1,591,677  

Inner Mongolia Junzheng Energy & Chemical Industry Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,395,200       1,255,827  

Jiangsu Eastern Shenghong Co. Ltd., Class A

    436,000       2,188,086  

Kingfa Sci & Tech Co. Ltd., Class A

    435,500       1,093,440  

LB Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    348,800       2,026,304  

Ningxia Baofeng Energy Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    957,500       2,379,295  

Rongsheng Petrochemical Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,395,242       4,034,293  

Shandong Hualu Hengsheng Chemical Co. Ltd., Class A

    348,870       1,968,080  

Shandong Sinocera Functional Material Co. Ltd., Class A

    174,700       1,239,940  

Shanghai Putailai New Energy Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    87,200       2,066,903  

Skshu Paint Co. Ltd., Class A

    61,000       1,377,073  

Tongkun Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    392,476       1,451,976  

Transfar Zhilian Co. Ltd., Class A

    654,093       879,822  

Wanhua Chemical Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    436,073       7,198,002  

Zhejiang Longsheng Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    828,471       1,736,405  

Zhejiang Satellite Petrochemical Co. Ltd., Class A

    261,604       1,698,151  
   

 

 

 
          45,829,523  
Commercial Services & Supplies — 0.1%            

Beijing Originwater Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    872,097       1,023,762  

China Everbright Environment Group Ltd.

    8,284,148       5,727,370  

Shanghai M&G Stationery Inc., Class A

    130,800       1,400,033  
   

 

 

 
      8,151,165  
Communications Equipment — 0.3%            

BYD Electronic International Co. Ltd.(b)

    1,527,000       6,985,104  

Fiberhome Telecommunication Technologies Co. Ltd., Class A

    208,477       587,454  

Guangzhou Haige Communications Group Inc. Co., Class A

    697,684       1,209,177  

Yealink Network Technology Corp. Ltd., Class A

    116,694       1,556,153  

Zhongji Innolight Co. Ltd., Class A

    130,897       718,058  

ZTE Corp., Class A

    508,956       2,620,588  

ZTE Corp., Class H

    1,656,840       5,835,774  
   

 

 

 
      19,512,308  
Construction & Engineering — 0.7%            

China Communications Services Corp. Ltd., Class H

    6,104,800       3,244,091  

China Conch Venture Holdings Ltd.

    3,706,000       15,168,007  

China National Chemical Engineering Co. Ltd., Class A

    872,095       1,826,927  

China Railway Group Ltd., Class A

    3,444,498       3,003,375  

China Railway Group Ltd., Class H

    8,284,000       3,967,410  

China State Construction Engineering Corp. Ltd., Class A

    5,929,698       4,409,394  

China State Construction International Holdings Ltd.

    4,360,000       3,525,942  

Metallurgical Corp. of China Ltd., Class A

    3,444,400       2,677,797  

Power Construction Corp. of China Ltd., Class A

    2,354,497       2,264,729  

Suzhou Gold Mantis Construction Decoration Co. Ltd., Class A

    610,468       671,404  
   

 

 

 
      40,759,076  
Construction Materials — 0.6%            

Anhui Conch Cement Co. Ltd., Class A

    598,591       3,706,420  

Anhui Conch Cement Co. Ltd., Class H

    2,616,000       14,154,174  

China Jushi Co. Ltd., Class A

    654,005       1,777,830  

China National Building Material Co. Ltd., Class H

    8,720,000       11,908,024  
 

 

 

34  

2 0 2 1   I S H A R E S   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® MSCI China ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Construction Materials (continued)  

China Resources Cement Holdings Ltd.

    5,232,000     $ 5,129,913  

Tangshan Jidong Cement Co. Ltd., Class A

    436,068       857,829  
   

 

 

 
      37,534,190  
Consumer Finance — 0.1%            

360 DigiTech Inc.(a)

    187,044       4,264,603  

Lufax Holding Ltd., ADR(a)(b)

    392,836       3,405,888  
   

 

 

 
      7,670,491  
Containers & Packaging — 0.1%            

Yunnan Energy New Material Co. Ltd., Class A

    130,800       5,724,406  
   

 

 

 
Distributors — 0.0%            

Wuchan Zhongda Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    828,403       780,392  
   

 

 

 
Diversified Consumer Services — 0.3%  

China East Education Holdings Ltd.(c)

    1,308,000       1,403,387  

China Education Group Holdings Ltd.(b)

    1,744,000       3,297,262  

China Yuhua Education Corp. Ltd.(c)

    3,488,000       1,863,827  

Gaotu Techedu Inc.(a)(b)

    272,064       783,544  

New Oriental Education & Technology Group Inc., ADR(a)

    3,394,260       7,671,028  

Offcn Education Technology Co. Ltd.,
Class A(a)

    348,805       569,245  

TAL Education Group, ADR(a)(b)

    916,908       4,877,951  
   

 

 

 
          20,466,244  
Diversified Financial Services — 0.1%            

AVIC Industry-Finance Holdings Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,700,482       1,042,780  

Far East Horizon Ltd.

    3,488,000       3,964,528  
   

 

 

 
      5,007,308  
Diversified Telecommunication Services — 0.2%  

China Tower Corp. Ltd., Class H(c)

    93,304,000       12,238,384  
   

 

 

 
Electrical Equipment — 1.0%            

Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    310,171       23,829,726  

Eve Energy Co. Ltd., Class A

    270,036       4,278,885  

Fangda Carbon New Material Co. Ltd., Class A

    697,647       1,397,169  

Gotion High-tech Co. Ltd., Class A(a)

    174,400       1,452,289  

Hongfa Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    130,800       1,263,704  

NARI Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    784,877       4,254,679  

Sungrow Power Supply Co. Ltd., Class A

    197,800       4,817,624  

Sunwoda Electronic Co. Ltd., Class A

    261,698       1,590,048  

Suzhou Maxwell Technologies Co. Ltd., Class A

    13,620       1,640,087  

TBEA Co. Ltd., Class A

    566,857       2,153,837  

Xinjiang Goldwind Science & Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    705,620       1,596,543  

Xinjiang Goldwind Science & Technology Co. Ltd., Class H

    1,569,720       3,009,296  

Zhejiang Chint Electrics Co. Ltd., Class A

    305,268       2,974,405  

Zhuzhou CRRC Times Electric Co. Ltd., Class H(a)

    1,177,200       7,075,136  
   

 

 

 
      61,333,428  
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components — 1.8%  

AAC Technologies Holdings Inc.

    1,526,000       8,459,630  

Avary Holding Shenzhen Co. Ltd., Class A

    217,000       1,065,649  

BOE Technology Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    4,796,000       4,321,516  

Chaozhou Three-Circle Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    305,200       1,778,114  

Foxconn Industrial Internet Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,177,296       2,093,916  

GoerTek Inc., Class A

    479,600       3,458,571  

Guangzhou Shiyuan Electronic Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    87,219       1,176,541  

Kingboard Holdings Ltd.

    1,526,000       7,503,225  

Kingboard Laminates Holdings Ltd.

    1,962,000       3,858,211  

Lens Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    697,688       2,547,791  
Security   Shares     Value  
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components (continued)  

Lingyi iTech Guangdong Co., Class A

    1,177,200     $ 1,219,620  

Luxshare Precision Industry Co. Ltd., Class A

    959,224       5,025,611  

Maxscend Microelectronics Co. Ltd., Class A

    44,320       2,603,475  

Raytron Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    70,314       1,355,110  

Shengyi Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    392,400       1,427,717  

Shennan Circuits Co. Ltd., Class A

    61,224       867,115  

Sunny Optical Technology Group Co. Ltd

    1,569,600       47,498,554  

Tianma Microelectronics Co. Ltd., Class A

    523,299       1,146,965  

Unisplendour Corp. Ltd., Class A

    392,420       1,444,364  

Universal Scientific Industrial Shanghai Co. Ltd., Class A

    250,200       536,579  

Wingtech Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    174,400       3,224,870  

Wuhan Guide Infrared Co. Ltd., Class A

    359,665       1,525,055  

WUS Printed Circuit Kunshan Co. Ltd., Class A

    479,708       831,321  

Wuxi Lead Intelligent Equipment Co. Ltd., Class A

    139,796       1,613,325  

Zhejiang Dahua Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    523,200       1,864,996  
   

 

 

 
          108,447,841  
Energy Equipment & Services — 0.1%  

China Oilfield Services Ltd., Class H

    4,360,000       3,787,268  

Offshore Oil Engineering Co. Ltd., Class A

    688,198       483,041  

Yantai Jereh Oilfield Services Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    130,892       745,112  
   

 

 

 
      5,015,421  
Entertainment — 2.3%            

Alibaba Pictures Group Ltd.(a)(b)

    30,520,000       3,252,839  

Beijing Enlight Media Co. Ltd., Class A

    470,198       678,979  

Bilibili Inc., ADR(a)(b)

    357,956       28,718,810  

Giant Network Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    610,471       956,587  

HUYA Inc., ADR(a)(b)

    178,324       1,906,283  

iQIYI Inc., ADR(a)(b)

    623,916       5,652,679  

Kunlun Tech Co. Ltd., Class A

    218,061       569,010  

Mango Excellent Media Co. Ltd., Class A

    261,680       1,855,566  

NetEase Inc., ADR

    878,104       85,544,892  

Perfect World Co. Ltd., Class A

    325,600       676,388  

Tencent Music Entertainment Group, ADR(a)(b)

    1,460,600       12,911,704  

Wuhu Sanqi Interactive Entertainment Network Technology Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    348,800       921,155  

Zhejiang Century Huatong Group Co. Ltd., Class A(a)

    1,220,898       1,182,123  
   

 

 

 
      144,827,015  
Food & Staples Retailing — 0.1%  

DaShenLin Pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    130,836       923,183  

Shanghai Bailian Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    261,700       561,049  

Sun Art Retail Group Ltd.(b)

    4,360,000       2,645,116  

Yifeng Pharmacy Chain Co. Ltd., Class A

    140,798       1,130,647  

Yonghui Superstores Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,918,434       1,132,855  
   

 

 

 
      6,392,850  
Food Products — 1.9%            

Angel Yeast Co. Ltd., Class A

    130,824       812,817  

Beijing Dabeinong Technology Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    697,600       805,899  

China Feihe Ltd.(c)

    7,848,000       14,181,536  

China Huishan Dairy Holdings Co. Ltd.(a)(d)

    1,366,667       2  

China Mengniu Dairy Co. Ltd.

    6,976,000       41,958,969  

Chongqing Fuling Zhacai Group Co. Ltd., Class A(a)

    130,823       521,062  

Dali Foods Group Co. Ltd.(c)

    4,796,000       2,688,614  

Foshan Haitian Flavouring & Food Co. Ltd., Class A

    479,614       7,068,673  

Fu Jian Anjoy Foods Co. Ltd., Class A

    44,200       1,070,065  

Guangdong Haid Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    252,097       2,511,106  

Henan Shuanghui Investment & Development Co. Ltd., Class A

    443,708       1,657,881  

Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    828,425       4,371,324  
 

 

 

S C H E D U L E   O F   I N V E S T M E N T S

  35


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® MSCI China ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security  

Shares

    Value  
Food Products (continued)            

Jiangxi Zhengbang Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    566,800     $ 751,460  

Juewei Food Co. Ltd., Class A

    87,200       851,649  

Muyuan Foods Co. Ltd., Class A

    697,616       4,570,808  

New Hope Liuhe Co. Ltd., Class A(a)

    654,099       1,108,385  

Tingyi Cayman Islands Holding Corp.

    4,360,000       7,764,051  

Tongwei Co. Ltd., Class A

    610,499       5,776,764  

Uni-President China Holdings Ltd.

    3,052,000       2,884,622  

Want Want China Holdings Ltd.

    10,464,000       7,110,901  

Wens Foodstuffs Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,220,816       2,455,819  

Yihai International Holding Ltd.(b)

    1,069,000       5,783,333  

Yihai Kerry Arawana Holdings Co. Ltd., Class A

    174,400       1,827,232  
   

 

 

 
          118,532,972  
Gas Utilities — 1.3%            

Beijing Enterprises Holdings Ltd.

    1,308,000       4,501,401  

China Gas Holdings Ltd.

    6,714,400       19,435,585  

China Resources Gas Group Ltd.

    2,156,000       13,084,391  

ENN Energy Holdings Ltd.

    1,700,400       33,646,904  

Kunlun Energy Co. Ltd.

    8,720,000       9,222,623  
   

 

 

 
      79,890,904  
Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 0.6%  

Autobio Diagnostics Co. Ltd., Class A

    87,256       667,218  

Intco Medical Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    44,200       699,702  

Jafron Biomedical Co. Ltd., Class A

    130,820       993,070  

Jiangsu Yuyue Medical Equipment & Supply Co. Ltd., Class A

    193,500       981,751  

Lepu Medical Technology Beijing Co. Ltd., Class A

    261,600       1,046,632  

Microport Scientific Corp.

    1,395,200       8,654,190  

Ovctek China Inc., Class A

    122,240       1,267,852  

Shandong Weigao Group Medical Polymer Co. Ltd., Class H

    5,600,000       9,214,416  

Shenzhen Mindray Bio-Medical Electronics Co. Ltd., Class A

    174,495       8,888,408  

Venus MedTech Hangzhou Inc., Class H(a)(c)

    436,000       2,063,706  
   

 

 

 
      34,476,945  
Health Care Providers & Services — 0.5%            

Aier Eye Hospital Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    697,674       4,568,801  

Guangzhou Kingmed Diagnostics Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    77,794       1,270,949  

Huadong Medicine Co. Ltd., Class A

    261,680       1,248,662  

Jinxin Fertility Group Ltd.(b)(c)

    3,018,000       4,795,717  

Meinian Onehealth Healthcare Holdings Co. Ltd., Class A(a)

    610,481       670,478  

Ping An Healthcare and Technology Co.
Ltd.(a)(b)(c)

    1,002,800       7,411,241  

Shanghai Pharmaceuticals Holding Co. Ltd., Class A

    347,064       1,032,288  

Shanghai Pharmaceuticals Holding Co. Ltd., Class H

    1,613,200       3,200,313  

Sinopharm Group Co. Ltd., Class H

    2,964,800       7,629,927  

Topchoice Medical Corp., Class A(a)

    43,600       1,590,709  
   

 

 

 
      33,419,085  
Health Care Technology — 0.2%            

Alibaba Health Information Technology
Ltd.(a)

    8,720,000       14,393,054  

Winning Health Technology Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    390,556       859,268  
   

 

 

 
      15,252,322  
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 2.1%            

Haidilao International Holding Ltd.(b)(c)

    2,180,000       8,896,974  

Huazhu Group Ltd., ADR(a)

    388,040       18,738,452  

Jiumaojiu International Holdings Ltd.(c)

    1,744,000       5,853,379  

Shenzhen Overseas Chinese Town Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,264,438       1,319,457  

Songcheng Performance Development Co. Ltd., Class A

    436,077       1,032,116  
Security   Shares     Value  
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure (continued)  

Tongcheng-Elong Holdings Ltd.(a)

    2,267,200     $ 5,285,259  

Trip.com Group Ltd., ADR(a)(b)

    1,117,032       34,058,306  

Yum China Holdings Inc.

    916,908       56,444,856  
   

 

 

 
          131,628,799  
Household Durables — 0.6%            

Beijing Roborock Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    8,720       1,229,492  

Ecovacs Robotics Co. Ltd., Class A

    87,600       1,992,476  

Guangdong Xinbao Electrical Appliances Holdings Co. Ltd., Class A

    131,200       420,617  

Haier Smart Home Co. Ltd., Class A

    959,246       4,018,138  

Haier Smart Home Co. Ltd., Class H

    4,708,800       17,738,068  

Huizhou Desay Sv Automotive Co. Ltd., Class A

    87,700       1,199,653  

Jason Furniture Hangzhou Co. Ltd., Class A

    130,800       1,393,531  

Midea Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    479,600       4,908,104  

NavInfo Co. Ltd., Class A(a)

    523,218       900,094  

Oppein Home Group Inc., Class A

    59,920       1,433,603  

Suofeiya Home Collection Co. Ltd., Class A

    87,214       250,477  

TCL Technology Group Corp., Class A

    2,049,200       2,262,906  

Zhejiang Supor Co. Ltd., Class A

    130,896       990,088  
   

 

 

 
      38,737,247  
Household Products — 0.0%            

Vinda International Holdings Ltd.(b)

    872,000       2,570,175  
   

 

 

 
Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers — 0.9%  

CGN Power Co. Ltd., Class H(c)

    20,056,000       4,433,953  

China Longyuan Power Group Corp. Ltd., Class H

    7,480,000       15,245,347  

China National Nuclear Power Co. Ltd., Class A

    2,441,676       2,072,791  

China Power International Development Ltd.

    9,156,000       3,697,258  

China Resources Power Holdings Co. Ltd.

    4,360,000       10,713,936  

China Yangtze Power Co. Ltd., Class A

    3,052,041       9,143,353  

Huaneng Power International Inc., Class A

    977,000       839,473  

Huaneng Power International Inc., Class H

    7,848,000       3,796,223  

SDIC Power Holdings Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,002,896       1,407,632  

Shenergy Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,002,855       1,011,564  

Shenzhen Energy Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    566,880       685,636  

Sichuan Chuantou Energy Co. Ltd., Class A

    690,562       1,217,622  
   

 

 

 
      54,264,788  
Industrial Conglomerates — 0.4%            

China Baoan Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    348,800       1,513,761  

CITIC Ltd.

    12,644,000       15,709,311  

Fosun International Ltd.

    5,450,000       6,893,684  
   

 

 

 
      24,116,756  
Insurance — 3.3%            

China Life Insurance Co. Ltd., Class A

    436,080       1,949,671  

China Life Insurance Co. Ltd., Class H

    15,696,000       26,318,306  

China Pacific Insurance Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    959,247       3,910,801  

China Pacific Insurance Group Co. Ltd., Class H

    5,842,400       16,466,044  

China Taiping Insurance Holdings Co. Ltd.

    3,575,324       5,223,855  

New China Life Insurance Co. Ltd., Class A

    341,924       2,153,027  

New China Life Insurance Co. Ltd., Class H

    1,700,400       5,005,543  

People’s Insurance Co. Group of China Ltd. (The), Class H

    18,312,000       5,648,802  

PICC Property & Casualty Co. Ltd., Class H

    14,824,462       13,402,976  

Ping An Insurance Group Co. of China Ltd., Class A

    1,526,043       11,808,669  

Ping An Insurance Group Co. of China Ltd., Class H

    13,734,000       106,343,424  

ZhongAn Online P&C Insurance Co. Ltd., Class H(a)(b)(c)

    1,090,000       5,314,793  
   

 

 

 
      203,545,911  
 

 

 

36  

2 0 2 1   I S H A R E S   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® MSCI China ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Interactive Media & Services — 14.7%  

Autohome Inc., ADR

    160,884     $ 7,120,726  

Baidu Inc., ADR(a)

    605,604       95,091,940  

Hello Group Inc., ADR

    339,644       4,462,922  

JOYY Inc., ADR

    121,644       7,700,065  

Kuaishou Technology(a)(b)(c)

    566,800       6,184,494  

Tencent Holdings Ltd.

    12,600,400       778,235,739  

Weibo Corp., ADR(a)

    138,648       7,004,497  
   

 

 

 
    905,800,383  
Internet & Direct Marketing Retail — 20.3%  

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.(a)

    33,223,268       695,681,695  

Baozun Inc., ADR(a)(b)

    129,928       3,128,666  

Dada Nexus Ltd., ADR(a)(b)

    130,364       3,087,020  

HengTen Networks Group Ltd.(a)(b)

    6,976,000       3,423,413  

JD Health International Inc.(a)(b)(c)

    741,200       6,934,861  

JD.com Inc., ADR(a)

    1,900,960       149,339,418  

Meituan, Class B(a)(c)

    8,807,200       281,606,335  

Pinduoduo Inc., ADR(a)

    958,764       95,895,575  

Vipshop Holdings Ltd., ADR(a)

    992,336       14,676,649  
   

 

 

 
        1,253,773,632  
IT Services — 0.6%  

21Vianet Group Inc., ADR(a)(b)

    203,176       4,020,853  

Beijing Sinnet Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    436,096       945,553  

China TransInfo Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    436,047       1,038,067  

Chinasoft International Ltd.

    5,232,000       8,866,371  

Chindata Group Holdings Ltd., ADR(a)(b)

    190,096       2,258,341  

DHC Software Co. Ltd., Class A

    784,828       930,248  

GDS Holdings Ltd., ADR(a)

    192,712       11,269,798  

Kingsoft Cloud Holdings Ltd., ADR(a)(b)

    122,080       3,929,755  

TravelSky Technology Ltd., Class H

    2,251,000       4,216,665  
   

 

 

 
    37,475,651  
Life Sciences Tools & Services — 2.8%  

Genscript Biotech Corp.(a)

    2,666,000       12,674,817  

Hangzhou Tigermed Consulting Co. Ltd., Class A

    43,637       907,944  

Hangzhou Tigermed Consulting Co. Ltd., Class H(c)

    281,500       4,994,575  

Pharmaron Beijing Co. Ltd., Class A

    87,700       2,619,159  

Pharmaron Beijing Co. Ltd., Class H(c)

    305,200       6,771,531  

WuXi AppTec Co. Ltd., Class A

    366,564       7,553,101  

WuXi AppTec Co. Ltd., Class H(c)

    697,681       13,913,882  

Wuxi Biologics Cayman Inc., New(a)(c)

    7,848,000       121,502,365  
   

 

 

 
    170,937,374  
Machinery — 0.9%  

China CSSC Holdings Ltd., Class A

    697,600       2,582,373  

CRRC Corp. Ltd., Class A

    3,270,000       3,419,946  

Haitian International Holdings Ltd.

    1,308,000       5,011,720  

Hefei Meiya Optoelectronic Technology Inc., Class A

    129,023       858,596  

Jiangsu Hengli Hydraulic Co. Ltd., Class A

    192,204       2,831,594  

Sany Heavy Equipment International Holdings Co. Ltd.

    2,616,000       3,361,656  

Sany Heavy Industry Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,133,609       4,606,620  

Shenzhen Inovance Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    348,830       3,842,901  

Sinotruk Hong Kong Ltd.

    1,526,000       3,006,623  

Weichai Power Co. Ltd., Class A

    872,068       2,712,166  

Weichai Power Co. Ltd., Class H

    4,360,000       11,001,800  

Wuxi Shangji Automation Co. Ltd., Class A

    44,200       2,203,345  

XCMG Construction Machinery Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,360,399       1,372,300  

Yutong Bus Co. Ltd., Class A

    479,699       914,816  

Zhejiang Dingli Machinery Co. Ltd., Class A

    104,605       1,138,674  

Zhejiang Sanhua Intelligent Controls Co. Ltd., Class A

    566,887       2,218,007  

Zoomlion Heavy Industry Science and Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,046,416       1,278,586  
Security   Shares     Value  
Machinery (continued)  

Zoomlion Heavy Industry Science and Technology Co. Ltd., Class H

    2,877,600     $ 2,742,030  
   

 

 

 
    55,103,753  
Marine — 0.3%  

COSCO SHIPPING Holdings Co. Ltd.,
Class A(a)

    1,700,400       5,459,529  

COSCO SHIPPING Holdings Co. Ltd.,
Class H(a)(b)

    7,194,100       13,578,045  
   

 

 

 
    19,037,574  
Media — 0.2%  

China Literature Ltd.(a)(b)(c)

    872,000       7,334,748  

Focus Media Information Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    2,049,238       2,285,392  
   

 

 

 
    9,620,140  
Metals & Mining — 1.7%  

Aluminum Corp. of China Ltd., Class A(a)

    2,049,200       2,477,474  

Aluminum Corp. of China Ltd., Class H(a)

    8,720,000       6,327,647  

Baoshan Iron & Steel Co. Ltd., Class A

    3,139,277       4,955,210  

China Hongqiao Group Ltd.

    5,014,000       7,436,871  

China Molybdenum Co. Ltd., Class A

    2,746,800       3,325,406  

China Molybdenum Co. Ltd., Class H

    6,540,000       5,102,289  

China Northern Rare Earth Group High-Tech Co. Ltd., Class A

    479,600       4,308,255  

Ganfeng Lithium Co. Ltd., Class A

    130,895       4,466,938  

Ganfeng Lithium Co. Ltd., Class H(c)

    610,400       14,063,379  

GEM Co. Ltd., Class A

    784,800       1,635,317  

Hunan Valin Steel Co. Ltd., Class A

    957,500       1,156,518  

Inner Mongolia BaoTou Steel Union Co. Ltd., Class A(a)

    6,409,292       3,734,275  

Jiangsu Shagang Co. Ltd., Class A

    395,100       443,826  

Jiangxi Copper Co. Ltd., Class H

    2,616,000       5,293,291  

MMG Ltd.(a)

    6,976,000       3,359,931  

Shandong Gold Mining Co. Ltd., Class A

    392,491       1,096,243  

Shandong Gold Mining Co. Ltd., Class H(b)(c)

    1,853,000       2,994,317  

Shandong Nanshan Aluminum Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,914,500       1,711,290  

Shanxi Taigang Stainless Steel Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,002,800       1,567,082  

Tongling Nonferrous Metals Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    2,528,800       1,660,645  

Yunnan Aluminium Co. Ltd., Class A(a)

    479,000       1,303,194  

Zhaojin Mining Industry Co. Ltd., Class H

    2,834,000       2,314,805  

Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt Co. Ltd., Class A

    164,998       3,588,649  

Zijin Mining Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    2,964,800       5,110,557  

Zijin Mining Group Co. Ltd., Class H

    12,208,000       17,274,035  
   

 

 

 
        106,707,444  
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 1.3%  

China Merchants Energy Shipping Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,308,115       879,465  

China Petroleum & Chemical Corp., Class A

    4,229,488       2,787,575  

China Petroleum & Chemical Corp., Class H

    52,321,000       25,173,589  

China Shenhua Energy Co. Ltd., Class A

    784,805       2,431,203  

China Shenhua Energy Co. Ltd., Class H

    7,412,000       16,390,215  

PetroChina Co. Ltd., Class A

    2,790,490       2,133,253  

PetroChina Co. Ltd., Class H

    46,216,000       20,188,069  

Shaanxi Coal Industry Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,526,088       3,238,651  

Shanxi Lu’an Environmental Energy Development Co. Ltd., Class A

    479,600       1,179,557  

Shanxi Meijin Energy Co. Ltd., Class A(a)

    654,000       1,407,380  

Yanzhou Coal Mining Co. Ltd., Class A

    348,803       1,375,222  

Yanzhou Coal Mining Co. Ltd., Class H

    3,488,000       6,080,030  
   

 

 

 
    83,264,209  
Paper & Forest Products — 0.1%  

Lee & Man Paper Manufacturing Ltd.

    3,052,000       2,678,597  

Nine Dragons Paper Holdings Ltd.

    3,488,000       4,765,023  
   

 

 

 
    7,443,620  
 

 

 

S C H E D U L E   O F   I N V E S T M E N T S

  37


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® MSCI China ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Personal Products — 0.1%  

By-Health Co. Ltd., Class A

    261,600     $ 1,019,169  

Hengan International Group Co. Ltd.(b)

    1,308,000       7,574,740  

Shanghai Jahwa United Co. Ltd., Class A

    87,200       643,754  
   

 

 

 
    9,237,663  
Pharmaceuticals — 1.9%  

Asymchem Laboratories Tianjin Co. Ltd., Class A

    37,300       2,024,281  

Betta Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd., Class A

    77,798       887,896  

CanSino Biologics Inc., Class H(a)(b)(c)

    174,400       6,892,119  

Changchun High & New Technology Industry Group Inc., Class A

    68,396       2,705,140  

China Medical System Holdings Ltd.

    3,052,000       5,990,343  

China Resources Pharmaceutical Group Ltd.(c)

    3,488,000       1,813,963  

China Resources Sanjiu Medical & Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Class A

    261,694       1,132,414  

China Traditional Chinese Medicine Holdings Co. Ltd.(a)

    6,104,000       2,905,337  

CSPC Pharmaceutical Group Ltd.

    20,056,400       25,443,582  

Dong-E-E-Jiao Co. Ltd., Class A

    131,188       698,797  

Guangzhou Baiyunshan Pharmaceutical Holdings Co. Ltd., Class A

    348,895       1,592,346  

Hansoh Pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd.(c)

    2,616,000       7,132,613  

Humanwell Healthcare Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    174,700       585,216  

Hutchmed China Ltd., ADR(a)

    187,044       7,549,096  

Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine Co. Ltd., Class A

    828,490       5,805,574  

Joincare Pharmaceutical Group Industry Co. Ltd., Class A

    385,362       659,241  

Nanjing King-Friend Biochemical Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Class A

    170,574       760,224  

Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    261,684       2,565,683  

Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd., Class H

    1,090,000       6,992,486  

Shenzhen Salubris Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd., Class A(a)

    174,400       684,417  

Shijiazhuang Yiling Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Class A

    244,640       647,728  

Sichuan Kelun Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Class A

    261,665       737,762  

Sino Biopharmaceutical Ltd.

    22,672,000       18,962,327  

SSY Group Ltd.

    2,616,000       1,623,172  

Yunnan Baiyao Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    174,432       2,397,038  

Zhangzhou Pientzehuang Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Class A

    87,309       4,697,081  

Zhejiang Huahai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Class A

    218,046       540,950  

Zhejiang NHU Co. Ltd., Class A

    436,095       1,944,790  

Zhejiang Wolwo Bio-Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Class A

    81,506       647,200  
   

 

 

 
        117,018,816  
Professional Services — 0.1%  

51job Inc., ADR(a)(b)

    65,836       5,056,205  
   

 

 

 
Real Estate Management & Development — 4.2%  

Agile Group Holdings Ltd.

    2,616,000       2,999,996  

A-Living Smart City Services Co. Ltd.(c)

    1,199,000       4,765,239  

China Aoyuan Group Ltd.

    2,616,000       1,564,035  

China Evergrande Group(b)

    4,360,000       2,446,675  

China Fortune Land Development Co. Ltd., Class A(a)

    784,895       460,814  

China Jinmao Holdings Group Ltd.

    13,080,000       4,252,342  

China Merchants Shekou Industrial Zone Holdings Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,395,233       2,150,923  

China Overseas Land & Investment Ltd.

    8,284,000       19,083,740  

China Overseas Property Holdings Ltd.

    2,180,000       1,859,160  

China Resources Land Ltd.

    7,136,665       26,507,851  
Security   Shares     Value  
Real Estate Management & Development (continued)  

China Resources Mixc Lifestyle Services
Ltd.(c)

    1,133,600     $ 5,949,281  

China Vanke Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,438,809       4,412,245  

China Vanke Co. Ltd., Class H

    3,575,231       9,646,532  

CIFI Ever Sunshine Services Group Ltd.

    1,442,000       2,978,805  

CIFI Holdings Group Co. Ltd.

    6,976,000       4,689,421  

Country Garden Holdings Co. Ltd.(b)

    16,568,727       18,313,409  

Country Garden Services Holdings Co. Ltd.

    3,191,000       24,349,596  

Financial Street Holdings Co. Ltd., Class A

    697,659       700,211  

Gemdale Corp., Class A

    742,297       1,198,303  

Greenland Holdings Corp. Ltd., Class A

    1,419,525       978,165  

Greentown China Holdings Ltd.(b)

    1,962,000       3,009,628  

Greentown Service Group Co. Ltd.

    3,488,000       3,731,321  

Guangzhou R&F Properties Co. Ltd., Class H

    3,488,000       2,973,905  

Hopson Development Holdings Ltd.

    1,395,200       5,435,530  

Jinke Properties Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    916,881       681,087  

Kaisa Group Holdings Ltd.

    6,540,000       2,176,920  

KE Holdings Inc., ADR(a)(b)

    784,800       14,197,032  

KWG Group Holdings Ltd.

    2,834,000       2,983,618  

Logan Group Co. Ltd.

    3,052,000       3,637,867  

Longfor Group Holdings Ltd.(c)

    3,924,000       16,980,387  

Poly Developments and Holdings Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,700,475       2,999,199  

Poly Property Services Co. Ltd., Class H(b)

    261,600       1,599,133  

Powerlong Real Estate Holdings Ltd.

    3,052,000       2,479,417  

RiseSun Real Estate Development Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,351,630       993,983  

Seazen Group Ltd.(b)

    4,360,000       3,861,588  

Seazen Holdings Co. Ltd., Class A

    305,264       1,590,862  

Shanghai Lujiazui Finance & Trade Zone Development Co. Ltd., Class B

    2,877,694       2,585,585  

Shanghai Zhangjiang High-Tech Park Development Co. Ltd., Class A

    436,009       1,165,732  

Shenzhen Investment Ltd.

    6,976,000       2,070,631  

Shimao Group Holdings Ltd.

    2,616,000       5,405,489  

Shimao Services Holdings Ltd.(c)

    1,308,000       3,064,728  

Sunac China Holdings Ltd.

    5,668,000       14,492,036  

Sunac Services Holdings Ltd.(a)(c)

    1,744,000       4,543,467  

Wharf Holdings Ltd. (The)

    3,052,000       10,300,708  

Yuexiu Property Co. Ltd.

    2,957,600       2,772,424  

Zhenro Properties Group Ltd.

    3,488,000       2,036,081  

Zhongtian Financial Group Co. Ltd.,
Class A(a)

    1,526,091       578,759  
   

 

 

 
        257,653,860  
Road & Rail — 0.2%  

Beijing-Shanghai High Speed Railway Co. Ltd., Class A

    5,711,600       4,203,691  

DiDi Global Inc.(a)(b)

    656,616       5,397,383  
   

 

 

 
    9,601,074  
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 1.6%  

Advanced Micro-Fabrication Equipment Inc., Class A(a)

    79,788       2,037,953  

Daqo New Energy Corp., ADR(a)(b)

    124,696       7,645,112  

Flat Glass Group Co. Ltd., Class H

    872,000       5,096,734  

GCL System Integration Technology Co. Ltd., Class A(a)

    959,245       810,016  

Gigadevice Semiconductor Beijing Inc., Class A

    97,287       2,308,199  

Hangzhou First Applied Material Co. Ltd., Class A

    131,200       3,089,518  

Hangzhou Silan Microelectronics Co. Ltd., Class A

    174,400       1,482,065  

Hua Hong Semiconductor Ltd.(a)(b)(c)

    1,153,000       6,785,715  

Ingenic Semiconductor Co. Ltd., Class A

    87,600       1,933,844  

JA Solar Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    177,350       2,138,869  

JCET Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    261,700       1,384,292  
 

 

 

38  

2 0 2 1   I S H A R E S   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® MSCI China ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

 

 
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment (continued)  

LONGi Green Energy Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    697,625     $ 9,680,268  

National Silicon Industry Group Co. Ltd., Class A(a)

    256,368       1,191,264  

NAURA Technology Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    66,000       3,637,694  

Sanan Optoelectronics Co. Ltd., Class A

    610,460       3,436,882  

SG Micro Corp., Class A

    43,400       2,149,613  

Shenzhen Goodix Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    87,200       1,408,184  

Shenzhen SC New Energy Technology Corp., Class A

    43,600       1,391,555  

Tianjin Zhonghuan Semiconductor Co. Ltd., Class A

    392,498       3,281,643  

Tianshui Huatian Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    479,629       947,061  

TongFu Microelectronics Co. Ltd., Class A

    257,296       820,841  

Unigroup Guoxin Microelectronics Co. Ltd., Class A

    80,000       2,772,347  

Will Semiconductor Co. Ltd. Shanghai, Class A

    130,800       4,908,953  

Xinyi Solar Holdings Ltd.

    10,464,000       25,324,831  

Zhejiang Jingsheng Mechanical & Electrical Co. Ltd., Class A

    174,428       2,098,666  
   

 

 

 
      97,762,119  
Software — 1.0%            

360 Security Technology Inc., Class A(a)

    1,046,400       1,929,584  

Agora Inc., ADR(a)(b)

    108,128       3,667,702  

Beijing E-Hualu Information Technology Co. Ltd., Class A(a)

    146,920       776,923  

Beijing Kingsoft Office Software Inc., Class A

    50,140       1,938,307  

Beijing Shiji Information Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    183,404       485,258  

China National Software & Service Co. Ltd., Class A

    87,200       657,447  

China Youzan Ltd.(a)

    31,392,000       4,394,682  

Hundsun Technologies Inc., Class A

    216,674       1,665,438  

Iflytek Co. Ltd., Class A

    299,359       2,428,737  

Kingdee International Software Group Co. Ltd.(a)

    5,668,000       20,639,306  

Kingsoft Corp. Ltd.

    2,092,800       8,395,026  

Ming Yuan Cloud Group Holdings Ltd.

    872,000       3,029,995  

OneConnect Financial Technology Co.
Ltd.(a)(b)

    297,352       1,397,554  

Sangfor Technologies Inc., Class A

    55,000       2,326,152  

Shanghai Baosight Software Co. Ltd., Class A

    170,580       1,857,341  

Thunder Software Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    44,200       812,199  

Weimob Inc.(a)(b)(c)

    3,924,000       5,752,100  

Yonyou Network Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    479,612       2,492,236  
   

 

 

 
      64,645,987  
Specialty Retail — 0.6%            

China Meidong Auto Holdings Ltd.

    1,246,000       6,249,736  

China Tourism Group Duty Free Corp. Ltd., Class A

    261,689       9,266,880  

GOME Retail Holdings Ltd.(a)(b)

    26,596,000       2,873,703  

Suning.com Co. Ltd., Class A(a)

    1,874,871       1,533,815  

Topsports International Holdings Ltd.(c)

    3,488,000       4,598,997  

Zhongsheng Group Holdings Ltd.

    1,308,000       10,936,184  
   

 

 

 
      35,459,315  
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals — 2.0%  

China Greatwall Technology Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    436,000       992,173  

GRG Banking Equipment Co. Ltd., Class A

    436,000       719,575  

Inspur Electronic Information Industry Co. Ltd., Class A

    232,280       1,078,992  

Lenovo Group Ltd.

    15,696,000       17,313,196  

Ninestar Corp., Class A

    261,626       1,428,384  

Shenzhen Kaifa Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    257,104       635,492  

Xiaomi Corp., Class B(a)(c)

    31,392,000           101,189,347  
   

 

 

 
      123,357,159  
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods — 2.6%  

ANTA Sports Products Ltd.

    2,399,000       49,277,526  

Bosideng International Holdings Ltd.

    6,976,000       5,694,934  

Li Ning Co. Ltd.

    5,014,000       67,236,590  
Security   Shares     Value  

 

 
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods (continued)  

Shenzhou International Group Holdings Ltd.

    1,831,200     $ 39,693,312  
   

 

 

 
      161,902,362  
Tobacco — 0.4%            

RLX Technology Inc., ADR(a)(b)

    1,277,916       6,568,488  

Smoore International Holdings Ltd.(c)

    3,924,000       21,060,851  
   

 

 

 
      27,629,339  
Trading Companies & Distributors — 0.1%  

Beijing United Information Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    44,200       745,252  

BOC Aviation Ltd.(c)

    479,600       3,595,420  
   

 

 

 
      4,340,672  
Transportation Infrastructure — 0.4%            

Beijing Capital International Airport Co. Ltd., Class H(a)

    4,360,000       2,624,742  

China Merchants Port Holdings Co. Ltd.

    3,488,000       5,867,951  

COSCO SHIPPING Ports Ltd.

    4,360,000       3,625,766  

Jiangsu Expressway Co. Ltd., Class H

    2,616,000       2,714,401  

Shanghai International Airport Co. Ltd., Class A(a)

    174,699       1,170,938  

Shanghai International Port Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    2,180,077       1,887,808  

Shenzhen International Holdings Ltd.

    2,616,000       3,413,743  

Zhejiang Expressway Co. Ltd., Class H

    2,616,000       2,293,955  
   

 

 

 
      23,599,304  
Water Utilities — 0.2%            

Beijing Enterprises Water Group Ltd.(b)

    10,464,000       4,315,727  

Guangdong Investment Ltd.

    6,104,000       8,477,104  
   

 

 

 
      12,792,831  
Wireless Telecommunication Services — 0.0%  

China United Network Communications Ltd., Class A

    3,400,800       2,207,816  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 99.7%
(Cost: $5,124,490,207)

 

    6,163,100,114  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Investments

 

Money Market Funds — 2.5%  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares, 0.06%(e)(f)(g)

    148,005,488       148,079,490  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares, 0.00%(e)(f)

    6,820,000       6,820,000  
   

 

 

 
      154,899,490  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments — 2.5%
(Cost: $154,792,562)

 

    154,899,490  

Total Investments in Securities — 102.2%
(Cost: $5,279,282,769)

 

    6,317,999,604  

Other Assets, Less Liabilities — (2.2)%

 

    (135,530,588
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

    $  6,182,469,016  
   

 

 

 

 

(a)

Non-income producing security.

(b)

All or a portion of this security is on loan.

(c)

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.

(d)

Security is valued using significant unobservable inputs and is classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

(e)

Affiliate of the Fund.

(f)

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

(g)

All or a portion of this security was purchased with the cash collateral from loaned securities.

 

 

 

S C H E D U L E   O F   I N V E S T M E N T S

  39


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® MSCI China ETF

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the year ended August 31, 2021 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

 

 

    
       Affiliated Issuer   Value at
08/31/20
     Purchases
at Cost
    Proceeds
from Sales
    Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
     Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
    Value at
08/31/21
    

Shares

Held at

08/31/21

     Income    

Capital

Gain
Distributions

from

Underlying

Funds

    

    

 
 

 

    
 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares

  $ 249,675,557      $     $ (101,489,583 )(a)    $ 8,629      $ (115,113   $ 148,079,490        148,005,488      $ 1,640,280 (b)    $     
 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

    2,710,000        4,110,000 (a)                         6,820,000        6,820,000        2,097           
          

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

    
           $ 8,629      $ (115,113   $ 154,899,490         $ 1,642,377     $     
          

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

  (a)

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 
  (b)

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

Futures Contracts

 

 

 
Description    Number of
Contracts
     Expiration
Date
     Notional
Amount
(000)
     Value/
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

 

 

Long Contracts

           

MSCI China Index

     297        09/17/21      $ 15,245      $ (1,635,087
           

 

 

 

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:

 

 

 
    Equity
Contracts
 

 

 

Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instruments

 

Futures contracts

 

Unrealized depreciation on futures contracts(a)

  $ 1,635,087  
 

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Net cumulative 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 August 31, 2021, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

 

 
    Equity
Contracts
 

 

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from:

 

Futures contracts

  $ (4,765,750
 

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:

 

Futures contracts

  $ (1,328,396
 

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

   

Futures contracts:

 

Average notional value of contracts — long

  $ 12,618,877  

For more information about the Fund’s investment risks regarding derivative financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.

 

 

40  

2 0 2 1   I S H A R E S   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® MSCI China ETF

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments. 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.

 

 

 
    Level 1      Level 2     Level 3      Total  

 

 

Investments

         

Assets

         

Common Stocks

  $ 1,079,635,023      $ 5,081,458,519     $ 2,006,572      $ 6,163,100,114  

Money Market Funds

    154,899,490                     154,899,490  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
  $ 1,234,534,513      $ 5,081,458,519     $     2,006,572      $ 6,317,999,604  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Derivative financial instruments(a)

         

Liabilities

         

Futures Contracts

  $      $ (1,635,087   $      $ (1,635,087
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Derivative financial instruments are futures contracts. Futures contracts are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

S C H E D U L E   O F   I N V E S T M E N T S

  41


Schedule of Investments  

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® MSCI China Small-Cap ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

 

 

Common Stocks

 

Aerospace & Defense — 0.6%  

EHang Holdings Ltd., ADR(a)(b)

    18,381     $ 499,963  
   

 

 

 
Air Freight & Logistics — 0.2%  

BEST Inc., ADR(a)(b)

    160,652       208,848  
   

 

 

 
Auto Components — 2.4%  

Chaowei Power Holdings Ltd.

    396,000       122,681  

Nexteer Automotive Group Ltd.

    726,000       817,613  

Prinx Chengshan Holdings Ltd.

    138,000       136,803  

Tianneng Power International Ltd.(b)

    542,000       725,387  

Wuling Motors Holdings Ltd.(b)

    990,000       192,501  

Xingda International Holdings Ltd.

    778,000       175,722  
   

 

 

 
      2,170,707  
Automobiles — 0.9%  

Niu Technologies, ADR(a)(b)

    24,783       666,415  

Qingling Motors Co. Ltd., Class H

    560,000       144,387  
   

 

 

 
      810,802  
Beverages — 0.3%  

China Foods Ltd.

    700,000       235,426  

China Huiyuan Juice Group Ltd.(c)

    81,000       0 (d) 
   

 

 

 
      235,426  
Biotechnology — 4.1%  

Alphamab Oncology(a)(e)

    297,000       764,662  

Ascentage Pharma Group
International(a)(b)(e)

    115,500       574,138  

Ascletis Pharma Inc.(a)(e)

    280,000       101,607  

Beyondspring Inc.(a)

    17,630       551,995  

CStone Pharmaceuticals(a)(e)

    381,500       643,985  

Essex Bio-Technology Ltd.

    245,000       206,964  

Genetron Holdings Ltd., ADR(a)(b)

    14,625       194,366  

Immunotech Biopharm Ltd.(a)(b)

    77,000       156,170  

JHBP CY Holdings Ltd.(a)(e)

    115,500       162,226  

JW Cayman Therapeutics Co. Ltd.(a)(b)(e)

    132,000       280,301  
   

 

 

 
      3,636,414  
Building Products — 0.5%  

China Fangda Group Co. Ltd., Class B(a)

    244,650       88,392  

Luoyang Glass Co. Ltd., Class H(a)

    198,000       352,893  
   

 

 

 
      441,285  
Capital Markets — 0.7%  

BC Technology Group Ltd.(a)

    148,500       284,636  

China Renaissance Holdings Ltd.(e)

    132,700       334,205  
   

 

 

 
      618,841  
Chemicals — 5.9%  

China BlueChemical Ltd., Class H

    1,452,000       449,929  

China Longevity Group Co. Ltd.(a)(c)

    96,000       0 (d) 

China Lumena New Materials Corp.(a)(b)(c)

    21,700       0 (d) 

China Sanjiang Fine Chemicals Co. Ltd.

    594,000       237,128  

China XLX Fertiliser Ltd.

    350,000       260,111  

Dongyue Group Ltd.(b)

    960,000       3,302,216  

Fufeng Group Ltd.

    1,224,600       466,786  

Shanghai Chlor-Alkali Chemical Co. Ltd., Class B

    327,293       211,278  

Sinofert Holdings Ltd.(b)

        1,706,000       348,000  
   

 

 

 
          5,275,448  
Commercial Services & Supplies — 0.6%  

Beijing Enterprises Urban Resources Group Ltd.(a)

    1,672,000       171,624  

Binjiang Service Group Co. Ltd.

    66,000       190,031  

CT Environmental Group Ltd.(a)(c)

    600,000       13,115  

 

Security   Shares     Value  

 

 
Commercial Services & Supplies (continued)  

Dynagreen Environmental Protection Group Co. Ltd., Class H

    313,000     $ 148,990  
   

 

 

 
      523,760  
Communications Equipment — 0.1%  

Eastern Communications Co. Ltd., Class B

    240,900       112,258  
   

 

 

 
Construction & Engineering — 1.4%  

Changsha Broad Homes Industrial Group Co Ltd., Class H(a)(b)(e)

    83,400       123,181  

Greentown Management Holdings Co. Ltd.(e)

    397,000       192,175  

Hebei Construction Group Corp. Ltd., Class H

    375,500       114,782  

ReneSola Ltd., ADR(a)(b)

    31,383       219,681  

Sinopec Engineering Group Co. Ltd., Class H

    1,188,000       629,479  
   

 

 

 
          1,279,298  
Construction Materials — 0.6%  

Asia Cement China Holdings Corp.

    378,500       278,970  

West China Cement Ltd.

    1,794,000       286,096  
   

 

 

 
      565,066  
Consumer Finance — 2.7%  

Differ Group Holding Co. Ltd.(b)

        2,376,000       821,791  

FinVolution Group, ADR

    89,039       542,247  

LexinFintech Holdings Ltd., ADR(a)(b)

    82,673       575,404  

Qudian Inc., ADR(a)

    147,708       251,104  

Yixin Group Ltd.(a)(e)

    1,058,500       214,857  
   

 

 

 
      2,405,403  
Containers & Packaging — 0.5%  

CPMC Holdings Ltd.

    331,000       197,951  

Greatview Aseptic Packaging Co. Ltd.

    642,000       264,148  
   

 

 

 
      462,099  
Distributors — 0.6%  

China Tobacco International HK Co. Ltd.(b)

    170,000       338,817  

Xinhua Winshare Publishing and Media Co. Ltd., Class H

    330,000       231,666  
   

 

 

 
      570,483  
Diversified Consumer Services — 3.7%  

17 Education & Technology Group Inc., ADR(a)

    62,766       69,043  

China Kepei Education Group Ltd.(b)

    330,000       195,604  

China Maple Leaf Educational Systems Ltd.(a)

    1,214,000       244,797  

China New Higher Education Group Ltd.(e)

    708,000       380,826  

China Online Education Group, ADR(a)

    5,425       17,089  

China Xinhua Education Group Ltd.(e)

    385,000       87,619  

Edvantage Group Holdings Ltd.

    264,000       187,769  

Fu Shou Yuan International Group Ltd.

    964,000       869,548  

Hope Education Group Co. Ltd.(e)

    2,322,000       394,729  

JH Educational Technology Inc.(b)

    396,000       110,998  

Koolearn Technology Holding Ltd.(a)(b)(e)

    297,000       165,116  

Minsheng Education Group Co. Ltd.(e)

    832,000       130,126  

OneSmart International Education Group Ltd., ADR(a)(b)

    52,440       27,924  

Scholar Education Group

    117,000       30,731  

Tianli Education International Holdings Ltd.

    965,000       249,394  

Wisdom Education International Holdings Co. Ltd.

    660,000       132,535  
   

 

 

 
      3,293,848  
Diversified Financial Services — 0.9%  

CSSC Hong Kong Shipping Co. Ltd.

    990,000       166,775  

Haitong UniTrust International Leasing Co. Ltd., Class H(e)

    1,154,000       181,021  

National Agricultural Holdings Ltd.(b)(c)

    108,900       140  

Sheng Ye Capital Ltd.

    350,000       445,068  
   

 

 

 
      793,004  
 

 

 

42  

2 0 2 1   I S H A R E S   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® MSCI China Small-Cap ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

 

 
Electrical Equipment — 1.0%  

China Fiber Optic Network System Group Ltd.(c)

    181,600     $ 0 (d) 

China High Speed Transmission Equipment Group Co. Ltd.(a)(b)

    330,000       238,705  

Hangzhou Steam Turbine Co. Ltd., Class B

    224,423       466,884  

Harbin Electric Co. Ltd., Class H

    552,000       181,547  

Trony Solar Holdings Co. Ltd.(c)

    216,000       0 (d) 
   

 

 

 
      887,136  
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components — 1.8%  

Anxin-China Holdings Ltd.(c)

    672,000       1  

FIH Mobile Ltd.(a)(b)

    2,656,000       395,889  

MH Development Ltd.(a)(c)

    112,000       9,188  

PAX Global Technology Ltd.

    640,000       791,257  

Tongda Group Holdings Ltd.(a)

    3,150,000       101,265  

Zepp Health Corp., ADR(a)(b)

    24,718       268,932  
   

 

 

 
          1,566,532  
Entertainment — 3.4%  

BAIOO Family Interactive Ltd.(e)

    924,000       99,459  

Cathay Media And Education Group Inc.(e)

    346,000       138,718  

CMGE Technology Group Ltd.

    792,000       355,414  

DouYu International Holdings Ltd., ADR(a)

    119,658       512,136  

FriendTimes Inc.

    528,000       96,356  

Homeland Interactive Technology Ltd.(a)(b)

    346,000       112,554  

iDreamSky Technology Holdings Ltd.(a)(e)

    411,600       249,603  

IMAX China Holding Inc.(e)

    100,200       145,840  

NetDragon Websoft Holdings Ltd.

    214,500       479,582  

Untrade SMI Holdings(c)

    267,200       0 (d) 

XD Inc.(a)(b)

    157,000       833,392  
   

 

 

 
      3,023,054  
Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) — 1.0%  

China Merchants Commercial Real Estate Investment Trust

    500,000       190,937  

Yuexiu REIT

    1,360,000       711,489  
   

 

 

 
      902,426  
Food & Staples Retailing — 0.1%  

111 Inc.(a)(b)

    21,207       130,423  
   

 

 

 
Food Products — 2.0%            

China Modern Dairy Holdings
Ltd.(b)

    2,343,000       469,361  

COFCO Joycome Foods Ltd.

    1,932,000       571,209  

Zhou Hei Ya International Holdings Co. Ltd.(e)

    681,500       701,439  
   

 

 

 
      1,742,009  
Gas Utilities — 1.0%  

Beijing Gas Blue Sky Holdings Ltd.(a)(c)

    3,264,000       34,506  

China Tian Lun Gas
Holdings Ltd.(b)

    250,000       256,270  

Towngas China Co. Ltd.

    862,000       627,299  
   

 

 

 
      918,075  
Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 3.6%  

AK Medical Holdings Ltd.(e)

    396,000       407,100  

Beijing Chunlizhengda Medical Instruments Co. Ltd.,
Class H(a)(b)

    69,600       175,193  

China Isotope & Radiation Corp.(b)

    42,000       130,679  

Kangji Medical Holdings Ltd.

    247,500       346,629  

Lifetech Scientific Corp.(a)

        3,036,000       1,640,868  

Peijia Medical Ltd.(a)(e)

    132,000       387,758  

Shanghai Kindly Medical Instruments Co. Ltd., Class H

    21,400       74,341  

Untrade Hosa International Ltd.(c)

    220,000       0 (d) 
   

 

 

 
      3,162,568  
Security   Shares     Value  

 

 
Health Care Providers & Services — 1.7%  

China Resources Medical Holdings Co. Ltd.

    698,500     $ 615,492  

Genertec Universal Medical Group Co. Ltd.(e)

    780,000       634,585  

IVD Medical Holding Ltd.

    630,000       247,947  
   

 

 

 
      1,498,024  
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 1.7%  

BIT Mining Ltd., SP ADR(a)(b)

    32,337       305,585  

CA Cultural Technology Group Ltd.(a)(b)

    482,000       170,071  

China Travel International Investment Hong Kong Ltd.(a)

    1,794,000       250,984  

GreenTree Hospitality Group Ltd., ADR(a)(b)

    11,076       101,124  

Huangshan Tourism Development Co. Ltd., Class B(a)

    185,400       129,557  

Shanghai Jin Jiang Capital Co. Ltd., Class H

    1,096,000       215,281  

Xiabuxiabu Catering Management China Holdings Co. Ltd.(e)

    353,000       311,912  
   

 

 

 
      1,484,514  
Household Durables — 1.7%            

Konka Group Co. Ltd., Class B

    408,000       128,875  

Q Technology Group Co. Ltd.

    342,000       600,416  

Skyworth Group Ltd.(a)

    1,210,000       378,019  

TCL Electronics Holdings Ltd.

    693,000       367,120  
   

 

 

 
      1,474,430  
Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers — 3.2%  

Beijing Energy International Holding Co. Ltd.(a)

    5,478,000       193,695  

Beijing Jingneng Clean Energy Co. Ltd., Class H

    1,152,000       296,211  

Canvest Environmental Protection Group Co. Ltd.

    401,000       222,736  

CGN New Energy Holdings Co. Ltd.

    1,062,000       641,445  

China Datang Corp. Renewable Power Co. Ltd., Class H

    1,856,000       539,359  

China Everbright Greentech Ltd.(e)

    535,000       183,473  

Concord New Energy Group Ltd.

    4,620,000       462,351  

GCL New Energy Holdings Ltd.(a)

    6,864,000       308,425  
   

 

 

 
          2,847,695  
Industrial Conglomerates — 0.6%  

Shanghai Industrial Holdings Ltd.

    367,000       570,297  
   

 

 

 
Insurance — 0.5%            

Fanhua Inc., ADR

    33,099       473,978  
   

 

 

 
Interactive Media & Services — 1.9%  

Inke Ltd.(a)

    924,000       213,988  

Meitu Inc.(a)(e)

        1,782,000       426,022  

Qutoutiao Inc., ADR(a)(b)

    70,632       98,885  

Sohu.com Ltd., ADR(a)(b)

    24,156       565,250  

So-Young International Inc., ADR(a)(b)

    18,946       110,834  

Tongdao Liepin Group(a)

    149,000       263,997  
   

 

 

 
      1,678,976  
Internet & Direct Marketing Retail — 0.6%  

Cango Inc./KY, ADR(b)

    22,341       98,300  

Maoyan Entertainment(a)(b)(e)

    326,600       430,276  
   

 

 

 
      528,576  
IT Services — 0.8%  

Digital China Holdings Ltd.

    603,000       376,053  

Hi Sun Technology China Ltd.(a)

    1,500,000       253,562  

INESA Intelligent Tech Inc., Class B

    247,500       112,674  
   

 

 

 
      742,289  
Life Sciences Tools & Services — 0.6%  

Viva Biotech Holdings(e)

    561,000       489,016  
   

 

 

 
Machinery — 2.8%            

China Yuchai International Ltd.

    11,583       165,058  

CIMC Enric Holdings Ltd.

    590,000       866,707  
 

 

 

S C H E D U L E   O F   I N V E S T M E N T S

  43


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® MSCI China Small-Cap ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

 

 
Machinery (continued)  

CIMC Vehicles Group Co. Ltd., Class H(a)(e)

    192,500     $ 164,347  

First Tractor Co. Ltd., Class H

    330,000       178,149  

Lonking Holdings Ltd.

    1,572,000       492,815  

Shanghai Diesel Engine Co. Ltd., Class B

    284,065       148,833  

Shanghai Highly Group Co. Ltd., Class B

    219,140       116,582  

Sunpower Group Ltd.(b)

    260,700       120,020  

Zhengzhou Coal Mining Machinery Group Co. Ltd., Class H(b)

    186,400       233,865  
   

 

 

 
          2,486,376  
Media — 1.0%  

iClick Interactive Asia Group Ltd., ADR(a)(b)

    51,315       246,825  

Joy Spreader Group Inc.(a)(b)

    528,000       175,566  

Mobvista Inc.(a)(b)(e)

    396,000       403,985  

Netjoy Holdings Ltd.(a)

    165,000       91,389  
   

 

 

 
      917,765  
Metals & Mining — 3.1%  

China Metal Recycling Holdings Ltd.(c)

    184,800       0 (d) 

China Oriental Group Co. Ltd.

    930,000       343,657  

China Zhongwang Holdings Ltd.(a)(b)

    1,271,200       275,870  

Inner Mongolia Eerduosi Resources Co. Ltd., Class B

    204,900       367,220  

Jinchuan Group International Resources Co. Ltd.(b)

    2,594,000       461,859  

Perennial Energy Holdings Ltd.

    660,000       145,112  

Shougang Fushan Resources Group Ltd.

    1,654,000       530,913  

Tiangong International Co. Ltd.

    902,000       593,477  

Untrade Real Gold Mining(c)

    126,000       0 (d) 

Youyuan International Holdings Ltd.(c)

    120,000       2,206  
   

 

 

 
      2,720,314  
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 1.1%  

Inner Mongolia Yitai Coal Co. Ltd., Class B

    869,600       686,449  

Sinopec Kantons Holdings Ltd.

    794,000       293,581  
   

 

 

 
      980,030  
Paper & Forest Products — 0.0%  

China Forestry Holdings Co. Ltd.(c)

    306,000       0 (d) 

Qunxing Paper Holdings Co. Ltd.(c)

    148,000       0 (d) 

Superb Summit International Group Ltd.(c)

    2,975       2  
   

 

 

 
      2  
Pharmaceuticals — 5.4%  

Beijing Tong Ren Tang Chinese Medicine Co. Ltd.

    212,000       292,327  

China Animal Healthcare Ltd.(c)

    140,000       0 (d) 

China Grand Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Holdings Ltd., Class A(b)

    868,000       691,949  

China Shineway Pharmaceutical Group Ltd.(b)

    245,000       264,931  

Consun Pharmaceutical Group Ltd.

    330,000       155,262  

Hua Han Health Industry Holdings Ltd.(c)

    651,960       1  

Hua Medicine(a)(e)

    561,000       331,805  

Lee’s Pharmaceutical Holdings Ltd.

    192,500       99,834  

Luye Pharma Group Ltd.(a)(e)

    1,452,000       772,840  

Ocumension Therapeutics(a)(b)(e)

    132,000       323,078  

Shanghai Fudan-Zhangjiang Bio-Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Class H

    210,000       112,093  

Shanghai Haixin Group Co., Class B

    359,763       126,592  

Sihuan Pharmaceutical Holdings Group Ltd.(b)

    3,093,000       918,572  

Tianjin ZhongXin Pharmaceutical Group Corp. Ltd., Class S(b)

    161,700       213,444  

Tong Ren Tang Technologies Co. Ltd., Class H

    495,000       369,144  

YiChang HEC ChangJiang Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Class H(b)(e)

    188,000       130,321  
   

 

 

 
      4,802,193  
Security   Shares     Value  

 

 
Professional Services — 0.5%            

Renrui Human Resources Technology Holdings Ltd.

    44,700     $ 53,542  

SOS Ltd.(a)(b)

    144,738       392,240  
   

 

 

 
      445,782  
Real Estate Management & Development — 16.9%  

Aoyuan Healthy Life Group Co. Ltd.(b)

    243,000       137,242  

Beijing Capital Land Ltd., Class H(a)

    1,214,000       429,254  

Beijing North Star Co. Ltd., Class H

    540,000       92,383  

C&D International Investment Group Ltd.(a)

    278,000       570,151  

C&D Property Management Group Co. Ltd.(a)

    330,000       179,960  

Central China Management Co. Ltd.

    793,038       175,243  

Central China New Life Ltd.

    245,000       176,556  

Central China Real Estate Ltd.

    743,038       181,228  

China Logistics Property Holdings Co. Ltd.(a)(b)(e)

    477,000       245,938  

China Merchants Land Ltd.

    1,004,000       131,625  

China Overseas Grand Oceans Group Ltd.

    1,395,000       927,060  

China SCE Group Holdings Ltd.

    1,397,800       559,816  

China South City Holdings Ltd.

    3,664,000       338,973  

China Vast Industrial Urban Development Co. Ltd.(e)

    298,000       98,089  

Colour Life Services Group Co. Ltd.(b)

    348,000       120,005  

Cosmopolitan International Holdings Ltd.(a)

    1,424,000       205,065  

DaFa Properties Group Ltd.(b)

    210,000       180,908  

Datang Group Holdings Ltd.(b)

    267,000       159,543  

Dexin China Holdings Co. Ltd.

    675,000       247,350  

E-House China Enterprise Holdings Ltd.

    579,600       163,987  

Excellence Commercial Property & Facilities Management Group Ltd.

    264,000       212,056  

Fantasia Holdings Group Co. Ltd.(b)

    1,435,500       130,751  

Ganglong China Property Group Ltd.

    397,000       239,357  

Gemdale Properties & Investment Corp. Ltd.

    5,388,000       604,238  

Glory Sun Financial Group Ltd.(a)

    8,996,000       268,349  

Greenland Hong Kong Holdings Ltd.

    677,000       187,874  

Huijing Holdings Co. Ltd.

    630,000       157,957  

Jiayuan International Group Ltd.(b)

    1,144,000       454,514  

Jingrui Holdings Ltd.

    430,000       140,432  

JY Grandmark Holdings Ltd.(b)

    393,000       162,709  

Kaisa Prosperity Holdings Ltd.

    46,500       146,621  

KWG Living Group Holdings Ltd.

    745,000       625,001  

Leading Holdings Group Ltd.(a)

    243,000       207,171  

LVGEM China Real Estate Investment Co.
Ltd.(a)(b)

    860,000       200,143  

Poly Property Group Co. Ltd.

    1,568,000       414,892  

Powerlong Commercial Management Holdings Ltd.

    131,500       364,590  

Radiance Holdings Group Co. Ltd.(b)

    661,000       399,450  

Redco Properties Group Ltd.(e)

    864,000       294,521  

Redsun Properties Group Ltd.

    827,000       287,099  

Road King Infrastructure Ltd.

    192,000       218,128  

Ronshine China Holdings Ltd.(b)

    484,500       261,693  

Shanghai Industrial Urban Development Group Ltd.

    1,584,000       130,252  

Shoucheng Holdings Ltd.

    1,755,600       377,305  

Shui On Land Ltd.(a)

    2,967,500       484,311  

Sino-Ocean Group Holding Ltd.

    2,484,000       509,970  

Skyfame Realty Holdings Ltd.

    2,000,000       239,153  

SOHO China Ltd.(a)

    1,706,500       700,601  

Sunkwan Properties Group Ltd.

    528,000       179,905  

Times Neighborhood Holdings Ltd.(b)

    430,000       270,391  

Yincheng International Holding Co. Ltd.

    350,000       139,056  

Yuzhou Group Holdings Co. Ltd.

    1,629,059       314,189  

Zhuguang Holdings Group Co. Ltd.(b)

    1,474,000       325,952  
   

 

 

 
          14,969,007  
 

 

 

44  

2 0 2 1   I S H A R E S   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® MSCI China Small-Cap ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

 

 
Road & Rail — 0.1%            

Shanghai Jin Jiang Online Network Service Co. Ltd., Class B

    132,739     $ 92,558  
   

 

 

 
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 5.4%  

GCL-Poly Energy Holdings Ltd.(a)(b)

    18,365,000       2,618,815  

JinkoSolar Holding Co. Ltd., ADR(a)(b)

    30,690       1,509,948  

Shanghai Fudan Microelectronics Group Co. Ltd., Class H(a)

    222,000       687,686  
   

 

 

 
      4,816,449  
Software — 1.2%  

AsiaInfo Technologies Ltd.(e)

    145,200       238,425  

Bit Digital Inc.(a)(b)

    31,614       405,291  

Inspur International Ltd.(a)

    374,000       189,233  

Newborn Town Inc.(a)

    330,000       206,892  
   

 

 

 
      1,039,841  
Specialty Retail — 1.0%  

Boshiwa International Holding Ltd.(c)

    67,000       0 (d) 

China Harmony Auto Holding Ltd.

    646,000       363,805  

Mulsanne Group Holding Ltd.(a)(e)

    192,500       149,249  

Pou Sheng International Holdings Ltd.(a)(b)

    1,757,000       355,225  
   

 

 

 
      868,279  
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals — 1.2%  

Canaan Inc.(a)(b)

    80,190       753,787  

Ebang International Holdings Inc.,
Class A(a)(b)

    108,293       277,230  
   

 

 

 
          1,031,017  
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods — 3.3%  

361 Degrees International Ltd.(a)

    675,000       321,989  

China Dongxiang Group Co. Ltd.

    2,423,000       286,493  

China Lilang Ltd.

    330,000       205,910  

Fuguiniao Co. Ltd.(c)

    43,200       0 (d) 

JNBY Design Ltd.

    124,500       295,824  

Xtep International Holdings Ltd.(b)

    1,072,500       1,828,902  
   

 

 

 
      2,939,118  
Trading Companies & Distributors — 0.2%  

China Aircraft Leasing Group Holdings Ltd.

    199,500       140,929  
   

 

 

 
Transportation Infrastructure — 1.8%  

Anhui Expressway Co. Ltd., Class H

    350,000       214,299  

COSCO SHIPPING International Hong Kong Co. Ltd.

    436,000       145,642  

Hainan Meilan International Airport Co. Ltd., Class H(a)

    150,000       472,471  

Sichuan Expressway Co. Ltd., Class H

    638,000       145,957  

Tianjin Port Development Holdings Ltd.

    1,494,000       122,614  

Yuexiu Transport Infrastructure Ltd.

    794,000       468,593  
   

 

 

 
      1,569,576  
Security   Shares     Value  

 

 
Water Utilities — 0.9%  

China Everbright Water Ltd.

    698,000     $ 137,452  

China Water Affairs Group Ltd.

    670,000       667,635  
   

 

 

 
      805,087  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 99.8%
(Cost: $96,247,300)

      88,647,294  
   

 

 

 

Rights

   
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components — 0.0%  

Tongda Group Holdings Ltd., (Expires 09/06/21)(a)

    1,620,000       2,083  
   

 

 

 

Total Rights — 0.0%
(Cost: $0)

      2,083  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Investments

   
Money Market Funds — 25.0%  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares, 0.06%(f)(g)(h)

    22,107,318       22,118,371  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares, 0.00%(f)(g)

    50,000       50,000  
   

 

 

 
      22,168,371  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments — 25.0%
(Cost: $22,164,699)

      22,168,371  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities — 124.8%
(Cost: $118,411,999)

      110,817,748  

Other Assets, Less Liabilities — (24.8)%

      (21,996,899
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

    $   88,820,849  
   

 

 

 

 

(a)

Non-income producing security.

(b)

All or a portion of this security is on loan.

(c)

Security is valued using significant unobservable inputs and is classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

(d)

Rounds to less than $1.

(e)

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.

(f)

Affiliate of the Fund.

(g)

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

(h)

All or a portion of this security was purchased with the cash collateral from loaned securities.

 

 

 

S C H E D U L E   O F   I N V E S T M E N T S

  45


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® MSCI China Small-Cap ETF

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the year ended August 31, 2021 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

 

 
Affiliated Issuer   Value at
08/31/20
    Purchases
at Cost
   

Proceeds

from Sales

    Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
    Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
    Value at
08/31/21
    Shares
Held at
08/31/21
    Income    

Capital

Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds

 

 

 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares

  $ 8,354,349     $ 13,769,362 (a)    $     $ (3,154   $ (2,186   $ 22,118,371       22,107,318     $ 415,280 (b)    $  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

    40,000       10,000 (a)                        50,000       50,000       27        
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
        $ (3,154   $ (2,186   $ 22,168,371       $ 415,307     $  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 
  (b)

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

Futures Contracts

 

 

 
Description    Number of
Contracts
     Expiration
Date
     Notional
Amount
(000)
     Value/
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

 

 

Long Contracts

           

MSCI China Index

     6        09/17/21      $ 308      $ (3,678
           

 

 

 

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:

 

 

 
     Equity
Contracts
 

 

 

Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instruments

  

Futures contracts

  

Unrealized depreciation on futures contracts(a)

   $ 3,678  
  

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Net cumulative 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 August 31, 2021, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

 

 
     Equity
Contracts
 

 

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from:

  

Futures contracts

   $ (180,689
  

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:

  

Futures contracts

   $ (3,678
  

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

   

Futures contracts:

  

Average notional value of contracts — long

   $ 245,379  

For more information about the Fund’s investment risks regarding derivative financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.

 

 

46  

2 0 2 1   I S H A R E S   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® MSCI China Small-Cap ETF

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments. 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.

 

                                                                                       

 

 
     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

 

 

Investments

           

Assets

           

Common Stocks

   $ 23,388,387      $ 65,199,748      $ 59,159      $ 88,647,294  

Rights

     2,083                      2,083  

Money Market Funds

     22,168,371                      22,168,371  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 45,558,841      $   65,199,748      $ 59,159      $ 110,817,748  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Derivative financial instruments(a)

           

Liabilities

           

Futures Contracts

   $      $ (3,678    $      $ (3,678
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Derivative financial instruments are futures contracts. Futures contracts are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

S C H E D U L E   O F   I N V E S T M E N T S

  47


Schedule of Investments

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® MSCI Indonesia ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

 

 

Common Stocks

   
Auto Components — 0.4%            

Selamat Sempurna Tbk PT

    13,213,900     $ 1,315,599  
   

 

 

 
Automobiles — 4.3%            

Astra International Tbk PT

    41,391,530       15,153,236  
   

 

 

 
Banks — 42.9%            

Bank BTPN Syariah Tbk PT

    8,392,400       1,645,961  

Bank Central Asia Tbk PT

    32,765,858       75,211,206  

Bank Mandiri Persero Tbk PT

    37,787,360       16,153,740  

Bank Negara Indonesia Persero Tbk PT

    24,490,258       9,253,989  

Bank Pembangunan Daerah Jawa Barat Dan Banten Tbk PT

    15,151,436       1,310,752  

Bank Pembangunan Daerah Jawa Timur Tbk PT

    23,482,200       1,176,610  

Bank Rakyat Indonesia Persero Tbk PT

    161,595,260       44,439,494  

Bank Tabungan Negara Persero Tbk PT(a)

    19,493,426       1,916,328  
   

 

 

 
      151,108,080  
Capital Markets — 0.5%            

Pacific Strategic Financial Tbk PT(a)

    26,469,600       1,614,622  

Pool Advista Indonesia Tbk PT(a)(b)

    7,126,300        
   

 

 

 
      1,614,622  
Chemicals — 2.0%            

Barito Pacific Tbk PT

    93,224,900       6,954,671  
   

 

 

 
Construction & Engineering — 1.0%            

Agung Semesta Sejahtera Tbk PT(a)

    30,569,008       107,166  

PP Persero Tbk PT(a)

    16,075,322       1,018,168  

Waskita Karya Persero Tbk PT(a)

    22,236,500       1,300,586  

Wijaya Karya Persero Tbk PT(a)

    15,810,370       1,040,170  
   

 

 

 
      3,466,090  
Construction Materials — 3.2%            

Indocement Tunggal Prakarsa Tbk PT

    5,311,844       4,185,453  

Semen Indonesia Persero Tbk PT

    10,076,955       6,526,018  

Waskita Beton Precast Tbk PT(a)

    71,271,100       669,333  
   

 

 

 
      11,380,804  
Diversified Telecommunication Services — 13.4%  

Inovisi Infracom Tbk PT(b)

    9,476,400       0 (c) 

Link Net Tbk PT

    5,739,100       1,629,520  

Sarana Menara Nusantara Tbk PT

    57,590,000       5,409,669  

Telkom Indonesia Persero Tbk PT

    142,505,390       34,007,700  

Tower Bersama Infrastructure Tbk PT

    28,038,700       6,148,952  
   

 

 

 
      47,195,841  
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components — 0.5%  

Erajaya Swasembada Tbk PT

    42,417,200       1,794,812  
   

 

 

 
Energy Equipment & Services — 0.1%            

Pelayaran Tamarin Samudra Tbk PT(a)

    87,360,300       306,259  
   

 

 

 
Food Products — 7.3%            

Astra Agro Lestari Tbk PT

    439,100       259,887  

Charoen Pokphand Indonesia Tbk PT

    23,961,625       10,740,313  

Indofood CBP Sukses Makmur Tbk PT

    8,071,854       4,769,793  

Indofood Sukses Makmur Tbk PT

    14,806,230       6,405,032  

Inti Agri Resources Tbk PT(a)(b)

    190,840,700       0 (c) 

Japfa Comfeed Indonesia Tbk PT

    17,832,500       2,257,434  

Perusahaan Perkebunan London Sumatra Indonesia Tbk PT

    17,058,000       1,309,257  
   

 

 

 
      25,741,716  
Gas Utilities — 0.8%            

Perusahaan Gas Negara Tbk PT(a)

    40,382,507       2,926,413  
   

 

 

 
Security   Shares     Value  

 

 
Health Care Providers & Services — 0.1%            

Metro Healthcare Indonesia TBK PT(a)

    16,224,200     $ 477,678  
   

 

 

 
Household Products — 2.0%            

Unilever Indonesia Tbk PT

    24,681,120       7,007,884  
   

 

 

 
Insurance — 0.3%            

Panin Financial Tbk PT(a)

    83,650,778       1,095,409  
   

 

 

 
Marine — 0.1%            

Berlian Laju Tanker Tbk PT(a)

    20,933,614       73,387  

Trada Alam Minera Tbk PT(a)(b)

    163,879,000       0 (c) 

Transcoal Pacific Tbk PT

    680,500       405,556  
   

 

 

 
      478,943  
Media — 1.3%            

Media Nusantara Citra Tbk PT(a)

    24,226,600       1,485,714  

MNC Vision Networks Tbk PT(a)

    21,878,000       426,439  

Surya Citra Media Tbk PT(a)

    18,279,900       2,599,684  
   

 

 

 
      4,511,837  
Metals & Mining — 3.0%            

Aneka Tambang Tbk

    29,761,354       4,983,443  

Merdeka Copper Gold Tbk PT(a)

    25,266,600       4,992,828  

Timah Tbk PT(a)

    4,006,300       428,083  
   

 

 

 
      10,404,354  
Multiline Retail — 0.6%            

Mitra Adiperkasa Tbk PT(a)

    38,055,300       1,973,618  
   

 

 

 
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 3.7%            

Adaro Energy Tbk PT

    52,452,939       4,630,158  

AKR Corporindo Tbk PT

    8,261,400       2,249,942  

Bukit Asam Tbk PT

    14,894,600       2,202,658  

Indo Tambangraya Megah Tbk PT

    1,981,100       2,220,975  

Medco Energi Internasional Tbk PT(a)

    37,763,786       1,256,492  

Sekawan Intipratama Tbk PT(b)

    30,572,100       0 (c) 

Sugih Energy Tbk PT(a)(b)

    39,886,700       28  

United Tractors Tbk PT

    220,396       309,802  
   

 

 

 
      12,870,055  
Paper & Forest Products — 2.1%            

Indah Kiat Pulp & Paper Tbk PT

    9,306,000       5,150,012  

Pabrik Kertas Tjiwi Kimia Tbk PT

    4,083,900       2,160,702  
   

 

 

 
      7,310,714  
Personal Products — 0.5%            

Industri Jamu Dan Farmasi Sido Muncul Tbk PT

    31,104,100       1,733,760  
   

 

 

 
Pharmaceuticals — 1.9%            

Kalbe Farma Tbk PT

    71,148,885       6,705,961  
   

 

 

 
Real Estate Management & Development — 3.2%  

Bumi Serpong Damai Tbk PT(a)

    31,711,222       2,133,436  

Ciputra Development Tbk PT

    38,017,013       2,329,240  

Hanson International Tbk PT(a)(b)

    372,896,535       0 (c) 

Lippo Karawaci Tbk PT(a)

    123,442,442       1,149,566  

Pakuwon Jati Tbk PT(a)

    72,492,077       2,323,768  

Puradelta Lestari Tbk PT

    67,730,600       891,214  

Rimo International Lestari Tbk PT(a)(b)

    54,096,000       0 (c) 

Summarecon Agung Tbk PT(a)

    43,415,986       2,416,063  
   

 

 

 
      11,243,287  
Specialty Retail — 1.1%            

Ace Hardware Indonesia Tbk PT

    28,175,479       2,739,915  

Bintang Oto Global Tbk PT(a)

    13,356,800       1,292,001  
   

 

 

 
      4,031,916  
 

 

 

48  

2 0 2 1   I S H A R E S   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® MSCI Indonesia ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

 

 
Tobacco — 1.1%            

Gudang Garam Tbk PT

    1,647,442     $ 3,814,863  
   

 

 

 
Transportation Infrastructure — 0.7%            

Jasa Marga Persero Tbk PT(a)

    8,927,008       2,475,846  
   

 

 

 
Wireless Telecommunication Services — 1.8%  

Indosat Tbk PT(a)

    5,938,500       2,633,772  

Smartfren Telecom Tbk PT(a)

    114,617,700       1,076,170  

XL Axiata Tbk PT

    14,536,800       2,718,218  
   

 

 

 
      6,428,160  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 99.9%
(Cost: $467,515,959)

      351,522,428  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Investments

   
Money Market Funds — 0.0%            

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares, 0.00%(d)(e)

    20,000       20,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments — 0.0%
(Cost: $20,000)

      20,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities — 99.9%
(Cost: $467,535,959)

      351,542,428  

Other Assets, Less Liabilities — 0.1%

      415,292  
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

    $   351,957,720  
   

 

 

 

 

 

(a)

Non-income producing security.

(b)

Security is valued using significant unobservable inputs and is classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

(c)

Rounds to less than $1.

(d)

Affiliate of the Fund.

(e)

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

 

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the year ended August 31, 2021 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

 

 
Affiliated Issuer    Value at
08/31/20
     Purchases
at Cost
    

Proceeds

from Sales

    

Net Realized

Gain (Loss)

     Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
     Value at
08/31/21
     Shares
Held at
08/31/21
     Income     

Capital

Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds

 

 

 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

   $ 560,000      $        $(540,000 )(a)     $      $      $ 20,000        20,000      $ 109      $  
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Futures Contracts

 

 

 
Description    Number of
Contracts
     Expiration
Date
     Notional
Amount
(000)
     Value/
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

 

 

Long Contracts

           

MSCI Emerging Markets Index

     5        09/17/21      $ 325      $ 346  
           

 

 

 

 

 

S C H E D U L E   O F   I N V E S T M E N T S

  49


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® MSCI Indonesia 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:

 

 

 
     Equity
Contracts
 

 

 

Assets — Derivative Financial Instruments

 

Futures contracts

  

Unrealized appreciation on futures contracts(a)

   $ 346  
  

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Net cumulative 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 August 31, 2021, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

 

 
     Equity
Contracts
 

 

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from:

  

Futures contracts

   $ 148,649  
  

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:

  

Futures contracts

   $ (27,384
  

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

   

Futures contracts:

  

Average notional value of contracts — long

   $ 700,002  

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. 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.

 

                                                                                       

 

 
     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

 

 

Investments

           

Assets

           

Common Stocks

   $ 5,982,788      $ 345,539,612      $ 28      $ 351,522,428  

Money Market Funds

     20,000                      20,000  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 6,002,788      $ 345,539,612      $ 28      $ 351,542,428  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Derivative financial instruments(a)

           

Assets

           

Futures Contracts

   $ 346      $      $      $ 346  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Derivative financial instruments are futures contracts. Futures contracts are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

50  

2 0 2 1   I S H A R E S   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® MSCI Peru ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

 

Banks — 27.3%  

Banco BBVA Peru SA

    4,854,748     $ 2,041,431  

Credicorp Ltd.(a)

    209,193       22,306,250  

Intercorp Financial Services Inc.

    79,414       1,795,550  
   

 

 

 
          26,143,231  
Construction & Engineering — 2.2%  

Aenza SAA(a)

    6,464,096       2,165,050  
   

 

 

 
Construction Materials — 4.7%  

Cementos Pacasmayo SAA

    1,760,520       1,893,796  

Union Andina de Cementos SAA

    7,726,817       2,644,650  
   

 

 

 
      4,538,446  
Food & Staples Retailing — 2.5%  

InRetail Peru Corp.(b)

    85,148       2,426,718  
   

 

 

 
Food Products — 4.5%  

Alicorp SAA

    3,192,801       3,738,926  

Casa Grande SAA

    482,984       604,564  
   

 

 

 
      4,343,490  
Metals & Mining — 46.2%  

Cia. de Minas Buenaventura SAA, ADR(a)

    591,544       4,436,580  

Corp. Aceros Arequipa SA, NVS

    2,646,165       659,867  

Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.(a)

    490,189       2,152,457  

Hochschild Mining PLC

    1,879,223       3,901,312  

MMG Ltd.(a)

    6,052,000       2,914,895  

Pan American Silver Corp.

    92,833       2,410,501  

Sociedad Minera Cerro Verde SAA

    162,886       2,557,310  

Southern Copper Corp.

    317,396       19,865,816  

Volcan Cia. Minera SAA, Class B, NVS(a)

    22,570,437       2,703,806  

Wheaton Precious Metals Corp.

    59,411       2,677,533  
   

 

 

 
      44,280,077  
Multiline Retail — 4.2%  

Falabella SA

    625,112       2,475,907  
Security   Shares     Value  
Multiline Retail (continued)  

Ripley Corp. SA(a)

    6,782,332     $ 1,531,151  
   

 

 

 
      4,007,058  
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 1.9%  

PetroTal Corp.(a)

    8,041,041       1,794,473  
   

 

 

 
Real Estate Management & Development — 2.3%  

Parque Arauco SA(a)

    1,815,336       2,181,654  
   

 

 

 
Trading Companies & Distributors — 3.3%  

Ferreycorp SAA

    7,468,716       3,140,609  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 99.1%
(Cost: $148,204,354)

 

    95,020,806  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Investments

 

Money Market Funds — 0.6%  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares, 0.00%(c)(d)

    540,000       540,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments — 0.6%
(Cost: $540,000)

 

    540,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities — 99.7%
(Cost: $148,744,354)

 

    95,560,806  

Other Assets, Less Liabilities — 0.3%

 

    300,964  
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

 

  $   95,861,770  
   

 

 

 

 

(a)

Non-income producing security.

(b)

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.

(c)

Affiliate of the Fund.

(d)

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

 

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the year ended August 31, 2021 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

 

 
Affiliated Issuer   Value at
08/31/20
    Purchases
at Cost
    Proceeds
from Sales
    Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
    Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
    Value at
08/31/21
    Shares
Held at
08/31/21
    Income    

Capital

Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds

 

 

 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

  $ 110,000       $430,000 (a)    $     $     $     $ 540,000       540,000     $ 72     $  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 

 

 

S C H E D U L E   O F   I N V E S T M E N T S

  51


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® MSCI Peru ETF

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Futures Contracts

 

 

 
Description   Number of
Contracts
    Expiration
Date
    Notional
Amount
(000)
    Value/
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

 

 

Long Contracts

       

MSCI Emerging Markets Index

    12       09/17/21     $ 780     $ 7,289  
       

 

 

 

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:

 

 

 
     Equity
Contracts
 

 

 

Assets — Derivative Financial Instruments

  

Futures contracts

  

Unrealized appreciation on futures contracts(a)

   $ 7,289  
  

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Net cumulative 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 August 31, 2021, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

 

 
     Equity
Contracts
 

 

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from:

  

Futures contracts

   $ 47,443  
  

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:

  

Futures contracts

   $ 6,201  
  

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

Futures contracts:

        

Average notional value of contracts — long

   $ 444,324  

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. 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.

 

                                                                               

 

 
     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

 

 

Investments

           

Assets

           

Common Stocks

   $ 90,311,438      $ 4,709,368      $      $ 95,020,806  

Money Market Funds

     540,000                      540,000  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 90,851,438      $ 4,709,368      $      $ 95,560,806  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Derivative financial instruments(a)

           

Assets

           

Futures Contracts

   $ 7,289      $      $      $ 7,289  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Derivative financial instruments are futures contracts. Futures contracts are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

52  

2 0 2 1   I S H A R E S   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® MSCI Philippines ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

 

Airlines — 0.3%  

Cebu Air Inc.(a)

    371,740     $ 328,387  
   

 

 

 
Banks — 13.2%  

Bank of the Philippine Islands

    3,232,875       5,406,537  

BDO Unibank Inc.

    2,436,204       5,381,685  

Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co.

    4,140,314       3,761,652  

Security Bank Corp.

    854,700       1,943,290  
   

 

 

 
    16,493,164  
Chemicals — 1.0%  

D&L Industries Inc.

    8,026,500       1,302,079  
   

 

 

 
Diversified Financial Services — 2.0%  

Metro Pacific Investments Corp.

    32,555,050       2,517,471  
   

 

 

 
Electric Utilities — 2.5%  

Manila Electric Co

    542,120       3,071,575  
   

 

 

 
Food & Staples Retailing — 2.9%  

Cosco Capital Inc.

    8,758,500       880,251  

Puregold Price Club Inc.

    2,301,160       1,931,124  

Robinsons Retail Holdings Inc.

    808,450       828,763  
   

 

 

 
    3,640,138  
Food Products — 4.8%  

Century Pacific Food Inc.

    2,231,700       1,146,940  

Universal Robina Corp.

    1,590,558       4,821,229  
   

 

 

 
    5,968,169  
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 4.4%  

Bloomberry Resorts Corp.(a)

    11,075,265       1,317,901  

Jollibee Foods Corp.

    1,030,891       4,181,584  
   

 

 

 
    5,499,485  
Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers — 2.8%  

AC Energy Corp.

    12,274,054       2,365,994  

First Gen Corp.(b)

    2,066,547       1,175,543  
   

 

 

 
    3,541,537  
Industrial Conglomerates — 27.3%  

Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc.

    3,798,037       3,275,437  

Alliance Global Group Inc.

    8,781,339       1,818,046  

Ayala Corp.

    526,188       8,381,990  

DMCI Holdings Inc.

    11,300,700       1,433,315  

GT Capital Holdings Inc.

    240,946       2,611,802  

JG Summit Holdings Inc.

    5,644,891       7,363,888  

SM Investments Corp.

    457,586       9,249,630  
   

 

 

 
    34,134,108  
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 1.0%  

Semirara Mining & Power Corp.

    3,696,700       1,260,993  
   

 

 

 
Security   Shares     Value  
Real Estate Management & Development — 23.0%  

Ayala Land Inc.

    15,504,950     $ 10,518,433  

DoubleDragon Properties Corp.

    3,029,790       609,003  

Filinvest Land Inc.

    39,811,590       904,263  

Megaworld Corp.

    29,262,960       1,657,401  

Robinsons Land Corp.

    2,708,706       895,531  

SM Prime Holdings Inc.

    19,570,835       13,351,209  

Vista Land & Lifescapes Inc.

    12,348,900       886,142  
   

 

 

 
        28,821,982  
Specialty Retail — 2.3%  

AllHome Corp.

    4,691,500       759,127  

Wilcon Depot Inc.

    4,288,800       2,154,195  
   

 

 

 
    2,913,322  
Transportation Infrastructure — 4.5%  

International Container Terminal Services Inc.

    1,491,013       5,580,031  
   

 

 

 
Water Utilities — 0.4%  

Manila Water Co. Inc.(a)

    1,211,829       442,333  
   

 

 

 
Wireless Telecommunication Services — 7.1%  

Globe Telecom Inc.

    70,035       3,829,049  

PLDT Inc.

    172,089       5,053,666  
   

 

 

 
    8,882,715  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 99.5%
(Cost: $152,163,116)

 

    124,397,489  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Investments

 

Money Market Funds — 0.1%  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares, 0.00%(c)(d)

    140,000       140,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments — 0.1%
(Cost: $140,000)

 

    140,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities — 99.6%
(Cost: $152,303,116)

 

    124,537,489  

Other Assets, Less Liabilities — 0.4%

 

    505,708  
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

 

  $ 125,043,197  
   

 

 

 

 

(a)

Non-income producing security.

(b)

Security is valued using significant unobservable inputs and is classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

(c)

Affiliate of the Fund.

(d)

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

 

 

 

S C H E D U L E   O F   I N V E S T M E N T S

  53


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® MSCI Philippines ETF

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the year ended August 31, 2021 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

 

 
Affiliated Issuer   Value at
08/31/20
    Purchases
at Cost
    Proceeds
from Sales
    Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
    Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
    Value at
08/31/21
    Shares
Held at
08/31/21
    Income    

Capital

Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds

 

 

 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

  $       $140,000 (a)    $     $     $     $ 140,000       140,000     $ 67     $  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Futures Contracts

 

 

 
Description   Number of
Contracts
    Expiration
Date
    Notional
Amount
(000)
    Value/
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

 

 

Long Contracts

       

MSCI Emerging Markets Index

    7       09/17/21     $ 455     $ 5,047  
       

 

 

 

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:

 

 

 
     Equity
Contracts
 

 

 

Assets — Derivative Financial Instruments

  

Futures contracts

  

Unrealized appreciation on futures contracts(a)

   $ 5,047  
  

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Net cumulative 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 August 31, 2021, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

 

 
     Equity
Contracts
 

 

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from:

  

Futures contracts

   $ 30,210  
  

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:

  

Futures contracts

   $ 59,178  
  

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

   

Futures contracts:

  

Average notional value of contracts — long

   $ 1,017,297  

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. 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.

 

 

54  

2 0 2 1   I S H A R E S   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® MSCI Philippines ETF

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End (continued)

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.

 

                                                                               

 

 
     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

 

 

Investments

           

Assets

           

Common Stocks

   $ 67,379,976      $ 55,841,970      $ 1,175,543      $ 124,397,489  

Money Market Funds

     140,000                      140,000  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $   67,519,976      $   55,841,970      $     1,175,543      $ 124,537,489  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Derivative financial instruments(a)

           

Assets

           

Futures Contracts

   $ 5,047      $      $      $ 5,047  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Derivative financial instruments are futures contracts. Futures contracts are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

S C H E D U L E   O F   I N V E S T M E N T S

  55


Schedule of Investments  

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® MSCI Poland ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

 

 

Common Stocks

 

Banks — 25.8%  

Alior Bank SA(a)(b)

    104,555     $ 1,192,700  

Bank Handlowy w Warszawie SA(a)

    177,629       2,124,341  

Bank Millennium SA(a)

    3,006,618       5,180,914  

Bank Polska Kasa Opieki SA(a)

    559,207       15,637,507  

mBank SA(a)

    67,437       6,527,489  

Powszechna Kasa Oszczednosci Bank Polski SA(a)

    2,852,073       31,307,620  

Santander Bank Polska SA(a)

    143,995       11,363,154  
   

 

 

 
        73,333,725  
Capital Markets — 0.8%  

Warsaw Stock Exchange

    147,384       1,666,952  

X-Trade Brokers Dom Maklerski SA(b)(c)

    140,869       522,960  
   

 

 

 
    2,189,912  
Chemicals — 1.4%  

Ciech SA

    162,868       1,998,563  

Grupa Azoty SA(a)

    241,822       1,849,897  
   

 

 

 
    3,848,460  
Construction & Engineering — 1.4%  

Budimex SA

    53,230       4,113,698  
   

 

 

 
Consumer Finance — 2.3%  

KRUK SA

    78,359       6,482,338  
   

 

 

 
Diversified Telecommunication Services — 2.1%  

Orange Polska SA(a)

    2,811,237       6,077,319  
   

 

 

 
Electric Utilities — 5.8%  

Enea SA(a)

    1,138,826       2,955,054  

PGE Polska Grupa Energetyczna SA(a)

    3,395,317       8,939,617  

Tauron Polska Energia SA(a)

    4,988,377       4,725,733  
   

 

 

 
    16,620,404  
Entertainment — 5.1%  

CD Projekt SA(b)

    238,363       10,585,851  

HUUUGE Inc.(c)

    85,416       824,761  

PlayWay SA(b)

    5,299       604,070  

TEN Square Games SA(b)

    17,531       2,350,159  
   

 

 

 
    14,364,841  
Food & Staples Retailing — 4.6%  

Dino Polska SA(a)(c)

    137,233       11,630,310  

Eurocash SA(b)

    439,346       1,365,164  
   

 

 

 
    12,995,474  
Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 0.2%  

Mercator Medical SA(a)(b)

    14,144       666,551  
   

 

 

 
Health Care Providers & Services — 1.1%  

Neuca SA

    12,328       3,009,459  
   

 

 

 
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 1.1%  

AmRest Holdings SE(a)(b)

    386,468       3,167,348  
   

 

 

 
Insurance — 7.1%  

Powszechny Zaklad Ubezpieczen SA(a)

    1,903,419       20,171,643  
   

 

 

 
Internet & Direct Marketing Retail — 7.3%  

Allegro.eu SA(a)(c)

    1,122,713       20,814,811  
   

 

 

 
Security   Shares      Value  

 

 
Media — 3.9%  

Cyfrowy Polsat SA

    1,156,802      $ 11,042,043  
    

 

 

 
Metals & Mining — 8.4%  

Jastrzebska Spolka Weglowa SA(a)(b)

    287,114        3,025,283  

KGHM Polska Miedz SA

    447,450        20,840,973  
    

 

 

 
     23,866,256  
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 12.4%  

Grupa Lotos SA

    407,996        6,201,576  

Polski Koncern Naftowy ORLEN SA

    927,118        17,975,494  

Polskie Gornictwo Naftowe i Gazownictwo SA

    6,680,623        10,988,584  
    

 

 

 
     35,165,654  
Pharmaceuticals — 0.2%  

Celon Pharma SA(b)

    59,762        663,910  
    

 

 

 
Software — 2.5%  

Asseco Poland SA

    256,521        5,620,653  

LiveChat Software SA(b)

    49,960        1,466,132  
    

 

 

 
     7,086,785  
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods — 6.5%  

CCC SA(a)

    159,247        5,098,096  

LPP SA

    3,659        13,350,761  
    

 

 

 
     18,448,857  
    

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 100.0%
(Cost: $310,628,124)

 

     284,129,488  
    

 

 

 

Short-Term Investments

 

Money Market Funds — 5.6%  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares, 0.06%(d)(e)(f)

    13,500,374        13,507,125  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares, 0.00%(d)(e)

    2,310,000        2,310,000  
    

 

 

 
     15,817,125  
    

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments — 5.6%
(Cost: $15,815,776)

 

     15,817,125  
    

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities — 105.6%
(Cost: $326,443,900)

 

     299,946,613  

Other Assets, Less Liabilities — (5.6)%

 

     (15,800,378
    

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

 

   $   284,146,235  
    

 

 

 

 

(a)

Non-income producing security.

(b)

All or a portion of this security is on loan.

(c)

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.

(d)

Affiliate of the Fund.

(e)

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

(f)

All or a portion of this security was purchased with the cash collateral from loaned securities.

 

 

 

56  

2 0 2 1   I S H A R E S   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® MSCI Poland ETF

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the year ended August 31, 2021 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

 

 

   
       Affiliated Issuer   Value at
08/31/20
    Purchases
at Cost
    Proceeds
from Sales
    Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
    Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
    Value at
08/31/21
    Shares
Held at
08/31/21
    Income    

Capital

Gain

Distributions

from

Underlying

Funds

   

    

 

 

   
 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares

  $ 5,967,786     $ 7,544,567 (a)    $     $ (3,553   $ (1,675   $ 13,507,125       13,500,374     $ 217,973 (b)    $    
 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

    1,381,000       929,000 (a)                        2,310,000       2,310,000       754          
         

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   
          $ (3,553   $ (1,675   $ 15,817,125       $ 218,727     $    
         

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

  (a)

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 
  (b)

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

Futures Contracts

 

 

 
Description   Number of
Contracts
     Expiration
Date
     Notional
Amount
(000)
     Value/
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

 

 

Long Contracts

          

MSCI Emerging Markets Index

    16        09/17/21      $ 1,039      $ (13,633
          

 

 

 

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:

 

 

 
    Equity
Contracts
 

 

 

Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instruments

 

Futures contracts

 

Unrealized depreciation on futures contracts(a)

  $ 13,633  
 

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Net cumulative 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 August 31, 2021, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

 

 
    Equity
Contracts
 

 

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from:

 

Futures contracts

  $ 133,522  
 

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:

 

Futures contracts

  $ (43,729
 

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

   

Futures contracts:

 

Average notional value of contracts — long

  $ 1,128,390  

For more information about the Fund’s investment risks regarding derivative financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.

 

 

S C H E D U L E   O F   I N V E S T M E N T S

  57


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® MSCI Poland ETF

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments. 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.

 

                                                                                       

 

 
    Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

 

 

Investments

          

Assets

          

Common Stocks

  $ 81,169,143      $ 202,960,345      $      $ 284,129,488  

Money Market Funds

    15,817,125                      15,817,125  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
  $ 96,986,268      $ 202,960,345      $      $ 299,946,613  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Derivative financial instruments(a)

          

Liabilities

          

Futures Contracts

  $ (13,633    $      $      $ (13,633
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Derivative financial instruments are futures contracts. Futures contracts are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

58  

2 0 2 1   I S H A R E S   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® MSCI Qatar ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

 

Air Freight & Logistics — 1.2%  

Gulf Warehousing Co.

    719,943     $ 993,697  
   

 

 

 
Banks — 48.0%  

Commercial Bank PSQC (The)

    2,414,420       3,945,404  

Doha Bank QPSC

    2,695,655       2,101,079  

Masraf Al Rayan QSC

    4,415,799       5,437,587  

Qatar First Bank(a)

    1,715,005       839,633  

Qatar International Islamic Bank QSC

    1,084,486       2,817,609  

Qatar Islamic Bank SAQ

    1,410,863       6,987,495  

Qatar National Bank QPSC

    3,713,524       19,266,104  
   

 

 

 
        41,394,911  
Chemicals — 3.9%  

Mesaieed Petrochemical Holding Co.

    6,297,520       3,406,865  
   

 

 

 
Construction Materials — 1.8%  

Qatar National Cement Co. QSC

    661,256       896,133  

Qatari Investors Group QSC

    963,146       683,195  
   

 

 

 
    1,579,328  
Diversified Financial Services — 1.0%  

Salam International Investment Ltd. QSC(a)

    3,329,971       856,149  
   

 

 

 
Diversified Telecommunication Services — 2.7%  

Ooredoo QPSC

    1,248,553       2,335,926  
   

 

 

 
Energy Equipment & Services — 1.1%  

Gulf International Services QSC(a)

    2,269,494       912,378  
   

 

 

 
Food & Staples Retailing — 1.3%  

Al Meera Consumer Goods Co. QSC

    216,954       1,163,155  
   

 

 

 
Food Products — 1.0%  

Baladna

    1,973,952       879,330  
   

 

 

 
Health Care Providers & Services — 1.0%  

Medicare Group

    393,454       899,780  
   

 

 

 
Industrial Conglomerates — 10.5%  

Aamal Co.

    3,682,219       987,572  

Industries Qatar QSC

    1,990,214       6,921,313  

Mannai Corp. QSC

    437,300       473,396  

Qatar Industrial Manufacturing Co. QSC

    821,184       640,279  
   

 

 

 
    9,022,560  
Insurance — 2.0%  

Qatar Insurance Co. SAQ(a)

    2,562,229       1,724,200  
   

 

 

 
Security   Shares     Value  
Marine — 2.3%  

Qatar Navigation QSC

    958,297     $ 1,942,469  
   

 

 

 
Metals & Mining — 2.5%  

Qatar Aluminum Manufacturing Co.

    4,877,323       2,151,566  
   

 

 

 
Multi-Utilities — 3.7%  

Qatar Electricity & Water Co. QSC

    706,315       3,174,090  
   

 

 

 
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 7.4%  

Qatar Fuel QSC

    682,394       3,377,413  

Qatar Gas Transport Co. Ltd.

    3,616,049       3,028,560  
   

 

 

 
    6,405,973  
Real Estate Management & Development — 6.6%  

Barwa Real Estate Co.

    2,929,283       2,429,627  

Ezdan Holding Group QSC(a)

    2,959,299       1,267,013  

Mazaya Real Estate Development QPSC

    2,207,942       635,792  

United Development Co. QSC

    3,368,396       1,377,300  
   

 

 

 
    5,709,732  
Wireless Telecommunication Services — 1.7%  

Vodafone Qatar QSC

    3,366,296       1,445,822  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 99.7%
(Cost: $66,161,658)

 

    85,997,931  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Investments

 

Money Market Funds — 0.0%  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares, 0.00%(b)(c)

    20,000       20,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments — 0.0%
(Cost: $20,000)

 

    20,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities — 99.7%
(Cost: $66,181,658)

 

    86,017,931  

Other Assets, Less Liabilities — 0.3%

 

    216,024  
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

 

  $  86,233,955  
   

 

 

 

 

(a)

Non-income producing security.

(b)

Affiliate of the Fund.

(c)

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the year ended August 31, 2021 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

 

 

   
       Affiliated Issuer   Value at
08/31/20
     Purchases
at Cost
     Proceeds
from Sales
    Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
     Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
     Value at
08/31/21
     Shares
Held at
08/31/21
     Income     

Capital

Gain

Distributions

from

Underlying

Funds

   

    

 

 

   
 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

  $ 30,000      $        $(10,000 )(a)    $      $      $ 20,000        20,000      $ 68      $    
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

  (a)

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 

 

 

S C H E D U L E   O F   I N V E S T M E N T S

  59


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® MSCI Qatar ETF

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Futures Contracts

 

 

 
Description   Number of
Contracts
    Expiration
Date
    Notional
Amount
(000)
    Value/
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

 

 

Long Contracts

       

MSCI Emerging Markets Index

    2       09/17/21     $ 130     $ (172
       

 

 

 

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:

 

 

 
    Equity
Contracts
 

 

 

Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instruments

 

Futures contracts

 

Unrealized depreciation on futures contracts(a)

  $ 172  
 

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Net cumulative 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 August 31, 2021, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

 

 
    Equity
Contracts
 

 

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from:

 

Futures contracts

  $ 5,525  
 

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:

 

Futures contracts

  $ 31  
 

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

   

Futures contracts:

 

Average notional value of contracts — long

  $ 116,372  

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. 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.

 

                                                                               

 

 
    Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

 

 

Investments

          

Assets

          

Common Stocks

  $ 63,728,896      $ 22,269,035      $      $ 85,997,931  

Money Market Funds

    20,000                      20,000  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
  $ 63,748,896      $ 22,269,035      $      $ 86,017,931  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Derivative financial instruments(a)

          

Liabilities

          

Futures Contracts

  $ (172    $      $      $ (172
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Derivative financial instruments are futures contracts. Futures contracts are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

60  

2 0 2 1   I S H A R E S   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® MSCI Saudi Arabia ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

 

 

Common Stocks

 

Banks — 39.7%  

Al Rajhi Bank

    3,657,247     $   117,985,146  

Alinma Bank

    3,314,323       20,240,423  

Arab National Bank

    2,048,536       12,501,179  

Bank AlBilad(a)

    1,280,033       14,585,407  

Bank Al-Jazira

    1,507,534       7,440,491  

Banque Saudi Fransi

    1,982,269       21,404,510  

Riyad Bank

    4,430,326       31,774,274  

Saudi British Bank (The)

    2,735,842       25,128,578  

Saudi National Bank (The)

    6,533,803       105,914,955  
   

 

 

 
    356,974,963  
Building Products — 0.4%  

Saudi Ceramic Co.

    207,283       3,630,920  
   

 

 

 
Chemicals — 17.3%  

Advanced Petrochemical Co.

    392,281       7,488,554  

Alujain Holding(a)

    95,664       1,647,280  

National Industrialization Co.(a)

    1,275,849       7,099,796  

National Petrochemical Co.

    111,478       1,411,791  

SABIC Agri-Nutrients Co.

    483,276       16,155,196  

Sahara International Petrochemical Co.

    1,298,077       11,524,081  

Saudi Basic Industries Corp.

    2,664,861       87,368,756  

Saudi Industrial Investment Group

    816,173       7,808,749  

Saudi Kayan Petrochemical Co.(a)

    1,191,106       5,912,023  

Yanbu National Petrochemical Co.

    506,614       9,157,359  
   

 

 

 
    155,573,585  
Commercial Services & Supplies — 0.4%  

Saudi Airlines Catering Co.(a)

    164,657       3,594,927  
   

 

 

 
Construction Materials — 3.9%  

Arabian Cement Co./Saudi Arabia

    238,056       2,776,802  

City Cement Co.

    321,344       2,501,732  

Eastern Province Cement Co.

    204,231       2,815,139  

Najran Cement Co.

    464,968       2,628,128  

Northern Region Cement Co.

    517,038       2,384,823  

Qassim Cement Co. (The)

    183,570       4,096,518  

Riyadh Cement Co.

    73,271       722,806  

Saudi Cement Co.

    298,807       4,995,121  

Southern Province Cement Co.

    258,218       5,115,204  

Yamama Cement Co.(a)

    419,804       3,559,274  

Yanbu Cement Co.

    323,509       3,688,424  
   

 

 

 
    35,283,971  
Diversified Telecommunication Services — 4.6%  

Saudi Telecom Co.

    1,139,183       41,000,474  
   

 

 

 
Electric Utilities — 2.3%  

Saudi Electricity Co.

    2,805,167       20,415,415  
   

 

 

 
Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) — 0.2%  

Jadwa REIT Saudi Fund

    442,160       1,789,530  
   

 

 

 
Food & Staples Retailing — 0.6%  

Abdullah Al Othaim Markets Co.

    174,097       5,352,160  
   

 

 

 
Food Products — 3.8%  

Al Jouf Agricultural Development Co.

    31,378       646,685  

Almarai Co. JSC

    869,813       13,458,640  

Aseer Trading Tourism & Manufacturing Co.(a)

    392,247       2,606,126  

Halwani Brothers Co.

    39,193       1,047,042  

National Agriculture Development Co. (The)(a)

    244,659       2,420,041  

Saudi Fisheries Co.(a)

    51,191       783,074  
Security   Shares     Value  

 

 
Food Products (continued)  

Saudia Dairy & Foodstuff Co.

    69,015     $ 3,099,039  

Savola Group (The)

    939,333       10,055,248  
   

 

 

 
        34,115,895  
Gas Utilities — 0.3%  

National Gas & Industrialization Co.

    200,151       2,742,891  
   

 

 

 
Health Care Providers & Services — 3.4%  

Al Hammadi Co. for Development and Investment

    284,782       3,006,736  

Dallah Healthcare Co.

    168,960       3,387,579  

Dr Sulaiman Al Habib Medical Services Group Co.

    160,914       7,875,682  

Middle East Healthcare Co.(a)

    183,490       1,883,479  

Mouwasat Medical Services Co.

    178,349       9,319,968  

National Medical Care Co.

    119,505       2,113,679  

Saudi Chemical Co. Holding

    224,641       2,521,499  
   

 

 

 
      30,108,622  
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 1.1%  

Dur Hospitality Co.(a)

    231,361       2,014,007  

Herfy Food Services Co.

    120,973       2,109,375  

Leejam Sports Co. JSC

    104,052       2,627,170  

Seera Group Holding(a)

    614,520       3,525,867  
   

 

 

 
      10,276,419  
Insurance — 2.0%  

Al Rajhi Co. for Co-operative Insurance(a)

    88,829       2,356,490  

Bupa Arabia for Cooperative Insurance Co.

    212,761       9,473,188  

Co for Cooperative Insurance (The)

    246,646       6,017,039  
   

 

 

 
      17,846,717  
IT Services — 0.1%  

Al Moammar Information Systems Co., NVS

    20,984       973,476  
   

 

 

 
Media — 0.7%  

Saudi Research & Media Group(a)

    155,093       6,688,234  
   

 

 

 
Metals & Mining — 3.1%  

Saudi Arabian Mining Co.(a)

    1,434,782       27,844,247  
   

 

 

 
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 7.7%  

Aldrees Petroleum and Transport Services Co.

    165,754       3,036,046  

Rabigh Refining & Petrochemical Co.(a)

    883,461       5,798,345  

Saudi Arabia Refineries Co.

    13,755       612,442  

Saudi Arabian Oil Co.(b)

    6,354,109       59,548,066  
   

 

 

 
      68,994,899  
Pharmaceuticals — 0.4%  

Saudi Pharmaceutical Industries & Medical Appliances Corp.

    268,532       3,780,225  
   

 

 

 
Professional Services — 0.2%  

Maharah Human Resources Co.

    89,705       1,898,540  
   

 

 

 
Real Estate Management & Development — 2.0%  

Arriyadh Development Co.

    427,700       3,554,665  

Dar Al Arkan Real Estate Development Co.(a)

    2,102,935       5,713,082  

Emaar Economic City(a)

    1,571,098       5,353,303  

Saudi Real Estate Co.(a)

    487,959       3,304,153  
   

 

 

 
      17,925,203  
Road & Rail — 0.6%  

Saudi Public Transport Co.(a)

    346,597       2,633,645  

United International Transportation Co.

    181,306       2,445,066  
   

 

 

 
      5,078,711  
Specialty Retail — 2.3%  

Fawaz Abdulaziz Al Hokair & Co.(a)

    355,563       2,114,020  
 

 

 

S C H E D U L E   O F   I N V E S T M E N T S

  61


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® MSCI Saudi Arabia ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets

 

Security   Shares     Value  

 

 
Specialty Retail (continued)  

Jarir Marketing Co.

    207,427     $ 11,978,628  

Saudi Co. For Hardware CJSC

    102,356       1,757,466  

United Electronics Co.

    132,672       5,064,118  
   

 

 

 
    20,914,232  
Thrifts & Mortgage Finance — 0.1%  

Amlak International for Real

    99,651       624,363  
   

 

 

 
Transportation Infrastructure — 0.5%  

Saudi Ground Services Co.(a)

    376,067       3,509,625  

Saudi Industrial Services Co.

    112,626       1,312,224  
   

 

 

 
    4,821,849  
Wireless Telecommunication Services — 2.0%  

Etihad Etisalat Co.

    1,328,041       11,330,501  

Mobile Telecommunications Co.(a)

    1,705,015       6,582,403  
   

 

 

 
    17,912,904  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 99.7%
(Cost: $618,470,548)

 

    896,163,372  
   

 

 

 

 

Security   Shares     Value  

 

 

Short-Term Investments

 

 
Money Market Funds — 0.4%        

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares, 0.00%(c)(d)

    3,190,000     $ 3,190,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments — 0.4%
(Cost: $3,190,000)

 

    3,190,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities — 100.1%
(Cost: $621,660,548)

 

    899,353,372  

Other Assets, Less Liabilities — (0.1)%

 

    (669,715
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

 

  $   898,683,657  
   

 

 

 

 

(a)

Non-income producing security.

(b)

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.

(c)

Affiliate of the Fund.

(d)

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the year ended August 31, 2021 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

 

 
Affiliated Issuer   Value at
08/31/20
    Purchases
at Cost
    Proceeds
from Sales
    Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
    Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
    Value at
08/31/21
    Shares
Held at
08/31/21
    Income    

Capital

Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds

 

 

 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

  $ 1,200,000     $ 1,990,000 (a)    $     $     $     $ 3,190,000       3,190,000     $ 333     $  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Futures Contracts

 

 

 
Description   Number of
Contracts
    Expiration
Date
    Notional
Amount
(000)
    Value/
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

 

 

Long Contracts

       

MSCI Emerging Markets Index

    33       09/17/21     $ 2,144     $ 46,634  
       

 

 

 

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:

 

 

 
     Equity
Contracts
 

 

 

Assets — Derivative Financial Instruments

  

Futures contracts

  

Unrealized appreciation on futures contracts(a)

   $ 46,634  
  

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Net cumulative 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).

 

 

 

62  

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Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® MSCI Saudi Arabia ETF

 

For the period ended August 31, 2021, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

 

 
     Equity
Contracts
 

 

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from:

  

Futures contracts

   $ 200,375  
  

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:

  

Futures contracts

   $ 45,092  
  

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

   

Futures contracts:

  

Average notional value of contracts — long

   $ 1,362,302  

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. 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.

 

                                                                                       

 

 
     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

 

 

Investments

           

Assets

           

Common Stocks

   $ 515,542,415      $ 380,620,957      $      $ 896,163,372  

Money Market Funds

     3,190,000                      3,190,000  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 518,732,415      $ 380,620,957      $      $ 899,353,372  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Derivative financial instruments(a)

           

Assets

           

Futures Contracts

   $ 46,634      $      $      $ 46,634  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Derivative financial instruments are futures contracts. Futures contracts are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

S C H E D U L E   O F   I N V E S T M E N T S

  63


Schedule of Investments

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® MSCI UAE ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

 

 

Common Stocks

 

Air Freight & Logistics — 2.5%  

Aramex PJSC

    542,235     $ 591,889  
   

 

 

 
Airlines — 2.9%  

Air Arabia PJSC(a)

    1,770,558       683,766  
   

 

 

 
Banks — 44.3%  

Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank PJSC

    507,061       1,036,720  

Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank PJSC

    677,690       1,040,255  

Dubai Islamic Bank PJSC

    661,975       918,650  

Emirates NBD Bank PJSC

    607,420       2,290,341  

First Abu Dhabi Bank PJSC

    1,126,016       5,211,405  
   

 

 

 
      10,497,371  
Building Products — 0.7%  

National Central Cooling Co. PJSC

    212,860       163,999  
   

 

 

 
Capital Markets — 3.4%            

Dubai Financial Market PJSC(a)

    1,784,305       548,920  

SHUAA Capital PSC

    1,296,348       248,543  
   

 

 

 
      797,463  
Construction & Engineering — 0.5%  

Arabtec Holding PJSC(a)(b)

    2,433,366       7  

Drake & Scull International PJSC(a)(b)

    2,972,998       119,789  
   

 

 

 
      119,796  
Diversified Financial Services — 4.9%  

Al Waha Capital PJSC

    1,217,714       646,102  

Amanat Holdings PJSC(a)

    1,278,035       413,778  

Gulf General Investment Co.(a)(b)

    7,295,803       106,364  
   

 

 

 
      1,166,244  
Diversified Telecommunication Services — 12.0%  

Emirates Telecommunications Group Co. PJSC

    444,149           2,853,659  
   

 

 

 
Energy Equipment & Services — 0.7%  

Lamprell PLC(a)

    305,733       156,365  
   

 

 

 
Food Products — 2.4%  

Agthia Group PJSC

    308,125       562,035  
   

 

 

 
Health Care Providers & Services — 0.0%  

NMC Health PLC(b)

    112,588       1  
   

 

 

 
Industrial Conglomerates — 3.2%        

Dubai Investments PJSC

    1,516,377       754,313  
   

 

 

 
Security   Shares     Value  

 

 
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 3.4%        

Dana Gas PJSC

    2,763,838     $ 819,248  
   

 

 

 
Real Estate Management & Development — 14.3%        

Aldar Properties PJSC

    919,414       1,038,258  

DAMAC Properties Dubai Co. PJSC(a)

    1,666,861       571,783  

Deyaar Development PJSC(a)

    1,504,728       126,438  

Emaar Development PJSC(a)

    18,965       20,375  

Emaar Malls PJSC(a)

    66,710       37,403  

Emaar Properties PJSC

    877,695       1,001,582  

Eshraq Investments PJSC(a)

    1,451,584       132,484  

RAK Properties PJSC(a)

    1,252,533       250,235  

Union Properties PJSC(a)

    2,678,120       220,706  
   

 

 

 
      3,399,264  
Specialty Retail — 4.4%        

Abu Dhabi National Oil Co. for Distribution PJSC

    845,520       1,040,168  
   

 

 

 
Thrifts & Mortgage Finance — 0.2%        

Amlak Finance PJSC(a)

    764,494       57,860  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 99.8%
(Cost: $21,168,912)

 

    23,663,441  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Investments

 

Money Market Funds — 0.3%  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares, 0.00%(c)(d)

    70,000       70,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments — 0.3%
(Cost: $70,000)

 

    70,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities — 100.1%
(Cost: $21,238,912)

 

    23,733,441  

Other Assets, Less Liabilities — (0.1)%

 

    (15,911
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

 

  $  23,717,530  
   

 

 

 

 

(a)

Non-income producing security.

(b)

Security is valued using significant unobservable inputs and is classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

(c)

Affiliate of the Fund.

(d)

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

 

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the year ended August 31, 2021 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

 

 
Affiliated Issuer    Value at
08/31/20
     Purchases
at Cost
     Proceeds
from Sales
     Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
     Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
     Value at
08/31/21
     Shares
Held at
08/31/21
     Income     

Capital

Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds

 

 

 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

   $ 60,000        $ 10,000 (a)     $      $      $      $ 70,000        70,000      $ 10      $  
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 

 

 

64  

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Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® MSCI UAE ETF

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

For the period ended August 31, 2021, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

 

 
     Equity
Contracts
 

 

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from:

  

Futures contracts

   $ 9,407  
  

 

 

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments. 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.

 

                                                                       

 

 
     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

 

 

Investments

           

Assets

           

Common Stocks

   $ 13,453,087      $ 9,984,193      $ 226,161      $ 23,663,441  

Money Market Funds

     70,000                      70,000  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 13,523,087      $   9,984,193      $ 226,161      $ 23,733,441  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The following table includes a rollforward for the year ended August 31, 2021 of investments whose values are classified as Level 3 as of the beginning or end of the year.

 

 

 
    Common Stocks  

 

 

Balance at beginning of period(a)

    $ 274,624  

Realized gain (loss) and change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation

                    (492,383

Purchases

       

Sales

      (5,698

Transfers in

      449,618 (b) 

Transfers out

       
   

 

 

 

Balance at end of period

    $ 226,161  
   

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments still held at end of period

    $ (484,396
   

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Represents the value as of the beginning of the reporting period.

 
  (b)

Transfers in to Level 3 are due to the suspension of trading of equity securities.

 

The Fund’s investments that are categorized as Level 3 were valued utilizing a single broker quote without adjustment. Such valuations are based on unobservable inputs. A significant change in third party information could result in a significantly lower or higher value of such Level 3 investments.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

S C H E D U L E   O F   I N V E S T M E N T S

  65


Statements of Assets and Liabilities  

August 31, 2021

 

   

iShares

MSCI

Argentina

and Global
Exposure
ETF

    

iShares

MSCI Brazil
Small-Cap

ETF

    

iShares

MSCI China ETF

    

iShares

MSCI China
Small-Cap

ETF

 

 

 

ASSETS

          

Investments in securities, at value (including securities on loan)(a):

          

Unaffiliated(b)

  $ 9,374,617      $ 107,406,612      $ 6,163,100,114      $ 88,649,377  

Affiliated(c)

    114,864        100,000        154,899,490        22,168,371  

Cash

    7,158        8,206        582        4,998  

Foreign currency, at value(d)

    693        116,642        28,133,339        105,907  

Cash pledged:

          

Futures contracts

           70,000        2,030,000        17,000  

Receivables:

          

Investments sold

    787,747        510,636        72,749,177        5,229,257  

Securities lending income — Affiliated

    185               162,619        53,252  

Variation margin on futures contracts

           1,296        348,768        2,287  

Capital shares sold

                  254         

Dividends

    706        290,066        1,843,719        68,693  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

    10,285,970        108,503,458        6,423,268,062        116,299,142  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

          

Collateral on securities loaned, at value

    114,275               147,881,673        22,118,902  

Payables:

          

Investments purchased

    779,881        474,875        89,964,636        5,316,283  

Investment advisory fees

    1,761        52,601        2,952,737        43,108  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    895,917        527,476        240,799,046        27,478,293  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 9,390,053      $ 107,975,982      $ 6,182,469,016      $ 88,820,849  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:

          

Paid-in capital

  $ 15,266,313      $ 149,482,011      $ 5,915,795,286      $ 100,878,152  

Accumulated earnings (loss)

    (5,876,260      (41,506,029      266,673,730        (12,057,303
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 9,390,053      $ 107,975,982      $ 6,182,469,016      $ 88,820,849  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Shares outstanding

    300,000        6,200,000        87,200,000        1,650,000  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value

  $ 31.30      $ 17.42      $ 70.90      $ 53.83  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Shares authorized

    Unlimited        Unlimited        Unlimited        Unlimited  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Par value

    None        None        None        None  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

(a)  Securities loaned, at value

  $ 107,546      $      $ 143,492,789      $ 17,430,507  

(b)  Investments, at cost — Unaffiliated

  $ 10,351,388      $ 85,236,559      $ 5,124,490,207      $ 96,247,300  

(c)  Investments, at cost — Affiliated

  $ 114,844      $ 100,000      $ 154,792,562      $ 22,164,699  

(d)  Foreign currency, at cost

  $ 674      $ 116,073      $ 28,119,819      $ 105,766  

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

66  

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Statements of Assets and Liabilities  (continued)

August 31, 2021

 

   

iShares

MSCI

Indonesia

ETF

    

iShares

MSCI Peru

ETF

    

iShares

MSCI

Philippines

ETF

    

iShares

MSCI Poland

ETF

 

 

 

ASSETS

          

Investments in securities, at value (including securities on loan)(a):

          

Unaffiliated(b)

  $ 351,522,428      $ 95,020,806      $ 124,397,489      $ 284,129,488  

Affiliated(c)

    20,000        540,000        140,000        15,817,125  

Cash

    1,551        302        1,914        8,868  

Foreign currency, at value(d)

    902,559        121,625        61,997        100,584  

Cash pledged:

          

Futures contracts

    45,000        45,000        26,000        59,000  

Receivables:

          

Investments sold

    814,150        4,251,020        1,331,199        4,203,273  

Securities lending income — Affiliated

                         14,280  

Variation margin on futures contracts

    11,526        11,400        6,650        15,220  

Dividends

    9,451        421,982        319,661        228,399  

Tax reclaims

                         534,711  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

    353,326,665        100,412,135        126,284,910        305,110,948  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

          

Collateral on securities loaned, at value

                         13,503,018  

Payables:

          

Investments purchased

    1,201,504        4,313,621        1,184,145        4,755,796  

Capital shares redeemed

           190,699                

Investment advisory fees

    167,441        46,045        57,568        131,228  

Professional fees

                         148,074  

IRS compliance fee for foreign withholding tax claims

                         2,426,597  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    1,368,945        4,550,365        1,241,713        20,964,713  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 351,957,720      $ 95,861,770      $ 125,043,197      $ 284,146,235  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:

          

Paid-in capital

  $ 629,828,362      $ 293,028,511      $ 215,454,748      $ 435,351,220  

Accumulated loss

    (277,870,642      (197,166,741      (90,411,551      (151,204,985
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 351,957,720      $ 95,861,770      $ 125,043,197      $ 284,146,235  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Shares outstanding

    16,500,000        3,550,000        4,100,000        12,300,000  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value

  $ 21.33      $ 27.00      $ 30.50      $ 23.10  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Shares authorized

    Unlimited        Unlimited        Unlimited        Unlimited  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Par value

    None        None        None        None  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

(a)  Securities loaned, at value

  $      $      $      $ 13,024,078  

(b)  Investments, at cost — Unaffiliated

  $ 467,515,959      $ 148,204,354      $ 152,163,116      $ 310,628,124  

(c)  Investments, at cost — Affiliated

  $ 20,000      $ 540,000      $ 140,000      $ 15,815,776  

(d)  Foreign currency, at cost

  $ 893,616      $ 121,682      $ 61,443      $ 103,401  

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

F I N A N C I A L   S T A T E M E N T S

  67


Statements of Assets and Liabilities  (continued)

August 31, 2021

 

   

iShares

MSCI Qatar

ETF

    

iShares

MSCI Saudi

Arabia ETF

    

iShares

MSCI UAE

ETF

 

 

 

ASSETS

       

Investments in securities, at value:

       

Unaffiliated(a)

  $ 85,997,931      $ 896,163,372      $ 23,663,441  

Affiliated(b)

    20,000        3,190,000        70,000  

Cash

    967        2,711        5,316  

Foreign currency, at value(c)

    25,070        532,530        1,389  

Cash pledged:

       

Futures contracts

           222,000        4,000  

Receivables:

       

Investments sold

    1,500,388        342,435        379,269  

Variation margin on futures contracts

           56,274        923  

Dividends

           815,763         
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

    87,544,356        901,325,085        24,124,338  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

       

Payables:

       

Investments purchased

    1,268,463        2,086,819        395,576  

Variation margin on futures contracts

    172                

Investment advisory fees

    41,766        554,609        11,232  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    1,310,401        2,641,428        406,808  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 86,233,955      $ 898,683,657      $ 23,717,530  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:

       

Paid-in capital

  $ 92,538,105      $ 747,379,729      $ 61,276,206  

Accumulated earnings (loss)

    (6,304,150      151,303,928        (37,558,676
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 86,233,955      $ 898,683,657      $ 23,717,530  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Shares outstanding

    4,400,000        21,800,000        1,600,000  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value

  $ 19.60      $ 41.22      $ 14.82  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Shares authorized

    Unlimited        Unlimited        Unlimited  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Par value

    None        None        None  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

(a)  Investments, at cost — Unaffiliated

  $ 66,161,658      $ 618,470,548      $ 21,168,912  

(b)  Investments, at cost — Affiliated

  $ 20,000      $ 3,190,000      $ 70,000  

(c)  Foreign currency, at cost

  $ 25,093      $ 532,569      $ 1,432  

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

68  

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Statements of Operations  

Year Ended August 31, 2021

 

   

iShares

MSCI

Argentina

and Global

Exposure

ETF

    

iShares

MSCI Brazil

Small-Cap

ETF

    

iShares

MSCI China

ETF

    

iShares

MSCI China

Small-Cap

ETF

 

 

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

          

Dividends — Unaffiliated

  $ 77,052      $ 3,251,170      $ 104,357,606      $ 2,201,637  

Dividends — Affiliated

    3        306        2,097        27  

Interest — Unaffiliated

                  4,438         

Securities lending income — Affiliated — net

    1,891               1,640,280        415,280  

Foreign taxes withheld

    (16,023      (135,754      (6,826,764      (37,441
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total investment income

    62,923        3,115,722        99,177,657        2,579,503  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

EXPENSES

          

Investment advisory fees

    44,613        626,737        37,758,456        432,073  

Commitment fees

           986                

Miscellaneous

    173        173        173        173  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses

    44,786        627,896        37,758,629        432,246  

Less:

          

Investment advisory fees waived

    (26,643                     
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived

    18,143        627,896        37,758,629        432,246  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income

    44,780        2,487,826        61,419,028        2,147,257  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

          

Net realized gain (loss) from:

          

Investments — Unaffiliated

    62,711        6,137,531        (160,916,147      3,957,376  

Investments — Affiliated

    (200             8,629        (3,154

In-kind redemptions — Unaffiliated

    167,065               255,106,648        12,831,134  

Futures contracts

           307,900        (4,765,750      (180,689

Foreign currency transactions

    47        40,441        (71,260      (2,699
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net realized gain

    229,623        6,485,872        89,362,120        16,601,968  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

          

Investments — Unaffiliated

    2,543,138        18,694,341        (536,319,215      (8,319,511

Investments — Affiliated

    (8             (115,113      (2,186

Futures contracts

           (9,087      (1,328,396      (3,678

Foreign currency translations

    385        64,335        4,129        (142
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    2,543,515        18,749,589        (537,758,595      (8,325,517
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    2,773,138        25,235,461        (448,396,475      8,276,451  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

  $ 2,817,918      $ 27,723,287      $ (386,977,447    $ 10,423,708  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

F I N A N C I A L   S T A T E M E N T S

  69


Statements of Operations  (continued)

Year Ended August 31, 2021

 

   

iShares

MSCI
Indonesia

ETF

    

iShares

MSCI Peru

ETF

    

iShares

MSCI

Philippines

ETF

    

iShares

MSCI Poland

ETF

 

 

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

          

Dividends — Unaffiliated

  $ 7,760,007      $ 4,428,711      $ 2,563,452      $ 3,859,232  

Dividends — Affiliated

    109        72        67        754  

Securities lending income — Affiliated — net

                         217,973  

Foreign taxes withheld

    (1,463,157      (159,366      (688,904      (531,824

Foreign withholding tax claims

                         980,743  

IRS Compliance fee for foreign withholding tax claims

                         (864,142
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total investment income

    6,296,959        4,269,417        1,874,615        3,662,736  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

EXPENSES

          

Investment advisory fees

    1,961,109        809,164        743,337        1,476,840  

Professional fees

                         98,075  

Miscellaneous

    173        173        173        173  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses

    1,961,282        809,337        743,510        1,575,088  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income

    4,335,677        3,460,080        1,131,105        2,087,648  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

          

Net realized gain (loss) from:

          

Investments — Unaffiliated

    (32,334,653      (26,366,750      (9,897,181      (36,454,180

Investments — Affiliated

                         (3,553

In-kind redemptions — Unaffiliated

    12,498,025        8,758,463        (662,357      23,369,451  

Futures contracts

    148,649        47,443        30,210        133,522  

Foreign currency transactions

    817        (40,511      (1,910      (93,512
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net realized loss

    (19,687,162      (17,601,355      (10,531,238      (13,048,272
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

          

Investments — Unaffiliated

    46,436,581        (9,103,557      23,476,644        79,252,857  

Investments — Affiliated

                         (1,675

Futures contracts

    (27,384      6,201        59,178        (43,729

Foreign currency translations

    6,950        (6,282      1,278        (31,427
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    46,416,147        (9,103,638      23,537,100        79,176,026  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    26,728,985        (26,704,993      13,005,862        66,127,754  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

  $ 31,064,662      $ (23,244,913    $ 14,136,967      $ 68,215,402  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

70  

2 0 2 1   I S H A R E S   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Statements of Operations  (continued)

Year Ended August 31, 2021

 

   

iShares

MSCI Qatar

ETF

    

iShares

MSCI Saudi

Arabia ETF

    

iShares

MSCI UAE

ETF

 

 

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

       

Dividends — Unaffiliated

  $ 2,272,604      $ 20,181,157      $ 872,083  

Dividends — Affiliated

    68        333        10  

Foreign taxes withheld

           (1,059,457       
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total investment income

    2,272,672        19,122,033        872,093  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

EXPENSES

       

Investment advisory fees

    506,759        5,055,582        118,873  

Commitment fees

    825        4,615        238  

Miscellaneous

    173        173        173  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses

    507,757        5,060,370        119,284  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income

    1,764,915        14,061,663        752,809  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

       

Net realized gain (loss) from:

       

Investments — Unaffiliated

    (309,772      1,801,543        (1,549,399

In-kind redemptions — Unaffiliated

                  (188,508

Futures contracts

    5,525        200,375        9,407  

Foreign currency transactions

    (36,862      (45,555      (5,653
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net realized gain (loss)

    (341,109      1,956,363        (1,734,153
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

       

Investments — Unaffiliated

    9,448,597        244,530,510        5,887,984  

Futures contracts

    31        45,092         

Foreign currency translations

    (23      (134      (223
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    9,448,605        244,575,468        5,887,761  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain

    9,107,496        246,531,831        4,153,608  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

  $ 10,872,411      $ 260,593,494      $ 4,906,417  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

F I N A N C I A L   S T A T E M E N T S

  71


Statements of Changes in Net Assets 

 

   

iShares

MSCI Argentina and Global Exposure
ETF

   

iShares

MSCI Brazil Small-Cap

ETF

 
 

 

 

      

 

 

 
   

Year Ended

08/31/21

   

Year Ended

08/31/20

           Year Ended
08/31/21
           Year Ended
08/31/20
 

 

 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

                

OPERATIONS

                

Net investment income

    $ 44,780       $ 91,845              $ 2,487,826       $ 1,862,222  

Net realized gain (loss)

               229,623         (4,138,853        6,485,872         (22,261,611

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

      2,543,515         3,575,461          18,749,589         (25,758,750
   

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

      2,817,918               (471,547        27,723,287         (46,158,139
   

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a)

                

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

      (64,808       (83,697        (2,361,269       (1,745,003
   

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

                

Net increase (decrease) in net assets derived from capital share transactions

      (1,067,643       (444,557        (14,760,639       38,690,019  
   

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

                

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

      1,685,467         (999,801        10,601,379         (9,213,123

Beginning of year

      7,704,586         8,704,387          97,374,603         106,587,726  
   

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

 

End of year

    $ 9,390,053       $ 7,704,586        $ 107,975,982       $ 97,374,603  
   

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

(a)

Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

72  

2 0 2 1   I S H A R E S   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

 

         

iShares

MSCI China ETF

         

iShares

MSCI China Small-Cap ETF

 
   

 

 

     

 

 

 
          Year Ended
08/31/21
          Year Ended
08/31/20
          Year Ended
08/31/21
          Year Ended
08/31/20
 

 

 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

               

OPERATIONS

               

Net investment income

             $ 61,419,028       $ 69,566,503       $ 2,147,257       $ 1,362,014  

Net realized gain (loss)

      89,362,120               54,923,012         16,601,968         (3,352,902

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

      (537,758,595       1,445,423,955                   (8,325,517                7,431,126  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

      (386,977,447       1,569,913,470         10,423,708         5,440,238  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a)

               

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

      (64,101,259       (60,135,118       (2,247,618       (1,006,664
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

               

Net increase in net assets derived from capital share transactions

      514,643,583         1,020,199,183         28,655,679         28,325,140  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

               

Total increase in net assets

      63,564,877         2,529,977,535         36,831,769         32,758,714  

Beginning of year

      6,118,904,139         3,588,926,604         51,989,080         19,230,366  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

End of year

    $ 6,182,469,016       $ 6,118,904,139       $ 88,820,849       $ 51,989,080  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

(a)

Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

F I N A N C I A L   S T A T E M E N T S

  73


Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

 

         

iShares

MSCI Indonesia ETF

         

iShares

MSCI Peru ETF

 
   

 

 

     

 

 

 
          Year Ended
08/31/21
          Year Ended
08/31/20
             Year Ended
08/31/21
          Year Ended
08/31/20
 

 

 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

               

OPERATIONS

               

Net investment income

    $ 4,335,677       $ 6,283,126       $ 3,460,080       $ 2,586,992  

Net realized loss

               (19,687,162             (42,943,033       (17,601,355       (34,670,086

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

      46,416,147         (56,398,313             (9,103,638                16,943,545  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

      31,064,662         (93,058,220       (23,244,913       (15,139,549
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a)

               

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

      (4,987,704       (4,209,575       (2,273,885       (2,716,932
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

               

Net increase (decrease) in net assets derived from capital share transactions

      5,989,055         14,974,393         39,083,845         (63,584,709
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

               

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

      32,066,013         (82,293,402       13,565,047         (81,441,190

Beginning of year

      319,891,707         402,185,109         82,296,723         163,737,913  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

End of year

    $ 351,957,720       $ 319,891,707       $ 95,861,770       $ 82,296,723  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

(a)

Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

74  

2 0 2 1   I S H A R E S   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

 

         

iShares

MSCI Philippines ETF

         

iShares

MSCI Poland ETF

 
   

 

 

     

 

 

 
          Year Ended
08/31/21
          Year Ended
08/31/20
             Year Ended
08/31/21
          Year Ended
08/31/20
 

 

 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

               

OPERATIONS

               

Net investment income

    $ 1,131,105       $ 988,563       $ 2,087,648       $ 2,385,749  

Net realized loss

      (10,531,238       (39,081,237       (13,048,272       (24,785,466

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

      23,537,100         (20,239,837       79,176,026         (2,150,036
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

               14,136,967               (58,332,511             68,215,402                  (24,549,753
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a)

               

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

      (1,185,812       (924,498       (2,299,648       (8,800,235
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

               

Net increase (decrease) in net assets derived from capital share transactions

      (6,414,725       (39,264,393       (35,363,332       26,365,968  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

               

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

      6,536,430         (98,521,402       30,552,422         (6,984,020

Beginning of year

      118,506,767         217,028,169         253,593,813         260,577,833  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

End of year

    $ 125,043,197       $ 118,506,767       $ 284,146,235       $ 253,593,813  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

(a)

Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

F I N A N C I A L   S T A T E M E N T S

  75


Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

 

   

iShares

MSCI Qatar ETF

        

iShares

MSCI Saudi Arabia ETF

 
 

 

 

      

 

 

 
    Year Ended
08/31/21
        Year Ended
08/31/20
         Year Ended
08/31/21
         Year Ended
08/31/20
 

 

 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

               

OPERATIONS

               

Net investment income

  $ 1,764,915       $ 2,345,460        $ 14,061,663        $ 12,975,640  

Net realized gain (loss)

    (341,109       (2,138,748        1,956,363          (96,779,306

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    9,448,605         3,860,076          244,575,468          46,386,613  
 

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    10,872,411            4,066,788          260,593,494          (37,417,053
 

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a)

               

From net investment income

    (1,877,384       (2,263,201        (9,483,509        (19,204,482

Return of capital

            (191,392                     
 

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

    (1,877,384       (2,454,593        (9,483,509        (19,204,482
 

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

               

Net increase (decrease) in net assets derived from capital share transactions

    (9,984,547       35,035,708          130,945,034             (73,341,055
 

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

               

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

    (989,520       36,647,903          382,055,019          (129,962,590

Beginning of year

    87,223,475         50,575,572          516,628,638          646,591,228  
 

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

End of year

  $ 86,233,955       $ 87,223,475        $ 898,683,657        $ 516,628,638  
 

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

(a)

Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

76  

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Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

 

   

iShares

MSCI UAE ETF

 
 

 

 

 
    Year Ended
08/31/21
          Year Ended
08/31/20
 

 

 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

     

OPERATIONS

     

Net investment income

  $ 752,809       $ 2,151,123  

Net realized loss

    (1,734,153       (11,560,584

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    5,887,761         (4,188,764
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    4,906,417         (13,598,225
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a)

     

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

    (741,238       (2,128,226
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

     

Net increase (decrease) in net assets derived from capital share transactions

    (18,624,637              8,096,344  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

     

Total decrease in net assets

    (14,459,458       (7,630,107

Beginning of year

    38,176,988         45,807,095  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

End of year

  $ 23,717,530       $ 38,176,988  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

(a)

Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

F I N A N C I A L   S T A T E M E N T S

  77


Financial Highlights 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    iShares MSCI Argentina and Global Exposure ETF  
 

 

 

 
                       Period From  
   
Year Ended
08/31/21
 
 
   
Year Ended
08/31/20
 
 
   
Year Ended
08/31/19
 
 
   
Year Ended
08/31/18
 
 
      04/25/17 (a) 
    to 08/31/17  

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $ 22.01        $ 19.34        $ 22.20        $ 25.71       $ 25.23  
   

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net investment income(b)

      0.15          0.17          0.27          0.63         0.03  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(c)

      9.36          2.65          (2.88        (3.61       0.46  
   

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

               9.51                 2.82                 (2.61               (2.98       0.49  
   

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

 

Distributions(d)

                      

From net investment income

      (0.22        (0.15        (0.25        (0.53       (0.01
   

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

      (0.22        (0.15        (0.25        (0.53       (0.01
   

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

    $ 31.30        $ 22.01        $ 19.34        $ 22.20       $ 25.71  
   

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Return(e)

                      

Based on net asset value

      43.35        14.65        (12.05 )%         (12.00 )%        2.00 %(f) 
   

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

                      

Total expenses

      0.59        0.59        0.59        0.59       0.59 %(g) 
   

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived

      0.24        0.24        0.45        0.59       0.59 %(g) 
   

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net investment income

      0.59        0.85        1.14        2.22       0.34 %(g) 
   

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

                      

Net assets, end of period (000)

    $ 9,390        $ 7,705        $ 8,704        $ 22,203              $ 15,428  
   

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(h)

      30        51        27        42       17 %(f) 
   

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

(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)

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(f)

Not annualized.

(g)

Annualized.

(h)

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

78  

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Financial Highlights (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

          iShares MSCI Brazil Small-Cap ETF  
   

 

 

 
          Year Ended
08/31/21
    Year Ended
08/31/20
    Year Ended
08/31/19
    Year Ended
08/31/18
    Year Ended
08/31/17
 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of year

    $ 13.62       $ 16.92       $ 11.87       $ 16.19       $ 11.51  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

      0.37         0.23         0.50         0.40         0.36  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(b)

      3.79         (3.30       5.15         (4.01       4.74  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

      4.16         (3.07       5.65         (3.61       5.10  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Distributions(c)

                   

From net investment income

      (0.36       (0.23       (0.60       (0.71       (0.42
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

      (0.36       (0.23       (0.60       (0.71       (0.42
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

    $ 17.42       $ 13.62       $ 16.92       $ 11.87       $ 16.19  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

                   

Based on net asset value

      30.34       (18.40 )%        48.35       (22.95 )%        45.92
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

                   

Total expenses

      0.57       0.59       0.59       0.59       0.62
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net investment income

      2.26       1.51       3.26       2.55       2.76
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

                   

Net assets, end of year (000)

             $ 107,976              $ 97,375       $ 106,588       $ 48,679       $ 62,316  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(e)

      40 %(f)        65 %(f)        47 %(f)        67 %(f)        58 %(f) 
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

(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)  Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

   

(e)  Portfolio turnover rate includes portfolio transactions that are executed as a result of the Fund offering and redeeming Creation Units solely for cash  in U.S. dollars (“cash creations”).

   

(f)  Portfolio turnover rate excluding cash creations was as follows:

      39       26       30       25       26
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

F I N A N C I A L   H I G H L I G H T S

  79


Financial Highlights (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

        iShares MSCI China ETF  
   

 

 

 
        Year Ended
08/31/21
    Year Ended
08/31/20
    Year Ended
08/31/19
    Year Ended
08/31/18
    Year Ended
08/31/17
 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of year

    $ 75.92     $ 56.43     $ 60.85     $ 62.06     $ 46.87  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

      0.74       0.90       0.95       1.05       0.86  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(b)

      (4.98     19.40       (4.49     (1.10     14.94  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

      (4.24     20.30       (3.54     (0.05     15.80  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions(c)

           

From net investment income

      (0.78     (0.81     (0.88     (1.16     (0.61
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions

      (0.78     (0.81     (0.88     (1.16     (0.61
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

    $ 70.90     $ 75.92     $ 56.43     $ 60.85     $ 62.06  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

           

Based on net asset value

      (5.69 )%      36.29     (5.76 )%      (0.22 )%      34.13
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

           

Total expenses

      0.57     0.59     0.59     0.59     0.62
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

      0.93     1.43     1.63     1.57     1.70
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

           

Net assets, end of year (000)

    $ 6,182,469     $ 6,118,904     $ 3,588,927     $ 3,444,143     $ 2,594,247  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(e)

      18     16     14     14     6
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(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)

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(e)

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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Financial Highlights (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

          iShares MSCI China Small-Cap ETF  
 

 

 

 
    Year Ended
08/31/21
    Year Ended
08/31/20
    Year Ended
08/31/19
    Year Ended
08/31/18
    Year Ended
08/31/17
 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of year

    $ 45.21       $ 38.46       $ 47.23       $ 48.50       $ 43.79  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

      1.50         1.46         1.39         1.51         1.22  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(b)

      8.86                6.48                (7.78              (1.14              5.21  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

      10.36         7.94         (6.39       0.37         6.43  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Distributions(c)

                   

From net investment income

      (1.74       (1.19       (2.38       (1.64       (1.72
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

      (1.74       (1.19       (2.38       (1.64       (1.72
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

    $ 53.83       $ 45.21       $ 38.46       $ 47.23       $ 48.50  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

                   

Based on net asset value

      23.33       21.21       (13.60 )%        0.58       15.29
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

                   

Total expenses

      0.57       0.59       0.59       0.59       0.62
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net investment income

      2.82       3.70       3.26       2.91       2.72
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

                   

Net assets, end of year (000)

    $ 88,821       $ 51,989       $ 19,230       $ 25,977       $ 21,825  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(e)

      51       39       38       63       26
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

(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)

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(e)

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

F I N A N C I A L   H I G H L I G H T S

  81


Financial Highlights (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

          iShares MSCI Indonesia ETF  
 

 

 

 
    Year Ended
08/31/21
    Year Ended
08/31/20
    Year Ended
08/31/19
    Year Ended
08/31/18
    Year Ended
08/31/17
 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of year

    $ 19.69       $ 25.22       $ 23.57       $ 26.89       $ 25.82  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

      0.27                0.36                0.41                0.43                0.31  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(b)

      1.68         (5.66       1.70         (3.27       1.11  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

      1.95         (5.30       2.11         (2.84       1.42  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Distributions(c)

                   

From net investment income

      (0.31       (0.23       (0.46       (0.48       (0.35
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

      (0.31       (0.23       (0.46       (0.48       (0.35
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

    $ 21.33       $ 19.69       $ 25.22       $ 23.57       $ 26.89  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

                   

Based on net asset value

      9.88       (21.04 )%        9.00       (10.67 )%        5.53
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

                   

Total expenses

      0.57       0.59       0.59       0.59       0.62
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net investment income

      1.26       1.65       1.64       1.63       1.22
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

                   

Net assets, end of year (000)

    $ 351,958       $ 319,892       $ 402,185       $ 414,758       $ 501,411  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(e)

      10       13       12       7       6
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

(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)

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(e)

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

82  

2 0 2 1   I S H A R E S   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Financial Highlights (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

          iShares MSCI Peru ETF  
 

 

 

 
    Year Ended
08/31/21
    Year Ended
08/31/20
    Year Ended
08/31/19
    Year Ended
08/31/18
    Year Ended
08/31/17
 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of year

    $ 31.65       $ 34.11       $ 37.44       $ 37.54       $ 32.79  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

      0.79         0.69         0.85         1.09         0.46  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(b)

      (5.00       (2.34       (3.36       (0.06       4.99  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

      (4.21       (1.65       (2.51       1.03         5.45  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Distributions(c)

                   

From net investment income

      (0.44       (0.81       (0.82       (1.13       (0.70
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

      (0.44       (0.81       (0.82       (1.13       (0.70
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

    $ 27.00       $ 31.65       $ 34.11       $ 37.44       $ 37.54  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

                   

Based on net asset value

      (13.49 )%               (4.78 )%               (6.75 )%               2.60              16.89
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

                   

Total expenses

      0.57       0.59       0.59       0.59       0.62
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net investment income

      2.42       2.15       2.33       2.65       1.37
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

                   

Net assets, end of year (000)

    $ 95,862       $ 82,297       $ 163,738       $ 164,717       $ 170,794  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(e)

      33       26       18       11       13
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

(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)

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

 
(e)

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

F I N A N C I A L   H I G H L I G H T S

  83


Financial Highlights (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

          iShares MSCI Philippines ETF  
 

 

 

 
    Year Ended
08/31/21
    Year Ended
08/31/20
    Year Ended
08/31/19
    Year Ended
08/31/18
    Year Ended
08/31/17
 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of year

    $ 26.63       $ 34.45       $ 33.08       $ 35.88       $ 39.19  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

      0.26         0.17         0.28         0.14         0.15  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(b)

      3.90         (7.80       1.35         (2.79       (3.26
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

      4.16                (7.63              1.63                (2.65              (3.11
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Distributions(c)

                   

From net investment income

      (0.29       (0.19       (0.26       (0.15       (0.20
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

      (0.29       (0.19       (0.26       (0.15       (0.20
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

    $ 30.50       $ 26.63       $ 34.45       $ 33.08       $ 35.88  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

                   

Based on net asset value

      15.57       (22.16 )%        4.93       (7.40 )%        (7.87 )% 
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

                   

Total expenses

      0.57       0.59       0.59       0.59       0.62
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net investment income

      0.87       0.57       0.83       0.40       0.42
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

                   

Net assets, end of year (000)

    $ 125,043       $ 118,507       $ 217,028       $ 172,013       $ 172,245  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(e)

      20       16       8       8       7
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

(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)

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

 
(e)

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

84  

2 0 2 1   I S H A R E S   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Financial Highlights (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

        iShares MSCI Poland ETF  
 

 

 
    Year Ended
08/31/21
    Year Ended
08/31/20
    Year Ended
08/31/19
    Year Ended
08/31/18
    Year Ended
08/31/17
 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of year

    $ 18.24       $ 20.68       $ 24.31       $ 27.33       $ 18.06  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

      0.16 (b)         0.17 (b)         0.65 (b)         0.33 (b)         0.45 (b)  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(c)

      4.86         (1.95       (3.93       (2.90       9.25  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

      5.02                (1.78              (3.28              (2.57              9.70  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Distributions(d)

                   

From net investment income

           (0.16       (0.66       (0.35       (0.45       (0.43
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

      (0.16       (0.66       (0.35       (0.45       (0.43
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

    $ 23.10       $ 18.24       $ 20.68       $ 24.31       $ 27.33  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Return(e)

                   

Based on net asset value

      27.65 %(b)        (8.76 )%(b)        (13.64 )%(b)        (9.53 )%(b)        54.79 %(b) 
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

                   

Total expenses

      0.61       0.78       0.61       0.63       0.63
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total expenses excluding professional fees for foreign withholding tax claims

      0.57       0.59       0.59       0.59       0.62
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net investment income

      0.80 %(b)         0.93 %(b)         2.81 %(b)         1.28 %(b)         2.07 %(b)  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

                   

Net assets, end of year (000)

    $ 284,146       $ 253,594       $ 260,578       $ 263,758       $ 363,537  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(f)

      22       15       5       7       6
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

(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 August 31, 2021, August 31, 2020, August 31, 2019, August 31, 2018 and August 31, 2017, respectively:

 
 

• Net investment income per share by $0.07, $0.28, $0.05, $0.08 and $0.03, respectively.

 
 

• Total return by 0.38%, 1.40%, 0.21%, 0.41% and 0.11%, respectively.

 
 

• Ratio of net investment income to average net assets by 0.34%, 1.54%, 0.22%, 0.32% and 0.14%, respectively.

 
(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.

 
(f)

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

F I N A N C I A L   H I G H L I G H T S

  85


Financial Highlights (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

          iShares MSCI Qatar ETF  
 

 

 

 
    Year Ended
08/31/21
    Year Ended
08/31/20
    Year Ended
08/31/19
    Year Ended
08/31/18
    Year Ended
08/31/17
 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of year

    $ 17.62       $ 17.44       $ 17.82       $ 16.19       $ 20.18  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

      0.37         0.56         0.64         0.66         0.57  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(b)

      2.03         0.11         (0.26       1.71         (3.90
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

      2.40         0.67         0.38         2.37         (3.33
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Distributions(c)

                   

From net investment income

      (0.42       (0.45       (0.76       (0.74       (0.66

Return of capital

              (0.04                        
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

      (0.42       (0.49       (0.76       (0.74       (0.66
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

    $ 19.60       $ 17.62       $ 17.44       $ 17.82       $ 16.19  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

                   

Based on net asset value

      13.70       4.10       1.98       14.96       (16.52 )% 
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

                   

Total expenses

      0.57       0.59       0.59       0.59       0.62
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net investment income

      1.98       3.31       3.48       4.09       3.05
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

                   

Net assets, end of year (000)

    $ 86,234       $ 87,223       $ 50,576       $ 55,253       $ 49,390  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(e)

      26 %(f)         24 %(f)         33 %(f)         58 %(f)         47 %(f)  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

(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)  Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(e)  Portfolio turnover rate includes portfolio transactions that are executed as a result of the Fund offering and redeeming Creation Units solely for  cash in U.S. dollars (“cash creations”).

   

   

   

   

   

(f)  Portfolio turnover rate excluding cash creations was as follows:

      9       14       23       22       20
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

86  

2 0 2 1   I S H A R E S   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Financial Highlights (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

          iShares MSCI Saudi Arabia ETF  
 

 

 

 
    Year Ended
08/31/21
    Year Ended
08/31/20
    Year Ended
08/31/19
    Year Ended
08/31/18
    Year Ended
08/31/17
 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of year

    $ 28.70       $ 30.21       $ 29.72       $ 26.15       $ 21.52  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

      0.71         0.57         1.11         1.28         0.91  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(b)

      12.27         (1.26       0.12         2.92         4.24  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

      12.98         (0.69       1.23         4.20         5.15  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Distributions(c)

                   

From net investment income

      (0.46       (0.82       (0.74       (0.63       (0.52
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

      (0.46       (0.82       (0.74       (0.63       (0.52
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

    $ 41.22       $ 28.70       $ 30.21       $ 29.72       $ 26.15  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

                   

Based on net asset value

      45.37       (2.21 )%        4.14       16.23       24.06
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

                   

Total expenses

      0.74       0.74       0.74       0.74       0.74
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net investment income

      2.06       2.03       3.46       4.31       3.68
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

                   

Net assets, end of year (000)

    $ 898,684       $ 516,629       $ 646,591       $ 257,099       $ 18,306  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(e)

      13 %(f)         64 %(f)         82 %(f)         20 %(f)         21 %(f)  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

(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)  Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

   

(e)  Portfolio turnover rate includes portfolio transactions that are executed as a result of the Fund offering and redeeming Creation Units solely for cash  in U.S. dollars (“cash creations”).

   

(f)  Portfolio turnover rate excluding cash creations was as follows:

      6       20       14       10       21
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

F I N A N C I A L   H I G H L I G H T S

  87


Financial Highlights (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

          iShares MSCI UAE ETF  
 

 

 

 
    Year Ended
08/31/21
    Year Ended
08/31/20
    Year Ended
08/31/19
    Year Ended
08/31/18
    Year Ended
08/31/17
 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of year

    $ 10.91        $ 14.09        $ 15.61        $ 17.74        $ 17.15  
   

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

      0.46          0.53          0.57          0.70          0.50  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(b)

      3.96          (3.16        (1.54        (2.04        0.72  
   

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

      4.42                 (2.63               (0.97               (1.34               1.22  
   

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Distributions(c)

                       

From net investment income

      (0.51        (0.55        (0.55        (0.79        (0.63
   

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total distributions

      (0.51        (0.55        (0.55        (0.79        (0.63
   

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

    $ 14.82        $ 10.91        $ 14.09        $ 15.61        $ 17.74  
   

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

                       

Based on net asset value

      40.74        (18.43 )%         (5.95 )%         (7.55 )%         7.33
   

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

                       

Total expenses

      0.57        0.59        0.59        0.59        0.62
   

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net investment income

      3.61        4.46        3.95        4.18        2.94
   

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

                       

Net assets, end of year (000)

    $ 23,718        $ 38,177        $ 45,807        $ 39,018        $ 49,663  
   

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(e)

      112        67        55        33        33
   

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

(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)

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

 
(e)

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements  

 

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”):    

 

   
iShares ETF   Diversification  
Classification  
 

MSCI Argentina and Global Exposure

    Non-diversified    

MSCI Brazil Small-Cap

    Diversified    

MSCI China

    Non-diversified    

MSCI China Small-Cap

    Diversified    

MSCI Indonesia

    Non-diversified    

MSCI Peru

    Non-diversified    

MSCI Philippines

    Non-diversified    

MSCI Poland

    Non-diversified    

MSCI Qatar

    Non-diversified    

MSCI Saudi Arabia

    Non-diversified    

MSCI UAE

    Non-diversified    

 

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 August 31, 2021, if any, are disclosed in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

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 includes tax reclaims recorded as well as professional and other fees, if any, associated with recovery of foreign withholding taxes.

Segregation and Collateralization: In cases where a Fund enters into certain investments (e.g., futures contracts) that would be treated as “senior securities” for 1940 Act purposes, a Fund may segregate or designate on its books and record cash or liquid assets having a market value at least equal to the amount of its future obligations under

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

such investments. Doing so allows the investment to be excluded from treatment as a “senior security.” Furthermore, 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 or obligations.

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. The character and timing of distributions are determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP.

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. Each Fund determines the fair values of its financial instruments using various independent dealers or pricing services under policies approved by the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”). 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 a policy approved by the Board as reflecting fair value. The BlackRock Global Valuation Methodologies Committee (the “Global Valuation Committee”) is the committee formed by management to develop global pricing policies and procedures and to oversee the pricing function for all financial instruments.

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 published 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 follows 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 Global Valuation Committee, in accordance with a policy approved by the Board as reflecting fair value (“Fair Valued Investments”). The fair valuation approaches that may be used by the Global 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 Global Valuation Committee, or its delegate, 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 Global Valuation Committee, or its delegate, deems relevant and consistent with the principles of fair value measurement. The pricing of all Fair Valued Investments is subsequently reported to the Board or a committee thereof on a quarterly basis.

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. 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 for identical assets or liabilities that each Fund has the ability to access;

   

Level 2 – Other observable inputs (including, but not limited to, quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in markets that are active, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the assets or liabilities (such as interest rates, yield curves, volatilities, prepayment speeds, loss severities, credit risks and default rates) or other market-corroborated inputs); and

   

Level 3 – Unobservable inputs based on the best information available in the circumstances, to the extent observable inputs are not available, (including the Global 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

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

inputs used by the Global 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 BlackRock Fund Advisors (“BFA”), the Funds’ investment adviser, 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

   
Market Value of
Securities on Loan
 
 
      
Cash Collateral
Received
 
(a)  
    
Non-Cash Collateral
Received
 
 
     Net Amount  

 

 

MSCI Argentina and Global Exposure

            

BofA Securities, Inc.

  $ 53,074        $ 53,074      $      $  

Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC

    40,266          40,266                

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

    670          670                

Morgan Stanley

    13,536          13,536                 
 

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
  $         107,546        $         107,546      $      $  
 

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

                                                                                       

 

 

iShares ETF and Counterparty

   

Market Value of

Securities on Loan

 

 

      
Cash Collateral
Received
 
(a)  
    
Non-Cash Collateral
Received
 
 
       Net Amount  

 

 

MSCI China

              

Barclays Bank PLC

  $ 11,550,159        $ 11,392,313      $        $ (157,846 )(b)  

Barclays Capital, Inc.

    5,639,976          5,639,976                  

BNP Paribas SA

    1,685,642          1,603,567                 (82,075 )(b)  

BofA Securities, Inc.

    22,490,714          22,490,714                  

Citadel Clearing LLC

    1,963,500          1,934,934                 (28,566 )(b)  

Citigroup Global Markets, Inc.

    34,106,258          34,106,258                  

Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC

    2,068,498          2,068,498                  

Deutsche Bank Securities, Inc.

    230,454          216,030                 (14,424 )(b)  

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC

    14,015,215          14,015,215                  

HSBC Bank PLC

    442,843          442,843                  

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

    9,700,180          9,658,173                 (42,007 )(b)  

Jefferies LLC

    31,304          29,342                 (1,962 )(b)  

Macquarie Bank Ltd.

    2,030,120          2,030,120                  

Morgan Stanley

    24,594,702          24,594,702                  

Nomura Securities International, Inc.

    43,776          43,776                  

SG AMERICAS Securities LLC

    2,137,729          2,137,729                  

State Street Bank & Trust Co.

    3,576,645          3,475,219                 (101,426 )(b)  

Toronto Dominion Bank

    1,167,448          1,167,448                  

UBS AG

    5,434,115          5,264,115                 (170,000 )(b)  

UBS Securities LLC

    560,348          532,093                 (28,255 )(b)  

Wells Fargo Bank N.A.

    3,479          3,444                 (35 )(b)  

Wells Fargo Securities LLC

    19,684          19,486                 (198 )(b)  
 

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

 
  $ 143,492,789        $ 142,865,995      $        $ (626,794
 

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

 

MSCI China Small-Cap

              

Barclays Bank PLC

  $ 1,453,509        $ 1,453,509      $        $  

Barclays Capital, Inc.

    1,703,607          1,703,607                  

BNP Paribas SA

    51,040          51,040                  

BofA Securities, Inc.

    3,990,360          3,990,360                  

Citadel Clearing LLC

    35,072          34,556                 (516 )(b)  

Citigroup Global Markets, Inc.

    740,240          740,240                  

Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC

    2,025,605          2,025,605                  

Deutsche Bank Securities, Inc.

    431,520          425,497                 (6,023 )(b)  

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC

    2,222,713          2,222,713                  

HSBC Bank PLC

    526,471          526,471                  

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

    1,419,742          1,419,742                  

Morgan Stanley

    1,232,467          1,232,467                  

National Financial Services LLC

    318,593          318,593                  

Nomura Securities International, Inc.

    227,388          227,388                  

Scotia Capital (USA), Inc.

    611,035          611,035                  

SG AMERICAS Securities LLC

    9,113          9,113                  

State Street Bank & Trust Co.

    27,472          27,472                  

UBS AG

    28,956          28,956                  

UBS Securities LLC

    242,874          240,288                 (2,586 )(b)  

Wells Fargo Securities LLC

    132,730          132,578                 (152 )(b)  
 

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

 
  $ 17,430,507        $ 17,421,230      $        $ (9,277
 

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

 

MSCI Poland

              

Barclays Capital, Inc.

  $ 350,229        $ 350,229      $        $  

BofA Securities, Inc.

    246,074          246,074                  

Citigroup Global Markets, Inc.

    314,102          314,102                  

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC

    560,284          560,284                  

HSBC Bank PLC

    75,400          75,400                  

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

    124,036          124,036                  

Morgan Stanley

    11,259,701          11,259,701                  

UBS AG

    94,252          94,252                  
 

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

 
  $ 13,024,078        $ 13,024,078      $        $  
 

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Collateral received 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 statement of assets and liabilities.

 

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

  (b)

The market value of the loaned securities is determined as of August 31, 2021. Additional collateral is delivered to the Fund on the next business day in accordance with the MSLA. The net amount would be subject to the borrower default indemnity in the event of default by a counterparty.

 

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).

Effective July 14, 2021, for its investment advisory services to each of the iShares MSCI Brazil Small-Cap, iShares MSCI China, iShares MSCI China Small-Cap, iShares MSCI Indonesia, iShares MSCI Peru, iShares MSCI Philippines, iShares MSCI Poland, iShares MSCI Qatar and iShares MSCI UAE 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   Investment Advisory Fee  

First $2 billion

    0.7400

Over $2 billion, up to and including $4 billion

    0.6900  

Over $4 billion, up to and including $8 billion

    0.6400  

Over $8 billion, up to and including $16 billion

    0.5700  

Over $16 billion, up to and including $24 billion

    0.5100  

Over $24 billion, up to and including $32 billion

    0.4800  

Over $32 billion, up to and including $40 billion

    0.4500  

Over $40 billion

    0.4275  

Prior to July 14, 2021, for its investment advisory services to each of the iShares MSCI Brazil Small-Cap, iShares MSCI China, iShares MSCI China Small-Cap, iShares MSCI Indonesia, iShares MSCI Peru, iShares MSCI Philippines, iShares MSCI Poland, iShares MSCI Qatar and iShares MSCI UAE ETFs, BFA was entitled to an annual

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

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   Investment Advisory Fee  

First $2 billion

    0.74

Over $2 billion, up to and including $4 billion

    0.69  

Over $4 billion, up to and including $8 billion

    0.64  

Over $8 billion, up to and including $16 billion

    0.57  

Over $16 billion, up to and including $24 billion

    0.51  

Over $24 billion, up to and including $32 billion

    0.48  

Over $32 billion

    0.45  

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:

 

   
iShares ETF   Investment Advisory Fee  

MSCI Argentina and Global Exposure

    0.59

MSCI Saudi Arabia

    0.74  

Expense Waivers: BFA may from time to time voluntarily waive and/or reimburse fees or expenses in order to limit total annual fund operating expenses (excluding acquired fund fees and expenses, if any). BFA has elected to implement a voluntary fee waiver in order to limit the iShares MSCI Argentina and Global Exposure ETF’s total annual operating expenses after fee waiver to 0.24%, and currently intends to keep such voluntary fee waiver for the Fund in place through December 31, 2021. Any such voluntary waiver or reimbursement may be eliminated by BFA at any time.

This amount is included in investment advisory fees waived in the Statements of Operations. For the year ended August 31, 2021, the amounts waived in investment advisory fees pursuant to this arrangement were as follows:

 

   
iShares ETF   Amounts waived    

MSCI Argentina and Global Exposure

  $ 26,643    

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. 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, distribution fee or service fee. The money market fund in which the cash collateral has been invested may, under certain circumstances, impose a liquidity fee of up to 2% of the value redeemed or temporarily restrict redemptions for up to 10 business days during a 90 day period, in the event that the money market fund’s weekly liquid assets fall below certain thresholds.

Securities lending income is equal to the total of income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral, net of fees and other payments to and from borrowers of securities, and less the collateral investment fees. Each Fund retains a portion of 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 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, each 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.

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

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 year ended August 31, 2021, the Funds paid BTC the following amounts for securities lending agent services:

 

   
iShares ETF   Fees Paid  
to BTC   
 

MSCI Argentina and Global Exposure

  $ 542    

MSCI China

      440,616    

MSCI China Small-Cap

    96,879    

MSCI Poland

    53,611    

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 year ended August 31, 2021, transactions executed by the Funds pursuant to Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act were as follows:    

 

       
iShares ETF   Purchases      Sales      Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
 

MSCI Argentina and Global Exposure

  $ 263,329      $ 730,438      $ 258,909  

MSCI China

     74,333,563         56,064,491        (8,263,372

MSCI China Small-Cap

    5,441,220        18,387,799        6,506,113  

MSCI Peru

    3,870,543        5,886,013        (1,051,297

MSCI Poland

    8,112,291        361,984        (169,930

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.

 

7.

PURCHASES AND SALES

For the year ended August 31, 2021, purchases and sales of investments, excluding short-term investments and in-kind transactions, were as follows:

 

     
iShares ETF   Purchases      Sales    

MSCI Argentina and Global Exposure

  $ 2,242,850      $ 2,414,850    

MSCI Brazil Small-Cap

    42,867,641        56,569,205    

MSCI China

     1,837,888,530         1,170,948,468    

MSCI China Small-Cap

    89,838,210        38,466,065    

MSCI Indonesia

    36,435,594        32,898,898    

MSCI Peru

    49,534,182        44,668,934    

MSCI Philippines

    28,560,628        25,210,423    

MSCI Poland

    57,177,976        55,765,526    

MSCI Qatar

    22,955,482        33,221,568    

MSCI Saudi Arabia

    217,138,191        87,290,674    

MSCI UAE

    24,551,231        42,941,341    

For the year ended August 31, 2021, in-kind transactions were as follows:    

 

     
iShares ETF   In-kind
Purchases
    

In-kind   

Sales   

 

MSCI Argentina and Global Exposure

  $      $ 936,434    

MSCI China

      279,107,376          444,438,996    

MSCI China Small-Cap

    13,139,286        35,810,656    

MSCI Indonesia

    131,209,092        129,763,751    

MSCI Peru

    137,912,958        102,796,661    

MSCI Philippines

    36,261,304        42,596,411    

MSCI Poland

    92,570,172        128,492,597    

MSCI UAE

    287,431        422,524    

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

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 August 31, 2021, 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.

U.S. GAAP requires that certain components of net assets be adjusted to reflect permanent differences between financial and tax reporting. These reclassifications have no effect on net assets or NAV per share. As of August 31, 2021, the following permanent differences attributable to realized gains (losses) from in-kind redemptions were reclassified to the following accounts:

 

     
iShares ETF   Paid-in Capital
    Accumulated
Earnings (Loss)
 

MSCI Argentina and Global Exposure

  $ 15,641     $ (15,641

MSCI China

      242,229,786         (242,229,786

MSCI China Small-Cap

    11,633,605       (11,633,605

MSCI Indonesia

    10,649,816       (10,649,816

MSCI Peru

    7,808,876       (7,808,876

MSCI Philippines

    (4,032,638     4,032,638  

MSCI Poland

    18,553,613       (18,553,613

MSCI UAE

    (261,911     261,911  

The tax character of distributions was as follows:    

 

 

 
iShares ETF   Year Ended
08/31/21
     Year Ended
08/31/20
 

 

 

MSCI Argentina and Global Exposure

    

Ordinary income

  $ 64,808      $ 83,697  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

MSCI Brazil Small-Cap

    

Ordinary income

  $ 2,361,269      $ 1,745,003  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

MSCI China

    

Ordinary income

  $  64,101,259      $  60,135,118  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

MSCI China Small-Cap

    

Ordinary income

  $ 2,247,618      $ 1,006,664  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

MSCI Indonesia

    

Ordinary income

  $ 4,987,704      $ 4,209,575  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

MSCI Peru

    

Ordinary income

  $ 2,273,885      $ 2,716,932  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

MSCI Philippines

    

Ordinary income

  $ 1,185,812      $ 924,498  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

MSCI Poland

    

Ordinary income

  $ 2,299,648      $ 8,800,235  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

MSCI Qatar

    

Ordinary income

  $ 1,877,384      $ 2,263,201  

Return of capital

           191,392  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 
  $ 1,877,384      $ 2,454,593  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

MSCI Saudi Arabia

    

Ordinary income

  $ 9,483,509      $ 19,204,482  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

MSCI UAE

    

Ordinary income

  $ 741,238      $ 2,128,226  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

As of August 31, 2021, the tax components of accumulated net earnings (losses) were as follows:    

 

         

iShares ETF

   
Undistributed
Ordinary Income
 
 
    

Non-expiring
Capital Loss
Carryforwards
 
 
(a) 
   
Net Unrealized
Gains (Losses)
 
(b) 
    Total  

MSCI Argentina and Global Exposure

  $      $ (4,727,042   $ (1,149,218   $ (5,876,260

MSCI Brazil Small-Cap

    1,201,502        (55,778,419     13,070,888       (41,506,029

MSCI China

    41,925,082        (649,443,403     874,192,051       266,673,730  

MSCI China Small-Cap

    2,790,867        (4,605,075     (10,243,095     (12,057,303

MSCI Indonesia

    1,369,072        (161,291,249     (117,948,465     (277,870,642

MSCI Peru

    1,230,112        (140,440,764     (57,956,089     (197,166,741

MSCI Philippines

    225,207        (60,067,144     (30,569,614     (90,411,551

MSCI Poland

    1,333,875        (121,342,231     (31,196,629     (151,204,985

MSCI Qatar

    278,598        (18,006,638     11,423,890       (6,304,150

MSCI Saudi Arabia

    5,449,113        (65,216,720     211,071,535       151,303,928  

MSCI UAE

    523,295        (36,039,405     (2,042,566     (37,558,676

 

  (a)

Amounts available to offset future realized capital gains.

 
  (b)

The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized gains (losses) was attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales, the realization for tax purposes of unrealized gains (losses) on certain futures contracts, the realization for tax purposes of unrealized gains on investments in passive foreign investment companies, the characterization of corporate actions and foreign withholding tax reclaims.

 

For the year ended August 31, 2021, the Funds utilized the following amounts of their respective capital loss carryforwards:    

 

   
iShares ETF   Utilized  

MSCI Argentina and Global Exposure

  $ 104,622  

MSCI Brazil Small-Cap

     2,247,993  

MSCI China Small-Cap

    4,347,590  

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 August 31, 2021, 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:

 

         
iShares ETF   Tax Cost      Gross Unrealized
Appreciation
     Gross Unrealized
Depreciation
    Net Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

MSCI Argentina and Global Exposure

  $ 10,639,184      $ 2,845,574      $ (3,995,277   $ (1,149,703

MSCI Brazil Small-Cap

    94,439,963        28,892,665        (15,826,016     13,066,649  

MSCI China

    5,443,818,609        1,585,941,564        (711,760,570     874,180,994  

MSCI China Small-Cap

    121,061,032        9,774,453        (20,017,737     (10,243,284

MSCI Indonesia

    469,499,731        14,552,396        (132,509,699     (117,957,303

MSCI Peru

    153,512,160        657,660        (58,609,013     (57,951,353

MSCI Philippines

    155,112,618        4,497,261        (35,072,390     (30,575,129

MSCI Poland

    331,138,410        22,898,105        (54,089,902     (31,191,797

MSCI Qatar

    74,594,018        12,462,935        (1,039,022     11,423,913  

MSCI Saudi Arabia

    688,281,746        211,484,314        (412,688     211,071,626  

MSCI UAE

    25,775,964        6,375,833        (8,418,356     (2,042,523

 

9.

LINE OF CREDIT

The iShares MSCI Brazil Small-Cap ETF, iShares MSCI Qatar ETF, iShares MSCI Saudi Arabia ETF and iShares MSCI UAE ETF, along with certain other iShares funds (“Participating Funds”), are parties to a $300 million credit agreement (“Credit Agreement”) with State Street Bank and Trust Company, which expires on October 15, 2021. 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 Credit Agreement sets specific sub limits on aggregate borrowings based on two tiers of Participating Funds: $300 million with respect to the funds within Tier 1 and $200 million with respect to Tier 2, including the Funds. The Funds may borrow up to the aggregate commitment amount subject to asset coverage and other limitations as specified in the Credit Agreement. The Credit Agreement has the following terms: a commitment fee of 0.20% per annum on the unused portion of the credit agreement and interest at a rate equal to the higher of (a) the one-month LIBOR rate (not less than zero) plus 1.00% per annum or (b) the U.S. Federal Funds rate (not less than zero) 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 Credit Agreement. The Credit Agreement was terminated on August 12, 2021.

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

Effective August 13, 2021, the iShares MSCI Brazil Small-Cap ETF, iShares MSCI China ETF, iShares MSCI Qatar ETF, iShares MSCI Saudi Arabia ETF and iShares MSCI UAE 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 August 12, 2022. 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) the one-month LIBOR rate (not less than zero) plus 1.00% per annum or (b) the U.S. Federal Funds rate (not less than zero) 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 year ended August 31, 2021, the Funds did not borrow under the Credit Agreement or Syndicated Credit Agreement.

 

10.

PRINCIPAL RISKS

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 a “passive” or index approach to try to achieve each Fund’s investment objective following the securities included in its underlying index during upturns as well as downturns. BFA does not take steps to reduce market exposure or to lessen the effects of a declining market. Divergence from the underlying index and the composition of the portfolio is monitored by BFA.

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 redemption gates or liquidity fees under certain circumstances.

Market Risk: An outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus has developed into a global pandemic and has resulted in closing borders, quarantines, disruptions to supply chains and customer activity, as well as general concern and uncertainty. The impact of this pandemic, and other global health crises that may arise in the future, could affect the economies of many nations, individual companies and the market in general in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen at the present time. This pandemic may result in substantial market volatility and may adversely impact the prices and liquidity of a fund’s investments. The duration of this pandemic and its effects cannot be determined with certainty.

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 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.

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 the Manager 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, 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

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

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.

Concentration 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. 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 China or with significant exposure to Chinese issuers or countries. Investments in Chinese securities, including certain Hong Kong-listed securities, involves 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, institution of tariffs 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. Investment percentages in specific sectors are presented in the Schedule of Investments.

LIBOR Transition Risk: The United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority announced a phase out of the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”). Although many LIBOR rates will be phased out by the end of 2021, a selection of widely used USD LIBOR rates will continue to be published through June 2023 in order to assist with the transition. The Funds may be exposed to financial instruments tied to LIBOR to determine payment obligations, financing terms, hedging strategies or investment value. The transition process away from LIBOR might lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets for, and reduce the effectiveness of new hedges placed against, instruments whose terms currently include LIBOR. The ultimate effect of the LIBOR transition process on the Funds is uncertain.

 

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:    

 

 

 
   

Year Ended

08/31/21

          

Year Ended

08/31/20

 
 

 

 

      

 

 

 
iShares ETF   Shares            Amount            Shares            Amount  

 

 

MSCI Argentina and Global Exposure

                

Shares sold

           $          400,000        $ 8,087,879  

Shares redeemed

    (50,000        (1,067,643        (500,000        (8,532,436
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net decrease

    (50,000      $ (1,067,643        (100,000      $ (444,557
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

MSCI Brazil Small-Cap

                

Shares sold

    50,000               $ 1,032,617                 4,200,000               $ 85,559,973  

Shares redeemed

    (1,000,000        (15,793,256        (3,350,000        (46,869,954
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease)

    (950,000      $ (14,760,639        850,000        $ 38,690,019  
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

MSCI China

                

Shares sold

    12,600,000        $ 1,029,902,450          26,600,000        $ 1,641,516,575  

Shares redeemed

    (6,000,000        (515,258,867        (9,600,000        (621,317,392
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase

    6,600,000        $ 514,643,583          17,000,000        $ 1,020,199,183  
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

N O T E S   T O   F I N A N C I A L   S T A T E M E N T S

  99


Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

 

 
   

Year Ended

08/31/21

          

Year Ended

08/31/20

 
 

 

 

      

 

 

 
iShares ETF   Shares            Amount            Shares            Amount  

 

 

MSCI China Small-Cap

                

Shares sold

    1,200,000        $ 67,193,631          750,000        $ 31,937,426  

Shares redeemed

    (700,000        (38,537,952        (100,000        (3,612,286
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase

    500,000        $ 28,655,679          650,000        $ 28,325,140  
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

MSCI Indonesia

                

Shares sold

    6,350,000        $ 136,719,963          11,900,000        $ 252,571,048  

Shares redeemed

    (6,100,000               (130,730,908               (11,600,000               (237,596,655
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase

    250,000        $ 5,989,055          300,000        $ 14,974,393  
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

MSCI Peru

                

Shares sold

    4,650,000        $ 150,213,900          350,000        $ 12,459,316  

Shares redeemed

    (3,700,000        (111,130,055        (2,550,000        (76,044,025
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease)

    950,000        $ 39,083,845          (2,200,000      $ (63,584,709
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

MSCI Philippines

                

Shares sold

    1,150,000        $ 36,356,001          1,400,000        $ 45,719,469  

Shares redeemed

    (1,500,000        (42,770,726        (3,250,000        (84,983,862
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net decrease

    (350,000      $ (6,414,725        (1,850,000      $ (39,264,393
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

MSCI Poland

                

Shares sold

    5,200,000        $ 94,082,451          6,150,000        $ 112,952,003  

Shares redeemed

    (6,800,000        (129,445,783        (4,850,000        (86,586,035
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease)

    (1,600,000      $ (35,363,332        1,300,000        $ 26,365,968  
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

MSCI Qatar

                

Shares sold

    900,000        $ 16,893,879          2,500,000        $ 42,539,145  

Shares redeemed

    (1,450,000        (26,878,426        (450,000        (7,503,437
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease)

    (550,000      $ (9,984,547        2,050,000        $ 35,035,708  
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

MSCI Saudi Arabia

                

Shares sold

    5,350,000        $ 178,705,972          10,450,000        $ 298,650,503  

Shares redeemed

    (1,550,000        (47,760,938        (13,850,000        (371,991,558
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease)

    3,800,000        $ 130,945,034          (3,400,000      $ (73,341,055
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

MSCI UAE

                

Shares sold

    1,600,000        $ 21,193,301          1,600,000        $ 21,787,453  

Shares redeemed

    (3,500,000        (39,817,938        (1,350,000        (13,691,109
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease)

    (1,900,000      $ (18,624,637        250,000        $ 8,096,344  
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

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. Investors 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. Investors 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.

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

The iShares MSCI Poland ETF is expected to seek 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.

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

13.

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Management has evaluated the impact of all subsequent events on the Funds through the date the financial statements were available to be issued and has determined that there were no subsequent events requiring adjustment or additional disclosure in the financial statements.

 

 

N O T E S   T O   F I N A N C I A L   S T A T E M E N T S

  101


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Board of Trustees of iShares Trust and Shareholders of iShares MSCI Argentina and Global

Exposure ETF, iShares MSCI Brazil Small-Cap ETF, iShares MSCI China ETF, iShares MSCI

China Small-Cap ETF, iShares MSCI Indonesia ETF, iShares MSCI Peru ETF, iShares MSCI

Philippines ETF, iShares MSCI Poland ETF, iShares MSCI Qatar ETF, iShares MSCI Saudi Arabia

ETF and iShares MSCI UAE ETF

Opinions on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities, including the schedules of investments, of iShares MSCI Argentina and Global Exposure ETF, iShares MSCI Brazil Small-Cap ETF, iShares MSCI China ETF, iShares MSCI China Small-Cap ETF, iShares MSCI Indonesia ETF, iShares MSCI Peru ETF, iShares MSCI Philippines ETF, iShares MSCI Poland ETF, iShares MSCI Qatar ETF, iShares MSCI Saudi Arabia ETF and iShares MSCI UAE ETF (eleven of the funds constituting iShares Trust, hereafter collectively referred to as the “Funds”) as of August 31, 2021, the related statements of operations for the year ended August 31, 2021, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period ended August 31, 2021, including the related notes, and the financial highlights for each of the periods indicated therein (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of each of the Funds as of August 31, 2021, the results of each of their operations for the year then ended, the changes in each of their net assets for each of the two years in the period ended August 31, 2021 and each of the financial highlights for each of the periods indicated therein in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinions

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Funds’ management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Funds’ financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Funds in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of August 31, 2021 by correspondence with the custodian, transfer agent and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

/s/PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

October 22, 2021

We have served as the auditor of one or more BlackRock investment companies since 2000.

 

 

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Important Tax Information (unaudited)

 

The following percentage, or maximum percentage allowable by law, of ordinary income distributions paid during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2021 qualified for the dividends-received deduction for corporate shareholders:

 

   
iShares ETF   Dividends-Received
Deduction
 

MSCI China

    0.64

MSCI Peru

    31.92

The following amounts, or maximum amounts allowable by law, are hereby designated as qualified dividend income for individuals for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2021:

 

   
iShares ETF   Qualified Dividend  
Income   
 

MSCI Argentina and Global Exposure

  $ 8,014    

MSCI China

    68,398,319    

MSCI China Small-Cap

    322,646    

MSCI Indonesia

    7,703,534    

MSCI Peru

    1,347,760    

MSCI Philippines

    2,560,437    

MSCI Poland

    3,440,185    

The Funds intend to pass through to their shareholders the following amounts, or maximum amounts allowable by law, of foreign source income earned and foreign taxes paid for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2021:

 

     
iShares ETF  

Foreign Source

Income Earned

     Foreign
Taxes Paid
 

MSCI Argentina and Global Exposure

  $ 77,051      $ 16,022  

MSCI Brazil Small-Cap

    3,251,172        166,243  

MSCI China

    103,929,126        7,100,289  

MSCI China Small-Cap

    2,460,294        38,525  

MSCI Indonesia

    7,760,008        1,478,732  

MSCI Peru

    3,281,132        140,161  

MSCI Philippines

    2,563,452        662,931  

MSCI Poland

    4,840,140         

MSCI Qatar

    2,272,604         

MSCI Saudi Arabia

    20,182,793        1,021,915  

MSCI UAE

    872,085         

 

 

I M P O R T A N T   T A X   I N F O R M A T I O N

  103


Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract

 

iShares MSCI Argentina and Global Exposure 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 and approve the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and BFA (the “Advisory Agreement”) 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; legal and compliance services; and 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 on May 7, 2021 and May 14, 2021, 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, and requested certain additional information, which management agreed to provide. At a meeting held on June 15-16, 2021, 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 material factors, none of which was controlling, 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 another fund in which the Fund invests (if applicable), and waivers/reimbursements (if applicable) of the Fund in comparison with the same information for other ETFs (including, where applicable, funds sponsored by an “at cost” service provider), objectively selected by Broadridge as comprising the Fund’s applicable 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 overall fund expenses (net of waivers and reimbursements) for the Fund were lower than the median of the overall fund expenses (net of 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, 2021, to that of 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 factors 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 recent and proposed enhancements to the iShares 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. 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, which were provided at the May 7, 2021 meeting and throughout the year.

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

 

 

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Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract  (continued)

 

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 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, were within a reasonable range in light of the factors and other information considered.

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, 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 relatively low fee rates established at inception, breakpoints, waivers, or other fee reductions, as well as through additional investment in the iShares business and the provision of improved or additional infrastructure and services to the iShares funds and their shareholders. 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 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 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 acknowledged BFA’s representation that the iShares funds are fundamentally different investment vehicles from 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 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 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 also considered the “all-inclusive” nature of the Fund’s advisory fee structure, and the Fund’s expenses borne by BFA under this arrangement. The Board 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 (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 for which BFA (or its affiliates) provides investment advisory services or other services, and BlackRock’s profile in the investment community. The Board also noted the revenue received by BFA and/or its affiliates pursuant to (i) 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 and (ii) other technology-related initiatives aimed to better support the iShares funds. The Board further 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 MSCI Brazil Small-Cap ETF, iShares MSCI China Small-Cap ETF, iShares MSCI Indonesia ETF, iShares MSCI Peru ETF, iShares MSCI Philippines ETF, iShares MSCI Qatar ETF, iShares MSCI UAE 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 and approve the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and BFA (the “Advisory Agreement”) whereby the Board and its committees (composed solely of Independent Board Members)

 

 

B O A R D   R E V I E W   A N D   A P P R O V A L   O F   I N V E S T M E N T   A D V I S O R Y   C O N T R A C T

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Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract  (continued)

 

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; legal and compliance services; and 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 on May 7, 2021 and May 14, 2021, 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, and requested certain additional information, which management agreed to provide. At a meeting held on June 15-16, 2021, 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 material factors, none of which was controlling, 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 another fund in which the Fund invests (if applicable), and waivers/reimbursements (if applicable) of the Fund in comparison with the same information for other ETFs (including, where applicable, funds sponsored by an “at cost” service provider), objectively selected by Broadridge as comprising the Fund’s applicable 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 overall fund expenses (net of waivers and reimbursements) for the Fund were lower than the median of the overall fund expenses (net of 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, 2020, to that of 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 factors 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 recent and proposed enhancements to the iShares 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. 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, which were provided at the May 7, 2021 meeting and throughout the year.

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,

 

 

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Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract  (continued)

 

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 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, were within a reasonable range in light of the factors and other information considered.

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, 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 relatively low fee rates established at inception, breakpoints, waivers, or other fee reductions, as well as through additional investment in the iShares business and the provision of improved or additional infrastructure and services to the iShares funds and their shareholders. The Board noted that the Advisory Agreement for the Fund already provided for breakpoints in the Fund’s investment advisory fee rate, and the Board and BFA agreed during the June 15-16, 2021 meeting to revise the Advisory Agreement for the Fund to provide for one or more additional breakpoints, 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 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 acknowledged BFA’s representation that the iShares funds are fundamentally different investment vehicles from 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 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 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 also considered the “all-inclusive” nature of the Fund’s advisory fee structure, and the Fund’s expenses borne by BFA under this arrangement. The Board 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 (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 for which BFA (or its affiliates) provides investment advisory services or other services, and BlackRock’s profile in the investment community. The Board also noted the revenue received by BFA and/or its affiliates pursuant to (i) 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 and (ii) other technology-related initiatives aimed to better support the iShares funds. The Board further 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 MSCI China 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 and approve the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and BFA (the “Advisory Agreement”) 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; legal and compliance services; and ability to meet applicable legal and regulatory requirements. The Independent Board

 

 

B O A R D   R E V I E W   A N D   A P P R O V A L   O F   I N V E S T M E N T   A D V I S O R Y   C O N T R A C T

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Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract  (continued)

 

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 on May 7, 2021 and May 14, 2021, 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, and requested certain additional information, which management agreed to provide. At a meeting held on June 15-16, 2021, 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 material factors, none of which was controlling, 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 another fund in which the Fund invests (if applicable), and waivers/reimbursements (if applicable) of the Fund in comparison with the same information for other ETFs (including, where applicable, funds sponsored by an “at cost” service provider), objectively selected by Broadridge as comprising the Fund’s applicable 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 overall fund expenses (net of waivers and reimbursements) for the Fund were lower than the median of the overall fund expenses (net of 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, 2021, to that of 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 factors 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 recent and proposed enhancements to the iShares 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. 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, which were provided at the May 7, 2021 meeting and throughout the year.

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 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, were within a reasonable range in light of the factors and other information considered.

 

 

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Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract  (continued)

 

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, 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 relatively low fee rates established at inception, breakpoints, waivers, or other fee reductions, as well as through additional investment in the iShares business and the provision of improved or additional infrastructure and services to the iShares funds and their shareholders. The Board noted that the Advisory Agreement for the Fund already provided for breakpoints in the Fund’s investment advisory fee rate, and the Board and BFA agreed during the June 15-16, 2021 meeting to revise the Advisory Agreement for the Fund to provide for one or more additional breakpoints, 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 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 acknowledged BFA’s representation that the iShares funds are fundamentally different investment vehicles from 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 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 noted that BFA and its affiliates 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 also considered the “all-inclusive” nature of the Fund’s advisory fee structure, and the Fund’s expenses borne by BFA under this arrangement. The Board 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 (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 for which BFA (or its affiliates) provides investment advisory services or other services, and BlackRock’s profile in the investment community. The Board also noted the revenue received by BFA and/or its affiliates pursuant to (i) 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 and (ii) other technology-related initiatives aimed to better support the iShares funds. The Board further 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 MSCI Poland 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 and approve the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and BFA (the “Advisory Agreement”) 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; legal and compliance services; and 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 on May 7, 2021 and May 14, 2021, 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, and requested certain additional information, which management agreed to provide. At a meeting held on June 15-16, 2021, the Board, including the Independent Board Members, reviewed the additional information provided by management in response to these requests.

 

 

B O A R D   R E V I E W   A N D   A P P R O V A L   O F   I N V E S T M E N T   A D V I S O R Y   C O N T R A C T

  109


Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract  (continued)

 

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 material factors, none of which was controlling, 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 another fund in which the Fund invests (if applicable), and waivers/reimbursements (if applicable) of the Fund in comparison with the same information for other ETFs (including, where applicable, funds sponsored by an “at cost” service provider), objectively selected by Broadridge as comprising the Fund’s applicable 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 overall fund expenses (net of waivers and reimbursements) for the Fund were higher than the median of overall fund expenses (net of 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, 2021, to that of 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 factors 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 recent and proposed enhancements to the iShares 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. 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, which were provided at the May 7, 2021 meeting and throughout the year.

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 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, were within a reasonable range in light of the factors and other information considered.

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, 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

 

 

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Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract  (continued)

 

the Board reviewed information provided by BFA regarding the sharing of scale benefits with the iShares funds through various means, including, as applicable, through relatively low fee rates established at inception, breakpoints, waivers, or other fee reductions, as well as through additional investment in the iShares business and the provision of improved or additional infrastructure and services to the iShares funds and their shareholders. The Board noted that the Advisory Agreement for the Fund already provided for breakpoints in the Fund’s investment advisory fee rate, and the Board and BFA agreed during the June 15-16, 2021 meeting to revise the Advisory Agreement for the Fund to provide for one or more additional breakpoints, 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 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 acknowledged BFA’s representation that the iShares funds are fundamentally different investment vehicles from 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 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 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 also considered the “all-inclusive” nature of the Fund’s advisory fee structure, and the Fund’s expenses borne by BFA under this arrangement. The Board 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 (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 for which BFA (or its affiliates) provides investment advisory services or other services, and BlackRock’s profile in the investment community. The Board also noted the revenue received by BFA and/or its affiliates pursuant to (i) 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 and (ii) other technology-related initiatives aimed to better support the iShares funds. The Board further 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 MSCI Saudi Arabia 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 and approve the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and BFA (the “Advisory Agreement”) 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; legal and compliance services; and 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 on May 7, 2021 and May 14, 2021, 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, and requested certain additional information, which management agreed to provide. At a meeting held on June 15-16, 2021, 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

 

 

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Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract  (continued)

 

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 material factors, none of which was controlling, 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 another fund in which the Fund invests (if applicable), and waivers/reimbursements (if applicable) of the Fund in comparison with the same information for other ETFs (including, where applicable, funds sponsored by an “at cost” service provider), objectively selected by Broadridge as comprising the Fund’s applicable 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 overall fund expenses (net of waivers and reimbursements) for the Fund were lower than the median of the overall fund expenses (net of 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, 2021, to that of 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 factors 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 recent and proposed enhancements to the iShares 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. 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, which were provided at the May 7, 2021 meeting and throughout the year.

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 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, were within a reasonable range in light of the factors and other information considered.

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, 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 relatively low fee rates established at inception, breakpoints, waivers, or other fee reductions, as well as through additional investment in the iShares business and the provision of improved or additional infrastructure and services to the iShares funds and their shareholders. The Board noted that the Advisory Agreement for the Fund did

 

 

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Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract  (continued)

 

not provide for breakpoints in the Fund’s investment advisory fee rate as the assets of the Fund increase. However, the Board 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 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 acknowledged BFA’s representation that the iShares funds are fundamentally different investment vehicles from 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 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 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 also considered the “all-inclusive” nature of the Fund’s advisory fee structure, and the Fund’s expenses borne by BFA under this arrangement. The Board 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 (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 for which BFA (or its affiliates) provides investment advisory services or other services, and BlackRock’s profile in the investment community. The Board also noted the revenue received by BFA and/or its affiliates pursuant to (i) 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 and (ii) other technology-related initiatives aimed to better support the iShares funds. The Board further 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.

 

 

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Supplemental Information (unaudited)

 

Regulation Regarding Derivatives

On October 28, 2020, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) adopted new regulations governing the use of derivatives by registered investment companies (“Rule 18f-4”). The Funds will be required to implement and comply with Rule 18f-4 by August 19, 2022. Once implemented, Rule 18f-4 will impose limits on the amount of derivatives a fund can enter into, eliminate the asset segregation framework currently used by funds to comply with Section 18 of the 1940 Act, treat derivatives as senior securities and require funds whose use of derivatives is more than a limited specified exposure amount to establish and maintain a comprehensive derivatives risk management program and appoint a derivatives risk manager.

Section 19(a) Notices

The amounts and sources of distributions reported are estimates and are being provided pursuant to regulatory requirements and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources for tax reporting purposes will depend upon each Fund’s investment experience during the year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. Shareholders will receive a Form 1099-DIV each calendar year that will inform them how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes.

August 31, 2021

 

       
   

Total Cumulative Distributions

for the Fiscal Year

         

% Breakdown of the Total Cumulative

Distributions for the Fiscal Year

 
 

 

 

     

 

 

 
iShares ETF   Net
Investment
Income
   

Net Realized

Capital Gains

    Return of
Capital
    Total Per
Share
           Net
Investment
Income
    Net Realized
Capital Gains
    Return of
Capital
    Total Per
Share
 

MSCI Argentina and Global Exposure(a)

  $  0.213533     $     $   0.002495     $   0.216028         99         1     100

MSCI Brazil Small-Cap

    0.356466                   0.356466         100                   100  

MSCI China(a)

    0.770720             0.010409       0.781129         99             1       100  

MSCI China Small-Cap

    1.740884                   1.740884         100                   100  

MSCI Indonesia(a)

    0.294136             0.019724       0.313860         94             6       100  

MSCI Peru(a)

    0.438936             0.003901       0.442837         99             1       100  

MSCI Philippines

    0.287397                   0.287397         100                   100  

MSCI UAE

    0.512775                   0.512775               100                   100  

 

  (a)

The Fund estimates that it has distributed more than its net investment income and net realized capital gains; therefore, a portion of the distribution may be a return of capital. A return of capital may occur, for example, when some or all of the shareholder’s investment in the Fund is returned to the shareholder. A return of capital does not necessarily reflect the Fund’s investment performance and should not be confused with “yield” or “income”. When distributions exceed total return performance, the difference will incrementally reduce the Fund’s net asset value per share.

 

Premium/Discount Information

Information on the Fund’s net asset value, market price, premiums and discounts, and bid-ask spreads can be found at iShares.com.

Regulation under the Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive

The Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive (the “Directive”) imposes detailed and prescriptive obligations on fund managers established in the European Union (the “EU”). These do not currently apply to managers established outside of the EU, such as BFA (the “Company”). Rather, non-EU managers are only required to comply with certain disclosure, reporting and transparency obligations of the Directive if such managers market a fund to EU investors.

The Company has registered the iShares MSCI China ETF and iShares MSCI Philippines ETF (each a “Fund”, collectively the “Funds”) to be marketed to EU investors in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Finland, Sweden, and Luxembourg.

Report on Remuneration

The Company is required under the Directive to make quantitative disclosures of remuneration. These disclosures are made in line with BlackRock’s interpretation of currently available regulatory guidance on quantitative remuneration disclosures. As market or regulatory practice develops BlackRock may consider it appropriate to make changes to the way in which quantitative remuneration disclosures are calculated. Where such changes are made, this may result in disclosures in relation to a fund not being comparable to the disclosures made in the prior year, or in relation to other BlackRock fund disclosures in that same year.

Disclosures are provided in relation to (a) the staff of the Company; (b) staff who are senior management; and (c) staff who have the ability to materially affect the risk profile of the Funds.

All individuals included in the aggregated figures disclosed are rewarded in line with BlackRock’s remuneration policy for their responsibilities across the relevant BlackRock business area. As all individuals have a number of areas of responsibilities, only the portion of remuneration for those individuals’ services attributable to each Fund is included in the aggregate figures disclosed.

BlackRock has a clear and well defined pay-for-performance philosophy, and compensation programmes which support that philosophy.

 

 

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Supplemental Information (unaudited) (continued)

 

BlackRock operates a total compensation model for remuneration which includes a base salary, which is contractual, and a discretionary bonus scheme. Although all employees are eligible to receive a discretionary bonus, there is no contractual obligation to make a discretionary bonus award to any employees. For senior management, a significant percentage of variable remuneration is deferred over time. All employees are subject to a claw-back policy.

Remuneration decisions for employees are made once annually in January following the end of the performance year, based on BlackRock’s full-year financial results and other non-financial goals and objectives. Alongside financial performance, individual total compensation is also based on strategic and operating results and other considerations such as management and leadership capabilities. No set formulas are established and no fixed benchmarks are used in determining annual incentive awards.

Annual incentive awards are paid from a bonus pool which is reviewed throughout the year by BlackRock’s independent compensation committee, taking into account both actual and projected financial information together with information provided by the Enterprise Risk and Regulatory Compliance departments in relation to any activities, incidents or events that warrant consideration in making compensation decisions. Individuals are not involved in setting their own remuneration.

Each of the control functions (Enterprise Risk, Legal & Compliance, and Internal Audit) each have their own organisational structures which are independent of the business units. Functional bonus pools for those control functions are determined with reference to the performance of each individual function and the remuneration of the senior members of control functions is directly overseen by BlackRock’s independent remuneration committee.

Members of staff and senior management of the Company typically provide both AIFMD and non-AIFMD related services in respect of multiple funds, clients and functions of the Company and across the broader BlackRock group. Therefore, the figures disclosed are a sum of each individual’s portion of remuneration attributable to each Fund according to an objective apportionment methodology which acknowledges the multiple-service nature of the Company. Accordingly the figures are not representative of any individual’s actual remuneration or their remuneration structure.

The amount of the total remuneration awarded by the Company to its staff which has been attributed to the iShares MSCI China ETF in respect of the Company’s financial year ending 31 December 2020 is USD 509.55 thousand. This figure is comprised of fixed remuneration of USD 237.28 thousand and variable remuneration of USD 272.27 thousand. There were a total of 490 beneficiaries of the remuneration described above.

The amount of the aggregate remuneration awarded by the Company, which has been attributed to the iShares MSCI China ETF in respect of the Company’s financial year ending 31 December 2020, to its senior management was USD 83 thousand, and to members of its staff whose actions have a material impact on the risk profile of the Fund was USD 6.7 thousand.

The amount of the total remuneration awarded by the Company to its staff which has been attributed to the iShares MSCI Philippines ETF in respect of the Company’s financial year ending 31 December 2020 is USD 12.09 thousand. This figure is comprised of fixed remuneration of USD 5.63 thousand and variable remuneration of USD 6.46 thousand. There were a total of 490 beneficiaries of the remuneration described above.

The amount of the aggregate remuneration awarded by the Company, which has been attributed to the iShares MSCI Philippines ETF in respect of the Company’s financial year ending 31 December 2020, to its senior management was USD 1.97 thousand, and to members of its staff whose actions have a material impact on the risk profile of the Fund was USD 0.16 thousand.

 

 

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  115


Trustee and Officer Information

 

The Board of Trustees has responsibility for the overall management and operations of the Funds, including general supervision of the duties performed by BFA and other service providers. Each Trustee serves until he or she resigns, is removed, dies, retires or becomes incapacitated. Each officer shall hold office until his or her successor is elected and qualifies or until his or her death, resignation or removal. Trustees who are not “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust are referred to as independent trustees (“Independent Trustees”).

The registered investment companies advised by BFA or its affiliates (the “BlackRock-advised Funds”) are organized into one complex of open-end equity, multi-asset, index and money market funds and ETFs (the “BlackRock Multi-Asset Complex”), one complex of closed-end funds and open-end non-index fixed-income funds (including ETFs) (the “BlackRock Fixed-Income Complex”) and one complex of ETFs (“Exchange-Traded Fund Complex”) (each, a “BlackRock Fund Complex”). Each Fund is included in the Exchange-Traded Fund Complex. Each Trustee also serves as a Director of iShares, Inc. and a Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust and, as a result, oversees all of the funds within the Exchange-Traded Fund Complex, which consists of 374 funds as of August 31, 2021. With the exception of Robert S. Kapito, Salim Ramji and Charles Park, the address of each Trustee and officer is c/o BlackRock, Inc., 400 Howard Street, San Francisco, CA 94105. The address of Mr. Kapito, Mr. Ramji and Mr. Park is c/o BlackRock, Inc., Park Avenue Plaza, 55 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10055. The Board has designated Cecilia H. Herbert as its Independent Board Chair. Additional information about the Funds’ Trustees and officers may be found in the Funds’ combined Statement of Additional Information, which is available without charge, upon request, by calling toll-free 1-800-iShares (1-800-474-2737).

 

Interested Trustees
       
 Name (Age)   Position(s)   

Principal Occupation(s)

During the Past 5 Years

   Other Directorships Held by Trustee

Robert S.

Kapito(a) (64)

  Trustee (since 2009).    President, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2006); Vice Chairman of BlackRock, Inc. and Head of BlackRock’s Portfolio Management Group (since its formation in 1998) and BlackRock, Inc.’s predecessor entities (since 1988); Trustee, University of Pennsylvania (since 2009); President of Board of Directors, Hope & Heroes Children’s Cancer Fund (since 2002).    Director of BlackRock, Inc. (since 2006); Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2009); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011).

Salim Ramji(b)

(51)

  Trustee (since 2019).    Senior Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2014); Global Head of BlackRock’s ETF and Index Investments Business (since 2019); Head of BlackRock’s U.S. Wealth Advisory Business (2015-2019); Global Head of Corporate Strategy, BlackRock, Inc. (2014-2015); Senior Partner, McKinsey & Company (2010-2014).    Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2019); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2019).

(a)  Robert S. Kapito is deemed to be an “interested person” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust due to his affiliations with BlackRock, Inc. and its affiliates.

(b)  Salim Ramji is deemed to be an “interested person” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust due to his affiliations with BlackRock, Inc. and its affiliates.

Independent Trustees
       
 Name (Age)   Position(s)   

Principal Occupation(s)

During the Past 5 Years

   Other Directorships Held by Trustee

Cecilia H.

Herbert (72)

  Trustee (since 2005); Independent Board Chair (since 2016).    Chair of the Finance Committee (since 2019) and Trustee and Member of the Finance, Audit and Quality Committees of Stanford Health Care (since 2016); Trustee of WNET, New York’s public media company (since 2011) and Member of the Audit Committee (since 2018) and Investment Committee (since 2011); Chair (1994-2005) and Member (since 1992) of the Investment Committee, Archdiocese of San Francisco; Trustee of Forward Funds (14 portfolios) (2009-2018); Trustee of Salient MF Trust (4 portfolios) (2015-2018); Director (1998-2013) and President (2007-2011) of the Board of Directors, Catholic Charities CYO; Trustee (2002-2011) and Chair of the Finance and Investment Committee (2006-2010) of the Thacher School; Director of the Senior Center of Jackson Hole (since 2020).    Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2005); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011); Independent Board Chair of iShares, Inc. and iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2016); Trustee of Thrivent Church Loan and Income Fund (since 2019).

Jane D.

Carlin (65)

  Trustee (since 2015); Risk Committee Chair (since 2016).    Consultant (since 2012); Member of the Audit Committee (2012-2018), Chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee (2017-2018) and Director of PHH Corporation (mortgage solutions) (2012-2018); Managing Director and Global Head of Financial Holding Company Governance & Assurance and the Global Head of Operational Risk Management of Morgan Stanley (2006-2012).    Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2015); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2015); Member of the Audit Committee (since 2016), Chair of the Audit Committee (since 2020) and Director of The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. (since 2016).

Richard L.

Fagnani (66)

  Trustee (since 2017); Audit Committee Chair (since 2019).   

Partner, KPMG LLP (2002-2016).

   Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2017); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2017).

 

 

116  

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Trustee and Officer Information  (continued)

 

Independent Trustees (continued)
       
 Name (Age)   Position(s)   

Principal Occupation(s)

During the Past 5 Years

   Other Directorships Held by Trustee

John E.

Kerrigan (66)

  Trustee (since 2005); Nominating and Governance and Equity Plus Committee Chairs (since 2019).    Chief Investment Officer, Santa Clara University (since 2002).    Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2005); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011).

Drew E.

Lawton (62)

  Trustee (since 2017); 15(c) Committee Chair (since 2017).    Senior Managing Director of New York Life Insurance Company
(2010-2015).
   Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2017); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2017).

John E.

Martinez (60)

  Trustee (since 2003); Securities Lending Committee Chair (since 2019).    Director of Real Estate Equity Exchange, Inc. (since 2005); Director of Cloudera Foundation (2017-2020); and Director of Reading Partners (2012-2016).    Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2003); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011).

Madhav V.

Rajan (57)

  Trustee (since 2011); Fixed Income Plus Committee Chair (since 2019).    Dean, and George Pratt Shultz Professor of Accounting, University of Chicago Booth School of Business (since 2017); Advisory Board Member (since 2016) and Director (since 2020) of C.M. Capital Corporation; Chair of the Board for the Center for Research in Security Prices, LLC (since 2020); Robert K. Jaedicke Professor of Accounting, Stanford University Graduate School of Business (2001-2017); Professor of Law (by courtesy), Stanford Law School (2005-2017); Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Head of MBA Program, Stanford University Graduate School of Business
(2010-2016).
   Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2011); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011).
Officers
       
 Name (Age)   Position(s)   

Principal Occupation(s)

During the Past 5 Years

     

Armando

Senra (50)

  President (since 2019).    Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2007); Head of U.S., Canada and Latam iShares, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2019); Head of Latin America Region, BlackRock, Inc. (2006-2019); Managing Director, Bank of America Merrill Lynch (1994-2006).

Trent

Walker (47)

  Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer (since 2020).    Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since September 2019); Chief Financial Officer of iShares Delaware Trust Sponsor LLC, BlackRock Funds, BlackRock Funds II, BlackRock Funds IV, BlackRock Funds V and BlackRock Funds VI (since 2021); Executive Vice President of PIMCO (2016-2019); Senior Vice President of PIMCO (2008-2015); Treasurer (2013-2019) and Assistant Treasurer (2007-2017) of PIMCO Funds, PIMCO Variable Insurance Trust, PIMCO ETF Trust, PIMCO Equity Series, PIMCO Equity Series VIT, PIMCO Managed Accounts Trust, 2 PIMCO-sponsored interval funds and 21 PIMCO-sponsored closed-end funds.

Charles

Park (54)

  Chief Compliance Officer (since 2006).    Chief Compliance Officer of BlackRock Advisors, LLC and the BlackRock-advised Funds in the BlackRock Multi-Asset Complex and the BlackRock Fixed-Income Complex (since 2014); Chief Compliance Officer of BFA (since 2006).

Deepa Damre

Smith (46)

  Secretary (since 2019).    Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2014); Director, BlackRock, Inc. (2009-2013).

Scott

Radell (52)

  Executive Vice President (since 2012).    Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2009); Head of Portfolio Solutions, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2009).

Alan

Mason (60)

  Executive Vice President (since 2016).    Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2009).

Marybeth

Leithead (58)

  Executive Vice President (since 2019).    Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2017); Chief Operating Officer of Americas iShares (since 2017); Portfolio Manager, Municipal Institutional & Wealth Management (2009-2016).

 

 

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  117


General Information

 

Electronic Delivery

Shareholders can sign up for email 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.

Householding

Householding is an option available to certain fund investors. Householding is a method of delivery, based on the preference of the individual investor, in which a single copy of certain shareholder documents and Rule 30e-3 notices can be delivered to investors who share the same address, even if their accounts are registered under different names. Please contact your broker-dealer if you are interested in enrolling in householding and receiving a single copy of prospectuses and other shareholder documents, or if you are currently enrolled in householding and wish to change your householding status.

Availability of Quarterly Schedule of Investments

The Funds file their complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to their reports on Form N-PORT. The Funds’ Forms N-PORT are available on the SEC’s website at sec.gov. Additionally, each Fund makes its portfolio holdings for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year available at iShares.com/fundreports.

Availability of Proxy Voting Policies and Proxy Voting Records

A description of the policies and procedures that the iShares Funds use to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities and information about how the iShares Funds voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve-month period ending June 30 is available without charge, upon request (1) by calling toll-free 1-800-474-2737; (2) on the iShares website at iShares.com; and (3) on the SEC website at sec.gov.

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 at iShares.com.

 

 

118  

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Glossary of Terms Used in this Report

 

Portfolio Abbreviations - Equity
ADR    American Depositary Receipt
JSC    Joint Stock Company
NVS    Non-Voting Shares
PJSC    Public Joint Stock Company
REIT    Real Estate Investment Trust

 

 

G L O S S A R Y   O F   T E R M S   U S E D   I N   T H I S   R E P O R T

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Want to know more?

iShares.com   |   1-800-474-2737

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 MSCI Inc., 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.

©2021 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.

iS-AR-806-0821

 

 

LOGO

   LOGO


 

LOGO

  AUGUST 31, 2021

 

   2021 Annual Report

 

iShares Trust

 

·  

iShares MSCI Denmark ETF | EDEN | Cboe BZX

 

·  

iShares MSCI Finland ETF | EFNL | Cboe BZX

 

·  

iShares MSCI Germany Small-Cap ETF | EWGS | Cboe BZX

 

·  

iShares MSCI Ireland ETF | EIRL | NYSE Arca

 

·  

iShares MSCI Kuwait ETF | KWT | Cboe BZX

 

·  

iShares MSCI New Zealand ETF | ENZL | NASDAQ

 

·  

iShares MSCI Norway ETF | ENOR | Cboe BZX

 


The Markets in Review

Dear Shareholder,

The 12-month reporting period as of August 31, 2021 was a remarkable period of adaptation and recovery, as the global economy dealt with the implications of the coronavirus (or “COVID-19”) pandemic. The United States, along with most of the world, began the reporting period emerging from a severe recession, prompted by pandemic-related restrictions that disrupted many aspects of daily life. However, easing restrictions and robust government intervention led to a strong rebound, and the economy grew at a significant pace for the reporting period, eventually regaining the output lost from the pandemic.

Equity prices rose with the broader economy, as strong fiscal and monetary support, as well as the development of vaccines, made investors increasingly optimistic about the economic outlook. The implementation of mass vaccination campaigns and passage of two additional fiscal stimulus packages further boosted stocks, and many equity indices neared or surpassed all-time highs late in the reporting period. In the United States, returns of small-capitalization stocks, which benefited the most from the resumption of in-person activities, outpaced large-capitalization stocks. International equities also gained, as both developed and emerging markets rebounded substantially.

The 10-year U.S. Treasury yield (which is inversely related to bond prices) had fallen sharply prior to the beginning of the reporting period, which meant bonds were priced for extreme risk avoidance and economic disruption. Despite expectations of doom and gloom, the economy expanded rapidly, stoking inflation concerns in early 2021, which led to higher yields and a negative overall return for most U.S. Treasuries. In the corporate bond market, support from the U.S. Federal Reserve (the “Fed”) assuaged credit concerns and led to solid returns for high-yield corporate bonds, although investment-grade corporates declined slightly.

The Fed remained committed to accommodative monetary policy by maintaining near-zero interest rates and by reiterating that inflation could exceed its 2% target for a sustained period without triggering a rate increase. In response to rising inflation late in the period, the Fed changed its market guidance, raising the possibility of higher rates in 2023 and reducing bond purchasing beginning in late 2022.

Looking ahead, we believe that the global expansion will continue to broaden as Europe and other developed market economies gain momentum, although the delta variant of the coronavirus remains a threat, particularly in emerging markets. While we expect inflation to remain elevated in the medium-term as the expansion continues, we believe the recent uptick owes more to temporary supply disruptions than a lasting change in fundamentals. The change in Fed policy also means that moderate inflation is less likely to be followed by interest rate hikes that could threaten the economic expansion.

Overall, we favor a moderately positive stance toward risk, with an overweight in equities. Sectors that are better poised to manage the transition to a lower-carbon world, such as technology and healthcare, are particularly attractive in the long-term. U.S. small-capitalization stocks and European equities are likely to benefit from the continuing vaccine-led restart. We are underweight long-term credit, but inflation-protected U.S. Treasuries and Asian fixed income offer potential opportunities. We believe that international diversification and a focus on sustainability can help provide portfolio resilience, and the disruption created by the coronavirus appears to be accelerating the shift toward sustainable investments.

In this environment, our view is that investors need to think globally, extend their scope across a broad array of asset classes, and be nimble as market conditions change. We encourage you to talk with your financial advisor and visit iShares.com for further insight about investing in today’s markets.

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

Rob Kapito

President, BlackRock, Inc.

LOGO

Rob Kapito

President, BlackRock, Inc.

 

Total Returns as of August 31, 2021  
     
     6-Month     12-Month    
   

U.S. large cap equities
(S&P 500® Index)

    19.52     31.17
   

U.S. small cap equities
(Russell 2000® Index)

    3.81       47.08  
   

International equities
(MSCI Europe, Australasia, Far East Index)

    10.31       26.12  
   

Emerging market equities
(MSCI Emerging Markets
Index)

    (0.98     21.12  
   

3-month Treasury bills
(ICE BofA 3-Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index)

    0.02       0.08  
   

U.S. Treasury securities
(ICE BofA 10-Year
U.S. Treasury Index)

    2.36       (4.12
   

U.S. investment grade bonds (Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index)

    1.49       (0.08
   

Tax-exempt municipal bonds (S&P Municipal Bond Index)

    2.50       3.44  
   

U.S. high yield bonds
(Bloomberg U.S. Corporate
High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index)

    3.82       10.14  
Past performance is not an indication of future results. Index performance is shown for illustrative purposes only. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

 

 

 

2  

H I S    A G E    I S     N O T    A R T    O F    O U R    U N D     E P O R T


Table of Contents

 

      Page  

The Markets in Review

     2  

Market Overview

     4  

Fund Summary

     5  

About Fund Performance

     19  

Shareholder Expenses

     19  

Schedules of Investments

     20  

Financial Statements

  

Statements of Assets and Liabilities

     39  

Statements of Operations

     41  

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

     43  

Financial Highlights

     47  

Notes to Financial Statements

     54  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     65  

Important Tax Information (Unaudited)

     66  

Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract

     67  

Supplemental Information

     81  

Trustee and Officer Information

     82  

General Information

     84  

Glossary of Terms Used in this Report

     85  

 

 

 


Market Overview

 

 

iShares Trust

Global Market Overview

Global equity markets advanced significantly during the 12 months ended August 31, 2021 (“reporting period”). The MSCI ACWI, a broad global equity index that includes both developed and emerging markets, returned 28.64% in U.S. dollar terms for the reporting period. Stocks continued to recover from the initial impact of the coronavirus pandemic, nearing all-time highs by the end of the reporting period. Reopening economies led to a substantial global economic expansion, and the development and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines bolstered investors’ optimism. Nonetheless, vaccination rates varied considerably across countries, and the spread of the more contagious Delta variant led to increased cases and renewed restrictions toward the end of the reporting period. Inflation also rose in many parts of the world amid supply chain constraints and elevated consumer spending.

Equity markets in the U.S. advanced strongly, helped by fiscal and monetary stimulus and an ongoing mass vaccination program. Congress passed two fiscal stimulus bills during the reporting period, providing significant relief in the form of direct payments to individuals, tax credits, aid to state and local governments, and assistance for homeowners and renters. Personal incomes rose significantly following the stimulus payments, and consumer spending recovered, surpassing pre-pandemic levels. Increased consumer spending and the easing of pandemic-related restrictions helped the U.S. economy continue to grow following a significant rebound in the third quarter of 2020, as activity recovered from the pandemic-induced recession in the first half of 2020. The economy grew at a brisk pace for the rest of the reporting period, finally exceeding pre-pandemic output levels in the second quarter of 2021. The U.S. Federal Reserve Bank’s (“the Fed”) action also played a notable role in the recovery. Monetary policy remained accommodative, with short-term interest rates maintained near zero to encourage lending and stimulate economic activity. The Fed further acted to stabilize bond markets by continuing an unlimited, open-ended, bond-buying program for U.S. Treasuries and mortgage-backed securities.

Stocks in Europe also posted strong gains, despite a recovery that trailed other major economies. The European Central Bank (“ECB”) provided monetary stimulus by maintaining ultra-low interest rates and continuing a large bond-buying program. Growth resumed with a significant rebound in the third quarter of 2020 as restrictions eased, and Eurozone countries enacted a deal for a collective 750 billion of stimulus spending. However, a new wave of coronavirus cases beginning in October 2020 led to renewed restrictions, weakening the fragile recovery. Consequently, the Eurozone economy contracted slightly in the fourth quarter of 2020 and first quarter of 2021, even as much of the world was returning to growth. Although the initial vaccine rollout trailed in many European countries, the pace of vaccinations accelerated late in the reporting period, and economic growth resumed in the second quarter of 2021.

Asia-Pacific regional stocks also posted a solid advance amid a sharp rebound in economic activity. Continued economic growth in China helped the regional economy recover, as many Asia-Pacific countries rely on China as a major trading partner. Japanese and Australian stocks benefited from a sharp rise in exports amid resurgent global trade. Emerging market stocks advanced overall, aided by economic recovery and rising prices for many commodities. However, investor concerns about increased government regulatory activity weighed on Chinese stocks late in the reporting period. Relatively slow vaccination rollouts in parts of Asia also prompted concerns, particularly as the Delta variant spread.

 

 

4  

2 0 2 1    H A R E S    N N U A L    E P O R T    T O    H A R E H O L D E R S


Fund Summary as of August 31, 2021      iShares® MSCI Denmark ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares MSCI Denmark ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of a broad-based index composed of Danish equities, as represented by the MSCI Denmark IMI 25/50 Index (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index.

Performance

 

    Average Annual Total Returns           Cumulative Total Returns  
     1 Year     5 Years      Since    
Inception    
             1 Year         5 Years          Since
Inception
 

Fund NAV

    37.21     17.16      18.37%          37.21%        120.79%         405.06

Fund Market

    38.01       17.15        18.36             38.01           120.70            404.69  

Index

    37.51       17.46        18.67                   37.51           123.55            417.38  

GROWTH OF $10,000 INVESTMENT

(SINCE INCEPTION AT NET ASSET VALUE)

 

LOGO

The inception date of the Fund was 1/25/12. The first day of secondary market trading was 1/26/12.

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 no guarantee 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. See “About Fund Performance” on page 19 for more information.

Expense Example

 

Actual           Hypothetical 5% Return         
 

Beginning
Account Value
(03/01/21)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(08/31/21)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period 
 
 
(a) 
           

Beginning
Account Value
(03/01/21)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(08/31/21)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period 
 
 
(a) 
    

Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 
 
 
  $       1,000.00          $       1,218.40          $        2.96               $       1,000.00          $      1,022.50          $        2.70        0.53

 

  (a) 

Expenses are calculated using the Fund’s annualized expense ratio (as disclosed in the table), multiplied by the average account value for the period, multiplied by the number of days in the period (184 days) and divided by the number of days in the year (365 days). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Shareholder Expenses” on page 19 for more information.

 

 

 

U N D    U M M A R Y

  5


Fund Summary as of August 31, 2021  (continued)    iShares® MSCI Denmark ETF

 

Portfolio Management Commentary

Danish stocks strongly advanced during the reporting period amid a rapid economic recovery. High vaccination rates, government stimulus, and a gradual lessening of coronavirus pandemic-related restrictions contained the economic fallout. Danish economic activity outpaced the average expansion of the Eurozone, buoyed by increasing employment levels and strong household spending.

The healthcare sector, which represented approximately 40% of the Index on average, led contribution to the Index’s return. Pharmaceuticals companies advanced due to steady sales of drugs used in treating chronic medical problems, such as diabetes, particularly in China. In the U.S., new, lower-cost, private-label distribution channels presented manufacturers with an answer to pricing strategy criticism from regulators and government oversight committees. U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval of a new obesity care drug also benefited the pharmaceuticals industry as demand outstripped supply following its release.

The industrials sector further contributed to the Index’s return. Strong global e-commerce activity led to increased business in the transportation industry and bolstered air freight and logistics companies. Cargo volume grew substantially in 2020, benefiting Danish air freight and logistics companies. Acquisitions within the transportation industry increased as companies accelerated investment in digital logistics solutions and e-commerce capabilities. Increased volume and higher freight rates also supported earnings of marine shipping companies amid a sharp rebound in global trade. The capital goods industry also contributed as global wind companies recorded their strongest year of new installations in 2020. This was a major source of strength for heavy electrical equipment makers despite a rise in raw material prices and transportation costs. Customer demand for renewable energy remained strong as countries seek ways to cut greenhouse gas emissions.

Portfolio Information

 

ALLOCATION BY SECTOR

 

 

Sector    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Health Care

    39.2

Industrials

    27.8  

Financials

    8.6  

Consumer Staples

    6.3  

Materials

    5.7  

Utilities

    5.6  

Information Technology

    3.1  

Consumer Discretionary

    3.1  

Energy

    0.6  

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

 

Security    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Novo Nordisk A/S, Class B

    21.3

DSV Panalpina A/S

    9.6  

Vestas Wind Systems A/S

    7.6  

Orsted A/S

    5.6  

Genmab A/S

    4.5  

Coloplast A/S, Class B

    4.2  

Carlsberg A/S, Class B

    3.6  

Novozymes A/S, Class B

    3.5  

AP Moller - Maersk A/S, Class B

    3.0  

Pandora A/S

    2.6  
 
  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

 

 

 

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Fund Summary as of August 31, 2021      iShares® MSCI Finland ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares MSCI Finland ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of a broad-based index composed of Finnish equities, as represented by the MSCI Finland IMI 25/50 Index (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index.

Performance

 

    Average Annual Total Returns           Cumulative Total Returns  
     1 Year     5 Years      Since    
Inception    
           1 Year     5 Years      Since
Inception
 

Fund NAV

    29.37     13.25      11.37%          29.37     86.31      181.35

Fund Market

    29.05       13.21        11.38             29.05       85.93        181.45  

Index

    28.72       12.73        10.83                   28.72       82.03        168.32  

GROWTH OF $10,000 INVESTMENT

(SINCE INCEPTION AT NET ASSET VALUE)

 

LOGO

The inception date of the Fund was 1/25/12. The first day of secondary market trading was 1/26/12.

Past performance is no guarantee 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. See “About Fund Performance” on page 19 for more information.

Expense Example

 

Actual           Hypothetical 5% Return         
 

Beginning
Account Value
(03/01/21)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(08/31/21)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period 
 
 
(a) 
           

Beginning
Account Value
(03/01/21)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(08/31/21)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period 
 
 
(a) 
    

Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 
 
 
  $       1,000.00          $       1,164.40          $        3.06               $       1,000.00          $       1,022.40          $        2.85        0.56

 

  (a) 

Expenses are calculated using the Fund’s annualized expense ratio (as disclosed in the table), multiplied by the average account value for the period, multiplied by the number of days in the period (184 days) and divided by the number of days in the year (365 days). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Shareholder Expenses” on page 19 for more information.

 

 

 

U N D    U M M A R Y

  7


Fund Summary as of August 31, 2021  (continued)    iShares® MSCI Finland ETF

 

Portfolio Management Commentary

Stocks in Finland advanced for the reporting period as the regional recovery accelerated. Government stimulus efforts, successful vaccine rollout, a strong rebound in industrial production, and increased demand for exports helped drive growth. Business confidence improved as unemployment declined and expectations for continued economic strengthening rose.

The industrials sector was the leading contributor to the Index’s return as machinery companies reported a resurgence in new orders and demand for services. The marine market experienced a more general recovery, as new vessel orders improved despite the ongoing pressure from the still-recovering cruise industry. Increased demand for emissions-free power production and renewable fuels also supported makers of maritime and offshore engines and equipment, further bolstering partnerships with energy and marine companies.

The materials sector contributed to the Index’s return, driven by the paper and forest products industry. Consumer behavior during the pandemic drove specific paper divisions, including wood pulp, used in soft paper products, and self-adhesive labeling materials. Strong consumer demand for goods also benefited producers of packaging materials.

Information technology stocks also contributed to the Index’s return as the country’s largest communications equipment maker completed a substantial operational overhaul to improve its 5G capabilities and reported a stronger than expected operating profit. The decision to ban a leading Chinese company from 5G telecommunications networks in the U.K. increased business opportunities in that country.

The financials and consumer services sectors also contributed. Continued demand in the housing market drove strong underwriting activity, benefiting the insurance industry. A resurgence in consumer spending boosted the consumer staples sector, as sales in the food and staples retail industry showed strong growth.

Portfolio Information

 

ALLOCATION BY SECTOR

 

Sector    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Industrials

    25.6

Information Technology

    17.0  

Materials

    14.4  

Financials

    10.6  

Energy

    10.2  

Communication Services

    5.0  

Utilities

    4.6  

Consumer Staples

    4.2  

Consumer Discretionary

    4.2  

Health Care

    2.8  

Real Estate

    1.4  
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

Security    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Nokia OYJ

    13.3

Kone OYJ, Class B

    11.2  

Neste OYJ

    10.2  

Sampo OYJ, Class A

    10.1  

Fortum OYJ

    4.6  

UPM-Kymmene OYJ

    4.4  

Stora Enso OYJ, Class R

    4.3  

Kesko OYJ, Class B

    4.2  

Elisa OYJ

    3.6  

Wartsila OYJ Abp

    3.0  
 

 

  (a)

Excludes money market funds.

 

 

 

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Fund Summary as of August 31, 2021      iShares® MSCI Germany Small-Cap ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares MSCI Germany Small-Cap ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of small-capitalization German equities, as represented by the MSCI Germany Small Cap Index (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index.

Performance

 

    Average Annual Total Returns           Cumulative Total Returns  
     1 Year     5 Years      Since    
Inception    
             1 Year     5 Years      Since
Inception
 

Fund NAV

    35.96     16.53      15.27%          35.96     114.86      291.43

Fund Market

    35.99       16.55        15.27             35.99       115.05        291.42  

Index

    35.91       16.37        15.14                   35.91       113.44        286.94  

GROWTH OF $10,000 INVESTMENT

(SINCE INCEPTION AT NET ASSET VALUE)

 

LOGO

The inception date of the Fund was 1/25/12. The first day of secondary market trading was 1/26/12.

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 no guarantee 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. See “About Fund Performance” on page 19 for more information.

Expense Example

 

Actual

 

          Hypothetical 5% Return

 

        
 

Beginning
Account Value
(03/01/21)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(08/31/21)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period 
 
 
(a) 
           

Beginning
Account Value
(03/01/21)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(08/31/21)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period 
 
 
(a) 
    

Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 
 
 
    $    1,000.00            $    1,090.20            $        3.11                 $    1,000.00            $    1,022.20            $    3.01        0.59

 

  (a) 

Expenses are calculated using the Fund’s annualized expense ratio (as disclosed in the table), multiplied by the average account value for the period, multiplied by the number of days in the period (184 days) and divided by the number of days in the year (365 days). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Shareholder Expenses” on page 19 for more information.

 

 

 

U N D    U M M A R Y

  9


Fund Summary as of August 31, 2021  (continued)    iShares® MSCI Germany Small-Cap ETF

 

Portfolio Management Commentary

Small-capitalization stocks in Germany advanced strongly for the reporting period despite new waves of COVID-19 infections and business disruptions that continued to hamper economic growth. Although Germany’s economy contracted in 2020, it outperformed several other European economies due to a surge in global trade that boosted its export-focused manufacturing sector. The deployment of COVID-19 vaccines in 2021, additional pandemic relief aid, and optimism about an economic recovery supported equity market gains.

The industrials sector contributed the most to the Index’s return, benefiting from the market’s shift toward economically sensitive stocks amid expectations of a resurgence in economic growth. Gains were concentrated primarily within the capital goods industry, where rising investments in equipment, machines, and services drove demand. Order strength was particularly strong among manufacturers of data processing equipment, lens systems, planes, and ships. Additionally, the sector benefited from the rapid economic recovery in China and the U.S., as well as pledges by several European governments to significantly increase public investment over the next two years, which provided incentive for manufacturing companies to invest in equipment.

The information technology sector was also a strong contributor to the Index’s return. A global semiconductor shortage that led chip companies to ramp up production supported semiconductor and semiconductor equipment companies. In particular, manufacturers of equipment used to produce gallium nitride transistors, alternatives to silicon chips that are used in data centers, power supplies, automotive systems, and other applications, contributed.

The materials sector also contributed amid global economic expansion and robust demand for raw materials, which drove commodities prices higher. Steel companies were particularly strong contributors, supported by order growth amid recoveries in the automotive and construction industries.

Portfolio Information

 

ALLOCATION BY SECTOR

 

Sector    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Industrials

    26.5

Information Technology

    12.5  

Health Care

    12.4  

Real Estate

    11.1  

Communication Services

    9.3  

Consumer Discretionary

    9.1  

Materials

    8.7  

Financials

    6.1  

Consumer Staples

    2.3  

Utilities

    1.0  

Energy

    1.0  
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

Security    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Evotec SE

    3.9

TAG Immobilien AG

    2.9  

thyssenkrupp AG

    2.7  

Rheinmetall AG

    2.5  

CTS Eventim AG & Co. KGaA

    2.2  

Hugo Boss AG

    2.0  

Gerresheimer AG

    2.0  

AIXTRON SE

    1.9  

alstria office REIT-AG

    1.9  

Befesa SA

    1.9  
 

 

  (a)

Excludes money market funds.

 

 

 

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Fund Summary as of August 31, 2021    iShares® MSCI Ireland ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares MSCI Ireland ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of a broad-based index composed of Irish equities, as represented by the MSCI All Ireland Capped Index (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index.

Performance

 

    Average Annual Total Returns            Cumulative Total Returns  
         1 Year        5 Years       10 Years               1 Year        5 Years        10 Years  

Fund NAV

    44.90      10.98     14.00        44.90      68.39      270.63

Fund Market

    46.25        11.13       13.95          46.25        69.46        269.05  

Index

    45.99        11.41       14.49                45.99        71.67        287.12  

GROWTH OF $10,000 INVESTMENT

(AT NET ASSET VALUE)

 

LOGO

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.

Index performance through November 26, 2013 reflects the performance of the MSCI Ireland Investable Market Index 25/50. Index performance beginning on November 27, 2013 reflects the performance of the MSCI All Ireland Capped Index.

Past performance is no guarantee 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. See “About Fund Performance” on page 19 for more information.

Expense Example

 

Actual

 

          Hypothetical 5% Return

 

          
 

Beginning
Account Value
(03/01/21)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(08/31/21)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period 
 
 
(a) 
           

Beginning
Account Value
(03/01/21)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(08/31/21)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period 
 
 
(a) 
      

Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 
 
 
    $        1,000.00            $      1,205.20            $        2.72                   $      1,000.00            $      1,022.70            $        2.50          0.49

 

  (a) 

Expenses are calculated using the Fund’s annualized expense ratio (as disclosed in the table), multiplied by the average account value for the period, multiplied by the number of days in the period (184 days) and divided by the number of days in the year (365 days). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Shareholder Expenses” on page 19 for more information.

 

 

 

U N D    U M M A R Y

  11


Fund Summary as of August 31, 2021  (continued)    iShares® MSCI Ireland ETF

 

Portfolio Management Commentary

Irish stocks advanced strongly during the reporting period amid economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic. The Irish economy expanded amid an export surge, government investment, and increased household consumption. Demand for Irish goods abroad remained steady despite the pandemic, and news of a planned trade mission to western Europe helped further an export led recovery. Unprecedented government stimulus continued, bolstering the economy with programs to support employers and employees. This contributed to a projected budget deficit of approximately 8.5% of national income and 4.7% of economic growth, which was on par with other European nations. The government announced that it would reduce the deficit more gradually than previously planned as it invests in housing construction to meet increased demand. Consumer spending surpassed pre-pandemic levels as restrictions loosened and Irish consumers shopped for everything from clothing to apps and gaming.

The materials sector was the largest contributor to the Index’s return. Construction rebounded strongly in the second quarter of 2021, reflecting pent-up demand from spring 2021 when nonessential work was paused amid increasing COVID-19 infection rates. This strong underlying demand combined with pricing increases bolstered revenue despite increased costs and weather events that disrupted businesses in Europe and North America.

The financials sector also contributed significantly to the Index’s return. Banks led contributions as profits rose despite low interest rates and a brief resumption of pandemic-related restrictions in spring 2021. Impairment losses were lower as Ireland distributed COVID-19 vaccines widely, and the Irish economy reopened. The industrials sector was another meaningful contributor, led by capital goods firms that focus on trading and distribution. The rise in construction benefited the industry, as a large building materials distributor posted higher revenues and profits, driving contribution.

Portfolio Information

 

ALLOCATION BY SECTOR  
   
Sector   Percent of
Total Investments
(a)
 

Materials

    28.0

Consumer Discretionary

    27.5  

Industrials

    14.6  

Consumer Staples

    9.9  

Financials

    9.4  

Health Care

    6.8  

Real Estate

    3.8  
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

   
Security    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

CRH PLC

    22.4

Flutter Entertainment PLC, Class DI

    21.5  

AIB Group PLC

    4.6  

Grafton Group PLC

    4.6  

Bank of Ireland Group PLC

    4.6  

Glanbia PLC

    4.5  

Kingspan Group PLC

    4.5  

ICON PLC

    4.5  

Ryanair Holdings PLC

    4.4  

Kerry Group PLC, Class A

    4.3  
 

 

  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

 

 

 

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Fund Summary as of August 31, 2021      iShares® MSCI Kuwait ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares MSCI Kuwait ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of a broad-based equity index with exposure to Kuwait, as defined by the index provider, as represented by the MSCI All Kuwait Select Size Liquidity Capped Index (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index.

Performance

 

    Cumulative Total Returns      
   

Since    

Inception    

 

 

 

Fund NAV

    37.03%   

Fund Market

    37.60      

Index

    37.94      

 

 

GROWTH OF $10,000 INVESTMENT

(SINCE INCEPTION AT NET ASSET VALUE)

 

LOGO

The inception date of the Fund was 9/1/20. The first day of secondary market trading was 9/3/20.

Certain sectors and markets performed exceptionally well based on market conditions since the Fund commenced operations. Achieving such exceptional returns involves the risk of volatility and investors should not expect that such exceptional returns will be repeated.

Past performance is no guarantee 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. See “About Fund Performance” on page 19 for more information.

Expense Example

 

Actual

 

          Hypothetical 5% Return

 

          
 

Beginning
Account Value
(03/01/21)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(08/31/21)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period 
 
 
(a) 
           

Beginning
Account Value
(03/01/21)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(08/31/21)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period 
 
 
(a) 
      

Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 
 
 
    $        1,000.00            $      1,234.90            $        4.17                 $      1,000.00            $      1,021.50            $        3.77          0.74

 

  (a) 

Expenses are calculated using the Fund’s annualized expense ratio (as disclosed in the table), multiplied by the average account value for the period, multiplied by the number of days in the period (184 days) and divided by the number of days in the year (365 days). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Shareholder Expenses” on page 19 for more information.

 

 

 

U N D    U M M A R Y

  13


Fund Summary as of August 31, 2021  (continued)    iShares® MSCI Kuwait ETF

 

Portfolio Management Commentary

Stocks in Kuwait posted a strong advance for the reporting period despite government deficits and political gridlock. The appointed government and the elected parliament clashed over how to reduce the government’s record deficit, which widened due to a sharp drop in oil prices and government spending during 2020. Consequently, prominent credit rating agencies downgraded debt issued by the Kuwaiti government. Despite these challenges, Kuwait continued to open its financial markets to foreign investment, leading a major equity index provider to upgrade their status from “frontier” to “emerging” market. Kuwait’s large public sector, which accounts for approximately half of the country’s economic output, continued to employ approximately 85% of the Kuwaiti work force, holding the national unemployment rate at 2.3% during 2020. As oil prices rebounded strongly during the reporting period, Kuwait, the world’s tenth largest oil producer in 2020, sharply increased its oil production. Oil represented approximately half of Kuwait’s economic output, 95% of its exports, and 90% of government revenue. The oil price recovery, in addition to the possibility of drawing on Kuwait’s U.S. $600 billion sovereign wealth fund, helped forestall an imminent liquidity crisis.

The Index’s performance was driven primarily by a solid advance in the financials sector, which represented approximately 66% of the Index at the end of the reporting period. The two largest banks in the Index posted strong earnings growth. As the economy rebounded from coronavirus pandemic lows, provisions for credit losses decreased, and household demand for credit increased. The Kuwaiti airline industry also improved, as the number of international flights increased sharply. In the real estate sector, strong demand and limited supply continued to drive up the prices of residential real estate.

Portfolio Information

 

ALLOCATION BY SECTOR

 

   
Sector    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Financials

    66.5

Industrials

    12.4  

Real Estate

    7.5  

Communication Services

    4.4  

Materials

    3.3  

Consumer Discretionary

    2.6  

Utilities

    1.2  

Consumer Staples

    1.1  

Energy

    1.0  
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

   
Security    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

National Bank of Kuwait SAKP

    22.9

Kuwait Finance House KSCP

    20.1  

Agility Public Warehousing Co. KSC

    4.4  

Mobile Telecommunications Co. KSCP

    4.4  

Ahli United Bank BSC

    4.1  

Mabanee Co. KPSC

    3.7  

Gulf Bank KSCP

    3.2  

National Industries Group Holding SAK

    2.6  

Humansoft Holding Co. KSC

    2.6  

Warba Bank KSCP

    2.3  
 

 

  (a)

Excludes money market funds.

 

 

 

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Fund Summary as of August 31, 2021    iShares® MSCI New Zealand ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares MSCI New Zealand ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of a broad-based index composed of New Zealand equities, as represented by the MSCI New Zealand IMI 25/50 Index (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index.

Performance

 

    Average Annual Total Returns            Cumulative Total Returns  
         1 Year        5 Years       10 Years               1 Year        5 Years        10 Years  

Fund NAV

    6.58      9.91     11.53        6.58      60.38      197.88

Fund Market

    6.63        9.87       11.41          6.63        60.07        194.65  

Index

    6.94        10.37       11.98                6.94        63.81        209.94  

GROWTH OF $10,000 INVESTMENT

(AT NET ASSET VALUE)

 

LOGO

Index performance through February 11, 2013 reflects the performance of the MSCI New Zealand Investable Market Index. Index performance beginning on February 12, 2013 reflects the performance of the MSCI New Zealand IMI 25/50 Index.

Past performance is no guarantee 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. See “About Fund Performance” on page 19 for more information.

Expense Example

 

Actual

 

          Hypothetical 5% Return

 

          
 

Beginning
Account Value
(03/01/21)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(08/31/21)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period 
 
 
(a) 
           

Beginning
Account Value
(03/01/21)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(08/31/21)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period 
 
 
(a) 
      

Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 
 
 
    $        1,000.00            $      1,010.00            $        2.48                 $      1,000.00            $      1,022.70            $        2.50          0.49

 

  (a) 

Expenses are calculated using the Fund’s annualized expense ratio (as disclosed in the table), multiplied by the average account value for the period, multiplied by the number of days in the period (184 days) and divided by the number of days in the year (365 days). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Shareholder Expenses” on page 19 for more information.

 

 

 

U N D    U M M A R Y

  15


Fund Summary as of August 31, 2021  (continued)    iShares® MSCI New Zealand ETF

 

Portfolio Management Commentary

Stocks in New Zealand advanced modestly during the reporting period, despite a strong, broadly based economic recovery, as production in most sectors exceeded levels reached before the coronavirus pandemic. Strong household spending and higher demand for commodities drove much of the economic recovery. However, the emergence of COVID-19 variants and new coronavirus outbreaks led to the enactment of new restrictions on business and public activities, which restrained economic activity late in the reporting period.

Within the utilities sector, higher commodities prices raised electricity demand from smelters as they maximized operations to increase profits while prices remained high and committed to maintaining high levels of production. A buyout offer for one major company in the electric utilities industry also raised stock prices in the sector.

Within the materials sector, building activity across New Zealand soared as restrictions related to the pandemic eased. The strong home housing market, which climbed to historically high levels across New Zealand, raised demand for construction materials, which were already in short supply due to pandemic-related disruptions.

On the downside, in the consumer staples sector, the stock of one major New Zealand dairy producer declined moderately as pandemic-related restrictions led to reduced revenues from infant milk formula sales. Tough restrictions put in place in major Australian cities to mediate the effects of the pandemic disrupted the dairy producer’s informal daigou network, whereby Chinese nationals in Australia buy infant milk formula locally to import back into China in order to evade customs duties or to assure quality products. A decline in China’s birth rate also impacted sales for dairy producers.

Portfolio Information

 

ALLOCATION BY SECTOR

 

   
Sector    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Health Care

    28.8

Utilities

    22.2  

Industrials

    14.5  

Communication Services

    12.6  

Real Estate

    9.5  

Consumer Staples

    4.5  

Consumer Discretionary

    3.7  

Energy

    2.2  

Information Technology

    2.0  
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

   
Security    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Corp. Ltd.

    18.9

Spark New Zealand Ltd.

    9.2  

Auckland International Airport Ltd.

    9.1  

Meridian Energy Ltd.

    6.9  

Ryman Healthcare Ltd.

    4.8  

Infratil Ltd.

    4.4  

Contact Energy Ltd.

    4.4  

Mercury NZ Ltd.

    4.4  

Fletcher Building Ltd.

    4.3  

a2 Milk Co. Ltd. (The)

    3.9  
 

 

  (a)

Excludes money market funds.

 

 

 

16  

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Fund Summary as of August 31, 2021    iShares® MSCI Norway ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares MSCI Norway ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of a broad-based index composed of Norwegian equities, as represented by the MSCI Norway IMI 25/50 Index (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index.

Performance

 

    Average Annual Total Returns           Cumulative Total Returns  
     1 Year     5 Years      Since    
Inception    
             1 Year     5 Years      Since
Inception
 

Fund NAV

    31.42     10.08      4.03%          31.42     61.61      46.20

Fund Market

    32.93       10.20        4.07             32.93       62.49        46.75  

Index

    32.01       10.48        4.37                   32.01       64.62        50.79  

GROWTH OF $10,000 INVESTMENT

(SINCE INCEPTION AT NET ASSET VALUE)

 

LOGO

The inception date of the Fund was 1/23/12. The first day of secondary market trading was 1/24/12.

Past performance is no guarantee 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. See “About Fund Performance” on page 19 for more information.

Expense Example

 

Actual

 

          Hypothetical 5% Return

 

          
 

Beginning
Account Value
(03/01/21)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(08/31/21)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period 
 
 
(a) 
           

Beginning
Account Value
(03/01/21)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(08/31/21)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period 
 
 
(a) 
      

Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 
 
 
    $        1,000.00            $      1,113.50            $        2.82                 $      1,000.00            $      1,022.50            $        2.70          0.53

 

  (a) 

Expenses are calculated using the Fund’s annualized expense ratio (as disclosed in the table), multiplied by the average account value for the period, multiplied by the number of days in the period (184 days) and divided by the number of days in the year (365 days). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Shareholder Expenses” on page 19 for more information.

 

 

 

U N D    U M M A R Y

  17


Fund Summary as of August 31, 2021  (continued)    iShares® MSCI Norway ETF

 

Portfolio Management Commentary

Norwegian stocks advanced strongly for the reporting period as the regional recovery accelerated. Economic activity rose in tandem with a gradual lifting of coronavirus pandemic-related restrictions and widespread vaccination distribution. Employment numbers markedly improved as the service sectors most impacted by the pandemic reopened. Revenues from oil, Norway’s largest export, rebounded late in the reporting period, as crude oil and natural gas prices rose amid an expansion in industrial production.

The financials sector was the largest contributor to the Index’s return. Banks reported strong lending growth and near pre-pandemic levels of customer activity. Larger banks used a record-low sight deposit-rate environment to acquire smaller, regional banks. Additionally, facing increased competition in the digital payments category, Norway’s largest financial services group merged its mobile payment offerings with competitors in Denmark and Finland, expanding the breadth of its digital service offerings for consumers across Europe.

The materials sector was also a source of strength for the Index’s return, as sustained demand for construction and electric vehicle production in China benefited the aluminum industry and offset rising raw material costs. Price increases for high-demand fertilizer products drove contribution from the chemicals industry.

The energy sector also contributed to the Index’s return, as investment in Norway’s integrated oil and gas industry remained solid, partly due to temporary government tax breaks. The industry also strongly benefited from the sale of stakes in offshore renewable energy projects.

A resurgence in consumer spending helped the consumer staples sector contribute to the Index’s return amid strong growth from the packaged foods and meats industry. The information technology sector also contributed as brisk purchases from consumer electronics manufacturers drove gains of semiconductors manufacturers.

Portfolio Information

 

 

ALLOCATION BY SECTOR

 

   
Sector    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Financials

    21.4

Consumer Staples

    17.7  

Communication Services

    15.0  

Energy

    14.8  

Materials

    11.6  

Industrials

    9.7  

Information Technology

    5.0  

Utilities

    1.8  

Real Estate

    1.8  

Other (each representing less than 1%)

    1.2  
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

   
Security    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Equinor ASA

    11.3

DNB Bank ASA

    10.7  

Telenor ASA

    6.7  

Mowi ASA

    6.5  

Yara International ASA

    4.9  

Norsk Hydro ASA

    4.7  

Tomra Systems ASA

    3.9  

Orkla ASA

    3.8  

Nordic Semiconductor ASA

    2.8  

Adevinta ASA

    2.7  
 

 

  (a)

Excludes money market funds.

 

 

 

18  

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About Fund Performance

 

Past performance is not an indication of future results. Financial markets have experienced extreme volatility and trading in many instruments has been disrupted. These circumstances may continue for an extended period of time and may continue to affect adversely the value and liquidity of each Fund’s investments. As a result, current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. Performance data current to the most recent month-end is available at iShares.com. Performance results assume reinvestment of all dividends and capital gain distributions and do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. The investment return and principal value of shares will vary with changes in market conditions. Shares may be worth more or less than their original cost when they are redeemed or sold in the market. Performance for certain funds may reflect a waiver of a portion of investment advisory fees. Without such a waiver, performance would have been lower.

Net asset value or “NAV” is the value of one share of a fund as calculated in accordance with the standard formula for valuing mutual fund shares. Beginning August 10, 2020, the price used to calculate market return (“Market Price”) is the closing price. Prior to August 10, 2020, Market Price was determined by using the midpoint between the highest bid and the lowest ask on the primary stock exchange on which shares of a fund are listed for trading, as of the time that such fund’s NAV is calculated. Since shares of a fund may not trade in the secondary market until after the fund’s inception, for the period from inception to the first day of secondary market trading in shares of the fund, the NAV of the fund is used as a proxy for the Market Price to calculate market returns. Market and NAV returns assume that dividends and capital gain distributions have been reinvested at Market Price and NAV, respectively.

An index is a statistical composite that tracks a specified financial market or sector. Unlike a fund, an index does not actually hold a portfolio of securities and therefore does not incur the expenses incurred by a fund. These expenses negatively impact fund performance. Also, market returns do not include brokerage commissions that may be payable on secondary market transactions. If brokerage commissions were included, market returns would be lower.

Shareholder Expenses

As a shareholder of your Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including brokerage commissions on purchases and sales of fund shares and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees and other fund expenses. The expense example, which is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period (or from the commencement of operations if less than 6 months) and held through the end of the period, is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars and cents) of investing in your Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other funds.

Actual Expenses – The table provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. Annualized expense ratios reflect contractual and voluntary fee waivers, if any. To estimate the expenses that you paid on your account over the period, simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During the Period.”

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes – The table also provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on your Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in your Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as brokerage commissions and other fees paid on purchases and sales of fund shares. Therefore, the hypothetical examples are useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

 

B O U T    U N D    E R F  O R M A N C E / S H A R E H O L D E R    X P E N S E S

  19


Schedule of Investments  

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® MSCI Denmark ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

   

Air Freight & Logistics — 9.6%

   

DSV Panalpina A/S

    62,592     $  15,943,548  
   

 

 

 
Banks — 5.3%            

Danske Bank A/S

    246,535       4,136,983  

Jyske Bank A/S, Registered(a)

    29,340       1,280,809  

Ringkjoebing Landbobank A/S

    13,320       1,579,823  

Spar Nord Bank A/S

    72,347       833,951  

Sydbank A/S

    35,807       1,048,009  
   

 

 

 
      8,879,575  
Beverages — 5.1%            

Carlsberg A/S, Class B

    34,395       6,007,602  

Royal Unibrew A/S

    19,646       2,538,013  
   

 

 

 
      8,545,615  
Biotechnology — 6.1%            

Bavarian Nordic A/S(a)(b)

    32,901       1,613,338  

Genmab A/S(a)

    15,922       7,542,774  

Zealand Pharma A/S(a)

    30,777       949,009  
   

 

 

 
      10,105,121  
Building Products — 1.2%            

Rockwool International A/S, Class B

    3,656       1,934,155  
   

 

 

 
Chemicals — 5.6%            

Chr Hansen Holding A/S

    38,785       3,579,093  

Novozymes A/S, Class B

    70,941       5,734,664  
   

 

 

 
      9,313,757  
Commercial Services & Supplies — 1.0%            

ISS A/S(a)

    73,540       1,692,330  
   

 

 

 
Construction & Engineering — 0.5%            

Per Aarsleff Holding A/S

    18,095       853,492  
   

 

 

 
Containers & Packaging — 0.1%            

Brodrene Hartmann A/S(a)

    2,668       180,247  
   

 

 

 
Electric Utilities — 5.6%            

Orsted A/S(c)

    58,630       9,321,263  
   

 

 

 
Electrical Equipment — 8.2%            

NKT A/S(a)

    24,050       1,083,219  

Vestas Wind Systems A/S

    313,326       12,651,043  
   

 

 

 
      13,734,262  
Energy Equipment & Services — 0.5%            

Drilling Co. of 1972 A/S (The)(a)

    21,621       793,640  
   

 

 

 
Food Products — 0.6%            

Schouw & Co. A/S

    9,133       990,601  
   

 

 

 
Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 9.0%            

Ambu A/S, Class B(b)

    69,999       2,213,788  

Coloplast A/S, Class B

    40,044       6,937,959  

Demant A/S(a)

    43,451       2,464,668  

GN Store Nord A/S

    45,971       3,460,461  
   

 

 

 
      15,076,876  
Health Care Technology — 0.2%            

NNIT A/S(b)(c)

    15,846       355,253  
   

 

 

 
Insurance — 3.2%            

Alm Brand A/S

    105,565       831,716  

Topdanmark A/S

    24,194       1,273,635  
Security   Shares     Value  
Insurance (continued)            

Tryg A/S

    133,535     $ 3,306,370  
   

 

 

 
      5,411,721  
Life Sciences Tools & Services — 0.8%            

Chemometec A/S

    8,576       1,362,436  
   

 

 

 
Machinery — 1.2%            

FLSmidth & Co. A/S

    29,461       1,068,015  

Nilfisk Holding A/S(a)

    23,133       855,798  
   

 

 

 
      1,923,813  
Marine — 5.5%            

AP Moller - Maersk A/S, Class A

    876       2,373,899  

AP Moller - Maersk A/S, Class B, NVS

    1,735       4,942,596  

D/S Norden A/S

    29,646       769,202  

Dfds A/S(a)

    20,208       1,156,087  
   

 

 

 
      9,241,784  
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 0.1%            

TORM PLC, Class A

    28,550       220,970  
   

 

 

 
Pharmaceuticals — 22.8%            

ALK-Abello A/S(a)

    3,218       1,572,965  

H Lundbeck A/S

    40,752       1,204,961  

Novo Nordisk A/S, Class B

    352,617       35,300,448  
   

 

 

 
      38,078,374  
Road & Rail — 0.4%            

NTG Nordic Transport Group AS, Class A(a)

    8,462       713,598  
   

 

 

 
Software — 3.1%            

cBrain AS

    11,209       771,506  

Netcompany Group A/S(c)

    16,817       2,173,901  

SimCorp A/S

    16,557       2,258,322  
   

 

 

 
      5,203,729  
Specialty Retail — 0.5%            

Matas A/S

    40,275       834,506  
   

 

 

 
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods — 2.6%            

Pandora A/S

    35,504       4,255,656  
   

 

 

 
Tobacco — 0.6%            

Scandinavian Tobacco Group A/S, Class A(c)

    46,165       937,555  
   

 

 

 
Total Common Stocks — 99.4%            

(Cost: $133,855,355)

       165,903,877  
   

 

 

 
Short-Term Investments            
Money Market Funds — 2.1%            

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares,
0.06%(d)(e)(f)

    3,385,035       3,386,728  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares,
0.00%(d)(e)

    90,000       90,000  
   

 

 

 
      3,476,728  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments — 2.1%
(Cost: $3,476,762)

      3,476,728  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities — 101.5%
(Cost: $137,332,117)

      169,380,605  

Other Assets, Less Liabilities — (1.5)%

      (2,512,796
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

    $ 166,867,809  
   

 

 

 

 

(a)

Non-income producing security.

 

 

 

20  

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Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® MSCI Denmark ETF

 

(b) 

All or a portion of this security is on loan.

(c) 

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.

(d) 

Affiliate of the Fund.

(e) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

(f) 

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 year ended August 31, 2021 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

 

 
Affiliated Issuer    Value at
08/31/20
     Purchases
at Cost
     Proceeds
from Sales
     Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
     Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
     Value at
08/31/21
     Shares
Held at
08/31/21
     Income     

Capital

Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds

 

 

 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares

   $ 624,875      $ 2,762,792 (a)     $       $ (961    $ 22      $ 3,386,728        3,385,035      $ 8,064 (b)     $  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

     34,000        56,000 (a)                             90,000        90,000        39         
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 
             $ (961    $ 22      $ 3,476,728         $ 8,103      $  
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 
  (b) 

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

Futures Contracts

 

 

 
Description    Number of
Contracts
     Expiration
Date
     Notional
Amount
(000)
     Value/
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

 

 

Long Contracts

           

OMX Copenhagen 25 Index

     38        09/17/21      $     1,190      $ (7,260
           

 

 

 

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:

 

 

 
     Equity
Contracts
 

 

 

Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instruments

  

Futures contracts

  

Unrealized depreciation on futures contracts(a)

   $ 7,260  
  

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Net cumulative 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).

 

 

 

C H E D U L E    O F    N V E S  T M E N T S

  21


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® MSCI Denmark ETF

 

For the period ended August 31, 2021, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

 

 
     Equity
Contracts
 

 

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from:

  

Futures contracts

   $ 382,373  
  

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:

  

Futures contracts

   $ (13,226
  

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

 

 

Futures contracts:

  

Average notional value of contracts — long

   $ 1,058,721          

 

 

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. 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.

 

 

 
     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

 

 

Investments

           

Assets

           

Common Stocks

   $  21,641,220      $ 144,262,657      $             —      $ 165,903,877  

Money Market Funds

     3,476,728                      3,476,728  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 25,117,948      $ 144,262,657      $      $ 169,380,605  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Derivative financial instruments(a)

           

Liabilities

           

Futures Contracts

   $      $ (7,260    $      $ (7,260
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Derivative financial instruments are futures contracts. Futures contracts are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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Schedule of Investments  

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® MSCI Finland ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

   

Airlines — 0.4%

   

Finnair OYJ(a)(b)

    174,275     $ 136,149  
   

 

 

 

Auto Components — 2.3%

   

Nokian Renkaat OYJ

    18,517       705,730  
   

 

 

 

Banks — 0.6%

   

Aktia Bank OYJ

    13,085       187,255  
   

 

 

 

Building Products — 1.0%

   

Uponor OYJ

    9,792       315,789  
   

 

 

 

Chemicals — 1.0%

   

Kemira OYJ

    18,436       311,329  
   

 

 

 

Commercial Services & Supplies — 0.7%

   

Caverion OYJ

    23,068       214,298  
   

 

 

 

Communications Equipment — 13.2%

   

Nokia OYJ(a)

    685,881       4,120,177  
   

 

 

 

Construction & Engineering — 0.6%

   

YIT OYJ

    29,969       181,554  
   

 

 

 

Containers & Packaging — 2.4%

   

Huhtamaki OYJ

    13,808       737,685  
   

 

 

 

Diversified Telecommunication Services — 3.6%

   

Elisa OYJ

    17,537       1,123,958  
   

 

 

 

Electric Utilities — 4.5%

   

Fortum OYJ

    46,433       1,411,330  
   

 

 

 

Entertainment — 0.5%

   

Remedy Entertainment OYJ

    595       28,278  

Rovio Entertainment OYJ(c)

    15,436       122,023  
   

 

 

 
      150,301  

Food & Staples Retailing — 4.2%

   

Kesko OYJ, Class B

    31,551       1,305,565  
   

 

 

 

Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 0.5%

   

Revenio Group OYJ

    1,936       148,485  
   

 

 

 

Health Care Providers & Services — 0.4%

   

Oriola OYJ, Class B

    50,069       113,863  
   

 

 

 

Insurance — 10.0%

   

Sampo OYJ, Class A

    60,187       3,110,182  
   

 

 

 

IT Services — 1.5%

   

TietoEVRY OYJ

    13,606       484,568  
   

 

 

 

Leisure Products — 0.1%

   

Harvia OYJ

    620       41,508  
   

 

 

 

Machinery — 22.6%

   

Cargotec OYJ, Class B

    6,241       346,608  

Kone OYJ, Class B

    41,623       3,453,888  

Konecranes OYJ

    9,159       414,940  

Metso Outotec OYJ

    84,502       903,619  

Neles OYJ

    16,057       248,367  

Valmet OYJ

    18,721       751,278  

Wartsila OYJ Abp

    65,195       924,867  
   

 

 

 
      7,043,567  
Security   Shares     Value  

Media — 0.8%

   

Sanoma OYJ

    14,193     $ 260,761  
   

 

 

 

Metals & Mining — 1.2%

   

Outokumpu OYJ(a)

    56,135       389,772  
   

 

 

 

Multiline Retail — 0.8%

   

Tokmanni Group Corp.

    8,904       256,877  
   

 

 

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 10.1%

   

Neste OYJ

    51,876       3,159,867  
   

 

 

 

Paper & Forest Products — 9.7%

   

Metsa Board OYJ

    28,917       302,551  

Stora Enso OYJ, Class R

    68,043       1,334,957  

UPM-Kymmene OYJ

    33,734       1,374,275  
   

 

 

 
      3,011,783  

Pharmaceuticals — 2.0%

   

Orion OYJ, Class B

    15,033       613,198  
   

 

 

 

Professional Services — 0.1%

   

Talenom OYJ

    1,823       36,679  
   

 

 

 

Real Estate Management & Development — 1.4%

   

Citycon OYJ

    16,974       151,166  

Kojamo OYJ

    12,229       297,776  
   

 

 

 
      448,942  

Software — 2.1%

   

Admicom OYJ

    260       28,557  

BasWare OYJ(a)

    3,046       138,971  

F-Secure OYJ

    29,544       167,095  

QT Group OYJ(a)

    1,728       317,969  
   

 

 

 
      652,592  

Specialty Retail — 0.9%

   

Kamux Corp.

    1,631       26,297  

Musti Group OYJ

    6,303       255,555  
   

 

 

 
      281,852  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 99.2%
(Cost: $29,344,959)

      30,955,616  
   

 

 

 
Short-Term Investments            

Money Market Funds — 1.0%

   

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares,
0.06%(d)(e)(f)

    143,156       143,228  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares,
0.00%(d)(e)

    165,000       165,000  
   

 

 

 
      308,228  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments — 1.0%
(Cost: $308,228)

      308,228  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities — 100.2%
(Cost: $29,653,187)

      31,263,844  

Other Assets, Less Liabilities — (0.2)%

      (65,412
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

    $   31,198,432  
   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Non-income producing security.

(b) 

All or a portion of this security is on loan.

(c) 

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.

 

 

 

C H E D U L E    O F    N V E S  T M E N T S

  23


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® MSCI Finland ETF

 

(d) 

Affiliate of the Fund.

(e) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

(f) 

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 year ended August 31, 2021 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

 

 
Affiliated Issuer    Value at
08/31/20
     Purchases
at Cost
     Proceeds
from Sales
     Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
     Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
     Value at
08/31/21
     Shares
Held at
08/31/21
     Income     

Capital

Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds

 

 

 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares

   $ 485,403      $      $ (342,017 )(a)      $ (123     $ (35    $ 143,228        143,156      $ 8,111 (b)     $             —  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

     175,000               (10,000 )(a)                     165,000        165,000        73         
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 
             $ (123     $ (35    $ 308,228         $ 8,184      $  
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 
  (b) 

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

Futures Contracts

 

 

 
Description    Number of
Contracts
     Expiration
Date
     Notional
Amount
(000)
     Value/
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

 

 

Long Contracts

           

Euro STOXX 50 Index

     5        09/17/21      $ 247      $ 8,010  
           

 

 

 

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:

 

 

 
     Equity
Contracts
 

 

 

Assets — Derivative Financial Instruments

  

Futures contracts

  

Unrealized appreciation on futures contracts(a)

   $ 8,010  
  

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Net cumulative 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 August 31, 2021, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

 

 
     Equity
Contracts
 

 

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from:

  

Futures contracts

   $ 64,754  
  

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:

  

Futures contracts

   $ 9,440  
  

 

 

 

 

 

24  

2 0 2 1    H A R E S    N N U A L    E P O R T    T O    H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® MSCI Finland ETF

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

 

 

Futures contracts:

  

Average notional value of contracts — long

   $ 228,110          

 

 

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. 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.

 

 

 
     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

 

 

Investments

           

Assets

           

Common Stocks

   $ 1,205,829      $ 29,749,787      $             —      $ 30,955,616  

Money Market Funds

     308,228                      308,228  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $   1,514,057      $ 29,749,787      $      $ 31,263,844  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Derivative financial instruments(a)

           

Assets

           

Futures Contracts

   $      $ 8,010      $      $ 8,010  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Derivative financial instruments are futures contracts. Futures contracts are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

C H E D U L E    O F    N V E S  T M E N T S

  25


Schedule of Investments  

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® MSCI Germany Small-Cap ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

   

Aerospace & Defense — 0.6%

   

Hensoldt AG

    10,609     $ 179,882  

OHB SE

    1,324       61,047  
   

 

 

 
      240,929  

Auto Components — 0.7%

   

ElringKlinger AG(a)(b)

    7,202       117,261  

SAF-Holland SE(a)

    11,467       163,424  
   

 

 

 
      280,685  

Biotechnology — 1.1%

   

MorphoSys AG(a)

    8,308       481,821  
   

 

 

 

Building Products — 0.5%

   

Steico SE(b)

    1,423       202,612  
   

 

 

 

Capital Markets — 1.8%

   

AURELIUS Equity Opportunities SE & Co. KGaA

    7,517       239,326  

Deutsche Beteiligungs AG

    3,325       145,359  

flatexDEGIRO AG(a)

    2,067       214,767  

MLP SE

    16,571       150,660  
   

 

 

 
      750,112  

Chemicals — 3.3%

   

K+S AG, Registered(a)

    48,349       689,206  

Wacker Chemie AG

    3,952       697,332  
   

 

 

 
      1,386,538  

Commercial Services & Supplies — 3.0%

   

Befesa SA(c)

    10,104       819,425  

Bilfinger SE

    7,259       254,660  

Cewe Stiftung & Co. KGaA

    1,405       209,692  
   

 

 

 
      1,283,777  

Communications Equipment — 0.4%

   

ADVA Optical Networking SE(a)

    10,842       179,736  
   

 

 

 

Construction & Engineering — 1.0%

   

HOCHTIEF AG

    5,354       428,222  
   

 

 

 

Diversified Financial Services — 2.2%

   

GRENKE AG

    7,047       313,859  

Hypoport SE(a)

    902       623,369  
   

 

 

 
      937,228  

Electrical Equipment — 3.5%

   

Nordex SE(a)

    26,274       491,757  

PNE AG

    8,708       75,559  

SGL Carbon SE(a)(b)

    15,452       171,556  

Varta AG(b)

    4,595       733,086  
   

 

 

 
      1,471,958  

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components — 1.8%

   

Basler AG

    928       161,292  

Jenoptik AG

    13,013       470,283  

LPKF Laser & Electronics AG(b)

    6,188       156,726  
   

 

 

 
      788,301  

Entertainment — 2.8%

   

Borussia Dortmund GmbH & Co. KGaA(a)

    16,268       121,100  

CTS Eventim AG & Co. KGaA(a)

    14,550       938,765  

Media and Games Invest SE(a)

    22,686       146,905  
   

 

 

 
          1,206,770  
Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) — 2.4%            

alstria office REIT-AG

    40,420       823,430  
Security   Shares     Value  
Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) (continued)            

Hamborner REIT AG

    17,302     $ 198,934  
   

 

 

 
          1,022,364  

Food & Staples Retailing — 1.0%

   

METRO AG

    31,839       424,081  
   

 

 

 

Food Products — 1.3%

   

KWS Saat SE & Co. KGaA

    2,918       244,281  

Suedzucker AG

    18,052       308,051  
   

 

 

 
      552,332  

Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 2.2%

   

Draegerwerk AG & Co. KGaA

    770       65,398  

Eckert & Ziegler Strahlen- und Medizintechnik AG

    3,744       546,063  

Stratec SE

    1,987       328,931  
   

 

 

 
      940,392  

Health Care Providers & Services — 0.3%

   

Medios AG(a)

    2,560       123,780  
   

 

 

 

Health Care Technology — 1.5%

   

CompuGroup Medical SE & Co. KgaA

    6,787       633,369  
   

 

 

 

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 0.4%

   

Zeal Network SE

    3,677       185,374  
   

 

 

 

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers — 1.0%

 

 

Encavis AG(b)

    24,479       445,519  
   

 

 

 

Industrial Conglomerates — 3.2%

   

Indus Holding AG

    4,714       190,193  

MBB SE

    529       86,393  

Rheinmetall AG

    11,003       1,076,006  
   

 

 

 
      1,352,592  

Insurance — 0.3%

   

Wuestenrot & Wuerttembergische AG

    5,920       130,294  
   

 

 

 

Interactive Media & Services — 0.5%

   

New Work SE

    710       205,811  
   

 

 

 

Internet & Direct Marketing Retail — 4.7%

   

Global Fashion Group SA(a)

    19,017       242,282  

Home24 SE(a)(b)

    6,604       131,079  

Shop Apotheke Europe NV(a)(b)(c)

    3,398       606,101  

Takkt AG

    8,287       138,054  

Westwing Group AG(a)

    2,904       140,242  

zooplus AG(a)

    1,625       764,802  
   

 

 

 
      2,022,560  

IT Services — 4.1%

   

Adesso SE

    703       152,525  

CANCOM SE

    9,737       641,167  

Datagroup SE(a)

    1,054       96,534  

Nagarro SE(a)

    2,156       386,946  

S&T AG(b)

    12,522       287,518  

Secunet Security Networks AG

    328       182,490  
   

 

 

 
      1,747,180  

Life Sciences Tools & Services — 5.9%

   

Evotec SE(a)

    33,249       1,653,878  

Gerresheimer AG

    7,932       842,595  
   

 

 

 
      2,496,473  

Machinery — 7.8%

   

Deutz AG(a)

    30,530       278,816  

Duerr AG

    13,111       645,886  

JOST Werke AG

    3,576       233,075  
 

 

 

26  

2 0 2 1    H A R E S    N N U A L    E P O R T    T O    H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® MSCI Germany Small-Cap ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Machinery (continued)  

Koenig & Bauer AG(a)

    3,548     $     122,118  

Krones AG

    3,591       364,036  

Norma Group SE

    8,049       406,069  

Pfeiffer Vacuum Technology AG

    997       208,837  

Stabilus SA

    6,239       490,829  

Vossloh AG

    2,218       125,707  

Wacker Neuson SE

    7,973       241,511  

Washtec AG

    2,825       198,567  
   

 

 

 
      3,315,451  
Media — 3.2%  

ProSiebenSat.1 Media SE

    41,200       786,578  

Stroeer SE & Co. KGaA

    7,155       589,251  
   

 

 

 
      1,375,829  
Metals & Mining — 5.1%  

Aurubis AG

    7,949       675,578  

Salzgitter AG(a)

    9,108       343,329  

thyssenkrupp AG(a)

    102,216       1,138,966  
   

 

 

 
      2,157,873  
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 1.0%  

CropEnergies AG

    6,612       79,913  

VERBIO Vereinigte BioEnergie AG

    5,570       337,389  
   

 

 

 
      417,302  
Pharmaceuticals — 1.0%  

Dermapharm Holding SE

    4,760       441,952  
   

 

 

 
Professional Services — 0.9%  

Amadeus Fire AG

    1,444       296,773  

Bertrandt AG

    1,409       80,234  
   

 

 

 
      377,007  
Real Estate Management & Development — 8.7%  

ADLER Group SA(c)

    19,294       512,581  

Corestate Capital Holding SA(a)(b)

    5,241       81,028  

Deutsche EuroShop AG

    12,485       288,629  

DIC Asset AG

    11,431       209,801  

Grand City Properties SA

    26,048       714,186  

Instone Real Estate Group AG(c)

    11,869       376,985  

PATRIZIA AG

    11,664       285,893  

TAG Immobilien AG

    37,006       1,253,230  
   

 

 

 
      3,722,333  
Road & Rail — 1.1%  

Sixt SE(a)(b)

    3,452       463,964  
   

 

 

 
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 4.1%  

AIXTRON SE

    28,603       825,470  

Elmos Semiconductor SE

    2,285       102,524  

Siltronic AG

    4,168       688,499  

SMA Solar Technology AG

    2,630       125,960  
   

 

 

 
      1,742,453  
Software — 2.0%  

Exasol AG(a)

    3,704       75,924  

Northern Data AG(a)(b)

    1,246       108,281  

Software AG

    13,085       663,079  
   

 

 

 
      847,284  
Specialty Retail — 1.2%  

Ceconomy AG(a)

    40,552       190,055  

Hornbach Baumarkt AG

    2,009       80,178  

Hornbach Holding AG & Co. KGaA

    2,425       259,411  
   

 

 

 
      529,644  
Security   Shares     Value  
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods — 2.0%  

Hugo Boss AG

    15,116     $ 844,001  
   

 

 

 
Thrifts & Mortgage Finance — 1.8%  

Aareal Bank AG

    15,120       399,610  

Deutsche Pfandbriefbank AG(c)

    33,969       389,100  
   

 

 

 
      788,710  
Trading Companies & Distributors — 0.9%  

BayWa AG

    3,452       149,995  

Kloeckner & Co. SE(a)

    18,898       255,160  
   

 

 

 
      405,155  
Transportation Infrastructure — 1.8%  

Fraport AG Frankfurt Airport Services Worldwide(a)(b)

    9,343       604,195  

Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG

    7,245       159,628  
   

 

 

 
      763,823  
Wireless Telecommunication Services — 2.7%  

1&1 AG

    11,163       352,615  

Freenet AG

    32,349       799,021  
   

 

 

 
      1,151,636  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 96.8%
(Cost: $36,266,362)

 

    41,265,227  
   

 

 

 

Preferred Stocks

 

Construction Materials — 0.4%

 

STO SE & Co. KGaA, Preference Shares, NVS

    641       148,496  
   

 

 

 
Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 0.4%  

Draegerwerk AG & Co. KGaA, Preference Shares, NVS

    2,172       183,368  
   

 

 

 
Machinery — 1.5%  

Jungheinrich AG, Preference Shares, NVS

    12,125       654,817  
   

 

 

 
Road & Rail — 0.8%  

Sixt SE, Preference Shares, NVS

    4,187       329,081  
   

 

 

 

Total Preferred Stocks — 3.1%
(Cost: $1,125,713)

 

    1,315,762  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Investments

 

Money Market Funds — 8.5%

 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares,
0.06%(d)(e)(f)

    3,633,096       3,634,912  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares,
0.00%(d)(e)

    10,000       10,000  
   

 

 

 
      3,644,912  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments — 8.5%
(Cost: $3,644,102)

 

    3,644,912  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities — 108.4%
(Cost: $41,036,177)

 

    46,225,901  

Other Assets, Less Liabilities — (8.4)%

 

    (3,584,098
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

 

  $  42,641,803  
   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Non-income producing security.

(b) 

All or a portion of this security is on loan.

(c) 

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.

(d) 

Affiliate of the Fund.

 

 

 

C H E D U L E    O F    N V E S  T M E N T S

  27


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® MSCI Germany Small-Cap ETF

 

(e) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

(f) 

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 year ended August 31, 2021 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

                   
Affiliated Issuer    Value at
08/31/20
    Purchases
at Cost
    Proceeds
from Sales
    Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
    Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
    Value at
08/31/21
    Shares
Held at
08/31/21
    Income     Capital
Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds
 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares

   $ 1,913,301     $ 1,723,385 (a)      $            —     $ (1,122   $ (652   $ 3,634,912       3,633,096     $ 147,423 (b)    $             —  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

     10,000       0 (a)                         10,000       10,000       4        
        

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
         $ (1,122   $ (652   $ 3,644,912       $ 147,427     $  
        

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 
  (b) 

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

Futures Contracts

 

         
Description    Number of
Contracts
     Expiration
Date
     Notional
Amount
(000)
     Value/
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

Long Contracts

           

Euro STOXX 50 Index

     1        09/17/21      $ 49      $ 1,266  
           

 

 

 

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:

 

   
      Equity
Contracts
 

Assets — Derivative Financial Instruments

  

Futures contracts

  

Unrealized appreciation on futures contracts(a)

   $ 1,266  
  

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Net cumulative 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 August 31, 2021, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

   
      Equity
Contracts
 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from:

  

Futures contracts

   $ 21,816  
  

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:

  

Futures contracts

   $ 3,135  
  

 

 

 

 

 

28  

2 0 2 1    H A R E S    N N U A L    E P O R T    T O    H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® MSCI Germany Small-Cap ETF

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

   

Futures contracts:

  

Average notional value of contracts — long

   $ 94,873  

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. 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.

 

      Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Investments

           

Assets

           

Common Stocks

   $ 7,399,761      $ 33,865,466      $             —      $ 41,265,227  

Preferred Stocks

     331,864        983,898               1,315,762  

Money Market Funds

     3,644,912                      3,644,912  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 11,376,537      $ 34,849,364      $      $ 46,225,901  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Derivative financial instruments(a)

           

Assets

           

Futures Contracts

   $      $ 1,266      $      $ 1,266  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Derivative financial instruments are futures contracts. Futures contracts are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

C H E D U L E    O F    N V E S  T M E N T S

  29


Schedule of Investments

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® MSCI Ireland ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

 

Airlines — 4.4%

   

Ryanair Holdings PLC, ADR(a)

    33,961     $     3,657,600  
   

 

 

 
Banks — 9.3%  

AIB Group PLC(a)

    1,274,231       3,828,699  

Bank of Ireland Group PLC(a)

    604,140       3,781,476  

Permanent TSB Group Holdings PLC(a)

    60,179       99,479  
   

 

 

 
      7,709,654  
Building Products — 4.5%  

Kingspan Group PLC

    32,589       3,721,504  
   

 

 

 
Construction Materials — 22.5%  

CRH PLC

    351,189       18,604,565  
   

 

 

 
Containers & Packaging — 5.4%  

Ardagh Group SA

    32,897       864,204  

Smurfit Kappa Group PLC

    62,603       3,588,021  
   

 

 

 
      4,452,225  
Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) — 3.9%  

Hibernia REIT PLC

    1,166,002       1,745,015  

Irish Residential Properties REIT PLC

    790,043       1,432,848  
   

 

 

 
      3,177,863  
Food Products — 10.0%  

Dole PLC(a)

    1       16  

Glanbia PLC

    209,894       3,744,748  

Kerry Group PLC, Class A

    24,563       3,602,145  

Origin Enterprises PLC

    221,279       875,272  
   

 

 

 
      8,222,181  
Health Care Providers & Services — 2.3%  

Uniphar PLC(a)

    407,484       1,910,114  
   

 

 

 
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 23.4%  

Dalata Hotel Group PLC(a)

    353,383       1,576,830  

Flutter Entertainment PLC, Class DI(a)

    91,525       17,792,945  
   

 

 

 
      19,369,775  
Household Durables — 4.1%  

Cairn Homes PLC(a)

    1,305,012       1,753,537  
Security   Shares     Value  
Household Durables (continued)  

Glenveagh Properties PLC(a)(b)

    1,304,649     $ 1,669,864  
   

 

 

 
      3,423,401  
Insurance — 0.1%  

FBD Holdings PLC(a)

    11,513       104,540  
   

 

 

 
Life Sciences Tools & Services — 4.5%  

ICON PLC(a)

    14,488       3,705,596  
   

 

 

 
Marine — 1.1%  

Irish Continental Group PLC(a)

    174,384       881,269  
   

 

 

 
Metals & Mining — 0.3%  

Kenmare Resources PLC

    36,251       212,815  
   

 

 

 
Trading Companies & Distributors — 4.6%  

Grafton Group PLC

    199,181       3,827,613  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 100.4%
(Cost: $61,587,532)

 

    82,980,715  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Investments

 

Money Market Funds — 0.1%

 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares,
0.00%(c)(d)

    30,000       30,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments — 0.1%
(Cost: $30,000)

 

    30,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities — 100.5%
(Cost: $61,617,532)

 

    83,010,715  

Other Assets, Less Liabilities — (0.5)%

 

    (381,177
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

 

  $ 82,629,538  
   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Non-income producing security.

(b) 

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.

(c) 

Affiliate of the Fund.

(d) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the year ended August 31, 2021 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

                   
Affiliated Issuer   Value at
08/31/20
    Purchases
at Cost
    Proceeds
from Sales
    Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
    Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
    Value at
08/31/21
    Shares
Held at
08/31/21
    Income     Capital
Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds
 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

  $ 20,000     $ 10,000 (a)    $     $     $     $ 30,000       30,000     $ 8     $  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 

 

 

30  

2 0 2 1    H A R E S    N N U A L    E P O R T    T O    H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® MSCI Ireland ETF

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure    

For the period ended August 31, 2021, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:    

 

   
      Equity
Contracts
 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from:

  

Futures contracts

   $ 41,605  
  

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

   

Futures contracts:

  

Average notional value of contracts — long

   $ 45,258  

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. 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.

 

 

 
     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

 

 

Investments

           

Assets

           

Common Stocks

   $ 24,409,507      $ 58,571,208      $      $ 82,980,715  

Money Market Funds

     30,000                      30,000  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 24,439,507      $ 58,571,208      $             —      $ 83,010,715  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

C H E D U L E    O F    N V E S  T M E N T S

  31


Schedule of Investments

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® MSCI Kuwait ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

 

Air Freight & Logistics — 4.4%

   

Agility Public Warehousing Co. KSC

    246,045     $ 817,422  
   

 

 

 

Airlines — 1.1%

   

Jazeera Airways Co. KSCP(a)

    73,555       205,474  
   

 

 

 

Banks — 59.2%

   

Ahli United Bank BSC

    875,439       771,731  

Ahli United Bank KSCP(a)

    21,258       22,693  

Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait KSCP(a)

    218,831       161,558  

Boubyan Bank KSCP(a)

    8,912       23,206  

Burgan Bank SAK

    530,063       400,147  

Gulf Bank KSCP

    736,066       587,482  

Kuwait Finance House KSCP

    1,365,793           3,751,730  

Kuwait International Bank KSCP(a)

    460,167       345,961  

Kuwait Projects Holding KSCP

    541,919       277,538  

National Bank of Kuwait SAKP

    1,372,572       4,270,972  

Warba Bank KSCP(a)

    492,730       437,509  
   

 

 

 
      11,050,527  

Capital Markets — 2.9%

   

Boursa Kuwait Securities Co. KPSC

    56,116       311,652  

Noor Financial Investment Co. KSC

    236,041       225,064  
   

 

 

 
      536,716  

Chemicals — 3.3%

   

Boubyan Petrochemicals Co. KSCP

    135,444       393,225  

Qurain Petrochemical Industries Co.

    171,857       218,893  
   

 

 

 
      612,118  

Construction & Engineering — 0.6%

   

Combined Group Contracting Co. SAK

    91,335       109,651  
   

 

 

 

Diversified Consumer Services — 2.6%

   

Humansoft Holding Co. KSC

    42,309       479,234  
   

 

 

 

Diversified Financial Services — 4.4%

   

A’ayan Leasing & Investment Co. KSCP(a)

    563,803       292,495  

Alimtiaz Investment Group KSC(a)

    767,392       316,451  

National Investments Co. KSCP

    319,049       213,265  
   

 

 

 
      822,211  

Electrical Equipment — 1.5%

   

Gulf Cable & Electrical Industries Co. KSCP

    106,229       287,613  
   

 

 

 

Energy Equipment & Services — 1.0%

   

Heavy Engineering & Ship Building Co. KSCP

    124,277       192,594  
   

 

 

 
Security   Shares     Value  

Food Products — 1.1%

   

Mezzan Holding Co. KSCC

    102,993     $ 203,794  
   

 

 

 

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity
Producers — 1.2%

   

Shamal Az-Zour Al-Oula for the First Phase of Az-Zour Power Plant KSC

    289,348       224,204  
   

 

 

 

Industrial Conglomerates — 2.6%

   

National Industries Group Holding SAK(a)

    645,089       491,617  
   

 

 

 

Real Estate Management & Development — 7.5%

   

Kuwait Real Estate Co. KSC(a)

    627,151       296,160  

Mabanee Co. KPSC

    266,437       684,035  

National Real Estate Co. KPSC(a)

    583,699       415,403  
   

 

 

 
          1,395,598  

Trading Companies & Distributors — 2.2%

   

ALAFCO Aviation Lease & Finance Co. KSCP(a)

    273,450       203,701  

Integrated Holding Co. KCSC(a)

    166,943       205,972  
   

 

 

 
      409,673  

Wireless Telecommunication Services — 4.4%

   

Mobile Telecommunications Co. KSCP

    402,014       816,169  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 100.0%
(Cost: $14,783,692)

      18,654,615  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Investments

   

Money Market Funds — 0.0%

   

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares, 0.00%(b)(c)

    10,000       10,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments — 0.0%
(Cost: $10,000)

      10,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities — 100.0%
(Cost: $14,793,692)

      18,664,615  

Other Assets, Less Liabilities — (0.0)%

      (2,595
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

    $ 18,662,020  
   

 

 

 

 

(a)

Non-income producing security.

(b)

Affiliate of the Fund.

(c)

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the period ended August 31, 2021 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

                   
Affiliated Issuer   Value at
09/01/20(a)
    Purchases
at Cost
    Proceeds
from Sales
    Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
    Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
    Value at
08/31/21
    Shares
Held at
08/31/21
    Income    

Capital

Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds

 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

  $       $10,000 (b)    $     $     $     $ 10,000       10,000     $ 1     $  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

The Fund commenced operations on September 01, 2020.

 
  (b) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 

 

 

32  

2 0 2 1  H A R E S    N N U A L    E P  O R T    T O    H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® MSCI Kuwait ETF

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments. 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.

 

      Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Investments

           

Assets

           

Common Stocks

   $ 10,966,254      $   7,688,361      $      $ 18,654,615  

Money Market Funds

     10,000                      10,000  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 10,976,254      $ 7,688,361      $      $ 18,664,615  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

C H E D U L E    O F    N V E S  T M E N T S

  33


Schedule of Investments

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® MSCI New Zeland ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

 

Airlines — 1.1%

   

Air New Zealand Ltd.(a)(b)

    1,550,485     $ 1,649,990  
   

 

 

 

Building Products — 4.2%

   

Fletcher Building Ltd.

    1,150,683       6,070,819  
   

 

 

 

Diversified Telecommunication Services — 12.5%

   

Chorus Ltd.

    974,655       4,826,478  

Spark New Zealand Ltd.

    3,815,023       13,099,704  
   

 

 

 
      17,926,182  

Electric Utilities — 15.3%

   

Contact Energy Ltd.

    1,097,488       6,299,383  

Genesis Energy Ltd.

    1,248,426       2,982,994  

Infratil Ltd.

    1,204,453       6,348,728  

Mercury NZ Ltd.

    1,326,669       6,219,752  
   

 

 

 
      21,850,857  

Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) — 9.5%

   

Argosy Property Ltd.

    2,146,941       2,490,303  

Goodman Property Trust

    2,498,677       4,590,845  

Kiwi Property Group Ltd.

    3,680,761       3,008,934  

Precinct Properties New Zealand Ltd.

    2,906,199       3,500,875  
   

 

 

 
      13,590,957  

Food Products — 4.5%

   

a2 Milk Co. Ltd. (The)(a)(b)

    1,299,907       5,533,863  

Synlait Milk Ltd.(a)(b)

    384,749       894,674  
   

 

 

 
      6,428,537  

Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 18.9%

   

Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Corp. Ltd.

    1,155,314       26,962,617  
   

 

 

 

Health Care Providers & Services — 9.8%

   

Oceania Healthcare Ltd.

    1,828,474       2,026,747  

Ryman Healthcare Ltd.

    621,305       6,784,979  

Summerset Group Holdings Ltd.

    488,881       5,208,885  
   

 

 

 
      14,020,611  

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 3.7%

   

Restaurant Brands New Zealand Ltd.(a)

    115,519       1,302,408  

SKYCITY Entertainment Group Ltd.(a)

    1,716,166       3,942,308  
   

 

 

 
      5,244,716  
Security   Shares     Value  

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity
Producers — 6.9%

   

Meridian Energy Ltd.

    2,651,508     $ 9,793,064  
   

 

 

 

IT Services — 2.0%

   

Pushpay Holdings Ltd.(a)

    2,300,176       2,871,403  
   

 

 

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 2.2%

   

Z Energy Ltd.

    1,252,354       3,097,474  
   

 

 

 

Transportation Infrastructure — 9.1%

   

Auckland International Airport Ltd.(a)

    2,558,325       12,997,691  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 99.7%
(Cost: $140,860,361)

      142,504,918  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Investments

   

Money Market Funds — 4.8%

   

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares,
0.06%(c)(d)(e)

    6,791,156       6,794,552  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares,
0.00%(c)(d)

    50,000       50,000  
   

 

 

 
      6,844,552  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments — 4.8%
(Cost: $6,844,552)

 

    6,844,552  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities — 104.5%
(Cost: $147,704,913)

 

    149,349,470  

Other Assets, Less Liabilities — (4.5)%

 

    (6,493,394
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

 

  $ 142,856,076  
   

 

 

 

 

(a)

Non-income producing security.

(b)

All or a portion of this security is on loan.

(c)

Affiliate of the Fund.

(d)

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

(e)

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 year ended August 31, 2021 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

                   
Affiliated Issuer   Value at
08/31/20
    Purchases
at Cost
    Proceeds
from Sales
    Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
    Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
    Value at
08/31/21
    Shares
Held at
08/31/21
    Income    

Capital

Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds

 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares

  $     $ 6,796,742 (a)    $     $ (2,190   $     $ 6,794,552       6,791,156     $ 18,733 (b)    $  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

    68,000             (18,000 )(a)                  50,000       50,000       54        
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
        $ (2,190   $     $ 6,844,552       $ 18,787     $  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 
  (b)

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.

 

 

 

34  

2 0 2 1    H A R E S    N N U A L    E P O R T    T O    H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® MSCI Zealand ETF

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Futures Contracts

 

         
Description    Number of
Contracts
     Expiration
Date
     Notional
Amount
(000)
     Value/
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

Long Contracts

           

ASX SPI 200 Index

     2        09/16/21      $ 272      $ 447  
           

 

 

 

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:    

 

   
      Equity
Contracts
 

Assets — Derivative Financial Instruments

  

Futures contracts

  

Unrealized appreciation on futures contracts(a)

   $ 447  
  

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Net cumulative 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 August 31, 2021, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

      Equity
Contracts
 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from:

  

Futures contracts

   $ 70,332  
  

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:

  

Futures contracts

   $ 617  
  

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

   

Futures contracts:

  

Average notional value of contracts — long

   $ 255,651  

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. 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.

 

      Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Investments

           

Assets

           

Common Stocks

   $ 9,236,864      $ 133,268,054      $      $ 142,504,918  

Money Market Funds

     6,844,552                      6,844,552  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $   16,081,416      $ 133,268,054      $      $ 149,349,470  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Derivative financial instruments(a)

           

Assets

           

Futures Contracts

   $      $ 447      $             —      $ 447  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Derivative financial instruments are futures contracts. Futures contracts are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

C H E D U L E    O F    N V E S  T M E N T S

  35


Schedule of Investments

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® MSCI Norway ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

 

Aerospace & Defense — 1.4%

 

Kongsberg Gruppen ASA

    23,167     $         645,907  
   

 

 

 
Banks — 14.8%            

Bank Norwegian ASA

    33,668       398,087  

DNB Bank ASA, New

    231,776       4,892,036  

SpareBank 1 Nord Norge

    24,537       247,226  

Sparebank 1 Oestlandet

    10,429       149,701  

SpareBank 1 SMN

    33,403       479,477  

SpareBank 1 SR-Bank ASA

    46,063       621,266  
   

 

 

 
      6,787,793  
Biotechnology — 0.4%  

Vaccibody AS(a)

    19,526       174,054  
   

 

 

 
Chemicals — 6.8%            

Borregaard ASA

    24,456       639,933  

Elkem ASA(b)

    67,300       286,506  

Yara International ASA

    44,039       2,211,767  
   

 

 

 
      3,138,206  
Commercial Services & Supplies — 4.1%  

Aker Carbon Capture ASA(a)

    25,333       65,661  

Quantafuel ASA(a)

    11,542       37,212  

Tomra Systems ASA

    28,610       1,758,265  
   

 

 

 
      1,861,138  
Construction & Engineering — 0.8%  

Veidekke ASA

    27,776       356,594  
   

 

 

 
Diversified Financial Services — 1.1%  

Aker ASA, Class A

    6,692       482,880  
   

 

 

 
Diversified Telecommunication Services — 6.7%  

Telenor ASA

    175,491       3,074,419  
   

 

 

 
Electric Utilities — 0.3%  

Fjordkraft Holding ASA(b)

    24,976       154,489  
   

 

 

 
Electrical Equipment — 1.3%  

NEL ASA(a)(c)

    362,778       595,872  
   

 

 

 
Energy Equipment & Services — 2.1%  

Aker Solutions ASA(a)

    27,340       50,561  

BW Offshore Ltd.

    23,792       73,861  

Ocean Yield ASA

    15,819       57,423  

Subsea 7 SA

    57,879       440,324  

TGS ASA

    30,179       334,276  
   

 

 

 
      956,445  
Entertainment — 0.7%  

Kahoot! ASA(a)

    44,604       303,266  
   

 

 

 
Food Products — 17.6%  

Aker BioMarine ASA(a)(c)

    5,251       31,406  

Atlantic Sapphire ASA(a)(c)

    5,098       27,552  

Austevoll Seafood ASA

    23,469       301,414  

Bakkafrost P/F

    12,960       1,138,890  

Grieg Seafood ASA(a)

    12,926       128,671  

Leroy Seafood Group ASA

    76,652       676,378  

Mowi ASA

    110,511       2,960,070  

Norway Royal Salmon ASA

    3,404       78,305  

Orkla ASA

    193,557       1,728,925  

Salmar ASA

    14,607       979,084  
   

 

 

 
      8,050,695  
Security   Shares     Value  
Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers — 1.5%  

Aker Horizons Holding ASA(a)(c)

    16,269     $         55,077  

Scatec ASA(b)

    30,641       632,965  
   

 

 

 
      688,042  
Industrial Conglomerates — 0.4%  

Bonheur ASA

    5,470       203,845  
   

 

 

 
Insurance — 5.4%  

Gjensidige Forsikring ASA

    51,561       1,205,309  

Protector Forsikring ASA

    18,840       212,257  

Storebrand ASA

    120,598       1,070,807  
   

 

 

 
      2,488,373  
Interactive Media & Services — 2.7%  

Adevinta ASA(a)

    62,112       1,250,023  
   

 

 

 
IT Services — 0.9%  

Atea ASA

    21,248       433,072  
   

 

 

 
Machinery — 0.3%  

Hexagon Composites ASA(a)

    28,416       107,437  

Hexagon Purus ASA(a)(c)

    11,995       45,341  
   

 

 

 
      152,778  
Marine — 1.2%  

Golden Ocean Group Ltd.

    33,478       380,348  

Stolt-Nielsen Ltd.

    6,600       82,264  

Wallenius Wilhelmsen ASA(a)

    27,213       107,797  
   

 

 

 
      570,409  
Media — 4.8%  

Schibsted ASA, Class A

    19,092       1,018,583  

Schibsted ASA, Class B

    25,189       1,172,208  
   

 

 

 
      2,190,791  
Metals & Mining — 4.7%  

Norsk Hydro ASA

    309,599       2,137,236  
   

 

 

 
Multiline Retail — 0.7%  

Europris ASA(b)

    42,956       303,535  
   

 

 

 
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 12.6%  

BW Energy Ltd.(a)

    16,414       52,767  

BW LPG Ltd.(b)

    20,084       106,938  

DNO ASA(a)

    125,476       113,794  

Equinor ASA

    243,460       5,159,923  

Flex LNG Ltd.

    7,656       115,180  

Frontline Ltd./Bermuda

    25,471       179,414  

Hafnia Ltd.

    28,783       54,047  
   

 

 

 
      5,782,063  
Professional Services — 0.1%  

Meltwater Holding BV(a)

    7,996       38,117  
   

 

 

 
Real Estate Management & Development — 1.8%  

Entra ASA(b)

    33,044       748,352  

Selvaag Bolig ASA

    10,882       76,475  
   

 

 

 
      824,827  
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 2.9%  

Nordic Semiconductor ASA(a)

    39,761       1,293,467  

REC Silicon ASA(a)

    25,786       46,893  
   

 

 

 
      1,340,360  
Software — 1.1%  

Crayon Group Holding ASA(a)(b)

    12,662       243,090  

LINK Mobility Group Holding ASA(a)

    15,675       73,959  

Pexip Holding ASA(a)

    18,229       141,530  
 

 

 

36  

2 0 2 1  H A R E S    N N U A L    E P  O R T    T O    H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® MSCI Norway ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Software (continued)

 

Volue ASA(a)

    9,177     $         48,554  
   

 

 

 
      507,133  
Specialty Retail — 0.2%  

XXL ASA(a)(b)

    35,720       75,801  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 99.4%
(Cost: $41,753,771)

      45,568,163  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Investments

 

Money Market Funds — 1.7%

 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares,
0.06%(d)(e)(f)

    775,165       775,553  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares,
0.00%(d)(e)

    20,000       20,000  
   

 

 

 
      795,553  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments — 1.7%
(Cost: $795,553)

      795,553  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities — 101.1%
(Cost: $42,549,324)

      46,363,716  

Other Assets, Less Liabilities — (1.1)%

      (496,193
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

 

  $ 45,867,523  
   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Non-income producing security.

(b) 

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.

(c) 

All or a portion of this security is on loan.

(d) 

Affiliate of the Fund.

(e) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

(f) 

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 year ended August 31, 2021 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

 

 
Affiliated Issuer   Value at
08/31/20
    Purchases
at Cost
    Proceeds
from Sales
    Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
    Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
    Value at
08/31/21
    Shares
Held at
08/31/21
    Income    

Capital

Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds

 

 

 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares

  $ 126,224       $649,462 (a)    $     $ (104   $ (29     $775,553       775,165       $ 3,246 (b)    $  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

    10,000       10,000 (a)                         20,000       20,000       5        
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
        $ (104   $ (29     $795,553         $ 3,251     $  —  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 
  (b) 

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

Futures Contracts

 

 

 
Description   Number of
Contracts
    Expiration
Date
    Notional
Amount
(000)
    Value/
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

 

 

Long Contracts

       

Euro STOXX 50 Index

    1       09/17/21     $  49     $ (233
       

 

 

 

 

 

C H E D U L E    O F    N V E S  T M E N T S

  37


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® MSCI Norway 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:

 

 

 
     Equity
Contracts
 

 

 

Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instruments

  

Futures contracts

  

Unrealized depreciation on futures contracts(a)

   $  233  
  

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Net cumulative 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 August 31, 2021, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

 

 
     Equity
Contracts
 

 

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from:

  

Futures contracts

   $ 11,671  
  

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:

  

Futures contracts

   $ 211  
  

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

Futures contracts:

        

Average notional value of contracts — long

   $ 99,199  

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. 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.

 

 

 
     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

 

 

Investments

           

Assets

           

Common Stocks

   $   5,540,615      $ 40,027,548      $      $ 45,568,163  

Money Market Funds

     795,553                      795,553  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $   6,336,168      $ 40,027,548      $      $ 46,363,716  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Derivative financial instruments(a)

           

Liabilities

           

Futures Contracts

   $      $ (233    $             —      $ (233
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Derivative financial instruments are futures contracts. Futures contracts are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

38  

2 0 2 1    H A R E S    N N U A L    E P O R T    T O    H A R E H O L D E R S


 

Statements of Assets and Liabilities

August 31, 2021

 

    

iShares

MSCI

Denmark

ETF

           

iShares

MSCI Finland
ETF

           

iShares

MSCI
Germany
Small-Cap

ETF

           

iShares
MSCI Ireland

ETF

 

ASSETS

                

Investments in securities, at value (including securities on loan)(a):

                

Unaffiliated(b)

  $ 165,903,877        $ 30,955,616        $ 42,580,989        $ 82,980,715  

Affiliated(c)

    3,476,728          308,228          3,644,912          30,000  

Cash

    2,482          1,055          9,797          6,956  

Foreign currency, at value(d)

    313,219          39,755          1,449,877          504,948  

Foreign currency collateral pledged:

                

Futures contracts(e)

    113,684          14,525          3,272          46,049  

Receivables:

                

Investments sold

    7,453,459          231,808          17,241          7,338,934  

Securities lending income — Affiliated

    471          220          5,998           

Variation margin on futures contracts

             8,001          1,261           

Capital shares sold

                               231,394  

Dividends

                      4,910          44,634  

Tax reclaims

    909,228          231,527          2,473          23,714  
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total assets

    178,173,148          31,790,735          47,720,730          91,207,344  
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

                

Collateral on securities loaned, at value

    3,387,706          143,201          3,633,155           

Payables:

                

Investments purchased

    7,834,851          260,515          1,424,756          8,545,558  

Variation margin on futures contracts

    7,555                            1,087  

Investment advisory fees

    75,227          13,984          21,016          31,161  

Professional fees

             50,000                    

IRS compliance fee for foreign withholding tax claims

             124,603                    
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    11,305,339          592,303          5,078,927          8,577,806  
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 166,867,809        $ 31,198,432        $ 42,641,803        $ 82,629,538  
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:

                

Paid-in capital

  $ 136,865,575        $ 31,827,379        $ 39,720,694        $ 71,832,450  

Accumulated earnings (loss)

    30,002,234          (628,947        2,921,109          10,797,088  
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 166,867,809        $ 31,198,432        $ 42,641,803        $ 82,629,538  
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Shares outstanding

    1,450,000          600,000          500,000          1,350,000  
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net asset value

  $ 115.08        $ 52.00        $ 85.28        $ 61.21  
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Shares authorized

    Unlimited          Unlimited          Unlimited          Unlimited  
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Par value

    None          None          None          None  
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

(a)   Securities loaned, at value

  $ 3,335,468        $ 134,787        $ 3,478,983        $  

(b)   Investments, at cost — Unaffiliated

  $ 133,855,355        $ 29,344,959        $ 37,392,075        $ 61,587,532  

(c)   Investments, at cost — Affiliated

  $ 3,476,762        $ 308,228        $ 3,644,102        $ 30,000  

(d)   Foreign currency, at cost

  $ 308,798        $ 38,890        $ 1,448,670        $ 504,268  

(e)   Foreign currency collateral pledged, at cost

  $ 118,134        $ 15,670        $ 3,420        $ 46,080  

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L    T A T E M E N  T S

  39


 

Statements of Assets and Liabilities  (continued)

August 31, 2021

 

     iShares
MSCI Kuwait
ETF
           

iShares

MSCI New

Zealand ETF

           

iShares

MSCI
Norway ETF

 

ASSETS

           

Investments in securities, at value (including securities on loan)(a):

           

Unaffiliated(b)

  $ 18,654,615        $ 142,504,918        $ 45,568,163  

Affiliated(c)

    10,000          6,844,552          795,553  

Cash

    506          1,774          553  

Foreign currency, at value(d)

    26,608          2,563          309,916  

Foreign currency collateral pledged:

           

Futures contracts(e)

             20,483          4,723  

Receivables:

           

Investments sold

    550,329          1,598,916          203,436  

Securities lending income — Affiliated

             3,358          347  

Variation margin on futures contracts

             411           

Dividends

             297,831          2,842  

Tax reclaims

                      2,947  
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total assets

    19,242,058          151,274,806          46,888,480  
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

           

Collateral on securities loaned, at value

             6,794,992          775,547  

Payables:

           

Investments purchased

    568,603          1,564,549          224,800  

Variation margin on futures contracts

                      181  

Investment advisory fees

    11,435          59,189          20,429  
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    580,038          8,418,730          1,020,957  
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 18,662,020        $ 142,856,076        $ 45,867,523  
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:

           

Paid-in capital

  $ 14,553,456        $ 167,922,666        $ 51,307,996  

Accumulated earnings (loss)

    4,108,564          (25,066,590        (5,440,473
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 18,662,020        $ 142,856,076        $ 45,867,523  
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Shares outstanding

    550,000          2,250,000          1,600,000  
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net asset value

  $ 33.93        $ 63.49        $ 28.67  
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Shares authorized

    Unlimited          Unlimited          Unlimited  
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Par value

    None          None          None  
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

(a)   Securities loaned, at value

  $        $ 6,470,281        $ 745,320  

(b)   Investments, at cost — Unaffiliated

  $ 14,783,692        $ 140,860,361        $ 41,753,771  

(c)   Investments, at cost — Affiliated

  $ 10,000        $ 6,844,552        $ 795,553  

(d)   Foreign currency, at cost

  $ 26,605        $ 2,210        $ 315,437  

(e)   Foreign currency collateral pledged, at cost

  $        $ 20,611        $ 4,697  

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

40  

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Statements of Operations  

Year Ended August 31, 2021

 

    

iShares

MSCI

Denmark

ETF

   

iShares

MSCI Finland

ETF

   

iShares

MSCI
Germany

Small-Cap

ETF

   

iShares

MSCI Ireland

ETF

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

       

Dividends — Unaffiliated

  $ 2,439,143     $ 975,537     $ 666,009     $ 716,446  

Dividends — Affiliated

    39       73       4       8  

Securities lending income — Affiliated — net

    8,064       8,111       147,423        

Foreign taxes withheld

    (360,563     (3,131     (63,786     (25,308

IRS Compliance fee for foreign withholding tax claims

          (2,519            
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investment income

    2,086,683       978,071       749,650       691,146  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EXPENSES

       

Investment advisory fees

    850,009       176,465       234,212       308,624  

Professional fees

          5,355              

Miscellaneous

    173       173       173       173  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses

    850,182       181,993       234,385       308,797  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    1,236,501       796,078       515,265       382,349  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

       

Net realized gain (loss) from:

       

Investments — Unaffiliated

    1,585,660       (296,712     (49,620     (1,040,311

Investments — Affiliated

    (961     (123     (1,122      

In-kind redemptions — Unaffiliated

    23,819,089       5,688,404       2,974,177       1,891,363  

Futures contracts

    382,373       64,754       21,816       41,605  

Foreign currency transactions

    (6,077     2,692       (6,380     5,151  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net realized gain

    25,780,084       5,459,015       2,938,871       897,808  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

       

Investments — Unaffiliated

    23,719,990       2,763,588       8,184,542       21,766,849  

Investments — Affiliated

    22       (35     (652      

Futures contracts

    (13,226     9,440       3,135        

Foreign currency translations

    (27,711     (4,064     (4,273     (671
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    23,679,075       2,768,929       8,182,752       21,766,178  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain

    49,459,159       8,227,944       11,121,623       22,663,986  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

  $ 50,695,660     $ 9,024,022     $ 11,636,888     $ 23,046,335  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L    T A T E M E N  T S

  41


 

Statements of Operations  (continued)

Year Ended August 31, 2021

 

    

iShares    

MSCI Kuwait    
         ETF(a)   

    

iShares

MSCI New
Zealand ETF

   

iShares

MSCI

Norway ETF

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

        

Dividends — Unaffiliated

  $ 404,699        $ 4,222,044     $ 1,382,585  

Dividends — Affiliated

    1          54       5  

Securities lending income — Affiliated — net

             18,733       3,246  

Foreign taxes withheld

             (580,607     (315,743
 

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investment income

    404,700          3,660,224       1,070,093  
 

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

EXPENSES

        

Investment advisory fees

    100,440          853,923       180,573  

Commitment fees

    120                 

Miscellaneous

             173       173  
 

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses

    100,560          854,096       180,746  
 

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    304,140          2,806,128       889,347  
 

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

        

Net realized gain (loss) from:

        

Investments — Unaffiliated

    262,729          (4,016,932     (973,076

Investments — Affiliated

             (2,190     (104

In-kind redemptions — Unaffiliated

             27,025,521       677,221  

Futures contracts

             70,332       11,671  

Foreign currency transactions

    (14,499        (37,605     (8,855
 

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net realized gain (loss)

    248,230          23,039,126       (293,143
 

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

        

Investments — Unaffiliated

    3,870,923          (15,374,306     6,250,865  

Investments — Affiliated

                   (29

Futures contracts

             617       211  

Foreign currency translations

    (3        (5,050     (6,552
 

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    3,870,920          (15,378,739     6,244,495  
 

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain

    4,119,150          7,660,387       5,951,352  
 

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

  $ 4,423,290        $ 10,466,515     $ 6,840,699  
 

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

For the period from September 01, 2020 (commencement of operations) to August 31, 2021.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

42  

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Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

    iShares
MSCI Denmark ETF
    iShares
MSCI Finland ETF
 
     Year Ended
08/31/21
    Year Ended
08/31/20
    Year Ended
08/31/21
    Year Ended
08/31/20
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

       

OPERATIONS

       

Net investment income

  $ 1,236,501     $ 317,438     $ 796,078     $ 615,818  

Net realized gain (loss)

    25,780,084       (1,120,641     5,459,015       296,182  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    23,679,075       13,796,937       2,768,929       4,049,228  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

    50,695,660       12,993,734       9,024,022       4,961,228  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a)

       

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

    (1,262,684     (292,573     (1,012,192     (1,036,942
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

       

Net increase (decrease) in net assets derived from capital share transactions

    7,535,488       63,653,757       (11,952,774     4,490,297  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

       

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

    56,968,464       76,354,918       (3,940,944     8,414,583  

Beginning of year

    109,899,345       33,544,427       35,139,376       26,724,793  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of year

  $ 166,867,809     $ 109,899,345     $ 31,198,432     $ 35,139,376  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a)

Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L    T A T E M E N  T S

  43


 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets  (continued)

 

    iShares
MSCI Germany  Small-Cap ETF
    iShares
MSCI Ireland ETF
 
    

Year Ended

08/31/21

    Year Ended
08/31/20
    Year Ended
08/31/21
    Year Ended
08/31/20
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

       

OPERATIONS

       

Net investment income

  $ 515,265     $ 217,539     $ 382,349     $ 595,688  

Net realized gain

    2,938,871       640,891       897,808       267,001  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    8,182,752       4,427,396       21,766,178       2,797,460  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

    11,636,888       5,285,826       23,046,335       3,660,149  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a)

       

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

    (638,366     (82,622     (400,086     (940,239
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

       

Net increase (decrease) in net assets derived from capital share transactions

    (219,216     (10,267,905     6,863,827       (4,751,676
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

       

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

    10,779,306       (5,064,701     29,510,076       (2,031,766

Beginning of year

    31,862,497       36,927,198       53,119,462       55,151,228  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of year

  $ 42,641,803     $ 31,862,497     $ 82,629,538     $ 53,119,462  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a)

Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

44  

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Statements of Changes in Net Assets  (continued)

 

    iShares
MSCI Kuwait
ETF
    iShares
MSCI New Zealand ETF
 
     

Period From
09/01/20

to 08/31/21

 
(a) 

 

   
Year Ended
08/31/21
 
 
   
Year Ended
08/31/20
 
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

     

OPERATIONS

     

Net investment income

  $ 304,140     $ 2,806,128     $ 2,949,840  

Net realized gain

    248,230       23,039,126       1,762,353  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    3,870,920       (15,378,739     21,645,361  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

    4,423,290       10,466,515       26,357,554  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(b)

     

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

    (314,726     (3,787,802     (4,674,204
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

     

Net increase (decrease) in net assets derived from capital share transactions

    14,553,456       (31,025,621     (20,231,374
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

     

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

    18,662,020       (24,346,908     1,451,976  

Beginning of period

          167,202,984       165,751,008  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period

  $ 18,662,020     $ 142,856,076     $ 167,202,984  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a)

Commencement of operations.

(b)

Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L    T A T E M E N  T S

  45


 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets  (continued)

 

    iShares
MSCI Norway ETF
 
    Year Ended
08/31/21
    Year Ended
08/31/20
 

 

 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

   

OPERATIONS

   

Net investment income

  $ 889,347     $ 333,272  

Net realized loss

    (293,143     (285,526

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    6,244,495       3,511,779  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

    6,840,699       3,559,525  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a)

   

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

    (908,885     (358,083
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

   

Net increase in net assets derived from capital share transactions

    8,572,191       5,529,593  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

   

Total increase in net assets

    14,504,005       8,731,035  

Beginning of year

    31,363,518       22,632,483  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of year

  $ 45,867,523     $ 31,363,518  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a)

Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

46  

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Financial Highlights  

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    iShares MSCI Denmark ETF  
    Year Ended
08/31/21
     Year Ended
08/31/20
     Year Ended
08/31/19
     Year Ended
08/31/18
     Year Ended
08/31/17
 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 84.54      $ 60.99      $ 67.75      $ 67.57      $ 56.39  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.76        0.50        0.97        0.90        0.94  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(b)

    30.62        23.52        (5.99      0.77        11.07  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    31.38        24.02        (5.02      1.67        12.01  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions(c)

             

From net investment income

    (0.84      (0.47      (1.74      (1.49      (0.83
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.84      (0.47      (1.74      (1.49      (0.83
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 115.08      $ 84.54      $ 60.99      $ 67.75      $ 67.57  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

             

Based on net asset value

    37.21      39.52      (7.41 )%       2.58      21.43
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

             

Total expenses

    0.53      0.53      0.53      0.53      0.53
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income

    0.77      0.71      1.59      1.34      1.66
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

             

Net assets, end of year (000)

  $ 166,868      $ 109,899      $ 33,544      $ 40,649      $ 67,567  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(e)

    11      21      14      13      14
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(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)

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(e)

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L    I G H L I G H  T S

  47


Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    iShares MSCI Finland ETF  
    Year Ended
08/31/21
     Year Ended
08/31/20
     Year Ended
08/31/19
     Year Ended
08/31/18
     Year Ended
08/31/17
 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 41.34      $ 35.63      $ 41.83      $ 39.79      $ 33.19  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    1.10        0.85        1.30        1.39        1.02  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(b)

    10.93        6.25        (5.98      2.16        6.74  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    12.03        7.10        (4.68      3.55        7.76  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions(c)

             

From net investment income

    (1.37      (1.39      (1.52      (1.51      (1.16
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (1.37      (1.39      (1.52      (1.51      (1.16
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 52.00      $ 41.34      $ 35.63      $ 41.83      $ 39.79  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

             

Based on net asset value

    29.37      20.61      (11.24 )%       9.08      23.32
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

             

Total expenses

    0.55      0.53      0.53      0.53      0.55
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses excluding professional fees for foreign withholding tax claims

    0.53      0.53      0.53      N/A        0.53
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income

    2.39      2.36      3.40      3.38      2.84
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

             

Net assets, end of year (000)

  $ 31,198      $ 35,139      $ 26,725      $ 39,735      $ 45,753  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(e)

    12      22      16      11      12
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(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)

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(e)

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

48  

2 0 2 1    H A R E S    N N U A L    E P O R T    T O    H A R E H O L D E R S


Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    iShares MSCI Germany Small-Cap ETF  
    Year Ended
08/31/21
     Year Ended
08/31/20
     Year Ended
08/31/19
     Year Ended
08/31/18
     Year Ended
08/31/17
 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 63.72      $ 52.75      $ 63.43      $ 57.18      $ 43.23  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.99        0.38        1.07        1.33        0.78  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(b)

    21.79        10.74        (10.06      6.19        13.87  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    22.78        11.12        (8.99      7.52        14.65  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions(c)

             

From net investment income

    (1.22      (0.15      (1.69      (1.27      (0.70
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (1.22      (0.15      (1.69      (1.27      (0.70
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 85.28      $ 63.72      $ 52.75      $ 63.43      $ 57.18  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

             

Based on net asset value

    35.96      21.12      (14.08 )%       13.22      34.12
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

             

Total expenses

    0.59      0.59      0.59      0.59      0.59
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income

    1.30      0.69      1.95      2.09      1.65
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

             

Net assets, end of year (000)

  $ 42,642      $ 31,862      $ 36,927      $ 60,260      $ 40,025  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(e)

    24      25      13      14      14
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(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)

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(e)

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L    I G H L I G H  T S

  49


Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    iShares MSCI Ireland ETF  
    Year Ended
08/31/21
     Year Ended
08/31/20
     Year Ended
08/31/19
     Year Ended
08/31/18
     Year Ended
08/31/17
 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 42.50      $ 39.39      $ 46.25      $ 43.80      $ 38.94  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.32        0.43        0.61        0.61        0.47  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(b)

    18.74        3.34        (6.80      2.62        4.94  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    19.06        3.77        (6.19      3.23        5.41  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions(c)

             

From net investment income

    (0.35      (0.66      (0.67      (0.78      (0.55
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.35      (0.66      (0.67      (0.78      (0.55
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 61.21      $ 42.50      $ 39.39      $ 46.25      $ 43.80  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

             

Based on net asset value

    44.90      9.59      (13.44 )%       7.38      13.99
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

             

Total expenses

    0.50      0.51      0.49      0.47      0.49
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income

    0.62      1.06      1.49      1.31      1.19
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

             

Net assets, end of year (000)

  $ 82,630      $ 53,119      $ 55,151      $ 69,381      $ 67,883  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(e)

    40      47      24      20      14
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(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)

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(e)

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

50  

2 0 2 1    H A R E S    N N U A L    E P O R T    T O    H A R E H O L D E R S


Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    iShares
MSCI
Kuwait
ETF
 
 

 

 

 
   


Period
From

09/01/20

to
08/31/21

 
 

(a) 

 
 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 25.22  
 

 

 

 

Net investment income(b)

    0.66  

Net realized and unrealized gain(c)

    8.62  
 

 

 

 

Net increase from investment operations

    9.28  
 

 

 

 

Distributions(d)

 

From net investment income

    (0.57
 

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.57
 

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 33.93  
 

 

 

 

Total Return(e)

 

Based on net asset value

    37.03 %(f) 
 

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

 

Total expenses

    0.74 %(g) 
 

 

 

 

Net investment income

    2.24 %(g) 
 

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 18,662  
 

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(h)

    16 %(f)  
 

 

 

 

 

(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)

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(f)

Not annualized.

(g)

Annualized.

(h)

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L    I G H L I G H  T S

  51


Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    iShares MSCI New Zealand ETF  
    Year Ended
08/31/21
     Year Ended
08/31/20
     Year Ended
08/31/19
     Year Ended
08/31/18
     Year Ended
08/31/17
 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 60.80      $ 51.80      $ 49.11      $ 46.26      $ 46.90  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    1.04        1.06        1.58        1.71        1.96  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(b)

    2.97        9.49        2.70        2.86        (0.39
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase from investment operations

    4.01        10.55        4.28        4.57        1.57  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions(c)

             

From net investment income

    (1.32      (1.55      (1.59      (1.72      (2.21
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (1.32      (1.55      (1.59      (1.72      (2.21
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 63.49      $ 60.80      $ 51.80      $ 49.11      $ 46.26  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

             

Based on net asset value

    6.58      20.71      9.00      10.02      3.95
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

             

Total expenses

    0.50      0.51      0.50      0.47      0.49
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income

    1.64      1.96      3.16      3.58      4.45
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

             

Net assets, end of year (000)

  $ 142,856      $ 167,203      $ 165,751      $ 142,406      $ 175,790  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(e)

    16      12      15      14      9
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(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)

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(e)

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

52  

2 0 2 1    H A R E S    N N U A L    E P O R T    T O    H A R E H O L D E R S


Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    iShares MSCI Norway ETF  
    Year Ended
08/31/21
     Year Ended
08/31/20
     Year Ended
08/31/19
     Year Ended
08/31/18
     Year Ended
08/31/17
 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 22.40      $ 22.63      $ 27.67      $ 25.07      $ 20.36  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.69        0.34        0.67        0.72        0.69  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(b)

    6.30        (0.15      (4.91      2.56        4.70  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    6.99        0.19        (4.24      3.28        5.39  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions(c)

             

From net investment income

    (0.72      (0.42      (0.80      (0.68      (0.68
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.72      (0.42      (0.80      (0.68      (0.68
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 28.67      $ 22.40      $ 22.63      $ 27.67      $ 25.07  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

             

Based on net asset value

    31.42      1.04      (15.42 )%       13.21      27.10
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

             

Total expenses

    0.53      0.53      0.53      0.53      0.53
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income

    2.61      1.58      2.66      2.67      3.11
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

             

Net assets, end of year (000)

  $ 45,868      $ 31,364      $ 22,632      $ 30,434      $ 32,589  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(e)

    12      16      13      13      10
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(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)

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(e)

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L    I G H L I G H  T S

  53


Notes to Financial Statements

 

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”):

 

iShares ETF   Diversification
Classification
 

MSCI Denmark

    Non-diversified  

MSCI Finland

    Non-diversified  

MSCI Germany Small-Cap

    Diversified  

MSCI Ireland

    Non-diversified  

MSCI Kuwait(a)

    Non-diversified  

MSCI New Zealand

    Non-diversified  

MSCI Norway

    Non-diversified  

 

  (a) 

The Fund commenced operations on September 01, 2020.

 

 

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.

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 August 31, 2021, if any, are disclosed in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

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 includes tax reclaims recorded as well as professional and other fees, if any, associated with recovery of foreign withholding taxes.

Segregation and Collateralization: In cases where a Fund enters into certain investments (e.g., futures contracts) that would be treated as “senior securities” for 1940 Act purposes, a Fund may segregate or designate on its books and record cash or liquid assets having a market value at least equal to the amount of its future obligations under such investments. Doing so allows the investment to be excluded from treatment as a “senior security.” Furthermore, 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 or obligations.

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

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. The character and timing of distributions are determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP.

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. Each Fund determines the fair values of its financial instruments using various independent dealers or pricing services under policies approved by the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”). 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 a policy approved by the Board as reflecting fair value. The BlackRock Global Valuation Methodologies Committee (the “Global Valuation Committee”) is the committee formed by management to develop global pricing policies and procedures and to oversee the pricing function for all financial instruments.

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 published 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 follows 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 Global Valuation Committee, in accordance with a policy approved by the Board as reflecting fair value (“Fair Valued Investments”). The fair valuation approaches that may be used by the Global 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 Global Valuation Committee, or its delegate, 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 Global Valuation Committee, or its delegate, deems relevant and consistent with the principles of fair value measurement. The pricing of all Fair Valued Investments is subsequently reported to the Board or a committee thereof on a quarterly basis.

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. 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 for identical assets or liabilities that each Fund has the ability to access;

   

Level 2 – Other observable inputs (including, but not limited to, quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in markets that are active, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the assets or liabilities (such as interest rates, yield curves, volatilities, prepayment speeds, loss severities, credit risks and default rates) or other market-corroborated inputs); and

   

Level 3 – Unobservable inputs based on the best information available in the circumstances, to the extent observable inputs are not available, (including the Global 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 Global 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.

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

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 BlackRock Fund Advisors (“BFA”), the Funds’ investment adviser, 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

   
Market Value of
Securities on Loan
 
 
    
Cash Collateral
Received
 
(a)  
   
Non-Cash Collateral
Received
 
 
     Net Amount  

 

 

MSCI Denmark

         

BofA Securities, Inc.

  $         1,511,754      $         1,496,834     $         —      $ (14,920 )(b) 

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC

    141,240        141,240               

Morgan Stanley

    1,682,474        1,682,474               
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
  $ 3,335,468      $ 3,320,548     $      $ (14,920
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

MSCI Finland

         

Morgan Stanley

  $ 13,258      $ 13,258     $      $  

Scotia Capital (USA), Inc.

    121,529        121,529               
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
  $ 134,787      $ 134,787     $      $  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

MSCI Germany Small-Cap

         

Barclays Capital, Inc.

  $ 72,710      $ 72,710     $      $  

BofA Securities, Inc.

    1,286,168        1,286,168               

Citigroup Global Markets, Inc.

    318,630        318,630               

Credit Suisse AG

    1,929        1,929               

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC

    590,251        590,251               

HSBC Bank PLC

    139,307        139,307               

Morgan Stanley

    818,083        818,083               

UBS AG

    251,905        251,905               
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
  $ 3,478,983      $ 3,478,983     $      $  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

MSCI New Zealand

         

Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC

  $ 377,217      $ 377,217     $      $  

Macquarie Bank Ltd.

    5,471,338        5,471,338               

Morgan Stanley

    621,726        621,726               
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
  $ 6,470,281      $ 6,470,281     $      $  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

 

 

iShares ETF and Counterparty

   
Market Value of
Securities on Loan
 
 
    
Cash Collateral
Received
 
(a)  
   
Non-Cash Collateral
Received
 
 
     Net Amount  

 

 

MSCI Norway

         

Citigroup Global Markets, Inc.

  $ 14,952      $ 14,952     $      $  

Credit Suisse AG

    54,526        54,526               

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC

    674,988        674,988               

UBS AG

    854        854               
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
  $ 745,320      $ 745,320     $      $  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Collateral received 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 statement of assets and liabilities.

 
  (b)

The market value of the loaned securities is determined as of August 31, 2021. Additional collateral is delivered to the Fund on the next business day in accordance with the MSLA. The net amount would be subject to the borrower default indemnity in the event of default by a counterparty.

 

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:

 

iShares ETF   Investment Advisory Fee  

MSCI Denmark

    0.53

MSCI Finland

    0.53  

MSCI Germany Small-Cap

    0.59  

MSCI Kuwait

    0.74  

MSCI Norway

    0.53  

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

For its investment advisory services to each of the iShares MSCI Ireland and iShares MSCI New Zealand 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   Investment Advisory Fee  

First $7 billion

    0.59

Over $7 billion, up to and including $11 billion

    0.54  

Over $11 billion, up to and including $24 billion

    0.49  

Over $24 billion, up to and including $48 billion

    0.44  

Over $48 billion, up to and including $72 billion

    0.40  

Over $72 billion, up to and including $96 billion

    0.36  

Over $96 billion

    0.32  

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. 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, distribution fee or service fee. The money market fund in which the cash collateral has been invested may, under certain circumstances, impose a liquidity fee of up to 2% of the value redeemed or temporarily restrict redemptions for up to 10 business days during a 90 day period, in the event that the money market fund’s weekly liquid assets fall below certain thresholds.

Securities lending income is equal to the total of income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral, net of fees and other payments to and from borrowers of securities, and less the collateral investment fees. Each Fund retains a portion of 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 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, each 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 each Fund is shown as securities lending income – affiliated – net in its Statements of Operations. For the year ended August 31, 2021, the Funds paid BTC the following amounts for securities lending agent services:

 

iShares ETF   Fees Paid
to BTC
 

MSCI Denmark

  $ 2,482  

MSCI Finland

    1,905  

MSCI Germany Small-Cap

    33,602  

MSCI New Zealand

    5,483  

MSCI Norway

    781  

Officers and Trustees: Certain officers and/or trustees of the Trust are officers and/or trustees of BlackRock or its affiliates.

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements  (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 year ended August 31, 2021, transactions executed by the Funds pursuant to Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act were as follows:

 

iShares ETF   Purchases             Sales             Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
 

MSCI Denmark

  $  6,115,736        $  3,581,948        $  527,337  

MSCI Finland

    447,528          487,822          54,320  

MSCI Germany Small-Cap

    2,109,498          1,640,980          130,372  

MSCI Ireland

    4,545,707          731,732          126,223  

MSCI New Zealand

    5,757,165          2,492,569          127,991  

MSCI Norway

    65,638                627,075                (79,582

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.

 

7.

PURCHASES AND SALES

For the year ended August 31, 2021, purchases and sales of investments, excluding short-term investments and in-kind transactions, were as follows:

 

iShares ETF   Purchases             Sales  

MSCI Denmark

  $  17,963,932        $  19,103,255  

MSCI Finland

    3,940,617          4,439,672  

MSCI Germany Small-Cap

    12,969,507          9,590,408  

MSCI Ireland

    25,179,751          24,801,398  

MSCI Kuwait

    16,825,172          2,304,210  

MSCI New Zealand

    27,312,958          28,102,803  

MSCI Norway

    4,243,781                4,073,255  

For the year ended August 31, 2021, in-kind transactions were as follows:

 

iShares ETF   In-kind
Purchases
           

In-kind

Sales

 

MSCI Denmark

  $  90,488,284        $  82,899,980  

MSCI Finland

    14,555,735          26,230,602  

MSCI Germany Small-Cap

    3,884,288          7,393,547  

MSCI Ireland

    11,885,101          5,066,739  

MSCI New Zealand

    68,456,794          99,642,957  

MSCI Norway

    18,127,163                9,987,926  

 

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 August 31, 2021, 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.

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

U.S. GAAP requires that certain components of net assets be adjusted to reflect permanent differences between financial and tax reporting. These reclassifications have no effect on net assets or NAV per share. As of August 31, 2021, the following permanent differences attributable to realized gains (losses) from in-kind redemptions were reclassified to the following accounts:

 

iShares ETF   Paid-in Capital             Accumulated
Earnings (Loss)
 

MSCI Denmark

  $ 23,607,562        $ (23,607,562

MSCI Finland

    5,400,402          (5,400,402

MSCI Germany Small-Cap

    2,858,531          (2,858,531

MSCI Ireland

    1,818,008          (1,818,008

MSCI New Zealand

    25,396,002          (25,396,002

MSCI Norway

    524,671                (524,671

The tax character of distributions was as follows:

 

iShares ETF   Year Ended
08/31/21
            Year Ended
08/31/20
 

MSCI Denmark

      

Ordinary income

  $  1,262,684        $ 292,573  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

MSCI Finland

      

Ordinary income

  $  1,012,192        $  1,036,942  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

MSCI Germany Small-Cap

      

Ordinary income

  $ 638,366        $ 82,622  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

MSCI Ireland

      

Ordinary income

  $ 400,086        $ 940,239  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

iShares ETF   Period Ended
08/31/21
 

MSCI Kuwait

 

Ordinary income

  $ 314,726  
 

 

 

 

 

iShares ETF   Year Ended
08/31/21
           Year Ended
08/31/20
 

MSCI New Zealand

     

Ordinary income

  $  3,787,802       $  4,674,204  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

MSCI Norway

     

Ordinary income

  $ 908,885       $ 358,083  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

As of August 31, 2021, the tax components of accumulated net earnings (losses) were as follows:

 

iShares ETF    
Undistributed
Ordinary Income
 
 
    

Non-expiring
Capital Loss
Carryforwards
 
 
(a) 
   
Net Unrealized
Gains (Losses)
 
(b) 
    Total  

MSCI Denmark

  $ 45,539      $ (1,855,801   $  31,812,496     $ 30,002,234  

MSCI Finland

    116,420        (2,246,283     1,500,916       (628,947

MSCI Germany Small-Cap

    185,944        (1,629,412     4,364,577       2,921,109  

MSCI Ireland

    78,184        (9,782,016     20,500,920       10,797,088  

MSCI Kuwait

    1,047,686              3,060,878       4,108,564  

MSCI New Zealand

    1,382,789        (25,824,419     (624,960     (25,066,590

MSCI Norway

    6,801        (8,910,431     3,463,157       (5,440,473

 

  (a)

Amounts available to offset future realized capital gains.

 
  (b)

The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized gains (losses) was attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales, the realization for tax purposes of unrealized gains(losses) on certain futures contracts, characterization of corporate actions and the realization for tax purposes of unrealized gains on investments in passive foreign investment companies.

 

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

For the year ended August 31, 2021, the Funds utilized the following amounts of their respective capital loss carryforwards:

 

iShares ETF   Utilized  

MSCI Denmark

  $   1,842,119  

MSCI Germany Small-Cap

    435,303  

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 August 31, 2021, 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:

 

iShares ETF   Tax Cost      Gross Unrealized
Appreciation
     Gross Unrealized
Depreciation
    Net Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

MSCI Denmark

  $   137,583,876      $ 34,886,903      $ (3,097,434   $ 31,789,469  

MSCI Finland

    29,766,496        3,118,871        (1,621,523     1,497,348  

MSCI Germany Small-Cap

    41,861,169        7,930,015        (3,565,283     4,364,732  

MSCI Ireland

    62,511,122        22,205,352        (1,705,759     20,499,593  

MSCI Kuwait

    15,603,734        3,143,818        (82,937     3,060,881  

MSCI New Zealand

    149,978,970        15,167,434        (15,796,487     (629,053

MSCI Norway

    42,895,119        6,067,752        (2,599,155     3,468,597  

 

9.

LINE OF CREDIT

The iShares MSCI Kuwait ETF, along with certain other iShares funds (“Participating Funds”), is a party to a $300 million credit agreement (“Credit Agreement”) with State Street Bank and Trust Company, which expires on October 15, 2021. 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 Credit Agreement sets specific sub limits on aggregate borrowings based on two tiers of Participating Funds: $300 million with respect to the funds within Tier 1 and $200 million with respect to Tier 2, including the Fund. The Funds may borrow up to the aggregate commitment amount subject to asset coverage and other limitations as specified in the Credit Agreement. The Credit Agreement has the following terms: a commitment fee of 0.20% per annum on the unused portion of the credit agreement and interest at a rate equal to the higher of (a) the one-month LIBOR rate (not less than zero) plus 1.00% per annum or (b) the U.S. Federal Funds rate (not less than zero) 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 Credit Agreement. The Credit Agreement was terminated on August 12, 2021.

Effective August 13, 2021, the iShares MSCI Kuwait ETF, 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 August 12, 2022. 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) the one-month LIBOR rate (not less than zero) plus 1.00% per annum or (b) the U.S. Federal Funds rate (not less than zero) 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 year ended August 31, 2021, the Fund did not borrow under the Credit Agreement or Syndicated Credit Agreement.

 

10.

PRINCIPAL RISKS

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 a “passive” or index approach to try to achieve each Fund’s investment objective following the securities included in its underlying index during upturns as well as downturns. BFA does not take steps to reduce market exposure or to lessen the effects of a declining market. Divergence from the underlying index and the composition of the portfolio is monitored by BFA.

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 redemption gates or liquidity fees under certain circumstances.

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

Market Risk: An outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus has developed into a global pandemic and has resulted in closing borders, quarantines, disruptions to supply chains and customer activity, as well as general concern and uncertainty. The impact of this pandemic, and other global health crises that may arise in the future, could affect the economies of many nations, individual companies and the market in general in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen at the present time. This pandemic may result in substantial market volatility and may adversely impact the prices and liquidity of a fund’s investments. The duration of this pandemic and its effects cannot be determined with certainty.

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.

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 the Manager 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, 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 Funds.

Concentration 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. 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. 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. In addition, 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. The impact of these actions, especially if they occur in a disorderly fashion, is not clear but could be significant and far reaching.

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. Investment percentages in specific sectors are presented in the Schedule of Investments.

LIBOR Transition Risk: The United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority announced a phase out of the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”). Although many LIBOR rates will be phased out by the end of 2021, a selection of widely used USD LIBOR rates will continue to be published through June 2023 in order to assist with the transition. The Funds may be exposed to financial instruments tied to LIBOR to determine payment obligations, financing terms, hedging strategies or investment value. The transition process away from LIBOR might lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets for, and reduce the effectiveness of new hedges placed against, instruments whose terms currently include LIBOR. The ultimate effect of the LIBOR transition process on the Funds is uncertain.

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements  (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:

 

     Year Ended
08/31/21
    Year Ended
08/31/20
 
iShares ETF   Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount  

MSCI Denmark

       

Shares sold

    1,000,000     $ 91,288,280       1,050,000     $ 80,969,860  

Shares redeemed

    (850,000     (83,752,792     (300,000     (17,316,103
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase

    150,000     $ 7,535,488       750,000     $ 63,653,757  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

MSCI Finland

       

Shares sold

    350,000     $ 15,197,344       550,000     $ 20,358,805  

Shares redeemed

    (600,000     (27,150,118     (450,000     (15,868,508
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease)

    (250,000   $ (11,952,774     100,000     $ 4,490,297  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

MSCI Germany Small-Cap

       

Shares sold

    100,000     $ 7,312,000       250,000     $ 14,941,898  

Shares redeemed

    (100,000     (7,531,216     (450,000     (25,209,803
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease

        $ (219,216     (200,000   $ (10,267,905
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

MSCI Ireland

       

Shares sold

    200,000     $ 11,938,016       100,000     $ 4,420,595  

Shares redeemed

    (100,000     (5,074,189     (250,000     (9,172,271
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease)

    100,000     $ 6,863,827       (150,000   $ (4,751,676
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

      Period Ended
08/31/21
 
iShares ETF    Shares      Amount  

MSCI Kuwait

     

Shares sold

     550,000      $ 14,553,456  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     Year Ended
08/31/21
    Year Ended
08/31/20
 
iShares ETF   Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount  

MSCI New Zealand

       

Shares sold

    1,100,000     $ 70,195,179       1,800,000     $ 94,694,895  

Shares redeemed

    (1,600,000     (101,220,800     (2,250,000     (114,926,269
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease

    (500,000   $ (31,025,621     (450,000   $ (20,231,374
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

MSCI Norway

       

Shares sold

    700,000     $ 19,084,489       1,450,000     $ 27,971,333  

Shares redeemed

    (500,000     (10,512,298     (1,050,000     (22,441,740
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase

    200,000     $ 8,572,191       400,000     $ 5,529,593  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

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. Investors 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. Investors 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.

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.

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

12.

FOREIGN WITHHOLDING TAX CLAIMS

The iShares Finland ETF is expected to seek 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.

 

13.

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Management has evaluated the impact of all subsequent events on the Funds through the date the financial statements were available to be issued and has determined that there were no subsequent events requiring adjustment or additional disclosure in the financial statements.

 

 

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

  

 

To the Board of Trustees of iShares Trust and Shareholders of iShares MSCI Denmark ETF,

iShares MSCI Finland ETF, iShares MSCI Germany Small-Cap ETF, iShares MSCI Ireland ETF,

iShares MSCI Kuwait ETF, iShares MSCI New Zealand ETF and iShares MSCI Norway ETF

Opinions on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities, including the schedules of investments, of iShares MSCI Denmark ETF, iShares MSCI Finland ETF, iShares MSCI Germany Small-Cap ETF, iShares MSCI Ireland ETF, iShares MSCI Kuwait ETF, iShares MSCI New Zealand ETF and iShares MSCI Norway ETF (seven of the funds constituting iShares Trust, hereafter collectively referred to as the “Funds”) as of August 31, 2021, the related statements of operations and changes in net assets for each of the periods indicated in the table below, including the related notes, and the financial highlights for each of the periods indicated therein (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of each of the Funds as of August 31, 2021, the results of each of their operations and the changes in each of their net assets for each of the periods indicated in the table below, and each of the financial highlights for each of the periods indicated therein, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

 

iShares MSCI Denmark ETF, iShares MSCI Finland ETF, iShares MSCI Germany Small-Cap ETF, iShares MSCI Ireland ETF, iShares MSCI New Zealand ETF and iShares MSCI Norway ETF: statements of operations for the year ended August 31, 2021 and statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period ended August 31, 2021.

 

 

iShares MSCI Kuwait ETF: statements of operations and changes in net assets for the period September 1, 2021 (commencement of operations) to August 31, 2021.

 

Basis for Opinions

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Funds’ management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Funds’ financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Funds in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of August 31, 2021 by correspondence with the custodian, transfer agent and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

/s/PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

October 22, 2021

We have served as the auditor of one or more BlackRock investment companies since 2000.

 

 

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Important Tax Information  (unaudited)

 

The following amounts, or maximum amounts allowable by law, are hereby designated as qualified dividend income for individuals for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2021:

 

iShares ETF  

Qualified Dividend  

Income  

 

MSCI Denmark

  $ 2,422,860    

MSCI Finland

    964,005    

MSCI Germany Small-Cap

    802,976    

MSCI Ireland

    664,155    

MSCI New Zealand

    3,826,947    

MSCI Norway

    1,316,847    

The Funds intend to pass through to their shareholders the following amounts, or maximum amounts allowable by law, of foreign source income earned and foreign taxes paid for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2021:

 

iShares ETF   Foreign Source
Income Earned
    

Foreign  

Taxes Paid  

 

MSCI Denmark

  $ 2,443,850      $ 365,697    

MSCI Finland

    975,947        —    

MSCI Germany Small-Cap

    823,355        66,543    

MSCI Ireland

    717,073        24,967    

MSCI Kuwait

    404,698        —    

MSCI New Zealand

    4,222,301        573,722    

MSCI Norway

    1,382,636        315,584    

 

 

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Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract  

 

iShares MSCI Denmark 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 and approve the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and BFA (the “Advisory Agreement”) 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; legal and compliance services; and 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 on May 7, 2021 and May 14, 2021, 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, and requested certain additional information, which management agreed to provide. At a meeting held on June 15-16, 2021, 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 material factors, none of which was controlling, 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 another fund in which the Fund invests (if applicable), and waivers/reimbursements (if applicable) of the Fund in comparison with the same information for other ETFs (including, where applicable, funds sponsored by an “at cost” service provider), objectively selected by Broadridge as comprising the Fund’s applicable 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 overall fund expenses (net of waivers and reimbursements) for the Fund were higher than the median of overall fund expenses (net of 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, 2021, to that of 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 factors 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 recent and proposed enhancements to the iShares 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. 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, which were provided at the May 7, 2021 meeting and throughout the year.

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

 

 

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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 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, were within a reasonable range in light of the factors and other information considered.

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, 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 relatively low fee rates established at inception, breakpoints, waivers, or other fee reductions, as well as through additional investment in the iShares business and the provision of improved or additional infrastructure and services to the iShares funds and their shareholders. 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 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 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 acknowledged BFA’s representation that the iShares funds are fundamentally different investment vehicles from 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 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 noted that BFA and its affiliates 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 also considered the “all-inclusive” nature of the Fund’s advisory fee structure, and the Fund’s expenses borne by BFA under this arrangement. The Board 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 (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 for which BFA (or its affiliates) provides investment advisory services or other services, and BlackRock’s profile in the investment community. The Board also noted the revenue received by BFA and/or its affiliates pursuant to (i) 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 and (ii) other technology-related initiatives aimed to better support the iShares funds. The Board further 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 MSCI Finland 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 and approve the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and BFA (the “Advisory Agreement”) 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

 

 

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Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract  (continued)

 

providers; risk management and oversight; legal and compliance services; and 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 on May 7, 2021 and May 14, 2021, 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, and requested certain additional information, which management agreed to provide. At a meeting held on June 15-16, 2021, 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 material factors, none of which was controlling, 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 another fund in which the Fund invests (if applicable), and waivers/reimbursements (if applicable) of the Fund in comparison with the same information for other ETFs (including, where applicable, funds sponsored by an “at cost” service provider), objectively selected by Broadridge as comprising the Fund’s applicable 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 overall fund expenses (net of waivers and reimbursements) for the Fund were higher than the median of overall fund expenses (net of 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, 2021, to that of 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 factors 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 recent and proposed enhancements to the iShares 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. 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, which were provided at the May 7, 2021 meeting and throughout the year.

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,

 

 

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Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract  (continued)

 

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 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, were within a reasonable range in light of the factors and other information considered.

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, 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 relatively low fee rates established at inception, breakpoints, waivers, or other fee reductions, as well as through additional investment in the iShares business and the provision of improved or additional infrastructure and services to the iShares funds and their shareholders. 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 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 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 acknowledged BFA’s representation that the iShares funds are fundamentally different investment vehicles from 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 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 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 also considered the “all-inclusive” nature of the Fund’s advisory fee structure, and the Fund’s expenses borne by BFA under this arrangement. The Board 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 (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 for which BFA (or its affiliates) provides investment advisory services or other services, and BlackRock’s profile in the investment community. The Board also noted the revenue received by BFA and/or its affiliates pursuant to (i) 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 and (ii) other technology-related initiatives aimed to better support the iShares funds. The Board further 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 MSCI Germany Small-Cap 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 and approve the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and BFA (the “Advisory Agreement”) 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; legal and compliance services; and 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

 

 

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Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract  (continued)

 

evaluate the Advisory Agreement. At meetings on May 7, 2021 and May 14, 2021, 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, and requested certain additional information, which management agreed to provide. At a meeting held on June 15-16, 2021, 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 material factors, none of which was controlling, 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 another fund in which the Fund invests (if applicable), and waivers/reimbursements (if applicable) of the Fund in comparison with the same information for other ETFs (including, where applicable, funds sponsored by an “at cost” service provider), objectively selected by Broadridge as comprising the Fund’s applicable 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 overall fund expenses (net of waivers and reimbursements) for the Fund were higher than the median of overall fund expenses (net of 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, 2021, to that of 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 factors 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 recent and proposed enhancements to the iShares 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. 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, which were provided at the May 7, 2021 meeting and throughout the year.

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 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, were within a reasonable range in light of the factors and other information considered.

 

 

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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, 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 relatively low fee rates established at inception, breakpoints, waivers, or other fee reductions, as well as through additional investment in the iShares business and the provision of improved or additional infrastructure and services to the iShares funds and their shareholders. 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 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 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 acknowledged BFA’s representation that the iShares funds are fundamentally different investment vehicles from 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 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 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 also considered the “all-inclusive” nature of the Fund’s advisory fee structure, and the Fund’s expenses borne by BFA under this arrangement. The Board 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 (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 for which BFA (or its affiliates) provides investment advisory services or other services, and BlackRock’s profile in the investment community. The Board also noted the revenue received by BFA and/or its affiliates pursuant to (i) 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 and (ii) other technology-related initiatives aimed to better support the iShares funds. The Board further 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 MSCI Ireland 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 and approve the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and BFA (the “Advisory Agreement”) 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; legal and compliance services; and 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 on May 7, 2021 and May 14, 2021, 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, and requested certain additional information, which management agreed to provide. At a meeting held on June 15-16, 2021, the Board, including the Independent Board Members, reviewed the additional information provided by management in response to these requests.

 

 

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Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract  (continued)

 

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 material factors, none of which was controlling, 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 another fund in which the Fund invests (if applicable), and waivers/reimbursements (if applicable) of the Fund in comparison with the same information for other ETFs (including, where applicable, funds sponsored by an “at cost” service provider), objectively selected by Broadridge as comprising the Fund’s applicable 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 overall fund expenses (net of waivers and reimbursements) for the Fund were higher than the median of overall fund expenses (net of 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, 2021, to that of 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 factors 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 recent and proposed enhancements to the iShares 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. 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, which were provided at the May 7, 2021 meeting and throughout the year.

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 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, were within a reasonable range in light of the factors and other information considered.

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, 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

 

 

O A R D    E V I E W    A N D     P P R O V A L    O F    N V E S T M E N T    D V I S O R Y    O N T R A C T

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Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract  (continued)

 

the Board reviewed information provided by BFA regarding the sharing of scale benefits with the iShares funds through various means, including, as applicable, through relatively low fee rates established at inception, breakpoints, waivers, or other fee reductions, as well as through additional investment in the iShares business and the provision of improved or additional infrastructure and services to the iShares funds and their shareholders. 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 further 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 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 acknowledged BFA’s representation that the iShares funds are fundamentally different investment vehicles from 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 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 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 also considered the “all-inclusive” nature of the Fund’s advisory fee structure, and the Fund’s expenses borne by BFA under this arrangement. The Board 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 (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 for which BFA (or its affiliates) provides investment advisory services or other services, and BlackRock’s profile in the investment community. The Board also noted the revenue received by BFA and/or its affiliates pursuant to (i) 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 and (ii) other technology-related initiatives aimed to better support the iShares funds. The Board further 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 MSCI Kuwait 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 and approve the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and BFA (the “Advisory Agreement”) 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; legal and compliance services; and 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 on May 7, 2021 and May 14, 2021, 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, and requested certain additional information, which management agreed to provide. At a meeting held on June 15-16, 2021, 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

 

 

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Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract  (continued)

 

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 material factors, none of which was controlling, 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 another fund in which the Fund invests (if applicable), and waivers/reimbursements (if applicable) of the Fund in comparison with the same information for other ETFs (including, where applicable, funds sponsored by an “at cost” service provider), objectively selected by Broadridge as comprising the Fund’s applicable 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 overall fund expenses (net of waivers and reimbursements) for the Fund were lower than the median of the overall fund expenses (net of 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, 2021, to that of 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 factors 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 recent and proposed enhancements to the iShares 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. 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, which were provided at the May 7, 2021 meeting and throughout the year.

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 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, were within a reasonable range in light of the factors and other information considered.

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, 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 relatively low fee rates established at inception, breakpoints, waivers, or other fee reductions, as well as through additional investment in the iShares business and the provision of improved or additional infrastructure and services to the iShares funds and their shareholders. The Board noted that the Advisory Agreement for the Fund did

 

 

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not provide for breakpoints in the Fund’s investment advisory fee rate as the assets of the Fund increase. However, the Board 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 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 acknowledged BFA’s representation that the iShares funds are fundamentally different investment vehicles from 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 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 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 also considered the “all-inclusive” nature of the Fund’s advisory fee structure, and the Fund’s expenses borne by BFA under this arrangement. The Board 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 (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 for which BFA (or its affiliates) provides investment advisory services or other services, and BlackRock’s profile in the investment community. The Board also noted the revenue received by BFA and/or its affiliates pursuant to (i) 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 and (ii) other technology-related initiatives aimed to better support the iShares funds. The Board further 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 MSCI New Zealand 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 and approve the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and BFA (the “Advisory Agreement”) 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; legal and compliance services; and 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 on May 7, 2021 and May 14, 2021, 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, and requested certain additional information, which management agreed to provide. At a meeting held on June 15-16, 2021, 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 material factors, none of which was controlling, 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.

 

 

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Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract  (continued)

 

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 another fund in which the Fund invests (if applicable), and waivers/reimbursements (if applicable) of the Fund in comparison with the same information for other ETFs (including, where applicable, funds sponsored by an “at cost” service provider), objectively selected by Broadridge as comprising the Fund’s applicable 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 overall fund expenses (net of waivers and reimbursements) for the Fund were higher than the median of overall fund expenses (net of 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, 2021, to that of 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 factors 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 recent and proposed enhancements to the iShares 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. 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, which were provided at the May 7, 2021 meeting and throughout the year.

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 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, were within a reasonable range in light of the factors and other information considered.

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, 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 relatively low fee rates established at inception, breakpoints, waivers, or other fee reductions, as well as through additional investment in the iShares business and the provision of improved or additional infrastructure and services to the iShares funds and their shareholders. 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 further 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.

 

 

O A R D    E V I E W    A N D     P P R O V A L    O F    N V E S T M E N T    D V I S O R Y    O N T R A C T

  77


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 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 acknowledged BFA’s representation that the iShares funds are fundamentally different investment vehicles from 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 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 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 also considered the “all-inclusive” nature of the Fund’s advisory fee structure, and the Fund’s expenses borne by BFA under this arrangement. The Board 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 (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 for which BFA (or its affiliates) provides investment advisory services or other services, and BlackRock’s profile in the investment community. The Board also noted the revenue received by BFA and/or its affiliates pursuant to (i) 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 and (ii) other technology-related initiatives aimed to better support the iShares funds. The Board further 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 MSCI Norway 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 and approve the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and BFA (the “Advisory Agreement”) 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; legal and compliance services; and 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 on May 7, 2021 and May 14, 2021, 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, and requested certain additional information, which management agreed to provide. At a meeting held on June 15-16, 2021, 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 material factors, none of which was controlling, 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 another fund in which the Fund invests (if applicable), and waivers/reimbursements (if applicable) of the Fund in comparison with the same information for other ETFs (including, where applicable, funds sponsored by an “at cost” service provider), objectively selected by Broadridge as comprising the Fund’s applicable 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

 

 

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Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract  (continued)

 

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 overall fund expenses (net of waivers and reimbursements) for the Fund were higher than the median of overall fund expenses (net of 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, 2021, to that of 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 factors 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 recent and proposed enhancements to the iShares 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. 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, which were provided at the May 7, 2021 meeting and throughout the year.

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 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, were within a reasonable range in light of the factors and other information considered.

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, 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 relatively low fee rates established at inception, breakpoints, waivers, or other fee reductions, as well as through additional investment in the iShares business and the provision of improved or additional infrastructure and services to the iShares funds and their shareholders. 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 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 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

 

 

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Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract  (continued)

 

funds registered under the 1940 Act (including sub-advised funds), collective trust funds, and institutional separate accounts (collectively, the “Other Accounts”). The Board acknowledged BFA’s representation that the iShares funds are fundamentally different investment vehicles from 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 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 noted that BFA and its affiliates 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 also considered the “all-inclusive” nature of the Fund’s advisory fee structure, and the Fund’s expenses borne by BFA under this arrangement. The Board 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 (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 for which BFA (or its affiliates) provides investment advisory services or other services, and BlackRock’s profile in the investment community. The Board also noted the revenue received by BFA and/or its affiliates pursuant to (i) 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 and (ii) other technology-related initiatives aimed to better support the iShares funds. The Board further 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.

 

 

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Supplemental Information  (unaudited)

 

Regulation Regarding Derivatives

On October 28, 2020, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) adopted new regulations governing the use of derivatives by registered investment companies (“Rule 18f-4”). The Funds will be required to implement and comply with Rule 18f-4 by August 19, 2022. Once implemented, Rule 18f-4 will impose limits on the amount of derivatives a fund can enter into, eliminate the asset segregation framework currently used by funds to comply with Section 18 of the 1940 Act, treat derivatives as senior securities and require funds whose use of derivatives is more than a limited specified exposure amount to establish and maintain a comprehensive derivatives risk management program and appoint a derivatives risk manager.

Section 19(a) Notices

The amounts and sources of distributions reported are estimates and are being provided pursuant to regulatory requirements and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources for tax reporting purposes will depend upon each Fund’s investment experience during the year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. Shareholders will receive a Form 1099-DIV each calendar year that will inform them how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes.

August 31, 2021

 

     Total Cumulative Distributions
for the Fiscal Year
    % Breakdown of the Total Cumulative
Distributions for the Fiscal Year
 
iShares ETF   Net
Investment
Income
    Net Realized
Capital Gains
    Return of
Capital
    Total Per
Share
    Net
Investment
Income
    Net Realized
Capital Gains
    Return of
Capital
    Total Per
Share
 

MSCI Denmark

  $  0.837074     $     $     $  0.837074       100             100

MSCI Finland(a)

    1.332818             0.039328       1.372146       97             3       100  

MSCI Kuwait(a)

    0.537286             0.034943       0.572229       94             6       100  

MSCI Norway

    0.715676                   0.715676       100                   100  

 

  (a)

The Fund estimates that it has distributed more than its net investment income and net realized capital gains; therefore, a portion of the distribution may be a return of capital. A return of capital may occur, for example, when some or all of the shareholder’s investment in the Fund is returned to the shareholder. A return of capital does not necessarily reflect the Fund’s investment performance and should not be confused with “yield” or “income”. When distributions exceed total return performance, the difference will incrementally reduce the Fund’s net asset value per share.

 

Premium/Discount Information

Information on the Fund’s net asset value, market price, premiums and discounts, and bid-ask spreads can be found at iShares.com.

 

 

U P P L E M E N T A L    N F O R  M A T I O N

  81


Trustee and Officer Information  

 

The Board of Trustees has responsibility for the overall management and operations of the Funds, including general supervision of the duties performed by BFA and other service providers. Each Trustee serves until he or she resigns, is removed, dies, retires or becomes incapacitated. Each officer shall hold office until his or her successor is elected and qualifies or until his or her death, resignation or removal. Trustees who are not “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust are referred to as independent trustees (“Independent Trustees”).

The registered investment companies advised by BFA or its affiliates (the “BlackRock-advised Funds”) are organized into one complex of open-end equity, multi-asset, index and money market funds and ETFs (the “BlackRock Multi-Asset Complex”), one complex of closed-end funds and open-end non-index fixed-income funds (including ETFs) (the “BlackRock Fixed-Income Complex”) and one complex of ETFs (“Exchange-Traded Fund Complex”) (each, a “BlackRock Fund Complex”). Each Fund is included in the Exchange-Traded Fund Complex. Each Trustee also serves as a Director of iShares, Inc. and a Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust and, as a result, oversees all of the funds within the Exchange-Traded Fund Complex, which consists of 374 funds as of August 31, 2021. With the exception of Robert S. Kapito, Salim Ramji and Charles Park, the address of each Trustee and officer is c/o BlackRock, Inc., 400 Howard Street, San Francisco, CA 94105. The address of Mr. Kapito, Mr. Ramji and Mr. Park is c/o BlackRock, Inc., Park Avenue Plaza, 55 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10055. The Board has designated Cecilia H. Herbert as its Independent Board Chair. Additional information about the Funds’ Trustees and officers may be found in the Funds’ combined Statement of Additional Information, which is available without charge, upon request, by calling toll-free 1-800-iShares (1-800-474-2737).

 

Interested Trustees
       
  Name (Age)    Position(s)   

Principal Occupation(s)

During the Past 5 Years

   Other Directorships Held by Trustee

Robert S.

Kapito(a) (64)

  

Trustee (since

2009).

   President, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2006); Vice Chairman of BlackRock, Inc. and Head of BlackRock’s Portfolio Management Group (since its formation in 1998) and BlackRock, Inc.’s predecessor entities (since 1988); Trustee, University of Pennsylvania (since 2009); President of Board of Directors, Hope & Heroes Children’s Cancer Fund (since 2002).    Director of BlackRock, Inc. (since 2006); Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2009); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011).

Salim

Ramji(b) (51)

  

Trustee (since

2019).

   Senior Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2014); Global Head of BlackRock’s ETF and Index Investments Business (since 2019); Head of BlackRock’s U.S. Wealth Advisory Business (2015-2019); Global Head of Corporate Strategy, BlackRock, Inc. (2014-2015); Senior Partner, McKinsey & Company (2010-2014).    Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2019); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2019).

 

(a) Robert S. Kapito is deemed to be an “interested person” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust due to his affiliations with BlackRock, Inc. and its affiliates.

(b) Salim Ramji is deemed to be an “interested person” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust due to his affiliations with BlackRock, Inc. and its affiliates.

 

          Independent Trustees     
       
  Name (Age)    Position(s)   

Principal Occupation(s)

During the Past 5 Years

   Other Directorships Held by Trustee

Cecilia H.

Herbert (72)

  

Trustee (since

2005);

Independent

Board Chair

(since 2016).

   Chair of the Finance Committee (since 2019) and Trustee and Member of the Finance, Audit and Quality Committees of Stanford Health Care (since 2016); Trustee of WNET, New York’s public media company (since 2011) and Member of the Audit Committee (since 2018) and Investment Committee (since 2011); Chair (1994-2005) and Member (since 1992) of the Investment Committee, Archdiocese of San Francisco; Trustee of Forward Funds (14 portfolios) (2009-2018); Trustee of Salient MF Trust (4 portfolios) (2015-2018); Director (1998-2013) and President (2007-2011) of the Board of Directors, Catholic Charities CYO; Trustee (2002-2011) and Chair of the Finance and Investment Committee (2006-2010) of the Thacher School; Director of the Senior Center of Jackson Hole (since 2020).    Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2005); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011); Independent Board Chair of iShares, Inc. and iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2016); Trustee of Thrivent Church Loan and Income Fund (since 2019).

Jane D.

Carlin (65)

  

Trustee (since

2015); Risk

Committee Chair

(since 2016).

   Consultant (since 2012); Member of the Audit Committee (2012-2018), Chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee (2017-2018) and Director of PHH Corporation (mortgage solutions) (2012-2018); Managing Director and Global Head of Financial Holding Company Governance & Assurance and the Global Head of Operational Risk Management of Morgan Stanley (2006-2012).    Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2015); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2015); Member of the Audit Committee (since 2016), Chair of the Audit Committee (since 2020) and Director of The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. (since 2016).

Richard L.

Fagnani (66)

  

Trustee (since

2017); Audit

Committee Chair

(since 2019).

  

Partner, KPMG LLP (2002-2016).

   Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2017); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2017).

 

 

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Trustee and Officer Information  (continued)

 

Independent Trustees (continued)
       
    Name (Age)    Position(s)   

Principal Occupation(s)

During the Past 5 Years

   Other Directorships Held by Trustee

John E.

Kerrigan (66)

  

Trustee (since

2005); Nominating

and Governance

and Equity Plus

Committee Chairs

(since 2019).

   Chief Investment Officer, Santa Clara University (since 2002).    Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2005); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011).

Drew E.

Lawton (62)

  

Trustee (since

2017); 15(c)

Committee Chair

(since 2017).

   Senior Managing Director of New York Life Insurance Company (2010-2015).    Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2017); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2017).

John E.

Martinez (60)

  

Trustee (since

2003); Securities

Lending

Committee Chair

(since 2019).

   Director of Real Estate Equity Exchange, Inc. (since 2005); Director of Cloudera Foundation (2017-2020); and Director of Reading Partners (2012-2016).    Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2003); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011).

Madhav V.

Rajan (57)

  

Trustee (since

2011); Fixed

Income Plus

Committee Chair

(since 2019).

   Dean, and George Pratt Shultz Professor of Accounting, University of Chicago Booth School of Business (since 2017); Advisory Board Member (since 2016) and Director (since 2020) of C.M. Capital Corporation; Chair of the Board for the Center for Research in Security Prices, LLC (since 2020); Robert K. Jaedicke Professor of Accounting, Stanford University Graduate School of Business (2001-2017); Professor of Law (by courtesy), Stanford Law School (2005-2017); Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Head of MBA Program, Stanford University Graduate School of Business (2010-2016).    Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2011); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011).

 

Officers
     
  Name (Age)    Position(s)   

Principal Occupation(s)

During the Past 5 Years

Armando

Senra (50)

  

President (since

2019).

   Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2007); Head of U.S., Canada and Latam iShares, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2019); Head of Latin America Region, BlackRock, Inc. (2006-2019); Managing Director, Bank of America Merrill Lynch (1994-2006).

Trent

Walker (47)

  

Treasurer and

Chief Financial

Officer (since

2020).

   Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since September 2019); Chief Financial Officer of iShares Delaware Trust Sponsor LLC, BlackRock Funds, BlackRock Funds II, BlackRock Funds IV, BlackRock Funds V and BlackRock Funds VI (since 2021); Executive Vice President of PIMCO (2016-2019); Senior Vice President of PIMCO (2008-2015); Treasurer (2013-2019) and Assistant Treasurer (2007-2017) of PIMCO Funds, PIMCO Variable Insurance Trust, PIMCO ETF Trust, PIMCO Equity Series, PIMCO Equity Series VIT, PIMCO Managed Accounts Trust, 2 PIMCO-sponsored interval funds and 21 PIMCO-sponsored closed-end funds.

Charles

Park (54)

  

Chief Compliance

Officer (since

2006).

   Chief Compliance Officer of BlackRock Advisors, LLC and the BlackRock-advised Funds in the BlackRock Multi-Asset Complex and the BlackRock Fixed-Income Complex (since 2014); Chief Compliance Officer of BFA (since 2006).

Deepa Damre

Smith (46)

  

Secretary (since

2019).

   Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2014); Director, BlackRock, Inc. (2009-2013).

Scott

Radell (52)

  

Executive Vice

President (since

2012).

   Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2009); Head of Portfolio Solutions, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2009).

Alan

Mason (60)

  

Executive Vice

President (since

2016).

   Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2009).

Marybeth

Leithead (58)

  

Executive Vice

President (since

2019).

   Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2017); Chief Operating Officer of Americas iShares (since 2017); Portfolio Manager, Municipal Institutional & Wealth Management (2009-2016).

 

 

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  83


General Information

 

Electronic Delivery

Shareholders can sign up for email 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.

Householding

Householding is an option available to certain fund investors. Householding is a method of delivery, based on the preference of the individual investor, in which a single copy of certain shareholder documents and Rule 30e-3 notices can be delivered to investors who share the same address, even if their accounts are registered under different names. Please contact your broker-dealer if you are interested in enrolling in householding and receiving a single copy of prospectuses and other shareholder documents, or if you are currently enrolled in householding and wish to change your householding status.

Availability of Quarterly Schedule of Investments

The Funds file their complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to their reports on Form N-PORT. The Funds’ Forms N-PORT are available on the SEC’s website at sec.gov. Additionally, each Fund makes its portfolio holdings for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year available at iShares.com/fundreports.

Availability of Proxy Voting Policies and Proxy Voting Records

A description of the policies and procedures that the iShares Funds use to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities and information about how the iShares Funds voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve-month period ending June 30 is available without charge, upon request (1) by calling toll-free 1-800-474-2737; (2) on the iShares website at iShares.com; and (3) on the SEC website at sec.gov.

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 at iShares.com.

 

 

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Glossary of Terms Used in this Report

 

Portfolio Abbreviations - Equity
ADR    American Depositary Receipt
NVS    Non-Voting Shares
REIT    Real Estate Investment Trust

 

 

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Want to know more?

iShares.com    |     1-800-474-2737

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 MSCI Inc., 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.

©2021 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.

iS-AR-808-0821

 

 

LOGO

   LOGO


 

LOGO

  AUGUST 31, 2021

 

 

 2021 Annual Report

 

 

iShares Trust

·  iShares MSCI India ETF | INDA | Cboe BZX

·  iShares MSCI India Small-Cap ETF | SMIN | Cboe BZX


The Markets in Review

Dear Shareholder,

The 12-month reporting period as of August 31, 2021 was a remarkable period of adaptation and recovery, as the global economy dealt with the implications of the coronavirus (or “COVID-19”) pandemic. The United States, along with most of the world, began the reporting period emerging from a severe recession, prompted by pandemic-related restrictions that disrupted many aspects of daily life. However, easing restrictions and robust government intervention led to a strong rebound, and the economy grew at a significant pace for the reporting period, eventually regaining the output lost from the pandemic.

Equity prices rose with the broader economy, as strong fiscal and monetary support, as well as the development of vaccines, made investors increasingly optimistic about the economic outlook. The implementation of mass vaccination campaigns and passage of two additional fiscal stimulus packages further boosted stocks, and many equity indices neared or surpassed all-time highs late in the reporting period. In the United States, returns of small-capitalization stocks, which benefited the most from the resumption of in-person activities, outpaced large-capitalization stocks. International equities also gained, as both developed and emerging markets rebounded substantially.

The 10-year U.S. Treasury yield (which is inversely related to bond prices) had fallen sharply prior to the beginning of the reporting period, which meant bonds were priced for extreme risk avoidance and economic disruption. Despite expectations of doom and gloom, the economy expanded rapidly, stoking inflation concerns in early 2021, which led to higher yields and a negative overall return for most U.S. Treasuries. In the corporate bond market, support from the U.S. Federal Reserve (the “Fed”) assuaged credit concerns and led to solid returns for high-yield corporate bonds, although investment-grade corporates declined slightly.

The Fed remained committed to accommodative monetary policy by maintaining near-zero interest rates and by reiterating that inflation could exceed its 2% target for a sustained period without triggering a rate increase. In response to rising inflation late in the period, the Fed changed its market guidance, raising the possibility of higher rates in 2023 and reducing bond purchasing beginning in late 2022.

Looking ahead, we believe that the global expansion will continue to broaden as Europe and other developed market economies gain momentum, although the delta variant of the coronavirus remains a threat, particularly in emerging markets. While we expect inflation to remain elevated in the medium-term as the expansion continues, we believe the recent uptick owes more to temporary supply disruptions than a lasting change in fundamentals. The change in Fed policy also means that moderate inflation is less likely to be followed by interest rate hikes that could threaten the economic expansion.

Overall, we favor a moderately positive stance toward risk, with an overweight in equities. Sectors that are better poised to manage the transition to a lower-carbon world, such as technology and healthcare, are particularly attractive in the long-term. U.S. small-capitalization stocks and European equities are likely to benefit from the continuing vaccine-led restart. We are underweight long-term credit, but inflation-protected U.S. Treasuries and Asian fixed income offer potential opportunities. We believe that international diversification and a focus on sustainability can help provide portfolio resilience, and the disruption created by the coronavirus appears to be accelerating the shift toward sustainable investments.

In this environment, our view is that investors need to think globally, extend their scope across a broad array of asset classes, and be nimble as market conditions change. We encourage you to talk with your financial advisor and visit iShares.com for further insight about investing in today’s markets.

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

Rob Kapito

President, BlackRock, Inc.

LOGO

Rob Kapito

President, BlackRock, Inc.

 

Total Returns as of August 31, 2021  
     
     6-Month     12-Month  
   

U.S. large cap equities
(S&P 500® Index)

    19.52%       31.17%  
   

U.S. small cap equities
(Russell 2000® Index)

    3.81          47.08     
   

International equities
(MSCI Europe, Australasia, Far East Index)

    10.31          26.12     
   

Emerging market equities
(MSCI Emerging Markets Index)

    (0.98)         21.12     
   

3-month Treasury bills
(ICE BofA 3-Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index)

    0.02          0.08     
   

U.S. Treasury securities
(ICE BofA 10-Year U.S. Treasury Index)

    2.36          (4.12)    
   

U.S. investment grade bonds
(Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index)

    1.49          (0.08)    
   

Tax-exempt municipal bonds
(S&P Municipal Bond Index)

    2.50          3.44     
   

U.S. high yield bonds
(Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index)

    3.82          10.14     
Past performance is not an indication of future results. Index performance is shown for illustrative purposes only. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

 

 

 

2   T H I S   P A G E   I S   N O T   P A R T   O F   Y O U R   F U N D   R E P O R T


Table of Contents

 

 

 

     Page

The Markets in Review

  2

Market Overview

  4

Fund Summary

  5

About Fund Performance

  9

Shareholder Expenses

  9

Consolidated Schedules of Investments

  10

Consolidated Financial Statements

 

Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities

  18

Consolidated Statements of Operations

  19

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Net Assets

  20

Consolidated Financial Highlights

  21

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

  23

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

  30

Important Tax Information (Unaudited)

  31

Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract

  32

Supplemental Information

  36

Trustee and Officer Information

  38

General Information

  40

Glossary of Terms Used in this Report

  41


Market Overview

 

iShares Trust

Global Market Overview

Global equity markets advanced significantly during the 12 months ended August 31, 2021 (“reporting period”). The MSCI ACWI, a broad global equity index that includes both developed and emerging markets, returned 28.64% in U.S. dollar terms for the reporting period. Stocks continued to recover from the initial impact of the coronavirus pandemic, nearing all-time highs by the end of the reporting period. Reopening economies led to a substantial global economic expansion, and the development and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines bolstered investors’ optimism. Nonetheless, vaccination rates varied considerably across countries, and the spread of the more contagious Delta variant led to increased cases and renewed restrictions toward the end of the reporting period. Inflation also rose in many parts of the world amid supply chain constraints and elevated consumer spending.

Equity markets in the U.S. advanced strongly, helped by fiscal and monetary stimulus and an ongoing mass vaccination program. Congress passed two fiscal stimulus bills during the reporting period, providing significant relief in the form of direct payments to individuals, tax credits, aid to state and local governments, and assistance for homeowners and renters. Personal incomes rose significantly following the stimulus payments, and consumer spending recovered, surpassing pre-pandemic levels. Increased consumer spending and the easing of pandemic-related restrictions helped the U.S. economy continue to grow following a significant rebound in the third quarter of 2020, as activity recovered from the pandemic-induced recession in the first half of 2020. The economy grew at a brisk pace for the rest of the reporting period, finally exceeding pre-pandemic output levels in the second quarter of 2021. The U.S. Federal Reserve Bank’s (“the Fed”) action also played a notable role in the recovery. Monetary policy remained accommodative, with short-term interest rates maintained near zero to encourage lending and stimulate economic activity. The Fed further acted to stabilize bond markets by continuing an unlimited, open-ended, bond-buying program for U.S. Treasuries and mortgage-backed securities.

Stocks in Europe also posted strong gains, despite a recovery that trailed other major economies. The European Central Bank (“ECB”) provided monetary stimulus by maintaining ultra-low interest rates and continuing a large bond-buying program. Growth resumed with a significant rebound in the third quarter of 2020 as restrictions eased, and Eurozone countries enacted a deal for a collective 750 billion of stimulus spending. However, a new wave of coronavirus cases beginning in October 2020 led to renewed restrictions, weakening the fragile recovery. Consequently, the Eurozone economy contracted slightly in the fourth quarter of 2020 and first quarter of 2021, even as much of the world was returning to growth. Although the initial vaccine rollout trailed in many European countries, the pace of vaccinations accelerated late in the reporting period, and economic growth resumed in the second quarter of 2021.

Asia-Pacific regional stocks also posted a solid advance amid a sharp rebound in economic activity. Continued economic growth in China helped the regional economy recover, as many Asia-Pacific countries rely on China as a major trading partner. Japanese and Australian stocks benefited from a sharp rise in exports amid resurgent global trade. Emerging market stocks advanced overall, aided by economic recovery and rising prices for many commodities. However, investor concerns about increased government regulatory activity weighed on Chinese stocks late in the reporting period. Relatively slow vaccination rollouts in parts of Asia also prompted concerns, particularly as the Delta variant spread.

 

 

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Fund Summary as of August 31, 2021    iShares® MSCI India ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares MSCI India ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of Indian equities, as represented by the MSCI India Index (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index.

Performance

 

      Average Annual Total Returns           Cumulative Total Returns  
       1 Year     5 Years     

Since

Inception

           1 Year      5 Years     

Since

Inception

 

Fund NAV

    46.54     11.37      7.82       46.54      71.33      105.69

Fund Market

    45.89       11.31        7.76         45.89        70.90        104.67  

Index

    53.15       12.88        8.89               53.15        83.30        126.01  

GROWTH OF $10,000 INVESTMENT

(SINCE INCEPTION AT NET ASSET VALUE)

 

LOGO

The inception date of the Fund was 2/2/12. The first day of secondary market trading was 2/3/12.

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 no guarantee 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. See “About Fund Performance” on page 9 for more information.

Expense Example

 

    Actual           Hypothetical 5% Return                    
     

Beginning
Account Value
(03/01/21)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(08/31/21)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period 
 
 
(a) 
           

Beginning
Account Value
(03/01/21)
 
 
 
      

Ending

Account Value

(08/31/21)

 

 

 

      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period 
 
 
(a) 
                 

Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 
 
 
      $      1,000.00          $      1,198.20          $        3.55               $     1,000.00          $     1,022.00          $       3.26                     0.64

 

  (a)

Expenses are calculated using the Fund’s annualized expense ratio (as disclosed in the table), multiplied by the average account value for the period, multiplied by the number of days in the period (184 days) and divided by the number of days in the year (365 days). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Shareholder Expenses” on page 9 for more information.

 

 

 

F U N D   S U M M A R Y

  5


Fund Summary as of August 31, 2021  (continued)    iShares® MSCI India ETF

 

Portfolio Management Commentary

Indian equities advanced strongly during the reporting period despite continued high unemployment and inflation rates, as well as local lockdowns related to a severe second wave of COVID-19 cases. Late in the reporting period, however, India’s economic activity improved as pandemic-related restrictions began to lift and vaccination rates increased.

The financials sector contributed the most to the Index’s return, mainly due to the banking industry. An increase in corporate lending and efforts to shore up balance sheets benefited some of the bigger banks. The Reserve Bank of India’s programs to provide financial institutions with liquidity further supported the industry. Analysts viewed the departure of a major global financial services firm from the region as a meaningful growth opportunity for Indian diversified banks, particularly in the credit card and higher net worth client markets.

The information technology sector was another leading contributor to the Index’s return, particularly software and services stocks. Corporate spending on technology increased as more employees worked from home, prompting companies to adopt cloud services, strengthen cybersecurity measures, and improve automation processes. India’s largest IT services companies signed significant new deals tied to these digital transformations and announced new hire programs to meet growing client demand.

The materials sector also contributed to the Index’s return. The reopening of the global economy and planned infrastructure projects boosted the sector’s post-pandemic recovery. Analysts’ expectations of rising inflation also benefited the materials sector, where companies can often pass cost increases on to customers. Metals and mining stocks advanced as the country’s largest steelmakers also announced major spending plans to compete with China for U.S. and European demand.

Portfolio Information

 

ALLOCATION BY SECTOR

 

   
Sector    

Percent of

Total Investments

 

(a) 

Financials

    26.1

Information Technology

    18.2  

Energy

    11.4  

Materials

    10.2  

Consumer Staples

    9.5  

Consumer Discretionary

    7.5  

Health Care

    5.4  

Industrials

    4.3  

Utilities

    3.9  

Communication Services

    3.2  

Real Estate

    0.3  

 

  (a)

Excludes money market funds.

 

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

   
Security    

Percent of

Total Investments

 

(a) 

Reliance Industries Ltd.

    9.2

Infosys Ltd.

    8.3  

Housing Development Finance Corp. Ltd.

    6.9  

ICICI Bank Ltd.

    5.3  

Tata Consultancy Services Ltd.

    5.0  

Hindustan Unilever Ltd.

    3.2  

Bajaj Finance Ltd.

    2.9  

Axis Bank Ltd.

    2.6  

Bharti Airtel Ltd.

    2.3  

HCL Technologies Ltd.

    1.8  
 

 

 

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Fund Summary as of August 31, 2021    iShares® MSCI India Small-Cap ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares MSCI India Small-Cap ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of small-capitalization Indian equities, as represented by the MSCI India Small Cap Index (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index.

Performance

 

    Average Annual Total Returns            Cumulative Total Returns  
     1 Year      5 Years     

Since

Inception

            1 Year     5 Years     

Since

Inception

 

Fund NAV

    67.69 %(a)       11.45      10.41        67.69 %(a)      71.97      157.74

Fund Market

    68.16        11.56        10.44          68.16       72.82        158.47  

Index

    75.19        13.28        11.61                75.19       86.57        185.86  

GROWTH OF $10,000 INVESTMENT

(SINCE INCEPTION AT NET ASSET VALUE)

 

LOGO

The inception date of the Fund was 2/8/12. The first day of secondary market trading was 2/9/12.

 

  (a)

The NAV total return presented in the table for the one-year period differs from the same period return disclosed in the financial highlights. The total return in the financial highlights is calculated in the same manner but differs due to certain adjustments made for financial reporting purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

 

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 no guarantee 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. See “About Fund Performance” on page 9 for more information.

Expense Example

 

    Actual           Hypothetical 5% Return           
 

 

 

     

 

 

      
     

Beginning

Account Value

(03/01/21)

 

 

 

      

Ending

Account Value

(08/31/21)

 

 

 

      

Expenses

Paid During

the Period 

 

 

(a) 

           

Beginning

Account Value

(03/01/21)

 

 

 

      

Ending
Account Value

(08/31/21)

 
 

 

      

Expenses

Paid During

the Period 

 

 

(a) 

      


Annualized

Expense
Ratio

 

 
 

      $      1,000.00          $     1,225.90          $        4.10               $      1,000.00          $     1,021.50          $        3.72          0.73

 

  (a)

Expenses are calculated using the Fund’s annualized expense ratio (as disclosed in the table), multiplied by the average account value for the period, multiplied by the number of days in the period (184 days) and divided by the number of days in the year (365 days). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Shareholder Expenses” on page 9 for more information.

 

 

 

F U N D   S U M M A R Y

  7


Fund Summary as of August 31, 2021  (continued)    iShares® MSCI India Small-Cap ETF

 

Portfolio Management Commentary

Indian small-capitalization equities advanced strongly during the reporting period despite continued high unemployment and inflation rates, as well as local lockdowns related to a severe second wave of COVID-19 cases. Late in the reporting period, however, India’s economic activity improved as pandemic-related restrictions began to lift and vaccination rates increased.

The materials sector was the top contributor to the Index’s return, driven by the chemicals industry. Indian chemicals manufacturers benefited from increased demand as pandemic-related restrictions eased worldwide and clients shifted to Indian producers to lessen their dependence on China. Growth in the electric vehicles industry, which uses soda ash and other chemicals, also helped chemicals companies.

The industrials sector contributed significantly to the Index’s performance amid a rebound in manufacturing activity. As commodities prices moved higher, some industrials companies were able to pass through the increases to their customers by raising product prices. Strong demand in both the industrial and the construction and heavy trucks machinery industries drove the sector’s contribution.

The information technology sector was another contributor to the Index’s return, particularly software and services companies. Corporate spending on technology increased as more employees worked from home, prompting companies to adopt cloud services and improve processes and efficiencies. India’s IT services companies reported notable revenue growth rates as they signed new deals tied to these digital transformations and expanded their services to top clients.

The financials sector also contributed to the Index’s return as the Reserve Bank of India unveiled programs to grant financial institutions access to loans for coronavirus-related businesses, and the lifting of pandemic-related restrictions increased demand for financial services. The consumer finance industry benefited from a recovery in collections, while the capital markets industry advanced as demand for financial services increased

Portfolio Information

 

ALLOCATION BY SECTOR

 

   
Sector    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Materials

    19.0

Industrials

    17.4  

Financials

    15.2  

Information Technology

    11.2  

Consumer Discretionary

    11.1  

Health Care

    10.1  

Utilities

    4.6  

Consumer Staples

    3.6  

Communication Services

    3.6  

Real Estate

    3.4  

Energy

    0.8  

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

   
Security    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

SRF Ltd.

    1.9

Crompton Greaves Consumer Electricals Ltd.

    1.6  

Mphasis Ltd.

    1.5  

Max Financial Services Ltd.

    1.4  

Voltas Ltd.

    1.3  

Laurus Labs Ltd.

    1.3  

Mindtree Ltd.

    1.3  

Tata Power Co. Ltd. (The)

    1.2  

Astral Ltd.

    1.1  

Ashok Leyland Ltd.

    1.1  
 
  (a)

Excludes money market funds.

 

 

 

8  

2 0 2 1   I S H A R E S   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


About Fund Performance

 

Past performance is not an indication of future results. Financial markets have experienced extreme volatility and trading in many instruments has been disrupted. These circumstances may continue for an extended period of time and may continue to affect adversely the value and liquidity of each Fund’s investments. As a result, current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. Performance data current to the most recent month-end is available at iShares.com. Performance results assume reinvestment of all dividends and capital gain distributions and do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. The investment return and principal value of shares will vary with changes in market conditions. Shares may be worth more or less than their original cost when they are redeemed or sold in the market. Performance for certain funds may reflect a waiver of a portion of investment advisory fees. Without such a waiver, performance would have been lower.

Net asset value or “NAV” is the value of one share of a fund as calculated in accordance with the standard formula for valuing mutual fund shares. Beginning August 10, 2020, the price used to calculate market return (“Market Price”) is the closing price. Prior to August 10, 2020, Market Price was determined by using the midpoint between the highest bid and the lowest ask on the primary stock exchange on which shares of a fund are listed for trading, as of the time that such fund’s NAV is calculated. Since shares of a fund may not trade in the secondary market until after the fund’s inception, for the period from inception to the first day of secondary market trading in shares of the fund, the NAV of the fund is used as a proxy for the Market Price to calculate market returns. Market and NAV returns assume that dividends and capital gain distributions have been reinvested at Market Price and NAV, respectively.

An index is a statistical composite that tracks a specified financial market or sector. Unlike a fund, an index does not actually hold a portfolio of securities and therefore does not incur the expenses incurred by a fund. These expenses negatively impact fund performance. Also, market returns do not include brokerage commissions that may be payable on secondary market transactions. If brokerage commissions were included, market returns would be lower.

Shareholder Expenses

As a shareholder of your Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including brokerage commissions on purchases and sales of fund shares and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees and other fund expenses. The expense example, which is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period (or from the commencement of operations if less than 6 months) and held through the end of the period, is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars and cents) of investing in your Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other funds.

Actual Expenses – The table provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. Annualized expense ratios reflect contractual and voluntary fee waivers, if any. To estimate the expenses that you paid on your account over the period, simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During the Period.”

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes – The table also provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on your Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in your Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as brokerage commissions and other fees paid on purchases and sales of fund shares. Therefore, the hypothetical examples are useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

 

A B O U T   F U N D   P E R F O R M A N C E / S H A R E H O L D E R   E X P E N S E S

  9


Consolidated Schedule of Investments

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® MSCI India ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

 

Aerospace & Defense — 0.3%

   

Bharat Electronics Ltd.

    8,136,695     $ 20,758,336  
   

 

 

 
Airlines — 0.3%            

InterGlobe Aviation Ltd.(a)(b)

    645,410       16,824,820  
   

 

 

 
Auto Components — 1.2%            

Balkrishna Industries Ltd.

    581,008       18,231,742  

Bharat Forge Ltd.

    1,554,803       16,296,606  

Motherson Sumi Systems Ltd.(b)

    8,436,399       25,183,785  

MRF Ltd.

    12,844       14,005,583  
   

 

 

 
      73,717,716  
Automobiles — 4.4%            

Bajaj Auto Ltd.

    463,859       23,645,189  

Eicher Motors Ltd.

    912,780       33,418,641  

Hero MotoCorp Ltd.

    800,641       30,006,446  

Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.

    5,812,087       62,978,230  

Maruti Suzuki India Ltd.

    907,896       84,942,131  

Tata Motors Ltd.(b)

    11,087,759       43,665,190  
   

 

 

 
        278,655,827  
Banks — 10.8%            

Axis Bank Ltd.(b)

    15,198,623       163,154,094  

Bandhan Bank Ltd.(a)

    4,317,771       16,817,698  

ICICI Bank Ltd.

    34,206,970       335,008,282  

Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd.

    3,707,201       88,837,356  

State Bank of India

    11,921,040       69,322,757  

Yes Bank Ltd.(b)

    75,298,800       11,130,876  
   

 

 

 
      684,271,063  
Beverages — 0.3%            

United Spirits Ltd.(b)

    1,941,249       18,970,838  
   

 

 

 
Biotechnology — 0.2%            

Biocon Ltd.(b)

    2,795,232       13,721,454  
   

 

 

 
Capital Markets — 0.2%            

HDFC Asset Management Co. Ltd.(a)

    357,096       15,004,488  
   

 

 

 
Chemicals — 3.5%            

Asian Paints Ltd.

    2,562,517       112,254,789  

Berger Paints India Ltd.

    1,621,780       18,214,101  

PI Industries Ltd.

    559,355       25,981,688  

Pidilite Industries Ltd.

    1,018,175       31,768,120  

UPL Ltd.

    3,316,883       33,577,154  
   

 

 

 
      221,795,852  
Construction & Engineering — 1.7%  

Larsen & Toubro Ltd.

    4,596,706       105,018,758  
   

 

 

 
Construction Materials — 2.8%            

ACC Ltd.

    501,697       16,554,324  

Ambuja Cements Ltd.

    4,661,605       26,829,933  

Grasim Industries Ltd.

    1,757,974       36,040,159  

Shree Cement Ltd.

    72,329       27,966,096  

UltraTech Cement Ltd.

    674,757       72,285,588  
   

 

 

 
      179,676,100  
Consumer Finance — 4.3%            

Bajaj Finance Ltd.

    1,813,783       186,327,122  

Cholamandalam Investment and Finance Co. Ltd.

    2,738,502       20,744,043  

Muthoot Finance Ltd.

    803,855       16,641,114  

SBI Cards & Payment Services Ltd.(b)

    1,570,412       24,500,973  

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Consumer Finance (continued)

   

Shriram Transport Finance Co. Ltd.

    1,337,665     $ 24,702,607  
   

 

 

 
      272,915,859  
Diversified Financial Services — 1.5%  

Bajaj Finserv Ltd.

    255,095       59,748,019  

Piramal Enterprises Ltd.

    675,647       24,068,475  

REC Ltd.

    5,961,071       12,365,712  
   

 

 

 
      96,182,206  
Diversified Telecommunication Services — 0.2%  

Indus Towers Ltd.

    4,499,598       13,244,950  
   

 

 

 
Electric Utilities — 1.4%            

Adani Transmission Ltd.(b)

    1,836,356       39,663,248  

Power Grid Corp. of India Ltd.

    20,964,259       50,276,698  
   

 

 

 
      89,939,946  
Electrical Equipment — 0.5%            

Havells India Ltd.

    1,675,935       29,071,512  
   

 

 

 
Food & Staples Retailing — 0.9%            

Avenue Supermarts Ltd.(a)(b)

    1,081,593       58,523,035  
   

 

 

 
Food Products — 2.3%            

Britannia Industries Ltd.

    723,924       39,564,556  

Nestle India Ltd.

    225,414       60,027,206  

Tata Consumer Products Ltd.

    4,000,644       47,338,272  
   

 

 

 
        146,930,034  
Gas Utilities — 1.1%            

Adani Total Gas Ltd.

    1,836,331       36,534,202  

GAIL India Ltd.

    10,377,547       20,706,705  

Indraprastha Gas Ltd.

    1,870,032       13,955,949  
   

 

 

 
      71,196,856  
Health Care Providers & Services — 0.7%            

Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Ltd.

    672,224       45,687,904  
   

 

 

 
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 0.5%            

Jubilant Foodworks Ltd.

    530,028       28,940,091  
   

 

 

 
Household Products — 3.2%            

Hindustan Unilever Ltd.

    5,492,307       204,552,951  
   

 

 

 
Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers — 1.4%  

Adani Green Energy Ltd.(b)

    2,611,429       38,133,985  

NTPC Ltd.

    32,380,738       51,307,139  
   

 

 

 
      89,441,124  
Industrial Conglomerates — 0.2%            

Siemens Ltd.

    477,760       14,846,120  
   

 

 

 
Insurance — 2.5%            

HDFC Life Insurance Co. Ltd.(a)

    5,400,900       53,014,876  

ICICI Lombard General Insurance Co. Ltd.(a)

    1,487,760       32,449,001  

ICICI Prudential Life Insurance Co. Ltd.(a)

    2,397,872       21,620,609  

SBI Life Insurance Co. Ltd.(a)

    3,005,788       48,962,005  
   

 

 

 
      156,046,491  
Interactive Media & Services — 0.7%            

Info Edge India Ltd.

    516,109       43,589,259  
   

 

 

 
IT Services — 18.2%            

HCL Technologies Ltd.

    7,249,540       117,205,574  

Infosys Ltd.

    22,767,292       531,375,094  

Larsen & Toubro Infotech Ltd.(a)

    351,537       25,542,477  

Tata Consultancy Services Ltd.

    6,176,282       319,724,189  

Tech Mahindra Ltd.

    4,204,663       83,192,937  
 

 

 

10  

2 0 2 1   I S H A R E S   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Consolidated Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® MSCI India ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

 

 
IT Services (continued)            

Wipro Ltd.

    9,148,627     $ 80,226,063  
   

 

 

 
      1,157,266,334  
Life Sciences Tools & Services — 1.0%            

Divi’s Laboratories Ltd.

    886,503       62,765,949  
   

 

 

 
Metals & Mining — 3.9%            

Hindalco Industries Ltd.

    10,503,522       67,178,102  

JSW Steel Ltd.

    5,646,244       53,026,437  

Tata Steel Ltd.

    4,827,218       95,553,300  

Vedanta Ltd.

    7,454,631       30,798,447  
   

 

 

 
      246,556,286  
Multiline Retail — 0.3%            

Trent Ltd.

    1,210,852       16,669,605  
   

 

 

 
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 11.4%            

Bharat Petroleum Corp. Ltd.

    5,703,752       36,750,754  

Coal India Ltd.

    10,334,173       20,615,034  

Hindustan Petroleum Corp. Ltd.

    4,260,707       15,531,198  

Indian Oil Corp. Ltd.

    12,629,179       19,138,209  

Oil & Natural Gas Corp. Ltd.

    16,804,085       27,660,255  

Petronet LNG Ltd.

    5,030,673       15,665,748  

Reliance Industries Ltd.

    19,052,757       587,877,067  
   

 

 

 
      723,238,265  
Personal Products — 1.8%            

Colgate-Palmolive India Ltd.

    817,447       18,936,787  

Dabur India Ltd.

    4,131,459       35,140,524  

Godrej Consumer Products Ltd.(b)

    2,390,127       35,946,565  

Marico Ltd.

    3,464,642       25,822,652  
   

 

 

 
      115,846,528  
Pharmaceuticals — 3.5%            

Aurobindo Pharma Ltd.

    1,956,701       19,464,508  

Cipla Ltd.

    3,231,741       41,914,795  

Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd.

    777,472       50,071,510  

Ipca Laboratories Ltd.

    467,916       16,490,695  

Lupin Ltd.

    1,515,186       19,845,152  

Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.

    5,608,477       60,912,624  

Torrent Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

    339,052       14,411,139  
   

 

 

 
      223,110,423  
Real Estate Management & Development — 0.3%  

DLF Ltd.

    4,133,013       18,097,778  
   

 

 

 
Road & Rail — 0.2%            

Container Corp. of India Ltd.

    1,634,744       15,177,509  
   

 

 

 
Security   Shares     Value  

 

 
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods — 1.2%  

Page Industries Ltd.

    37,423     $ 16,117,824  

Titan Co. Ltd.

    2,371,718       62,305,770  
   

 

 

 
      78,423,594  
Thrifts & Mortgage Finance — 6.9%            

Housing Development Finance Corp. Ltd.

    11,446,915       437,225,745  
   

 

 

 
Tobacco — 0.9%            

ITC Ltd.

    19,729,878       57,005,881  
   

 

 

 
Trading Companies & Distributors — 0.6%  

Adani Enterprises Ltd.

    1,836,356       39,887,304  
   

 

 

 
Transportation Infrastructure — 0.5%  

Adani Ports & Special Economic Zone Ltd.

    3,407,045       34,801,772  
   

 

 

 
Wireless Telecommunication Services — 2.4%  

Bharti Airtel Ltd.

    16,456,838       149,331,033  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 100.2%
(Cost: $3,517,939,857)

 

    6,364,927,596  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Investments

 

Money Market Funds — 2.2%  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares, 0.00%(c)(d)

    138,250,000       138,250,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments — 2.2%
(Cost: $138,250,000)

 

    138,250,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities — 102.4%
(Cost: $3,656,189,857)

 

    6,503,177,596  

Other Assets, Less Liabilities — (2.4)%

 

    (152,585,848
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

 

  $  6,350,591,748  
   

 

 

 

 

(a)

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.

 

(b)

Non-income producing security.

 

(c)

Affiliate of the Fund.

 

(d)

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the year ended August 31, 2021 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

 

 
Affiliated Issuer  

Value at

08/31/20

   

Purchases

at Cost

   

Proceeds

from Sales

   

Net Realized

Gain (Loss)

   

Change in

Unrealized

Appreciation

(Depreciation)

   

Value at

08/31/21

   

Shares

Held at

08/31/21

    Income    

Capital

Gain

Distributions

from

Underlying

Funds

 

 

 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

  $     $ 138,250,000 (a)    $     $     $     $ 138,250,000       138,250,000     $ 12,235     $  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 
   
   

 

 

C O N S O L I D A T E D   S C H E D U L E   O F   I N V E S T M E N T S

  11


Consolidated Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® MSCI India ETF

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Futures Contracts

 

 

 
Description  

Number of

Contracts

   

Expiration

Date

   

Notional

Amount

(000)

   

Value/

Unrealized

Appreciation

(Depreciation)

 

 

 

Long Contracts

       

SGX Nifty 50 Index

    74       09/30/21     $ 2,526     $ 67,434  
       

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

As of period end, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities were as follows:

 

 

 
    

Equity

Contracts

 

 

 

Assets — Derivative Financial Instruments

  

Futures contracts

  

Unrealized appreciation on futures contracts(a)

   $ 67,434  
  

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Net cumulative appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts are reported in the Consolidated Schedule of Investments. In the Consolidated 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 August 31, 2021, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Consolidated Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

 

 
    

Equity

Contracts

 

 

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from:

  

Futures contracts

   $ 2,596,202  
  

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:

  

Futures contracts

   $ (925,348
  

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

   

Futures contracts:

  

Average notional value of contracts — long

     $4,311,742  

For more information about the Fund’s investment risks regarding derivative financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments. For a description of the input levels and information about the Fund’s policy regarding valuation of financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Consolidated 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.

 

                                                                                                   

 

 
     Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

 

 

Investments

                 

Assets

                 

Common Stocks

   $ 36,534,202        $ 6,328,393,394        $        $ 6,364,927,596  

Money Market Funds

     138,250,000                            138,250,000  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 174,784,202        $ 6,328,393,394        $        $ 6,503,177,596  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Derivative financial instruments(a)

                 

Assets

                 

Futures Contracts

   $        $ 67,434        $        $ 67,434  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Derivative financial instruments are futures contracts. Futures contracts are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument.

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 

12  

2 0 2 1   I S H A R E S   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Consolidated Schedule of Investments  

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® MSCI India Small-Cap ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

   

Air Freight & Logistics — 0.2%

   

Blue Dart Express Ltd.

    7,127     $ 571,340  
   

 

 

 
Airlines — 0.1%            

SpiceJet Ltd.(a)

    357,055       347,694  
   

 

 

 
Auto Components — 3.1%            

Apollo Tyres Ltd.

    478,140       1,390,964  

Ceat Ltd.

    33,791       590,704  

Endurance Technologies Ltd.(b)

    52,741       1,199,275  

Exide Industries Ltd.

    576,328       1,270,160  

Mahindra CIE Automotive Ltd.(a)

    170,488       561,624  

Minda Industries Ltd.

    102,577       1,000,143  

Sundram Fasteners Ltd.

    142,502       1,550,640  

Tube Investments of India Ltd.

    145,215       2,709,800  
   

 

 

 
      10,273,310  
Banks — 3.5%            

AU Small Finance Bank Ltd.(a)(b)

    117,732       1,818,708  

Canara Bank(a)

    546,165       1,186,314  

City Union Bank Ltd.

    543,741       1,129,143  

DCB Bank Ltd.(a)

    232,222       292,435  

Federal Bank Ltd.

    2,224,976       2,468,132  

IDFC First Bank Ltd.(a)

    4,578,169       2,686,646  

Karur Vysya Bank Ltd. (The)

    584,165       350,821  

RBL Bank Ltd.(a)(b)

    541,033       1,221,810  

Yes Bank Ltd., (Acquired 03/16/20,
Cost: $3,554,476)(c)

    4,044,378       504,554  
   

 

 

 
      11,658,563  
Beverages — 1.2%            

Radico Khaitan Ltd.

    110,936       1,325,160  

Varun Beverages Ltd.

    228,067       2,644,179  
   

 

 

 
      3,969,339  
Building Products — 2.2%            

Astral Ltd.

    135,935       3,791,470  

Blue Star Ltd.

    87,389       925,926  

Cera Sanitaryware Ltd.

    7,780       472,919  

Kajaria Ceramics Ltd.

    119,985       1,929,914  
   

 

 

 
      7,120,229  
Capital Markets — 4.1%            

Central Depository Services India Ltd.

    76,911       1,249,839  

CRISIL Ltd.

    21,888       818,354  

Dhani Services Ltd.(a)

    317,777       865,958  

Edelweiss Financial Services Ltd.

    773,287       858,997  

ICICI Securities Ltd.(b)

    121,815       1,201,824  

IDFC Ltd.(a)

    1,679,950       1,154,685  

IIFL Wealth Management Ltd.

    53,023       1,176,077  

Indian Energy Exchange Ltd.(b)

    219,549       1,515,236  

JM Financial Ltd.

    645,473       814,829  

Motilal Oswal Financial Services Ltd.

    55,189       614,624  

Multi Commodity Exchange of India Ltd.

    37,572       779,867  

Nippon Life India Asset Management Ltd.(b)

    185,874       1,077,966  

Tata Investment Corp. Ltd.

    19,308       333,185  

UTI Asset Management Co. Ltd.

    67,079       1,096,755  
   

 

 

 
      13,558,196  
Chemicals — 12.9%            

Aarti Industries Ltd.

    288,163       3,695,006  

Advanced Enzyme Technologies Ltd.

    66,387       346,194  

Akzo Nobel India Ltd.

    13,588       411,590  

Alkyl Amines Chemicals

    19,276       1,128,362  

Atul Ltd.

    22,298       2,785,489  
Security   Shares     Value  
Chemicals (continued)            

Balaji Amines Ltd.

    14,706     $ 813,076  

BASF India Ltd.

    16,221       795,294  

Bayer CropScience Ltd./India

    20,317       1,541,749  

Castrol India Ltd.

    593,412       1,087,875  

Chambal Fertilizers and Chemicals Ltd.

    248,925       1,092,953  

Coromandel International Ltd.

    176,512       1,915,144  

Deepak Nitrite Ltd.

    102,743       3,207,593  

EID Parry India Ltd.(a)

    106,449       587,877  

Fine Organic Industries Ltd.

    11,467       445,775  

Finolex Industries Ltd.(a)

    373,689       858,068  

Galaxy Surfactants Ltd.

    16,007       690,605  

Gujarat Fluorochemicals Ltd.(a)

    32,928       793,049  

Gujarat Narmada Valley Fertilizers & Chemicals Ltd.

    117,571       534,165  

Gulf Oil Lubricants India Ltd.

    22,962       191,440  

Indigo Paints Ltd.(a)

    14,364       508,778  

Linde India Ltd.

    32,096       1,005,619  

Navin Fluorine International Ltd.

    48,489       2,670,576  

Rain Industries Ltd.

    254,700       785,296  

Rallis India Ltd.

    116,532       449,359  

SRF Ltd.

    44,544       6,177,957  

Sumitomo Chemical India Ltd.

    151,163       879,123  

Supreme Industries Ltd.

    95,671       2,861,976  

Supreme Petrochem Ltd.

    49,750       450,685  

Tata Chemicals Ltd.

    249,511       2,879,847  

Vinati Organics Ltd.

    38,822       955,071  
   

 

 

 
      42,545,591  
Commercial Services & Supplies — 1.0%            

Indian Railway Catering & Tourism Corp. Ltd.

    84,394       3,176,513  
   

 

 

 
Communications Equipment — 0.3%            

Sterlite Technologies Ltd.

    239,391       847,192  
   

 

 

 
Construction & Engineering — 3.0%            

Dilip Buildcon Ltd.(b)

    52,225       363,220  

Engineers India Ltd.

    377,133       376,887  

IRB Infrastructure Developers Ltd.

    183,697       414,329  

Kalpataru Power Transmission Ltd.

    100,657       566,240  

KEC International Ltd.

    175,074       1,020,394  

KNR Constructions Ltd.(a)

    191,474       870,142  

NBCC India Ltd.

    1,083,281       656,516  

NCC Ltd./India

    599,737       649,380  

PNC Infratech Ltd.(a)

    134,714       578,650  

Voltas Ltd.

    324,116       4,413,916  
   

 

 

 
      9,909,674  
Construction Materials — 3.4%            

Birla Corp. Ltd.

    40,580       751,019  

Dalmia Bharat Ltd.(a)

    112,490       3,381,366  

HeidelbergCement India Ltd.

    103,765       375,533  

India Cements Ltd. (The)

    208,944       467,297  

JK Cement Ltd.

    52,337       2,343,699  

JK Lakshmi Cement Ltd.

    89,079       863,725  

Prism Johnson Ltd.(a)

    188,365       332,588  

Ramco Cements Ltd. (The)

    195,598       2,698,804  
   

 

 

 
      11,214,031  
Consumer Finance — 3.2%            

Cholamandalam Financial Holdings Ltd.

    140,900       1,319,701  

CreditAccess Grameen Ltd.(a)

    70,238       673,892  

Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services Ltd.

    927,874       2,031,417  

Manappuram Finance Ltd.

    762,502       1,670,735  

MAS Financial Services Ltd.(b)

    24,950       262,691  
 

 

 

C O N S O L I D A T E D   S C H E D U L E   O F   I N V E S T M E N T S

  13


Consolidated Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® MSCI India Small-Cap ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Consumer Finance (continued)

 

Shriram City Union Finance Ltd.

    34,947       $ 1,002,236  

Spandana Sphoorty Financial Ltd.(a)

    29,435       253,377  

Sundaram Finance Ltd.

    91,319       3,252,635  

Ujjivan Financial Services Ltd.

    45,555       95,614  
   

 

 

 
      10,562,298  
Containers & Packaging — 0.2%            

EPL Ltd.

    190,975       607,682  
   

 

 

 
Diversified Financial Services — 0.7%            

Aditya Birla Capital Ltd.(a)

    688,898       1,014,001  

L&T Finance Holdings Ltd.(a)

    1,115,082       1,268,872  
   

 

 

 
      2,282,873  
Diversified Telecommunication Services — 1.0%  

Tata Communications Ltd.

    171,785       3,332,536  
   

 

 

 
Electric Utilities — 2.0%            

CESC Ltd.

    90,017       990,513  

Tata Power Co. Ltd. (The)

    2,166,631       3,819,814  

Torrent Power Ltd.

    253,635       1,670,403  
   

 

 

 
      6,480,730  
Electrical Equipment — 2.6%            

Amara Raja Batteries Ltd.

    141,475       1,352,975  

Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd.(a)

    1,308,069       938,942  

CG Power and Industrial Solutions Ltd.(a)

    802,878       941,006  

Finolex Cables Ltd.

    103,743       660,862  

Graphite India Ltd.

    88,518       773,394  

HEG Ltd.

    17,369       533,816  

KEI Industries Ltd.

    81,217       846,481  

Polycab India Ltd.

    56,096       1,586,701  

V-Guard Industries Ltd.

    259,687       864,891  
   

 

 

 
      8,499,068  
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components — 0.5%  

Redington India Ltd.

    761,166       1,604,783  
   

 

 

 
Entertainment — 0.5%            

Chennai Super Kings Cricket Ltd.(a)(d)

    206,787       28  

Inox Leisure Ltd.(a)

    85,488       362,116  

PVR Ltd.(a)

    68,432       1,239,179  
   

 

 

 
      1,601,323  
Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) — 0.3%  

Mindspace Business Parks REIT(b)

    224,198       892,529  
   

 

 

 
Food Products — 1.1%            

Avanti Feeds Ltd.

    81,981       630,565  

Balrampur Chini Mills Ltd.

    189,157       954,220  

Bombay Burmah Trading Co.

    26,383       429,050  

CCL Products India Ltd.

    109,712       604,736  

Kaveri Seed Co. Ltd.

    36,295       286,965  

Zydus Wellness Ltd.

    19,097       604,573  
   

 

 

 
      3,510,109  
Gas Utilities — 1.8%            

Gujarat Gas Ltd.

    259,018       2,559,384  

Gujarat State Petronet Ltd.

    425,577       2,040,326  

Mahanagar Gas Ltd.

    81,708       1,281,761  
   

 

 

 
      5,881,471  
Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 0.1%            

Poly Medicure Ltd.(a)

    36,206       472,643  
   

 

 

 
Health Care Providers & Services — 3.4%            

Aster DM Healthcare Ltd.(a)(b)

    186,482       546,221  
Security   Shares     Value  

Health Care Providers & Services (continued)

 

Dr Lal PathLabs Ltd.(b)

    49,735         $ 2,753,745  

Fortis Healthcare Ltd.(a)

    682,124       2,706,365  

Max Healthcare Institute Ltd.(a)

    435,766       2,295,347  

Metropolis Healthcare Ltd.(b)

    38,451       1,486,291  

Narayana Hrudayalaya Ltd.(a)

    106,684       788,283  

Thyrocare Technologies Ltd.(b)

    27,704       491,564  
   

 

 

 
      11,067,816  
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 1.0%            

Burger King India Ltd.(a)

    230,969       508,536  

EIH Ltd.(a)

    237,838       332,781  

Indian Hotels Co. Ltd. (The)

    983,383       1,886,512  

Westlife Development Ltd.(a)

    81,850       616,068  
   

 

 

 
      3,343,897  
Household Durables — 3.8%            

Amber Enterprises India Ltd.(a)

    25,456       1,007,495  

Bajaj Electricals Ltd.(a)

    69,303       1,150,747  

Crompton Greaves Consumer Electricals Ltd.

    803,668       5,201,673  

Dixon Technologies India Ltd.(a)

    48,549       2,760,529  

Johnson Controls-Hitachi Air Conditioning India Ltd.(a)

    10,375       311,610  

Orient Electric Ltd.

    190,895       862,701  

Symphony Ltd.

    25,963       336,284  

TTK Prestige Ltd.

    6,270       757,375  
   

 

 

 
      12,388,414  
Household Products — 0.1%            

Jyothy Labs Ltd.

    220,083       486,997  
   

 

 

 
Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers — 0.9%  

Adani Power Ltd.(a)

    1,166,054       1,567,107  

JSW Energy Ltd.

    371,507       1,344,199  
   

 

 

 
      2,911,306  
Industrial Conglomerates — 0.6%            

3M India Ltd.(a)

    4,245       1,416,596  

Godrej Industries Ltd.(a)

    75,772       578,657  
   

 

 

 
      1,995,253  
Insurance — 1.4%            

Max Financial Services Ltd.(a)

    312,013       4,644,175  
   

 

 

 
Interactive Media & Services — 0.2%            

Just Dial Ltd.(a)

    51,183       665,705  
   

 

 

 
IT Services — 6.4%            

Coforge Ltd.

    31,858       2,270,017  

Computer Age Management Services Ltd.

    32,987       1,721,990  

Firstsource Solutions Ltd.

    420,297       1,042,000  

Happiest Minds Technologies Ltd.

    88,275       1,722,903  

Infibeam Avenues Ltd.(a)

    507,872       328,184  

Mindtree Ltd.

    86,863       4,309,081  

Mphasis Ltd.

    126,776       5,026,501  

Persistent Systems Ltd.

    72,810       3,305,195  

Sonata Software Ltd.

    94,246       1,075,839  

Vakrangee Ltd.

    646,759       345,646  
   

 

 

 
      21,147,356  
Life Sciences Tools & Services — 0.5%            

Syngene International Ltd.(a)(b)

    179,361       1,572,336  
   

 

 

 
Machinery — 5.4%            

AIA Engineering Ltd.

    64,080       1,772,639  

Ashok Leyland Ltd.

    2,211,268       3,706,771  

BEML Ltd.

    28,306       511,469  

Carborundum Universal Ltd.

    156,792       1,779,443  
 

 

 

14  

2 0 2 1   I S H A R E S   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Consolidated Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® MSCI India Small-Cap ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Machinery (continued)

 

Cochin Shipyard Ltd.(b)

    50,031     $ 243,449  

Cummins India Ltd.

    187,816       2,567,680  

Escorts Ltd.

    101,652       1,870,090  

GMM Pfaudler Ltd.

    9,890       572,403  

Lakshmi Machine Works Ltd.

    4,796       523,755  

Schaeffler India Ltd.

    11,797       1,171,864  

SKF India Ltd.

    33,397       1,407,050  

Thermax Ltd.

    62,668       1,206,308  

Timken India Ltd.

    28,209       641,518  
   

 

 

 
      17,974,439  
Media — 1.6%            

Affle India Ltd.(a)

    16,047       1,042,322  

Sun TV Network Ltd.

    119,304       787,042  

TV18 Broadcast Ltd.(a)

    680,324       326,042  

Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd.

    1,303,152       3,057,884  
   

 

 

 
      5,213,290  
Metals & Mining — 2.2%            

APL Apollo Tubes Ltd.(a)

    84,545       1,920,511  

Jindal Steel & Power Ltd.(a)

    614,802       3,163,095  

National Aluminium Co. Ltd.

    1,244,114       1,540,852  

Ratnamani Metals & Tubes Ltd.(a)

    24,624       727,621  
   

 

 

 
      7,352,079  
Multiline Retail — 0.3%            

Future Retail Ltd.(a)

    329,180       199,249  

V-Mart Retail Ltd.(a)

    14,571       716,243  
   

 

 

 
      915,492  
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 0.8%            

Aegis Logistics Ltd.

    209,978       764,056  

Great Eastern Shipping Co. Ltd. (The)

    155,250       764,014  

Oil India Ltd.

    408,846       1,016,682  
   

 

 

 
      2,544,752  
Paper & Forest Products — 0.3%            

Century Plyboards India Ltd.

    83,728       461,268  

Century Textiles & Industries Ltd.

    67,042       712,308  
   

 

 

 
      1,173,576  
Personal Products — 1.1%            

Bajaj Consumer Care Ltd.

    143,877       483,576  

Emami Ltd.

    301,318       2,460,280  

Gillette India Ltd.

    9,822       782,757  
   

 

 

 
      3,726,613  
Pharmaceuticals — 6.1%            

Aarti Drugs Ltd.

    48,824       411,615  

Ajanta Pharma Ltd.

    39,248       1,196,548  

Alembic Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

    88,471       909,149  

AstraZeneca Pharma India Ltd.

    7,661       326,032  

Eris Lifesciences Ltd.(b)

    50,874       508,635  

FDC Ltd./India(a)

    75,398       356,415  

Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

    211,738       1,535,956  

Granules India Ltd.

    205,731       931,969  

IOL Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

    35,637       272,175  

JB Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

    52,203       1,216,373  

Jubilant Pharmova Ltd.

    95,496       866,251  

Laurus Labs Ltd.(b)

    484,024       4,412,361  

Natco Pharma Ltd.

    137,201       1,774,997  

Procter & Gamble Health Ltd.

    11,275       839,560  

Sanofi India Ltd.

    12,122       1,495,384  

Shilpa Medicare Ltd.(a)

    49,489       389,919  

Solara Active Pharma Sciences Ltd.

    18,957       421,056  
Security   Shares     Value  

Pharmaceuticals (continued)

 

Strides Pharma Science Ltd.

    88,016     $ 737,779  

Sun Pharma Advanced Research Co. Ltd.(a)

    99,882       410,256  

Suven Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

    134,622       986,674  

Wockhardt Ltd.(a)

    49,368       273,652  
   

 

 

 
      20,272,756  
Professional Services — 1.3%            

L&T Technology Services Ltd.(b)

    39,573       2,120,523  

Quess Corp. Ltd.(b)

    100,366       1,162,061  

TeamLease Services Ltd.(a)

    16,718       940,989  
   

 

 

 
      4,223,573  
Real Estate Management & Development — 3.1%  

Brigade Enterprises Ltd.

    143,376       655,934  

Godrej Properties Ltd.(a)

    167,549       3,412,163  

Indiabulls Real Estate Ltd.(a)

    270,352       503,938  

NESCO Ltd.

    32,157       251,877  

Oberoi Realty Ltd.(a)

    192,028       1,850,631  

Phoenix Mills Ltd. (The)(a)

    142,464       1,681,113  

Prestige Estates Projects Ltd.(a)

    211,489       1,019,890  

Sobha Ltd.

    56,660       482,949  

Sunteck Realty Ltd.

    77,950       388,942  
   

 

 

 
      10,247,437  
Software — 4.1%            

Birlasoft Ltd.

    209,473       1,194,542  

Cyient Ltd.

    124,177       1,661,062  

Intellect Design Arena Ltd.(a)

    119,918       1,067,449  

KPIT Technologies Ltd.

    248,761       1,143,465  

Oracle Financial Services Software Ltd.

    32,376       2,081,515  

Route Mobile Ltd.

    30,210       816,205  

Tanla Platforms Ltd.

    100,058       1,217,343  

Tata Elxsi Ltd.

    51,501       3,363,719  

Zensar Technologies Ltd.

    135,940       836,435  
   

 

 

 
      13,381,735  
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods — 2.9%            

Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Ltd.(a)

    445,833       1,267,898  

Alok Industries Ltd.(a)

    1,876,600       568,156  

Bata India Ltd.

    77,551       1,880,010  

Garware Technical Fibres Ltd.(a)

    13,939       598,338  

KPR Mill Ltd.

    25,812       625,670  

Rajesh Exports Ltd.

    88,791       712,121  

Relaxo Footwears Ltd.

    74,563       1,215,610  

Vaibhav Global Ltd.

    73,595       728,509  

Vardhman Textiles Ltd.(a)

    34,654       872,903  

VIP Industries Ltd.(a)

    84,617       539,044  

Welspun India Ltd.

    376,493       653,090  
   

 

 

 
      9,661,349  
Thrifts & Mortgage Finance — 2.3%            

Aavas Financiers Ltd.(a)

    53,050       1,748,809  

Can Fin Homes Ltd.

    90,093       702,943  

IIFL Finance Ltd.

    170,707       659,043  

Indiabulls Housing Finance Ltd.

    382,400       1,170,628  

LIC Housing Finance Ltd.

    456,136       2,506,159  

PNB Housing Finance Ltd.(a)(b)

    88,638       795,954  
   

 

 

 
      7,583,536  
Tobacco — 0.1%            

Godfrey Phillips India Ltd.

    18,985       255,963  
   

 

 

 
Trading Companies & Distributors — 0.6%            

IndiaMART Intermesh Ltd.(b)

    18,249       1,957,221  
   

 

 

 
 

 

 

C O N S O L I D A T E D   S C H E D U L E   O F   I N V E S T M E N T S

  15


Consolidated Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® MSCI India Small-Cap ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Transportation Infrastructure — 0.5%

   

GMR Infrastructure Ltd.(a)

    2,737,271     $  1,086,589  

Gujarat Pipavav Port Ltd.

    399,872       556,297  
   

 

 

 
      1,642,886  
Wireless Telecommunication Services — 0.3%  

Vodafone Idea Ltd.(a)

    12,990,031       1,082,772  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 100.3%
(Cost: $183,343,284)

 

    330,352,441  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Investments

 

Money Market Funds — 2.2%

   

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares, 0.00%(e)(f)

    7,290,000       7,290,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments — 2.2%
(Cost: $7,290,000)

 

    7,290,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities — 102.5%
(Cost: $190,633,284)

 

    337,642,441  
Other Assets, Less Liabilities — (2.5)%     (8,176,683)  
   

 

 

 
Net Assets — 100.0%         $ 329,465,758  
   

 

 

 

 

(a)

Non-income producing security.

(b)

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.

(c)

Restricted security as to resale, excluding 144A securities. The Fund held restricted securities with a current value of $504,554, representing 0.2% of its net assets as of period end, and an original cost of $3,554,476.

(d)

Security is valued using significant unobservable inputs and is classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

(e)

Affiliate of the Fund.

(f)

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the year ended August 31, 2021 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

 

 
Affiliated Issuer    Value at
08/31/20
     Purchases
at Cost
     Proceeds
from Sales
     Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
     Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
     Value at
08/31/21
     Shares
Held at
08/31/21
     Income     

Capital

Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying

Funds

 

 

 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

   $  —      $ 7,290,000 (a)     $  —      $  —      $  —      $ 7,290,000        7,290,000      $  758      $  —  
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Futures Contracts

 

 

 
Description    Number of
Contracts
       Expiration
Date
       Notional
Amount
(000)
       Value/
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

 

 

Long Contracts

                 

SGX Nifty 50 Index

     14          09/30/21        $  478        $  11,004  
                 

 

 

 

 

 

16  

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Consolidated Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

   iShares® MSCI India Small-Cap ETF

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

As of period end, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities were as follows:

 

 

 
     Equity
Contracts
 

 

 

Assets — Derivative Financial Instruments

  

Futures contracts

  

Unrealized appreciation on futures contracts(a)

   $  11,004  
  

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Net cumulative appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts are reported in the Consolidated Schedule of Investments. In the Consolidated 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 August 31, 2021, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Consolidated Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

 

 
     Equity
Contracts
 

 

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from:

  

Futures contracts

   $  260,189  
  

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:

  

Futures contracts

   $ 6,179  
  

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

   

Futures contracts:

  

Average notional value of contracts — long

   $ 193,264  

For more information about the Fund’s investment risks regarding derivative financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments. For a description of the input levels and information about the Fund’s policy regarding valuation of financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Consolidated 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.

 

 

 
     Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

 

 

Investments

                 

Assets

                 

Common Stocks

   $  1,282,484        $ 329,069,929        $          28        $ 330,352,441  

Money Market Funds

     7,290,000                            7,290,000  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 8,572,484        $ 329,069,929        $ 28        $ 337,642,441  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Derivative financial instruments(a)

                 

Assets

                 

Futures Contracts

   $        $ 11,004        $        $ 11,004  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Derivative financial instruments are futures contracts. Futures contracts are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument.

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 

C O N S O L I D A T E D   S C H E D U L E   O F   I N V E S T M E N T S

  17


Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities   

August 31, 2021

 

    

iShares

MSCI India ETF

    

iShares

MSCI India
Small-Cap

ETF

 

ASSETS

    

Investments in securities, at value:

    

Unaffiliated(a)

  $ 6,364,927,596      $ 330,352,441  

Affiliated(b)

    138,250,000        7,290,000  

Cash

           3,914  

Foreign currency, at value(c)

    872,294        315,215  

Cash pledged:

    

Futures contracts

    116,000        52,000  

Receivables:

    

Investments sold

    142,819,700        1,042,173  

Variation margin on futures contracts

    15,378        9,561  

Dividends

    3,907,928        209,468  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

    6,650,908,896        339,274,772  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

    

Bank overdraft

    21,005         

Deferred foreign capital gain tax

    177,713,886        8,755,569  

Payables:

    

Investments purchased

    17,013,717        852,298  

Capital shares redeemed

    102,260,170         

Investment advisory fees

    3,308,370        201,147  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    300,317,148        9,809,014  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 6,350,591,748      $ 329,465,758  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:

    

Paid-in capital

  $ 4,558,855,554      $ 270,942,235  

Accumulated earnings

    1,791,736,194        58,523,523  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 6,350,591,748      $ 329,465,758  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

Shares outstanding

    130,150,000        5,700,000  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value

  $ 48.79      $ 57.80  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

Shares authorized

    Unlimited        Unlimited  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

Par value

    None        None  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

(a)  Investments, at cost — Unaffiliated

  $ 3,517,939,857      $ 183,343,284  

(b)  Investments, at cost — Affiliated

  $ 138,250,000      $ 7,290,000  

(c)  Foreign currency, at cost

  $ 867,361      $ 310,340  

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 

18  

2 0 2 1   I S H A R E S   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Consolidated Statements of Operations   

Year Ended August 31, 2021

 

    

iShares

MSCI India ETF

          

iShares

MSCI India
Small-Cap

ETF

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

     

Dividends — Unaffiliated

  $ 61,695,762       $ 2,320,896  

Dividends — Affiliated

    12,235         758  

Interest — Unaffiliated

    3,490          

Mauritius income taxes refund

            74,398  

Foreign taxes withheld

    (13,443,793       (461,080
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total investment income

    48,267,694         1,934,972  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

EXPENSES

     

Investment advisory fees

    30,916,788         1,968,181  

Miscellaneous

    173         173  

Mauritius income taxes

    419,350          
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total expenses

    31,336,311         1,968,354  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss)

    16,931,383         (33,382
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

     

Net realized gain (loss) from:

     

Investments — Unaffiliated(a)

    12,398,054         21,147,535  

Futures contracts

    2,596,202         260,189  

Foreign currency transactions

    (8,013,467       (440,208
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net realized gain

    6,980,789         20,967,516  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

     

Investments — Unaffiliated(b)

    1,743,997,822         110,011,256  

Futures contracts

    (925,348       6,179  

Foreign currency translations

    12,192         3,568  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    1,743,084,666         110,021,003  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain

    1,750,065,455         130,988,519  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

  $ 1,766,996,838       $ 130,955,137  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

(a)  Net of foreign capital gain tax and capital gain tax refund, if applicable

  $ 128,995       $ 987,990  

(b)  Net of increase in deferred foreign capital gain tax of

  $ (177,713,886     $ (8,755,569

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 

C O N S O L I D A T E D   F I N A N C I A L   S T A T E M E N T S

  19


 

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Net Assets  

 

        iShares
MSCI India ETF
    iShares
MSCI India Small-Cap ETF
 
       

Year Ended

08/31/21

   

Year Ended

08/31/20

          Year Ended
08/31/21
    Year Ended
08/31/20
 

 

 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

           

OPERATIONS

           

Net investment income (loss)

           $ 16,931,383     $ 17,811,177       $ (33,382   $ 1,042,095  

Net realized gain (loss)

      6,980,789       (334,131,502       20,967,516       (56,924,723

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

      1,743,084,666       31,694,408         110,021,003       51,180,604  
   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

      1,766,996,838       (284,625,917       130,955,137       (4,702,024
   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a)

           

From net investment income

      (8,540,172     (12,672,573       (268,669     (5,550,007

Return of capital

                    (1,270      
   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

      (8,540,172     (12,672,573       (269,939     (5,550,007
   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

           

Net increase (decrease) in net assets derived from capital share transactions

      1,498,302,314       (1,508,617,643       5,010,592       (66,411,121
   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

           

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

      3,256,758,980       (1,805,916,133       135,695,790       (76,663,152

Beginning of year

      3,093,832,768       4,899,748,901         193,769,968       270,433,120  
   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of year

    $ 6,350,591,748     $ 3,093,832,768       $ 329,465,758     $ 193,769,968  
   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a)

Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 

20  

2 0 2 1   I S H A R E S   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Consolidated Financial Highlights  

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    iShares MSCI India ETF  
 

 

 

 
    Year Ended
08/31/21
     Year Ended
08/31/20
     Year Ended
08/31/19
     Year Ended
08/31/18
     Year Ended
08/31/17
 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 33.37      $ 32.38      $ 35.68      $ 34.20      $ 29.61  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.14        0.14        0.29        0.25        0.26  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(b)

    15.35        0.96        (3.00      1.54        4.53  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    15.49        1.10        (2.71      1.79        4.79  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions(c)

             

From net investment income

    (0.07      (0.11      (0.49      (0.31      (0.20

Return of capital

                  (0.10              
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.07      (0.11      (0.59      (0.31      (0.20
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 48.79      $ 33.37      $ 32.38      $ 35.68      $ 34.20  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

             

Based on net asset value

    46.54      3.40      (7.61 )%       5.26      16.27
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

             

Total expenses

    0.65      0.69      0.69      0.68      0.68
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income

    0.35      0.43      0.86      0.72      0.87
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

             

Net assets, end of year (000)

  $ 6,350,592      $ 3,093,833      $ 4,899,749      $ 5,082,120      $ 5,263,819  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(e)

    25 %(f)       25 %(f)        9 %(f)       10 %(f)       13 %(f)  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

(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)  Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

   

(e)  Portfolio turnover rate includes portfolio transactions that are executed as a result of the Fund offering and redeeming Creation Units solely for cash in U.S. dollars (“cash creations”).

   

(f)   Portfolio turnover rate excluding cash creations was as follows:

    17      19      6      5      5
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 

C O N S O L I D A T E D   F I N A N C I A L   H I G H L I G H T S

  21


Consolidated Financial Highlights (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    iShares MSCI India Small-Cap ETF  
 

 

 

 
    Year Ended
08/31/21
    Year Ended
08/31/20
    Year Ended
08/31/19
    Year Ended
08/31/18
    Year Ended
08/31/17
 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 34.60     $ 33.39     $ 44.10     $ 46.27     $ 36.01  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss)(a)

    (0.01     0.15       0.10       (0.00 )(b)      0.09  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(c)

    23.26       1.88       (10.60     (1.06     10.55  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    23.25       2.03       (10.50     (1.06     10.64  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions(d)

         

From net investment income

    (0.05     (0.82     (0.21     (0.63     (0.38

Return of capital

    (0.00 )(b)                  (0.48      
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.05     (0.82     (0.21     (1.11     (0.38
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 57.80     $ 34.60     $ 33.39     $ 44.10     $ 46.27  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(e)

         

Based on net asset value

    67.25     6.35     (23.88 )%      (2.36 )%      29.97
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

         

Total expenses

    0.74     0.81     0.76     0.77     0.75
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss)

    (0.01 )%      0.45     0.28     (0.00 )%(f)      0.21
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

         

Net assets, end of year (000)

  $ 329,466     $ 193,770     $ 270,433     $ 282,264     $ 205,914  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(g)

    55 %(h)      32 %(h)      24 %(h)      49 %(h)      38 %(h) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(a)  Based on average shares outstanding.

         

(b)  Rounds to less than $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)  Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

   

(f)   Rounds to less than 0.01%.

    

(g)  Portfolio turnover rate includes portfolio transactions that are executed as a result of the Fund offering and redeeming Creation Units solely for cash in U.S. dollars (“cash creations”).

   

(h)  Portfolio turnover rate excluding cash creations was as follows:

    37     28     19     31     22
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  

 

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 consolidated financial statements relate only to the following funds (each, a “Fund,” and collectively, the “Funds”):    

 

   
iShares ETF  

Diversification    

Classification    

MSCI India

  Non-diversified    

MSCI India Small-Cap

  Diversified    

Basis of Consolidation: The accompanying consolidated financial statements for each Fund includes the accounts of its subsidiary in the Republic of Mauritius, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary (each, a “Subsidiary”) of the Fund that invests in Indian securities. Through this investment structure, each Fund expects to obtain certain benefits under a current tax treaty between Mauritius and India. The net assets of the Subsidiary of the iShares MSCI India ETF and iShares MSCI India Small-Cap ETF as of period end were $6,317,556,989 and $322,288,175, which is 99.5% and 97.8% of each Fund’s consolidated net assets. Intercompany accounts and transactions, if any, have been eliminated.

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 Consolidated 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 Consolidated 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 August 31, 2021, if any, are disclosed in the Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

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 Consolidated Statements of Operations includes tax reclaims recorded as well as professional and other fees, if any, associated with recovery of foreign withholding taxes.

Each Fund has conducted its investment activities in India through its Subsidiary and expects to obtain benefits under the Double Tax Avoidance Agreement (“DTAA”) between India and Mauritius. In order to be eligible to claim benefits under the DTAA, each Subsidiary must have commercial substance, on an annual basis, to satisfy certain tests and conditions, including the establishment and maintenance of valid tax residence in Mauritius, have the place of effective management outside of India, and related requirements. Each Fund has obtained a current tax residence certificate issued by the Mauritian Revenue Authorities.

 

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  (continued)

 

Based upon current interpretation and practice of the current tax laws in India and Mauritius and the DTAA, each Subsidiary is subject to tax in Mauritius on its net income at the rate of 15%. However, each Subsidiary is entitled to a tax credit equivalent to the higher of the actual foreign tax incurred or 80% of the Mauritius tax on its foreign source income, thus reducing its maximum effective tax rate to 3% up to June 30, 2021. After June 30, 2021, under the new tax regime and subject to meeting the necessary substance requirements as required under the Financial Services Act 2007 (as amended by the Finance Act 2018) and such guidelines issued by the Financial Services Commission (the “FSC”), each Subsidiary is entitled to either (a) a foreign tax credit equivalent to the actual foreign tax suffered on its foreign income against each Subsidiary’s tax liability computed at 15% on such income, or (b) a partial exemption of 80% of some of the income derived, including interest income or foreign source dividends. Taxes on income, if any, are paid by each Subsidiary and are disclosed in its Consolidated Statements of Operations. Any dividends paid by a Subsidiary to its Fund are not subject to tax in Mauritius. Each Subsidiary is currently exempt from tax in Mauritius on any gains from the sale of securities.

The DTAA provides that capital gains will be taxable in India with respect to the sale of shares acquired on or after April 1, 2017. Capital gains arising from shares acquired before April 1, 2017, regardless of when they are sold, will continue to be exempt from taxation under the amended DTAA, assuming requirements for eligibility under the DTAA are satisfied. There can be no assurance, however, that the DTAA will remain in effect during the Subsidiary’s existence or that it will continue to enjoy its benefits on the shares acquired prior to April 1, 2017.

Segregation and Collateralization: In cases where a Fund enters into certain investments (e.g., futures contracts) that would be treated as “senior securities” for 1940 Act purposes, a Fund may segregate or designate on its books and record cash or liquid assets having a market value at least equal to the amount of its future obligations under such investments. Doing so allows the investment to be excluded from treatment as a “senior security.” Furthermore, 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 or obligations.

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. The character and timing of distributions are determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP.

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. Each Fund determines the fair values of its financial instruments using various independent dealers or pricing services under policies approved by the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”). 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 a policy approved by the Board as reflecting fair value. The BlackRock Global Valuation Methodologies Committee (the “Global Valuation Committee”) is the committee formed by management to develop global pricing policies and procedures and to oversee the pricing function for all financial instruments.

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 published net asset value (“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 follows 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 Global Valuation Committee, in accordance with a policy approved by the Board as reflecting fair value (“Fair Valued Investments”). The fair valuation approaches that may be used by the Global 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 Global Valuation Committee, or its delegate, 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 Global Valuation Committee, or its delegate, deems relevant and consistent with the principles of fair value measurement. The pricing of all Fair Valued Investments is subsequently reported to the Board or a committee thereof on a quarterly basis.

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.

 

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  (continued)

 

Fair Value Hierarchy: Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments. 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 for identical assets or liabilities that each Fund has the ability to access;

   

Level 2 – Other observable inputs (including, but not limited to, quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in markets that are active, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the assets or liabilities (such as interest rates, yield curves, volatilities, prepayment speeds, loss severities, credit risks and default rates) or other market-corroborated inputs); and

   

Level 3 – Unobservable inputs based on the best information available in the circumstances, to the extent observable inputs are not available, (including the Global 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 Global 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.   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 Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

Securities deposited as initial margin are designated in the Consolidated Schedule of Investments and cash deposited, if any, are shown as cash pledged for futures contracts in the Consolidated 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 Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities. When the contract is closed, a realized gain or loss is recorded in the Consolidated 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.

5.   INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

Investment Advisory Fees: Pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement with the Trust, BlackRock Fund Advisors (“BFA”) manages the investment of each Fund’s assets. BFA is a California corporation indirectly owned by BlackRock, Inc. (“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 the iShares MSCI India ETF, BFA is entitled to an annual investment advisory fee, accrued daily and paid monthly by the Fund, based on the average daily net assets of the Fund as follows:

 

   
Aggregate Average Daily Net Assets   Investment Advisory Fee  

First $4 billion

    0.6500

Over $4 billion, up to and including $6 billion

    0.6175  

Over $6 billion, up to and including $8 billion

    0.5867  

Over $8 billion

    0.5573  

For its investment advisory services to the iShares MSCI India Small-Cap ETF, BFA is entitled to an annual investment advisory fee of 0.74%, accrued daily and paid monthly by the Fund, based on the average daily net assets of the Fund.

Each Subsidiary has entered into a separate contract with BFA under which BFA provides investment advisory services to the Subsidiary but does not receive separate compensation from the Subsidiary for providing it with such services. Each Subsidiary has also entered into separate arrangements that provide for the provision of other services to the Subsidiary (including administrative, custody, transfer agency and other services), and BFA pays the costs and expenses related to the provision of those services.

 

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  (continued)

 

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.

Officers and Trustees: Certain officers and/or trustees of the Trust are officers and/or trustees of BlackRock or its affiliates.

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 Consolidated 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.

6.   PURCHASES AND SALES

For the year ended August 31, 2021, purchases and sales of investments, excluding short-term investments and in-kind transactions, were as follows:

 

     
iShares ETF   Purchases      Sales  

MSCI India

  $   2,566,576,831          $   1,199,388,531  

MSCI India Small-Cap

    144,520,794        148,060,793  

There were no in-kind transactions for the year ended August 31, 2021.    

7.   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 August 31, 2021, 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’ consolidated financial statements.

The tax character of distributions was as follows:    

 

     

iShares ETF

 

Year Ended

08/31/21

    

Year Ended

08/31/20

 

MSCI India

    

Ordinary income

  $   8,540,172      $   12,672,573  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

MSCI India Small-Cap

    

Ordinary income

  $ 268,669      $ 5,550,007  

Return of capital

    1,270         
 

 

 

    

 

 

 
  $ 269,939      $ 5,550,007  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

As of August 31, 2021, the tax components of accumulated net earnings (losses) were as follows:    

 

           

iShares ETF

   
Undistributed
Ordinary Income
 
 
    

Non-expiring
Capital Loss
Carryforwards
 
 
(a) 
   
Net Unrealized
Gains (Losses)
 
(b) 
   
Qualified
Late-Year Losses
 
(c) 
    Total  

MSCI India

  $ 48,842        $(655,989,828   $ 2,447,677,180     $     $   1,791,736,194  

MSCI India Small-Cap

           (62,205,401     121,440,016       (711,092     58,523,523  

 

  (a)

Amounts available to offset future realized capital gains.

 
  (b)

The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized gains (losses) was attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales, characterization of corporate actions and the realization for tax purposes of unrealized gains on investments in passive foreign investment companies.

 
  (c)

The Funds have elected to defer certain qualified late-year losses and recognize such losses in the next taxable year.

 

For the year ended August 31, 2021, the Funds utilized the following amounts of their respective capital loss carryforwards:    

 

   
iShares ETF   Utilized  

MSCI India

  $   73,395,355  

MSCI India Small-Cap

    20,303,839  

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.

 

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  (continued)

 

As of August 31, 2021, 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:

 

         
iShares ETF   Tax Cost      Gross Unrealized
Appreciation
     Gross Unrealized
Depreciation
    Net Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

MSCI India

  $   3,877,931,427      $ 2,712,276,615      $ (86,963,012   $   2,625,313,603  

MSCI India Small-Cap

    207,466,028        144,484,427        (14,297,010     130,187,417  

8.   LINE OF CREDIT

The Funds, along with certain other iShares funds (“Participating Funds”), are parties to a $300 million credit agreement (“Credit Agreement”) with State Street Bank and Trust Company, which expires on October 15, 2021. 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 Credit Agreement sets specific sub limits on aggregate borrowings based on two tiers of Participating Funds: $300 million with respect to the funds within Tier 1 and $200 million with respect to Tier 2, including the Funds. The Funds may borrow up to the aggregate commitment amount subject to asset coverage and other limitations as specified in the Credit Agreement. The Credit Agreement has the following terms: a commitment fee of 0.20% per annum on the unused portion of the credit agreement and interest at a rate equal to the higher of (a) the one-month LIBOR rate (not less than zero) plus 1.00% per annum or (b) the U.S. Federal Funds rate (not less than zero) 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 Credit Agreement. The Credit Agreement was terminated on August 12, 2021.

Effective August 13, 2021, 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 August 12, 2022. 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) the one-month LIBOR rate (not less than zero) plus 1.00% per annum or (b) the U.S. Federal Funds rate (not less than zero) 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 year ended August 31, 2021, the Funds did not borrow under the Credit Agreement or Syndicated Credit Agreement.

Effective August 26, 2021, the Funds, along with certain other iShares funds (“Mauritius Participating Funds”), are parties to a $750,000,000 unsecured and uncommitted line of credit (“Uncommitted Liquidity Facility”) with State Street Bank and Trust Company, which may be used solely to facilitate trading associated with the closure of each Fund’s Mauritius subsidiary. The Uncommitted Liquidity Facility has interest at a rate equal to the higher of (a) the U.S. Federal Funds rate (not less than zero) plus 1.25% per annum or (b) the Overnight Bank Funding rate (not less than zero) plus 1.25% per annum on amounts borrowed. Each Mauritius Participating Fund will be removed from the Uncommitted Liquidity Facility once trading out of its holdings in the Mauritius subsidiary is complete. During the year ended August 31, 2021, the Funds did not borrow under the Uncommitted Liquidity Facility.

9.   PRINCIPAL RISKS

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 a “passive” or index approach to try to achieve each Fund’s investment objective following the securities included in its underlying index during upturns as well as downturns. BFA does not take steps to reduce market exposure or to lessen the effects of a declining market. Divergence from the underlying index and the composition of the portfolio is monitored by BFA.

Market Risk: An outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus has developed into a global pandemic and has resulted in closing borders, quarantines, disruptions to supply chains and customer activity, as well as general concern and uncertainty. The impact of this pandemic, and other global health crises that may arise in the future, could affect the economies of many nations, individual companies and the market in general in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen at the present time. This pandemic may result in substantial market volatility and may adversely impact the prices and liquidity of a fund’s investments. The duration of this pandemic and its effects cannot be determined with certainty.

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

 

 

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  27


Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  (continued)

 

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 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.

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 the Manager 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 Consolidated 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, 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 Funds.

Concentration 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 Consolidated Schedule of Investments.

The 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. 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 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.

The 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. Investment percentages in specific sectors are presented in the Consolidated Schedule of Investments.

LIBOR Transition Risk: The United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority announced a phase out of the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”). Although many LIBOR rates will be phased out by the end of 2021, a selection of widely used USD LIBOR rates will continue to be published through June 2023 in order to assist with the transition. The Funds may be exposed to financial instruments tied to LIBOR to determine payment obligations, financing terms, hedging strategies or investment value. The transition process away from LIBOR might lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets for, and reduce the effectiveness of new hedges placed against, instruments whose terms currently include LIBOR. The ultimate effect of the LIBOR transition process on the Funds is uncertain.

10.   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.

 

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  (continued)

 

Transactions in capital shares were as follows:    

 

 

 
   

Year Ended

08/31/21

   

Year Ended

08/31/20

 
 

 

 

   

 

 

 
iShares ETF   Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount  

 

 

MSCI India

       

Shares sold

    44,850,000     $ 1,805,890,047       8,400,000     $ 324,117,985  

Shares redeemed

    (7,400,000     (307,587,733     (67,000,000     (1,832,735,628
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease)

    37,450,000     $ 1,498,302,314       (58,600,000   $ (1,508,617,643
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

MSCI India Small-Cap

       

Shares sold

    1,000,000     $ 49,353,215       300,000     $ 10,982,558  

Shares redeemed

    (900,000     (44,342,623     (2,800,000     (77,393,679
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease)

    100,000     $ 5,010,592       (2,500,000   $ (66,411,121
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

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. Investors 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. Investors 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.

11.   SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Management has evaluated the impact of all subsequent events on the Funds through the date the consolidated financial statements were available to be issued and has determined that there were no subsequent events requiring adjustment or additional disclosure in the consolidated financial statements.

 

 

N O T E S   T O   C O N S O L I D A T E D   F I N A N C I A L   S T A T E M E N T S

  29


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Board of Trustees of iShares Trust and Shareholders of iShares MSCI India ETF and

iShares MSCI India Small-Cap ETF

Opinions on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of assets and liabilities, including the consolidated schedules of investments, of iShares MSCI India ETF and iShares MSCI India Small-Cap ETF and their subsidiaries (two of the funds constituting iShares Trust, hereafter collectively referred to as the “Funds”) as of August 31, 2021, the related consolidated statements of operations for the year ended August 31, 2021, the consolidated statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period ended August 31, 2021, including the related notes, and the consolidated financial highlights for each of the five years in the period ended August 31, 2021 (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of each of the Funds as of August 31, 2021, the results of each of their operations for the year then ended, the changes in each of their net assets for each of the two years in the period ended August 31, 2021 and each of the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period ended August 31, 2021 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinions

These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Funds’ management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Funds’ consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Funds in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits of these consolidated financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of August 31, 2021 by correspondence with the custodian, transfer agent and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

/s/PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

October 22, 2021

We have served as the auditor of one or more BlackRock investment companies since 2000.

 

 

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Important Tax Information (unaudited)

 

The following amounts, or maximum amounts allowable by law, are hereby designated as qualified dividend income for individuals for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2021:

 

   
iShares ETF  

Qualified Dividend

Income

 

MSCI India

  $ 61,540,118  

MSCI India Small-Cap

    2,961,002  

The Funds intend to pass through to their shareholders the following amounts, or maximum amounts allowable by law, of foreign source income earned and foreign taxes paid for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2021:

 

     
iShares ETF  

Foreign Source        

Income Earned        

     Foreign
Taxes Paid
 

MSCI India

  $ 61,695,761              $   14,079,845  

MSCI India Small-Cap

    2,994,228                1,415,702  

 

 

I M P O R T A N T   T A X   I N F O R M A T I O N

  31


Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract

 

iShares MSCI India 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 and approve the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and BFA (the “Advisory Agreement”) 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; legal and compliance services; and 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 on May 7, 2021 and May 14, 2021, 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, and requested certain additional information, which management agreed to provide. At a meeting held on June 15-16, 2021, 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 material factors, none of which was controlling, 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 another fund in which the Fund invests (if applicable), and waivers/reimbursements (if applicable) of the Fund in comparison with the same information for other ETFs (including, where applicable, funds sponsored by an “at cost” service provider), objectively selected by Broadridge as comprising the Fund’s applicable 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 overall fund expenses (net of waivers and reimbursements) for the Fund were lower than the median of the overall fund expenses (net of 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, 2021, to that of 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 factors 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 recent and proposed enhancements to the iShares 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. 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, which were provided at the May 7, 2021 meeting and throughout the year.

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

 

 

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Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract  (continued)

 

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 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, were within a reasonable range in light of the factors and other information considered.

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, 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 relatively low fee rates established at inception, breakpoints, waivers, or other fee reductions, as well as through additional investment in the iShares business and the provision of improved or additional infrastructure and services to the iShares funds and their shareholders. 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 further 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 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 acknowledged BFA’s representation that the iShares funds are fundamentally different investment vehicles from 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 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 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 also considered the “all-inclusive” nature of the Fund’s advisory fee structure, and the Fund’s expenses borne by BFA under this arrangement. The Board 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 (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 for which BFA (or its affiliates) provides investment advisory services or other services, and BlackRock’s profile in the investment community. The Board also noted the revenue received by BFA and/or its affiliates pursuant to (i) 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 and (ii) other technology-related initiatives aimed to better support the iShares funds. The Board further 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 MSCI India Small-Cap 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 and approve the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and BFA (the “Advisory Agreement”) 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

 

 

B O A R D   R E V I E W   A N D   A P P R O V A L   O F   I N V E S T M E N T   A D V I S O R Y   C O N T R A C T

  33


Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract  (continued)

 

providers; risk management and oversight; legal and compliance services; and 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 on May 7, 2021 and May 14, 2021, 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, and requested certain additional information, which management agreed to provide. At a meeting held on June 15-16, 2021, 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 material factors, none of which was controlling, 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 another fund in which the Fund invests (if applicable), and waivers/reimbursements (if applicable) of the Fund in comparison with the same information for other ETFs (including, where applicable, funds sponsored by an “at cost” service provider), objectively selected by Broadridge as comprising the Fund’s applicable 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 overall fund expenses (net of waivers and reimbursements) for the Fund were lower than the median of the overall fund expenses (net of 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, 2021, to that of 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 factors 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 recent and proposed enhancements to the iShares 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. 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, which were provided at the May 7, 2021 meeting and throughout the year.

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,

 

 

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Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract  (continued)

 

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 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, were within a reasonable range in light of the factors and other information considered.

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, 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 relatively low fee rates established at inception, breakpoints, waivers, or other fee reductions, as well as through additional investment in the iShares business and the provision of improved or additional infrastructure and services to the iShares funds and their shareholders. 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 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 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 acknowledged BFA’s representation that the iShares funds are fundamentally different investment vehicles from 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 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 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 also considered the “all-inclusive” nature of the Fund’s advisory fee structure, and the Fund’s expenses borne by BFA under this arrangement. The Board 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 (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 for which BFA (or its affiliates) provides investment advisory services or other services, and BlackRock’s profile in the investment community. The Board also noted the revenue received by BFA and/or its affiliates pursuant to (i) 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 and (ii) other technology-related initiatives aimed to better support the iShares funds. The Board further 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.

 

 

B O A R D   R E V I E W   A N D   A P P R O V A L   O F   I N V E S T M E N T   A D V I S O R Y   C O N T R A C T

  35


Supplemental Information (unaudited)

 

Regulation Regarding Derivatives

On October 28, 2020, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) adopted new regulations governing the use of derivatives by registered investment companies (“Rule 18f-4”). The Funds will be required to implement and comply with Rule 18f-4 by August 19, 2022. Once implemented, Rule 18f-4 will impose limits on the amount of derivatives a fund can enter into, eliminate the asset segregation framework currently used by funds to comply with Section 18 of the 1940 Act, treat derivatives as senior securities and require funds whose use of derivatives is more than a limited specified exposure amount to establish and maintain a comprehensive derivatives risk management program and appoint a derivatives risk manager.

Section 19(a) Notices

The amounts and sources of distributions reported are estimates and are being provided pursuant to regulatory requirements and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources for tax reporting purposes will depend upon each Fund’s investment experience during the year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. Shareholders will receive a Form 1099-DIV each calendar year that will inform them how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes.

August 31, 2021

 

     
    

Total Cumulative Distributions

for the Fiscal Year

    

% Breakdown of the Total Cumulative

Distributions for the Fiscal Year

 
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
iShares ETF   

Net

Investment

Income

    

Net Realized

Capital Gains

    

Return of

Capital

    

Total Per

Share

    

Net

Investment

Income

    

Net Realized

Capital Gains

    

Return of

Capital

    

Total Per

Share

 

MSCI India(a)

   $ 0.070620      $      $ 0.002824      $ 0.073444        96           4      100

 

  (a)

The Fund estimates that it has distributed more than its net investment income and net realized capital gains; therefore, a portion of the distribution may be a return of capital. A return of capital may occur, for example, when some or all of the shareholder’s investment in the Fund is returned to the shareholder. A return of capital does not necessarily reflect the Fund’s investment performance and should not be confused with “yield” or “income”. When distributions exceed total return performance, the difference will incrementally reduce the Fund’s net asset value per share.

 

Premium/Discount Information

Information on the Fund’s net asset value, market price, premiums and discounts, and bid-ask spreads can be found at iShares.com.

Regulation under the Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive

The Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive (the “Directive”) imposes detailed and prescriptive obligations on fund managers established in the European Union (the “EU”). These do not currently apply to managers established outside of the EU, such as BFA (the “Company”). Rather, non-EU managers are only required to comply with certain disclosure, reporting and transparency obligations of the Directive if such managers market a fund to EU investors.

The Company has registered the iShares MSCI India ETF (the “Fund”) to be marketed to EU investors in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Finland, Sweden, and Luxembourg.

Report on Remuneration

The Company is required under the Directive to make quantitative disclosures of remuneration. These disclosures are made in line with BlackRock’s interpretation of currently available regulatory guidance on quantitative remuneration disclosures. As market or regulatory practice develops BlackRock may consider it appropriate to make changes to the way in which quantitative remuneration disclosures are calculated. Where such changes are made, this may result in disclosures in relation to a fund not being comparable to the disclosures made in the prior year, or in relation to other BlackRock fund disclosures in that same year.

Disclosures are provided in relation to (a) the staff of the Company; (b) staff who are senior management; and (c) staff who have the ability to materially affect the risk profile of the Fund.

All individuals included in the aggregated figures disclosed are rewarded in line with BlackRock’s remuneration policy for their responsibilities across the relevant BlackRock business area. As all individuals have a number of areas of responsibilities, only the portion of remuneration for those individuals’ services attributable to the Fund is included in the aggregate figures disclosed.

BlackRock has a clear and well defined pay-for-performance philosophy, and compensation programmes which support that philosophy.

BlackRock operates a total compensation model for remuneration which includes a base salary, which is contractual, and a discretionary bonus scheme. Although all employees are eligible to receive a discretionary bonus, there is no contractual obligation to make a discretionary bonus award to any employees. For senior management, a significant percentage of variable remuneration is deferred over time. All employees are subject to a claw-back policy.

 

 

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Supplemental Information (unaudited) (continued)

 

Remuneration decisions for employees are made once annually in January following the end of the performance year, based on BlackRock’s full-year financial results and other non-financial goals and objectives. Alongside financial performance, individual total compensation is also based on strategic and operating results and other considerations such as management and leadership capabilities. No set formulas are established and no fixed benchmarks are used in determining annual incentive awards.

Annual incentive awards are paid from a bonus pool which is reviewed throughout the year by BlackRock’s independent compensation committee, taking into account both actual and projected financial information together with information provided by the Enterprise Risk and Regulatory Compliance departments in relation to any activities, incidents or events that warrant consideration in making compensation decisions. Individuals are not involved in setting their own remuneration.

Each of the control functions (Enterprise Risk, Legal & Compliance, and Internal Audit) each have their own organisational structures which are independent of the business units. Functional bonus pools for those control functions are determined with reference to the performance of each individual function and the remuneration of the senior members of control functions is directly overseen by BlackRock’s independent remuneration committee.

Members of staff and senior management of the Company typically provide both AIFMD and non-AIFMD related services in respect of multiple funds, clients and functions of the Company and across the broader BlackRock group. Therefore, the figures disclosed are a sum of each individual’s portion of remuneration attributable to the Fund according to an objective apportionment methodology which acknowledges the multiple-service nature of the Company. Accordingly the figures are not representative of any individual’s actual remuneration or their remuneration structure.

The amount of the total remuneration awarded by the Company to its staff which has been attributed to the Fund in respect of the Company’s financial year ending 31 December 2020 is USD 364.25 thousand. This figure is comprised of fixed remuneration of USD 169.62 thousand and variable remuneration of USD 194.63 thousand. There were a total of 490 beneficiaries of the remuneration described above.

The amount of the aggregate remuneration awarded by the Company, which has been attributed to the Fund in respect of the Company’s financial year ending 31 December 2020, to its senior management was USD 59.34 thousand, and to members of its staff whose actions have a material impact on the risk profile of the Fund was USD 4.79 thousand.

 

 

S U P P L E M E N T A L   I N F O R M A T I O N

  37


Trustee and Officer Information

 

The Board of Trustees has responsibility for the overall management and operations of the Funds, including general supervision of the duties performed by BFA and other service providers. Each Trustee serves until he or she resigns, is removed, dies, retires or becomes incapacitated. Each officer shall hold office until his or her successor is elected and qualifies or until his or her death, resignation or removal. Trustees who are not “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust are referred to as independent trustees (“Independent Trustees”).

The registered investment companies advised by BFA or its affiliates (the “BlackRock-advised Funds”) are organized into one complex of open-end equity, multi-asset, index and money market funds and ETFs (the “BlackRock Multi-Asset Complex”), one complex of closed-end funds and open-end non-index fixed-income funds (including ETFs) (the “BlackRock Fixed-Income Complex”) and one complex of ETFs (“Exchange-Traded Fund Complex”) (each, a “BlackRock Fund Complex”). Each Fund is included in the Exchange-Traded Fund Complex. Each Trustee also serves as a Director of iShares, Inc. and a Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust and, as a result, oversees all of the funds within the Exchange-Traded Fund Complex, which consists of 374 funds as of August 31, 2021. With the exception of Robert S. Kapito, Salim Ramji and Charles Park, the address of each Trustee and officer is c/o BlackRock, Inc., 400 Howard Street, San Francisco, CA 94105. The address of Mr. Kapito, Mr. Ramji and Mr. Park is c/o BlackRock, Inc., Park Avenue Plaza, 55 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10055. The Board has designated Cecilia H. Herbert as its Independent Board Chair. Additional information about the Funds’ Trustees and officers may be found in the Funds’ combined Statement of Additional Information, which is available without charge, upon request, by calling toll-free 1-800-iShares (1-800-474-2737).

 

Interested Trustees
       
 Name (Age)    Position(s)   

Principal Occupation(s)

During the Past 5 Years

     Other Directorships Held by Trustee      
Robert S.
Kapito(a) (64)
   Trustee (since 2009).    President, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2006); Vice Chairman of BlackRock, Inc. and Head of BlackRock’s Portfolio Management Group (since its formation in 1998) and BlackRock, Inc.’s predecessor entities (since 1988); Trustee, University of Pennsylvania (since 2009); President of Board of Directors, Hope & Heroes Children’s Cancer Fund (since 2002).    Director of BlackRock, Inc. (since 2006); Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2009); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011).
Salim Ramji(b)
(51)
   Trustee (since 2019).    Senior Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2014); Global Head of BlackRock’s ETF and Index Investments Business (since 2019); Head of BlackRock’s U.S. Wealth Advisory Business (2015-2019); Global Head of Corporate Strategy, BlackRock, Inc. (2014-2015); Senior Partner, McKinsey & Company (2010-2014).    Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2019); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2019).

 

(a)

Robert S. Kapito is deemed to be an “interested person” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust due to his affiliations with BlackRock, Inc. and its affiliates.

(b)

Salim Ramji is deemed to be an “interested person” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust due to his affiliations with BlackRock, Inc. and its affiliates.

 

          Independent Trustees     
       
 Name (Age)    Position(s)   

Principal Occupation(s)

During the Past 5 Years

     Other Directorships Held by Trustee      
Cecilia H.
Herbert (72)
   Trustee (since 2005); Independent Board Chair (since 2016).    Chair of the Finance Committee (since 2019) and Trustee and Member of the Finance, Audit and Quality Committees of Stanford Health Care (since 2016); Trustee of WNET, New York’s public media company (since 2011) and Member of the Audit Committee (since 2018) and Investment Committee (since 2011); Chair (1994-2005) and Member (since 1992) of the Investment Committee, Archdiocese of San Francisco; Trustee of Forward Funds (14 portfolios) (2009-2018); Trustee of Salient MF Trust (4 portfolios) (2015-2018); Director (1998-2013) and President (2007-2011) of the Board of Directors, Catholic Charities CYO; Trustee (2002-2011) and Chair of the Finance and Investment Committee (2006-2010) of the Thacher School; Director of the Senior Center of Jackson Hole (since 2020).    Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2005); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011); Independent Board Chair of iShares, Inc. and iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2016); Trustee of Thrivent Church Loan and Income Fund (since 2019).
Jane D.
Carlin (65)
   Trustee (since 2015); Risk Committee Chair (since 2016).    Consultant (since 2012); Member of the Audit Committee (2012-2018), Chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee (2017-2018) and Director of PHH Corporation (mortgage solutions) (2012-2018); Managing Director and Global Head of Financial Holding Company Governance & Assurance and the Global Head of Operational Risk Management of Morgan Stanley (2006-2012).    Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2015); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2015); Member of the Audit Committee (since 2016), Chair of the Audit Committee (since 2020) and Director of The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. (since 2016).
Richard L.
Fagnani (66)
   Trustee (since 2017); Audit Committee Chair (since 2019).    Partner, KPMG LLP (2002-2016).    Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2017); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2017).

 

 

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Trustee and Officer Information  (continued)

 

          Independent Trustees (continued)     
       
 Name (Age)    Position(s)   

Principal Occupation(s)

During the Past 5 Years

   Other Directorships Held by Trustee      
John E.
Kerrigan (66)
   Trustee (since 2005); Nominating and Governance and Equity Plus Committee Chairs (since 2019).    Chief Investment Officer, Santa Clara University (since 2002).    Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2005); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011).
Drew E.
Lawton (62)
   Trustee (since 2017); 15(c) Committee Chair (since 2017).    Senior Managing Director of New York Life Insurance Company (2010-2015).    Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2017); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2017).
John E.
Martinez (60)
   Trustee (since 2003); Securities Lending Committee Chair (since 2019).    Director of Real Estate Equity Exchange, Inc. (since 2005); Director of Cloudera Foundation (2017-2020); and Director of Reading Partners (2012-2016).    Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2003); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011).
Madhav V.
Rajan (57)
   Trustee (since 2011); Fixed Income Plus Committee Chair (since 2019).    Dean, and George Pratt Shultz Professor of Accounting, University of Chicago Booth School of Business (since 2017); Advisory Board Member (since 2016) and Director (since 2020) of C.M. Capital Corporation; Chair of the Board for the Center for Research in Security Prices, LLC (since 2020); Robert K. Jaedicke Professor of Accounting, Stanford University Graduate School of Business (2001-2017); Professor of Law (by courtesy), Stanford Law School (2005-2017); Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Head of MBA Program, Stanford University Graduate School of Business (2010-2016).    Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2011); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011).
Officers
     
 Name (Age)    Position(s)    Principal Occupation(s)
During the Past 5 Years
Armando
Senra (50)
   President (since 2019).    Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2007); Head of U.S., Canada and Latam iShares, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2019); Head of Latin America Region, BlackRock, Inc. (2006-2019); Managing Director, Bank of America Merrill Lynch (1994-2006).
Trent
Walker (47)
   Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer (since 2020).    Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since September 2019); Chief Financial Officer of iShares Delaware Trust Sponsor LLC, BlackRock Funds, BlackRock Funds II, BlackRock Funds IV, BlackRock Funds V and BlackRock Funds VI (since 2021); Executive Vice President of PIMCO (2016-2019); Senior Vice President of PIMCO (2008-2015); Treasurer (2013-2019) and Assistant Treasurer (2007-2017) of PIMCO Funds, PIMCO Variable Insurance Trust, PIMCO ETF Trust, PIMCO Equity Series, PIMCO Equity Series VIT, PIMCO Managed Accounts Trust, 2 PIMCO-sponsored interval funds and 21 PIMCO-sponsored closed-end funds.
Charles
Park (54)
   Chief Compliance Officer (since 2006).    Chief Compliance Officer of BlackRock Advisors, LLC and the BlackRock-advised Funds in the BlackRock Multi-Asset Complex and the BlackRock Fixed-Income Complex (since 2014); Chief Compliance Officer of BFA (since 2006).
Deepa Damre
Smith (46)
   Secretary (since 2019).    Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2014); Director, BlackRock, Inc. (2009-2013).
Scott
Radell (52)
   Executive Vice President (since 2012).    Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2009); Head of Portfolio Solutions, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2009).
Alan
Mason (60)
   Executive Vice President (since 2016).    Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2009).
Marybeth
Leithead (58)
   Executive Vice President (since 2019).    Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2017); Chief Operating Officer of Americas iShares (since 2017); Portfolio Manager, Municipal Institutional & Wealth Management (2009-2016).

 

 

T R U S T E E   A N D   O F F I C E R   I N F O R M A T I O N

  39


General Information

 

Electronic Delivery

Shareholders can sign up for email 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.

Householding

Householding is an option available to certain fund investors. Householding is a method of delivery, based on the preference of the individual investor, in which a single copy of certain shareholder documents and Rule 30e-3 notices can be delivered to investors who share the same address, even if their accounts are registered under different names. Please contact your broker-dealer if you are interested in enrolling in householding and receiving a single copy of prospectuses and other shareholder documents, or if you are currently enrolled in householding and wish to change your householding status.

Availability of Quarterly Schedule of Investments

The Funds file their complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to their reports on Form N-PORT. The Funds’ Forms N-PORT are available on the SEC’s website at sec.gov. Additionally, each Fund makes its portfolio holdings for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year available at iShares.com/fundreports.

Availability of Proxy Voting Policies and Proxy Voting Records

A description of the policies and procedures that the iShares Funds use to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities and information about how the iShares Funds voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve-month period ending June 30 is available without charge, upon request (1) by calling toll-free 1-800-474-2737; (2) on the iShares website at iShares.com; and (3) on the SEC website at sec.gov.

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 at iShares.com.

 

 

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Glossary of Terms Used in this Report

 

 

Portfolio Abbreviations - Equity
REIT    Real Estate Investment Trust

 

 

G L O S S A R Y   O F   T E R M S   U S E D   I N   T H I S   R E P O R T

  41


 

 

 

Want to know more?

iShares.com    |     1-800-474-2737

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 MSCI Inc., 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.

©2021 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.

iS-AR-809-0821

 

 

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  AUGUST 31, 2021

 

   2021 Annual Report

 

iShares Trust

 

·  

iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Canada ETF | HEWC | NYSE Arca

·  

iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Eurozone ETF | HEZU | NYSE Arca

·  

iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Germany ETF | HEWG | NASDAQ

·  

iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Japan ETF | HEWJ | NYSE Arca


The Markets in Review

Dear Shareholder,

The 12-month reporting period as of August 31, 2021 was a remarkable period of adaptation and recovery, as the global economy dealt with the implications of the coronavirus (or “COVID-19”) pandemic. The United States, along with most of the world, began the reporting period emerging from a severe recession, prompted by pandemic-related restrictions that disrupted many aspects of daily life. However, easing restrictions and robust government intervention led to a strong rebound, and the economy grew at a significant pace for the reporting period, eventually regaining the output lost from the pandemic.

Equity prices rose with the broader economy, as strong fiscal and monetary support, as well as the development of vaccines, made investors increasingly optimistic about the economic outlook. The implementation of mass vaccination campaigns and passage of two additional fiscal stimulus packages further boosted stocks, and many equity indices neared or surpassed all-time highs late in the reporting period. In the United States, returns of small-capitalization stocks, which benefited the most from the resumption of in-person activities, outpaced large-capitalization stocks. International equities also gained, as both developed and emerging markets rebounded substantially.

The 10-year U.S. Treasury yield (which is inversely related to bond prices) had fallen sharply prior to the beginning of the reporting period, which meant bonds were priced for extreme risk avoidance and economic disruption. Despite expectations of doom and gloom, the economy expanded rapidly, stoking inflation concerns in early 2021, which led to higher yields and a negative overall return for most U.S. Treasuries. In the corporate bond market, support from the U.S. Federal Reserve (the “Fed”) assuaged credit concerns and led to solid returns for high-yield corporate bonds, although investment-grade corporates declined slightly.

The Fed remained committed to accommodative monetary policy by maintaining near-zero interest rates and by reiterating that inflation could exceed its 2% target for a sustained period without triggering a rate increase. In response to rising inflation late in the period, the Fed changed its market guidance, raising the possibility of higher rates in 2023 and reducing bond purchasing beginning in late 2022.

Looking ahead, we believe that the global expansion will continue to broaden as Europe and other developed market economies gain momentum, although the delta variant of the coronavirus remains a threat, particularly in emerging markets. While we expect inflation to remain elevated in the medium-term as the expansion continues, we believe the recent uptick owes more to temporary supply disruptions than a lasting change in fundamentals. The change in Fed policy also means that moderate inflation is less likely to be followed by interest rate hikes that could threaten the economic expansion.

Overall, we favor a moderately positive stance toward risk, with an overweight in equities. Sectors that are better poised to manage the transition to a lower-carbon world, such as technology and healthcare, are particularly attractive in the long-term. U.S. small-capitalization stocks and European equities are likely to benefit from the continuing vaccine-led restart. We are underweight long-term credit, but inflation-protected U.S. Treasuries and Asian fixed income offer potential opportunities. We believe that international diversification and a focus on sustainability can help provide portfolio resilience, and the disruption created by the coronavirus appears to be accelerating the shift toward sustainable investments.

In this environment, our view is that investors need to think globally, extend their scope across a broad array of asset classes, and be nimble as market conditions change. We encourage you to talk with your financial advisor and visit iShares.com for further insight about investing in today’s markets.

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

Rob Kapito

President, BlackRock, Inc.

LOGO

Rob Kapito

President, BlackRock, Inc.

 

Total Returns as of August 31, 2021
     6-Month   12-Month
   

 

U.S. large cap equities
(S&P 500® Index)

 

  19.52%   31.17%
   

 

U.S. small cap equities
(Russell 2000® Index)

 

  3.81   47.08
   

 

International equities
(MSCI Europe, Australasia, Far East Index)

 

  10.31   26.12
   

 

Emerging market equities
(MSCI Emerging Markets Index)

 

  (0.98)   21.12
   

 

3-month Treasury bills
(ICE BofA 3-Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index)

 

  0.02   0.08
   

 

U.S. Treasury securities
(ICE BofA 10-Year U.S. Treasury Index)

 

  2.36   (4.12)
   

 

U.S. investment grade bonds
(Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index)

 

  1.49   (0.08)
   

 

Tax-exempt municipal bonds
(S&P Municipal Bond Index)

 

  2.50   3.44
   

 

U.S. high yield bonds
(Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index)

 

  3.82   10.14

 

Past performance is not an indication of future results. Index performance is shown for illustrative purposes only. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

 

 

 

2  

H I S  A G E  I S  N O T  A R T  O F  O U R  U N D  E P O R T


Table of Contents

 

      Page  

The Markets in Review

     2  

Market Overview

     4  

Fund Summary

     5  

About Fund Performance

     13  

Shareholder Expenses

     13  

Schedules of Investments

     14  

Financial Statements

  

Statements of Assets and Liabilities

     27  

Statements of Operations

     28  

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

     29  

Financial Highlights

     31  

Notes to Financial Statements

     35  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     42  

Important Tax Information (Unaudited)

     43  

Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract

     44  

Supplemental Information

     46  

Trustee and Officer Information

     47  

General Information

     49  

Glossary of Terms Used in this Report

     50  

 

 

 


Market Overview

 

iShares Trust

Global Market Overview

Global equity markets advanced significantly during the 12 months ended August 31, 2021 (“reporting period”). The MSCI ACWI, a broad global equity index that includes both developed and emerging markets, returned 28.64% in U.S. dollar terms for the reporting period. Stocks continued to recover from the initial impact of the coronavirus pandemic, nearing all-time highs by the end of the reporting period. Reopening economies led to a substantial global economic expansion, and the development and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines bolstered investors’ optimism. Nonetheless, vaccination rates varied considerably across countries, and the spread of the more contagious Delta variant led to increased cases and renewed restrictions toward the end of the reporting period. Inflation also rose in many parts of the world amid supply chain constraints and elevated consumer spending.

Equity markets in the U.S. advanced strongly, helped by fiscal and monetary stimulus and an ongoing mass vaccination program. Congress passed two fiscal stimulus bills during the reporting period, providing significant relief in the form of direct payments to individuals, tax credits, aid to state and local governments, and assistance for homeowners and renters. Personal incomes rose significantly following the stimulus payments, and consumer spending recovered, surpassing pre-pandemic levels. Increased consumer spending and the easing of pandemic-related restrictions helped the U.S. economy continue to grow following a significant rebound in the third quarter of 2020, as activity recovered from the pandemic-induced recession in the first half of 2020. The economy grew at a brisk pace for the rest of the reporting period, finally exceeding pre-pandemic output levels in the second quarter of 2021. The U.S. Federal Reserve Bank’s (“the Fed”) action also played a notable role in the recovery. Monetary policy remained accommodative, with short-term interest rates maintained near zero to encourage lending and stimulate economic activity. The Fed further acted to stabilize bond markets by continuing an unlimited, open-ended, bond-buying program for U.S. Treasuries and mortgage-backed securities.

Stocks in Europe also posted strong gains, despite a recovery that trailed other major economies. The European Central Bank (“ECB”) provided monetary stimulus by maintaining ultra-low interest rates and continuing a large bond-buying program. Growth resumed with a significant rebound in the third quarter of 2020 as restrictions eased, and Eurozone countries enacted a deal for a collective 750 billion of stimulus spending. However, a new wave of coronavirus cases beginning in October 2020 led to renewed restrictions, weakening the fragile recovery. Consequently, the Eurozone economy contracted slightly in the fourth quarter of 2020 and first quarter of 2021, even as much of the world was returning to growth. Although the initial vaccine rollout trailed in many European countries, the pace of vaccinations accelerated late in the reporting period, and economic growth resumed in the second quarter of 2021.

Asia-Pacific regional stocks also posted a solid advance amid a sharp rebound in economic activity. Continued economic growth in China helped the regional economy recover, as many Asia-Pacific countries rely on China as a major trading partner. Japanese and Australian stocks benefited from a sharp rise in exports amid resurgent global trade. Emerging market stocks advanced overall, aided by economic recovery and rising prices for many commodities. However, investor concerns about increased government regulatory activity weighed on Chinese stocks late in the reporting period. Relatively slow vaccination rollouts in parts of Asia also prompted concerns, particularly as the Delta variant spread.

 

 

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Fund Summary  as of August 31, 2021    iShares® Currency Hedged MSCI Canada ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Canada ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of large- and mid-capitalization Canadian equities while mitigating exposure to fluctuations between the value of the Canadian dollar and the U.S. dollar, as represented by the MSCI Canada 100% Hedged to USD Index (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index. The Fund currently seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing a substantial portion of its assets in one underlying fund, the iShares MSCI Canada ETF.

Performance

 

    Average Annual Total Returns           Cumulative Total Returns  
     1 Year      5 Years      Since
Inception
           1 Year      5 Years      Since
Inception
 

Fund NAV

    28.81      10.52      8.95       28.81      64.86      69.75

Fund Market

    28.74        10.51        8.98         28.74        64.84        70.08  

Index

    27.46        10.49        8.98               27.46        64.64        69.98  

GROWTH OF $10,000 INVESTMENT

(SINCE INCEPTION AT NET ASSET VALUE)

 

LOGO

The inception date of the Fund was 6/29/15. The first day of secondary market trading was 7/1/15.

Past performance is no guarantee 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. See “About Fund Performance” on page 13 for more information.

Expense Example

 

Actual           Hypothetical 5% Return         
 

Beginning
Account Value
(03/01/21)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(08/31/21)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period 
 
 
(a)(b) 
           

Beginning
Account Value
(03/01/21)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(08/31/21)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During

the Period

 
 

 (a)(b) 

    

Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 
 
(a)  
$ 1,000.00        $ 1,159.00        $ 0.16             $ 1,000.00        $ 1,025.10        $ 0.15        0.03

 

  (a) 

Annualized expense ratio and expenses paid during the period do not include fees and expenses of the underlying fund in which the Fund invests.

 
  (b) 

Expenses are calculated using the Fund’s annualized expense ratio (as disclosed in the table), multiplied by the average account value for the period, multiplied by the number of days in the period (184 days) and divided by the number of days in the year (365 days). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Shareholder Expenses” on page 13 for more information.

 

 

 

U N D  U M M A R Y

  5


Fund Summary  as of August 31, 2021 (continued)    iShares® Currency Hedged MSCI Canada ETF

 

Portfolio Management Commentary

Canadian equities advanced for the reporting period, as rising COVID-19 vaccination rates and loosened restrictions against the pandemic supported a recovery in the Canadian economy. Canada’s vaccination rate ended the reporting period at among the highest levels among major industrialized nations, eclipsing the U.S., the U.K., France, and Germany.

The financials sector contributed the most to the Index’s return in U.S. dollar terms as the banking industry benefited from the recovery of provisions for credit losses, which are funds that the institutions set aside to cover projected credit losses that failed to materialize. A recovery in mergers and acquisitions activity to record levels, supported by low interest rates and strong balance sheets with large cash reserves, also boosted the banking industry. Government stimulus programs that prevented widespread loan defaults along with high demand for a limited supply of homes drove home prices higher, which helped banks involved in mortgage lending. Canada’s insurance industry also contributed to the Index’s return. Rising stock markets raised fee income for the wealth and asset management units of life insurance companies, increasing earnings.

The information technology sector also contributed significantly to the Index’s return. A pandemic-driven shift toward online shopping increased demand for many technology products and services. The internet services and infrastructure industry led the advance as companies initiated services to help brick-and-mortar merchants set up operations for online storefronts and added more options for consumers. Sales volumes at these online storefronts increased significantly, as the number of merchants with e-commerce stores rose sharply during the pandemic. The energy sector also contributed to the Index’s return. Oil and gas storage and transportation companies benefited from increases in oil production and pipeline volumes.

In terms of currency performance during the reporting period, the Canadian dollar appreciated by approximately 3% relative to the U.S. dollar. Higher oil and commodities prices buoyed the Canadian dollar, as the value of Canada’s large resource exports is closely tied to its currency.

The Canadian dollar’s positive performance meant hedging activity detracted from the Index’s return. A fully hedged investor seeks to bypass the currency fluctuations — both on the upside and on the downside — related to holding foreign-currency-denominated securities. The Index’s hedging activity offset the positive impact of the Canadian dollar’s performance relative to the U.S. dollar, resulting in an Index return that was relatively close to the return of Canadian equities measured in Canadian dollars.

Portfolio Information

 

ALLOCATION BY INVESTMENT TYPE

 

Investment Type   Percent of
Net Assets
 

Investment Companies

    100.1

Short-term Investments

    2.5  
Forward foreign currency exchange contracts, net cumulative appreciation     0.9  

Other assets less liabilities

    (3.5

ALLOCATION BY SECTOR (of the UNDERLYING FUND)

 

Sector   Percent of
Total Investment(a)
 

Financials

    36.3

Information Technology

    13.7  

Energy

    12.7  

Materials

    11.1  

Industrials

    10.4  

Consumer Staples

    4.1  

Utilities

    4.0  

Consumer Discretionary

    3.7  

Communication Services

    2.6  

Other (each representing less than 1%)

    1.4  

 

(a) 

Excludes money market funds.

 
 

 

 

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Fund Summary  as of August 31, 2021    iShares® Currency Hedged MSCI Eurozone ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Eurozone ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of large- and mid-capitalization equities from developed market countries which use the euro as their official currency while mitigating exposure to fluctuations between the value of the euro and the U.S. dollar, as represented by the MSCI EMU 100% Hedged to USD Index (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index. The Fund currently seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing a substantial portion of its assets in one underlying fund, the iShares MSCI Eurozone ETF.

Performance

 

    Average Annual Total Returns           Cumulative Total Returns  
     1 Year      5 Years      Since
Inception
           1 Year      5 Years      Since
Inception
 

Fund NAV

    35.04      11.82      8.86       35.04      74.79      83.51

Fund Market

    34.77        11.81        8.86         34.77        74.74        83.45  

Index

    34.09        11.91        9.12               34.09        75.50        86.50  

GROWTH OF $10,000 INVESTMENT

(SINCE INCEPTION AT NET ASSET VALUE)

 

LOGO

The inception date of the Fund was 7/9/14. The first day of secondary market trading was 7/10/14.

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 no guarantee 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. See “About Fund Performance” on page 13 for more information.

Expense Example

 

Actual           Hypothetical 5% Return         
 

Beginning
Account Value
(03/01/21)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(08/31/21)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
 (a)(b) 
           

Beginning
Account Value
(03/01/21)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(08/31/21)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
 (a)(b) 
    

Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 
 
 (a)  
$ 1,000.00        $ 1,173.50        $ 0.16             $ 1,000.00        $ 1,025.10        $ 0.15        0.03

 

  (a) 

Annualized expense ratio and expenses paid during the period do not include fees and expenses of the underlying fund in which the Fund invests.

 
  (b) 

Expenses are calculated using the Fund’s annualized expense ratio (as disclosed in the table), multiplied by the average account value for the period, multiplied by the number of days in the period (184 days) and divided by the number of days in the year (365 days). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Shareholder Expenses” on page 13 for more information.

 

 

 

U N D   U M M A R Y

  7


Fund Summary  as of August 31, 2021 (continued)    iShares® Currency Hedged MSCI Eurozone ETF

 

Portfolio Management Commentary

Stocks in the Eurozone advanced for the reporting period despite a mild recession, delays in COVID-19 vaccine rollouts in some countries, and the reinstitution of social distancing mandates. Coronavirus pandemic-related restrictions slowed economic activity in European countries. However, the ECB invested 750 billion to provide employment support, loans, and grants on an unprecedented scale, in addition to existing social safety nets, which helped lessen the impact of the pandemic on economic growth. The ECB also provided monetary support by buying government and corporate bonds and keeping interest rates low to encourage corporate investment. However, Eurozone economic growth did not recover to pre-pandemic levels and trailed the U.S. and China amid the uncertain impacts of the Delta variant.

French stocks were the largest contributors to the Index’s return in U.S. dollar terms, as economic recovery drove gains in the consumer discretionary and industrials sectors. Textiles and apparel companies advanced, particularly during the second half of the reporting period, reflecting pent-up demand for luxury purchases among high end consumers. French electrical equipment makers benefited from improved demand and infrastructure opportunities such as vehicle electrification. Household savings were high, as a recovery in retail banking, following the lifting of pandemic-related restrictions, outweighed weakened corporate and investment banking activity. Increased fixed income trading also bolstered the banking industry.

Stocks in the Netherlands contributed meaningfully to the Index’s return. The information technology sector led contributions as global demand for high-powered semiconductor chips, required to run everything from car engines to smart toasters, continued to outstrip supply. Semiconductors and semiconductor equipment companies led the advance, as increased sales of advanced chipmaking equipment amid a global semiconductor shortage supported profits in the industry.

German stocks also contributed to the Index’s return, advancing due to an economic rebound. In the consumer discretionary sector, automobile manufacturers benefited from strong cost management, solid products, and corporate restructuring. The industrials sector also contributed as strong sales of industrial software drove the industrial conglomerates industry.

In terms of currency performance during the reporting period, the euro depreciated by approximately 1% against the U.S. dollar. Investors’ expectations that interest rates in the E.U. would stay low longer than U.S. interest rates pressured the euro.

The euro’s negative performance meant hedging activity contributed to the Index’s return. A fully hedged investor seeks to bypass the currency fluctuations — both on the upside and on the downside — related to holding foreign-currency-denominated securities. The Index’s hedging activity offset the negative impact of the euro’s performance relative to the U.S. dollar, resulting in an Index return that was relatively close to the return of Eurozone equities measured in euros.

Portfolio Information

 

ALLOCATION BY INVESTMENT TYPE

 

Investment Type   Percent of
Net Assets
 

Investment Companies

    100.0

Short-term Investments

    0.1  
Forward foreign currency exchange contracts, net cumulative appreciation     0.5  

Other assets less liabilities

    (0.6

ALLOCATION BY SECTOR (of the UNDERLYING FUND)

 

Sector   Percent of
Total Investment(a)
 

Consumer Discretionary

    17.5

Industrials

    14.9  

Information Technology

    14.9  

Financials

    14.1  

Consumer Staples

    7.7  

Health Care

    7.7  

Materials

    7.3  

Utilities

    6.2  

Communication Services

    4.4  

Energy

    3.5  

Real Estate

    1.8  

 

  (a)

Excludes money market funds.

 
 

 

 

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Fund Summary  as of August 31, 2021    iShares® Currency Hedged MSCI Germany ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Germany ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of large- and mid-capitalization German equities while mitigating exposure to fluctuations between the value of the euro and the U.S. dollar, as represented by the MSCI Germany 100% Hedged to USD Index (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index. The Fund currently seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing a substantial portion of its assets in one underlying fund, the iShares MSCI Germany ETF.

Performance

 

    Average Annual Total Returns           Cumulative Total Returns  
     1 Year      5 Years      Since
Inception
           1 Year      5 Years      Since
Inception
 

Fund NAV

    22.12      9.27      7.71       22.12      55.76      75.58

Fund Market

    21.79        9.26        7.70         21.79        55.73        75.46  

Index

    22.60        9.68        8.03               22.60        58.70        79.69  

GROWTH OF $10,000 INVESTMENT

(SINCE INCEPTION AT NET ASSET VALUE)

 

LOGO

The inception date of the Fund was 1/31/14. The first day of secondary market trading was 2/4/14.

Past performance is no guarantee 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. See “About Fund Performance” on page 13 for more information.

Expense Example

 

Actual           Hypothetical 5% Return         
 

Beginning
Account Value
(03/01/21)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(08/31/21)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
 (a)(b) 
           

Beginning
Account Value
(03/01/21)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(08/31/21)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
 (a)(b) 
    

Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 
 
 (a)  
$ 1,000.00        $ 1,136.60        $ 0.22             $ 1,000.00        $ 1,025.00        $ 0.20        0.04

 

  (a) 

Annualized expense ratio and expenses paid during the period do not include fees and expenses of the underlying fund in which the Fund invests.

 
  (b) 

Expenses are calculated using the Fund’s annualized expense ratio (as disclosed in the table), multiplied by the average account value for the period, multiplied by the number of days in the period (184 days) and divided by the number of days in the year (365 days). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Shareholder Expenses” on page 13 for more information.

 

 

 

U N D   U M M A R Y

  9


Fund Summary  as of August 31, 2021 (continued)    iShares® Currency Hedged MSCI Germany ETF

 

Portfolio Management Commentary

Stocks in Germany advanced strongly for the reporting period despite new waves of COVID-19 infections and business disruptions that continued to hamper economic growth. Although Germany’s economy contracted in 2020, it outperformed several other European economies due to increased global trade that benefited its export-focused manufacturing sector. The deployment of coronavirus vaccines in early 2021, additional fiscal stimulus and relief packages, and optimism about the economic recovery contributed to equity market gains. Improved economic data and positive earnings also supported market strength.

The consumer discretionary sector contributed the most to the Index’s performance in U.S. dollar terms, as accelerating vaccination rates and easing pandemic restrictions buoyed consumer confidence and spending. The largest source of contribution within the sector came from the automobile manufacturers industry. Favorable conditions in global car markets, improved pricing, and robust demand, particularly for premium cars and electric vehicles, led to robust earnings growth for select carmakers. The internet and direct marketing retail industry also advanced, as food delivery companies benefited from increased demand for their services amid restaurant closures and social distancing mandates.

The industrials sector also bolstered the Index’s return. Strength in the industrial conglomerates industry, largely driven by strong sales of industrial software, led contribution. The transportation industry also contributed, as increased global business activity and growth in e-commerce and digitalization drove the need for logistics services.

The materials sector also contributed. Global economic expansion and robust demand for raw materials led to gains in commodities prices. The largest source of strength within the sector was the diversified chemicals industry, particularly companies that were able to pass on higher raw materials costs to industrials customers.

In terms of currency performance during the reporting period, the euro depreciated by approximately 1% against the U.S. dollar. Investors’ expectations that interest rates in the E.U. would stay low longer than U.S. interest rates pressured the euro.

The euro’s negative performance meant hedging activity contributed to the Index’s return. A fully hedged investor seeks to bypass the currency fluctuations — both on the upside and on the downside — related to holding foreign-currency-denominated securities. The Index’s hedging activity offset the negative impact of the euro’s performance relative to the U.S. dollar, resulting in an Index return that was relatively close to the return of German equities measured in euros.

Portfolio Information

 

ALLOCATION BY INVESTMENT TYPE

 

Investment Type   Percent of
Net Assets
 

Investment Companies

    100.0

Short-term Investments

    0.0 (a)  
Forward foreign currency exchange contracts, net cumulative appreciation     0.4  

Other assets less liabilities

    (0.4

 

  (a)

Rounds to less than 0.1%.

 

ALLOCATION BY SECTOR (of the UNDERLYING FUND)

 

   
Sector   Percent of
Total Investment(a)
 

Consumer Discretionary

    20.9

Industrials

    16.5  

Information Technology

    14.1  

Financials

    13.1  

Health Care

    11.2  

Materials

    8.1  

Communication Services

    5.3  

Real Estate

    4.8  

Utilities

    3.6  

Consumer Staples

    2.4  

 

  (a)

Excludes money market funds.

 
 

 

 

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Fund Summary  as of August 31, 2021    iShares® Currency Hedged MSCI Japan ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Japan ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of large- and mid-capitalization Japanese equities while mitigating exposure to fluctuations between the value of the Japanese yen and the U.S. dollar, as represented by the MSCI Japan 100% Hedged to USD Index (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index. The Fund currently seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing a substantial portion of its assets in one underlying fund, the iShares MSCI Japan ETF.

Performance

 

    Average Annual Total Returns           Cumulative Total Returns  
     1 Year      5 Years      Since
Inception
           1 Year      5 Years      Since
Inception
 

Fund NAV

    24.08      11.22      8.87       24.08      70.15      90.49

Fund Market

    24.10        11.22        8.86         24.10        70.16        90.34  

Index

    24.60        11.90        9.11               24.60        75.42        93.70  

GROWTH OF $10,000 INVESTMENT

(SINCE INCEPTION AT NET ASSET VALUE)

 

LOGO

The inception date of the Fund was 1/31/14. The first day of secondary market trading was 2/4/14.

Past performance is no guarantee 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. See “About Fund Performance” on page 13 for more information.

Expense Example

 

Actual           Hypothetical 5% Return         
 

Beginning
Account Value
(03/01/21)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(08/31/21)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
 (a)(b) 
           

Beginning
Account Value
(03/01/21)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(08/31/21)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
 (a)(b) 
    

Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 
 
 (a) 
$ 1,000.00        $ 1,042.50        $ 0.00             $ 1,000.00        $ 1,025.20        $ 0.00        0.00

 

  (a) 

Annualized expense ratio and expenses paid during the period do not include fees and expenses of the underlying fund in which the Fund invests.

 
  (b) 

Expenses are calculated using the Fund’s annualized expense ratio (as disclosed in the table), multiplied by the average account value for the period, multiplied by the number of days in the period (184 days) and divided by the number of days in the year (365 days). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Shareholder Expenses” on page 13 for more information.

 

 

 

U N D   U M M A R Y

  11


Fund Summary as of August 31, 2021  (continued)    iShares® Currency Hedged MSCI Japan ETF

 

Portfolio Management Commentary

Stocks in Japan advanced during the reporting period as the country emerged from its worst recession since World War II, though the pace of economic growth trailed many developed peers. Rising exports and government stimulus programs supported Japan’s recovery, but a surge in COVID-19 cases, a slow vaccine rollout, and renewed restrictions weighed on domestic household spending. Nevertheless, demand for Japanese exports continued to bolster the economy, and manufacturers’ confidence rose amid the global recovery.

The information technology sector was the largest contributor to the Index’s return in U.S. dollar terms. The electronic equipment and instruments industry benefited from the ongoing adoption of robotics and automated systems in both the manufacturing and service industries. A recovery in demand for sensors and machine vision systems also boosted the industry. Demand for healthcare-related products, semiconductor materials, and office equipment drove strong profits for technology hardware, storage, and peripherals manufacturers. Semiconductor equipment stocks advanced as rising demand for chips amid a global shortage of semiconductors, especially those used in electric vehicles and smartphones, drove earnings growth.

Industrials stocks contributed notably to the Index’s return as overseas demand for capital goods improved. In the machinery industry, rising exports of robots and factory automation equipment boosted profits. Trading companies and distributors benefited from increased demand for commodities and higher prices as economies reopened. The commercial and professional services industry also advanced due to strength in online job advertising.

Consumer discretionary stocks also contributed solidly to the Index’s performance, particularly the automobiles industry. Global demand for cars recovered sharply in 2021, and companies that maintained high production levels despite the global semiconductor shortage logged an increase in sales. In addition, the consumer electronics industry benefited as consumers increased spending on home entertainment during the pandemic.

In terms of currency performance during the reporting period, the Japanese yen depreciated by approximately 4% relative to the U.S. dollar. Weak domestic demand and deflationary pressure weighed on the Japanese yen.

The Japanese yen’s negative performance meant hedging activity contributed to the Index’s return. A fully hedged investor seeks to bypass the currency fluctuations — both on the upside and on the downside — related to holding foreign-currency-denominated securities. The Index’s hedging activity offset the negative impact of the Japanese yen’s performance relative to the U.S. dollar, resulting in an Index return that was relatively close to the return of Japanese equities measured in Japanese yen.

Portfolio Information

 

ALLOCATION BY INVESTMENT TYPE

 

   
Investment Type   Percent of
Net Assets
 

Investment Companies

    99.8
Short-term Investments     0.1  
Forward foreign currency exchange contracts, net cumulative appreciation     0.3  

Other assets less liabilities

    (0.2

ALLOCATION BY SECTOR (of the UNDERLYING FUND)

 

   
Sector   Percent of
Total Investment(a)
 

Industrials

    22.2

Consumer Discretionary

    18.9  

Information Technology

    14.5  

Health Care

    10.3  

Financials

    8.9  

Communication Services

    8.0  

Consumer Staples

    7.1  

Materials

    5.0  

Real Estate

    3.5  

Utilities

    1.0  

Energy

    0.6  

 

  (a)

Excludes money market funds.

 
 

 

 

12  

2 0 2 1   I S H A R E S   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


About Fund Performance

 

Past performance is not an indication of future results. Financial markets have experienced extreme volatility and trading in many instruments has been disrupted. These circumstances may continue for an extended period of time and may continue to affect adversely the value and liquidity of each Fund’s investments. As a result, current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. Performance data current to the most recent month-end is available at iShares.com. Performance results assume reinvestment of all dividends and capital gain distributions and do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. The investment return and principal value of shares will vary with changes in market conditions. Shares may be worth more or less than their original cost when they are redeemed or sold in the market. Performance for certain funds may reflect a waiver of a portion of investment advisory fees. Without such a waiver, performance would have been lower.

Net asset value or “NAV” is the value of one share of a fund as calculated in accordance with the standard formula for valuing mutual fund shares. Beginning August 10, 2020, the price used to calculate market return (“Market Price”) is the closing price. Prior to August 10, 2020, Market Price was determined by using the midpoint between the highest bid and the lowest ask on the primary stock exchange on which shares of a fund are listed for trading, as of the time that such fund’s NAV is calculated. Since shares of a fund may not trade in the secondary market until after the fund’s inception, for the period from inception to the first day of secondary market trading in shares of the fund, the NAV of the fund is used as a proxy for the Market Price to calculate market returns. Market and NAV returns assume that dividends and capital gain distributions have been reinvested at Market Price and NAV, respectively.

An index is a statistical composite that tracks a specified financial market or sector. Unlike a fund, an index does not actually hold a portfolio of securities and therefore does not incur the expenses incurred by a fund. These expenses negatively impact fund performance. Also, market returns do not include brokerage commissions that may be payable on secondary market transactions. If brokerage commissions were included, market returns would be lower.

Shareholder Expenses

As a shareholder of your Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including brokerage commissions on purchases and sales of fund shares and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees and other fund expenses. The expense example, which is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period (or from the commencement of operations if less than 6 months) and held through the end of the period, is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars and cents) of investing in your Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other funds.

Actual Expenses – The table provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. Annualized expense ratios reflect contractual and voluntary fee waivers, if any. To estimate the expenses that you paid on your account over the period, simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During the Period.”

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes – The table also provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on your Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in your Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as brokerage commissions and other fees paid on purchases and sales of fund shares. Therefore, the hypothetical examples are useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

 

B O U T   U N D   E R F O R  M A N C E / S H A R E H O L D E R   X P E N S E S

  13


Schedule of Investments

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® Currency Hedged MSCI Canada ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Investment Companies

   
Exchange-Traded Funds — 100.1%            

iShares MSCI Canada ETF(a)

    444,225     $ 16,587,362  
   

 

 

 

Total Investment Companies — 100.1%
(Cost: $14,366,194)

      16,587,362  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Investments

   
Money Market Funds — 2.5%            

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares,
0.00%(a)(b)

    420,000       420,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments — 2.5%
(Cost: $420,000)

      420,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities — 102.6%
(Cost: $14,786,194)

      17,007,362  

Other Assets, Less Liabilities — (2.6)%

      (437,679
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

    $   16,569,683  
   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Affiliate of the Fund.

(b) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

 

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the year ended August 31, 2021 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

Affiliated Issuer   Value at
08/31/20
    Purchases
at Cost
    Proceeds
from Sales
    Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
    Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
    Value at
08/31/21
    Shares
Held at
08/31/21
    Income    

Capital
Gain

Distributions
from

Underlying
Funds

 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

  $     $ 420,000 (a)    $     $     $     $ 420,000       420,000     $ 2     $         —  

iShares MSCI Canada ETF

    11,540,157       7,296,395       (5,306,502     666,712       2,390,600       16,587,362       444,225       220,567        
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
        $ 666,712     $ 2,390,600     $ 17,007,362       $ 220,569     $  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

 

Currency Purchased
       Currency
Sold
       Counterparty      Settlement Date                  Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
CAD     20,581,000        USD     16,286,908        MS        09/02/21             $ 25,821  
USD         14,916,576        CAD     18,631,000        MS        09/02/21               149,439  
                            

 

 

 
                               175,260  
                            

 

 

 
CAD     126,000        USD     101,002        MS        09/02/21               (1,133
USD     1,641,028        CAD     2,076,000        MS        09/02/21               (4,433
USD     379,038        CAD     479,000        MS        10/04/21               (604
CAD     88,000        USD     69,790        MS        10/05/21               (44
USD     16,285,819        CAD         20,581,000        MS        10/05/21               (26,070
                            

 

 

 
                               (32,284
                            

 

 

 
    Net unrealized appreciation             $ 142,976  
                            

 

 

 

 

 

14  

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Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

   iShares® Currency Hedged MSCI Canada 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

  

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

  

Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts

   $ 175,260  
  

 

 

 

Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instruments

  

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

  

Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts

   $ 32,284  
  

 

 

 

For the period ended August 31, 2021, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

      Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from:

  

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

   $ (763,750
  

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:

  

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

   $ 448,798  
  

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts:

        

Average amounts purchased — in USD

   $ 12,712,948  

Average amounts sold — in USD

   $ 25,363,827  

For more information about the Fund’s investment risks regarding derivative financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.

Derivative Financial Instruments - Offsetting as of Period End

The Fund’s derivative assets and liabilities (by type) were as follows:

 

      Assets        Liabilities  

Derivative Financial Instruments:

       

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

   $ 175,260        $ 32,284  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total derivative assets and liabilities in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities

     175,260          32,284  

Derivatives not subject to a Master Netting Agreement or similar agreement (“MNA”)

               
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total derivative assets and liabilities subject to an MNA

     175,260          32,284  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

The following tables present the Fund’s derivative assets and liabilities by counterparty net of amounts available for offset under an MNA and net of the related collateral received and pledged by the Fund:

 

Counterparty     



Derivative
Assets
Subject to
an MNA by
Counterparty
 
 
 
 
 
      

Derivatives
Available
for Offset
 
 
 (a) 
    

Non-Cash
Collateral
Received
 
 
 
      

Cash
Collateral
Received
 
 
 (b) 
    

Net Amount
of Derivative
Assets
 
 
 

Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC

   $ 175,260        $ (32,284    $        $ (142,976    $  
  

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

 
                  
Counterparty     



Derivative
Liabilities
Subject to
an MNA by
Counterparty
 
 
 
 
 
      

Derivatives
Available
for Offset
 
 
 (a) 
    

Non-Cash
Collateral
Pledged
 
 
 
      

Cash
Collateral
Pledged
 
 
 
    

Net Amount
of Derivative
Liabilities
 
 
 

Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC

   $ 32,284        $ (32,284    $        $      $  
  

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

C H E D U L E   O F  N V E S T M E  N T S

  15


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

   iShares® Currency Hedged MSCI Canada ETF

 

  (a)

The amount of derivatives available for offset is limited to the amount of derivative assets and/or liabilities that are subject to an MNA.

 
  (b)

Excess of collateral received from the individual counterparty is not shown for financial reporting purposes.

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments. 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.

 

      Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

Investments

                 

Assets

                 

Investment Companies

   $ 16,587,362        $        $         —        $ 16,587,362  

Money Market Funds

     420,000                            420,000  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 17,007,362        $        $        $ 17,007,362  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Derivative financial instruments(a)

                 

Assets

                 

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

   $        $ 175,260        $        $ 175,260  

Liabilities

                 

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

              (32,284                 (32,284
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $        $ 142,976        $        $ 142,976  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Derivative financial instruments are forward foreign currency exchange contracts. Forward foreign currency exchange contracts are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

16  

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Schedule of Investments

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® Currency Hedged MSCI Eurozone ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Asset)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Investment Companies

 

Exchange-Traded Funds — 100.0%  

iShares MSCI Eurozone ETF(a)

    14,647,260     $   744,520,226  
   

 

 

 

Total Investment Companies — 100.0%
(Cost: $678,097,972)

 

    744,520,226  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Investments

 

Money Market Funds — 0.1%  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares,
0.00%(a)(b

    1,160,000       1,160,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments — 0.1%
(Cost: $1,160,000)

 

    1,160,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities — 100.1%
(Cost: $679,257,972)

 

    745,680,226  

Other Assets, Less Liabilities — (0.1)%

 

    (1,010,307
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

 

  $   744,669,919  
   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Affiliate of the Fund.

(b) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

 

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the year ended August 31, 2021 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

Affiliated Issuer   Value at
08/31/20
    Purchases
at Cost
    Proceeds
from Sales
    Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
    Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
    Value at
08/31/21
    Shares
Held at
08/31/21
    Income     Capital
Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds
 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

  $     $ 1,160,000 (a)    $     $     $     $ 1,160,000       1,160,000     $ 234     $  

iShares MSCI Eurozone ETF

    568,545,846       644,205,860       (615,398,673     29,374,105       117,793,088       744,520,226       14,647,260       15,265,025        
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
        $ 29,374,105     $ 117,793,088     $ 745,680,226       $ 15,265,259     $  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

 

Currency
Purchased
       Currency
Sold
       Counterparty      Settlement Date                Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
EUR     15,998,000        USD     18,877,741        DB      09/03/21           $ 12,248  
EUR     55,513,834        USD     65,532,282        MS      09/03/21             16,893  
EUR         557,543,511        USD         658,152,237        SSB      09/03/21             179,466  
USD     5,480,851        EUR     4,624,000        JPM      09/03/21             20,962  
USD     75,295,902        EUR     63,461,834        MS      09/03/21             361,952  
USD     660,973,118        EUR     557,086,511        UBS      09/03/21             3,181,027  
                            

 

 

 
                               3,772,548  
                            

 

 

 
EUR     2,522,000        USD     2,992,154        JPM      09/03/21             (14,248
USD     5,585,253        EUR     4,767,000        BOA      09/03/21             (43,486
USD     1,917,398        EUR     1,638,000        JPM      09/03/21             (16,706
EUR     1,259,000        USD     1,487,860        JPM      10/05/21             (323
USD     65,465,840        EUR     55,423,834        MS      10/05/21             (18,687

 

 

C H E D U L E   O F  N V E S T M E  N T S

  17


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® Currency Hedged MSCI Eurozone ETF

 

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts (continued)    

 

Currency
Purchased
       Currency
Sold
       Counterparty      Settlement Date                  Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
USD         680,073,165        EUR         575,749,511        SSB        10/05/21             $ (188,046
                            

 

 

 
                               (281,496
                            

 

 

 
Net unrealized appreciation

 

          $ 3,491,052  
                            

 

 

 

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

 

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

  

Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts

   $ 3,772,548  
  

 

 

 
Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instruments  

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

  

Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts

   $ 281,496  
  

 

 

 

For the period ended August 31, 2021, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

      Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
 
Net Realized Gain (Loss) from:  

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

   $ 3,987,483  
  

 

 

 
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:       

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

   $ 8,111,878  
  

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts:

        

Average amounts purchased — in USD

   $ 655,712,437  

Average amounts sold — in USD

   $ 1,282,605,099  

For more information about the Fund’s investment risks regarding derivative financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.

Derivative Financial Instruments - Offsetting as of Period End

The Fund’s derivative assets and liabilities (by type) were as follows:

 

      Assets        Liabilities  

Derivative Financial Instruments:

       

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

   $ 3,772,548        $ 281,496  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total derivative assets and liabilities in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities

     3,772,548          281,496  

Derivatives not subject to a Master Netting Agreement or similar agreement (“MNA”)

               
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total derivative assets and liabilities subject to an MNA

     3,772,548          281,496  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

18  

2 0 2 1   I S H A R E S   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® Currency Hedged MSCI Eurozone ETF

 

The following tables present the Fund’s derivative assets and liabilities by counterparty net of amounts available for offset under an MNA and net of the related collateral received and pledged by the Fund:

 

Counterparty     



Derivative
Assets
Subject to
an MNA by
Counterparty



 
 
      

Derivatives
Available
for Offset
 
 
 (a) 
    

Non-Cash
Collateral
Received
 
 
 
      

Cash
Collateral
Received
 
 
 (b) 
    

Net Amount
of Derivative
Assets
 
 
 (c)(d)  

Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.

   $ 12,248        $      $        $      $ 12,248  

JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A

     20,962          (20,962                       

Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC

     378,845          (18,687               (360,158       

State Street Bank and Trust Co.

     179,466          (179,466                       

UBS AG

     3,181,027                                 3,181,027  
  

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 3,772,548        $ (219,115    $        $ (360,158    $ 3,193,275  
  

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

 
                  
Counterparty     



Derivative
Liabilities
Subject to an
MNA by
Counterparty
 
 
 
 
 
      

Derivatives
Available
for Offset
 
 
 (a) 
    

Non-Cash
Collateral
Pledged
 
 
 
      

Cash
Collateral
Pledged
 
 
 
    

Net Amount
of Derivative
Liabilities
 
 
 (d)(e) 

Bank of America N.A

   $ 43,486        $      $        $      $ 43,486  

JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A

     31,277          (20,962                      10,315  

Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC

     18,687          (18,687                       

State Street Bank and Trust Co

     188,046          (179,466                      8,580  
  

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 281,496        $ (219,115    $        $      $ 62,381  
  

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

The amount of derivatives available for offset is limited to the amount of derivative assets and/or liabilities that are subject to an MNA.

 
  (b) 

Excess of collateral received from the individual counterparty is not shown for financial reporting purposes.

 
  (c)

Net amount represents the net amount receivable from the counterparty in the event of default.

 
  (d)

Net amount may also include forward foreign currency exchange contracts that are not required to be collateralized.

 
  (e) 

Net amount represents the net amount payable due to the counterparty in the event of default.

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments. 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.

 

      Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

Investments

                 

Assets

                 

Investment Companies

   $ 744,520,226        $        $         —        $ 744,520,226  

Money Market Funds

     1,160,000                            1,160,000  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 745,680,226        $        $        $ 745,680,226  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Derivative financial instruments(a)

                 

Assets

                 

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

   $        $ 3,772,548        $        $ 3,772,548  

Liabilities

                 

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

              (281,496                 (281,496
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $        $ 3,491,052        $        $ 3,491,052  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Derivative financial instruments are forward foreign currency exchange contracts. Forward foreign currency exchange contracts are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

C H E D U L E  O F  N V E S T M E N  T S

  19


Schedule of Investments

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® Currency Hedged MSCI Germany ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Investment Companies

   
Exchange-Traded Funds — 100.0%            

iShares MSCI Germany ETF(a)

    1,813,477     $ 63,381,021  
   

 

 

 

Total Investment Companies — 100.0%
(Cost: $63,862,784)

      63,381,021  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Investments

   
Money Market Funds — 0.0%            

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares,
0.00%(a)(b)

    30,000       30,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments — 0.0%
(Cost: $30,000)

      30,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities — 100.0%
(Cost: $63,892,784)

      63,411,021  

Other Assets, Less Liabilities — (0.0)%

      (16,649
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

    $   63,394,372  
   

 

 

 

 

(a)

Affiliate of the Fund.

(b) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

 

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the year ended August 31, 2021 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

Affiliated Issuer   Value at
08/31/20
    Purchases
at Cost
    Proceeds
from Sales
    Net
Realized
Gain (Loss)
    Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
    Value at
08/31/21
    Shares
Held at
08/31/21
    Income     Capital
Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds
 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury,
SL Agency Shares

  $     $ 30,000 (a)     $     $     $     $ 30,000       30,000     $ 24     $  

iShares MSCI Germany ETF

    75,787,255       337,652,888       (360,684,706     6,145,419       4,480,165       63,381,021       1,813,477       1,871,322        
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
        $ 6,145,419     $ 4,480,165     $ 63,411,021       $ 1,871,346     $  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

 

Currency
Purchased

       Currency
Sold
       Counterparty      Settlement Date                  Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
EUR     26,000        USD     30,625        CBA        09/03/21             $ 75  
EUR     40,000        USD     46,957        CITI        09/03/21               274  
EUR     5,283,400        USD     6,236,911        MS        09/03/21               1,579  
EUR     47,550,600        USD     56,131,106        SSB        09/03/21               15,306  
EUR     4,270,000        USD     5,015,946        TDB        09/03/21               25,951  
EUR     4,304,000        USD     5,078,746        UBS        09/03/21               3,296  
USD     1,652,768        EUR     1,396,000        BSCH        09/03/21               4,410  
USD     5,441,063        EUR     4,585,800        MS        09/03/21               26,280  
USD         59,165,372        EUR         49,863,200        UBS        09/03/21               288,307  
USD     15,363        EUR     13,000        JPM        10/05/21               3  
                            

 

 

 
                               365,481  
                            

 

 

 
EUR     4,161,000        USD     4,928,402        JPM        09/03/21               (15,210

 

 

20  

2 0 2 1   I S H A R E S   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® Currency Hedged MSCI Germany ETF

 

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts (continued)

 

Currency Purchased
       Currency
Sold
       Counterparty      Settlement Date                  Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
EUR     24,000        USD     28,476        MS        09/03/21             $ (138
EUR     232,000        USD     275,239        RBS        09/03/21               (1,299
EUR     11,000        USD     13,030        SSB        09/03/21               (42
USD     8,336,089        EUR     7,101,000        CBA        09/03/21               (48,572
USD     74,225        EUR     63,000        CITI        09/03/21               (164
USD     3,369,093        EUR     2,860,000        SSB        09/03/21               (7,915
USD     38,680        EUR     33,000        UBS        09/03/21               (285
USD     6,240,692        EUR     5,283,400        MS        10/05/21               (1,766
USD         57,459,997        EUR         48,645,600        SSB        10/05/21               (15,892
                            

 

 

 
                               (91,283
                            

 

 

 
    Net unrealized appreciation                $ 274,198  
                            

 

 

 

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

 

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

  

Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts

   $ 365,481  
  

 

 

 
Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instruments  

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

  

Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts

   $ 91,283  
  

 

 

 

For the period ended August 31, 2021, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

      Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
 
Net Realized Gain (Loss) from:  

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

   $ 202,748  
  

 

 

 
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:       

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

   $ 903,840  
  

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts:

        

Average amounts purchased — in USD

   $ 89,729,124  

Average amounts sold — in USD

   $ 154,618,401  

For more information about the Fund’s investment risks regarding derivative financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.

 

 

C H E D U L E  O F  N V E S T M E N  T S

  21


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® Currency Hedged MSCI Germany  ETF

 

Derivative Financial Instruments - Offsetting as of Period End

The Fund’s derivative assets and liabilities (by type) were as follows:

 

      Assets        Liabilities  

Derivative Financial Instruments:

       

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

   $ 365,481        $ 91,283  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total derivative assets and liabilities in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities

     365,481          91,283  

Derivatives not subject to a Master Netting Agreement or similar agreement (“MNA”)

               
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total derivative assets and liabilities subject to an MNA

     365,481          91,283  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

The following tables present the Fund’s derivative assets and liabilities by counterparty net of amounts available for offset under an MNA and net of the related collateral received and pledged by the Fund:

 

Counterparty     



Derivative
Assets
Subject to
an MNA by
Counterparty




 
      

Derivatives
Available
for Offset


 (a) 
    

Non-Cash
Collateral
Received


 
      

Cash
Collateral
Received


 
      

Net Amount
of Derivative
Assets


 (b)(c) 

Banco Santander Central Hispano

   $ 4,410        $      $        $        $ 4,410  

Citibank N.A

     274          (164                        110  

Commonwealth Bank of Australia

     75          (75                         

JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.

     3          (3                         

Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC

     27,859          (1,904                        25,955  

State Street Bank and Trust Co

     15,306          (15,306                         

Toronto Dominion Bank

     25,951                                   25,951  

UBS AG

     291,603          (285                        291,318  
  

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 365,481        $ (17,737    $        $        $ 347,744  
  

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

Counterparty     



Derivative
Liabilities
Subject to
an MNA by
Counterparty




 
      

Derivatives
Available
for Offset


 (a) 
    

Non-Cash
Collateral
Pledged


 
      

Cash
Collateral
Pledged


 
      

Net Amount
of Derivative
Liabilities


 (c)(d) 

Citibank N.A

   $ 164        $ (164    $        $        $  

Commonwealth Bank of Australia

     48,572          (75                        48,497  

JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.

     15,210          (3                        15,207  

Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC

     1,904          (1,904                         

Royal Bank of Scotland PLC

     1,299                                   1,299  

State Street Bank and Trust Co

     23,849          (15,306                        8,543  

UBS AG

     285          (285                         
  

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 91,283        $ (17,737    $        $        $ 73,546  
  

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

The amount of derivatives available for offset is limited to the amount of derivative assets and/or liabilities that are subject to an MNA.

 
  (b) 

Net amount represents the net amount receivable from the counterparty in the event of default.

 
  (c) 

Net amount may also include forward foreign currency exchange contracts that are not required to be collateralized.

 
  (d) 

Net amount represents the net amount payable due to the counterparty in the event of default.

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments. 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.

 

 

22  

2 0 2 1   I S H A R E S   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® Currency Hedged MSCI Germany  ETF

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End (continued)

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.

 

      Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

Investments

                 

Assets

                 

Investment Companies

   $ 63,381,021        $        $         —        $ 63,381,021  

Money Market Funds

     30,000                            30,000  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 63,411,021        $        $        $ 63,411,021  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Derivative financial instruments(a)

                 

Assets

                 

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

   $        $ 365,481        $        $ 365,481  

Liabilities

                 

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

              (91,283                 (91,283
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $        $ 274,198        $        $ 274,198  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Derivative financial instruments are forward foreign currency exchange contracts. Forward foreign currency exchange contracts are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

C H E D U L E  O F  N V E S T M E N  T S

  23


Schedule of Investments

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® Currency Hedged MSCI Japan ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Investment Companies

   
Exchange-Traded Funds — 99.8%            

iShares MSCI Japan ETF(a)

    7,812,678     $ 534,387,175  
   

 

 

 

Total Investment Companies — 99.8%
(Cost: $523,509,523)

      534,387,175  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Investments

   
Money Market Funds — 0.1%            

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares,
0.00%(a)(b)

    210,000       210,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments — 0.1%
(Cost: $210,000)

      210,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities — 99.9%
(Cost: $523,719,523)

      534,597,175  

Other Assets, Less Liabilities — 0.1%

      801,233  
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

    $   535,398,408  
   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Affiliate of the Fund.

(b) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

 

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the year ended August 31, 2021 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

Affiliated Issuer   Value at
08/31/20
    Purchases
at Cost
    Proceeds
from Sales
    Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
    Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
    Value at
08/31/21
    Shares
Held at
08/31/21
    Income     Capital
Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds
 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

  $     $ 210,000 (a)     $     $     $     $ 210,000       210,000     $ 95     $  

iShares MSCI Japan ETF

    247,444,914       640,437,539       (405,086,210     31,871,559       19,719,373       534,387,175       7,812,678       5,011,836        
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
        $ 31,871,559     $ 19,719,373     $ 534,597,175       $ 5,011,931     $  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

 

Currency
Purchased
      

Currency
Sold

       Counterparty      Settlement Date                  Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
JPY     4,963,000        USD     44,885        CITI        09/03/21             $ 228  
JPY     634,998,000        USD     5,756,465        UBS        09/03/21               15,498  
USD     5,679,821        JPY     622,655,000        JPM        09/03/21               20,052  
USD     53,466,238        JPY     5,866,225,600        MS        09/03/21               143,804  
USD     485,504,073        JPY         53,272,371,400        UBS        09/03/21               1,272,361  
USD         478,652,147        JPY     52,569,982,400        CITI        10/05/21               673,108  
USD     49,607,848        JPY     5,448,479,600        MS        10/05/21               68,950  
USD     5,122,817        JPY     562,639,000        SSB        10/05/21               7,167  
                            

 

 

 
                               2,201,168  
                            

 

 

 
JPY     52,569,982,400        USD     478,521,003        CITI        09/03/21               (673,820
JPY     248,106,000        USD     2,260,972        JPM        09/03/21               (5,754
JPY     6,518,132,600        USD     59,343,772        MS        09/03/21               (95,678

 

 

24  

2 0 2 1   I S H A R E S   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® Currency Hedged MSCI Japan ETF

 

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts (continued)

 

Currency Purchased        Currency
Sold
       Counterparty      Settlement Date                  Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
USD     1,946,717        JPY         214,930,000        RBS        09/03/21             $ (6,940
JPY         175,599,000        USD     1,597,171        CBA        10/05/21               (583
                            

 

 

 
                               (782,775
                            

 

 

 
    Net unrealized appreciation             $ 1,418,393  
                            

 

 

 

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

 

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

  

Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts

   $ 2,201,168  
  

 

 

 
Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instruments  

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

  

Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts

   $ 782,775  
  

 

 

 

For the period ended August 31, 2021, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

      Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
 
Net Realized Gain (Loss) from:  

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

   $ 15,043,782  
  

 

 

 
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:       

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

   $ 882,392  
  

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts:

        

Average amounts purchased — in USD

   $ 404,157,475  

Average amounts sold — in USD

   $ 796,005,296  

For more information about the Fund’s investment risks regarding derivative financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.

Derivative Financial Instruments - Offsetting as of Period End

The Fund’s derivative assets and liabilities (by type) were as follows:

 

      Assets      Liabilities  

Derivative Financial Instruments:

     

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

   $ 2,201,168      $ 782,775  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total derivative assets and liabilities in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities

     2,201,168        782,775  

Derivatives not subject to a Master Netting Agreement or similar agreement (“MNA”)

             
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total derivative assets and liabilities subject to an MNA

     2,201,168        782,775  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

C H E D U L E  O F  N V E S T M E N  T S

  25


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® Currency Hedged MSCI Japan ETF

 

The following tables present the Fund’s derivative assets and liabilities by counterparty net of amounts available for offset under an MNA and net of the related collateral received and pledged by the Fund:

 

Counterparty     



Derivative
Assets
Subject to
an MNA by
Counterparty
 
 
 
 
 
      

Derivatives
Available
for Offset
 
 
 (a) 
    

Non-Cash
Collateral
Received
 
 
 
      

Cash
Collateral
Received
 
 
 
      

Net Amount
of Derivative
Assets
 
 
 (b)(c) 

Citibank N.A

   $ 673,336        $ (673,336    $        $        $  

JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A

     20,052          (5,754                        14,298  

Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC

     212,754          (95,678                        117,076  

State Street Bank and Trust Co.

     7,167                                   7,167  

UBS AG

     1,287,859                                   1,287,859  
  

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 2,201,168        $ (774,768    $        $        $ 1,426,400  
  

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
                    
Counterparty     



Derivative
Liabilities
Subject to
an MNA by
Counterparty
 
 
 
 
 
      

Derivatives
Available
for Offset
 
 
 (a) 
    

Non-Cash
Collateral
Pledged
 
 
 
      

Cash
Collateral
Pledged
 
 
 
      

Net Amount
of Derivative
Liabilities
 
 
 (c)(d) 

Citibank N.A

   $ 673,820        $ (673,336    $        $        $ 484  

Commonwealth Bank of Australia

     583                                   583  

JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A

     5,754          (5,754                         

Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC

     95,678          (95,678                         

Royal Bank of Scotland PLC

     6,940                                   6,940  
  

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 782,775        $ (774,768    $        $        $ 8,007  
  

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

The amount of derivatives available for offset is limited to the amount of derivative assets and/or liabilities that are subject to an MNA.

 
  (b) 

Net amount represents the net amount receivable from the counterparty in the event of default.

 
  (c) 

Net amount may also include forward foreign currency exchange contracts that are not required to be collateralized.

 
  (d) 

Net amount represents the net amount payable due to the counterparty in the event of default.

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments. 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.

 

      Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

Investments

                 

Assets

                 

Investment Companies

   $ 534,387,175        $        $         —        $ 534,387,175  

Money Market Funds

     210,000                            210,000  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 534,597,175        $        $        $ 534,597,175  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Derivative financial instruments(a)

                 

Assets

                 

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

   $        $ 2,201,168        $        $ 2,201,168  

Liabilities

                 

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

              (782,775                 (782,775
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $        $ 1,418,393        $        $ 1,418,393  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Derivative financial instruments are forward foreign currency exchange contracts. Forward foreign currency exchange contracts are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

26  

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Statements of Assets and Liabilities

August 31, 2021

 

 

     iShares
Currency
Hedged
MSCI
Canada ETF
     iShares
Currency
Hedged
MSCI
Eurozone
ETF
     iShares
Currency
Hedged
MSCI
Germany
ETF
    iShares
Currency
Hedged
MSCI Japan
ETF
 

ASSETS

         

Investments in securities, at value:

         

Affiliated(a)

  $ 17,007,362      $ 745,680,226      $ 63,411,021     $ 534,597,175  

Cash

    7,986        2,395        1,915       8,840  

Receivables:

         

Investments sold

           1,094,497               

Capital shares sold

    5,735                      

Dividends

           5              1  

Unrealized appreciation on:

         

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

    175,260        3,772,548        365,481       2,201,168  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

    17,196,343        750,549,671        63,778,417       536,807,184  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

         

Cash received:

         

Collateral — OTC derivatives

    420,000        770,000               

Payables:

         

Investments purchased

    174,004        4,809,243        290,536       626,001  

Investment advisory fees

    372        19,013        2,226        

Unrealized depreciation on:

         

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

    32,284        281,496        91,283       782,775  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    626,660        5,879,752        384,045       1,408,776  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 16,569,683      $ 744,669,919      $ 63,394,372     $ 535,398,408  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:

         

Paid-in capital

  $ 14,607,092      $ 714,351,006      $ 107,503,101     $ 577,403,323  

Accumulated earnings (loss)

    1,962,591        30,318,913        (44,108,729     (42,004,915
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 16,569,683      $ 744,669,919      $ 63,394,372     $ 535,398,408  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Shares outstanding

    510,000        19,950,000        1,900,000       13,850,000  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value

  $ 32.49      $ 37.33      $ 33.37     $ 38.66  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Shares authorized

    Unlimited        Unlimited        Unlimited       Unlimited  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Par value

    None        None        None       None  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

(a)  Investments, at cost — Affiliated

  $ 14,786,194      $ 679,257,972      $ 63,892,784     $ 523,719,523  

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

  27


 

Statements of Operations

Year Ended August 31, 2021

 

 

     iShares
Currency
Hedged
MSCI
Canada ETF
    iShares
Currency
Hedged
MSCI
Eurozone
ETF
    iShares
Currency
Hedged
MSCI
Germany
ETF
    iShares
Currency
Hedged
MSCI Japan
ETF
 

INVESTMENT INCOME

       

Dividends — Affiliated

  $ 220,569     $ 15,265,259     $ 1,871,346     $ 5,011,931  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investment income

    220,569       15,265,259       1,871,346       5,011,931  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EXPENSES

       

Investment advisory fees

    73,175       3,711,138       352,909       1,923,040  

Miscellaneous

    173       173       173       173  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses

    73,348       3,711,311       353,082       1,923,213  

Less:

       

Investment advisory fees waived

    (69,635     (3,531,566     (331,772     (1,913,542
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived

    3,713       179,745       21,310       9,671  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    216,856       15,085,514       1,850,036       5,002,260  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

       

Net realized gain (loss) from:

       

Investments — Affiliated

    67,049       (1,758,231     (449,499     (768,889

In-kind redemptions — Affiliated

    599,663       31,132,336       6,594,918       32,640,448  

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

    (763,750     3,987,483       202,748       15,043,782  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net realized gain (loss)

    (97,038     33,361,588       6,348,167       46,915,341  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

       

Investments — Affiliated

    2,390,600       117,793,088       4,480,165       19,719,373  

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

    448,798       8,111,878       903,840       882,392  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    2,839,398       125,904,966       5,384,005       20,601,765  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain

    2,742,360       159,266,554       11,732,172       67,517,106  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

  $ 2,959,216     $ 174,352,068     $ 13,582,208     $ 72,519,366  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

28  

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Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

    iShares
Currency Hedged MSCI Canada ETF
    iShares
Currency Hedged MSCI Eurozone ETF
 
     Year Ended
08/31/21
    Year Ended
08/31/20
    Year Ended
08/31/21
    Year Ended
08/31/20
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

       

OPERATIONS

       

Net investment income

  $ 216,856     $ 989,114     $ 15,085,514     $ 8,794,540  

Net realized gain (loss)

    (97,038     (328,024     33,361,588       (108,399,386

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    2,839,398       (1,262,236     125,904,966       44,690,383  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    2,959,216       (601,146     174,352,068       (54,914,463
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a)

       

From net investment income

    (217,525     (1,511,241     (15,122,753     (33,868,861

Return of capital

                      (28,592
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

    (217,525     (1,511,241     (15,122,753     (33,897,453
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

       

Net increase (decrease) in net assets derived from capital share transactions

    2,272,139       (24,621,385     15,471,012       (210,205,834
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

       

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

    5,013,830       (26,733,772     174,700,327       (299,017,750

Beginning of year

    11,555,853       38,289,625       569,969,592       868,987,342  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of year

  $ 16,569,683     $ 11,555,853     $ 744,669,919     $ 569,969,592  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L  T A T E M E N T S

  29


Statements of Changes in Net Assets  (continued)

 

     iShares
Currency Hedged MSCI Germany ETF
    iShares
Currency Hedged MSCI Japan ETF
 
      Year Ended
08/31/21
    Year Ended
08/31/20
    Year Ended
08/31/21
    Year Ended
08/31/20
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

        

OPERATIONS

        

Net investment income

   $ 1,850,036     $ 966,557     $ 5,002,260     $ 6,964,612  

Net realized gain (loss)

     6,348,167       (18,127,119     46,915,341       (23,725,922

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

     5,384,005       23,875,659       20,601,765       36,205,304  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

     13,582,208       6,715,097       72,519,366       19,443,994  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a)

        

From net investment income

     (1,854,347     (966,557     (5,002,254     (6,967,089

Return of capital

           (1,677            
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

     (1,854,347     (968,234     (5,002,254     (6,967,089
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

        

Net increase (decrease) in net assets derived from capital share transactions

     (24,290,125     (84,409,886     220,624,947       (94,358,704
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

        

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

     (12,562,264     (78,663,023     288,142,059       (81,881,799

Beginning of year

     75,956,636       154,619,659       247,256,349       329,138,148  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of year

   $ 63,394,372     $ 75,956,636     $ 535,398,408     $ 247,256,349  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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2 0 2 1   I S H A R E S   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Canada ETF  
   

Year Ended
08/31/21

   

Year Ended
08/31/20

    

Year Ended
08/31/19

    

Year Ended
08/31/18

    

Year Ended
08/31/17

 
                   

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 25.68       $ 26.41         $ 26.79         $ 24.70         $ 23.54  
 

 

 

     

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.53         0.71           0.59           0.56           0.24  

Net realized and unrealized gain(b)

    6.80         0.30           0.30           2.10           1.38  
 

 

 

     

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

 

Net increase from investment operations

    7.33         1.01           0.89           2.66           1.62  
 

 

 

     

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

 

Distributions(c)

                       

From net investment income

    (0.52       (1.37         (0.64         (0.57         (0.46

From net realized gain

            (0.37         (0.63                    
 

 

 

     

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.52       (1.74         (1.27         (0.57         (0.46
 

 

 

     

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 32.49       $ 25.68         $ 26.41         $ 26.79         $ 24.70  
 

 

 

     

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

                       

Based on net asset value

    28.81       4.08         3.84         10.82         6.86
 

 

 

     

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

                       

Total expenses(e)

    0.62       0.62         0.62         0.62         0.62
 

 

 

     

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived(e)

    0.03       0.03         0.03         0.03         0.03
 

 

 

     

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

 

Net investment income

    1.84       2.75         2.31         2.12         0.98
 

 

 

     

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

                       

Net assets, end of year (000)

  $ 16,570       $ 11,556         $ 38,290         $ 5,357         $ 2,470  
 

 

 

     

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(f)(g)

    10       15         12         10         8
 

 

 

     

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

 

 

(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) 

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(e) 

The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of fees and expenses incurred by the underlying fund in which the Fund is invested (“acquired fund fees and expenses”). This ratio does not include these acquired fund fees and expenses.

(f) 

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

(g) 

Portfolio turnover rate excludes the portfolio activity of the underlying fund in which the Fund is invested. See the underlying fund’s financial highlights for its respective portfolio turnover rates.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L  I G H L I G H T S

  31


Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Eurozone ETF  
    Year Ended
08/31/21
   

Year Ended
08/31/20

    

Year Ended
08/31/19

    

Year Ended
08/31/18

    

Year Ended
08/31/17

 
                   

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 28.36       $ 29.86         $ 29.76         $ 28.83         $ 24.73  
 

 

 

     

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.83         0.35           0.76           0.79           0.64  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(b)

    9.00         (0.64         0.24           1.03           4.07  
 

 

 

     

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    9.83         (0.29         1.00           1.82           4.71  
 

 

 

     

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

 

Distributions(c)

                       

From net investment income

    (0.86       (0.38         (0.90         (0.89         (0.61

From net realized gain

            (0.83         (0.00 )(d)                      

Return of capital

            (0.00 )(d)                               (0.00 )(d)  
 

 

 

     

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.86       (1.21         (0.90         (0.89         (0.61
 

 

 

     

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 37.33       $ 28.36         $ 29.86         $ 29.76         $ 28.83  
 

 

 

     

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

 

Total Return(e)

                       

Based on net asset value

    35.04       (1.21 )%          3.41         6.36         19.13
 

 

 

     

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

                       

Total expenses(f)

    0.62       0.62         0.62         0.62         0.62
 

 

 

     

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived(f)

    0.03       0.03         0.03         0.03         0.03
 

 

 

     

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

 

Net investment income

    2.52       1.18         2.63         2.61         2.32
 

 

 

     

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

                       

Net assets, end of year (000)

  $ 744,670       $ 569,970         $ 868,987         $ 1,660,448         $ 1,791,673  
 

 

 

     

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(g)(h)

    14       10         5         11         9
 

 

 

     

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

 

 

(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) 

Rounds to less than $0.01.

(e) 

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(f) 

The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of fees and expenses incurred by the underlying fund in which the Fund is invested (“acquired fund fees and expenses”). This ratio does not include these acquired fund fees and expenses.

(g) 

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

(h) 

Portfolio turnover rate excludes the portfolio activity of the underlying fund in which the Fund is invested. See the underlying fund’s financial highlights for its respective portfolio turnover rates.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Germany ETF  
     Year Ended
08/31/21
     Year Ended
08/31/20
     Year Ended
08/31/19
     Year Ended
08/31/18
     Year Ended
08/31/17
 

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 28.13      $ 26.21      $ 27.64      $ 26.82      $ 24.03  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.85        0.21        0.55        0.53        0.74  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(b)

    5.31        2.06        (1.25      1.02        2.62  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    6.16        2.27        (0.70      1.55        3.36  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions(c)

             

From net investment income

    (0.92      (0.35      (0.73      (0.73      (0.57

Return of capital

           (0.00 )(d)       (0.00 )(d)                
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.92      (0.35      (0.73      (0.73      (0.57
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 33.37      $ 28.13      $ 26.21      $ 27.64      $ 26.82  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Return(e)

             

Based on net asset value

    22.12      8.71      (2.65 )%       5.83      13.88
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

             

Total expenses(f)

    0.53      0.53      0.53      0.53      0.53
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived(f)

    0.03      0.02      0.04      0.06      0.05
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income

    2.78      0.77      2.09      1.87      2.75
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

             

Net assets, end of year (000)

  $ 63,394      $ 75,957      $ 154,620      $ 330,346      $ 791,051  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(g)(h)

    16      12      5      11      9
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(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) 

Rounds to less than $0.01.

(e) 

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(f) 

The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of fees and expenses incurred by the underlying fund in which the Fund is invested (“acquired fund fees and expenses”). This ratio does not include these acquired fund fees and expenses.

(g) 

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

(h) 

Portfolio turnover rate excludes the portfolio activity of the underlying fund in which the Fund is invested. See the underlying fund’s financial highlights for its respective portfolio turnover rates.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L   H I G H L I G H T S

  33


Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

 

    iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Japan ETF  
     Year Ended
08/31/21
    Year Ended
08/31/20
    Year Ended
08/31/19
    Year Ended
08/31/18
     Year Ended
08/31/17
 

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 31.50     $ 29.13     $ 32.36     $ 29.56      $ 24.73  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.51       0.72       0.45       0.46        0.52  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(b)

    7.06       2.35       (3.04     2.81        4.78  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    7.57       3.07       (2.59     3.27        5.30  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions(c)

          

From net investment income

    (0.41     (0.70     (0.64     (0.47      (0.47
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.41     (0.70     (0.64     (0.47      (0.47
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 38.66     $ 31.50     $ 29.13     $ 32.36      $ 29.56  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

          

Based on net asset value

    24.08     10.52     (8.06 )%      11.07      21.50
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

          

Total expenses(e)

    0.53     0.53     0.53     0.53      0.53
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived(e)

    0.00 %(f)       0.00 %(f)       0.00 %(f)       0.01      0.00 %(f)  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income

    1.38     2.31     1.47     1.41      1.84
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

          

Net assets, end of year (000)

  $ 535,398     $ 247,256     $ 329,138     $ 1,004,834      $ 1,198,726  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(g)(h)

    7     9     9     9      11
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(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) 

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(e) 

The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of fees and expenses incurred by the underlying fund in which the Fund is invested (“acquired fund fees and expenses”). This ratio does not include these acquired fund fees and expenses.

(f) 

Rounds to less than 0.01%.

(g) 

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

(h) 

Portfolio turnover rate excludes the portfolio activity of the underlying fund in which the Fund is invested. See the underlying fund’s financial highlights for its respective portfolio turnover rates.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements

 

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”):

 

iShares ETF   Diversification
Classification
    

Currency Hedged MSCI Canada

  Diversified  

Currency Hedged MSCI Eurozone

  Diversified  

Currency Hedged MSCI Germany

  Diversified     

Currency Hedged MSCI Japan

  Diversified    

Currently each Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing a substantial portion of its assets in an iShares fund (an “underlying fund”). The financial statements, including the accounting policies, and schedules of investments for the underlying funds are available on iShares.com and should be read in conjunction with the Funds’ financial statements.

 

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 from the underlying funds, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Interest income 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. However, each Fund has elected to treat realized gains (losses) from certain foreign currency contracts as capital gain (loss) for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Segregation and Collateralization: In cases where a Fund enters into certain investments (e.g., forward foreign currency exchange contracts) that would be treated as “senior securities” for 1940 Act purposes, a Fund may segregate or designate on its books and record cash or liquid assets having a market value at least equal to the amount of its future obligations under such investments. Doing so allows the investment to be excluded from treatment as a “senior security.” Furthermore, 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 or obligations.

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. The character and timing of distributions are determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP.

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.

 

 

O T E S  T O  I N A N C I A L  T A T E M E N T S

  35


Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

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. Each Fund determines the fair values of its financial instruments using various independent dealers or pricing services under policies approved by the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”). 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 a policy approved by the Board as reflecting fair value. The BlackRock Global Valuation Methodologies Committee (the “Global Valuation Committee”) is the committee formed by management to develop global pricing policies and procedures and to oversee the pricing function for all financial instruments.

Fair Value Inputs and Methodologies: The following methods and inputs are used to establish the fair value of each Fund’s assets and liabilities:

   

Exchange-traded funds and closed-end funds traded on a recognized securities exchange are valued at that day’s last traded price or official closing price, as applicable, on the exchange where the fund is primarily traded. Funds traded on a recognized exchange for which there were no sales on that day may be valued at the last traded price.

   

Investments in open-end U.S. mutual funds (including money market funds) are valued at that day’s published NAV.

   

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts are valued based on that day’s prevailing forward exchange rate for the underlying currencies.

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 Global Valuation Committee, in accordance with a policy approved by the Board as reflecting fair value (“Fair Valued Investments”). The fair valuation approaches that may be used by the Global 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 Global Valuation Committee, or its delegate, 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 Global Valuation Committee, or its delegate, deems relevant and consistent with the principles of fair value measurement. The pricing of all Fair Valued Investments is subsequently reported to the Board or a committee thereof on a quarterly basis.

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. 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 for identical assets or liabilities that each Fund has the ability to access;

   

Level 2 — Other observable inputs (including, but not limited to, quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in markets that are active, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the assets or liabilities (such as interest rates, yield curves, volatilities, prepayment speeds, loss severities, credit risks and default rates) or other market-corroborated inputs); and

   

Level 3 — Unobservable inputs based on the best information available in the circumstances, to the extent observable inputs are not available, (including the Global 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 Global 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.

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts: Forward foreign currency exchange contracts are entered into to gain or reduce exposure to foreign currencies (foreign currency exchange rate risk).

A forward foreign currency exchange contract is an agreement between two parties to buy and sell a currency at a set exchange rate on a specified date. These contracts help to manage the overall exposure to the currencies in which some of the investments held by the Funds are denominated and in some cases, may be used to obtain exposure to a particular market.The contracts are traded over-the-counter (“OTC”) and not on an organized exchange.

The contract is marked-to-market daily and the change in market value is recorded as unrealized appreciation or depreciation 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 value at the time it was opened and the value at the time it was closed. Non-deliverable forward foreign currency exchange contracts are settled with the counterparty in cash without the delivery of foreign currency. The use of forward foreign currency exchange contracts involves the risk that the value of a contract changes unfavorably due to movements in the value of the referenced foreign currencies, and such value may exceed the amount(s) reflected in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. Cash amounts pledged for forward foreign

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

currency exchange contracts are considered restricted and are included in cash pledged as collateral for OTC derivatives in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. A Fund’s risk of loss from counterparty credit risk on OTC derivatives is generally limited to the aggregate unrealized gain netted against any collateral held by the Fund.

Master Netting Arrangements: In order to define its contractual rights and to secure rights that will help mitigate its counterparty risk, a Fund may enter into an International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. Master Agreement (“ISDA Master Agreement”) or similar agreement with its derivative contract counterparties. An ISDA Master Agreement is a bilateral agreement between a Fund and a counterparty that governs certain OTC derivatives and typically contains, among other things, collateral posting terms and netting provisions in the event of a default and/or termination event. Under an ISDA Master Agreement, a Fund may, under certain circumstances, offset with the counterparty certain derivative financial instruments’ payables and/or receivables with collateral held and/or posted and create one single net payment. The provisions of the ISDA Master Agreement typically permit a single net payment in the event of default including the bankruptcy or insolvency of the counterparty. However, bankruptcy or insolvency laws of a particular jurisdiction may impose restrictions on or prohibitions against the right of offset in bankruptcy, insolvency, or other events.

For derivatives traded under an ISDA Master Agreement, the collateral requirements are typically calculated by netting the mark-to-market amount for each transaction under such agreement, and comparing that amount to the value of any collateral currently pledged by a Fund and the counterparty.

Cash collateral that has been pledged to cover obligations of the Funds and cash collateral received from the counterparty, if any, is reported separately in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities as cash pledged as collateral and cash received as collateral, respectively. Non-cash collateral pledged by the Funds, if any, is noted in the Schedules of Investments. Generally, the amount of collateral due from or to a counterparty is subject to a certain minimum transfer amount threshold before a transfer is required, which is determined at the close of business of the Funds. Any additional required collateral is delivered to/pledged by the Funds on the next business day. Typically, the counterparty is not permitted to sell, re-pledge or use cash and non-cash collateral it receives. A Fund generally agrees not to use non-cash collateral that it receives but may, absent default or certain other circumstances defined in the underlying ISDA Master Agreement, be permitted to use cash collateral received. In such cases, interest may be paid pursuant to the collateral arrangement with the counterparty. To the extent amounts due to the Funds from the counterparty are not fully collateralized, each Fund bears the risk of loss from counterparty non-performance. Likewise, to the extent the Funds have delivered collateral to a counterparty and stand ready to perform under the terms of their agreement with such counterparty, each Fund bears the risk of loss from a counterparty in the amount of the value of the collateral in the event the counterparty fails to return such collateral. Based on the terms of agreements, collateral may not be required for all derivative contracts.

For financial reporting purposes, each Fund does not offset derivative assets and derivative liabilities that are subject to netting arrangements, if any, in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

 

5.

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

Investment Advisory Fees: Pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement with the Trust, BlackRock Fund Advisors (“BFA”) manages the investment of each Fund’s assets. BFA is a California corporation indirectly owned by BlackRock, Inc. (“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 the average daily net assets of each Fund as follows:

 

iShares ETF   Investment Advisory Fee

Currency Hedged MSCI Canada

  0.62%

Currency Hedged MSCI Eurozone

  0.62   

Currency Hedged MSCI Germany

  0.53   

Currency Hedged MSCI Japan

  0.53   

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 is a fund’s total annual operating expenses. Total expenses as shown in the Statement of Operations does not include acquired fund fees and expenses.

For the iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Canada ETF, BFA has contractually agreed to waive a portion of its investment advisory fee for the Fund through December 31, 2025 so that the Fund’s total annual operating expenses after fee waiver is equal to the acquired fund fees and expenses attributable to the Fund’s investment in the iShares MSCI Canada ETF (“EWC”), after taking into account any fee waivers by EWC, plus 0.03%.

For the iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Eurozone ETF, BFA has contractually agreed to waive a portion of its investment advisory fee for the Fund through December 31, 2025 so that the Fund’s total annual operating expenses after fee waiver is equal to the acquired fund fees and expenses attributable to the Fund’s investment in the iShares MSCI Eurozone ETF (“EZU”), after taking into account any fee waivers by EZU, plus 0.03%.

For the iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Germany ETF, BFA has contractually agreed to waive a portion of its investment advisory fee for the Fund through December 31, 2025 in an amount equal to the acquired fund fees and expenses, if any, attributable to the Fund’s investments in other iShares funds, provided that the waiver be no greater than the Fund’s investment advisory fee of 0.53%.

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

For the iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Japan ETF, BFA has contractually agreed to waive a portion of its investment advisory fee for the Fund through December 31, 2025 in an amount equal to the acquired fund fees and expenses, if any, attributable to the Fund’s investments in other iShares funds, provided that the waiver be no greater than the Fund’s investment advisory fee of 0.53%. BFA has also contractually agreed to waive an additional portion of its investment advisory fee for the Fund through December 31, 2025 such that the Fund’s total annual operating expenses after fee waiver will be equal to the greater of the acquired fund fees and expenses or 0.48%.

These amounts are included in investment advisory fees waived in the Statements of Operations. For the year ended August 31, 2021, the amounts waived in investment advisory fees pursuant to this arrangement were as follows:

 

iShares ETF   Amounts waived  

Currency Hedged MSCI Canada

  $ 69,635  

Currency Hedged MSCI Eurozone

    3,531,566  

Currency Hedged MSCI Germany

    331,772  

Currency Hedged MSCI Japan

    1,913,542  

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.

Officers and Trustees: Certain officers and/or trustees of the Trust are officers and/or trustees of BlackRock or its affiliates.

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.

 

6.

PURCHASES AND SALES

For the year ended August 31, 2021, purchases and sales of investments, excluding short-term investments and in-kind transactions, were as follows:

 

iShares ETF   Purchases      Sales  

Currency Hedged MSCI Canada

  $ 1,254,975      $ 1,471,791  

Currency Hedged MSCI Eurozone

    93,544,398        84,213,555  

Currency Hedged MSCI Germany

    12,279,046        10,365,951  

Currency Hedged MSCI Japan

    40,495,427        25,217,092  

For the year ended August 31, 2021, in-kind transactions were as follows:

 

iShares ETF   In-kind
Purchases
     In-kind
Sales
 

Currency Hedged MSCI Canada

  $ 6,041,420      $ 3,834,711  

Currency Hedged MSCI Eurozone

    550,661,462        531,185,118  

Currency Hedged MSCI Germany

    325,373,842        350,318,755  

Currency Hedged MSCI Japan

    599,942,113        379,869,118  

 

7.

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 August 31, 2021, 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.

U.S. GAAP requires that certain components of net assets be adjusted to reflect permanent differences between financial and tax reporting. These reclassifications have no effect on net assets or NAV per share. As of August 31, 2021, the following permanent differences attributable to realized gains (losses) from in-kind redemptions and distributions paid in excess of taxable income were reclassified to the following accounts:

 

iShares ETF   Paid-in Capital      Accumulated
Earnings (Loss)
 

Currency Hedged MSCI Canada

  $ 582,909      $ (582,909

Currency Hedged MSCI Eurozone

    28,686,839        (28,686,839

Currency Hedged MSCI Germany

    5,966,456        (5,966,456

Currency Hedged MSCI Japan

    32,434,592        (32,434,592

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

The tax character of distributions was as follows:

 

iShares ETF   Year Ended
08/31/21
     Year Ended
08/31/20
 

Currency Hedged MSCI Canada

    

Ordinary income

  $ 217,525      $ 1,199,794  

Long-term capital gains

           311,447  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 
  $ 217,525      $ 1,511,241  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

Currency Hedged MSCI Eurozone

    

Ordinary income

  $ 15,122,753      $ 16,858,976  

Long-term capital gains

           17,009,885  

Return of capital

           28,592  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 
  $     15,122,753      $     33,897,453  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

Currency Hedged MSCI Germany

    

Ordinary income

  $ 1,854,347      $ 966,557  

Return of capital

           1,677  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 
  $ 1,854,347      $ 968,234  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

Currency Hedged MSCI Japan

    

Ordinary income

  $ 5,002,254      $ 6,967,089  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

As of August 31, 2021, the tax components of accumulated net earnings (losses) were as follows:

 

iShares ETF    
Undistributed
Ordinary Income
 
 
    

Non-expiring
Capital Loss
Carryforwards
 
 
(a) 
   
Net Unrealized
Gains (Losses)
 
(b) 
    Total  

Currency Hedged MSCI Canada

  $      $ (258,109   $ 2,220,700     $ 1,962,591  

Currency Hedged MSCI Eurozone

           (35,252,249     65,571,162       30,318,913  

Currency Hedged MSCI Germany

           (43,562,482     (546,247     (44,108,729

Currency Hedged MSCI Japan

    6        (52,181,274     10,176,353       (42,004,915

 

  (a) 

Amounts available to offset future realized capital gains.

 
  (b) 

The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized gains (losses) was attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales and the realization for tax purposes of unrealized gains(losses) on certain foreign currency contracts.

 

For the year ended August 31, 2021, the Funds utilized the following amounts of their respective capital loss carryforwards:

 

iShares ETF   Utilized  

Currency Hedged MSCI Eurozone

  $ 12,077,578  

Currency Hedged MSCI Germany

    1,024,564  

Currency Hedged MSCI Japan

    15,883,648  

As of August 31, 2021, 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:

 

iShares ETF   Tax Cost      Gross Unrealized
Appreciation
     Gross Unrealized
Depreciation
    Net Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

Currency Hedged MSCI Canada

  $ 14,786,662      $ 2,253,452      $ (32,752   $ 2,220,700  

Currency Hedged MSCI Eurozone

    680,109,064        66,134,154        (562,992     65,571,162  

Currency Hedged MSCI Germany

    63,957,268        365,481        (911,728     (546,247

Currency Hedged MSCI Japan

    524,420,822        11,660,427        (1,484,074     10,176,353  

 

8.

LINE OF CREDIT

Effective August 13, 2021, the iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Eurozone ETF, iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Germany ETF and iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Japan 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 August 12, 2022. 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) the one-month LIBOR rate (not less than zero) plus 1.00% per annum or (b) the U.S. Federal Funds rate (not less

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

than zero) 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 year ended August 31, 2021, the Funds did not borrow under the Syndicated Credit Agreement.

 

9.

PRINCIPAL RISKS

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 a “passive” or index approach to try to achieve each Fund’s investment objective following the securities included in its underlying index during upturns as well as downturns. BFA does not take steps to reduce market exposure or to lessen the effects of a declining market. Divergence from the underlying index and the composition of the portfolio is monitored by BFA.

Market Risk: An outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus has developed into a global pandemic and has resulted in closing borders, quarantines, disruptions to supply chains and customer activity, as well as general concern and uncertainty. The impact of this pandemic, and other global health crises that may arise in the future, could affect the economies of many nations, individual companies and the market in general in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen at the present time. This pandemic may result in substantial market volatility and may adversely impact the prices and liquidity of a fund’s investments. The duration of this pandemic and its effects cannot be determined with certainty.

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 the Manager 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.

Concentration 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.

LIBORTransition Risk: The United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority announced a phase out of the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”). Although many LIBOR rates will be phased out by the end of 2021, a selection of widely used USD LIBOR rates will continue to be published through June 2023 in order to assist with the transition. The Funds may be exposed to financial instruments tied to LIBOR to determine payment obligations, financing terms, hedging strategies or investment value. The transition process away from LIBOR might lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets for, and reduce the effectiveness of new hedges placed against, instruments whose terms currently include LIBOR. The ultimate effect of the LIBOR transition process on the Funds is uncertain.

 

10.

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:

 

     Year Ended
08/31/21
    Year Ended
08/31/20
 
iShares ETF   Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount  

Currency Hedged MSCI Canada

       

Shares sold

    190,000     $ 6,100,407       350,000     $ 9,479,812  

Shares redeemed

    (130,000     (3,828,268     (1,350,000     (34,101,197
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease)

    60,000     $ 2,272,139       (1,000,000   $ (24,621,385
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Currency Hedged MSCI Eurozone

       

Shares sold

    16,600,000     $ 546,988,458       19,500,000     $ 558,814,358  

Shares redeemed

    (16,750,000     (531,517,446     (28,500,000     (769,020,192
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease)

    (150,000   $ 15,471,012       (9,000,000   $ (210,205,834
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

     Year Ended
08/31/21
    Year Ended
08/31/20
 
iShares ETF   Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount  

Currency Hedged MSCI Germany

       

Shares sold

    10,850,000     $ 325,501,335       6,550,000     $ 173,708,899  

Shares redeemed

    (11,650,000     (349,791,460     (9,750,000     (258,118,785
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease

    (800,000   $ (24,290,125     (3,200,000   $ (84,409,886
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Currency Hedged MSCI Japan

       

Shares sold

    16,600,000     $ 599,727,410       16,550,000     $ 516,879,826  

Shares redeemed

    (10,600,000     (379,102,463     (20,000,000     (611,238,530
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease)

    6,000,000     $ 220,624,947       (3,450,000   $ (94,358,704
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

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. Investors 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. Investors 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.

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.

 

11.

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Management has evaluated the impact of all subsequent events on the Funds through the date the financial statements were available to be issued and has determined that there were no subsequent events requiring adjustment or additional disclosure in the financial statements.

 

 

O T E S  T O  I N A N C I A L  T A T E M E N T S

  41


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Board of Trustees of iShares Trust and Shareholders of iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Canada ETF, iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Eurozone ETF, iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Germany ETF and iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Japan ETF

Opinions on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities, including the schedules of investments, of iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Canada ETF, iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Eurozone ETF, iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Germany ETF and iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Japan ETF (four of the funds constituting iShares Trust, hereafter collectively referred to as the “Funds”) as of August 31, 2021, the related statements of operations for the year ended August 31, 2021, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period ended August 31, 2021, including the related notes, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period ended August 31, 2021 (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of each of the Funds as of August 31, 2021, the results of each of their operations for the year then ended, the changes in each of their net assets for each of the two years in the period ended August 31, 2021 and each of the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period ended August 31, 2021 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinions

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Funds’ management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Funds’ financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Funds in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of August 31, 2021 by correspondence with the custodian, transfer agent and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

/s/PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

October 22, 2021

We have served as the auditor of one or more BlackRock investment companies since 2000.

 

 

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Important Tax Information  (unaudited)

 

The following amounts, or maximum amounts allowable by law, are hereby designated as qualified dividend income for individuals for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2021:

 

iShares ETF    Qualified Dividend
Income
 

Currency Hedged MSCI Canada

   $ 191,190  

Currency Hedged MSCI Eurozone

     11,923,601  

Currency Hedged MSCI Germany

     1,827,104  

Currency Hedged MSCI Japan

     5,007,633  

The Funds intend to pass through to their shareholders the following amounts, or maximum amounts allowable by law, of foreign source income earned and foreign taxes paid for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2021:

 

iShares ETF   Foreign Source
Income Earned
     Foreign
Taxes Paid
 

Currency Hedged MSCI Canada

  $ 265,195      $ 45,137  

Currency Hedged MSCI Eurozone

    15,205,602         

Currency Hedged MSCI Germany

    2,089,514        215,463  

Currency Hedged MSCI Japan

    5,900,372        888,506  

 

 

I M P O R T A N T   T A X   I N F O R M A T I O N

  43


Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract

 

iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Canada ETF, iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Eurozone ETF, iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Germany ETF, iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Japan 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 and approve the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and BFA (the “Advisory Agreement”) 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; legal and compliance services; and 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 on May 7, 2021 and May 14, 2021, 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, and requested certain additional information, which management agreed to provide. At a meeting held on June 15-16, 2021, 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 material factors, none of which was controlling, 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 another fund in which the Fund invests (if applicable), and waivers/reimbursements (if applicable) of the Fund in comparison with the same information for other ETFs (including, where applicable, funds sponsored by an “at cost” service provider), objectively selected by Broadridge as comprising the Fund’s applicable 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 overall fund expenses (net of waivers and reimbursements) for the Fund were higher than the median of overall fund expenses (net of 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, 2020, to that of 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 factors 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 recent and proposed enhancements to the iShares 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. 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, which were provided at the May 7, 2021 meeting and throughout the year.

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

 

 

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Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract  (continued)

 

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 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, were within a reasonable range in light of the factors and other information considered.

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, 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 relatively low fee rates established at inception, breakpoints, waivers, or other fee reductions, as well as through additional investment in the iShares business and the provision of improved or additional infrastructure and services to the iShares funds and their shareholders. 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 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 acknowledged BFA’s representation that the iShares funds are fundamentally different investment vehicles from 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 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 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 also considered the “all-inclusive” nature of the Fund’s advisory fee structure, and the Fund’s expenses borne by BFA under this arrangement. The Board 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 (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 for which BFA (or its affiliates) provides investment advisory services or other services, and BlackRock’s profile in the investment community. The Board also noted the revenue received by BFA and/or its affiliates pursuant to (i) 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 and (ii) other technology-related initiatives aimed to better support the iShares funds. The Board further 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.

 

 

B O A R D   R E V I E W   A N D   A P P R O V A L   O F   I N V E S T M E N T   A D V I S O R Y   C O N T R A C T

  45


Supplemental Information  (unaudited)

 

Regulation Regarding Derivatives

On October 28, 2020, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) adopted new regulations governing the use of derivatives by registered investment companies (“Rule 18f-4”). The Funds will be required to implement and comply with Rule 18f-4 by August 19, 2022. Once implemented, Rule 18f-4 will impose limits on the amount of derivatives a fund can enter into, eliminate the asset segregation framework currently used by funds to comply with Section 18 of the 1940 Act, treat derivatives as senior securities and require funds whose use of derivatives is more than a limited specified exposure amount to establish and maintain a comprehensive derivatives risk management program and appoint a derivatives risk manager.

Section 19(a) Notices

The amounts and sources of distributions reported are estimates and are being provided pursuant to regulatory requirements and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources for tax reporting purposes will depend upon each Fund’s investment experience during the year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. Shareholders will receive a Form 1099-DIV each calendar year that will inform them how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes.

August 31, 2021

 

     
    Total Cumulative Distributions
for the Fiscal Year
    % Breakdown of the Total Cumulative
Distributions for the Fiscal Year
 
iShares ETF   Net
Investment
Income
    Net Realized
Capital Gains
    Return of
Capital
    Total Per
Share
    Net
Investment
Income
    Net Realized
Capital Gains
    Return of
Capital
    Total Per
Share
 

Currency Hedged MSCI Canada(a)

  $ 0.476460     $     $ 0.042554     $ 0.519014       92         8     100

Currency Hedged MSCI Eurozone

    0.859440                   0.859440       100                   100  

 

  (a)

The Fund estimates that it has distributed more than its net investment income and net realized capital gains; therefore, a portion of the distribution may be a return of capital. A return of capital may occur, for example, when some or all of the shareholder’s investment in the Fund is returned to the shareholder. A return of capital does not necessarily reflect the Fund’s investment performance and should not be confused with “yield” or “income”. When distributions exceed total return performance, the difference will incrementally reduce the Fund’s net asset value per share.

 

Premium/Discount Information    

Information on the Fund’s net asset value, market price, premiums and discounts, and bid-ask spreads can be found at iShares.com.    

 

 

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Trustee and Officer Information

 

The Board of Trustees has responsibility for the overall management and operations of the Funds, including general supervision of the duties performed by BFA and other service providers. Each Trustee serves until he or she resigns, is removed, dies, retires or becomes incapacitated. Each officer shall hold office until his or her successor is elected and qualifies or until his or her death, resignation or removal. Trustees who are not “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust are referred to as independent trustees (“Independent Trustees”).

The registered investment companies advised by BFA or its affiliates (the “BlackRock-advised Funds”) are organized into one complex of open-end equity, multi-asset, index and money market funds and ETFs (the “BlackRock Multi-Asset Complex”), one complex of closed-end funds and open-end non-index fixed-income funds (including ETFs) (the “BlackRock Fixed-Income Complex”) and one complex of ETFs (“Exchange-Traded Fund Complex”) (each, a “BlackRock Fund Complex”). Each Fund is included in the Exchange-Traded Fund Complex. Each Trustee also serves as a Director of iShares, Inc. and a Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust and, as a result, oversees all of the funds within the Exchange-Traded Fund Complex, which consists of 374 funds as of August 31, 2021. With the exception of Robert S. Kapito, Salim Ramji and Charles Park, the address of each Trustee and officer is c/o BlackRock, Inc., 400 Howard Street, San Francisco, CA 94105. The address of Mr. Kapito, Mr. Ramji and Mr. Park is c/o BlackRock, Inc., Park Avenue Plaza, 55 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10055. The Board has designated Cecilia H. Herbert as its Independent Board Chair. Additional information about the Funds’ Trustees and officers may be found in the Funds’ combined Statement of Additional Information, which is available without charge, upon request, by calling toll-free 1-800-iShares (1-800-474-2737).

 

Interested Trustees
       
Name (Age)    Position(s)    Principal Occupation(s)
During the Past 5 Years
   Other Directorships Held by Trustee

Robert S.
Kapito(a)

(64)

   Trustee
(since 2009).
   President, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2006); Vice Chairman of BlackRock, Inc. and Head of BlackRock’s Portfolio Management Group (since its formation in 1998) and BlackRock, Inc.’s predecessor entities (since 1988); Trustee, University of Pennsylvania (since 2009); President of Board of Directors, Hope & Heroes Children’s Cancer Fund (since 2002).    Director of BlackRock, Inc. (since 2006); Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2009); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011).

Salim Ramji(b)

(51)

   Trustee
(since 2019).
   Senior Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2014); Global Head of BlackRock’s ETF and Index Investments Business (since 2019); Head of BlackRock’s U.S. Wealth Advisory Business (2015-2019); Global Head of Corporate Strategy, BlackRock, Inc. (2014-2015); Senior Partner, McKinsey & Company (2010-2014).    Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2019); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2019).

 

(a)

Robert S. Kapito is deemed to be an “interested person” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust due to his affiliations with BlackRock, Inc. and its affiliates.

(b)

Salim Ramji is deemed to be an “interested person” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust due to his affiliations with BlackRock, Inc. and its affiliates.

 

Independent Trustees
       
Name (Age)    Position(s)    Principal Occupation(s)
During the Past 5 Years
   Other Directorships Held by Trustee
Cecilia H.
Herbert (72)
   Trustee
(since 2005); Independent Board Chair
(since 2016).
   Chair of the Finance Committee (since 2019) and Trustee and Member of the Finance, Audit and Quality Committees of Stanford Health Care (since 2016); Trustee of WNET, New York’s public media company (since 2011) and Member of the Audit Committee (since 2018) and Investment Committee (since 2011); Chair (1994-2005) and Member (since 1992) of the Investment Committee, Archdiocese of San Francisco; Trustee of Forward Funds (14 portfolios) (2009-2018); Trustee of Salient MF Trust (4 portfolios) (2015-2018); Director (1998-2013) and President (2007-2011) of the Board of Directors, Catholic Charities CYO; Trustee (2002-2011) and Chair of the Finance and Investment Committee (2006-2010) of the Thacher School; Director of the Senior Center of Jackson Hole (since 2020).    Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2005); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011); Independent Board Chair of iShares, Inc. and iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2016); Trustee of Thrivent Church Loan and Income Fund (since 2019).
Jane D.
Carlin (65)
   Trustee
(since 2015); Risk Committee Chair
(since 2016).
   Consultant (since 2012); Member of the Audit Committee (2012-2018), Chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee (2017-2018) and Director of PHH Corporation (mortgage solutions) (2012-2018); Managing Director and Global Head of Financial Holding Company Governance & Assurance and the Global Head of Operational Risk Management of Morgan Stanley (2006-2012).    Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2015); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2015); Member of the Audit Committee (since 2016), Chair of the Audit Committee (since 2020) and Director of The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. (since 2016).
Richard L.
Fagnani (66)
   Trustee
(since 2017); Audit Committee Chair
(since 2019).
   Partner, KPMG LLP (2002-2016).    Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2017); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2017).

 

 

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  47


Trustee and Officer Information  (continued)

 

Independent Trustees (continued)
       
Name (Age)    Position(s)    Principal Occupation(s)
During the Past 5 Years
   Other Directorships Held by Trustee
John E.
Kerrigan (66)
   Trustee (since 2005); Nominating and Governance and Equity Plus Committee Chairs (since 2019).    Chief Investment Officer, Santa Clara University (since 2002).    Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2005); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011).
Drew E.
Lawton (62)
   Trustee (since 2017); 15(c) Committee Chair (since 2017).    Senior Managing Director of New York Life Insurance Company (2010-2015).    Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2017); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2017).
John E.
Martinez (60)
   Trustee (since 2003); Securities Lending Committee Chair (since 2019).    Director of Real Estate Equity Exchange, Inc. (since 2005); Director of Cloudera Foundation (2017-2020); and Director of Reading Partners (2012-2016).    Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2003); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011).
Madhav V.
Rajan (57)
   Trustee (since 2011); Fixed Income Plus Committee Chair (since 2019).    Dean, and George Pratt Shultz Professor of Accounting, University of Chicago Booth School of Business (since 2017); Advisory Board Member (since 2016) and Director (since 2020) of C.M. Capital Corporation; Chair of the Board for the Center for Research in Security Prices, LLC (since 2020); Robert K. Jaedicke Professor of Accounting, Stanford University Graduate School of Business (2001-2017); Professor of Law (by courtesy), Stanford Law School (2005-2017); Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Head of MBA Program, Stanford University Graduate School of Business (2010-2016).    Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2011); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011).

 

Officers
     
Name (Age)    Position(s)    Principal Occupation(s)
During the Past 5 Years
Armando
Senra (50)
   President (since 2019).    Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2007); Head of U.S., Canada and Latam iShares, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2019); Head of Latin America Region, BlackRock, Inc. (2006-2019); Managing Director, Bank of America Merrill Lynch (1994-2006).
Trent
Walker (47)
   Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer (since 2020).    Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since September 2019); Chief Financial Officer of iShares Delaware Trust Sponsor LLC, BlackRock Funds, BlackRock Funds II, BlackRock Funds IV, BlackRock Funds V and BlackRock Funds VI (since 2021); Executive Vice President of PIMCO (2016-2019); Senior Vice President of PIMCO (2008-2015); Treasurer (2013-2019) and Assistant Treasurer (2007-2017) of PIMCO Funds, PIMCO Variable Insurance Trust, PIMCO ETF Trust, PIMCO Equity Series, PIMCO Equity Series VIT, PIMCO Managed Accounts Trust, 2 PIMCO-sponsored interval funds and 21 PIMCO-sponsored closed-end funds.
Charles
Park (54)
   Chief Compliance Officer (since 2006).    Chief Compliance Officer of BlackRock Advisors, LLC and the BlackRock-advised Funds in the BlackRock Multi-Asset Complex and the BlackRock Fixed-Income Complex (since 2014); Chief Compliance Officer of BFA (since 2006).
Deepa Damre
Smith (46)
   Secretary (since 2019).    Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2014); Director, BlackRock, Inc. (2009-2013).
Scott
Radell (52)
   Executive Vice President (since 2012).    Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2009); Head of Portfolio Solutions, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2009).
Alan
Mason (60)
   Executive Vice President (since 2016).    Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2009).
Marybeth
Leithead (58)
   Executive Vice President (since 2019).    Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2017); Chief Operating Officer of Americas iShares (since 2017); Portfolio Manager, Municipal Institutional & Wealth Management (2009-2016).

 

 

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General Information

 

Electronic Delivery

Shareholders can sign up for email 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.

Householding

Householding is an option available to certain fund investors. Householding is a method of delivery, based on the preference of the individual investor, in which a single copy of certain shareholder documents and Rule 30e-3 notices can be delivered to investors who share the same address, even if their accounts are registered under different names. Please contact your broker-dealer if you are interested in enrolling in householding and receiving a single copy of prospectuses and other shareholder documents, or if you are currently enrolled in householding and wish to change your householding status.

Availability of Quarterly Schedule of Investments

The Funds file their complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to their reports on Form N-PORT. The Funds’ Forms N-PORT are available on the SEC’s website at sec.gov. Additionally, each Fund makes its portfolio holdings for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year available at iShares.com/fundreports.

Availability of Proxy Voting Policies and Proxy Voting Records

A description of the policies and procedures that the iShares Funds use to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities and information about how the iShares Funds voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve-month period ending June 30 is available without charge, upon request (1) by calling toll-free 1-800-474-2737; (2) on the iShares website at iShares.com; and (3) on the SEC website at sec.gov.

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 at iShares.com.

 

 

G E N E R A L   I N F O R M A T I O N

  49


Glossary of Terms Used in this Report

 

Counterparty Abbreviations
BOA    Bank of America N.A.
BSCH    Banco Santander Central Hispano
CBA    Commonwealth Bank of Australia
CITI    Citibank N.A.
DB    Deutsche Bank AG London
JPM    JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.
  
Currency Abbreviations
CAD    Canadian Dollar
EUR    Euro
JPY    Japanese Yen
USD    United States Dollar
Counterparty Abbreviations (continued)
MS    Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC
RBS    Royal Bank of Scotland PLC
SSB    State Street Bank and Trust Co.
TDB    Toronto Dominion Bank
UBS    UBS AG
 

 

 

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Want to know more?

iShares.com    |     1-800-474-2737

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 MSCI Inc., 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.

©2021 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.

iS-AR-801-0821

 

 

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  AUGUST 31, 2021

 

 

  

2021 Annual Report

 

 

 

iShares Trust

 

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iShares Currency Hedged MSCI United Kingdom ETF | HEWU | NYSE Arca

 

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iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF | EWU | NYSE Arca

 

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iShares MSCI United Kingdom Small-Cap ETF | EWUS | Cboe BZX


The Markets in Review

Dear Shareholder,

The 12-month reporting period as of August 31, 2021 was a remarkable period of adaptation and recovery, as the global economy dealt with the implications of the coronavirus (or “COVID-19”) pandemic. The United States, along with most of the world, began the reporting period emerging from a severe recession, prompted by pandemic-related restrictions that disrupted many aspects of daily life. However, easing restrictions and robust government intervention led to a strong rebound, and the economy grew at a significant pace for the reporting period, eventually regaining the output lost from the pandemic.

Equity prices rose with the broader economy, as strong fiscal and monetary support, as well as the development of vaccines, made investors increasingly optimistic about the economic outlook. The implementation of mass vaccination campaigns and passage of two additional fiscal stimulus packages further boosted stocks, and many equity indices neared or surpassed all-time highs late in the reporting period. In the United States, returns of small-capitalization stocks, which benefited the most from the resumption of in-person activities, outpaced large-capitalization stocks. International equities also gained, as both developed and emerging markets rebounded substantially.

The 10-year U.S. Treasury yield (which is inversely related to bond prices) had fallen sharply prior to the beginning of the reporting period, which meant bonds were priced for extreme risk avoidance and economic disruption. Despite expectations of doom and gloom, the economy expanded rapidly, stoking inflation concerns in early 2021, which led to higher yields and a negative overall return for most U.S. Treasuries. In the corporate bond market, support from the U.S. Federal Reserve (the “Fed”) assuaged credit concerns and led to solid returns for high-yield corporate bonds, although investment-grade corporates declined slightly.

The Fed remained committed to accommodative monetary policy by maintaining near-zero interest rates and by reiterating that inflation could exceed its 2% target for a sustained period without triggering a rate increase. In response to rising inflation late in the period, the Fed changed its market guidance, raising the possibility of higher rates in 2023 and reducing bond purchasing beginning in late 2022.

Looking ahead, we believe that the global expansion will continue to broaden as Europe and other developed market economies gain momentum, although the delta variant of the coronavirus remains a threat, particularly in emerging markets. While we expect inflation to remain elevated in the medium-term as the expansion continues, we believe the recent uptick owes more to temporary supply disruptions than a lasting change in fundamentals. The change in Fed policy also means that moderate inflation is less likely to be followed by interest rate hikes that could threaten the economic expansion.

Overall, we favor a moderately positive stance toward risk, with an overweight in equities. Sectors that are better poised to manage the transition to a lower-carbon world, such as technology and healthcare, are particularly attractive in the long-term. U.S. small-capitalization stocks and European equities are likely to benefit from the continuing vaccine-led restart. We are underweight long-term credit, but inflation-protected U.S. Treasuries and Asian fixed income offer potential opportunities. We believe that international diversification and a focus on sustainability can help provide portfolio resilience, and the disruption created by the coronavirus appears to be accelerating the shift toward sustainable investments.

In this environment, our view is that investors need to think globally, extend their scope across a broad array of asset classes, and be nimble as market conditions change. We encourage you to talk with your financial advisor and visit iShares.com for further insight about investing in today’s markets.

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

Rob Kapito

President, BlackRock, Inc.

LOGO

Rob Kapito

President, BlackRock, Inc.

 

Total Returns as of August 31, 2021
     
     6-Month     12-Month
   

U.S. large cap equities (S&P 500® Index)

  19.52%   31.17%
   

U.S. small cap equities (Russell 2000® Index)

  3.81    47.08   
   

International equities (MSCI Europe, Australasia, Far East Index)

  10.31     26.12   
   

Emerging market equities (MSCI Emerging Markets Index)

  (0.98)   21.12   
   

3-month Treasury bills (ICE BofA 3-Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index)

  0.02    0.08 
   

U.S. Treasury securities (ICE BofA 10-Year U.S. Treasury Index)

  2.36    (4.12) 
   

U.S. investment grade bonds

(Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index)

  1.49    (0.08) 
   

Tax-exempt municipal bonds

(S&P Municipal Bond Index)

  2.50    3.44 
   

U.S. high yield bonds (Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index)

  3.82    10.14  
Past performance is not an indication of future results. Index performance is shown for illustrative purposes only. You cannot invest directly in an index.
 

 

 

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H I S    A G E    I S    N  O T    A R T    O F    O U R    U N D     E P O R T


Table of Contents

 

 

      Page  

The Markets in Review

     2  

Market Overview

     4  

Fund Summary

     5  

About Fund Performance

     11  

Shareholder Expenses

     11  

Schedules of Investments

     12  

Financial Statements

  

Statements of Assets and Liabilities

     23  

Statements of Operations

     24  

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

     25  

Financial Highlights

     27  

Notes to Financial Statements

     30  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     39  

Important Tax Information (Unaudited)

     40  

Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract

     41  

Supplemental Information

     45  

Trustee and Officer Information

     47  

General Information

     49  

Glossary of Terms Used in this Report

     50  

 

 

 


Market Overview

 

iShares Trust

Global Market Overview

Global equity markets advanced significantly during the 12 months ended August 31, 2021 (“reporting period”). The MSCI ACWI, a broad global equity index that includes both developed and emerging markets, returned 28.64% in U.S. dollar terms for the reporting period. Stocks continued to recover from the initial impact of the coronavirus pandemic, nearing all-time highs by the end of the reporting period. Reopening economies led to a substantial global economic expansion, and the development and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines bolstered investors’ optimism. Nonetheless, vaccination rates varied considerably across countries, and the spread of the more contagious Delta variant led to increased cases and renewed restrictions toward the end of the reporting period. Inflation also rose in many parts of the world amid supply chain constraints and elevated consumer spending.

Equity markets in the U.S. advanced strongly, helped by fiscal and monetary stimulus and an ongoing mass vaccination program. Congress passed two fiscal stimulus bills during the reporting period, providing significant relief in the form of direct payments to individuals, tax credits, aid to state and local governments, and assistance for homeowners and renters. Personal incomes rose significantly following the stimulus payments, and consumer spending recovered, surpassing pre-pandemic levels. Increased consumer spending and the easing of pandemic-related restrictions helped the U.S. economy continue to grow following a significant rebound in the third quarter of 2020, as activity recovered from the pandemic-induced recession in the first half of 2020. The economy grew at a brisk pace for the rest of the reporting period, finally exceeding pre-pandemic output levels in the second quarter of 2021. The U.S. Federal Reserve Bank’s (“the Fed”) action also played a notable role in the recovery. Monetary policy remained accommodative, with short-term interest rates maintained near zero to encourage lending and stimulate economic activity. The Fed further acted to stabilize bond markets by continuing an unlimited, open-ended, bond-buying program for U.S. Treasuries and mortgage-backed securities.

Stocks in Europe also posted strong gains, despite a recovery that trailed other major economies. The European Central Bank (“ECB”) provided monetary stimulus by maintaining ultra-low interest rates and continuing a large bond-buying program. Growth resumed with a significant rebound in the third quarter of 2020 as restrictions eased, and Eurozone countries enacted a deal for a collective 750 billion of stimulus spending. However, a new wave of coronavirus cases beginning in October 2020 led to renewed restrictions, weakening the fragile recovery. Consequently, the Eurozone economy contracted slightly in the fourth quarter of 2020 and first quarter of 2021, even as much of the world was returning to growth. Although the initial vaccine rollout trailed in many European countries, the pace of vaccinations accelerated late in the reporting period, and economic growth resumed in the second quarter of 2021.

Asia-Pacific regional stocks also posted a solid advance amid a sharp rebound in economic activity. Continued economic growth in China helped the regional economy recover, as many Asia-Pacific countries rely on China as a major trading partner. Japanese and Australian stocks benefited from a sharp rise in exports amid resurgent global trade. Emerging market stocks advanced overall, aided by economic recovery and rising prices for many commodities. However, investor concerns about increased government regulatory activity weighed on Chinese stocks late in the reporting period. Relatively slow vaccination rollouts in parts of Asia also prompted concerns, particularly as the Delta variant spread.

 

 

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Fund Summary  as of August 31, 2021    iShares® Currency Hedged MSCI United Kingdom ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares Currency Hedged MSCI United Kingdom ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of large- and mid-capitalization United Kingdom equities while mitigating exposure to fluctuations between the value of the British pound and the U.S. dollar, as represented by the MSCI United Kingdom 100% Hedged to USD Index (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index. The Fund currently seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing a substantial portion of its assets in one underlying fund, the iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF.

Performance

 

    Average Annual Total Returns           Cumulative Total Returns  
      1 Year        5 Years       
Since
Inception
 
 
            1 Year        5 Years       
Since
Inception
 
 

Fund NAV

    24.59      4.92      5.21       24.59      27.12      36.86

Fund Market

    24.45        4.91        5.22         24.45        27.06        36.91  

Index

    24.63        5.73        5.77               24.63        32.13        41.35  

GROWTH OF $10,000 INVESTMENT

(SINCE INCEPTION AT NET ASSET VALUE)

 

 

LOGO

The inception date of the Fund was 6/29/15. The first day of secondary market trading was 7/1/15.

Past performance is no guarantee 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. See “About Fund Performance” on page 11 for more information.

Expense Example

 

Actual           Hypothetical 5% Return         

 

 

     

 

 

    
 

Beginning
Account Value
(03/01/21)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(08/31/21)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period 
 
 
(a)(b) 
     

Beginning
Account Value
(03/01/21)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(08/31/21)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period 
 
 
(a)(b) 
    

Annualized      
Expense      
Ratio (a)   
 
 
 

 

 

 
    $ 1,000.00            $ 1,120.10            $ 0.00           $ 1,000.00            $ 1,025.20            $ 0.00        0.00%      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Annualized expense ratio and expenses paid during the period do not include fees and expenses of the underlying fund in which the Fund invests.

 

 

  (b) 

Expenses are calculated using the Fund’s annualized expense ratio (as disclosed in the table), multiplied by the average account value for the period, multiplied by the number of days in the period (184 days) and divided by the number of days in the year (365 days). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Shareholder Expenses” on page 11 for more information.

 

 

 

U N D    U M M A R Y

  5


Fund Summary  as of August 31, 2021  (continued)    iShares® Currency Hedged MSCI United Kingdom ETF

 

Portfolio Management Commentary

Stocks in the U.K. advanced strongly for the reporting period, recovering amid an easing of coronavirus pandemic-related restrictions, which had weighed on the U.K.’s economy. A post-Brexit trade agreement between the U.K. and the E.U. also contributed to an improved environment for the economy and markets. Economic growth returned to pre-pandemic levels in the second quarter of 2021, ending five sequential quarters of contraction.

The financials sector contributed the most to the Index’s return in U.S. dollar terms, as economic recoveries in the U.K. and other key geographical regions drove profit growth for U.K. banks. Lower-than-expected losses on loans during the pandemic, as well as a strong housing market and a subsequent increase in mortgage lending, contributed to a supportive environment for banks. The reinstatement of dividend payments, which had been reduced or suspended amid pandemic-related uncertainty, also helped the industry.

The materials sector contributed meaningfully to the Index’s performance. Global economic expansion and robust demand for raw materials drove commodities prices higher. Metals and mining companies were particularly strong, benefiting from rising prices for copper, iron ore, and platinum. Strong profit growth and a subsequent increase in dividend payments by some metals and mining companies also supported the industry’s contribution.

The industrials sector also contributed, as the reopening of economies in Europe, the U.S., and China led to a rapid acceleration in industrial output. Trading companies and distributors advanced, as an increase in construction activity led to strong demand in the industrial equipment rental industry. The energy sector was another contributor to the Index’s return. Rising global demand for oil and supply constraints set by oil-producing nations drove the price of the commodity higher, benefiting integrated oil and gas producers.

In terms of currency performance during the reporting period, the British pound appreciated by approximately 3% relative to the U.S. dollar. Solid economic growth and resolution of trade negotiations with the E.U. supported the British pound.

The British pound’s positive performance meant hedging activity detracted from the Index’s return. A fully hedged investor seeks to bypass the currency fluctuations — both on the upside and on the downside — related to holding foreign-currency-denominated securities. The Index’s hedging activity offset the positive impact of the British pound’s performance relative to the U.S. dollar, resulting in an Index return that was relatively close to the return of British equities measured in British pounds.

Portfolio Information

 

ALLOCATION BY INVESTMENT TYPE

 

   

Investment Type

   
Percent of
Net Assets
 
 

Investment Companies

    99.8
Forward foreign currency exchange contracts, net cumulative appreciation     1.1  

Other assets less liabilities

    (0.9

ALLOCATION BY SECTOR (of the UNDERLYING FUND)

 

   

Sector

   
Percent of
Total Investment(a)
 
 

Consumer Staples

    19.7

Financials

    17.8  

Health Care

    12.3  

Materials

    12.1  

Industrials

    11.5  

Energy

    9.5  

Consumer Discretionary

    6.3  

Communication Services

    4.5  

Utilities

    3.6  

Real Estate

    1.4  

Information Technology

    1.3  

 

  (a)

Excludes money market funds.

 
 

 

 

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Fund Summary  as of August 31, 2021    iShares® MSCI United Kingdom ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of U.K. equities, as represented by the MSCI United Kingdom Index (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index.

Performance

 

    Average Annual Total Returns           Cumulative Total Returns  
      1 Year        5 Years        10 Years               1 Year        5 Years        10 Years  

Fund NAV

    26.46      4.89      4.09       26.46      26.94      49.35

Fund Market

    27.45        4.72        4.10         27.45        25.94        49.40  

Index

    27.24        5.46        4.65               27.24        30.44        57.55  

GROWTH OF $10,000 INVESTMENT

(AT NET ASSET VALUE)

 

 

LOGO

Past performance is no guarantee 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. See “About Fund Performance” on page 11 for more information.

Expense Example

 

Actual           Hypothetical 5% Return           

 

 

     

 

 

      
 

Beginning
Account Value
(03/01/21)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(08/31/21)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During

the Period 

 
 

(a) 

     

Beginning
Account Value
(03/01/21)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(08/31/21)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period 
 
 
(a) 
      

Annualized    
Expense    
Ratio    
 
 
 

 

 

 
    $ 1,000.00            $ 1,104.10            $ 2.60           $ 1,000.00            $ 1,022.70            $ 2.50          0.49%   

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Expenses are calculated using the Fund’s annualized expense ratio (as disclosed in the table), multiplied by the average account value for the period, multiplied by the number of days in the period (184 days) and divided by the number of days in the year (365 days). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Shareholder Expenses” on page 11 for more information.

 

 

 

U N D    U M M A R Y

  7


Fund Summary  as of August 31, 2021  (continued)    iShares® MSCI United Kingdom ETF

 

Portfolio Management Commentary

Stocks in the U.K. advanced strongly for the reporting period, recovering amid an easing of coronavirus pandemic-related restrictions, which had weighed on the U.K.’s economy. A post-Brexit trade agreement between the U.K. and the E.U. also contributed to an improved environment for the economy and markets. Economic growth returned to pre-pandemic levels in the second quarter of 2021, ending five sequential quarters of contraction.

The financials sector contributed the most to the Index’s return, as economic recoveries in the U.K. and other key geographical regions drove profit growth for U.K. banks. Lower-than-expected losses on loans during the pandemic, as well as a strong housing market and a subsequent increase in mortgage lending, contributed to a supportive environment for banks. The reinstatement of dividend payments, which had been reduced or suspended amid pandemic-related uncertainty, also helped the industry.

The materials sector contributed meaningfully to the Index’s performance. Global economic expansion and robust demand for raw materials drove commodities prices higher. Metals and mining companies were particularly strong, benefiting from rising prices for copper, iron ore, and platinum. Strong profit growth and a subsequent increase in dividend payments by some metals and mining companies also supported the industry’s contribution.

The industrials sector also contributed, as the reopening of economies in Europe, the U.S., and China led to a rapid acceleration in industrial output. Trading companies and distributors advanced, as an increase in construction activity led to strong demand in the industrial equipment rental industry. The energy sector was another contributor to the Index’s return. Rising global demand for oil and supply constraints set by oil-producing nations drove the price of the commodity higher, benefiting integrated oil and gas producers.

Portfolio Information

 

ALLOCATION BY SECTOR

 

   

Sector

   

Percent of

Total Investments

 

(a) 

Consumer Staples

    19.7

Financials

    17.8  

Health Care

    12.3  

Materials

    12.1  

Industrials

    11.5  

Energy

    9.5  

Consumer Discretionary

    6.3  

Communication Services

    4.5  

Utilities

    3.6  

Real Estate

    1.4  

Information Technology

    1.3  

 

  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

 

 

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

   

Security

   

Percent of

Total Investments

 

(a) 

AstraZeneca PLC

    7.3

Unilever PLC

    5.9  

Diageo PLC

    4.5  

HSBC Holdings PLC

    4.4  

GlaxoSmithKline PLC

    4.1  

Rio Tinto PLC

    3.4  

BP PLC

    3.3  

British American Tobacco PLC

    3.3  

Royal Dutch Shell PLC, Class A

    3.3  

Royal Dutch Shell PLC, Class B

    2.9  
 

 

 

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Fund Summary  as of August 31, 2021    iShares® MSCI United Kingdom Small-Cap ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares MSCI United Kingdom Small-Cap ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of small-capitalization U.K. equities, as represented by the MSCI United Kingdom Small Cap Index (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index.

Performance

 

    Average Annual Total Returns           Cumulative Total Returns  
      1 Year        5 Years       
Since
Inception
 
 
            1 Year        5 Years       
Since
Inception
 
 

Fund NAV

    42.88      9.78      10.22       42.88      59.41      154.47

Fund Market

    43.78        9.61        10.20         43.78        58.24        154.08  

Index

    43.77        10.46        10.89               43.77        64.43        169.85  

GROWTH OF $10,000 INVESTMENT

(SINCE INCEPTION AT NET ASSET VALUE)

 

 

LOGO

The inception date of the Fund was 1/25/12. The first day of secondary market trading was 1/26/12.

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 no guarantee 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. See “About Fund Performance” on page 11 for more information.

Expense Example

 

Actual           Hypothetical 5% Return           

 

 

     

 

 

      
 

Beginning
Account Value
(03/01/21)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(08/31/21)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period 
 
 
(a) 
     

Beginning
Account Value
(03/01/21)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(08/31/21)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period 
 
 
(a) 
      

Annualized    
Expense    
Ratio    
 
 
 

 

 

 
    $ 1,000.00            $ 1,138.70            $ 3.18           $ 1,000.00            $ 1,022.20            $ 3.01          0.59%   

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Expenses are calculated using the Fund’s annualized expense ratio (as disclosed in the table), multiplied by the average account value for the period, multiplied by the number of days in the period (184 days) and divided by the number of days in the year (365 days). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Shareholder Expenses” on page 11 for more information.

 

 

 

U N D    U M M A R Y

  9


Fund Summary  as of August 31, 2021 (continued)    iShares® MSCI United Kingdom Small-Cap ETF

 

Portfolio Management Commentary

Small-capitalization stocks in the U.K. advanced strongly for the reporting period, recovering following an easing of pandemic-related restrictions that led to a record 9.9% contraction in the U.K.’s economy in 2020. A post-Brexit trade agreement between the U.K. and the E.U. also contributed to an improved environment for the economy and markets. Economic growth rebounded in the second quarter of 2021, ending five sequential quarters of contraction.

The industrials sector contributed the most to the Index’s return, as the lifting of social distancing mandates and reopening of economies in Europe, the U.S., and China led to a rapid acceleration in industrial output. Trading companies and distributors were particularly strong. Despite significant cost inflation stemming from Brexit- and pandemic-related business disruptions, trading companies and distributors that were able to pass price increases along to customers and expand market share posted revenue increases.

The consumer discretionary sector also contributed significantly to the Index’s return, as rising COVID-19 vaccination rates and greater consumer confidence led to a surge in household spending. Specialty retail companies benefited from an increase in interests and activities during the pandemic, such as pet ownership and exercise, and from store reopenings.

In the financials sector, the capital markets industry was another contributor to the Index’s return. Asset management and custody bank stocks led the advance, as low interest rates, ongoing fiscal and monetary stimulus, and improving COVID-19 vaccination numbers bolstered investor sentiment. Rising markets and increases in assets under management led to strong profit growth for some asset management companies.

The real estate sector also bolstered the Index’s performance. Rising business confidence and an improving economy in London contributed to higher property and leasing activity, benefiting office real estate investment trusts.

Portfolio Information

 

ALLOCATION BY SECTOR

 

   

Sector

   

Percent of

Total Investments

 

(a) 

Industrials

    21.9

Consumer Discretionary

    18.3  

Financials

    14.2  

Real Estate

    11.1  

Information Technology

    8.4  

Health Care

    6.7  

Communication Services

    6.4  

Materials

    5.8  

Consumer Staples

    3.5  

Utilities

    2.2  

Energy

    1.5  

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

   

Security

   

Percent of

Total Investments

 

(a) 

Meggitt PLC

    1.5

Intermediate Capital Group PLC

    1.5  

DS Smith PLC

    1.4  

Rightmove PLC

    1.4  

Dechra Pharmaceuticals PLC

    1.3  

Howden Joinery Group PLC

    1.3  

B&M European Value Retail SA

    1.2  

Electrocomponents PLC

    1.2  

IMI PLC

    1.2  

Spectris PLC

    1.1  
 

 

  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

 

 

 

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About Fund Performance

 

Past performance is not an indication of future results. Financial markets have experienced extreme volatility and trading in many instruments has been disrupted. These circumstances may continue for an extended period of time and may continue to affect adversely the value and liquidity of each Fund’s investments. As a result, current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. Performance data current to the most recent month-end is available at iShares.com. Performance results assume reinvestment of all dividends and capital gain distributions and do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. The investment return and principal value of shares will vary with changes in market conditions. Shares may be worth more or less than their original cost when they are redeemed or sold in the market. Performance for certain funds may reflect a waiver of a portion of investment advisory fees. Without such a waiver, performance would have been lower.

Net asset value or “NAV” is the value of one share of a fund as calculated in accordance with the standard formula for valuing mutual fund shares. Beginning August 10, 2020, the price used to calculate market return (“Market Price”) is the closing price. Prior to August 10, 2020, Market Price was determined by using the midpoint between the highest bid and the lowest ask on the primary stock exchange on which shares of a fund are listed for trading, as of the time that such fund’s NAV is calculated. Since shares of a fund may not trade in the secondary market until after the fund’s inception, for the period from inception to the first day of secondary market trading in shares of the fund, the NAV of the fund is used as a proxy for the Market Price to calculate market returns. Market and NAV returns assume that dividends and capital gain distributions have been reinvested at Market Price and NAV, respectively.

An index is a statistical composite that tracks a specified financial market or sector. Unlike a fund, an index does not actually hold a portfolio of securities and therefore does not incur the expenses incurred by a fund. These expenses negatively impact fund performance. Also, market returns do not include brokerage commissions that may be payable on secondary market transactions. If brokerage commissions were included, market returns would be lower.

Shareholder Expenses

As a shareholder of your Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including brokerage commissions on purchases and sales of fund shares and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees and other fund expenses. The expense example, which is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period (or from the commencement of operations if less than 6 months) and held through the end of the period, is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars and cents) of investing in your Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other funds.

Actual Expenses – The table provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. Annualized expense ratios reflect contractual and voluntary fee waivers, if any. To estimate the expenses that you paid on your account over the period, simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During the Period.”

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes – The table also provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on your Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in your Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as brokerage commissions and other fees paid on purchases and sales of fund shares. Therefore, the hypothetical examples are useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

 

B O U T    U N D    E R F O  R M A N C E / S H A R E H O L D E R    X P E N S E S

  11


Schedule of Investments

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® Currency Hedged MSCI United Kingdom ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Investment Companies

   
Exchange-Traded Funds — 99.8%            

iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF(a)

    250,021     $ 8,253,193  
   

 

 

 

Total Investment Companies — 99.8%
(Cost: $8,315,704)

      8,253,193  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities — 99.8%
(Cost: $8,315,704)

      8,253,193  
Other Assets, Less Liabilities — 0.2%         12,990  
   

 

 

 
Net Assets — 100.0%         $  8,266,183  
   

 

 

 
 

 

(a) 

Affiliate of the Fund.

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the year ended August 31, 2021 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

                   
Affiliated Issuer  

Value at

08/31/20

    Purchases
at Cost
   

Proceeds

from Sales

   

Net Realized

Gain (Loss)

   

Change in

Unrealized

Appreciation

(Depreciation)

   

Value at

08/31/21

   

Shares

Held at

08/31/21

    Income    

Capital

Gain

Distributions

from

Underlying

Funds

 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares(a)

  $     $     $     $     $     $           $ 23     $  

iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF

    10,400,203       2,501,747       (6,668,574     (687,283     2,707,100       8,253,193       250,021       243,887        
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
        $ (687,283   $ 2,707,100     $ 8,253,193       $ 243,910     $  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

As of period end, the entity is no longer held.

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

 

           
Currency Purchased      Currency Sold      Counterparty    Settlement Date         Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

USD    

     8,225,879      GBP          5,916,000      MS    09/03/21      $ 92,249  

USD

     8,322,895      GBP      6,047,000      MS    10/05/21        8,439  
                   

 

 

 
                      100,688  
                   

 

 

 

GBP

     5,916,000      USD      8,142,744      MS    09/03/21        (9,113

GBP

     18,000      USD      24,762      MS    10/05/21        (13
                   

 

 

 
                      (9,126
                   

 

 

 
           Net unrealized appreciation              $ 91,562  
                   

 

 

 

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

   

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

   

Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts

    $ 100,688  
   

 

 

 

 

 

12  

2 0 2 1    H A R E S     N N U A L    E P O R T    T O    H A R E  H O L D E R S 


Schedule of Investments   (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® Currency Hedged MSCI United Kingdom ETF

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure (continued)

 

 

 
 

Foreign

Currency

Exchange

Contracts

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instruments

   

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

   

Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts

    $ 9,126  
   

 

 

 

For the period ended August 31, 2021, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

 

 
   

Foreign

Currency

Exchange

Contracts

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from:

 

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

  $ (525,874)  
 

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:

 

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

  $ 319,164  
 

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

 

 

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts:

  

Average amounts purchased — in USD

   $ 10,099,092      

Average amounts sold — in USD

   $ 18,676,100      

 

 

For more information about the Fund’s investment risks regarding derivative financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.

Derivative Financial Instruments - Offsetting as of Period End

The Fund’s derivative assets and liabilities (by type) were as follows:

 

 

 
  

 

 

 

Assets

 

 

  

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments:

     

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

   $  100,688        $ 9,126  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total derivative assets and liabilities in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities

     100,688        9,126  

Derivatives not subject to a Master Netting Agreement or similar agreement (“MNA”)

             
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total derivative assets and liabilities subject to an MNA

     100,688        9,126  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The following tables present the Fund’s derivative assets and liabilities by counterparty net of amounts available for offset under an MNA and net of the related collateral received and pledged by the Fund:

 

 

 
   

Derivative

Assets

Subject to

an MNA by

 

 

 

 

   

Derivatives

Available

 

 

   

Non-Cash

Collateral

 

 

 

 

Cash

Collateral

 

 

   

Net Amount

of Derivative

 

 

Counterparty

    Counterparty         for Offset (a)        Received         Received         Assets (b) 

 

 

Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC

    $ 100,688       $ (9,126     $       $       $ 91,562  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

    

 

   

Derivative

Liabilities

Subject to

an MNA by

 

 

 

 

   

Derivatives

Available

 

 

   

Non-Cash

Collateral

 

 

 

 

Cash

Collateral

 

 

   

Net Amount

of Derivative

 

 

Counterparty

    Counterparty         for Offset (a)        Pledged         Pledged         Liabilities  

 

 

Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC

    $ 9,126       $ (9,126     $       $       $  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

The amount of derivatives available for offset is limited to the amount of derivative assets and/or liabilities that are subject to an MNA.

 
  (b) 

Net amount represents the net amount receivable from the counterparty in the event of default.

 

 

 

C H E D U L E    O F    N V E S T  M E N T S

  13


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® Currency Hedged MSCI United Kingdom ETF

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments. 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.

 

                                                                       

 

 
     Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

 

 

Investments

           

Assets

           

Investment Companies

   $ 8,253,193      $      $      $ 8,253,193  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Derivative financial instruments(a)

           

Assets

           

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

   $      $ 100,688      $      $ 100,688  

Liabilities

           

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

            (9,126             (9,126
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $      $ 91,562      $      $ 91,562  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Derivative financial instruments are forward foreign currency exchange contracts. Forward foreign currency exchange contracts are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

 

14  

2 0 2 1    H A R E S     N N U A L    E P O R T    T O    H A R E  H O L D E R S 


Schedule of Investments

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® MSCI United Kingdom ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

 

 

Common Stocks

   
Aerospace & Defense — 1.5%            

BAE Systems PLC

    4,600,277     $ 35,940,199  

Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC(a)

    11,921,852       18,801,021  
   

 

 

 
      54,741,220  
Banks — 9.0%            

Barclays PLC

    24,210,771       61,384,213  

HSBC Holdings PLC

    29,099,622       153,670,866  

Lloyds Banking Group PLC

    100,957,683       60,438,695  

Natwest Group PLC

    8,246,761       24,080,238  

Standard Chartered PLC

    3,777,174       23,554,966  
   

 

 

 
      323,128,978  
Beverages — 4.8%            

Coca-Cola HBC AG, Class DI

    284,896       10,311,784  

Diageo PLC

    3,331,871       160,171,923  
   

 

 

 
          170,483,707  
Capital Markets — 3.5%            

3i Group PLC

    1,386,520       25,499,606  

Abrdn PLC

    3,106,357       11,349,714  

Hargreaves Lansdown PLC

    506,166       10,511,849  

London Stock Exchange Group PLC

    468,646       51,337,296  

Schroders PLC

    178,514       9,280,993  

St. James’s Place PLC

    766,798       16,980,540  
   

 

 

 
      124,959,998  
Chemicals — 1.0%            

Croda International PLC

    198,763       25,020,603  

Johnson Matthey PLC

    275,497       11,138,009  
   

 

 

 
      36,158,612  
Commercial Services & Supplies — 0.6%  

Rentokil Initial PLC

    2,641,971       21,105,413  
   

 

 

 
Diversified Financial Services — 0.3%            

M&G PLC

    3,699,199       10,478,543  
   

 

 

 
Diversified Telecommunication Services — 0.8%  

BT Group PLC(a)

    12,716,803       29,726,851  
   

 

 

 
Electric Utilities — 0.9%            

SSE PLC

    1,484,841       33,355,800  
   

 

 

 
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components — 0.6%  

Halma PLC

    540,890       22,336,480  
   

 

 

 
Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) — 1.4%  

British Land Co. PLC (The)

    1,263,994       9,234,411  

Land Securities Group PLC

    1,003,582       9,801,640  

Segro PLC

    1,709,896       30,220,842  
   

 

 

 
      49,256,893  
Food & Staples Retailing — 2.3%  

J Sainsbury PLC

    2,394,737       10,009,048  

Ocado Group PLC(a)

    693,453       19,219,206  

Tesco PLC

    11,015,844       38,672,450  

Wm Morrison Supermarkets PLC

    3,433,259       13,655,993  
   

 

 

 
      81,556,697  
Food Products — 0.4%            

Associated British Foods PLC

    507,555       13,838,979  
   

 

 

 
Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 0.7%  

Smith & Nephew PLC

    1,249,669       23,929,947  
   

 

 

 
Security   Shares     Value  

 

 
Health Care Providers & Services — 0.0%            

NMC Health PLC(b)

    122,262     $ 2  
   

 

 

 
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 2.9%            

Compass Group PLC(a)

    2,541,677       52,510,923  

Entain PLC(a)

    833,786       22,158,552  

InterContinental Hotels Group PLC(a)

    260,232       16,627,283  

Whitbread PLC(a)

    287,262       12,685,304  
   

 

 

 
      103,982,062  
Household Durables — 1.6%            

Barratt Developments PLC

    1,450,844       14,757,408  

Berkeley Group Holdings PLC

    173,208       11,505,273  

Persimmon PLC

    454,585       18,397,711  

Taylor Wimpey PLC

    5,186,019       13,054,693  
   

 

 

 
      57,715,085  
Household Products — 2.2%            

Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC

    1,015,507       77,525,022  
   

 

 

 
Industrial Conglomerates — 1.0%            

DCC PLC

    140,299       11,925,996  

Melrose Industries PLC

    6,258,432       14,451,211  

Smiths Group PLC

    564,707       11,207,733  
   

 

 

 
      37,584,940  
Insurance — 4.7%            

Admiral Group PLC

    274,638       13,645,705  

Aviva PLC

    5,597,426       31,111,129  

Direct Line Insurance Group PLC

    1,924,545       8,176,019  

Legal & General Group PLC

    8,502,073       31,582,072  

Phoenix Group Holdings PLC

    922,676       7,905,864  

Prudential PLC

    3,722,979       77,566,866  
   

 

 

 
          169,987,655  
Interactive Media & Services — 0.3%            

Auto Trader Group PLC(c)

    1,375,888       11,898,151  
   

 

 

 
Machinery — 0.7%            

Spirax-Sarco Engineering PLC

    105,058       23,297,186  
   

 

 

 
Media — 1.4%            

Informa PLC(a)

    2,140,187       15,640,600  

Pearson PLC

    1,072,878       11,314,145  

WPP PLC

    1,715,638       23,262,074  
   

 

 

 
      50,216,819  
Metals & Mining — 10.4%            

Anglo American PLC

    1,844,953       77,922,514  

Antofagasta PLC

    560,730       11,232,459  

BHP Group PLC

    3,009,100       93,570,772  

Evraz PLC

    732,134       5,955,337  

Glencore PLC

    14,237,981       64,181,005  

Rio Tinto PLC

    1,600,379       118,402,795  
   

 

 

 
      371,264,882  
Multi-Utilities — 1.8%            

National Grid PLC

    5,064,199       65,501,445  
   

 

 

 
Multiline Retail — 0.6%            

Next PLC

    189,392       20,596,564  
   

 

 

 
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 9.4%            

BP PLC

    28,840,232       117,330,552  

Royal Dutch Shell PLC, Class A

    5,843,093       115,806,836  

Royal Dutch Shell PLC, Class B

    5,280,253       103,902,745  
   

 

 

 
      337,040,133  
 

 

 

C H E D U L E    O F    N V E S T  M E N T S

  15


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® MSCI United Kingdom ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

 

 
Paper & Forest Products — 0.5%            

Mondi PLC

    691,774     $ 19,082,537  
   

 

 

 
Personal Products — 5.8%            

Unilever PLC

    3,732,679       207,835,170  
   

 

 

 
Pharmaceuticals — 11.5%            

AstraZeneca PLC

    2,207,014       258,095,767  

GlaxoSmithKline PLC

    7,172,820       144,285,609  

Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC

    246,291       8,596,719  
   

 

 

 
      410,978,095  
Professional Services — 4.4%            

Experian PLC

    1,315,359       58,020,625  

Intertek Group PLC

    229,937       16,672,022  

RELX PLC

    2,756,571       82,727,919  
   

 

 

 
          157,420,566  
Software — 0.7%            

AVEVA Group PLC

    171,633       9,766,107  

Sage Group PLC (The)

    1,530,788       15,633,210  
   

 

 

 
      25,399,317  
Specialty Retail — 0.7%            

JD Sports Fashion PLC

    734,894       10,204,918  

Kingfisher PLC

    3,007,287       14,480,149  
   

 

 

 
      24,685,067  
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods — 0.4%            

Burberry Group PLC

    576,729       14,767,553  
   

 

 

 
Tobacco — 4.1%            

British American Tobacco PLC

    3,108,010       116,591,888  

Imperial Brands PLC

    1,348,407       28,595,387  
   

 

 

 
      145,187,275  
Trading Companies & Distributors — 3.2%            

Ashtead Group PLC

    639,438       49,986,711  

Bunzl PLC

    480,142       17,397,144  
Security   Shares     Value  

 

 
Trading Companies & Distributors (continued)  

Ferguson PLC

    318,157     $ 45,985,842  
   

 

 

 
      113,369,697  
Water Utilities — 0.8%            

Severn Trent PLC

    355,889       13,521,558  

United Utilities Group PLC

    971,528       14,128,432  
   

 

 

 
      27,649,990  
Wireless Telecommunication Services — 1.9%  

Vodafone Group PLC

    39,837,379       66,909,689  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 98.8%
(Cost: $3,713,501,430)

 

        3,534,953,020  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Investments

 

Money Market Funds — 0.0%  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury,
SL Agency Shares, 0.00%(d)(e)

    1,420,000       1,420,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments — 0.0%
(Cost: $1,420,000)

      1,420,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities — 98.8%
(Cost: $3,714,921,430)

 

    3,536,373,020  

Other Assets, Less Liabilities — 1.2%

 

    42,808,442  
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

    $ 3,579,181,462  
   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Non-income producing security.

(b) 

Security is valued using significant unobservable inputs and is classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

(c) 

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.

(d) 

Affiliate of the Fund.

(e) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

 

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the year ended August 31, 2021 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

 

 
Affiliated Issuer    Value at
08/31/20
       Purchases
at Cost
     Proceeds
from Sales
     Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
       Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
       Value at
08/31/21
       Shares
Held at
08/31/21
       Income     

Capital

Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds

 

 

 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares(a)

   $ 1,317,900        $      $ (1,315,614 )(b)     $ (2,606      $ 320        $                 $ 1,680 (c)     $  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

     800,000          620,000 (b)                                1,420,000          1,420,000          566         
             

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

           

 

 

    

 

 

 
              $ (2,606      $ 320        $ 1,420,000             $ 2,246      $  
             

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

           

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

As of period end, the entity is no longer held.

 
  (b) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 
  (c) 

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.

 

 

 

16  

2 0 2 1    H A R E S     N N U A L    E P O R T    T O    H A R E  H O L D E R S 


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® MSCI United Kingdom ETF

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Futures Contracts

 

 

 
Description    Number of
Contracts
       Expiration
Date
       Notional
Amount
(000)
       Value/
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

 

 

Long Contracts

                 

FTSE 100 Index

     446          09/17/21        $ 43,522        $ 91,300  
                 

 

 

 

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:

 

 

 
     Equity
Contracts
 

 

 

Assets — Derivative Financial Instruments

  

Futures contracts

  

Unrealized appreciation on futures contracts(a)

   $ 91,300  
  

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Net cumulative 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 August 31, 2021, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

 

 
     Equity
Contracts
 

 

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from:

  

Futures contracts

   $ 2,891,806  
  

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:

  

Futures contracts

   $ 682,251  
  

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

 

 

Futures contracts:

  

Average notional value of contracts — long

     $30,018,240      

 

 

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. 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.

 

 

 
     Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

 

 

Investments

                 

Assets

                 

Common Stocks

   $ 8,176,019        $ 3,526,776,999        $ 2        $ 3,534,953,020  

Money Market Funds

     1,420,000                            1,420,000  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $     9,596,019        $ 3,526,776,999        $ 2        $ 3,536,373,020  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Derivative financial instruments(a)

                 

Assets

                 

Futures Contracts

   $        $ 91,300        $                 —          $ 91,300  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Derivative financial instruments are futures contracts. Futures contracts are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

C H E D U L E    O F    N V E S T  M E N T S

  17


Schedule of Investments

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® MSCI United Kingdom Small-Cap ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

 

 

Common Stocks

   
Aerospace & Defense — 3.3%            

Avon Protection PLC

    6,769     $ 174,866  

Babcock International Group PLC(a)

    56,506       282,174  

Chemring Group PLC

    63,101       288,458  

Meggitt PLC(a)

    173,411       1,979,284  

QinetiQ Group PLC

    127,965       607,947  

Senior PLC(a)

    94,196       230,002  

Ultra Electronics Holdings PLC

    15,706       692,482  
   

 

 

 
          4,255,213  
Air Freight & Logistics — 0.9%            

Royal Mail PLC

    177,957       1,212,020  
   

 

 

 
Airlines — 0.8%            

easyJet PLC(a)

    40,347       441,743  

JET2 PLC(a)

    35,632       565,329  
   

 

 

 
      1,007,072  
Auto Components — 0.2%            

AB Dynamics PLC

    3,417       84,562  

TI Fluid Systems PLC(b)

    52,578       220,836  
   

 

 

 
      305,398  
Automobiles — 0.3%            

Aston Martin Lagonda Global Holdings PLC(a)(b)

    15,284       421,325  
   

 

 

 
Banks — 1.5%            

Bank of Georgia Group PLC(a)

    8,839       202,943  

Close Brothers Group PLC

    33,350       707,485  

TBC Bank Group PLC

    9,286       181,289  

Virgin Money UK PLC(a)

    286,502       837,135  
   

 

 

 
      1,928,852  
Beverages — 1.5%            

AG Barr PLC(a)

    19,556       149,758  

Britvic PLC

    59,078       791,928  

C&C Group PLC(a)

    85,979       291,738  

Fevertree Drinks PLC

    23,349       713,293  
   

 

 

 
      1,946,717  
Biotechnology — 2.0%            

Abcam PLC(a)

    47,815       1,015,002  

Avacta Group PLC(a)(c)

    55,094       98,470  

Genus PLC

    14,469       1,180,694  

Oxford Biomedica PLC(a)

    12,907       262,984  

Silence Therapeutics PLC(a)

    8,777       69,868  
   

 

 

 
      2,627,018  
Building Products — 0.5%            

Genuit Group PLC

    54,633       595,842  
   

 

 

 
Capital Markets — 8.5%            

AJ Bell PLC

    68,507       405,380  

Alpha FX Group PLC

    6,355       156,395  

Ashmore Group PLC

    103,428       568,409  

Brewin Dolphin Holdings PLC

    67,481       369,394  

CMC Markets PLC(b)

    28,545       165,418  

Draper Esprit PLC(a)

    30,568       456,407  

IG Group Holdings PLC

    82,133       1,057,652  

IntegraFin Holdings PLC

    62,288       496,469  

Intermediate Capital Group PLC

    64,495       1,950,295  

Investec PLC

    154,085       648,030  

IP Group PLC

    223,714       390,654  

Jupiter Fund Management PLC

    98,085       359,831  

Liontrust Asset Management PLC

    13,501       436,570  
Security   Shares     Value  

 

 
Capital Markets (continued)            

Man Group PLC

    320,609     $ 954,750  

Ninety One PLC

    76,620       269,884  

Numis Corp. PLC

    15,368       79,233  

Polar Capital Holdings PLC

    16,683       201,384  

Quilter PLC(b)

    388,704       807,921  

Rathbone Brothers PLC

    12,780       359,347  

Sanne Group PLC

    35,953       459,699  

TP ICAP Group PLC

    174,290       487,033  
   

 

 

 
      11,080,155  
Chemicals — 1.4%            

Elementis PLC(a)

    129,919       273,644  

Essentra PLC

    67,476       269,203  

Synthomer PLC

    75,852       558,589  

Victrex PLC

    19,196       700,331  
   

 

 

 
      1,801,767  
Commercial Services & Supplies — 2.2%            

Biffa PLC(a)(b)

    67,927       365,153  

Clipper Logistics PLC

    16,652       187,273  

HomeServe PLC

    67,192       865,591  

Johnson Service Group PLC(a)

    100,194       203,597  

Mitie Group PLC(a)

    316,229       330,423  

Restore PLC(a)

    27,276       176,252  

Serco Group PLC

    266,963       489,256  

Smart Metering Systems PLC

    22,678       300,876  
   

 

 

 
          2,918,421  
Communications Equipment — 0.4%            

Spirent Communications PLC

    135,162       553,566  
   

 

 

 
Construction & Engineering — 1.3%            

Balfour Beatty PLC

    147,195       578,651  

John Laing Group PLC(b)

    109,899       605,643  

Keller Group PLC

    16,191       222,157  

Morgan Sindall Group PLC

    8,783       310,335  
   

 

 

 
      1,716,786  
Construction Materials — 1.4%            

Breedon Group PLC

    337,149       481,143  

Forterra PLC(b)

    51,363       222,795  

Ibstock PLC(b)

    91,357       300,969  

Marshalls PLC

    44,311       492,546  

Rhi Magnesita NV

    6,349       335,191  
   

 

 

 
      1,832,644  
Consumer Finance — 0.4%            

Arrow Global Group PLC(a)

    34,835       145,834  

Funding Circle Holdings PLC(a)(b)

    39,289       81,025  

Provident Financial PLC(a)

    56,684       277,875  
   

 

 

 
      504,734  
Containers & Packaging — 1.4%            

DS Smith PLC

    304,783       1,854,621  
   

 

 

 
Distributors — 0.8%            

Inchcape PLC

    87,206       1,102,436  
   

 

 

 
Diversified Financial Services — 0.7%            

Burford Capital Ltd.

    41,210       511,618  

Plus500 Ltd.

    20,426       419,696  
   

 

 

 
      931,314  
Diversified Telecommunication Services — 0.4%  

Gamma Communications PLC

    18,034       570,634  
   

 

 

 
 

 

 

18  

2 0 2 1    H A R E S     N N U A L    E P O R T    T O    H A R E  H O L D E R S 


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® MSCI United Kingdom Small-Cap ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

 

 
Electrical Equipment — 0.9%            

Ceres Power Holdings PLC(a)

    21,103     $ 342,445  

ITM Power PLC(a)(c)

    85,243       569,039  

Luceco PLC(b)

    17,543       109,500  

Volex PLC

    25,702       146,646  
   

 

 

 
      1,167,630  
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components — 1.7%  

Renishaw PLC

    8,115       602,810  

Spectris PLC

    25,629       1,389,046  

Strix Group PLC

    44,921       231,599  
   

 

 

 
      2,223,455  
Energy Equipment & Services — 0.5%            

Hunting PLC

    31,337       90,476  

John Wood Group PLC(a)

    152,254       523,121  

Petrofac Ltd.(a)(c)

    64,156       92,880  
   

 

 

 
      706,477  
Entertainment — 0.6%            

Cineworld Group PLC(a)(c)

    216,596       197,375  

Frontier Developments PLC(a)

    4,714       182,765  

Sumo Group PLC(a)

    24,289       164,297  

Team17 Group PLC(a)

    23,535       259,011  
   

 

 

 
      803,448  
Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) — 8.9%  

Assura PLC

    594,760       645,601  

Big Yellow Group PLC

    36,969       775,109  

BMO Commercial Property Trust Ltd.

    179,047       245,418  

Capital & Counties Properties PLC

    160,496       383,485  

Civitas Social Housing PLC

    139,687       202,964  

Custodian REIT PLC

    90,012       121,154  

Derwent London PLC

    22,325           1,164,306  

Empiric Student Property PLC(a)

    131,610       174,973  

GCP Student Living PLC

    101,314       296,691  

Great Portland Estates PLC

    50,452       542,142  

Hammerson PLC

    699,125       350,317  

LondonMetric Property PLC

    191,201       688,645  

LXI REIT PLC

    156,335       321,089  

Picton Property Income Ltd. (The)

    123,244       167,748  

Primary Health Properties PLC

    293,884       681,174  

Regional REIT Ltd.(b)

    88,927       109,057  

Safestore Holdings PLC

    46,868       744,241  

Secure Income REIT PLC

    61,226       339,715  

Shaftesbury PLC

    42,655       377,669  

Tritax Big Box REIT PLC

    380,722       1,241,021  

UK Commercial Property REIT Ltd.

    176,003       192,522  

UNITE Group PLC (The)

    74,908       1,259,019  

Warehouse REIT PLC

    90,901       200,460  

Workspace Group PLC

    30,120       385,325  
   

 

 

 
      11,609,845  
Food & Staples Retailing — 0.1%            

Naked Wines PLC(a)

    12,771       147,489  
   

 

 

 
Food Products — 1.7%            

Bakkavor Group PLC(b)

    32,519       51,773  

Cranswick PLC

    11,703       639,063  

Greencore Group PLC(a)

    118,327       231,262  

Hotel Chocolat Group PLC(a)

    11,107       57,264  

Premier Foods PLC

    133,935       222,810  

Tate & Lyle PLC

    103,846       1,008,565  
   

 

 

 
      2,210,737  
Security   Shares     Value  

 

 
Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 1.0%            

Advanced Medical Solutions Group PLC

    43,487     $ 159,255  

ConvaTec Group PLC(b)

    357,247       1,107,077  
   

 

 

 
      1,266,332  
Health Care Providers & Services — 0.8%            

CVS Group PLC(a)

    14,852       507,827  

Mediclinic International PLC(a)

    90,053       388,076  

Spire Healthcare Group PLC(a)(b)

    62,992       203,718  
   

 

 

 
      1,099,621  
Health Care Technology — 0.5%            

Craneware PLC

    5,942       196,065  

EMIS Group PLC

    12,764       242,521  

Renalytix PLC(a)

    10,218       146,848  
   

 

 

 
      585,434  
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 5.2%            

888 Holdings PLC

    81,692       457,493  

Carnival PLC(a)

    35,024       758,903  

Domino’s Pizza Group PLC

    93,158       526,914  

Gamesys Group PLC

    16,984       430,816  

Greggs PLC(a)

    22,451       936,534  

J D Wetherspoon PLC(a)

    21,478       328,473  

Marston’s PLC(a)

    142,932       170,039  

Mitchells & Butlers PLC(a)

    60,152       243,482  

On the Beach Group PLC(a)(b)

    34,787       168,590  

Patisserie Holdings PLC(d)

    6,053       0 (e)  

Playtech PLC(a)

    67,934       381,815  

Rank Group PLC(a)

    56,217       137,731  

Restaurant Group PLC (The)(a)

    170,465       282,643  

SSP Group PLC(a)

    167,350       628,063  

Trainline PLC(a)(b)

    106,704       536,636  

TUI AG(a)(c)

    171,365       745,446  

Young & Co’s Brewery PLC, Series A(a)

    4,879       107,662  
   

 

 

 
          6,841,240  
Household Durables — 3.3%            

Bellway PLC

    27,293       1,322,725  

Countryside Properties PLC(a)(b)

    110,873       858,109  

Crest Nicholson Holdings PLC(a)

    57,169       329,958  

IG Design Group PLC

    17,121       131,817  

Redrow PLC

    62,159       607,394  

Victoria PLC(a)

    14,459       221,650  

Vistry Group PLC

    49,451       823,640  
   

 

 

 
      4,295,293  
Household Products — 0.1%            

PZ Cussons PLC

    46,774       155,136  
   

 

 

 
Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers — 0.5%  

ContourGlobal PLC(b)

    42,581       113,610  

Drax Group PLC

    87,675       500,000  
   

 

 

 
      613,610  
Insurance — 2.1%            

Beazley PLC(a)

    135,466       729,151  

Hiscox Ltd.

    76,889       971,387  

Just Group PLC(a)

    231,473       297,051  

Lancashire Holdings Ltd.

    53,942       463,268  

Sabre Insurance Group PLC(b)

    54,550       165,723  

Saga PLC(a)

    22,927       112,605  
   

 

 

 
      2,739,185  
Interactive Media & Services — 1.4%            

Rightmove PLC

    191,772       1,850,170  
   

 

 

 
 

 

 

C H E D U L E    O F    N V E S T  M E N T S

  19


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® MSCI United Kingdom Small-Cap ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

 

 
Internet & Direct Marketing Retail — 2.2%            

AO World PLC(a)

    69,910     $ 222,220  

ASOS PLC(a)

    15,535       828,788  

Auction Technology Group PLC(a)

    14,450       322,236  

boohoo Group PLC(a)

    224,237       873,476  

Moneysupermarket.com Group PLC

    119,372       416,533  

Moonpig Group PLC(a)

    33,592       178,732  
   

 

 

 
              2,841,985  
IT Services — 3.1%            

Capita PLC(a)

    373,441       251,377  

Computacenter PLC

    16,519       668,234  

Equiniti Group PLC(a)(b)

    81,882       201,285  

Finablr PLC(a)(b)(d)

    61,710       1  

iomart Group PLC

    20,882       68,903  

Kainos Group PLC

    17,673       476,721  

Keywords Studios PLC(a)

    15,866       681,014  

NCC Group PLC

    68,491       304,153  

Network International Holdings PLC(a)(b)

    103,210       555,106  

Softcat PLC

    26,515       770,641  
   

 

 

 
      3,977,435  
Leisure Products — 0.9%            

Games Workshop Group PLC

    7,259       1,154,690  
   

 

 

 
Life Sciences Tools & Services — 0.3%            

Clinigen Group PLC

    28,304       243,600  

Ergomed PLC(a)

    8,164       163,875  
   

 

 

 
      407,475  
Machinery — 4.0%            

Bodycote PLC

    42,771       567,759  

IMI PLC

    60,117       1,507,525  

Judges Scientific PLC

    1,112       111,687  

Morgan Advanced Materials PLC

    63,526       350,725  

Rotork PLC

    194,117       891,110  

Vesuvius PLC

    48,169       372,269  

Weir Group PLC (The)(a)

    57,441       1,382,320  
   

 

 

 
      5,183,395  
Media — 3.7%            

Ascential PLC(a)

    88,938       510,214  

Euromoney Institutional Investor PLC

    24,286       345,191  

Future PLC

    25,479       1,348,647  

ITV PLC(a)

    805,591       1,283,937  

Reach PLC

    65,873       370,866  

S4 Capital PLC(a)

    60,804       680,475  

Tremor International Ltd.(a)(c)

    23,053       233,905  
   

 

 

 
      4,773,235  
Metals & Mining — 1.5%            

Centamin PLC

    256,992       351,336  

Central Asia Metals PLC

    38,409       132,017  

Eurasia Mining PLC(a)

    391,270       99,312  

Ferrexpo PLC

    65,206       341,755  

Greatland Gold PLC(a)

    878,929       223,824  

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC

    17,628       448,848  

Hochschild Mining PLC

    72,883       151,307  

Petropavlovsk PLC(a)

    518,090       149,582  

SolGold PLC(a)(c)

    204,796       83,061  
   

 

 

 
      1,981,042  
Multi-Utilities — 0.9%            

Centrica PLC(a)

    1,303,160       931,237  
Security   Shares     Value  

 

 
Multi-Utilities (continued)            

Telecom Plus PLC

    14,190     $ 200,944  
   

 

 

 
          1,132,181  
Multiline Retail — 2.0%            

B&M European Value Retail SA

    200,089       1,539,801  

Marks & Spencer Group PLC(a)

    434,570       1,074,210  
   

 

 

 
      2,614,011  
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 1.0%            

Cairn Energy PLC

    111,401       295,084  

Diversified Energy Co. PLC

    180,328       277,000  

Energean PLC(a)

    25,860       240,876  

Harbour Energy PLC(a)

    50,489       248,048  

Serica Energy PLC

    35,080       76,010  

Tullow Oil PLC(a)

    262,938       161,379  
   

 

 

 
      1,298,397  
Pharmaceuticals — 2.0%            

Alliance Pharma PLC

    101,542       150,774  

Dechra Pharmaceuticals PLC

    24,017       1,730,236  

Indivior PLC(a)

    162,655       434,729  

Vectura Group PLC

    132,862       299,206  
   

 

 

 
      2,614,945  
Professional Services — 1.7%            

Hays PLC(a)

    373,054       816,527  

Pagegroup PLC(a)

    73,202       634,043  

RWS Holdings PLC

    64,450       575,516  

SThree PLC

    28,564       204,603  
   

 

 

 
      2,230,689  
Real Estate Management & Development — 2.1%            

CLS Holdings PLC

    40,002       131,504  

Grainger PLC

    149,997       659,929  

Helical PLC

    24,546       160,265  

IWG PLC(a)

    167,033       686,435  

Savills PLC

    31,614       594,024  

Sirius Real Estate Ltd.

    221,933       381,329  

Watkin Jones PLC

    45,809       149,894  
   

 

 

 
      2,763,380  
Road & Rail — 1.0%            

Firstgroup PLC(a)

    271,958       337,566  

Go-Ahead Group PLC (The)(a)

    9,404       121,921  

National Express Group PLC(a)

    122,422       432,225  

Redde Northgate PLC

    52,056       312,552  

Stagecoach Group PLC(a)

    90,151       88,930  
   

 

 

 
      1,293,194  
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 0.1%            

IQE PLC(a)(c)

    165,997       119,588  
   

 

 

 
Software — 3.1%            

Argo Blockchain PLC(a)

    79,135       153,577  

Avast PLC(b)

    147,989       1,217,099  

Blue Prism Group PLC(a)

    18,052       273,007  

Bytes Technology Group PLC(a)

    47,956       338,892  

dotdigital group PLC

    60,239       234,794  

FD Technologies PLC(a)

    5,004       161,674  

GB Group PLC

    41,175       508,919  

Ideagen PLC

    46,762       201,873  

Kape Technologies PLC(a)(c)

    16,977       91,029  

Learning Technologies Group PLC

    123,453       388,341  

Micro Focus International PLC

    74,458       455,376  
   

 

 

 
      4,024,581  
 

 

 

20  

2 0 2 1    H A R E S     N N U A L    E P O R T    T O    H A R E  H O L D E R S 


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® MSCI United Kingdom Small-Cap ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

 

 
Specialty Retail — 2.4%            

Dixons Carphone PLC

    245,365     $ 471,289  

Dunelm Group PLC

    26,854       474,640  

Frasers Group PLC(a)

    46,066       424,062  

Halfords Group PLC

    43,447       217,190  

Pets at Home Group PLC

    110,628       761,805  

WH Smith PLC(a)

    28,963       650,979  

Wickes Group PLC(a)

    56,930       189,414  
   

 

 

 
      3,189,379  
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods — 0.7%            

Coats Group PLC

    323,517       339,373  

Dr. Martens PLC(a)

    99,760       579,617  
   

 

 

 
      918,990  
Thrifts & Mortgage Finance — 0.9%            

OSB Group PLC

    99,457       696,682  

Paragon Banking Group PLC

    57,061       440,891  
   

 

 

 
          1,137,573  
Trading Companies & Distributors — 5.2%        

Diploma PLC

    27,587       1,163,733  

Electrocomponents PLC

    104,415       1,527,966  

Grafton Group PLC

    50,486       970,177  

Howden Joinery Group PLC

    132,597       1,724,807  

SIG PLC(a)

    154,690       112,399  

Travis Perkins PLC(a)

    49,816       1,234,179  
   

 

 

 
      6,733,261  
Water Utilities — 0.8%            

Penno Group PLC

    62,350       1,071,012  
   

 

 

 
Wireless Telecommunication Services — 0.2%        

Airtel Africa PLC(b)

    209,879       268,209  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 99.0%
(Cost: $115,884,569)

      129,210,284  
   

 

 

 
Security   Shares     Value  

 

 

Short-Term Investments

   

Money Market Funds — 1.8%

   

BlackRock Cash Funds:
Institutional, SL Agency Shares, 0.06%(f)(g)(h)

    2,278,336     $ 2,279,475  

BlackRock Cash Funds:
Treasury, SL Agency Shares, 0.00%(f)(g)

    50,000       50,000  
   

 

 

 
      2,329,475  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments — 1.8%
(Cost: $2,328,924)

 

    2,329,475  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities — 100.8%
(Cost: $118,213,493)

 

        131,539,759  

Other Assets, Less Liabilities — (0.8)%

      (980,089
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

    $ 130,559,670  
   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Non-income producing security.

(b) 

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.

(c) 

All or a portion of this security is on loan.

(d) 

Security is valued using significant unobservable inputs and is classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

(e) 

Rounds to less than $1.

(f) 

Affiliate of the Fund.

(g) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

(h) 

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 year ended August 31, 2021 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

 

 
Affiliated Issuer    Value at
08/31/20
       Purchases
at Cost
     Proceeds
from Sales
       Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
       Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
       Value at
08/31/21
       Shares
Held at
08/31/21
       Income     

Capital

Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds

 

 

 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares

   $ 1,170,176        $ 1,110,182 (a)     $        $ (611      $ (272      $ 2,279,475          2,278,336        $ 90,623 (b)     $  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

     20,000          30,000 (a)                                   50,000          50,000          13         
               

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

           

 

 

    

 

 

 
                $ (611      $ (272      $ 2,329,475             $ 90,636      $  
               

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

           

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 
  (b) 

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.

 

 

 

C H E D U L E    O F    N V E S T  M E N T S

  21


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® MSCI United Kingdom Small-Cap ETF

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Futures Contracts

 

 

 
Description    Number of
Contracts
       Expiration
Date
       Notional
Amount
(000)
       Value/
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

 

 

Long Contracts

                 

FTSE 250 Index

     20          09/17/21        $ 1,325        $ 34,500  
                 

 

 

 

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:

 

 

 
     Equity
Contracts
 

 

 

Assets — Derivative Financial Instruments

  

Futures contracts

  

Unrealized appreciation on futures contracts(a)

   $ 34,500  
  

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Net cumulative 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 August 31, 2021, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

 

 
     Equity
Contracts
 

 

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from:

  

Futures contracts

   $ 94,379  
  

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:

  

Futures contracts

   $ 29,590  
  

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

 

 

Futures contracts:

  

Average notional value of contracts — long

     $716,888      

 

 

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. 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.

 

 

 
     Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

 

 

Investments

                 

Assets

                 

Common Stocks

   $ 50,665,999        $ 78,544,284        $ 1        $ 129,210,284  

Money Market Funds

     2,329,475                            2,329,475  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 52,995,474        $ 78,544,284        $ 1        $ 131,539,759  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Derivative financial instruments(a)

                 

Assets

                 

Futures Contracts

   $        $ 34,500        $        $ 34,500  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Derivative financial instruments are futures contracts. Futures contracts are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

22  

2 0 2 1    H A R E S     N N U A L    E P O R T    T O    H A R E  H O L D E R S 


 

Statements of Assets and Liabilities

August 31, 2021

 

   

iShares
Currency
Hedged

MSCI United
Kingdom

ETF

   

iShares
MSCI United

Kingdom ETF

   

iShares

MSCI United
Kingdom
Small-Cap

ETF

 

 

 

ASSETS

     

Investments in securities, at value (including securities on loan)(a):

     

Unaffiliated(b)

  $     $ 3,534,953,020     $ 129,210,284  

Affiliated(c)

    8,253,193       1,420,000       2,329,475  

Cash

    3,642       4,449       9,759  

Foreign currency, at value(d)

          6,232,352       1,110,998  

Foreign currency collateral pledged:

     

Futures contracts(e)

          4,054,818       134,736  

Receivables:

     

Investments sold

          5,532,639       93,722  

Securities lending income — Affiliated

                7,821  

Variation margin on futures contracts

                3,414  

Capital shares sold

          4,173,676        

Dividends

          38,179,851       219,602  

Tax reclaims

          75,441       25,035  

Unrealized appreciation on:

     

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

    100,688              
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

    8,357,523       3,594,626,246       133,144,846  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

     

Collateral on securities loaned, at value

                2,279,796  

Payables:

     

Investments purchased

    82,214       13,442,649       241,131  

Variation margin on futures contracts

          234,822        

Capital shares redeemed

          278,389        

Investment advisory fees

          1,488,924       64,249  

Unrealized depreciation on:

     

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

    9,126              
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    91,340       15,444,784       2,585,176  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 8,266,183     $ 3,579,181,462     $ 130,559,670  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:

     

Paid-in capital

  $ 15,263,103     $ 4,224,525,683     $ 126,146,501  

Accumulated earnings (loss)

    (6,996,920     (645,344,221     4,413,169  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 8,266,183     $ 3,579,181,462     $ 130,559,670  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Shares outstanding

    360,000       108,300,000       2,600,000  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value

  $ 22.96     $ 33.05     $ 50.22  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Shares authorized

    Unlimited       Unlimited       Unlimited  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Par value

    None       None       None  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(a) Securities loaned, at value

  $     $     $ 1,971,169  

(b) Investments, at cost — Unaffiliated

  $     $ 3,713,501,430     $ 115,884,569  

(c)  Investments, at cost — Affiliated

  $ 8,315,704     $ 1,420,000     $ 2,328,924  

(d) Foreign currency, at cost

  $     $ 6,175,607     $ 1,108,625  

(e) Foreign currency collateral pledged, at cost

  $     $ 4,134,760     $ 136,457  

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L    T A T E M E N T  S

  23


 

Statements of Operations

Year Ended August 31, 2021

 

    iShares
Currency
Hedged
MSCI United
Kingdom
ETF
   

iShares

MSCI United
Kingdom

ETF

   

iShares

MSCI United
Kingdom
Small-Cap
ETF

 

 

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

     

Dividends — Unaffiliated

  $     $ 137,622,255     $ 2,303,509  

Dividends — Affiliated

    243,910       566       13  

Securities lending income — Affiliated — net

          1,680       90,623  

Foreign taxes withheld

          (790,955     (75,073
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investment income

    243,910       136,833,546       2,319,072  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EXPENSES

     

Investment advisory fees

    53,678       15,450,248       540,007  

Miscellaneous

    173       173       173  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses

    53,851       15,450,421       540,180  

Less:

     

Investment advisory fees waived

    (53,678            
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived

    173       15,450,421       540,180  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    243,737       121,383,125       1,778,892  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

     

Net realized gain (loss) from:

     

Investments — Unaffiliated

          (103,780,693     (1,129,252

Investments — Affiliated

    (215,991     (2,606     (611

In-kind redemptions — Unaffiliated

          137,949,497       1,401,879  

In-kind redemptions — Affiliated

    (471,292            

Futures contracts

          2,891,806       94,379  

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

    (525,874            

Foreign currency transactions

          74,215       (26,133
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net realized gain (loss)

    (1,213,157     37,132,219       340,262  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

     

Investments — Unaffiliated

          562,312,405       26,590,522  

Investments — Affiliated

    2,707,100       320       (272

Futures contracts

          682,251       29,590  

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

    319,164              

Foreign currency translations

          (649,993     (8,252
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    3,026,264       562,344,983       26,611,588  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain

    1,813,107       599,477,202       26,951,850  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

  $ 2,056,844     $ 720,860,327     $ 28,730,742  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

24  

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Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

    iShares
Currency Hedged MSCI United Kingdom
ETF
    iShares
MSCI United Kingdom ETF
 
   

Year Ended

08/31/21

    Year Ended
08/31/20
   

Year Ended

08/31/21

   

Year Ended

08/31/20

 

 

 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

         

OPERATIONS

                      

Net investment income

    $ 243,737     $ 1,298,543     $ 121,383,125     $ 68,412,471  

Net realized gain (loss)

      (1,213,157     (11,338,886     37,132,219       (165,092,866

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

      3,026,264       (1,651,356     562,344,983       (156,794,889
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

      2,056,844       (11,691,699     720,860,327       (253,475,284
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a)

         

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

      (243,738     (1,298,842     (95,207,591     (75,813,059
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

         

Net increase (decrease) in net assets derived from capital share transactions

      (3,967,299     (11,735,402     762,464,858       519,630,214  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

         

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

      (2,154,193     (24,725,943     1,388,117,594       190,341,871  

Beginning of year

      10,420,376       35,146,319       2,191,063,868       2,000,721,997  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of year

    $ 8,266,183     $ 10,420,376     $ 3,579,181,462     $ 2,191,063,868  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a)

Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L    T A T E M E N T S   25


 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

 

    iShares
MSCI United Kingdom Small-Cap ETF
 
    Year Ended
08/31/21
    Year Ended
08/31/20
 

 

 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

   

OPERATIONS

   

Net investment income

  $ 1,778,892     $ 1,638,496  

Net realized gain (loss)

    340,262       (12,000,108

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    26,611,588       (3,873,370
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    28,730,742       (14,234,982
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a)

   

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

    (1,264,047     (2,244,985
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

   

Net increase in net assets derived from capital share transactions

    42,435,550       16,028,264  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

   

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

    69,902,245       (451,703

Beginning of year

    60,657,425       61,109,128  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of year

  $ 130,559,670     $ 60,657,425  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

26  

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Financial Highlights  

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

          iShares Currency Hedged MSCI United Kingdom ETF  
 

 

 

 
    Year Ended
08/31/21
    Year Ended
08/31/20
    Year Ended
08/31/19
    Year Ended
08/31/18
    Year Ended
08/31/17
 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of year

    $ 18.95                  $ 23.43                  $ 23.83                  $ 23.84                  $ 24.87  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

      0.59         0.74         0.92         1.11         0.48  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(b)

      4.04         (4.46       (0.26       (0.05       2.39  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

      4.63         (3.72       0.66         1.06         2.87  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Distributions(c)

                   

From net investment income

      (0.62       (0.76       (1.06       (1.07       (0.84

From net realized gain

                                      (3.06
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

      (0.62       (0.76       (1.06       (1.07       (3.90
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

    $ 22.96       $ 18.95       $ 23.43       $ 23.83       $ 23.84  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

                   

Based on net asset value

      24.59       (16.34 )%        2.92       4.42       13.48
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

                   

Total expenses(e)

      0.62       0.62       0.62       0.62       0.62
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived(e)

      0.00 %(f)        0.00 %(f)        0.00       0.00       0.00
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net investment income

      2.82       3.31       3.96       4.62       1.99
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

                   

Net assets, end of year (000)

    $ 8,266       $ 10,420       $ 35,146       $ 22,643       $ 19,073  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(g)(h)

      15       15       11       17       20
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

(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) 

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(e) 

The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of fees and expenses incurred by the underlying fund in which the Fund is invested (“acquired fund fees and expenses”). This ratio does not include these acquired fund fees and expenses.

(f) 

Rounds to less than 0.01%.

(g) 

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

(h) 

Portfolio turnover rate excludes the portfolio activity of the underlying fund in which the Fund is invested. See the underlying fund’s financial highlights for its respective portfolio turnover rates.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L    I G H L I G H T  S

  27


Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

          iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF  
   

 

 

 
   

Year Ended

08/31/21

 

 

   
Year Ended
08/31/20
 
 
   
Year Ended
08/31/19
 
 
   
Year Ended
08/31/18
 
 
     
Year Ended
08/31/17
 
(a) 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of year

    $ 26.88                  $ 30.27                  $ 33.62                  $ 33.76                  $ 31.36  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net investment income(b)

      1.20         0.90         1.49         1.29         1.13  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(c)

            5.87         (3.30       (3.39       0.06         2.43  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

      7.07         (2.40       (1.90       1.35         3.56  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Distributions(d)

                   

From net investment income

      (0.90       (0.99       (1.45       (1.49       (1.16
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

      (0.90       (0.99       (1.45       (1.49       (1.16
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

    $ 33.05       $ 26.88       $ 30.27       $ 33.62       $ 33.76  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Return(e)

                   

Based on net asset value

      26.46       (8.25 )%        (5.64 )%        3.90       11.60
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

                   

Total expenses

      0.50       0.51       0.50       0.47       0.49
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net investment income

      3.91       3.12       4.64       3.66       4.07
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

                   

Net assets, end of year (000)

    $ 3,579,181       $ 2,191,064       $ 2,000,722       $ 1,986,971       $ 2,764,746  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(f)

      9       4       11       5       4
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Per share amounts reflect a one-for-two reverse stock split effective after the close of trading on November 4, 2016.

(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.

(f) 

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

28  

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Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    iShares MSCI United Kingdom Small-Cap ETF  
   

 

 

 
    Year Ended
08/31/21
    Year Ended
08/31/20
    Year Ended
08/31/19
    Year Ended
08/31/18
    Year Ended
08/31/17
 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of year

                     $ 35.68                  $ 35.95                  $ 42.65                  $ 39.92                  $ 35.91  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

      0.86         0.72         1.05         1.15         0.92  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(b)

      14.32         0.03         (6.69       2.93         4.12  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

      15.18         0.75         (5.64       4.08         5.04  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Distributions(c)

                   

From net investment income

      (0.64       (1.02       (1.06       (1.35       (1.03
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

      (0.64       (1.02       (1.06       (1.35       (1.03
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

    $ 50.22       $ 35.68       $ 35.95       $ 42.65       $ 39.92  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

                   

Based on net asset value

      42.88       1.90       (13.17 )%        10.22       14.40
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

                   

Total expenses

      0.59       0.59       0.59       0.59       0.59
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net investment income

      1.94       1.99       2.76       2.68       2.50
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

                   

Net assets, end of year (000)

    $ 130,560       $ 60,657       $ 61,109       $ 57,571       $ 31,935  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(e)

      15       25       20       20       19
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

(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) 

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(e) 

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L    I G H L I G H T  S

  29


Notes to Financial Statements  

 

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”):

 

   
iShares ETF    Diversification  
Classification  
 

Currency Hedged MSCI United Kingdom

     Diversified    

MSCI United Kingdom

     Non-diversified    

MSCI United Kingdom Small-Cap

     Diversified    

Currently the iShares Currency Hedged MSCI United Kingdom ETF seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing a substantial portion of its assets in the iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF (the “underlying fund”). The financial statements, including the accounting policies, and Schedule of Investments for the underlying fund are included in this report and should be read in conjunction with the financial statements of the iShares Currency Hedged MSCI United Kingdom ETF.

 

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.

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. However, the currency hedged fund has elected to treat realized gains (losses) from certain foreign currency contracts as capital gain (loss) 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 August 31, 2021, if any, are disclosed in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

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 includes tax reclaims recorded as well as professional and other fees, if any, associated with recovery of foreign withholding taxes.

Segregation and Collateralization: In cases where a Fund enters into certain investments (e.g., futures contracts and forward foreign currency exchange contracts) that would be treated as “senior securities” for 1940 Act purposes, a Fund may segregate or designate on its books and record cash or liquid assets having a market value at least equal to the amount of its future obligations under such investments. Doing so allows the investment to be excluded from treatment as a “senior security.” Furthermore, 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 or obligations.

 

 

30  

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Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

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. The character and timing of distributions are determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP.

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. Each Fund determines the fair values of its financial instruments using various independent dealers or pricing services under policies approved by the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”). 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 a policy approved by the Board as reflecting fair value. The BlackRock Global Valuation Methodologies Committee (the “Global Valuation Committee”) is the committee formed by management to develop global pricing policies and procedures and to oversee the pricing function for all financial instruments.

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.

 

   

Exchange-traded funds and closed-end funds traded on a recognized securities exchange are valued at that day’s last traded price or official closing price, as applicable, on the exchange where the fund is primarily traded. Funds traded on a recognized exchange for which there were no sales on that day may be valued at the last traded price.

 

   

Investments in open-end U.S. mutual funds (including money market funds) are valued at that day’s published NAV.

 

   

Futures contracts are valued based on that day’s last reported settlement or trade price on the exchange where the contract is traded.

 

   

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts are valued based on that day’s prevailing forward exchange rate for the underlying currencies.

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 follows 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 Global Valuation Committee, in accordance with a policy approved by the Board as reflecting fair value (“Fair Valued Investments”). The fair valuation approaches that may be used by the Global 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 Global Valuation Committee, or its delegate, 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 Global Valuation Committee, or its delegate, deems relevant and consistent with the principles of fair value measurement. The pricing of all Fair Valued Investments is subsequently reported to the Board or a committee thereof on a quarterly basis.

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. 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 for identical assets or liabilities that each Fund has the ability to access;

 

   

Level 2 – Other observable inputs (including, but not limited to, quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in markets that are active, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the assets or liabilities (such as interest rates, yield curves, volatilities, prepayment speeds, loss severities, credit risks and default rates) or other market-corroborated inputs); and

 

   

Level 3 – Unobservable inputs based on the best information available in the circumstances, to the extent observable inputs are not available, (including the Global 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

 

 

O T E S    T O    I N A N C I A L     T A T E M E N T S

  31


Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

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 Global 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 BlackRock Fund Advisors (“BFA”), the Funds’ investment adviser, 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

    
Market Value of
Securities on Loan
 
 
    
Cash Collateral
Received
 
(a) 
    
Non-Cash Collateral
Received
 
 
     Net Amount  

 

 

MSCI United Kingdom Small-Cap

           

Barclays Capital, Inc.

   $ 3,534      $ 3,534      $      $  

BofA Securities, Inc.

     27,822        27,822                

Citigroup Global Markets, Inc.

     682,516        682,516                

Deutsche Bank Securities, Inc.

     93,546        92,627               (919 )(b) 

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

     263,749        263,749                

Morgan Stanley

     900,002        900,002                
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 1,971,169      $ 1,970,250      $      $ (919
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Collateral received 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 statement of assets and liabilities.

 
  (b) 

The market value of the loaned securities is determined as of August 31, 2021. Additional collateral is delivered to the Fund on the next business day in accordance with the MSLA. The net amount would be subject to the borrower default indemnity in the event of default by a counterparty.

 

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

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

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.

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts: Forward foreign currency exchange contracts are entered into to gain or reduce exposure to foreign currencies (foreign currency exchange rate risk).

A forward foreign currency exchange contract is an agreement between two parties to buy and sell a currency at a set exchange rate on a specified date. These contracts help to manage the overall exposure to the currencies in which some of the investments held by the Funds are denominated and in some cases, may be used to obtain exposure to a particular market. The contracts are traded over-the-counter (“OTC”) and not on an organized exchange.

The contract is marked-to-market daily and the change in market value is recorded as unrealized appreciation or depreciation 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 value at the time it was opened and the value at the time it was closed. Non-deliverable forward foreign currency exchange contracts are settled with the counterparty in cash without the delivery of foreign currency. The use of forward foreign currency exchange contracts involves the risk that the value of a contract changes unfavorably due to movements in the value of the referenced foreign currencies, and such value may exceed the amount(s) reflected in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. Cash amounts pledged for forward foreign currency exchange contracts are considered restricted and are included in cash pledged as collateral for OTC derivatives in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. A Fund’s risk of loss from counterparty credit risk on OTC derivatives is generally limited to the aggregate unrealized gain netted against any collateral held by the Fund.

Master Netting Arrangements: In order to define its contractual rights and to secure rights that will help mitigate its counterparty risk, a Fund may enter into an International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. Master Agreement (“ISDA Master Agreement”) or similar agreement with its derivative contract counterparties. An ISDA Master Agreement is a bilateral agreement between a Fund and a counterparty that governs certain OTC derivatives and typically contains, among other things, collateral posting terms and netting provisions in the event of a default and/or termination event. Under an ISDA Master Agreement, a Fund may, under certain circumstances, offset with the counterparty certain derivative financial instruments’ payables and/or receivables with collateral held and/or posted and create one single net payment. The provisions of the ISDA Master Agreement typically permit a single net payment in the event of default including the bankruptcy or insolvency of the counterparty. However, bankruptcy or insolvency laws of a particular jurisdiction may impose restrictions on or prohibitions against the right of offset in bankruptcy, insolvency, or other events.

For derivatives traded under an ISDA Master Agreement, the collateral requirements are typically calculated by netting the mark-to-market amount for each transaction under such agreement, and comparing that amount to the value of any collateral currently pledged by a Fund and the counterparty.

Cash collateral that has been pledged to cover obligations of the Funds and cash collateral received from the counterparty, if any, is reported separately in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities as cash pledged as collateral and cash received as collateral, respectively. Non-cash collateral pledged by the Funds, if any, is noted in the Schedules of Investments. Generally, the amount of collateral due from or to a counterparty is subject to a certain minimum transfer amount threshold before a transfer is required, which is determined at the close of business of the Funds. Any additional required collateral is delivered to/pledged by the Funds on the next business day. Typically, the counterparty is not permitted to sell, re-pledge or use cash and non-cash collateral it receives. A Fund generally agrees not to use non-cash collateral that it receives but may, absent default or certain other circumstances defined in the underlying ISDA Master Agreement, be permitted to use cash collateral received. In such cases, interest may be paid pursuant to the collateral arrangement with the counterparty. To the extent amounts due to the Funds from the counterparty are not fully collateralized, each Fund bears the risk of loss from counterparty non-performance. Likewise, to the extent the Funds have delivered collateral to a counterparty and stand ready to perform under the terms of their agreement with such counterparty, each Fund bears the risk of loss from a counterparty in the amount of the value of the collateral in the event the counterparty fails to return such collateral. Based on the terms of agreements, collateral may not be required for all derivative contracts.

For financial reporting purposes, each Fund does not offset derivative assets and derivative liabilities that are subject to netting arrangements, if any, in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

 

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).

 

 

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  33


Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

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:

 

   
iShares ETF    Investment Advisory Fee  

Currency Hedged MSCI United Kingdom

     0.62

MSCI United Kingdom Small-Cap

     0.59  

For its investment advisory services to the iShares MSCI United Kingdom 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    Investment Advisory Fee  

First $7 billion

     0.59

Over $7 billion, up to and including $11 billion

     0.54  

Over $11 billion, up to and including $24 billion

     0.49  

Over $24 billion, up to and including $48 billion

     0.44  

Over $48 billion, up to and including $72 billion

     0.40  

Over $72 billion, up to and including $96 billion

     0.36  

Over $96 billion

     0.32  

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 are a fund’s total annual operating expenses. Total expenses as shown in the Statement of Operations does not include acquired fund fees and expenses.

For the iShares Currency Hedged MSCI United Kingdom ETF, BFA has contractually agreed to waive a portion of its investment advisory fee for the Fund through December 31, 2025 so that the Fund’s total annual operating expenses after fee waiver is equal to the acquired fund fees and expenses attributable to the Fund’s investment in the iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF (“EWU”), after taking into account any fee waivers by EWU, plus 0.03%. BFA has also contractually agreed to an additional reduction in its investment advisory fee of 0.03% through December 31, 2025.

This amount is included in investment advisory fees waived in the Statements of Operations. For the year ended August 31, 2021, the amounts waived in investment advisory fees pursuant to this arrangement were as follows:

 

   
iShares ETF    Amounts waived      

Currency Hedged MSCI United Kingdom

   $ 53,678      

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. 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, distribution fee or service fee. The money market fund in which the cash collateral has been invested may, under certain circumstances, impose a liquidity fee of up to 2% of the value redeemed or temporarily restrict redemptions for up to 10 business days during a 90 day period, in the event that the money market fund’s weekly liquid assets fall below certain thresholds.

Securities lending income is equal to the total of income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral, net of fees and other payments to and from borrowers of securities, and less the collateral investment fees. Each Fund retains a portion of 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 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, each 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.

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

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 year ended August 31, 2021, the Funds paid BTC the following amounts for securities lending agent services:

 

   
iShares ETF   

Fees Paid     

to BTC     

 

MSCI United Kingdom

   $ 620      

MSCI United Kingdom Small-Cap

     20,359      

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 year ended August 31, 2021, transactions executed by the Funds pursuant to Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act were as follows:

 

       
iShares ETF   Purchases      Sales      Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
 

MSCI United Kingdom

  $   10,642,251      $   4,460,850        $  (2,730,823

MSCI United Kingdom Small-Cap

    28,815        926,529        (17,112

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.

 

7.

PURCHASES AND SALES

For the year ended August 31, 2021, purchases and sales of investments, excluding short-term investments and in-kind transactions, were as follows:

 

     
iShares ETF   Purchases      Sales  

Currency Hedged MSCI United Kingdom

  $ 1,259,545      $ 1,413,365  

MSCI United Kingdom

    291,862,442        262,104,318  

MSCI United Kingdom Small-Cap

    16,873,889        13,347,499  

For the year ended August 31, 2021, in-kind transactions were as follows:

 

     
iShares ETF   In-kind
Purchases
    

In-kind

Sales

 

Currency Hedged MSCI United Kingdom

  $ 1,242,201      $ 5,255,209  

MSCI United Kingdom

      1,181,926,915          431,952,871  

MSCI United Kingdom Small-Cap

    57,398,867        15,662,381  

 

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 August 31, 2021, 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.

U.S. GAAP requires that certain components of net assets be adjusted to reflect permanent differences between financial and tax reporting. These reclassifications have no effect on net assets or NAV per share. As of August 31, 2021, the following permanent differences attributable to realized gains (losses) from in-kind redemptions were reclassified to the following accounts:

 

     
iShares ETF   Paid-in Capital     

Accumulated

Earnings (Loss)

 

Currency Hedged MSCI United Kingdom

  $ (633,886    $ 633,886  

MSCI United Kingdom

    137,253,642          (137,253,642

MSCI United Kingdom Small-Cap

    1,124,917        (1,124,917

 

 

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  35


Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

The tax character of distributions was as follows:

 

iShares ETF   Year Ended
08/31/21
     Year Ended
08/31/20
 

Currency Hedged MSCI United Kingdom

    

Ordinary income

  $ 243,738      $ 1,298,842  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

MSCI United Kingdom

    

Ordinary income

  $ 95,207,591      $ 75,813,059  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

MSCI United Kingdom Small-Cap

    

Ordinary income

  $ 1,264,047      $ 2,244,985  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

As of August 31, 2021, the tax components of accumulated net earnings (losses) were as follows:

 

iShares ETF    

Undistributed

Ordinary Income

 

 

    

Non-expiring

Capital Loss

Carryforwards

 

 

(a) 

    

Net Unrealized

Gains (Losses)

 

(b) 

     Total  

Currency Hedged MSCI United Kingdom

  $ 3      $ (6,862,396    $ (134,527    $ (6,996,920

MSCI United Kingdom

    49,853,465        (494,263,919      (200,933,767      (645,344,221

MSCI United Kingdom Small-Cap

    2,352,822        (8,929,580      10,989,927        4,413,169  

 

  (a) 

Amounts available to offset future realized capital gains.

 
  (b) 

The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized gains (losses) was attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales, the realization for tax purposes of unrealized gains(losses) on certain foreign currency contracts and futures contracts, characterization of corporate actions and the realization for tax purposes of unrealized gains on investments in passive foreign investment companies.

 

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 August 31, 2021, 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:

 

         
iShares ETF   Tax Cost      Gross Unrealized
Appreciation
    

Gross Unrealized

Depreciation

    

Net Unrealized

Appreciation

  (Depreciation)

 

Currency Hedged MSCI United Kingdom

  $ 8,387,720      $ 8,747      $ (143,274    $ (134,527

MSCI United Kingdom

      3,737,158,019        361,007,224          (561,792,223      (200,784,999

MSCI United Kingdom Small-Cap

    120,550,036        18,751,637        (7,761,914      10,989,723  

 

9.

PRINCIPAL RISKS

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 a “passive” or index approach to try to achieve each Fund’s investment objective following the securities included in its underlying index during upturns as well as downturns. BFA does not take steps to reduce market exposure or to lessen the effects of a declining market. Divergence from the underlying index and the composition of the portfolio is monitored by BFA.

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 redemption gates or liquidity fees under certain circumstances.

Market Risk: An outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus has developed into a global pandemic and has resulted in closing borders, quarantines, disruptions to supply chains and customer activity, as well as general concern and uncertainty. The impact of this pandemic, and other global health crises that may arise in the future, could affect the economies of many nations, individual companies and the market in general in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen at the present time. This pandemic may result in substantial market volatility and may adversely impact the prices and liquidity of a fund’s investments. The duration of this pandemic and its effects cannot be determined with certainty.

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

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

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 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.

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 the Manager 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, 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 Funds.

Concentration 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. 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. 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. In addition, 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. The impact of these actions, especially if they occur in a disorderly fashion, is not clear but could be significant and far reaching.

LIBOR Transition Risk: The United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority announced a phase out of the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”). Although many LIBOR rates will be phased out by the end of 2021, a selection of widely used USD LIBOR rates will continue to be published through June 2023 in order to assist with the transition. The Funds may be exposed to financial instruments tied to LIBOR to determine payment obligations, financing terms, hedging strategies or investment value. The transition process away from LIBOR might lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets for, and reduce the effectiveness of new hedges placed against, instruments whose terms currently include LIBOR. The ultimate effect of the LIBOR transition process on the Funds is uncertain.

 

10.

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.

 

 

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  37


Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

Transactions in capital shares were as follows:

 

 

 
   

Year Ended

08/31/21

    

Year Ended

08/31/20

 
 

 

 

    

 

 

 
iShares ETF   Shares      Amount      Shares      Amount  

 

 

Currency Hedged MSCI United Kingdom

          

Shares sold

    60,000      $ 1,246,734        1,400,000      $ 32,825,295  

Shares redeemed

    (250,000      (5,214,033      (2,350,000      (44,560,697
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net decrease

    (190,000    $ (3,967,299      (950,000    $ (11,735,402
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

MSCI United Kingdom

          

Shares sold

    40,300,000      $ 1,197,285,969        27,900,000      $ 816,367,221  

Shares redeemed

    (13,500,000      (434,821,111      (12,500,000      (296,737,007
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase

    26,800,000      $ 762,464,858        15,400,000      $ 519,630,214  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

MSCI United Kingdom Small-Cap

          

Shares sold

    1,300,000      $ 58,198,236        1,600,000      $ 67,533,603  

Shares redeemed

    (400,000      (15,762,686      (1,600,000      (51,505,339
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase

    900,000      $ 42,435,550             $ 16,028,264  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

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. Investors 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. Investors 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.

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.

 

11.

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Management has evaluated the impact of all subsequent events on the Funds through the date the financial statements were available to be issued and has determined that there were no subsequent events requiring adjustment or additional disclosure in the financial statements.

 

 

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm   

 

To the Board of Trustees of iShares Trust and Shareholders of iShares Currency Hedged MSCI

United Kingdom ETF, iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF and iShares MSCI United Kingdom

Small-Cap ETF

Opinions on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities, including the schedules of investments, of iShares Currency Hedged MSCI United Kingdom ETF, iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF and iShares MSCI United Kingdom Small-Cap ETF (three of the funds constituting iShares Trust, hereafter collectively referred to as the “Funds”) as of August 31, 2021, the related statements of operations for the year ended August 31, 2021, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period ended August 31, 2021, including the related notes, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period ended August 31, 2021 (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of each of the Funds as of August 31, 2021, the results of each of their operations for the year then ended, the changes in each of their net assets for each of the two years in the period ended August 31, 2021 and each of the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period ended August 31, 2021 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinions

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Funds’ management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Funds’ financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Funds in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of August 31, 2021 by correspondence with the custodian, transfer agent and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

/s/PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

October 22, 2021

We have served as the auditor of one or more BlackRock investment companies since 2000.

 

 

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Important Tax Information  (unaudited)

 

The following percentage, or maximum percentage allowable by law, of ordinary income distributions paid during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2021 qualified for the dividends-received deduction for corporate shareholders:

 

iShares ETF  

Dividends-Received

Deduction

 

MSCI United Kingdom Small-Cap

    0.54

The following amounts, or maximum amounts allowable by law, are hereby designated as qualified dividend income for individuals for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2021:

 

iShares ETF  

Qualified Dividend

Income

 

Currency Hedged MSCI United Kingdom

  $ 243,671  

MSCI United Kingdom

    133,614,329  

MSCI United Kingdom Small-Cap

    1,943,174  

The Funds intend to pass through to their shareholders the following amounts, or maximum amounts allowable by law, of foreign source income earned and foreign taxes paid by the underlying funds for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2021:

 

iShares ETF  

Foreign Source

Income Earned

    

Foreign

Taxes Paid

 

Currency Hedged MSCI United Kingdom

  $ 245,923      $ 2,039  

The Funds intend to pass through to their shareholders the following amounts, or maximum amounts allowable by law, of foreign source income earned and foreign taxes paid for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2021:

 

iShares ETF   Foreign Source
Income Earned
    

Foreign

Taxes Paid

 

MSCI United Kingdom

  $ 137,627,229      $ 694,323  

MSCI United Kingdom Small-Cap

    2,285,472        58,518  

 

 

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Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract

 

iShares Currency Hedged MSCI United Kingdom ETF, iShares MSCI United Kingdom Small-Cap 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 and approve the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and BFA (the “Advisory Agreement”) 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; legal and compliance services; and 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 on May 7, 2021 and May 14, 2021, 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, and requested certain additional information, which management agreed to provide. At a meeting held on June 15-16, 2021, 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 material factors, none of which was controlling, 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 another fund in which the Fund invests (if applicable), and waivers/reimbursements (if applicable) of the Fund in comparison with the same information for other ETFs (including, where applicable, funds sponsored by an “at cost” service provider), objectively selected by Broadridge as comprising the Fund’s applicable 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 overall fund expenses (net of waivers and reimbursements) for the Fund were higher than the median of overall fund expenses (net of 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, 2020, to that of 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 factors 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 recent and proposed enhancements to the iShares 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. 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, which were provided at the May 7, 2021 meeting and throughout the year.

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

 

 

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  41


Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract  (continued)

 

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 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, were within a reasonable range in light of the factors and other information considered.

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, 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 relatively low fee rates established at inception, breakpoints, waivers, or other fee reductions, as well as through additional investment in the iShares business and the provision of improved or additional infrastructure and services to the iShares funds and their shareholders. 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 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 acknowledged BFA’s representation that the iShares funds are fundamentally different investment vehicles from 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 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 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 also considered the “all-inclusive” nature of the Fund’s advisory fee structure, and the Fund’s expenses borne by BFA under this arrangement. The Board 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 (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 for which BFA (or its affiliates) provides investment advisory services or other services, and BlackRock’s profile in the investment community. The Board also noted the revenue received by BFA and/or its affiliates pursuant to (i) 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 and (ii) other technology-related initiatives aimed to better support the iShares funds. The Board further 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 MSCI United Kingdom 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 and approve the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and BFA (the “Advisory Agreement”) 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

 

 

42  

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Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract  (continued)

 

providers; risk management and oversight; legal and compliance services; and 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 on May 7, 2021 and May 14, 2021, 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, and requested certain additional information, which management agreed to provide. At a meeting held on June 15-16, 2021, 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 material factors, none of which was controlling, 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 another fund in which the Fund invests (if applicable), and waivers/reimbursements (if applicable) of the Fund in comparison with the same information for other ETFs (including, where applicable, funds sponsored by an “at cost” service provider), objectively selected by Broadridge as comprising the Fund’s applicable 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 overall fund expenses (net of waivers and reimbursements) for the Fund were higher than the median of overall fund expenses (net of 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, 2021, to that of 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 factors 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 recent and proposed enhancements to the iShares 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. 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, which were provided at the May 7, 2021 meeting and throughout the year.

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,

 

 

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  43


Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract  (continued)

 

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 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, were within a reasonable range in light of the factors and other information considered.

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, 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 relatively low fee rates established at inception, breakpoints, waivers, or other fee reductions, as well as through additional investment in the iShares business and the provision of improved or additional infrastructure and services to the iShares funds and their shareholders. 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 further 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 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 acknowledged BFA’s representation that the iShares funds are fundamentally different investment vehicles from 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 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 noted that BFA and its affiliates 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 also considered the “all-inclusive” nature of the Fund’s advisory fee structure, and the Fund’s expenses borne by BFA under this arrangement. The Board 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 (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 for which BFA (or its affiliates) provides investment advisory services or other services, and BlackRock’s profile in the investment community. The Board also noted the revenue received by BFA and/or its affiliates pursuant to (i) 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 and (ii) other technology-related initiatives aimed to better support the iShares funds. The Board further 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.

 

 

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Supplemental Information  (unaudited)

 

Regulation Regarding Derivatives

On October 28, 2020, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) adopted new regulations governing the use of derivatives by registered investment companies (“Rule 18f-4”). The Funds will be required to implement and comply with Rule 18f-4 by August 19, 2022. Once implemented, Rule 18f-4 will impose limits on the amount of derivatives a fund can enter into, eliminate the asset segregation framework currently used by funds to comply with Section 18 of the 1940 Act, treat derivatives as senior securities and require funds whose use of derivatives is more than a limited specified exposure amount to establish and maintain a comprehensive derivatives risk management program and appoint a derivatives risk manager.

Section 19(a) Notices

The amounts and sources of distributions reported are estimates and are being provided pursuant to regulatory requirements and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources for tax reporting purposes will depend upon each Fund’s investment experience during the year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. Shareholders will receive a Form 1099-DIV each calendar year that will inform them how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes.

August 31, 2021

 

       
    Total Cumulative Distributions
for the Fiscal Year
          % Breakdown of the Total Cumulative
Distributions for the Fiscal Year
 
iShares ETF   Net
Investment
Income
    Net Realized
Capital Gains
    Return of
Capital
    Total Per
Share
           Net
Investment
Income
    Net Realized
Capital Gains
    Return of
Capital
    Total Per
Share
 

Currency Hedged MSCI United Kingdom(a)

  $ 0.617230     $     $ 0.000770     $ 0.618000         100         0 %(b)      100

MSCI United Kingdom(a)

    0.897185             0.001119       0.898304         100             0 (b)      100  

MSCI United Kingdom Small-Cap(a)

    0.622545             0.016872       0.639417               97             3       100  

 

  (a) 

The Fund estimates that it has distributed more than its net investment income and net realized capital gains; therefore, a portion of the distribution may be a return of capital. A return of capital may occur, for example, when some or all of the shareholder’s investment in the Fund is returned to the shareholder. A return of capital does not necessarily reflect the Fund’s investment performance and should not be confused with “yield” or “income”. When distributions exceed total return performance, the difference will incrementally reduce the Fund’s net asset value per share.

 

 

  (b) 

Rounds to less than 1%.

 

Premium/Discount Information

Information on the Fund’s net asset value, market price, premiums and discounts, and bid-ask spreads can be found at iShares.com.

Regulation under the Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive

The Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive (the “Directive”) imposes detailed and prescriptive obligations on fund managers established in the European Union (the “EU”). These do not currently apply to managers established outside of the EU, such as BFA (the “Company”). Rather, non-EU managers are only required to comply with certain disclosure, reporting and transparency obligations of the Directive if such managers market a fund to EU investors.

The Company has registered the iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF (the “Fund”) to be marketed to EU investors in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Finland, Sweden and Luxembourg.

Report on Remuneration

The Company is required under the Directive to make quantitative disclosures of remuneration. These disclosures are made in line with BlackRock’s interpretation of currently available regulatory guidance on quantitative remuneration disclosures. As market or regulatory practice develops BlackRock may consider it appropriate to make changes to the way in which quantitative remuneration disclosures are calculated. Where such changes are made, this may result in disclosures in relation to a fund not being comparable to the disclosures made in the prior year, or in relation to other BlackRock fund disclosures in that same year.

Disclosures are provided in relation to (a) the staff of the Company; (b) staff who are senior management; and (c) staff who have the ability to materially affect the risk profile of the Fund.

All individuals included in the aggregated figures disclosed are rewarded in line with BlackRock’s remuneration policy for their responsibilities across the relevant BlackRock business area. As all individuals have a number of areas of responsibilities, only the portion of remuneration for those individuals’ services attributable to the Fund is included in the aggregate figures disclosed.

BlackRock has a clear and well defined pay-for-performance philosophy, and compensation programmes which support that philosophy.

 

 

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Supplemental Information  (unaudited)  (continued)

 

BlackRock operates a total compensation model for remuneration which includes a base salary, which is contractual, and a discretionary bonus scheme. Although all employees are eligible to receive a discretionary bonus, there is no contractual obligation to make a discretionary bonus award to any employees. For senior management, a significant percentage of variable remuneration is deferred over time. All employees are subject to a claw-back policy.

Remuneration decisions for employees are made once annually in January following the end of the performance year, based on BlackRock’s full-year financial results and other non-financial goals and objectives. Alongside financial performance, individual total compensation is also based on strategic and operating results and other considerations such as management and leadership capabilities. No set formulas are established and no fixed benchmarks are used in determining annual incentive awards.

Annual incentive awards are paid from a bonus pool which is reviewed throughout the year by BlackRock’s independent compensation committee, taking into account both actual and projected financial information together with information provided by the Enterprise Risk and Regulatory Compliance departments in relation to any activities, incidents or events that warrant consideration in making compensation decisions. Individuals are not involved in setting their own remuneration.

Each of the control functions (Enterprise Risk, Legal & Compliance, and Internal Audit) each have their own organisational structures which are independent of the business units. Functional bonus pools for those control functions are determined with reference to the performance of each individual function and the remuneration of the senior members of control functions is directly overseen by BlackRock’s independent remuneration committee.

Members of staff and senior management of the Company typically provide both AIFMD and non-AIFMD related services in respect of multiple funds, clients and functions of the Company and across the broader BlackRock group. Therefore, the figures disclosed are a sum of each individual’s portion of remuneration attributable to the Fund according to an objective apportionment methodology which acknowledges the multiple-service nature of the Company. Accordingly the figures are not representative of any individual’s actual remuneration or their remuneration structure.

The amount of the total remuneration awarded by the Company to its staff which has been attributed to the Fund in respect of the Company’s financial year ending 31 December 2020 is USD 222.56 thousand. This figure is comprised of fixed remuneration of USD 103.64 thousand and variable remuneration of USD 118.92 thousand. There were a total of 490 beneficiaries of the remuneration described above.

The amount of the aggregate remuneration awarded by the Company, which has been attributed to the Fund in respect of the Company’s financial year ending 31 December 2020, to its senior management was USD 36.25 thousand, and to members of its staff whose actions have a material impact on the risk profile of the Fund was USD 2.93 thousand.

 

 

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Trustee and Officer Information

 

The Board of Trustees has responsibility for the overall management and operations of the Funds, including general supervision of the duties performed by BFA and other service providers. Each Trustee serves until he or she resigns, is removed, dies, retires or becomes incapacitated. Each officer shall hold office until his or her successor is elected and qualifies or until his or her death, resignation or removal. Trustees who are not “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust are referred to as independent trustees (“Independent Trustees”).

The registered investment companies advised by BFA or its affiliates (the “BlackRock-advised Funds”) are organized into one complex of open-end equity, multi-asset, index and money market funds and ETFs (the “BlackRock Multi-Asset Complex”), one complex of closed-end funds and open-end non-index fixed-income funds (including ETFs) (the “BlackRock Fixed-Income Complex”) and one complex of ETFs (“Exchange-Traded Fund Complex”) (each, a “BlackRock Fund Complex”). Each Fund is included in the Exchange-Traded Fund Complex. Each Trustee also serves as a Director of iShares, Inc. and a Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust and, as a result, oversees all of the funds within the Exchange-Traded Fund Complex, which consists of 374 funds as of August 31, 2021. With the exception of Robert S. Kapito, Salim Ramji and Charles Park, the address of each Trustee and officer is c/o BlackRock, Inc., 400 Howard Street, San Francisco, CA 94105. The address of Mr. Kapito, Mr. Ramji and Mr. Park is c/o BlackRock, Inc., Park Avenue Plaza, 55 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10055. The Board has designated Cecilia H. Herbert as its Independent Board Chair. Additional information about the Funds’ Trustees and officers may be found in the Funds’ combined Statement of Additional Information, which is available without charge, upon request, by calling toll-free 1-800-iShares (1-800-474-2737).

 

     Interested Trustees     
       
Name (Age)    Position(s)   

Principal Occupation(s)

During the Past 5 Years

   Other Directorships Held by Trustee
Robert S.
Kapito(a) (64)
   Trustee (since 2009).    President, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2006); Vice Chairman of BlackRock, Inc. and Head of BlackRock’s Portfolio Management Group (since its formation in 1998) and BlackRock, Inc.’s predecessor entities (since 1988); Trustee, University of Pennsylvania (since 2009); President of Board of Directors, Hope & Heroes Children’s Cancer Fund (since 2002).    Director of BlackRock, Inc. (since 2006); Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2009); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011).
Salim Ramji(b)
(51)
   Trustee (since 2019).    Senior Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2014); Global Head of BlackRock’s ETF and Index Investments Business (since 2019); Head of BlackRock’s U.S. Wealth Advisory Business (2015-2019); Global Head of Corporate Strategy, BlackRock, Inc. (2014-2015); Senior Partner, McKinsey & Company (2010-2014).    Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2019); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2019).

 

(a) Robert S. Kapito is deemed to be an “interested person” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust due to his affiliations with BlackRock, Inc. and its affiliates.

(b) Salim Ramji is deemed to be an “interested person” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust due to his affiliations with BlackRock, Inc. and its affiliates.

 

     Independent Trustees     
       
Name (Age)    Position(s)   

Principal Occupation(s)

During the Past 5 Years

   Other Directorships Held by Trustee

Cecilia H.

Herbert (72)

   Trustee (since 2005); Independent Board Chair (since 2016).    Chair of the Finance Committee (since 2019) and Trustee and Member of the Finance, Audit and Quality Committees of Stanford Health Care (since 2016); Trustee of WNET, New York’s public media company (since 2011) and Member of the Audit Committee (since 2018) and Investment Committee (since 2011); Chair (1994-2005) and Member (since 1992) of the Investment Committee, Archdiocese of San Francisco; Trustee of Forward Funds (14 portfolios) (2009-2018); Trustee of Salient MF Trust (4 portfolios) (2015-2018); Director (1998-2013) and President (2007-2011) of the Board of Directors, Catholic Charities CYO; Trustee (2002-2011) and Chair of the Finance and Investment Committee (2006-2010) of the Thacher School; Director of the Senior Center of Jackson Hole (since 2020).    Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2005); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011); Independent Board Chair of iShares, Inc. and iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2016); Trustee of Thrivent Church Loan and Income Fund (since 2019).

Jane D.

Carlin (65)

   Trustee (since 2015); Risk Committee Chair (since 2016).    Consultant (since 2012); Member of the Audit Committee (2012-2018), Chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee (2017-2018) and Director of PHH Corporation (mortgage solutions) (2012-2018); Managing Director and Global Head of Financial Holding Company Governance & Assurance and the Global Head of Operational Risk Management of Morgan Stanley (2006-2012).    Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2015); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2015); Member of the Audit Committee (since 2016), Chair of the Audit Committee (since 2020) and Director of The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. (since 2016).

Richard L.

Fagnani (66)

   Trustee (since 2017); Audit Committee Chair (since 2019).    Partner, KPMG LLP (2002-2016).    Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2017); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2017).

 

 

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  47


Trustee and Officer Information  (continued)

 

     Independent Trustees (continued)     
       
Name (Age)    Position(s)   

Principal Occupation(s)

During the Past 5 Years

   Other Directorships Held by Trustee
John E.
Kerrigan (66)
   Trustee (since 2005); Nominating and Governance and Equity Plus Committee Chairs (since 2019).    Chief Investment Officer, Santa Clara University (since 2002).    Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2005); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011).
Drew E.
Lawton (62)
   Trustee (since 2017); 15(c) Committee Chair (since 2017).    Senior Managing Director of New York Life Insurance Company (2010-2015).    Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2017); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2017).

John E.
Martinez (60)

   Trustee (since 2003); Securities Lending Committee Chair (since 2019).    Director of Real Estate Equity Exchange, Inc. (since 2005); Director of Cloudera Foundation (2017-2020); and Director of Reading Partners (2012-2016).    Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2003); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011).
Madhav V.
Rajan (57)
   Trustee (since 2011); Fixed Income Plus Committee Chair (since 2019).    Dean, and George Pratt Shultz Professor of Accounting, University of Chicago Booth School of Business (since 2017); Advisory Board Member (since 2016) and Director (since 2020) of C.M. Capital Corporation; Chair of the Board for the Center for Research in Security Prices, LLC (since 2020); Robert K. Jaedicke Professor of Accounting, Stanford University Graduate School of Business (2001-2017); Professor of Law (by courtesy), Stanford Law School (2005-2017); Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Head of MBA Program, Stanford University Graduate School of Business (2010-2016).    Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2011); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011).

 

Officers
     
Name (Age)    Position(s)   

Principal Occupation(s)

During the Past 5 Years

Armando

Senra (50)

   President (since 2019).    Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2007); Head of U.S., Canada and Latam iShares, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2019); Head of Latin America Region, BlackRock, Inc. (2006-2019); Managing Director, Bank of America Merrill Lynch (1994-2006).

Trent

Walker (47)

   Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer (since 2020).    Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since September 2019); Chief Financial Officer of iShares Delaware Trust Sponsor LLC, BlackRock Funds, BlackRock Funds II, BlackRock Funds IV, BlackRock Funds V and BlackRock Funds VI (since 2021); Executive Vice President of PIMCO (2016-2019); Senior Vice President of PIMCO (2008-2015); Treasurer (2013-2019) and Assistant Treasurer (2007-2017) of PIMCO Funds, PIMCO Variable Insurance Trust, PIMCO ETF Trust, PIMCO Equity Series, PIMCO Equity Series VIT, PIMCO Managed Accounts Trust, 2 PIMCO-sponsored interval funds and 21 PIMCO-sponsored closed-end funds.

Charles

Park (54)

   Chief Compliance Officer (since 2006).    Chief Compliance Officer of BlackRock Advisors, LLC and the BlackRock-advised Funds in the BlackRock Multi-Asset Complex and the BlackRock Fixed-Income Complex (since 2014); Chief Compliance Officer of BFA (since 2006).

Deepa Damre

Smith (46)

   Secretary (since 2019).    Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2014); Director, BlackRock, Inc. (2009-2013).

Scott

Radell (52)

   Executive Vice President (since 2012).    Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2009); Head of Portfolio Solutions, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2009).

Alan

Mason (60)

   Executive Vice President (since 2016).    Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2009).

Marybeth

Leithead (58)

   Executive Vice President (since 2019).    Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2017); Chief Operating Officer of Americas iShares (since 2017); Portfolio Manager, Municipal Institutional & Wealth Management (2009-2016).

 

 

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General Information

 

Electronic Delivery

Shareholders can sign up for email 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.

Householding

Householding is an option available to certain fund investors. Householding is a method of delivery, based on the preference of the individual investor, in which a single copy of certain shareholder documents and Rule 30e-3 notices can be delivered to investors who share the same address, even if their accounts are registered under different names. Please contact your broker-dealer if you are interested in enrolling in householding and receiving a single copy of prospectuses and other shareholder documents, or if you are currently enrolled in householding and wish to change your householding status.

Availability of Quarterly Schedule of Investments

The Funds file their complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to their reports on Form N-PORT. The Funds’ Forms N-PORT are available on the SEC’s website at sec.gov. Additionally, each Fund makes its portfolio holdings for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year available at iShares.com/fundreports.

Availability of Proxy Voting Policies and Proxy Voting Records

A description of the policies and procedures that the iShares Funds use to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities and information about how the iShares Funds voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve-month period ending June 30 is available without charge, upon request (1) by calling toll-free 1-800-474-2737; (2) on the iShares website at iShares.com; and (3) on the SEC website at sec.gov.

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 at iShares.com.

 

 

E N E R A L    N F O R M A T I  ON

  49


Glossary of Terms Used in this Report

 

Portfolio Abbreviations - Equity
REIT    Real Estate Investment Trust
Currency Abbreviations
GBP    British Pound
USD    United States Dollar
Counterparty Abbreviations
MS    Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC
 

 

 

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Want to know more?

iShares.com    |     1-800-474-2737

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 MSCI Inc., 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.

©2021 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.

iS-AR-813-0821

 

 

 

LOGO

   LOGO


 

LOGO

  AUGUST 31, 2021

 

   2021 Annual Report

 

iShares Trust

 

·  

iShares ESG Aware MSCI EAFE ETF | ESGD | NASDAQ

 

·  

iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF | ESGU | NASDAQ

 

·  

iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA Small-Cap ETF | ESML | Cboe BZX

 

·  

iShares ESG MSCI EM Leaders ETF | LDEM | NASDAQ

 

·  

iShares ESG MSCI USA Leaders ETF | SUSL | CBOE BZX

 

·  

iShares MSCI Global Impact ETF | SDG | NASDAQ

 


The Markets in Review

Dear Shareholder,

The 12-month reporting period as of August 31, 2021 was a remarkable period of adaptation and recovery, as the global economy dealt with the implications of the coronavirus (or “COVID-19”) pandemic. The United States, along with most of the world, began the reporting period emerging from a severe recession, prompted by pandemic-related restrictions that disrupted many aspects of daily life. However, easing restrictions and robust government intervention led to a strong rebound, and the economy grew at a significant pace for the reporting period, eventually regaining the output lost from the pandemic.

Equity prices rose with the broader economy, as strong fiscal and monetary support, as well as the development of vaccines, made investors increasingly optimistic about the economic outlook. The implementation of mass vaccination campaigns and passage of two additional fiscal stimulus packages further boosted stocks, and many equity indices neared or surpassed all-time highs late in the reporting period. In the United States, returns of small-capitalization stocks, which benefited the most from the resumption of in-person activities, outpaced large-capitalization stocks. International equities also gained, as both developed and emerging markets rebounded substantially.

The 10-year U.S. Treasury yield (which is inversely related to bond prices) had fallen sharply prior to the beginning of the reporting period, which meant bonds were priced for extreme risk avoidance and economic disruption. Despite expectations of doom and gloom, the economy expanded rapidly, stoking inflation concerns in early 2021, which led to higher yields and a negative overall return for most U.S. Treasuries. In the corporate bond market, support from the U.S. Federal Reserve (the “Fed”) assuaged credit concerns and led to solid returns for high-yield corporate bonds, although investment-grade corporates declined slightly.

The Fed remained committed to accommodative monetary policy by maintaining near-zero interest rates and by reiterating that inflation could exceed its 2% target for a sustained period without triggering a rate increase. In response to rising inflation late in the period, the Fed changed its market guidance, raising the possibility of higher rates in 2023 and reducing bond purchasing beginning in late 2022.

Looking ahead, we believe that the global expansion will continue to broaden as Europe and other developed market economies gain momentum, although the delta variant of the coronavirus remains a threat, particularly in emerging markets. While we expect inflation to remain elevated in the medium-term as the expansion continues, we believe the recent uptick owes more to temporary supply disruptions than a lasting change in fundamentals. The change in Fed policy also means that moderate inflation is less likely to be followed by interest rate hikes that could threaten the economic expansion.

Overall, we favor a moderately positive stance toward risk, with an overweight in equities. Sectors that are better poised to manage the transition to a lower-carbon world, such as technology and healthcare, are particularly attractive in the long-term. U.S. small-capitalization stocks and European equities are likely to benefit from the continuing vaccine-led restart. We are underweight long-term credit, but inflation-protected U.S. Treasuries and Asian fixed income offer potential opportunities. We believe that international diversification and a focus on sustainability can help provide portfolio resilience, and the disruption created by the coronavirus appears to be accelerating the shift toward sustainable investments.

In this environment, our view is that investors need to think globally, extend their scope across a broad array of asset classes, and be nimble as market conditions change. We encourage you to talk with your financial advisor and visit iShares.com for further insight about investing in today’s markets.

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

Rob Kapito

President, BlackRock, Inc.

LOGO

Rob Kapito

President, BlackRock, Inc.

 

Total Returns as of August 31, 2021

 

    

 

 6-Month   

 

 

 12-Month  

   

U.S. large cap equities
(S&P 500® Index)

    19.52%     31.17%
   

U.S. small cap equities
(Russell 2000® Index)

    3.81    47.08 
   

International equities
(MSCI Europe, Australasia, Far East Index)

  10.31    26.12 
   

Emerging market equities
(MSCI Emerging Markets Index)

    (0.98)    21.12 
   

3-month Treasury bills
(ICE BofA 3-Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index)

    0.02      0.08 
   

U.S. Treasury securities
(ICE BofA 10-Year U.S. Treasury Index)

    2.36     (4.12)
   

U.S. investment grade bonds
(Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index)

    1.49     (0.08)
   

Tax-exempt municipal bonds
(S&P Municipal Bond Index)

    2.50      3.44 
   

U.S. high yield bonds
(Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index)

    3.82    10.14 

Past performance is not an indication of future results. Index performance is shown for illustrative purposes only. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

 

 

 

2  

T H I S   P A G E   I S   N O T   P A R T   O F   Y O U R   F U N D   R E P O R T


Table of Contents

 

      Page  

The Markets in Review

     2  

Market Overview

     4  

Fund Summary

     5  

About Fund Performance

     17  

Shareholder Expenses

     17  

Schedules of Investments

     18  

Financial Statements

  

Statements of Assets and Liabilities

     59  

Statements of Operations

     61  

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

     63  

Financial Highlights

     66  

Notes to Financial Statements

     72  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     83  

Important Tax Information (Unaudited)

     84  

Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract

     85  

Supplemental Information

     89  

Trustee and Officer Information

     91  

General Information

     93  

Glossary of Terms Used in this Report

     94  

 

 

 


Market Overview

 

iShares Trust

Global Market Overview

Global equity markets advanced significantly during the 12 months ended August 31, 2021 (“reporting period”). The MSCI ACWI, a broad global equity index that includes both developed and emerging markets, returned 28.64% in U.S. dollar terms for the reporting period. Stocks continued to recover from the initial impact of the coronavirus pandemic, nearing all-time highs by the end of the reporting period. Reopening economies led to a substantial global economic expansion, and the development and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines bolstered investors’ optimism. Nonetheless, vaccination rates varied considerably across countries, and the spread of the more contagious Delta variant led to increased cases and renewed restrictions toward the end of the reporting period. Inflation also rose in many parts of the world amid supply chain constraints and elevated consumer spending.

Equity markets in the U.S. advanced strongly, helped by fiscal and monetary stimulus and an ongoing mass vaccination program. Congress passed two fiscal stimulus bills during the reporting period, providing significant relief in the form of direct payments to individuals, tax credits, aid to state and local governments, and assistance for homeowners and renters. Personal incomes rose significantly following the stimulus payments, and consumer spending recovered, surpassing pre-pandemic levels. Increased consumer spending and the easing of pandemic-related restrictions helped the U.S. economy continue to grow following a significant rebound in the third quarter of 2020, as activity recovered from the pandemic-induced recession in the first half of 2020. The economy grew at a brisk pace for the rest of the reporting period, finally exceeding pre-pandemic output levels in the second quarter of 2021. The U.S. Federal Reserve Bank’s (“the Fed”) action also played a notable role in the recovery. Monetary policy remained accommodative, with short-term interest rates maintained near zero to encourage lending and stimulate economic activity. The Fed further acted to stabilize bond markets by continuing an unlimited, open-ended, bond-buying program for U.S. Treasuries and mortgage-backed securities.

Stocks in Europe also posted strong gains, despite a recovery that trailed other major economies. The European Central Bank (“ECB”) provided monetary stimulus by maintaining ultra-low interest rates and continuing a large bond-buying program. Growth resumed with a significant rebound in the third quarter of 2020 as restrictions eased, and Eurozone countries enacted a deal for a collective 750 billion of stimulus spending. However, a new wave of coronavirus cases beginning in October 2020 led to renewed restrictions, weakening the fragile recovery. Consequently, the Eurozone economy contracted slightly in the fourth quarter of 2020 and first quarter of 2021, even as much of the world was returning to growth. Although the initial vaccine rollout trailed in many European countries, the pace of vaccinations accelerated late in the reporting period, and economic growth resumed in the second quarter of 2021.

Asia-Pacific regional stocks also posted a solid advance amid a sharp rebound in economic activity. Continued economic growth in China helped the regional economy recover, as many Asia-Pacific countries rely on China as a major trading partner. Japanese and Australian stocks benefited from a sharp rise in exports amid resurgent global trade. Emerging market stocks advanced overall, aided by economic recovery and rising prices for many commodities. However, investor concerns about increased government regulatory activity weighed on Chinese stocks late in the reporting period. Relatively slow vaccination rollouts in parts of Asia also prompted concerns, particularly as the Delta variant spread.

 

 

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Fund Summary as of August 31, 2021    iShares® ESG Aware MSCI EAFE ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares ESG Aware MSCI EAFE ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of large- and mid-capitalization developed market equities, excluding the U.S. and Canada that have positive environmental, social and governance characteristics, as identified by the index provider while exhibiting risk and return characteristics similar to those of the parent index, as represented by the MSCI EAFE Extended ESG Focus Index (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index.

Performance

 

      Average Annual Total Returns           Cumulative Total Returns  
     1 Year      5 Years      Since
Inception
           1 Year      5 Years      Since
Inception
 

Fund NAV

    26.69      10.12      11.75       26.69      61.93      77.78

Fund Market

    27.32        10.05        11.76         27.32        61.40        77.87  

Index

    26.83        10.21        11.88               26.83        62.59        78.69  

GROWTH OF $10,000 INVESTMENT

(SINCE INCEPTION AT NET ASSET VALUE)

 

LOGO

The inception date of the Fund was 6/28/16. The first day of secondary market trading was 6/30/16.

Index performance through May 31, 2018 reflects the performance of the MSCI EAFE ESG Focus Index. Index performance beginning on June 1, 2018 reflects the performance of the MSCI EAFE Extended ESG Focus Index.

Past performance is no guarantee 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. See “About Fund Performance” on page 17 for more information.

Expense Example

 

Actual           Hypothetical 5% Return           
 

Beginning
  Account Value
(03/01/21)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(08/31/21)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During

the Period

 
 

 (a) 

           

Beginning
Account Value
(03/01/21)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(08/31/21)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During

the Period

 
 

 (a) 

      

Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 
 
 
    $          1,000.00          $      1,106.40           $         1.06                $      1,000.00           $      1,024.20           $        1.02           0.20

 

  (a) 

Expenses are calculated using the Fund’s annualized expense ratio (as disclosed in the table), multiplied by the average account value for the period, multiplied by the number of days in the period (184 days) and divided by the number of days in the year (365 days). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Shareholder Expenses” on page 17 for more information.

 

 

 

F U N D   S U M M A R Y

  5


Fund Summary as of August 31, 2021 (continued)    iShares® ESG Aware MSCI EAFE ETF

 

Portfolio Management Commentary

Investor interest in the environmental, social, and governance (“ESG”) attributes of companies continued to grow during the reporting period as the global economy recovered from the effects of the pandemic. For many investors, the threat to public health from the virus underscored the importance of a reporting system that accounts for the effects of company behavior on global social and environmental well-being. Countries around the world continued to advance measures to address climate issues, including Japan, which announced a large increase in its decarbonization goals. The U.K. also shortened its timeline to net-zero with a target to reduce emissions 78% by 2035. In France, the government’s 2021 budget for renewable energy projects increased by 25% compared to 2020, and a court ruling required the government to accelerate measures to meet climate goals. Additionally, as part of its push to provide more standardization around ESG-labeled investment products to both retail and institutional investors, the European Union began enforcing Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR) in March 2021.

In this environment, stocks with positive ESG characteristics in developed markets outside of North America posted a significant return for the reporting period. Japanese stocks contributed the most to the Index’s performance, benefiting from an increase in exports, particularly to China. The information technology sector was the top performer among Japanese stocks, driven by gains among makers of factory automation equipment as strong demand and labor shortages accelerated automation trends. Industrials stocks also gained as demand for capital goods improved.

U.K. stocks were another source of strength, benefiting from loosening coronavirus restrictions and one of the world’s swiftest vaccination programs. Financials stocks led the advance in the U.K., as the improving economy boosted loan quality at banks, prompting the release of loan loss reserves. French equities also advanced, led by the consumer discretionary sector, where apparel, accessories, and luxury goods companies benefited from easing COVID-19 restrictions in major markets.

In terms of relative performance, the Index outperformed the broader market, as represented by the MSCI EAFE Index, while tracking it relatively closely. Relative to the broader market, the ESG selection process can lead to overweight stocks with higher ESG ratings and underweight stocks with lower ESG characteristics in order to maximize overall portfolio ESG score while maintaining similar risk and return levels to the broad market index. Consequently, the Index achieved an ESG quality score that was 23.4% higher than the broader market. The Index held underweight positions in the consumer discretionary and utilities sectors, and overweight positions in industrials and energy. Stock selection in the consumer staples and healthcare sectors contributed the most to the Index’s relative performance, while positioning in the consumer discretionary sector detracted somewhat.

Portfolio Information

 

ALLOCATION BY SECTOR

 

   

Sector

   

Percent of

Total Investments

 

(a) 

Financials

    17.1

Industrials

    16.6  

Health Care

    12.3  

Consumer Discretionary

    11.7  

Information Technology

    10.6  

Consumer Staples

    10.3  

Materials

    7.6  

Communication Services

    4.2  

Energy

    3.5  

Utilities

    3.1  

Real Estate

    3.0  

 

  (a)

 Excludes money market funds.

 

TEN LARGEST GEOGRAPHIC ALLOCATION

 

   

Country/Geographic Region

   
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Japan

    22.7

United Kingdom

    13.3  

France

    10.8  

Switzerland

    10.4  

Germany

    8.9  

Australia

    7.5  

Netherlands

    5.7  

Sweden

    3.7  

Denmark

    3.0  

Hong Kong

    2.8  
 

 

 

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Fund Summary as of August 31, 2021    iShares® ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of U.S. companies that have positive environmental, social and governance characteristics, as identified by the index provider while exhibiting risk and return characteristics similar to those of the parent index, as represented by the MSCI USA Extended ESG Focus Index (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index.

Performance

 

    Average Annual Total Returns            Cumulative Total Returns  
     1 Year     Since
Inception
            1 Year     Since
Inception
 

Fund NAV

    31.71     19.51        31.71     133.22

Fund Market

    31.86       19.52          31.86       133.28  

Index

    31.94       19.75                31.94       135.30  

GROWTH OF $10,000 INVESTMENT

(SINCE INCEPTION AT NET ASSET VALUE)

 

LOGO

The inception date of the Fund was 12/1/16. The first day of secondary market trading was 12/2/16.

Index performance through May 31, 2018 reflects the performance of the MSCI USA ESG Focus Index. Index performance beginning on June 1, 2018 reflects the performance of the MSCI USA Extended ESG Focus Index.

Past performance is no guarantee 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. See “About Fund Performance” on page 17 for more information.

Expense Example

 

Actual           Hypothetical 5% Return           

 

 

     

 

 

      
 

Beginning
  Account Value
(03/01/21)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(08/31/21)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period 
 
 
(a) 
           

Beginning
Account Value
(03/01/21)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(08/31/21)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period 
 
 
(a) 
      

Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 
 
 
    $      1,000.00          $      1,188.30           $        0.83                $      1,000.00           $      1,024.40           $       0.77           0.15

 

  (a) 

Expenses are calculated using the Fund’s annualized expense ratio (as disclosed in the table), multiplied by the average account value for the period, multiplied by the number of days in the period (184 days) and divided by the number of days in the year (365 days). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Shareholder Expenses” on page 17 for more information.

 

 

 

F U N D   S U M M A R Y

  7


Fund Summary as of August 31, 2021 (continued)   

iShares® ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF

 

Portfolio Management Commentary

Investor interest in the environmental, social, and governance (“ESG”) attributes of companies continued to grow during the reporting period as the global economy recovered from the effects of the pandemic. For many investors, the threat to public health from the virus underscored the importance of a reporting system that accounts for the effects of company behavior on global social and environmental well-being. The stimulus bill passed in December 2020 included significant wind and solar power incentives. The new administration also began to review for possible reversal of a U.S. Department of Labor (“DOL”) rule that would curb investment in ESG products, and the DOL announced that it would suspend enforcement of the rule during the review.

In this environment, the stocks of U.S. companies with positive ESG characteristics posted a significant return for the reporting period. The information technology sector contributed the most, led by the software and services industry, which benefited from investments to support remote work. Companies in the industry worked toward implementing carbon-neutral or carbon-negative goals. The semiconductors and semiconductor equipment industry benefited from a global microchip shortage and higher demand for advanced graphics cards amid an increase in gaming.

U.S. financials stocks contributed meaningfully to the Index’s return as robust retail stock trading and brisk merger activity benefited the diversified financials industry. Communication services stocks also gained due to substantially higher revenues from online advertising, bolstering the profitability of the interactive media and services industry.

In terms of relative performance, the Index slightly underperformed the broader market, as represented by the MSCI USA Index, while tracking it relatively closely. Relative to the broader market, the ESG selection process can lead to overweight stocks with higher ESG ratings and underweight stocks with lower ESG characteristics in order to maximize overall portfolio ESG score while maintaining similar risk and return levels to the broad market index. Consequently, the Index achieved an ESG quality score that was 18.2% higher than the broader market. The Index held an overweight position in the industrials sector and an underweight position in the communication services sector. Stock selection in the information technology sector was the largest detractor from the Index’s relative performance.

Portfolio Information

 

ALLOCATION BY SECTOR

 

   

Sector

   
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Information Technology

    29.8

Health Care

    12.8  

Consumer Discretionary

    11.9  

Financials

    10.5  

Communication Services

    10.4  

Industrials

    8.9  

Consumer Staples

    5.6  

Real Estate

    3.0  

Materials

    2.5  

Energy

    2.3  

Utilities

    2.3  

 

  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

 

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

   

Security

   
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Apple Inc.

    6.1

Microsoft Corp.

    5.5  

Amazon.com Inc.

    3.8  

Alphabet Inc., Class C

    2.1  

Alphabet Inc., Class A

    2.0  

Facebook Inc., Class A

    2.0  

NVIDIA Corp.

    1.5  

Tesla Inc.

    1.5  

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

    1.2  

Home Depot Inc. (The)

    1.0  
 

 

 

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Fund Summary as of August 31, 2021    iShares® ESG Aware MSCI USA Small-Cap ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA Small-Cap ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an optimized index designed to produce investment results comparable to a capitalization weighted index of small-capitalization U.S. companies, while reflecting a higher allocation to those companies with favorable environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) profiles, (as determined by the index provider), as represented by the MSCI USA Small Cap Extended ESG Focus Index (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index.

Performance

 

    Average Annual Total Returns            Cumulative Total Returns  
     1 Year     Since
Inception
            1 Year     Since
Inception
 

Fund NAV

    48.95     15.74        48.95     64.25

Fund Market

    48.80       15.76          48.80       64.33  

Index

    49.26       15.94                49.26       65.09  

GROWTH OF $10,000 INVESTMENT

(SINCE INCEPTION AT NET ASSET VALUE)

 

LOGO

The inception date of the Fund was 4/10/18. The first day of secondary market trading was 4/12/18.

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 no guarantee 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. See “About Fund Performance” on page 17 for more information.

Expense Example

 

Actual           Hypothetical 5% Return           

 

 

     

 

 

      
 

Beginning
Account Value
(03/01/21)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(08/31/21)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period 
 
 
(a) 
           

Beginning
Account Value
(03/01/21)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(08/31/21)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period 
 
 
(a) 
      

Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 
 
 
    $        1,000.00           $      1,070.40           $        0.89                $      1,000.00           $      1,024.30           $       0.87           0.17

 

  (a) 

Expenses are calculated using the Fund’s annualized expense ratio (as disclosed in the table), multiplied by the average account value for the period, multiplied by the number of days in the period (184 days) and divided by the number of days in the year (365 days). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Shareholder Expenses” on page 17 for more information.

 

 

 

F U N D   S U M M A R Y

  9


Fund Summary as of August 31, 2021 (continued)   

iShares® ESG Aware MSCI USA Small-Cap ETF

 

Portfolio Management Commentary

Investor interest in the environmental, social, and governance (“ESG”) attributes of companies continued to grow during the reporting period as the global economy recovered from the effects of the pandemic. For many investors, the threat to public health from the virus underscored the importance of a reporting system that accounts for the effects of company behavior on global social and environmental well-being. The stimulus bill passed in December 2020 included significant wind and solar power incentives. The new administration also began to review for possible reversal of a U.S. Department of Labor (“DOL”) rule that would curb investment in ESG products, and the DOL announced that it would suspend enforcement of the rule during the review.

In this environment, U.S. small-capitalization stocks with positive ESG characteristics performed well during the reporting period. A significant rebound in consumer spending benefited the consumer discretionary sector, which contributed to the Index’s return. Stimulus money and loosened restrictions drove sales in the specialty retail industry, where more consumers paid full price for items. The industrials sector also gained, as the economic recovery sparked growth in manufacturing orders and production, and a measure of manufacturing managers’ optimism hit an all-time high.

The financials sector was another source of strength, as banks’ relatively low proportion of bad loans allowed for higher dividends and stock repurchases. The information technology sector also gained, helped by strong sales of back-office software for small- and medium-sized businesses.

In terms of relative performance, the Index slightly outperformed the broader market, as represented by the MSCI USA Small Cap Index, while tracking it relatively closely. Relative to the broader market, the ESG selection process can lead to overweight stocks with higher ESG ratings and underweight stocks with lower ESG characteristics in order to maximize overall portfolio ESG score while maintaining similar risk and return levels to the broad market index. Consequently, the Index achieved an ESG quality score that was 25.6% higher than the broader market. The Index held an overweight position in the industrials sector which contributed and an underweight position in the financials sector which detracted. Stock selection in the consumer discretionary sector was the largest contributor to the Index’s relative performance.

Portfolio Information

 

ALLOCATION BY SECTOR

 

   

Sector

   
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Industrials

    17.0

Information Technology

    15.7  

Health Care

    15.4  

Consumer Discretionary

    14.5  

Financials

    13.7  

Real Estate

    8.4  

Materials

    4.5  

Energy

    3.6  

Consumer Staples

    2.8  

Utilities

    2.2  

Communication Services

    2.2  

 

  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

 

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

   

Security

   
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Bill.com Holdings Inc.

    0.4

Quanta Services Inc.

    0.4  

Comerica Inc.

    0.4  

Zions Bancorp. NA

    0.3  

Repligen Corp.

    0.3  

Entegris Inc.

    0.3  

Williams-Sonoma Inc.

    0.3  

Toro Co. (The)

    0.3  

Deckers Outdoor Corp.

    0.3  

Kilroy Realty Corp.

    0.3  
 

 

 

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Fund Summary as of August 31, 2021    iShares® ESG MSCI EM Leaders ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares ESG MSCI EM Leaders ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of large and mid-capitalization stocks of emerging market companies with high environmental, social, and governance performance relative to their sector peers as determined by the index provider, as represented by the MSCI EM Extended ESG Leaders 5% Issuer Capped Net Index (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index.

Performance

 

    Average Annual Total Returns            Cumulative Total Returns  
     1 Year     Since
Inception
            1 Year     Since
Inception
 

Fund NAV

    24.68     16.18        24.68     26.60

Fund Market

    24.51       16.16          24.51       26.55  

Index

    25.85       17.01                25.85       27.95  

GROWTH OF $10,000 INVESTMENT

(SINCE INCEPTION AT NET ASSET VALUE)

 

LOGO

The inception date of the Fund was 2/5/20. The first day of secondary market trading was 2/7/20.

Past performance is no guarantee 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. See “About Fund Performance” on page 17 for more information.

Expense Example

 

Actual           Hypothetical 5% Return           

 

 

     

 

 

      
 

Beginning
  Account Value
(03/01/21)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(08/31/21)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period 
 
 
(a) 
           

Beginning
Account Value
(03/01/21)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(08/31/21)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period 
 
 
(a) 
      

Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 
 
 
    $      1,000.00          $      1,025.30           $        0.82                $      1,000.00           $      1,024.40           $       0.82           0.16

 

  (a) 

Expenses are calculated using the Fund’s annualized expense ratio (as disclosed in the table), multiplied by the average account value for the period, multiplied by the number of days in the period (184 days) and divided by the number of days in the year (365 days). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Shareholder Expenses” on page 17 for more information.

 

 

 

F U N D   S U M M A R Y

  11


Fund Summary as of August 31, 2021 (continued)    iShares® ESG MSCI EM Leaders ETF

 

Portfolio Management Commentary

Investor interest in the environmental, social, and governance (“ESG”) attributes of companies continued to grow during the reporting period as the global economy recovered from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. For many investors, the threat to public health from the coronavirus underscored the importance of a reporting system that accounts for the effects of company behavior on global social and environmental well-being. Many countries continued to advance measures to address climate issues, including China, which announced a major emissions trading program after pledging to reach carbon neutrality by 2060. Taiwan pledged to reach carbon neutrality by 2050, partly to prepare its export-driven economy for expected carbon border taxes, such as those recently proposed by the European Commission. India’s 2021 stimulus package advanced green recovery goals, including spending billions on battery and solar development.

In this environment, emerging market stocks with positive ESG characteristics posted significant gains for the reporting period, driven by the information technology sector. Taiwanese stocks contributed the most to the Index’s performance as surging global demand for semiconductors and electronics reinvigorated the local economy and drove robust earnings. Indian software and services companies benefited as businesses increased technology spending on cloud services, cybersecurity measures, and automation processes. In South Korea, robust sales of consumer electronics drove record revenues in the technology hardware and equipment industry.

In terms of relative performance, the Index outperformed the broader market, as represented by the MSCI Emerging Markets Index. Relative to the broader market, the ESG index methodology seeks exposure to companies with higher ESG characteristics within each sector. Consequently, the Index achieved an ESG quality score that was 34.9% higher than the broader market. The Index held underweight positions in China and South Korea and overweight positions in India and South Africa. Stock selection and the underweight position in China contributed the most to the Index’s relative performance, while stock selection in Brazil detracted.

Portfolio Information

 

ALLOCATION BY SECTOR

 

   

Sector

   
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Financials

    20.2

Consumer Discretionary

    18.8  

Information Technology

    15.5  

Communication Services

    10.7  

Materials

    8.0  

Energy

    6.2  

Consumer Staples

    6.2  

Health Care

    5.2  

Industrials

    5.1  

Real Estate

    2.4  

Utilities

    1.7  

 

  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

 

TEN LARGEST GEOGRAPHIC ALLOCATION

 

   

Country/Geographic Region

   
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

China

    34.0

Taiwan

    15.7  

India

    13.6  

South Korea

    8.8  

South Africa

    5.6  

Brazil

    3.6  

Russia

    3.5  

Thailand

    2.5  

Malaysia

    2.2  

Mexico

    1.6  
 

 

 

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Fund Summary as of August 31, 2021    iShares® ESG MSCI USA Leaders ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares ESG MSCI USA Leaders ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of U.S. large- and mid-capitalization stocks of companies with high environmental, social, and governance performance relative to their sector peers, as determined by the index provider, as represented by the MSCI USA Extended ESG Leaders Index (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index.

Performance

 

    Average Annual Total Returns            Cumulative Total Returns  
     1 Year     Since
Inception
            1 Year     Since
Inception
 

Fund NAV

    33.44     24.90        33.44     67.53

Fund Market

    33.32       24.87          33.32       67.45  

Index

    33.59       25.09                33.59       67.88  

GROWTH OF $10,000 INVESTMENT

(SINCE INCEPTION AT NET ASSET VALUE)

 

LOGO

The inception date of the Fund was 5/7/19. The first day of secondary market trading was 5/9/19.

Past performance is no guarantee 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. See “About Fund Performance” on page 17 for more information.

Expense Example

 

Actual           Hypothetical 5% Return           

 

 

     

 

 

      
 

Beginning
  Account Value
(03/01/21)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(08/31/21)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
 (a) 
           

Beginning
Account Value
(03/01/21)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(08/31/21)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
 (a) 
      

Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 
 
 
    $        1,000.00          $      1,207.40           $        0.56                $      1,000.00           $      1,024.70           $       0.51           0.10

 

  (a) 

Expenses are calculated using the Fund’s annualized expense ratio (as disclosed in the table), multiplied by the average account value for the period, multiplied by the number of days in the period (184 days) and divided by the number of days in the year (365 days). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Shareholder Expenses” on page 17 for more information.

 

 

 

F U N D   S U M M A R Y

  13


Fund Summary as of August 31, 2021 (continued)    iShares® ESG MSCI USA Leaders ETF

 

Portfolio Management Commentary

Investor interest in the environmental, social, and governance (“ESG”) attributes of companies continued to grow during the reporting period as the global economy recovered from the effects of the pandemic. For many investors, the threat to public health from the virus underscored the importance of a reporting system that accounts for the effects of company behavior on global social and environmental well-being. The stimulus bill passed in December 2020 included significant wind and solar power incentives. The new administration also began to review for possible reversal of a U.S. Department of Labor (“DOL”) rule that would curb investment in ESG products, and the DOL announced that it would suspend enforcement of the rule during the review.

In this environment, large- and mid-capitalization U.S. stocks with high ESG characteristics posted significant gains for the reporting period. The information technology sector contributed the most, led by the software and services industry, which benefited from investments to support remote work. Companies in the industry worked toward implementing carbon-neutral or carbon-negative goals.

Communication services stocks also gained amid substantially higher revenues from online advertising, bolstering the interactive media and services industry’s profitability. U.S. financials stocks contributed meaningfully to the Index’s return, as robust retail stock trading benefited the diversified financials industry. The consumer discretionary sector advanced amid a rebound in consumer spending, as a rise in home remodeling drove strong gains among home improvement retailers.

In terms of relative performance, the Index outperformed the broader market, as represented by the MSCI USA Index. Relative to the broader market, the ESG index methodology seeks exposure to companies with higher ESG characteristics within each sector. Consequently, the Index achieved an ESG quality score that was 36.5% higher than the broader market. The Index held an overweight position in the consumer discretionary sector and underweight positions in the utilities and energy sectors. Stock selection in the consumer discretionary and communication services sectors contributed the most to the Index’s relative performance.

Portfolio Information

 

ALLOCATION BY SECTOR

 

   

Sector

   
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Information Technology

    29.0

Health Care

    13.5  

Consumer Discretionary

    12.3  

Communication Services

    12.0  

Financials

    11.1  

Industrials

    8.4  

Consumer Staples

    5.9  

Materials

    2.9  

Real Estate

    2.8  

Energy

    1.1  

Utilities

    1.0  

 

  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

 

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

   

Security

   
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Microsoft Corp.

    10.6

Alphabet Inc., Class A

    4.3  

Alphabet Inc., Class C

    4.2  

Tesla Inc.

    3.0  

NVIDIA Corp.

    2.7  

Johnson & Johnson

    2.2  

Visa Inc., Class A

    1.9  

Procter & Gamble Co. (The)

    1.7  

Home Depot Inc. (The)

    1.7  

Walt Disney Co. (The)

    1.6  
 

 

 

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Fund Summary as of August 31, 2021    iShares® MSCI Global Impact ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares MSCI Global Impact ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of positive impact companies that derive a majority of their revenue from products and services that address at least one of the world’s major social and environmental challenges as identified by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, as represented by the MSCI ACWI Sustainable Impact Index (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index.

Performance

 

      Average Annual Total Returns           Cumulative Total Returns  
     1 Year      5 Years      Since
Inception
           1 Year      5 Years      Since
Inception
 

Fund NAV

    23.60      17.15      16.40       23.60      120.64      125.88

Fund Market

    23.60        16.23        16.44         23.60        112.11        126.34  

Index

    23.93        17.40        16.66               23.93        123.01        128.48  

GROWTH OF $10,000 INVESTMENT

(SINCE INCEPTION AT NET ASSET VALUE)

 

LOGO

The inception date of the Fund was 4/20/16. The first day of secondary market trading was 4/22/16.

Past performance is no guarantee 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. See “About Fund Performance” on page 17 for more information.

Expense Example

 

Actual           Hypothetical 5% Return           

 

 

     

 

 

      
 

Beginning
  Account Value
(03/01/21)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(08/31/21)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
 (a) 
           

Beginning
Account Value
(03/01/21)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(08/31/21)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
 (a) 
      

Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 
 
 
    $      1,000.00          $      1,076.20           $        2.56                $      1,000.00           $      1,022.70           $       2.50           0.49

 

  (a) 

Expenses are calculated using the Fund’s annualized expense ratio (as disclosed in the table), multiplied by the average account value for the period, multiplied by the number of days in the period (184 days) and divided by the number of days in the year (365 days). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Shareholder Expenses” on page 17 for more information.

 

 

 

F U N D   S U M M A R Y

  15


Fund Summary as of August 31, 2021 (continued)    iShares® MSCI Global Impact ETF

 

Portfolio Management Commentary

The coronavirus pandemic reversed years of progress toward achieving the U.N. sustainable development goals (“SDGs”), as its economic impact in 2020 led to the first rise in extreme poverty globally since the late 1990s. Nonetheless, a survey of thought leaders indicated that most believed the pandemic increased the priority of the SDGs, providing a framework for progress as the global economy recovers. Investor interest in investments aligned with one or more of the SDGs increased significantly in 2020. Despite the pandemic’s disruption, many countries continued to monitor their SDG implementation, with 42 nations presenting voluntary progress reviews to the U.N. in 2021.

In this environment, global stocks deriving revenue from sustainable themes related to the SDGs posted strong performance for the reporting period. Stocks in China were the largest contributors to the Index’s performance. The consumer discretionary sector was the leading source of strength, with electric vehicle (“EV”) makers in the automobile manufacturing industry providing much of the contribution. Despite semiconductor shortages that constrained supply, China’s EV market grew at a rapid pace.

Stocks in the U.S. also benefited from the ongoing shift toward EVs, as the consumer discretionary sector solidly advanced. Strong deliveries helped the automobile manufacturing industry to report significant earnings growth despite parts shortages and stiff competition.

U.K. materials stocks and Danish industrials stocks also contributed to the Index’s performance. The U.K. chemicals industry gained as the recovering auto market benefited producers of catalysts that filter pollution from diesel engines. In Denmark, large international orders for wind turbines benefited the Danish electrical equipment industry.

In terms of relative performance, the Index outperformed the broader market, as represented by the MSCI ACWI Index. The positive impact selection process leads to overweight and underweight positions in stocks with higher or lower sustainable impact attributes, respectively. Consequently, the Index had an environmental, social, and governance quality score of 7.5 out of 10, which places it in the 79th percentile among peers. The Index held an overweight position in the consumer staples sector and underweight positions in information technology and financials. Stock selection in the consumer discretionary sector contributed the most to the Index’s relative performance. Positioning in the consumer staples sector and stock selection in industrials were the largest detractors.

Portfolio Information

 

ALLOCATION BY SECTOR

 

   

Sector

   
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Health Care

    19.6

Consumer Staples

    19.6  

Industrials

    18.0  

Materials

    15.8  

Real Estate

    11.7  

Utilities

    5.6  

Consumer Discretionary

    4.6  

Information Technology

    3.3  

Communication Services

    1.8  

 

  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

 

TEN LARGEST GEOGRAPHIC ALLOCATION

 

   

Country/Geographic Region

   
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

United States

    24.0

Japan

    14.9  

China

    11.8  

Denmark

    7.8  

United Kingdom

    7.2  

Hong Kong

    6.0  

Canada

    4.7  

Belgium

    4.7  

France

    3.8  

Sweden

    3.1  
 

 

 

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About Fund Performance        

 

Past performance is not an indication of future results. Financial markets have experienced extreme volatility and trading in many instruments has been disrupted. These circumstances may continue for an extended period of time and may continue to affect adversely the value and liquidity of each Fund’s investments. As a result, current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. Performance data current to the most recent month-end is available at iShares.com. Performance results assume reinvestment of all dividends and capital gain distributions and do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. The investment return and principal value of shares will vary with changes in market conditions. Shares may be worth more or less than their original cost when they are redeemed or sold in the market. Performance for certain funds may reflect a waiver of a portion of investment advisory fees. Without such a waiver, performance would have been lower.

Net asset value or “NAV” is the value of one share of a fund as calculated in accordance with the standard formula for valuing mutual fund shares. Beginning August 10, 2020, the price used to calculate market return (“Market Price”) is the closing price. Prior to August 10, 2020, Market Price was determined by using the midpoint between the highest bid and the lowest ask on the primary stock exchange on which shares of a fund are listed for trading, as of the time that such fund’s NAV is calculated. Since shares of a fund may not trade in the secondary market until after the fund’s inception, for the period from inception to the first day of secondary market trading in shares of the fund, the NAV of the fund is used as a proxy for the Market Price to calculate market returns. Market and NAV returns assume that dividends and capital gain distributions have been reinvested at Market Price and NAV, respectively.

An index is a statistical composite that tracks a specified financial market or sector. Unlike a fund, an index does not actually hold a portfolio of securities and therefore does not incur the expenses incurred by a fund. These expenses negatively impact fund performance. Also, market returns do not include brokerage commissions that may be payable on secondary market transactions. If brokerage commissions were included, market returns would be lower.

Shareholder Expenses

As a shareholder of your Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including brokerage commissions on purchases and sales of fund shares and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees and other fund expenses. The expense example, which is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period (or from the commencement of operations if less than 6 months) and held through the end of the period, is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars and cents) of investing in your Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other funds.

Actual Expenses – The table provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. Annualized expense ratios reflect contractual and voluntary fee waivers, if any. To estimate the expenses that you paid on your account over the period, simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During the Period.”

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes – The table also provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on your Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in your Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as brokerage commissions and other fees paid on purchases and sales of fund shares. Therefore, the hypothetical examples are useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

 

A B O U T   F U N D   P E R F O R M A N C E / S H A R E H O L D E R   E X P E N S E S

  17


Schedule of Investments

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® ESG Aware MSCI EAFE ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

 

Australia — 7.5%  

Afterpay Ltd.(a)

    95,864     $ 9,324,634  

APA Group

    1,337,187       8,953,898  

Aristocrat Leisure Ltd.

    263,236       8,736,981  

ASX Ltd.

    214,690       13,740,606  

Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd.

    965,824       19,548,464  

BlueScope Steel Ltd.

    517,727       9,465,251  

Brambles Ltd.

    1,590,597       14,059,740  

Cochlear Ltd.

    69,367       11,782,436  

Coles Group Ltd.

    506,717       6,687,260  

Commonwealth Bank of Australia

    673,916       49,102,948  

Computershare Ltd.

    559,658       6,725,175  

CSL Ltd.

    167,301       38,051,390  

Dexus

    1,351,849       10,520,110  

Fortescue Metals Group Ltd.

    876,517       13,362,723  

Glencore PLC

    3,035,287       13,682,261  

Goodman Group

    406,936       6,873,197  

GPT Group (The)

    1,939,520       6,866,399  

Insurance Australia Group Ltd.

    1,701,586       6,497,442  

Lendlease Corp. Ltd.

    771,064       6,699,859  

Macquarie Group Ltd.

    146,052       17,726,411  

Mirvac Group

    4,334,159       9,870,554  

National Australia Bank Ltd.

    980,383       19,765,636  

Newcrest Mining Ltd.

    425,433       7,681,099  

Northern Star Resources Ltd.

    967,747       6,884,490  

QBE Insurance Group Ltd.

    752,991       6,479,696  

Ramsay Health Care Ltd.

    140,594       7,059,618  

Rio Tinto Ltd.

    193,779       15,766,847  

Rio Tinto PLC

    504,278       37,308,616  

Seek Ltd.

    291,682       6,909,366  

Stockland

    2,089,127       7,040,129  

Sydney Airport(a)

    1,489,129       8,644,613  

Tabcorp Holdings Ltd.

    1,861,034       6,481,787  

Transurban Group

    1,541,242       15,952,268  

Wesfarmers Ltd.

    408,265       17,831,572  

Westpac Banking Corp.

    1,231,951       23,177,350  

Woodside Petroleum Ltd.

    1,148,394       16,238,871  

Woolworths Group Ltd.

    339,512       10,334,727  
   

 

 

 
          501,834,424  
Austria — 0.4%  

Erste Group Bank AG

    167,453       6,686,263  

OMV AG

    265,331       14,696,878  

voestalpine AG

    149,435       6,783,595  
   

 

 

 
      28,166,736  
Belgium — 0.8%  

Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV

    333,662       20,464,229  

KBC Group NV

    166,289       13,974,925  

Solvay SA

    50,538       6,614,960  

UCB SA

    56,361       6,448,203  

Umicore SA

    130,957       8,617,232  
   

 

 

 
      56,119,549  
Denmark — 3.0%  

AP Moller - Maersk A/S, Class A

    3,734       10,118,878  

Carlsberg A/S, Class B

    87,024       15,200,046  

Chr Hansen Holding A/S

    74,545       6,879,038  

Coloplast A/S, Class B

    49,520       8,579,756  

DSV Panalpina A/S

    63,825       16,257,620  

Genmab A/S(a)

    26,824       12,707,409  

GN Store Nord A/S

    87,727       6,603,639  
Security   Shares     Value  
Denmark (continued)  

Novo Nordisk A/S, Class B

    769,021     $ 76,986,606  

Novozymes A/S, Class B

    97,172       7,855,102  

Orsted A/S(b)

    94,050       14,952,494  

Pandora A/S

    53,082       6,362,627  

Vestas Wind Systems A/S

    484,556       19,564,731  
   

 

 

 
          202,067,946  
Finland — 1.2%  

Elisa OYJ

    100,803       6,460,531  

Kesko OYJ, Class B

    243,702       10,084,269  

Neste OYJ

    258,454       15,742,931  

Nokia OYJ(a)

    2,264,903       13,605,568  

Nordea Bank Abp

    665,420       7,815,387  

Orion OYJ, Class B

    161,126       6,572,347  

UPM-Kymmene OYJ

    394,378       16,066,395  

Wartsila OYJ Abp

    499,414       7,084,768  
   

 

 

 
      83,432,196  
France — 10.7%  

Air Liquide SA

    102,497       18,371,804  

Airbus SE(a)

    164,835       22,548,795  

Alstom SA

    152,298       6,547,772  

Amundi SA(b)

    71,285       6,746,634  

Atos SE

    130,437       6,781,607  

AXA SA

    1,181,636       33,196,281  

BNP Paribas SA

    439,354       27,833,013  

Bouygues SA

    163,702       6,854,813  

Capgemini SE

    66,187       14,877,999  

Carrefour SA

    328,535       6,540,508  

Cie. de Saint-Gobain

    169,449       12,283,856  

Cie. Generale des Etablissements Michelin SCA

    107,947       17,476,184  

CNP Assurances

    387,691       6,643,053  

Covivio

    59,519       5,658,711  

Danone SA

    334,440       24,422,742  

Dassault Systemes SE

    329,925       18,843,997  

Edenred

    117,961       6,690,688  

Eiffage SA

    65,873       6,854,004  

Engie SA

    461,120       6,607,754  

EssilorLuxottica SA

    98,049       19,265,650  

Gecina SA

    68,771       10,690,289  

Hermes International

    4,619       6,798,282  

Kering SA

    31,423       25,029,066  

Klepierre SA

    263,541       6,441,346  

Legrand SA

    86,528       9,927,727  

L’Oreal SA

    125,367       58,814,566  

LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE

    98,435       72,921,638  

Pernod Ricard SA

    90,120       18,970,970  

Publicis Groupe SA

    104,701       6,873,627  

Safran SA

    131,115       16,447,799  

Sanofi

    273,507       28,345,886  

Schneider Electric SE

    266,735       47,656,604  

Societe Generale SA

    550,967       17,341,196  

Teleperformance

    29,606       13,097,266  

Thales SA

    67,849       6,891,257  

TotalEnergies SE

    1,081,745       47,848,409  

Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield(a)

    77,915       6,827,671  

Valeo

    250,964       7,163,155  

Vinci SA

    113,683       12,197,216  

Vivendi SE

    333,904       12,718,924  

Worldline SA(a)(b)

    90,568       8,064,444  
   

 

 

 
      716,113,203  
 

 

 

18  

2 0 2 1   I S H A R E S   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® ESG Aware MSCI EAFE ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Germany — 8.6%  

adidas AG

    89,801     $ 31,856,881  

Allianz SE, Registered

    213,730       50,175,632  

BASF SE

    356,851       27,605,712  

Bayerische Motoren Werke AG

    176,615       16,764,073  

Beiersdorf AG

    56,421       6,847,483  

Brenntag SE

    74,400       7,508,323  

Commerzbank AG(a)

    1,067,197       6,678,945  

Continental AG(a)

    9,867       1,326,003  

Daimler AG, Registered

    271,278       22,883,588  

Delivery Hero SE(a)(b)

    64,088       9,301,139  

Deutsche Bank AG, Registered(a)

    810,068       10,017,382  

Deutsche Boerse AG

    120,127       20,716,733  

Deutsche Post AG, Registered

    446,178       31,370,366  

Deutsche Telekom AG, Registered

    526,419       11,193,380  

Deutsche Wohnen SE

    135,900       8,435,733  

E.ON SE

    1,181,722       15,591,118  

Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA

    120,416       6,260,817  

HeidelbergCement AG

    94,737       8,216,206  

HelloFresh SE(a)

    66,066       7,133,003  

Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

    75,897       6,831,098  

Infineon Technologies AG

    585,824       24,943,074  

LEG Immobilien SE

    42,590       6,793,444  

Merck KGaA

    95,218       22,623,481  

MTU Aero Engines AG

    34,445       7,905,023  

Muenchener Rueckversicherungs-Gesellschaft AG in Muenchen, Registered

    60,745       17,729,549  

Puma SE

    97,497       11,837,576  

SAP SE

    495,644       74,450,659  

Siemens AG, Registered

    314,127       52,112,032  

Symrise AG

    44,821       6,378,473  

TeamViewer AG(a)(b)

    200,902       6,693,358  

Telefonica Deutschland Holding AG

    2,282,341       6,406,812  

Volkswagen AG

    20,574       6,883,899  

Vonovia SE

    142,367       9,611,319  

Zalando SE(a)(b)

    106,106       11,764,480  
   

 

 

 
          572,846,794  
Hong Kong — 2.8%  

AIA Group Ltd.

    4,923,400       58,788,964  

BOC Hong Kong Holdings Ltd.

    4,261,000       12,894,519  

Hang Seng Bank Ltd.

    635,800       11,366,431  

Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing Ltd.

    505,600       31,940,799  

MTR Corp. Ltd.(c)

    3,161,000       17,795,056  

Sands China Ltd.(a)

    3,702,400       11,894,326  

Sun Hung Kai Properties Ltd.

    668,500       9,428,506  

Swire Pacific Ltd., Class A

    1,404,000       9,504,837  

Swire Properties Ltd.

    4,183,400       11,306,551  

Techtronic Industries Co. Ltd.

    473,000       10,468,540  
   

 

 

 
      185,388,529  
Ireland — 0.9%  

CRH PLC

    445,846       23,619,108  

Flutter Entertainment PLC, Class DI(a)

    61,487       11,953,399  

Kerry Group PLC, Class A

    100,605       14,753,644  

Kingspan Group PLC

    64,336       7,346,856  
   

 

 

 
      57,673,007  
Israel — 0.6%  

Bank Hapoalim BM

    1,020,957       8,782,916  

Bank Leumi Le-Israel BM

    778,179       6,428,702  

CyberArk Software Ltd.(a)(c)

    42,140       7,076,991  

Isracard Ltd.

    1       5  
Security   Shares     Value  
Israel (continued)  

Nice Ltd.(a)

    23,387     $ 6,822,606  

Wix.com Ltd.(a)(c)

    39,187       8,702,649  
   

 

 

 
      37,813,869  
Italy — 2.2%  

Amplifon SpA

    130,397       6,820,724  

Assicurazioni Generali SpA

    529,158       10,795,374  

CNH Industrial NV

    655,024       10,828,095  

Enel SpA

    4,493,275       40,935,703  

Eni SpA

    1,367,883       16,876,381  

Intesa Sanpaolo SpA

    13,277,965       37,574,716  

Snam SpA

    1,053,688       6,230,040  

Terna - Rete Elettrica Nazionale

    859,414       6,798,016  

UniCredit SpA

    555,930       6,931,898  
   

 

 

 
          143,790,947  
Japan — 22.5%  

Advantest Corp.

    82,500       7,107,508  

Aeon Co. Ltd.

    403,700       10,687,114  

Ajinomoto Co. Inc.

    249,300       7,348,457  

Asahi Group Holdings Ltd.

    218,900       10,175,483  

Asahi Kasei Corp.

    1,063,800       10,967,859  

Astellas Pharma Inc.

    1,038,100       17,491,891  

Azbil Corp.

    208,900       9,058,735  

Bridgestone Corp.

    236,300       10,877,747  

Canon Inc.

    281,200       6,690,346  

Central Japan Railway Co.

    46,600       6,820,834  

Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

    334,700       13,077,710  

Dai Nippon Printing Co. Ltd.

    294,300       6,992,499  

Dai-ichi Life Holdings Inc.

    411,500       8,142,459  

Daiichi Sankyo Co. Ltd.

    814,100       19,336,843  

Daikin Industries Ltd.

    113,900       28,423,351  

Daiwa House Industry Co. Ltd.

    217,300       6,626,289  

Daiwa Securities Group Inc.

    1,230,500       6,960,954  

Denso Corp.

    243,700       17,057,289  

East Japan Railway Co.

    177,000       11,896,918  

Eisai Co. Ltd.

    145,000       11,958,111  

ENEOS Holdings Inc.

    2,550,900       9,859,016  

Fanuc Corp.

    59,000       12,853,799  

Fast Retailing Co. Ltd.

    24,300       16,005,873  

FUJIFILM Holdings Corp.

    173,600       14,285,921  

Fujitsu Ltd.

    122,300       22,513,822  

Hankyu Hanshin Holdings Inc.

    238,700       7,142,984  

Hitachi Construction Machinery Co. Ltd.

    236,100       6,764,083  

Hitachi Ltd.

    413,000       22,825,065  

Honda Motor Co. Ltd.

    570,600       17,270,131  

Hoya Corp.

    144,400       23,318,299  

Ibiden Co. Ltd.

    158,700       8,539,061  

Idemitsu Kosan Co. Ltd.

    277,800       6,653,467  

Inpex Corp.

    1,389,300       9,545,729  

Itochu Corp.

    1,203,900       36,214,659  

JFE Holdings Inc.

    469,500       7,615,228  

Kao Corp.

    213,900       12,920,963  

KDDI Corp.

    1,058,500       32,353,452  

Keio Corp.

    120,400       6,478,683  

Keyence Corp.

    63,400       38,061,103  

Kikkoman Corp.

    102,000       7,657,662  

Kirin Holdings Co. Ltd.

    392,700       7,114,442  

Komatsu Ltd.

    619,200       15,060,623  

Kubota Corp.

    454,000       9,380,392  

Kurita Water Industries Ltd.

    151,600       7,110,242  
 

 

 

S C H E D U L E   O F   I N V E S T M E N T S

  19


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® ESG Aware MSCI EAFE ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Japan (continued)  

Kyocera Corp.

    161,000     $ 10,008,890  

Kyowa Kirin Co. Ltd.

    200,000       6,544,152  

Lawson Inc.

    126,600       6,088,984  

Lixil Corp.

    238,400       6,937,849  

M3 Inc.

    103,900       6,968,309  

Marubeni Corp.

    818,100       6,509,059  

Mazda Motor Corp.(a)

    738,800       6,413,387  

Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corp.

    788,700       6,924,832  

Mitsubishi Corp.

    270,500       8,140,012  

Mitsubishi Electric Corp.

    497,500       6,801,373  

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd.

    251,200       6,636,420  

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc.

    2,908,500           15,779,894  

Mitsui Chemicals Inc.

    192,400       6,642,110  

Mitsui Fudosan Co. Ltd.

    396,900       9,108,049  

Miura Co. Ltd.

    149,200       6,698,297  

Mizuho Financial Group Inc.

    918,900       12,875,467  

MS&AD Insurance Group Holdings Inc.

    339,700       10,995,705  

Murata Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

    221,300       18,243,481  

Nabtesco Corp.

    164,900       6,521,023  

NEC Corp.

    131,900       6,922,531  

Nidec Corp.

    132,500       15,135,302  

Nintendo Co. Ltd.

    43,308       20,806,858  

Nippon Building Fund Inc.

    1,004       6,519,910  

Nippon Express Co. Ltd.

    99,700       6,779,267  

Nippon Paint Holdings Co. Ltd.

    515,400       6,400,859  

Nippon Steel Corp.

    366,900       7,498,736  

Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corp.

    504,200       13,433,291  

Nippon Yusen KK

    122,200       9,826,696  

Nitto Denko Corp.

    89,500       6,789,545  

Nomura Holdings Inc.

    1,943,600       9,386,113  

Nomura Research Institute Ltd.

    274,500       10,293,846  

NTT Data Corp.

    383,600       6,903,650  

Obayashi Corp.

    784,400       6,454,342  

Odakyu Electric Railway Co. Ltd.

    279,900       6,521,577  

Omron Corp.

    230,100       21,681,412  

Ono Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

    275,000       6,602,866  

Oriental Land Co. Ltd.

    79,900       12,088,533  

ORIX Corp.

    608,900       11,360,534  

Panasonic Corp.

    1,206,000       14,417,811  

Recruit Holdings Co. Ltd.

    518,600       30,536,282  

Resona Holdings Inc.

    2,085,400       8,064,540  

Rohm Co. Ltd.

    75,500       7,258,336  

Secom Co. Ltd.

    124,600       9,448,759  

Sekisui Chemical Co. Ltd.

    384,100       6,573,564  

Sekisui House Ltd.

    483,400       9,630,875  

Seven & i Holdings Co. Ltd.

    210,200       9,172,357  

SG Holdings Co. Ltd.

    252,400       6,852,036  

Shimadzu Corp.

    153,100       6,859,967  

Shimizu Corp.

    861,200       6,179,946  

Shin-Etsu Chemical Co. Ltd.

    97,400       16,087,346  

Shionogi & Co. Ltd.

    175,900       11,051,918  

Shiseido Co. Ltd.

    119,100       7,893,840  

Softbank Corp.

    1,436,200       19,220,425  

SoftBank Group Corp.

    436,900       24,620,959  

Sohgo Security Services Co. Ltd.

    140,000       6,342,215  

Sompo Holdings Inc.

    242,200       10,646,552  

Sony Group Corp.

    589,900       60,992,924  

Stanley Electric Co. Ltd.

    252,700       6,306,206  

Sumitomo Chemical Co. Ltd.

    2,195,800       11,131,863  

Sumitomo Metal Mining Co. Ltd.

    228,300       8,748,677  
Security   Shares     Value  
Japan (continued)  

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc.

    332,500     $ 11,476,470  

Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings Inc.

    295,300       9,645,441  

Sysmex Corp.

    137,900       15,671,825  

Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

    686,194       22,840,307  

TDK Corp.

    62,400       6,540,237  

Terumo Corp.

    271,500       11,329,891  

Tokio Marine Holdings Inc.

    203,000       9,932,649  

Tokyo Century Corp.

    125,000       7,147,746  

Tokyo Electron Ltd.

    70,300       30,112,551  

Tokyo Gas Co. Ltd.

    344,900       6,629,929  

Tokyu Corp.

    517,300       7,113,239  

Toray Industries Inc.

    1,202,600       8,108,791  

Toshiba Corp.

    159,100       6,900,922  

TOTO Ltd.

    119,000       6,476,480  

Toyota Motor Corp.

    816,300       71,094,291  

West Japan Railway Co.

    129,300       7,061,937  

Yamaha Corp.

    117,200       6,910,234  

Yamaha Motor Co. Ltd.

    360,400       9,169,192  

Yaskawa Electric Corp.

    150,100       7,326,248  

Yokogawa Electric Corp.

    419,600       6,563,890  
   

 

 

 
        1,507,575,925  
Netherlands — 5.6%  

Adyen NV(a)(b)

    6,973       22,537,258  

Aegon NV

    1,333,924       6,586,570  

Akzo Nobel NV

    127,852       15,756,389  

ArcelorMittal SA

    200,700       6,731,474  

Argenx SE(a)

    23,630       7,883,980  

ASM International NV

    18,160       7,045,947  

ASML Holding NV

    179,029       149,307,919  

Heineken NV

    132,205       14,479,357  

ING Groep NV

    1,601,804       22,095,887  

Just Eat Takeaway.com NV(a)(b)

    68,290       6,186,198  

Koninklijke Ahold Delhaize NV

    282,925       9,545,167  

Koninklijke DSM NV

    95,675       20,368,930  

Koninklijke KPN NV

    2,463,276       7,890,779  

Koninklijke Vopak NV

    154,722       6,700,980  

NN Group NV

    130,839       6,786,978  

Prosus NV

    352,603       31,210,832  

Randstad NV

    92,538       6,815,068  

Stellantis NV

    477,021       9,542,348  

Wolters Kluwer NV

    163,873       18,845,519  
   

 

 

 
      376,317,580  
New Zealand — 0.4%  

Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Corp. Ltd.

    307,472       7,175,755  

Meridian Energy Ltd.

    1,820,070       6,722,236  

Ryman Healthcare Ltd.

    651,685       7,116,744  

Xero Ltd.(a)

    70,825       7,833,479  
   

 

 

 
      28,848,214  
Norway — 1.0%  

DNB Bank ASA

    1,436       30,490  

DNB Bank ASA, New

    313,897       6,625,343  

Equinor ASA

    924,388       19,591,599  

Mowi ASA

    270,781       7,252,951  

Norsk Hydro ASA

    1,158,222       7,995,485  

Orkla ASA

    987,959       8,824,825  

Telenor ASA

    775,600       13,587,704  
   

 

 

 
      63,908,397  
Portugal — 0.2%  

Galp Energia SGPS SA

    1,241,046       12,694,553  
   

 

 

 
 

 

 

20  

2 0 2 1   I S H A R E S   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® ESG Aware MSCI EAFE ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Singapore — 1.1%  

CapitaLand Ltd.

    3,424,700     $ 10,161,005  

City Developments Ltd.

    1,750,100       8,880,886  

DBS Group Holdings Ltd.

    836,000       18,536,690  

Keppel Corp. Ltd.

    2,647,800       10,207,423  

Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp. Ltd.

    2,053,800       17,380,093  

Singapore Telecommunications Ltd.

    5,414,000       9,320,456  
   

 

 

 
        74,486,553  
Spain — 2.3%  

Amadeus IT Group SA(a)

    179,533       10,965,495  

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA

    3,625,348       23,727,873  

Banco Santander SA

    4,013,117       14,797,380  

CaixaBank SA

    2,269,431       7,049,862  

Cellnex Telecom SA(b)

    144,884       9,917,057  

Iberdrola SA

    2,967,171       36,767,602  

Industria de Diseno Textil SA

    731,874       25,001,843  

Naturgy Energy Group SA

    410,235       10,552,268  

Red Electrica Corp. SA

    174,858       3,487,286  

Repsol SA

    1,022,759       11,736,320  
   

 

 

 
      154,002,986  
Sweden — 3.7%  

Alfa Laval AB

    164,264       6,669,957  

Assa Abloy AB, Class B

    374,231       11,975,649  

Atlas Copco AB, Class A

    249,199       17,131,755  

Atlas Copco AB, Class B

    149,667       8,667,367  

Boliden AB

    427,611       14,929,304  

Epiroc AB, Class A

    319,169       7,003,828  

Epiroc AB, Class B

    336,657       6,398,125  

Essity AB, Class B

    427,892       13,734,361  

Evolution AB(b)

    68,235       11,016,699  

H & M Hennes & Mauritz AB, Class B(a)

    382,986       7,690,594  

ICA Gruppen AB

    147,869       7,356,223  

Investor AB, Class B

    439,011       10,500,548  

Kinnevik AB, Class B(a)

    167,369       6,557,698  

Nibe Industrier AB, Class B

    686,895       9,574,124  

Sandvik AB

    490,031       12,505,151  

Sinch AB(a)(b)

    337,794       7,594,112  

Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB, Class A

    493,585       6,619,937  

SKF AB, Class B

    270,971       6,920,463  

Svenska Cellulosa AB SCA, Class B

    537,634       9,501,839  

Svenska Handelsbanken AB, Class A

    593,038       6,663,789  

Swedbank AB, Class A

    352,387       6,793,148  

Tele2 AB, Class B

    668,719       10,039,563  

Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson, Class B

    1,211,166       14,346,386  

Telia Co. AB

    2,758,995       11,861,926  

Volvo AB, Class A

    316,323       7,338,511  

Volvo AB, Class B

    305,837       6,925,004  
   

 

 

 
      246,316,061  
Switzerland — 10.3%  

ABB Ltd., Registered

    832,186       30,786,417  

Alcon Inc.

    190,823       15,715,972  

Barry Callebaut AG, Registered

    2,600       6,623,611  

Coca-Cola HBC AG, Class DI

    186,809       6,761,534  

Credit Suisse Group AG, Registered

    979,528       10,376,645  

Geberit AG, Registered

    16,883       14,099,084  

Givaudan SA, Registered

    5,670       28,446,261  

Julius Baer Group Ltd.

    96,208       6,566,541  

Kuehne + Nagel International AG, Registered

    46,188       16,880,225  

Logitech International SA, Registered

    85,625       8,767,132  

Lonza Group AG, Registered

    44,467       37,606,907  
Security   Shares     Value  
Switzerland (continued)  

Nestle SA, Registered

    1,128,268     $ 142,487,542  

Novartis AG, Registered

    764,953       70,751,166  

Partners Group Holding AG

    6,363       11,281,622  

Roche Holding AG, Bearer

    35,273       15,789,980  

Roche Holding AG, NVS

    256,722       103,087,974  

SGS SA, Registered

    5,328       16,745,046  

Sika AG, Registered

    40,134       14,460,532  

Sonova Holding AG, Registered

    30,618       11,799,211  

STMicroelectronics NV

    305,881       13,625,989  

Straumann Holding AG, Registered

    4,742       9,162,686  

Swiss Life Holding AG, Registered

    14,223       7,413,438  

Swiss Re AG

    183,199       16,843,698  

Swisscom AG, Registered

    15,607       9,160,327  

Temenos AG, Registered

    44,306       7,029,651  

UBS Group AG, Registered

    1,429,266       23,841,925  

Vifor Pharma AG

    59,205       8,429,953  

Zurich Insurance Group AG

    59,903       26,284,914  
   

 

 

 
        690,825,983  
United Kingdom — 13.2%  

3i Group PLC

    543,443       9,994,506  

Abrdn PLC

    1,819,690       6,648,611  

Antofagasta PLC

    548,888       10,995,242  

Ashtead Group PLC

    197,314       15,424,604  

Associated British Foods PLC

    238,170       6,493,936  

AstraZeneca PLC

    608,002       71,101,834  

Aviva PLC

    1,526,766       8,485,939  

BAE Systems PLC

    1,581,016       12,351,871  

Barclays PLC

    5,838,981       14,804,206  

Barratt Developments PLC

    932,277       9,482,750  

Berkeley Group Holdings PLC

    136,155       9,044,042  

BP PLC

    10,797,717       43,928,291  

British Land Co. PLC (The)

    1,034,666       7,559,000  

BT Group PLC(a)

    4,122,686       9,637,208  

Burberry Group PLC

    352,117       9,016,204  

Coca-Cola Europacific Partners PLC

    128,859       7,440,319  

Compass Group PLC(a)

    572,907       11,836,231  

Croda International PLC

    124,336       15,651,613  

DCC PLC

    79,833       6,786,136  

Diageo PLC

    1,171,386       56,311,648  

Entain PLC(a)

    295,932       7,864,637  

Experian PLC

    169,848       7,492,013  

Ferguson PLC

    143,692       20,768,984  

GlaxoSmithKline PLC

    2,147,219       43,192,608  

HSBC Holdings PLC

    8,136,992       42,970,270  

Informa PLC(a)

    931,054       6,804,192  

InterContinental Hotels Group PLC(a)

    106,416       6,799,352  

Intertek Group PLC

    90,799       6,583,555  

J Sainsbury PLC

    1,942,653       8,119,517  

Johnson Matthey PLC

    188,322       7,613,630  

Kingfisher PLC

    1,722,483       8,293,791  

Legal & General Group PLC

    2,613,036       9,706,467  

Lloyds Banking Group PLC

    30,844,098       18,464,935  

London Stock Exchange Group PLC

    122,882       13,460,970  

Mondi PLC

    474,600       13,091,808  

National Grid PLC

    1,987,549       25,707,388  

Natwest Group PLC

    2,977,904       8,695,370  

Next PLC

    62,965       6,847,505  

Ocado Group PLC(a)

    250,750       6,949,593  

Pearson PLC

    621,597       6,555,115  

Prudential PLC

    861,476       17,948,528  
 

 

 

S C H E D U L E   O F   I N V E S T M E N T S

  21


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® ESG Aware MSCI EAFE ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
United Kingdom (continued)  

Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC

    289,862     $ 22,128,413  

RELX PLC

    1,021,603       30,659,500  

Rentokil Initial PLC

    879,743       7,027,836  

Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC(a)

    854,346       1,347,322  

Sage Group PLC (The)

    655,617       6,695,504  

Schroders PLC

    172,431       8,964,736  

Segro PLC

    991,824       17,529,579  

Smiths Group PLC

    334,868       6,646,121  

Spirax-Sarco Engineering PLC

    30,563       6,777,512  

SSE PLC

    638,058       14,333,478  

St. James’s Place PLC

    337,561       7,475,200  

Standard Chartered PLC

    1,211,678       7,556,187  

Taylor Wimpey PLC

    2,763,479       6,956,467  

Tesco PLC

    2,978,680       10,457,016  

Unilever PLC

    982,891       54,727,266  

Vodafone Group PLC

    10,693,806       17,961,002  

Whitbread PLC(a)

    158,951       7,019,173  

Wm Morrison Supermarkets PLC

    2,036,476       8,100,205  

WPP PLC

    553,617       7,506,409  
   

 

 

 
      886,793,345  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 99.0%
(Cost: $5,467,010,104)

 

    6,627,016,797  
   

 

 

 

Preferred Stocks

 

Germany — 0.3%  

Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, Preference Shares, NVS

    65,020       6,352,656  

Sartorius AG, Preference Shares, NVS

    11,488       7,568,440  

Volkswagen AG, Preference Shares, NVS

    28,817       6,854,254  
   

 

 

 
      20,775,350  
   

 

 

 

Total Preferred Stocks — 0.3%
(Cost: $16,966,999)

 

    20,775,350  
   

 

 

 
Security   Shares     Value  

Short-Term Investments

 

Money Market Funds — 0.2%  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional,
SL Agency Shares, 0.06%(d)(e)(f)

    11,004,457     $ 11,009,959  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury,
SL Agency Shares, 0.00%(d)(e)

    1,190,000       1,190,000  
   

 

 

 
      12,199,959  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments — 0.2%
(Cost: $12,199,959)

 

    12,199,959  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities — 99.5%
(Cost: $5,496,177,062)

 

    6,659,992,106  

Other Assets, Less Liabilities — 0.5%

 

    34,676,481  
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

 

  $   6,694,668,587  
   

 

 

 

 

(a)

Non-income producing security.

(b)

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.

(c)

All or a portion of this security is on loan.

(d)

Affiliate of the Fund.

(e)

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

(f)

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 year ended August 31, 2021 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

Affiliated Issuer    Value at
08/31/20
     Purchases
at Cost
     Proceeds
from Sales
     Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
     Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
     Value at
08/31/21
     Shares
Held at
08/31/21
     Income     

Capital
Gain

Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds

 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares

   $ 18,348,810      $      $ (7,329,447 )(a)     $ (10,264    $ 860      $ 11,009,959        11,004,457      $ 143,718 (b)     $  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

     430,000        760,000 (a)                            1,190,000        1,190,000        465         
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 
            $ (10,264    $ 860      $ 12,199,959         $ 144,183      $  
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 
  (b)

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.

 

 

 

22  

2 0 2 1   I S H A R E S   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® ESG Aware MSCI EAFE ETF

    

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Futures Contracts

 

 

 
Description   Number of
Contracts
     Expiration
Date
     Notional
Amount
(000)
     Value/
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

 

 

Long Contracts

          

TOPIX Index

    75        09/09/21      $ 13,393      $ 95,851  

ASX SPI 200 Index

    45        09/16/21        6,154        138,898  

Euro STOXX 50 Index

    386        09/17/21        19,058        201,264  

FTSE 100 Index

    98        09/17/21        9,561        26,115  
          

 

 

 
           $ 462,128  
          

 

 

 

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:

 

 

 
   

Equity

Contracts

 

 

 

Assets — Derivative Financial Instruments

 

Futures contracts
Unrealized appreciation on futures contracts(a)

  $ 462,128  
 

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Net cumulative 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 August 31, 2021, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

 

 
    Equity
Contracts
 

 

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from:

 

Futures contracts

  $ 6,670,558  
 

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:

 

Futures contracts

  $ 386,284  
 

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

   

Futures contracts:

 

Average notional value of contracts — long

  $ 33,012,983      

For more information about the Fund’s investment risks regarding derivative financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.

 

 

S C H E D U L E   O F   I N V E S T M E N T S

  23


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® ESG Aware MSCI EAFE ETF

    

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments. 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.

 

 

 
    Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

 

 

Investments

          

Assets

          

Common Stocks

  $ 71,804,085      $ 6,555,212,712      $      $ 6,627,016,797  

Preferred Stocks

           20,775,350               20,775,350  

Money Market Funds

    12,199,959                      12,199,959  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
  $     84,004,044      $ 6,575,988,062      $             —      $ 6,659,992,106  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Derivative financial instruments(a)

          

Assets

          

Futures Contracts

  $      $ 462,128      $      $ 462,128  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Derivative financial instruments are futures contracts. Futures contracts are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

24  

2 0 2 1   I S H A R E S   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

 

Aerospace & Defense — 1.1%  

Howmet Aerospace Inc.

    678,826     $ 21,552,726  

Huntington Ingalls Industries Inc.

    207,885       42,443,880  

L3Harris Technologies Inc.

    254,173       59,224,851  

Raytheon Technologies Corp.

    1,197,765       101,522,561  

TransDigm Group Inc.(a)

    36,567       22,213,356  
   

 

 

 
          246,957,374  
Air Freight & Logistics — 0.9%  

CH Robinson Worldwide Inc.

    408,596       36,798,156  

Expeditors International of Washington Inc.

    595,185       74,183,858  

FedEx Corp.

    107,536       28,571,240  

United Parcel Service Inc., Class B

    340,677       66,646,641  
   

 

 

 
      206,199,895  
Auto Components — 0.3%  

Aptiv PLC(a)

    346,795       52,778,731  

BorgWarner Inc.

    506,890       21,634,065  
   

 

 

 
      74,412,796  
Automobiles — 1.5%  

Tesla Inc.(a)

    452,785       333,122,980  
   

 

 

 
Banks — 3.8%  

Bank of America Corp.

    4,463,629       186,356,511  

Citigroup Inc.

    1,636,335       117,668,850  

Huntington Bancshares Inc./OH

    3,424,258       53,178,727  

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

    1,671,171       267,303,801  

KeyCorp

    1,091,829       22,185,965  

PNC Financial Services Group Inc. (The)

    215,361       41,155,487  

Regions Financial Corp.

    2,392,869       48,886,314  

SVB Financial Group(a)

    42,263       23,646,148  

Truist Financial Corp.

    999,920       57,055,435  

U.S. Bancorp.

    514,622       29,534,157  
   

 

 

 
      846,971,395  
Beverages — 1.8%  

Brown-Forman Corp., Class B, NVS

    313,139       21,988,621  

Coca-Cola Co. (The)

    2,942,006       165,664,358  

Keurig Dr Pepper Inc.

    765,247       27,296,361  

Molson Coors Beverage Co., Class B

    536,297       25,490,196  

PepsiCo Inc.

    1,053,606       164,773,442  
   

 

 

 
      405,212,978  
Biotechnology — 2.2%  

AbbVie Inc.

    869,160       104,977,145  

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals Inc.(a)

    109,407       22,037,852  

Amgen Inc.

    441,749       99,627,652  

Biogen Inc.(a)

    124,156       42,077,710  

Gilead Sciences Inc.

    1,029,499       74,926,937  

Moderna Inc.(a)

    176,328       66,420,994  

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc.(a)

    44,627       30,051,822  

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc.(a)

    229,084       45,883,234  
   

 

 

 
      486,003,346  
Building Products — 1.2%  

Allegion PLC

    153,713       22,133,135  

Carrier Global Corp.

    680,721       39,209,530  

Fortune Brands Home & Security Inc.

    221,325       21,550,415  

Johnson Controls International PLC

    1,246,675       93,251,290  

Owens Corning

    235,325       22,485,304  

Trane Technologies PLC

    335,829       66,662,056  
   

 

 

 
      265,291,730  
Security   Shares     Value  
Capital Markets — 3.3%  

Ameriprise Financial Inc.

    82,779     $ 22,591,218  

Bank of New York Mellon Corp. (The)

    952,776       52,612,291  

BlackRock Inc.(b)

    131,812       124,336,941  

Charles Schwab Corp. (The)

    643,133       46,852,239  

CME Group Inc.

    222,349       44,852,240  

FactSet Research Systems Inc.

    59,029       22,444,006  

Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (The)

    125,496       51,893,851  

Invesco Ltd.

    920,269       23,301,211  

Moody’s Corp.

    121,132       46,123,432  

Morgan Stanley

    1,149,367       120,028,396  

Northern Trust Corp.

    368,558       43,681,494  

S&P Global Inc.

    144,307       64,046,333  

State Street Corp.

    436,730       40,576,584  

T Rowe Price Group Inc.

    187,806       42,044,129  
   

 

 

 
          745,384,365  
Chemicals — 1.8%  

Air Products & Chemicals Inc.

    79,423       21,405,293  

Dow Inc.

    458,355       28,830,530  

DuPont de Nemours Inc.

    398,394       29,489,124  

Ecolab Inc.

    368,935       83,143,192  

International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.

    203,849       30,883,123  

Linde PLC

    344,965       108,522,539  

LyondellBasell Industries NV, Class A

    221,585       22,236,055  

Mosaic Co. (The)

    728,874       23,455,165  

PPG Industries Inc.

    214,642       34,246,131  

Sherwin-Williams Co. (The)

    77,470       23,525,315  
   

 

 

 
      405,736,467  
Commercial Services & Supplies — 0.2%  

Copart Inc.(a)

    156,654       22,608,306  

Waste Management Inc.

    142,157       22,049,972  
   

 

 

 
      44,658,278  
Communications Equipment — 0.9%  

Cisco Systems Inc.

    2,985,852       176,224,985  

Motorola Solutions Inc.

    143,759       35,108,823  
   

 

 

 
      211,333,808  
Consumer Finance — 0.8%  

Ally Financial Inc.

    544,063       28,780,933  

American Express Co.

    721,735       119,779,141  

Discover Financial Services

    171,315       21,966,009  
   

 

 

 
      170,526,083  
Containers & Packaging — 0.5%  

Amcor PLC

    2,989,963       38,421,025  

Ball Corp.

    463,716       44,498,187  

International Paper Co.

    370,575       22,267,852  
   

 

 

 
      105,187,064  
Distributors — 0.2%  

LKQ Corp.(a)

    476,427       25,102,939  

Pool Corp.

    44,495       21,993,878  
   

 

 

 
      47,096,817  
Diversified Financial Services — 0.7%  

Berkshire Hathaway Inc., Class B(a)

    447,196       127,795,201  

Voya Financial Inc.

    336,077       21,838,283  
   

 

 

 
      149,633,484  
Diversified Telecommunication Services — 1.0%  

AT&T Inc.

    3,231,888       88,618,368  

Lumen Technologies Inc.

    1,900,598       23,377,355  

Verizon Communications Inc.

    2,075,958       114,177,690  
   

 

 

 
      226,173,413  
 

 

 

S C H E D U L E   O F   I N V E S T M E N T S

  25


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security

  Shares     Value  
Electric Utilities — 1.5%  

Entergy Corp.

    277,062     $ 30,645,828  

Eversource Energy

    748,340       67,896,888  

Exelon Corp.

    1,071,952       52,547,087  

NextEra Energy Inc.

    2,057,274       172,790,443  
   

 

 

 
          323,880,246  
Electrical Equipment — 0.4%  

Eaton Corp. PLC

    129,108       21,736,623  

Emerson Electric Co.

    212,912       22,462,216  

Generac Holdings Inc.(a)

    55,004       24,035,648  

Rockwell Automation Inc.

    73,128       23,799,507  
   

 

 

 
      92,033,994  
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components — 0.7%  

Cognex Corp.

    257,936       22,858,288  

Keysight Technologies Inc.(a)

    162,265       29,107,096  

TE Connectivity Ltd.

    146,678       22,033,969  

Teledyne Technologies Inc.(a)

    55,075       25,520,654  

Trimble Inc.(a)

    428,351       40,359,231  

Zebra Technologies Corp., Class A(a)

    43,589       25,594,153  
   

 

 

 
      165,473,391  
Energy Equipment & Services — 0.3%  

Baker Hughes Co.

    1,067,530       24,318,334  

Schlumberger Ltd.

    1,508,556       42,299,910  
   

 

 

 
      66,618,244  
Entertainment — 1.8%  

Activision Blizzard Inc.

    273,297       22,511,474  

Electronic Arts Inc.

    151,792       22,041,716  

Netflix Inc.(a)

    217,357       123,717,431  

Roku Inc.(a)

    64,039       22,567,343  

Walt Disney Co. (The)(a)

    1,143,329       207,285,548  
   

 

 

 
      398,123,512  
Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) — 2.8%  

American Tower Corp.

    326,998       95,539,006  

Boston Properties Inc.

    191,074       21,589,451  

Crown Castle International Corp.

    299,743       58,356,965  

Digital Realty Trust Inc.

    132,308       21,686,604  

Equinix Inc.

    84,645       71,393,825  

Equity Residential

    315,192       26,498,191  

Healthpeak Properties Inc.

    1,193,203       42,955,308  

Host Hotels & Resorts Inc.(a)

    1,450,388       24,018,425  

Prologis Inc.

    553,603       74,548,180  

Regency Centers Corp.

    334,674       22,965,330  

SBA Communications Corp.

    59,912       21,506,611  

Simon Property Group Inc.

    176,236       23,694,930  

Ventas Inc.

    509,841       28,520,506  

Welltower Inc.

    449,154       39,314,450  

Weyerhaeuser Co.

    1,157,367       41,665,212  
   

 

 

 
      614,252,994  
Food & Staples Retailing — 0.8%  

Costco Wholesale Corp.

    187,556       85,429,882  

Kroger Co. (The)

    766,716       35,291,938  

Sysco Corp.

    319,782       25,470,636  

Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc.

    487,672       24,749,354  
   

 

 

 
      170,941,810  
Food Products — 1.4%  

Archer-Daniels-Midland Co.

    579,482       34,768,920  

Bunge Ltd.

    353,434       26,758,488  

Campbell Soup Co.

    498,905       20,819,306  

Conagra Brands Inc.

    642,601       21,282,945  

Security

  Shares     Value  
Food Products (continued)  

General Mills Inc.

    517,047     $ 29,890,487  

Hormel Foods Corp.

    616,598       28,079,873  

JM Smucker Co. (The)

    162,810       20,134,713  

Kellogg Co.

    932,980       58,908,357  

Lamb Weston Holdings Inc.

    327,896       21,362,424  

McCormick & Co. Inc./MD, NVS

    246,456       21,266,688  

Mondelez International Inc., Class A

    430,085       26,695,376  
   

 

 

 
          309,967,577  
Gas Utilities — 0.2%  

Atmos Energy Corp.

    218,500       21,305,935  

UGI Corp.

    491,705       22,770,859  
   

 

 

 
      44,076,794  
Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 3.1%  

Abbott Laboratories

    653,834       82,625,003  

Align Technology Inc.(a)

    41,284       29,270,356  

Becton Dickinson and Co.

    104,097       26,201,215  

Danaher Corp.

    288,126       93,398,924  

Dexcom Inc.(a)(c)

    77,115       40,826,223  

Edwards Lifesciences Corp.(a)

    558,018       65,388,549  

Hologic Inc.(a)

    361,619       28,622,144  

IDEXX Laboratories Inc.(a)

    79,260       53,402,218  

Insulet Corp.(a)

    115,748       34,470,912  

Intuitive Surgical Inc.(a)

    61,350       64,635,906  

Medtronic PLC

    167,178       22,314,919  

Novocure Ltd.(a)

    167,257       22,447,562  

ResMed Inc.

    130,788       37,997,838  

STERIS PLC

    103,328       22,216,553  

West Pharmaceutical Services Inc.

    169,518       76,557,719  
   

 

 

 
      700,376,041  
Health Care Providers & Services — 2.4%  

Anthem Inc.

    126,884       47,597,995  

Cardinal Health Inc.

    419,969       22,044,173  

Centene Corp.(a)

    337,239       21,239,312  

Cigna Corp.

    271,622       57,488,796  

CVS Health Corp.

    627,271       54,189,942  

DaVita Inc.(a)

    163,096       21,328,064  

HCA Healthcare Inc.

    188,280       47,631,074  

Humana Inc.

    71,584       29,021,585  

Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings(a)

    80,957       24,560,735  

Quest Diagnostics Inc.

    184,913       28,260,254  

UnitedHealth Group Inc.

    416,953       173,565,025  
   

 

 

 
      526,926,955  
Health Care Technology — 0.3%  

Cerner Corp.

    510,423       38,970,796  

Teladoc Health Inc.(a)(c)

    158,943       22,954,548  
   

 

 

 
      61,925,344  
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 1.8%  

Booking Holdings Inc.(a)

    21,742       49,999,425  

Caesars Entertainment Inc.(a)

    261,341       26,560,086  

Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc.(a)

    12,845       24,448,274  

Darden Restaurants Inc.

    157,597       23,741,988  

Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc.(a)

    357,427       44,628,335  

Marriott International Inc./MD, Class A(a)

    165,463       22,360,670  

McDonald’s Corp.

    365,971       86,903,473  

MGM Resorts International

    572,306       24,391,682  

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.(a)

    281,738       23,308,185  

Starbucks Corp.

    496,027       58,278,212  
 

 

 

26  

2 0 2 1   I S H A R E S   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure (continued)  

Vail Resorts Inc.(a)

    84,181     $ 25,662,578  
   

 

 

 
      410,282,908  
Household Durables — 0.1%  

Newell Brands Inc.

    894,683       22,733,895  
   

 

 

 
Household Products — 1.5%            

Clorox Co. (The)

    186,086       31,271,752  

Colgate-Palmolive Co.

    844,032       65,792,295  

Kimberly-Clark Corp.

    425,998       58,706,784  

Procter & Gamble Co. (The)

    1,255,031       178,703,864  
   

 

 

 
      334,474,695  
Industrial Conglomerates — 1.5%  

3M Co.

    685,162       133,428,448  

General Electric Co.

    476,900       50,270,029  

Honeywell International Inc.

    494,595       114,701,526  

Roper Technologies Inc.

    85,471       41,306,425  
   

 

 

 
      339,706,428  
Insurance — 1.9%  

American International Group Inc.

    697,428       38,051,672  

Aon PLC, Class A

    78,071       22,395,447  

Arthur J Gallagher & Co.

    151,777       21,798,213  

Chubb Ltd.

    274,575       50,499,834  

Hartford Financial Services Group Inc. (The)

    326,903       21,974,420  

Lincoln National Corp.

    329,554       22,623,882  

Marsh & McLennan Companies Inc.

    483,108       75,944,577  

MetLife Inc.

    947,543       58,747,666  

Progressive Corp. (The)

    234,117       22,554,832  

Prudential Financial Inc.

    388,122       41,094,357  

Travelers Companies Inc. (The)

    243,871       38,948,637  
   

 

 

 
      414,633,537  
Interactive Media & Services — 6.4%  

Alphabet Inc., Class A(a)

    156,467       452,807,675  

Alphabet Inc., Class C, NVS(a)

    158,414       460,864,345  

Facebook Inc., Class A(a)

    1,180,080       447,698,750  

Snap Inc., Class A, NVS(a)

    518,743       39,481,530  

Twitter Inc.(a)

    347,355       22,404,398  
   

 

 

 
        1,423,256,698  
Internet & Direct Marketing Retail — 4.3%  

Amazon.com Inc.(a)

    241,666       838,771,936  

eBay Inc.

    410,418       31,495,477  

Etsy Inc.(a)

    112,090       24,240,583  

MercadoLibre Inc.(a)

    28,372       52,983,292  
   

 

 

 
      947,491,288  
IT Services — 5.7%  

Accenture PLC, Class A

    346,062       116,470,627  

Akamai Technologies Inc.(a)

    190,698       21,596,548  

Automatic Data Processing Inc.

    439,467       91,866,182  

Cloudflare Inc., Class A(a)

    182,415       22,024,787  

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., Class A

    284,380       21,701,038  

Fidelity National Information Services Inc.

    264,596       33,807,431  

Fiserv Inc.(a)

    317,292       37,373,825  

International Business Machines Corp.

    786,719       110,408,144  

Mastercard Inc., Class A

    496,915       172,046,880  

MongoDB Inc.(a)

    59,067       23,144,222  

Okta Inc.(a)(c)

    130,204       34,321,774  

PayPal Holdings Inc.(a)

    610,559       176,243,961  

Snowflake Inc., Class A(a)

    119,411       36,342,738  

Square Inc., Class A(a)(c)

    216,215       57,960,755  

Twilio Inc., Class A(a)

    129,958       46,389,808  
Security   Shares     Value  
IT Services (continued)  

VeriSign Inc.(a)

    101,745     $ 22,003,374  

Visa Inc., Class A

    974,938       223,358,296  

Western Union Co. (The)

    994,592       21,522,971  
   

 

 

 
        1,268,583,361  
Leisure Products — 0.1%  

Hasbro Inc.

    305,673       30,050,713  
   

 

 

 
Life Sciences Tools & Services — 1.5%  

Agilent Technologies Inc.

    430,819       75,595,810  

Illumina Inc.(a)

    103,452       47,294,116  

Mettler-Toledo International Inc.(a)

    26,696       41,454,350  

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.

    201,047       111,571,033  

Waters Corp.(a)

    128,163       53,062,045  
   

 

 

 
      328,977,354  
Machinery — 1.6%  

Caterpillar Inc.

    330,743       69,743,777  

Cummins Inc.

    135,287       31,925,026  

Deere & Co.

    162,444       61,408,705  

Fortive Corp.

    302,580       22,351,585  

IDEX Corp.

    147,212       32,975,488  

Illinois Tool Works Inc.

    156,806       36,513,845  

Pentair PLC

    298,690       23,046,920  

Xylem Inc./NY

    590,270       80,459,704  
   

 

 

 
      358,425,050  
Media — 1.1%  

Cable One Inc.

    11,999       25,192,981  

Comcast Corp., Class A

    1,995,709       121,099,622  

Discovery Inc., Class C, NVS(a)(c)

    814,850       22,481,712  

Fox Corp., Class A, NVS

    595,711       22,303,420  

Interpublic Group of Companies Inc. (The)

    766,736       28,545,581  

ViacomCBS Inc., Class B, NVS

    544,232       22,558,416  
   

 

 

 
      242,181,732  
Metals & Mining — 0.2%  

Newmont Corp.

    511,494       29,661,537  

Nucor Corp.

    183,539       21,576,845  
   

 

 

 
      51,238,382  
Multi-Utilities — 0.7%  

Consolidated Edison Inc.

    624,486       47,117,469  

Public Service Enterprise Group Inc.

    863,599       55,218,520  

Sempra Energy

    335,066       44,349,336  
   

 

 

 
      146,685,325  
Multiline Retail — 0.4%  

Target Corp.

    337,712       83,408,110  
   

 

 

 
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 2.0%  

Cheniere Energy Inc.(a)

    259,543       22,699,631  

Chevron Corp.

    1,012,242       97,954,658  

ConocoPhillips

    1,189,874       66,073,703  

Exxon Mobil Corp.

    2,008,171       109,485,483  

Hess Corp.

    510,894       35,123,963  

Kinder Morgan Inc.

    1,356,394       22,068,530  

Marathon Petroleum Corp.

    447,065       26,497,543  

Occidental Petroleum Corp.

    975,677       25,065,142  

ONEOK Inc.

    437,449       22,974,822  

Phillips 66

    325,236       23,121,027  
   

 

 

 
      451,064,502  
Personal Products — 0.1%  

Estee Lauder Companies Inc. (The), Class A

    65,829       22,414,116  
   

 

 

 
 

 

 

S C H E D U L E   O F   I N V E S T M E N T S

  27


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security

  Shares     Value  
Pharmaceuticals — 3.3%  

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.

    1,351,194     $ 90,340,831  

Catalent Inc.(a)

    178,279       23,254,713  

Eli Lilly & Co.

    456,184       117,827,765  

Johnson & Johnson

    1,280,906       221,763,256  

Merck & Co. Inc.

    1,375,775       104,957,874  

Pfizer Inc.

    1,683,442       77,556,173  

Zoetis Inc.

    435,598       89,105,927  
   

 

 

 
      724,806,539  
Professional Services — 0.6%  

IHS Markit Ltd.

    420,298       50,687,939  

Jacobs Engineering Group Inc.

    163,365       22,047,740  

Leidos Holdings Inc.

    286,081       28,067,407  

Robert Half International Inc.

    252,146       26,071,897  
   

 

 

 
      126,874,983  
Real Estate Management & Development — 0.2%  

CBRE Group Inc., Class A(a)

    454,620       43,779,906  
   

 

 

 
Road & Rail — 0.9%  

CSX Corp.

    1,656,863       53,897,753  

Kansas City Southern

    111,141       31,193,945  

Norfolk Southern Corp.

    179,925       45,618,185  

Uber Technologies Inc.(a)

    541,239       21,184,094  

Union Pacific Corp.

    246,593       53,471,226  
   

 

 

 
      205,365,203  
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 5.4%  

Advanced Micro Devices Inc.(a)(c)

    579,646       64,178,405  

Analog Devices Inc.

    269,425       43,902,804  

Applied Materials Inc.

    720,910       97,416,568  

Broadcom Inc.

    102,857       51,141,529  

Intel Corp.

    2,628,013       142,070,383  

Lam Research Corp.

    120,886       73,114,271  

Marvell Technology Inc.

    489,803       29,971,046  

Micron Technology Inc.(a)

    583,347       42,992,674  

NVIDIA Corp.

    1,495,183       334,696,715  

NXP Semiconductors NV

    142,532       30,662,909  

ON Semiconductor Corp.(a)

    552,831       24,523,583  

QUALCOMM Inc.

    379,244       55,631,302  

Skyworks Solutions Inc.

    121,609       22,310,387  

Texas Instruments Inc.

    864,633       165,067,086  

Xilinx Inc.

    151,238       23,531,120  
   

 

 

 
        1,201,210,782  
Software — 10.5%  

Adobe Inc.(a)

    318,513       211,397,078  

ANSYS Inc.(a)

    95,360       34,840,730  

Autodesk Inc.(a)

    174,225       54,025,430  

Cadence Design Systems Inc.(a)

    199,159       32,558,513  

Coupa Software Inc.(a)

    102,511       25,095,718  

Crowdstrike Holdings Inc., Class A(a)

    100,477       28,234,037  

DocuSign Inc.(a)

    104,872       31,067,281  

Fair Isaac Corp.(a)

    48,198       22,158,549  

HubSpot Inc.(a)

    37,840       25,900,345  

Intuit Inc.

    192,154       108,780,301  

Microsoft Corp.

    4,030,637       1,216,768,698  

Oracle Corp.

    845,672       75,374,745  

Palantir Technologies Inc., Class A(a)

    892,086       23,497,545  

Paycom Software Inc.(a)

    47,153       23,053,102  

PTC Inc.(a)

    170,717       22,476,600  

RingCentral Inc., Class A(a)

    85,871       21,661,818  

salesforce.com Inc.(a)

    588,916       156,221,747  
Security   Shares     Value  
Software (continued)  

ServiceNow Inc.(a)

    131,472     $ 84,620,638  

Splunk Inc.(a)

    152,581       23,325,058  

Synopsys Inc.(a)

    97,618       32,432,604  

VMware Inc., Class A(a)(c)

    140,806       20,961,789  

Workday Inc., Class A(a)(c)

    148,162       40,471,932  

Zoom Video Communications Inc., Class A(a)

    94,237       27,281,612  
   

 

 

 
      2,342,205,870  
Specialty Retail — 2.2%  

Best Buy Co. Inc.

    403,036       46,957,724  

Home Depot Inc. (The)

    695,784       226,950,825  

Lowe’s Companies Inc.

    496,240       101,178,374  

Ross Stores Inc.

    170,280       20,161,152  

TJX Companies Inc. (The)

    674,435       49,044,913  

Tractor Supply Co.

    114,970       22,332,923  

Ulta Beauty Inc.(a)

    59,727       23,132,864  
   

 

 

 
      489,758,775  
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals — 6.4%  

Apple Inc.

    8,846,515       1,343,166,372  

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co.

    1,888,494       29,196,117  

HP Inc.

    916,004       27,241,959  

Western Digital Corp.(a)

    361,804       22,866,013  
   

 

 

 
      1,422,470,461  
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods — 0.8%  

Lululemon Athletica Inc.(a)

    77,356       30,955,550  

Nike Inc., Class B

    749,440       123,462,746  

VF Corp.

    430,338       32,907,947  
   

 

 

 
      187,326,243  
Trading Companies & Distributors — 0.4%  

Fastenal Co.

    462,393       25,824,649  

WW Grainger Inc.

    138,925       60,251,773  
   

 

 

 
      86,076,422  
Wireless Telecommunication Services — 0.1%  

T-Mobile U.S. Inc.(a)

    152,987       20,962,279  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 99.6%
(Cost: $17,674,374,189)

 

      22,170,944,732  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Investments

 

Money Market Funds — 0.6%            

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional,
SL Agency Shares, 0.06%(b)(d)(e)

    47,532,314       47,556,080  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury,
SL Agency Shares, 0.00%(b)(d)

    84,248,000       84,248,000  
   

 

 

 
      131,804,080  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments — 0.6%
(Cost: $131,803,066)

 

    131,804,080  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities — 100.2%
(Cost: $17,806,177,255)

 

    22,302,748,812  

Other Assets, Less Liabilities — (0.2)%

 

    (40,118,409
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

 

  $ 22,262,630,403  
   

 

 

 

 

(a)

Non-income producing security.

(b)

Affiliate of the Fund.

(c)

All or a portion of this security is on loan.

(d)

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

(e)

All or a portion of this security was purchased with the cash collateral from loaned securities.

 

 

 

28  

2 0 2 1   I S H A R E S   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF

    

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the year ended August 31, 2021 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

Affiliated Issuer   Value at
08/31/20
    Purchases
at Cost
    Proceeds
from Sales
    Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
    Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
    Value at
08/31/21
    Shares
Held at
08/31/21
    Income     Capital
Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds
 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares

  $ 3,563,398     $ 44,018,518 (a)    $     $ (19,745   $ (6,091   $ 47,556,080       47,532,314     $ 339,463 (b)    $  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

    16,098,000       68,150,000 (a)                        84,248,000       84,248,000       8,084        

BlackRock Inc.

    38,648,494       66,081,007       (15,839,781     4,666,670       30,780,551       124,336,941       131,812       1,399,608        
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
        $  4,646,925     $  30,774,460     $ 256,141,021       $ 1,747,155     $  —  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 
  (b) 

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

Futures Contracts

 

 

 
Description    Number of
Contracts
       Expiration
Date
       Notional
Amount
(000)
       Value/
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

 

 

Long Contracts

                 

S&P 500 E-Mini Index

     388          09/17/21        $ 87,698        $  2,907,853  
                 

 

 

 

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:

 

 

 
     Equity
Contracts
 

 

 

Assets — Derivative Financial Instruments

  

Futures contracts

  

Unrealized appreciation on futures contracts(a)

   $ 2,907,853  
  

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Net cumulative 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 August 31, 2021, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

 

 
     Equity
Contracts
 

 

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from:

  

Futures contracts

   $ 7,198,350  
  

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:

  

Futures contracts

   $ 1,158,642  
  

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

 

 

Futures contracts:

  

Average notional value of contracts — long

   $ 46,857,227    

 

 

For more information about the Fund’s investment risks regarding derivative financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.

 

 

S C H E D U L E   O F   I N V E S T M E N T S

  29


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF

    

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments. 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.

 

 

 
    Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

 

 

Investments

          

Assets

          

Common Stocks

  $ 22,170,944,732      $      $      $ 22,170,944,732  

Money Market Funds

    131,804,080                      131,804,080  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
  $ 22,302,748,812      $                 —      $                 —      $ 22,302,748,812  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Derivative financial instruments(a)

          

Assets

          

Futures Contracts

  $ 2,907,853      $      $      $ 2,907,853  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Derivative financial instruments are futures contracts. Futures contracts are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

30  

2 0 2 1   I S H A R E S   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® ESG Aware MSCI USA Small-Cap ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares      Value  

Common Stocks

    

Aerospace & Defense — 1.5%

    

AAR Corp.(a)

    16,449      $ 556,799  

Aerovironment Inc.(a)(b)

    6,237        638,419  

Axon Enterprise Inc.(a)

    15,562        2,830,261  

BWX Technologies Inc.

    43,720        2,510,840  

Curtiss-Wright Corp.

    13,787        1,678,981  

Ducommun Inc.(a)

    10,140        534,378  

Hexcel Corp.(a)

    23,266        1,319,415  

Kaman Corp.

    13,429        524,805  

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions
Inc.(a)

    24,583        607,692  

Maxar Technologies Inc.

    22,844        726,211  

Mercury Systems Inc.(a)

    32,616        1,643,194  

Moog Inc., Class A

    11,730        931,831  

PAE Inc.(a)

    69,705        466,326  

Spirit AeroSystems Holdings Inc., Class A

    13,496        529,583  

Vectrus Inc.(a)

    11,387        572,880  

Virgin Galactic Holdings Inc.(a)(b)

    32,594        883,623  
    

 

 

 
           16,955,238  

Air Freight & Logistics — 0.1%

    

Echo Global Logistics Inc.(a)

    23,710        779,585  

Hub Group Inc., Class A(a)

    11,419        801,614  
    

 

 

 
       1,581,199  

Airlines — 0.2%

    

Alaska Air Group Inc.(a)

    13,161        754,652  

American Airlines Group Inc.(a)

    26,844        535,269  

JetBlue Airways Corp.(a)

    38,132        576,937  
    

 

 

 
       1,866,858  

Auto Components — 1.0%

    

Adient PLC(a)

    13,643        536,716  

American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings Inc.(a)

    61,605        546,436  

Dana Inc.

    39,450        917,607  

Dorman Products Inc.(a)

    6,242        585,874  

Fox Factory Holding Corp.(a)

    7,767        1,193,555  

Gentex Corp.

    24,570        756,756  

Gentherm Inc.(a)

    22,692        1,947,427  

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. (The)(a)

    38,472        609,396  

LCI Industries

    8,769        1,242,217  

Luminar Technologies Inc.(a)

    34,068        592,102  

Modine Manufacturing Co.(a)

    40,723        506,594  

Veoneer Inc.(a)(b)

    18,707        669,711  

Visteon Corp.(a)

    6,619        699,496  

XPEL Inc.(a)(b)

    7,266        552,071  
    

 

 

 
       11,355,958  

Automobiles — 0.4%

    

Canoo Inc.(a)

    89,414        644,675  

Harley-Davidson Inc.

    36,430        1,440,078  

Thor Industries Inc.

    12,844        1,456,895  

Winnebago Industries Inc.

    7,727        537,954  

Workhorse Group Inc.(a)(b)

    59,667        585,333  
    

 

 

 
       4,664,935  

Banks — 7.2%

    

Amalgamated Financial Corp.

    38,225        594,399  

Amerant Bancorp Inc.(a)

    23,589        626,760  

Ameris Bancorp.

    22,137        1,090,026  

Associated Banc-Corp.

    30,870        636,539  

Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp.

    17,164        635,068  

Bancorp. Inc. (The)(a)

    21,386        527,379  

BancorpSouth Bank

    37,211        1,091,399  
Security   Shares      Value  

Banks (continued)

    

Bank of Hawaii Corp.

    18,049      $       1,512,687  

Bank OZK

    49,220        2,088,405  

Banner Corp.

    17,063        976,004  

Berkshire Hills Bancorp. Inc.

    21,645        554,761  

BOK Financial Corp.

    12,771        1,124,486  

Bryn Mawr Bank Corp.

    15,913        649,250  

Cadence BanCorp.

    19,850        426,973  

Camden National Corp.

    19,664        917,719  

Cathay General Bancorp.

    18,535        737,322  

CIT Group Inc.

    19,607        1,086,620  

Columbia Banking System Inc.

    14,247        518,021  

Comerica Inc.

    52,542        3,883,379  

Commerce Bancshares Inc.

    29,849        2,110,921  

Community Bank System Inc.

    6,472        478,928  

Community Trust Bancorp. Inc.

    16,774        698,805  

Cullen/Frost Bankers Inc.

    13,380        1,528,264  

CVB Financial Corp.

    23,754        483,631  

East West Bancorp. Inc.

    30,412        2,230,416  

First Busey Corp.

    35,404        839,075  

First Financial Bancorp.

    33,388        784,952  

First Hawaiian Inc.

    51,430        1,435,411  

First Horizon Corp.

    134,907        2,211,126  

First Interstate BancSystem Inc., Class A

    24,051        1,059,687  

First of Long Island Corp. (The)

    28,645        607,274  

FNB Corp.

    82,179        959,851  

Fulton Financial Corp.

    129,276        2,049,025  

Glacier Bancorp. Inc.

    24,305        1,294,484  

Great Western Bancorp. Inc.

    16,876        522,481  

Hancock Whitney Corp.

    20,724        952,475  

Heritage Financial Corp./WA

    15,372        391,217  

Hilltop Holdings Inc.

    17,672        591,482  

Independent Bank Corp.

    7,372        565,432  

Independent Bank Corp./MI

    30,821        645,392  

International Bancshares Corp.

    26,381        1,104,836  

Live Oak Bancshares Inc.

    9,749        596,736  

National Bank Holdings Corp., Class A

    9,683        363,112  

OceanFirst Financial Corp.

    43,179        917,985  

Old National Bancorp./IN

    16,368        272,691  

PacWest Bancorp.

    14,941        635,740  

Park National Corp.

    5,427        636,261  

People’s United Financial Inc.

    136,541        2,243,369  

Pinnacle Financial Partners Inc.

    22,683        2,198,436  

Popular Inc.

    17,852        1,355,681  

Prosperity Bancshares Inc.

    13,778        962,807  

QCR Holdings Inc.

    13,400        696,130  

Sandy Spring Bancorp. Inc.

    21,798        949,739  

ServisFirst Bancshares Inc.

    15,247        1,119,435  

Signature Bank/New York NY

    9,562        2,479,713  

Silvergate Capital Corp., Class A(a)

    5,514        622,972  

Simmons First National Corp., Class A

    15,256        443,187  

South State Corp.

    16,338        1,120,460  

Southside Bancshares Inc.

    14,310        539,344  

Synovus Financial Corp.

    33,439        1,441,221  

Texas Capital Bancshares Inc.(a)

    9,769        664,194  

TriState Capital Holdings Inc.(a)

    28,517        576,329  

Triumph Bancorp. Inc.(a)

    7,081        582,200  

Trustmark Corp.

    23,223        734,311  

Umpqua Holdings Corp.

    84,273        1,640,795  

United Community Banks Inc./GA

    12,371        373,233  

Valley National Bancorp.

    152,809        1,992,629  
 

 

 

S C H E D U L E   O F   I N V E S T M E N T S

  31


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® ESG Aware MSCI USA Small-Cap ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares      Value  

Banks (continued)

    

Webster Financial Corp.

    35,623      $ 1,799,674  

Western Alliance Bancorp.

    26,826        2,617,145  

Wintrust Financial Corp.

    19,696        1,474,049  

Zions Bancorp. NA

    66,081        3,826,090  
    

 

 

 
           79,098,030  

Beverages — 0.1%

    

Celsius Holdings Inc.(a)(b)

    7,909        646,640  

MGP Ingredients Inc.

    8,672        566,281  
    

 

 

 
       1,212,921  

Biotechnology — 6.0%

    

ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc.(a)

    40,120        702,501  

Acceleron Pharma Inc.(a)

    13,837        1,852,498  

Agios Pharmaceuticals Inc.(a)(b)

    16,870        753,752  

Alder Biopharmaceuticals Inc.(a)(b)(c)

    3,497        3,077  

Alector Inc.(a)(b)

    21,626        584,551  

Alkermes PLC(a)

    28,576        893,286  

Allakos Inc.(a)

    8,059        718,540  

Allogene Therapeutics Inc.(a)

    24,843        592,506  

Amicus Therapeutics Inc.(a)

    51,465        586,186  

AnaptysBio Inc.(a)

    22,565        577,890  

Anavex Life Sciences Corp.(a)

    28,461        554,705  

Apellis Pharmaceuticals Inc.(a)

    9,700        638,745  

Arcus Biosciences Inc.(a)

    18,972        553,413  

Arena Pharmaceuticals Inc.(a)

    19,477        1,030,723  

Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals Inc.(a)

    23,134        1,552,754  

Atara Biotherapeutics Inc.(a)

    43,684        654,386  

Beam Therapeutics Inc.(a)

    7,142        792,191  

BioCryst Pharmaceuticals Inc.(a)

    45,970        731,842  

Biohaven Pharmaceutical Holding Co.
Ltd.(a)

    10,963        1,438,784  

Bluebird Bio Inc.(a)

    30,075        550,373  

Blueprint Medicines Corp.(a)

    7,058        658,300  

Bridgebio Pharma Inc.(a)

    18,463        925,181  

CareDx Inc.(a)

    7,294        534,504  

Cortexyme Inc.(a)

    5,807        559,214  

CRISPR Therapeutics AG(a)(b)

    11,491        1,435,800  

Deciphera Pharmaceuticals Inc.(a)

    19,793        623,479  

Denali Therapeutics Inc.(a)

    16,774        892,377  

Dicerna Pharmaceuticals Inc.(a)

    26,509        545,555  

Dynavax Technologies Corp.(a)(b)

    45,125        878,132  

Eagle Pharmaceuticals Inc./DE(a)

    15,270        814,960  

Editas Medicine Inc.(a)

    15,091        959,637  

Emergent BioSolutions Inc.(a)

    11,346        715,706  

Exelixis Inc.(a)

    52,990        1,015,818  

Fate Therapeutics Inc.(a)

    14,957        1,095,600  

FibroGen Inc.(a)

    45,560        529,863  

Global Blood Therapeutics Inc.(a)(b)

    20,313        582,780  

Halozyme Therapeutics Inc.(a)

    25,163        1,056,594  

ImmunoGen Inc.(a)

    104,067        629,605  

Immunovant Inc.(a)

    70,908        614,063  

Inovio Pharmaceuticals Inc.(a)(b)

    67,438        582,664  

Insmed Inc.(a)

    24,158        677,390  

Intellia Therapeutics Inc.(a)

    13,918        2,234,257  

Invitae Corp.(a)(b)

    31,114        921,908  

Ionis Pharmaceuticals Inc.(a)

    28,673        1,140,038  

Iovance Biotherapeutics Inc.(a)

    29,409        707,875  

Karuna Therapeutics Inc.(a)

    5,185        616,497  

Kodiak Sciences Inc.(a)

    5,906        556,227  

Krystal Biotech Inc.(a)

    10,059        582,818  

Kura Oncology Inc.(a)

    33,912        626,016  
Security   Shares      Value  

Biotechnology (continued)

    

Ligand Pharmaceuticals Inc.(a)

    5,110      $ 676,053  

MacroGenics Inc.(a)

    24,091        568,789  

Mirati Therapeutics Inc.(a)

    8,931        1,515,859  

Myovant Sciences Ltd.(a)

    24,383        593,482  

Myriad Genetics Inc.(a)

    17,627        630,694  

Natera Inc.(a)

    15,052        1,782,608  

Ocugen Inc.(a)

    75,656        574,229  

OPKO Health Inc.(a)

    152,697        589,410  

Passage Bio Inc.(a)

    48,712        585,518  

Prothena Corp. PLC(a)

    9,976        669,589  

PTC Therapeutics Inc.(a)

    14,201        619,874  

REGENXBIO Inc.(a)

    18,083        584,081  

Rhythm Pharmaceuticals Inc.(a)

    44,557        579,687  

Rocket Pharmaceuticals Inc.(a)

    18,998        649,922  

Sage Therapeutics Inc.(a)

    13,158        608,031  

Sangamo Therapeutics Inc.(a)

    58,171        576,475  

Sarepta Therapeutics Inc.(a)

    20,205        1,578,415  

Sorrento Therapeutics Inc.(a)

    63,539        571,851  

SpringWorks Therapeutics Inc.(a)

    7,090        532,459  

Sutro Biopharma Inc.(a)

    28,402        616,891  

TG Therapeutics Inc.(a)

    25,969        702,981  

Turning Point Therapeutics Inc.(a)(b)

    9,082        699,496  

Twist Bioscience Corp.(a)

    7,435        841,716  

Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc.(a)(b)

    18,344        1,766,344  

uniQure NV(a)

    19,909        577,361  

United Therapeutics Corp.(a)

    8,870        1,905,986  

Veracyte Inc.(a)

    15,816        760,908  

Vericel Corp.(a)

    10,566        572,360  

Vir Biotechnology Inc.(a)

    14,943        770,162  

Xencor Inc.(a)

    17,356        587,848  

Xenon Pharmaceuticals Inc.(a)

    32,897        580,632  

Y-mAbs Therapeutics Inc.(a)

    18,986        584,389  

Zymeworks Inc.(a)(b)

    17,155        565,943  
    

 

 

 
           65,495,604  

Building Products — 1.6%

    

AAON Inc.

    15,558        1,059,655  

Advanced Drainage Systems Inc.

    16,310        1,861,786  

Armstrong World Industries Inc.

    13,650        1,418,645  

AZEK Co. Inc. (The)(a)

    23,392        993,926  

Builders FirstSource Inc.(a)

    47,044        2,506,975  

Carlisle Companies Inc.

    14,449        3,044,982  

Cornerstone Building Brands Inc.(a)

    35,607        591,788  

Gibraltar Industries Inc.(a)

    7,381        551,065  

JELD-WEN Holding Inc.(a)

    19,231        529,622  

Masonite International Corp.(a)

    5,197        621,977  

Resideo Technologies Inc.(a)

    35,348        1,139,620  

Trex Co. Inc.(a)

    28,492        3,127,282  
    

 

 

 
       17,447,323  

Capital Markets — 2.0%

    

Affiliated Managers Group Inc.

    13,048        2,219,595  

Ares Management Corp., Class A

    20,849        1,609,126  

Artisan Partners Asset Management Inc., Class A

    17,905        930,344  

Cohen & Steers Inc.

    7,855        688,962  

Cowen Inc., Class A

    14,987        540,132  

Diamond Hill Investment Group Inc.

    3,409        623,949  

Donnelley Financial Solutions Inc.(a)

    19,886        663,198  

Evercore Inc., Class A

    6,335        884,619  

Focus Financial Partners Inc., Class A(a)

    11,122        577,009  

Interactive Brokers Group Inc., Class A

    15,218        983,692  

 

 

 

 

32  

2 0 2 1   I S H A R E S   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® ESG Aware MSCI USA Small-Cap ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Capital Markets (continued)  

Janus Henderson Group PLC

    59,849     $ 2,595,053  

Jefferies Financial Group Inc.

    32,343       1,195,397  

LPL Financial Holdings Inc.

    22,144       3,273,990  

Morningstar Inc.

    6,438       1,725,320  

Open Lending Corp., Class A(a)(b)

    25,789       953,419  

Stifel Financial Corp.

    8,455       584,241  

StoneX Group Inc.(a)

    8,386       584,420  

Victory Capital Holdings Inc., Class A

    19,531       684,171  

Virtu Financial Inc., Class A

    20,935       512,489  

Virtus Investment Partners Inc.

    2,292       716,708  
   

 

 

 
          22,545,834  
Chemicals — 1.8%  

Amyris Inc.(a)(b)

    42,649       641,868  

Avient Corp.

    19,702       1,026,277  

Axalta Coating Systems Ltd.(a)

    93,087       2,842,877  

Balchem Corp.

    7,412       1,040,793  

Chemours Co. (The)

    36,867       1,235,413  

HB Fuller Co.

    19,162       1,294,776  

Ingevity Corp.(a)

    6,794       546,170  

Innospec Inc.

    14,349       1,343,066  

Koppers Holdings Inc.(a)

    17,329       570,124  

Livent Corp.(a)

    35,982       894,872  

Minerals Technologies Inc.

    18,414       1,448,077  

Orion Engineered Carbons SA(a)

    42,153       744,844  

Quaker Chemical Corp.

    2,178       564,363  

Scotts Miracle-Gro Co. (The)

    8,159       1,279,576  

Sensient Technologies Corp.

    6,344       550,976  

Stepan Co.

    6,599       775,778  

Trinseo SA

    17,304       898,597  

Tronox Holdings PLC, Class A

    28,713       606,706  

Valvoline Inc.

    44,649       1,346,614  

WR Grace & Co.

    8,484       590,826  
   

 

 

 
      20,242,593  
Commercial Services & Supplies — 1.7%  

ABM Industries Inc.

    19,127       947,169  

ACCO Brands Corp.

    62,087       581,755  

ADT Inc.

    64,383       551,118  

Brady Corp., Class A, NVS

    10,906       581,617  

Brink’s Co. (The)

    6,794       531,019  

Clean Harbors Inc.(a)

    7,742       794,484  

Covanta Holding Corp.

    42,491       851,945  

Deluxe Corp.

    13,417       514,542  

Harsco Corp.(a)

    29,411       536,457  

Healthcare Services Group Inc.

    25,732       673,149  

Herman Miller Inc.

    29,858       1,254,932  

HNI Corp.

    14,332       543,039  

IAA Inc.(a)

    41,365       2,197,309  

KAR Auction Services Inc.(a)

    49,015       828,844  

Matthews International Corp., Class A

    23,995       888,535  

Montrose Environmental Group Inc.(a)(b)

    11,790       589,500  

MSA Safety Inc.

    10,089       1,642,893  

Pitney Bowes Inc.

    36,549       273,021  

Steelcase Inc., Class A

    58,209       820,165  

Tetra Tech Inc.

    12,205       1,755,567  

UniFirst Corp./MA

    3,047       697,976  

Viad Corp.(a)

    12,873       555,985  
   

 

 

 
      18,611,021  
Communications Equipment — 0.9%  

ADTRAN Inc.

    34,639       715,642  
Security   Shares     Value  
Communications Equipment (continued)  

Calix Inc.(a)

    12,222     $ 569,545  

Ciena Corp.(a)

    41,081       2,346,958  

CommScope Holding Co. Inc.(a)

    52,492       829,374  

Harmonic Inc.(a)(b)

    66,155       611,272  

Infinera Corp.(a)

    63,381       536,837  

Lumentum Holdings Inc.(a)(b)

    18,264       1,582,393  

Plantronics Inc.(a)

    18,664       555,814  

Ribbon Communications Inc.(a)

    84,799       553,737  

ViaSat Inc.(a)

    10,573       545,990  

Viavi Solutions Inc.(a)

    33,543       546,415  
   

 

 

 
      9,393,977  
Construction & Engineering — 1.9%  

AECOM(a)

    40,911       2,682,125  

API Group Corp.(a)(d)

    33,623       779,717  

Arcosa Inc.

    12,579       639,265  

Argan Inc.

    12,282       568,657  

Comfort Systems USA Inc.

    17,057       1,295,991  

Dycom Industries Inc.(a)

    7,614       573,563  

EMCOR Group Inc.

    20,296       2,465,964  

Fluor Corp.(a)

    33,585       559,526  

Granite Construction Inc.

    16,108       653,018  

Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corp.(a)

    36,863       557,000  

IES Holdings Inc.(a)

    10,711       523,768  

MasTec Inc.(a)

    12,817       1,171,986  

MYR Group Inc.(a)

    6,974       725,366  

Primoris Services Corp.

    21,506       552,704  

Quanta Services Inc.

    40,219       4,106,360  

Sterling Construction Co. Inc.(a)

    25,138       579,682  

Valmont Industries Inc.

    5,134       1,277,647  

WillScot Mobile Mini Holdings Corp.(a)

    51,703       1,530,409  
   

 

 

 
          21,242,748  
Construction Materials — 0.1%  

Summit Materials Inc., Class A(a)

    31,168       1,049,427  
   

 

 

 
Consumer Finance — 0.7%  

Credit Acceptance Corp.(a)(b)

    1,234       715,325  

Encore Capital Group Inc.(a)

    12,910       635,301  

Green Dot Corp., Class A(a)

    13,074       682,986  

LendingClub Corp.(a)

    19,958       619,896  

OneMain Holdings Inc.

    16,099       931,005  

PRA Group Inc.(a)

    20,421       857,682  

PROG Holdings Inc.

    18,295       865,719  

SLM Corp.

    61,277       1,148,944  

Upstart Holdings Inc.(a)

    3,190       730,893  
   

 

 

 
      7,187,751  
Containers & Packaging — 0.9%  

AptarGroup Inc.

    20,160       2,717,568  

Berry Global Group Inc.(a)

    25,749       1,729,560  

Graphic Packaging Holding Co.

    45,663       937,005  

Greif Inc., Class A, NVS

    10,665       675,308  

Myers Industries Inc.

    25,066       571,505  

O-I Glass Inc.(a)

    36,776       556,421  

Sonoco Products Co.

    35,659       2,328,532  
   

 

 

 
      9,515,899  
Diversified Consumer Services — 1.4%  

2U Inc.(a)(b)

    20,330       752,820  

Adtalem Global Education Inc.(a)

    15,815       585,155  

American Public Education Inc.(a)

    21,008       552,510  

Bright Horizons Family Solutions Inc.(a)

    17,964       2,618,433  
 

 

 

S C H E D U L E   O F   I N V E S T M E N T S

  33


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® ESG Aware MSCI USA Small-Cap ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Diversified Consumer Services (continued)            

Chegg Inc.(a)

    29,317     $ 2,439,761  

frontdoor Inc.(a)

    17,240       752,009  

Graham Holdings Co., Class B

    1,118       689,594  

Grand Canyon Education Inc.(a)

    9,756       869,650  

H&R Block Inc.

    45,935       1,178,233  

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Co.(a)(b)

    40,365       543,716  

Service Corp. International

    27,024       1,696,026  

Strategic Education Inc.

    7,089       554,927  

Terminix Global Holdings Inc.(a)

    51,264       2,134,120  

WW International Inc.(a)(b)

    24,093       521,613  
   

 

 

 
          15,888,567  
Diversified Financial Services — 0.0%  

Cannae Holdings Inc.(a)

    17,309       552,503  
   

 

 

 
Diversified Telecommunication Services — 0.4%  

Bandwidth Inc., Class A(a)(b)

    8,031       826,390  

Cincinnati Bell Inc.(a)

    24,658       381,953  

Cogent Communications Holdings Inc.

    10,674       774,719  

Iridium Communications Inc.(a)

    28,879       1,285,404  

Liberty Latin America Ltd., Class C, NVS(a)

    42,344       609,330  
   

 

 

 
      3,877,796  
Electric Utilities — 0.2%            

Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc.

    38,400       1,674,240  
   

 

 

 
Electrical Equipment — 1.1%            

Acuity Brands Inc.

    10,662       1,967,459  

Atkore Inc.(a)

    11,151       1,034,478  

Blink Charging Co.(a)

    17,510       567,849  

Bloom Energy Corp., Class A(a)(b)

    34,609       741,325  

EnerSys

    11,313       956,967  

FuelCell Energy Inc.(a)(b)

    91,044       568,114  

Hubbell Inc.

    13,010       2,681,491  

Regal Beloit Corp.

    10,040       1,500,177  

Shoals Technologies Group Inc., Class A(a)

    17,519       570,594  

TPI Composites Inc.(a)

    14,458       524,970  

Vertiv Holdings Co.

    54,553       1,536,758  
   

 

 

 
      12,650,182  
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components — 3.2%  

Advanced Energy Industries Inc.

    6,222       561,100  

Avnet Inc.

    28,350       1,147,041  

Badger Meter Inc.

    25,913       2,775,023  

Benchmark Electronics Inc.

    23,778       642,719  

Coherent Inc.(a)

    6,871       1,736,096  

CTS Corp.

    15,852       556,088  

ePlus Inc.(a)

    10,597       1,146,807  

Fabrinet(a)

    5,242       540,031  

FARO Technologies Inc.(a)

    9,409       648,656  

Flex Ltd.(a)(b)

    144,941       2,693,004  

II-VI Inc.(a)

    16,813       1,058,883  

Insight Enterprises Inc.(a)(b)

    12,178       1,252,994  

Itron Inc.(a)

    16,404       1,378,100  

Jabil Inc.

    23,381       1,444,478  

Kimball Electronics Inc.(a)

    24,941       602,824  

Knowles Corp.(a)

    34,171       683,420  

Littelfuse Inc.

    4,582       1,307,703  

Methode Electronics Inc.

    26,834       1,249,659  

MicroVision Inc.(a)

    40,263       593,074  

National Instruments Corp.

    56,335       2,355,930  

Novanta Inc.(a)

    11,377       1,743,184  

OSI Systems Inc.(a)

    19,086       1,888,369  
Security   Shares     Value  
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components (continued)  

PAR Technology Corp.(a)

    9,514     $ 646,286  

Plexus Corp.(a)

    15,854       1,455,873  

Rogers Corp.(a)

    5,561       1,181,212  

SYNNEX Corp.

    9,065       1,151,890  

Vishay Intertechnology Inc.

    24,550       539,364  

Vishay Precision Group Inc.(a)

    19,171       716,420  

Vontier Corp.

    41,092       1,494,516  
   

 

 

 
          35,190,744  
Energy Equipment & Services — 0.7%            

Archrock Inc.

    73,250       562,560  

Cactus Inc., Class A

    15,895       596,221  

ChampionX Corp.(a)

    48,932       1,141,584  

Core Laboratories NV

    21,183       583,804  

DMC Global Inc.(a)

    14,328       575,556  

Liberty Oilfield Services Inc., Class A(a)

    54,854       560,608  

NOV Inc.(a)

    106,284       1,399,760  

Oceaneering International Inc.(a)

    47,841       588,444  

TechnipFMC PLC(a)(b)

    198,288       1,314,649  
   

 

 

 
      7,323,186  
Entertainment — 0.4%            

Cinemark Holdings Inc.(a)

    37,372       666,343  

IMAX Corp.(a)

    38,158       599,462  

Lions Gate Entertainment Corp., Class A(a)

    43,850       566,542  

World Wrestling Entertainment Inc., Class A

    10,911       568,572  

Zynga Inc., Class A(a)

    214,345       1,896,953  
   

 

 

 
      4,297,872  
Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) — 7.4%  

Agree Realty Corp.

    9,597       715,456  

Alexander & Baldwin Inc.

    49,002       1,023,162  

American Assets Trust Inc.

    15,533       618,524  

American Campus Communities Inc.

    48,097       2,445,732  

American Homes 4 Rent, Class A

    49,463       2,074,478  

Americold Realty Trust

    47,317       1,738,427  

Apartment Income REIT Corp.

    25,541       1,297,994  

Apple Hospitality REIT Inc.

    37,211       549,979  

Armada Hoffler Properties Inc.

    42,394       569,351  

Brandywine Realty Trust

    72,492       1,006,189  

Brixmor Property Group Inc.

    89,786       2,105,482  

Centerspace

    6,409       648,463  

Columbia Property Trust Inc.

    55,230       923,446  

CoreSite Realty Corp.

    13,962       2,071,542  

Corporate Office Properties Trust

    66,655       1,878,338  

Cousins Properties Inc.

    28,298       1,091,171  

CubeSmart

    35,822       1,916,477  

CyrusOne Inc.

    28,293       2,177,995  

DiamondRock Hospitality Co.(a)

    76,412       690,764  

DigitalBridge Group Inc.(a)

    104,447       720,684  

Douglas Emmett Inc.

    69,508       2,294,459  

Easterly Government Properties Inc.

    36,783       786,053  

Empire State Realty Trust Inc., Class A

    80,392       825,626  

EPR Properties

    15,569       790,127  

Essential Properties Realty Trust Inc.

    28,390       920,120  

Federal Realty Investment Trust

    20,604       2,508,949  

First Industrial Realty Trust Inc.

    31,297       1,752,319  

Four Corners Property Trust Inc.

    22,686       649,046  

Franklin Street Properties Corp.

    113,802       546,250  

Gaming and Leisure Properties Inc.

    41,782       2,059,853  

Healthcare Trust of America Inc., Class A

    28,771       872,624  

Hudson Pacific Properties Inc.

    39,037       1,029,796  
 

 

 

34  

2 0 2 1   I S H A R E S   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® ESG Aware MSCI USA Small-Cap ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) (continued)  

Independence Realty Trust Inc.

    35,307     $ 723,087  

Innovative Industrial Properties Inc.

    3,815       938,147  

iStar Inc.

    38,304       1,013,141  

JBG SMITH Properties

    57,548       1,733,921  

Kilroy Realty Corp.

    51,328       3,369,683  

Kimco Realty Corp.

    142,226       3,099,104  

Lamar Advertising Co., Class A

    12,004       1,366,415  

Life Storage Inc.

    24,764       3,081,632  

Macerich Co. (The)

    59,560       1,017,285  

National Retail Properties Inc.

    25,309       1,204,961  

National Storage Affiliates Trust

    9,971       570,840  

Outfront Media Inc.(a)

    39,689       982,700  

Paramount Group Inc.

    60,840       539,042  

Park Hotels & Resorts Inc.(a)

    66,178       1,266,647  

Pebblebrook Hotel Trust

    26,296       579,301  

Physicians Realty Trust

    42,775       791,765  

Piedmont Office Realty Trust Inc., Class A

    61,206       1,090,691  

PotlatchDeltic Corp.

    11,054       574,255  

QTS Realty Trust Inc., Class A

    16,138       1,258,441  

Rayonier Inc.

    24,833       913,358  

Retail Properties of America Inc., Class A

    46,571       615,669  

Rexford Industrial Realty Inc.

    28,886       1,788,910  

Ryman Hospitality Properties Inc.(a)

    12,258       1,018,272  

Sabra Health Care REIT Inc.

    47,400       758,400  

SITE Centers Corp.

    46,396       747,440  

SL Green Realty Corp.

    19,485       1,365,509  

Spirit Realty Capital Inc.

    16,207       839,036  

STAG Industrial Inc.

    20,432       863,252  

STORE Capital Corp.

    50,656       1,827,162  

Sunstone Hotel Investors Inc.(a)

    51,152       592,852  

Tanger Factory Outlet Centers Inc.

    33,220       555,438  

Uniti Group Inc.

    82,981       1,084,562  

Washington REIT

    47,566       1,195,809  

Xenia Hotels & Resorts Inc.(a)

    36,184       630,325  
   

 

 

 
          81,295,928  
Food & Staples Retailing — 0.8%            

BJ’s Wholesale Club Holdings Inc.(a)(b)

    30,303       1,716,968  

Casey’s General Stores Inc.

    6,964       1,424,556  

Grocery Outlet Holding Corp.(a)(b)

    20,510       533,875  

PriceSmart Inc.

    14,278       1,208,062  

SpartanNash Co.

    25,707       552,701  

Sprouts Farmers Market Inc.(a)

    33,791       841,396  

U.S. Foods Holding Corp.(a)

    49,744       1,691,296  

United Natural Foods Inc.(a)

    18,163       668,398  
   

 

 

 
      8,637,252  
Food Products — 1.5%            

Beyond Meat Inc.(a)(b)

    12,126       1,450,755  

Cal-Maine Foods Inc.

    15,067       544,823  

Darling Ingredients Inc.(a)

    37,817       2,817,366  

Flowers Foods Inc.

    52,728       1,272,327  

Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc.

    17,174       564,681  

Freshpet Inc.(a)

    13,210       1,692,729  

Hain Celestial Group Inc. (The)(a)

    24,402       912,879  

Ingredion Inc.

    38,025       3,340,876  

Landec Corp.(a)

    50,713       549,222  

Post Holdings Inc.(a)(b)

    11,291       1,263,576  

Sanderson Farms Inc.

    2,733       537,035  

Simply Good Foods Co. (The)(a)

    20,454       728,571  

TreeHouse Foods Inc.(a)

    16,193       606,752  
Security   Shares     Value  
Food Products (continued)            

Vital Farms Inc.(a)

    30,585     $ 549,918  
   

 

 

 
          16,831,510  
Gas Utilities — 0.9%            

Chesapeake Utilities Corp.

    5,003       653,892  

National Fuel Gas Co.

    22,246       1,152,565  

New Jersey Resources Corp.

    32,531       1,214,708  

Northwest Natural Holding Co.

    11,583       595,945  

ONE Gas Inc.

    27,609       1,982,879  

South Jersey Industries Inc.

    49,534       1,228,939  

Southwest Gas Holdings Inc.

    19,533       1,373,365  

Spire Inc.

    17,566       1,171,652  
   

 

 

 
      9,373,945  
Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 3.4%            

Alphatec Holdings Inc.(a)

    44,078       638,249  

AngioDynamics Inc.(a)

    19,459       550,690  

AtriCure Inc.(a)

    12,986       956,029  

Axonics Inc.(a)

    7,197       539,631  

Cardiovascular Systems Inc.(a)

    22,885       819,054  

CONMED Corp.

    5,646       741,546  

CryoLife Inc.(a)

    21,007       551,224  

CryoPort Inc.(a)

    9,620       611,543  

Envista Holdings Corp.(a)

    34,513       1,476,811  

Establishment Labs Holdings Inc.(a)

    7,449       558,675  

Glaukos Corp.(a)

    11,093       661,476  

Globus Medical Inc., Class A(a)

    15,763       1,286,261  

Haemonetics Corp.(a)

    15,055       944,701  

Heska Corp.(a)

    3,472       921,122  

Hill-Rom Holdings Inc.

    17,152       2,496,988  

ICU Medical Inc.(a)

    2,666       531,467  

Inari Medical Inc.(a)

    7,711       631,222  

Inogen Inc.(a)

    8,916       527,738  

Integer Holdings Corp.(a)

    6,918       683,429  

Integra LifeSciences Holdings Corp.(a)

    12,811       963,772  

Intersect ENT Inc.(a)

    21,891       595,654  

iRhythm Technologies Inc.(a)

    12,418       593,580  

LivaNova PLC(a)

    9,604       794,155  

Merit Medical Systems Inc.(a)

    15,830       1,136,119  

Natus Medical Inc.(a)

    25,469       675,438  

Nevro Corp.(a)

    6,527       796,294  

NuVasive Inc.(a)

    8,968       557,271  

OraSure Technologies Inc.(a)

    52,008       569,488  

Orthofix Medical Inc.(a)

    22,224       942,298  

OrthoPediatrics Corp.(a)

    8,440       591,644  

Outset Medical Inc.(a)

    13,309       656,001  

Penumbra Inc.(a)

    8,074       2,219,946  

Quidel Corp.(a)(b)

    8,807       1,135,663  

Shockwave Medical Inc.(a)

    8,937       1,914,395  

SI-BONE Inc.(a)(b)

    26,424       645,010  

Silk Road Medical Inc.(a)

    11,839       701,816  

STAAR Surgical Co.(a)

    9,820       1,516,895  

Surmodics Inc.(a)

    10,184       611,753  

Tactile Systems Technology Inc.(a)

    13,049       580,419  

Tandem Diabetes Care Inc.(a)

    18,348       2,058,095  

Varex Imaging Corp.(a)

    23,212       677,094  
   

 

 

 
      37,060,656  
Health Care Providers & Services — 3.2%            

1Life Healthcare Inc.(a)

    26,303       644,687  

Acadia Healthcare Co. Inc.(a)

    15,983       1,056,796  

Accolade Inc.(a)

    13,122       621,720  
 

 

 

S C H E D U L E   O F   I N V E S T M E N T S

  35


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® ESG Aware MSCI USA Small-Cap ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Health Care Providers & Services (continued)            

AdaptHealth Corp.(a)

    22,982     $ 552,487  

Addus HomeCare Corp.(a)

    10,177       915,116  

Amedisys Inc.(a)

    9,101       1,669,578  

AMN Healthcare Services Inc.(a)

    14,389       1,633,439  

Brookdale Senior Living Inc.(a)

    81,696       596,381  

Chemed Corp.

    2,994       1,427,240  

CorVel Corp.(a)

    5,820       959,194  

Covetrus Inc.(a)

    24,885       562,152  

Encompass Health Corp.

    34,211       2,683,853  

Ensign Group Inc. (The)

    11,996       979,713  

Fulgent Genetics Inc.(a)(b)

    6,429       586,582  

Guardant Health Inc.(a)

    16,073       2,045,611  

Hanger Inc.(a)

    24,263       579,400  

HealthEquity Inc.(a)

    12,866       825,611  

Joint Corp. (The)(a)

    6,256       639,176  

LHC Group Inc.(a)

    9,960       1,860,130  

MEDNAX Inc.(a)

    17,918       575,347  

ModivCare Inc.(a)

    5,293       1,044,097  

National Research Corp.

    12,612       681,048  

Option Care Health Inc.(a)

    23,662       632,959  

Owens & Minor Inc.

    20,016       746,197  

Patterson Companies Inc.

    28,727       880,195  

Pennant Group Inc. (The)(a)

    20,341       621,824  

PetIQ Inc.(a)

    21,791       565,476  

Premier Inc., Class A

    34,505       1,282,896  

Progyny Inc.(a)

    12,884       719,829  

R1 RCM Inc.(a)

    60,102       1,185,211  

RadNet Inc.(a)

    23,021       723,090  

Select Medical Holdings Corp.

    25,452       879,876  

Signify Health Inc., Class A(a)

    20,729       538,747  

Surgery Partners Inc.(a)

    12,058       593,254  

Tenet Healthcare Corp.(a)

    15,351       1,156,698  

Tivity Health Inc.(a)(b)

    23,793       553,187  

U.S. Physical Therapy Inc.

    4,881       573,029  
   

 

 

 
          34,791,826  
Health Care Technology — 0.6%            

Allscripts Healthcare Solutions Inc.(a)

    39,431       605,660  

Health Catalyst Inc.(a)

    10,580       577,774  

Inspire Medical Systems Inc.(a)

    5,336       1,192,916  

NextGen Healthcare Inc.(a)

    35,218       537,427  

Omnicell Inc.(a)

    4,381       680,238  

Phreesia Inc.(a)

    8,102       579,698  

Schrodinger Inc.(a)

    9,643       575,591  

Simulations Plus Inc.

    12,481       552,908  

Vocera Communications Inc.(a)

    16,082       779,816  
   

 

 

 
      6,082,028  
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 2.5%            

Accel Entertainment Inc.(a)

    49,970       575,654  

Bally’s Corp.(a)

    11,846       595,143  

Boyd Gaming Corp.(a)

    16,925       1,038,687  

Brinker International Inc.(a)

    11,006       586,290  

Cheesecake Factory Inc. (The)(a)

    12,715       593,155  

Choice Hotels International Inc.

    4,648       554,785  

Churchill Downs Inc.

    6,315       1,329,307  

Dave & Buster’s Entertainment Inc.(a)

    16,605       621,359  

Everi Holdings Inc.(a)

    30,054       683,729  

Hilton Grand Vacations Inc.(a)

    43,669       1,907,899  

Hyatt Hotels Corp., Class A(a)

    7,331       539,488  

Jack in the Box Inc.

    6,107       647,098  
Security   Shares     Value  
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure (continued)            

Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corp.(a)

    7,033     $ 1,051,785  

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.(a)(b)

    75,257       1,944,641  

Papa John’s International Inc.

    4,059       517,644  

Penn National Gaming Inc.(a)(b)

    34,738       2,817,252  

Planet Fitness Inc., Class A(a)

    25,080       2,039,004  

Scientific Games Corp./DE, Class A(a)

    18,813       1,361,121  

SeaWorld Entertainment Inc.(a)

    15,781       776,267  

Shake Shack Inc., Class A(a)

    8,979       778,928  

Six Flags Entertainment Corp.(a)

    17,401       735,018  

Texas Roadhouse Inc.

    9,124       866,780  

Travel + Leisure Co.

    22,992       1,259,042  

Wendy’s Co. (The)

    47,827       1,100,978  

Wingstop Inc.

    7,020       1,206,949  

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts Inc.

    25,312       1,840,182  
   

 

 

 
          27,968,185  
Household Durables — 1.7%            

Cavco Industries Inc.(a)

    2,276       581,518  

Century Communities Inc.

    8,834       619,263  

Ethan Allen Interiors Inc.

    22,503       540,522  

GoPro Inc., Class A(a)

    53,378       532,179  

Green Brick Partners Inc.(a)

    21,691       542,058  

Helen of Troy Ltd.(a)

    8,393       2,007,522  

iRobot Corp.(a)

    8,545       693,170  

KB Home

    23,344       1,004,492  

Leggett & Platt Inc.

    27,495       1,330,483  

LGI Homes Inc.(a)

    5,806       930,876  

Lovesac Co. (The)(a)

    9,744       551,121  

MDC Holdings Inc.

    10,082       526,785  

Meritage Homes Corp.(a)

    9,422       1,050,930  

Purple Innovation Inc., Class A(a)(b)

    21,311       519,988  

Skyline Champion Corp.(a)

    8,915       559,149  

Sonos Inc.(a)

    26,425       1,049,865  

Taylor Morrison Home Corp.(a)

    29,890       839,610  

Tempur Sealy International Inc.

    34,803       1,555,694  

Toll Brothers Inc.

    16,292       1,043,666  

TopBuild Corp.(a)

    6,451       1,411,414  

TRI Pointe Homes Inc.(a)

    27,141       645,142  

Tupperware Brands Corp.(a)

    24,007       573,047  
   

 

 

 
      19,108,494  
Household Products — 0.1%            

Energizer Holdings Inc.

    16,805       661,109  

Spectrum Brands Holdings Inc.

    7,925       618,625  
   

 

 

 
      1,279,734  
Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers — 0.5%  

Clearway Energy Inc., Class C

    49,049       1,539,648  

NextEra Energy Partners LP

    26,043       2,081,617  

Ormat Technologies Inc.

    13,318       947,309  

Sunnova Energy International Inc.(a)

    27,192       984,351  
   

 

 

 
      5,552,925  
Industrial Conglomerates — 0.1%            

Raven Industries Inc.

    19,679       1,148,270  
   

 

 

 
Insurance — 1.9%            

American Equity Investment Life Holding Co.

    17,775       563,290  

Argo Group International Holdings Ltd.

    11,807       624,590  

Assured Guaranty Ltd.

    14,910       743,413  

Axis Capital Holdings Ltd.

    16,683       853,669  

Brighthouse Financial Inc.(a)

    12,155       595,109  

CNO Financial Group Inc.

    31,150       761,929  
 

 

 

36  

2 0 2 1   I S H A R E S   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® ESG Aware MSCI USA Small-Cap ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Insurance (continued)  

eHealth Inc.(a)

    13,372     $ 516,828  

Enstar Group Ltd.(a)

    2,227       513,702  

First American Financial Corp.

    32,862       2,317,757  

Genworth Financial Inc., Class A(a)

    107,185       401,944  

Goosehead Insurance Inc., Class A

    3,823       561,140  

Hanover Insurance Group Inc. (The)

    13,587       1,919,979  

Horace Mann Educators Corp.

    10,579       433,739  

Kemper Corp.

    8,194       562,108  

Kinsale Capital Group Inc.

    3,093       562,462  

Lemonade Inc.(a)(b)

    7,608       574,708  

Primerica Inc.

    8,266       1,264,202  

ProAssurance Corp.

    18,305       466,777  

Reinsurance Group of America Inc.

    14,193       1,643,833  

Selective Insurance Group Inc.

    14,066       1,175,496  

State Auto Financial Corp.

    10,703       541,358  

Stewart Information Services Corp.

    6,220       391,549  

Trupanion Inc.(a)(b)

    7,637       699,396  

Unum Group

    45,488       1,210,891  

White Mountains Insurance Group Ltd.(b)

    522       585,063  
   

 

 

 
          20,484,932  
Interactive Media & Services — 0.5%            

Cargurus Inc.(a)

    19,798       601,463  

TripAdvisor Inc.(a)

    20,978       734,230  

Vimeo Inc.(a)

    25,337       965,847  

Yelp Inc.(a)

    15,106       581,732  

ZoomInfo Technologies Inc., Class A(a)

    39,304       2,562,228  
   

 

 

 
      5,445,500  
Internet & Direct Marketing Retail — 0.4%            

1-800-Flowers.com Inc., Class A(a)

    17,922       569,203  

Overstock.com Inc.(a)

    10,124       730,447  

RealReal Inc. (The)(a)

    41,917       521,447  

Revolve Group Inc.(a)

    9,207       529,034  

Stamps.com Inc.(a)

    3,187       1,048,204  

Stitch Fix Inc., Class A(a)

    13,090       548,602  
   

 

 

 
      3,946,937  
IT Services — 1.5%  

Alliance Data Systems Corp.

    9,034       886,326  

BigCommerce Holdings Inc., Series 1(a)

    10,606       631,481  

Concentrix Corp.(a)

    10,487       1,818,341  

Conduent Inc.(a)

    77,193       563,509  

CSG Systems International Inc.

    11,851       571,337  

DXC Technology Co.(a)

    57,855       2,124,436  

Euronet Worldwide Inc.(a)

    3,951       526,392  

ExlService Holdings Inc.(a)

    8,337       1,026,618  

Fastly Inc., Class A(a)(b)

    21,129       921,224  

LiveRamp Holdings Inc.(a)

    11,808       578,592  

Maximus Inc.

    10,304       897,375  

Perficient Inc.(a)

    6,693       797,939  

Rackspace Technology Inc.(a)(b)

    39,459       551,242  

Sabre Corp.(a)

    51,142       574,325  

TTEC Holdings Inc.

    5,191       547,443  

Unisys Corp.(a)

    23,737       574,673  

Verra Mobility Corp.(a)

    38,881       603,044  

WEX Inc.(a)(b)

    11,114       2,040,197  
   

 

 

 
      16,234,494  
Leisure Products — 0.7%  

Brunswick Corp./DE

    15,030       1,455,956  

Callaway Golf Co.(a)

    24,447       685,983  

Johnson Outdoors Inc., Class A

    4,734       543,416  
Security   Shares     Value  
Leisure Products (continued)  

Malibu Boats Inc., Class A(a)

    8,312     $ 595,139  

Mattel Inc.(a)

    75,966       1,621,874  

Polaris Inc.

    8,534       1,022,032  

YETI Holdings Inc.(a)

    22,245       2,209,818  
   

 

 

 
      8,134,218  
Life Sciences Tools & Services — 1.1%  

Adaptive Biotechnologies Corp.(a)

    25,623       930,627  

BioNano Genomics Inc.(a)

    101,212       590,066  

Bruker Corp.

    12,577       1,110,675  

Codexis Inc.(a)(b)

    23,846       644,319  

Medpace Holdings Inc.(a)

    5,353       976,119  

NanoString Technologies Inc.(a)

    10,158       591,196  

NeoGenomics Inc.(a)

    30,309       1,473,624  

Pacific Biosciences of California Inc.(a)

    34,396       1,076,939  

Repligen Corp.(a)

    12,555       3,552,814  

Syneos Health Inc.(a)

    13,343       1,237,963  
   

 

 

 
          12,184,342  
Machinery — 4.5%  

AGCO Corp.

    11,405       1,569,556  

Alamo Group Inc.

    3,902       604,849  

Allison Transmission Holdings Inc.

    31,561       1,167,126  

Altra Industrial Motion Corp.

    11,429       669,282  

Astec Industries Inc.

    10,529       643,743  

Barnes Group Inc.

    11,842       564,508  

Chart Industries Inc.(a)(b)

    8,558       1,612,156  

Columbus McKinnon Corp./NY

    12,745       586,907  

Donaldson Co. Inc.

    27,686       1,875,727  

Douglas Dynamics Inc.

    14,834       589,503  

Energy Recovery Inc.(a)

    29,936       611,592  

Enerpac Tool Group Corp.

    22,255       559,936  

EnPro Industries Inc.

    7,115       608,404  

ESCO Technologies Inc.

    6,520       587,582  

Evoqua Water Technologies Corp.(a)

    25,917       1,008,690  

Federal Signal Corp.

    18,153       737,556  

Flowserve Corp.

    37,561       1,459,996  

Franklin Electric Co. Inc.

    14,152       1,202,637  

Graco Inc.

    33,569       2,632,481  

Hillenbrand Inc.

    19,266       894,328  

Hyster-Yale Materials Handling Inc.

    8,999       527,431  

ITT Inc.

    26,964       2,579,646  

John Bean Technologies Corp.

    7,126       1,039,612  

Kennametal Inc.

    14,815       550,822  

Lincoln Electric Holdings Inc.

    8,754       1,222,146  

Lindsay Corp.

    4,055       668,061  

Luxfer Holdings PLC

    26,753       571,177  

Meritor Inc.(a)

    22,614       536,404  

Middleby Corp. (The)(a)

    10,087       1,845,316  

Mueller Water Products Inc., Class A

    76,911       1,278,261  

Nikola Corp.(a)(b)

    56,805       592,476  

Oshkosh Corp.

    23,075       2,643,934  

Proto Labs Inc.(a)

    7,597       563,394  

Rexnord Corp.

    27,406       1,665,189  

Shyft Group Inc. (The)

    13,200       580,932  

SPX FLOW Inc.

    9,551       769,142  

Tennant Co.

    10,754       795,581  

Terex Corp.

    17,885       913,029  

Timken Co. (The)

    14,545       1,069,639  

Toro Co. (The)

    31,123       3,421,663  

TriMas Corp.(a)

    16,784       538,934  
 

 

 

S C H E D U L E   O F   I N V E S T M E N T S

  37


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® ESG Aware MSCI USA Small-Cap ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Machinery (continued)  

Trinity Industries Inc.

    19,400     $ 563,182  

Wabash National Corp.

    36,845       572,571  

Watts Water Technologies Inc., Class A

    11,271       1,933,765  

Welbilt Inc.(a)

    40,978       958,885  

Woodward Inc.

    11,550       1,396,857  
   

 

 

 
          49,984,608  
Media — 0.9%  

Cardlytics Inc.(a)

    8,346       757,650  

EW Scripps Co. (The), Class A

    29,765       551,843  

Gray Television Inc.

    29,782       677,243  

Iheartmedia Inc., Class A(a)

    29,871       743,190  

John Wiley & Sons Inc., Class A

    16,447       955,571  

Magnite Inc.(a)

    23,555       683,566  

New York Times Co. (The), Class A

    40,263       2,044,555  

Nexstar Media Group Inc., Class A

    8,460       1,266,885  

Scholastic Corp.

    16,050       533,502  

TEGNA Inc.

    61,226       1,084,925  

WideOpenWest Inc.(a)

    26,547       563,327  
   

 

 

 
      9,862,257  
Metals & Mining — 1.4%  

Alcoa Corp.(a)

    45,705       2,027,931  

Allegheny Technologies Inc.(a)

    28,911       516,351  

Arconic Corp.(a)(b)

    27,392       944,750  

Cleveland-Cliffs Inc.(a)

    99,572       2,336,955  

Coeur Mining Inc.(a)

    84,144       593,215  

Commercial Metals Co.

    27,358       892,418  

Compass Minerals International Inc.

    15,386       1,029,785  

Hecla Mining Co.

    95,992       590,351  

Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co.

    16,808       2,521,872  

Royal Gold Inc.

    18,983       2,113,377  

Schnitzer Steel Industries Inc., Class A

    19,299       913,036  

United States Steel Corp.

    43,903       1,174,405  
   

 

 

 
      15,654,446  
Mortgage Real Estate Investment — 0.7%  

Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance Inc.

    39,829       619,341  

Blackstone Mortgage Trust Inc., Class A

    23,189       760,831  

Chimera Investment Corp.

    37,010       566,993  

Hannon Armstrong Sustainable Infrastructure Capital Inc.

    24,485       1,478,160  

KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc.

    27,019       576,315  

New Residential Investment Corp.

    55,229       603,101  

Redwood Trust Inc.

    44,622       556,436  

Starwood Property Trust Inc.

    73,006       1,883,555  

Two Harbors Investment Corp.

    87,045       574,497  
   

 

 

 
      7,619,229  
Multi-Utilities — 0.5%  

Avista Corp.

    30,089       1,259,225  

MDU Resources Group Inc.

    102,522       3,298,133  

Unitil Corp.

    11,206       555,817  
   

 

 

 
      5,113,175  
Multiline Retail — 0.5%  

Big Lots Inc.

    9,643       469,228  

Franchise Group Inc.

    16,077       558,354  

Kohl’s Corp.

    33,724       1,935,758  

Macy’s Inc.(a)

    58,451       1,308,718  

Nordstrom Inc.(a)(b)

    30,591       875,209  

Ollie’s Bargain Outlet Holdings Inc.(a)(b)

    8,514       616,243  
   

 

 

 
      5,763,510  
Security   Shares     Value  
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 2.9%  

Antero Midstream Corp.

    81,316     $ 781,447  

Antero Resources Corp.(a)

    64,164       880,330  

APA Corp.

    95,152       1,853,561  

Cabot Oil & Gas Corp.

    65,013       1,033,057  

California Resources Corp.(a)

    18,558       635,240  

Callon Petroleum Co.(a)(b)

    20,105       686,988  

Cimarex Energy Co.

    22,847       1,467,234  

Clean Energy Fuels Corp.(a)

    79,058       626,930  

CNX Resources Corp.(a)

    59,350       674,216  

Continental Resources Inc./OK

    15,435       606,287  

Delek U.S. Holdings Inc.

    37,588       643,131  

Diamondback Energy Inc.

    37,436       2,887,813  

EnLink Midstream LLC

    108,615       585,435  

EQT Corp.(a)

    70,311       1,288,801  

Equitrans Midstream Corp.

    64,081       559,427  

Green Plains Inc.(a)

    13,938       489,224  

HollyFrontier Corp.

    34,026       1,100,061  

Kosmos Energy Ltd.(a)

    284,358       671,085  

Marathon Oil Corp.

    208,302       2,447,548  

Matador Resources Co.

    24,114       693,277  

Murphy Oil Corp.

    33,918       721,097  

Oasis Petroleum Inc.

    7,107       615,395  

Ovintiv Inc.

    72,614       1,979,458  

PDC Energy Inc.

    17,488       730,124  

Range Resources Corp.(a)

    63,450       927,639  

Renewable Energy Group Inc.(a)(b)

    11,943       578,280  

SM Energy Co.

    34,234       653,869  

Southwestern Energy Co.(a)

    167,339       761,392  

Targa Resources Corp.

    44,794       1,967,352  

Texas Pacific Land Corp.

    1,164       1,582,737  

World Fuel Services Corp.

    21,783       704,898  
   

 

 

 
          31,833,333  
Paper & Forest Products — 0.3%            

Domtar Corp.(a)

    17,397       953,878  

Louisiana-Pacific Corp.

    24,301       1,541,655  

Neenah Inc.

    11,131       560,891  
   

 

 

 
      3,056,424  
Personal Products — 0.3%            

Edgewell Personal Care Co.

    19,789       837,075  

Herbalife Nutrition Ltd.(a)

    23,492       1,206,079  

Medifast Inc.

    3,206       730,647  

Nu Skin Enterprises Inc., Class A

    10,471       530,042  
   

 

 

 
      3,303,843  
Pharmaceuticals — 1.3%  

Aerie Pharmaceuticals Inc.(a)

    37,215       554,876  

Antares Pharma Inc.(a)

    142,943       563,195  

Arvinas Inc.(a)

    9,688       835,202  

Atea Pharmaceuticals Inc.(a)

    17,797       528,927  

BioDelivery Sciences International Inc.(a)

    152,693       589,395  

Cassava Sciences Inc.(a)

    7,951       452,014  

Corcept Therapeutics Inc.(a)

    30,738       654,105  

Intra-Cellular Therapies Inc.(a)

    20,510       680,932  

Nektar Therapeutics(a)

    39,771       615,655  

NGM Biopharmaceuticals Inc.(a)

    24,979       545,292  

Nuvation Bio Inc.(a)

    66,989       618,308  

Pacira BioSciences Inc.(a)

    9,750       578,078  

Perrigo Co. PLC

    39,566       1,620,228  

Prestige Consumer Healthcare Inc.(a)

    9,537       547,328  

Provention Bio Inc.(a)(b)

    92,320       619,467  
 

 

 

38  

2 0 2 1   I S H A R E S   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® ESG Aware MSCI USA Small-Cap ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Pharmaceuticals (continued)  

Reata Pharmaceuticals Inc., Class A(a)

    6,635     $ 706,694  

Relmada Therapeutics Inc.(a)

    23,092       552,130  

Revance Therapeutics Inc.(a)

    22,828       611,334  

Theravance Biopharma Inc.(a)

    38,697       321,185  

Tilray Inc., Class 2 (a)(b)

    97,047       1,328,573  

Zogenix Inc.(a)(b)

    39,981       592,119  
   

 

 

 
          14,115,037  
Professional Services — 1.7%  

ASGN Inc.(a)(b)

    14,701       1,649,305  

CACI International Inc., Class A(a)

    4,812       1,239,283  

Exponent Inc.

    7,825       914,743  

FTI Consulting Inc.(a)

    10,286       1,437,057  

Heidrick & Struggles International Inc.

    13,452       581,395  

Huron Consulting Group Inc.(a)

    10,755       530,974  

ICF International Inc.

    9,134       855,491  

Insperity Inc.

    7,751       855,245  

KBR Inc.

    17,743       690,912  

Kelly Services Inc., Class A, NVS

    40,038       778,339  

Kforce Inc.

    9,195       537,172  

Korn Ferry

    14,977       1,058,724  

ManpowerGroup Inc.

    17,260       2,095,709  

Nielsen Holdings PLC

    86,834       1,863,458  

Science Applications International Corp.

    9,801       825,538  

TriNet Group Inc.(a)

    13,915       1,281,293  

TrueBlue Inc.(a)

    29,521       806,809  

Upwork Inc.(a)

    25,156       1,124,725  
   

 

 

 
      19,126,172  
Real Estate Management & Development — 1.0%  

Cushman & Wakefield PLC(a)(b)

    57,424       1,041,671  

eXp World Holdings Inc.

    12,985       595,362  

Howard Hughes Corp. (The)(a)

    10,451       946,129  

Jones Lang LaSalle Inc.(a)

    12,928       3,134,135  

Kennedy-Wilson Holdings Inc.

    27,758       610,398  

Marcus & Millichap Inc.(a)

    14,106       553,237  

Newmark Group Inc., Class A

    42,438       578,006  

Realogy Holdings Corp.(a)

    32,356       567,848  

Redfin Corp.(a)

    15,033       730,153  

RMR Group Inc. (The), Class A

    14,238       659,789  

St Joe Co. (The)

    12,451       576,108  

Tejon Ranch Co.(a)

    35,793       687,942  
   

 

 

 
      10,680,778  
Road & Rail — 1.0%  

ArcBest Corp.

    8,506       567,605  

Avis Budget Group Inc.(a)

    13,517       1,226,668  

Landstar System Inc.

    13,634       2,290,921  

Marten Transport Ltd.

    35,168       548,269  

Ryder System Inc.

    20,502       1,629,704  

Saia Inc.(a)

    4,147       995,819  

Schneider National Inc., Class B

    23,880       538,255  

Werner Enterprises Inc.

    31,037       1,463,705  

XPO Logistics Inc.(a)

    16,189       1,406,986  
   

 

 

 
      10,667,932  
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 2.7%  

Amkor Technology Inc.

    28,068       771,028  

Brooks Automation Inc.

    14,240       1,209,830  

Cirrus Logic Inc.(a)

    18,035       1,508,988  

CMC Materials Inc.

    4,266       565,757  

Cree Inc.(a)

    31,772       2,699,985  

Entegris Inc.

    29,078       3,493,431  
Security   Shares     Value  
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment (continued)  

First Solar Inc.(a)

    27,230     $ 2,559,620  

Ichor Holdings Ltd.(a)

    13,325       590,431  

Kulicke & Soffa Industries Inc.

    24,204       1,698,879  

Lattice Semiconductor Corp.(a)

    27,904       1,733,396  

MaxLinear Inc.(a)

    10,620       554,683  

MKS Instruments Inc.

    5,003       736,341  

Onto Innovation Inc.(a)

    17,553       1,301,204  

Power Integrations Inc.

    13,461       1,462,403  

Rambus Inc.(a)

    36,198       861,512  

Semtech Corp.(a)

    11,837       827,643  

Silicon Laboratories Inc.(a)

    10,077       1,588,337  

SunPower Corp.(a)

    25,198       543,017  

Synaptics Inc.(a)

    8,359       1,586,371  

Ultra Clean Holdings Inc.(a)

    13,090       605,282  

Universal Display Corp.

    12,657       2,640,124  

Veeco Instruments Inc.(a)(b)

    26,180       596,642  
   

 

 

 
          30,134,904  
Software — 7.1%  

8x8 Inc.(a)

    26,255       634,058  

ACI Worldwide Inc.(a)

    40,006       1,289,393  

Alarm.com Holdings Inc.(a)

    6,807       574,034  

Altair Engineering Inc., Class A(a)

    11,089       820,475  

Alteryx Inc., Class A(a)

    10,802       799,024  

Anaplan Inc.(a)

    29,098       1,745,298  

Appian Corp.(a)

    8,067       864,782  

Asana Inc., Class A(a)

    12,022       908,262  

Aspen Technology Inc.(a)(b)

    17,778       2,302,251  

Avaya Holdings Corp.(a)

    25,963       523,674  

Bill.com Holdings Inc.(a)

    16,276       4,465,972  

Blackbaud Inc.(a)

    11,628       810,355  

Blackline Inc.(a)

    15,939       1,738,945  

Bottomline Technologies DE Inc.(a)

    17,837       753,970  

Box Inc., Class A(a)

    39,767       1,025,193  

CDK Global Inc.

    29,190       1,214,304  

Cerence Inc.(a)

    8,684       941,693  

Cloudera Inc.(a)

    42,783       681,533  

CommVault Systems Inc.(a)

    9,792       792,858  

Digital Turbine Inc.(a)

    12,176       711,687  

Dolby Laboratories Inc., Class A

    16,819       1,666,931  

Domo Inc., Class B(a)

    6,052       541,654  

Duck Creek Technologies Inc.(a)

    12,091       563,803  

Elastic NV(a)

    15,217       2,427,872  

Envestnet Inc.(a)

    10,438       833,683  

Everbridge Inc.(a)

    6,548       1,027,840  

FireEye Inc.(a)

    58,083       1,056,530  

Five9 Inc.(a)

    16,368       2,589,909  

InterDigital Inc.

    7,694       554,814  

Jamf Holding Corp.(a)

    20,421       717,798  

LivePerson Inc.(a)(b)

    13,192       845,607  

Manhattan Associates Inc.(a)

    13,234       2,157,010  

Marathon Digital Holdings Inc.(a)

    16,568       672,495  

Medallia Inc.(a)

    22,396       756,313  

MicroStrategy Inc., Class A(a)

    1,486       1,031,730  

Mimecast Ltd.(a)

    16,798       1,172,668  

Model N Inc.(a)(b)

    16,749       567,959  

Momentive Global Inc.(a)

    37,596       737,258  

nCino Inc.(a)

    8,565       531,116  

NCR Corp.(a)

    30,939       1,314,289  

New Relic Inc.(a)

    17,047       1,363,249  

Nuance Communications Inc.(a)

    60,491       3,330,030  
 

 

 

S C H E D U L E   O F   I N V E S T M E N T S

  39


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® ESG Aware MSCI USA Small-Cap ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Software (continued)  

Nutanix Inc., Class A(a)

    50,552     $ 1,865,874  

Pagerduty Inc.(a)

    22,102       945,966  

Paylocity Holding Corp.(a)

    11,699       3,149,371  

Pegasystems Inc.

    4,887       672,598  

Progress Software Corp.

    32,199       1,499,185  

Proofpoint Inc.(a)(c)

    12,806       2,252,575  

PROS Holdings Inc.(a)

    14,740       637,358  

Q2 Holdings Inc.(a)

    6,287       553,822  

Qualys Inc.(a)(b)

    9,012       1,057,829  

Rapid7 Inc.(a)

    17,204       2,090,630  

Riot Blockchain Inc.(a)

    16,246       606,301  

SailPoint Technologies Holdings Inc.(a)

    13,878       650,323  

Smartsheet Inc., Class A(a)

    31,593       2,513,855  

Sprout Social Inc., Class A(a)

    11,208       1,362,893  

SPS Commerce Inc.(a)(b)

    9,861       1,336,461  

Tenable Holdings Inc.(a)

    12,965       575,257  

Teradata Corp.(a)

    33,806       1,848,850  

Varonis Systems Inc.(a)

    25,048       1,728,562  

Workiva Inc.(a)(b)

    13,645       1,913,984  

Xperi Holding Corp.

    25,927       554,060  

Zuora Inc., Class A(a)

    34,950       593,451  
   

 

 

 
          78,467,524  
Specialty Retail — 3.6%  

Aaron’s Co. Inc. (The)

    18,867       500,353  

Abercrombie & Fitch Co., Class A(a)

    14,173       506,826  

American Eagle Outfitters Inc.

    36,098       1,101,711  

Asbury Automotive Group Inc.(a)

    4,143       771,592  

AutoNation Inc.(a)

    10,774       1,175,336  

Bed Bath & Beyond Inc.(a)

    20,454       563,303  

Boot Barn Holdings Inc.(a)

    7,230       645,494  

Buckle Inc. (The)

    12,358       478,625  

Caleres Inc.

    22,281       547,890  

Children’s Place Inc. (The)(a)

    5,492       476,925  

Five Below Inc.(a)

    12,492       2,658,423  

Floor & Decor Holdings Inc., Class A(a)

    21,185       2,612,110  

Foot Locker Inc.

    22,814       1,293,326  

GameStop Corp., Class A(a)(b)

    13,525       2,951,696  

Gap Inc. (The)

    72,416       1,935,680  

Genesco Inc.(a)

    8,847       548,779  

Group 1 Automotive Inc.

    5,323       880,637  

GrowGeneration Corp.(a)(b)

    17,967       574,764  

Haverty Furniture Companies Inc.

    14,771       526,291  

Hibbett Inc.

    6,545       626,291  

Leslie’s Inc.(a)

    26,705       644,125  

Lithia Motors Inc.

    5,915       1,959,639  

MarineMax Inc.(a)

    10,877       528,840  

Monro Inc.

    10,598       603,132  

Murphy USA Inc.

    8,840       1,372,675  

National Vision Holdings Inc.(a)

    19,873       1,191,983  

ODP Corp. (The)(a)

    12,469       588,163  

Petco Health & Wellness Co. Inc.(a)

    26,152       563,053  

Rent-A-Center Inc./TX

    16,650       1,050,282  

RH(a)(b)

    3,428       2,401,897  

Sally Beauty Holdings Inc.(a)

    29,970       557,142  

Signet Jewelers Ltd.

    12,570       995,544  

Sleep Number Corp.(a)

    6,907       638,967  

Urban Outfitters Inc.(a)

    14,839       489,984  

Vroom Inc.(a)

    19,961       536,152  

Williams-Sonoma Inc.

    18,381       3,431,733  
Security   Shares     Value  
Specialty Retail (continued)  

Zumiez Inc.(a)

    13,002     $ 522,550  
   

 

 

 
          39,451,913  
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals — 0.3%  

3D Systems Corp.(a)

    24,755       753,542  

Pure Storage Inc., Class A(a)

    47,907       1,237,438  

Xerox Holdings Corp.

    58,552       1,318,006  
   

 

 

 
      3,308,986  
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods — 2.1%  

Capri Holdings Ltd.(a)

    27,651       1,562,558  

Carter’s Inc.

    13,364       1,368,206  

Columbia Sportswear Co.

    12,562       1,281,450  

Crocs Inc.(a)

    16,035       2,290,119  

Deckers Outdoor Corp.(a)

    8,062       3,373,544  

Hanesbrands Inc.

    101,806       1,901,736  

Kontoor Brands Inc.

    13,160       710,114  

Levi Strauss & Co., Class A

    40,316       1,056,682  

Oxford Industries Inc.

    5,988       540,716  

PVH Corp.(a)

    19,883       2,083,539  

Ralph Lauren Corp.

    11,059       1,284,282  

Steven Madden Ltd.

    19,991       809,036  

Tapestry Inc.(a)

    62,339       2,513,508  

Under Armour Inc., Class A(a)

    27,819       643,732  

Under Armour Inc., Class C, NVS(a)(b)

    32,480       651,549  

Wolverine World Wide Inc.

    24,980       895,783  
   

 

 

 
      22,966,554  
Thrifts & Mortgage Finance — 1.2%  

Essent Group Ltd.

    19,831       933,644  

Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corp., Class C, NVS

    8,629       844,779  

Flagstar Bancorp. Inc.

    18,447       912,389  

HomeStreet Inc.

    14,704       600,659  

MGIC Investment Corp.

    110,668       1,689,900  

Mr Cooper Group Inc.(a)

    20,931       813,797  

New York Community Bancorp. Inc.

    85,949       1,076,082  

NMI Holdings Inc., Class A(a)

    25,260       570,118  

PennyMac Financial Services Inc.

    15,143       1,007,767  

Premier Financial Corp.

    19,940       606,176  

Radian Group Inc.

    53,240       1,258,061  

Rocket Companies Inc., Class A

    29,621       513,924  

TFS Financial Corp.

    30,667       613,033  

Walker & Dunlop Inc.

    5,787       642,646  

Washington Federal Inc.

    19,084       635,497  

WSFS Financial Corp.

    7,997       363,144  
   

 

 

 
      13,081,616  
Trading Companies & Distributors — 1.3%  

Air Lease Corp.

    18,604       739,323  

Beacon Roofing Supply Inc.(a)

    12,259       631,093  

Boise Cascade Co.

    31,064       1,797,052  

GATX Corp.

    12,159       1,114,737  

GMS Inc.(a)

    14,127       698,015  

Herc Holdings Inc.(a)

    5,091       669,212  

McGrath RentCorp

    11,487       801,563  

Rush Enterprises Inc., Class A

    12,627       556,851  

SiteOne Landscape Supply Inc.(a)

    14,095       2,820,410  

Triton International Ltd.

    22,475       1,229,832  

Univar Solutions Inc.(a)

    25,529       602,740  

Veritiv Corp.(a)

    6,672       598,278  

Watsco Inc.

    3,427       954,145  

WESCO International Inc.(a)

    13,337       1,560,696  
   

 

 

 
      14,773,947  
 

 

 

40  

2 0 2 1   I S H A R E S   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® ESG Aware MSCI USA Small-Cap ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares      Value  

 

 
Transportation Infrastructure — 0.1%  

Macquarie Infrastructure Corp.

    23,451      $ 934,522  
    

 

 

 
Water Utilities — 0.3%  

American States Water Co.

    16,040        1,479,048  

Middlesex Water Co.

    7,796        852,960  

SJW Group

    9,214        638,807  
    

 

 

 
       2,970,815  
Wireless Telecommunication Services — 0.1%  

Shenandoah Telecommunications Co.

    17,529        522,890  

Telephone and Data Systems Inc.

    27,216        553,029  
    

 

 

 
       1,075,919  
    

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 100.1%
(Cost: $918,841,367)

       1,100,431,026  
    

 

 

 

Short-Term Investments

    

Money Market Funds — 4.1%

    

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional,
SL Agency Shares, 0.06%(e)(f)(g)

    43,527,022        43,548,786  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury,
SL Agency Shares, 0.00%(e)(f)

    1,390,000        1,390,000  
    

 

 

 
       44,938,786  
    

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments — 4.1%
(Cost: $44,934,457)

 

     44,938,786  
    

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities — 104.2%
(Cost: $963,775,824)

 

     1,145,369,812  

Other Assets, Less Liabilities — (4.2)%

 

     (46,331,515
    

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

     $   1,099,038,297  
    

 

 

 

 

(a)

Non-income producing security.

(b)

All or a portion of this security is on loan.

(c)

Security is valued using significant unobservable inputs and is classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

(d)

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.

(e)

Affiliate of the Fund.

(f)

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

(g)

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 year ended August 31, 2021 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

 

 
Affiliated Issuer   Value at
08/31/20
   

Purchases

at Cost

    Proceeds
from Sales
    Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
    Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
    Value at
08/31/21
   

Shares

Held at
08/31/21

    Income    

Capital

Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds

 

 

 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares

  $ 13,849,687     $ 29,710,119(a )    $     $ (7,420   $ (3,600   $ 43,548,786       43,527,022     $ 136,154 (b)    $  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

    360,000       1,030,000(a )                         1,390,000       1,390,000       327        
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
        $     (7,420   $     (3,600   $ 44,938,786       $ 136,481     $          —  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

  (b)

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.

 

 

S C H E D U L E   O F   I N V E S T M E N T S

  41


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® ESG Aware MSCI USA Small-Cap ETF

    

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Futures Contracts

 

 

 
Description    Number of
Contracts
       Expiration
Date
       Notional
Amount
(000)
       Value/
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

 

 

Long Contracts

                 

Russell 2000 E-Mini Index

     10          09/17/21        $ 1,136        $ 28,245  

S&P MidCap 400 E-Mini Index

     2          09/17/21          550          8,581  
                 

 

 

 
                  $ 36,826  
                 

 

 

 

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:

 

 

 
     Equity
Contracts
 

 

 

Assets — Derivative Financial Instruments

  

Futures contracts

  

Unrealized appreciation on futures contracts(a)

   $ 36,826  
  

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Net cumulative 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 August 31, 2021, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

 

 
     Equity
Contracts
 

 

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from:

  

Futures contracts

   $ (31,872
  

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:

  

Futures contracts

   $ 36,826  
  

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

 

 

Futures contracts:

  

Average notional value of contracts — long

   $ 337,200      

 

 

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. 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.

 

 

 
     Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

 

 

Investments

                 

Assets

                 

Common Stocks

   $ 1,098,175,374        $        $ 2,255,652        $ 1,100,431,026  

Money Market Funds

     44,938,786                            44,938,786  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 1,143,114,160        $        $     2,255,652        $ 1,145,369,812  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Derivative financial instruments(a)

                 

Assets

                 

Futures Contracts

   $ 36,826        $             —        $        $ 36,826  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Derivative financial instruments are futures contracts. Futures contracts are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

42  

2 0 2 1   I S H A R E S   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® ESG MSCI EM Leaders ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

 

 

Common Stocks

 

Argentina — 0.3%  

Globant SA(a)

    8,870     $ 2,858,624  
   

 

 

 
Brazil — 3.0%            

Adecoagro SA(a)

    21,111       197,388  

Americanas SA(a)

    99,549       796,269  

Atacadao SA

    113,138       397,125  

B3 SA - Brasil, Bolsa, Balcao

    1,375,141       3,741,826  

Banco Bradesco SA

    328,701       1,267,560  

Banco do Brasil SA

    192,736       1,134,246  

Banco Santander Brasil SA

    92,646       751,445  

CCR SA

    273,589       648,152  

Cosan SA

    231,718       988,122  

CPFL Energia SA

    53,013       297,729  

Energisa SA

    42,176       361,907  

Equatorial Energia SA

    203,831       1,003,229  

Klabin SA(a)

    158,260       805,257  

Localiza Rent a Car SA

    136,255       1,461,418  

Lojas Renner SA

    201,122       1,480,371  

Natura & Co. Holding SA(a)

    200,808       2,004,663  

Notre Dame Intermedica Participacoes SA

    117,134       1,810,879  

Rede D’Or Sao Luiz SA(b)

    87,877       1,169,586  

Rumo SA(a)

    291,062       1,053,740  

Telefonica Brasil SA

    113,936       963,569  

TIM SA

    188,269       453,669  

Ultrapar Participacoes SA

    160,114       447,135  

Via S/A(a)

    290,055       582,825  

WEG SA

    376,591       2,589,846  
   

 

 

 
      26,407,956  
Chile — 0.3%            

Cencosud Shopping SA

    111,145       157,990  

Empresas CMPC SA

    253,093       562,214  

Empresas COPEC SA

    87,399       813,064  

Enel Americas SA

    4,964,747       697,642  

Falabella SA

    168,697       668,165  
   

 

 

 
      2,899,075  
China — 33.9%            

360 Security Technology Inc., Class A(a)

    87,000       160,430  

3SBio Inc.(a)(b)

    298,000       331,980  

51job Inc., ADR(a)

    6,645       510,336  

AAC Technologies Holdings Inc.

    162,500       900,845  

Air China Ltd., Class A(a)

    83,600       93,846  

Air China Ltd., Class H(a)

    392,000       262,902  

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.(a)

    2,005,916       42,003,064  

Alibaba Health Information Technology Ltd.(a)

    908,000       1,498,726  

A-Living Smart City Services Co. Ltd.(b)

    129,250       513,684  

Angel Yeast Co. Ltd., Class A

    11,700       72,693  

Baozun Inc., ADR(a)

    13,332       321,035  

BBMG Corp., Class A

    135,300       56,807  

Beijing Capital International Airport Co. Ltd., Class H(a)

    364,000       219,501  

Beijing Enterprises Water Group Ltd.

    1,014,000       418,210  

BOC Aviation Ltd.(b)

    48,400       362,840  

BYD Co. Ltd., Class A

    24,500       1,054,892  

BYD Co. Ltd., Class H

    176,000       5,916,961  

By-Health Co. Ltd., Class A

    24,100       93,891  

CanSino Biologics Inc., Class A(a)

    1,169       69,907  

CanSino Biologics Inc., Class H(a)(b)

    18,200       719,246  

Changzhou Xingyu Automotive Lighting Systems Co. Ltd., Class A

    3,565       106,948  
Security   Shares     Value  

 

 
China (continued)            

China Aoyuan Group Ltd.

    288,000     $ 172,187  

China Communications Services Corp. Ltd., Class H

    470,000       250,185  

China Conch Venture Holdings Ltd.

    364,500       1,491,834  

China Construction Bank Corp., Class A

    127,500       115,503  

China Construction Bank Corp., Class H

    21,560,000       15,535,223  

China East Education Holdings Ltd.(b)

    123,000       131,970  

China Eastern Airlines Corp. Ltd., Class A(a)

    162,900       118,612  

China Education Group Holdings Ltd.

    179,000       338,423  

China Everbright Environment Group Ltd.

    826,000       571,067  

China Feihe Ltd.(b)

    802,000       1,449,234  

China Gas Holdings Ltd.

    691,800       2,002,493  

China Jinmao Holdings Group Ltd.

    1,232,000       400,526  

China Jushi Co. Ltd., Class A

    51,178       139,121  

China Lesso Group Holdings Ltd.

    240,000       513,683  

China Medical System Holdings Ltd.

    302,000       592,753  

China Mengniu Dairy Co. Ltd.

    709,000       4,264,465  

China Merchants Bank Co. Ltd., Class H

    875,000       7,216,654  

China Merchants Property Operation & Service Co. Ltd., Class A

    11,700       22,302  

China Merchants Shekou Industrial Zone Holdings Co. Ltd., Class A

    108,900       167,883  

China Molybdenum Co. Ltd., Class A

    234,300       283,655  

China Molybdenum Co. Ltd., Class H

    741,000       578,103  

China National Medicines Corp. Ltd., Class A

    11,400       51,546  

China Overseas Land & Investment Ltd.

    857,500       1,975,411  

China Resources Gas Group Ltd.

    208,000       1,262,316  

China Resources Pharmaceutical Group Ltd.(b)

    360,000       187,221  

China Resources Sanjiu Medical & Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Class A

    13,300       57,552  

China Southern Airlines Co. Ltd., Class A(a)

    157,500       140,563  

China Southern Airlines Co. Ltd., Class H(a)

    346,000       201,529  

China Tourism Group Duty Free Corp. Ltd., Class A

    26,800       949,036  

China Vanke Co. Ltd., Class A

    132,000       404,791  

China Vanke Co. Ltd., Class H

    381,900       1,030,426  

Chongqing Changan Automobile Co. Ltd., Class A

    85,680       273,838  

CIFI Ever Sunshine Services Group Ltd.

    166,000       342,914  

CIFI Holdings Group Co. Ltd.

    766,000       514,922  

CITIC Ltd.

    1,307,000       1,623,859  

Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    31,400       2,412,390  

Country Garden Services Holdings Co. Ltd.

    342,000       2,609,703  

CSPC Pharmaceutical Group Ltd.

    2,013,360       2,554,152  

Dali Foods Group Co. Ltd.(b)

    446,000       250,025  

Dongfeng Motor Group Co. Ltd., Class H

    610,000       667,943  

ENN Energy Holdings Ltd.

    177,400       3,510,327  

ENN Natural Gas Co. Ltd., Class A

    21,400       67,840  

Eve Energy Co. Ltd., Class A

    24,532       388,725  

Fosun International Ltd.

    567,500       717,829  

Fu Jian Anjoy Foods Co. Ltd., Class A

    2,500       60,524  

Fuyao Glass Industry Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    29,100       215,954  

Fuyao Glass Industry Group Co. Ltd., Class H(b)

    134,000       824,610  

Ganfeng Lithium Co. Ltd., Class A

    15,300       522,130  

Ganfeng Lithium Co. Ltd., Class H(b)

    58,400       1,345,513  

Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd.

    1,320,000       4,783,976  

GEM Co. Ltd., Class A

    62,500       130,234  

Genscript Biotech Corp.(a)

    254,000       1,207,578  

GoerTek Inc., Class A

    48,000       346,146  

Gotion High-tech Co. Ltd., Class A(a)

    15,900       132,405  

Great Wall Motor Co. Ltd., Class A

    31,500       323,441  

Great Wall Motor Co. Ltd., Class H

    692,500       3,194,033  

Greenland Holdings Corp. Ltd., Class A

    112,245       77,346  
 

 

 

S C H E D U L E   O F   I N V E S T M E N T S

  43


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® ESG MSCI EM Leaders ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
China (continued)            

Greentown Service Group Co. Ltd.

    342,000     $ 365,858  

Guangdong Xinbao Electrical Appliances Holdings Co. Ltd., Class A

    12,700       40,715  

Guangzhou Automobile Group Co. Ltd., Class H

    662,000       666,514  

Guangzhou Baiyunshan Pharmaceutical Holdings Co. Ltd., Class A

    18,900       86,259  

Guangzhou Kingmed Diagnostics Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    6,500       106,193  

Guangzhou R&F Properties Co. Ltd., Class H

    364,800       311,032  

Hangzhou Robam Appliances Co. Ltd., Class A

    12,700       70,246  

Hansoh Pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd.(b)

    268,000       730,711  

HengTen Networks Group Ltd.(a)(c)

    636,000       312,112  

Hopson Development Holdings Ltd.

    147,900       576,200  

Huaxia Bank Co. Ltd., Class A

    169,900       147,351  

Industrial Bank Co. Ltd., Class A

    280,500       803,484  

Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    79,100       417,384  

Jafron Biomedical Co. Ltd., Class A

    8,600       65,284  

Jiangsu Zhongtian Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    34,800       43,808  

Jinke Properties Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    80,100       59,501  

Jinxin Fertility Group Ltd.(b)

    292,000       463,999  

Joyoung Co. Ltd., Class A

    9,100       29,635  

Kaisa Group Holdings Ltd.

    665,000       221,354  

Kingdee International Software Group Co. Ltd.(a)

    584,000       2,126,562  

Kuang-Chi Technologies Co. Ltd., Class A(a)

    29,400       104,088  

KWG Group Holdings Ltd.

    273,000       287,413  

Lee & Man Paper Manufacturing Ltd.

    309,000       271,195  

Lenovo Group Ltd.

    1,620,000       1,786,912  

Li Auto Inc., ADR(a)

    120,999       3,734,029  

Li Ning Co. Ltd.

    503,000       6,745,115  

Liaoning Cheng Da Co. Ltd., Class A

    18,900       71,063  

Logan Group Co. Ltd.

    326,000       388,580  

Longfor Group Holdings Ltd.(b)

    408,000       1,765,545  

Meituan, Class B(a)(b)

    903,000       28,873,027  

Microport Scientific Corp.

    141,400       877,080  

Ming Yang Smart Energy Group Ltd., Class A

    24,100       83,942  

Minth Group Ltd.

    166,000       688,948  

NARI Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    77,360       419,355  

NIO Inc., ADR(a)

    305,050       11,991,515  

Offshore Oil Engineering Co. Ltd., Class A

    80,100       56,222  

Ovctek China Inc., Class A

    11,960       124,047  

Pharmaron Beijing Co. Ltd., Class A

    9,300       277,744  

Pharmaron Beijing Co. Ltd., Class H(b)

    29,600       656,741  

Ping An Insurance Group Co. of China Ltd., Class A

    145,600       1,126,667  

Ping An Insurance Group Co. of China Ltd., Class H

    1,419,500       10,991,298  

Poly Developments and Holdings Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    151,300       266,854  

Poly Property Services Co. Ltd., Class H

    28,200       172,384  

Shandong Sinocera Functional Material Co. Ltd., Class A

    7,400       52,522  

Shandong Weigao Group Medical Polymer Co. Ltd., Class H

    572,000       941,187  

Shanghai Electric Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    155,700       118,010  

Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    27,800       272,565  

Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd., Class H

    110,500       708,871  

Shanghai M&G Stationery Inc., Class A

    12,700       135,936  

Shanghai Pharmaceuticals Holding Co. Ltd., Class A

    26,100       77,630  

Shanghai Pharmaceuticals Holding Co. Ltd., Class H

    171,000       339,235  

Shenzhen Inovance Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    36,050       397,146  

Shenzhen International Holdings Ltd.

    279,000       364,080  

Shenzhen Investment Ltd.

    602,000       178,687  

Shenzhen Overseas Chinese Town Co. Ltd., Class A

    109,100       113,847  

Shenzhou International Group Holdings Ltd.

    185,300       4,016,585  

Shimao Group Holdings Ltd.

    281,000       580,635  
Security   Shares     Value  
China (continued)            

Sichuan Chuantou Energy Co. Ltd., Class A

    47,300     $ 83,401  

Sinotrans Ltd., Class A

    52,600       40,477  

Sinotruk Hong Kong Ltd.

    158,000       311,302  

Skshu Paint Co. Ltd., Class A

    4,900       110,617  

Sungrow Power Supply Co. Ltd., Class A

    19,700       479,814  

Suning.com Co. Ltd., Class A(a)

    144,000       117,805  

TCL Technology Group Corp., Class A

    187,200       206,723  

Tencent Holdings Ltd.

    772,100       47,687,043  

Tongcheng-Elong Holdings Ltd.(a)

    218,800       510,063  

Topchoice Medical Corp., Class A(a)

    4,500       164,179  

Topsports International Holdings Ltd.(b)

    348,000       458,845  

Transfar Zhilian Co. Ltd., Class A

    42,600       57,301  

Uni-President China Holdings Ltd.

    302,000       285,438  

Unisplendour Corp. Ltd., Class A

    43,000       158,268  

Vinda International Holdings Ltd.(c)

    79,000       232,848  

Vipshop Holdings Ltd., ADR(a)

    102,437       1,515,043  

Want Want China Holdings Ltd.

    1,090,000       740,719  

Weifu High-Technology Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    9,800       35,173  

Wuchan Zhongda Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    61,000       57,465  

Wuhu Sanqi Interactive Entertainment Network Technology Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    30,100       79,492  

WuXi AppTec Co. Ltd., Class A

    34,392       708,652  

WuXi AppTec Co. Ltd., Class H(b)

    76,560       1,526,839  

Wuxi Biologics Cayman Inc., New(a)(b)

    806,000       12,478,454  

Xiamen Intretech Inc., Class A

    10,075       49,906  

Xinjiang Goldwind Science & Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    39,100       88,468  

Xinjiang Goldwind Science & Technology Co. Ltd., Class H

    177,600       340,475  

Xinyi Solar Holdings Ltd.

    1,086,000       2,628,322  

XPeng Inc., ADR(a)

    86,118       3,660,015  

Yadea Group Holdings Ltd.(b)

    270,000       480,418  

Yantai Jereh Oilfield Services Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    12,800       72,865  

Yum China Holdings Inc.

    94,107       5,793,227  

Yunnan Baiyao Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    17,600       241,859  

Yutong Bus Co. Ltd., Class A

    26,300       50,156  

Zhejiang Chint Electrics Co. Ltd., Class A

    27,500       267,949  

Zhejiang Expressway Co. Ltd., Class H

    324,000       284,114  

Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt Co. Ltd., Class A

    15,500       337,120  

Zhejiang Jiuzhou Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Class A

    10,500       65,617  

Zhejiang Weixing New Building Materials Co. Ltd., Class A

    20,900       63,963  

Zhenro Properties Group Ltd.

    307,000       179,208  

Zhongsheng Group Holdings Ltd.

    129,000       1,078,569  

Zoomlion Heavy Industry Science and Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    107,000       130,740  

Zoomlion Heavy Industry Science and Technology Co. Ltd., Class H

    298,800       284,723  
   

 

 

 
      299,247,945  
Czech Republic — 0.1%            

Komercni Banka AS(a)

    16,561       636,785  

Moneta Money Bank AS(a)(b)

    78,177       317,416  
   

 

 

 
      954,201  
Egypt — 0.1%            

Commercial International Bank Egypt SAE(a)

    380,204       1,132,846  
   

 

 

 
Greece — 0.2%            

Eurobank Ergasias Services and Holdings SA, Class A(a)

    576,390       549,286  
 

 

 

44  

2 0 2 1   I S H A R E S   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® ESG MSCI EM Leaders ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Greece (continued)            

Hellenic Telecommunications Organization SA

    51,952     $ 1,022,674  
   

 

 

 
      1,571,960  
Hong Kong — 0.3%            

Hutchmed China Ltd., ADR(a)(c)

    18,814       759,333  

Sino Biopharmaceutical Ltd.

    2,327,500       1,946,666  
   

 

 

 
      2,705,999  
Hungary — 0.4%            

MOL Hungarian Oil & Gas PLC

    92,377       757,401  

OTP Bank Nyrt(a)

    50,238       3,033,961  
   

 

 

 
      3,791,362  
India — 13.6%            

Adani Green Energy Ltd.(a)

    87,655       1,280,002  

Adani Total Gas Ltd.

    23,954       476,570  

Asian Paints Ltd.

    85,952       3,765,253  

Axis Bank Ltd.(a)

    508,105       5,454,403  

Bajaj Auto Ltd.

    15,530       791,641  

Bandhan Bank Ltd.(b)

    144,086       561,214  

Berger Paints India Ltd.

    54,560       612,760  

Bharat Petroleum Corp. Ltd.

    192,086       1,237,660  

Biocon Ltd.(a)

    96,747       474,919  

Britannia Industries Ltd.

    24,304       1,328,284  

Colgate-Palmolive India Ltd.

    27,458       636,086  

Dabur India Ltd.

    138,956       1,181,904  

DLF Ltd.

    138,278       605,496  

Eicher Motors Ltd.

    30,579       1,119,556  

Grasim Industries Ltd.

    58,932       1,208,163  

Havells India Ltd.

    54,609       947,272  

HCL Technologies Ltd.

    243,213       3,932,100  

Hero MotoCorp Ltd.

    26,775       1,003,474  

Hindalco Industries Ltd.

    352,542       2,254,777  

Hindustan Unilever Ltd.

    184,376       6,866,815  

Housing Development Finance Corp. Ltd.

    383,995       14,667,052  

Info Edge India Ltd.

    17,307       1,461,705  

Infosys Ltd.

    763,845       17,827,689  

Lupin Ltd.

    50,205       657,560  

Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.

    194,975       2,112,697  

Marico Ltd.

    116,357       867,231  

Motherson Sumi Systems Ltd.(a)

    283,251       845,542  

Nestle India Ltd.

    7,583       2,019,335  

PI Industries Ltd.

    19,142       889,134  

Pidilite Industries Ltd.

    34,323       1,070,913  

Piramal Enterprises Ltd.

    22,730       809,708  

Reliance Industries Ltd.

    639,262       19,724,572  

Shree Cement Ltd.

    2,423       936,856  

Siemens Ltd.

    16,701       518,974  

State Bank of India

    399,527       2,323,314  

Tata Consultancy Services Ltd.

    207,213       10,726,681  

Titan Co. Ltd.

    79,405       2,085,994  

Trent Ltd.

    41,566       572,232  

UPL Ltd.

    111,373       1,127,441  

Wipro Ltd.

    307,010       2,692,230  
   

 

 

 
      119,675,209  
Indonesia — 1.0%            

Aneka Tambang Tbk

    1,856,500       310,865  

Bank Central Asia Tbk PT

    2,483,100       5,699,743  

Barito Pacific Tbk PT

    6,420,800       478,998  

Indah Kiat Pulp & Paper Tbk PT

    617,500       341,729  

Indofood Sukses Makmur Tbk PT

    161,800       69,993  

Kalbe Farma Tbk PT

    4,655,900       438,830  
Security   Shares     Value  
Indonesia (continued)            

Merdeka Copper Gold Tbk PT(a)

    2,478,100     $ 489,687  

Tower Bersama Infrastructure Tbk PT

    1,783,800       391,192  

Unilever Indonesia Tbk PT

    1,682,000       477,582  
   

 

 

 
      8,698,619  
Kuwait — 0.3%            

Kuwait Finance House KSCP

    1,041,668       2,861,383  
   

 

 

 
Malaysia — 2.2%            

AMMB Holdings Bhd

    384,300       280,113  

Axiata Group Bhd

    642,800       640,444  

CIMB Group Holdings Bhd

    1,453,900       1,717,610  

Dialog Group Bhd

    900,600       576,195  

DiGi.Com Bhd

    699,400       739,173  

Fraser & Neave Holdings Bhd

    30,800       206,793  

HAP Seng Consolidated Bhd

    142,900       292,129  

Hartalega Holdings Bhd

    389,700       691,842  

IHH Healthcare Bhd

    396,800       610,474  

Kossan Rubber Industries

    293,100       218,573  

Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd

    98,300       505,097  

Malayan Banking Bhd

    882,800       1,783,428  

Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd(a)

    252,763       403,132  

Maxis Bhd

    542,700       612,284  

MISC Bhd

    301,000       522,254  

Nestle Malaysia Bhd

    14,300       463,452  

Petronas Dagangan Bhd

    69,600       334,924  

Petronas Gas Bhd

    175,400       708,857  

PPB Group Bhd

    140,600       626,392  

Press Metal Aluminium Holdings Bhd

    723,100       939,317  

Public Bank Bhd

    3,256,800       3,274,819  

QL Resources Bhd

    247,400       330,898  

RHB Bank Bhd

    401,900       540,856  

Sime Darby Bhd

    615,800       349,296  

Supermax Corp. Bhd

    342,900       272,208  

Telekom Malaysia Bhd

    259,400       381,987  

Top Glove Corp. Bhd(c)

    1,194,300       1,149,194  

Westports Holdings Bhd

    233,200       246,832  
   

 

 

 
      19,418,573  
Mexico — 1.6%            

Arca Continental SAB de CV

    96,700       622,888  

Cemex SAB de CV, CPO, NVS(a)

    3,387,976       2,783,390  

Coca-Cola Femsa SAB de CV

    118,100       683,703  

Fomento Economico Mexicano SAB de CV

    435,500       3,791,868  

Gruma SAB de CV, Class B

    47,675       544,474  

Grupo Bimbo SAB de CV, Series A

    353,400       894,233  

Grupo Financiero Banorte SAB de CV, Class O

    581,300       3,837,321  

Industrias Penoles SAB de CV(a)

    32,360       458,541  

Kimberly-Clark de Mexico SAB de CV, Class A

    339,300       599,232  
   

 

 

 
      14,215,650  
Pakistan — 0.0%            

Lucky Cement Ltd.(a)

    28,303       141,232  

MCB Bank Ltd.

    80,408       79,867  
   

 

 

 
      221,099  
Philippines — 0.8%            

Ayala Land Inc.

    1,830,100       1,241,525  

Bank of the Philippine Islands

    407,090       680,802  

Globe Telecom Inc.

    5,110       279,381  

GT Capital Holdings Inc.

    20,920       226,768  

JG Summit Holdings Inc.

    688,248       897,835  

SM Investments Corp.

    55,140       1,114,598  
 

 

 

S C H E D U L E   O F   I N V E S T M E N T S

  45


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® ESG MSCI EM Leaders ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Philippines (continued)            

SM Prime Holdings Inc.

    2,305,200     $ 1,572,606  

Universal Robina Corp.

    201,840       611,809  
   

 

 

 
      6,625,324  
Poland — 1.1%            

Bank Polska Kasa Opieki SA(a)

    41,235       1,153,084  

CD Projekt SA

    15,605       693,028  

Cyfrowy Polsat SA

    65,824       628,311  

KGHM Polska Miedz SA

    31,393       1,462,198  

Orange Polska SA(a)

    147,320       318,476  

Polski Koncern Naftowy ORLEN SA

    66,007       1,279,782  

Powszechna Kasa Oszczednosci Bank Polski SA(a)

    196,578       2,157,865  

Powszechny Zaklad Ubezpieczen SA(a)

    135,250       1,433,323  

Santander Bank Polska SA(a)

    8,253       651,273  
   

 

 

 
      9,777,340  
Qatar — 0.8%            

Commercial Bank PSQC (The)

    468,086       764,899  

Ooredoo QPSC

    175,759       328,829  

Qatar Fuel QSC

    105,642       522,860  

Qatar National Bank QPSC

    1,016,767       5,275,081  
   

 

 

 
      6,891,669  
Russia — 3.5%            

Gazprom PJSC

    2,650,520       11,051,740  

LUKOIL PJSC

    93,165       7,966,637  

Mobile TeleSystems PJSC, ADR

    98,923       927,898  

Moscow Exchange MICEX-RTS PJSC

    330,470       826,870  

Novatek PJSC, GDR(d)

    20,452       4,847,405  

Novolipetsk Steel PJSC

    333,926       1,125,884  

PhosAgro PJSC, GDR(d)

    31,158       613,813  

Polymetal International PLC

    79,515       1,589,547  

Polyus PJSC

    7,620       1,374,931  
   

 

 

 
      30,324,725  
Saudi Arabia — 1.3%            

Almarai Co. JSC

    56,460       873,607  

Bank AlBilad(a)

    82,593       941,110  

Dr Sulaiman Al Habib Medical Services Group Co.

    12,050       589,768  

Saudi Arabian Mining Co.(a)

    96,840       1,879,336  

Saudi Basic Industries Corp.

    201,617       6,610,111  

Savola Group (The)

    58,789       629,317  
   

 

 

 
      11,523,249  
South Africa — 5.6%            

Absa Group Ltd.(a)

    161,466       1,748,653  

Anglo American Platinum Ltd.

    11,897       1,349,408  

Aspen Pharmacare Holdings Ltd.(a)

    86,940       1,173,724  

Bid Corp. Ltd.(a)

    75,249       1,657,045  

Bidvest Group Ltd. (The)

    64,432       908,502  

Capitec Bank Holdings Ltd.

    18,150       2,371,104  

Clicks Group Ltd.

    55,060       1,146,817  

Discovery Ltd.(a)

    97,220       863,216  

FirstRand Ltd.

    1,131,623       4,817,436  

Gold Fields Ltd.

    199,350       1,893,294  

Growthpoint Properties Ltd.

    766,505       816,831  

Impala Platinum Holdings Ltd.

    178,478       2,734,407  

Kumba Iron Ore Ltd.

    14,333       643,685  

MTN Group Ltd.(a)

    380,100       3,488,833  

MultiChoice Group

    84,181       665,856  

Naspers Ltd., Class N

    48,781       8,416,626  

Nedbank Group Ltd.(a)

    84,465       1,075,710  

NEPI Rockcastle PLC

    95,891       692,402  

Northam Platinum Ltd.(a)

    80,117       1,103,881  
Security   Shares     Value  
South Africa (continued)            

Old Mutual Ltd.

    1,054,493     $ 1,115,017  

Remgro Ltd.

    118,196       982,997  

Sanlam Ltd.

    424,937       1,885,066  

Shoprite Holdings Ltd.

    112,628       1,425,465  

SPAR Group Ltd. (The)

    43,183       617,233  

Standard Bank Group Ltd.

    290,369       2,965,799  

Vodacom Group Ltd.

    144,284       1,426,824  

Woolworths Holdings Ltd.(a)

    223,371       974,189  
   

 

 

 
      48,960,020  
South Korea — 8.7%            

Amorepacific Corp.

    7,209       1,411,991  

AMOREPACIFIC Group

    6,644       330,563  

BGF retail Co. Ltd.

    1,664       255,735  

Celltrion Healthcare Co. Ltd.(a)

    19,091       2,029,953  

CJ CheilJedang Corp.

    1,837       718,309  

CJ Corp.

    3,383       295,499  

CJ Logistics Corp.(a)

    2,069       304,860  

Coway Co. Ltd.

    12,374       834,321  

Doosan Bobcat Inc.(a)

    10,972       408,844  

Fila Holdings Corp.

    11,223       433,712  

GS Engineering & Construction Corp.

    14,707       566,038  

GS Holdings Corp.

    10,272       375,714  

Hankook Tire & Technology Co. Ltd.

    16,723       670,916  

Hanon Systems

    42,065       595,826  

Hanwha Solutions Corp.(a)

    27,634       967,953  

Hyundai Engineering & Construction Co. Ltd.

    17,453       833,138  

Hyundai Glovis Co. Ltd.

    4,009       670,789  

Hyundai Heavy Industries Holdings Co. Ltd.

    10,635       597,521  

Kakao Corp.

    69,628       9,290,525  

KB Financial Group Inc.

    88,485       4,025,185  

Korean Air Lines Co. Ltd.(a)

    38,506       1,037,328  

LG Chem Ltd.

    10,252       6,680,265  

LG Corp.

    19,405       1,591,637  

LG Display Co. Ltd.(a)

    52,018       915,058  

LG Electronics Inc.

    23,836       2,911,130  

LG Household & Health Care Ltd.

    2,098       2,643,648  

Lotte Chemical Corp.

    3,941       847,603  

NAVER Corp.

    27,606       10,452,650  

POSCO Chemical Co. Ltd.

    6,949       928,436  

Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co. Ltd.

    12,537       1,989,471  

Samsung Engineering Co. Ltd.(a)

    35,532       682,702  

Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance Co. Ltd.

    6,895       1,342,117  

Samsung SDI Co. Ltd.

    12,328       8,402,601  

Samsung SDS Co. Ltd.

    7,824       1,161,354  

Shinhan Financial Group Co. Ltd.

    98,375       3,277,228  

SK Biopharmaceuticals Co. Ltd.(a)

    6,107       659,585  

SK Inc.

    7,094       1,607,231  

SK Innovation Co. Ltd.(a)

    11,397       2,443,200  

SK Telecom Co. Ltd.

    2,031       522,189  

SKC Co. Ltd.

    4,621       632,499  

Yuhan Corp.

    10,796       580,966  
   

 

 

 
      76,926,290  
Taiwan — 15.7%            

Acer Inc.

    647,000       587,193  

ASE Technology Holding Co. Ltd.

    736,000       3,389,260  

AU Optronics Corp.

    1,831,000       1,154,433  

Cathay Financial Holding Co. Ltd.

    1,771,000       3,803,362  

Chailease Holding Co. Ltd.

    292,502       2,806,034  

Cheng Shin Rubber Industry Co. Ltd.

    406,000       545,091  
 

 

 

46  

2 0 2 1   I S H A R E S   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® ESG MSCI EM Leaders ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Taiwan (continued)            

China Steel Corp.

    2,645,000     $ 3,633,338  

Chunghwa Telecom Co. Ltd.

    851,000       3,442,499  

Compal Electronics Inc.

    932,000       769,116  

CTBC Financial Holding Co. Ltd.

    4,150,000       3,439,665  

Delta Electronics Inc.

    436,000       4,247,053  

E.Sun Financial Holding Co. Ltd.

    2,687,140       2,575,877  

Eclat Textile Co. Ltd.

    45,000       904,433  

Evergreen Marine Corp. Taiwan Ltd.

    567,000       2,767,832  

Far Eastern New Century Corp.

    657,000       711,304  

Far EasTone Telecommunications Co. Ltd.

    355,000       789,796  

Feng TAY Enterprise Co. Ltd.

    97,000       754,991  

First Financial Holding Co. Ltd.

    2,314,324       1,911,394  

Fubon Financial Holding Co. Ltd.

    1,490,000       4,563,924  

Hiwin Technologies Corp.

    59,660       698,792  

Hotai Motor Co. Ltd.

    67,000       1,405,429  

Hua Nan Financial Holdings Co. Ltd.

    1,869,232       1,408,542  

Innolux Corp.

    2,053,000       1,271,645  

Inventec Corp.

    590,000       516,142  

Lite-On Technology Corp.

    473,000       1,042,970  

MediaTek Inc.

    339,000       10,992,828  

Mega Financial Holding Co. Ltd.

    2,432,000       2,876,426  

Nan Ya Plastics Corp.

    1,157,000       3,738,902  

Nien Made Enterprise Co. Ltd.

    36,000       536,748  

Oneness Biotech Co. Ltd.(a)

    51,000       355,170  

President Chain Store Corp.

    128,000       1,317,960  

Ruentex Development Co. Ltd.

    189,000       472,003  

Shanghai Commercial & Savings Bank Ltd. (The)

    804,000       1,304,882  

SinoPac Financial Holdings Co. Ltd.

    2,278,000       1,169,750  

Taishin Financial Holding Co. Ltd.

    2,202,117       1,536,469  

Taiwan Cement Corp.

    1,118,000       1,952,017  

Taiwan High Speed Rail Corp.

    425,000       462,939  

Taiwan Mobile Co. Ltd.

    369,000       1,344,796  

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

    2,090,000       45,844,612  

Uni-President Enterprises Corp.

    1,084,000       2,825,222  

United Microelectronics Corp.

    2,644,000       5,991,120  

Wan Hai Lines Ltd.

    124,000       1,109,640  

Wistron Corp.

    629,000       621,237  

Yageo Corp.

    84,000       1,446,183  

Yang Ming Marine Transport Corp.(a)

    353,000       1,700,453  

Yuanta Financial Holding Co. Ltd.

    2,179,720       1,963,543  
   

 

 

 
      138,703,015  
Thailand — 2.5%            

Advanced Info Service PCL, NVDR

    264,100       1,539,953  

Airports of Thailand PCL, NVDR(c)

    960,400       1,897,537  

Asset World Corp. PCL, NVDR(a)

    1,821,800       244,727  

B Grimm Power PCL, NVDR

    178,400       255,818  

Bangkok Dusit Medical Services PCL, NVDR

    2,129,900       1,545,012  

Berli Jucker PCL, NVDR

    284,800       320,030  

BTS Group Holdings PCL, NVDR

    1,796,900       523,906  

Bumrungrad Hospital PCL, NVDR

    109,800       452,572  

Central Pattana PCL, NVDR

    451,100       750,912  

Charoen Pokphand Foods PCL, NVDR

    859,400       720,054  

CP ALL PCL, NVDR

    1,306,300       2,633,537  

Energy Absolute PCL, NVDR(c)

    329,900       669,796  

Gulf Energy Development PCL, NVDR

    655,800       848,874  

Home Product Center PCL, NVDR

    1,334,700       591,383  

Indorama Ventures PCL, NVDR

    376,700       510,620  

Intouch Holdings PCL, NVDR

    246,000       652,376  

Land & Houses PCL, NVDR

    1,781,900       450,170  

Minor International PCL, NVDR(a)

    700,500       711,471  
Security   Shares     Value  
Thailand (continued)            

Muangthai Capital PCL, NVDR

    171,600     $ 344,259  

Osotspa PCL, NVDR

    252,200       285,387  

PTT Exploration & Production PCL, NVDR

    307,400       1,060,850  

PTT Global Chemical PCL, NVDR

    501,800       995,106  

Siam Cement PCL (The), NVDR

    174,600       2,327,661  

Siam Commercial Bank PCL (The), NVDR

    188,400       621,530  

Sri Trang Gloves Thailand PCL, NVDR

    224,500       257,706  

Thai Oil PCL, NVDR(c)

    257,000       395,512  

Thai Union Group PCL, NVDR

    662,400       408,959  

True Corp. PCL, NVDR(c)

    2,685,900       276,649  
   

 

 

 
      22,292,367  
Turkey — 0.2%            

KOC Holding AS

    172,688       478,313  

Turkcell Iletisim Hizmetleri AS

    268,326       530,584  

Turkiye Garanti Bankasi AS

    509,113       603,870  

Turkiye Is Bankasi AS, Class C

    343,980       238,122  
   

 

 

 
      1,850,889  
United Arab Emirates — 1.4%            

Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank PJSC

    624,112       1,276,039  

Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank PJSC

    328,835       504,762  

Aldar Properties PJSC

    859,133       970,185  

Emirates NBD Bank PJSC

    569,819       2,148,563  

Emirates Telecommunications Group Co. PJSC

    390,382       2,508,205  

First Abu Dhabi Bank PJSC

    979,300       4,532,377  
   

 

 

 
      11,940,131  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 98.9%
(Cost: $708,352,644)

      872,475,520  
   

 

 

 

Preferred Stocks

   
Brazil — 0.6%            

Banco Bradesco SA, Preference Shares, NVS

    1,086,191       4,862,946  

Cia. Energetica de Minas Gerais, Preference Shares, NVS

    235,640       615,669  
   

 

 

 
      5,478,615  
Chile — 0.2%            

Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile SA, Class B, Preference Shares, NVS

    30,224       1,581,063  
   

 

 

 
Colombia — 0.1%            

Bancolombia SA, Preference Shares, NVS

    102,667       855,298  
   

 

 

 
South Korea — 0.1%            

LG Chem Ltd., Preference Shares, NVS

    1,777       528,655  

LG Household & Health Care Ltd., Preference Shares, NVS

    473       280,086  
   

 

 

 
      808,741  
   

 

 

 

Total Preferred Stocks — 1.0%
(Cost: $9,424,912)

      8,723,717  
   

 

 

 

Warrants

   
Thailand — 0.0%            

BTS Group Holdings PCL
(Expires 07/22/22)(a)

    628,915       0 (e)  
   

 

 

 

Total Warrants — 0.0%
(Cost: $0)

      0 (e)  
   

 

 

 
 

 

 

S C H E D U L E   O F   I N V E S T M E N T S

  47


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® ESG MSCI EM Leaders ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Short-Term Investments

   
Money Market Funds — 0.4%            

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional,
SL Agency Shares, 0.06%(f)(g)(h)

    1,398,672     $ 1,399,372  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury,
SL Agency Shares, 0.00%(f)(g)

    2,330,000       2,330,000  
   

 

 

 
      3,729,372  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments — 0.4%
(Cost: $3,729,372)

      3,729,372  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities — 100.3%
(Cost: $721,506,928)

      884,928,609  

Other Assets, Less Liabilities — (0.3)%

      (2,399,231
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

    $   882,529,378  
   

 

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Non-income producing security.

(b) 

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.

(c) 

All or a portion of this security is on loan.

(d) 

This security may be resold to qualified foreign investors and foreign institutional buyers under Regulation S of the Securities Act of 1933.

(e) 

Rounds to less than $1.

(f) 

Affiliate of the Fund.

(g) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

(h) 

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 year ended August 31, 2021 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

 

 
Affiliated Issuer    Value at
08/31/20
    

Purchases

at Cost

     Proceeds
from Sales
    

Net Realized

Gain (Loss)

    

Change in

Unrealized

Appreciation

(Depreciation)

    

Value at

08/31/21

    

Shares

Held at

08/31/21

     Income     

Capital

Gain

Distributions

from

Underlying

Funds

 

 

 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares

   $ 4,152,885      $      $ (2,750,470 )(a)     $ (3,122    $ 79      $ 1,399,372        1,398,672      $ 330,349 (b)     $  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

     1,070,000        1,260,000 (a)                            2,330,000        2,330,000        664         
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 
            $ (3,122    $ 79      $ 3,729,372         $ 331,013      $  
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 
  (b) 

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

Futures Contracts

 

 

 
Description    Number of
Contracts
       Expiration
Date
       Notional
Amount
(000)
       Value/
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

 

 

Long Contracts

                 

MSCI Emerging Markets Index

     5          09/17/21        $ 325        $ 19,860  
                 

 

 

 

 

 

48  

2 0 2 1   I S H A R E S   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® ESG MSCI EM Leaders 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:

 

 

 
     Equity
Contracts
 

 

 

Assets — Derivative Financial Instruments

  

Futures contracts

  

Unrealized appreciation on futures contracts(a)

   $ 19,860  
  

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Net cumulative 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 August 31, 2021, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

 

 
     Equity
Contracts
 

 

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from:

  

Futures contracts

   $ 90,257  
  

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:

  

Futures contracts

   $ (3,429
  

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

   

Futures contracts:

 

Average notional value of contracts — long

  $ 462,866  

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. 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.

 

 

 
     Level 1        Level 2      Level 3        Total  

 

 

Investments

               

Assets

               

Common Stocks

   $ 138,344,933        $ 734,130,587      $        $ 872,475,520  

Preferred Stocks

     7,914,976          808,741                 8,723,717  

Warrants

              0 (a)                 0 (a)  

Money Market Funds

     3,729,372                          3,729,372  
  

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 149,989,281        $ 734,939,328      $                 —        $ 884,928,609  
  

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Derivative financial instruments(b)

               

Assets

               

Futures Contracts

   $ 19,860        $      $        $ 19,860  
  

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Rounds to less than $1.

 
  (b) 

Derivative financial instruments are futures contracts. Futures contracts are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

S C H E D U L E   O F   I N V E S T M E N T S

  49


Schedule of Investments

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® ESG MSCI USA Leaders ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

 

 

Common Stocks

   
Aerospace & Defense — 0.1%            

Howmet Aerospace Inc.

    77,904     $ 2,473,452  
   

 

 

 
Air Freight & Logistics — 0.8%            

CH Robinson Worldwide Inc.

    26,709       2,405,413  

Expeditors International of Washington Inc.

    33,768       4,208,843  

United Parcel Service Inc., Class B

    144,306       28,230,583  
   

 

 

 
      34,844,839  
Airlines — 0.0%            

Delta Air Lines Inc.(a)

    31,843       1,287,731  
   

 

 

 
Auto Components — 0.2%            

Aptiv PLC(a)

    53,861       8,197,106  

BorgWarner Inc.

    47,747       2,037,842  
   

 

 

 
      10,234,948  
Automobiles — 2.9%            

Tesla Inc.(a)

    163,366       120,191,634  
   

 

 

 
Banks — 2.0%            

Citizens Financial Group Inc.

    84,766       3,711,903  

First Republic Bank/CA

    34,741       6,911,374  

Huntington Bancshares Inc./OH

    294,132       4,567,870  

KeyCorp.

    193,171       3,925,235  

M&T Bank Corp.

    25,617       3,586,636  

PNC Financial Services Group Inc. (The)

    84,439       16,136,293  

Regions Financial Corp.

    191,425       3,910,813  

SVB Financial Group(a)

    11,142       6,233,949  

Truist Financial Corp.

    268,563       15,324,205  

U.S. Bancorp.

    284,508       16,327,914  
   

 

 

 
      80,636,192  
Beverages — 2.3%            

Coca-Cola Co. (The)

    816,161       45,958,026  

Keurig Dr Pepper Inc.

    140,279       5,003,752  

PepsiCo Inc.

    275,070       43,018,197  
   

 

 

 
      93,979,975  
Biotechnology — 1.8%            

Amgen Inc.

    115,117       25,962,337  

Biogen Inc.(a)

    30,392       10,300,153  

BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc.(a)

    36,252       3,052,781  

Gilead Sciences Inc.

    250,542       18,234,447  

Horizon Therapeutics PLC(a)

    42,405       4,583,556  

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc.(a)

    51,852       10,385,437  
   

 

 

 
      72,518,711  
Building Products — 0.8%            

Allegion PLC

    18,136       2,611,403  

Fortune Brands Home & Security Inc.

    27,618       2,689,165  

Johnson Controls International PLC

    143,581       10,739,859  

Lennox International Inc.

    6,807       2,281,570  

Masco Corp.

    51,210       3,109,471  

Owens Corning

    20,915       1,998,428  

Trane Technologies PLC

    47,507       9,430,139  
   

 

 

 
      32,860,035  
Capital Markets — 4.9%            

Ameriprise Financial Inc.

    23,294       6,357,165  

Bank of New York Mellon Corp. (The)

    166,459       9,191,866  

BlackRock Inc.(b)

    30,448       28,721,294  

Carlyle Group Inc. (The)

    31,774       1,569,000  

Cboe Global Markets Inc.

    21,411       2,700,998  

Charles Schwab Corp. (The)

    287,581       20,950,276  

 

 

Security   Shares      Value  

 

 
Capital Markets (continued)             

CME Group Inc.

    71,576      $ 14,438,311  

FactSet Research Systems Inc.

    7,553        2,871,802  

Franklin Resources Inc.

    60,531        1,963,626  

Intercontinental Exchange Inc.

    111,960        13,382,579  

Invesco Ltd.

    69,042        1,748,143  

MarketAxess Holdings Inc.

    7,556        3,596,051  

Moody’s Corp.

    33,585        12,788,160  

Morgan Stanley

    278,399        29,073,208  

Nasdaq Inc.

    22,968        4,496,675  

Northern Trust Corp.

    39,484        4,679,644  

Raymond James Financial Inc.

    24,676        3,452,172  

S&P Global Inc.

    47,996        21,301,585  

State Street Corp.

    70,101        6,513,084  

T Rowe Price Group Inc.

    45,419        10,167,951  
    

 

 

 
       199,963,590  
Chemicals — 2.2%             

DuPont de Nemours Inc.

    107,291        7,941,680  

Ecolab Inc.

    51,216        11,542,038  

International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.

    49,559        7,508,188  

Linde PLC

    104,342        32,824,950  

LyondellBasell Industries NV, Class A

    53,288        5,347,451  

Mosaic Co. (The)

    71,883        2,313,195  

PPG Industries Inc.

    47,200        7,530,760  

Sherwin-Williams Co. (The)

    50,929        15,465,609  
    

 

 

 
       90,473,871  
Commercial Services & Supplies — 0.5%             

Copart Inc.(a)

    42,375        6,115,560  

Waste Management Inc.

    84,336        13,081,357  
    

 

 

 
       19,196,917  
Communications Equipment — 1.4%             

Cisco Systems Inc.

    841,673        49,675,540  

Motorola Solutions Inc.

    33,704        8,231,191  
    

 

 

 
       57,906,731  
Consumer Finance — 0.8%             

Ally Financial Inc.

    74,502        3,941,156  

American Express Co.

    136,494        22,652,544  

Discover Financial Services

    61,162        7,842,192  
    

 

 

 
       34,435,892  
Containers & Packaging — 0.4%             

Amcor PLC

    311,087        3,997,468  

Ball Corp.

    64,920        6,229,723  

International Paper Co.

    74,473        4,475,083  
    

 

 

 
       14,702,274  
Distributors — 0.3%             

Genuine Parts Co.

    28,753        3,513,329  

LKQ Corp.(a)

    57,426        3,025,776  

Pool Corp.

    8,023        3,965,769  
    

 

 

 
       10,504,874  
Diversified Financial Services — 0.1%             

Equitable Holdings Inc.

    78,227        2,425,819  

Voya Financial Inc.

    24,743        1,607,800  
    

 

 

 
       4,033,619  
Diversified Telecommunication Services — 1.1%             

Verizon Communications Inc.

    825,017        45,375,935  
    

 

 

 
Electric Utilities — 0.3%             

Edison International

    75,625        4,374,150  
 

 

 

50  

2 0 2 1   I S H A R E S   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® ESG MSCI USA Leaders ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

 

 
Electric Utilities (continued)            

Eversource Energy

    68,397     $ 6,205,660  
   

 

 

 
      10,579,810  
Electrical Equipment — 0.6%            

Eaton Corp. PLC

    79,399       13,367,615  

Generac Holdings Inc.(a)

    12,517       5,469,679  

Rockwell Automation Inc.

    23,182       7,544,582  
   

 

 

 
      26,381,876  
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components — 0.6%  

Cognex Corp.

    35,119       3,112,246  

Keysight Technologies Inc.(a)

    37,084       6,652,128  

Teledyne Technologies Inc.(a)

    9,235       4,279,314  

Trimble Inc.(a)

    49,895       4,701,107  

Zebra Technologies Corp., Class A(a)

    10,633       6,243,379  
   

 

 

 
      24,988,174  
Energy Equipment & Services — 0.3%            

Baker Hughes Co.

    145,190       3,307,428  

Schlumberger Ltd.

    278,749       7,816,122  
   

 

 

 
      11,123,550  
Entertainment — 2.2%            

Activision Blizzard Inc.

    154,468       12,723,529  

Electronic Arts Inc.

    57,342       8,326,632  

Take-Two Interactive Software Inc.(a)

    22,935       3,697,581  

Walt Disney Co. (The)(a)

    361,870       65,607,031  
   

 

 

 
      90,354,773  
Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) — 2.6%  

American Tower Corp.

    90,719       26,505,370  

Boston Properties Inc.

    29,476       3,330,493  

Crown Castle International Corp.

    85,990       16,741,393  

Equinix Inc.

    17,775       14,992,324  

Equity Residential

    70,585       5,934,081  

Healthpeak Properties Inc.

    107,296       3,862,656  

Host Hotels & Resorts Inc.(a)

    140,854       2,332,542  

Prologis Inc.

    147,431       19,853,059  

Welltower Inc.

    83,194       7,281,971  

Weyerhaeuser Co.

    149,105       5,367,780  
   

 

 

 
      106,201,669  
Food & Staples Retailing — 0.2%            

Kroger Co. (The)

    144,207       6,637,848  
   

 

 

 
Food Products — 0.7%            

Bunge Ltd.

    27,959       2,116,776  

Campbell Soup Co.

    39,219       1,636,609  

Conagra Brands Inc.

    97,301       3,222,609  

General Mills Inc.

    121,895       7,046,750  

Hormel Foods Corp.

    59,155       2,693,918  

JM Smucker Co. (The)

    21,851       2,702,313  

Kellogg Co.

    51,363       3,243,060  

Lamb Weston Holdings Inc.

    29,252       1,905,768  

McCormick & Co. Inc./MD, NVS

    49,600       4,279,984  
   

 

 

 
      28,847,787  
Gas Utilities — 0.1%            

Atmos Energy Corp.

    25,587       2,494,988  

UGI Corp.

    41,660       1,929,275  
   

 

 

 
      4,424,263  
Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 2.3%            

ABIOMED Inc.(a)

    9,043       3,291,290  

Align Technology Inc.(a)

    14,961       10,607,349  

Baxter International Inc.

    100,677       7,673,601  

 

Security   Shares      Value  

 

 
Health Care Equipment & Supplies (continued)  

DENTSPLY SIRONA Inc.

    43,558      $ 2,687,529  

Dexcom Inc.(a)(c)

    19,192        10,160,629  

Edwards Lifesciences Corp.(a)

    124,533        14,592,777  

Hologic Inc.(a)

    51,307        4,060,949  

IDEXX Laboratories Inc.(a)

    17,055        11,490,977  

Insulet Corp.(a)

    13,170        3,922,158  

Novocure Ltd.(a)

    18,379        2,466,645  

ResMed Inc.

    28,988        8,421,884  

STERIS PLC

    19,837        4,265,153  

Teleflex Inc.

    9,293        3,675,010  

West Pharmaceutical Services Inc.

    14,746        6,659,588  
    

 

 

 
       93,975,539  
Health Care Providers & Services — 1.6%             

AmerisourceBergen Corp.

    30,585        3,737,793  

Cardinal Health Inc.

    58,478        3,069,510  

Centene Corp.(a)

    115,933        7,301,460  

Cigna Corp.

    68,461        14,489,771  

DaVita Inc.(a)

    14,206        1,857,719  

HCA Healthcare Inc.

    54,217        13,715,817  

Humana Inc.

    25,684        10,412,807  

Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings(a)

    19,458        5,903,168  

Quest Diagnostics Inc.

    26,581        4,062,374  
    

 

 

 
       64,550,419  
Health Care Technology — 0.2%             

Cerner Corp.

    61,088        4,664,069  

Teladoc Health Inc.(a)

    26,943        3,891,108  
    

 

 

 
       8,555,177  
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 2.4%             

Booking Holdings Inc.(a)

    8,168        18,783,705  

Darden Restaurants Inc.

    25,933        3,906,806  

Domino’s Pizza Inc.

    7,757        4,009,516  

Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc.(a)

    55,342        6,910,002  

McDonald’s Corp.

    148,630        35,293,680  

Starbucks Corp.

    234,697        27,574,550  

Vail Resorts Inc.(a)

    8,027        2,447,031  
    

 

 

 
       98,925,290  
Household Durables — 0.3%             

Garmin Ltd.

    30,564        5,331,278  

Mohawk Industries Inc.(a)

    11,943        2,361,848  

Newell Brands Inc.

    76,327        1,939,469  

NVR Inc.(a)

    718        3,719,197  
    

 

 

 
       13,351,792  
Household Products — 2.3%             

Clorox Co. (The)

    25,046        4,208,980  

Colgate-Palmolive Co.

    160,717        12,527,890  

Kimberly-Clark Corp.

    67,465        9,297,352  

Procter & Gamble Co. (The)

    488,435        69,548,260  
    

 

 

 
       95,582,482  
Industrial Conglomerates — 0.8%             

3M Co.

    115,468        22,486,238  

Roper Technologies Inc.

    20,893        10,097,169  
    

 

 

 
       32,583,407  
Insurance — 3.2%             

Aflac Inc.

    130,392        7,390,619  

Allstate Corp. (The)

    60,384        8,168,747  

American Financial Group Inc./OH

    14,639        2,019,304  

American International Group Inc.

    172,383        9,405,216  

Aon PLC, Class A

    45,053        12,923,904  

 

 

 

 

 

S C H E D U L E   O F   I N V E S T M E N T S

  51


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® ESG MSCI USA Leaders ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Insurance (continued)  

Arch Capital Group Ltd.(a)

    80,993     $ 3,328,812  

Arthur J Gallagher & Co.

    41,143       5,908,958  

Assurant Inc.

    11,539       1,962,899  

Chubb Ltd.

    89,781       16,512,521  

Erie Indemnity Co., Class A, NVS

    5,063       896,607  

Hartford Financial Services Group Inc. (The)

    71,301       4,792,853  

Lincoln National Corp.

    36,439       2,501,537  

Loews Corp.

    45,298       2,530,799  

Marsh & McLennan Companies Inc.

    101,318       15,927,190  

Principal Financial Group Inc.

    54,291       3,627,182  

Progressive Corp. (The)

    116,765       11,249,140  

Prudential Financial Inc.

    79,128       8,378,073  

Travelers Companies Inc. (The)

    50,276       8,029,580  

Willis Towers Watson PLC

    25,705       5,673,608  
   

 

 

 
      131,227,549  
Interactive Media & Services — 8.4%  

Alphabet Inc., Class A(a)

    59,985       173,593,591  

Alphabet Inc., Class C, NVS(a)

    58,103       169,035,571  
   

 

 

 
          342,629,162  
Internet & Direct Marketing Retail — 0.7%  

eBay Inc.

    135,625       10,407,863  

MercadoLibre Inc.(a)(c)

    8,965       16,741,689  
   

 

 

 
      27,149,552  
IT Services — 5.7%  

Accenture PLC, Class A

    126,414       42,545,896  

Automatic Data Processing Inc.

    85,295       17,830,067  

International Business Machines Corp.

    178,152       25,001,851  

Mastercard Inc., Class A

    176,787       61,208,963  

Okta Inc.(a)

    24,192       6,377,011  

Visa Inc., Class A

    338,129       77,465,354  

Western Union Co. (The)

    82,028       1,775,086  
   

 

 

 
      232,204,228  
Leisure Products — 0.1%  

Hasbro Inc.

    26,018       2,557,830  
   

 

 

 
Life Sciences Tools & Services — 2.1%  

Agilent Technologies Inc.

    60,781       10,665,242  

Bio-Techne Corp.

    7,756       3,871,330  

Illumina Inc.(a)

    29,061       13,285,527  

Mettler-Toledo International Inc.(a)(c)

    4,695       7,290,537  

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.

    78,530       43,580,223  

Waters Corp.(a)

    12,391       5,130,122  
   

 

 

 
      83,822,981  
Machinery — 2.5%  

Caterpillar Inc.

    108,703       22,922,201  

Cummins Inc.

    29,454       6,950,555  

Deere & Co.

    59,366       22,442,129  

Dover Corp.

    28,641       4,993,845  

Fortive Corp.

    63,964       4,725,021  

IDEX Corp.

    15,129       3,388,896  

Illinois Tool Works Inc.

    63,154       14,706,040  

PACCAR Inc.

    69,196       5,665,076  

Pentair PLC

    33,126       2,556,002  

Snap-on Inc.

    10,824       2,434,859  

Stanley Black & Decker Inc.

    32,055       6,195,270  

Xylem Inc./NY

    35,957       4,901,299  
   

 

 

 
      101,881,193  
Media — 0.3%  

Cable One Inc.

    1,079       2,265,458  
Security   Shares     Value  
Media (continued)  

Discovery Inc., Class A(a)(c)

    32,386     $ 934,012  

Discovery Inc., Class C, NVS(a)

    60,377       1,665,801  

Interpublic Group of Companies Inc. (The)

    77,983       2,903,307  

Omnicom Group Inc.

    42,833       3,136,232  

Sirius XM Holdings Inc.

    206,643       1,295,652  
   

 

 

 
      12,200,462  
Metals & Mining — 0.3%  

Newmont Corp.

    159,565       9,253,174  

Steel Dynamics Inc.

    41,911       2,828,574  
   

 

 

 
      12,081,748  
Mortgage Real Estate Investment — 0.1%  

Annaly Capital Management Inc.

    279,223       2,426,448  
   

 

 

 
Multi-Utilities — 0.4%            

CenterPoint Energy Inc.

    109,832       2,755,685  

Consolidated Edison Inc.

    68,288       5,152,330  

Sempra Energy

    63,171       8,361,313  
   

 

 

 
      16,269,328  
Multiline Retail — 0.6%  

Target Corp.

    98,696       24,375,938  
   

 

 

 
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 0.8%  

Cheniere Energy Inc.(a)

    48,024       4,200,179  

Marathon Petroleum Corp.

    129,802       7,693,365  

ONEOK Inc.

    88,737       4,660,467  

Phillips 66

    87,103       6,192,152  

Valero Energy Corp.

    81,482       5,403,071  

Williams Companies Inc. (The)

    241,965       5,974,116  
   

 

 

 
      34,123,350  
Personal Products — 0.4%  

Estee Lauder Companies Inc. (The), Class A

    45,819       15,600,911  
   

 

 

 
Pharmaceuticals — 5.6%  

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.

    446,656       29,863,420  

Catalent Inc.(a)

    33,894       4,421,134  

Eli Lilly & Co.

    162,439       41,956,369  

Jazz Pharmaceuticals PLC(a)

    12,101       1,593,823  

Johnson & Johnson

    525,375       90,958,174  

Merck & Co. Inc.

    504,476       38,486,474  

Zoetis Inc.

    94,763       19,384,719  
   

 

 

 
          226,664,113  
Professional Services — 0.3%  

IHS Markit Ltd.

    75,090       9,055,854  

Robert Half International Inc.

    22,580       2,334,772  
   

 

 

 
      11,390,626  
Real Estate Management & Development — 0.2%  

CBRE Group Inc., Class A(a)

    66,884       6,440,929  
   

 

 

 
Road & Rail — 1.5%  

AMERCO

    1,964       1,298,499  

CSX Corp.

    456,023       14,834,428  

Kansas City Southern

    18,132       5,089,108  

Norfolk Southern Corp.

    50,219       12,732,525  

Union Pacific Corp.

    132,527       28,737,155  
   

 

 

 
      62,691,715  
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 5.7%  

Applied Materials Inc.

    182,970       24,724,736  

Intel Corp.

    805,604       43,550,952  

Lam Research Corp.

    28,502       17,238,580  

NVIDIA Corp.

    497,172       111,291,952  
 

 

 

52  

2 0 2 1   I S H A R E S   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2020

  

iShares® ESG MSCI USA Leaders ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment (continued)  

Texas Instruments Inc.

    184,248     $ 35,174,786  
   

 

 

 
        231,981,006  
Software — 15.2%  

Adobe Inc.(a)

    95,422       63,331,581  

ANSYS Inc.(a)

    17,302       6,321,459  

Autodesk Inc.(a)

    43,850       13,597,447  

Cadence Design Systems Inc.(a)

    55,597       9,088,998  

Citrix Systems Inc.

    24,494       2,519,698  

Intuit Inc.

    54,573       30,894,321  

Microsoft Corp.

    1,427,457       430,920,719  

salesforce.com Inc.(a)

    193,557       51,344,865  

VMware Inc., Class A(a)(c)

    16,754       2,494,168  

Workday Inc., Class A(a)

    37,708       10,300,317  
   

 

 

 
      620,813,573  
Specialty Retail — 3.3%  

Advance Auto Parts Inc.

    13,098       2,656,929  

Best Buy Co. Inc.

    46,437       5,410,375  

Burlington Stores Inc.(a)(c)

    13,213       3,957,161  

CarMax Inc.(a)

    32,428       4,060,310  

Home Depot Inc. (The)

    212,124       69,190,606  

Lowe’s Companies Inc.

    141,031       28,754,811  

TJX Companies Inc. (The)

    239,378       17,407,568  

Tractor Supply Co.

    23,210       4,508,543  
   

 

 

 
      135,946,303  
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals — 0.3%  

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co.

    259,078       4,005,346  

HP Inc.

    248,545       7,391,728  
   

 

 

 
      11,397,074  
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods — 1.4%  

Lululemon Athletica Inc.(a)

    24,678       9,875,395  

Nike Inc., Class B

    253,956       41,836,711  

VF Corp.

    66,391       5,076,920  
   

 

 

 
      56,789,026  
Security   Shares     Value  
Trading Companies & Distributors — 0.4%  

Fastenal Co.

    114,510     $ 6,395,383  

United Rentals Inc.(a)

    14,390       5,074,634  

WW Grainger Inc.

    8,897       3,858,629  
   

 

 

 
      15,328,646  
Water Utilities — 0.2%  

American Water Works Co. Inc.

    36,151       6,588,520  

Essential Utilities Inc.

    46,487       2,307,150  
   

 

 

 
      8,895,670  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 99.8%
(Cost: $2,846,006,420)

 

      4,069,574,437  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Investments

   
Money Market Funds — 0.4%            

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional,
SL Agency Shares, 0.06%(b)(d)(e)

    10,686,396       10,691,739  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury,
SL Agency Shares, 0.00%(b)(d)

    6,176,000       6,176,000  
   

 

 

 
      16,867,739  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments — 0.4%
(Cost: $16,867,030)

 

    16,867,739  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities — 100.2%
(Cost: $2,862,873,450)

 

    4,086,442,176  

Other Assets, Less Liabilities — (0.2)%

 

    (8,479,772
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

 

  $ 4,077,962,404  
   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Non-income producing security.

(b) 

Affiliate of the Fund.

(c) 

All or a portion of this security is on loan.

(d) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

(e) 

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 year ended August 31, 2021 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

 

 

   
     Affiliated Issuer   Value at
08/31/20
    Purchases
at Cost
    Proceeds
from Sales
    Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
    Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
    Value at
08/31/21
    Shares
Held at
08/31/21
    Income    

Capital

Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds

        
 

 

   
 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares

  $ 1,263,030     $ 9,432,549 (a)    $     $ (2,218   $ (1,622   $ 10,691,739       10,686,396     $ 30,415 (b)    $    
 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

    4,756,000       1,420,000 (a)                        6,176,000       6,176,000       1,840          
 

BlackRock Inc.

    15,006,268       7,535,178       (3,636,003     984,238       8,831,613       28,721,294       30,448       420,618          
         

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   
          $ 982,020     $ 8,829,991     $ 45,589,033       $ 452,873     $    
         

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

  (a) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 
  (b) 

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.

 

 

 

S C H E D U L E   O F   I N V E S T M E N T S   53


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® ESG MSCI USA Leaders ETF

    

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Futures Contracts

 

Description   Number of
Contracts
     Expiration
Date
     Notional
Amount
(000)
     Value/
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

Long Contracts

          

S&P 500 E-Mini Index

    34        09/17/21      $ 7,685      $ 220,374  
          

 

 

 

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:

 

     Equity
Contracts
 

Assets — Derivative Financial Instruments

 

Futures contracts
Unrealized appreciation on futures contracts(a)

  $ 220,374  
 

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Net cumulative 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 August 31, 2021, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

     Equity
Contracts
 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from:

 

Futures contracts

  $ 1,451,825  
 

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:

 

Futures contracts

  $ (100,992
 

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

   
Futures contracts:
Average notional value of contracts — long
  $6,253,682    

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. 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.

 

     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Investments

          

Assets

          

Common Stocks

  $ 4,069,574,437      $      $      $ 4,069,574,437  

Money Market Funds

    16,867,739                      16,867,739  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
  $ 4,086,442,176      $      $      $ 4,086,442,176  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Derivative financial instruments(a)

          

Assets

          

Futures Contracts

  $ 220,374      $                 —      $                 —      $ 220,374  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Derivative financial instruments are futures contracts. Futures contracts are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

 

 

54  

2 0 2 1   I S H A R E S   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments

August 31, 2021

 

iShares® MSCI Global Impact ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Common Stocks            
Australia — 1.3%            

CSL Ltd.

    27,767     $ 6,315,402  

Vicinity Centres

    652,427       823,661  
   

 

 

 
      7,139,063  
Austria — 0.2%            

Verbund AG

    9,405       1,030,251  
   

 

 

 
Belgium — 4.6%            

Elia Group SA/NV

    13,778       1,730,455  

Etablissements Franz Colruyt NV

    25,075       1,403,639  

Umicore SA

    350,262       23,047,940  
   

 

 

 
      26,182,034  
Brazil — 0.1%            

Adecoagro SA(a)(b)

    63,827       596,782  
   

 

 

 
Canada — 4.7%            

Ballard Power Systems Inc.(a)

    18,461       311,085  

Northland Power Inc.

    81,590       2,699,296  

West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd.

    301,366       23,270,381  
   

 

 

 
      26,280,762  
Chile — 2.3%            

Empresas CMPC SA

    5,969,503       13,260,505  
   

 

 

 
China — 11.7%            

3SBio Inc.(a)(c)

    240,500       267,924  

Beijing Enterprises Water Group Ltd.

    7,136,000       2,943,141  

BYD Co. Ltd., Class A

    40,089       1,726,105  

BYD Co. Ltd., Class H

    114,500       3,849,387  

China Conch Venture Holdings Ltd.

    538,000       2,201,939  

China Education Group Holdings Ltd.

    105,000       198,516  

China Everbright Environment Group Ltd.

    11,558,000       7,990,797  

China Longyuan Power Group Corp. Ltd., Class H

    1,711,000       3,487,271  

China Medical System Holdings Ltd.

    234,000       459,286  

China Mengniu Dairy Co. Ltd.

    993,000       5,972,657  

China Railway Signal & Communication Corp. Ltd., Class A

    242,250       196,305  

Chindata Group Holdings Ltd., ADR(a)

    45,978       546,219  

Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    18,600       1,428,995  

CSPC Pharmaceutical Group Ltd.

    751,520       953,380  

Fu Jian Anjoy Foods Co. Ltd., Class A

    8,800       213,045  

Gotion High-tech Co. Ltd., Class A(a)

    16,900       140,732  

Hansoh Pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd.(c)

    32,000       87,249  

Henan Shuanghui Investment & Development Co. Ltd., Class A

    185,400       692,300  

Kingsoft Cloud Holdings Ltd., ADR(a)(b)

    5,997       193,043  

Li Auto Inc., ADR(a)

    149,946       4,627,334  

LONGi Green Energy Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    105,300       1,461,146  

Ming Yang Smart Energy Group Ltd., Class A

    189,100       658,651  

NIO Inc., ADR(a)

    161,855       6,362,520  

Riyue Heavy Industry Co. Ltd., Class A

    15,700       76,458  

Shimao Group Holdings Ltd.

    4,752,500       9,820,179  

Sungrow Power Supply Co. Ltd., Class A

    24,800       604,030  

Vinda International Holdings Ltd.

    236,000       695,598  

Wuxi Lead Intelligent Equipment Co. Ltd., Class A

    12,900       148,873  

Xinjiang Goldwind Science & Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    475,200       1,075,192  

Xinjiang Goldwind Science & Technology Co. Ltd., Class H

    380,904       730,228  

Xinyi Solar Holdings Ltd.

    1,038,000       2,512,153  

XPeng Inc., ADR(a)

    81,247       3,452,997  
Security   Shares     Value  
China (continued)            

Yadea Group Holdings Ltd.(c)

    100,000     $ 177,933  
   

 

 

 
      65,951,583  
Denmark — 7.8%            

Genmab A/S(a)

    1,462       692,597  

Novo Nordisk A/S, Class B

    134,633       13,478,095  

Orsted A/S(c)

    24,081       3,828,506  

Rockwool International A/S, Class B

    6,199       3,279,493  

Vestas Wind Systems A/S

    561,327       22,664,485  
   

 

 

 
      43,943,176  
France — 3.7%            

Covivio

    11,894       1,133,581  

Gecina SA

    3,699       575,001  

Ipsen SA

    10,256       1,025,860  

Klepierre SA

    97,935       2,400,977  

Suez SA

    511,453       11,866,603  

Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield(a)

    46,501       4,074,870  
   

 

 

 
      21,076,892  
Germany — 2.2%            

Deutsche Wohnen SE

    95,928       5,953,315  

Vonovia SE

    95,804       6,467,811  
   

 

 

 
      12,421,126  
Hong Kong — 6.0%            

Henderson Land Development Co. Ltd.

    265,000       1,198,976  

MTR Corp. Ltd.

    546,500       3,076,557  

Sino Biopharmaceutical Ltd.

    1,456,000       1,217,764  

Sun Hung Kai Properties Ltd.

    488,500       6,889,791  

Swire Properties Ltd.

    202,400       547,030  

WH Group Ltd.(b)(c)

    24,161,000       20,956,431  
   

 

 

 
      33,886,549  
India — 0.6%            

Adani Green Energy Ltd.(a)

    5,470       79,877  

Colgate-Palmolive India Ltd.

    20,702       479,578  

Godrej Consumer Products Ltd.(a)

    20,364       306,267  

Hindustan Unilever Ltd.

    42,529       1,583,930  

Marico Ltd.

    60,572       451,455  

Nestle India Ltd.

    1,741       463,624  
   

 

 

 
      3,364,731  
Indonesia — 0.0%            

Unilever Indonesia Tbk PT

    108,500       30,807  
   

 

 

 
Ireland — 0.3%            

Horizon Therapeutics PLC(a)

    15,816       1,709,551  
   

 

 

 
Japan — 14.8%            

Asahi Intecc Co. Ltd.

    4,700       142,204  

Central Japan Railway Co.

    82,000       12,002,326  

Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

    13,700       535,299  

Daiichi Sankyo Co. Ltd.

    266,900       6,339,520  

East Japan Railway Co.

    354,100       23,800,558  

Eisai Co. Ltd.

    31,300       2,581,303  

GLP J-REIT

    119       216,010  

Japan Metropolitan Fund Invest

    761       739,328  

Japan Real Estate Investment Corp.

    83       512,951  

Kyowa Kirin Co. Ltd.

    29,400       961,990  

NH Foods Ltd.

    207,300       8,043,900  

Nippon Building Fund Inc.

    99       642,899  

Nippon Prologis REIT Inc.

    170       611,329  

Nisshin Seifun Group Inc.

    281,700       4,625,773  

Nissin Foods Holdings Co. Ltd.

    17,500       1,362,351  
 

 

 

S C H E D U L E   O F   I N V E S T M E N T S

  55


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® MSCI Global Impact ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Japan (continued)            

Nomura Real Estate Master Fund Inc.

    443     $ 682,971  

Ono Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

    23,700       569,047  

Orix JREIT Inc.

    220       392,147  

Shionogi & Co. Ltd.

    24,900       1,564,484  

Sysmex Corp.

    10,600       1,204,651  

Terumo Corp.

    50,300       2,099,055  

TOTO Ltd.

    122,700       6,677,849  

Toyo Suisan Kaisha Ltd.

    41,000       1,699,140  

Unicharm Corp.

    129,500           5,773,482  
   

 

 

 
      83,780,567  
Malaysia — 0.2%            

PPB Group Bhd

    93,400       416,110  

QL Resources Bhd

    330,800       442,446  
   

 

 

 
      858,556  
Mexico — 0.5%            

Gruma SAB de CV, Class B

    135,840       1,551,365  

Kimberly-Clark de Mexico SAB de CV, Class A

    831,200       1,467,968  
   

 

 

 
      3,019,333  
Netherlands — 0.0%            

JDE Peet’s NV

    1,305       44,840  
   

 

 

 
Norway — 0.5%            

Mowi ASA

    115,441       3,092,122  
   

 

 

 
Portugal — 0.2%            

EDP Renovaveis SA

    34,839       926,386  
   

 

 

 
Saudi Arabia — 0.1%            

Almarai Co. JSC

    54,089       836,921  
   

 

 

 
Singapore — 0.4%            

CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust

    436,140       666,132  

City Developments Ltd.

    193,800       983,439  

Mapletree Commercial Trust

    251,600       379,029  
   

 

 

 
      2,028,600  
South Korea — 0.1%            

Samsung SDI Co. Ltd.

    1,232       839,715  
   

 

 

 
Sweden — 3.1%            

Essity AB, Class B

    309,125       9,922,210  

Svenska Cellulosa AB SCA, Class B

    414,821       7,331,312  
   

 

 

 
      17,253,522  
Switzerland — 0.8%            

Geberit AG, Registered

    5,262       4,394,325  
   

 

 

 
Taiwan — 1.8%            

Taiwan High Speed Rail Corp.

    1,152,000       1,254,838  

Uni-President Enterprises Corp.

    3,406,000       8,877,035  
   

 

 

 
      10,131,873  
Thailand — 0.3%            

BTS Group Holdings PCL, NVDR

    5,262,900       1,534,455  
   

 

 

 
United Kingdom — 7.2%            

Berkeley Group Holdings PLC

    77,711       5,161,923  

Johnson Matthey PLC

    536,682       21,697,401  

Land Securities Group PLC

    76,876       749,363  

Pearson PLC

    982,221       10,358,112  

United Utilities Group PLC

    183,177       2,663,849  
   

 

 

 
      40,630,648  
United States — 23.8%            

ABIOMED Inc.(a)(b)

    2,340       851,667  
Security   Shares      Value  
United States (continued)             

Alexandria Real Estate Equities Inc.

    10,028      $ 2,069,478  

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals Inc.(a)

    2,502        503,978  

Amgen Inc.

    76,111        17,165,314  

Baxter International Inc.

    83,365        6,354,080  

BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc.(a)

    25,312        2,131,524  

Boston Properties Inc.

    26,931        3,042,934  

Citrix Systems Inc.

    30,951        3,183,929  

Colgate-Palmolive Co.

    70,401        5,487,758  

Dexcom Inc.(a)(b)

    4,263        2,256,917  

Digital Realty Trust Inc.

    63,125        10,346,819  

Eli Lilly & Co.

    58,527        15,116,939  

Enphase Energy Inc.(a)(b)

    11,697        2,032,120  

Healthpeak Properties Inc.

    41,410        1,490,760  

Hormel Foods Corp.

    57,576        2,622,011  

Incyte Corp.(a)

    31,973        2,445,615  

Insulet Corp.(a)

    3,293        980,688  

Jazz Pharmaceuticals PLC(a)

    21,120        2,781,715  

Kimberly-Clark Corp.

    143,886        19,828,930  

Plug Power Inc.(a)(b)

    957        24,939  

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc.(a)(b)

    13,692        9,220,193  

Seagen Inc.(a)

    8,910        1,493,316  

SolarEdge Technologies Inc.(a)

    12,772        3,701,070  

Sun Communities Inc.

    10,027        2,020,340  

Sunrun Inc.(a)(b)

    11,200        495,600  

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc.(a)

    32,693        6,548,081  

VMware Inc., Class A(a)(b)

    24,823        3,695,400  

Xylem Inc./NY

    49,947        6,808,276  
    

 

 

 
       134,700,391  
    

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 99.3%
(Cost: $504,959,244)

       560,946,066  
    

 

 

 

Warrants

    
Thailand — 0.0%             

BTS Group Holdings PCL (Expires 07/22/22)(a)

    1,228,500        0 (d)  
    

 

 

 
Total Warrants — 0.0%             

(Cost: $0)

 

     0 (d)  
    

 

 

 

Short-Term Investments

    
Money Market Funds — 4.1%         

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares, 0.06%(e)(f)(g)

    22,411,237        22,422,442  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares, 0.00%(e)(f)

    1,070,000        1,070,000  
    

 

 

 
       23,492,442  
    

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments — 4.1%
(Cost: $23,492,442)

 

     23,492,442  
    

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities — 103.4%
(Cost: $528,451,686)

 

     584,438,508  

Other Assets, Less Liabilities — (3.4)%

 

     (19,293,103
    

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

     $   565,145,405  
    

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Non-income producing security.

(b) 

All or a portion of this security is on loan.

 

 

 

56  

2 0 2 1   I S H A R E S   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® MSCI Global Impact ETF

    

 

(c) 

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.

(d) 

Rounds to less than $1.

(e) 

Affiliate of the Fund.

(f) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

(g) 

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 year ended August 31, 2021 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

 

   
Affiliated Issuer   Value at
08/31/20
    Purchases
at Cost
   

Proceeds

from Sales

    Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
    Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
    Value at
08/31/21
    Shares
Held at
08/31/21
    Income    

Capital

Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds

       

 

   

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares

  $ 798,117     $ 21,624,908 (a)    $     $ 912     $ (1,495   $ 22,422,442       22,411,237     $ 38,318 (b)    $    

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

    670,000       400,000 (a)                         1,070,000       1,070,000       218          
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   
        $ 912     $ (1,495   $ 23,492,442       $ 38,536     $    
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

  (a) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 
  (b) 

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

Futures Contracts

 

 

 
Description  

Number of

Contracts

     Expiration
Date
     Notional
Amount
(000)
     Value/
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

 

 

Long Contracts

          

MSCI EAFE E-Mini Index

    9        09/17/21      $ 1,058      $ 9,874  

MSCI Emerging Markets Index

    11        09/17/21        715        (8,524

S&P 500 E-Mini Index

    3        09/17/21        678        15,287  
          

 

 

 
           $ 16,637  
          

 

 

 

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:

 

 

 
    Equity
Contracts
 

 

 

Assets — Derivative Financial Instruments

 

Futures contracts
Unrealized appreciation on futures contracts(a)

  $ 25,161  
 

 

 

 

Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instruments

 

Futures contracts
Unrealized depreciation on futures contracts(a)

  $ 8,524  
 

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Net cumulative 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).

 

 

 

S C H E D U L E   O F   I N V E S T M E N T S

  57


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® MSCI Global Impact ETF

    

 

For the period ended August 31, 2021, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

 

 
    Equity
Contracts
 

 

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from:

 

Futures contracts

  $ 173,219  
 

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:

 

Futures contracts

  $ 14,908  
 

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

 

 

Futures contracts:

 

Average notional value of contracts — long

  $ 1,171,911      

 

 

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. 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.

 

 

 
    Level 1             Level 2             Level 3      Total  

 

 

Investments

        

Assets

        

Common Stocks

  $ 231,539,362     $ 329,406,704     $      $ 560,946,066  

Warrants

          0 (a)              0 (a)  

Money Market Funds

    23,492,442                    23,492,442  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
  $ 255,031,804     $ 329,406,704     $      $ 584,438,508  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Derivative financial instruments(b)

        

Assets

        

Futures Contracts

  $ 25,161     $     $      $ 25,161  

Liabilities

        

Futures Contracts

    (8,524                  (8,524
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
  $ 16,637     $     $      $ 16,637  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Rounds to less than $1.

 
  (b) 

Derivative financial instruments are futures contracts. Futures contracts are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

58  

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Statements of Assets and Liabilities

August 31, 2021

 

   

iShares

ESG Aware MSCI
EAFE ETF

    

iShares

ESG Aware MSCI

USA ETF

    

iShares

ESG Aware MSCI
USA Small-Cap

ETF

    

iShares

ESG MSCI

EM Leaders

ETF

 

 

 

ASSETS

          

Investments in securities, at value (including securities on loan)(a):

          

Unaffiliated(b)

  $ 6,647,792,147      $ 22,046,607,791      $ 1,100,431,026      $ 881,199,237  

Affiliated(c)

    12,199,959        256,141,021        44,938,786        3,729,372  

Cash

    2,229        451,465        14,169        1,233,902  

Foreign currency, at value(d)

    28,750,521                      1,484,382  

Cash pledged:

          

Futures contracts

           6,465,000        100,000        21,000  

Foreign currency collateral pledged:

          

Futures contracts(e)

    3,534,338                       

Receivables:

          

Investments sold

    329,165,496        902,227,309        50,931,635        29,685,874  

Securities lending income — Affiliated

    2,240        33,050        9,184        209,913  

Variation margin on futures contracts

    126,133               1,098        4,786  

Capital shares sold

    1,288,754        3,501,735        1,342,636         

Dividends

    14,715,742        26,521,910        574,173        1,266,183  

Tax reclaims

    6,825,612                      22,877  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

    7,044,403,171        23,241,949,281        1,198,342,707        918,857,526  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

          

Collateral on securities loaned, at value

    11,025,024        47,527,094        43,556,398        1,403,871  

Deferred foreign capital gain tax

                         3,894,269  

Payables:

          

Investments purchased

    337,607,742        925,497,669        55,378,003        29,953,060  

Variation margin on futures contracts

           117,154                

Bank borrowings

                         960,029  

Capital shares redeemed

           3,452,855        217,163         

Investment advisory fees

    1,101,818        2,724,106        152,846        116,919  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    349,734,584        979,318,878        99,304,410        36,328,148  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 6,694,668,587      $ 22,262,630,403      $ 1,099,038,297      $ 882,529,378  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:

          

Paid-in capital

  $ 5,609,421,103      $ 17,940,889,721      $ 936,873,174      $ 727,445,225  

Accumulated earnings

    1,085,247,484        4,321,740,682        162,165,123        155,084,153  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 6,694,668,587      $ 22,262,630,403      $ 1,099,038,297      $ 882,529,378  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Shares outstanding

    82,800,000        214,700,000        27,300,000        13,900,000  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value

  $ 80.85      $ 103.69      $ 40.26      $ 63.49  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Shares authorized

    Unlimited        Unlimited        Unlimited        Unlimited  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Par value

    None        None        None        None  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

(a)  Securities loaned, at value

  $ 10,651,670      $ 43,634,392      $ 41,692,442      $ 1,391,545  

(b)  Investments, at cost — Unaffiliated

  $ 5,483,977,103      $ 17,587,315,120      $ 918,841,367      $ 717,777,556  

(c)  Investments, at cost — Affiliated

  $ 12,199,959      $ 218,862,135      $ 44,934,457      $ 3,729,372  

(d)  Foreign currency, at cost

  $ 28,822,813      $      $      $ 1,473,903  

(e)  Foreign currency collateral pledged, at cost

  $ 3,603,780      $      $      $  

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

F I N A N C I A L   S T A T E M E N T S

  59


 

Statements of Assets and Liabilities  (continued)

August 31, 2021

 

    iShares
ESG MSCI USA
Leaders ETF
     iShares
MSCI Global
Impact ETF
 

 

 

ASSETS

    

Investments in securities, at value (including securities on loan)(a):

    

Unaffiliated(b)

  $ 4,040,853,143      $ 560,946,066  

Affiliated(c)

    45,589,033        23,492,442  

Cash

    7,568        400,177  

Foreign currency, at value(d)

           4,781,059  

Cash pledged:

    

Futures contracts

    512,000        131,000  

Receivables:

    

Investments sold

    7,447,100        74,483,082  

Securities lending income — Affiliated

    1,387        1,701  

Variation margin on futures contracts

           8,746  

Capital shares sold

    27,741        949,084  

Dividends

    4,907,648        529,435  

Tax reclaims

           98,191  

Other assets

           8,834  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

    4,099,345,620        665,829,817  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

    

Collateral on securities loaned, at value

    10,694,673        22,422,879  

Deferred foreign capital gain tax

           73,849  

Payables:

    

Investments purchased

    10,347,375        77,759,459  

Variation margin on futures contracts

    10,240         

Bank borrowings

           197,006  

Investment advisory fees

    330,928        231,219  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    21,383,216        100,684,412  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 4,077,962,404      $ 565,145,405  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:

    

Paid-in capital

  $ 2,888,856,352      $ 513,293,016  

Accumulated earnings

    1,189,106,052        51,852,389  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 4,077,962,404      $ 565,145,405  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

Shares outstanding

    51,200,000        5,650,000  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value

  $ 79.65      $ 100.03  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

Shares authorized

    Unlimited        Unlimited  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

Par value

    None        None  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

(a) Securities loaned, at value

  $ 10,440,726      $ 21,260,197  

(b) Investments, at cost — Unaffiliated

  $ 2,828,940,822      $ 504,959,244  

(c)  Investments, at cost — Affiliated

  $ 33,932,628      $ 23,492,442  

(d) Foreign currency, at cost

  $      $ 4,783,960  

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

60  

2 0 2 1   I S H A R E S   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


 

Statements of Operations

Year Ended August 31, 2021

 

   

iShares

ESG Aware MSCI

EAFE ETF

    

iShares

ESG Aware MSCI

USA ETF

    

iShares

ESG Aware
MSCI USA
Small-Cap

ETF

    

iShares

ESG MSCI

EM Leaders
ETF

 

 

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

          

Dividends — Unaffiliated

  $ 130,069,470      $ 213,291,054      $ 7,597,005      $ 16,689,453  

Dividends — Affiliated

    465        1,407,692        327        664  

Non-cash dividends — Unaffiliated

    6,573,267                       

Securities lending income — Affiliated — net

    143,718        339,463        136,154        330,349  

Foreign taxes withheld

    (11,833,178      (26,739      (2,656      (2,093,380
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total investment income

    124,953,742        215,011,470        7,730,830        14,927,086  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

EXPENSES

          

Investment advisory fees

    9,421,765        22,246,896        1,163,896        1,312,745  

Commitment fees

                         24,599  

Miscellaneous

    173        173        173         

Interest expense

                         3,786  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses

    9,421,938        22,247,069        1,164,069        1,341,130  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income

    115,531,804        192,764,401        6,566,761        13,585,956  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

          

Net realized gain (loss) from:

          

Investments — Unaffiliated(a)

    2,141,237        (109,440,638      (9,999,845      802,200  

Investments — Affiliated

    (10,264      49,140        (7,420      (3,122

In-kind redemptions — Unaffiliated

    7,017,699        1,090,387,578        68,676,319        5,694,005  

In-kind redemptions — Affiliated

           4,597,785                

Futures contracts

    6,670,558        7,198,350        (31,872      90,257  

Foreign currency transactions

    214,098                      (309,298
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net realized gain

    16,033,328        992,792,215        58,637,182        6,274,042  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

          

Investments — Unaffiliated(b)

    895,655,972        3,088,498,344        145,086,749        147,258,390  

Investments — Affiliated

    860        30,774,460        (3,600      79  

Futures contracts

    386,284        1,158,642        36,826        (3,429

Foreign currency translations

    (459,468                    27,324  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    895,583,648        3,120,431,446        145,119,975        147,282,364  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain

    911,616,976        4,113,223,661        203,757,157        153,556,406  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

  $ 1,027,148,780      $ 4,305,988,062      $ 210,323,918      $ 167,142,362  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

(a)  Net of foreign capital gain tax and capital gain tax refund, if applicable

  $      $      $      $ 589,924  

(b)  Net of increase in deferred foreign capital gain tax of

  $      $      $      $ (3,551,622

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

F I N A N C I A L   S T A T E M E N T S

  61


 

Statements of Operations  (continued)

Year Ended August 31, 2021

 

   

iShares

ESG MSCI

USA Leaders

ETF

    

iShares

MSCI Global
Impact ETF

 

 

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

    

Dividends — Unaffiliated

  $ 45,848,118      $ 6,683,371  

Dividends — Affiliated

    422,458        218  

Securities lending income — Affiliated — net

    30,415        38,318  

Foreign taxes withheld

           (396,945
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total investment income

    46,300,991        6,324,962  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

EXPENSES

    

Investment advisory fees

    3,127,380        1,845,973  

Commitment fees

           1,887  

Miscellaneous

           173  

Interest expense

           150  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses

    3,127,380        1,848,183  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income

    43,173,611        4,476,779  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

    

Net realized gain (loss) from:

    

Investments — Unaffiliated(a)

    (16,985,569      (1,972,065

Investments — Affiliated

    (3,054      912  

In-kind redemptions — Unaffiliated

    113,398,135        33,326,344  

In-kind redemptions — Affiliated

    985,074         

Futures contracts

    1,451,825        173,219  

Foreign currency transactions

           25,490  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net realized gain

    98,846,411        31,553,900  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

    

Investments — Unaffiliated(b)

    779,176,030        30,671,554  

Investments — Affiliated

    8,829,991        (1,495

Futures contracts

    (100,992      14,908  

Foreign currency translations

           (14,620
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    787,905,029        30,670,347  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain

    886,751,440        62,224,247  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

  $ 929,925,051      $ 66,701,026  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

(a)  Net of foreign capital gain tax and capital gain tax refund, if applicable

  $      $ 6,919  

(b)  Net of increase in deferred foreign capital gain tax of

  $      $ (72,981

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

62  

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Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

    iShares
ESG Aware MSCI EAFE ETF
           iShares
ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF
 
 

 

 

      

 

 

 
    Year Ended
08/31/21
    Year Ended
08/31/20
           Year Ended
08/31/21
    Year Ended
08/31/20
 

 

 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

          

OPERATIONS

          

Net investment income

  $ 115,531,804     $ 43,750,799        $ 192,764,401     $ 71,524,731  

Net realized gain (loss)

    16,033,328       (76,351,480        992,792,215       120,900,974  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    895,583,648       256,704,002          3,120,431,446       1,360,676,148  
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

    1,027,148,780       224,103,321          4,305,988,062       1,553,101,853  
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a)

          

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

    (109,833,351     (35,253,292        (167,851,349     (48,261,940
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

          

Net increase in net assets derived from capital share transactions

    2,751,834,650       1,918,888,942          9,133,348,336       7,190,400,935  
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

          

Total increase in net assets

    3,669,150,079       2,107,738,971          13,271,485,049       8,695,240,848  

Beginning of year

    3,025,518,508       917,779,537          8,991,145,354       295,904,506  
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of year

  $ 6,694,668,587     $ 3,025,518,508        $ 22,262,630,403     $ 8,991,145,354  
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

(a)   Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

F I N A N C I A L   S T A T E M E N T S

  63


 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

 

    iShares
ESG Aware MSCI USA Small-Cap ETF
           iShares
ESG MSCI EM Leaders ETF
 
 

 

 

      

 

 

 
   
Year Ended
08/31/21
 
 
   
Year Ended
08/31/20
 
 
      
Year Ended
08/31/21
 
 
   

Period From
02/05/20

to 08/31/20

 
(a)

 

 

 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

          

OPERATIONS

          

Net investment income

  $ 6,566,761     $ 2,070,608        $ 13,585,956     $ 9,624,890  

Net realized gain (loss)

    58,637,182       (7,511,367        6,274,042       (9,867,055

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    145,119,975       35,550,785          147,282,364       12,292,446  
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

    210,323,918       30,110,026          167,142,362       12,050,281  
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(b)

          

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

    (6,491,221     (1,531,147        (14,341,619     (4,354,836
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

          

Net increase in net assets derived from capital share transactions

    528,866,554       280,096,417          81,760,096       640,273,094  
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

          

Total increase in net assets

    732,699,251       308,675,296          234,560,839       647,968,539  

Beginning of period

    366,339,046       57,663,750          647,968,539        
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period

  $ 1,099,038,297     $ 366,339,046        $ 882,529,378     $ 647,968,539  
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

(a)  Commencement of operations.

(b)  Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

64  

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Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

 

    iShares
ESG MSCI USA Leaders ETF
           iShares
MSCI Global Impact ETF
 
 

 

 

      

 

 

 
    Year Ended
08/31/21
    Year Ended
08/31/20
           Year Ended
08/31/21
    Year Ended
08/31/20
 

 

 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

          

OPERATIONS

          

Net investment income

  $ 43,173,611     $ 33,632,577        $ 4,476,779     $ 1,659,880  

Net realized gain (loss)

    98,846,411       (962,704        31,553,900       16,414,488  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    787,905,029       391,890,722          30,670,347       22,785,059  
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

    929,925,051       424,560,595          66,701,026       40,859,427  
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a)

          

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

    (41,279,956     (31,557,896        (3,512,120     (1,233,842
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

          

Net increase in net assets derived from capital share transactions

    625,089,662       592,159,848          326,352,651       81,803,802  
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

          

Total increase in net assets

    1,513,734,757       985,162,547          389,541,557       121,429,387  

Beginning of year

    2,564,227,647       1,579,065,100          175,603,848       54,174,461  
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of year

  $ 4,077,962,404     $ 2,564,227,647        $ 565,145,405     $ 175,603,848  
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

(a)  Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

F I N A N C I A L   S T A T E M E N T S

  65


Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    iShares ESG Aware MSCI EAFE ETF  
 

 

 

 
    Year Ended
08/31/21
     Year Ended
08/31/20
     Year Ended
08/31/19
     Year Ended
08/31/18
     Year Ended
08/31/17
 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 65.21      $ 62.01      $ 65.51      $ 64.28      $ 55.84  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    1.84        1.53        2.12        2.16        1.87  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(b)

    15.47        2.85        (3.92      0.83        7.68  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    17.31        4.38        (1.80      2.99        9.55  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions(c)

             

From net investment income

    (1.67      (1.18      (1.70      (1.76      (1.11
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (1.67      (1.18      (1.70      (1.76      (1.11
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 80.85      $ 65.21      $ 62.01      $ 65.51      $ 64.28  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

             

Based on net asset value

    26.69      7.12      (2.68 )%       4.64      17.16
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

             

Total expenses

    0.20      0.20      0.20      0.20      0.38
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income

    2.45      2.47      3.39      3.22      3.10
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

             

Net assets, end of year (000)

  $ 6,694,669      $ 3,025,519      $ 917,780      $ 360,309      $ 122,123  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(e)

    25      30      26      24      9
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(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)  

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(e)  

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

66  

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Financial Highlights (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF  
 

 

 

 
                 Period From  
      Year Ended           Year Ended       Year Ended       Year Ended          12/01/16 (a) 
    08/31/21         08/31/20       08/31/19          08/31/18       to 08/31/17  

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 79.74       $ 64.33     $ 63.85               $ 54.15                 $ 47.79  
 

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net investment income(b)

    1.18         1.22       1.17          1.09          0.71  

Net realized and unrealized gain(c)

    23.87         15.13       0.40          9.52          6.22  
 

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase from investment operations

    25.05         16.35       1.57          10.61          6.93  
 

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Distributions(d)

                 

From net investment income

    (1.10       (0.94     (1.09        (0.80        (0.57

From net realized gain

                           (0.11         
 

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (1.10       (0.94     (1.09        (0.91        (0.57
 

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 103.69       $ 79.74     $ 64.33        $ 63.85        $ 54.15  
 

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total Return(e)

                 

Based on net asset value

    31.71       25.79     2.59        19.79        14.55 %(f) 
 

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

                 

Total expenses

    0.15       0.15     0.15        0.15        0.27 %(g) 
 

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net investment income

    1.30       1.76     1.88        1.83        1.85 %(g) 
 

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

                 

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 22,262,630       $ 8,991,145     $ 295,905        $ 98,974        $ 10,830  
 

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(h)

    21       38     27        28        22 %(f) 
 

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

(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)   

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(f)   

Not annualized.

(g)   

Annualized.

(h)   

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

F I N A N C I A L   H I G H L I G H T S

  67


Financial Highlights (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA Small-Cap ETF  
 

 

 

 
               Period From  
    Year Ended       Year Ended       Year Ended          04/10/18 (a) 
    08/31/21         08/31/20          08/31/19       to 08/31/18  

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 27.34              $ 26.21               $ 28.76                 $ 25.47  
 

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net investment income(b)

    0.35         0.33          0.36          0.12  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(c)

    12.95         1.10          (2.58        3.23  
 

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    13.30         1.43          (2.22        3.35  
 

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Distributions(d)

               

From net investment income

    (0.38       (0.30        (0.33        (0.06
 

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.38       (0.30        (0.33        (0.06
 

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 40.26       $ 27.34        $ 26.21        $ 28.76  
 

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total Return(e)

               

Based on net asset value

    48.95       5.57        (7.69 )%         13.16 %(f) 
 

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

               

Total expenses

    0.17       0.17        0.17        0.17 %(g) 
 

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net investment income

    0.96       1.32        1.35        1.17 %(g) 
 

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

               

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 1,099,038       $ 366,339        $ 57,664        $ 11,506  
 

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(h)

    33       50        34        15 %(f)  
 

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

(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)   

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(f)   

Not annualized.

(g)   

Annualized.

(h)   

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

68  

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Financial Highlights (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    iShares ESG MSCI EM Leaders ETF  
 

 

 

 
        Period From  
    Year Ended         02/05/20 (a)  
    08/31/21         to 08/31/20  

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 51.84       $ 51.43  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net investment income(b)

    1.01         0.79  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(c)

    11.67         (0.03
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net increase from investment operations

    12.68         0.76  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Distributions(d)

     

From net investment income

    (1.03       (0.35
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (1.03       (0.35
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 63.49       $ 51.84  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Return(e)

     

Based on net asset value

    24.68       1.54 %(f)  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

     

Total expenses

    0.16       0.16 %(g)  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net investment income

    1.66       3.04 %(g)  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

     

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 882,529       $ 647,969  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(h)

    34       19 %(f)  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

(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)   

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(f)  

Not annualized.

(g)   

Annualized.

(h)   

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

F I N A N C I A L   H I G H L I G H T S

  69


Financial Highlights (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    iShares ESG MSCI USA Leaders ETF  
 

 

 

 
            Period From  
    Year Ended         Year Ended         05/07/19 (a)  
    08/31/21         08/31/20         to 08/31/19  

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 60.55              $ 50.77              $ 49.23  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net investment income(b)

    0.94         0.94         0.32  

Net realized and unrealized gain(c)

    19.08         9.75         1.34  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net increase from investment operations

    20.02         10.69         1.66  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Distributions(d)

         

From net investment income

    (0.92       (0.91       (0.12
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.92       (0.91       (0.12
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 79.65       $ 60.55       $ 50.77  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Return(e)

         

Based on net asset value

    33.44       21.45       3.38 %(f) 
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

         

Total expenses

    0.10       0.10       0.11 %(g) 
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived

    0.10       0.10       0.10 %(g) 
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net investment income

    1.38       1.77       2.00 %(g) 
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

         

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 4,077,962       $ 2,564,228       $ 1,579,065  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(h)

    12       9       4 %(f) 
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

(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)   

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(f)  

Not annualized.

(g)   

Annualized.

(h)   

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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Financial Highlights (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    iShares MSCI Global Impact ETF  
    Year Ended         Year Ended         Year Ended         Year Ended         Year Ended  
    08/31/21         08/31/20         08/31/19         08/31/18         08/31/17  

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 81.68              $ 57.03              $ 58.35                $ 55.92                $ 49.61  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    1.12         1.19         1.02         1.32         1.05  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(b)

    18.09         24.32         (1.29       2.65         6.44  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    19.21         25.51         (0.27       3.97         7.49  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Distributions(c)

                 

From net investment income

    (0.86       (0.86       (1.05       (1.54       (1.18
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.86       (0.86       (1.05       (1.54       (1.18
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 100.03       $ 81.68       $ 57.03       $ 58.35       $ 55.92  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

                 

Based on net asset value

    23.60       45.10       (0.40 )%        7.16       15.27
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

                 

Total expenses

    0.49       0.49       0.49       0.49       0.49
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net investment income

    1.19       1.82       1.79       2.26       2.05
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

                 

Net assets, end of year (000)

  $ 565,145       $ 175,604       $ 54,174       $ 37,928       $ 25,164  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(e)

    70       47       43       36       32
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

(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)   

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(e)   

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

F I N A N C I A L   H I G H L I G H T S

  71


Notes to Financial Statements

 

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”):

 

iShares ETF    Diversification 
Classification 
 

ESG Aware MSCI EAFE

     Diversified   

ESG Aware MSCI USA

     Diversified   

ESG Aware MSCI USA Small-Cap(a)

     Diversified   

ESG MSCI EM Leaders

     Non-diversified   

ESG MSCI USA Leaders

     Non-diversified   

MSCI Global Impact

     Diversified   

 

  (a)

The Fund’s classification changed from non-diversified to diversified during the reporting period.

 

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.

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 August 31, 2021, if any, are disclosed in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

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 includes tax reclaims recorded as well as professional and other fees, if any, associated with recovery of foreign withholding taxes.

Segregation and Collateralization: In cases where a Fund enters into certain investments (e.g., futures contracts) that would be treated as “senior securities” for 1940 Act purposes, a Fund may segregate or designate on its books and record cash or liquid assets having a market value at least equal to the amount of its future obligations under such investments. Doing so allows the investment to be excluded from treatment as a “senior security.” Furthermore, 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 or obligations.

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.

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

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. The character and timing of distributions are determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP.

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. Each Fund determines the fair values of its financial instruments using various independent dealers or pricing services under policies approved by the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”). 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 a policy approved by the Board as reflecting fair value. The BlackRock Global Valuation Methodologies Committee (the “Global Valuation Committee”) is the committee formed by management to develop global pricing policies and procedures and to oversee the pricing function for all financial instruments.

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 published 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 follows 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 Global Valuation Committee, in accordance with a policy approved by the Board as reflecting fair value (“Fair Valued Investments”). The fair valuation approaches that may be used by the Global 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 Global Valuation Committee, or its delegate, 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 Global Valuation Committee, or its delegate, deems relevant and consistent with the principles of fair value measurement. The pricing of all Fair Valued Investments is subsequently reported to the Board or a committee thereof on a quarterly basis.

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. 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 for identical assets or liabilities that each Fund has the ability to access;

   

Level 2 – Other observable inputs (including, but not limited to, quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in markets that are active, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the assets or liabilities (such as interest rates, yield curves, volatilities, prepayment speeds, loss severities, credit risks and default rates) or other market-corroborated inputs); and

   

Level 3 – Unobservable inputs based on the best information available in the circumstances, to the extent observable inputs are not available, (including the Global 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 Global 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.

 

 

N O T E S   T O   F I N A N C I A L   S T A T E M E N T S

  73


Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

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 BlackRock Fund Advisors (“BFA”), the Funds’ investment adviser, 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

   
Market Value of
Securities on Loan
 
 
    
Cash Collateral
Received
 
(a)  
   
Non-Cash Collateral
Received
 
 
     Net Amount  

 

 

ESG Aware MSCI EAFE

         

BNP Paribas SA

  $ 641,367      $ 641,367     $      $  

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

    2,879,835        2,879,835               

Morgan Stanley

    42,785        42,785               

UBS AG

    7,087,683        7,087,683               
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
  $ 10,651,670      $ 10,651,670     $      $  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

ESG Aware MSCI USA

         

Barclays Bank PLC

  $ 5,901,802      $ 5,901,802     $      $  

BNP Paribas SA

    12,867        12,867               

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

    8,619,016        8,619,016               

Jefferies LLC

    59,250        59,250               

Morgan Stanley

    342,680        342,680               

SG AMERICAS Securities LLC

    409,740        409,740               

UBS AG

    28,289,037        28,289,037               
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
  $ 43,634,392      $ 43,634,392     $      $  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

 

 

iShares ETF and Counterparty

   
Market Value of
Securities on Loan
 
 
    
Cash Collateral
Received
 
(a)  
   
Non-Cash Collateral
Received
 
 
     Net Amount  

 

 

ESG Aware MSCI USA Small-Cap

         

Barclays Capital, Inc.

  $ 1,217,573      $ 1,197,167     $      $ (20,406 )(b)  

BofA Securities, Inc.

    4,151,441        3,973,470              (177,971 )(b)  

Citigroup Global Markets, Inc.

    8,543,436        8,322,859              (220,577 )(b)  

Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC

    945,556        911,954              (33,602 )(b)  

HSBC Bank PLC

    1,611,168        1,577,262              (33,906 )(b)  

Jefferies LLC

    427,437        412,602              (14,835 )(b)  

Morgan Stanley

    11,145,034        10,936,363              (208,671 )(b)  

National Financial Services LLC

    1,626,520        1,533,426              (93,094 )(b)  

Scotia Capital (USA), Inc.

    755,057        735,758              (19,299 )(b)  

State Street Bank & Trust Co.

    5,815,694        5,742,185              (73,509 )(b)  

Toronto Dominion Bank

    2,786,007        2,765,936              (20,071 )(b)  

UBS AG

    2,302,815        2,244,727              (58,088 )(b)  

Virtu Americas LLC

    364,704        354,457              (10,247 )(b)  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
  $ 41,692,442      $ 40,708,166     $      $ (984,276
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

ESG MSCI EM Leaders

         

Barclays Bank PLC

  $ 751,705      $ 724,085     $      $ (27,620 )(b)  

BofA Securities, Inc.

    11,200        11,200               

Citigroup Global Markets, Inc.

    296,506        296,506               

Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC

    46,459        46,459               

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

    53,217        53,217               

Morgan Stanley

    232,458        232,458               
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
  $ 1,391,545      $ 1,363,925     $      $ (27,620
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

ESG MSCI USA Leaders

         

BNP Paribas SA

  $ 3,264,391      $ 3,264,391     $      $  

Citigroup Global Markets, Inc.

    2,385,147        2,385,147               

Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC

    910,940        898,375              (12,565 )(b)  

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

    299,490        299,490               

Jefferies LLC

    32,603        32,603               

Virtu Americas LLC

    3,548,155        3,548,155               
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
  $ 10,440,726      $ 10,428,161     $      $ (12,565
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

MSCI Global Impact

         

Barclays Bank PLC

  $ 1,076,927      $ 1,076,927     $      $  

BNP Paribas SA

    181,980        181,980               

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

    5,140,941        5,140,941               

Morgan Stanley

    509,181        509,181               

Nomura Securities International, Inc.

    24,679        24,679               

SG AMERICAS Securities LLC

    6,390,060        6,390,060               

State Street Bank & Trust Co.

    46,465        46,465               

UBS AG

    7,717,389        7,717,389               

Wells Fargo Bank N.A.

    172,575        172,575               
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
  $ 21,260,197      $ 21,260,197     $      $  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Collateral received 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 statement of assets and liabilities.

 
  (b) 

The market value of the loaned securities is determined as of August 31, 2021. Additional collateral is delivered to the Fund on the next business day in accordance with the MSLA. The net amount would be subject to the borrower default indemnity in the event of default by a counterparty.

 

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) .

 

 

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  75


Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

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 the average daily net assets of each Fund as follows:

 

   
iShares ETF   Investment Advisory Fee      

ESG Aware MSCI EAFE

    0.20%   

ESG Aware MSCI USA

    0.15      

ESG Aware MSCI USA Small-Cap

    0.17      

ESG MSCI EM Leaders

    0.16      

ESG MSCI USA Leaders

    0.10      

MSCI Global Impact

    0.49      

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. 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, distribution fee or service fee. The money market fund in which the cash collateral has been invested may, under certain circumstances, impose a liquidity fee of up to 2% of the value redeemed or temporarily restrict redemptions for up to 10 business days during a 90 day period, in the event that the money market fund’s weekly liquid assets fall below certain thresholds.

Securities lending income is equal to the total of income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral, net of fees and other payments to and from borrowers of securities, and less the collateral investment fees. Each Fund retains a portion of 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 the iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF, iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA Small-Cap ETF and iShares ESG MSCI USA Leaders ETF (the “Group 1 Funds”), retains 77% 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 the iShares ESG Aware MSCI EAFE ETF, iShares ESG MSCI EM Leaders ETF and iShares MSCI Global Impact 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.

 

 

76  

2 0 2 1   I S H A R E S   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

Prior to January 1, 2021, each Group 1 Fund retained 75% of securities lending income (which excludes collateral investment fees) and the amount retained was not less than 70% of the total of securities lending income plus the collateral investment fees. Each Group 2 Fund retained 82% of securities lending income (which excludes collateral investment fees) and the amount retained was not 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 the iShares ETF Complex in a calendar year exceeded a specified threshold: (1) each Group 1 Fund, pursuant to the securities lending agreement, retained for the remainder of that calendar year 80% of securities lending income (which excludes collateral investment fees), and the amount retained could never be less than 70% of the total of securities lending income plus the collateral investment fees, and (2) each Group 2 Fund, pursuant to the securities lending agreement, retained for the remainder of that calendar year 85% of securities lending income (which excludes collateral investment fees), and the amount retained could 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 year ended August 31, 2021, the Funds paid BTC the following amounts for securities lending agent services:

 

   
iShares ETF   Fees Paid    
to BTC    

ESG Aware MSCI EAFE

  $ 37,234      

ESG Aware MSCI USA

        121,121      

ESG Aware MSCI USA Small-Cap

    52,528      

ESG MSCI EM Leaders

    75,078      

ESG MSCI USA Leaders

    11,378      

MSCI Global Impact

    10,043      

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 year ended August 31, 2021, transactions executed by the Funds pursuant to Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act were as follows:

 

       
iShares ETF   Purchases      Sales      Net Realized    
Gain (Loss)    

ESG Aware MSCI EAFE

  $   383,609,225      $   412,425,249      $ (12,485,072

ESG Aware MSCI USA

    821,712,520        934,752,850        (30,899,461

ESG Aware MSCI USA Small-Cap

    38,802,827        32,699,601        (2,141,729

ESG MSCI EM Leaders

    58,475,314        21,698,758        1,053,836  

ESG MSCI USA Leaders

    165,626,667        160,266,509        (12,068,282

MSCI Global Impact

    72,090,050        80,573,602        (5,671,414

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.

 

7.

PURCHASES AND SALES

For the year ended August 31, 2021, purchases and sales of investments, excluding short-term investments and in-kind transactions, were as follows:

 

     
iShares ETF   Purchases      Sales  

ESG Aware MSCI EAFE

  $   1,339,901,836      $   1,180,708,027    

ESG Aware MSCI USA

    3,144,428,462        3,142,125,336    

ESG Aware MSCI USA Small-Cap

    250,909,151        230,178,696    

ESG MSCI EM Leaders

    337,199,820        271,295,639    

ESG MSCI USA Leaders

    388,945,473        391,032,985    

MSCI Global Impact

    352,589,999        259,910,536    

 

 

N O T E S   T O   F I N A N C I A L   S T A T E M E N T S

  77


Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

For the year ended August 31, 2021, in-kind transactions were as follows:

 

     
iShares ETF   In-kind
Purchases
    

In-kind  

Sales  

ESG Aware MSCI EAFE

  $   2,598,497,495      $ 20,448,993  

ESG Aware MSCI USA

    12,701,100,647        3,598,424,742  

ESG Aware MSCI USA Small-Cap

    684,872,640        172,673,005  

ESG MSCI EM Leaders

    31,603,252        20,591,685  

ESG MSCI USA Leaders

    980,190,261        350,767,859  

MSCI Global Impact

    316,849,651        88,697,227  

 

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 August 31, 2021, 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.

U.S. GAAP requires that certain components of net assets be adjusted to reflect permanent differences between financial and tax reporting. These reclassifications have no effect on net assets or NAV per share. As of August 31, 2021, the following permanent differences attributable to realized gains (losses) from in-kind redemptions were reclassified to the following accounts:

 

     
iShares ETF   Paid-in Capital      Accumulated  
Earnings  
 

ESG Aware MSCI EAFE

  $ 6,934,756      $ (6,934,756

ESG Aware MSCI USA

    1,092,973,536        (1,092,973,536

ESG Aware MSCI USA Small-Cap

    68,412,234        (68,412,234

ESG MSCI EM Leaders

    5,412,035        (5,412,035

ESG MSCI USA Leaders

    114,094,526        (114,094,526

MSCI Global Impact

    33,048,717        (33,048,717

The tax character of distributions was as follows:

 

iShares ETF   Year Ended
08/31/21
     Year Ended
08/31/20
 

ESG Aware MSCI EAFE

    

Ordinary income

  $ 109,833,351      $ 35,253,292  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

ESG Aware MSCI USA

    

Ordinary income

  $ 167,851,349      $ 48,261,940  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

ESG Aware MSCI USA Small-Cap

    

Ordinary income

  $ 6,491,221      $ 1,531,147  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

iShares ETF   Year Ended
08/31/21
     Period Ended
08/31/20
 

ESG MSCI EM Leaders

    

Ordinary income

  $ 14,341,619      $ 4,354,836  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

iShares ETF   Year Ended
08/31/21
     Year Ended
08/31/20
 

ESG MSCI USA Leaders

    

Ordinary income

  $ 41,279,956      $ 31,557,896  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

MSCI Global Impact

    

Ordinary income

  $ 3,512,120      $ 1,233,842  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

78  

2 0 2 1   I S H A R E S   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

As of August 31, 2021, the tax components of accumulated net earnings (losses) were as follows:

 

iShares ETF     
Undistributed
Ordinary Income
 
 
      

Non-expiring
Capital Loss
Carryforwards
 
 
(a) 
    
Net Unrealized
Gains (Losses)
 
(b) 
     Total  

ESG Aware MSCI EAFE

   $ 32,401,433        $ (87,046,672    $ 1,139,892,723      $ 1,085,247,484  

ESG Aware MSCI USA

     49,508,314          (217,893,373      4,490,125,741        4,321,740,682  

ESG Aware MSCI USA Small-Cap

     1,749,848          (18,432,907      178,848,182        162,165,123  

ESG MSCI EM Leaders

     4,657,905          (6,867,953      157,294,201        155,084,153  

ESG MSCI USA Leaders

     9,015,477          (40,837,497      1,220,928,072        1,189,106,052  

MSCI Global Impact

     1,972,116          (3,685,839      53,566,112        51,852,389  

 

  (a) 

Amounts available to offset future realized capital gains.

 
  (b) 

The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized gains (losses) was attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales, the realization for tax purposes of unrealized gains(losses) on certain futures contracts, timing and recognition of partnership income, the characterization of corporate actions and the realization for tax purposes of unrealized gains on investments in passive foreign investment companies.

 

For the year ended August 31, 2021, the Funds utilized the following amounts of their respective capital loss carryforwards:

 

iShares ETF    Utilized  

ESG Aware MSCI EAFE

   $   10,320,707  

ESG MSCI EM Leaders

     3,568,557  

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 August 31, 2021, 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:

 

iShares ETF    Tax Cost        Gross Unrealized
Appreciation
       Gross Unrealized
Depreciation
       Net Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

ESG Aware MSCI EAFE

   $ 5,520,231,898        $ 1,209,121,621        $ (69,126,665      $ 1,139,994,956  

ESG Aware MSCI USA

     17,812,623,071          4,576,822,034          (86,696,293        4,490,125,741  

ESG Aware MSCI USA Small-Cap

     966,521,630          200,754,702          (21,906,520        178,848,182  

ESG MSCI EM Leaders

     723,767,677          208,975,381          (47,814,449        161,160,932  

ESG MSCI USA Leaders

     2,865,514,104          1,237,480,030          (16,551,958        1,220,928,072  

MSCI Global Impact

     530,805,554          61,674,332          (8,041,378        53,632,954  

 

9.

LINE OF CREDIT

The iShares ESG MSCI EM Leaders ETF and iShares MSCI Global Impact ETF, along with certain other iShares funds (“Participating Funds”), are parties to a $300 million credit agreement (“Credit Agreement”) with State Street Bank and Trust Company, which expires on October 15, 2021. 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 Credit Agreement sets specific sub limits on aggregate borrowings based on two tiers of Participating Funds: $300 million with respect to the funds within Tier 1, including the Funds, and $200 million with respect to Tier 2. The Funds may borrow up to the aggregate commitment amount subject to asset coverage and other limitations as specified in the Credit Agreement. The Credit Agreement has the following terms: a commitment fee of 0.20% per annum on the unused portion of the credit agreement and interest at a rate equal to the higher of (a) the one-month LIBOR rate (not less than zero) plus 1.00% per annum or (b) the U.S. Federal Funds rate (not less than zero) 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 Credit Agreement. The Credit Agreement was terminated on August 12, 2021.

Effective August 13, 2021, the iShares ESG MSCI EM Leaders ETF and iShares MSCI Global Impact 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 August 12, 2022. 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) the one-month LIBOR rate (not less than zero) plus 1.00% per annum or (b) the U.S. Federal Funds rate (not less than zero) 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.

 

 

N O T E S   T O   F I N A N C I A L   S T A T E M E N T S

  79


Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

For the year ended August 31, 2021, the maximum amount borrowed, the average daily borrowing and the weighted average interest rate, if any, under the Credit Agreement and Syndicated Credit Agreement were as follows:

 

       
iShares ETF   Maximum
Amount
Borrowed
     Average
Borrowing
     Weighted
Average
Interest Rates
 

ESG MSCI EM Leaders

  $   7,701,000      $     331,330        1.11

MSCI Global Impact

    455,000        12,910        1.14  

 

10.

PRINCIPAL RISKS

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 a “passive” or index approach to try to achieve each Fund’s investment objective following the securities included in its underlying index during upturns as well as downturns. BFA does not take steps to reduce market exposure or to lessen the effects of a declining market. Divergence from the underlying index and the composition of the portfolio is monitored by BFA.

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 redemption gates or 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) 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; (iii) 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 (iv) 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.

An outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus has developed into a global pandemic and has resulted in closing borders, quarantines, disruptions to supply chains and customer activity, as well as general concern and uncertainty. The impact of this pandemic, and other global health crises that may arise in the future, could affect the economies of many nations, individual companies and the market in general in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen at the present time. This pandemic may result in substantial market volatility and may adversely impact the prices and liquidity of a fund’s investments. The duration of this pandemic and its effects cannot be determined with certainty.

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 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.

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 the Manager 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.

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

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, 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 Funds.

Concentration 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. 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. 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. In addition, 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. The impact of these actions, especially if they occur in a disorderly fashion, is not clear but could be significant and far reaching.

Certain Funds invest a significant portion of their assets in securities of issuers located in China or with significant exposure to Chinese issuers or countries. Investments in Chinese securities, including certain Hong Kong-listed securities, involves 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, institution of tariffs 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. Investment percentages in specific sectors are presented in the Schedule of Investments.

LIBOR Transition Risk: The United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority announced a phase out of the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”). Although many LIBOR rates will be phased out by the end of 2021, a selection of widely used USD LIBOR rates will continue to be published through June 2023 in order to assist with the transition. The Funds may be exposed to financial instruments tied to LIBOR to determine payment obligations, financing terms, hedging strategies or investment value. The transition process away from LIBOR might lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets for, and reduce the effectiveness of new hedges placed against, instruments whose terms currently include LIBOR. The ultimate effect of the LIBOR transition process on the Funds is uncertain.

 

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.

 

 

N O T E S   T O   F I N A N C I A L   S T A T E M E N T S

  81


Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

Transactions in capital shares were as follows:

 

 

 
     Year Ended
08/31/21
       Year Ended
08/31/20
 
iShares ETF   

 

Shares

      

 

Amount

      

 

Shares

      

 

Amount

 

 

 

ESG Aware MSCI EAFE

                 

Shares sold

     36,700,000        $ 2,774,047,093          32,200,000        $ 1,957,484,272  

Shares redeemed

     (300,000        (22,212,443        (600,000        (38,595,330
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase

     36,400,000        $ 2,751,834,650          31,600,000        $ 1,918,888,942  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

ESG Aware MSCI USA

                 

Shares sold

     141,600,000        $ 12,751,408,984          127,450,000        $ 8,513,896,093  

Shares redeemed

     (39,650,000        (3,618,060,648        (19,300,000        (1,323,495,158
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase

     101,950,000        $ 9,133,348,336          108,150,000        $ 7,190,400,935  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

ESG Aware MSCI USA Small-Cap

                 

Shares sold

     18,850,000        $ 703,868,475          11,500,000        $ 286,941,456  

Shares redeemed

     (4,950,000        (175,001,921        (300,000        (6,845,039
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase

     13,900,000        $ 528,866,554          11,200,000        $ 280,096,417  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

 
     Year Ended
08/31/21
       Period Ended
08/31/20
 
iShares ETF   

 

Shares

      

 

Amount

      

 

Shares

      

 

Amount

 

 

 

ESG MSCI EM Leaders

                 

Shares sold

     2,150,000        $ 128,332,687          12,500,000        $ 640,273,094  

Shares redeemed

     (750,000        (46,572,591                  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase

     1,400,000        $ 81,760,096          12,500,000        $ 640,273,094  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

 
     Year Ended
08/31/21
       Year Ended
08/31/20
 
iShares ETF   

 

Shares

      

 

Amount

      

 

Shares

      

 

Amount

 

 

 

ESG MSCI USA Leaders

                 

Shares sold

     13,950,000        $ 981,902,059          14,250,000        $ 755,760,037  

Shares redeemed

     (5,100,000        (356,812,397        (3,000,000        (163,600,189
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase

     8,850,000        $ 625,089,662          11,250,000        $ 592,159,848  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

MSCI Global Impact

                 

Shares sold

     4,450,000        $ 414,947,808          1,550,000        $ 107,653,071  

Shares redeemed

     (950,000        (88,595,157        (350,000        (25,849,269
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase

     3,500,000        $ 326,352,651          1,200,000        $ 81,803,802  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

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. Investors 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. Investors 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.

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.

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Management has evaluated the impact of all subsequent events on the Funds through the date the financial statements were available to be issued and has determined that there were no subsequent events requiring adjustment or additional disclosure in the financial statements.

 

 

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Board of Trustees of iShares Trust and Shareholders of iShares ESG Aware MSCI EAFE ETF,

iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF, iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA Small-Cap ETF, iShares ESG MSCI EM Leaders ETF,

iShares ESG MSCI USA Leaders ETF and iShares MSCI Global Impact ETF

Opinions on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities, including the schedules of investments, of iShares ESG Aware MSCI EAFE ETF, iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF, iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA Small-Cap ETF, iShares ESG MSCI EM Leaders ETF, iShares ESG MSCI USA Leaders ETF and iShares MSCI Global Impact ETF (six of the funds constituting iShares Trust, hereafter collectively referred to as the “Funds”) as of August 31, 2021, the related statements of operations and changes in net assets for each of the periods indicated in the table below, including the related notes, and the financial highlights for each of the periods indicated therein (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of each of the Funds as of August 31, 2021, the results of each of their operations and the changes in each of their net assets for each of the periods indicated in the table below, and each of the financial highlights for each of the periods indicated therein, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

iShares ESG Aware MSCI EAFE ETF, iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF, iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA Small-Cap ETF, iShares ESG MSCI USA Leaders ETF and iShares MSCI Global Impact ETF: statements of operations for the year ended August 31, 2021 and statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period ended August 31, 2021.

 

iShares ESG MSCI EM Leaders ETF: statement of operations for the year ended August 31, 2021 and statements of changes in net assets for the year ended August 31, 2021 and for the period February 5, 2020 (commencement of operations) to August 31, 2020.

Basis for Opinions

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Funds’ management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Funds’ financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Funds in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of August 31, 2021 by correspondence with the custodian, transfer agent and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

/s/PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

October 22, 2021

We have served as the auditor of one or more BlackRock investment companies since 2000.

 

 

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  83


Important Tax Information  (unaudited)

 

The following percentage, or maximum percentage allowable by law, of ordinary income distributions paid during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2021 qualified for the dividends-received deduction for corporate shareholders:

 

   

iShares ETF

 

 

Dividends-Received
Deduction

 

 

ESG Aware MSCI USA

    100.00

ESG Aware MSCI USA Small-Cap

    82.75

ESG MSCI EM Leaders

    0.08

ESG MSCI USA Leaders

    99.23

MSCI Global Impact

 

   

 

24.43

 

 

The following amounts, or maximum amounts allowable by law, are hereby designated as qualified dividend income for individuals for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2021:

 

   

iShares ETF

 

 

Qualified Dividend
Income

 

 

ESG Aware MSCI EAFE

  $  130,635,731  

ESG Aware MSCI USA

    202,850,687  

ESG Aware MSCI USA Small-Cap

    6,345,936  

ESG MSCI EM Leaders

    8,210,541  

ESG MSCI USA Leaders

    44,863,915  

MSCI Global Impact

 

   

 

4,613,615

 

 

 

The following amounts, or maximum amounts allowable by law, are hereby designated as qualified business income for individuals for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2021:

 

   

iShares ETF

 

 

Qualified Business
Income

 

 

ESG Aware MSCI USA

  $      1,967,133  

ESG Aware MSCI USA Small-Cap

    225,232  

ESG MSCI USA Leaders

    358,232  

MSCI Global Impact

 

   

 

33,973

 

 

 

The Funds intend to pass through to their shareholders the following amounts, or maximum amounts allowable by law, of foreign source income earned and foreign taxes paid for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2021:

 

     

iShares ETF

 

 

Foreign Source
Income Earned

 

    

Foreign
Taxes Paid

 

 

ESG Aware MSCI EAFE

  $  139,509,986      $  10,310,403  

ESG MSCI EM Leaders

    16,677,789        2,545,742  

MSCI Global Impact

 

   

 

5,137,512

 

 

 

    

 

332,786

 

 

 

 

 

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Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract

 

iShares ESG Aware MSCI EAFE ETF, iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA Small-Cap 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 and approve the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and BFA (the “Advisory Agreement”) 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; legal and compliance services; and 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 on May 7, 2021 and May 14, 2021, 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, and requested certain additional information, which management agreed to provide. At a meeting held on June 15-16, 2021, 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 material factors, none of which was controlling, 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 another fund in which the Fund invests (if applicable), and waivers/reimbursements (if applicable) of the Fund in comparison with the same information for other ETFs (including, where applicable, funds sponsored by an “at cost” service provider), objectively selected by Broadridge as comprising the Fund’s applicable 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 overall fund expenses (net of waivers and reimbursements) for the Fund were within range of the median of the overall fund expenses (net of 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, 2020, to that of 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 factors 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 recent and proposed enhancements to the iShares 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. 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, which were provided at the May 7, 2021 meeting and throughout the year.

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

 

 

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  85


Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract  (continued)

 

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 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, were within a reasonable range in light of the factors and other information considered.

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, 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 relatively low fee rates established at inception, breakpoints, waivers, or other fee reductions, as well as through additional investment in the iShares business and the provision of improved or additional infrastructure and services to the iShares funds and their shareholders. 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 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 acknowledged BFA’s representation that the iShares funds are fundamentally different investment vehicles from 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 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 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 also considered the “all-inclusive” nature of the Fund’s advisory fee structure, and the Fund’s expenses borne by BFA under this arrangement. The Board 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 (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 for which BFA (or its affiliates) provides investment advisory services or other services, and BlackRock’s profile in the investment community. The Board also noted the revenue received by BFA and/or its affiliates pursuant to (i) 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 and (ii) other technology-related initiatives aimed to better support the iShares funds. The Board further 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 ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF, iShares ESG MSCI EM Leaders ETF, iShares ESG MSCI USA Leaders ETF, iShares MSCI Global Impact 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 and approve the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and BFA (the “Advisory Agreement”) 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

 

 

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Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract  (continued)

 

providers; risk management and oversight; legal and compliance services; and 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 on May 7, 2021 and May 14, 2021, 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, and requested certain additional information, which management agreed to provide. At a meeting held on June 15-16, 2021, 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 material factors, none of which was controlling, 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 another fund in which the Fund invests (if applicable), and waivers/reimbursements (if applicable) of the Fund in comparison with the same information for other ETFs (including, where applicable, funds sponsored by an “at cost” service provider), objectively selected by Broadridge as comprising the Fund’s applicable 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 overall fund expenses (net of waivers and reimbursements) for the Fund were lower than the median of the overall fund expenses (net of 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, 2020, to that of 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 factors 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 recent and proposed enhancements to the iShares 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. 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, which were provided at the May 7, 2021 meeting and throughout the year.

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,

 

 

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Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract  (continued)

 

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 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, were within a reasonable range in light of the factors and other information considered.

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, 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 relatively low fee rates established at inception, breakpoints, waivers, or other fee reductions, as well as through additional investment in the iShares business and the provision of improved or additional infrastructure and services to the iShares funds and their shareholders. 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 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 acknowledged BFA’s representation that the iShares funds are fundamentally different investment vehicles from 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 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 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 also considered the “all-inclusive” nature of the Fund’s advisory fee structure, and the Fund’s expenses borne by BFA under this arrangement. The Board 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 (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 for which BFA (or its affiliates) provides investment advisory services or other services, and BlackRock’s profile in the investment community. The Board also noted the revenue received by BFA and/or its affiliates pursuant to (i) 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 and (ii) other technology-related initiatives aimed to better support the iShares funds. The Board further 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.

 

 

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Supplemental Information  (unaudited)

 

Regulation Regarding Derivatives

On October 28, 2020, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) adopted new regulations governing the use of derivatives by registered investment companies (“Rule 18f-4”). The Funds will be required to implement and comply with Rule 18f-4 by August 19, 2022. Once implemented, Rule 18f-4 will impose limits on the amount of derivatives a fund can enter into, eliminate the asset segregation framework currently used by funds to comply with Section 18 of the 1940 Act, treat derivatives as senior securities and require funds whose use of derivatives is more than a limited specified exposure amount to establish and maintain a comprehensive derivatives risk management program and appoint a derivatives risk manager.

Section 19(a) Notices

The amounts and sources of distributions reported are estimates and are being provided pursuant to regulatory requirements and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources for tax reporting purposes will depend upon each Fund’s investment experience during the year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. Shareholders will receive a Form 1099-DIV each calendar year that will inform them how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes.

August 31, 2021

 

     Total Cumulative Distributions
for the Fiscal Year
    % Breakdown of the Total Cumulative
Distributions for the Fiscal Year
 
iShares ETF   Net
Investment
Income
    Net Realized
Capital Gains
    Return of
Capital
    Total Per
Share
    Net
Investment
Income
    Net Realized
Capital Gains
    Return of
Capital
    Total Per
Share
 

ESG Aware MSCI EAFE

  $  1.669556     $     $     $  1.669556       100             100

ESG Aware MSCI USA(a)

    1.084281             0.010875       1.095156       99             1       100  

ESG Aware MSCI USA Small-Cap(a)

    0.356984             0.020509       0.377493       95             5       100  

ESG MSCI EM Leaders(a)

    0.989149             0.042509       1.031658       96             4       100  

ESG MSCI USA Leaders(a)

    0.913142             0.007654       0.920796       99             1       100  

MSCI Global Impact(a)

    0.847682             0.009293       0.856975       99             1       100  

 

  (a) 

The Fund estimates that it has distributed more than its net investment income and net realized capital gains; therefore, a portion of the distribution may be a return of capital. A return of capital may occur, for example, when some or all of the shareholder’s investment in the Fund is returned to the shareholder. A return of capital does not necessarily reflect the Fund’s investment performance and should not be confused with “yield” or “income”. When distributions exceed total return performance, the difference will incrementally reduce the Fund’s net asset value per share.

 

Premium/Discount Information

Information on the Fund’s net asset value, market price, premiums and discounts, and bid-ask spreads can be found at iShares.com.

Regulation under the Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive

The Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive (the “Directive”) imposes detailed and prescriptive obligations on fund managers established in the European Union (the “EU”). These do not currently apply to managers established outside of the EU, such as BFA (the “Company”). Rather, non-EU managers are only required to comply with certain disclosure, reporting and transparency obligations of the Directive if such managers market a fund to EU investors.

The Company has registered the iShares ESG MSCI EM Leaders ETF and iShares ESG MSCI USA Leaders ETF (each a “Fund”, collectively the “Funds”) to be marketed to EU investors in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Finland, Sweden, and Luxembourg.

Report on Remuneration

The Company is required under the Directive to make quantitative disclosures of remuneration. These disclosures are made in line with BlackRock’s interpretation of currently available regulatory guidance on quantitative remuneration disclosures. As market or regulatory practice develops BlackRock may consider it appropriate to make changes to the way in which quantitative remuneration disclosures are calculated. Where such changes are made, this may result in disclosures in relation to a fund not being comparable to the disclosures made in the prior year, or in relation to other BlackRock fund disclosures in that same year.

Disclosures are provided in relation to (a) the staff of the Company; (b) staff who are senior management; and (c) staff who have the ability to materially affect the risk profile of the Funds.

All individuals included in the aggregated figures disclosed are rewarded in line with BlackRock’s remuneration policy for their responsibilities across the relevant BlackRock business area. As all individuals have a number of areas of responsibilities, only the portion of remuneration for those individuals’ services attributable to each Fund is included in the aggregate figures disclosed.

BlackRock has a clear and well defined pay-for-performance philosophy, and compensation programmes which support that philosophy.

 

 

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Supplemental Information  (unaudited) (continued)

 

BlackRock operates a total compensation model for remuneration which includes a base salary, which is contractual, and a discretionary bonus scheme. Although all employees are eligible to receive a discretionary bonus, there is no contractual obligation to make a discretionary bonus award to any employees. For senior management, a significant percentage of variable remuneration is deferred over time. All employees are subject to a claw-back policy.

Remuneration decisions for employees are made once annually in January following the end of the performance year, based on BlackRock’s full-year financial results and other non-financial goals and objectives. Alongside financial performance, individual total compensation is also based on strategic and operating results and other considerations such as management and leadership capabilities. No set formulas are established and no fixed benchmarks are used in determining annual incentive awards.

Annual incentive awards are paid from a bonus pool which is reviewed throughout the year by BlackRock’s independent compensation committee, taking into account both actual and projected financial information together with information provided by the Enterprise Risk and Regulatory Compliance departments in relation to any activities, incidents or events that warrant consideration in making compensation decisions. Individuals are not involved in setting their own remuneration.

Each of the control functions (Enterprise Risk, Legal & Compliance, and Internal Audit) each have their own organisational structures which are independent of the business units. Functional bonus pools for those control functions are determined with reference to the performance of each individual function and the remuneration of the senior members of control functions is directly overseen by BlackRock’s independent remuneration committee.

Members of staff and senior management of the Company typically provide both AIFMD and non-AIFMD related services in respect of multiple funds, clients and functions of the Company and across the broader BlackRock group. Therefore, the figures disclosed are a sum of each individual’s portion of remuneration attributable to each Fund according to an objective apportionment methodology which acknowledges the multiple-service nature of the Company. Accordingly the figures are not representative of any individual’s actual remuneration or their remuneration structure.

The amount of the total remuneration awarded by the Company to its staff which has been attributed to the iShares ESG MSCI EM Leaders ETF in respect of the Company’s financial year ending 31 December 2020 is USD 64.83 thousand. This figure is comprised of fixed remuneration of USD 30.19 thousand and variable remuneration of USD 34.64 thousand. There were a total of 490 beneficiaries of the remuneration described above.

The amount of the aggregate remuneration awarded by the Company, which has been attributed to the iShares ESG MSCI EM Leaders ETF in respect of the Company’s financial year ending 31 December 2020, to its senior management was USD 10.56 thousand, and to members of its staff whose actions have a material impact on the risk profile of the Fund was USD 0.85 thousand.

The amount of the total remuneration awarded by the Company to its staff which has been attributed to the iShares ESG MSCI USA Leaders ETF in respect of the Company’s financial year ending 31 December 2020 is USD 218.5 thousand. This figure is comprised of fixed remuneration of USD 101.75 thousand and variable remuneration of USD 116.75 thousand. There were a total of 490 beneficiaries of the remuneration described above.

The amount of the aggregate remuneration awarded by the Company, which has been attributed to the iShares ESG MSCI USA Leaders ETF in respect of the Company’s financial year ending 31 December 2020, to its senior management was USD 35.59 thousand, and to members of its staff whose actions have a material impact on the risk profile of the Fund was USD 2.87 thousand.

 

 

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Trustee and Officer Information

 

The Board of Trustees has responsibility for the overall management and operations of the Funds, including general supervision of the duties performed by BFA and other service providers. Each Trustee serves until he or she resigns, is removed, dies, retires or becomes incapacitated. Each officer shall hold office until his or her successor is elected and qualifies or until his or her death, resignation or removal. Trustees who are not “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust are referred to as independent trustees (“Independent Trustees”).

The registered investment companies advised by BFA or its affiliates (the “BlackRock-advised Funds”) are organized into one complex of open-end equity, multi-asset, index and money market funds and ETFs (the “BlackRock Multi-Asset Complex”), one complex of closed-end funds and open-end non-index fixed-income funds (including ETFs) (the “BlackRock Fixed-Income Complex”) and one complex of ETFs (“Exchange-Traded Fund Complex”) (each, a “BlackRock Fund Complex”). Each Fund is included in the Exchange-Traded Fund Complex. Each Trustee also serves as a Director of iShares, Inc. and a Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust and, as a result, oversees all of the funds within the Exchange-Traded Fund Complex, which consists of 374 funds as of August 31, 2021. With the exception of Robert S. Kapito, Salim Ramji and Charles Park, the address of each Trustee and officer is c/o BlackRock, Inc., 400 Howard Street, San Francisco, CA 94105. The address of Mr. Kapito, Mr. Ramji and Mr. Park is c/o BlackRock, Inc., Park Avenue Plaza, 55 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10055. The Board has designated Cecilia H. Herbert as its Independent Board Chair. Additional information about the Funds’ Trustees and officers may be found in the Funds’ combined Statement of Additional Information, which is available without charge, upon request, by calling toll-free 1-800-iShares (1-800-474-2737).

 

Interested Trustees
       
 Name (Age)    Position(s)   

Principal Occupation(s)

During the Past 5 Years

   Other Directorships Held by Trustee
Robert S. Kapito(a) (64)    Trustee (since 2009).    President, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2006); Vice Chairman of BlackRock, Inc. and Head of BlackRock’s Portfolio Management Group (since its formation in 1998) and BlackRock, Inc.’s predecessor entities (since 1988); Trustee, University of Pennsylvania (since 2009); President of Board of Directors, Hope & Heroes Children’s Cancer Fund (since 2002).    Director of BlackRock, Inc. (since 2006); Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2009); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011).
Salim Ramji(b) (51)    Trustee (since 2019).    Senior Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2014); Global Head of BlackRock’s ETF and Index Investments Business (since 2019); Head of BlackRock’s U.S. Wealth Advisory Business (2015-2019); Global Head of Corporate Strategy, BlackRock, Inc. (2014-2015); Senior Partner, McKinsey & Company (2010-2014).    Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2019); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2019).

(a)   Robert S. Kapito is deemed to be an “interested person” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust due to his affiliations with BlackRock, Inc. and its affiliates.

 

(b)   Salim Ramji is deemed to be an “interested person” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust due to his affiliations with BlackRock, Inc. and its affiliates.

 

Independent Trustees
       
 Name (Age)    Position(s)   

Principal Occupation(s)

During the Past 5 Years

   Other Directorships Held by Trustee
Cecilia H. Herbert (72)    Trustee (since 2005); Independent Board Chair (since 2016).    Chair of the Finance Committee (since 2019) and Trustee and Member of the Finance, Audit and Quality Committees of Stanford Health Care (since 2016); Trustee of WNET, New York’s public media company (since 2011) and Member of the Audit Committee (since 2018) and Investment Committee (since 2011); Chair (1994-2005) and Member (since 1992) of the Investment Committee, Archdiocese of San Francisco; Trustee of Forward Funds (14 portfolios) (2009-2018); Trustee of Salient MF Trust (4 portfolios) (2015-2018); Director (1998-2013) and President (2007-2011) of the Board of Directors, Catholic Charities CYO; Trustee (2002-2011) and Chair of the Finance and Investment Committee (2006-2010) of the Thacher School; Director of the Senior Center of Jackson Hole (since 2020).    Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2005); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011); Independent Board Chair of iShares, Inc. and iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2016); Trustee of Thrivent Church Loan and Income Fund (since 2019).
Jane D. Carlin (65)    Trustee (since 2015); Risk Committee Chair (since 2016).    Consultant (since 2012); Member of the Audit Committee (2012-2018), Chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee (2017-2018) and Director of PHH Corporation (mortgage solutions) (2012-2018); Managing Director and Global Head of Financial Holding Company Governance & Assurance and the Global Head of Operational Risk Management of Morgan Stanley (2006-2012).    Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2015); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2015); Member of the Audit Committee (since 2016), Chair of the Audit Committee (since 2020) and Director of The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. (since 2016).
Richard L. Fagnani (66)    Trustee (since 2017); Audit Committee Chair (since 2019).    Partner, KPMG LLP (2002-2016).    Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2017); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2017).

 

 

T R U S T E E   A N D   O F F I C E R   I N F O R M A T I O N

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Trustee and Officer Information  (continued)

 

Independent Trustees (continued)
       
 Name (Age)    Position(s)   

Principal Occupation(s)

During the Past 5 Years

   Other Directorships Held by Trustee
John E. Kerrigan (66)    Trustee (since 2005); Nominating and Governance and Equity Plus Committee Chairs (since 2019).    Chief Investment Officer, Santa Clara University (since 2002).    Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2005); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011).
Drew E. Lawton (62)    Trustee (since 2017); 15(c) Committee Chair (since 2017).    Senior Managing Director of New York Life Insurance Company (2010-2015).    Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2017); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2017).
John E. Martinez (60)    Trustee (since 2003); Securities Lending Committee Chair (since 2019).    Director of Real Estate Equity Exchange, Inc. (since 2005); Director of Cloudera Foundation (2017-2020); and Director of Reading Partners (2012-2016).    Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2003); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011).
Madhav V. Rajan (57)    Trustee (since 2011); Fixed Income Plus Committee Chair (since 2019).    Dean, and George Pratt Shultz Professor of Accounting, University of Chicago Booth School of Business (since 2017); Advisory Board Member (since 2016) and Director (since 2020) of C.M. Capital Corporation; Chair of the Board for the Center for Research in Security Prices, LLC (since 2020); Robert K. Jaedicke Professor of Accounting, Stanford University Graduate School of Business (2001-2017); Professor of Law (by courtesy), Stanford Law School (2005-2017); Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Head of MBA Program, Stanford University Graduate School of Business (2010-2016).    Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2011); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011).

 

Officers
     
 Name (Age)    Position(s)   

Principal Occupation(s)

During the Past 5 Years

Armando Senra (50)    President (since 2019).    Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2007); Head of U.S., Canada and Latam iShares, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2019); Head of Latin America Region, BlackRock, Inc. (2006-2019); Managing Director, Bank of America Merrill Lynch (1994-2006).
Trent Walker (47)    Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer (since 2020).    Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since September 2019); Chief Financial Officer of iShares Delaware Trust Sponsor LLC, BlackRock Funds, BlackRock Funds II, BlackRock Funds IV, BlackRock Funds V and BlackRock Funds VI (since 2021); Executive Vice President of PIMCO (2016-2019); Senior Vice President of PIMCO (2008-2015); Treasurer (2013-2019) and Assistant Treasurer (2007-2017) of PIMCO Funds, PIMCO Variable Insurance Trust, PIMCO ETF Trust, PIMCO Equity Series, PIMCO Equity Series VIT, PIMCO Managed Accounts Trust, 2 PIMCO-sponsored interval funds and 21 PIMCO-sponsored closed-end funds.
Charles Park (54)    Chief Compliance Officer (since 2006).    Chief Compliance Officer of BlackRock Advisors, LLC and the BlackRock-advised Funds in the BlackRock Multi-Asset Complex and the BlackRock Fixed-Income Complex (since 2014); Chief Compliance Officer of BFA (since 2006).
Deepa Damre Smith (46)    Secretary (since 2019).    Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2014); Director, BlackRock, Inc. (2009-2013).
Scott Radell (52)    Executive Vice President (since 2012).    Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2009); Head of Portfolio Solutions, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2009).
Alan Mason (60)    Executive Vice President (since 2016).    Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2009).
Marybeth Leithead (58)    Executive Vice President (since 2019).    Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2017); Chief Operating Officer of Americas iShares (since 2017); Portfolio Manager, Municipal Institutional & Wealth Management (2009-2016).

 

 

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General Information

 

Electronic Delivery

Shareholders can sign up for email 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.

Householding

Householding is an option available to certain fund investors. Householding is a method of delivery, based on the preference of the individual investor, in which a single copy of certain shareholder documents and Rule 30e-3 notices can be delivered to investors who share the same address, even if their accounts are registered under different names. Please contact your broker-dealer if you are interested in enrolling in householding and receiving a single copy of prospectuses and other shareholder documents, or if you are currently enrolled in householding and wish to change your householding status.

Availability of Quarterly Schedule of Investments

The Funds file their complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to their reports on Form N-PORT. The Funds’ Forms N-PORT are available on the SEC’s website at sec.gov. Additionally, each Fund makes its portfolio holdings for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year available at iShares.com/fundreports.

Availability of Proxy Voting Policies and Proxy Voting Records

A description of the policies and procedures that the iShares Funds use to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities and information about how the iShares Funds voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve-month period ending June 30 is available without charge, upon request (1) by calling toll-free 1-800-474-2737; (2) on the iShares website at iShares.com; and (3) on the SEC website at sec.gov.

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 at iShares.com.

 

 

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  93


Glossary of Terms Used in this Report

 

Portfolio Abbreviations - Equity
ADR    American Depositary Receipt
CPO    Certificates of Participation (Ordinary)
GDR    Global Depositary Receipt
JSC    Joint Stock Company
NVDR    Non-Voting Depositary Receipt
NVS    Non-Voting Shares
PJSC    Public Joint Stock Company
REIT    Real Estate Investment Trust

 

 

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Want to know more?

iShares.com   |   1-800-474-2737

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 MSCI Inc., 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.

©2021 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.

iS-AR-817-0821

 

 

LOGO

   LOGO


 

LOGO

  August 31, 2021

 

   2021 Annual Report

 

iShares Trust

 

·  

iShares MSCI Japan Equal Weighted ETF | EWJE | NASDAQ

 

·  

iShares MSCI Japan Value ETF | EWJV | NASDAQ


The Markets in Review

Dear Shareholder,

The 12-month reporting period as of August 31, 2021 was a remarkable period of adaptation and recovery, as the global economy dealt with the implications of the coronavirus (or “COVID-19”) pandemic. The United States, along with most of the world, began the reporting period emerging from a severe recession, prompted by pandemic-related restrictions that disrupted many aspects of daily life. However, easing restrictions and robust government intervention led to a strong rebound, and the economy grew at a significant pace for the reporting period, eventually regaining the output lost from the pandemic.

Equity prices rose with the broader economy, as strong fiscal and monetary support, as well as the development of vaccines, made investors increasingly optimistic about the economic outlook. The implementation of mass vaccination campaigns and passage of two additional fiscal stimulus packages further boosted stocks, and many equity indices neared or surpassed all-time highs late in the reporting period. In the United States, returns of small-capitalization stocks, which benefited the most from the resumption of in-person activities, outpaced large-capitalization stocks. International equities also gained, as both developed and emerging markets rebounded substantially.

The 10-year U.S. Treasury yield (which is inversely related to bond prices) had fallen sharply prior to the beginning of the reporting period, which meant bonds were priced for extreme risk avoidance and economic disruption. Despite expectations of doom and gloom, the economy expanded rapidly, stoking inflation concerns in early 2021, which led to higher yields and a negative overall return for most U.S. Treasuries. In the corporate bond market, support from the U.S. Federal Reserve (the “Fed”) assuaged credit concerns and led to solid returns for high-yield corporate bonds, although investment-grade corporates declined slightly.

The Fed remained committed to accommodative monetary policy by maintaining near-zero interest rates and by reiterating that inflation could exceed its 2% target for a sustained period without triggering a rate increase. In response to rising inflation late in the period, the Fed changed its market guidance, raising the possibility of higher rates in 2023 and reducing bond purchasing beginning in late 2022.

Looking ahead, we believe that the global expansion will continue to broaden as Europe and other developed market economies gain momentum, although the delta variant of the coronavirus remains a threat, particularly in emerging markets. While we expect inflation to remain elevated in the medium-term as the expansion continues, we believe the recent uptick owes more to temporary supply disruptions than a lasting change in fundamentals. The change in Fed policy also means that moderate inflation is less likely to be followed by interest rate hikes that could threaten the economic expansion.

Overall, we favor a moderately positive stance toward risk, with an overweight in equities. Sectors that are better poised to manage the transition to a lower-carbon world, such as technology and healthcare, are particularly attractive in the long-term. U.S. small-capitalization stocks and European equities are likely to benefit from the continuing vaccine-led restart. We are underweight long-term credit, but inflation-protected U.S. Treasuries and Asian fixed income offer potential opportunities. We believe that international diversification and a focus on sustainability can help provide portfolio resilience, and the disruption created by the coronavirus appears to be accelerating the shift toward sustainable investments.


In this environment, our view is that investors need to think globally, extend their scope across a broad array of asset classes, and be nimble as market conditions change. We encourage you to talk with your financial advisor and visit iShares.com for further insight about investing in today’s markets.


Sincerely,

 

LOGO

Rob Kapito

President, BlackRock, Inc.

LOGO

Rob Kapito

President, BlackRock, Inc.

 

Total Returns as of August 31, 2021
     6-Month   12-Month

U.S. large cap equities
(S&P 500® Index)

  19.52%   31.17%

U.S. small cap equities
(Russell 2000® Index)

  3.81   47.08

International equities
(MSCI Europe, Australasia, Far East Index)

  10.31   26.12

Emerging market equities
(MSCI Emerging Markets Index)

  (0.98)   21.12

3-month Treasury bills
(ICE BofA 3-Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index)

  0.02   0.08

U.S. Treasury securities
(ICE BofA 10-Year U.S. Treasury Index)

  2.36   (4.12)

U.S. investment grade bonds
(Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index)

  1.49   (0.08)

Tax-exempt municipal bonds
(S&P Municipal Bond Index)

  2.50   3.44

U.S. high yield bonds
(Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index)

  3.82   10.14

Past performance is not an indication of future results. Index performance is shown for illustrative purposes only. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

 

 

2  

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Table of Contents

 

      Page  

The Markets in Review

     2  

Market Overview

     4  

Fund Summary

     5  

About Fund Performance

     9  

Shareholder Expenses

     9  

Schedules of Investments

     10  

Financial Statements

  

Statements of Assets and Liabilities

     19  

Statements of Operations

     20  

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

     21  

Financial Highlights

     22  

Notes to Financial Statements

     24  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     31  

Important Tax Information (Unaudited)

     32  

Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract

     33  

Supplemental Information

     35  

Trustee and Officer Information

     36  

General Information

     38  

 

 

  3


Market Overview

 

iShares Trust

Global Market Overview

Global equity markets advanced significantly during the 12 months ended August 31, 2021 (“reporting period”). The MSCI ACWI, a broad global equity index that includes both developed and emerging markets, returned 28.64% in U.S. dollar terms for the reporting period. Stocks continued to recover from the initial impact of the coronavirus pandemic, nearing all-time highs by the end of the reporting period. Reopening economies led to a substantial global economic expansion, and the development and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines bolstered investors’ optimism. Nonetheless, vaccination rates varied considerably across countries, and the spread of the more contagious Delta variant led to increased cases and renewed restrictions toward the end of the reporting period. Inflation also rose in many parts of the world amid supply chain constraints and elevated consumer spending.

Equity markets in the U.S. advanced strongly, helped by fiscal and monetary stimulus and an ongoing mass vaccination program. Congress passed two fiscal stimulus bills during the reporting period, providing significant relief in the form of direct payments to individuals, tax credits, aid to state and local governments, and assistance for homeowners and renters. Personal incomes rose significantly following the stimulus payments, and consumer spending recovered, surpassing pre-pandemic levels. Increased consumer spending and the easing of pandemic-related restrictions helped the U.S. economy continue to grow following a significant rebound in the third quarter of 2020, as activity recovered from the pandemic-induced recession in the first half of 2020. The economy grew at a brisk pace for the rest of the reporting period, finally exceeding pre-pandemic output levels in the second quarter of 2021. The U.S. Federal Reserve Bank’s (“the Fed”) action also played a notable role in the recovery. Monetary policy remained accommodative, with short-term interest rates maintained near zero to encourage lending and stimulate economic activity. The Fed further acted to stabilize bond markets by continuing an unlimited, open-ended, bond-buying program for U.S. Treasuries and mortgage-backed securities.

Stocks in Europe also posted strong gains, despite a recovery that trailed other major economies. The European Central Bank (“ECB”) provided monetary stimulus by maintaining ultra-low interest rates and continuing a large bond-buying program. Growth resumed with a significant rebound in the third quarter of 2020 as restrictions eased, and Eurozone countries enacted a deal for a collective 750 billion of stimulus spending. However, a new wave of coronavirus cases beginning in October 2020 led to renewed restrictions, weakening the fragile recovery. Consequently, the Eurozone economy contracted slightly in the fourth quarter of 2020 and first quarter of 2021, even as much of the world was returning to growth. Although the initial vaccine rollout trailed in many European countries, the pace of vaccinations accelerated late in the reporting period, and economic growth resumed in the second quarter of 2021.

Asia-Pacific regional stocks also posted a solid advance amid a sharp rebound in economic activity. Continued economic growth in China helped the regional economy recover, as many Asia-Pacific countries rely on China as a major trading partner. Japanese and Australian stocks benefited from a sharp rise in exports amid resurgent global trade. Emerging market stocks advanced overall, aided by economic recovery and rising prices for many commodities. However, investor concerns about increased government regulatory activity weighed on Chinese stocks late in the reporting period. Relatively slow vaccination rollouts in parts of Asia also prompted concerns, particularly as the Delta variant spread.

 

 

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Fund Summary  as of August 31, 2021    iShares® MSCI Japan Equal Weighted ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares MSCI Japan Equal Weighted ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of equal weighted Japanese equities, as represented by the MSCI Japan Equal Weighted Index (USD) (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index.

Performance

 

    Average Annual Total Returns           Cumulative Total Returns  
     1 Year     Since Inception            1 Year     Since Inception  

Fund NAV

    16.83     9.26       16.83     24.71

Fund Market

    16.93       9.25         16.93       24.67  

Index

    17.03       9.16               17.03       24.35  

GROWTH OF $10,000 INVESTMENT

(SINCE INCEPTION AT NET ASSET VALUE)

 

 

LOGO

The inception date of the Fund was 3/5/19. The first day of secondary market trading was 3/7/19.

Past performance is no guarantee 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. See “About Fund Performance” on page 9 for more information.

Expense Example

 

Actual           Hypothetical 5% Return           
Beginning
Account Value
(03/01/21)
       Ending
Account Value
(08/31/21)
       Expenses
Paid During
the Period (a)
          

Beginning

Account Value

(03/01/21)

       Ending
Account Value
(08/31/21)
       Expenses
Paid During
the Period (a)
       Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 
$  1,000.00        $  1,024.10        $ 0.77             $  1,000.00        $  1,024.40        $ 0.77          0.15

 

  (a) 

Expenses are calculated using the Fund’s annualized expense ratio (as disclosed in the table), multiplied by the average account value for the period, multiplied by the number of days in the period (184 days) and divided by the number of days in the year (365 days). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Shareholder Expenses” on page 9 for more information.

 

 

 

U N D    U M M A R Y

  5


Fund Summary  as of August 31, 2021 (continued)    iShares® MSCI Japan Equal Weighted ETF

 

Portfolio Management Commentary

Japanese equal-weighted stocks advanced during the reporting period as the country emerged from recession, though the pace of economic growth trailed many developed peers. Rising exports and government stimulus programs supported Japan’s recovery, but a surge in COVID-19 cases, a slow vaccine rollout, and renewed restrictions weighed on domestic household spending. Nevertheless, demand for Japanese exports continued to bolster the economy, and manufacturers’ confidence rose amid the global recovery.

The information technology sector was the largest contributor to the Index’s return. The electronic equipment, instruments, and components industry benefited from rising demand for coronavirus testing, semiconductor, automotive, and consumer electronics equipment. The ongoing adoption of robotics and industrial automation systems further supported earnings growth. Demand for healthcare- and semiconductor-related products and office equipment also drove strong profits for technology hardware, storage, and peripherals manufacturers. Semiconductors and semiconductor equipment stocks advanced as chip demand grew amid a global semiconductor shortage, fueling earnings growth.

Industrials stocks also contributed notably to the Index’s performance as overseas demand for capital goods improved. Rising exports of factory automation and semiconductor chip-making equipment, especially to China, boosted earnings among manufacturers of industrial machinery.

Within the materials sector, chemicals stocks advanced amid strong profits due to higher prices and recovering demand, particularly from automotive and electronics customers. Increased capital investments and robust merger and acquisition activity further supported chemicals stocks.

Consumer discretionary stocks also posted solid gains, particularly the automobiles and components industry, as global sales recovered sharply for cars, motorcycles, and vehicles used for outdoor recreation. Although automobile manufacturers advanced as demand recovered from pandemic lows, a global semiconductor shortage, additional waves of coronavirus infections, and rising material costs weighed on the industry. Auto components suppliers such as tire manufacturers benefited from recovering demand for parts.

Portfolio Information

 

ALLOCATION BY SECTOR

 

Sector   Percent of
Total Investments
 (a)
 

Industrials

    23.5

Information Technology

    14.1  

Consumer Discretionary

    13.8  

Consumer Staples

    10.0  

Financials

    8.5  

Health Care

    7.9  

Materials

    7.3  

Communication Services

    5.9  

Real Estate

    5.7  

Utilities

    2.3  

Energy

    1.0  

 

  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

 

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

Security   Percent of
Total Investments
 (a)
 

Keyence Corp.

    0.8

Nintendo Co. Ltd.

    0.6  

Lasertec Corp.

    0.6  

Tokyo Electron Ltd.

    0.5  

Kobe Bussan Co. Ltd.

    0.5  

AGC Inc.

    0.5  

ZOZO Inc.

    0.5  

Obic Co. Ltd.

    0.5  

SCSK Corp.

    0.5  

Omron Corp.

    0.5  
 

 

 

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Fund Summary  as of August 31, 2021    iShares® MSCI Japan Value ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares MSCI Japan Value ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of large- and mid-capitalization Japanese equities with value characteristics and relatively lower valuations, as represented by the MSCI Japan Value Index (USD) (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index.

Performance

 

    Average Annual Total Returns           Cumulative Total Returns  
     1 Year     Since Inception            1 Year     Since Inception  

Fund NAV

    21.62     7.98       21.62     21.10

Fund Market

    21.77       8.07         21.77       21.35  

Index

    22.01       7.99               22.01       21.05  

GROWTH OF $10,000 INVESTMENT

(SINCE INCEPTION AT NET ASSET VALUE)

 

 

LOGO

The inception date of the Fund was 3/5/19. The first day of secondary market trading was 3/7/19.

Past performance is no guarantee 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. See “About Fund Performance” on page 9 for more information.

Expense Example

 

Actual           Hypothetical 5% Return           
Beginning
Account Value
(03/01/21)
       Ending
Account Value
(08/31/21)
       Expenses
Paid During
the Period 
(a)
           Beginning
Account Value
(03/01/21)
       Ending
Account Value
(08/31/21)
       Expenses
Paid During
the Period 
(a)
       Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 
$ 1,000.00        $ 1,032.40        $ 0.77             $ 1,000.00        $ 1,024.40        $ 0.77          0.15

 

  (a) 

Expenses are calculated using the Fund’s annualized expense ratio (as disclosed in the table), multiplied by the average account value for the period, multiplied by the number of days in the period (184 days) and divided by the number of days in the year (365 days). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Shareholder Expenses” on page 9 for more information.

 

 

 

U N D    U M M A R Y

  7


Fund Summary  as of August 31, 2021 (continued)    iShares® MSCI Japan Value ETF

 

Portfolio Management Commentary

Japanese value stocks advanced during the reporting period as the country emerged from recession and investors rotated to value stocks amid expectations for a continued global economic recovery. Rising exports and government stimulus programs supported Japan’s recovery, but a surge in COVID-19 cases, a slow vaccine rollout, and renewed restrictions weighed on domestic household spending. Nevertheless, demand for Japanese exports continued to bolster the economy, and manufacturers’ confidence rose.

Consumer discretionary stocks were the leading contributors to the Index’s return amid a global revival in consumer spending. Demand for cars recovered sharply in 2021, surging out of the pandemic-induced slowdown. Carmakers’ stocks advanced despite production interruptions and rising material costs, as the automobiles industry’s management strategies lessened the impact of supply-chain backlogs and helped maintain positive sales trends, production levels, and profit margins.

Industrials stocks contributed notably to the Index’s return as overseas demand for capital goods improved. Trading companies and distributors benefited from increased demand for commodities and higher prices as economies reopened. In the machinery industry, rising exports of robots and factory automation equipment boosted profits. Construction machinery and heavy trucks stocks advanced amid improving demand and increasing infrastructure spending.

Financials stocks were significant contributors to the Index’s performance. Diversified banks benefited from increased borrowing, rising profits, and expectations that credit costs will fall as the recovery continues. Investors’ rotation toward value stocks also supported Japanese banks.

The technology hardware and equipment industry drove contribution from the information technology sector, due to the ongoing adoption of robotics and automated systems. Demand for healthcare-related products, semiconductor materials, and office equipment drove strong profits for technology hardware, storage, and peripherals manufacturers. Electronic components makers also benefited from resurgent demand related to digitalization and renewable energy.

Portfolio Information

 

ALLOCATION BY SECTOR

 

Sector   Percent of
Total Investments 
(a)
 

Consumer Discretionary

    20.5

Industrials

    17.1  

Financials

    17.0  

Communication Services

    9.2  

Health Care

    7.3  

Consumer Staples

    7.1  

Real Estate

    7.1  

Information Technology

    6.8  

Materials

    4.8  

Utilities

    1.9  

Energy

    1.2  

 

  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

 

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

Security   Percent of
Total Investments 
(a)
 

Toyota Motor Corp.

    9.1

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc.

    3.3  

Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

    2.6  

Honda Motor Co. Ltd.

    2.5  

KDDI Corp.

    2.4  

SoftBank Group Corp.

    2.3  

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc.

    2.2  

Softbank Corp.

    1.9  

Hitachi Ltd.

    1.8  

Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corp.

    1.7  
 

 

 

8  

2 0 2 1    H A R E S     N N U A L    E P O R T    T O    H A R E  H O L D E R S


About Fund Performance

 

Past performance is not an indication of future results. Financial markets have experienced extreme volatility and trading in many instruments has been disrupted. These circumstances may continue for an extended period of time and may continue to affect adversely the value and liquidity of each Fund’s investments. As a result, current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. Performance data current to the most recent month-end is available at iShares.com. Performance results assume reinvestment of all dividends and capital gain distributions and do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. The investment return and principal value of shares will vary with changes in market conditions. Shares may be worth more or less than their original cost when they are redeemed or sold in the market. Performance for certain funds may reflect a waiver of a portion of investment advisory fees. Without such a waiver, performance would have been lower.

Net asset value or “NAV” is the value of one share of a fund as calculated in accordance with the standard formula for valuing mutual fund shares. Beginning August 10, 2020, the price used to calculate market return (“Market Price”) is the closing price. Prior to August 10, 2020, Market Price was determined by using the midpoint between the highest bid and the lowest ask on the primary stock exchange on which shares of a fund are listed for trading, as of the time that such fund’s NAV is calculated. Since shares of a fund may not trade in the secondary market until after the fund’s inception, for the period from inception to the first day of secondary market trading in shares of the fund, the NAV of the fund is used as a proxy for the Market Price to calculate market returns. Market and NAV returns assume that dividends and capital gain distributions have been reinvested at Market Price and NAV, respectively.

An index is a statistical composite that tracks a specified financial market or sector. Unlike a fund, an index does not actually hold a portfolio of securities and therefore does not incur the expenses incurred by a fund. These expenses negatively impact fund performance. Also, market returns do not include brokerage commissions that may be payable on secondary market transactions. If brokerage commissions were included, market returns would be lower.

Shareholder Expenses

As a shareholder of your Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including brokerage commissions on purchases and sales of fund shares and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees and other fund expenses. The expense example, which is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period (or from the commencement of operations if less than 6 months) and held through the end of the period, is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars and cents) of investing in your Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other funds.

Actual Expenses — The table provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. Annualized expense ratios reflect contractual and voluntary fee waivers, if any. To estimate the expenses that you paid on your account over the period, simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During the Period.”

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes — The table also provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on your Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in your Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as brokerage commissions and other fees paid on purchases and sales of fund shares. Therefore, the hypothetical examples are useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

 

B O U T    U N D    E R F O  R M A N C E / S H A R E H O L D E R    X P E N S E S

  9


 

Schedule of Investments

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® MSCI Japan Equal Weighted ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

 

Air Freight & Logistics — 0.7%  

SG Holdings Co. Ltd.

    1,000     $ 27,148  

Yamato Holdings Co. Ltd.

    1,000       25,423  
   

 

 

 
      52,571  
Airlines — 0.7%  

ANA Holdings Inc.(a)

    1,200       28,446  

Japan Airlines Co. Ltd.(a)

    1,400       29,826  
   

 

 

 
      58,272  
Auto Components — 2.5%  

Aisin Corp.

    800       30,537  

Bridgestone Corp.

    600       27,620  

Denso Corp.

    400       27,997  

Koito Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

    400       24,468  

Stanley Electric Co. Ltd.

    1,000       24,956  

Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd.

    2,000       26,711  

Toyota Industries Corp.

    400       33,772  
   

 

 

 
      196,061  
Automobiles — 2.9%  

Honda Motor Co. Ltd.

    1,000       30,267  

Isuzu Motors Ltd.

    2,200       27,811  

Mazda Motor Corp.(a)

    3,200       27,778  

Nissan Motor Co. Ltd.(a)

    5,400       28,329  

Subaru Corp.

    1,400       25,911  

Suzuki Motor Corp.

    600       25,926  

Toyota Motor Corp.

    400       34,837  

Yamaha Motor Co. Ltd.

    1,000       25,442  
   

 

 

 
      226,301  
Banks — 3.1%  

Chiba Bank Ltd. (The)

    4,200       26,219  

Concordia Financial Group Ltd.

    7,200       27,916  

Japan Post Bank Co. Ltd.

    3,200       27,982  

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc.

    5,400       29,297  

Mizuho Financial Group Inc.

    1,880       26,342  

Resona Holdings Inc.

    7,400       28,617  

Shizuoka Bank Ltd. (The)

    3,400       26,634  

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc.

    800       27,613  

Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings Inc.

    800       26,131  
   

 

 

 
      246,751  
Beverages — 1.4%  

Asahi Group Holdings Ltd.

    600       27,891  

Ito En Ltd.

    400       25,313  

Kirin Holdings Co. Ltd.

    1,400       25,363  

Suntory Beverage & Food Ltd.

    800       32,067  
   

 

 

 
      110,634  
Biotechnology — 0.3%  

PeptiDream Inc.(a)

    600       21,142  
   

 

 

 
Building Products — 1.7%  

AGC Inc.

    800       38,647  

Daikin Industries Ltd.

    100       24,955  

Lixil Corp.

    1,200       34,922  

TOTO Ltd.

    600       32,654  
   

 

 

 
      131,178  
Capital Markets — 1.4%  

Daiwa Securities Group Inc.

    5,400       30,548  

Japan Exchange Group Inc.

    1,200       28,579  

Nomura Holdings Inc.

    5,200       25,112  
Security   Shares     Value  
Capital Markets (continued)  

SBI Holdings Inc.

    1,200     $ 29,072  
   

 

 

 
      113,311  
Chemicals — 5.4%  

Asahi Kasei Corp.

    2,600       26,806  

JSR Corp.

    1,000       34,650  

Kansai Paint Co. Ltd.

    1,000       25,900  

Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corp.

    4,200       36,876  

Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Co. Inc.

    1,400       26,380  

Mitsui Chemicals Inc.

    1,000       34,522  

Nippon Paint Holdings Co. Ltd.

    1,800       22,355  

Nippon Sanso Holdings Corp.

    1,400       33,928  

Nissan Chemical Corp.

    600       33,640  

Nitto Denko Corp.

    400       30,344  

Shin-Etsu Chemical Co. Ltd.

    200       33,034  

Sumitomo Chemical Co. Ltd.

    6,800       34,473  

Toray Industries Inc.

    4,200       28,320  

Tosoh Corp.

    1,400       25,411  
   

 

 

 
      426,639  
Commercial Services & Supplies — 1.5%  

Dai Nippon Printing Co. Ltd.

    1,400       33,263  

Secom Co. Ltd.

    400       30,333  

Sohgo Security Services Co. Ltd.

    600       27,181  

Toppan Inc.

    1,800       30,901  
   

 

 

 
      121,678  
Construction & Engineering — 1.3%            

Kajima Corp.

    2,200       28,425  

Obayashi Corp.

    3,200       26,331  

Shimizu Corp.

    3,400       24,398  

Taisei Corp.

    800       25,028  
   

 

 

 
      104,182  
Consumer Finance — 0.3%  

Acom Co. Ltd.

    6,600       25,508  
   

 

 

 
Diversified Financial Services — 1.1%  

Mitsubishi HC Capital Inc.

    5,400       28,917  

ORIX Corp.

    1,800       33,583  

Tokyo Century Corp.

    400       22,873  
   

 

 

 
      85,373  
Diversified Telecommunication Services — 0.3%            

Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corp.

    1,000       26,643  
   

 

 

 
Electric Utilities — 1.4%  

Chubu Electric Power Co. Inc.

    2,200       26,603  

Kansai Electric Power Co. Inc. (The)

    2,800       28,138  

Tohoku Electric Power Co. Inc.

    3,400       26,026  

Tokyo Electric Power Co. Holdings Inc.(a)

    11,000       28,893  
   

 

 

 
      109,660  
Electrical Equipment — 1.0%  

Fuji Electric Co. Ltd.

    800       34,609  

Mitsubishi Electric Corp.

    1,800       24,608  

Nidec Corp.

    200       22,846  
   

 

 

 
      82,063  
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components — 4.4%  

Azbil Corp.

    600       26,018  

Hamamatsu Photonics KK

    400       23,313  

Hirose Electric Co. Ltd.

    200       33,299  

Ibiden Co. Ltd.

    600       32,284  

Keyence Corp.

    100       60,033  

Kyocera Corp.

    400       24,867  
 

 

 

10  

2 0 2 1    H A R E S     N N U A L    E P O R T    T O    H A R E  H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® MSCI Japan Equal Weighted ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components (continued)        

Murata Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

    400     $ 32,975  

Omron Corp.

    400       37,691  

Shimadzu Corp.

    800       35,846  

TDK Corp.

    200       20,962  

Yokogawa Electric Corp.

    1,200       18,772  
   

 

 

 
      346,060  
Entertainment — 2.7%            

Capcom Co. Ltd.

    1,000       27,849  

Koei Tecmo Holdings Co. Ltd.

    720       30,725  

Konami Holdings Corp.

    400       25,321  

Nexon Co. Ltd.

    1,200       21,886  

Nintendo Co. Ltd.

    100       48,084  

Square Enix Holdings Co. Ltd.

    400       23,254  

Toho Co. Ltd.

    800       34,660  
   

 

 

 
      211,779  
Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) — 3.2%        

Daiwa House REIT Investment Corp.

    10       29,534  

GLP J-REIT

    16       29,043  

Japan Metropolitan Fund Invest.

    32       31,089  

Japan Real Estate Investment Corp.

    4       24,721  

Nippon Building Fund Inc.

    4       25,976  

Nippon Prologis REIT Inc.

    8       28,768  

Nomura Real Estate Master Fund Inc.

    18       27,750  

Orix JREIT Inc.

    16       28,520  

United Urban Investment Corp.

    20       28,251  
   

 

 

 
      253,652  
Food & Staples Retailing — 2.8%            

Aeon Co. Ltd.

    1,000       26,473  

Cosmos Pharmaceutical Corp.

    200       35,417  

Kobe Bussan Co. Ltd.

    1,000       38,900  

Lawson Inc.

    600       28,858  

Seven & i Holdings Co. Ltd.

    800       34,909  

Tsuruha Holdings Inc.

    200       25,111  

Welcia Holdings Co. Ltd.

    800       28,211  
   

 

 

 
      217,879  
Food Products — 2.8%            

Ajinomoto Co. Inc.

    1,200       35,372  

Kikkoman Corp.

    400       30,030  

MEIJI Holdings Co. Ltd.

    400       24,601  

NH Foods Ltd.

    600       23,282  

Nisshin Seifun Group Inc.

    1,600       26,274  

Nissin Foods Holdings Co. Ltd.

    400       31,139  

Toyo Suisan Kaisha Ltd.

    600       24,865  

Yakult Honsha Co. Ltd.

    400       23,065  
   

 

 

 
      218,628  
Gas Utilities — 0.9%            

Osaka Gas Co. Ltd.

    1,400       26,243  

Toho Gas Co. Ltd.

    400       18,647  

Tokyo Gas Co. Ltd.

    1,400       26,912  
   

 

 

 
      71,802  
Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 1.9%            

Asahi Intecc Co. Ltd.

    1,000       30,256  

Hoya Corp.

    200       32,297  

Olympus Corp.

    1,400       29,417  

Sysmex Corp.

    200       22,729  

Terumo Corp.

    800       33,385  
   

 

 

 
      148,084  
Security   Shares     Value  
Health Care Providers & Services — 0.3%            

Medipal Holdings Corp.

    1,400     $ 26,763  
   

 

 

 
Health Care Technology — 0.3%            

M3 Inc.

    400       26,827  
   

 

 

 
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 0.8%            

McDonald’s Holdings Co. Japan Ltd.

    600       28,620  

Oriental Land Co. Ltd.

    200       30,259  
   

 

 

 
      58,879  
Household Durables — 2.7%            

Casio Computer Co. Ltd.

    1,800       27,800  

Iida Group Holdings Co. Ltd.

    1,200       30,465  

Panasonic Corp.

    2,600       31,083  

Rinnai Corp.

    200       21,499  

Sekisui Chemical Co. Ltd.

    1,600       27,383  

Sekisui House Ltd.

    1,400       27,893  

Sharp Corp.

    2,000       26,382  

Sony Group Corp.

    200       20,679  
   

 

 

 
      213,184  
Household Products — 1.1%            

Lion Corp.

    1,400       23,822  

Pigeon Corp.

    800       23,173  

Unicharm Corp.

    800       35,666  
   

 

 

 
      82,661  
Industrial Conglomerates — 0.9%            

Hitachi Ltd.

    600       33,160  

Toshiba Corp.

    800       34,700  
   

 

 

 
      67,860  
Insurance — 2.5%            

Dai-ichi Life Holdings Inc.

    1,400       27,702  

Japan Post Holdings Co. Ltd.

    3,000       25,784  

Japan Post Insurance Co. Ltd.

    1,400       25,424  

MS&AD Insurance Group Holdings Inc.

    1,000       32,369  

Sompo Holdings Inc.

    600       26,375  

T&D Holdings Inc.

    2,200       26,775  

Tokio Marine Holdings Inc.

    600       29,358  
   

 

 

 
      193,787  
Interactive Media & Services — 0.8%            

Kakaku.com Inc.

    1,000       31,115  

Z Holdings Corp.

    4,800       31,210  
   

 

 

 
      62,325  
Internet & Direct Marketing Retail — 1.2%            

Mercari Inc.(a)

    600       29,605  

Rakuten Group Inc.

    2,600       27,197  

ZOZO Inc.

    1,000       38,136  
   

 

 

 
      94,938  
IT Services — 4.0%            

Fujitsu Ltd.

    200       36,817  

GMO Payment Gateway Inc.

    200       26,240  

Itochu Techno-Solutions Corp.

    400       12,359  

NEC Corp.

    600       31,490  

Nomura Research Institute Ltd.

    1,000       37,500  

NTT Data Corp.

    1,800       32,395  

Obic Co. Ltd.

    200       37,974  

Otsuka Corp.

    600       31,060  

SCSK Corp.

    600       37,877  

TIS Inc.

    1,200       33,875  
   

 

 

 
      317,587  
 

 

 

C H E D U L E    O F    N V E S T  M E N T S

  11


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® MSCI Japan Equal Weighted ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Leisure Products — 1.0%  

Bandai Namco Holdings Inc.

    400     $ 27,744  

Shimano Inc.

    100       29,346  

Yamaha Corp.

    400       23,584  
   

 

 

 
      80,674  
Machinery — 7.1%  

Daifuku Co. Ltd.

    400       35,305  

Fanuc Corp.

    100       21,786  

Harmonic Drive Systems Inc.

    600       33,128  

Hino Motors Ltd.

    3,400       29,421  

Hitachi Construction Machinery Co. Ltd.

    1,000       28,649  

Hoshizaki Corp.

    400       37,551  

Komatsu Ltd.

    1,200       29,187  

Kubota Corp.

    1,400       28,926  

Kurita Water Industries Ltd.

    800       37,521  

Makita Corp.

    600       34,468  

Minebea Mitsumi Inc.

    1,200       30,850  

Misumi Group Inc.

    800       31,735  

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd.

    1,000       26,419  

Miura Co. Ltd.

    600       26,937  

Nabtesco Corp.

    600       23,727  

NGK Insulators Ltd.

    1,800       29,841  

NSK Ltd.

    3,000       21,048  

THK Co. Ltd.

    1,200       27,783  

Yaskawa Electric Corp.

    600       29,286  
   

 

 

 
      563,568  
Marine — 0.4%  

Nippon Yusen KK

    400       32,166  
   

 

 

 
Media — 1.1%  

CyberAgent Inc.

    1,600       29,290  

Dentsu Group Inc.

    800       29,738  

Hakuhodo DY Holdings Inc.

    1,800       28,383  
   

 

 

 
      87,411  
Metals & Mining — 1.6%  

Hitachi Metals Ltd.(a)

    1,800       34,746  

JFE Holdings Inc.

    2,200       35,684  

Nippon Steel Corp.

    1,400       28,613  

Sumitomo Metal Mining Co. Ltd.

    600       22,992  
   

 

 

 
      122,035  
Multiline Retail — 0.7%  

Pan Pacific International Holdings Corp.

    1,400       26,632  

Ryohin Keikaku Co. Ltd.

    1,400       29,977  
   

 

 

 
      56,609  
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 1.0%  

ENEOS Holdings Inc.

    6,800       26,282  

Idemitsu Kosan Co. Ltd.

    1,200       28,741  

Inpex Corp.

    3,800       26,109  
   

 

 

 
      81,132  
Paper & Forest Products — 0.3%  

Oji Holdings Corp.

    5,000       26,174  
   

 

 

 
Personal Products — 1.7%  

Kao Corp.

    400       24,163  

Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

    400       31,309  

Kose Corp.

    200       24,137  

Pola Orbis Holdings Inc.

    1,200       26,179  

Shiseido Co. Ltd.

    400       26,512  
   

 

 

 
      132,300  
Security   Shares     Value  
Pharmaceuticals — 5.0%  

Astellas Pharma Inc.

    1,800     $ 30,330  

Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

    700       27,351  

Daiichi Sankyo Co. Ltd.

    1,200       28,503  

Eisai Co. Ltd.

    400       32,988  

Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical Co. Inc.

    600       24,044  

Kyowa Kirin Co. Ltd.

    1,000       32,721  

Nippon Shinyaku Co. Ltd.

    400       32,468  

Ono Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

    1,200       28,812  

Otsuka Holdings Co. Ltd.

    600       25,533  

Santen Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

    2,000       29,905  

Shionogi & Co. Ltd.

    400       25,132  

Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Co. Ltd.

    1,600       28,720  

Taisho Pharmaceutical Holdings Co. Ltd.

    400       23,331  

Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

    800       26,628  
   

 

 

 
      396,466  
Professional Services — 1.4%  

Nihon M&A Center Inc.

    1,200       35,784  

Persol Holdings Co. Ltd.

    1,600       37,353  

Recruit Holdings Co. Ltd.

    600       35,329  
   

 

 

 
      108,466  
Real Estate Management & Development — 2.5%  

Daito Trust Construction Co. Ltd.

    200       21,965  

Daiwa House Industry Co. Ltd.

    1,000       30,494  

Hulic Co. Ltd.

    2,600       30,498  

Mitsubishi Estate Co. Ltd.

    1,800       28,181  

Mitsui Fudosan Co. Ltd.

    1,200       27,538  

Nomura Real Estate Holdings Inc.

    1,200       30,731  

Sumitomo Realty & Development Co. Ltd.

    800       25,828  
   

 

 

 
      195,235  
Road & Rail — 3.9%  

Central Japan Railway Co.

    200       29,274  

East Japan Railway Co.

    400       26,886  

Hankyu Hanshin Holdings Inc.

    1,000       29,924  

Keio Corp.

    400       21,524  

Keisei Electric Railway Co. Ltd.

    1,000       30,764  

Kintetsu Group Holdings Co. Ltd.(a)

    800       27,325  

Nippon Express Co. Ltd.

    400       27,199  

Odakyu Electric Railway Co. Ltd.

    1,200       27,960  

Tobu Railway Co. Ltd.

    1,000       26,071  

Tokyu Corp.

    2,200       30,251  

West Japan Railway Co.

    600       32,770  
   

 

 

 
      309,948  
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 3.0%  

Advantest Corp.

    400       34,461  

Disco Corp.

    100       29,050  

Lasertec Corp.

    200       43,502  

Renesas Electronics Corp.(a)

    2,800       29,982  

Rohm Co. Ltd.

    200       19,227  

SUMCO Corp.

    1,600       33,684  

Tokyo Electron Ltd.

    100       42,834  
   

 

 

 
      232,740  
Software — 0.8%  

Oracle Corp. Japan

    400       32,826  

Trend Micro Inc.

    600       32,868  
   

 

 

 
      65,694  
Specialty Retail — 2.0%  

ABC-Mart Inc.

    600       32,078  

Hikari Tsushin Inc.

    200       34,997  
 

 

 

12  

2 0 2 1    H A R E S     N N U A L    E P O R T    T O    H A R E  H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® MSCI Japan Equal Weighted ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares      Value  
Specialty Retail (continued)             

Nitori Holdings Co. Ltd.

    200      $ 37,421  

USS Co. Ltd.

    1,600        26,434  

Yamada Holdings Co. Ltd.

    6,600        28,315  
    

 

 

 
       159,245  
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals — 1.9%  

Brother Industries Ltd.

    1,400        28,730  

Canon Inc.

    1,200        28,550  

FUJIFILM Holdings Corp.

    400        32,917  

Ricoh Co. Ltd.

    2,600        26,456  

Seiko Epson Corp.

    1,800        33,525  
    

 

 

 
       150,178  
Tobacco — 0.3%  

Japan Tobacco Inc.

    1,400        27,164  
    

 

 

 
Trading Companies & Distributors — 2.7%  

Itochu Corp.

    1,000        30,081  

Marubeni Corp.

    4,200        33,417  

Mitsubishi Corp.

    1,000        30,092  

Mitsui & Co. Ltd.

    1,400        30,878  
Security   Shares      Value  
Trading Companies & Distributors (continued)             

MonotaRO Co. Ltd.

    1,200      $ 26,595  

Sumitomo Corp.

    2,000        28,186  

Toyota Tsusho Corp.

    800        35,374  
    

 

 

 
       214,623  
Wireless Telecommunication Services — 1.0%  

KDDI Corp.

    800        24,452  

Softbank Corp.

    2,200        29,442  

SoftBank Group Corp.

    400        22,542  
    

 

 

 
       76,436  
    

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 99.7%
(Cost: $6,984,047)

       7,868,926  
    

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities — 99.7%
(Cost: $6,984,047)

       7,868,926  

Other Assets, Less Liabilities — 0.3%

       25,259  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

     $ 7,894,185  
    

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Non-income producing security.

 

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the year ended August 31, 2021 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

Affiliated Issuer    Value at
08/31/20
     Purchases
at Cost
     Proceeds
from Sales
    Net
Realized
Gain (Loss)
     Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
     Value at
08/31/21
     Shares
Held at
08/31/21
     Income      Capital Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds
 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares(a)

   $        $—      $ (2 )(b)    $ 2      $      $             $ 21 (c)     $  
          

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

As of period end, the entity is no longer held.

 
  (b) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 
  (c) 

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

Futures Contracts

 

Description    Number of
Contracts
       Expiration
Date
       Notional
Amount (000)
       Value/
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

Long Contracts

                 

TOPIX Index

     1          09/09/21        $ 18        $ 63  
                 

 

 

 

 

 

C H E D U L E    O F    N V E S T  M E N T S

  13


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® MSCI Japan Equal Weighted 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:

 

      Equity
Contracts
 

Assets — Derivative Financial Instruments

  

Futures contracts

  

Unrealized appreciation on futures contracts(a)

   $ 63  
  

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Net cumulative 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 August 31, 2021, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

      Equity
Contracts
 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from:

  

Futures contracts

   $ 7,738  
  

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:

  

Futures contracts

   $ 83  
  

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

Futures contracts:

        

Average notional value of contracts — long

   $ 41,326  

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. 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.

 

      Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

Investments

                 

Assets

                 

Common Stocks

   $ 29,043        $ 7,839,883        $        $ 7,868,926  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Derivative financial instruments(a)

                 

Assets

                 

Futures Contracts

   $        $ 63        $        $ 63  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Derivative financial instruments are futures contracts. Futures contracts are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

14  

2 0 2 1    H A R E S     N N U A L    E P O R T    T O    H A R E  H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® MSCI Japan Value ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

   
Airlines — 0.1%            

Japan Airlines Co. Ltd.(a)

    1,600     $ 34,088  
   

 

 

 

Auto Components — 2.8%

   

Aisin Corp.

    1,600       61,074  

Bridgestone Corp.

    12,800       589,231  

Koito Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

    400       24,468  

Stanley Electric Co. Ltd.

    3,200       79,857  

Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd.

    16,000       213,689  

Toyota Industries Corp.

    3,200       270,178  
   

 

 

 
      1,238,497  
Automobiles — 14.2%            

Honda Motor Co. Ltd.

    36,800       1,113,811  

Isuzu Motors Ltd.

    12,800       161,808  

Mazda Motor Corp.(a)

    8,300       72,051  

Nissan Motor Co. Ltd.(a)

    51,200       268,600  

Subaru Corp.

    14,400       266,511  

Suzuki Motor Corp.

    4,800       207,413  

Toyota Motor Corp.

    46,400       4,041,131  

Yamaha Motor Co. Ltd.

    6,400       162,827  
   

 

 

 
      6,294,152  
Banks — 8.9%            

Chiba Bank Ltd. (The)

    11,200       69,918  

Concordia Financial Group Ltd.

    24,000       93,052  

Japan Post Bank Co. Ltd.

    9,600       83,945  

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc.

    270,400       1,467,039  

Mizuho Financial Group Inc.

    52,850       740,525  

Resona Holdings Inc.

    48,000       185,623  

Shizuoka Bank Ltd. (The)

    9,600       75,203  

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc.

    28,800       994,052  

Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings Inc.

    8,000       261,306  
   

 

 

 
      3,970,663  
Beverages — 2.0%            

Asahi Group Holdings Ltd.

    9,600       446,252  

Kirin Holdings Co. Ltd.

    17,600       318,855  

Suntory Beverage & Food Ltd.

    3,200       128,267  
   

 

 

 
      893,374  
Building Products — 0.4%            

AGC Inc.

    1,600       77,294  

TOTO Ltd.

    1,600       87,079  
   

 

 

 
      164,373  
Capital Markets — 1.4%            

Daiwa Securities Group Inc.

    32,000       181,024  

Nomura Holdings Inc.

    68,800       332,252  

SBI Holdings Inc.

    4,800       116,290  
   

 

 

 
      629,566  
Chemicals — 3.0%            

Asahi Kasei Corp.

    27,200       280,434  

Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corp.

    14,400       126,433  

Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Co. Inc.

    3,200       60,296  

Mitsui Chemicals Inc.

    4,800       165,707  

Nippon Sanso Holdings Corp.

    3,200       77,550  

Nitto Denko Corp.

    3,200       242,755  

Sumitomo Chemical Co. Ltd.

    11,200       56,780  

Toray Industries Inc.

    30,400       204,979  

Tosoh Corp.

    6,400       116,163  
   

 

 

 
      1,331,097  
Security   Shares     Value  
Commercial Services & Supplies — 0.8%            

Dai Nippon Printing Co. Ltd.

    4,800     $ 114,047  

Secom Co. Ltd.

    1,600       121,332  

Toppan Inc.

    6,400       109,869  
   

 

 

 
      345,248  
Construction & Engineering — 1.1%            

Kajima Corp.

    9,600       124,034  

Obayashi Corp.

    14,400       118,489  

Shimizu Corp.

    12,800       91,852  

Taisei Corp.

    4,800       150,171  
   

 

 

 
      484,546  
Diversified Financial Services — 1.4%            

Mitsubishi HC Capital Inc.

    14,400       77,112  

ORIX Corp.

    27,200       507,483  

Tokyo Century Corp.

    600       34,309  
   

 

 

 
      618,904  
Diversified Telecommunication Services — 1.7%            

Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corp.

    28,800       767,312  
   

 

 

 
Electric Utilities — 1.1%            

Chubu Electric Power Co. Inc.

    14,400       174,131  

Kansai Electric Power Co. Inc. (The)

    16,000       160,788  

Tohoku Electric Power Co. Inc.

    8,000       61,238  

Tokyo Electric Power Co. Holdings Inc.(a)

    33,600       88,254  
   

 

 

 
      484,411  
Electrical Equipment — 1.5%            

Fuji Electric Co. Ltd.

    3,200       138,436  

Mitsubishi Electric Corp.

    40,000       546,844  
   

 

 

 
      685,280  
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components — 1.6%        

Hirose Electric Co. Ltd.

    400       66,598  

Kyocera Corp.

    7,000       435,169  

Omron Corp.

    1,600       150,762  

Yokogawa Electric Corp.

    4,800       75,087  
   

 

 

 
      727,616  
Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) — 3.1%        

Daiwa House REIT Investment Corp.

    32       94,510  

GLP J-REIT

    96       174,260  

Japan Metropolitan Fund Invest

    160       155,443  

Japan Real Estate Investment Corp.

    32       197,764  

Nippon Building Fund Inc.

    32       207,806  

Nippon Prologis REIT Inc.

    48       172,610  

Nomura Real Estate Master Fund Inc.

    96       148,003  

Orix JREIT Inc.

    64       114,080  

United Urban Investment Corp.

    64       90,403  
   

 

 

 
      1,354,879  
Food & Staples Retailing — 1.7%            

Lawson Inc.

    1,600       76,954  

Seven & i Holdings Co. Ltd.

    16,000       698,181  
   

 

 

 
      775,135  
Food Products — 1.3%            

Ajinomoto Co. Inc.

    4,800       141,486  

MEIJI Holdings Co. Ltd.

    3,200       196,807  

NH Foods Ltd.

    1,600       62,085  

Nisshin Seifun Group Inc.

    4,800       78,820  

Nissin Foods Holdings Co. Ltd.

    200       15,570  

Toyo Suisan Kaisha Ltd.

    1,600       66,308  
   

 

 

 
      561,076  
 

 

 

C H E D U L E    O F    N V E S T  M E N T S

  15


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® MSCI Japan Value ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Gas Utilities — 0.9%  

Osaka Gas Co. Ltd.

    8,000     $ 149,960  

Toho Gas Co. Ltd.

    1,600       74,587  

Tokyo Gas Co. Ltd.

    8,000       153,782  
   

 

 

 
      378,329  
Health Care Providers & Services — 0.2%  

Medipal Holdings Corp.

    4,800       91,757  
   

 

 

 
Household Durables — 2.6%  

Casio Computer Co. Ltd.

    4,800       74,134  

Iida Group Holdings Co. Ltd.

    3,200       81,239  

Panasonic Corp.

    49,600       592,971  

Sekisui Chemical Co. Ltd.

    8,000       136,914  

Sekisui House Ltd.

    14,400       286,894  
   

 

 

 
      1,172,152  
Household Products — 0.1%  

Pigeon Corp.

    1,600       46,345  
   

 

 

 
Industrial Conglomerates — 1.8%  

Hitachi Ltd.

    14,400       795,838  
   

 

 

 
Insurance — 5.2%  

Dai-ichi Life Holdings Inc.

    22,400       443,235  

Japan Post Holdings Co. Ltd.

    35,200       302,534  

Japan Post Insurance Co. Ltd.

    4,800       87,168  

MS&AD Insurance Group Holdings Inc.

    9,600       310,741  

Sompo Holdings Inc.

    6,400       281,329  

T&D Holdings Inc.

    12,800       155,784  

Tokio Marine Holdings Inc.

    14,400       704,582  
   

 

 

 
      2,285,373  
Interactive Media & Services — 0.3%  

Z Holdings Corp.

    20,800       135,246  
   

 

 

 
Internet & Direct Marketing Retail — 0.1%  

Rakuten Group Inc.

    6,400       66,945  
   

 

 

 
IT Services — 1.7%  

Fujitsu Ltd.

    4,100       754,756  
   

 

 

 
Leisure Products — 0.2%  

Yamaha Corp.

    1,600       94,338  
   

 

 

 
Machinery — 1.8%  

Hino Motors Ltd.

    6,400       55,380  

Hitachi Construction Machinery Co. Ltd.

    3,200       91,677  

Hoshizaki Corp.

    200       18,775  

Kubota Corp.

    14,400       297,528  

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd.

    6,400       169,081  

NGK Insulators Ltd.

    6,400       106,103  

NSK Ltd.

    8,000       56,127  
   

 

 

 
      794,671  
Marine — 0.6%  

Nippon Yusen KK

    3,200       257,328  
   

 

 

 
Media — 0.5%  

Dentsu Group Inc.

    4,800       178,431  

Hakuhodo DY Holdings Inc.

    3,200       50,458  
   

 

 

 
      228,889  
Metals & Mining — 1.6%  

Hitachi Metals Ltd.(a)

    3,200       61,770  

JFE Holdings Inc.

    11,200       181,663  

Nippon Steel Corp.

    19,200       392,411  
Security   Shares     Value  
Metals & Mining (continued)            

Sumitomo Metal Mining Co. Ltd.

    1,600     $ 61,314  
   

 

 

 
      697,158  
Multiline Retail — 0.2%  

Ryohin Keikaku Co. Ltd.

    3,200       68,518  
   

 

 

 
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 1.2%  

ENEOS Holdings Inc.

    68,800       265,906  

Idemitsu Kosan Co. Ltd.

    4,892       117,166  

Inpex Corp.

    22,400       153,908  
   

 

 

 
      536,980  
Paper & Forest Products — 0.2%  

Oji Holdings Corp.

    17,600       92,133  
Personal Products — 0.7%            
   

 

 

 

Kao Corp.

    4,800       289,951  

Pola Orbis Holdings Inc.

    1,600       34,906  
   

 

 

 
      324,857  
Pharmaceuticals — 7.1%  

Astellas Pharma Inc.

    41,600       700,956  

Daiichi Sankyo Co. Ltd.

    12,800       304,031  

Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical Co. Inc.

    200       8,015  

Otsuka Holdings Co. Ltd.

    8,000       340,436  

Santen Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

    8,000       119,621  

Shionogi & Co. Ltd.

    6,400       402,116  

Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Co. Ltd.

    4,800       86,160  

Taisho Pharmaceutical Holdings Co. Ltd.

    500       29,164  

Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

    35,200       1,171,650  
   

 

 

 
      3,162,149  
Real Estate Management & Development — 4.0%  

Daito Trust Construction Co. Ltd.

    1,600       175,721  

Daiwa House Industry Co. Ltd.

    12,800       390,320  

Hulic Co. Ltd.

    3,200       37,536  

Mitsubishi Estate Co. Ltd.

    25,600       400,803  

Mitsui Fudosan Co. Ltd.

    20,800       477,318  

Nomura Real Estate Holdings Inc.

    3,200       81,950  

Sumitomo Realty & Development Co. Ltd.

    6,400       206,622  
   

 

 

 
      1,770,270  
Road & Rail — 3.0%  

Central Japan Railway Co.

    3,200       468,383  

East Japan Railway Co.

    4,800       322,628  

Hankyu Hanshin Holdings Inc.

    4,800       143,638  

Keisei Electric Railway Co. Ltd.

    1,600       49,222  

Kintetsu Group Holdings Co. Ltd.(a)

    1,600       54,650  

Nippon Express Co. Ltd.

    1,600       108,795  

Odakyu Electric Railway Co. Ltd.

    1,600       37,279  

Tokyu Corp.

    4,800       66,003  

West Japan Railway Co.

    1,600       87,387  
   

 

 

 
      1,337,985  
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 0.1%  

Rohm Co. Ltd.

    400       38,455  
   

 

 

 
Software — 0.2%  

Trend Micro Inc.

    1,600       87,647  
   

 

 

 
Specialty Retail — 0.3%            

ABC-Mart Inc.

    400       21,386  

USS Co. Ltd.

    3,200       52,868  

Yamada Holdings Co. Ltd.

    16,000       68,642  
   

 

 

 
      142,896  
 

 

 

16  

2 0 2 1    H A R E S     N N U A L    E P O R T    T O    H A R E  H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® MSCI Japan Value ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals — 3.2%  

Brother Industries Ltd.

    4,800     $ 98,504  

Canon Inc.

    22,400       532,944  

FUJIFILM Holdings Corp.

    8,000       658,337  

Seiko Epson Corp.

    6,400       119,198  
   

 

 

 
      1,408,983  
Tobacco — 1.2%  

Japan Tobacco Inc.

    27,200       527,750  
   

 

 

 
Trading Companies & Distributors — 6.0%  

Itochu Corp.

    17,600       529,428  

Marubeni Corp.

    35,200       280,062  

Mitsubishi Corp.

    17,600       529,627  

Mitsui & Co. Ltd.

    33,600       741,068  

Sumitomo Corp.

    25,600       360,775  

Toyota Tsusho Corp.

    4,800       212,246  
   

 

 

 
      2,653,206  

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Wireless Telecommunication Services — 6.6%  

KDDI Corp.

    35,200     $ 1,075,902  

Softbank Corp.

    64,000       856,501  

SoftBank Group Corp.

    17,800       1,003,097  
   

 

 

 
      2,935,500  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 99.7%
(Cost: $42,618,146)

 

    44,246,671  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities — 99.7%
(Cost: $42,618,146)

 

    44,246,671  

Other Assets, Less Liabilities — 0.3%

 

    114,024  
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

 

  $ 44,360,695  
   

 

 

 

 

(a)

Non-income producing security.

 

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the year ended August 31, 2021 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

Affiliated Issuer    Value at
08/31/20
     Purchases
at Cost
     Proceeds
from Sales
     Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
     Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
     Value at
08/31/21
     Shares
Held at
08/31/21
     Income      Capital
Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds
 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares(a)

   $      $ 0 (b)     $      $      $      $             $ 2      $  
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a)

As of period end, the entity is no longer held.

 
  (b) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Futures Contracts

 

 

 
Description    Number of
Contracts
     Expiration
Date
     Notional
Amount
(000)
     Value/
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

 

 

Long Contracts

           

TOPIX Index

     6        09/09/21      $ 107      $ 1,433  
           

 

 

 

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:

 

 

 
     Equity
Contracts
 

 

 

Assets — Derivative Financial Instruments

  

Futures contracts

  

Unrealized appreciation on futures contracts(a)

   $ 1,433  
  

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Net cumulative 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).

 

 

 

C H E D U L E    O F    N V E S T  M E N T S

  17


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® MSCI Japan Value ETF

 

For the period ended August 31, 2021, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

      Equity
Contracts
 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from:

  

Futures contracts

   $ 13,130  
  

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:

  

Futures contracts

   $ 1,568  
  

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

 

 

Futures contracts:

  

Average notional value of contracts — long

   $ 163,205  

 

 

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. 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.

 

 

 
     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

 

 

Investments

           

Assets

           

Common Stocks

   $ 174,260      $ 44,072,411      $         —      $ 44,246,671  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Derivative financial instruments(a)

           

Assets

           

Futures Contracts

   $      $ 1,433      $      $ 1,433  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Derivative financial instruments are futures contracts. Futures contracts are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

18  

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Statements of Assets and Liabilities

August 31, 2021

 

    

iShares

MSCI Japan
Equal
Weighted ETF

   

iShares

MSCI Japan
Value ETF

 

ASSETS

   

Investments in securities, at value:

   

Unaffiliated(a)

  $ 7,868,926     $ 44,246,671  

Cash

    1,944       6,412  

Foreign currency, at value(b)

    9,189       62,464  

Foreign currency collateral pledged:

   

Futures contracts(c)

    924       5,536  

Receivables:

   

Investments sold

    148,064        

Variation margin on futures contracts

    68       1,453  

Dividends

    12,666       76,498  

Tax reclaims

          5,310  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

    8,041,781       44,404,344  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

   

Payables:

   

Investments purchased

    146,602       38,032  

Investment advisory fees

    994       5,617  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    147,596       43,649  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 7,894,185     $ 44,360,695  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:

   

Paid-in capital

  $ 7,211,200     $ 43,385,648  

Accumulated earnings

    682,985       975,047  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 7,894,185     $ 44,360,695  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Shares outstanding

    200,000       1,600,000  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value

  $ 39.47     $ 27.73  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Shares authorized

    Unlimited       Unlimited  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Par value

    None       None  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

(a) Investments, at cost — Unaffiliated

  $ 6,984,047     $ 42,618,146  

(b) Foreign currency, at cost

  $ 9,211     $ 62,871  

(c)  Foreign currency collateral pledged, at cost

  $ 929     $ 5,559  

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L    T A T E M E N T  S

  19


 

Statement of Operations

Year Ended August 31, 2021

 

    

iShares

MSCI Japan
Equal
Weighted ETF

   

iShares

MSCI Japan
Value ETF

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

   

Dividends — Unaffiliated

  $ 161,814     $ 717,085  

Dividends — Affiliated

          2  

Securities lending income — Affiliated — net

    21        

Foreign taxes withheld

    (16,060     (71,421
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investment income

    145,775       645,666  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

EXPENSES

   

Investment advisory fees

    11,519       38,174  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses

    11,519       38,174  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    134,256       607,492  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

   

Net realized gain (loss) from:

   

Investments — Unaffiliated

    (170,669     (514,936

Investments — Affiliated

    2        

In-kind redemptions — Unaffiliated

          390,906  

Futures contracts

    7,738       13,130  

Foreign currency transactions

    (446     (1,085
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net realized loss

    (163,375     (111,985
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

   

Investments — Unaffiliated

    1,181,504       1,979,541  

Futures contracts

    83       1,568  

Foreign currency translations

    (127     (506
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    1,181,460       1,980,603  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain

    1,018,085       1,868,618  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

  $ 1,152,341     $ 2,476,110  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

20  

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Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

    iShares
MSCI Japan Equal Weighted ETF
    iShares
MSCI Japan Value ETF
 
     Year Ended
08/31/21
    Year Ended
08/31/20
    Year Ended
08/31/21
    Year Ended
08/31/20
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

       

OPERATIONS

       

Net investment income

  $ 134,256     $ 132,744     $ 607,492     $ 212,145  

Net realized gain (loss)

    (163,375     600,883       (111,985     37,327  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    1,181,460       (186,121     1,980,603       (106,226
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

    1,152,341       547,506       2,476,110       143,246  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a)

       

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

    (116,528     (182,059     (537,816     (280,402
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

       

Net increase (decrease) in net assets derived from capital share transactions

          (25,928     35,457,668       (8,724
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

       

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

    1,035,813       339,519       37,395,962       (145,880

Beginning of year

    6,858,372       6,518,853       6,964,733       7,110,613  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of year

  $ 7,894,185     $ 6,858,372     $ 44,360,695     $ 6,964,733  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a)  

Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L    T A T E M E N T  S

  21


Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    iShares MSCI Japan Equal Weighted ETF  
     Year Ended
08/31/21
     Year Ended
08/31/20
    

Period From
03/05/19(a)

to 08/31/19

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 34.29      $ 32.59      $ 33.43  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income(b)

    0.67        0.66        0.44  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(c)

    5.09        1.95        (0.82
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    5.76        2.61        (0.38
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions(d)

       

From net investment income

    (0.58      (0.91      (0.46
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.58      (0.91      (0.46
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 39.47      $ 34.29      $ 32.59  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Return(e)

       

Based on net asset value

    16.83      7.98      (1.14 )%(f) 
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

       

Total expenses

    0.15      0.15      0.15 %(g) 
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income

    1.75      1.98      2.68 %(g) 
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

       

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 7,894      $ 6,858      $ 6,519  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(h)

    25      17      6 %(f)  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(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) 

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(f)

Not annualized.

(g) 

Annualized.

(h)

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

22  

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Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    iShares MSCI Japan Value ETF  
   

Year Ended

08/31/21

     Year Ended
08/31/20
    

Period From
03/05/19(a)

to 08/31/19

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 23.22      $ 23.70      $ 24.67  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income(b)

    0.65        0.71        0.46  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(c)

    4.36        (0.26      (0.97
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    5.01        0.45        (0.51
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions(d)

       

From net investment income

    (0.50      (0.93      (0.46
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.50      (0.93      (0.46
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 27.73      $ 23.22      $ 23.70  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Return(e)

       

Based on net asset value

    21.62      1.71      (2.10 )%(f) 
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

       

Total expenses

    0.15      0.15      0.15 %(g) 
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income

    2.39      2.98      3.83 %(g) 
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

       

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 44,361      $ 6,965      $ 7,111  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(h)

    24      35      9 %(f)  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(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) 

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(f)

Not annualized.

(g) 

Annualized.

(h)

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L    I G H L I G H T  S

  23


Notes to Financial Statements

 

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”):

 

iShares ETF   Diversification    
Classification    

MSCI Japan Equal Weighted

  Non-diversified    

MSCI Japan Value

  Non-diversified    

 

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.

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 August 31, 2021, if any, are disclosed in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

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 includes tax reclaims recorded as well as professional and other fees, if any, associated with recovery of foreign withholding taxes.

Segregation and Collateralization: In cases where a Fund enters into certain investments (e.g., futures contracts) that would be treated as “senior securities” for 1940 Act purposes, a Fund may segregate or designate on its books and record cash or liquid assets having a market value at least equal to the amount of its future obligations under such investments. Doing so allows the investment to be excluded from treatment as a “senior security.” Furthermore, 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 or obligations.

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. The character and timing of distributions are determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP.

 

 

24  

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Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

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. Each Fund determines the fair values of its financial instruments using various independent dealers or pricing services under policies approved by the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”). 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 a policy approved by the Board as reflecting fair value. The BlackRock Global Valuation Methodologies Committee (the “Global Valuation Committee”) is the committee formed by management to develop global pricing policies and procedures and to oversee the pricing function for all financial instruments.

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 published 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 follows 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 Global Valuation Committee, in accordance with a policy approved by the Board as reflecting fair value (“Fair Valued Investments”). The fair valuation approaches that may be used by the Global 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 Global Valuation Committee, or its delegate, 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 Global Valuation Committee, or its delegate, deems relevant and consistent with the principles of fair value measurement. The pricing of all Fair Valued Investments is subsequently reported to the Board or a committee thereof on a quarterly basis.

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. 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 for identical assets or liabilities that each Fund has the ability to access;

   

Level 2 – Other observable inputs (including, but not limited to, quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in markets that are active, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the assets or liabilities (such as interest rates, yield curves, volatilities, prepayment speeds, loss severities, credit risks and default rates) or other market-corroborated inputs); and

   

Level 3 – Unobservable inputs based on the best information available in the circumstances, to the extent observable inputs are not available, (including the Global 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 Global 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

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

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 BlackRock Fund Advisors (“BFA”), the Funds’ investment adviser, 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.

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 of 0.15%, accrued daily and paid monthly by the Funds, based on the average daily net assets of each Fund.

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. 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, distribution fee or service fee. The money

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

market fund in which the cash collateral has been invested may, under certain circumstances, impose a liquidity fee of up to 2% of the value redeemed or temporarily restrict redemptions for up to 10 business days during a 90 day period, in the event that the money market fund’s weekly liquid assets fall below certain thresholds.

Securities lending income is equal to the total of income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral, net of fees and other payments to and from borrowers of securities, and less the collateral investment fees. Each Fund retains a portion of 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 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, each Fund, pursuant to the securities lending agreement, will retain for the remainder of that calendar year 85% of securities lending income 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 year ended August 31, 2021, the Funds paid BTC the following amounts for securities lending agent services:

 

iShares ETF   Fees Paid    
to BTC    
 

MSCI Japan Equal Weighted

  $ 5      

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 year ended August 31, 2021, transactions executed by the Funds pursuant to Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act were as follows:

 

iShares ETF   Purchases      Sales      Net Realized    
Gain (Loss)    
 

MSCI Japan Value

  $ 3,932,935      $ 2,307,004      $ (87,458)      

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.

 

7.

PURCHASES AND SALES

For the year ended August 31, 2021, purchases and sales of investments, excluding short-term investments and in-kind transactions, were as follows:

 

iShares ETF   Purchases      Sales      

MSCI Japan Equal Weighted

  $ 1,892,564      $ 1,884,967      

MSCI Japan Value

    9,410,550        6,151,578      

For the year ended August 31, 2021, in-kind transactions were as follows:

 

iShares ETF   In-kind
Purchases
     In-kind    
Sales    
 

MSCI Japan Value

  $ 34,631,574      $ 2,435,687      

 

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 August 31, 2021, 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.

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

U.S. GAAP requires that certain components of net assets be adjusted to reflect permanent differences between financial and tax reporting. These reclassifications have no effect on net assets or NAV per share. As of August 31, 2021, the following permanent differences attributable to realized gains (losses) from in-kind redemptions were reclassified to the following accounts:

 

iShares ETF   Paid-in Capital      Accumulated    
Earnings    
 

MSCI Japan Equal Weighted

  $ 102      $ (102)      

MSCI Japan Value

    372,118        (372,118)      

The tax character of distributions was as follows:

 

iShares ETF   Year Ended
08/31/21
     Year Ended    
08/31/20    
 

MSCI Japan Equal Weighted

    

Ordinary income

  $ 116,528      $ 182,059      
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

MSCI Japan Value

    

Ordinary income

  $ 537,816      $ 280,402      
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

As of August 31, 2021, the tax components of accumulated net earnings (losses) were as follows:

 

iShares ETF    
Undistributed
Ordinary Income
 
 
    

Non-expiring

Capital Loss

Carryforwards

 

 

(a) 

   

Net Unrealized

Gains (Losses)

 

(b) 

            Total  

MSCI Japan Equal Weighted

  $ 60,521      $ (161,727   $ 784,191     $ 682,985  

MSCI Japan Value

    334,210        (424,703     1,065,540       975,047  

 

  (a)

Amounts available to offset future realized capital gains.

 
  (b)

The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized gains (losses) was attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales, timing and recognition of partnership income and the realization for tax purposes of unrealized gains on investments in passive foreign investment companies.

 

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 August 31, 2021, 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:

 

iShares ETF           Tax Cost      Gross Unrealized
Appreciation
     Gross Unrealized
Depreciation
    Net Unrealized    
Appreciation    
(Depreciation)     
 

MSCI Japan Equal Weighted

  $ 7,084,801      $ 1,080,651      $ (296,463   $ 784,188      

MSCI Japan Value

    43,182,360        2,624,465        (1,558,721     1,065,744      

 

9.

PRINCIPAL RISKS

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 a “passive” or index approach to try to achieve each Fund’s investment objective following the securities included in its underlying index during upturns as well as downturns. BFA does not take steps to reduce market exposure or to lessen the effects of a declining market. Divergence from the underlying index and the composition of the portfolio is monitored by BFA.

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 redemption gates or liquidity fees under certain circumstances.

Market Risk: An outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus has developed into a global pandemic and has resulted in closing borders, quarantines, disruptions to supply chains and customer activity, as well as general concern and uncertainty. The impact of this pandemic, and other global health crises that may arise in the future, could affect the economies of many nations, individual companies and the market in general in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen at the present time.

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

This pandemic may result in substantial market volatility and may adversely impact the prices and liquidity of a fund’s investments. The duration of this pandemic and its effects cannot be determined with certainty.

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.

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 the Manager 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, 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 Funds.

Concentration 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 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. 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 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.

LIBOR Transition Risk: The United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority announced a phase out of the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”). Although many LIBOR rates will be phased out by the end of 2021, a selection of widely used USD LIBOR rates will continue to be published through June 2023 in order to assist with the transition. The Funds may be exposed to financial instruments tied to LIBOR to determine payment obligations, financing terms, hedging strategies or investment value. The transition process away from LIBOR might lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets for, and reduce the effectiveness of new hedges placed against, instruments whose terms currently include LIBOR. The ultimate effect of the LIBOR transition process on the Funds is uncertain.

 

10.

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.

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

Transactions in capital shares were as follows:

 

     Year Ended
08/31/21
           Year Ended
08/31/20
 
iShares ETF   Shares     Amount            Shares     Amount  

MSCI Japan Equal Weighted

         

Shares sold

        $         100,000     $ 3,403,244  

Shares redeemed

                  (100,000     (3,429,172
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease

        $             $ (25,928
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

MSCI Japan Value

         

Shares sold

    1,400,000     $ 37,929,376         100,000     $ 2,629,581  

Shares redeemed

    (100,000     (2,471,708       (100,000     (2,638,305
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease)

    1,300,000     $ 35,457,668             $ (8,724
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

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. Investors 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. Investors 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.

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.

 

11.

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Management has evaluated the impact of all subsequent events on the Funds through the date the financial statements were available to be issued and has determined that there were no subsequent events requiring adjustment or additional disclosure in the financial statements.

 

 

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Board of Trustees of iShares Trust and Shareholders of iShares MSCI Japan Equal

Weighted ETF and iShares MSCI Japan Value ETF

Opinions on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities, including the schedules of investments, of iShares MSCI Japan Equal Weighted ETF and iShares MSCI Japan Value ETF (two of the funds constituting iShares Trust, hereafter collectively referred to as the “Funds”) as of August 31, 2021, the related statements of operations for the year ended August 31, 2021, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period ended August 31, 2021, including the related notes, and the financial highlights for each of the two years in the period ended August 31, 2021 and for the period March 5, 2019 (commencement of operations) to August 31, 2019 (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of each of the Funds as of August 31, 2021, the results of each of their operations for the year then ended, the changes in each of their net assets for each of the two years in the period ended August 31, 2021 and each of the financial highlights for each of the two years in the period ended August 31, 2021 and for the period March 5, 2019 (commencement of operations) to August 31, 2019 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinions

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Funds’ management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Funds’ financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Funds in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of August 31, 2021 by correspondence with the custodian, transfer agent and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

/s/PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

October 22, 2021

We have served as the auditor of one or more BlackRock investment companies since 2000.

 

 

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  31


Important Tax Information  (unaudited)

 

The following amounts, or maximum amounts allowable by law, are hereby designated as qualified dividend income for individuals for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2021:

 

iShares ETF   Qualified Dividend    
Income    
 

MSCI Japan Equal Weighted

  $ 146,169      

MSCI Japan Value

    644,476      

The Funds intend to pass through to their shareholders the following amounts, or maximum amounts allowable by law, of foreign source income earned and foreign taxes paid for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2021:

 

iShares ETF   Foreign Source
Income Earned
     Foreign    
Taxes Paid    
 

MSCI Japan Equal Weighted

  $ 161,814      $ 16,154      

MSCI Japan Value

    717,124        62,800      

 

 

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Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract

 

iShares MSCI Japan Equal Weighted ETF, iShares MSCI Japan Value 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 and approve the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and BFA (the “Advisory Agreement”) 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; legal and compliance services; and 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 on May 7, 2021 and May 14, 2021, 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, and requested certain additional information, which management agreed to provide. At a meeting held on June 15-16, 2021, 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 material factors, none of which was controlling, 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 another fund in which the Fund invests (if applicable), and waivers/reimbursements (if applicable) of the Fund in comparison with the same information for other ETFs (including, where applicable, funds sponsored by an “at cost” service provider), objectively selected by Broadridge as comprising the Fund’s applicable 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 overall fund expenses (net of waivers and reimbursements) for the Fund were lower than the median of the overall fund expenses (net of 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, 2020, to that of 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 factors 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 recent and proposed enhancements to the iShares 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. 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, which were provided at the May 7, 2021 meeting and throughout the year.

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

 

 

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  33


Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract  (continued)

 

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 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, were within a reasonable range in light of the factors and other information considered.

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, 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 relatively low fee rates established at inception, breakpoints, waivers, or other fee reductions, as well as through additional investment in the iShares business and the provision of improved or additional infrastructure and services to the iShares funds and their shareholders. 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 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 acknowledged BFA’s representation that the iShares funds are fundamentally different investment vehicles from 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 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 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 also considered the “all-inclusive” nature of the Fund’s advisory fee structure, and the Fund’s expenses borne by BFA under this arrangement. The Board 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 (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 for which BFA (or its affiliates) provides investment advisory services or other services, and BlackRock’s profile in the investment community. The Board also noted the revenue received by BFA and/or its affiliates pursuant to (i) 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 and (ii) other technology-related initiatives aimed to better support the iShares funds. The Board further 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.

 

 

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Supplemental Information  (unaudited)

 

Regulation Regarding Derivatives

On October 28, 2020, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) adopted new regulations governing the use of derivatives by registered investment companies (“Rule 18f-4”). The Funds will be required to implement and comply with Rule 18f-4 by August 19, 2022. Once implemented, Rule 18f-4 will impose limits on the amount of derivatives a fund can enter into, eliminate the asset segregation framework currently used by funds to comply with Section 18 of the 1940 Act, treat derivatives as senior securities and require funds whose use of derivatives is more than a limited specified exposure amount to establish and maintain a comprehensive derivatives risk management program and appoint a derivatives risk manager.

Section 19(a) Notices

The amounts and sources of distributions reported are estimates and are being provided pursuant to regulatory requirements and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources for tax reporting purposes will depend upon each Fund’s investment experience during the year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. Shareholders will receive a Form 1099-DIV each calendar year that will inform them how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes.

August 31, 2021

 

     Total Cumulative Distributions
for the Fiscal Year
    % Breakdown of the Total Cumulative
Distributions for the Fiscal Year
 
iShares ETF   Net
Investment
Income
    Net Realized
Capital Gains
    Return of
Capital
    Total Per
Share
    Net
Investment
Income
    Net Realized
Capital Gains
    Return of
Capital
    Total Per
Share
 

MSCI Japan Value

  $ 0.496246     $     $     $ 0.496246       100             100

Premium/Discount Information

Information on the Fund’s net asset value, market price, premiums and discounts, and bid-ask spreads can be found at iShares.com.

 

 

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Trustee and Officer Information

 

The Board of Trustees has responsibility for the overall management and operations of the Funds, including general supervision of the duties performed by BFA and other service providers. Each Trustee serves until he or she resigns, is removed, dies, retires or becomes incapacitated. Each officer shall hold office until his or her successor is elected and qualifies or until his or her death, resignation or removal. Trustees who are not “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust are referred to as independent trustees (“Independent Trustees”).

The registered investment companies advised by BFA or its affiliates (the “BlackRock-advised Funds”) are organized into one complex of open-end equity, multi-asset, index and money market funds and ETFs (the “BlackRock Multi-Asset Complex”), one complex of closed-end funds and open-end non-index fixed-income funds (including ETFs) (the “BlackRock Fixed-Income Complex”) and one complex of ETFs (“Exchange-Traded Fund Complex”) (each, a “BlackRock Fund Complex”). Each Fund is included in the Exchange-Traded Fund Complex. Each Trustee also serves as a Director of iShares, Inc. and a Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust and, as a result, oversees all of the funds within the Exchange-Traded Fund Complex, which consists of 374 funds as of August 31, 2021. With the exception of Robert S. Kapito, Salim Ramji and Charles Park, the address of each Trustee and officer is c/o BlackRock, Inc., 400 Howard Street, San Francisco, CA 94105. The address of Mr. Kapito, Mr. Ramji and Mr. Park is c/o BlackRock, Inc., Park Avenue Plaza, 55 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10055. The Board has designated Cecilia H. Herbert as its Independent Board Chair. Additional information about the Funds’ Trustees and officers may be found in the Funds’ combined Statement of Additional Information, which is available without charge, upon request, by calling toll-free 1-800-iShares (1-800-474-2737).

 

Interested Trustees
       
Name (Age)    Position(s)   

Principal Occupation(s)

During the Past 5 Years

   Other Directorships Held by Trustee
Robert S. Kapito(a) (64)    Trustee
(since 2009).
   President, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2006); Vice Chairman of BlackRock, Inc. and Head of BlackRock’s Portfolio Management Group (since its formation in 1998) and BlackRock, Inc.’s predecessor entities (since 1988); Trustee, University of Pennsylvania (since 2009); President of Board of Directors, Hope & Heroes Children’s Cancer Fund (since 2002).    Director of BlackRock, Inc. (since 2006); Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2009); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011).
Salim Ramji(b) (51)    Trustee
(since 2019).
   Senior Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2014); Global Head of BlackRock’s ETF and Index Investments Business (since 2019); Head of BlackRock’s U.S. Wealth Advisory Business (2015-2019); Global Head of Corporate Strategy, BlackRock, Inc. (2014-2015); Senior Partner, McKinsey & Company (2010-2014).    Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2019); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2019).

(a)  Robert S. Kapito is deemed to be an “interested person” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust due to his affiliations with BlackRock, Inc. and its affiliates.

(b)  Salim Ramji is deemed to be an “interested person” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust due to his affiliations with BlackRock, Inc. and its affiliates.

Independent Trustees
       
Name (Age)    Position(s)   

Principal Occupation(s)

During the Past 5 Years

   Other Directorships Held by Trustee
Cecilia H. Herbert (72)    Trustee
(since 2005); Independent Board Chair (since 2016).
   Chair of the Finance Committee (since 2019) and Trustee and Member of the Finance, Audit and Quality Committees of Stanford Health Care (since 2016); Trustee of WNET, New York’s public media company (since 2011) and Member of the Audit Committee (since 2018) and Investment Committee (since 2011); Chair (1994-2005) and Member (since 1992) of the Investment Committee, Archdiocese of San Francisco; Trustee of Forward Funds (14 portfolios) (2009-2018); Trustee of Salient MF Trust (4 portfolios) (2015-2018); Director (1998-2013) and President (2007-2011) of the Board of Directors, Catholic Charities CYO; Trustee (2002-2011) and Chair of the Finance and Investment Committee (2006-2010) of the Thacher School; Director of the Senior Center of Jackson Hole (since 2020).    Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2005); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011); Independent Board Chair of iShares, Inc. and iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2016); Trustee of Thrivent Church Loan and Income Fund (since 2019).
Jane D. Carlin (65)    Trustee
(since 2015); Risk Committee Chair (since 2016).
   Consultant (since 2012); Member of the Audit Committee (2012-2018), Chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee (2017-2018) and Director of PHH Corporation (mortgage solutions) (2012-2018); Managing Director and Global Head of Financial Holding Company Governance & Assurance and the Global Head of Operational Risk Management of Morgan Stanley (2006-2012).    Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2015); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2015); Member of the Audit Committee (since 2016), Chair of the Audit Committee (since 2020) and Director of The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. (since 2016).
Richard L. Fagnani (66)    Trustee
(since 2017); Audit Committee Chair (since 2019).
   Partner, KPMG LLP (2002-2016).    Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2017); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2017).

 

 

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Trustee and Officer Information  (continued)

 

     Independent Trustees  (continued)
       
Name (Age)    Position(s)   

Principal Occupation(s)

During the Past 5 Years

   Other Directorships Held by Trustee
John E. Kerrigan (66)    Trustee
(since 2005);
Nominating and Governance
and Equity Plus
Committee Chairs
(since 2019).
   Chief Investment Officer, Santa Clara University (since 2002).    Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2005); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011).
Drew E. Lawton (62)    Trustee
(since 2017); 15(c)
Committee Chair
(since 2017).
   Senior Managing Director of New York Life Insurance Company (2010-2015).    Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2017); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2017).
John E. Martinez (60)    Trustee
(since 2003);
Securities Lending
Committee Chair
(since 2019).
   Director of Real Estate Equity Exchange, Inc. (since 2005); Director of Cloudera Foundation (2017-2020); and Director of Reading Partners (2012-2016).    Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2003); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011).
Madhav V. Rajan (57)   

Trustee
(since 2011);
Fixed Income Plus
Committee Chair

(since 2019).

   Dean, and George Pratt Shultz Professor of Accounting, University of Chicago Booth School of Business (since 2017); Advisory Board Member (since 2016) and Director (since 2020) of C.M. Capital Corporation; Chair of the Board for the Center for Research in Security Prices, LLC (since 2020); Robert K. Jaedicke Professor of Accounting, Stanford University Graduate School of Business (2001-2017); Professor of Law (by courtesy), Stanford Law School (2005-2017); Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Head of MBA Program, Stanford University Graduate School of Business (2010-2016).    Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2011); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011).

 

Officers
     
Name (Age)    Position(s)   

Principal Occupation(s)

During the Past 5 Years

Armando Senra (50)    President
(since 2019).
   Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2007); Head of U.S., Canada and Latam iShares, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2019); Head of Latin America Region, BlackRock, Inc. (2006-2019); Managing Director, Bank of America Merrill Lynch (1994-2006).
Trent Walker (47)    Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer
(since 2020).
   Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since September 2019); Chief Financial Officer of iShares Delaware Trust Sponsor LLC, BlackRock Funds, BlackRock Funds II, BlackRock Funds IV, BlackRock Funds V and BlackRock Funds VI (since 2021); Executive Vice President of PIMCO (2016-2019); Senior Vice President of PIMCO (2008-2015); Treasurer (2013-2019) and Assistant Treasurer (2007-2017) of PIMCO Funds, PIMCO Variable Insurance Trust, PIMCO ETF Trust, PIMCO Equity Series, PIMCO Equity Series VIT, PIMCO Managed Accounts Trust, 2 PIMCO-sponsored interval funds and 21 PIMCO-sponsored closed-end funds.
Charles Park (54)    Chief Compliance Officer (since 2006).    Chief Compliance Officer of BlackRock Advisors, LLC and the BlackRock-advised Funds in the BlackRock Multi-Asset Complex and the BlackRock Fixed-Income Complex (since 2014); Chief Compliance Officer of BFA (since 2006).
Deepa Damre Smith (46)    Secretary
(since 2019).
   Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2014); Director, BlackRock, Inc. (2009-2013).
Scott Radell (52)    Executive Vice President (since 2012).    Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2009); Head of Portfolio Solutions, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2009).
Alan Mason (60)    Executive Vice President (since 2016).    Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2009).
Marybeth Leithead (58)    Executive Vice President (since 2019).    Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2017); Chief Operating Officer of Americas iShares (since 2017); Portfolio Manager, Municipal Institutional & Wealth Management (2009-2016).

 

 

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General Information

 

Electronic Delivery

Shareholders can sign up for email 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.

Householding

Householding is an option available to certain fund investors. Householding is a method of delivery, based on the preference of the individual investor, in which a single copy of certain shareholder documents and Rule 30e-3 notices can be delivered to investors who share the same address, even if their accounts are registered under different names. Please contact your broker-dealer if you are interested in enrolling in householding and receiving a single copy of prospectuses and other shareholder documents, or if you are currently enrolled in householding and wish to change your householding status.

Availability of Quarterly Schedule of Investments

The Funds file their complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to their reports on Form N-PORT. The Funds’ Forms N-PORT are available on the SEC’s website at sec.gov. Additionally, each Fund makes its portfolio holdings for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year available at iShares.com/fundreports.

Availability of Proxy Voting Policies and Proxy Voting Records

A description of the policies and procedures that the iShares Funds use to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities and information about how the iShares Funds voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve-month period ending June 30 is available without charge, upon request (1) by calling toll-free 1-800-474-2737; (2) on the iShares website at iShares.com; and (3) on the SEC website at sec.gov.

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 at iShares.com.

 

 

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Want to know more?

iShares.com    |     1-800-474-2737

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 MSCI Inc., 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.

©2021 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.

iS-AR-819-0821

 

 

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  AUGUST 31, 2021

 

   2021 Annual Report

 

iShares Trust

 

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The Markets in Review

Dear Shareholder,

The 12-month reporting period as of August 31, 2021 was a remarkable period of adaptation and recovery, as the global economy dealt with the implications of the coronavirus (or “COVID-19”) pandemic. The United States, along with most of the world, began the reporting period emerging from a severe recession, prompted by pandemic-related restrictions that disrupted many aspects of daily life. However, easing restrictions and robust government intervention led to a strong rebound, and the economy grew at a significant pace for the reporting period, eventually regaining the output lost from the pandemic.

Equity prices rose with the broader economy, as strong fiscal and monetary support, as well as the development of vaccines, made investors increasingly optimistic about the economic outlook. The implementation of mass vaccination campaigns and passage of two additional fiscal stimulus packages further boosted stocks, and many equity indices neared or surpassed all-time highs late in the reporting period. In the United States, returns of small-capitalization stocks, which benefited the most from the resumption of in-person activities, outpaced large-capitalization stocks. International equities also gained, as both developed and emerging markets rebounded substantially.

The 10-year U.S. Treasury yield (which is inversely related to bond prices) had fallen sharply prior to the beginning of the reporting period, which meant bonds were priced for extreme risk avoidance and economic disruption. Despite expectations of doom and gloom, the economy expanded rapidly, stoking inflation concerns in early 2021, which led to higher yields and a negative overall return for most U.S. Treasuries. In the corporate bond market, support from the U.S. Federal Reserve (the “Fed”) assuaged credit concerns and led to solid returns for high-yield corporate bonds, although investment-grade corporates declined slightly.

The Fed remained committed to accommodative monetary policy by maintaining near-zero interest rates and by reiterating that inflation could exceed its 2% target for a sustained period without triggering a rate increase. In response to rising inflation late in the period, the Fed changed its market guidance, raising the possibility of higher rates in 2023 and reducing bond purchasing beginning in late 2022.

Looking ahead, we believe that the global expansion will continue to broaden as Europe and other developed market economies gain momentum, although the delta variant of the coronavirus remains a threat, particularly in emerging markets. While we expect inflation to remain elevated in the medium-term as the expansion continues, we believe the recent uptick owes more to temporary supply disruptions than a lasting change in fundamentals. The change in Fed policy also means that moderate inflation is less likely to be followed by interest rate hikes that could threaten the economic expansion.

Overall, we favor a moderately positive stance toward risk, with an overweight in equities. Sectors that are better poised to manage the transition to a lower-carbon world, such as technology and healthcare, are particularly attractive in the long-term. U.S. small-capitalization stocks and European equities are likely to benefit from the continuing vaccine-led restart. We are underweight long-term credit, but inflation-protected U.S. Treasuries and Asian fixed income offer potential opportunities. We believe that international diversification and a focus on sustainability can help provide portfolio resilience, and the disruption created by the coronavirus appears to be accelerating the shift toward sustainable investments.

In this environment, our view is that investors need to think globally, extend their scope across a broad array of asset classes, and be nimble as market conditions change. We encourage you to talk with your financial advisor and visit iShares.com for further insight about investing in today’s markets.

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

Rob Kapito

President, BlackRock, Inc.

LOGO

Rob Kapito

President, BlackRock, Inc.

 

Total Returns as of August 31, 2021  
     6-Month     12-Month  

U.S. large cap equities
(S&P 500® Index)

    19.52     31.17

U.S. small cap equities
(Russell 2000® Index)

    3.81       47.08  

International equities
(MSCI Europe, Australasia, Far East Index)

    10.31       26.12  

Emerging market equities
(MSCI Emerging Markets Index)

    (0.98     21.12  

3-month Treasury bills
(ICE BofA 3-Month
U.S. Treasury Bill Index)

    0.02       0.08  

U.S. Treasury securities
(ICE BofA 10-Year
U.S. Treasury Index)

    2.36       (4.12

U.S. investment grade bonds
(Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index)

    1.49       (0.08

Tax-exempt municipal bonds
(S&P Municipal Bond Index)

    2.50       3.44  

U.S. high yield bonds (Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index)

    3.82       10.14  
Past performance is not an indication of future results. Index performance is shown for illustrative purposes only. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

 

 

 

2  

T H I S   P A G E   I S   N O T   P A R T   O F   Y O U R   F U N D   R E P O R T


Table of Contents

 

      Page  

The Markets in Review

     2  

Market Overview

     4  

Fund Summary

     5  

About Fund Performance

     11  

Shareholder Expenses

     11  

Schedules of Investments

     12  

Financial Statements

  

Statements of Assets and Liabilities

     31  

Statements of Operations

     32  

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

     33  

Financial Highlights

     35  

Notes to Financial Statements

     38  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     47  

Important Tax Information (Unaudited)

     48  

Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract

     49  

Supplemental Information

     51  

Trustee and Officer Information

     52  

General Information

     54  

Glossary of Terms Used in this Report

     55  

 

 

 

 


Market Overview

 

iShares Trust

Global Market Overview

Global equity markets advanced significantly during the 12 months ended August 31, 2021 (“reporting period”). The MSCI ACWI, a broad global equity index that includes both developed and emerging markets, returned 28.64% in U.S. dollar terms for the reporting period. Stocks continued to recover from the initial impact of the coronavirus pandemic, nearing all-time highs by the end of the reporting period. Reopening economies led to a substantial global economic expansion, and the development and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines bolstered investors’ optimism. Nonetheless, vaccination rates varied considerably across countries, and the spread of the more contagious Delta variant led to increased cases and renewed restrictions toward the end of the reporting period. Inflation also rose in many parts of the world amid supply chain constraints and elevated consumer spending.

Equity markets in the U.S. advanced strongly, helped by fiscal and monetary stimulus and an ongoing mass vaccination program. Congress passed two fiscal stimulus bills during the reporting period, providing significant relief in the form of direct payments to individuals, tax credits, aid to state and local governments, and assistance for homeowners and renters. Personal incomes rose significantly following the stimulus payments, and consumer spending recovered, surpassing pre-pandemic levels. Increased consumer spending and the easing of pandemic-related restrictions helped the U.S. economy continue to grow following a significant rebound in the third quarter of 2020, as activity recovered from the pandemic-induced recession in the first half of 2020. The economy grew at a brisk pace for the rest of the reporting period, finally exceeding pre-pandemic output levels in the second quarter of 2021. The U.S. Federal Reserve Bank’s (“the Fed”) action also played a notable role in the recovery. Monetary policy remained accommodative, with short-term interest rates maintained near zero to encourage lending and stimulate economic activity. The Fed further acted to stabilize bond markets by continuing an unlimited, open-ended, bond-buying program for U.S. Treasuries and mortgage-backed securities.

Stocks in Europe also posted strong gains, despite a recovery that trailed other major economies. The European Central Bank (“ECB”) provided monetary stimulus by maintaining ultra-low interest rates and continuing a large bond-buying program. Growth resumed with a significant rebound in the third quarter of 2020 as restrictions eased, and Eurozone countries enacted a deal for a collective 750 billion of stimulus spending. However, a new wave of coronavirus cases beginning in October 2020 led to renewed restrictions, weakening the fragile recovery. Consequently, the Eurozone economy contracted slightly in the fourth quarter of 2020 and first quarter of 2021, even as much of the world was returning to growth. Although the initial vaccine rollout trailed in many European countries, the pace of vaccinations accelerated late in the reporting period, and economic growth resumed in the second quarter of 2021.

Asia-Pacific regional stocks also posted a solid advance amid a sharp rebound in economic activity. Continued economic growth in China helped the regional economy recover, as many Asia-Pacific countries rely on China as a major trading partner. Japanese and Australian stocks benefited from a sharp rise in exports amid resurgent global trade. Emerging market stocks advanced overall, aided by economic recovery and rising prices for many commodities. However, investor concerns about increased government regulatory activity weighed on Chinese stocks late in the reporting period. Relatively slow vaccination rollouts in parts of Asia also prompted concerns, particularly as the Delta variant spread.

 

 

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Fund Summary as of August 31, 2021    iShares® ESG Advanced MSCI EAFE ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares ESG Advanced MSCI EAFE ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of large- and mid-capitalization developed market companies excluding the U.S. and Canada that have a favorable environmental, social and governance rating while applying extensive screens for company involvement in controversial activities, as represented by the MSCI EAFE Choice ESG Screened Index (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index.

Performance

 

    Average Annual Total Returns             Cumulative Total Returns  
     1 Year      Since
Inception
             1 Year     Since
Inception
 

Fund NAV

    27.47      30.81         27.47     38.44

Fund Market

    27.90        31.06           27.90       38.75  

Index

    27.71        31.17                 27.71       38.69  

GROWTH OF $10,000 INVESTMENT

(SINCE INCEPTION AT NET ASSET VALUE)

 

LOGO

The inception date of the Fund was 6/16/20. The first day of secondary market trading was 6/18/20.

Past performance is no guarantee 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. See “About Fund Performance” on page 11 for more information.

Expense Example

 

Actual           Hypothetical 5% Return           

 

 

     

 

 

      
 


Beginning

Account Value
(03/01/21)

 

 
 

      

Ending
Account Value
(08/31/21)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period 
 
 
(a) 
           

Beginning
Account Value
(03/01/21)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(08/31/21)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
 (a) 
      

Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 
 
 
$ 1,000.00        $ 1,115.50        $ 0.64             $ 1,000.00        $ 1,024.60        $ 0.61          0.12

 

  (a)

Expenses are calculated using the Fund’s annualized expense ratio (as disclosed in the table), multiplied by the average account value for the period, multiplied by the number of days in the period (184 days) and divided by the number of days in the year (365 days). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Shareholder Expenses” on page 11 for more information.

 

 

 

U N D   S U M M A R Y

  5


Fund Summary  as of August 31, 2021 (continued)    iShares® ESG Advanced MSCI EAFE ETF

 

Portfolio Management Commentary

Investor interest in the environmental, social, and governance (“ESG”) attributes of companies continued to grow during the reporting period as the global economy recovered from the effects of the pandemic. For many investors, the threat to public health from the virus underscored the importance of a reporting system that accounts for the effects of company behavior on global social and environmental well-being. Countries around the world continued to advance measures to address climate issues, including Japan, which announced a large increase in its decarbonization goals. The E.U. made progress on implementing the European Green Deal, which targets continent-wide carbon neutrality by 2050.

In this environment, stocks with positive ESG characteristics and additional screens for controversial activities in developed markets outside of North America posted a significant return for the reporting period. Japanese stocks contributed the most to the Index’s performance, driven by the information technology sector. Makers of factory automation equipment gained, as strong demand and labor shortages accelerated automation trends.

Dutch stocks also advanced, buoyed by the information technology sector. Semiconductor equipment manufacturers posted significant revenue growth as a global semiconductor shortage prompted chipmakers to increase capacity.

U.K. stocks were another source of strength, led by the financials sector. The insurance industry bolstered profits by significantly increasing new business, particularly in Asia. French equities also advanced, as apparel, accessories, and luxury goods companies in the consumer discretionary sector benefited from a surge in pent-up consumer demand for luxury brands. Swiss stocks also contributed solidly to the Index’s return, as the healthcare sector gained.

In terms of relative performance, the Index outperformed the broader market, as represented by the MSCI EAFE Index. Relative to the broader market, the ESG index methodology removes companies with lower ESG characteristics. Consequently, the Index achieved an ESG quality score of 8.7 out of 10, which places it in the 95th percentile among its peers. The Index held an overweight position in the information technology sector, and an underweight position in consumer staples. Positioning in the healthcare sector contributed the most to the Index’s relative performance.

Portfolio Information

 

ALLOCATION BY SECTOR

   
Sector   Percent of   
Total Investments(a)
 

Financials

    21.2%  

Industrials

    17.3     

Information Technology

    14.9     

Consumer Discretionary

    11.1     

Health Care

    10.2     

Materials

    7.7     

Communication Services

    6.7     

Consumer Staples

    5.7     

Real Estate

    4.6     

Utilities

    0.6     

TEN LARGEST GEOGRAPHIC ALLOCATION

   
Country/Geographic Region   Percent of   
Total Investments(a)
 

Japan

    27.5%  

France

    10.5     

United Kingdom

    9.8     

Germany

    8.6     

Netherlands

    8.2     

Switzerland

    6.9     

Australia

    5.4     

Sweden

    4.7     

Denmark

    4.0     

Hong Kong

    3.7     
 
  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

 

 

 

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Fund Summary  as of August 31, 2021    iShares® ESG Advanced MSCI EM ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares ESG Advanced MSCI EM ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of large- and mid-capitalization emerging market companies that have a favorable environmental, social and governance rating while applying extensive screens for company involvement in controversial activities, as represented by the MSCI Emerging Markets Choice ESG Screened 5% Issuer Capped Index (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index.

Performance

 

          Cumulative Total Returns  
    

            

   

Since

Inception

 

Fund NAV

      28.74

Fund Market

      29.24  

Index

            29.72  

GROWTH OF $10,000 INVESTMENT

(SINCE INCEPTION AT NET ASSET VALUE)

 

LOGO

The inception date of the Fund was 10/6/20. The first day of secondary market trading was 10/8/20.

Past performance is no guarantee 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. See “About Fund Performance” on page 11 for more information.

Expense Example

 

Actual           Hypothetical 5% Return           

 

 

     

 

 

      
 

Beginning
Account Value
(03/01/21)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(08/31/21)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period 
 
 
(a) 
           

Beginning
Account Value
(03/01/21)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(08/31/21)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period 
 
 
(a) 
      

Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 
 
 
$ 1,000.00        $ 1,047.70        $ 0.88             $ 1,000.00        $ 1,024.30        $ 0.87          0.17

 

  (a) 

Expenses are calculated using the Fund’s annualized expense ratio (as disclosed in the table), multiplied by the average account value for the period, multiplied by the number of days in the period (184 days) and divided by the number of days in the year (365 days). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Shareholder Expenses” on page 11 for more information.

 

 

 

U N D    U M M A R Y

  7


Fund Summary  as of August 31, 2021 (continued)    iShares® ESG Advanced MSCI EM ETF

 

Portfolio Management Commentary

Investor interest in the environmental, social, and governance (“ESG”) attributes of companies continued to grow during the reporting period as the global economy recovered from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. For many investors, the threat to public health from the coronavirus underscored the importance of a reporting system that accounts for the effects of company behavior on global social and environmental well-being. Many countries continued to advance measures to address climate issues, including Taiwan, which pledged to reach carbon neutrality by 2050, partly to prepare its export-driven economy for expected carbon border taxes, such as those recently proposed by the European Commission. India’s 2021 stimulus package advanced green recovery goals, including spending billions on battery and solar development.

In this environment, emerging markets stocks with positive ESG characteristics advanced significantly for the reporting period. Taiwanese stocks contributed the most to the Index’s performance as surging global demand for semiconductors and electronics reinvigorated the local economy and drove robust earnings and guidance in the information technology (“IT”) sector. Indian software and services companies in the IT sector benefited as businesses increased technology spending on cloud services, cybersecurity measures, and automation processes. In China, stocks of electric vehicle (“EV”) manufacturers led contribution in the consumer discretionary sector, advancing sharply amid surging EV demand. Communication services stocks drove gains in South Korea, buoyed by rapid revenue and profit growth across multiple platforms, from banking services to online advertising and digital content.

In terms of relative performance, the Index significantly outperformed the broader market, as represented by the MSCI Emerging Markets Index. Relative to the broader market, the ESG index methodology removed companies with lower ESG characteristics. Consequently, the Index achieved an ESG quality score of 7.7 out of 10, placing it in the 97th percentile among its peers. The Index held underweight positions in China and South Korea and overweight positions in Taiwan and South Africa. Stock selection and the underweight position in China contributed the majority of the Index’s relative performance, and an overweight and stock selection within Taiwan also proved beneficial to performance.

Portfolio Information

 

ALLOCATION BY SECTOR

 

   
Sector   Percent of   
Total Investments(a)
 

Financials

    30.1%  

Information Technology

    22.6     

Consumer Discretionary

    15.1     

Communication Services

    9.4     

Health Care

    6.3     

Consumer Staples

    5.6     

Materials

    4.6     

Industrials

    4.2     

Real Estate

    1.6     

Utilities

    0.5     

 

  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

 

TEN LARGEST GEOGRAPHIC ALLOCATION

 

   
Country/Geographic Region   Percent of   
Total Investments(a)
 

China

    27.6%  

Taiwan

    19.3     

India

    13.5     

South Korea

    9.0     

South Africa

    7.0     

Brazil

    5.5     

Thailand

    2.8     

Indonesia

    2.2     

Malaysia

    1.9     

United Arab Emirates

    1.6     
 

 

 

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Fund Summary  as of August 31, 2021    iShares® ESG Advanced MSCI USA ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares ESG Advanced MSCI USA ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of large- and mid-capitalization U.S. companies that have a favorable environmental, social and governance rating while applying extensive screens for company involvement in controversial activities, as represented by the MSCI USA Choice ESG Screened Index (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index.

Performance

 

    Average Annual Total Returns             Cumulative Total Returns  
     1 Year     

Since

Inception

             1 Year     Since
Inception
 

Fund NAV

    32.53      40.80         32.53     51.34

Fund Market

    32.37        40.86           32.37       51.42  

Index

    32.28        40.80                 32.28       51.06  

GROWTH OF $10,000 INVESTMENT

(SINCE INCEPTION AT NET ASSET VALUE)

 

LOGO

The inception date of the Fund was 6/16/20. The first day of secondary market trading was 6/18/20.

Past performance is no guarantee 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. See “About Fund Performance” on page 11 for more information.

Expense Example

 

Actual           Hypothetical 5% Return           

 

 

     

 

 

      
 

Beginning
Account Value
(03/01/21)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(08/31/21)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
(a) 
           

Beginning
Account Value
(03/01/21)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(08/31/21)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
(a) 
      

Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 
 
 
$ 1,000.00        $ 1,194.70        $ 0.55             $ 1,000.00        $ 1,024.70        $ 0.51          0.10%  

 

  (a) 

Expenses are calculated using the Fund’s annualized expense ratio (as disclosed in the table), multiplied by the average account value for the period, multiplied by the number of days in the period (184 days) and divided by the number of days in the year (365 days). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Shareholder Expenses” on page 11 for more information.

 

 

 

U N D    U M M A R Y

  9


Fund Summary  as of August 31, 2021 (continued)    iShares® ESG Advanced MSCI USA ETF

 

Portfolio Management Commentary

Investor interest in the environmental, social, and governance (“ESG”) attributes of companies continued to grow during the reporting period as the global economy recovered from the effects of the pandemic. For many investors, the threat to public health from the virus underscored the importance of a reporting system that accounts for the effects of company behavior on global social and environmental well-being. The stimulus bill passed in December 2020 included significant wind and solar power incentives. The new administration also began to review for possible reversal of a U.S. Department of Labor (“DOL”) rule that would curb investment in ESG products, and the DOL announced that it would suspend enforcement of the rule during the review.

In this environment, many of the stocks of U.S. companies with positive ESG characteristics and additional screens for controversial activities posted strong gains for the reporting period. The information technology sector contributed the most, led by the semiconductors and semiconductor equipment industry. A global microchip shortage and higher demand for advanced graphics cards amid an increase in gaming bolstered earnings in the industry. The software and services industry gained, supported by investments to support remote work. Companies in the industry worked toward implementing carbon-neutrality goals by using renewable energy sources for powering data centers, a key driver of electricity consumption.

U.S. financials stocks contributed meaningfully to the Index’s return, as robust retail stock trading benefited the diversified financials industry. The consumer discretionary sector’s contribution was supported by a consumer-powered rebound in the retail industry, while industrials stocks gained due to an increase in demand for construction equipment.

In terms of relative performance, the Index outperformed the broader market, as represented by the MSCI USA Index. Relative to the broader market, the ESG index methodology removes companies with lower ESG characteristics. Consequently, the Index achieved an ESG quality score of 8.2, in the 99th percentile among its peers. The Index held an overweight position in the information technology sector and an underweight position in the communication services sector. Stock selection in the consumer discretionary sector was the largest contributor to the Index’s relative performance.

Portfolio Information

 

ALLOCATION BY SECTOR

 

   
Sector   Percent of   
Total Investments(a)
 

Information Technology

    35.8%  

Health Care

    13.4     

Financials

    12.1     

Consumer Discretionary

    11.3     

Industrials

    9.8     

Consumer Staples

    5.7     

Real Estate

    5.0     

Materials

    4.2     

Communication Services

    2.5     

Utilities

    0.2     

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

   
Security   Percent of   
Total Investments(a)
 

NVIDIA Corp.

    3.5%  

Visa Inc., Class A

    2.5     

Home Depot Inc. (The)

    2.2     

PayPal Holdings Inc.

    2.0     

Adobe Inc.

    2.0     

Mastercard Inc., Class A

    1.9     

salesforce.com Inc.

    1.6     

Cisco Systems Inc.

    1.6     

Coca-Cola Co. (The)

    1.5     

Verizon Communications Inc.

    1.4     
 
  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

 

 

 

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About Fund Performance

 

Past performance is not an indication of future results. Financial markets have experienced extreme volatility and trading in many instruments has been disrupted. These circumstances may continue for an extended period of time and may continue to affect adversely the value and liquidity of each Fund’s investments. As a result, current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. Performance data current to the most recent month-end is available at iShares.com. Performance results assume reinvestment of all dividends and capital gain distributions and do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. The investment return and principal value of shares will vary with changes in market conditions. Shares may be worth more or less than their original cost when they are redeemed or sold in the market. Performance for certain funds may reflect a waiver of a portion of investment advisory fees. Without such a waiver, performance would have been lower.

Net asset value or “NAV” is the value of one share of a fund as calculated in accordance with the standard formula for valuing mutual fund shares. Beginning August 10, 2020, the price used to calculate market return (“Market Price”) is the closing price. Prior to August 10, 2020, Market Price was determined by using the midpoint between the highest bid and the lowest ask on the primary stock exchange on which shares of a fund are listed for trading, as of the time that such fund’s NAV is calculated. Since shares of a fund may not trade in the secondary market until after the fund’s inception, for the period from inception to the first day of secondary market trading in shares of the fund, the NAV of the fund is used as a proxy for the Market Price to calculate market returns. Market and NAV returns assume that dividends and capital gain distributions have been reinvested at Market Price and NAV, respectively.

An index is a statistical composite that tracks a specified financial market or sector. Unlike a fund, an index does not actually hold a portfolio of securities and therefore does not incur the expenses incurred by a fund. These expenses negatively impact fund performance. Also, market returns do not include brokerage commissions that may be payable on secondary market transactions. If brokerage commissions were included, market returns would be lower.

Shareholder Expenses

As a shareholder of your Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including brokerage commissions on purchases and sales of fund shares and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees and other fund expenses. The expense example, which is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period (or from the commencement of operations if less than 6 months) and held through the end of the period, is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars and cents) of investing in your Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other funds.

Actual Expenses – The table provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. Annualized expense ratios reflect contractual and voluntary fee waivers, if any. To estimate the expenses that you paid on your account over the period, simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During the Period.”

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes – The table also provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on your Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in your Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as brokerage commissions and other fees paid on purchases and sales of fund shares. Therefore, the hypothetical examples are useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

 

B O U T    U N D    E R F O  R M A N C E / S H A R E H O L D E R    X P E N S E S

  11


Schedule of Investments

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® ESG Advanced MSCI EAFE ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

   
Australia — 5.4%  

Afterpay Ltd.(a)

    5,461     $ 531,188  

ASX Ltd.

    5,395       345,291  

Aurizon Holdings Ltd.

    52,155       143,490  

Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd.

    77,105       1,560,620  

BlueScope Steel Ltd.

    12,228       223,556  

Brambles Ltd.

    36,760       324,932  

Cochlear Ltd.

    1,654       280,943  

Computershare Ltd.

    12,127       145,725  

CSL Ltd.

    11,454           2,605,129  

Dexus

    24,749       192,597  

Evolution Mining Ltd.

    44,751       127,686  

Fortescue Metals Group Ltd.

    44,207       673,947  

Goodman Group

    41,097       694,133  

GPT Group (The)

    46,838       165,819  

Insurance Australia Group Ltd.

    60,137       229,631  

James Hardie Industries PLC

    11,026       424,985  

Lendlease Corp. Ltd.

    16,590       144,152  

Magellan Financial Group Ltd.

    5,750       181,336  

Medibank Pvt Ltd.

    66,368       171,947  

Mirvac Group

    92,408       210,449  

Newcrest Mining Ltd.

    19,783       357,178  

Northern Star Resources Ltd.

    35,700       253,968  

Orica Ltd.

    9,424       90,165  

QBE Insurance Group Ltd.

    36,616       315,091  

Ramsay Health Care Ltd.

    4,451       223,497  

REA Group Ltd.

    1,305       146,053  

Reece Ltd.

    7,560       115,054  

Scentre Group

    123,764       257,413  

Seek Ltd.

    8,796       208,360  

Sonic Healthcare Ltd.

    11,381       360,314  

Stockland

    58,211       196,165  

Suncorp Group Ltd.

    34,938       317,902  

Sydney Airport(a)

    28,639       166,254  

Transurban Group

    67,975       703,559  

Vicinity Centres

    92,299       116,524  

WiseTech Global Ltd.

    3,437       120,814  
   

 

 

 
          13,325,867  
Austria — 0.2%  

Erste Group Bank AG

    6,934       276,869  

Raiffeisen Bank International AG

    3,260       78,163  

voestalpine AG

    2,742       124,473  
   

 

 

 
          479,505  
Belgium — 0.7%  

Ageas SA/NV

    4,981       248,915  

Elia Group SA/NV

    921       115,674  

Groupe Bruxelles Lambert SA

    2,531       289,967  

KBC Group NV

    6,301       529,536  

Proximus SADP

    3,150       61,760  

Solvay SA

    1,865       244,111  

Umicore SA

    5,079       334,208  
   

 

 

 
          1,824,171  
China — 0.1%  

Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Ltd.

    35,000       70,923  

SITC International Holdings Co. Ltd.

    35,000       152,556  
   

 

 

 
          223,479  
Denmark — 4.0%  

AP Moller - Maersk A/S, Class A

    72       195,115  
Security   Shares     Value  
Denmark (continued)  

AP Moller - Maersk A/S, Class B, NVS

    145     $ 413,070  

Chr Hansen Holding A/S

    2,626       242,328  

Demant A/S(a)

    2,626       148,955  

DSV Panalpina A/S

    5,226       1,331,176  

Genmab A/S(a)

    1,686       798,714  

GN Store Nord A/S

    3,230       243,138  

Novo Nordisk A/S, Class B

    42,917       4,296,416  

Novozymes A/S, Class B

    5,192       419,706  

Pandora A/S

    2,558       306,612  

Rockwool International A/S, Class B

    216       114,272  

Tryg A/S

    8,765       217,024  

Vestas Wind Systems A/S

    25,670       1,036,468  
   

 

 

 
          9,762,994  
Finland — 1.7%  

Elisa OYJ

    3,470       222,395  

Kesko OYJ, Class B

    7,037       291,188  

Kone OYJ, Class B

    8,548       709,315  

Nokia OYJ(a)

    137,411       825,446  

Nordea Bank Abp

    80,721       948,072  

Orion OYJ, Class B

    2,461       100,384  

Sampo OYJ, Class A

    12,539       647,957  

Stora Enso OYJ, Class R

    14,778       289,934  

Wartsila OYJ Abp

    12,635       179,242  
   

 

 

 
              4,213,933  
France — 10.5%  

Accor SA(a)

    4,516       155,732  

Aeroports de Paris(a)

    1,296       152,623  

Air Liquide SA

    11,830       2,120,437  

Amundi SA(b)

    1,516       143,479  

Arkema SA

    1,619       215,173  

AXA SA

    56,564       1,589,080  

BioMerieux

    1,052       128,844  

BNP Paribas SA

    28,035       1,776,013  

Bouygues SA

    5,680       237,843  

Bureau Veritas SA

    7,108       236,236  

Capgemini SE

    3,996       898,250  

Carrefour SA

    14,981       298,243  

Cie. Generale des Etablissements Michelin SCA

    4,212       681,906  

CNP Assurances

    7,188       123,166  

Covivio

    1,336       127,330  

Credit Agricole SA

    20,510       295,692  

Danone SA

    16,284       1,189,152  

Dassault Systemes SE

    16,346       933,618  

Edenred

    6,453       366,011  

Eiffage SA

    2,037       211,947  

EssilorLuxottica SA

    7,081       1,391,346  

Eurazeo SE

    1,086       111,719  

Eurofins Scientific SE

    2,660       377,147  

Gecina SA

    1,055       163,997  

Getlink SE

    10,940       176,227  

Hermes International

    787       1,158,313  

Ipsen SA

    1,193       119,330  

Klepierre SA

    5,018       123,021  

Legrand SA

    6,757       775,260  

L’Oreal SA

    6,265       2,939,157  

Orpea SA

    1,338       168,667  

Publicis Groupe SA

    5,355       351,556  

Sartorius Stedim Biotech

    706       428,238  

Schneider Electric SE

    13,394       2,393,059  
 

 

 

12  

2 0 2 1   I S H A R E S   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® ESG Advanced MSCI EAFE ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
France (continued)  

SCOR SE

    3,859     $ 118,432  

SEB SA

    700       110,188  

Societe Generale SA

    20,055       631,213  

Sodexo SA(a)

    2,284       189,254  

Suez SA

    8,581       199,094  

Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield(a)

    3,120       273,405  

Valeo

    6,059       172,939  

Vivendi SE

    17,500       666,602  

Wendel SE

    705       102,307  

Worldline SA(a)(b)

    7,602       676,905  
   

 

 

 
              25,698,151  
Germany — 8.2%  

adidas AG

    5,331       1,891,171  

Allianz SE, Registered

    10,545       2,475,563  

Bayerische Motoren Werke AG

    8,793       834,620  

Bechtle AG

    2,220       160,516  

Beiersdorf AG

    2,505       304,017  

Brenntag SE

    3,818       385,306  

Carl Zeiss Meditec AG, Bearer

    1,050       232,005  

Commerzbank AG(a)

    28,461       178,120  

Covestro AG(b)

    4,940       320,149  

Deutsche Boerse AG

    4,725       814,859  

Deutsche Post AG, Registered

    24,648       1,732,978  

Deutsche Telekom AG, Registered

    82,779       1,760,151  

Deutsche Wohnen SE

    8,517       528,676  

Evonik Industries AG

    5,636       190,294  

GEA Group AG

    3,535       163,168  

Hannover Rueck SE

    1,544       284,137  

HeidelbergCement AG

    3,577       310,221  

HelloFresh SE(a)

    4,244       458,216  

Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

    2,634       237,073  

Infineon Technologies AG

    35,271       1,501,760  

KION Group AG

    1,645       176,026  

Knorr-Bremse AG

    1,725       207,131  

LANXESS AG

    2,330       169,840  

LEG Immobilien SE

    1,725       275,151  

Merck KGaA

    3,196       759,359  

Muenchener Rueckversicherungs-Gesellschaft AG in Muenchen, Registered

    3,539       1,032,922  

Nemetschek SE

    1,334       130,744  

Puma SE

    2,641       320,656  

Rational AG

    108       123,597  

Scout24 AG(b)

    2,226       187,147  

Symrise AG

    3,193       454,396  

Telefonica Deutschland Holding AG

    23,981       67,318  

Vonovia SE

    13,271       895,937  

Zalando SE(a)(b)

    5,905       654,716  
   

 

 

 
          20,217,940  
Hong Kong — 3.7%  

AIA Group Ltd.

    301,000       3,594,158  

BOC Hong Kong Holdings Ltd.

    91,000       275,382  

ESR Cayman Ltd.(a)(b)

    77,000       234,572  

Hang Lung Properties Ltd.

    37,000       88,853  

Hang Seng Bank Ltd.

    17,500       312,854  

HKT Trust & HKT Ltd., Class SS

    105,000       143,177  

Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing Ltd.

    27,900       1,762,556  

Link REIT

    56,000       514,886  

MTR Corp. Ltd.

    38,500       216,738  

New World Development Co. Ltd.

    35,000       164,627  
Security   Shares     Value  
Hong Kong (continued)  

Sino Land Co. Ltd.

    86,000     $ 126,654  

Sun Hung Kai Properties Ltd.

    36,000       507,743  

Swire Properties Ltd.

    28,000       75,676  

Techtronic Industries Co. Ltd.

    36,000       796,760  

Wharf Real Estate Investment Co. Ltd.

    37,000       183,231  
   

 

 

 
              8,997,867  
Ireland — 0.8%  

CRH PLC

    19,431       1,029,375  

Kerry Group PLC, Class A

    4,032       591,290  

Smurfit Kappa Group PLC

    5,919       339,241  
   

 

 

 
          1,959,906  
Israel — 0.6%  

Bank Hapoalim BM

    25,410       218,593  

Bank Leumi Le-Israel BM

    38,259       316,066  

CyberArk Software Ltd.(a)

    1,050       176,337  

Israel Discount Bank Ltd., Class A(a)

    28,636       147,913  

Mizrahi Tefahot Bank Ltd.

    2,838       94,413  

Nice Ltd.(a)

    1,996       579,633  
   

 

 

 
          1,532,955  
Italy — 1.6%  

Amplifon SpA

    2,843       148,710  

Assicurazioni Generali SpA

    27,837       567,904  

CNH Industrial NV

    25,344       418,957  

DiaSorin SpA

    705       160,845  

Ferrari NV

    3,159       685,252  

FinecoBank Banca Fineco SpA(a)

    11,753       216,514  

Infrastrutture Wireless Italiane SpA(b)

    7,916       94,180  

Moncler SpA

    5,113       327,387  

Nexi SpA(a)(b)

    11,449       238,648  

Poste Italiane SpA(b)

    13,518       183,276  

Prysmian SpA

    6,371       239,868  

Recordati Industria Chimica e Farmaceutica SpA

    2,462       161,559  

Telecom Italia SpA/Milano

    234,927       106,438  

Terna - Rete Elettrica Nazionale

    42,464       335,893  
   

 

 

 
          3,885,431  
Japan — 27.4%  

Advantest Corp.

    4,100       353,222  

Aeon Co. Ltd.

    17,500       463,276  

Ajinomoto Co. Inc.

    10,500       309,502  

ANA Holdings Inc.(a)

    3,600       85,337  

Asahi Kasei Corp.

    32,400       334,046  

Astellas Pharma Inc.

    49,000       825,646  

Azbil Corp.

    3,500       151,774  

Bridgestone Corp.

    14,000       644,471  

Brother Industries Ltd.

    7,000       143,651  

Canon Inc.

    25,200       599,562  

Capcom Co. Ltd.

    7,000       194,944  

Casio Computer Co. Ltd.

    3,500       54,056  

Central Japan Railway Co.

    3,500       512,294  

Chiba Bank Ltd. (The)

    14,000       87,398  

Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

    17,500       683,776  

CyberAgent Inc.

    14,000       256,285  

Dai Nippon Printing Co. Ltd.

    7,000       166,318  

Daifuku Co. Ltd.

    3,500       308,913  

Dai-ichi Life Holdings Inc.

    25,300       500,618  

Daiichi Sankyo Co. Ltd.

    42,000       997,602  

Daikin Industries Ltd.

    6,200       1,547,189  

Daiwa House Industry Co. Ltd.

    14,000       426,912  

Daiwa Securities Group Inc.

    14,000       79,216  
 

 

 

S C H E D U L E   O F   I N V E S T M E N T S

  13


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® ESG Advanced MSCI EAFE ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Japan (continued)  

Denso Corp.

    10,500     $ 734,926  

Eisai Co. Ltd.

    7,000       577,288  

Fanuc Corp.

    4,300       936,802  

Fast Retailing Co. Ltd.

    1,300       856,281  

FUJIFILM Holdings Corp.

    10,500       864,068  

Fujitsu Ltd.

    4,400       809,982  

Hakuhodo DY Holdings Inc.

    7,000       110,377  

Hankyu Hanshin Holdings Inc.

    7,000       209,472  

Hino Motors Ltd.

    7,200       62,302  

Hirose Electric Co. Ltd.

    300       49,948  

Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical Co. Inc.

    2,800       112,205  

Hitachi Construction Machinery Co. Ltd.

    3,500       100,272  

Hitachi Metals Ltd.(a)

    7,100       137,052  

Hoshizaki Corp.

    800       75,102  

Hoya Corp.

    9,000       1,453,357  

Hulic Co. Ltd.

    7,200       84,457  

Ibiden Co. Ltd.

    3,500       188,322  

Itochu Techno-Solutions Corp.

    3,500       108,139  

Japan Exchange Group Inc.

    14,000       333,416  

Japan Metropolitan Fund Invest

    177       171,959  

Japan Real Estate Investment Corp.

    35       216,305  

JFE Holdings Inc.

    14,000       227,078  

JSR Corp.

    7,000       242,551  

Kajima Corp.

    10,500       135,663  

Kansai Paint Co. Ltd.

    3,500       90,651  

Kao Corp.

    14,000       845,692  

KDDI Corp.

    42,000       1,283,746  

Keio Corp.

    3,500       188,334  

Keisei Electric Railway Co. Ltd.

    3,500       107,673  

Keyence Corp.

    4,800           2,881,598  

Kikkoman Corp.

    3,500       262,763  

Kintetsu Group Holdings Co. Ltd.(a)

    3,500       119,547  

Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

    4,000       313,093  

Kobe Bussan Co. Ltd.

    3,500       136,150  

Komatsu Ltd.

    21,600       525,371  

Kubota Corp.

    25,200       520,674  

Kurita Water Industries Ltd.

    3,500       164,155  

Kyocera Corp.

    10,500       652,754  

Kyowa Kirin Co. Ltd.

    7,000       229,045  

Lion Corp.

    7,000       119,111  

Lixil Corp.

    7,000       203,712  

Mazda Motor Corp.(a)

    14,000       121,531  

Medipal Holdings Corp.

    3,600       68,818  

Mercari Inc.(a)

    3,500       172,699  

Minebea Mitsumi Inc.

    10,500       269,938  

Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corp.

    32,400       284,474  

Mitsubishi Electric Corp.

    50,300       687,656  

Mitsubishi Estate Co. Ltd.

    28,900       452,469  

Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Co. Inc.

    7,000       131,899  

Mitsubishi HC Capital Inc.

    17,800       95,318  

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc.

    350,000       1,891,015  

Mitsui Chemicals Inc.

    3,500       120,828  

Mitsui Fudosan Co. Ltd.

    28,700       658,607  

Miura Co. Ltd.

    3,500       157,132  

MonotaRO Co. Ltd.

    7,000       154,806  

MS&AD Insurance Group Holdings Inc.

    10,500       339,873  

Murata Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

    14,000       1,154,129  

Nabtesco Corp.

    3,500       138,409  

NEC Corp.

    7,900       414,617  

NGK Insulators Ltd.

    7,000       116,050  
Security   Shares     Value  
Japan (continued)  

Nidec Corp.

    10,500     $     1,199,401  

Nintendo Co. Ltd.

    2,800       1,345,230  

Nippon Building Fund Inc.

    35       227,288  

Nippon Paint Holdings Co. Ltd.

    17,500       217,336  

Nippon Prologis REIT Inc.

    70       251,724  

Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corp.

    35,900       956,476  

Nippon Yusen KK

    3,500       281,452  

Nissin Foods Holdings Co. Ltd.

    600       46,709  

Nitori Holdings Co. Ltd.

    1,800       336,789  

Nitto Denko Corp.

    3,500       265,513  

Nomura Holdings Inc.

    84,000       405,656  

Nomura Real Estate Holdings Inc.

    3,600       92,193  

Nomura Real Estate Master Fund Inc.

    105       161,878  

Nomura Research Institute Ltd.

    10,500       393,754  

NSK Ltd.

    14,000       98,223  

NTT Data Corp.

    14,500       260,957  

Obayashi Corp.

    18,000       148,111  

Odakyu Electric Railway Co. Ltd.

    7,000       163,098  

Oji Holdings Corp.

    21,600       113,072  

Omron Corp.

    3,500       329,791  

Ono Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

    10,500       252,109  

Oriental Land Co. Ltd.

    4,600       695,961  

Orix JREIT Inc.

    70       124,775  

Otsuka Corp.

    3,500       181,184  

Otsuka Holdings Co. Ltd.

    10,500       446,823  

Pan Pacific International Holdings Corp.

    14,000       266,327  

Panasonic Corp.

    56,200       671,875  

Persol Holdings Co. Ltd.

    3,600       84,044  

Rakuten Group Inc.

    32,100       335,773  

Recruit Holdings Co. Ltd.

    35,000       2,060,875  

Resona Holdings Inc.

    52,700       203,798  

Ricoh Co. Ltd.

    17,500       178,158  

Rohm Co. Ltd.

    4,500       432,616  

Santen Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

    10,500       157,002  

Secom Co. Ltd.

    4,100       310,914  

Seiko Epson Corp.

    7,000       130,373  

Sekisui Chemical Co. Ltd.

    10,500       179,699  

Sekisui House Ltd.

    14,500       288,886  

SG Holdings Co. Ltd.

    7,000       190,033  

Sharp Corp.

    7,000       92,337  

Shimadzu Corp.

    7,000       313,650  

Shimizu Corp.

    14,000       100,464  

Shin-Etsu Chemical Co. Ltd.

    8,100       1,337,859  

Shionogi & Co. Ltd.

    7,000       439,815  

Shiseido Co. Ltd.

    10,500       695,931  

Shizuoka Bank Ltd. (The)

    10,800       84,604  

Softbank Corp.

    74,200       993,006  

SoftBank Group Corp.

    1,600       90,166  

Sohgo Security Services Co. Ltd.

    3,500       158,555  

Sompo Holdings Inc.

    7,000       307,704  

Sony Group Corp.

    31,500       3,256,954  

Square Enix Holdings Co. Ltd.

    3,500       203,475  

Stanley Electric Co. Ltd.

    7,000       174,687  

Sumitomo Chemical Co. Ltd.

    38,500       195,180  

Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Co. Ltd.

    7,100       127,446  

Sumitomo Metal Mining Co. Ltd.

    7,000       268,247  

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc.

    32,500       1,121,760  

Suntory Beverage & Food Ltd.

    3,500       140,292  

Sysmex Corp.

    3,500       397,762  

T&D Holdings Inc.

    14,000       170,388  
 

 

 

14  

2 0 2 1   I S H A R E S   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® ESG Advanced MSCI EAFE ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Japan (continued)            

Taisei Corp.

    7,000     $ 218,999  

TDK Corp.

    3,500       366,840  

Terumo Corp.

    17,500       730,288  

TIS Inc.

    7,000       197,607  

Tobu Railway Co. Ltd.

    3,500       91,250  

Tokio Marine Holdings Inc.

    17,500       856,263  

Tokyo Electron Ltd.

    3,500       1,499,202  

Tokyu Corp.

    14,000       192,510  

Toppan Inc.

    7,000       120,169  

Toray Industries Inc.

    35,000       235,995  

Tosoh Corp.

    7,000       127,053  

TOTO Ltd.

    3,500       190,485  

Toyo Suisan Kaisha Ltd.

    3,500       145,049  

Unicharm Corp.

    10,500       468,120  

United Urban Investment Corp.

    70       98,878  

USS Co. Ltd.

    7,000       115,649  

West Japan Railway Co.

    3,500       191,158  

Yakult Honsha Co. Ltd.

    3,500       201,817  

Yamada Holdings Co. Ltd.

    18,000       77,222  

Yamaha Corp.

    3,500       206,472  

Yamaha Motor Co. Ltd.

    7,000       178,092  

Yaskawa Electric Corp.

    7,000       341,664  

Yokogawa Electric Corp.

    7,000       109,502  

Z Holdings Corp.

    70,500       458,407  

ZOZO Inc.

    3,500       133,476  
   

 

 

 
      67,305,994  
Netherlands — 8.2%            

ABN AMRO Bank NV, CVA(a)(b)

    11,796       164,339  

Adyen NV(a)(b)

    560       1,808,107  

Akzo Nobel NV

    4,727       582,552  

Argenx SE(a)

    1,230       410,381  

ASM International NV

    1,210       469,471  

ASML Holding NV

    10,431       8,699,322  

EXOR NV

    2,670       222,767  

ING Groep NV

    97,583       1,346,096  

InPost SA(a)

    5,880       114,556  

JDE Peet’s NV

    3,115       107,031  

Just Eat Takeaway.com NV(a)(b)

    4,469       404,920  

Koninklijke Ahold Delhaize NV

    26,000       877,174  

Koninklijke DSM NV

    4,270       909,071  

NN Group NV

    7,009       363,576  

Prosus NV

    26,485       2,344,333  

QIAGEN NV(a)

    5,718       316,444  

Randstad NV

    2,769       203,926  

Wolters Kluwer NV

    6,652       764,985  
   

 

 

 
      20,109,051  
New Zealand — 0.6%            

a2 Milk Co. Ltd. (The)(a)(c)

    26,740       113,835  

Auckland International Airport Ltd.(a)

    33,291       169,136  

Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Corp. Ltd.

    14,464       337,560  

Mercury NZ Ltd.

    21,180       99,297  

Meridian Energy Ltd.

    31,582       116,645  

Ryman Healthcare Ltd.

    11,200       122,310  

Spark New Zealand Ltd.

    46,977       161,306  

Xero Ltd.(a)

    3,363       371,959  
   

 

 

 
      1,492,048  
Norway — 0.8%            

Adevinta ASA(a)

    10,160       204,473  

DNB Bank ASA, New

    22,927       483,914  
Security   Shares     Value  
Norway (continued)            

Gjensidige Forsikring ASA

    5,085     $ 118,869  

Mowi ASA

    10,714       286,978  

Orkla ASA

    17,975       160,560  

Schibsted ASA, Class A

    2,101       112,091  

Schibsted ASA, Class B

    2,209       102,799  

Telenor ASA

    17,370       304,304  

Yara International ASA

    5,007       251,466  
   

 

 

 
      2,025,454  
Portugal — 0.1%            

EDP Renovaveis SA

    3,177       84,478  

Jeronimo Martins SGPS SA

    6,724       142,512  
   

 

 

 
      226,990  
Singapore — 1.5%            

Ascendas REIT

    91,199       205,837  

CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust

    116,744       178,307  

CapitaLand Ltd.

    63,600       188,700  

City Developments Ltd.

    10,900       55,312  

DBS Group Holdings Ltd.

    43,300       960,094  

Mapletree Commercial Trust

    56,200       84,664  

Mapletree Logistics Trust

    78,059       117,422  

Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp. Ltd.

    85,100       720,151  

Singapore Airlines Ltd.(a)

    35,800       134,208  

Singapore Exchange Ltd.

    1,400       10,276  

Singapore Telecommunications Ltd.

    217,700       374,781  

United Overseas Bank Ltd.

    32,400       613,373  

UOL Group Ltd.

    14,400       74,733  
   

 

 

 
      3,717,858  
Spain — 1.8%            

Aena SME SA(a)(b)

    1,943       310,635  

Amadeus IT Group SA(a)

    12,054       736,233  

CaixaBank SA

    118,887       369,316  

Cellnex Telecom SA(b)

    13,242       906,392  

Ferrovial SA

    12,707       367,988  

Grifols SA

    8,121       198,530  

Industria de Diseno Textil SA

    28,194       963,146  

Red Electrica Corp. SA

    111       2,214  

Telefonica SA

    133,670       661,412  
   

 

 

 
      4,515,866  
Sweden — 4.7%            

Assa Abloy AB, Class B

    24,717       790,961  

Atlas Copco AB, Class A

    16,453       1,131,099  

Atlas Copco AB, Class B

    13,195       764,136  

Electrolux AB, Series B

    5,535       140,652  

EQT AB

    5,945       303,427  

Essity AB, Class B

    15,156       486,473  

Fastighets AB Balder, Class B(a)

    2,594       185,648  

H & M Hennes & Mauritz AB, Class B(a)

    21,009       421,874  

Hexagon AB, Class B

    50,385       873,710  

Husqvarna AB, Class B

    10,719       143,993  

ICA Gruppen AB

    2,243       111,585  

Industrivarden AB, Class A

    1,971       72,567  

Industrivarden AB, Class C

    4,586       159,923  

Investment AB Latour, Class B

    3,675       128,045  

Investor AB, Class B

    45,994       1,100,114  

Kinnevik AB, Class B(a)

    5,954       233,284  

L E Lundbergforetagen AB, Class B

    1,762       112,579  

Nibe Industrier AB, Class B

    36,120       503,450  

Sandvik AB

    27,659       705,833  

Sinch AB(a)(b)

    12,780       287,313  
 

 

 

S C H E D U L E   O F   I N V E S T M E N T S

  15


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® ESG Advanced MSCI EAFE ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Sweden (continued)            

Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB, Class A

    40,223     $ 539,469  

SKF AB, Class B

    9,985       255,012  

Svenska Cellulosa AB SCA, Class B

    14,708       259,941  

Svenska Handelsbanken AB, Class A

    37,671       423,298  

Tele2 AB, Class B

    12,917       193,925  

Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson, Class B

    75,845       898,392  

Telia Co. AB

    66,330       285,177  
   

 

 

 
      11,511,880  
Switzerland — 6.8%            

ABB Ltd., Registered

    47,741       1,766,161  

Adecco Group AG, Registered

    4,375       243,370  

Alcon Inc.

    12,504       1,029,816  

Baloise Holding AG, Registered

    1,018       162,333  

Banque Cantonale Vaudoise, Registered

    849       71,991  

Clariant AG, Registered

    5,254       110,570  

Coca-Cola HBC AG, Class DI

    4,875       176,450  

Geberit AG, Registered

    923       770,802  

Givaudan SA, Registered

    226       1,133,837  

Julius Baer Group Ltd.

    5,987       408,634  

Kuehne + Nagel International AG, Registered

    1,376       502,884  

Logitech International SA, Registered

    4,661       477,239  

Lonza Group AG, Registered

    1,902       1,608,571  

Partners Group Holding AG

    566       1,003,520  

SGS SA, Registered

    147       461,997  

Sika AG, Registered

    3,611       1,301,066  

Sonova Holding AG, Registered

    1,412       544,140  

STMicroelectronics NV

    16,981       756,448  

Straumann Holding AG, Registered

    253       488,857  

Swiss Life Holding AG, Registered

    778       405,516  

Swiss Prime Site AG, Registered

    1,716       183,622  

Swiss Re AG

    7,538       693,059  

Swisscom AG, Registered

    600       352,162  

Temenos AG, Registered

    1,653       262,267  

Vifor Pharma AG

    1,159       165,025  

Zurich Insurance Group AG

    4,002       1,756,043  
   

 

 

 
      16,836,380  
United Kingdom — 9.8%            

3i Group PLC

    25,845       475,318  

Abrdn PLC

    63,434       231,769  

Admiral Group PLC

    4,690       233,028  

Antofagasta PLC

    10,014       200,599  

Ashtead Group PLC

    11,279       881,712  

Auto Trader Group PLC(b)

    24,467       211,581  

AVEVA Group PLC

    2,915       165,867  

Aviva PLC

    98,105       545,279  

Barratt Developments PLC

    25,143       255,745  

Berkeley Group Holdings PLC

    3,017       200,403  

British Land Co. PLC (The)

    21,316       155,730  

BT Group PLC(a)

    245,637       574,202  

Bunzl PLC

    8,161       295,700  

Burberry Group PLC

    10,429       267,042  

Coca-Cola Europacific Partners PLC

    5,049       291,529  

Compass Group PLC(a)

    44,564       920,690  

Croda International PLC

    3,535       444,991  

Direct Line Insurance Group PLC

    33,742       143,346  

Ferguson PLC

    5,645       815,918  

Halma PLC

    9,439       389,791  

Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC

    4,169       145,518  

HSBC Holdings PLC

    488,610       2,594,358  
Security   Shares      Value  
United Kingdom (continued)             

Informa PLC(a)

    36,614      $ 267,577  

InterContinental Hotels Group PLC(a)

    5,856        374,164  

Intertek Group PLC

    4,033        292,420  

J Sainsbury PLC

    40,181        167,941  

JD Sports Fashion PLC

    12,891        179,008  

Kingfisher PLC

    51,700        248,937  

Land Securities Group PLC

    16,634        162,459  

Legal & General Group PLC

    147,993        549,739  

Lloyds Banking Group PLC

    1,749,756        1,047,498  

London Stock Exchange Group PLC

    8,282        907,242  

M&G PLC

    82,321        233,187  

Mondi PLC

    11,727        323,488  

Next PLC

    3,335        362,684  

Ocado Group PLC(a)

    12,365        342,699  

Pearson PLC

    18,487        194,956  

Persimmon PLC

    7,882        318,996  

Phoenix Group Holdings PLC

    13,197        113,077  

Prudential PLC

    64,886        1,351,875  

RELX PLC

    48,060        1,442,337  

Rentokil Initial PLC

    45,718        365,219  

Sage Group PLC (The)

    26,601        271,663  

Schroders PLC

    3,102        161,274  

Segro PLC

    30,144        532,767  

Severn Trent PLC

    5,961        226,481  

Spirax-Sarco Engineering PLC

    1,820        403,595  

St. James’s Place PLC

    14,741        326,436  

Taylor Wimpey PLC

    89,880        226,254  

United Utilities Group PLC

    17,752        258,158  

Vodafone Group PLC

    676,340        1,135,961  

Whitbread PLC(a)

    5,715        252,371  

Wm Morrison Supermarkets PLC

    56,536        224,875  

WPP PLC

    29,053        393,925  
    

 

 

 
       24,099,379  
    

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 99.2%
(Cost: $223,147,918)

       243,963,099  
    

 

 

 

Preferred Stocks

    
Germany — 0.4%             

Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, Preference Shares, NVS

    1,050        87,904  

Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, Preference Shares, NVS

    4,411        430,968  

Sartorius AG, Preference Shares, NVS

    677        446,016  
    

 

 

 
       964,888  
Italy — 0.1%             

Telecom Italia SpA/Milano, Preference Shares, NVS

    344,900        166,632  
    

 

 

 

Total Preferred Stocks — 0.5%
(Cost: $1,071,391)

       1,131,520  
    

 

 

 
Short-Term Investments             
Money Market Funds — 0.0%             

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional,
SL Agency Shares, 0.06%(d)(e)(f)

    27,539        27,552  
 

 

 

16  

2 0 2 1   I S H A R E S   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® ESG Advanced MSCI EAFE ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Money Market Funds (continued)            

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury,
SL Agency Shares, 0.00%(d)(e)

    20,000     $ 20,000  
   

 

 

 
      47,552  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments — 0.0%
(Cost: $47,552)

      47,552  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities — 99.7%
(Cost: $224,266,861)

      245,142,171  

Other Assets, Less Liabilities — 0.3%

      703,513  
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

    $ 245,845,684  
   

 

 

 

 

 

(a)

Non-income producing security.

(b)

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.

(c) 

All or a portion of this security is on loan.

(d)

Affiliate of the Fund.

(e)

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

(f)

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 year ended August 31, 2021 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

Affiliated Issuer    Value at
08/31/20
    

Purchases

at Cost

     Proceeds
from Sales
     Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
     Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
     Value at
08/31/21
     Shares
Held at
08/31/21
     Income     

Capital

Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds

 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares

   $      $ 27,626 (a)     $      $ (74    $      $ 27,552        27,539      $ 778 (b)     $  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

            20,000 (a)                            20,000        20,000        4         
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 
            $ (74    $      $ 47,552         $ 782      $  
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 
  (b)

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

Futures Contracts

 

Description   

Number of

Contracts

     Expiration
Date
    

Notional

Amount

(000)

     Value/
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

Long Contracts

           

TOPIX Index

     15        09/09/21      $ 268      $ 2,600  

Euro STOXX 50 Index

     9        09/17/21        444        (862
           

 

 

 
            $ 1,738  
           

 

 

 

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:

 

      Equity
Contracts
 

Assets — Derivative Financial Instruments

  

Futures contracts

  

Unrealized appreciation on futures contracts(a)

   $ 2,600  
  

 

 

 

 

 

C H E D U L E    O F    N V E S T  M E N T S

  17


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® ESG Advanced MSCI EAFE ETF

    

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure (continued)

 

 

 
     Equity
Contracts
 

 

 

Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instruments

  

Futures contracts

  

Unrealized depreciation on futures contracts(a)

   $ 862  
  

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Net cumulative 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 August 31, 2021, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

 

 
     Equity
Contracts
 

 

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from:

  

Futures contracts

   $ 22,231  
  

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:

  

Futures contracts

   $ 1,065  
  

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

Futures contracts:

        

Average notional value of contracts — long

   $ 425,615  

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. 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.

 

      Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total   

Investments

                 

Assets

                 

Common Stocks

   $ 3,545,241        $ 240,417,858        $        $ 243,963,099  

Preferred Stocks

              1,131,520                   1,131,520  

Money Market Funds

     47,552                            47,552  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 3,592,793        $ 241,549,378        $             —        $ 245,142,171  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Derivative financial instruments(a)

                 

Assets

                 

Futures Contracts

   $        $ 2,600        $        $ 2,600  

Liabilities

                 

Futures Contracts

              (862                 (862
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $        $ 1,738        $        $ 1,738  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Derivative financial instruments are futures contracts. Futures contracts are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

18  

2 0 2 1   I S H A R E S   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® ESG Advanced MSCI EM ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

   
Argentina — 0.4%            

Globant SA(a)

    168     $ 54,143  
   

 

 

 

Brazil — 3.5%

   

Atacadao SA

    2,196       7,708  

B3 SA - Brasil, Bolsa, Balcao

    27,363       74,456  

Banco Bradesco SA

    6,270       24,179  

Banco do Brasil SA

    3,882       22,845  

Banco Santander Brasil SA

    2,100       17,033  

CCR SA

    5,709       13,525  

Energisa SA

    669       5,741  

Klabin SA(a)

    3,030       15,417  

Localiza Rent a Car SA

    2,700       28,959  

Lojas Renner SA

    3,918       28,839  

Natura & Co. Holding SA(a)

    4,500       44,923  

Notre Dame Intermedica Participacoes SA

    2,178       33,672  

Rede D’Or Sao Luiz SA(b)

    1,641       21,841  

Rumo SA(a)

    5,649       20,451  

Telefonica Brasil SA

    2,100       17,760  

TIM SA

    3,294       7,937  

TOTVS SA

    3,000       22,975  

Via S/A(a)

    5,940       11,936  

WEG SA

    7,137       49,082  
   

 

 

 
          469,279  
Chile — 0.3%            

Banco de Credito e Inversiones SA

    207       8,967  

Banco Santander Chile

    276,255       14,597  

Cencosud Shopping SA

    3,789       5,386  

Falabella SA

    3,549       14,057  
   

 

 

 
      43,007  
China — 27.7%            

360 Security Technology Inc., Class A(a)

    2,700       4,978  

3SBio Inc.(a)(b)

    6,000       6,689  

AAC Technologies Holdings Inc.

    3,000       16,631  

Agora Inc., ADR(a)

    213       7,225  

Agricultural Bank of China Ltd., Class A

    13,200       6,053  

Agricultural Bank of China Ltd., Class H

    126,000       42,240  

Alibaba Health Information Technology Ltd.(a)

    18,000       29,710  

A-Living Smart City Services Co. Ltd.(b)

    2,250       8,942  

Bank of Communications Co. Ltd., Class A

    8,400       5,752  

Bank of Communications Co. Ltd., Class H

    39,000       22,398  

Bank of Hangzhou Co. Ltd., Class A

    2,100       4,353  

Bank of Shanghai Co. Ltd., Class A

    4,200       4,692  

Baozun Inc., ADR(a)

    282       6,791  

BBMG Corp., Class A

    4,200       1,764  

BeiGene Ltd., ADR(a)

    198       61,043  

Beijing Enterprises Water Group Ltd.

    18,000       7,424  

Beijing Shiji Information Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    320       847  

BYD Co. Ltd., Class A

    600       25,834  

BYD Co. Ltd., Class H

    3,000       100,857  

CanSino Biologics Inc., Class H(a)(b)

    600       23,715  

China Bohai Bank Co. Ltd., Class H(b)

    13,500       5,485  

China CITIC Bank Corp. Ltd., Class H

    36,000       16,550  

China Conch Venture Holdings Ltd.

    7,500       30,666  

China Construction Bank Corp., Class A

    1,200       1,087  

China Construction Bank Corp., Class H

    420,000       302,634  

China Education Group Holdings Ltd.

    3,000       5,663  

China Everbright Bank Co. Ltd., Class A

    11,700       6,070  

China Everbright Bank Co. Ltd., Class H

    15,000       5,376  
Security   Shares     Value  
China (continued)            

China Everbright Environment Group Ltd.

    24,000     $ 16,593  

China Feihe Ltd.(b)

    15,000       27,105  

China Galaxy Securities Co. Ltd., Class A

    600       957  

China Galaxy Securities Co. Ltd., Class H

    16,500       9,262  

China International Capital Corp. Ltd., Class H(b)

    7,200       16,742  

China Jushi Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,371       3,727  

China Lesso Group Holdings Ltd.

    6,000       12,842  

China Medical System Holdings Ltd.

    6,000       11,777  

China Merchants Bank Co. Ltd., Class A

    5,700       43,241  

China Merchants Bank Co. Ltd., Class H

    16,500       136,085  

China Minsheng Banking Corp. Ltd., Class A

    6,900       4,245  

China Minsheng Banking Corp. Ltd., Class H

    33,000       13,790  

China Molybdenum Co. Ltd., Class A

    6,600       7,990  

China Molybdenum Co. Ltd., Class H

    18,000       14,043  

China Resources Mixc Lifestyle Services Ltd.(b)

    2,400       12,606  

China Resources Sanjiu Medical & Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Class A

    300       1,299  

China Vanke Co. Ltd., Class A

    3,000       9,200  

China Vanke Co. Ltd., Class H

    7,200       19,427  

China Zheshang Bank Co. Ltd., Class A

    3,600       1,980  

CIFI Ever Sunshine Services Group Ltd.

    6,000       12,390  

Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    600       46,097  

Country Garden Services Holdings Co. Ltd.

    6,000       45,784  

CSPC Pharmaceutical Group Ltd.

    36,000       45,670  

Dongfeng Motor Group Co. Ltd., Class H

    12,000       13,146  

Eve Energy Co. Ltd., Class A

    900       14,261  

Everbright Securities Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,244       3,062  

Founder Securities Co. Ltd., Class A

    2,700       3,569  

Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd.

    27,000       97,854  

Genscript Biotech Corp.(a)

    6,000       28,525  

Greentown Service Group Co. Ltd.

    6,000       6,419  

Guangzhou Automobile Group Co. Ltd., Class H

    12,000       12,082  

Guangzhou Baiyunshan Pharmaceutical Holdings Co. Ltd., Class A

    224       1,022  

Haitong Securities Co. Ltd., Class A

    2,400       4,726  

Haitong Securities Co. Ltd., Class H

    12,000       11,087  

Hangzhou Robam Appliances Co. Ltd., Class A

    300       1,659  

Hangzhou Tigermed Consulting Co. Ltd., Class H(b)

    600       10,646  

Hansoh Pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd.(b)

    6,000       16,359  

HengTen Networks Group Ltd.(a)

    12,000       5,894  

Huatai Securities Co. Ltd., Class H(b)

    10,200       14,631  

Huaxia Bank Co. Ltd., Class A

    3,300       2,863  

Hundsun Technologies Inc., Class A

    360       2,767  

I-Mab, ADR(a)

    123       8,723  

Industrial Bank Co. Ltd., Class A

    5,700       16,327  

Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,500       7,915  

Jinxin Fertility Group Ltd.(b)

    6,000       9,535  

Kingboard Laminates Holdings Ltd.

    4,500       8,849  

Kingdee International Software Group Co. Ltd.(a)

    12,000       43,696  

Kingsoft Cloud Holdings Ltd., ADR(a)

    234       7,532  

Kingsoft Corp. Ltd.

    4,200       16,848  

Lee & Man Paper Manufacturing Ltd.

    6,000       5,266  

Lenovo Group Ltd.

    30,000       33,091  

Li Auto Inc., ADR(a)

    2,544       78,508  

Livzon Pharmaceutical Group Inc., Class A

    300       1,833  

LONGi Green Energy Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,200       16,633  

Meituan, Class B(a)(b)

    17,700           565,950  

Microport Scientific Corp.

    2,700       16,748  

Ming Yang Smart Energy Group Ltd., Class A

    600       2,090  

Ming Yuan Cloud Group Holdings Ltd.

    3,000       10,415  
 

 

 

S C H E D U L E   O F   I N V E S T M E N T S

  19


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® ESG Advanced MSCI EM ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
China (continued)            

NetEase Inc., ADR

    1,761     $ 171,557  

NIO Inc., ADR(a)

    5,934       233,266  

OneConnect Financial Technology Co. Ltd.(a)

    537       2,524  

Orient Securities Co. Ltd., Class A

    2,800       6,490  

Ovctek China Inc., Class A

    420       4,356  

Pharmaron Beijing Co. Ltd., Class H(b)

    900       19,968  

Postal Savings Bank of China Co. Ltd., Class A

    4,500       3,580  

Postal Savings Bank of China Co. Ltd., Class H(b)

    33,000       23,774  

Shandong Weigao Group Medical Polymer Co. Ltd., Class H

    12,000       19,745  

Shanghai Electric Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    3,300       2,500  

Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    900       8,824  

Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd., Class H

    3,000       19,245  

Shanghai Pharmaceuticals Holding Co. Ltd., Class H

    4,200       8,332  

Shanghai Pudong Development Bank Co. Ltd., Class A

    7,800       10,938  

Shengyi Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    600       2,185  

Shenzhen Inovance Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    450       4,957  

Shenzhen Investment Ltd.

    12,000       3,562  

Shenzhou International Group Holdings Ltd.

    3,600       78,034  

Shimao Services Holdings Ltd.(b)

    3,000       6,997  

Sinotrans Ltd., Class A

    3,600       2,770  

Sunac Services Holdings Ltd.(a)(b)

    3,000       7,811  

Sungrow Power Supply Co. Ltd., Class A

    600       14,614  

Suning.com Co. Ltd., Class A(a)

    3,900       3,191  

Sunny Optical Technology Group Co. Ltd.

    3,000       90,785  

TCL Technology Group Corp., Class A

    3,900       4,307  

Tianfeng Securities Co. Ltd., Class A(a)

    1,800       1,208  

Tongcheng-Elong Holdings Ltd.(a)

    4,800       11,190  

Transfar Zhilian Co. Ltd., Class A

    900       1,210  

TravelSky Technology Ltd., Class H

    3,000       5,624  

Unisplendour Corp. Ltd., Class A

    900       3,313  

Vinda International Holdings Ltd.

    3,000       8,842  

Vipshop Holdings Ltd., ADR(a)

    2,025       29,950  

Wuchan Zhongda Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,800       1,696  

Wuhu Sanqi Interactive Entertainment Network Technology Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    900       2,377  

WuXi AppTec Co. Ltd., Class A

    960       19,781  

WuXi AppTec Co. Ltd., Class H(b)

    1,240       24,729  

Wuxi Biologics Cayman Inc., New(a)(b)

    15,000       232,229  

Xinjiang Goldwind Science & Technology Co. Ltd., Class H

    3,600       6,902  

Xinyi Solar Holdings Ltd.

    24,000       58,084  

XPeng Inc., ADR(a)

    1,668       70,890  

Yadea Group Holdings Ltd.(b)

    6,000       10,676  

Yonyou Network Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    600       3,114  

Yum China Holdings Inc.

    1,839       113,209  

Yunnan Baiyao Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    400       5,497  

Yutong Bus Co. Ltd., Class A

    600       1,143  

Zoomlion Heavy Industry Science and Technology Co. Ltd., Class H

    7,800       7,431  
   

 

 

 
          3,748,259  

Colombia — 0.2%

   

Bancolombia SA

    1,125       9,274  

Grupo de Inversiones Suramericana SA

    1,362       6,938  

Interconexion Electrica SA ESP

    1,959       11,798  
   

 

 

 
      28,010  
Cyprus — 0.3%            

TCS Group Holding PLC, GDR

    500       44,377  
   

 

 

 
Czech Republic — 0.2%  

Komercni Banka AS(a)

    414       15,919  
Security   Shares     Value  
Czech Republic (continued)  

Moneta Money Bank AS(a)(b)

    1,737     $ 7,052  
   

 

 

 
      22,971  
Egypt — 0.2%  

Commercial International Bank Egypt SAE(a)

    7,179       21,390  
   

 

 

 
Greece — 0.3%  

Alpha Services and Holdings SA(a)

    8,961       12,423  

Eurobank Ergasias Services and Holdings SA, Class A(a)

    8,415       8,019  

Hellenic Telecommunications Organization SA

    1,134       22,323  
   

 

 

 
      42,765  
Hong Kong — 0.1%  

Hutchmed China Ltd., ADR(a)

    304       12,269  
   

 

 

 
Hungary — 0.6%  

OTP Bank Nyrt(a)

    1,044       63,049  

Richter Gedeon Nyrt

    540       16,185  
   

 

 

 
      79,234  
India — 13.5%  

Adani Green Energy Ltd.(a)

    1,635       23,875  

Asian Paints Ltd.

    1,719       75,303  

Axis Bank Ltd.(a)

    9,724       104,385  

Bajaj Auto Ltd.

    297       15,140  

Bajaj Finance Ltd.

    1,215       124,815  

Bandhan Bank Ltd.(b)

    2,764       10,766  

Bharti Airtel Ltd.

    10,599       96,176  

Biocon Ltd.(a)

    1,845       9,057  

Cholamandalam Investment and Finance Co. Ltd.

    1,506       11,429  

Colgate-Palmolive India Ltd.

    627       14,525  

Dabur India Ltd.

    2,409       20,490  

Eicher Motors Ltd.

    633       23,175  

Havells India Ltd.

    915       15,872  

HCL Technologies Ltd.

    4,989       80,659  

HDFC Life Insurance Co. Ltd.(b)

    3,315       32,540  

Hero MotoCorp Ltd.

    534       20,013  

Hindustan Unilever Ltd.

    3,681       137,093  

ICICI Lombard General Insurance Co. Ltd.(b)

    879       19,172  

Info Edge India Ltd.

    331       27,955  

Infosys Ltd.

    15,174       354,152  

Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd.

    2,340       56,075  

Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.

    3,681       39,886  

Marico Ltd.

    2,103       15,674  

Nestle India Ltd.

    147       39,146  

Piramal Enterprises Ltd.

    465       16,565  

SBI Cards & Payment Services Ltd.(a)

    697       10,889  

Shriram Transport Finance Co. Ltd.

    855       15,789  

Siemens Ltd.

    252       7,831  

State Bank of India

    7,788       45,288  

Tata Consultancy Services Ltd.

    4,173       216,021  

Tech Mahindra Ltd.

    2,589       51,226  

Titan Co. Ltd.

    1,632       42,873  

Trent Ltd.

    804       11,069  

Wipro Ltd.

    5,577       48,906  
   

 

 

 
          1,833,830  
Indonesia — 2.2%  

Bank Central Asia Tbk PT

    47,400       108,803  

Bank Mandiri Persero Tbk PT

    82,200       35,140  

Bank Negara Indonesia Persero Tbk PT

    35,700       13,490  

Bank Rakyat Indonesia Persero Tbk PT

    235,600       64,791  

Kalbe Farma Tbk PT

    96,900       9,133  

Telkom Indonesia Persero Tbk PT

    212,400       50,687  
 

 

 

20  

2 0 2 1   I S H A R E S   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® ESG Advanced MSCI EM ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Indonesia (continued)            

Tower Bersama Infrastructure Tbk PT

    29,700     $ 6,513  

Unilever Indonesia Tbk PT

    47,100       13,373  
   

 

 

 
          301,930  
Kuwait — 0.4%            

Kuwait Finance House KSCP

    21,209       58,259  
   

 

 

 
Malaysia — 1.9%  

AMMB Holdings Bhd

    8,800       6,414  

Axiata Group Bhd

    15,600       15,543  

CIMB Group Holdings Bhd

    27,300       32,252  

DiGi.Com Bhd

    13,500       14,268  

Fraser & Neave Holdings Bhd

    600       4,028  

HAP Seng Consolidated Bhd

    2,700       5,519  

IHH Healthcare Bhd

    10,800       16,616  

Kossan Rubber Industries

    5,700       4,251  

Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd

    1,800       9,249  

Malayan Banking Bhd

    16,800       33,939  

Maxis Bhd

    9,600       10,831  

Nestle Malaysia Bhd

    300       9,723  

PPB Group Bhd

    2,100       9,356  

Public Bank Bhd

    63,600       63,952  

RHB Bank Bhd

    6,900       9,285  

Sime Darby Bhd

    9,600       5,445  

Telekom Malaysia Bhd

    5,700       8,394  
   

 

 

 
      259,065  
Mexico — 1.0%            

Arca Continental SAB de CV

    2,100       13,527  

Coca-Cola Femsa SAB de CV

    2,100       12,157  

Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste SAB de CV, Class B(a)

    750       13,460  

Grupo Financiero Banorte SAB de CV, Class O

    12,300       81,196  

Kimberly-Clark de Mexico SAB de CV, Class A

    6,600       11,656  
   

 

 

 
      131,996  
Pakistan — 0.0%            

Habib Bank Ltd.

    3,348       2,520  

Lucky Cement Ltd.(a)

    354       1,767  

MCB Bank Ltd.

    2,013       2,000  
   

 

 

 
      6,287  
Peru — 0.1%            

Credicorp Ltd.(a)

    150       15,995  
   

 

 

 
Philippines — 0.5%  

Bank of the Philippine Islands

    6,840       11,439  

BDO Unibank Inc.

    8,940       19,749  

Globe Telecom Inc.

    150       8,201  

SM Prime Holdings Inc.

    42,600       29,062  
   

 

 

 
      68,451  
Poland — 1.1%            

Bank Polska Kasa Opieki SA(a)

    948       26,510  

CD Projekt SA

    183       8,127  

LPP SA

    6       21,892  

Orange Polska SA(a)

    1,368       2,957  

Powszechna Kasa Oszczednosci Bank Polski SA(a)

    4,302       47,224  

Powszechny Zaklad Ubezpieczen SA(a)

    2,593       27,480  

Santander Bank Polska SA(a)

    162       12,784  
   

 

 

 
      146,974  
Qatar — 0.9%            

Commercial Bank PSQC (The)

    8,061       13,172  

Ooredoo QPSC

    4,068       7,611  
Security   Shares     Value  
Qatar (continued)            

Qatar National Bank QPSC

    19,050     $ 98,833  
   

 

 

 
          119,616  
Russia — 1.0%            

Magnit PJSC, GDR

    1,404       21,306  

Mail.Ru Group Ltd., GDR(a)

    573       11,584  

Moscow Exchange MICEX-RTS PJSC

    6,420       16,063  

Novolipetsk Steel PJSC

    5,760       19,421  

PhosAgro PJSC, GDR

    567       11,170  

Polymetal International PLC

    1,512       30,226  

Polyus PJSC

    150       27,065  
   

 

 

 
      136,835  
Saudi Arabia — 1.4%            

Almarai Co. JSC

    1,149       17,778  

Bank AlBilad(a)

    1,936       22,060  

Dr Sulaiman Al Habib Medical Services Group Co.

    231       11,306  

Saudi Basic Industries Corp.

    4,104       134,552  

Savola Group (The)

    540       5,780  
   

 

 

 
      191,476  
South Africa — 7.0%            

Absa Group Ltd.(a)

    3,276       35,479  

Anglo American Platinum Ltd.

    228       25,861  

Aspen Pharmacare Holdings Ltd.(a)

    1,515       20,453  

Bid Corp. Ltd.(a)

    1,458       32,106  

Bidvest Group Ltd. (The)

    1,203       16,962  

Capitec Bank Holdings Ltd.

    339       44,287  

Clicks Group Ltd.

    1,140       23,744  

Discovery Ltd.(a)

    1,803       15,983  

FirstRand Ltd.

    21,540       91,698  

Gold Fields Ltd.

    3,882       36,869  

Growthpoint Properties Ltd.

    14,994       15,978  

Impala Platinum Holdings Ltd.

    3,465       53,086  

Kumba Iron Ore Ltd.

    261       11,721  

Mr. Price Group Ltd.

    1,548       23,223  

MTN Group Ltd.(a)

    7,635       70,080  

MultiChoice Group

    1,623       12,838  

Naspers Ltd., Class N

    957       165,120  

Nedbank Group Ltd.(a)

    1,749       22,274  

NEPI Rockcastle PLC

    1,962       14,167  

Old Mutual Ltd.

    19,743       20,876  

Remgro Ltd.

    2,259       18,787  

Sanlam Ltd.

    8,091       35,893  

Shoprite Holdings Ltd.

    2,265       28,667  

SPAR Group Ltd. (The)

    735       10,506  

Standard Bank Group Ltd.

    5,553       56,718  

Vodacom Group Ltd.

    2,757       27,264  

Woolworths Holdings Ltd.(a)

    4,272       18,631  
   

 

 

 
      949,271  
South Korea — 9.0%            

Amorepacific Corp.

    141       27,617  

AMOREPACIFIC Group

    144       7,164  

CJ CheilJedang Corp.

    36       14,077  

CJ Corp.

    60       5,241  

Coway Co. Ltd.

    249       16,789  

DB Insurance Co. Ltd.

    219       11,073  

GS Engineering & Construction Corp.

    303       11,662  

Hana Financial Group Inc.

    1,356       52,510  

Hankook Tire & Technology Co. Ltd.

    315       12,660  

Hanon Systems

    813       11,516  

HYBE Co. Ltd.(a)

    60       14,941  
 

 

 

S C H E D U L E   O F   I N V E S T M E N T S

  21


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® ESG Advanced MSCI EM ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

South Korea (continued)

   

Kakao Corp.

    1,338     $ 178,530  

LG Corp.

    385       31,578  

LG Display Co. Ltd.(a)

    988       17,380  

LG Electronics Inc.

    477       58,257  

LG Household & Health Care Ltd.

    42       52,923  

LG Innotek Co. Ltd.

    64       11,830  

Mirae Asset Securities Co. Ltd.

    1,365       10,350  

NAVER Corp.

    531       201,056  

NCSoft Corp.

    72       40,947  

Netmarble Corp.(b)

    87       9,680  

Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance Co. Ltd.

    126       24,526  

Samsung Life Insurance Co. Ltd.

    321       20,581  

Samsung SDS Co. Ltd.

    147       21,820  

Samsung Securities Co. Ltd.

    219       9,312  

Shinhan Financial Group Co. Ltd.

    1,932       64,362  

SK Biopharmaceuticals Co. Ltd.(a)

    117       12,637  

SK Hynix Inc.

    2,385       218,372  

SK Telecom Co. Ltd.

    63       16,198  

Woori Financial Group Inc.

    2,307       22,320  

Yuhan Corp.

    204       10,978  
   

 

 

 
        1,218,887  
Taiwan — 19.4%            

Accton Technology Corp.

    3,000       30,394  

Acer Inc.

    12,000       10,891  

Advantech Co. Ltd.

    3,000       41,770  

ASE Technology Holding Co. Ltd.

    15,000       69,075  

Asustek Computer Inc.

    3,000       35,021  

AU Optronics Corp.

    36,000       22,698  

Catcher Technology Co. Ltd.

    3,000       18,044  

Cathay Financial Holding Co. Ltd.

    36,000       77,313  

Chailease Holding Co. Ltd.

    6,300       60,437  

Chang Hwa Commercial Bank Ltd.

    9,000       5,358  

Cheng Shin Rubber Industry Co. Ltd.

    6,000       8,056  

China Development Financial Holding Corp.

    57,000       29,131  

China Life Insurance Co. Ltd.

    12,000       12,488  

China Steel Corp.

    51,000       70,057  

Chunghwa Telecom Co. Ltd.

    16,000       64,724  

Compal Electronics Inc.

    18,000       14,854  

CTBC Financial Holding Co. Ltd.

    78,000       64,649  

Delta Electronics Inc.

    9,000       87,669  

E.Sun Financial Holding Co. Ltd.

    54,116       51,875  

Evergreen Marine Corp. Taiwan Ltd.

    12,000       58,578  

Far Eastern New Century Corp.

    12,000       12,992  

Far EasTone Telecommunications Co. Ltd.

    6,000       13,349  

First Financial Holding Co. Ltd.

    45,450       37,537  

Foxconn Technology Co. Ltd.

    3,000       7,177  

Fubon Financial Holding Co. Ltd.

    30,000       91,891  

Hiwin Technologies Corp.

    3,000       35,290  

Hua Nan Financial Holdings Co. Ltd.

    36,000       27,127  

Innolux Corp.

    39,000       24,157  

Inventec Corp.

    9,000       7,873  

Lite-On Technology Corp.

    9,000       19,845  

MediaTek Inc.

    6,000       194,563  

Mega Financial Holding Co. Ltd.

    48,000       56,772  

Micro-Star International Co. Ltd.

    3,000       14,075  

President Chain Store Corp.

    3,000       30,890  

Quanta Computer Inc.

    12,000       33,937  

Shanghai Commercial & Savings Bank Ltd. (The)

    15,000       24,345  

SinoPac Financial Holdings Co. Ltd.

    45,000       23,107  

Taishin Financial Holding Co. Ltd.

    42,000       29,304  
Security   Shares     Value  

Taiwan (continued)

   

Taiwan Cooperative Financial Holding Co. Ltd.

    42,000     $ 33,839  

Taiwan Mobile Co. Ltd.

    6,000       21,867  

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

    33,000       723,862  

Unimicron Technology Corp.

    6,000       31,799  

United Microelectronics Corp.

    51,000       115,562  

Vanguard International Semiconductor Corp.

    3,000       15,957  

Win Semiconductors Corp.

    3,000       35,603  

Wistron Corp.

    9,000       8,898  

Yageo Corp.

    3,000       51,649  

Yang Ming Marine Transport Corp.(a)

    6,000       28,903  

Yuanta Financial Holding Co. Ltd.

    42,000       37,835  
   

 

 

 
      2,623,087  
Thailand — 2.8%            

Advanced Info Service PCL, NVDR

    5,100       29,738  

Airports of Thailand PCL, NVDR

    19,200       37,935  

Asset World Corp. PCL, NVDR(a)

    40,200       5,400  

Bangkok Dusit Medical Services PCL, NVDR

    43,200       31,337  

BTS Group Holdings PCL, NVDR

    44,000       12,829  

Bumrungrad Hospital PCL, NVDR

    2,100       8,656  

Central Pattana PCL, NVDR

    9,600       15,980  

Charoen Pokphand Foods PCL, NVDR

    8,700       7,288  

CP ALL PCL, NVDR

    25,800       52,014  

Delta Electronics Thailand PCL, NVDR

    1,200       21,729  

Energy Absolute PCL, NVDR

    6,600       13,400  

Home Product Center PCL, NVDR

    31,200       13,824  

Indorama Ventures PCL, NVDR

    6,600       8,946  

Intouch Holdings PCL, NVDR

    7,500       19,889  

Krungthai Card PCL, NVDR

    3,900       8,009  

Minor International PCL, NVDR(a)

    13,500       13,711  

Siam Cement PCL (The), NVDR

    3,300       43,994  

Siam Commercial Bank PCL (The), NVDR

    3,900       12,866  

Sri Trang Gloves Thailand PCL, NVDR

    600       689  

Thai Union Group PCL, NVDR

    19,200       11,854  

True Corp. PCL, NVDR

    55,800       5,747  
   

 

 

 
      375,835  
Turkey — 0.2%            

Turkcell Iletisim Hizmetleri AS

    5,499       10,874  

Turkiye Garanti Bankasi AS

    9,720       11,529  

Turkiye Is Bankasi AS, Class C

    6,927       4,789  
   

 

 

 
      27,192  
United Arab Emirates — 1.5%            

Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank PJSC

    13,137       26,860  

Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank PJSC

    4,665       7,161  

Emirates NBD Bank PJSC

    11,616       43,799  

Emirates Telecommunications Group Co. PJSC

    7,311       46,973  

First Abu Dhabi Bank PJSC

    18,360       84,973  
   

 

 

 
      209,766  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 97.7%
(Cost: $10,732,148)

        13,240,456  
   

 

 

 

Preferred Stocks

   
Brazil — 2.0%            

Banco Bradesco SA, Preference Shares, NVS

    22,440       100,465  

Itau Unibanco Holding SA, Preference Shares, NVS

    21,600       129,246  

Itausa SA, Preference Shares, NVS

    19,500       43,595  
   

 

 

 
      273,306  
 

 

 

22  

2 0 2 1   I S H A R E S   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® ESG Advanced MSCI EM ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Chile — 0.2%            

Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile SA, Class B, Preference Shares, NVS

    567     $ 29,661  
   

 

 

 
Colombia — 0.2%            

Bancolombia SA, Preference Shares, NVS

    1,950       16,245  
   

 

 

 
South Korea — 0.0%            

LG Household & Health Care Ltd., Preference Shares, NVS

    2       1,184  
   

 

 

 

Total Preferred Stocks — 2.4%
(Cost: $232,195)

      320,396  
   

 

 

 

Warrants

   
Thailand — 0.0%            

BTS Group Holdings PCL (Expires 07/22/22)(a)

    15,400        
   

 

 

 

Total Warrants — 0.0%
(Cost: $0)

       
   

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities — 100.1%
(Cost: $10,964,343)

      13,560,852  

Other Assets, Less Liabilities — (0.1)%

      (10,946
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

    $ 13,549,906  
   

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Non-income producing security.

 
  (b)

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.

 
 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the period ended August 31, 2021 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

Affiliated Issuer   Value at   
10/06/20(a)
    Purchases
at Cost
    Proceeds
from Sales
    Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
    Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
    Value at
08/31/21
    Shares
Held at
08/31/21
    Income    

Capital

Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds

 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares(b)

  $     $ 2 (c)    $     $ (2   $     $           $ 4,064 (d)    $  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares(b)

          0 (c)                                    11        
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
        $ (2   $     $       $ 4,075     $  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a)

The Fund commenced operations on October 06, 2020.

 
  (b) 

As of period end, the entity is no longer held.

 
  (c)

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 
  (d)

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 Categorized by Risk Exposure

For the period ended August 31, 2021, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

   
    Equity
Contracts
 
   

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from:

 

Futures contracts

  $ (6,130
 

 

 

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments. 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.

 

 

C H E D U L E    O F    N V E S T  M E N T S

  23


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® ESG Advanced MSCI EM ETF

    

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End (continued)

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.

 

      Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Investments

           

Assets

           

Common Stocks

   $ 2,563,638      $ 10,676,818      $      $ 13,240,456  

Preferred Stocks

     319,212        1,184               320,396  

Warrants

                           
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 2,882,850      $ 10,678,002      $      $ 13,560,852  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

24  

2 0 2 1   I S H A R E S   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments 

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® ESG Advanced MSCI USA ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

 

Aerospace & Defense — 0.2%            

HEICO Corp.

    1,152     $ 146,097  

HEICO Corp., Class A

    1,939       221,511  

Howmet Aerospace Inc.

    10,389       329,851  
   

 

 

 
      697,459  
Air Freight & Logistics — 0.2%  

CH Robinson Worldwide Inc.

    3,535       318,362  

Expeditors International of Washington Inc.

    4,488       559,384  
   

 

 

 
      877,746  
Auto Components — 0.4%  

Aptiv PLC(a)

    7,189       1,094,094  

Autoliv Inc.

    2,207       195,077  

BorgWarner Inc.

    6,375       272,085  

Lear Corp.

    1,598       255,584  
   

 

 

 
      1,816,840  
Banks — 2.5%  

Citizens Financial Group Inc.

    11,320       495,703  

First Republic Bank/CA

    4,677       930,442  

Huntington Bancshares Inc./OH

    39,237       609,351  

KeyCorp

    25,795       524,154  

PNC Financial Services Group Inc. (The)

    11,292       2,157,901  

Regions Financial Corp.

    25,550       521,987  

SVB Financial Group(a)

    1,485       830,857  

Truist Financial Corp.

    35,744       2,039,553  

U.S. Bancorp

    37,615       2,158,725  
   

 

 

 
      10,268,673  
Beverages — 3.0%  

Coca-Cola Co. (The)

    108,872       6,130,582  

Keurig Dr Pepper Inc.

    18,837       671,916  

PepsiCo Inc.

    36,723       5,743,110  
   

 

 

 
      12,545,608  
Biotechnology — 2.4%  

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals Inc.(a)

    3,124       629,267  

Amgen Inc.

    15,270       3,443,843  

Biogen Inc.(a)

    4,001       1,355,979  

BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc.(a)

    4,857       409,008  

Horizon Therapeutics PLC(a)

    5,676       613,519  

Novavax Inc.(a)

    1,872       446,547  

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc.(a)

    2,783       1,874,072  

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc.(a)

    6,880       1,377,995  
   

 

 

 
      10,150,230  
Building Products — 1.1%  

A O Smith Corp.

    3,574       259,901  

Allegion PLC

    2,392       344,424  

Carrier Global Corp.

    21,943       1,263,917  

Fortune Brands Home & Security Inc.

    3,680       358,322  

Lennox International Inc.

    903       302,668  

Masco Corp.

    6,746       409,617  

Owens Corning

    2,777       265,342  

Trane Technologies PLC

    6,357       1,261,864  
   

 

 

 
      4,466,055  
Capital Markets — 5.4%  

Ameriprise Financial Inc.

    3,081       840,836  

Bank of New York Mellon Corp. (The)

    22,144       1,222,792  

Carlyle Group Inc. (The)

    4,240       209,371  

Charles Schwab Corp. (The)

    38,425       2,799,261  

CME Group Inc.

    9,544       1,925,216  

FactSet Research Systems Inc.

    1,007       382,882  
Security   Shares      Value  
Capital Markets (continued)  

Franklin Resources Inc.

    8,044      $ 260,947  

Intercontinental Exchange Inc.

    14,958        1,787,930  

Invesco Ltd.

    9,199        232,919  

MarketAxess Holdings Inc.

    1,010        480,679  

Moody’s Corp.

    4,477        1,704,707  

Morgan Stanley

    37,091        3,873,413  

Nasdaq Inc.

    3,053        597,716  

Northern Trust Corp.

    5,256        622,941  

Raymond James Financial Inc.

    3,287        459,851  

S&P Global Inc.

    6,403        2,841,780  

State Street Corp.

    9,243        858,767  

T Rowe Price Group Inc.

    6,029        1,349,712  
    

 

 

 
       22,451,720  
Chemicals — 2.8%  

Air Products & Chemicals Inc.

    5,883        1,585,527  

Albemarle Corp.

    3,102        734,368  

DuPont de Nemours Inc.

    14,143        1,046,865  

International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.

    6,616        1,002,324  

Linde PLC

    13,827        4,349,836  

PPG Industries Inc.

    6,302        1,005,484  

Sherwin-Williams Co. (The)

    6,758        2,052,202  
    

 

 

 
       11,776,606  
Commercial Services & Supplies — 1.3%  

Cintas Corp.

    2,512        994,174  

Copart Inc.(a)

    5,660        816,851  

Republic Services Inc.

    5,936        736,836  

Rollins Inc.

    5,887        229,122  

Waste Connections Inc.

    6,956        898,785  

Waste Management Inc.

    11,220        1,740,334  
    

 

 

 
       5,416,102  
Communications Equipment — 2.1%  

Arista Networks Inc.(a)

    1,522        562,425  

Cisco Systems Inc.

    112,010        6,610,830  

F5 Networks Inc.(a)

    1,584        322,455  

Juniper Networks Inc.

    8,712        252,474  

Motorola Solutions Inc.

    4,511        1,101,676  
    

 

 

 
       8,849,860  
Construction Materials — 0.3%  

Martin Marietta Materials Inc.

    1,659        632,494  

Vulcan Materials Co.

    3,526        655,589  
    

 

 

 
       1,288,083  
Consumer Finance — 0.8%  

Ally Financial Inc.

    9,853        521,224  

American Express Co.

    18,148        3,011,842  
    

 

 

 
       3,533,066  
Containers & Packaging — 0.7%  

Avery Dennison Corp.

    2,206        497,211  

Ball Corp.

    8,725        837,251  

International Paper Co.

    9,892        594,410  

Packaging Corp. of America

    2,520        382,284  

Sealed Air Corp.

    4,039        246,500  

Westrock Co.

    7,073        368,079  
    

 

 

 
       2,925,735  

Distributors — 0.3%

 

Genuine Parts Co.

    3,839        469,087  

LKQ Corp.(a)

    7,630        402,025  

Pool Corp.

    1,067        527,418  
    

 

 

 
       1,398,530  
 

 

 

S C H E D U L E   O F   I N V E S T M E N T S

  25


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® ESG Advanced MSCI USA ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Diversified Financial Services — 0.1%  

Voya Financial Inc.

    3,223     $ 209,430  
   

 

 

 
Diversified Telecommunication Services — 1.4%        

Verizon Communications Inc.

    110,040       6,052,200  
   

 

 

 
Electrical Equipment — 1.0%  

Eaton Corp. PLC

    10,592       1,783,269  

Generac Holdings Inc.(a)

    1,674       731,505  

Plug Power Inc.(a)(b)

    13,595       354,286  

Rockwell Automation Inc.

    3,085       1,004,013  

Sensata Technologies Holding PLC(a)

    4,202       248,674  

Sunrun Inc.(a)

    4,607       203,860  
   

 

 

 
      4,325,607  
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components — 1.8%  

Amphenol Corp., Class A

    15,884       1,217,191  

CDW Corp./DE

    3,727       747,674  

Cognex Corp.

    4,693       415,894  

Corning Inc.

    21,498       859,705  

Keysight Technologies Inc.(a)

    4,903       879,500  

TE Connectivity Ltd.

    8,777       1,318,481  

Teledyne Technologies Inc.(a)

    1,238       573,664  

Trimble Inc.(a)

    6,670       628,447  

Zebra Technologies Corp., Class A(a)

    1,421       834,369  
   

 

 

 
      7,474,925  
Entertainment — 0.7%  

Activision Blizzard Inc.

    20,653       1,701,188  

Electronic Arts Inc.

    7,645       1,110,130  
   

 

 

 
      2,811,318  
Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) — 4.8%  

Alexandria Real Estate Equities Inc.

    3,725       768,728  

American Tower Corp.

    12,086       3,531,167  

Boston Properties Inc.

    3,941       445,294  

Camden Property Trust

    2,597       389,654  

Crown Castle International Corp.

    11,487       2,236,404  

Duke Realty Corp.

    9,966       523,315  

Equinix Inc.

    2,381       2,008,254  

Equity Residential

    9,444       793,957  

Healthpeak Properties Inc.

    14,324       515,664  

Host Hotels & Resorts Inc.(a)

    18,767       310,782  

Iron Mountain Inc.

    7,674       366,433  

Prologis Inc.

    19,662       2,647,685  

Realty Income Corp.

    9,927       716,928  

Regency Centers Corp.

    4,062       278,734  

SBA Communications Corp.

    2,906       1,043,167  

Simon Property Group Inc.

    8,733       1,174,152  

Ventas Inc.

    9,970       557,722  

VICI Properties Inc.

    14,274       441,209  

Welltower Inc.

    11,097       971,320  

WP Carey Inc.

    4,731       369,586  
   

 

 

 
      20,090,155  
Food & Staples Retailing — 0.2%            

Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc.

    19,529       991,097  
   

 

 

 
Food Products — 1.0%            

Campbell Soup Co.

    5,235       218,457  

Conagra Brands Inc.

    12,757       422,512  

General Mills Inc.

    16,213       937,274  

Hormel Foods Corp.

    7,896       359,584  

JM Smucker Co. (The)

    2,912       360,127  

Kellogg Co.

    6,788       428,594  
Security   Shares     Value  
Food Products (continued)            

Kraft Heinz Co. (The)

    17,880     $ 643,501  

Lamb Weston Holdings Inc.

    3,889       253,368  

McCormick & Co. Inc./MD, NVS

    6,618       571,067  
   

 

 

 
      4,194,484  
Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 4.0%            

ABIOMED Inc.(a)

    1,203       437,844  

Align Technology Inc.(a)

    1,998       1,416,582  

Baxter International Inc.

    13,366       1,018,757  

Cooper Companies Inc. (The)

    1,307       589,078  

Danaher Corp.

    17,063       5,531,142  

DENTSPLY SIRONA Inc.

    5,802       357,983  

Dexcom Inc.(a)

    2,571       1,361,139  

Hologic Inc.(a)

    6,811       539,091  

IDEXX Laboratories Inc.(a)

    2,266       1,526,740  

Insulet Corp.(a)

    1,761       524,443  

Novocure Ltd.(a)

    2,473       331,901  

ResMed Inc.

    3,869       1,124,061  

STERIS PLC

    2,649       569,561  

Teleflex Inc.

    1,243       491,557  

West Pharmaceutical Services Inc.

    1,962       886,078  
   

 

 

 
      16,705,957  
Health Care Providers & Services — 1.6%            

Centene Corp.(a)

    15,488       975,434  

DaVita Inc.(a)

    1,834       239,832  

HCA Healthcare Inc.

    7,165       1,812,602  

Henry Schein Inc.(a)

    3,740       282,707  

Humana Inc.

    3,430       1,390,591  

Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings(a)

    2,596       787,574  

Molina Healthcare Inc.(a)

    1,552       417,131  

Oak Street Health Inc.(a)

    2,561       119,675  

Quest Diagnostics Inc.

    3,473       530,779  
   

 

 

 
      6,556,325  
Health Care Technology — 0.3%            

Cerner Corp.

    8,008       611,411  

Teladoc Health Inc.(a)

    3,697       533,920  
   

 

 

 
      1,145,331  
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 3.4%            

Booking Holdings Inc.(a)

    1,091       2,508,940  

Darden Restaurants Inc.

    3,478       523,961  

Domino’s Pizza Inc.

    1,033       533,947  

Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc.(a)

    7,404       924,463  

McDonald’s Corp.

    19,832       4,709,307  

Starbucks Corp.

    31,318       3,679,552  

Vail Resorts Inc.(a)

    1,070       326,189  

Yum! Brands Inc.

    7,918       1,037,496  
   

 

 

 
      14,243,855  
Household Durables — 0.7%            

DR Horton Inc.

    9,102       870,333  

Garmin Ltd.

    4,087       712,895  

Newell Brands Inc.

    10,173       258,496  

NVR Inc.(a)

    91       471,375  

PulteGroup Inc.

    7,030       378,636  

Whirlpool Corp.

    1,665       368,847  
   

 

 

 
      3,060,582  
Household Products — 1.0%            

Church & Dwight Co. Inc.

    6,519       545,380  

Clorox Co. (The)

    3,306       555,573  

Colgate-Palmolive Co.

    21,361       1,665,090  
 

 

 

26  

2 0 2 1   I S H A R E S   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® ESG Advanced MSCI USA ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Household Products (continued)            

Kimberly-Clark Corp.

    8,969     $ 1,236,018  
   

 

 

 
      4,002,061  
Industrial Conglomerates — 0.3%            

Roper Technologies Inc.

    2,798       1,352,217  
   

 

 

 
Insurance — 3.3%            

Aflac Inc.

    17,162       972,742  

Allstate Corp. (The)

    7,956       1,076,288  

Arch Capital Group Ltd.(a)

    10,728       440,921  

Arthur J Gallagher & Co.

    5,482       787,325  

Assurant Inc.

    1,610       273,877  

Chubb Ltd.

    11,952       2,198,212  

Hartford Financial Services Group Inc. (The)

    9,494       638,187  

Lincoln National Corp.

    4,807       330,000  

Marsh & McLennan Companies Inc.

    13,516       2,124,715  

Principal Financial Group Inc.

    7,230       483,036  

Progressive Corp. (The)

    15,554       1,498,472  

Prudential Financial Inc.

    10,473       1,108,881  

Travelers Companies Inc. (The)

    6,684       1,067,502  

Willis Towers Watson PLC

    3,429       756,849  
   

 

 

 
      13,757,007  
Internet & Direct Marketing Retail — 1.0%            

eBay Inc.

    18,107       1,389,531  

Etsy Inc.(a)

    3,378       730,526  

MercadoLibre Inc.(a)

    1,192       2,226,001  
   

 

 

 
      4,346,058  
IT Services — 11.4%            

Akamai Technologies Inc.(a)

    4,333       490,712  

Automatic Data Processing Inc.

    11,309       2,364,033  

Broadridge Financial Solutions Inc.

    3,086       531,471  

Cloudflare Inc., Class A(a)

    6,130       740,136  

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., Class A

    14,019       1,069,790  

EPAM Systems Inc.(a)

    1,500       949,215  

Fidelity National Information Services Inc.

    16,483       2,106,033  

Fiserv Inc.(a)

    15,951       1,878,868  

Gartner Inc.(a)

    2,287       706,088  

GoDaddy Inc., Class A(a)

    4,459       326,889  

Jack Henry & Associates Inc.

    1,974       348,174  

Mastercard Inc., Class A

    23,513       8,140,906  

MongoDB Inc.(a)

    1,486       582,259  

Okta Inc.(a)

    3,324       876,207  

Paychex Inc.

    8,620       986,732  

PayPal Holdings Inc.(a)

    29,663       8,562,522  

Snowflake Inc., Class A(a)

    5,116       1,557,055  

Square Inc., Class A(a)

    10,418       2,792,753  

Twilio Inc., Class A(a)

    4,316       1,540,639  

VeriSign Inc.(a)

    2,694       582,605  

Visa Inc., Class A

    44,966       10,301,711  

Western Union Co. (The)

    10,877       235,378  
   

 

 

 
          47,670,176  
Leisure Products — 0.1%            

Hasbro Inc.

    3,474       341,529  
   

 

 

 
Life Sciences Tools & Services — 2.9%            

Agilent Technologies Inc.

    8,099       1,421,131  

Avantor Inc.(a)

    13,925       549,202  

Bio-Techne Corp.

    1,034       516,111  

Illumina Inc.(a)

    3,881       1,774,238  

Mettler-Toledo International Inc.(a)

    619       961,202  

PerkinElmer Inc.

    2,980       550,704  
Security   Shares     Value  
Life Sciences Tools & Services (continued)            

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.

    10,445     $ 5,796,453  

Waters Corp.(a)

    1,639       678,579  
   

 

 

 
      12,247,620  
Machinery — 3.9%            

Caterpillar Inc.

    14,559       3,070,056  

Cummins Inc.

    3,887       917,254  

Deere & Co.

    7,914       2,991,729  

Dover Corp.

    3,825       666,927  

Fortive Corp.

    8,548       631,441  

IDEX Corp.

    2,018       452,032  

Illinois Tool Works Inc.

    8,396       1,955,093  

Ingersoll Rand Inc.(a)

    10,772       571,131  

Nordson Corp.

    1,389       331,415  

Otis Worldwide Corp.

    10,835       999,204  

PACCAR Inc.

    9,227       755,415  

Parker-Hannifin Corp.

    3,431       1,017,875  

Pentair PLC

    4,417       340,816  

Snap-on Inc.

    1,438       323,478  

Stanley Black & Decker Inc.

    4,293       829,708  

Xylem Inc./NY

    4,786       652,380  
   

 

 

 
      16,505,954  
Media — 0.4%            

Cable One Inc.

    145       304,440  

Discovery Inc., Class A(a)(b)

    4,484       129,319  

Discovery Inc., Class C, NVS(a)

    8,388       231,425  

Interpublic Group of Companies Inc. (The)

    10,457       389,314  

Omnicom Group Inc.

    5,717       418,599  

Sirius XM Holdings Inc.(b)

    27,183       170,437  
   

 

 

 
      1,643,534  
Metals & Mining — 0.4%            

Newmont Corp.

    21,295       1,234,897  

Steel Dynamics Inc.

    5,615       378,956  
   

 

 

 
      1,613,853  
Mortgage Real Estate Investment — 0.1%            

Annaly Capital Management Inc.

    37,171       323,016  
   

 

 

 
Multiline Retail — 1.1%            

Dollar General Corp.

    6,279       1,399,652  

Target Corp.

    13,150       3,247,787  
   

 

 

 
      4,647,439  
Personal Products — 0.5%            

Estee Lauder Companies Inc. (The), Class A

    6,164       2,098,780  
   

 

 

 
Pharmaceuticals — 2.2%            

Catalent Inc.(a)

    4,528       590,633  

Elanco Animal Health Inc.(a)(b)

    11,314       377,661  

Eli Lilly & Co.

    21,666       5,596,111  

Jazz Pharmaceuticals PLC(a)

    1,613       212,448  

Zoetis Inc.

    12,618       2,581,138  
   

 

 

 
          9,357,991  
Professional Services — 0.8%            

Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corp.

    3,598       294,712  

Clarivate PLC(a)

    9,377       236,207  

IHS Markit Ltd.

    10,063       1,213,598  

Robert Half International Inc.

    2,998       309,993  

TransUnion

    5,084       617,859  

Verisk Analytics Inc.

    4,094       826,005  
   

 

 

 
      3,498,374  
 

 

 

S C H E D U L E   O F   I N V E S T M E N T S

  27


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® ESG Advanced MSCI USA ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Real Estate Management & Development — 0.2%  

CBRE Group Inc., Class A(a)

    8,922     $ 859,189  
   

 

 

 
Road & Rail — 0.4%            

AMERCO

    260       171,899  

Kansas City Southern

    2,417       678,379  

Old Dominion Freight Line Inc.

    2,620       756,447  
   

 

 

 
      1,606,725  
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 9.5%  

Advanced Micro Devices Inc.(a)

    32,295       3,575,702  

Analog Devices Inc.

    14,297       2,329,696  

Applied Materials Inc.

    24,391       3,295,956  

Enphase Energy Inc.(a)

    3,427       595,373  

Lam Research Corp.

    3,790       2,292,268  

Marvell Technology Inc.

    21,776       1,332,473  

Micron Technology Inc.(a)

    29,805       2,196,628  

NVIDIA Corp.

    66,235       14,826,705  

NXP Semiconductors NV

    7,329       1,576,688  

ON Semiconductor Corp.(a)

    11,350       503,486  

Qorvo Inc.(a)

    2,993       562,774  

Skyworks Solutions Inc.

    4,388       805,022  

SolarEdge Technologies Inc.(a)

    1,381       400,186  

Texas Instruments Inc.

    24,547       4,686,268  

Xilinx Inc.

    6,535       1,016,781  
   

 

 

 
          39,996,006  

Software — 10.1%

   

Adobe Inc.(a)

    12,705       8,432,308  

ANSYS Inc.(a)

    2,317       846,539  

Autodesk Inc.(a)

    5,850       1,814,026  

Bentley Systems Inc., Class B

    4,581       295,429  

Black Knight Inc.(a)

    4,163       315,014  

Cadence Design Systems Inc.(a)

    7,397       1,209,262  

Ceridian HCM Holding Inc.(a)

    3,570       401,089  

Citrix Systems Inc.

    3,300       339,471  

Coupa Software Inc.(a)

    1,937       474,197  

Crowdstrike Holdings Inc., Class A(a)

    5,029       1,413,149  

Datadog Inc., Class A(a)

    4,975       685,555  

DocuSign Inc.(a)

    5,172       1,532,153  

Dropbox Inc., Class A(a)

    8,452       268,013  

Fair Isaac Corp.(a)

    764       351,241  

Fortinet Inc.(a)

    3,690       1,162,867  

Guidewire Software Inc.(a)

    2,115       250,543  

HubSpot Inc.(a)

    1,179       806,990  

Intuit Inc.

    7,263       4,111,657  

NortonLifeLock Inc.

    15,414       409,396  

Paycom Software Inc.(a)

    1,359       664,415  

PTC Inc.(a)

    2,950       388,397  

RingCentral Inc., Class A(a)

    2,038       514,106  

salesforce.com Inc.(a)

    25,822       6,849,802  

ServiceNow Inc.(a)

    5,248       3,377,823  

Splunk Inc.(a)

    4,357       666,055  

Synopsys Inc.(a)

    4,054       1,346,901  

Tyler Technologies Inc.(a)

    1,083       526,013  

VMware Inc., Class A(a)(b)

    2,228       331,682  

Workday Inc., Class A(a)

    5,024       1,372,356  

Zendesk Inc.(a)

    3,153       389,711  

Zscaler Inc.(a)

    2,168       603,441  
   

 

 

 
      42,149,601  
Security   Shares     Value  
Specialty Retail — 3.8%  

Advance Auto Parts Inc.

    1,739     $ 352,756  

Best Buy Co. Inc.

    5,989       697,778  

Burlington Stores Inc.(a)

    1,770       530,097  

CarMax Inc.(a)

    4,337       543,036  

Home Depot Inc. (The)

    28,260       9,217,847  

Ross Stores Inc.

    9,478       1,122,195  

TJX Companies Inc. (The)

    32,055       2,331,040  

Tractor Supply Co.

    3,064       595,182  

Ulta Beauty Inc.(a)

    1,382       535,263  
   

 

 

 
      15,925,194  
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals — 0.9%        

Dell Technologies Inc., Class C(a)

    7,372       718,475  

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co.

    34,583       534,653  

HP Inc.

    33,291       990,075  

NetApp Inc.

    5,917       526,199  

Seagate Technology Holdings PLC

    5,475       479,555  

Western Digital Corp.(a)

    8,145       514,764  
   

 

 

 
      3,763,721  
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods — 0.3%            

Lululemon Athletica Inc.(a)

    3,291       1,316,959  
   

 

 

 
Trading Companies & Distributors — 0.5%            

Fastenal Co.

    15,265       852,550  

United Rentals Inc.(a)

    1,924       678,499  

WW Grainger Inc.

    1,177       510,465  
   

 

 

 
      2,041,514  
Water Utilities — 0.2%            

American Water Works Co. Inc.

    4,823       878,992  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 99.8%
(Cost: $377,002,877)

      418,267,089  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Investments

 

Money Market Funds — 0.3%  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares, 0.06%(c)(d)(e)

    602,990       603,291  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares, 0.00%(c)(d)

    740,000       740,000  
   

 

 

 
      1,343,291  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments — 0.3%
(Cost: $1,343,291)

      1,343,291  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities — 100.1%
(Cost: $378,346,168)

      419,610,380  

Other Assets, Less Liabilities — (0.1)%

      (505,012
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

    $  419,105,368  
   

 

 

 

 

(a)

Non-income producing security.

(b)

All or a portion of this security is on loan.

(c) 

Affiliate of the Fund.

(d)

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

(e)

All or a portion of this security was purchased with the cash collateral from loaned securities.

 

 

 

28  

2 0 2 1   I S H A R E S   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® ESG Advanced MSCI USA ETF

    

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the year ended August 31, 2021 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

 

 
Affiliated Issuer   Value at
08/31/20
    Purchases
at Cost
    Proceeds
from Sales
    Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
    Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
    Value at
08/31/21
    Shares
Held at
08/31/21
    Income    

Capital

Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds

 

 

 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency
Shares

  $ 10,183     $ 593,314 (a)    $     $ (206   $     $ 603,291       602,990     $ 2,537 (b)    $  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

          740,000 (a)                        740,000       740,000       16        

BlackRock Inc.(c)

    36,840       3,413,974       (4,078,797     630,698       (2,715                 18,426        
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
        $ 630,492     $ (2,715   $ 1,343,291       $ 20,979     $  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 
  (b) 

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.

 
  (c) 

As of period end, the entity is no longer held.

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Futures Contracts

 

 

 
Description    Number of
Contracts
     Expiration
Date
     Notional
Amount
(000)
     Value/
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

 

 

Long Contracts

           

S&P 500 E-Mini Index

     3        09/17/21      $ 678      $ 22,743  
           

 

 

 

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:

 

 

 
     Equity
Contracts
 

 

 

Assets — Derivative Financial Instruments

  

Futures contracts

  

Unrealized appreciation on futures contracts(a)

   $ 22,743  
  

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Net cumulative 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 August 31, 2021, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

 

 
     Equity
Contracts
 

 

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from:

  

Futures contracts

   $ 18,262  
  

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:

  

Futures contracts

   $ 22,743  
  

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

Futures contracts:

        

Average notional value of contracts — long

   $ 177,639  

For more information about the Fund’s investment risks regarding derivative financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.

 

 

S C H E D U L E   O F   I N V E S T M E N T S

  29


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

August 31, 2021

  

iShares® ESG Advanced MSCI USA ETF

    

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments. 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.

 

      Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

Investments

                 

Assets

                 

Common Stocks

   $ 418,267,089        $        $        $ 418,267,089  

Money Market Funds

     1,343,291                            1,343,291  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 419,610,380        $        $        $ 419,610,380  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Derivative financial instruments(a)

                 

Assets

                 

Futures Contracts

   $ 22,743        $             —        $             —        $ 22,743  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Derivative financial instruments are futures contracts. Futures contracts are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

30  

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Statements of Assets and Liabilities

August 31, 2021

 

    

iShares

ESG

Advanced

MSCI EAFE

ETF

    

iShares
ESG

Advanced
MSCI EM

ETF

    

iShares
ESG

Advanced

MSCI USA

ETF

 

ASSETS

       

Investments in securities, at value (including securities on loan)(a):

       

Unaffiliated(b)

  $ 245,094,619      $ 13,560,852      $ 418,267,089  

Affiliated(c)

    47,552               1,343,291  

Cash

    5,498        41,981        10,528  

Foreign currency, at value(d)

    452,706        95,364         

Cash pledged:

       

Futures contracts

    51,000               44,000  

Foreign currency collateral pledged:

       

Futures contracts(e)

    1,774                

Receivables:

       

Investments sold

    13,405,905        863,900        24,064,769  

Securities lending income — Affiliated

    41        3,774        299  

Variation margin on futures contracts

    1,796                

Capital shares sold

                  84,970  

Dividends

    293,296        21,766        332,023  

Tax reclaims

    95,249                
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

    259,449,436        14,587,637        444,146,969  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

       

Collateral on securities loaned, at value

    27,621               603,498  

Deferred foreign capital gain tax

           71,858         

Payables:

       

Investments purchased

    13,552,147        964,084        24,267,808  

Variation margin on futures contracts

                  1,575  

Capital shares redeemed

                  134,708  

Investment advisory fees

    23,984        1,789        34,012  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    13,603,752        1,037,731        25,041,601  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 245,845,684      $ 13,549,906      $ 419,105,368  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:

       

Paid-in capital

  $ 224,796,306      $ 11,156,947      $ 378,763,044  

Accumulated earnings

    21,049,378        2,392,959        40,342,324  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 245,845,684      $ 13,549,906      $ 419,105,368  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Shares outstanding

    3,500,000        300,000        11,000,000  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value

  $ 70.24      $ 45.17      $ 38.10  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Shares authorized

    Unlimited        Unlimited        Unlimited  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Par value

    None        None        None  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

(a) Securities loaned, at value

  $ 24,461      $      $ 592,411  

(b) Investments, at cost — Unaffiliated

  $ 224,219,309      $ 10,964,343      $ 377,002,877  

(c)  Investments, at cost — Affiliated

  $ 47,552      $      $ 1,343,291  

(d) Foreign currency, at cost

  $ 449,828      $ 95,175      $  

(e) Foreign currency collateral pledged, at cost

  $ 1,771      $      $  

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

F I N A N C I A L   S T A T E M E N T S

  31


 

Statements of Operations

Year Ended August 31, 2021

 

     



iShares
ESG
Advanced
MSCI EAFE
ETF




 
   



iShares
ESG
Advanced
MSCI EM
ETF


 
 
(a)  
   



iShares
ESG
Advanced
MSCI USA
ETF




 

INVESTMENT INCOME

     

Dividends — Unaffiliated

  $ 2,612,431     $ 263,849     $ 1,839,197  

Dividends — Affiliated

    4       11       18,442  

Securities lending income — Affiliated — net

    778       4,064       2,537  

Foreign taxes withheld

    (266,802     (35,504     (796
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investment income

    2,346,411       232,420       1,859,380  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EXPENSES

     

Investment advisory fees

    129,053       18,675       156,034  

Commitment fees

          395        

Interest expense

          54        
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses

    129,053       19,124       156,034  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    2,217,358       213,296       1,703,346  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

     

Net realized gain (loss) from:

     

Investments — Unaffiliated

    (326,438     (266,305     (1,723,877

Investments — Affiliated

    (74     (2     (3,512

In-kind redemptions — Unaffiliated

    2,416,346       433,362       8,548,126  

In-kind redemptions — Affiliated

                634,004  

Futures contracts

    22,231       (6,130     18,262  

Foreign currency transactions

    (4,688     (8,518      
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net realized gain

    2,107,377       152,407       7,473,003  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

     

Investments — Unaffiliated(b)

    20,003,329       2,524,651       40,575,519  

Investments — Affiliated

                (2,715

Futures contracts

    1,065             22,743  

Foreign currency translations

    1,597       (61      
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    20,005,991       2,524,590       40,595,547  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain

    22,113,368       2,676,997       48,068,550  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

  $ 24,330,726     $ 2,890,293     $ 49,771,896  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(a) For the period from October 06, 2020 (commencement of operations) to August 31, 2021.

     

(b) Net of increase in deferred foreign capital gain tax of

  $     $ (71,858   $  

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

32  

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Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

    iShares
ESG Advanced MSCI EAFE ETF
    iShares
ESG Advanced
MSCI EM ETF
 
     
Year Ended
08/31/21
 
 
   

Period From
06/16/20

to 08/31/20

 
(a)  

 

   

Period From
10/06/20

to 08/31/21

 
(a)

 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

     

OPERATIONS

     

Net investment income

  $ 2,217,358     $ 36,320     $ 213,296  

Net realized gain (loss)

    2,107,377       (25,528     152,407  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    20,005,991       873,204       2,524,590  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

    24,330,726       883,996       2,890,293  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(b)

     

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

    (1,761,837           (106,031
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

     

Net increase in net assets derived from capital share transactions

    212,119,113       10,273,686       10,765,644  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

     

Total increase in net assets

    234,688,002       11,157,682       13,549,906  

Beginning of period

    11,157,682              
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period

  $ 245,845,684     $ 11,157,682     $ 13,549,906  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Commencement of operations.

(b) 

Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

F I N A N C I A L   S T A T E M E N T S

  33


 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

 

    iShares
ESG Advanced MSCI USA ETF
 
     
Year Ended
08/31/21
 
 
   

Period From
06/16/20

to 08/31/20

 
(a)

 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

   

OPERATIONS

   

Net investment income

  $ 1,703,346     $ 12,921  

Net realized gain

    7,473,003       17,694  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    40,595,547       691,408  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

    49,771,896       722,023  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(b)

   

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

    (978,561      
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

   

Net increase in net assets derived from capital share transactions

    364,504,490       5,085,520  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

   

Total increase in net assets

    413,297,825       5,807,543  

Beginning of period

    5,807,543        
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period

  $ 419,105,368     $ 5,807,543  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Commencement of operations.

(b) 

Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

34  

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Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    iShares ESG Advanced MSCI EAFE ETF  
   
Year Ended
08/31/21
 
 
   

Period From
06/16/20

to 08/31/20

 
(a)  

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 55.79     $ 51.37  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(b)

    1.36       0.18  

Net realized and unrealized gain(c)

    13.91       4.24  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase from investment operations

    15.27       4.42  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions(d)

   

From net investment income

    (0.82      
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.82      
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 70.24     $ 55.79  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(e)

   

Based on net asset value

    27.47     8.60 %(f)  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

   

Total expenses

    0.12     0.12 %(g)  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    2.06     1.64 %(g)  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

   

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 245,846     $ 11,158  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(h)

    28     6 %(f)  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Commencement of operations.

(b) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(c) 

The amount 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.

(f)

Not annualized.

(g) 

Annualized.

(h)

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

F I N A N C I A L   H I G H L I G H T S

  35


 

Financial Highlights (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

    iShares
ESG
Advanced
MSCI EM
ETF
 
   



Period
From
10/06/20
to
08/31/21
 
 
(a) 
 
 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 35.39  
 

 

 

 

Net investment income(b)

    0.71  

Net realized and unrealized gain(c)

    9.42  
 

 

 

 

Net increase from investment operations

    10.13  
 

 

 

 

Distributions(d)

 

From net investment income

    (0.35
 

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.35
 

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 45.17  
 

 

 

 

Total Return(e)

 

Based on net asset value

    28.74 %(f) 
 

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

 

Total expenses

    0.16 %(g)  
 

 

 

 

Net investment income

    1.83 %(g)  
 

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 13,550  
 

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(h)

    51 %(f)  
 

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Commencement of operations.

(b)

Based on average shares outstanding.

(c) 

The amount 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.

(f) 

Not annualized.

(g) 

Annualized.

(h) 

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

36  

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Financial Highlights (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    iShares ESG Advanced MSCI USA ETF  
   
Year Ended
08/31/21
 
 
   

Period From
06/16/20

to 08/31/20

 
(a)  

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 29.04     $ 25.43  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(b)

    0.38       0.06  

Net realized and unrealized gain(c)

    8.99       3.55  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase from investment operations

    9.37       3.61  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions(d)

   

From net investment income

    (0.30      

From net realized gain

    (0.01      
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.31      
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 38.10     $ 29.04  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(e)

   

Based on net asset value

    32.53     14.20 %(f) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

   

Total expenses

    0.10     0.10 %(g)  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    1.09     1.16 %(g)  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

   

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 419,105     $ 5,808  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(h)

    29     4 %(f)  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Commencement of operations.

(b)

Based on average shares outstanding.

(c) 

The amount 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.

(f) 

Not annualized.

(g)

Annualized.

(h) 

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

F I N A N C I A L   H I G H L I G H T S

  37


Notes to Financial Statements

 

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”):

 

   
iShares ETF  

 

Diversification  
Classification  

ESG Advanced MSCI EAFE

  Non-diversified  

ESG Advanced MSCI EM(a)

  Non-diversified  

ESG Advanced MSCI USA

  Non-diversified  

 

  (a) 

The Fund commenced operations on October 6, 2020.

 

 

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.

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 August 31, 2021, if any, are disclosed in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

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 includes tax reclaims recorded as well as professional and other fees, if any, associated with recovery of foreign withholding taxes.

Segregation and Collateralization: In cases where a Fund enters into certain investments (e.g., futures contracts) that would be treated as “senior securities” for 1940 Act purposes, a Fund may segregate or designate on its books and record cash or liquid assets having a market value at least equal to the amount of its future obligations under such investments. Doing so allows the investment to be excluded from treatment as a “senior security.” Furthermore, 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 or obligations.

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.

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

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. The character and timing of distributions are determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP.

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. Each Fund determines the fair values of its financial instruments using various independent dealers or pricing services under policies approved by the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”). 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 a policy approved by the Board as reflecting fair value. The BlackRock Global Valuation Methodologies Committee (the “Global Valuation Committee”) is the committee formed by management to develop global pricing policies and procedures and to oversee the pricing function for all financial instruments.

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 published 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 follows 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 Global Valuation Committee, in accordance with a policy approved by the Board as reflecting fair value (“Fair Valued Investments”). The fair valuation approaches that may be used by the Global 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 Global Valuation Committee, or its delegate, 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 Global Valuation Committee, or its delegate, deems relevant and consistent with the principles of fair value measurement. The pricing of all Fair Valued Investments is subsequently reported to the Board or a committee thereof on a quarterly basis.

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. 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 for identical assets or liabilities that each Fund has the ability to access;

   

Level 2 – Other observable inputs (including, but not limited to, quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in markets that are active, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the assets or liabilities (such as interest rates, yield curves, volatilities, prepayment speeds, loss severities, credit risks and default rates) or other market-corroborated inputs); and

   

Level 3 – Unobservable inputs based on the best information available in the circumstances, to the extent observable inputs are not available, (including the Global 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 Global 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.

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

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 BlackRock Fund Advisors (“BFA”), the Funds’ investment adviser, 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    
Market Value of
Securities on Loan
 
 
    
Cash Collateral
Received
 
(a)  
    
Non-Cash Collateral
Received
 
 
     Net Amount  

 

 

ESG Advanced MSCI EAFE

          

Morgan Stanley

  $ 24,461      $ 24,461      $      $  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

ESG Advanced MSCI USA

          

Barclays Bank PLC

  $ 500,121      $ 500,121      $      $  

Morgan Stanley

    90,434        89,371               (1,063 )(b) 

Nomura Securities International, Inc.

    1,856        1,856                
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
  $ 592,411      $ 591,348      $      $ (1,063
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Collateral received 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 statement of assets and liabilities.

 
  (b) 

The market value of the loaned securities is determined as of August 31, 2021. Additional collateral is delivered to the Fund on the next business day in accordance with the MSLA. The net amount would be subject to the borrower default indemnity in the event of default by a counterparty.

 

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

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

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 the average daily net assets of each Fund as follows:

 

iShares ETF   Investment Advisory Fee  

ESG Advanced MSCI EAFE

    0.12

ESG Advanced MSCI EM

    0.16  

ESG Advanced MSCI USA

    0.10  

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. 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, distribution fee or service fee. The money market fund in which the cash collateral has been invested may, under certain circumstances, impose a liquidity fee of up to 2% of the value redeemed or temporarily restrict redemptions for up to 10 business days during a 90 day period, in the event that the money market fund’s weekly liquid assets fall below certain thresholds.

Securities lending income is equal to the total of income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral, net of fees and other payments to and from borrowers of securities, and less the collateral investment fees. Each Fund retains a portion of 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 ESG Advanced MSCI USA ETF (the “Group 1 Fund”), retains 77% 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 ESG Advanced MSCI EAFE ETF and iShares ESG Advanced MSCI EM 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.

Prior to January 1, 2021, the Group 1 Fund retained 75% of securities lending income (which excludes collateral investment fees) and the amount retained was not less than 70% of the total of securities lending income plus the collateral investment fees. Each Group 2 Fund retained 82% of securities lending income (which excludes collateral investment fees) and the amount retained was not 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 the iShares ETF Complex in a calendar year exceeded a specified threshold: (1) the Group 1 Fund, pursuant to the securities lending agreement, retained for the remainder of that calendar year 80% of securities lending income (which excludes collateral investment fees), and the amount retained could never be less than 70% of the total of securities lending

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

income plus the collateral investment fees, and (2) each Group 2 Fund, pursuant to the securities lending agreement, retained for the remainder of that calendar year 85% of securities lending income (which excludes collateral investment fees), and the amount retained could 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 year ended August 31, 2021, the Funds paid BTC the following amounts for securities lending agent services:

 

iShares ETF   Fees Paid
to BTC
 

ESG Advanced MSCI EAFE

  $ 207  

ESG Advanced MSCI EM

    909  

ESG Advanced MSCI USA

    900  

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 year ended August 31, 2021, transactions executed by the Funds pursuant to Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act were as follows:

 

iShares ETF   Purchases      Sales      Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
 

ESG Advanced MSCI EAFE

  $   11,542,509      $   18,058,150      $ 829,472  

ESG Advanced MSCI USA

    18,285,873        24,206,181        (921,658

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.

7. PURCHASES AND SALES

For the year ended August 31, 2021, purchases and sales of investments, excluding short-term investments and in-kind transactions, were as follows:

 

iShares ETF   Purchases      Sales  

ESG Advanced MSCI EAFE

  $   48,540,048      $   30,034,197  

ESG Advanced MSCI EM

    16,593,321        6,453,760  

ESG Advanced MSCI USA

    50,317,181        47,470,936  

For the year ended August 31, 2021, in-kind transactions were as follows:

 

iShares ETF   In-kind
Purchases
    

In-kind

Sales

 

ESG Advanced MSCI EAFE

  $   204,995,149      $   11,527,469  

ESG Advanced MSCI EM

    2,824,180        2,173,662  

ESG Advanced MSCI USA

    418,604,688        57,001,144  

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 August 31, 2021 and does not believe that there are any uncertain tax positions that require recognition of a tax liability in the Funds’ financial statements.

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

U.S. GAAP requires that certain components of net assets be adjusted to reflect permanent differences between financial and tax reporting. These reclassifications have no effect on net assets or NAV per share. As of August 31, 2021, the following permanent differences attributable to realized gains (losses) from in-kind redemptions were reclassified to the following accounts:

 

iShares ETF   Paid-in Capital      Accumulated
Earnings
 

ESG Advanced MSCI EAFE

  $ 2,403,507      $ (2,403,507

ESG Advanced MSCI EM

    391,303        (391,303

ESG Advanced MSCI USA

    9,173,034        (9,173,034

The tax character of distributions was as follows:

 

iShares ETF   Year Ended
08/31/21
     Period Ended
08/31/20
 

ESG Advanced MSCI EAFE

    

Ordinary income

  $ 1,761,837      $  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

iShares ETF   Period Ended
08/31/21
 

ESG Advanced MSCI EM

 

Ordinary income

  $ 106,031  
 

 

 

 

 

iShares ETF   Year Ended
08/31/21
     Period Ended
08/31/20
 

ESG Advanced MSCI USA

    

Ordinary income

  $ 978,561      $  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

As of August 31, 2021, the tax components of accumulated net earnings (losses) were as follows:

 

iShares ETF

   
Undistributed
Ordinary Income
 
 
    

Non-expiring
Capital Loss
Carryforwards
 
 
(a) 
    
Net Unrealized
Gains (Losses)

(b) 
     Total  

ESG Advanced MSCI EAFE

  $ 861,214      $ (129,908    $ 20,318,072      $   21,049,378  

ESG Advanced MSCI EM

    95,259        (200,147      2,497,847        2,392,959  

ESG Advanced MSCI USA

    806,912        (1,645,353      41,180,765        40,342,324  

 

  (a) 

Amounts available to offset future realized capital gains.

 
  (b) 

The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized gains (losses) was attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales, the realization for tax purposes of unrealized gains (losses) on certain futures contracts, timing and recognition of partnership income and the realization for tax purposes of unrealized gains on investments in passive foreign investment companies.

 

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 August 31, 2021, 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:

 

iShares ETF   Tax Cost      Gross Unrealized
Appreciation
     Gross Unrealized
Depreciation
     Net Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

ESG Advanced MSCI EAFE

  $   224,828,924      $ 23,480,867      $ (3,164,942    $ 20,315,925  

ESG Advanced MSCI EM

    10,991,086        2,824,614        (254,848      2,569,766  

ESG Advanced MSCI USA

    378,429,615        43,925,576        (2,744,811      41,180,765  

 

9.

LINE OF CREDIT

The iShares ESG Advanced MSCI EM ETF, along with certain other iShares funds (“Participating Funds”), is a party to a $300 million credit agreement (“Credit Agreement”) with State Street Bank and Trust Company, which expires on October 15, 2021. 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 Credit Agreement sets specific sub limits on aggregate borrowings based on two tiers of Participating Funds: $300 million with respect to the funds within Tier 1, including the Fund, and $200 million with respect to Tier 2. The Funds may borrow up to the aggregate commitment amount subject to asset coverage and other limitations as specified in the Credit Agreement. The Credit Agreement has the following terms: a

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

commitment fee of 0.20% per annum on the unused portion of the credit agreement and interest at a rate equal to the higher of (a) the one-month LIBOR rate (not less than zero) plus 1.00% per annum or (b) the U.S. Federal Funds rate (not less than zero) 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 Credit Agreement. The Credit Agreement was terminated on August 12, 2021.

Effective August 13, 2021, the iShares ESG Advanced MSCI EM ETF, 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 August 12, 2022. 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) the one-month LIBOR rate (not less than zero) plus 1.00% per annum or (b) the U.S. Federal Funds rate (not less than zero) 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.

For the year ended August 31, 2021, the maximum amount borrowed, the average daily borrowing and the weighted average interest rate, if any, under the Credit Agreement and Syndicated Credit Agreement were as follows:

 

iShares ETF   Maximum
Amount
Borrowed
     Average
Borrowing
     Weighted
Average
Interest Rates
 

ESG Advanced MSCI EM

  $ 151,000      $ 4,718        1.14

 

10.

PRINCIPAL RISKS

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 a “passive” or index approach to try to achieve each Fund’s investment objective following the securities included in its underlying index during upturns as well as downturns. BFA does not take steps to reduce market exposure or to lessen the effects of a declining market. Divergence from the underlying index and the composition of the portfolio is monitored by BFA.

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 redemption gates or 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) 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; (iii) 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 (iv) 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.

An outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus has developed into a global pandemic and has resulted in closing borders, quarantines, disruptions to supply chains and customer activity, as well as general concern and uncertainty. The impact of this pandemic, and other global health crises that may arise in the future, could affect the economies of many nations, individual companies and the market in general in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen at the present time. This pandemic may result in substantial market volatility and may adversely impact the prices and liquidity of a fund’s investments. The duration of this pandemic and its effects cannot be determined with certainty.

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.

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

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 the Manager 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, 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 Funds.

Concentration 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. 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. 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. In addition, 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. The impact of these actions, especially if they occur in a disorderly fashion, is not clear but could be significant and far reaching.

Certain Funds invest a significant portion of their assets in securities of issuers located in China or with significant exposure to Chinese issuers or countries. Investments in Chinese securities, including certain Hong Kong-listed securities, involves 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, institution of tariffs 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. Investment percentages in specific sectors are presented in the Schedule of Investments.

LIBORTransition Risk: The United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority announced a phase out of the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”). Although many LIBOR rates will be phased out by the end of 2021, a selection of widely used USD LIBOR rates will continue to be published through June 2023 in order to assist with the transition. The Funds may be exposed to financial instruments tied to LIBOR to determine payment obligations, financing terms, hedging strategies or investment value. The transition

 

 

N O T E S   T O   F I N A N C I A L   S T A T E M E N T S

  45


Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

process away from LIBOR might lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets for, and reduce the effectiveness of new hedges placed against, instruments whose terms currently include LIBOR. The ultimate effect of the LIBOR transition process on the Funds is uncertain.

 

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:

 

     Year Ended
08/31/21
    Period Ended
08/31/20
 
iShares ETF   Shares     Amount     Shares      Amount  

ESG Advanced MSCI EAFE

        

Shares sold

    3,500,000     $ 224,513,155       200,000      $ 10,273,686  

Shares redeemed

    (200,000     (12,394,042             
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase

    3,300,000     $ 212,119,113       200,000      $ 10,273,686  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

             Period Ended
08/31/21
 
iShares ETF                   Shares     Amount  

ESG Advanced MSCI EM

         

Shares sold

          400,000     $ 15,095,471  

Shares redeemed

          (100,000     (4,329,827
       

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase

          300,000     $ 10,765,644  
       

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

     Year Ended
08/31/21
    Period Ended
08/31/20
 
iShares ETF   Shares     Amount     Shares      Amount  

ESG Advanced MSCI USA

        

Shares sold

    12,450,000     $ 422,115,232       200,000      $ 5,085,520  

Shares redeemed

    (1,650,000     (57,610,742             
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase

    10,800,000     $ 364,504,490       200,000      $ 5,085,520  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

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. Investors 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. Investors 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.

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.

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Management has evaluated the impact of all subsequent events on the Funds through the date the financial statements were available to be issued and has determined that there were no subsequent events requiring adjustment or additional disclosure in the financial statements.

 

 

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Board of Trustees of iShares Trust and Shareholders of iShares ESG Advanced MSCI EAFE ETF, iShares ESG Advanced MSCI EM ETF and iShares ESG Advanced MSCI USA ETF

Opinions on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities, including the schedules of investments, of iShares ESG Advanced MSCI EAFE ETF, iShares ESG Advanced MSCI EM ETF and iShares ESG Advanced MSCI USA ETF (three of the funds constituting iShares Trust, hereafter collectively referred to as the “Funds”) as of August 31, 2021, the related statements of operations and changes in net assets for each of the periods indicated in the table below, including the related notes, and the financial highlights for each of the periods indicated therein (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of each of the Funds as of August 31, 2021, the results of each of their operations and the changes in each of their net assets for each of the periods indicated in the table below, and each of the financial highlights for each of the periods indicated therein, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

iShares ESG Advanced MSCI EAFE ETF and iShares ESG Advanced MSCI USA ETF: statement of operations for the year ended August 31, 2021 and statements of changes in net assets for the year ended August 31, 2021 and for the period June 16, 2020 (commencement of operations) to August 31, 2020.
iShares ESG Advanced MSCI EM ETF: statements of operations and changes in net assets for the period October 6, 2020 (commencement of operations) to August 31, 2021.

Basis for Opinions

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Funds’ management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Funds’ financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Funds in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of August 31, 2021 by correspondence with the custodian, transfer agent and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

/s/PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

October 22, 2021

We have served as the auditor of one or more BlackRock investment companies since 2000.

 

 

E P O R T   O F  N D E P E N D E N T  E G I S T E R E D  U B L I C  C C O U N T I N G  I R M

  47


Important Tax Information  (unaudited)

 

The following percentage, or maximum percentage allowable by law, of ordinary income distributions paid during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2021 qualified for the dividends-received deduction for corporate shareholders:

 

iShares ETF   Dividends-Received
Deduction
 

ESG Advanced MSCI USA

    91.15

The following amounts, or maximum amounts allowable by law, are hereby designated as qualified dividend income for individuals for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2021:

 

iShares ETF   Qualified Dividend    
Income    
 

ESG Advanced MSCI EAFE

  $ 2,283,797      

ESG Advanced MSCI EM

    139,575      

ESG Advanced MSCI USA

    1,651,328      

The following amount, or maximum amount allowable by law, is hereby designated as qualified business income for individuals for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2021:

 

iShares ETF   Qualified Business    
Income    
 

ESG Advanced MSCI USA

  $ 7,895      

The Funds intend to pass through to their shareholders the following amounts, or maximum amounts allowable by law, of foreign source income earned and foreign taxes paid for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2021:

 

iShares ETF   Foreign Source
Income Earned
     Foreign    
Taxes Paid    
 

ESG Advanced MSCI EAFE

  $ 2,613,491      $ 208,654      

ESG Advanced MSCI EM

    263,199        38,281      

The Fund hereby designates the following amount, or maximum amount allowable by law, as qualified short-term capital gains eligible for exemption from U.S. withholding tax for nonresident aliens and foreign corporations for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2021:

 

iShares ETF   Qualified Short-Term    
Capital Gain    
 

ESG Advanced MSCI USA

  $ 18,060      

 

 

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Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract

 

iShares ESG Advanced MSCI EAFE ETF, iShares ESG Advanced MSCI EM ETF, iShares ESG Advanced MSCI USA 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 and approve the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and BFA (the “Advisory Agreement”) 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; legal and compliance services; and 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 on May 7, 2021 and May 14, 2021, 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, and requested certain additional information, which management agreed to provide. At a meeting held on June 15-16, 2021, 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 material factors, none of which was controlling, 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 another fund in which the Fund invests (if applicable), and waivers/reimbursements (if applicable) of the Fund in comparison with the same information for other ETFs (including, where applicable, funds sponsored by an “at cost” service provider), objectively selected by Broadridge as comprising the Fund’s applicable 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 overall fund expenses (net of waivers and reimbursements) for the Fund were lower than the median of the overall fund expenses (net of 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, 2020, to that of 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 factors 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 recent and proposed enhancements to the iShares 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. 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, which were provided at the May 7, 2021 meeting and throughout the year.

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

 

 

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Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract  (continued)

 

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 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, were within a reasonable range in light of the factors and other information considered.

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, 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 relatively low fee rates established at inception, breakpoints, waivers, or other fee reductions, as well as through additional investment in the iShares business and the provision of improved or additional infrastructure and services to the iShares funds and their shareholders. 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 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 acknowledged BFA’s representation that the iShares funds are fundamentally different investment vehicles from 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 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 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 also considered the “all-inclusive” nature of the Fund’s advisory fee structure, and the Fund’s expenses borne by BFA under this arrangement. The Board 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 (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 for which BFA (or its affiliates) provides investment advisory services or other services, and BlackRock’s profile in the investment community. The Board also noted the revenue received by BFA and/or its affiliates pursuant to (i) 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 and (ii) other technology-related initiatives aimed to better support the iShares funds. The Board further 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.

 

 

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Supplemental Information (unaudited)

 

Regulation Regarding Derivatives

On October 28, 2020, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) adopted new regulations governing the use of derivatives by registered investment companies (“Rule 18f-4”). The Funds will be required to implement and comply with Rule 18f-4 by August 19, 2022. Once implemented, Rule 18f-4 will impose limits on the amount of derivatives a fund can enter into, eliminate the asset segregation framework currently used by funds to comply with Section 18 of the 1940 Act, treat derivatives as senior securities and require funds whose use of derivatives is more than a limited specified exposure amount to establish and maintain a comprehensive derivatives risk management program and appoint a derivatives risk manager.

Section 19(a) Notices

The amounts and sources of distributions reported are estimates and are being provided pursuant to regulatory requirements and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources for tax reporting purposes will depend upon each Fund’s investment experience during the year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. Shareholders will receive a Form 1099-DIV each calendar year that will inform them how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes.

August 31, 2021

 

       
    Total Cumulative Distributions
for the Fiscal Year
            % Breakdown of the Total Cumulative
Distributions for the Fiscal Year
 
iShares ETF  

Net

Investment
Income

     Net Realized
Capital Gains
     Return of
Capital
     Total Per
Share
            

Net

Investment
Income

    Net Realized
Capital Gains
    Return of
Capital
    Total Per
Share
 

ESG Advanced MSCI EAFE

  $   0.823030      $      $      $   0.823030           100             100

ESG Advanced MSCI EM(a)

    0.305743               0.047694        0.353437           87             13       100  

ESG Advanced MSCI USA(a)

    0.295552        0.007686        0.004765        0.308003                 96       2       2       100  

 

  (a) 

The Fund estimates that it has distributed more than its net investment income and net realized capital gains; therefore, a portion of the distribution may be a return of capital. A return of capital may occur, for example, when some or all of the shareholder’s investment in the Fund is returned to the shareholder. A return of capital does not necessarily reflect the Fund’s investment performance and should not be confused with “yield” or “income”. When distributions exceed total return performance, the difference will incrementally reduce the Fund’s net asset value per share.

 

Premium/Discount Information

Information on the Fund’s net asset value, market price, premiums and discounts, and bid-ask spreads can be found at iShares.com.

 

 

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Trustee and Officer Information

 

The Board of Trustees has responsibility for the overall management and operations of the Funds, including general supervision of the duties performed by BFA and other service providers. Each Trustee serves until he or she resigns, is removed, dies, retires or becomes incapacitated. Each officer shall hold office until his or her successor is elected and qualifies or until his or her death, resignation or removal. Trustees who are not “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust are referred to as independent trustees (“Independent Trustees”).

The registered investment companies advised by BFA or its affiliates (the “BlackRock-advised Funds”) are organized into one complex of open-end equity, multi-asset, index and money market funds and ETFs (the “BlackRock Multi-Asset Complex”), one complex of closed-end funds and open-end non-index fixed-income funds (including ETFs) (the “BlackRock Fixed-Income Complex”) and one complex of ETFs (“Exchange-Traded Fund Complex”) (each, a “BlackRock Fund Complex”). Each Fund is included in the Exchange-Traded Fund Complex. Each Trustee also serves as a Director of iShares, Inc. and a Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust and, as a result, oversees all of the funds within the Exchange-Traded Fund Complex, which consists of 374 funds as of August 31, 2021. With the exception of Robert S. Kapito, Salim Ramji and Charles Park, the address of each Trustee and officer is c/o BlackRock, Inc., 400 Howard Street, San Francisco, CA 94105. The address of Mr. Kapito, Mr. Ramji and Mr. Park is c/o BlackRock, Inc., Park Avenue Plaza, 55 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10055. The Board has designated Cecilia H. Herbert as its Independent Board Chair. Additional information about the Funds’ Trustees and officers may be found in the Funds’ combined Statement of Additional Information, which is available without charge, upon request, by calling toll-free 1-800-iShares (1-800-474-2737).

 

Interested Trustees
       
  Name (Age)    Position(s)   

Principal Occupation(s)

During the Past 5 Years

   Other Directorships Held by Trustee
Robert S. Kapito(a) (64)    Trustee
(since 2009).
   President, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2006); Vice Chairman of BlackRock, Inc. and Head of BlackRock’s Portfolio Management Group (since its formation in 1998) and BlackRock, Inc.’s predecessor entities (since 1988); Trustee, University of Pennsylvania (since 2009); President of Board of Directors, Hope & Heroes Children’s Cancer Fund (since 2002).    Director of BlackRock, Inc. (since 2006); Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2009); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011).
Salim Ramji(b) (51)    Trustee
(since 2019).
   Senior Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2014); Global Head of BlackRock’s ETF and Index Investments Business (since 2019); Head of BlackRock’s U.S. Wealth Advisory Business (2015-2019); Global Head of Corporate Strategy, BlackRock, Inc. (2014-2015); Senior Partner, McKinsey & Company (2010-2014).    Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2019); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2019).

 

(a) 

Robert S. Kapito is deemed to be an “interested person” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust due to his affiliations with BlackRock, Inc. and its affiliates.

(b)

Salim Ramji is deemed to be an “interested person” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust due to his affiliations with BlackRock, Inc. and its affiliates.

 

Independent Trustees
       
  Name (Age)    Position(s)   

Principal Occupation(s)

During the Past 5 Years

   Other Directorships Held by Trustee
Cecilia H. Herbert (72)    Trustee
(since 2005);
Independent Board Chair
(since 2016).
   Chair of the Finance Committee (since 2019) and Trustee and Member of the Finance, Audit and Quality Committees of Stanford Health Care (since 2016); Trustee of WNET, New York’s public media company (since 2011) and Member of the Audit Committee (since 2018) and Investment Committee (since 2011); Chair (1994-2005) and Member (since 1992) of the Investment Committee, Archdiocese of San Francisco; Trustee of Forward Funds (14 portfolios) (2009-2018); Trustee of Salient MF Trust (4 portfolios) (2015-2018); Director (1998-2013) and President (2007-2011) of the Board of Directors, Catholic Charities CYO; Trustee (2002-2011) and Chair of the Finance and Investment Committee (2006-2010) of the Thacher School; Director of the Senior Center of Jackson Hole (since 2020).    Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2005); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011); Independent Board Chair of iShares, Inc. and iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2016); Trustee of Thrivent Church Loan and Income Fund (since 2019).
Jane D. Carlin (65)    Trustee
(since 2015);
Risk Committee Chair
(since 2016).
   Consultant (since 2012); Member of the Audit Committee (2012-2018), Chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee (2017-2018) and Director of PHH Corporation (mortgage solutions) (2012-2018); Managing Director and Global Head of Financial Holding Company Governance & Assurance and the Global Head of Operational Risk Management of Morgan Stanley (2006-2012).    Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2015); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2015); Member of the Audit Committee (since 2016), Chair of the Audit Committee (since 2020) and Director of The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. (since 2016).
Richard L. Fagnani (66)    Trustee
(since 2017); Audit Committee Chair (since 2019).
   Partner, KPMG LLP (2002-2016).    Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2017); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2017).

 

 

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Trustee and Officer Information  (continued)

 

Independent Trustees (continued)
       
  Name (Age)    Position(s)    Principal Occupation(s)
During the Past 5 Years
   Other Directorships Held by Trustee
John E. Kerrigan (66)    Trustee (since 2005); Nominating and Governance and Equity Plus Committee Chairs
(since 2019).
   Chief Investment Officer, Santa Clara University (since 2002).    Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2005); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011).
Drew E. Lawton (62)    Trustee (since 2017); 15(c) Committee Chair
(since 2017).
   Senior Managing Director of New York Life Insurance Company (2010-2015).    Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2017); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2017).
John E. Martinez (60)    Trustee (since 2003); Securities Lending Committee Chair
(since 2019).
   Director of Real Estate Equity Exchange, Inc. (since 2005); Director of Cloudera Foundation (2017-2020); and Director of Reading Partners (2012-2016).    Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2003); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011).
Madhav V. Rajan (57)    Trustee (since 2011); Fixed Income Plus Committee Chair
(since 2019).
   Dean, and George Pratt Shultz Professor of Accounting, University of Chicago Booth School of Business (since 2017); Advisory Board Member (since 2016) and Director (since 2020) of C.M. Capital Corporation; Chair of the Board for the Center for Research in Security Prices, LLC (since 2020); Robert K. Jaedicke Professor of Accounting, Stanford University Graduate School of Business (2001-2017); Professor of Law (by courtesy), Stanford Law School (2005-2017); Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Head of MBA Program, Stanford University Graduate School of Business (2010-2016).    Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2011); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011).

 

Officers
     
  Name (Age)    Position(s)    Principal Occupation(s)
During the Past 5 Years
Armando Senra (50)    President
(since 2019).
   Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2007); Head of U.S., Canada and Latam iShares, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2019); Head of Latin America Region, BlackRock, Inc. (2006-2019); Managing Director, Bank of America Merrill Lynch (1994-2006).
Trent Walker (47)    Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer
(since 2020).
   Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since September 2019); Chief Financial Officer of iShares Delaware Trust Sponsor LLC, BlackRock Funds, BlackRock Funds II, BlackRock Funds IV, BlackRock Funds V and BlackRock Funds VI (since 2021); Executive Vice President of PIMCO (2016-2019); Senior Vice President of PIMCO (2008-2015); Treasurer (2013-2019) and Assistant Treasurer (2007-2017) of PIMCO Funds, PIMCO Variable Insurance Trust, PIMCO ETF Trust, PIMCO Equity Series, PIMCO Equity Series VIT, PIMCO Managed Accounts Trust, 2 PIMCO-sponsored interval funds and 21 PIMCO-sponsored closed-end funds.
Charles Park (54)    Chief Compliance Officer (since 2006).    Chief Compliance Officer of BlackRock Advisors, LLC and the BlackRock-advised Funds in the BlackRock Multi-Asset Complex and the BlackRock Fixed-Income Complex (since 2014); Chief Compliance Officer of BFA (since 2006).
Deepa Damre Smith (46)    Secretary
(since 2019).
   Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2014); Director, BlackRock, Inc. (2009-2013).
Scott Radell (52)    Executive Vice President (since 2012).    Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2009); Head of Portfolio Solutions, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2009).
Alan Mason (60)    Executive Vice President (since 2016).    Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2009).
Marybeth Leithead (58)    Executive Vice President (since 2019).    Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2017); Chief Operating Officer of Americas iShares (since 2017); Portfolio Manager, Municipal Institutional & Wealth Management (2009-2016).

 

 

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  53


General Information

 

Electronic Delivery

Shareholders can sign up for email 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.

Householding

Householding is an option available to certain fund investors. Householding is a method of delivery, based on the preference of the individual investor, in which a single copy of certain shareholder documents and Rule 30e-3 notices can be delivered to investors who share the same address, even if their accounts are registered under different names. Please contact your broker-dealer if you are interested in enrolling in householding and receiving a single copy of prospectuses and other shareholder documents, or if you are currently enrolled in householding and wish to change your householding status.

Availability of Quarterly Schedule of Investments

The Funds file their complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to their reports on Form N-PORT. The Funds’ Forms N-PORT are available on the SEC’s website at sec.gov. Additionally, each Fund makes its portfolio holdings for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year available at iShares.com/fundreports.

Availability of Proxy Voting Policies and Proxy Voting Records

A description of the policies and procedures that the iShares Funds use to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities and information about how the iShares Funds voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve-month period ending June 30 is available without charge, upon request (1) by calling toll-free 1-800-474-2737; (2) on the iShares website at iShares.com; and (3) on the SEC website at sec.gov.

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 at iShares.com.

 

 

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Glossary of Terms Used in this Report

 

Portfolio Abbreviations - Equity

ADR           American Depositary Receipt
GDR   Global Depositary Receipt
JSC   Joint Stock Company
NVDR   Non-Voting Depositary Receipt
NVS   Non-Voting Shares
PJSC   Public Joint Stock Company
REIT   Real Estate Investment Trust

 

 

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  55


 

 

 

 

Want to know more?

iShares.com     |     1-800-474-2737

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 MSCI Inc., 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.

©2021 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.

iS-AR-820-0821

 

 

LOGO

   LOGO


(b) Not Applicable

 

Item 2 –

Code of Ethics.

The registrant has adopted a code of ethics, as of the end of the period covered by this report, applicable to the registrant’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions. During the period covered by this report, the code of ethics was amended to clarify an inconsistency in to whom persons covered by the code should report suspected violations of the code. The amendment clarifies that such reporting should be made to BlackRock’s General Counsel, and retains the alternative option of anonymous reporting following “whistleblower” policies. Other non-material changes were also made in connection with this amendment. During the period covered by this report, there have been no waivers granted under the code of ethics. The registrant undertakes to provide a copy of the code of ethics to any person upon request, without charge, by calling 1-800-474-2737.

 

Item 3 –

Audit Committee Financial Expert.

The registrant’s Board of Trustees has determined that the registrant has more than one audit committee financial expert, as that term is defined under Item 3(b) and 3(c), serving on its audit committee. The audit committee financial experts serving on the registrant’s audit committee are Richard L. Fagnani, John E. Kerrigan, and Madhav V. Rajan, all of whom are independent, as that term is defined under Item 3(a)(2).


Item 4 –

Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

The principal accountant fees disclosed in items 4(a), 4(b), 4(c), 4(d) and 4(g) are for the thirty-eight series of the registrant for which the fiscal year-end is August 31, 2021 (the “Funds”), and whose annual financial statements are reported in Item 1.

(a) Audit Fees – The aggregate fees billed for each of the last two fiscal years for professional services rendered by the principal accountant for the audit of the Funds’ annual financial statements or services that are normally provided by the accountant in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for those fiscal years were $549,200 for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2020 and $568,300 for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2021.

(b) Audit-Related Fees – There were no fees billed for the fiscal years ended August 31, 2020 and August 31, 2021 for assurance and related services by the principal accountant that were reasonably related to the performance of the audit of the Fund’s financial statements and are not reported under (a) of this Item.

(c) Tax Fees – The aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for professional services rendered by the principal accountant for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning for the Funds were $139,897 for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2020 and $368,600 for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2021. These services related to the review of the Funds’ tax returns and excise tax calculations.

(d) All Other Fees – There were no other fees billed in each of the fiscal years ended August 31, 2020 and August 31, 2021 for products and services provided by the principal accountant, other than the services reported in (a) through (c) of this Item.

(e) (1) The registrant’s audit committee charter, as amended, provides that the audit committee is responsible for the approval, prior to appointment, of the engagement of the principal accountant to annually audit and provide their opinion on the registrant’s financial statements. The audit committee must also approve, prior to appointment, the engagement of the principal accountant to provide non-audit services to the registrant or to any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the registrant’s investment adviser (“Adviser Affiliate”) that provides ongoing services to the registrant, if the engagement relates directly to the operations and financial reporting of the registrant.

(2) There were no services described in (b) through (d) above that were approved by the audit committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X.

(f) None of the hours expended on the principal accountant’s engagement to audit the Funds’ financial statements for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2021 were attributable to work performed by persons other than the principal accountant’s full-time, permanent employees.

(g) The aggregate non-audit fees billed by the registrant’s principal accountant for services rendered to the Funds, and rendered to the registrant’s investment adviser, and any Adviser Affiliate that provides ongoing services to the registrant for the last two fiscal years were $139,897 for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2020 and $368,600 for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2021.

(h) The registrant’s audit committee has considered whether the provision of non-audit services rendered to the registrant’s investment adviser and any Adviser Affiliate that provides ongoing services to the registrant that were not pre-approved pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(ii) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X, if any, is compatible with maintaining the principal accountant’s independence, and has determined that the provision of these services, if any, does not compromise the principal accountant’s independence.

 

Item 5 –

Audit Committee of Listed Registrants

(a) The registrant is a listed issuer as defined in Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act of 1934 and has a separately-designated standing audit committee established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Exchange Act of 1934. The registrant’s audit committee members are Richard L. Fagnani, John E. Kerrigan, and Madhav V. Rajan.


(b) Not applicable.

 

Item 6 –

Investments.

(a) Schedules of investments are included as part of the reports to shareholders filed under Item 1 of this Form.

(b) Not applicable.

 

Item 7 –

Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

Not applicable to the registrant.

 

Item 8 –

Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

Not applicable to the registrant.

 

Item 9 –

Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers.

Not applicable to the registrant.

 

Item 10 –

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

There were no material changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the registrant’s Board of Trustees.

 

Item 11 –

Controls and Procedures.

(a) The President (the registrant’s Principal Executive Officer) and Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer (the registrant’s Principal Financial Officer) have concluded that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) are effective as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report, based on their evaluation of these controls and procedures required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and Rules 13a-15(b) or 15d-15(b) under the Exchange Act of 1934.

(b) There were no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) 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 12 –

Disclosure of Securities Lending Activities for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

Not applicable to the registrant.

Item 13 – Exhibits.

(a) (1) Code of Ethics is not filed as an exhibit; please refer to Item 2.

(a) (2) Section  302 Certifications are attached.

(a) (3) Not applicable.

(a)  (4) Not applicable.

(b) Section 906 Certifications are attached.

 


SIGNATURES

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/ Armando Senra                            

       Armando Senra, President (Principal Executive Officer)

Date: November 03, 2021

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/ Armando Senra                            

       Armando Senra, President (Principal Executive Officer)

Date:November 03, 2021

 

  By:     

/s/ Trent Walker                            

       Trent Walker, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)

Date: November 03, 2021

 

EX-99.CERT

N-CSR Exhibit for Item 13(a)(2): SECTION 302 CERTIFICATIONS

 

 

I, Armando Senra, certify that:

1.            I have reviewed this report on Form N-CSR of iShares Trust for the following thirty-eight series: iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Canada ETF, iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Eurozone ETF, iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Germany ETF, iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Japan ETF, iShares Currency Hedged MSCI United Kingdom ETF, iShares ESG Advanced MSCI EAFE ETF, iShares ESG Advanced MSCI EM ETF, iShares ESG Advanced MSCI USA ETF, iShares ESG Aware MSCI EAFE ETF, iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF, iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA Small-Cap ETF, iShares ESG MSCI EM Leaders ETF, iShares ESG MSCI USA Leaders ETF, iShares MSCI Argentina and Global Exposure ETF, iShares MSCI Brazil Small-Cap ETF, iShares MSCI China ETF, iShares MSCI China Small-Cap ETF, iShares MSCI Denmark ETF, iShares MSCI Finland ETF, iShares MSCI Germany Small-Cap ETF, iShares MSCI Global Impact ETF, iShares MSCI India ETF, iShares MSCI India Small-Cap ETF, iShares MSCI Indonesia ETF, iShares MSCI Ireland ETF, iShares MSCI Japan Equal Weighted ETF, iShares MSCI Japan Value ETF, iShares MSCI Kuwait ETF, iShares MSCI New Zealand ETF, iShares MSCI Norway ETF, iShares MSCI Peru ETF, iShares MSCI Philippines ETF, iShares MSCI Poland ETF, iShares MSCI Qatar ETF, iShares MSCI Saudi Arabia ETF, iShares MSCI UAE ETF, iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF and iShares MSCI United Kingdom Small-Cap ETF;

2.            Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.            Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations, changes in net assets, and cash flows (if the financial statements are required to include a statement of cash flows) of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.            The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) for the registrant and have:

(a)            Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b)            Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c)            Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this report based on such evaluation; and

(d)        Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5.            The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):


(a)            All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial information; and

(b)            Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date:     November 03, 2021       /s/ Armando Senra  

President

(Principal Executive Officer)

       

Armando Senra

[Signature]

  [Title]


EX-99.CERT

N-CSR Exhibit for Item 13(a)(2): SECTION 302 CERTIFICATIONS

 

 

I, Trent Walker, certify that:

1.            I have reviewed this report on Form N-CSR of iShares Trust for the following thirty-eight series: iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Canada ETF, iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Eurozone ETF, iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Germany ETF, iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Japan ETF, iShares Currency Hedged MSCI United Kingdom ETF, iShares ESG Advanced MSCI EAFE ETF, iShares ESG Advanced MSCI EM ETF, iShares ESG Advanced MSCI USA ETF, iShares ESG Aware MSCI EAFE ETF, iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF, iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA Small-Cap ETF, iShares ESG MSCI EM Leaders ETF, iShares ESG MSCI USA Leaders ETF, iShares MSCI Argentina and Global Exposure ETF, iShares MSCI Brazil Small-Cap ETF, iShares MSCI China ETF, iShares MSCI China Small-Cap ETF, iShares MSCI Denmark ETF, iShares MSCI Finland ETF, iShares MSCI Germany Small-Cap ETF, iShares MSCI Global Impact ETF, iShares MSCI India ETF, iShares MSCI India Small-Cap ETF, iShares MSCI Indonesia ETF, iShares MSCI Ireland ETF, iShares MSCI Japan Equal Weighted ETF, iShares MSCI Japan Value ETF, iShares MSCI Kuwait ETF, iShares MSCI New Zealand ETF, iShares MSCI Norway ETF, iShares MSCI Peru ETF, iShares MSCI Philippines ETF, iShares MSCI Poland ETF, iShares MSCI Qatar ETF, iShares MSCI Saudi Arabia ETF, iShares MSCI UAE ETF, iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF and iShares MSCI United Kingdom Small-Cap ETF;

2.            Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.            Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations, changes in net assets, and cash flows (if the financial statements are required to include a statement of cash flows) of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.            The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) for the registrant and have:

(a)            Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b)             Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c)             Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this report based on such evaluation; and

(d)             Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5.            The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a)            All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial information; and


(b)            Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date:     November 03, 2021       /s/ Trent Walker  

Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer)

       

Trent Walker

[Signature]

  [Title]

 

Ex.99.906 CERT

N-CSR Exhibit for Item 13(b): CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

Armando Senra, President (Principal Executive Officer), and Trent Walker, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer), of iShares Trust (the “Registrant”), each certify, to his knowledge, that:

1. The Registrant’s periodic report on Form N-CSR for the period ended August 31, 2021 (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

2. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Registrant.

 

Date:     November 03, 2021       /s/ Armando Senra  

President

(Principal Executive Officer)

       

Armando Senra

[Signature]

  [Title]
Date:   November 03, 2021       /s/ Trent Walker  

Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer)

       

Trent Walker

[Signature]

  [Title]