TORONTO, March 29, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited (BlackRock Canada), an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of BlackRock, Inc. (BlackRock) (NYSE:BLK) today announces an update to the investment risk ratings of the exchange-traded funds listed below (the iShares ETFs). These changes will be reflected in the prospectuses for the iShares ETFs that will be filed on or about March 29, 2018.
BlackRock Canada applied the new investment risk classification methodology set out in National Instrument 81-102 – Investment Funds, which came into force on September 1, 2017, to determine the investment risk level of each iShares ETF. There have been no changes to the investment objectives, investment strategies or management of the iShares ETFs.
| iShares ETF Name | Previous Risk Rating | Updated Risk Rating |
| iShares Short Term Strategic Fixed Income ETF | Low to Medium | Low |
| iShares Conservative Strategic Fixed Income ETF | Low to Medium | Low |
| iShares Canadian HYBrid Corporate Bond Index ETF | Low to Medium | Low |
| iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol Global Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) | Medium | Low to Medium |
| iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol Canada Index ETF | Medium | Low to Medium |
| iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol EAFE Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) | Medium | Low to Medium |
| iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol USA Index ETF | Medium | Low to Medium |
| iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol EAFE Index ETF | Medium | Low to Medium |
| iShares U.S. High Dividend Equity Index ETF | Medium | Low to Medium |
| iShares S&P U.S. Mid-Cap Index ETF | Medium to High | Medium |
| iShares S&P/TSX Completion Index ETF | Medium to High | Medium |
| iShares S&P/TSX Capped REIT Index ETF | Medium to High | Medium |
| iShares Canadian Growth Index ETF | Medium to High | Medium |
| iShares S&P/TSX Capped Financials Index ETF | Medium to High | Medium |
| iShares S&P/TSX North American Preferred Stock Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) | Low to Medium | Medium |
| iShares Edge MSCI Multifactor USA Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) | Medium | Medium to High |
| iShares Core S&P U.S. Total Market Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) | Medium | Medium to High |
| iShares NASDAQ 100 Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) | Medium | Medium to High |
| iShares U.S. High Yield Bond Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) | Low to Medium | Medium |
A copy of the standardized risk classification methodology used by BlackRock Canada to identify the investment risk levels of the iShares ETFs is available on request, at no cost, by calling us at 1-855-255-5951 or by writing to BlackRock Canada at 161 Bay Street, Suite 2500, Toronto, Ontario M5J 2S1.
Partial Waiver of Annual Management Fee Payable by iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol Emerging Markets Index ETF
BlackRock Canada today also announces that is has agreed to extend a partial waiver of the annual management fee that would otherwise be payable by iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol Emerging Markets Index ETF (XMM) (the Waiver). After giving effect to the Waiver, BlackRock Canada is entitled to receive an annual management fee from XMM equal to 0.40% of the net asset value of XMM. The Waiver will expire on December 21, 2023. BlackRock Canada may discontinue, amend or extend the Waiver at any time without giving notice to (other than by press release) or seeking approval from unitholders of XMM.
Without the Waiver, XMM’s annual management fee would be 0.79% of the fund’s net asset value. Further information relating to XMM is included in the prospectus for XMM that will be filed on or about March 29, 2018, and will be available at www.blackrock.com/ca.
About BlackRock
BlackRock helps investors build better financial futures. As a fiduciary to our clients, we provide the investment and technology solutions they need when planning for their most important goals. As of December 31, 2017, the firm manages approximately US$6.288 trillion in assets on behalf of investors worldwide. For additional information on BlackRock, please visit www.blackrock.com/ca | Twitter: @BlackRockCA | Blog: www.blackrockblog.com/can
About iShares
iShares® is a global leader in ETFs, with more than a decade of expertise and commitment to individual and institutional investors of all sizes. With over 800 funds globally across multiple asset classes and strategies and more than US$1.5 trillion in assets under management as of December 31, 2017, iShares helps clients around the world build the core of their portfolios, meet specific investment goals and implement market views. iShares funds are powered by the expert portfolio and risk management of BlackRock, trusted to manage more money than any other investment firm1.
1 Based on US$6.288 trillion in AUM as of 12/31/17
iShares® ETFs are managed by BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited. Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with investing in iShares® ETFs. Please read the relevant prospectus before investing. The funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. Tax, investment and all other decisions should be made, as appropriate, only with guidance from a qualified professional.
©2018 BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited. All rights reserved. iSHARES and BLACKROCK are registered trademarks of BlackRock, Inc., or its subsidiaries in the United States and elsewhere. Used with Permission.
Contact for Media:
Julia Koene
T – 416-643-4010
Email: Julia.Koene@blackrock.com