BlackRock Canada Expands its iShares U.S. Equity ETF Line-Up with the Launch of Two New Funds Offering U.S. Mid-Cap Exposure

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Aug. 10, 2015) - iShares (TSX:XMC)(TSX:XMH), the industry-leading exchange traded fund (ETF) business at BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited (BlackRock Canada), an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of BlackRock, Inc. (BlackRock), announced the launch of two new funds that provide investors with low-cost exposure to the mid-capitalization sector of the U.S. equity market. The units of the iShares S&P U.S. Mid-Cap Index ETF ("XMC"), which offers an unhedged version of the exposure, and iShares S&P U.S. Mid-Cap Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) ("XMH"), a Canadian hedged version, each have a management fee of 0.15%, and will be listed on the TSX when the market opens today.

With the launch of these two funds, the iShares line-up now includes a comprehensive range of U.S. equity exposures, including total market, and large, mid and small-cap exposure. The two new funds, XMC and XMH, will provide investors with low-cost access to a specific segment of the U.S. stock market that has historically outperformed small-cap and large-cap stocks over the long-term(1).

"In the continued search for growth, the addition of XMC and XMH provides Canadian investors with access to a dynamic segment of the U.S. equity market, and rounds out iShares' U.S. equity portfolio," said Pat Chiefalo, Managing Director, Head of Product for BlackRock Canada's iShares business. "Given their unique place within the corporate lifecycle, mid-cap companies can deliver attractive risk/return prospects for the long-term investor."

XMC and XMH will seek to provide long-term capital growth by replicating, to the extent possible, the performance of the S&P MidCap 400 Index and the S&P MidCap 400 CAD Hedged Index, respectively, net of expenses. Under normal market conditions, each fund will primarily invest in securities of one or more ETFs managed by BlackRock Canada or an affiliate and/or directly in U.S. equity securities. XMH will seek to hedge any resulting U.S. dollar or other foreign currency exposure, as applicable, back to Canadian dollars.

(1) *S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, as of July 30, 2015

Further information on the iShares Funds can be found at www.blackrock.com/ca.

About BlackRock

BlackRock is a leader in investment management, risk management and advisory services for institutional and retail clients worldwide. At June 30, 2015, BlackRock's AUM was $4.721 trillion. BlackRock helps clients meet their goals and overcome challenges with a range of products that include separate accounts, mutual funds, iShares® (exchange-traded funds), and other pooled investment vehicles. BlackRock also offers risk management, advisory and enterprise investment system services to a broad base of institutional investors through BlackRock Solutions®. Headquartered in New York City, as of June 30, 2015, the firm had approximately 12,400 employees in more than 30 countries and a major presence in key global markets, including North and South America, Europe, Asia, Australia and the Middle East and Africa. For additional information, please visit the Company's website at www.blackrock.com/ca - Twitter: @BlackRockCA - Blog: www.blackrockblog.com/can

About iShares

iShares is a global leader in exchange-traded funds (ETFs), with more than a decade of expertise and commitment to individual and institutional investors of all sizes. With over 700 funds globally across multiple asset classes and strategies and more than $1 trillion in assets under management as of June 30, 2015, 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 firm.(1)

iShares® Funds are managed by BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited.

Commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with investing in iShares Funds. Please read the relevant prospectus before investing. Fund securities are not covered by the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation or by any other government deposit insurer. There can be no assurances that the fund will be able to maintain its net asset value per security at a constant amount or that the full amount of your investment in the fund will be returned to you. The fund is not guaranteed, its 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.

(1) Based on $4.721in AUM as of 6/30/15.