BlackRock(R) Canada Announces Estimated Annual Reinvested Capital Gains Distributions for the iShares(R) ETFs


TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Dec. 18, 2015) -

(TSX:CBD) (TSX:CBD.A) (TSX:CBH) (TSX:CBH.A) (TSX:CBN) (TSX:CBN.A) (TSX:CBO) (TSX:CBO.A) (TSX:CBQ) (TSX:CBQ.A) (TSX:CDZ) (TSX:CDZ.A) (TSX:CEW) (TSX:CEW.A) (TSX:CGL) (TSX:CGL.C) (TSX:CGR) (TSX:CGR.A) (TSX:CHB) (TSX:CHB.A) (TSX:CIE) (TSX:CIE.A) (TSX:CIF) (TSX:CIF.A) (TSX:CJP) (TSX:CJP.A) (TSX:CLF) (TSX:CLF.A) (TSX:CLG) (TSX:CLG.A) (TSX:CLU) (TSX:CLU.A) (TSX:CLU.B) (TSX:CLU.C) (TSX:CMR) (TSX:CMR.A) (TSX:COW) (TSX:COW.A) (TSX:CPD) (TSX:CPD.A) (TSX:CRQ) (TSX:CRQ.A) (TSX:CSD) (TSX:CSD.A) (TSX:CUD) (TSX:CUD.A) (TSX:CVD) (TSX:CVD.A) (TSX:CWO) (TSX:CWO.A) (TSX:CWW) (TSX:CWW.A) (TSX:CYH) (TSX:CYH.A) (TSX:FIE) (TSX:FIE.A) (TSX:SVR) (TSX:SVR.C) (TSX:XAL) (TSX:XAW) (TSX:XBB) (TSX:XBM) (TSX:XBZ) (TSX:XCB) (TSX:XCD) (TSX:XCG) (TSX:XCH) (TSX:XCR) (TSX:XCS) (TSX:XCV) (TSX:XDV) (TSX:XEB) (TSX:XEC) (TSX:XEF) (TSX:XEG) (TSX:XEH) (TSX:XEI) (TSX:XEM) (TSX:XEN) (TSX:XEU) (TSX:XFA) (TSX:XFC) (TSX:XFF) (TSX:XFH) (TSX:XFI) (TSX:XFN) (TSX:XFR) (TSX:XFS) (TSX:XGB) (TSX:XGC) (TSX:XGD) (TSX:XGI) (TSX:XGR) (TSX:XHB) (TSX:XHC) (TSX:XHD) (TSX:XHU) (TSX:XHY) (TSX:XIC) (TSX:XID) (TSX:XIG) (TSX:XIN) (TSX:XIT) (TSX:XIU) (TSX:XLB) (TSX:XMA) (TSX:XMC) (TSX:XMD) (TSX:XMH) (TSX:XMI) (TSX:XMM) (TSX:XMU) (TSX:XMV) (TSX:XMW) (TSX:XPF) (TSX:XQB) (TSX:XQB.A) (TSX:XQQ) (TSX:XRB) (TSX:XRE) (TSX:XSB) (TSX:XSC) (TSX:XSE) (TSX:XSH) (TSX:XSI) (TSX:XSP) (TSX:XSQ) (TSX:XST) (TSX:XSU) (TSX:XTR) (TSX:XUH) (TSX:XUS) (TSX:XUT) (TSX:XUU) (TSX:XWD)

BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited ("BlackRock Canada"), an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of BlackRock, Inc. (NYSE:BLK), today announced the estimated annual reinvested capital gains distributions for the iShares ETFs listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange for the 2015 tax year. Please note that these are estimated amounts only as of December 15, 2015 and could change if the iShares Funds experience subscriptions or redemptions prior to the ex-dividend date.

These estimates are for the annual non-cash capital gains distributions, which are typically reinvested in additional units of the respective funds at the year-end, and do not include estimates of ongoing monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, or annual cash distribution amounts. The additional units will be immediately consolidated with the previously outstanding units such that the number of outstanding units following the distribution will equal the number of units outstanding prior to the distribution.

BlackRock Canada expects to announce the final annual reinvested distribution amounts, as well as the monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, and annual cash distribution amounts, as applicable, for 2015, on or about December 24, 2015, for all funds except the iShares Premium Money Market ETF, for which a press release will be issued on December 30, 2015. The record date for the 2015 annual distributions will be December 31, 2015, payable on January 6, 2016. The actual taxable amounts of reinvested and cash distributions for 2015, including the tax characteristics of the distributions, will be reported to brokers (through CDS Clearing and Depository Services Inc. or "CDS") in early 2016.

Details regarding the "per unit" distribution amounts are as follows:

Fund Name Fund Ticker Estimated Annual Reinvested Capital Gains Distribution Per Unit ($) at Dec 15, 2015
iShares Balanced Income CorePortfolio™ Index ETF CBD 0.65115
CBD.A 0.65509
iShares 1-10 Year Laddered Corporate Bond Index ETF CBH 0.00000
CBH.A 0.00000
iShares Balanced Growth CorePortfolio™ Index ETF CBN 0.58215
CBN.A 0.41061
iShares 1-5 Year Laddered Corporate Bond Index ETF CBO 0.00000
CBO.A 0.00000
iShares BRIC Index ETF CBQ 0.00000
CBQ.A 0.00000
iShares S&P/TSX Canadian Dividend Aristocrats Index ETF CDZ 0.94845
CDZ.A 0.95529
iShares Equal Weight Banc & Lifeco ETF CEW 0.25052
CEW.A 0.02606
iShares Gold Bullion ETF CGL 0.00000
CGL.C 0.00000
iShares Global Real Estate Index ETF CGR 0.46742
CGR.A 0.00000
iShares U.S. High Yield Fixed Income Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) CHB 0.00000
CHB.A 0.00000
iShares International Fundamental Index ETF CIE 0.58370
CIE.A 0.68093
iShares Global Infrastructure Index ETF CIF 0.55617
CIF.A 0.58119
iShares Japan Fundamental Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) CJP 0.00000
CJP.A 0.00000
iShares 1-5 Year Laddered Government Bond Index ETF CLF 0.00000
CLF.A 0.00000
iShares 1-10 Year Laddered Government Bond Index ETF CLG 0.00000
CLG.A 0.00000
iShares US Fundamental Index ETF CLU 0.00000
CLU.A 0.00000
CLU.B 0.00000
CLU.C 0.00000
iShares Premium Money Market ETF* CMR 0.00000
CMR.A* 0.02750*
iShares Global Agriculture Index ETF COW 0.78827
COW.A 0.00000
iShares S&P/TSX Canadian Preferred Share Index ETF CPD 0.00000
CPD.A 0.00000
iShares Canadian Fundamental Index ETF CRQ 0.00000
CRQ.A 0.00000
iShares Advantaged Short Duration High Income ETF (CAD-Hedged) CSD 0.00000
CSD.A 0.00000
iShares US Dividend Growers Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) CUD 0.00000
CUD.A 0.00000
iShares Convertible Bond Index ETF CVD 0.00000
CVD.A 0.00000
iShares Emerging Markets Fundamental Index ETF CWO 0.00000
CWO.A 0.00000
iShares Global Water Index ETF CWW 0.00000
CWW.A 0.00000
iShares Global Monthly Dividend Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) CYH 0.00000
CYH.A 0.00000
iShares Canadian Financial Monthly Income ETF FIE 0.00000
FIE.A 0.00000
iShares Silver Bullion ETF SVR 0.00000
SVR.C 0.00000
iShares Alternatives Completion Portfolio Builder Fund XAL 0.00000
iShares Core MSCI All Country World ex Canada Index ETF XAW 0.00000
iShares Canadian Universe Bond Index ETF XBB 0.18462
iShares S&P/TSX Global Base Metals Index ETF XBM 0.00000
iShares MSCI Brazil Index ETF XBZ 0.00000
iShares Canadian Corporate Bond Index ETF XCB 0.01857
iShares S&P Global Consumer Discretionary Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) XCD 0.00000
iShares Canadian Growth Index ETF XCG 0.00000
iShares China Index ETF XCH 0.00000
iShares Conservative Core Portfolio Builder Fund XCR 0.00000
iShares S&P/TSX SmallCap Index ETF XCS 0.00000
iShares Canadian Value Index ETF XCV 0.00000
iShares Canadian Select Dividend Index ETF XDV 0.00000
iShares J.P. Morgan USD Emerging Markets Bond Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) XEB 0.00000
iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets IMI Index ETF XEC 0.00000
iShares Core MSCI EAFE IMI Index ETF XEF 0.06319
iShares S&P/TSX Capped Energy Index ETF XEG 0.00000
iShares MSCI Europe IMI Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) XEH 0.00000
iShares Core S&P/TSX Composite High Dividend Index ETF XEI 0.00000
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index ETF XEM 0.03899
iShares Jantzi Social Index ETF XEN 0.00000
iShares MSCI Europe IMI Index ETF XEU 0.00000
iShares FactorSelect™ MSCI USA Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) XFA 0.13197
iShares FactorSelect™ MSCI Canada Index ETF XFC 0.03886
iShares FactorSelect™ MSCI EAFE Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) XFF 0.93073
iShares Core MSCI EAFE IMI Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) XFH 0.00000
iShares FactorSelect™ MSCI EAFE Index ETF XFI 0.32304
iShares S&P/TSX Capped Financials Index ETF XFN 0.01073
iShares Floating Rate Index ETF XFR 0.00000
iShares FactorSelect™ MSCI USA Index ETF XFS 0.12440
iShares Canadian Government Bond Index ETF XGB 0.21067
iShares Global Completion Portfolio Builder Fund XGC 0.00000
iShares S&P/TSX Global Gold Index ETF XGD 0.00000
iShares S&P Global Industrials Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) XGI 0.00000
iShares Growth Core Portfolio Builder Fund XGR 0.00000
iShares Canadian HYBrid Corporate Bond Index ETF XHB 0.00000
iShares Global Healthcare Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) XHC 0.00000
iShares U.S. High Dividend Equity Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) XHD 0.00000
iShares U.S. High Dividend Equity Index ETF XHU 0.00000
iShares U.S. High Yield Bond Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) XHY 0.00000
iShares Core S&P/TSX Capped Composite Index ETF XIC 0.45824
iShares India Index ETF XID 0.00000
iShares U.S. IG Corporate Bond Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) XIG 0.00000
iShares MSCI EAFE® Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) XIN 0.00000
iShares S&P/TSX Capped Information Technology Index ETF XIT 0.00000
iShares S&P/TSX 60 Index ETF XIU 0.26761
iShares Core Canadian Long Term Bond Index ETF XLB 0.00000
iShares S&P/TSX Capped Materials Index ETF XMA 0.00000
iShares S&P U.S. Mid-Cap Index ETF XMC 0.00000
iShares S&P/TSX Completion Index ETF XMD 0.00000
iShares S&P U.S. Mid-Cap Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) XMH 0.00000
iShares MSCI EAFE Minimum Volatility Index ETF XMI 0.00000
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Minimum Volatility Index ETF XMM 0.00000
iShares MSCI USA Minimum Volatility Index ETF XMU 1.09222
iShares MSCI Canada Minimum Volatility Index ETF XMV 0.00000
iShares MSCI All Country World Minimum Volatility Index ETF XMW 0.00000
iShares S&P/TSX North American Preferred Stock Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) XPF 0.00000
iShares Core High Quality Canadian Bond Index ETF XQB 0.00000
XQB.A 0.00000
iShares NASDAQ 100 Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) XQQ 0.00000
iShares Canadian Real Return Bond Index ETF* XRB* 0.25071*
iShares S&P/TSX Capped REIT Index ETF XRE 0.01561
iShares Canadian Short Term Bond Index ETF XSB 0.00000
iShares Conservative Short Term Strategic Fixed Income ETF XSC 0.00000
iShares Conservative Strategic Fixed Income ETF XSE 0.00000
iShares Core Canadian Short Term Corporate + Maple Bond Index ETF XSH 0.00000
iShares Short Term Strategic Fixed Income ETF XSI 0.00000
iShares Core S&P 500 Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) XSP 0.00000
iShares Core Short Term High Quality Canadian Bond Index ETF XSQ 0.00000
iShares S&P/TSX Capped Consumer Staples Index ETF XST 1.20785
iShares U.S. Small Cap Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) XSU 0.00000
iShares Diversified Monthly Income ETF XTR 0.00000
iShares Core S&P U.S. Total Market Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) XUH 0.00000
iShares Core S&P 500 Index ETF XUS 0.04151
iShares S&P/TSX Capped Utilities Index ETF XUT 0.00000
iShares Core S&P U.S. Total Market Index ETF XUU 0.00000
iShares MSCI World Index ETF XWD 0.14104

*For iShares Canadian Real Return Bond Index ETF (XRB) and iShares Premium Money Market ETF (CMR.A) only, the distribution amount includes an income component.

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

About BlackRock

BlackRock is a global leader in investment management, risk management and advisory services for institutional and retail clients. At September 30, 2015, BlackRock's AUM was US $4.506 trillion. BlackRock helps clients around the world 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®. As of September 30, 2015, the firm had approximately 12,900 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 ETFs

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 US $1 trillion in assets under management as of September 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]

[1]Based on US $4.506 trillion in AUM as of 9/30/15.

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.

Contact Information:

Contact for Media:
Maeve Hannigan
T - 416-643-4058
Email: Maeve.Hannigan@blackrock.com