As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 18, 2006
File Nos. 333-92935 and 811-09729
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM N-1A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 | x | ||
Post-Effective Amendment No. 50 | x | ||
and/or | |||
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 | x | ||
Amendment No. 50 | x |
(Check appropriate box or boxes)
iShares® Trust
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
c/o Investors Bank & Trust Company
200 Clarendon Street
Boston, MA 02116
(Address of Principal Executive Office)(Zip Code)
Registrants Telephone Number, including Area Code: (415) 597-2000
The Corporation Trust Company
1209 Orange Street
Wilmington, DE 19801
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
With Copies to:
MARGERY K. NEALE, ESQ. |
ADAM MIZOCK, ESQ. | |
WILLKIE FARR & GALLAGHER LLP |
BARCLAYS GLOBAL INVESTORS, N.A. | |
787 SEVENTH AVENUE |
45 FREMONT STREET | |
NEW YORK, N.Y. 10019-6099 |
SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94105 |
It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box):
¨ Immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b) |
¨ On (date) pursuant to paragraph (b) | |
¨ 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) |
¨ On (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) | |
x 75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) |
¨ On (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) |
If appropriate, check the following box:
¨ | The post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed post-effective amendment |
The information in this Prospectus is not complete and may be changed. A registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The securities described herein may not be sold until the registration statement becomes effective. This Prospectus is not an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities and is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any State in which the offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.
iShares®
iShares Trust
iShares Trust (the Trust) currently consists of over [80] separate investment portfolios called Funds. This Prospectus relates solely to the iShares KLD 400 SocialSM Index Fund (the Fund). The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the Domini 400 SocialSM Index created and maintained by KLD Research & Analytics, Inc. (KLD or the Index Provider).
Barclays Global Fund Advisors (BGFA) is the investment adviser to the Fund.
The Trust is a registered investment company. The shares of the Fund are listed on the [Listing Exchange] and trade at market prices on national securities exchanges, such as the [Listing Exchange]. Market prices for the Funds shares may be different from its net asset value per share (NAV). The Fund has its own CUSIP number and exchange trading symbol.
The Fund issues and redeems shares at NAV only in blocks of [50,000] shares or multiples thereof (Creation Units). These transactions are usually in exchange for a basket of securities and an amount of cash. As a practical matter, only institutions or large investors purchase or redeem Creation Units.
Except when aggregated in Creation Units, shares of the Fund are not redeemable securities.
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has not approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the adequacy of this Prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
Prospectus dated , 2006
® | iShares is a registered trademark of Barclays Global Investors, N.A. |
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This Prospectus provides the information you need to make an informed decision about investing in the Fund. It contains important facts about the Trust as a whole and the Fund in particular.
An index is a group of securities that an Index Provider selects as representative of a market, market segment or specific industry sector. The Index Provider determines the relative weightings of the securities in the index and publishes information regarding the market value of the index. The Fund is an index fund that seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the Domini 400 SocialSM Index created and maintained by KLD, which provides environmental, social and corporate governance investment research, indexes, compliance and consulting services to institutional investors and money managers.
BGFA, the investment adviser to the Fund, is a subsidiary of Barclays Global Investors, N.A. (BGI). BGFA and its affiliates are not affiliated with the Index Provider.
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iShares KLD 400 SocialSM Index Fund
Cusip:
Trading Symbol:
Underlying Index: Domini 400 SocialSM Index |
The iShares KLD 400 SocialSM Index Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the Domini 400 SocialSM Index (the Underlying Index). The Funds investment objective may be changed without shareholder approval.
Principal Investment Strategies
The Underlying Index is designed to provide exposure to the common stocks of companies that KLD determines have positive environmental, social and governance characteristics. The Underlying Index consists of 400 companies drawn primarily from the universe of companies included in the S&P 500® Index and the Russell 3000® Index. KLD evaluates each eligible companys environmental, social and governance performance using standardized criteria. KLD seeks to include in the Underlying Index companies with positive environmental, social and governance performance relative to their industry and sector peers, and in relation to the broader market. Companies that KLD determines are in the following businesses beyond specified revenue thresholds as determined by KLD, are not eligible for the Index: alcohol, tobacco, firearms, nuclear power, military weapons and gambling. KLD seeks to maintain the composition of Underlying Index components at approximately 250 companies from the S&P 500® Index, 100 non-S&P 500® Index companies with market capitalizations greater than $1 billion, and 50 non-S&P 500® Index companies with market capitalizations of less than $1 billion.
The S&P 500® Index measures the performance of the large-capitalization sector of the U.S. equity market. As of the close of business on May 31, 2006, the S&P 500® Index included approximately 78% of the market capitalization of all publicly traded U.S. equity securities.
The Russell 3000® Index measures the performance of the broad U.S. equity market. As of the close of business on May 31, 2006, the Russell 3000® Index included approximately 98% of the market capitalization of all publicly traded U.S. equity securities. The Russell 3000® Index is a capitalization-weighted index of the largest public companies domiciled in the U.S. and its territories.
BGFA uses a passive or indexing approach to try to achieve the Funds investment objective. Unlike many investment companies, the Fund does not try to beat the index it tracks and does not seek temporary defensive positions when markets decline or appear overvalued. Indexing may eliminate some of the risks of active management, such as poor security selection. Indexing may also help increase after-tax performance by keeping portfolio turnover low in comparison to actively managed investment companies.
Domini 400 SocialSM Index is a service mark of KLD and has been licensed for use for certain purposes by BGI. The iShares KLD 400 SocialSM Index Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by KLD, and KLD makes no representations regarding the advisability of investing in shares of the Trust.
The Domini 400 SocialSM Index is derived from the constituents of the S&P 500® and the Russell 3000® Indices. The Russell 3000® Index is a trademark of the Frank Russell Company (FRC). The use of the Russell 3000® Index as part of the universe for the Domini 400 SocialSM Index in no way suggests or implies an opinion by FRC as to the attractiveness of the Domini 400 SocialSM Index or of the investment in any or all of the securities upon which the Russell 3000® Index or the Domini 400 SocialSM Index are based or in the Fund.
Standard & Poors®, S&P®, S&P 500®, Standard & Poors 500, and S&P 500 Index, are trademarks of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. and have been licensed for use for certain purposes by BGI. The use of the S&P 500® Index as part of the universe for the Domini 400 SocialSM Index in no way suggests or implies an opinion by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. as to the attractiveness of the Domini 400 SocialSM Index or of the investment in any or all of the securities upon which the S&P 500 Index or the Domini 400 SocialSM Index are based or in the Fund.
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The Fund will invest at least 90% of its assets in the securities of the Underlying Index or in American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) representing securities in the Underlying Index. The Fund may invest the remainder of its assets in securities not included in the Underlying Index, but which BGFA believes will help the Fund track the Underlying Index. For example, the Fund may invest in securities not included in the Underlying Index in order to reflect various corporate actions (such as mergers) and other changes in the Underlying Index (such as reconstitutions, additions and deletions). The Fund also may invest its other assets in futures contracts, options on futures contracts, options, and swaps related to the Underlying Index, as well as cash and cash equivalents, including shares of money market funds affiliated with BGFA.
BGFA uses a representative sampling indexing strategy for the Fund. Representative Sampling is investing in a representative sample of securities in the Underlying Index, which has a similar investment profile as the Underlying Index. Securities selected have aggregate investment characteristics (based on market capitalization and industry weightings), fundamental characteristics (such as return variability, earnings valuation and yield) and liquidity measures similar to those of the Underlying Index. In using representative sampling, the Fund generally will not hold all of the securities that are included in the Underlying Index.
An index is a theoretical financial calculation, while the Fund is an actual investment portfolio. The performance of the Fund and the Underlying Index may vary somewhat due to transaction costs, asset valuations, market impact, corporate actions (such as mergers and spin-offs) and timing variances.
BGFA expects that, over time, the correlation between the Funds performance and that of the Underlying Index, before fees and expenses, will be 95% or better. A correlation percentage of 100% would indicate perfect correlation. Any correlation percentage that is less than 100% is called tracking error. A fund using a representative sampling strategy can be expected to have a greater tracking error than a fund using a replication indexing strategy. Replication is an indexing strategy in which the Fund invests in substantially all of the securities in its Underlying Index in approximately the same proportions as in the Underlying Index.
The Fund will not concentrate its investments (i.e., hold 25% or more of its total assets) in a particular industry or group of industries, except that the Fund will concentrate its investments to approximately the same extent that the Underlying Index is so concentrated. For purposes of this limitation, securities of the U.S. government (including its agencies and instrumentalities), repurchase agreements collateralized by U.S. government securities, and securities of state or municipal governments and their political subdivisions are not considered to be issued by members of any industry.
The Fund is subject to the principal risks described below. Some or all of these risks may adversely affect the Funds NAV, trading price, yield, total return and/or its ability to meet its objective.
The performance of the Underlying Index, and therefore the performance of the Fund, may differ from the performance of the S&P 500® Index and the Russell 3000® Index due to the different mix of securities in the Underlying Index and the Fund as compared to the securities in the S&P 500® Index and the Russell 3000® Index.
The Funds NAV will react to securities market movements. You could lose money over short periods due to fluctuation in the Funds NAV in response to market movements, and over longer periods during market downturns.
The returns from the types of securities in which the Fund invests may underperform returns from the various general securities markets or different asset classes. The stocks in the Underlying Index may underperform fixed-income investments and stock market investments that track other markets, segments and sectors. Different types of securities tend to go through cycles of out-performance and underperformance in comparison to the general securities markets.
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The Fund is not actively managed. The Fund may be affected by a general decline in the U.S. market segments relating to its Underlying Index. The Fund invests in securities included in, or representative of, the Underlying Index regardless of their investment merit. BGFA does not attempt to take defensive positions in declining markets.
If the Underlying Index concentrates in a particular industry, group of industries or sector, the Fund may be adversely affected by the performance of those securities and may be subject to price volatility. In addition, to the extent that the Fund concentrates in a single industry or group of industries; it may be more susceptible to any single economic, market, political or regulatory occurrence affecting that industry or group of industries.
Imperfect correlation between the Funds securities and those in its Underlying Index, rounding of prices, changes to its Underlying Index and regulatory policies may cause the Funds performance to diverge from the performance of its Underlying Index. This is called tracking error. Tracking error also may result because the Fund incurs fees and expenses while its Underlying Index does not incur such expenses.
The Fund does not fully replicate its Underlying Index and may hold securities not included in its Underlying Index, therefore, the Fund is subject to management risk. This is the risk that BGFAs investment strategy, the implementation of which is subject to a number of constraints, may not produce the intended results.
Absence of Prior Active Market
Although shares of the Fund are listed for trading on a national securities exchange, there can be no assurance that an active trading market for shares of the Fund will develop or be maintained.
Lack of Market Liquidity
Secondary market trading in Fund shares may be halted by a national securities exchange because of market conditions or for other reasons. In addition, trading in Fund shares is subject to trading halts caused by extraordinary market volatility pursuant to circuit breaker rules. There can be no assurance that the requirements necessary to maintain the listing of the shares of the Fund will continue to be met or will remain unchanged.
Shares of the Fund May Trade at Prices Other Than NAV
Shares of the Fund may trade at, above or below their NAV. The per share NAV of the Fund will fluctuate with changes in the market value of the Funds holdings. The trading prices of the Funds shares will fluctuate in accordance with changes in its NAV as well as market supply and demand. However, given that shares can be created and redeemed only in Creation Units at NAV (unlike shares of many closed-end funds, which frequently trade at appreciable discounts from, and sometimes at premiums to, their NAVs), BGFA believes that large discounts or premiums to the NAV of the Funds shares should not be sustained. While the creation/redemption feature is designed to make it likely that the Funds shares normally will trade close to the Funds NAV, disruptions to creations and redemptions may result in trading prices that differ significantly from NAV.
A derivative is a financial contract the value of which depends on, or is derived from, the value of an underlying asset such as a security or an index. The Fund may invest in stock index futures contracts and other derivatives. Compared to conventional securities, derivatives can be more sensitive to changes in interest rates or to sudden fluctuations in market prices and thus the Funds losses may be greater if it invests in derivatives than if it invests only in conventional securities.
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Lack of Governmental Insurance or Guarantee
An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and it is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Portfolio Holdings Information
A description of the Funds policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of the Funds portfolio securities is available in the Funds Statement of Additional Information (SAI). The top holdings of the Fund can be found at www.iShares.com. Fund Fact Sheets provide information regarding the Funds top holdings and may be requested by calling 1-800-iShares.
Performance information for the Fund is not presented as the Fund had not commenced operations as of the date of this Prospectus.
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Most investors will buy and sell shares of the Fund through brokers.
The following table describes the fees and expenses that you will incur if you own shares of the Fund. You will also incur usual and customary brokerage commissions when buying or selling shares of the Fund.
Shareholder Fees |
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(fees paid directly from your investment, but see the Creation Transaction Fees and Redemption Transaction Fees section below) |
None | ||
Annual Fund Operating Expenses |
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(expenses that are deducted from the Funds assets)* |
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Management Fees |
[ | ]% | |
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees |
None | ||
Other Expenses** |
None | ||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses |
[ | ]% | |
* | Expressed as a percentage of average net assets. |
** | The Trusts Investment Advisory Agreement provides that BGFA will pay all operating expenses of the Trust, except interest expense and taxes (both expected to be de minimis), any brokerage expenses, future distribution fees or expenses, and extraordinary expenses. |
Example
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of owning shares of the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds.
The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then sell all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Funds operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on the assumptions, your costs would be:
1 Year |
3 Years | |||
$[ ] |
$ | [ | ] |
Creation Transaction Fees and Redemption Transaction Fees
The Fund issues and redeems shares at NAV only in blocks of [50,000] shares or multiples thereof. As a practical matter, only institutions or large investors purchase or redeem these Creation Units. A standard creation transaction fee of $[ ] is charged to each purchaser of Creation Units. The fee is a single charge and will be the same regardless of the number of Creation Units purchased by an investor on the same day. The approximate value of a Creation Unit as of [ ] was $[ ]. An investor who holds Creation Units and wishes to redeem them at NAV would also pay a standard redemption transaction fee of $[ ] on the date of such redemption(s), regardless of the number of Creation Units redeemed that day.* Investors who hold Creation Units also will pay the annual fund operating expenses described in the table above. Assuming an investment in a Creation Unit of $[ ] and a 5% return each year, and assuming that the Funds operating expenses remain the same, the total costs would be $[ ] if the Creation Unit is redeemed after one year and $[ ] if the Creation Unit is redeemed after three years.
* | See the Transaction Fees section at the end of this Prospectus. If a Creation Unit is purchased or redeemed outside the usual process through the National Securities Clearing Corporation or for cash, a variable fee will be charged up to four times the standard creation or redemption transaction fee. |
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As investment adviser, BGFA has overall responsibility for the general management and administration of the Trust. BGFA provides an investment program for the Fund and manages the investment of the Funds assets. BGFA uses teams of portfolio managers, investment strategists and other investment specialists. This team approach brings together many disciplines and leverages BGFAs extensive resources. BGFA also arranges for transfer agency, custody, fund administration and all other non-distribution related services necessary for the Fund to operate.
Under the Investment Advisory Agreement, BGFA is responsible for all expenses of the Trust, including the cost of transfer agency, custody, fund administration, legal, audit and other services, except interest expense and taxes, brokerage expenses, distribution fees or expenses, and extraordinary expenses.
BGFA is entitled to receive management fees from the Fund based on a percentage of the Funds average daily net assets, as shown in the following table:
Name of Fund |
Management Fee* | ||
iShares KLD 400 SocialSM Index Fund |
[ | ]% |
* | Because the Fund has not been in operation for a full fiscal year, the percentage reflects the rate at which BGFA will be paid. |
BGFA is located at 45 Fremont Street, San Francisco, CA 94105. It is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BGI, which in turn is a majority-owned subsidiary of Barclays Bank PLC. As of [ ], 2006, BGI and its affiliates, including BGFA, provided investment advisory services for assets in excess of $[ ] trillion. BGI, BGFA, Barclays Global Investor Services, Barclays Bank PLC and their affiliates deal, trade and invest for their own accounts in the types of securities in which the Fund may also invest.
A discussion regarding the basis for the Trusts Board of Trustees approval of the investment advisory agreement with BGFA will be available in the Funds semi-annual report for the period ending [ ], 2007.
[Patrick OConnor and Jane Leung (the Portfolio Managers) are primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund. Each Portfolio Manager is responsible for various functions related to portfolio management, including, but not limited to, investing cash inflows, coordinating with members of his or her team to focus on certain asset classes, implementing investment strategy, researching and reviewing investment strategy, and overseeing members of his or her portfolio management team with more limited responsibilities, but each Portfolio Manager has appropriate limitations on his or her authority for risk management and compliance purposes.
Patrick OConnor is an employee of BGFA and BGI and will be one of the Portfolio Managers primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund from its inception. Mr. OConnor has been a Portfolio Manager with BGFA and BGI since 1999.
Jane Leung is an employee of BGFA and BGI and will be one of the Portfolio Managers primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund from its inception. Ms. Leung has been a Portfolio Manager with BGFA and BGI since 2001.
The Funds SAI provides additional information about the Portfolio Managers compensation, other accounts managed by the Portfolio Managers, and the Portfolio Managers ownership of shares in the Fund.]
Administrator, Custodian and Transfer Agent
Investors Bank & Trust Company (Investors Bank) is the administrator, custodian and transfer agent for the Fund.
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Additional shareholder information, including how to buy and sell shares of the Fund, is available free of charge by calling toll-free: 1-800-iShares or visiting our website www.iShares.com.
Shares of the Fund trade on national securities exchanges and elsewhere during the trading day. Shares can be bought and sold throughout the trading day like other shares of publicly traded securities. There is no minimum investment. When buying or selling shares of the Fund through a broker, you will incur customary brokerage commissions and charges.
Shares of the Fund may be acquired or redeemed directly from the Fund only in Creation Units or multiples thereof, as discussed in the Creations and Redemptions section. Once created, shares of the Fund generally trade in the secondary market in amounts less than a Creation Unit.
Shares of the Fund trade under the trading symbol [ ].
The Trusts Board of Trustees has adopted a policy of not monitoring for frequent purchases and redemptions of Fund shares (frequent trading) that appear to attempt to take advantage of a potential arbitrage opportunity presented by a lag between a change in the value of the Funds portfolio securities after the close of the primary markets for the Funds portfolio securities and the reflection of that change in the Funds NAV (market timing), because the Fund sells and redeems its shares directly through transactions that are in-kind and/or for cash, with a deadline for placing cash-related transactions no later than the close of the primary markets for the Funds portfolio securities. The Board of Trustees has not adopted a policy of monitoring for other frequent trading activity because shares of the Fund are listed and traded on national securities exchanges.
The Fund is listed on a national securities exchange, such as the [Listing Exchange]. The national securities exchange on which the Funds shares are listed is open for trading Monday through Friday and is closed on weekends and the following holidays: New Years Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
Section 12(d)(1) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 restricts investments by registered investment companies in the securities of other investment companies, including shares of the Fund. Registered investment companies are permitted to invest in the Fund beyond the limits set forth in section 12(d)(1), subject to certain terms and conditions set forth in an SEC exemptive order issued to the Trust, including that such investment companies enter into an agreement with the Trust.
Shares of the Fund are held in book-entry form, which means that no stock certificates are issued. The Depository Trust Company (DTC) or its nominee is the record owner of all outstanding shares of the Fund and is recognized as the owner of all shares for all purposes.
Investors owning shares of the Fund are beneficial owners as shown on the records of DTC or its participants. DTC serves as the securities depository for all shares of the Fund. Participants include DTC, securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and other institutions that directly or indirectly maintain a custodial relationship with DTC. As a beneficial owner of shares, you are not entitled to receive physical delivery of stock certificates or to have shares registered in your name, and you are not considered a registered owner of shares. Therefore, to exercise any right as an owner of shares, you must rely upon the procedures of DTC and its participants. These procedures are the same as those that apply to any securities that you hold in book entry or street name form.
The trading prices of shares in the secondary market may differ in varying degrees from their daily NAVs and can be affected by market forces such as supply and demand, economic conditions and other factors.
The approximate value of shares of the Fund is disseminated every fifteen seconds throughout the trading day by the national securities exchange on which the Fund is listed or by other information providers, or market data vendors. This approximate value should not be viewed as a real-time update of the NAV, because the approximate value may not be calculated in the same manner as the NAV, which is computed once a day as discussed below. The approximate value is generally determined
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by using current market quotations and/or price quotations obtained from broker-dealers that may trade in the portfolio securities held by the Fund. The Fund is not involved in, or responsible for, the calculation or dissemination of the approximate value and makes no warranty as to its accuracy.
Determination of Net Asset Value
Investors Bank calculates the NAV for the Fund generally once daily Monday through Friday generally as of the regularly scheduled close of business of the NYSE (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on each day that the NYSE is open for trading, based on prices at the time of closing, provided that (a) any assets or liabilities denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar shall be translated into U.S. dollars at the prevailing market rates on the date of valuation as quoted by one or more major banks or dealers that makes a two-way market in such currencies (or a data service provider based on quotations received from such banks or dealers); and (b) U.S. fixed-income assets may be valued as of the announced closing time for trading in fixed-income instruments on any day that the Bond Market Association announces an early closing time. The NAV of the Fund is calculated by dividing the value of the net assets of the Fund (i.e., the value of its total assets less total liabilities) by the total number of outstanding shares of the Fund, generally rounded to the nearest cent. In calculating the Funds NAV, the Funds investments are generally valued using market valuations. In the event that current market valuations are not readily available or such valuations do not reflect current market values, the affected investments will be valued using fair value pricing pursuant to the pricing policy and procedures approved by the Board of Trustees. The frequency with which the Funds investments are valued using fair value pricing is primarily a function of the types of securities and other assets in which the Fund invests pursuant to its investment objective, strategies and limitations.
Investments that may be valued using fair value pricing include, but are not limited to: (i) an unlisted security related to corporate actions; (ii) a restricted security (i.e., one that may not be publicly sold without registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act)); (iii) a security whose trading has been suspended or which has been de-listed from its primary trading exchange; (iv) a security that is thinly traded; (v) a security in default or bankruptcy proceedings for which there is no current market quotation; (vi) a security affected by currency controls or restrictions; and (vii) a security affected by a significant event (i.e., an event that occurs after the close of the markets on which the security is traded but before the time as of which the Funds NAV is computed and that may materially affect the value of the Funds investments). Examples of events that may be significant events are government actions, natural disasters, armed conflict, acts of terrorism, and significant market fluctuations.
Valuing the Funds investments using fair value pricing will result in using prices for those investments that may differ from current market valuations. Accordingly, fair value pricing could result in a difference between the prices used to calculate the Funds NAV and the prices used by the Funds Underlying Index, which, in turn, could result in a difference between the Funds performance and the performance of the Funds Underlying Index.
The Fund pays out dividends to investors at least annually. The Fund distributes its net capital gains, if any, to investors annually.
As with any investment, you should consider how your investment in shares of the Fund will be taxed. The tax information in this Prospectus is provided as general information. You should consult your own tax professional about the tax consequences of an investment in shares of the Fund.
Unless your investment in shares is made through a tax-exempt entity or tax-deferred retirement account, such as an IRA, you need to be aware of the possible tax consequences when:
| The Fund makes distributions, and |
| You sell shares. |
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Distributions from the Funds net investment income (other than qualified dividend income), including distributions out of the Funds net short-term capital gains, if any, and distributions of income from securities lending, are taxable to you as ordinary income. Distributions by the Fund of net long-term capital gains in excess of net short-term capital losses (capital gain dividends) are taxable to you as long-term capital gains, regardless of how long you have held the Funds shares. Distributions by the Fund that qualify as qualified dividend income are taxable to you, if you are an individual, at long-term capital gain rates. Under current law, the taxation of qualified dividend income at long-term capital gain rates will no longer apply for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2010. In order for a distribution by the Fund to be treated as qualified dividend income, the Fund must meet holding period and other requirements with respect to its dividend paying securities and you must meet holding period requirements and other requirements with respect to the Funds shares. In general, your distributions are subject to federal income tax for the year when they are paid. Certain distributions paid in January, however, may be treated as paid on December 31 of the prior year.
If you are neither a resident nor a citizen of the United States or if you are a foreign entity, the Funds ordinary income dividends (which include distributions of net short-term capital gains) will generally be subject to a 30% U.S. withholding tax, unless a lower treaty rate applies, provided, however, that for taxable years of the Fund beginning on or before December 31, 2007, interest-related dividends and short-term capital gain dividends may not be subject to such U.S. withholding tax.
If you are a resident or a citizen of the United States, by law, back-up withholding will apply to your distributions and proceeds if you have not provided a taxpayer identification number or social security number and made other required certifications.
Currently, any capital gain or loss realized upon a sale of shares is generally treated as a long-term gain or loss if shares have been held for more than one year. Any capital gain or loss realized upon a sale of shares held for one year or less is generally treated as a short-term gain or loss, except that any capital loss on the sale of shares held for six months or less is treated as long-term capital loss to the extent that capital gain dividends were paid with respect to such shares.
The foregoing discussion summarizes some of the consequences under current federal tax law of an investment in the Fund. It is not a substitute for personal tax advice. You also may be subject to state and local taxation on Fund distributions and sales of shares. Consult your personal tax adviser about the potential tax consequences of an investment in shares of the Fund under all applicable tax laws.
The shares that trade in the secondary market are created at NAV by market makers, large investors and institutions only in block-size Creation Units of [50,000] shares or multiples thereof. Each creator enters into an authorized participant agreement with SEI Investments Distribution Co. (SEI), the Funds distributor, which is subject to acceptance by the transfer agent, and then deposits into the Fund a portfolio of securities closely approximating the holdings of the Fund and a specified amount of cash in exchange for a specified number of Creation Units.
Similarly, shares can only be redeemed in a specified number of Creation Units principally in-kind for a portfolio of securities held by the Fund and a specified amount of cash. Except when aggregated in Creation Units, shares are not redeemable. The prices at which creations and redemptions occur are based on the next calculation of NAV after an order is received in a form described in the authorized participant agreement.
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Creations and redemptions must be made through a firm that is either a member of the Continuous Net Settlement System of the National Securities Clearing Corporation or a DTC participant, and in each case, must have executed an agreement with SEI with respect to creations and redemptions of Creation Unit aggregations. Information about the procedures regarding creation and redemption of Creation Units (including the cut-off times for receipt of creation and redemption orders) is included in the SAI.
Because new shares may be created and issued on an ongoing basis, at any point during the life of the Fund, a distribution, as such term is used in the Securities Act, may be occurring. Broker-dealers and other persons are cautioned that some activities on their part may, depending on the circumstances, result in them being deemed participants in a distribution in a manner that could render them statutory underwriters and subject to the prospectus delivery and liability provisions of the Securities Act. Nonetheless, any determination of whether one is an underwriter must take into account all the relevant facts and circumstances of each particular case.
Broker-dealers should also note that dealers who are not underwriters, but are participating in a distribution (as contrasted to ordinary secondary transactions), and thus dealing with shares that are part of an unsold allotment within the meaning of section 4(3)(C) of the Securities Act, would be unable to take advantage of the prospectus delivery exemption provided by section 4(3) of the Securities Act. For delivery of prospectuses to exchange members, the prospectus delivery mechanism of Rule 153 under the Securities Act is only available with respect to transactions on a national securities exchange.
The Fund will impose a purchase transaction fee and a redemption transaction fee to offset transfer and other transaction costs associated with the issuance and redemption of Creation Units. Purchasers and redeemers of Creation Units for cash are required to pay an additional variable charge to compensate for brokerage and market impact expenses. The creation and redemption transaction fees for creations and redemptions in-kind for the Fund are discussed below. The standard creation transaction fee is charged to each purchaser on the day such purchaser creates a Creation Unit. The fee is a single charge and will be the amount indicated below regardless of the number of Creation Units purchased by an investor on the same day. BGFA may, from time to time, at its own expense, compensate purchasers of Creation Units who have purchased substantial amounts of Creation Units, and other financial institutions for administrative or marketing services. Similarly, the standard redemption transaction fee will be the amount indicated regardless of the number of Creation Units redeemed that day. The creation and redemption transaction fees for creations and redemptions through DTC for cash (when cash creations and redemptions are available or specified) will also be subject to an additional variable charge of up to the maximum amount shown below under Maximum Creation/Redemption Transaction Fee. In addition, purchasers of shares in Creation Units are responsible for payment of the costs of transferring securities to the Fund. Redeemers of shares in Creation Units are responsible for the costs of transferring securities from the Fund. Investors who use the services of a broker or other such intermediary may pay fees for such services. The following table also shows, as of [ ], the approximate value of one Creation Unit per Fund, including the standard creation and redemption transaction fee.
Name of Fund |
Approximate Value of a |
Standard Creation/ Redemption Transaction Fee |
Maximum Creation/ Redemption Transaction Fee |
|||||||||
iShares KLD 400 SocialSM Index Fund |
$ | [ | ] | $ | [ | ] | $ | [ | ] |
Householding is an option available to certain investors. Householding is a method of delivery, based on the preference of the individual investor, in which a single copy of certain shareholder documents can be delivered to investors who share the same address, even if their accounts are registered under different names. Householding is available through certain broker-dealers. If you are interested in enrolling in householding and receiving a single copy of prospectuses and other shareholder documents, please contact your broker-dealer. If you are currently enrolled in householding and wish to change your householding status, please contact your broker-dealer.
SEI serves as the distributor of Creation Units for the Fund on an agency basis. SEI does not maintain a secondary market in shares of the Fund. SEI has no role in determining the policies of the Fund or the securities that are purchased or sold by the Fund. SEIs principal address is One Freedom Valley Drive, Oaks, PA 19456.
11
Financial highlights for the Fund are not presented as the Fund had not commenced operations as of the date of this Prospectus.
KLD is the Index Provider for the Domini 400 SocialSM Index. KLD provides environmental, social and corporate governance investment research, indexes, compliance and consulting services to institutional investors and money managers. KLD is responsible for the calculation and maintenance of the Domini 400 SocialSM Index. KLD also publishes the KLD Select SocialSM Index, KLD Large Cap SocialSM Index, the KLD Broad Market SocialSM Index and the KLD Global Climate 100SM Index. KLD is not affiliated with the Trust, BGI, BGFA, Investors Bank, SEI or the [Listing Exchange].
BGI has entered into a license agreement with KLD to use the Underlying Index. BGI is sub-licensing rights in the Underlying Index to the Trust at no charge.
The iShares KLD 400 SocialSM Index Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by KLD. KLD makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of shares of the Trust or to any member of the public regarding the advisability of owning or trading in shares of the Trust. KLDs only relationship to the Trust, BGI or BGFA is the licensing of certain trademarks, trade names, and service marks of KLD and of the Domini 400 SocialSM Index, which is determined, composed and calculated by KLD without regard to the Trust, BGI, or BGFA. KLD has no obligation to take the needs of BGI, BGFA or the owners of shares into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the Domini 400 SocialSM Index. KLD is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination or the timing of, prices, or quantities of shares to be issued or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which shares are to be converted into cash. KLD has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration of the Trust or the marketing or trading of shares. KLD does not guarantee the accuracy and/or completeness of the Domini 400 SocialSM Index or any data included therein. KLD makes no warranty, express or implied, as to results to be obtained by BGI, BGFA, owners of shares of the Fund, or any other person or entity from the use of the Domini 400 SocialSM Index or any data included therein. KLD makes no express or implied warranties, and expressly disclaims all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use with respect to the Domini 400 SocialSM Index or any data included therein. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall KLD have any liability for any lost profits or indirect, punitive, special, or consequential damages, even if notified of the possibility thereof. There are no third party beneficiaries of any agreements between KLD and BGI and BGFA.
Shares of the Trust are not sponsored, endorsed or promoted by the [Listing Exchange]. The [Listing Exchange] makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the shares of the Fund or any member of the public regarding the ability of the Fund to track the total return performance of the Underlying Index or the ability of the Underlying Index identified herein to track stock market performance. The Underlying Index identified herein is determined, composed and calculated by KLD without regard to the Fund. The [Listing Exchange] is not responsible for, nor has it participated in, the determination of the compilation or the calculation of the Underlying Index, nor in the determination of the timing of, prices of, or quantities of the shares of the Fund to be issued, nor in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the shares are redeemable. The [Listing Exchange] has no obligation or liability to owners of the shares of the Fund in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the shares of the Fund.
The [Listing Exchange] does not guarantee the accuracy and/or the completeness of the Underlying Index or any data included therein. The [Listing Exchange] makes no warranty, express or implied, as to results to be obtained by the iShares Trust on behalf of its Funds as licensee, licensees customers and counterparties, owners of the shares of the Trust, or any other person or entity from the use of the subject indices or any data included therein in connection with the rights licensed as described herein or for any other use. The [Listing Exchange] makes no express or implied warranties, and hereby expressly disclaims all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose with respect to the Underlying Index or any data included therein. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall the [Listing Exchange] have any liability for any direct, indirect, special, punitive, consequential or any other damages (including lost profits) even if notified of the possibility of such damages.
BGFA does not guarantee the accuracy and/or the completeness of the Underlying Index or any data included therein and BGFA shall have no liability for any errors, omissions, or interruptions therein.
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BGFA makes no warranty, express or implied, as to results to be obtained by the Fund, to the owners of the shares of the Fund, or to any other person or entity, from the use of the Underlying Index or any data included therein. BGFA makes no express or implied warranties, and expressly disclaims all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use with respect to the Underlying Index or any data included therein. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall BGFA have any liability for any special, punitive, direct, indirect, or consequential damages (including lost profits), even if notified of the possibility of such damages.
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Copies of the Prospectus and SAI can be found on our website at www.iShares.com. For more detailed information about the Trust and shares of the Fund, you may request a copy of the SAI. The SAI provides detailed information about the Fund, and is incorporated by reference into this Prospectus. This means that the SAI, for legal purposes, is a part of this Prospectus.
If you have questions about the Fund or shares of the Trust or you wish to obtain the SAI free of charge, please:
Call: |
1-800-iShares | |
(toll free) |
1-800-474-2737 | |
Monday through Friday | ||
8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Eastern time) | ||
Email: |
iSharesfunds@seic.com | |
Write: |
iShares Trust | |
c/o SEI Investments Distribution Co. | ||
One Freedom Valley Drive | ||
Oaks, PA 19456 |
Information about the Fund (including the SAI) can be reviewed and copied at the SECs Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C., and information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-202-551-8090. Reports and other information about the Fund are available on the EDGAR Database on the SECs Internet site at www.sec.gov, and copies of this information may be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following E-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing the SECs Public Reference Section, Washington, D.C. 20549-0102.
No person is authorized to give any information or to make any representations about the Fund and its shares not contained in this Prospectus and you should not rely on any other information. Read and keep the Prospectus for future reference.
Investment Company Act File No. 811-09729
The information in this Statement of Additional Information is not complete and may be changed. A registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The securities described herein may not be sold until the registration statement becomes effective. This Statement of Additional Information is not an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities and is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any State in which the offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.
iShares® Trust
Statement of Additional Information
Dated , 2006
This Statement of Additional Information (SAI) is not a prospectus. It should be read in conjunction with the current prospectus (the Prospectus) for the iShares KLD 400 SocialSM Index Fund (the Fund) of iShares Trust (the Trust) as such Prospectus may be revised or supplemented from time to time.
The Prospectus for the Fund listed above is dated , 2006. Capitalized terms used herein that are not defined have the same meaning as in the Prospectus, unless otherwise noted. A copy of the Prospectus may be obtained without charge by writing to the Trusts distributor, SEI Investments Distribution Co. (SEI or the Distributor), at One Freedom Valley Drive, Oaks, PA 19456, calling 1-800-iShares or visiting www.iShares.com. ®iShares is a registered trademark of Barclays Global Investors, N.A.
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General Description of the Trust and the Fund
The Trust currently consists of over [80] investment portfolios. The Trust was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on December 16, 1999 and is authorized to have multiple series or portfolios. The Trust is an open-end management investment company, registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act). The offering of the Trusts shares is registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act). This SAI relates solely to the following fund (the Fund):
| iShares KLD 400 SocialSM Index Fund |
The investment objective of the Fund is to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the Domini 400 SocialSM Index (its Underlying Index). The Fund is managed by Barclays Global Fund Advisors (BGFA), a subsidiary of Barclays Global Investors, N.A. (BGI). The Fund offers and issues shares at their net asset value per share (NAV) only in aggregations of a specified number of shares (each, a Creation Unit or a Creation Unit Aggregation), generally in exchange for a basket of equity securities included in its Underlying Index (the Deposit Securities), together with the deposit of a specified cash payment (the Cash Component). Shares trade in the secondary market and elsewhere at market prices that may be at, above or below NAV. Shares are redeemable only in Creation Unit Aggregations, and, generally, in exchange for portfolio securities and a Cash Component. Creation Units typically are a specified number of shares, generally [50,000] or multiples thereof.
The Trust reserves the right to offer a cash option for creations and redemptions of shares although it has no current intention of doing so. Shares may be issued in advance of receipt of Deposit Securities subject to various conditions including a requirement to maintain on deposit with the Trust cash at least equal to 105%, which BGFA may change from time to time, of the market value of the missing Deposit Securities. See the Creation and Redemption of Creation Unit Aggregations section of this SAI. In each instance of such cash creations or redemptions, transaction fees may be imposed that will be higher than the transaction fees associated with in-kind creations or redemptions. In all cases, such conditions and fees will be limited in accordance with the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) applicable to management investment companies offering redeemable securities.
A discussion of exchange listing and trading matters associated with an investment in the Fund is contained in the Prospectus in the Shareholder Information section. The discussion below supplements, and should be read in conjunction with, that section of the Prospectus.
Shares of the Fund are listed and traded throughout the day on the [listing exchange] and may be listed and traded on other national securities exchanges (each, a Listing Exchange) and other secondary markets. There can be no assurance that the requirements of a Listing Exchange necessary to maintain the listing of shares of the Fund will continue to be met. A Listing Exchange may, but is not required to, remove the shares of the Fund from listing if (i) following the initial 12-month period beginning upon the commencement of trading of the Fund, there are fewer than 50 beneficial owners of the shares of the Fund for 30 or more consecutive trading days; (ii) the value of the Underlying Index on which such Fund is based is no longer calculated or available; or (iii) such other event shall occur or condition shall exist that, in the opinion of the Listing Exchange, makes further dealings on the Listing Exchange inadvisable. A Listing Exchange will remove the shares of the Fund from listing and trading upon termination of the Fund.
As in the case of other publicly-traded securities, brokers commissions on transactions will be based on negotiated commission rates at customary levels.
The Trust reserves the right to adjust the share prices of the Fund in the future to maintain convenient trading ranges for investors. Any adjustments would be accomplished through stock splits or reverse stock splits, which would have no effect on the net assets of the Fund.
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Investment Strategies and Risks
The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing primarily in securities issued by companies that comprise the Underlying Index and through transactions that provide substantially similar exposure to securities in the Underlying Index. The Fund operates as an index fund and will not be actively managed. Adverse performance of a security in the Funds portfolio will ordinarily not result in the elimination of the security from the Funds portfolio.
BGFA uses a Representative Sampling indexing strategy for the Fund. Representative Sampling is investing in a representative sample of securities in the Underlying Index, which have a similar investment profile as the Underlying Index. Securities selected have aggregate investment characteristics (based on market capitalization and industry weightings), fundamental characteristics (such as return variability, earnings valuation and yield) and liquidity measures similar to those of the Underlying Index. In using representative sampling, the Fund generally will not hold all of the securities that are included in the Underlying Index.
Diversification of the Fund. The Fund is a diversified fund. With respect to 75% of the Funds total assets, a diversified fund does not invest more than 5% of its total assets in securities of any one issuer and does not acquire more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of any one issuer (excluding cash and cash items, government securities, and securities of other investment companies). The remaining 25% of a diversified funds total assets may be invested without regard to the concentration limits described above.
The Fund may concentrate its investments in a particular industry or group of industries, as noted in the description of the Fund. The securities of issuers in particular industries may dominate the Underlying Index of the Fund and consequently the Funds investment portfolio. This may adversely affect its performance or subject the Funds shares to greater price volatility than that experienced by less concentrated investment companies.
The Fund intends to maintain the required level of diversification and otherwise conduct its operations so as to qualify as a regulated investment company for purposes of the Internal Revenue Code (the IRC), and to relieve the Fund of any liability for federal income tax to the extent that its earnings are distributed to shareholders. Compliance with the diversification requirements of the IRC may limit the investment flexibility of the Fund and may make it less likely that the Fund will meet its investment objectives.
Lending Portfolio Securities. The Fund may lend portfolio securities to certain creditworthy borrowers, including borrowers affiliated with BGFA. The borrowers provide collateral that is maintained in an amount at least equal to the current market value of the securities loaned. The Fund may terminate a loan at any time and obtain the return of the securities loaned. The Fund receives the value of any interest or cash or non-cash distributions paid on the loaned securities.
With respect to loans that are collateralized by cash, the borrower will be entitled to receive a fee based on the amount of cash collateral. The Fund is compensated by the difference between the amount earned on the reinvestment of cash collateral and the fee paid to the borrower. In the case of collateral other than cash, the Fund is compensated by a fee paid by the borrower equal to a percentage of the market value of the loaned securities. Any cash collateral may be reinvested in certain short-term instruments either directly on behalf of each lending Fund or through one or more joint accounts or money market funds, including those managed by BGFA.
Securities lending involves exposure to certain risks, including operational risk (i.e., the risk of losses resulting from problems in the settlement and accounting process), gap risk (i.e., the risk of a mismatch between the return on cash collateral reinvestments and the fees the Fund has agreed to pay a borrower), and credit, legal, counterparty and market risk. In the event a borrower does not return a Funds securities as agreed, the Fund may experience losses if the proceeds received from liquidating the collateral does not at least equal the value of the loaned security at the time the collateral is liquidated plus the transaction costs incurred in purchasing replacement securities.
The Fund may pay a portion of the interest or fees earned from securities lending to a borrower as described above, and to a securities lending agent who administers the lending program in accordance with guidelines approved by the Funds Board of Trustees. BGI acts as securities lending agent for the Fund subject to the overall supervision of BGFA. BGI receives a portion of the revenues generated by securities lending activities as compensation for its services in this regard.
Repurchase Agreements. The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements with certain counterparties. Repurchase agreements involve an agreement to purchase financial instruments and to resell those instruments back to the same
6
counterparty at an agreed-upon date and price, which price reflects a rate of interest unrelated to a coupon rate or maturity of the purchased instruments. The value of the instruments purchased may be more or less than the price at which the counterparty has agreed to repurchase them. As protection against the risk that the counterparty will not fulfill its obligation, the instruments are marked to market daily and are maintained at a value at least equal to the sale price plus the accrued incremental amount. Delays or losses could result if the counterparty to the repurchase agreement defaults or becomes insolvent. The Fund will only engage in repurchase agreements with counterparties whose creditworthiness has been reviewed and found satisfactory by BGFA.
Reverse Repurchase Agreements. The Fund may enter into reverse repurchase agreements, which involve the sale of securities with an agreement to repurchase the securities at an agreed-upon price, date and interest payment and have the characteristics of borrowing. The securities purchased with the funds obtained from the agreement and securities collateralizing the agreement will have maturity dates no later than the repayment date. Generally the effect of such transactions is that the Fund can recover all or most of the cash invested in the portfolio securities involved during the term of the reverse repurchase agreement, while in many cases the Fund is able to keep some of the interest income associated with those securities. Such transactions are only advantageous if the Fund has an opportunity to earn a greater rate of interest on the cash derived from these transactions than the interest cost of obtaining the same amount of cash. Opportunities to realize earnings from the use of the proceeds equal to or greater than the interest required to be paid may not always be available and the Fund intends to use the reverse repurchase technique only when BGFA believes it will be advantageous to the Fund. The use of reverse repurchase agreements may exaggerate any interim increase or decrease in the value of the Funds assets. The Funds exposure to reverse repurchase agreements will be covered by securities having a value equal to or greater than such commitments. The Fund segregates liquid assets in connection with reverse repurchase agreements. Under the 1940 Act, reverse repurchase agreements are considered borrowings.
Currency Transactions. The Fund does not expect to engage in currency transactions for the purpose of hedging against declines in the value of the Funds assets that are denominated in a foreign currency. The Fund may enter into foreign currency forward and foreign currency futures contracts to facilitate local securities settlements or to protect against currency exposure in connection with its distributions to shareholders, but may not enter into such contracts for speculative purposes.
A forward currency contract is an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency at a future date, which may be any fixed number of days from the date of the contract agreed upon by the parties, at a price set at the time of the contract. A currency futures contract is a contract involving an obligation to deliver or acquire the specified amount of a specific currency, at a specified price and at a specified future time. Futures contracts may be settled on a net cash payment basis rather than by the sale and delivery of the underlying currency.
Foreign exchange transactions involve a significant degree of risk and the markets in which foreign exchange transactions are effected are highly volatile, highly specialized and highly technical. Significant changes, including changes in liquidity prices, can occur in such markets within very short periods of time, often within minutes. Foreign exchange trading risks include, but are not limited to, exchange rate risk, maturity gap, interest rate risk, and potential interference by foreign governments through regulation of local exchange markets, foreign investment or particular transactions in foreign currency. If BGFA utilizes foreign exchange transactions at an inappropriate time or judges market conditions, trends or correlations incorrectly, foreign exchange transactions may not serve their intended purpose of improving the correlation of a Funds return with the performance of the Underlying Index and may lower the Funds return. The Fund could experience losses if the value of its currency forwards, options and futures positions were poorly correlated with its other investments or if it could not close out its positions because of an illiquid market. In addition, the Fund could incur transaction costs, including trading commissions, in connection with certain foreign currency transactions.
Money Market Instruments. The Fund may invest a portion of its assets in high-quality money market instruments on an ongoing basis to provide liquidity or for other reasons. The instruments in which the Fund may invest include: (i) short-term obligations issued by the U.S. government; (ii) negotiable certificates of deposit (CDs), fixed time deposits and bankers acceptances of U.S. and foreign banks and similar institutions; (iii) commercial paper rated at the date of purchase Prime-1 by Moodys or A-1+ or A-1 by S&P or, if unrated, of comparable quality as determined by BGFA; and (iv) repurchase agreements. CDs are short-term negotiable obligations of commercial banks. Time deposits are non-negotiable deposits maintained in banking institutions for specified periods of time at stated interest rates. Bankers acceptances are time drafts drawn on commercial banks by borrowers, usually in connection with international transactions.
To the extent allowed by law, the Fund may invest its assets in securities of money market funds, including those advised by BGFA or otherwise affiliated with BGFA.
Investment Companies and REITs. The Fund may invest in the securities of other investment companies (including money market funds) and real estate investment trusts to the extent allowed by law. Under the 1940 Act, the Funds investment in
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investment companies is limited to, subject to certain exceptions: (i) 3% of the total outstanding voting stock of any one investment company; (ii) 5% of the Funds total assets with respect to any one investment company; and (iii) 10% of the Funds total assets with respect to investment companies in the aggregate. To the extent allowed by law or regulation, the Fund may invest its assets in securities of investment companies that are money market funds, including those advised by BGFA or otherwise affiliated with BGFA, in excess of the limits discussed above. Other investment companies in which the Fund invests can be expected to incur fees and expenses for operations, such as investment advisory and administration fees, that would be in addition to those incurred by the Fund.
Illiquid Securities. The Fund may invest up to an aggregate amount of 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities. Illiquid securities include securities subject to contractual or other restrictions on resale and other instruments that lack readily available markets.
Short-Term Instruments and Temporary Investments. The Fund may invest in various money market instruments. Money market instruments are generally short-term investments that may include but are not limited to: (i) obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities (including government-sponsored enterprises); (ii) negotiable certificates of deposit (CDs), bankers acceptances, fixed time deposits and other obligations of domestic banks (including foreign branches); (iii) commercial paper rated at the date of purchase Prime-1 by Moodys or A-1 by S&P, or if unrated, of comparable quality as determined by BGFA; (iv) non-convertible corporate debt securities (e.g., bonds and debentures) with remaining maturities at the date of purchase of not more than 397 days and that satisfy the rating requirements set forth in Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act; (v) repurchase agreements; and (vi) short-term U.S. dollar-denominated obligations of foreign banks (including U.S. branches) that, in the opinion of BGFA, are of comparable quality to obligations of U.S. banks which may be purchased by the Fund. Any of these instruments may be purchased on a current or a forward-settled basis. Money market instruments also include shares of money market mutual funds, including those managed by BGFA.
Futures and Options. The Fund may enter into U.S. futures contracts, options and options on futures contracts. These futures contracts and options will be used to simulate full investment in the Underlying Index, to facilitate trading or to reduce transaction costs. The Fund will only enter into futures contracts and options on futures contracts that are traded on a U.S. or foreign exchange. The Fund will not use futures or options for speculative purposes. The Fund intends to use futures and options in accordance with Rule 4.5 of the Commodity Exchange Act (CEA). The Trust, on behalf of the Fund, has filed a notice of eligibility for exclusion from the definition of the term commodity pool operator in accordance with Rule 4.5 so that the Fund is not subject to registration or regulation as a commodity pool operator under the CEA.
A call option gives a holder the right to purchase a specific security at a specified price (exercise price) within a specified period of time. A put option gives a holder the right to sell a specific security at a specified price within a specified period of time. The initial purchaser of a call option pays the writer a premium, which is paid at the time of purchase and is retained by the writer whether or not such option is exercised. The Fund may purchase put options to hedge its portfolio against the risk of a decline in the market value of securities held and may purchase call options to hedge against an increase in the price of securities it is committed to purchase. The Fund may write put and call options along with a long position in options to increase its ability to hedge against a change in the market value of the securities it holds or is committed to purchase. Futures contracts provide for the future sale by one party and purchase by another party of a specified amount of a specific instrument or index at a specified future time and at a specified price. Stock index contracts are based on investments that reflect the market value of common stock of the firms included in the investments. The Fund may enter into futures contracts to purchase security investments when BGFA anticipates purchasing the underlying securities and believes prices will rise before the purchase will be made. Investments in futures contracts, and other investments that contain leverage, may require the Fund to segregate liquid assets in the amount of the Funds obligation under the contract. The Funds custodian will segregate liquid assets of the Fund to the extent required by applicable law and interpretive positions issued by the SEC and its staff from time to time.
Options on Futures Contracts. An option on a futures contract, as contrasted with the direct investment in such a contract, gives the purchaser the right, in return for the premium paid, to assume a position in the underlying futures contract at a specified exercise price at any time prior to the expiration date of the option. Upon exercise of an option, the delivery of the futures position by the writer of the option to the holder of the option will be accompanied by delivery of the accumulated balance in the writers futures margin account that represents the amount by which the market price of the futures contract exceeds (in the case of a call) or is less than (in the case of a put) the exercise price of the option on the futures contract. The potential for loss related to the purchase of an option on a futures contract is limited to the premium paid for the option plus transaction costs. Because the value of the option is fixed at the point of sale, there are no daily cash payments by the purchaser to reflect changes in the value of the underlying contract; however, the value of the option changes daily and that change would be reflected in the NAV of the Fund. The potential for loss related to writing call options is unlimited.
The Fund may purchase and write put and call options on futures contracts that are traded on a U.S. or foreign exchange as a hedge against changes in value of its portfolio securities, or in anticipation of the purchase of securities, and may enter into closing transactions with respect to such options to terminate existing positions. There is no guarantee that such closing transactions can be effected.
8
Upon entering into a futures contract, the Fund will be required to deposit with the broker an amount of cash or cash equivalents known as initial margin, which is in the nature of a performance bond or good faith deposit on the contract and is returned to the Fund upon termination of the futures contract, assuming all contractual obligations have been satisfied. Subsequent payments, known as variation margin, to and from the broker will be made daily as the price of the index underlying the futures contract fluctuates, making the long and short positions in the futures contract more or less valuable, a process known as marking-to-market. The Fund may also have asset segregation requirements. At any time prior to expiration of a futures contract, the Fund may elect to close the position by taking an opposite position, which will operate to terminate the Funds existing position in the contract.
Swap Agreements. Swap agreements are contracts between parties in which one party agrees to make periodic payments to the other party based on the change in market value or level of a specified rate, index or asset. In return, the other party agrees to make periodic payments to the first party based on the return of a different specified rate, index or asset. Swap agreements will usually be done on a net basis, the Fund receiving or paying only the net amount of the two payments. The net amount of the excess, if any, of the Funds obligations over its entitlements with respect to each swap is accrued on a daily basis and an amount of cash or liquid securities having an aggregate value at least equal to the accrued excess will be maintained by the Fund.
The use of interest-rate and index swaps is a highly specialized activity that involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio security transactions. These transactions generally do not involve the delivery of securities or other underlying assets or principal.
Tracking Stocks. A tracking stock is a separate class of common stock whose value is linked to a specific business unit or operating division within a larger company and which is designed to track the performance of such business unit or division. The tracking stock may pay dividends to shareholders independent of the parent company. The parent company, rather than the business unit or division, generally is the issuer of tracking stock. However, holders of the tracking stock may not have the same rights as holders of the companys common stock.
Future Developments. The Trusts Board of Trustees (the Board) may, in the future, authorize the Fund to invest in securities contracts and investments other than those listed in this SAI and in the applicable Prospectus, provided they are consistent with the Funds investment objective and do not violate any investment restrictions or policies.
General Considerations and Risks
A discussion of some of the risks associated with an investment in the Fund is contained in the Prospectus.
An investment in the Fund should be made with an understanding that the value of the Funds portfolio securities may fluctuate in accordance with changes in the financial condition of the issuers of the portfolio securities, the value of common stocks in general, and other factors that affect the market.
An investment in the Fund should also be made with an understanding of the risks inherent in an investment in equity securities, including the risk that the financial condition of issuers may become impaired or that the general condition of the stock market may deteriorate (either of which may cause a decrease in the value of the portfolio securities and thus in the value of shares of the Fund). Common stocks are susceptible to general stock market fluctuations and to volatile increases and decreases in value as market confidence and perceptions of their issuers change. These investor perceptions are based on various and unpredictable factors, including expectations regarding government, economic, monetary and fiscal policies, inflation and interest rates, economic expansion or contraction, and global or regional political, economic or banking crises. Holders of common stocks incur more risk than holders of preferred stocks and debt obligations because common stockholders, as owners of the issuer generally have inferior rights to receive payments from the issuer in comparison with the rights of creditors, or holders of debt obligations or preferred stocks. Further, unlike debt securities, which typically have a stated principal amount payable at maturity (whose value, however, is subject to market fluctuations prior thereto), or preferred stocks, which typically have a liquidation preference and which may have stated optional or mandatory redemption provisions, common stocks have neither a fixed principal amount nor a maturity. Common stock values are subject to market fluctuations as long as the common stock remains outstanding.
Although most of the securities in the Underlying Investments are listed on a national securities exchange, the principal trading market for some may be in the over-the-counter market. The existence of a liquid trading market for certain securities may depend on whether dealers will make a market in such securities. There can be no assurance that a market will be made or maintained or that any such market will be or remain liquid. The price at which securities may be sold and the value of a Funds shares will be adversely affected if trading markets for the Funds portfolio securities are limited or absent, or if bid/ask spreads are wide.
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Risks of Futures and Options Transactions. There are several risks accompanying the utilization of futures contracts and options on futures contracts. First, a position in futures contracts and options on futures contracts may be closed only on the exchange on which the contract was made (or a linked exchange). While the Fund plans to utilize futures contracts only if an active market exists for such contracts, there is no guarantee that a liquid market will exist for the contract at a specified time. Furthermore, because, by definition, futures contracts project price levels in the future and not current levels of valuation, market circumstances may result in a discrepancy between the price of the stock index future and the movement in the Underlying Index. In the event of adverse price movements, the Fund would continue to be required to make daily cash payments to maintain its required margin. In such situations, if the Fund has insufficient cash, it may have to sell portfolio securities to meet daily margin requirements at a time when it may be disadvantageous to do so. In addition, the Fund may be required to deliver the instruments underlying the future contracts it has sold.
The risk of loss in trading futures contracts or uncovered call options in some strategies (e.g., selling uncovered stock index futures contracts) is potentially unlimited. The Fund does not plan to use futures and options contracts in this way. The risk of a futures position may still be large as traditionally measured due to the low margin deposits required. In many cases, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in immediate and substantial loss or gain to the investor relative to the size of a required margin deposit. The Fund, however, intends to utilize futures and options contracts in a manner designed to limit its risk exposure to levels comparable to direct investment in stocks.
Utilization of futures and options on futures by the Fund involves the risk of imperfect or even negative correlation to the Underlying Index if the index underlying the futures contract differs from the Underlying Index. There is also the risk of loss by the Fund of margin deposits in the event of bankruptcy of a broker with whom the Fund has an open position in the futures contract or option. The purchase of put or call options will be based upon predictions by BGFA as to anticipated trends, which predictions could prove to be incorrect.
Because the futures market imposes less burdensome margin requirements than the securities market, an increased amount of participation by speculators in the futures market could result in price fluctuations. Certain financial futures exchanges limit the amount of fluctuation permitted in futures contract prices during a single trading day. The daily limit establishes the maximum amount by which the price of a futures contract may vary either up or down from the previous days settlement price at the end of a trading session. Once the daily limit has been reached in a particular type of contract, no trades may be made on that day at a price beyond that limit. It is possible that futures contract prices could move to the daily limit for several consecutive trading days with little or no trading, thereby preventing prompt liquidation of futures positions and subjecting the Fund to substantial losses. In the event of adverse price movements, the Fund would be required to make daily cash payments of variation margin.
Although the Fund intends to enter into futures contracts only if there is an active market for such contracts, there is no assurance that an active market will exist for the contracts at any particular time.
Risks of Swap Agreements. The risk of loss with respect to swaps generally is limited to the net amount of payments that a Fund is contractually obligated to make. Swap agreements are subject to the risk that the swap counterparty will default on its obligations. If such a default occurs, the Fund will have contractual remedies pursuant to the agreements related to the transaction. However, such remedies may be subject to bankruptcy and insolvency laws which could affect the Funds rights as a creditor (e.g., the Fund may not receive the net amount of payments that it contractually is entitled to receive).
The Trust has adopted proxy voting guidelines for the Fund and has delegated Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) the responsibility for voting proxies on the portfolio securities held by the Fund.
The Fund maintains proxy voting guidelines consistent with the principle that socially responsible shareholders are concerned not only with economic returns and sound corporate governance, but also with the ethical behavior of corporations and the social and environmental impact of their actions. With respect to social and environmental matters, the Funds proxy voting guidelines seek to reflect a broad consensus of the socially responsible investing community. The guidelines are based on a commitment to create and preserve economic value and to advance principles of good corporate governance, consistent with responsibilities to society as a whole. The Fund votes (or refrains from voting) proxies in a manner that that is consistent with these principles. In some cases, it may be in the best interest of shareholders of the Fund to refrain from exercising the Funds proxy voting rights. The Funds proxy voting guidelines provide detailed guidance as to how to vote proxies on certain important or commonly raised issues. ISS, as proxy voting agent for the Fund, will vote (or refrain from voting) on specific proxy issues in accordance with the Funds proxy voting guidelines. The guidelines permit ISS to consider certain proposals on a case-by-case basis and to vote on such proposals based on various factors, including an examination of the merits consideration of recent and company-specific information. The Fund votes (or refrains from voting) proxies without regard to the relationship of the issuer of the proxy (or any shareholder of such issuer) to the Fund, the Funds affiliates (if any), BGFA or BGFAs affiliates, or SEI or SEIs affiliates.
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With respect to certain specific issues:
| The Fund votes on the election of directors on a case by case basis. The Fund generally opposes slates of director nominees that are not comprised of a majority of independent directors and withholds votes from non-independent directors who sit on key board committees; |
| The Fund generally supports social, workforce and environmental proposals that promote good corporate citizenship while enhancing long term shareholder and stakeholder value and proposals that call for more detailed and comparable reporting of a companys social, workforce and environmental performance; and |
| The Fund generally votes against anti-takeover proposals and proposals that limit the ability of shareholders to act independently of management. |
ISS seeks to apply the Funds proxy voting policies consistently across all proposals and issues votes strictly according to the Funds policy in order to minimize conflicts of interests. ISS also maintains policies and practices that are designed to neutralize and guard against any conflict of interest that could arise between the issuer of the proxy (or any shareholder of the issuer) and ISS or ISS affiliates. In certain instances, ISS may engage a qualified third party to perform a proxy analysis and issue a vote recommendation as a further safeguard to avoid the influence of a potential conflict of interest.
Information with respect to how BGFA or ISS, as applicable, voted Fund proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available: (i) without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-iShares or through the Funds website at www.iShares.com; and (ii) on the SECs website at www.sec.gov.
Portfolio Holdings Information
The Trusts Board has adopted a policy regarding the disclosure of the Funds portfolio holdings information that requires that such information be disclosed in a manner that: (a) is consistent with applicable legal requirements and in the best interests of the Funds respective shareholders; (b) does not put the interests of BGFA, SEI Investments Distribution Co. (SEI or the Distributor), or any affiliated person of the Fund, the Investment Adviser or the Distributor, above those of Fund shareholders; (c) does not advantage any current or prospective Fund shareholders over any other current or prospective Fund shareholders, except to the extent that certain Entities (as described below) may receive portfolio holdings information not available to other current or prospective Fund shareholders in connection with the dissemination of information necessary for transactions in Creation Units, as contemplated by the iShares Exemptive Orders and discussed below; and (d) does not provide selective access to portfolio holdings information except pursuant to the procedures outlined below and to the extent appropriate confidentiality arrangements limiting the use of such information are in effect. The Entities referred to in sub-section (c) above are generally limited to National Securities Clearing Corporation (NSCC) members and subscribers to various fee-based subscription services, including those large institutional investors (known as Authorized Participants) that have been authorized by the Distributor to purchase and redeem large blocks of shares (known as Creation Units) pursuant to legal requirements, including exemptive orders granted by the SEC pursuant to which the Fund offers and redeems its shares (iShares Exemptive Orders), and other institutional market participants and entities that provide information services.
Each business day, Fund portfolio holdings information will be provided to the Distributor or other agent for dissemination through the facilities of the NSCC and/or other fee-based subscription services to NSCC members and/or subscribers to those other fee-based subscription services, including Authorized Participants, and to entities that publish and/or analyze such information in connection with the process of purchasing or redeeming Creation Units or trading shares of the Fund in the secondary market. This information typically reflects the Funds anticipated holdings on the following business day.
Daily access to information concerning the Funds portfolio holdings is permitted (i) to certain personnel of those service providers that are involved in portfolio management and providing administrative, operational, risk management, or other support to portfolio management, including affiliated broker-dealers and/or Authorized Participants, and (ii) to other personnel of the Investment Adviser and other service providers, such as the Funds administrator, custodian and fund accountant, who deal directly with, or assist in, functions related to investment management, administration, custody and fund accounting, as may be necessary to conduct business in the ordinary course in a manner consistent with the iShares Exemptive Orders, agreements with the Fund, and the terms of the Funds current registration statement.
From time to time, information concerning Fund portfolio holdings, other than portfolio holdings information made available in connection with the creation/redemption process, as discussed above, may also be provided to other entities that provide additional services to the Fund, including, among others, rating or ranking organizations, in the ordinary course of business,
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no earlier than one business day following the date of the information. Portfolio holdings information made available in connection with the creation/redemption process may be provided to other entities that provide additional services to the Fund in the ordinary course of business after it has been disseminated to the NSCC.
The Fund will disclose its complete portfolio holdings schedule in public filings with the SEC on a quarterly basis, based on the Funds fiscal year, within 60 days of the end of the quarter, and will provide that information to shareholders, as required by federal securities laws and regulations thereunder. The Fund, however, may voluntarily disclose all or part of its portfolio holdings other than in connection with the creation/redemption process, as discussed above, in advance of required filings with the SEC, provided that such information is made generally available to all shareholders and other interested parties in a manner that is consistent with the above policy for disclosure of portfolio holdings information. Such information may be made available through a publicly-available website or other means that make the information available to all likely interested parties in a contemporaneous manner.
The Trusts Chief Compliance Officer may authorize disclosure of portfolio holdings information pursuant to the above policy and procedures.
The Trusts Board reviews the policy and procedures for disclosure of portfolio holdings information at least annually.
Construction and Maintenance Standards for the Underlying Index
A brief description of the Underlying Index on which the Fund is based and the equity markets in which the Fund invests are provided below.
Number of Components: 400
Issue Changes. General oversight responsibility for KLDs Domini 400 SocialSM Index, including overall policy guidelines and methodology, is handled by KLD Research & Analytics, Inc. (KLD or the Index Provider). Announcements of Index changes will generally be made two (2) business days in advance of the anticipated effective date, although, for exceptional corporate events, announcements may be made earlier or later.
Index Maintenance. Maintaining the Underlying Index includes monitoring and completing the adjustments for company additions and removals, share changes of more than 10%, stock splits, stock dividends, and stock price adjustments due to restructurings, spin-offs and other corporate actions. Companies may be removed from the Underlying Index due to mergers, acquisitions, bankruptcies, delisting or other corporate actions, concerns about financial quality, failure of exclusionary screens or deteriorating environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance, and are removed from the Underlying Index as close as possible to the actual date on which the event occurred. The Underlying Index is maintained at 400 constituents and additions are made only at the time of and immediately following a removal of a constituent. The selection process for additions to the Underlying Index considers the current composition of the Underlying Index, the characteristics of the company being replaced, including market capitalization, sector representation and S&P® 500 Index membership.
Index Availability. The Underlying Index is calculated daily and is available from major data vendors.
Component Selection Criteria and Index Description. The Underlying Index is designed to provide exposure to the common stocks of companies that KLD determines have positive ESG characteristics. The Underlying Index consists of 400 companies drawn primarily from the universe of companies included in the S&P 500® Index and the Russell 3000® Index. KLD evaluates each eligible companys ESG performance using standardized criteria. KLD seeks to include in the Underlying Index companies with positive ESG performance relative to their industry and sector peers, and in relation to the broader market. The Underlying Index is a float-adjusted market capitalization-weighted index.
When selecting companies for the Underlying Index, KLD also considers market capitalization, sector, industry and liquidity. Companies that KLD determines are in the following businesses beyond specified revenue thresholds as determined by KLD, are not eligible for the Underlying Index: alcohol, tobacco, firearms, nuclear power, military weapons and gambling. Specified revenue thresholds vary by type of involvement in the applicable business, based on a formulaic set of criteria, revenue thresholds and revenue types. KLD seeks to maintain the composition of Underlying Index components at approximately 250 companies from the S&P 500® Index, 100 non-S&P 500® Index companies with market capitalizations greater than $1 billion, and 50 non-S&P 500® Index companies with market capitalizations of less than $1 billion.
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The Fund has adopted its investment objective as a non-fundamental policy. Therefore, the Fund may change its investment objective and its Underlying Index without a shareholder vote. The Board has adopted as fundamental policies the Funds investment restrictions numbered one through six below. The restrictions for the Fund cannot be changed without the approval of the holders of a majority of the Funds outstanding voting securities. A vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities is defined in the 1940 Act as the lesser of (a) 67% or more of the voting securities present at a fund meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities are present or represented by proxy, or (b) more than 50% of outstanding voting securities.
The Fund will not:
1. | Concentrate its investments (i.e. hold 25% or more of its total assets in the stocks of a particular industry or group of industries), except that the Fund will concentrate to approximately the same extent that its Underlying Index concentrates in the stocks of such particular industry or group of industries. For purposes of this limitation, securities of the U.S. Government (including its agencies and instrumentalities), repurchase agreements collateralized by U.S. Government securities, and securities of state or municipal governments and their political subdivisions are not considered to be issued by members of any industry. |
2. | Borrow money, except that (i) the Fund may borrow from banks for temporary or emergency (not leveraging) purposes, including the meeting of redemption requests which might otherwise require the untimely disposition of securities, and (ii) the Fund may, to the extent consistent with its investment policies, enter into repurchase agreements, reverse repurchase agreements, forward roll transactions and similar investment strategies and techniques. To the extent that it engages in transactions described in (i) and (ii), the Fund will be limited so that no more than 33 1/3% of the value of its total assets (including the amount borrowed) is derived from such transactions. Any borrowings which come to exceed this amount will be reduced in accordance with applicable law. |
3. | Issue any senior security, except as permitted under the 1940 Act, as amended, and as interpreted, modified or otherwise permitted by regulatory authority having jurisdiction, from time to time. |
4. | Make loans, except as permitted under the 1940 Act, as amended, and as interpreted, modified or otherwise permitted by regulatory authority having jurisdiction, from time to time. |
5. | Purchase or sell real estate, real estate mortgages, commodities or commodity contracts, but this restriction shall not prevent the Fund from trading in futures contracts and options on futures contracts (including options on currencies to the extent consistent with the Funds investment objective and policies). |
6. | Engage in the business of underwriting securities issued by other persons, except to the extent that the Fund may technically be deemed to be an underwriter under the Securities Act in disposing of portfolio securities. |
In addition to the investment restrictions adopted as fundamental policies, set forth above, the Fund will not invest in the securities of a company for the purpose of exercising management or control or purchase or otherwise acquire any illiquid security, except as permitted under the 1940 Act, which currently permits up to 15% of the Funds net assets to be invested in illiquid securities.
BGFA monitors the liquidity of restricted securities in the Funds portfolio. In reaching liquidity decisions, BGFA considers the following factors:
| The frequency of trades and quotes for the security; |
| The number of dealers wishing to purchase or sell the security and the number of other potential purchasers; |
| Dealer undertakings to make a market in the security; and |
| The nature of the security and the nature of the marketplace in which it trades (e.g., the time needed to dispose of the security, the method of soliciting offers and the mechanics of transfer). |
If any percentage restriction described above is complied with at the time of an investment, a later increase or decrease in percentage resulting from a change in values of assets will not constitute a violation of such restriction.
The Fund has adopted a non-fundamental investment policy in accordance with Rule 35d-1 under the 1940 Act to invest, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the value of its net assets, plus the amount of any borrowings for investment
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purposes, in securities in the Funds Underlying Index and in ADRs based on securities in the Underlying Index. The Fund also has adopted a policy to provide its shareholders with at least 60 days prior written notice of any change in such policy. If, subsequent to an investment, the 80% requirement is no longer met, the Funds future investments will be made in a manner that will bring the Fund into compliance with this policy.
The method by which Creation Unit Aggregations of shares are created and traded may raise certain issues under applicable securities laws. Because new Creation Unit Aggregations of shares are issued and sold by the Fund on an ongoing basis, at any point a distribution, as such term is used in the Securities Act, may occur. Broker-dealers and other persons are cautioned that some activities on their part may, depending on the circumstances, result in their being deemed participants in a distribution in a manner which could render them statutory underwriters and subject them to the prospectus delivery requirement and liability provisions of the Securities Act.
For example, a broker-dealer firm or its client may be deemed a statutory underwriter if it takes Creation Unit Aggregations after placing an order with the Distributor, breaks them down into constituent shares, and sells such shares directly to customers, or if it chooses to couple the creation of a supply of new shares with an active selling effort involving solicitation of secondary market demand for shares. A determination of whether one is an underwriter for purposes of the Securities Act must take into account all the facts and circumstances pertaining to the activities of the broker-dealer or its client in the particular case, and the examples mentioned above should not be considered a complete description of all the activities that could lead to a categorization as an underwriter.
Broker-dealer firms should also note that dealers who are not underwriters but are effecting transactions in shares, whether or not participating in the distribution of shares, generally are required to deliver a prospectus. This is because the prospectus delivery exemption in Section 4(3) of the Securities Act is not available in respect of such transactions as a result of Section 24(d) of the 1940 Act. Firms that incur a prospectus delivery obligation with respect to shares of the Fund are reminded that, pursuant to Rule 153 under the Securities Act, a prospectus delivery obligation under Section 5(b)(2) of the Securities Act owed to an exchange member in connection with a sale on the Listing Exchange is satisfied by the fact that the prospectus is available at the Listing Exchange upon request. The prospectus delivery mechanism provided in Rule 153 is only available with respect to transactions on an exchange.
Trustees and Officers. The Board has responsibility for the overall management and operations of the Fund, including general supervision of the duties performed by BGFA and other service providers. Each Trustee serves until his or her successor is duly elected or appointed and qualified.
iShares Trust, iShares, Inc., Master Investment Portfolio and Barclays Global Investors Funds, each an open-end management investment company registered under the 1940 Act, are considered to be members of the same fund complex, as defined in Form N-1A under the 1940 Act. Each Trustee also serves as a Director for iShares, Inc. and, as a result, oversees a total of [112] Funds within the fund complex. In addition, Lee T. Kranefuss and Richard K. Lyons each serve as a Trustee for Barclays Global Investors Funds and Master Investment Portfolio and, as a result, oversees an additional 27 portfolios within the fund complex. The address of each Trustee and Officer, unless otherwise indicated, is 45 Fremont Street, San Francisco, CA 94105. The Board has designated George G.C. Parker as its Lead Trustee.
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Trustees and Officers
Name (Year of Birth) |
Position |
Principal Occupation(s) During the Past 5 Years |
Other Directorships Held by Trustee/Officer | |||
Interested Trustees | ||||||
*Lee T. Kranefuss (1961) | Trustee, Chairman, and President (since 2003) | Chief Executive Officer of Intermediary Investors and Exchange Traded Products Business of BGI (since 2003); Chief Executive Officer of the Individual Investor Business of BGI (1999-2003) and Chief Executive Officer, Global Index and Markets Group of BGI (2005-present). | Director (since 2003) of iShares, Inc.; Trustee (since 2001) of Barclays Global Investors Funds and Master Investment Portfolio; Director (since 2003) of BGI Cayman Prime Money Market Fund; Director (since 2003) of iShares PLC and EETF PLC (Dublin). | |||
*John E. Martinez (1962) | Trustee (since 2003) | Co-CEO of Global Index and Markets Group of BGI (2001-2003); Chairman of Barclays Global Investors Services (2000-2003); CEO of Capital Markets Group of BGI (1996-2001). | Director (since 2005) of Real Estate Equity Exchange; Director (since 2003) of iShares, Inc.; Director (since 2003) of Larkin Street Youth Services. |
* | Lee T. Kranefuss and John E. Martinez are deemed to be interested persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust due to their affiliations with BGFA, the Funds investment adviser, BGI, the parent company of BGFA, and Barclays Global Investors Services, an affiliate of BGFA and BGI. |
Name (Year of Birth) |
Position |
Principal Occupation(s) During the Past 5 Years |
Other Directorships Held by Trustee/Officer | |||
Independent Trustees | ||||||
Richard K. Lyons (1961) | Trustee (since 2000) | Executive Associate Dean (since 2005) and Sylvan Coleman Chair in Finance (since 2004); Acting Dean (2004-2005) and Professor (since 1993), University of California, Berkeley: Haas School of Business; Consultant for IMF World Bank, Federal Reserve Bank, and Citibank N.A. (since 2000). | Director (since 2003) of the BGI Cayman Prime Money Market Fund, Ltd.; Trustee (since 2001) of Master Investment Portfolio and Barclays Global Investors Funds; Director (since 2002) of iShares, Inc.; Trustee (since 1995) and Chairman of Matthews Asian Funds (oversees 8 portfolios). | |||
George G.C. Parker (1939) | Trustee (since 2000) | Dean Witter Distinguished Professor of Finance (since 1994); Formerly Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Director of MBA Program, Stanford University: Graduate School of Business (1993-2001). | Director (since 2002) of iShares, Inc.; Director (since 1996) of Continental Airlines, Inc.; Director (since 1995) of Community First Financial Group; Director (since 1999) of Tejon Ranch Company; Director (since 2003) of First Republic Bank; Director (since 2004) of Threshold Pharmaceuticals. | |||
Cecilia H. Herbert (1949) | Trustee (since 2005) | Member of Finance Council, Archdiocese of San Francisco (since 1991); Chair of Investment Committee, Archdiocese of San Francisco (1994-2005). | Director (since 2005) of iShares, Inc.; Trustee (2004-2005) of Pacific Select Funds; Trustee (1992-2003) of the Montgomery Funds; Trustee (since 2005) of the Thacher School; Director (since 1998) of Catholic Charities CYO; Trustee (1998-2000) of the Groton School; Director (since 2005) of Womens Forum West (professional association). |
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Name (Year of Birth) |
Position |
Principal Occupation(s) During the Past 5 Years |
Other Directorships Held by Trustee/Officer | |||
Charles A. Hurty (1943) | Trustee (since 2005) | Partner, KPMG, LLP (1968-2001). | Director (since 2005) of iShares, Inc.; Director (since 2002) of GMAM Absolute Return Strategy Fund (1 portfolio); Director (since 2002) of Citigroup Alternative Investments Multi-Adviser Hedge Fund Portfolios LLC (2 portfolios); Director (since 2005) of CSFB Alternative Investments Fund (15 portfolios). | |||
John E. Kerrigan (1955) | Trustee (since 2005) | Chief Investment Officer, Santa Clara University (since 2002); Managing Director, Merrill Lynch (1994-2002). | Director (since 2005) of iShares, Inc.; Member (since 2004) of Advisory Council for Commonfund Distressed Debt Partners II. | |||
Officer | ||||||
Michael Latham (1965) | Secretary, Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer (since 2002) | Chief Operating Officer of the Intermediary Investors and Exchange Traded Products Business of BGI (since 2003), Director of Mutual Fund Delivery in the U.S. Individual Investor Business of BGI (2000-2003); Head of Operations, BGI Europe (1997 - 2000). | None. |
The following table sets forth, as of December 31, 2005, the dollar range of equity securities beneficially owned by each Trustee in the Fund and in other registered investment companies overseen by the Trustee within the same family of investment companies as the Trust. Shares of the iShares KLD 400 SocialSM Index Fund are not issued at the time of this filing.
NAME OF TRUSTEE |
NAME OF INDEX FUND |
DOLLAR RANGE OF EQUITY SECURITIES IN THE FUND |
AGGREGATE DOLLAR RANGE OF EQUITY SECURITIES IN ALL REGISTERED INVESTMENT COMPANIES OVERSEEN BY TRUSTEE IN FAMILY OF INVESTMENT COMPANIES | |||
Richard K. Lyons | iShares Lehman 1-3 Year Treasury Bond iShares S&P 500 LifePath 2030 Portfolio |
$50,001-$100,000 $10,001 - $50,000 $10,001 - $50,000 |
Over $100,000 | |||
Lee T. Kranefuss | iShares Lehman 1-3 Year Treasury Bond iShares Russell 3000 iShares GS $ InvesTop Corporate Bond iShares Dow Jones Select Dividend |
$50,001-$100,000 Over $100,000 $10,001 - $50,000 $10,001 - $50,000 |
Over $100,000 |
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NAME OF TRUSTEE |
NAME OF INDEX FUND |
DOLLAR RANGE OF EQUITY SECURITIES IN THE FUND |
AGGREGATE DOLLAR RANGE OF EQUITY SECURITIES IN ALL REGISTERED INVESTMENT COMPANIES OVERSEEN BY TRUSTEE IN FAMILY OF INVESTMENT COMPANIES | |||
John E. Martinez | iShares MSCI EAFE iShares Russell 1000 iShares Russell 1000 Value iShares S&P 500 |
Over $100,000 Over $100,000 Over $100,000 Over $100,000 |
Over $100,000 | |||
George G.C. Parker | iShares Dow Jones Select Dividend iShares FTSE/Xinhua China 25 iShares GS $ InvesTop Corporate Bond iShares Lehman 1-3 Year Treasury Bond iShares MSCI EAFE iShares MSCI Emerging Markets iShares MSCI Mexico iShares Russell 1000 Value iShares Russell 2000 iShares Russell 2000 Value iShares S&P 100 iShares S&P 500 iShares S&P 500 Growth iShares S&P 500 Value iShares S&P Midcap 400 iShares S&P Midcap 400 Value iShares S&P Global 100 |
Over $100,000 $50,001 - $100,000 Over $100,000 $10,001 - $50,000 Over $100,000 Over $100,000 $50,001 - $100,000 Over $100,000 $50,001 - $100,000 Over $100,000 Over $100,000 Over $100,000 $10,001 - $50,000 $50,001 - $100,000 Over $100,000 Over $100,000 $10,001 - $50,000 |
Over $100,000 | |||
W. Allen Reed* | None | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | |||
Cecilia H. Herbert | iShares MSCI Hong Kong iShares MSCI Japan iShares Dow Jones Consumer Goods Sector iShares Dow Jones U.S. Healthcare iShares Dow Jones Select Dividend iShares S&P 500 Index iShares FTSE/Xinhua China 25 |
$10,001 - $50,000 $10,001 - $50,000 $10,001 - $50,000 $50,001 - $100,000 $10,001 - $50,000 Over $100,000 $50,001 - $100,000 |
Over $100,000 | |||
Charles A. Hurty | iShares S&P 500 Index iShares FTSE/Xinhua China 25 iShares Dow Jones Financial Sector iShares Dow Jones U.S. Energy Sector iShares Dow Jones U.S. Technology Sector iShares MSCI EAFE iShares MSCI Japan |
$10,001 - $50,000 $10,001 - $50,000 $10,001 - $50,000 $10,001 - $50,000 $10,001 - $50,000 $10,001 - $50,000 $10,001 - $50,000 |
Over $100,000 | |||
John E. Kerrigan | iShares Russell 1000 | Over $100,000 | Over $100,000 |
* | Served as Trustee through June 30, 2006. |
As of December 31, 2005, none of the Trustees who are not interested persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust (Independent Trustees) or their immediate family members owned beneficially or of record any securities of BGFA (the Funds investment adviser), SEI (the Funds distributor) or any person controlling, controlled by or under control with BGFA or SEI.
Committees of the Board of Trustees. Each Independent Trustee serves on the Audit and Nominating Committees of the Board of Trustees. The purposes of the Audit Committee are to assist the Board of Trustees (1) in its oversight of the Trusts accounting and financial reporting principles and policies and related controls and procedures maintained by or on behalf of the Trust; (2) in its oversight of the Trusts financial statements and the independent audit thereof; (3) in selecting, evaluating
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and, where deemed appropriate, replacing the independent accountants (or nominating the independent accountants to be proposed for shareholder approval in any proxy statement); and (4) in evaluating the independence of the independent accountants. The Audit Committee of the Trust met four times during the calendar year ended December 31, 2005.
The Nominating Committee nominates individuals for Independent Trustee membership on the Board of Trustees. The Nominating Committee evaluates candidates qualifications for board membership, including their independence from the Funds investment adviser and other principal service providers and the potential effects of any other relationship that might impair the independence of a candidate. In addition, the Nominating Committee periodically reviews the composition of the Board of Trustees to determine whether it may be appropriate to add individuals with different backgrounds or skills from those already on the Board of Trustees. The Nominating Committee considers nominees recommended by shareholders if such nominees are submitted in accordance with Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the 1934 Act), in conjunction with a shareholder meeting to consider the election of Trustees. The Nominating Committee met one time during the calendar year ended December 31, 2005.
Remuneration of Trustees. Effective January 1, 2006, the Trust pays each Independent Trustee and John Martinez, an Interested Trustee, an annual fee of $60,000 for meetings of the Board attended by the Trustee; also the Trust pays Charles Hurty an annual fee of $12,500 for service as the chairperson of the Boards Audit committee and George G. C. Parker an annual fee of $25,000 for service as the Boards Lead Trustee. Prior to January 1, 2006, the Trust paid each Independent Trustee and John Martinez, an Interested Trustee, an annual fee of $45,000 for meetings of the Board attended by each Trustee; also the Trust paid each Independent Trustee who served as a chairperson of a Board committee an annual fee of $2,500. Prior to April 1, 2005, the Trust paid each Independent Trustee and John Martinez, an Interested Trustee, an annual fee of $32,500 for meetings of the Board attended by each Trustee. The Trust also reimburses each Trustee for travel and other out-of-pocket expenses incurred by him/her in connection with attending such meetings.
The table below sets forth the compensation paid to each Interested Trustee for the calendar year ended December 31, 2005.
Name of Interested Trustee |
Aggregate Compensation from the Trust |
Pension or Retirement Benefits Accrued As Part of Trust Expenses* |
Estimated Annual Benefits Upon Retirement* |
Total Compensation From the Fund and Fund Complex** | ||||||
Lee T. Kranefuss*** |
$ | 0 | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | $ | 0 | ||||
John E. Martinez |
$ | 41,875 | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | $ | 83,750 |
* | No Trustee or Officer is entitled to any pension or retirement benefits from the Trust. |
** | Includes compensation for service on the Board of Directors of iShares, Inc. |
*** | Lee T. Kranefuss was not compensated by the Trust due to his employment with BGI during the time period reflected in the table. |
The table below sets forth the compensation paid to each Independent Trustee for the calendar year ended December 31, 2005.
Name of Independent Trustee1 |
Aggregate Compensation from the |
Pension or Retirement Benefits Accrued As Part of Trust Expenses* |
Estimated Annual Benefits Upon Retirement* |
Total Compensation From the Fund and Fund Complex** |
|||||||
John B. Carroll*** |
$ | 8,125 | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | $ | 16,250 | |||||
Richard K. Lyons |
$ | 41,875 | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | $ | 108,750 | **** | ||||
George G. C. Parker |
$ | 43,750 | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | $ | 87,500 | |||||
W. Allen Reed+ |
$ | 43,750 | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | $ | 87,500 | |||||
Charles A. Hurty1 |
$ | 22,500 | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | $ | 45,000 | |||||
John E. Kerrigan1 |
$ | 22,500 | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | $ | 45,000 | |||||
Cecilia H. Herbert1 |
$ | 22,500 | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | $ | 45,000 |
18
1 | Cecilia H. Herbert, Charles A. Hurty and John E. Kerrigan were elected to serve as Independent Trustees of the Trust effective August 11, 2005. |
* | No Trustee or Officer is entitled to any pension or retirement benefits from the Trust. |
** | Includes compensation for service on the Board of Directors of iShares, Inc. |
*** | Served as Trustee through March 1, 2005. |
**** | Includes compensation as Trustee for Barclays Global Investors Funds and Master Investment Portfolio, investment companies with 27 funds also advised by BGFA and/or for which BGFA provides administration services. |
+ | Served as Trustee through June 30, 2006. |
The Trustees and officers of the Trust collectively owned less than 1% of the Funds outstanding shares as of [ ].
Investment Adviser. BGFA serves as investment adviser to the Fund pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and BGFA. BGFA is a California corporation indirectly owned by Barclays Bank PLC and is registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the Advisers Act). Under the Investment Advisory Agreement, BGFA, subject to the supervision of the Board and in conformity with the stated investment policies of the Fund, manages and administers the Trust and the investment of the Funds assets. BGFA is responsible for placing purchase and sale orders and providing continuous supervision of the investment portfolio of the Fund.
Under the Investment Advisory Agreement, BGFA is responsible for all expenses of the Trust, including the cost of transfer agency, custody, fund administration, legal, audit and other services, except expense interest, and taxes, brokerage expenses, distribution fees or expenses and extraordinary expenses. For its investment management services to the Fund, BGFA is paid a management fee at the annual rates (as a percentage of such Funds average net assets) of:
iShares Index Fund |
Management Fee | ||
iShares KLD 400 SocialSM Index Fund |
[ | ]% |
The Investment Advisory Agreement with respect to the Fund continues in effect for two years from its effective date, and thereafter is subject to annual approval by (i) the Board or (ii) the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund, provided that in either event such continuance also is approved by a majority of the Board who are not interested persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund, by a vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.
The Investment Advisory Agreement with respect to the Fund is terminable without penalty, on 60-days notice, by the Board or by a vote of the holders of a majority of the Funds outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act). The Investment Advisory Agreement is also terminable upon 60 days notice by BGFA and will terminate automatically in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act).
Current interpretations of federal banking laws and regulations may (i) prohibit Barclays Bank PLC, BGI and BGFA from controlling or underwriting the shares of the Trust, but (ii) would not prohibit Barclays Bank PLC or BGFA generally from acting as an investment adviser, administrator, transfer agent or custodian to the Fund or from purchasing shares as agent for and upon the order of a customer.
BGFA believes that it may perform advisory and related services for the Trust without violating applicable banking laws or regulations. However, the legal requirements and interpretations about the permissible activities of banks and their affiliates may change in the future. These changes could prevent BGFA from continuing to perform services for the Trust. If this happens, the Board would consider selecting other qualified firms. Any new investment advisory agreement would be subject to shareholder approval.
If current restrictions on bank activities with mutual funds were relaxed, BGFA, or its affiliates, would consider performing additional services for the Trust. BGFA cannot predict whether these changes will be enacted, or the terms under which BGFA, or its affiliates, might offer to provide additional services.
19
Portfolio Managers. The individuals named as Portfolio Managers in the Prospectus are also primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of certain types of other iShares Funds and certain other portfolios and/or accounts in addition to the Fund, as indicated in the table below: 1
Patrick OConnor
Types of Accounts |
Number | Total Assets | |||
Registered Investment Companies |
[ | $ | ] | ||
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles |
[ | $ | ] | ||
Other Accounts |
[ | $ | ] | ||
Accounts with Incentive-Based Fee Arrangements |
[ | $ | ] |
Jane Leung
Types of Accounts |
Number | Total Assets | |||
Registered Investment Companies |
[ | $ | ] | ||
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles |
[ | $ | ] | ||
Other Accounts |
[ | $ | ] | ||
Accounts with Incentive-Based Fee Arrangements |
[ | $ | ] |
1 | Information provided in the table is as of [ ]. |
Each of the portfolios or accounts for which the Portfolio Managers are primarily responsible for the day-to-day management seeks to track the rate of return, risk profile and other characteristics of independent third-party indexes by either replicating the same combination of securities that compose those indexes or through a representative sampling of the securities that compose those indexes based on objective criteria and data. Certain of the portfolios or accounts for which the Portfolio Managers are primarily responsible for the day-to-day management are composed of securities the identity and amount of which are selected by a computer model that is based on prescribed, objective criteria using independent third-party data to transform independently maintained indexes. The Portfolio Managers are required to manage each portfolio or account to meet those objectives. Pursuant to BGI and BGFA policy, investment opportunities are allocated equitably among the iShares Funds and other portfolios and accounts. For example, under certain circumstances, an investment opportunity may be restricted due to limited supply on the market, legal constraints or other factors, in which event the investment opportunity will be allocated equitably among those portfolios and accounts, including the Fund, seeking such investment opportunity. As a consequence, from time to time the Fund may receive a smaller allocation of an investment opportunity than it would have if the Portfolio Managers and BGFA and its affiliates did not manage other portfolios or accounts.
Like the Fund, the other portfolios or accounts for which the Portfolio Managers are primarily responsible for the day-to-day portfolio management generally pay an asset-based fee to BGFA or BGI, as applicable, for its advisory services. One or more of those other portfolios or accounts, however, may pay BGI an incentive-based fee in lieu of, or in addition to, an asset-based fee for its advisory services. A portfolio or account with an incentive-based fee would pay BGI a portion of that portfolios or accounts gains, or would pay BGI more for its services than would otherwise be the case if BGI meets or exceeds specified performance targets. By their very nature, incentive-based fee arrangements could present an incentive for BGI to devote greater resources, and allocate more investment opportunities, to the portfolios or accounts that have those fee arrangements, relative to other portfolios or accounts, in order to earn larger fees. Although BGI has an obligation to allocate resources and opportunities equitably among portfolios and accounts and intends to do so, shareholders of the Fund should be aware that, as with any group of portfolios and accounts managed by an investment adviser and/or its affiliates pursuant to varying fee arrangements, including incentive-based fee arrangements, there is the potential for a conflict-of-interest, that may result in the Portfolio Managers favoring those portfolios or accounts with incentive-based fee arrangements. As of [April 30, 2006], the Portfolio Managers did not manage any portfolio or account with an incentive-based fee.
As of [April 30, 2006], with respect to all iShares Funds and other portfolios and/or accounts managed by the Portfolio Managers, on behalf of BGFA, the Portfolio Managers receive a salary and are eligible to receive an annual bonus. Each Portfolio Managers salary is a fixed amount generally determined annually based on a number of factors, including, but not limited to, the Portfolio Managers title, scope of responsibilities, experience and knowledge. Each Portfolio Managers bonus is a discretionary amount determined annually based on the overall profitability of the various BGI companies worldwide, the performance of the Portfolio Managers business unit, and an assessment of the Portfolio Managers individual performance. Each Portfolio Managers salary and annual bonus are paid in cash. In addition, a Portfolio Manager may be paid a signing bonus or other amounts in connection with initiation of employment with BGFA. If a Portfolio Manager satisfied the requirements for being part of a select group of management or highly compensated employees (within the meaning of ERISA section 401(a)) as so specified under the terms of BGIs Compensation Deferral Plan, the Portfolio Manager may elect to defer a portion of his or her bonus under that Plan.
Portfolio Managers may be selected, on a fully discretionary basis, for awards under BGIs Compensation Enhancement Plan (CEP). Under CEP, these awards are determined annually, and vest after two years. At the option of the CEP administrators, the award may be notionally invested in funds managed by BGI, which means that the final award amount may be increased or decreased according to the performance of the BGI-managed funds over the two-year period. If the award is not notionally invested, the original award amount is paid once vested.
20
A Portfolio Manager may be granted options to purchase shares in Barclays Global Investors UK Holdings Limited (BGI UK Holdings), a company organized under the laws of England and Wales that directly or indirectly owns all of the Barclays Global Investors companies worldwide, which options vest in three equal installments over three years and are generally exercisable during prescribed exercise windows. Shares purchased must generally be held 355 days prior to sale. For such purposes, the value of BGI UK Holdings is based on its fair value as determined by an independent public accounting firm.
As of [April 30, 2006], the Portfolio Managers beneficially owned shares of the Fund in amounts reflected in the following table:
Patrick OConnor
Dollar Range | ||||||||||||||
Fund |
None | $1 to $10k | $10,001 to $50k |
$50,001 to $100k |
$100,001 to $500k |
$500,001 to $1m |
over $1m | |||||||
iShares KLD 400 SocialSM Index Fund |
X |
Jane Leung
Dollar Range | ||||||||||||||
Fund |
None | $1 to $10k | $10,001 to $50k |
$50,001 to $100k |
$100,001 to $500k |
$500,001 to $1m |
over $1m | |||||||
iShares KLD 400 SocialSM Index Fund |
X |
Codes of Ethics. The Trust, BGFA and SEI have adopted Codes of Ethics pursuant to Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act. The Codes of Ethics permit personnel subject to the Codes of Ethics to invest in securities, subject to certain limitations, including securities that may be purchased or held by the Fund. The Codes of Ethics are on public file with, and are available from, the SEC.
Administrator, Custodian and Transfer Agent. Investors Bank & Trust Company (Investors Bank) serves as administrator, custodian and transfer agent for the Fund. Investors Banks principal address is 200 Clarendon Street, Boston, MA 02116. Under the Administration Agreement with the Trust, Investors Bank provides necessary administrative, legal, tax, accounting services, and financial reporting for the maintenance and operations of the Trust and the Fund. In addition, Investors Bank makes available the office space, equipment, personnel and facilities required to provide such services. Under the Custodian Agreement with the Trust, Investors Bank maintains in separate accounts cash, securities and other assets of the Trust and the Fund, keeps all necessary accounts and records, and provides other services. Investors Bank is required, upon the order of the Trust, to deliver securities held by Investors Bank and to make payments for securities purchased by the Trust for the Fund. Also, under a Delegation Agreement, Investors Bank is authorized to appoint certain foreign custodians or foreign custody managers for Fund investments outside the United States. Pursuant to a Transfer Agency and Service Agreement with the Trust, Investors Bank acts as a transfer agent for the Funds authorized and issued shares of beneficial interest, and as dividend disbursing agent of the Trust. As compensation for the foregoing services, Investors Bank receives certain out-of-pocket costs, transaction fees and asset-based fees which are accrued daily and paid monthly by BGFA from its management fee.
Distributor. SEI Investments Distribution Co. is the distributor of shares of the Trust. Its principal address is One Freedom Valley Drive, Oaks, PA 19456. The Distributor has entered into a Distribution Agreement with the Trust pursuant to which it distributes shares of the Fund. The Distribution Agreement will continue for two years from its effective date and is renewable annually. Shares are continuously offered for sale by the Fund through the Distributor only in Creation Unit Aggregations, as described in the Prospectus and below in the Creation and Redemption of Creation Units Aggregations section. Shares in less than Creation Unit Aggregations are not distributed by the Distributor. The Distributor will deliver the Prospectus and, upon request, the SAI to persons purchasing Creation Unit Aggregations and will maintain records of both orders placed with it and confirmations of acceptance furnished by it. The Distributor is a broker-dealer registered under the 1934 Act and a member of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (NASD).
The Distribution Agreement for the Fund provides that it may be terminated at any time, without the payment of any penalty, on at least 60-days prior written notice to the other party (i) by vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees or (ii) by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the relevant Fund. The Distribution Agreement will terminate automatically in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act).
21
The Distributor may also enter into agreements with securities dealers (Soliciting Dealers) who will solicit purchases of Creation Unit Aggregations of shares. Such Soliciting Dealers may also be Authorized Participants (as defined below), DTC Participants (as defined below) and/or Investor Services Organizations.
BGFA or BGI may, from time to time and from its own resources, pay, defray or absorb costs relating to distribution, including payments out of its own resources to the Distributor, or to otherwise promote the sale of shares.
Index Provider. The Fund is based upon a particular index compiled by KLD. KLD is not affiliated with the Fund or with BGI or its affiliates. The Fund is entitled to use its Underlying Index pursuant to a sub-licensing agreement with BGI, which in turn has a licensing agreement with KLD. BGI has provided to the Fund, the applicable sub-licenses without charge.
BGFA assumes general supervision over placing orders on behalf of the Fund for the purchase and sale of portfolio securities. In selecting brokers or dealers for any transaction in portfolio securities, BGFAs policy is to make such selection based on factors deemed relevant, including but not limited to, the breadth of the market in the security, the price of the security, the reasonableness of the commission or mark-up or mark-down, if any, execution capability, settlement capability, back office efficiency and the financial condition of the broker or dealer, both for the specific transaction and on a continuing basis. The overall reasonableness of brokerage commissions paid is evaluated by BGFA based upon its knowledge of available information as to the general level of commissions paid by other institutional investors for comparable services. Brokers may also be selected because of their ability to handle special or difficult executions, such as may be involved in large block trades, less liquid securities, broad distributions, or other circumstances. BGFA does not consider the provision or value of research, products or services a broker or dealer may provide, if any, as a factor in the selection of a broker or dealer or the determination of the reasonableness of commissions paid in connection with portfolio transactions. The Trust has adopted policies and procedures that prohibit the consideration of sales of the Funds shares as a factor in the selection of a broker or a dealer to execute its portfolio transactions.
The Funds purchase and sale orders for securities may be combined with those of other investment companies, clients or accounts that BGFA manages or advises, and for which it has brokerage placement authority. If purchases or sales of portfolio securities of the Fund and one or more other accounts managed or advised by BGFA are considered at or about the same time, transactions in such securities are allocated among the Fund and the other accounts in a manner deemed equitable to all by BGFA. In some cases, this procedure could have a detrimental effect on the price or volume of the security as far as the Fund is concerned. However, in other cases, it is possible that the ability to participate in volume transactions and to negotiate lower transaction costs will be beneficial to the Fund. BGFA may deal, trade and invest for its own account in the types of securities in which the Fund may invest. BGFA may, from time to time, effect trades on behalf of and for the account of the Fund with brokers or dealers that are affiliated with BGFA, in conformity with the 1940 Act and SEC rules and regulations. Under these provisions, any commissions paid to affiliated brokers or dealers must be reasonable and fair compared to the commissions charged by other brokers or dealers in comparable transactions. The Fund will not deal with affiliates in principal transactions unless permitted by applicable SEC rule or regulation or by SEC exemptive order.
Additional Information Concerning the Trust
Shares. The Trust was established as a Delaware statutory trust on December 16, 1999. The Trust currently is comprised of over [80] Funds. The Trust issues shares of beneficial interests in the Fund, with no par value. The Board may designate additional funds. The Trust is currently registered with the SEC as an open-end management investment company.
Each share issued by a Fund has a pro rata interest in the assets of that fund. Shares have no preemptive, exchange, subscription or conversion rights and are freely transferable. Each share is entitled to participate equally in dividends and distributions declared by the Board with respect to the relevant Fund, and in the net distributable assets of such Fund on liquidation.
Each share has one vote with respect to matters upon which a shareholder vote is required consistent with the requirements of the 1940 Act and the rules promulgated thereunder. Shares of all Funds vote together as a single class except that, if the matter being voted on affects only a particular Fund, and, if a matter affects a particular Fund differently from other Funds, that Fund will vote separately on such matter.
Under Delaware law, the Trust is not required to hold an annual meeting of shareholders unless required to do so under the 1940 Act. The policy of the Trust is not to hold an annual meeting of shareholders unless required to do so under the 1940 Act. All shares (regardless of the Fund) have noncumulative voting rights for the Board. Under Delaware law, Trustees of the Trust may be removed by vote of the shareholders.
22
Following the creation of the initial Creation Unit Aggregation(s) of shares of a Fund and immediately prior to the commencement of trading in such funds shares, a holder of shares may be a control person of the fund, as defined in the 1940 Act. A Fund cannot predict the length of time for which one or more shareholders may remain a control person of the Fund.
Shareholders may make inquiries by writing to the Trust, c/o the Distributor, SEI Investments Distribution Co., at One Freedom Valley Drive, Oaks, PA 19456.
Absent an applicable exemption or other relief from the SEC or its staff, beneficial owners of more than 5% of the shares of a fund may be subject to the reporting provisions of Section 13 of the 1934 Act and the SECs rules promulgated thereunder. In addition, absent an applicable exemption or other relief from the SEC staff, officers and Trustees of a fund and beneficial owners of 10% of the shares of such fund (Insiders) may be subject to the insider reporting, short-swing profit and short sale provisions of Section 16 of the 1934 Act and the SECs rules promulgated thereunder. Beneficial owners and insiders should consult with their own legal counsel concerning their obligations under Sections 13 and 16 of the 1934 Act.
Termination of the Trust or the Fund. The Trust or the Fund may be terminated by a majority vote of the Board or the affirmative vote of a super majority of the holders of the Trust or the Fund entitled to vote on termination. Although the shares are not automatically redeemable upon the occurrence of any specific event, the Trusts organizational documents provide that the Board will have the unrestricted power to alter the number of shares in a Creation Unit Aggregation. In the event of a termination of the Trust or the Fund, the Board, in its sole discretion, could determine to permit the shares to be redeemable in aggregations smaller than Creation Unit Aggregations or to be individually redeemable. In such circumstance, the Trust may make redemptions in-kind, for cash, or for a combination of cash or securities.
DTC Acts as Securities Depository for the Shares of the Trust. Shares of the Fund are represented by securities registered in the name of DTC or its nominee and deposited with, or on behalf of, DTC.
DTC, a limited-purpose trust company, was created to hold securities of its participants (DTC Participants) and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of securities transactions among the DTC Participants in such securities through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of the DTC Participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates. DTC Participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations, some of whom (and/or their representatives) own DTC. More specifically, DTC is owned by a number of its DTC Participants and by the NYSE, the AMEX and the NASD. Access to the DTC system is also available to others such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a DTC Participant, either directly or indirectly (Indirect Participants).
Beneficial ownership of shares is limited to DTC Participants, Indirect Participants and persons holding interests through DTC Participants and Indirect Participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in shares (owners of such beneficial interests are referred to herein as Beneficial Owners) is shown on, and the transfer of ownership is effected only through, records maintained by DTC (with respect to DTC Participants) and on the records of DTC Participants (with respect to Indirect Participants and Beneficial Owners that are not DTC Participants). Beneficial Owners will receive from or through the DTC Participant a written confirmation relating to their purchase of shares.
Conveyance of all notices, statements and other communications to Beneficial Owners is effected as follows. Pursuant to the Depositary Agreement between the Trust and DTC, DTC is required to make available to the Trust upon request and for a fee to be charged to the Trust a listing of the shares of the Fund held by each DTC Participant. The Trust shall inquire of each such DTC Participant as to the number of Beneficial Owners holding shares, directly or indirectly, through such DTC Participant. The Trust shall provide each such DTC Participant with copies of such notice, statement or other communication, in such form, number and at such place as such DTC Participant may reasonably request, in order that such notice, statement or communication may be transmitted by such DTC Participant, directly or indirectly, to such Beneficial Owners. In addition, the Trust shall pay to each such DTC Participant a fair and reasonable amount as reimbursement for the expenses attendant to such transmittal, all subject to applicable statutory and regulatory requirements.
Share distributions shall be made to DTC or its nominee, Cede & Co., as the registered holder of all shares of the Trust. DTC or its nominee, upon receipt of any such distributions, shall credit immediately DTC Participants accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in shares of such Fund as shown on the records of DTC or its nominee. Payments by DTC Participants to Indirect Participants and Beneficial Owners of shares held through such DTC Participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in a street name, and will be the responsibility of such DTC Participants.
23
The Trust has no responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or notices to Beneficial Owners, or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in such shares, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests, or for any other aspect of the relationship between DTC and the DTC Participants or the relationship between such DTC Participants and the Indirect Participants and Beneficial Owners owning through such DTC Participants. DTC may decide to discontinue providing its service with respect to shares of the Trust at any time by giving reasonable notice to the Trust and discharging its responsibilities with respect thereto under applicable law. Under such circumstances, the Trust shall take action to find a replacement for DTC to perform its functions at a comparable cost.
Creation and Redemption of Creation Unit Aggregations
Creation. The Trust issues and sells shares of the Fund only in Creation Unit Aggregations on a continuous basis through the Distributor, without a sales load, at the NAV next determined after receipt, on any Business Day (as defined below), of an order in proper form.
A Business Day with respect to the Fund is any day on which the Listing Exchange is open for business. As of the date of this SAI, the Listing Exchange observes the following holidays: New Years Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day (observed), Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
Fund Deposit. The consideration for purchase of Creation Unit Aggregations of the Fund generally consists of the in-kind deposit of a designated portfolio of equity securities, the Deposit Securities, which constitutes a substantial replication, or a portfolio sampling representation, of the stocks involved in the Funds Underlying Index and an amount of cash (the Cash Component) computed as described below. Together, the Deposit Securities and the Cash Component constitute the Fund Deposit, which represents the minimum initial and subsequent investment amount for a Creation Unit Aggregation of the Fund.
The Cash Component is sometimes also referred to as the Balancing Amount. The Cash Component serves the function of compensating for any differences between the NAV per Creation Unit Aggregation and the Deposit Amount (as defined below). The Cash Component is an amount equal to the difference between the NAV of the shares (per Creation Unit Aggregation) and the Deposit Amount, which is an amount equal to the market value of the Deposit Securities. If the Cash Component is a positive number (i.e., the NAV per Creation Unit Aggregation exceeds the Deposit Amount), the creator will deliver the Cash Component. If the Cash Component is a negative number (i.e., the NAV per Creation Unit Aggregation is less than the Deposit Amount), the creator will receive the Cash Component. Computation of the Cash Component excludes any stamp duty or other similar fees and expenses payable upon transfer of beneficial ownership of the Deposit Securities, which shall be the sole responsibility of the Authorized Participant.
BGFA, through the NSCC, makes available on each Business Day, prior to the opening of business on the applicable Listing Exchange (currently 9:30 a.m., Eastern time), the list of the names and the required number of shares of each Deposit Security to be included in the current Fund Deposit (based on information at the end of the previous Business Day) for the Fund.
Such Deposit Securities are applicable, subject to any adjustments as described below, in order to effect creations of Creation Unit Aggregations of a given Fund until such time as the next-announced composition of the Deposit Securities is made available.
The identity and number of shares of the Deposit Securities required for a Fund Deposit for the Fund changes as rebalancing adjustments and corporate action events are reflected from time to time by BGFA with a view to the investment objective of the relevant Fund. The composition of the Deposit Securities may also change in response to adjustments to the weighting or composition of the component securities of the Underlying Index.
In addition, the Trust reserves the right to permit or require the substitution of an amount of cash (i.e. a cash in lieu amount) to be added to the Cash Component to replace any Deposit Security that may not be available in sufficient quantity for delivery or that may not be eligible for transfer through the systems of DTC or the Clearing Process (discussed below). The Trust also reserves the right to permit or require a cash in lieu amount where the delivery of the Deposit Security by the Authorized Participant (as described below) would be restricted under the securities laws or where the delivery of the Deposit Security to the Authorized Participant would result in the disposition of the Deposit Security by the Authorized Participant becoming restricted under the securities laws, or in certain other situations. The adjustments described above will reflect changes known to BGFA on the date of announcement to be in effect by the time of delivery of the Fund Deposit, in the composition of the Underlying Index or resulting from certain corporate actions.
24
Procedures for Creation of Creation Unit Aggregations. To be eligible to place orders with the Distributor and to create a Creation Unit Aggregation of the Fund, an entity must be: (i) a Participating Party, i.e., a broker-dealer or other participant in the clearing process through the Continuous Net Settlement System of the NSCC (the Clearing Process), a clearing agency that is registered with the SEC; or (ii) a DTC Participant (see the Book Entry Only System section), and, in each case, must have executed an agreement with the Distributor with respect to creations and redemptions of Creation Unit Aggregations (Participant Agreement) (discussed below). A Participating Party and DTC Participant are collectively referred to as an Authorized Participant. Investors should contact the Distributor for the names of Authorized Participants that have signed a Participant Agreement. All shares of the Fund, however created, will be entered on the records of DTC in the name of Cede & Co. for the account of a DTC Participant.
All orders to create shares must be placed for one or more Creation Unit Aggregations. Orders to create Creation Unit Aggregations of the Fund cannot be placed through the Clearing Process. All orders to create Creation Unit Aggregations, whether through the Clearing Process (through a Participating Party) or outside the Clearing Process (through a DTC Participant), must be received by the Distributor no later than the closing time of the regular trading session on the Listing Exchange (Closing Time) (ordinarily 4:00 p.m., Eastern time) in each case on the date such order is placed in order for creation of Creation Unit Aggregations to be effected based on the NAV of shares of the Fund as next determined on such date after receipt of the order in proper form. The date on which an order to create Creation Unit Aggregations (or an order to redeem Creation Unit Aggregations, as discussed below) is placed is referred to as the Transmittal Date. Orders must be transmitted by an Authorized Participant by telephone or other transmission method acceptable to the Distributor pursuant to procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement, as described below. Economic or market disruptions or changes, or telephone or other communication failure, may impede the ability to reach the Distributor or an Authorized Participant.
All orders to create Creation Unit Aggregations shall be placed with an Authorized Participant, as applicable, in the form required by such Authorized Participant. In addition, the Authorized Participant may request the investor to make certain representations or enter into agreements with respect to the order, e.g., to provide for payments of cash, when required. Investors should be aware that their particular broker may not have executed a Participant Agreement and, therefore, orders to create Creation Unit Aggregations of the Fund have to be placed by the investors broker through an Authorized Participant that has executed a Participant Agreement. In such cases, there may be additional charges to such investor. At any given time, there may be only a limited number of broker-dealers that have executed a Participant Agreement and, to the extent needed, only a small number of such Authorized Participants may have international capabilities.
Those placing orders for Creation Unit Aggregations of the Fund should ascertain the applicable deadline for cash transfers by contacting the operations department of the broker or depositary institution making the transfer of the Cash Component. This deadline is likely to be significantly earlier than the closing time of the regular trading session on the Listing Exchange. Investors should be aware that the Authorized Participant may require orders for Creation Units placed with it to be in the form required by the individual Authorized Participant, which form may not be the same as the form of purchase order specified by the Trust that the Authorized Participant must deliver to the Distributor.
Placement of Creation Orders for Domestic Funds Using the Clearing Process. The Clearing Process is the process of creating or redeeming Creation Unit Aggregations. Fund Deposits made through the Clearing Process must be delivered through a Participating Party that has executed a Participant Agreement. The Participant Agreement authorizes the Distributor to transmit through Investors Bank to NSCC, on behalf of the Participating Party, such trade instructions as are necessary to effect the Participating Partys creation order. Pursuant to such trade instructions to NSCC, the Participating Party agrees to deliver the requisite Deposit Securities and the Cash Component to the Trust, together with such additional information as may be required by the Distributor. An order to create Creation Unit Aggregations through the Clearing Process is deemed received by the Distributor on the Transmittal Date if: (i) such order is received by the Distributor not later than the Closing Time on such Transmittal Date; and (ii) all other procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement are properly followed.
Placement of Creation Orders for Domestic Funds Outside the Clearing Process. Fund Deposits made outside the Clearing Process must be delivered through a DTC Participant that has executed a Participant Agreement. A DTC participant who wishes to place an order creating Creation Unit Aggregations to be effected outside the Clearing Process does not need to be a Participating Party, but such orders must state that the DTC Participant is not using the Clearing Process and that the creation of Creation Unit Aggregations will instead be effected through a transfer of securities and cash directly through DTC. The Fund Deposit transfer must be ordered by the DTC Participant on the Transmittal Date in a timely fashion so as to ensure the delivery of the requisite number of Deposit Securities through DTC to the account of the Fund by no later than 2:00 p.m., Eastern time, on the Settlement Date. The Settlement Date is typically the third Business Day following the Transmittal Date. However, the Settlement Date for certain Funds is typically the second Business Day following the Transmittal Date and the Fund reserves the right to settle transactions on a basis other than T+3. In certain cases Authorized Participants will create and redeem Creation Unit Aggregations of the same Fund on the same trade date. In these instances, the Trust reserves the right to settle these transactions on a net basis.
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All questions as to the number of Deposit Securities to be delivered, and the validity, form and eligibility (including time of receipt) for the deposit of any tendered securities, will be determined by the Trust, whose determination shall be final and binding. The amount of cash equal to the Cash Component must be transferred directly to Investors Bank through the Federal Reserve Bank wire transfer system in a timely manner so as to be received by Investors Bank no later than 2:00 p.m., Eastern time, on the Settlement Date. An order to create Creation Unit Aggregations outside the Clearing Process is deemed received by the Distributor on the Transmittal Date if: (i) such order is received by the Distributor not later than the Closing Time on such Transmittal Date; and (ii) all other procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement are properly followed. However, if Investors Bank does not receive both the required Deposit Securities and the Cash Component by 2:00 p.m. on the Settlement Date, such order may be canceled. Upon written notice to the Distributor, such canceled order may be resubmitted the following Business Day using a Fund Deposit as newly constituted to reflect the then current NAV of the Fund. The delivery of Creation Unit Aggregations so created generally will occur no later than the Settlement Date.
An additional charge of up to three (3) times the normal transaction fee (for a total charge of up to four (4) times the normal transaction fee) may be imposed with respect to transactions effected outside the Clearing Process (through a DTC participant) and in the limited circumstances in which any cash can be used in lieu of Deposit Securities to create Creation Units. This charge is subject to a limit not to exceed 10/100 of 1% (10 basis points) of the value of one Creation Unit at the time of creation.
Creation Unit Aggregations of Domestic Funds may be created in advance of receipt by the Trust of all or a portion of the applicable Deposit Securities as described below. In these circumstances, the initial deposit will have a value greater than the NAV of the shares on the date the order is placed in proper form since, in addition to available Deposit Securities, cash must be deposited in an amount equal to the sum of (i) the Cash Component, plus (ii) at least 105%, which BGFA may change from time to time, of the market value of the undelivered Deposit Securities (the Additional Cash Deposit) with the Fund pending delivery of any missing Deposit Securities.
If an Authorized Participant determines to post an additional cash deposit as collateral for any undelivered Deposit Securities, such Authorized Participant must deposit with Investors Bank the appropriate amount of federal funds by 2:00 p.m., Eastern time, on the date of requested settlement. If the Authorized Participant does not place its purchase order by the closing time or Investors Bank does not receive federal funds in the appropriate amount by such time, then the order may be deemed to be rejected and the Authorized Participant shall be liable to the Fund for losses, if any, resulting therefrom. An additional amount of cash shall be required to be deposited with Investors Bank, pending delivery of the missing Deposit Securities to the extent necessary to maintain the Additional Cash Deposit with the Trust in an amount at least equal to 105%, which BGFA may change from time to time, of the daily marked to market value of the missing Deposit Securities. To the extent that missing Deposit Securities are not received by 2:00 p.m., Eastern time, on the Settlement Date or in the event a marked-to-market payment is not made within one Business Day following notification by the Distributor that such a payment is required, the Trust may use the cash on deposit to purchase the missing Deposit Securities. Authorized Participants will be liable to the Trust for the costs incurred by the Trust in connection with any such purchases. These costs will be deemed to include the amount by which the actual purchase price of the Deposit Securities exceeds the market value of such Deposit Securities on the transmittal date plus the brokerage and related transaction costs associated with such purchases. The Trust will return any unused portion of the Additional Cash Deposit once all of the missing Deposit Securities have been properly received by Investors Bank or purchased by the Trust and deposited into the Trust. In addition, a transaction fee, as listed below, will be charged in all cases. The delivery of Creation Unit Aggregations so created generally will occur no later than the Settlement Date.
Acceptance of Orders for Creation Unit Aggregations. The Trust reserves the absolute right to reject a creation order transmitted to it by the Distributor in respect of the Fund if: (i) the order is not in proper form; (ii) the investor(s), upon obtaining the shares ordered, would own 80% or more of the currently outstanding shares of the Fund; (iii) the Deposit Securities delivered are not as disseminated through the facilities of the NSCC for that date by BGFA, as described above; (iv) acceptance of the Deposit Securities would have certain adverse tax consequences to the Fund; (v) acceptance of the Fund Deposit would, in the opinion of counsel, be unlawful; (vi) acceptance of the Fund Deposit would otherwise, in the discretion of the Trust or BGFA, have an adverse effect on the Trust or the rights of beneficial owners; or (vii) in the event that circumstances outside the control of the Trust, Investors Bank, the Distributor or BGFA makes it, for all practical purposes, impossible to process creation orders. Examples of such circumstances include acts of God; public service or utility problems such as fires, floods, extreme weather conditions and power outages resulting in telephone, telecopy and computer failures; market conditions or activities causing trading halts; systems failures involving computer or other information systems affecting the Trust, BGFA, the Distributor, DTC, NSCC, Investors Bank or sub-custodian or any other participant in the creation process, and similar extraordinary events. The Distributor shall notify a prospective creator of a Creation Unit
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and/or the Authorized Participant acting on behalf of the creator of a Creation Unit Aggregation of its rejection of the order of such person. The Trust, Investors Bank, a sub-custodian and the Distributor are under no duty, however, to give notification of any defects or irregularities in the delivery of Fund Deposits nor shall any of them incur any liability for the failure to give any such notification.
All questions as to the number of shares of each security in the Deposit Securities and the validity, form, eligibility and acceptance for deposit of any securities to be delivered shall be determined by the Trust, and the Trusts determination shall be final and binding.
Creation Transaction Fee. A purchase transaction fee is imposed for the transfer and other transaction costs of the Fund associated with the issuance of Creation Units of shares. The fee is a single charge and will be the same regardless of the number of Creation Units purchased by a purchaser on the same day. Purchasers of Creation Units of shares for cash are required to pay an additional variable charge to compensate for brokerage and market impact expenses. Where the Trust permits an in-kind purchaser to substitute cash in lieu of depositing a portion of the Deposit Securities, the purchaser will be assessed the additional variable charge for cash purchases on the cash in lieu portion of its investment. Investors will also bear the costs of transferring the Deposit Securities to the Trust. Investors who use the services of a broker or other such intermediary may be charged a fee for such services.
The following table sets forth the standard and maximum creation transaction fee for the Fund.
Name of Fund |
Standard Creation Transaction Fee* |
Maximum Creation Transaction Fee* | ||||
iShares KLD 400 SocialSM Index Fund |
$ | $ |
* | If a Creation Unit is purchased outside the usual process through the NSCC or for cash, a variable fee will be charged up to four times the standard creation or redemption transaction fee. |
Redemption of Shares in Creation Units Aggregations. Shares may be redeemed only in Creation Unit Aggregations at their NAV next determined after receipt of a redemption request in proper form by the Fund through Investors Bank and only on a Business Day. The Fund will not redeem shares in amounts less than Creation Unit Aggregations. Beneficial Owners must accumulate enough shares in the secondary market to constitute a Creation Unit Aggregation in order to have such shares redeemed by the Trust. There can be no assurance, however, that there will be sufficient liquidity in the public trading market at any time to permit assembly of a Creation Unit Aggregation. Investors should expect to incur brokerage and other costs in connection with assembling a sufficient number of shares to constitute a redeemable Creation Unit Aggregation.
With respect to the Fund, BGFA, through the NSCC and the Distributor, makes available immediately prior to the opening of business on the applicable Listing Exchange (currently 9:30 a.m., Eastern time) on each Business Day, the identity of the Fund securities that will be applicable (subject to possible amendment or correction) to redemption requests received in proper form (as described below) on that day (Fund Securities). Fund Securities received on redemption may not be identical to Deposit Securities that are applicable to creations of Creation Unit Aggregations.
Unless cash redemptions are available or specified for the Fund, the redemption proceeds for a Creation Unit Aggregation generally consist of Fund Securities as announced on the Business Day of the request for redemption received in proper form plus cash in an amount equal to the difference between the NAV of the shares being redeemed, as next determined after a receipt of a request in proper form, and the value of the Fund Securities (the Cash Redemption Amount), less a redemption transaction fee as listed below. In the event that the Fund Securities have a value greater then the NAV of the shares, a compensating cash payment equal to the difference is required to be made by or through an Authorized Participant by the redeeming shareholder.
The right of redemption may be suspended or the date of payment postponed with respect to the Fund: (i) for any period during which the NYSE is closed (other than customary weekend and holiday closings); (ii) for any period during which trading on the NYSE is suspended or restricted; (iii) for any period during which an emergency exists as a result of which disposal of the shares of the Fund or determination of the Funds NAV is not reasonably practicable; or (iv) in such other circumstances as is permitted by the SEC.
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Redemption Transaction Fee. A redemption transaction fee is imposed to offset transfer and other transaction costs that may be incurred by the Fund. The fee is a single charge and will be the same regardless of the number of Creation Units redeemed by an investor on the same day. The redemption transaction fees for redemptions in kind and for cash and the additional variable charge for cash redemptions (when cash redemptions are available or specified) are listed below. Investors will also bear the costs of transferring the Fund Securities from the Trust to their account or on their order. Investors who use the services of a broker or other such intermediary may be charged a fee for such services.
The following table sets forth the standard and maximum redemption transaction fee for the Fund.
Name of Fund |
Standard Redemption Transaction Fee* |
Maximum Redemption Transaction Fee* | ||||
iShares KLD 400 SocialSM Index Fund |
$ | $ |
* | If a Creation Unit is redeemed outside the usual process through the NSCC or for cash, a variable fee will be charged up to four times the standard creation or redemption transaction fee. |
Placement of Redemption Orders for Domestic Funds Using the Clearing Process. Orders to redeem Creation Unit Aggregations of Domestic Funds through the Clearing Process must be delivered through a Participating Party that has executed the Participant Agreement. An order to redeem Creation Unit Aggregations using the Clearing Process is deemed received by the Trust on the Transmittal Date if (i) such order is received by Investors Bank not later than the Closing Time on such Transmittal Date, and (ii) all other procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement are properly followed. Such order will be effected based on the NAV of the Fund as next determined. An order to redeem Creation Unit Aggregations using the Clearing Process made in proper form but received by the Trust after the Closing Time, will be deemed received on the next Business Day immediately following the Transmittal Date and will be effected at the NAV next determined on such Business Day. The requisite Fund Securities and the Cash Redemption Amount will be transferred by the third NSCC Business Day following the date on which such request for redemption is deemed received.
Placement of Redemption Orders for Domestic Funds Outside the Clearing Process. Orders to redeem Creation Unit Aggregations of Domestic Funds outside the Clearing Process must be delivered through a DTC Participant that has executed the Participant Agreement. A DTC Participant who wishes to place an order for redemption of Creation Unit Aggregations to be effected outside the Clearing Process does not need to be a Participating Party, but such orders must state that the DTC Participant is not using the Clearing Process and that redemption of Creation Unit Aggregations will instead be effected through transfer of shares directly through DTC. An order to redeem Creation Unit Aggregations outside the Clearing Process is deemed received by the Trust on the Transmittal Date if: (i) such order is received by Investors Bank not later than the Closing Time on such Transmittal Date; (ii) such order is accompanied or followed by the requisite number of shares of the Fund specified in such order, which delivery must be made through DTC to Investors Bank no later than 11:00 a.m., Eastern time, on the contracted settlement date; and (iii) all other procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement are properly followed. After the Trust has deemed an order for redemption outside the Clearing Process received, the Trust will initiate procedures to transfer the requisite Fund Securities which are expected to be delivered within three Business Days and the Cash Redemption Amount to the Authorized Participant on behalf of the redeeming Beneficial Owner by the Settlement Date. In certain cases Authorized Participants will redeem and create Creation Unit Aggregations of the same Fund on the same trade date. In these instances, the Trust reserves the right to settle these transactions on a net basis.
Registered Investment Company Qualifications. The Fund intends to qualify for and to elect treatment as a separate Regulated Investment Company (RIC) under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code). To qualify for treatment as a RIC, the Fund must annually distribute at least 90% of its net investment company taxable income (which includes dividends, interest and net short-term capital gains) and meet several other requirements. Among such other requirements are the following: (i) at least 90% of the Funds annual gross income must be derived from dividends, interest, payments with respect to securities loans, gains from the sale or other disposition of stock or securities or foreign currencies, or other income (including gains from options, futures or forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock, securities or currencies, and net income derived from an interest in a qualified publicly traded partnership(i.e., a partnership that is traded on an established securities market or tradable on a secondary market, other than a partnership that derives 90% of its income from interest, dividends, capital gains and other traditional permitted mutual fund income); and (ii) at the close of each quarter of the companys taxable year, (a) at least 50% of the market value of the Funds total assets must be represented by cash and cash items, U.S. government securities, securities of other RICs and other securities, with such other securities limited for purposes of this calculation in respect of any one issuer to an amount not greater than 5% of the value of the Funds assets and not greater than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of
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such issuer, and (b) not more than 25% of the value of the Funds total assets may be invested in the securities of any one issuer, of two or more issuers that are controlled by the Fund (within the meaning of Section 851(c)(2) of the Code), and that are engaged in the same or similar trades or businesses or related trades or businesses (other than U.S. government securities or the securities of other regulated investment companies) or the securities of one or more qualified publicly traded partnerships.
The Funds investments in partnerships, including in qualified publicly traded partnerships, may result in the Funds being subject to state, local or foreign income, franchise or withholding tax liabilities.
Taxation of RICs. As a RIC, the Fund will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the portion of its taxable investment income and capital gains that it distributes to its shareholders. If the Fund fails to qualify for any taxable year as a RIC, all of its taxable income will be subject to tax at regular corporate income tax rates without any deduction for distributions to shareholders, and such distributions generally will be taxable to shareholders as ordinary dividends to the extent of the Funds current and accumulated earnings and profits. In such event, distributions to individuals should qualify as qualified dividend income and distributions to corporate shareholders generally should be eligible for the dividends-received deduction. Although the Fund intends to distribute substantially all of its net investment income and its capital gains for each taxable year, the Fund will be subject to federal income taxation to the extent any such income or gains are not distributed. If the Funds distributions exceed its taxable income and capital gains realized during a taxable year, all or a portion of the distributions made in the taxable year may be recharacterized as a return of capital to shareholders. A return of capital distribution generally will not be taxable but will reduce the shareholders cost basis and result in a higher capital gain or lower capital loss when those shares on which the distribution was received are sold.
Excise Tax. The Fund will be subject to a 4% excise tax on certain undistributed income if it does not distribute to its shareholders in each calendar year at least 98% of its ordinary income for the calendar year plus 98% of its capital gain net income for the twelve months ended October 31 of such year. The Fund intends to declare and distribute dividends and distributions in the amounts and at the times necessary to avoid the application of this 4% excise tax.
Taxation of U.S. Shareholders. Dividends and other distributions by the Fund are generally treated under the Code as received by the shareholders at the time the dividend or distribution is made. However, any dividend or distribution declared by the Fund in October, November or December of any calendar year and payable to shareholders of record on a specified date in such a month shall be deemed to have been received by each shareholder on December 31 of such calendar year and to have been paid by the Fund not later than such December 31, provided such dividend is actually paid by the Fund during January of the following calendar year.
The Fund intends to distribute annually to its shareholders substantially all of its investment company taxable income, and any net realized long-term capital gains in excess of net realized short-term capital losses (including any capital loss carryovers). However, if the Fund retains for investment an amount equal to all or a portion of its net long-term capital gains in excess of its net short-term capital losses (including any capital loss carryovers), it will be subject to a corporate tax (currently at a maximum rate of 35%) on the amount retained. In that event, the Fund will designate such retained amounts as undistributed capital gains in a notice to its shareholders who (a) will be required to include in income for U.S. federal income tax purposes, as long-term capital gains, their proportionate shares of the undistributed amount, (b) will be entitled to credit their proportionate shares of the 35% tax paid by the Fund on the undistributed amount against their U.S. federal income tax liabilities, if any, and to claim refunds to the extent their credits exceed their liabilities, if any, and (c) will be entitled to increase their tax basis, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, in their shares by an amount equal to 65% of the amount of undistributed capital gains included in the shareholders income. Organizations or persons not subject to U.S. federal income tax on such capital gains will be entitled to a refund of their pro rata share of such taxes paid by the Fund upon filing appropriate returns or claims for refund with the Internal Revenue Service.
Distributions of net realized long-term capital gains, if any, that the Fund designates as capital gains dividends are taxable as long-term capital gains, whether paid in cash or in shares and regardless of how long a shareholder has held shares of the Fund. All other dividends of the Fund (including dividends from short-term capital gains) from its current and accumulated earnings and profits (regular dividends) are generally subject to tax as ordinary income.
If an individual receives a regular dividend qualifying for the long-term capital gains rates and such dividend constitutes an extraordinary dividend, and the individual subsequently recognizes a loss on the sale or exchange of stock in respect of which the extraordinary dividend was paid, then the loss will be long-term capital loss to the extent of such extraordinary dividend. An extraordinary dividend on common stock for this purpose is generally a dividend (i) in an amount greater than or equal to 10% of the taxpayers tax basis (or trading value) in a share of stock, aggregating dividends with ex-dividend dates within an 85-day period or (ii) in an amount greater than 20% of the taxpayers tax basis (or trading value) in a share of stock, aggregating dividends with ex-dividend dates within a 365-day period.
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Distributions in excess of the Funds current and accumulated earnings and profits will, as to each shareholder, be treated as a tax-free return of capital to the extent of a shareholders basis in his shares of the Fund, and as a capital gain thereafter (if the shareholder holds his shares of the Fund as capital assets). Shareholders receiving dividends or distributions in the form of additional shares should be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as receiving a distribution in an amount equal to the amount of money that the shareholders receiving cash dividends or distributions will receive, and should have a cost basis in the shares received equal to such amount. Dividends paid by a Fund that are attributable to dividends received by the Fund from domestic corporations may qualify for the federal dividends-received deduction for corporations.
Investors considering buying shares just prior to a dividend or capital gain distribution should be aware that, although the price of shares just purchased at that time may reflect the amount of the forthcoming distribution, such dividend or distribution may nevertheless be taxable to them. If the Fund is the holder of record of any stock on the record date for any dividends payable with respect to such stock, such dividends will be included in the Funds gross income not as of the date received but as of the later of (a) the date such stock became ex-dividend with respect to such dividends (i.e., the date on which a buyer of the stock would not be entitled to receive the declared, but unpaid, dividends) or (b) the date the Fund acquired such stock. Accordingly, in order to satisfy its income distribution requirements, the Fund may be required to pay dividends based on anticipated earnings, and shareholders may receive dividends in an earlier year than would otherwise be the case.
Back-Up Withholding. In certain cases, the Fund will be required to withhold at the applicable withholding rate, and remit to the U.S. Treasury such amounts withheld from any distributions paid to a shareholder who: (1) has failed to provide a correct taxpayer identification number, (2) is subject to backup withholding by the Internal Revenue Service; (3) has failed to certify to the Fund that such shareholder is not subject to backup withholding; or (4) has not certified that such shareholder is a U.S. person (including a U.S. resident alien).
Section 351. The Trust on behalf of the Fund has the right to reject an order for a purchase of shares of the Fund if the purchaser (or group of purchasers) would, upon obtaining the shares so ordered, own 80% or more of the outstanding shares of a given Fund and if, pursuant to Section 351 of the Code, that Fund would have a basis in the securities different from the market value of such securities on the date of deposit. If the Funds basis in such securities on the date of deposit was less than market value on such date, the Fund, upon disposition of the securities, would recognize more taxable gain or less taxable loss than if its basis in the securities had been equal to market value. It is not anticipated that the Trust will exercise the right of rejection except in a case where the Trust determines that accepting the order could result in material adverse tax consequences to the Fund or its shareholders. The Trust also has the right to require information necessary to determine beneficial share ownership for purposes of the 80% determination.
Qualified Dividend Income. Distributions by the Fund of investment company taxable income (excluding any short-term capital gains) whether received in cash or shares will be taxable either as ordinary income or as qualified dividend income, eligible for the reduced maximum rate to individuals of 15% (5% for individuals in lower tax brackets) to the extent the Fund receives qualified dividend income on the securities it holds and the Fund designates the distribution as qualified dividend income. Qualified dividend income is, in general, dividend income from taxable domestic corporations and certain foreign corporations (e.g., foreign corporations incorporated in a possession of the United States or in certain countries with a comprehensive tax treaty with the United States, or the stock of which is readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States). A dividend will not be treated as qualified dividend income to the extent that (i) the shareholder has not held the shares on which the dividend was paid for more than 60 days during the 121-day period that begins on the date that is 60 days before the date on which the shares become ex dividend with respect to such dividend (and the Fund also satisfies those holding period requirements with respect to the securities it holds that paid the dividends distributed to the shareholder), (ii) the shareholder is under an obligation (whether pursuant to a short sale or otherwise) to make related payments with respect to substantially similar or related property, or (iii) the shareholder elects to treat such dividend as investment income under section 163(d)(4)(B) of the Code. The maximum 15% rate on qualified dividend income will not apply to dividends received in taxable years beginning after December 31, 2010. Distributions by the Fund of its net short-term capital gains will be taxable as ordinary income. Capital gain distributions consisting of the Funds net capital gains will be taxable as long-term capital gains.
Corporate Dividends Received Deduction. The Funds dividends that are paid to its corporate shareholders and are attributable to qualifying dividends it received from U.S. domestic corporations may be eligible, in the hands of such shareholders, for the corporate dividends received deduction, subject to certain holding period requirements and debt financing limitations.
Net Capital Loss Carryforwards. Net capital loss carryforwards may be applied against any net realized capital gains in each succeeding year, or until their respective expiration dates, whichever occurs first.
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Federal Tax Treatment of Complex Securities. The Fund may invest in complex securities. These investments may be subject to numerous special and complex tax rules. These rules could affect whether gains and losses recognized by the Fund are treated as ordinary income or capital gain, accelerate the recognition of income to the Fund and/or defer the Funds ability to recognize losses. In turn, these rules may affect the amount, timing or character of the income distributed to you by the Fund.
The Fund is required, for federal income tax purposes, to mark-to-market and recognize as income for each taxable year its net unrealized gains and losses on certain futures and options contracts as of the end of the year as well as those actually realized during the year. Gain or loss from futures and options contracts on broad-based investments required to be marked-to-market will be 60% long-term and 40% short-term capital gain or loss. Application of this rule may alter the timing and character of distributions to shareholders. The Fund may be required to defer the recognition of losses on futures contracts, option contracts and swaps to the extent of any unrecognized gains on offsetting positions held by the Fund.
As a result of entering into swap contracts, the Fund may make or receive periodic net payments. The Fund may also make or receive a payment when a swap is terminated prior to maturity through an assignment of the swap or other closing transaction. Periodic net payments will generally constitute ordinary income or deductions, while termination of a swap will generally result in capital gain or loss (which will be a long-term capital gain or loss if the Fund has been a party to the swap for more than one year).
It is anticipated that any net gain realized from the closing out of futures or options contracts will be considered qualifying income for purposes of the 90% requirement for a Fund to qualify as a RIC. The Fund intends to distribute to shareholders annually any net capital gains that have been recognized for federal income tax purposes (including unrealized gains at the end of the Funds fiscal year) on futures or options transactions. Such distributions are combined with distributions of capital gains realized on the Funds other investments and shareholders are advised on the nature of the distributions.
The Fund may be required to treat amounts as taxable income or gain, subject to the distribution requirements referred to above, even though no corresponding amounts of cash are received concurrently, as a result of (1) mark-to-market, constructive sale or rules applicable to PFICs (as defined above) or partnerships or trusts in which the Fund invests or to certain options, futures or forward contracts, or appreciated financial positions or (2) the inability to obtain cash distributions or other amounts due to currency controls or restrictions on repatriation imposed by a foreign country with respect to the Funds investments (including through depositary receipts) in issuers in such country or (3) tax rules applicable to debt obligations acquired with original issue discount, including zero-coupon or deferred payment bonds and pay-in-kind debt obligations, or to market discount if an election is made with respect to such market discount. The Fund may therefore be required to obtain cash to be used to satisfy these distribution requirements by selling securities at times that it might not otherwise be desirable to do so or borrowing the necessary cash, thereby incurring interest expenses.
In general, gain or loss on a short sale is recognized when the Fund closes the sale by delivering the borrowed property to the lender, not when the borrowed property is sold. Gain or loss from a short sale is generally considered as capital gain or loss to the extent that the property used to close the short sale constitutes a capital asset in the Funds hands. Except with respect to certain situations where the property used by the Fund to close a short sale has a long-term holding period on the date of the short sale, special rules would generally treat the gains on short sales as short-term capital gains. These rules may also terminate the running of the holding period of substantially identical property held by the Fund. Moreover, a loss on a short sale will be treated as a long-term capital loss if, on the date of the short sale, substantially identical property has been held by the Fund for more than one year. In general, the Fund will not be permitted to deduct payments made to reimburse the lender of securities for dividends paid on borrowed stock if the short sale is closed on or before the 45th day after the short sale is entered into.
Sales of Shares. Upon the sale or exchange of his shares, a shareholder will realize a taxable gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized and his basis in his shares. A redemption of shares by the Fund will be treated as a sale for this purpose. Such gain or loss will be treated as capital gain or loss if the shares are capital assets in the shareholders hands, and will be long-term capital gain or loss if the shares are held for more than one year and short-term capital gain or loss if the shares are held for one year or less. Any loss realized on a sale or exchange will be disallowed to the extent the shares disposed of are replaced, including replacement through the reinvesting of dividends and capital gains distributions in the Fund, within a 61-day period beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the disposition of the shares. In such a case, the basis of the shares acquired will be increased to reflect the disallowed loss. Any loss realized by a shareholder on the sale of the Fund share held by the shareholder for six months or less will be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any distributions or deemed distributions of long-term capital gains received by the shareholder with respect to such share. If a shareholder incurs a sales charge in acquiring shares of the Fund, disposes of those shares within 90 days and then acquires shares in a fund for which the otherwise applicable sales charge is reduced by reason of a reinvestment right (e.g., an exchange privilege), the original sales charge will not be taken
31
into account in computing gain/loss on the original shares to the extent the subsequent sales charge is reduced. Instead, the disregarded portion of the original sales charge will be added to the tax basis of the newly acquired shares. Furthermore, the same rule also applies to a disposition of the newly acquired shares made within 90 days of the second acquisition. This provision prevents a shareholder from immediately deducting the sales charge by shifting his or her investment within a family of funds.
Other Taxes. Dividends, distributions and redemption proceeds may also be subject to additional state, local and foreign taxes depending on each shareholders particular situation.
If a shareholder recognizes a loss with respect to the Funds shares of $2 million or more for an individual shareholder or $10 million or more for a corporate shareholder, the shareholder must file with the IRS a disclosure statement on Form 8886. Direct shareholders of portfolio securities are in many cases exempted from this reporting requirement, but under current guidance, shareholders of a regulated investment company are not exempted. The fact that a loss is reportable under these regulations does not affect the legal determination of whether the taxpayers treatment of the loss is proper. Shareholders should consult their tax advisors to determine the applicability of these regulations in light of their individual circumstances.
Taxation of Non-U.S. Shareholders. Dividends paid by the Fund to non-U.S. shareholders are generally subject to withholding tax at a 30% rate or a reduced rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty to the extent derived from investment income and short-term capital gains. In order to obtain a reduced rate of withholding, a non-U.S. shareholder will be required to provide an IRS Form W-8BEN certifying its entitlement to benefits under a treaty. The withholding tax does not apply to regular dividends paid to a non-U.S. shareholder who provides a Form W-8ECI, certifying that the dividends are effectively connected with the non-U.S. shareholders conduct of a trade or business within the United States. Instead, the effectively connected dividends will be subject to regular U.S. income tax as if the non-U.S. shareholder were a U.S. shareholder. A non-U.S. corporation receiving effectively connected dividends may also be subject to additional branch profits tax imposed at a rate of 30% (or lower treaty rate). A non-U.S. shareholder who fails to provide an IRS Form W-8BEN or other applicable form may be subject to backup withholding at the appropriate rate.
In general, United States federal withholding tax will not apply to any gain or income realized by a non-U.S. shareholder in respect of any distributions of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital losses, exempt-interest dividends, or upon the sale or other disposition of shares of the Fund.
For taxable years beginning before January 1, 2008, properly-designated dividends are generally exempt from United States federal withholding tax where they (i) are paid in respect of the Funds qualified net interest income (generally, the Funds U.S. source interest income, other than certain contingent interest and interest from obligations of a corporation or partnership in which the Fund is at least a 10% shareholder, reduced by expenses that are allocable to such income) or (ii) are paid in respect of the Funds qualified short-term capital gains (generally, the excess of the Funds net short-term capital gain over the Funds long-term capital loss for such taxable year). However, depending on its circumstances, the Fund may designate all, some or none of its potentially eligible dividends as such qualified net interest income or as qualified short-term capital gains, and/or treat such dividends, in whole or in part, as ineligible for this exemption from withholding. In order to qualify for this exemption from withholding, a non-U.S. shareholder will need to comply with applicable certification requirements relating to its non-U.S. status (including, in general, furnishing an IRS Form W-8BEN or substitute Form). In the case of shares held through an intermediary, the intermediary may withhold even if the Fund designates the payment as qualified net interest income or qualified short-term capital gain. Non-U.S. shareholders should contact their intermediaries with respect to the application of these rules to their accounts.
The foregoing discussion is a summary only and is not intended as a substitute for careful tax planning. Purchasers of shares should consult their own tax advisers as to the tax consequences of investing in such shares, including under state, local and foreign tax laws. Finally, the foregoing discussion is based on applicable provisions of the Code, regulations, judicial authority and administrative interpretations in effect on the date of this SAI. Changes in applicable authority could materially affect the conclusions discussed above, and such changes often occur.
Foreign shareholders of the Fund must treat a distribution attributable to the Funds sale of a real estate investment trust or other U.S. real property holding company as real property gain if 50% or more of the value of the Funds assets are invested in real estate investment trusts and other U.S. real property holding corporations and if the foreign shareholder has held more than 5% of a class of stock at any time during the one-year period ending on the date of the distribution. After December 31, 2007, a distribution from the Fund will be treated as attributable to a U.S. real property interest only if such distribution is attributable to a distribution received by the Fund from a real estate investment trust. Restrictions apply regarding wash sales and substitute payment transactions.
32
Reporting. If a shareholder recognizes a loss with respect to a Funds shares of $2 million or more for an individual shareholder or $10 million or more for a corporate shareholder, the shareholder must file with the Internal Revenue Service a disclosure statement on Form 8886. Direct shareholders of portfolio securities are in many cases exempted from this reporting requirement, but under current guidance, shareholders of a regulated investment company are not exempted. The fact that a loss is reportable under these regulations does not affect the legal determination of whether the taxpayers treatment of the loss is proper. Shareholders should consult their tax advisors to determine the applicability of these regulations in light of their individual circumstances.
The NAV for the Fund is calculated by deducting all of the Funds liabilities (including accrued expenses) from the total value of its assets (including the securities held by the Fund plus any cash or other assets, including interest and dividends accrued but not yet received) and dividing the result by the number of shares outstanding, and generally rounded to the nearest cent, although the Fund reserves the right to calculate its NAV to more than two decimal places. The NAV for the Fund will be determined generally once daily Monday through Friday generally as of the regularly scheduled close of business of the NYSE (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on each day that the NYSE is open for trading, based on prices at the time of closing, provided that (a) any assets or liabilities denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar shall be translated into U.S. dollars at the prevailing market rates on the date of valuation as quoted by one or more major banks or dealers that makes a two-way market in such currencies (or a data service provider based on quotations received from such banks or dealers); and (b) U.S. fixed-income assets may be valued as of the announced closing time for trading in fixed-income instruments on any day that the Bond Market Association announces an early closing time.
In calculating the Funds NAV, the Funds investments are generally valued using market valuations. In the event that current market valuations are not readily available or such valuations do not reflect current market values, the affected investments will be valued using fair value pricing pursuant to the pricing policy and procedures approved by the Board of Trustees. A market valuation generally means a valuation (i) obtained from an exchange, a pricing service, or a major market maker (or dealer), (ii) based on a price quotation or other equivalent indication of value supplied by an exchange, a pricing service, or a major market maker (or dealer) or (iii) based on amortized cost. In the case of shares of the funds that are not traded on an exchange, a market valuation means such funds published net asset value per share. BGFA may use various pricing services or discontinue the use of any pricing service. A price obtained from a pricing service based on such pricing services valuation matrix may be considered a market valuation.
The value of assets denominated in foreign currencies is converted into U.S. dollars using exchange rates deemed appropriate by BGFA as investment adviser.
General Policies. Dividends from net investment income, if any, are declared and paid at least annually by the Fund. Distributions of net realized securities gains, if any, generally are declared and paid once a year, but the Trust may make distributions on a more frequent basis for the Fund. The Trust reserves the right to declare special distributions if, in its reasonable discretion, such action is necessary to improve tracking error or is necessary or advisable to preserve the status of the Fund as a RIC or to avoid imposition of income or excise taxes on undistributed income.
Dividends and other distributions on shares are distributed on a pro rata basis to Beneficial Owners of such shares. Dividend payments are made through DTC Participants and Indirect Participants to Beneficial Owners then of record with proceeds received from the Fund.
Dividend Reinvestment Service. No dividend reinvestment service is provided by the Trust. Broker-dealers may make available the DTC book-entry Dividend Reinvestment Service for use by Beneficial Owners of the Fund for reinvestment of their dividend distributions. Beneficial Owners should contact their broker to determine the availability and costs of the service and the details of participation therein. Brokers may require Beneficial Owners to adhere to specific procedures and timetables. If this service is available and used, dividend distributions of both income and realized gains will be automatically reinvested in additional whole shares of the Fund purchased in the secondary market.
Financial statements for the Fund are not available because, as of the date of this SAI, the Fund has no financial information to report.
33
Counsel. Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, 787 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10019 is counsel to the Trust.
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, located at Three Embarcadero Center, San Francisco, CA 94111, serves as the Trusts independent registered public accounting firm, audits the Funds financial statements, and may perform other services.
34
iShares Trust
File Nos. 333-92935 and 811-09729
Part C
Other Information
Item 23. Exhibits: |
PEA # 50 |
Exhibit Number | Description | |
(a) | Agreement and Declaration of Trust is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 2, filed May 12, 2000 (Accession No. 0000950130-00-002860) (PEA No. 2). | |
(b) | Amended and Restated By-Laws are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 38, filed June 29, 2005 (Accession No. 0001193125-05-134869). | |
(c) | Not applicable. | |
(d.1) | Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and Barclays Global Fund Advisors (BGFA) is incorporated herein by reference to PEA No. 2. | |
(d.2) | Schedule A to the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and BGFA, as amended, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d.2) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 45, filed June 28, 2006 (Accession No. 0001193125-06-138226) (PEA No. 45) | |
(e.1) | Distribution Agreement between the Trust and SEI Investments Distribution Company (SEI) is incorporated herein by reference to PEA No. 2. | |
(e.2) | Exhibit A to the Distribution Agreement between the Trust and SEI, as amended, is incorporated herein by reference to PEA No. 45. | |
(f) | Not applicable. | |
(g.1) | Custodian Agreement between the Trust and Investors Bank & Trust Company (IBT) is incorporated herein by reference to PEA No. 2. | |
(g.2) | Amendment, dated December 31, 2002, to the Custodian Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to PEA No. 45. | |
(g.3) | Amendment, dated May 21, 2002, to the Custodian Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to PEA No. 45. | |
(g.4) | Amendment, dated January 1, 2006, to the Custodian Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to PEA No. 45. | |
(g.5) | Appendix A to the Custodian Agreement between the Trust and IBT, as amended, is incorporated herein by reference to PEA No. 45. | |
(h.1) | Securities Lending Agency Agreement between Barclays Global Investors, N.A. (BGI) and the Trust is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (g.3) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 21, filed June 27, 2003 (Accession No. 0001193125-03-014224). |
(h.2) | Appendix A to Securities Lending Agency Agreement between BGI and the Trust, as amended, is incorporated herein by reference to PEA No. 45. | |
(h.3) | Delegation Agreement between the Trust and IBT is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (g.3) to PEA No. 2. | |
(h.4) | Administration Agreement between the Trust and IBT is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h.1) to PEA No. 2. | |
(h.5) | Appendix A to the Administration Agreement between the Trust and IBT, as amended, is incorporated herein by reference to PEA No. 45. | |
(h.6) | Amendment, dated May 21, 2002, to the Administration Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to PEA No. 45. | |
(h.7) | Amendment, dated January 1, 2006, to the Administration Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to PEA No. 45. | |
(h.8) | Transfer Agency and Service Agreement between the Trust and IBT is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h.2) to PEA No. 2. | |
(h.9) | Appendix A to the Transfer Agency and Service Agreement between the Trust and IBT, as amended, is incorporated herein by reference to PEA No. 45. | |
(h.10) | Amendment, dated May 21, 2002, to the Transfer Agency Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to PEA No. 45. | |
(h.11) | Amendment, dated August 18, 2004, to the Transfer Agency Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to PEA No. 45. | |
(h.12) | Amendment, dated January 1, 2006, to the Transfer Agency Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to PEA No. 45. | |
(h.13) | Sublicense Agreement between BGI and the Trust for iShares S&P Funds is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h.31) to PEA No. 2. | |
(h.14) | Exhibit A to the Sublicense Agreement between BGI and the Trust for iShares S&P Funds, as amended, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h.6) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 37, filed June 6, 2005 (Accession No. 0001193125-05-120767) (PEA No. 37). | |
(h.15) | Exhibit A to the Sublicense Agreement between BGI and the Trust for iShares S&P Funds, as amended, to be filed by amendment. | |
(h.16) | Sublicense Agreement between BGI and the Trust for iShares Dow Jones Funds is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h.7) to PEA No. 37. | |
(h.17) | Exhibit A to the Sublicense Agreement between BGI and the Trust for iShares Dow Jones Funds is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h.8) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 43, filed April 17, 2006 (Accession No. 0001193125-06-081002) (PEA No. 43). | |
(h.18) | Sublicense Agreement between BGI and the Trust for iShares Russell Funds is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h.8) to PEA No. 37. | |
(h.19) | Exhibit A to the Sublicense Agreement between BGI and the Trust for iShares Russell Funds to be filed by amendment. |
(h.20) | Sublicense Agreement between BGI and the Trust for iShares MSCI EAFE Index Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h.9) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 10, filed June 1, 2001 (Accession No. 00001021408-01-501621). | |
(h.21) | Sublicense Agreement between BGI and the Trust for iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology Index Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h.10) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 13, filed July 31, 2001 (Accession No. 00001021408-01-504274). | |
(h.22) | Sublicense Agreement between BGI and the Trust for iShares Goldman Sachs Funds is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h.11) PEA No. 37. | |
(h.23) | Sublicense Agreement between BGI and the Trust for iShares Lehman Brothers 1-3 year Treasury Index Fund, iShares Lehman Brothers 7-10 year Treasury Index Fund, iShares Lehman Brothers 20+ year Treasury Index Fund, iShares Lehman Brothers Treasury Index Fund, iShares Lehman Brothers Government/Credit Index Fund and iShares U.S. Credit Index Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h.12) to PEA No. 16. | |
(h.24) | Sublicense Agreement between BGI and the Trust for iShares GS $ InvesTop Corporate Bond Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h.13) to PEA No. 16. | |
(h.25) | Sublicense Agreement between BGI and the Trust for iShares S&P ADR International Index Fund and KLD Nasdaq Social Index Fund to be filed by amendment. | |
(h.26) | Sublicense Agreement between BGI and the Trust for iShares Cohen & Steers Realty Majors Index Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h.15) to PEA No. 37. | |
(h.27) | Sublicense Agreement between BGI and the Trust for iShares Dow Jones Transportation Average Index Fund and iShares Dow Jones Select Dividend Index Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h.17) to PEA No. 37. | |
(h.28) | Sublicense Agreement between BGI and the Trust for iShares NYSE 100 Index Fund and iShares NYSE Composite Index Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h.19) to PEA No. 37. | |
(h.29) | Sublicense Agreement between BGI and the Trust for iShares FTSE/Xinhua China 25 Index Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h.20) to PEA No. 37. | |
(h.30) | Sublicense Agreement between BGI and the Trust for iShares Morningstar Funds is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h.21) to PEA No. 37. | |
(h.31) | Sublicense Agreement between BGI and the Trust for iShares KLD Select Social Index Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h.22) to PEA No. 37. | |
(h.32) | Exhibit A to the Sublicense Agreement between BGI and the Trust for iShares Lehman Brothers Funds is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h.21) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 39, filed July 28, 2005 (Accession No. 0001193125-05-151478) (PEA No. 39). | |
(h.33) | Exhibit A to the Sublicense Agreement between BGI and the Trust for iShares MSCI EAFE Funds is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h.22) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 40, filed August 24, 2005 (Accession No. 0001193125-05-173934). | |
(h.34) | Exhibit A to the Sublicense Agreement between BGI and the Trust for iShares KLD 400 SocialSM Index Fund to be filed by amendment. | |
(i) | Legal Opinion and Consent of Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP to be filed by subsequent amendment. | |
(j) | Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLC to be filed by subsequent amendment. | |
(k) | Not applicable. |
(l.1) | Subscription Agreement between the Trust and SEI is incorporated herein by reference to PEA No. 2. | |
(l.2) | Letter of Representations between the Trust and Depository Trust Company is incorporated herein by reference to PEA No. 2 | |
(l.3) | Amendment of Letter of Representations between the Trust and Depository Trust Company for iShares S&P Global 100 Index Fund and iShares Cohen & Steers Realty Majors Index Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 11, filed July 2, 2001 (Accession No. 0000928385-01-501258). | |
(m) | Not applicable. | |
(n) | Not applicable. | |
(o) | Not applicable. | |
(p.1) | iShares Trust Code of Ethics is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 41, filed November 23, 2005 (Accession No. 0001193125-05-231896). | |
(p.2) | BGI Code of Ethics is incorporated herein by reference to PEA No. 39. | |
(p.3) | Code of Ethics for SEI is incorporated herein by reference to PEA No. 45. | |
(q.1) | Power of Attorney dated February 21, 2006 for Richard K. Lyons is incorporated herein by reference to PEA No. 43. | |
(q.2) | Powers of Attorney dated February 22, 2006 for Cecilia H. Herbert, John E. Kerrigan, John E. Martinez and George G.C. Parker are incorporated herein by reference to PEA No. 43. | |
(q.3) | Power of Attorney dated February 25, 2006 for Charles A. Hurty is incorporated herein by reference to PEA No. 43. |
Item 24. Persons Controlled By or Under Common Control with Registrant:
iShares Dow Jones U.S. Broker-Dealers Index Fund |
|||
Salomon Smith Barney Inc. |
33.49 | % | |
iShares Dow Jones U.S. Regional Banks |
|||
Mellon Trust of New England |
79.40 | % | |
iShares Dow Jones U.S. Oil :& Gas Exploration & Production Index Fund |
|||
Merrill Lynch Safekeeping |
34.41 | % | |
iShares Dow Jones U.S. Oil Equipment & Services Index Fund |
|||
Merrill Lynch Safekeeping |
29.95 | % | |
iShares Dow Jones U.S. Pharmaceuticals Index Fund |
|||
Merrill Lynch Safekeeping |
50.42 | % | |
iShares Dow Jones U.S. Healthcare Providers Index Fund |
|||
Merrill Lynch Safekeeping |
27.42 | % | |
UBS Paine Webber Inc. |
26.67 | % | |
iShares Dow Jones U.S. Medical Devices Index Fund |
|||
Merrill Lynch Safekeeping |
48.16 | % | |
iShares Dow Jones U.S. Insurance Index Fund |
|||
Mellon Trust of New England |
74.12 | % | |
iShares Dow Jones U.S. Home Construction Index Fund |
|||
Merrill Lynch Safekeeping |
33.93 | % | |
Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated |
27.35 | % | |
iShares Morningstar Mid Growth Index Fund |
|||
Wachovia First Clearing Corporation |
38.88 | % | |
iShares KLD Select Social Index Fund |
|||
State Street Bank and Trust Company |
46.51 | % | |
iShares NYSE 100 Index Fund |
|||
Wachovia First Clearing Corporation |
84.89 | % | |
iShares NYSE Composite Index Fund |
|||
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. |
27.95 | % |
Item 25. Indemnification:
The Trust is organized as a Delaware statutory trust and is operated pursuant to an Agreement and Declaration of Trust, (the Declaration of Trust), that permits the Trust to indemnify its trustees and officers under certain circumstances. Such indemnification, however, is subject to the limitations imposed by the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Act), and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. The Declaration of Trust provides that officers and trustees of the Trust shall be indemnified by the Trust against liabilities and expenses incurred or paid in connection with any claim, action, suit, or proceedings against them by reason of the fact that they each serve as an officer or trustee of the Trust or as an officer or trustee of another entity at the request of the entity. This indemnification is subject to the following conditions:
(a) no trustee or officer of the Trust is indemnified against any liability to the Trust or its security holders that was the result of any willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his office; and
(b) officers and trustees of the Trust are indemnified only for actions taken in good faith that the officers and trustees believed were in or not opposed to the best interests of the Trust.
The Declaration of Trust provides that if indemnification is not ordered by a court, indemnification may be authorized upon determination by shareholders, or by a majority vote of a quorum of the trustees who were not parties to the proceedings or, if this quorum is not obtainable, if directed by a quorum of disinterested trustees, or by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, that the persons to be indemnified have met the applicable standard.
The Administration Agreement provides that Investors Bank & Trust Company (IBT) shall indemnify and hold the Fund, its Board of Trustees, officers and employees and its agents harmless from and against any and all Claims to the extent any such Claim arises out of the negligent acts or omissions, bad faith, willful misconduct or material breach of the Administrative Agreement by IBT, its officers, directors or employees or any of its agents or subcustodians in connection with the activities undertaken pursuant to the Administrative Agreement, provided that IBTs indemnification obligation with respect to the acts or omissions of its subcustodians shall not exceed the indemnification provided by the applicable subcustodian to IBT.
The Custodian Agreement provides that IBT shall indemnify and hold the Fund, its Board of Trustees, officers and employees and its agents harmless from and against any and all Claims to the extent any such Claim arises out of the negligent acts or omissions, bad faith, willful misconduct or material breach of the Custodian Agreement by IBT, its officers, directors or employees or any of its agents or subcustodians in connection with the activities undertaken pursuant to the Custodian Agreement, provided that IBTs indemnification obligation with respect to the acts or omissions of its subcustodians shall not exceed the indemnification provided by the applicable subcustodian to IBT.
The Distribution Agreement provides that the SEI Investments Distribution Co. (SEI) agrees to indemnify, defend and hold the Fund, its several officers and Board members, and any person who controls the Fund within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act, free and harmless from and against any and all claims, demands, liabilities and expenses (including the cost of investigating or defending such claims, demands or liabilities and any counsel fees incurred in connection therewith) which the Fund, its officers or Board members, or any such controlling person, may incur under the 1933 Act, the 1940 Act, or under common law or otherwise, but only to the extent that such liability or expense incurred by the Fund, its officers or Board members, or such controlling person resulting from such claims or demands, (a) shall arise out of or be based upon any information, statements or representations made or provided SEI in any sales literature or advertisements, or any Disqualifying Conduct by SEI in connection with the offering and sale of any Shares, (b) shall arise out of or be based upon any untrue, or alleged untrue, statement of a material fact contained in information furnished in writing by SEI to the Fund specifically for use in the Funds registration statement and used in the answers to any of the items of the registration statement or in the corresponding statements made in the prospectus or statement of additional information, or shall arise out of or be based upon any omission, or alleged omission, to state a material fact in connection with such information furnished in writing by SEI to the Fund and required to be stated in such answers or necessary to make such information not misleading, (c) arising out of SEIs breach of any obligation, representation or warranty pursuant to this Agreement, or (d) SEIs failure to comply in any material respect with applicable securities laws.
The Authorized Participant Agreement provides that the Participant agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Fund and its respective subsidiaries, affiliates, directors, officers, employees and agents, and each person, if any, who controls such persons within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act (each an Indemnified Party) from and against any loss, liability, cost and expense (including attorneys fees) incurred by such Indemnified Party as a result of (i) any breach by the Participant of any provision of the Authorized Participant Agreement that relates to the Participant; (ii) any failure on the part of the Participant to perform any of its obligations set forth in the Authorized Participant Agreement; (iii) any failure by the Participant to comply with applicable laws, including rules and regulations of self-regulatory organizations; or (iv) actions of such Indemnified Party in reliance upon any instructions issued in accordance with Annex II, III or IV (as each may be amended from time to time) of the Authorized Participant Agreement reasonably believed by the distributor and/or the transfer agent to be genuine and to have been given by the Participant.
The Securities Lending Agency Agreement provides that Barclays Global Investors, N.A. (BGI) shall indemnify and hold harmless each client, Lender, its Board of Trustees and its agents and Barclays Global Fund Advisors from any and all loss, liability, costs, damages, actions, and claims (Loss) to the extent that any such Loss arises out of the material breach of this Agreement by or negligent acts or omissions or willful misconduct of BGI, its officers,
directors or employees or any of its agents or subcustodians in connection with the securities lending activities undertaken pursuant to this Agreement, provided that BGIs indemnification obligation with respect to the acts or omissions of its subcustodians shall not exceed the indemnification provided by the applicable subcustodian to BGI.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Trust pursuant to foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Trust has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for Fund expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Fund in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Trust will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question of whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
Item 26. (a) Business and Other Connections of the Investment Adviser:
The Trust is advised by BGFA, a wholly-owned subsidiary of BGI, 45 Fremont Street, San Francisco, CA 94105. BGFAs business is that of a registered investment adviser to certain open-end, management investment companies and various other institutional investors.
The directors and officers of BGFA consist primarily of persons who during the past two years have been active in the investment management business. Each of the directors and executive officers of BGFA will also have substantial responsibilities as directors and/or officers of BGI. To the knowledge of the Registrant, except as set forth below, none of the directors or executive officers of BGFA is or has been at any time during the past two fiscal years engaged in any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature.
Name and Position |
Principal Business(es) During the Last Two Fiscal Years | |
Blake Grossman Chairman |
Director and Chairman of the Board of Directors of BGFA and Chief Executive Officer and Director of BGI 45 Fremont Street, San Francisco, CA 94105 | |
Frank Ryan Officer |
Chief Financial Officer of BGFA and Chief Financial Officer and Cashier of BGI 45 Fremont Street, San Francisco, CA 94105 | |
Rohit Bhagat Director |
Director and Chief Operating Officer of BGFA and BGI 45 Fremont Street, San Francisco, CA 94105 |
Item 27. Principal Underwriters:
(a) Furnish the name of each investment company (other than the Registrant) for which each principal underwriter currently distributing the securities of the Registrant also acts as a principal underwriter, distributor or investment adviser.
Registrants distributor, SEI Investments Distribution Co. (the Distributor), acts as distributor for:
SEI Daily Income Trust |
July 15, 1982 | |
SEI Liquid Asset Trust |
November 29, 1982 | |
SEI Tax Exempt Trust |
December 3, 1982 | |
SEI Index Funds |
July 10, 1985 | |
SEI Institutional Managed Trust |
January 22, 1987 | |
SEI Institutional International Trust |
August 30, 1988 | |
The Advisors Inner Circle Fund |
November 14, 1991 | |
The Advisors Inner Circle Fund II |
January 28, 1993 | |
Bishop Street Funds |
January 27, 1995 | |
SEI Asset Allocation Trust |
April 1, 1996 | |
SEI Institutional Investments Trust |
June 14, 1996 | |
HighMark Funds |
February 15, 1997 | |
Oak Associates Funds |
February 27, 1998 | |
CNI Charter Funds |
April 1, 1999 | |
iShares Inc. |
January 28, 2000 | |
Johnson Family Funds, Inc. |
November 1, 2000 | |
Causeway Capital Management Trust |
September 20, 2001 | |
The Japan Fund, Inc. |
October 7, 2002 | |
Barclays Global Investors Funds |
March 31, 2003 | |
The Arbitrage Funds |
May 17, 2005 | |
The Turner Funds |
January 1, 2006 |
The Distributor provides numerous financial services to investment managers, pension plan sponsors, and bank trust departments. These services include portfolio evaluation, performance measurement and consulting services (Funds Evaluation) and automated execution, clearing and settlement of securities transactions (MarketLink).
(b) Furnish the information required by the following table with respect to each director, officer or partner of each principal underwriter named in the answer to Item 20 of Part B. Unless otherwise noted, the business address of each director or officer is One Freedom Valley Drive, Oaks, PA 19456.
Name |
Position and Office with Underwriter |
Positions and Offices with Registrant | ||
William M. Doran |
Director | | ||
Edward D. Loughlin |
Director | | ||
Wayne M. Withrow |
Director | | ||
Kevin Barr |
President & Chief Executive Officer | | ||
Maxine Chou |
Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer | | ||
Mark Greco |
Chief Operations Officer | | ||
John Munch |
General Counsel & Secretary | | ||
Karen LaTourette |
Chief Compliance Officer, Anti-Money Laundering Officer & Assistant Secretary |
| ||
Mark J. Held |
Senior Vice President | | ||
Lori L. White |
Vice President & Assistant Secretary | | ||
Robert Silvestri |
Vice President | | ||
John Coary |
Vice President | | ||
Michael Farrell |
Vice President | | ||
Al DelPizzo |
Vice President | | ||
Mark McManus |
Vice President | |
Item 28. Location of Accounts and Records:
(a) The Trust maintains accounts, books and other documents required by Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the rules thereunder (collectively, the Records) at the offices of Investors Bank & Trust, 200 Clarendon Street, Boston, MA 02116.
(b) BGFA maintains all Records relating to its services as advisor at 45 Fremont Street, San Francisco, CA, 94105.
(c) SEI Investments Distribution Company maintains all Records relating to its services as distributor at One Freedom Valley Drive, Oaks, PA 19456.
(d) IBT maintains all Records relating to its services as transfer agent, fund accountant and custodian at 200 Clarendon Street, Boston, MA 02116.
Item 29. Management Services:
Not applicable.
Item 30. Undertakings:
Not applicable.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this Post-Effective Amendment No. 50 to the Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, duly authorized, in the City of San Francisco and the State of California on the 18 day of August, 2006.
By: |
||
Lee T. Kranefuss* | ||
President | ||
Date: August 18, 2006 |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Post-Effective Amendment No. 50 to the Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacity and on the dates indicated.
By: |
||
Lee T. Kranefuss* | ||
Trustee and President | ||
Date: August 18, 2006 | ||
Richard K. Lyons* | ||
Trustee | ||
Date: August 18, 2006 | ||
John E. Martinez* | ||
Trustee | ||
Date: August 18, 2006 | ||
George G. C. Parker* | ||
Trustee | ||
Date: August 18, 2006 | ||
Cecilia H. Herbert* | ||
Trustee | ||
Date: August 18, 2006 | ||
Charles A. Hurty* | ||
Trustee | ||
Date: August 18, 2006 |
John E. Kerrigan* | ||
Trustee | ||
Date: August 18, 2006 | ||
/s/ Michael Latham | ||
Michael Latham | ||
Treasurer | ||
Date: August 18, 2006 | ||
*By: |
/s/ Michael Latham | |
Michael Latham | ||
Attorney in fact | ||
Date: August 18, 2006 |
* | Power of Attorney, dated July 19, 2004, for Lee T. Kranefuss is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 33, filed July 28, 2004 (Accession No. 0001193125-04-126246). Power of Attorney, dated February 21, 2006, for Richard K. Lyons is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 43, filed April 17, 2006 (Accession No. 0001193125-06-081002) (PEA No. 43). Powers of Attorney, dated February 22, 2006, for Cecilia H. Herbert, John E. Kerrigan, John E. Martinez and George G.C. Parker are incorporated herein by reference to PEA No. 43. Power of Attorney, dated February 25, 2006, for Charles A. Hurty is incorporated herein by reference to PEA No. 43. |
WILLKIE FARR & GALLAGHER LLP
787 Seventh Avenue New York, NY 10019-6099 Tel: 212 728 8000 Fax: 212 728 8111 |
VIA EDGAR
August 18, 2006
Securities and Exchange Commission
100 F Street, N.E.
Washington, DC 20549
Re: | iShares Trust |
Registration File Nos. 333-92935 and 811-09729
Post-Effective Amendment No. 50 to the
Registration Statement on Form N-1A
Commissioners:
On behalf of the iShares Trust (the Trust), we are hereby filing an amendment to the Trusts registration statement on Form N-1A under the Securities Act of 1933 (the Securities Act) and the Investment Company Act of 1940 pursuant to Rule 485(a)(2) under the Securities Act (the Amendment). The Amendment is being filed solely for the purpose of adding a new series of the Trust called iShares KLD 400 Social Index Fund.
If you have comments, or if you require additional information regarding the Amendment, please do not hesitate to contact me at (212) 728-8970.
Very truly yours, |
/s/ P. Jay Spinola |
P. Jay Spinola |