N-CSRS 1 d461847dncsrs.htm ISHARES TRUST iShares Trust

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM N-CSR

 

 

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT

OF REGISTERED MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

Investment Company Act file number 811-09729

 

 

iShares Trust

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

 

c/o: State Street Bank and Trust Company

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

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

 

 

The Corporation Trust Company

1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, DE 19801

(Name and address of agent for service)

 

 

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

Date of fiscal year end: August 31, 2023

Date of reporting period: February 28, 2023

 

 

 


Item 1.      Reports to Stockholders.

(a) The Report to Shareholders is attached herewith.

 


 

LOGO

  FEBRUARY 28, 2023

 

  

2023 Semi-Annual Report

(Unaudited)

 

iShares Trust

 

·  

iShares MSCI Brazil Small-Cap ETF | EWZS | NASDAQ

 

·  

iShares MSCI China ETF | MCHI | NASDAQ

 

·  

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

 

·  

iShares MSCI Indonesia ETF | EIDO | NYSE Arca

 

·  

iShares MSCI Peru ETF | EPU | NYSE Arca

 

·  

iShares MSCI Philippines ETF | EPHE | NYSE Arca

 

·  

iShares MSCI Poland ETF | EPOL | NYSE Arca

 

·  

iShares MSCI Qatar ETF | QAT | NASDAQ

 

·  

iShares MSCI Saudi Arabia ETF | KSA | NYSE Arca

 

·  

iShares MSCI UAE ETF | UAE | NASDAQ


The Markets in Review

Dear Shareholder,

Significant economic headwinds emerged during the 12-month reporting period ended February 28, 2023, as investors navigated changing economic conditions and volatile markets. The U.S. economy shrank in the first half of 2022 before returning to modest growth in the second half of the year, marking a shift to a more challenging post-reopening economic environment. Changes in consumer spending patterns and a tight labor market led to elevated inflation, which reached a 40-year high before beginning to moderate. Moreover, while the foremost effect of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has been a severe humanitarian crisis, the ongoing war continued to present challenges for both investors and policymakers.

Equity prices fell as interest rates rose, particularly during the first half of the reporting period. Both large-and small-capitalization U.S. stocks fell, although equities began to recover in the second half of the period as inflation eased and economic growth resumed. Emerging market stocks and international equities from developed markets declined overall, pressured by rising interest rates and a strong U.S. dollar.

The 10-year U.S. Treasury yield rose notably during the reporting period, driving its price down, as investors reacted to fluctuating inflation data and attempted to anticipate its impact on future interest rate changes. The corporate bond market also faced inflationary headwinds, and higher interest rates led to rising borrowing costs for corporate issuers.

The U.S. Federal Reserve (the “Fed”), acknowledging that inflation has been more persistent than expected, raised interest rates eight times. Furthermore, the Fed wound down its bond-buying programs and accelerated the reduction of its balance sheet.

Restricted labor supply kept inflation elevated even as other inflation drivers, such as goods prices and energy costs, moderated. While economic growth slowed in the last year, we believe that taming inflation requires a more substantial decline that lowers demand to a level more in line with the economy’s productive capacity. Although the Fed has decelerated the pace of interest rate hikes, it still seems determined to get inflation back to target. With this in mind, we believe the possibility of a U.S. recession in the near-term is high, but the dimming economic outlook has not yet been fully reflected in current market prices. We believe investors should expect a period of higher volatility as markets adjust to the new economic reality and policymakers attempt to adapt to rapidly changing conditions. Turmoil in the banking sector shortly following the end of the period highlighted the potential for the knock-on effects of substantially higher interest rates to disrupt markets with little warning.

While we favor an overweight to equities in the long term, several factors lead us to take an underweight stance on equities overall in the near term. Expectations for corporate earnings remain elevated, which seems inconsistent with the possibility of a recession in a business environment characterized by higher costs and reduced pricing power. Nevertheless, we are overweight on emerging market stocks as a weaker U.S. dollar provides a supportive backdrop. We also see long-term opportunities in credit, where valuations are appealing and higher yields provide attractive income, although we are neutral on credit in the near term, as we believe that troubles in the banking sector will likely lead to reduced lending. However, we believe there are still some strong opportunities for a six- to twelve-month horizon, particularly short-term U.S. Treasuries, global inflation-linked bonds, and emerging market bonds denominated in local currency.

Overall, our view is that investors need to think globally, position themselves to be prepared for a decarbonizing economy, and be nimble as market conditions change. We encourage you to talk with your financial advisor and visit iShares.com for further insight about investing in today’s markets.

 

LOGO

Rob Kapito

President, BlackRock, Inc.

LOGO

Rob Kapito

President, BlackRock, Inc.

 

Total Returns as of February 28, 2023

 

 
     
     6-Month     12-Month 
   

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

    1.26 %        (7.69 )%   
   

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

    3.63       (6.02
   

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

    12.58       (3.14
   

Emerging market equities
(MSCI Emerging Markets Index)

    (2.29     (15.28
   

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

    1.74       2.11  
   

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

    (4.81     (14.06
   

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

    (2.13     (9.72
   

Tax-exempt municipal bonds
(Bloomberg Municipal Bond Index)

    0.66       (5.10
   

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

    2.52       (5.45

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

 

 

 

 

 

2  

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


Table of Contents

 

      Page  

The Markets in Review

     2  

Semi-Annual Report:

  

Fund Summary

     4  

About Fund Performance

     14  

Disclosure of Expenses

     14  

Schedules of Investments

     15  

Financial Statements

  

Statements of Assets and Liabilities

     52  

Statements of Operations

     55  

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

     58  

Financial Highlights

     63  

Notes to Financial Statements

     73  

Statement Regarding Liquidity Risk Management Program

     83  

Supplemental Information

     84  

General Information

     85  

Glossary of Terms Used in this Report

     86  

 

 

 


Fund Summary as of February 28, 2023    iShares® MSCI Brazil Small-Cap ETF

 

Investment Objective

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

Performance

 

           Average Annual Total Returns            Cumulative Total Returns  
     6-Month
Total Returns
     1 Year      5 Years     10 Years             1 Year      5 Years      10 Years  

Fund NAV

    (13.30 )%       (17.71 )%       (5.10 )%      (5.83 )%         (17.71 )%       (23.02 )%       (45.14 )% 

Fund Market

    (13.15      (19.02      (5.24     (5.90        (19.02      (23.58      (45.56

Index

    (13.18      (17.40      (4.32     (5.27              (17.40      (19.83      (41.80

Past performance is not an indication of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. See “About Fund Performance” for more information.

Expense Example

 

    Actual        

Hypothetical 5% Return

          
                                                            

Beginning

Account Value

(09/01/22)

 

 

 

      

Ending
Account Value
(02/28/23)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
(a) 
     

Beginning

Account Value

(09/01/22)

      

Ending
Account Value
(02/28/23)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During

the Period

 
 

(a) 

      

Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 
 
 
      $      1,000.00          $      867.00          $       2.73         $       1,000.00        $     1,021.90          $       2.96          0.59

 

  (a) 

Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period shown). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Disclosure of Expenses” for more information.

 

Portfolio Information

 

SECTOR ALLOCATION

 

   

Sector

   

Percent of

Total Investments

 

(a) 

Industrials

    18.7

Consumer Discretionary

    17.9  

Utilities

    13.1  

Consumer Staples

    12.7  

Materials

    11.8  

Real Estate

    8.7  

Health Care

    5.5  

Energy

    4.7  

Information Technology

    4.3  

Financials

    2.6  

 

  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

 

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

   

Security

   

Percent of

Total Investments

 

(a) 

Embraer SA

    4.6

Metalurgica Gerdau SA (Preferred)

    3.3  

Transmissora Alianca de Energia Eletrica SA

    2.9  

Aliansce Sonae Shopping Centers SA

    2.8  

Multiplan Empreendimentos Imobiliarios SA

    2.8  

Bradespar SA (Preferred)

    2.8  

3R Petroleum Oleo E Gas SA

    2.6  

Cielo SA

    2.3  

SLC Agricola SA

    2.3  

EDP - Energias do Brasil SA

    2.0  
 

 

 

4  

2 0 2 3    H A R E S     E M I - A N N U A L    E P O R T    T O     H A R E H O L D E R S


Fund Summary as of February 28, 2023    iShares® MSCI China ETF

 

Investment Objective

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

Performance

 

           Average Annual Total Returns            Cumulative Total Returns  
    

6-Month

Total Returns

     1 Year      5 Years     10 Years             1 Year      5 Years      10 Years  

Fund NAV

    (2.44 )%       (16.57 )%       (5.96 )%      1.92        (16.57 )%       (26.47 )%       20.95

Fund Market

    (2.26      (16.65      (5.77     1.93          (16.65      (25.72      21.10  

Index

    (2.83      (16.14      (5.49     2.44                (16.14      (24.58      27.28  

Past performance is not an indication of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. See “About Fund Performance” for more information.

Expense Example

 

    Actual        

Hypothetical 5% Return

          
                                                            

Beginning

Account Value

(09/01/22)

 

 

 

      

Ending
Account Value

(02/28/23)

 
 

 

      

Expenses

Paid During

the Period

 

 

(a) 

     

Beginning

Account Value

(09/01/22)

      

Ending

Account Value

(02/28/23)

 

 

 

      

Expenses

Paid During

the Period

 

 

(a) 

      

Annualized

Expense

Ratio

 

 

 

      $      1,000.00          $      975.60          $       2.89         $       1,000.00        $     1,021.90          $       2.96          0.59

 

  (a) 

Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period shown). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Disclosure of Expenses” for more information.

 

Portfolio Information

 

SECTOR ALLOCATION

 

   

Sector

   

Percent of

Total Investments

 

(a) 

Consumer Discretionary

    29.3

Communication Services

    19.0  

Financials

    15.7  

Health Care

    6.3  

Information Technology

    6.1  

Consumer Staples

    5.7  

Industrials

    5.5  

Materials

    3.7  

Real Estate

    3.5  

Energy

    2.6  

Utilities

    2.6  

 

  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

   

Security

   

Percent of

Total Investments

 

(a) 

Tencent Holdings Ltd.

    13.3

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.

    7.9  

Meituan, Class B

    4.3  

China Construction Bank Corp., Class H

    2.9  

JD.com Inc., Class A

    2.3  

Pinduoduo Inc.

    2.2  

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

    2.1  

Baidu Inc.

    1.9  

NetEase Inc.

    1.5  

Bank of China Ltd., Class H

    1.4  
 

 

 

U N D    U M M A R Y

  5


Fund Summary as of February 28, 2023    iShares® MSCI China Small-Cap ETF

 

Investment Objective

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

Performance

 

           Average Annual Total Returns            Cumulative Total Returns  
    

6-Month

Total Returns

     1 Year      5 Years     10 Years             1 Year      5 Years      10 Years  

Fund NAV

    5.67      (14.05 )%       (3.21 )%      1.80        (14.05 )%       (15.04 )%       19.49

Fund Market

    6.20        (14.57      (3.10     1.78          (14.57      (14.58      19.27  

Index

    4.93        (14.46      (5.18     0.24                (14.46      (23.36      2.44  

Past performance is not an indication of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. See “About Fund Performance” for more information.

Expense Example

 

    Actual        

Hypothetical 5% Return

          
                                                            

Beginning

Account Value

(09/01/22)

 

 

 

      

Ending

Account Value

(02/28/23)

 

 

 

      

Expenses

Paid During

the Period

 

 

(a) 

     

Beginning

Account Value

(09/01/22)

      

Ending

Account Value

(02/28/23)

 

 

 

      

Expenses

Paid During

the Period

 

 

(a) 

      

Annualized

Expense

Ratio

 

 

 

      $      1,000.00          $      1,056.70          $       3.01         $       1,000.00        $     1,021.90          $       2.96          0.59

 

  (a) 

Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period shown). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Disclosure of Expenses” for more information.

 

Portfolio Information

 

SECTOR ALLOCATION

 

   

Sector

   
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Health Care

    20.0

Consumer Discretionary

    15.1  

Real Estate

    13.5  

Information Technology

    10.8  

Industrials

    9.8  

Materials

    7.8  

Communication Services

    7.3  

Financials

    6.6  

Utilities

    3.9  

Consumer Staples

    3.8  

Energy

    1.4  

 

  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

   

Security

   
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

JinkoSolar Holding Co. Ltd.

    2.3

International Alliance Financial Leasing Co. Ltd.

    1.9  

HUTCHMED China Ltd.

    1.6  

Lifetech Scientific Corp.

    1.4  

Hello Group Inc.

    1.4  

Jinxin Fertility Group Ltd.

    1.3  

Keymed Biosciences Inc.

    1.3  

Weimob Inc.

    1.2  

China Education Group Holdings Ltd.

    1.1  

RLX Technology Inc.

    1.0  
 

 

 

6  

2 0 2 3    H A R E S     E M I - A N N U A L    E P O R T    T O     H A R E H O L D E R S


Fund Summary as of February 28, 2023    iShares® MSCI Indonesia ETF

 

Investment Objective

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

Performance

 

           Average Annual Total Returns            Cumulative Total Returns  
     6-Month
Total Returns
     1 Year      5 Years     10 Years             1 Year      5 Years      10 Years  

Fund NAV

    (3.34 )%       (2.91 )%       (2.72 )%      (2.31 )%         (2.91 )%       (12.87 )%       (20.84 )% 

Fund Market

    (2.60      (3.54      (2.56     (2.31        (3.54      (12.15      (20.86

Index

    (3.36      (1.97      (2.17     (1.80              (1.97      (10.41      (16.61

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

Past performance is not an indication of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. See “About Fund Performance” for more information.

Expense Example

 

    Actual        

Hypothetical 5% Return

          
                                                            

Beginning

Account Value

(09/01/22)

 

 

 

      

Ending

Account Value

(02/28/23)

 

 

 

      


Expenses

Paid During
the Period

 

 
(a) 

     

Beginning

Account Value

(09/01/22)

      

Ending

Account Value

(02/28/23)

 

 

 

      

Expenses

Paid During

the Period

 

 

(a) 

      

Annualized

Expense

Ratio

 

 

 

      $      1,000.00          $      966.60          $       2.88         $       1,000.00        $     1,021.90          $       2.96          0.59

 

  (a) 

Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period shown). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Disclosure of Expenses” for more information.

 

Portfolio Information

 

SECTOR ALLOCATION

 

   

Sector

   
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Financials

    45.3

Consumer Staples

    11.3  

Materials

    11.0  

Communication Services

    9.2  

Energy

    7.7  

Consumer Discretionary

    6.7  

Health Care

    3.3  

Real Estate

    2.3  

Industrials

    1.9  

Utilities

    1.1  

Information Technology

    0.2  

 

  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

   

Security

   
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Bank Central Asia Tbk PT

    19.8

Bank Rakyat Indonesia Persero Tbk PT

    12.5  

Telkom Indonesia Persero Tbk PT

    6.8  

Bank Mandiri Persero Tbk PT

    6.1  

Astra International Tbk PT

    4.1  

Bank Negara Indonesia Persero Tbk PT

    3.4  

Kalbe Farma Tbk PT

    2.5  

Merdeka Copper Gold Tbk PT

    2.4  

Adaro Energy Indonesia Tbk PT

    2.4  

Charoen Pokphand Indonesia Tbk PT

    2.2  
 

 

 

U N D    U M M A R Y

  7


Fund Summary as of February 28, 2023    iShares® MSCI Peru ETF

 

Investment Objective

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

On March 29, 2023, the Board approved a proposal to change the name of MSCI Peru to MSCI Peru and Global Exposure as well as the Fund’s investment objective. These changes became effective on April 10, 2023.

Performance

 

           Average Annual Total Returns            Cumulative Total Returns  
    

6-Month

Total Returns

     1 Year      5 Years     10 Years             1 Year      5 Years      10 Years  

Fund NAV

    17.02      (10.43 )%       (4.16 )%      (1.77 )%         (10.43 )%       (19.12 )%       (16.35 )% 

Fund Market

    16.16        (12.05      (4.23     (1.91        (12.05      (19.44      (17.55

Index

    17.28        (9.87      (3.91     (1.30              (9.87      (18.08      (12.23

Past performance is not an indication of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. See “About Fund Performance” for more information.

Expense Example

 

    Actual        

Hypothetical 5% Return

          
                                                            

Beginning

Account Value

(09/01/22)

 

 

 

      

Ending

Account Value

(02/28/23)

 

 

 

      

Expenses

Paid During

the Period

 

 

(a) 

     

Beginning

Account Value

(09/01/22)

      

Ending

Account Value

(02/28/23)

 

 

 

      

Expenses

Paid During

the Period

 

 

(a) 

      

Annualized

Expense

Ratio

 

 

 

      $      1,000.00          $      1,170.20          $       3.17         $       1,000.00        $     1,021.90          $       2.96          0.59

 

  (a) 

Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period shown). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Disclosure of Expenses” for more information.

 

Portfolio Information

 

SECTOR ALLOCATION

 

   

Sector

   
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Materials

    47.8

Financials

    26.7  

Consumer Staples

    8.1  

Consumer Discretionary

    5.3  

Industrials

    4.6  

Energy

    2.8  

Real Estate

    2.7  

Utilities

    2.0  

 

  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

   

Security

   
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Credicorp Ltd.

    22.5

Southern Copper Corp.

    22.3  

Cia. de Minas Buenaventura SAA

    4.7  

Alicorp SAA

    4.2  

Ferreycorp SAA

    3.7  

Sociedad Minera Cerro Verde SAA

    3.5  

InRetail Peru Corp.

    2.9  

PetroTal Corp.

    2.8  

Falabella SA

    2.7  

Parque Arauco SA

    2.7  
 

 

 

8  

2 0 2 3    H A R E S     E M I - A N N U A L    E P O R T    T O     H A R E H O L D E R S


Fund Summary as of February 28, 2023    iShares® MSCI Philippines ETF

 

Investment Objective

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

Performance

 

           Average Annual Total Returns            Cumulative Total Returns  
    

6-Month

Total Returns

     1 Year      5 Years     10 Years             1 Year      5 Years      10 Years  

Fund NAV

    0.77      (16.66 )%       (5.26 )%      (3.21 )%         (16.66 )%       (23.69 )%       (27.81 )% 

Fund Market

    1.31        (18.53      (5.22     (3.24        (18.53      (23.50      (28.06

Index

    0.92        (15.93      (4.56     (2.52              (15.93      (20.81      (22.50

Index performance through November 30, 2020 reflects the performance of the MSCI Philippines Investible Market Index (IMI). Index performance beginning on December 1, 2020 reflects the performance of the MSCI Philippines IMI 25/50 Index.

Past performance is not an indication of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. See “About Fund Performance” for more information.

Expense Example

 

    Actual        

Hypothetical 5% Return

          
                                                            

Beginning

Account Value

(09/01/22)

 

 

 

      

Ending

Account Value

(02/28/23)

 

 

 

      

Expenses

Paid During

the Period

 

 

(a) 

     

Beginning

Account Value

(09/01/22)

      

Ending

Account Value

(02/28/23)

 

 

 

      

Expenses

Paid During

the Period

 

 

(a) 

      

Annualized

Expense

Ratio

 

 

 

      $      1,000.00          $      1,007.70          $       2.94         $       1,000.00        $     1,021.90          $       2.96          0.59

 

  (a) 

Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period shown). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Disclosure of Expenses” for more information.

 

Portfolio Information

 

SECTOR ALLOCATION

 

   

Sector

   
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Industrials

    28.4

Financials

    20.7  

Real Estate

    20.3  

Consumer Staples

    9.9  

Consumer Discretionary

    7.5  

Communication Services

    5.7  

Utilities

    5.4  

Energy

    1.1  

Materials

    1.0  

 

  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

 

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

   

Security

   
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

SM Prime Holdings Inc.

    11.5

BDO Unibank Inc.

    8.3  

Ayala Land Inc.

    5.9  

SM Investments Corp.

    5.9  

Bank of the Philippine Islands

    4.9  

International Container Terminal Services Inc.

    4.5  

Ayala Corp.

    4.2  

PLDT Inc.

    4.0  

JG Summit Holdings Inc.

    4.0  

Jollibee Foods Corp.

    3.9  
 

 

 

U N D    U M M A R Y

  9


Fund Summary as of February 28, 2023    iShares® MSCI Poland ETF

 

Investment Objective

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

Performance

 

           Average Annual Total Returns            Cumulative Total Returns  
    

6-Month

Total Returns

     1 Year      5 Years     10 Years             1 Year      5 Years      10 Years  

Fund NAV

    27.62      (9.81 )%       (8.08 )%      (3.09 )%         (9.81 )%       (34.39 )%       (26.95 )% 

Fund Market

    27.86        (9.59      (7.99     (3.07        (9.59      (34.05      (26.79

Index

    27.85        (10.21      (7.98     (2.88              (10.21      (34.01      (25.31

Certain sectors and markets performed exceptionally well based on market conditions during the six-months period. Achieving such exceptional returns involves the risk of volatility and investors should not expect that such exceptional returns will be repeated.

Past performance is not an indication of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. See “About Fund Performance” for more information.

Expense Example

 

    Actual        

Hypothetical 5% Return

          
                                                            

Beginning

Account Value

(09/01/22)

 

 

 

      

Ending

Account Value

(02/28/23)

 

 

 

      

Expenses

Paid During

the Period

 

 

(a) 

     

Beginning

Account Value

(09/01/22)

      

Ending

Account Value

(02/28/23)

 

 

 

      

Expenses

Paid During

the Period

 

 

(a) 

      

Annualized

Expense

Ratio

 

 

 

      $      1,000.00          $      1,276.20          $       3.33         $       1,000.00        $     1,021.90          $       2.96          0.59

 

  (a) 

Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period shown). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Disclosure of Expenses” for more information.

 

Portfolio Information

 

SECTOR ALLOCATION

 

   

Sector

   
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Financials

    39.9

Energy

    16.7  

Consumer Discretionary

    12.7  

Materials

    7.6  

Communication Services

    7.4  

Consumer Staples

    5.3  

Utilities

    4.6  

Information Technology

    3.0  

Industrials

    2.1  

Health Care

    0.7  

 

  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

 

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

   

Security

   
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Polski Koncern Naftowy ORLEN SA

    16.7

Powszechna Kasa Oszczednosci Bank Polski SA

    10.6  

Powszechny Zaklad Ubezpieczen SA

    8.6  

Bank Polska Kasa Opieki SA

    6.4  

Dino Polska SA

    4.6  

KGHM Polska Miedz SA

    4.3  

Santander Bank Polska SA

    4.3  

Allegro.eu SA

    4.2  

LPP SA

    4.1  

CD Projekt SA

    3.5  
 

 

 

10  

2 0 2 3    H A R E S     E M I - A N N U A L    E P O R T    T O     H A R E H O L D E R S


Fund Summary as of February 28, 2023    iShares® MSCI Qatar ETF

 

Investment Objective

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

Performance

 

           Average Annual Total Returns            Cumulative Total Returns  
    

6-Month

Total Returns

     1 Year      5 Years    

Since

Inception

            1 Year      5 Years     

Since

Inception

 

Fund NAV

    (18.43 )%       (16.44 )%       6.47     0.14        (16.44 )%       36.82      1.27

Fund Market

    (18.75      (17.19      6.56       0.11          (17.19      37.42        1.01  

Index

    (18.87      (15.67      7.20       0.76                (15.67      41.59        6.94  

The inception date of the Fund was April 29, 2014. The first day of secondary market trading was May 1, 2014.

Past performance is not an indication of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. See “About Fund Performance” for more information.

Expense Example

 

    Actual        

Hypothetical 5% Return

          
                                                            

Beginning

Account Value

(09/01/22)

 

 

 

      

Ending

Account Value

(02/28/23)

 

 

 

      

Expenses

Paid During

the Period

 

 

(a) 

     

Beginning

Account Value

(09/01/22)

      

Ending

Account Value

(02/28/23)

 

 

 

      

Expenses

Paid During

the Period

 

 

(a) 

      

Annualized

Expense

Ratio

 

 

 

      $      1,000.00          $      815.70          $       2.66         $       1,000.00        $     1,021.90          $       2.96          0.59

 

  (a) 

Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period shown). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Disclosure of Expenses” for more information.

 

Portfolio Information

 

SECTOR ALLOCATION

 

   

Sector

   
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Financials

    52.3

Industrials

    14.4  

Energy

    8.9  

Materials

    8.2  

Real Estate

    5.0  

Communication Services

    4.9  

Utilities

    3.5  

Consumer Staples

    2.0  

Health Care

    0.8  

 

  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

 

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

   

Security

   
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Qatar National Bank QPSC

    23.4

Qatar Islamic Bank SAQ

    12.1  

Industries Qatar QSC

    8.3  

Commercial Bank PSQC (The)

    4.5  

Masraf Al Rayan QSC

    4.4  

Mesaieed Petrochemical Holding Co.

    4.1  

Qatar Gas Transport Co. Ltd.

    4.0  

Qatar International Islamic Bank QSC

    3.8  

Qatar Fuel QSC

    3.7  

Qatar Electricity & Water Co. QSC

    3.5  
 

 

 

U N D    U M M A R Y

  11


Fund Summary as of February 28, 2023    iShares® MSCI Saudi Arabia ETF

 

Investment Objective

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

Performance

 

           Average Annual Total Returns            Cumulative Total Returns  
    

6-Month

Total Returns

     1 Year      5 Years    

Since

Inception

            1 Year      5 Years     

Since

Inception

 

Fund NAV

    (17.34 )%       (19.46 )%       8.54     7.45        (19.46 )%       50.65      70.87

Fund Market

    (17.30      (20.71      8.54       7.39          (20.71      50.62        70.15  

Index

    (17.15      (18.43      9.30       8.27                (18.43      55.96        80.89  

The inception date of the Fund was September 16, 2015. The first day of secondary market trading was September 17, 2015.

Past performance is not an indication of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. See “About Fund Performance” for more information.

Expense Example

 

    Actual        

Hypothetical 5% Return

          
                                                            
     

Beginning

Account Value

(09/01/22)

 

 

 

      

Ending

Account Value

(02/28/23)

 

 

 

      

Expenses

Paid During

the Period

 

 

(a) 

     

Beginning

Account Value

(09/01/22)

      


Ending

Account Value
(02/28/23)

 

 
 

      

Expenses

Paid During

the Period

 

 

(a) 

      

Annualized

Expense

Ratio

 

 

 

      $      1,000.00          $      826.60          $       3.35         $       1,000.00        $     1,021.10          $       3.71          0.74

 

  (a) 

Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period shown). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Disclosure of Expenses” for more information.

 

Portfolio Information

 

SECTOR ALLOCATION

 

   

Sector

   
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Financials

    41.9

Materials

    22.6  

Energy

    8.1  

Communication Services

    7.6  

Health Care

    4.6  

Consumer Staples

    4.5  

Consumer Discretionary

    3.0  

Utilities

    3.0  

Real Estate

    2.2  

Industrials

    1.9  

Information Technology

    0.6  

 

  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

   

Security

   
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Al Rajhi Bank

    13.2

Saudi National Bank (The)

    9.9  

Saudi Basic Industries Corp.

    7.5  

Saudi Arabian Oil Co.

    7.1  

Saudi Telecom Co.

    4.5  

Saudi Arabian Mining Co.

    4.4  

Riyad Bank

    3.5  

Saudi British Bank (The)

    3.0  

Alinma Bank

    2.9  

SABIC Agri-Nutrients Co.

    2.4  
 

 

 

12  

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Fund Summary as of February 28, 2023    iShares® MSCI UAE ETF

 

Investment Objective

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

Performance

 

           Average Annual Total Returns            Cumulative Total Returns  
    

6-Month

Total Returns

     1 Year      5 Years    

Since

Inception

            1 Year      5 Years     

Since

Inception

 

Fund NAV

    (9.20 )%       (14.24 )%       1.49     (2.11 )%         (14.24 )%       7.67      (17.20 )% 

Fund Market

    (10.04      (14.40      1.68       (2.10        (14.40      8.68        (17.10

Index

    (8.94      (13.35      2.41       (1.37              (13.35      12.64        (11.46

The inception date of the Fund was April 29, 2014. The first day of secondary market trading was May 1, 2014.

Past performance is not an indication of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. See “About Fund Performance” for more information.

Expense Example

 

    Actual        

Hypothetical 5% Return

          
                                                            

Beginning

Account Value

(09/01/22)

 

 

 

      

Ending

Account Value

(02/28/23)

 

 

 

      

Expenses

Paid During

the Period

 

 

(a) 

     

Beginning

Account Value

(09/01/22)

      

Ending

Account Value

(02/28/23)

 

 

 

      

Expenses

Paid During

the Period

 

 

(a) 

      

Annualized

Expense

Ratio

 

 

 

      $      1,000.00          $      908.00          $       2.79         $       1,000.00        $     1,021.90          $       2.96          0.59

 

  (a) 

Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period shown). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Disclosure of Expenses” for more information.

 

Portfolio Information

 

SECTOR ALLOCATION

 

   

Sector

   
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Financials

    40.1

Communication Services

    23.4  

Real Estate

    13.5  

Industrials

    12.7  

Consumer Discretionary

    5.1  

Utilities

    2.3  

Energy

    1.6  

Consumer Staples

    1.3  

Health Care

    0.0 (b)  

 

  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

  (b) 

Rounds to less than 0.1%

 

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

   

Security

   
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Emirates Telecommunications Group Co. PJSC

    21.6

First Abu Dhabi Bank PJSC

    15.1  

Emaar Properties PJSC

    7.6  

Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank PJSC

    4.7  

Emirates NBD Bank PJSC

    4.6  

Abu Dhabi National Oil Co. for Distribution PJSC

    4.5  

Dubai Islamic Bank PJSC

    4.5  

Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank PJSC

    4.3  

Multiply Group

    4.1  

Aldar Properties PJSC

    4.0  
 

 

 

U N D    U M M A R Y

  13


About Fund Performance

 

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

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

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

Disclosure of Expenses

Shareholders of each Fund may incur the following charges: (1) transactional expenses, including brokerage commissions on purchases and sales of fund shares and (2) ongoing expenses, including management fees and other fund expenses. The expense examples shown (which are based on a hypothetical investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held through the end of the period) are intended to assist shareholders both in calculating expenses based on an investment in each Fund and in comparing these expenses with similar costs of investing in other funds.

The expense examples provide information about actual account values and actual expenses. Annualized expense ratios reflect contractual and voluntary fee waivers, if any. In order to estimate the expenses a shareholder paid during the period covered by this report, shareholders can divide their account value by $1,000 and then multiply the result by the number under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During the Period.”

The expense examples also provide information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on a fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses. In order to assist shareholders in comparing the ongoing expenses of investing in the Funds and other funds, compare the 5% hypothetical examples with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

The expenses shown in the expense examples are intended to highlight shareholders’ ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional expenses, such as brokerage commissions and other fees paid on purchases and sales of fund shares. Therefore, the hypothetical examples are useful in comparing ongoing expenses only and will not help shareholders determine the relative total expenses of owning different funds. If these transactional expenses were included, shareholder expenses would have been higher.

 

 

14  

2 0 2 3    H A R E S     E M I - A N N U A L    E P O R T    T O     H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) 

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® MSCI Brazil Small-Cap ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares      Value  

Common Stocks

    
Aerospace & Defense — 4.6%  

Embraer SA(a)

    1,099,739      $ 3,484,833  
    

 

 

 
Auto Components — 0.5%  

Mahle-Metal Leve SA

    60,234        370,922  
    

 

 

 
Biotechnology — 0.4%  

Blau Farmaceutica SA(a)

    56,144        305,629  
    

 

 

 
Commercial Services & Supplies — 2.1%  

Ambipar Participacoes e Empreendimentos SA

    70,689        274,496  

GPS Participacoes e Empreendimentos SA(a)(b)

    419,187        944,791  

Orizon Valorizacao de Residuos SA(a)

    55,942        417,899  
    

 

 

 
       1,637,186  
Communications Equipment — 0.9%             

Intelbras SA Industria de Telecomunicacao Eletronica Brasileira

    128,162        693,509  
    

 

 

 
Diversified Consumer Services — 2.7%  

Anima Holding SA(a)

    473,984        288,802  

Cogna Educacao(a)

    2,936,534        1,133,007  

YDUQS Participacoes SA

    459,482        618,733  
    

 

 

 
       2,040,542  
Electric Utilities — 6.6%             

Alupar Investimento SA

    229,274        1,188,969  

EDP - Energias do Brasil SA

    409,236        1,534,405  

Light SA

    408,085        194,866  

Transmissora Alianca de Energia Eletrica SA

    320,485        2,172,500  
    

 

 

 
       5,090,740  
Food & Staples Retailing — 2.2%  

Cia. Brasileira de Distribuicao

    253,243        751,682  

Grupo Mateus SA(a)

    864,302        931,088  
    

 

 

 
       1,682,770  
Food Products — 10.4%  

BrasilAgro - Co. Brasileira de Propriedades Agricolas

    72,090        357,183  

BRF SA(a)

    1,016,320        1,195,796  

Camil Alimentos SA

    197,166        302,408  

Jalles Machado SA

    161,401        240,771  

M. Dias Branco SA

    132,618        850,354  

Marfrig Global Foods SA

    516,388        628,292  

Minerva SA

    427,628        925,427  

Sao Martinho SA

    249,282        1,295,107  

SLC Agricola SA

    182,651        1,718,900  

Tres Tentos Agroindustrial SA

    194,122        472,379  
    

 

 

 
       7,986,617  
Health Care Providers & Services — 5.0%  

Alliar Medicos A Frente SA(a)

    74,042        293,456  

CM Hospitalar SA

    156,705        527,094  

Fleury SA

    365,116        989,599  

Hospital Mater Dei SA

    149,568        242,259  

Instituto Hermes Pardini SA

    71,735        263,896  

Odontoprev SA

    444,771        980,366  

Oncoclinicas do Brasil Servicos Medicos SA(a)

    233,870        339,496  

Qualicorp Consultoria e Corretora de Seguros SA

    222,214        198,214  
    

 

 

 
           3,834,380  
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 1.4%  

Smartfit Escola de Ginastica e Danca SA(a)

    366,943        1,088,469  
    

 

 

 
Household Durables — 4.3%  

Cury Construtora e Incorporadora SA

    205,528        494,638  
Security   Shares      Value  
Household Durables (continued)  

Cyrela Brazil Realty SA Empreendimentos e Participacoes

    469,141      $ 1,342,336  

Direcional Engenharia SA

    152,569        448,488  

Ez Tec Empreendimentos e Participacoes SA

    172,903        419,753  

MRV Engenharia e Participacoes SA

    491,509        553,898  
    

 

 

 
       3,259,113  
Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers — 3.5%         

AES Brasil Energia SA

    376,761        713,877  

Auren Energia SA

    391,203        1,105,885  

Omega Energia SA(a)

    487,228        858,974  
    

 

 

 
       2,678,736  
Insurance — 0.5%  

IRB Brasil Resseguros S/A(a)

    115,853        417,787  
    

 

 

 
IT Services — 3.1%  

Cielo SA

    1,913,086        1,753,968  

Locaweb Servicos de Internet SA(a)(b)

    695,375        649,492  
    

 

 

 
       2,403,460  
Machinery — 1.4%  

Iochpe Maxion SA

    216,488        466,019  

Tupy SA

    112,805        584,984  
    

 

 

 
       1,051,003  
Marine — 0.4%  

Hidrovias do Brasil SA(a)

    773,406        273,291  
    

 

 

 
Metals & Mining — 1.2%  

Bradespar SA

    53,982        257,256  

Cia. Brasileira de Aluminio

    233,092        463,918  

Metalurgica Gerdau SA

    85,699        183,824  
    

 

 

 
       904,998  
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 4.6%  

3R Petroleum Oleo E Gas SA(a)

    285,318        1,984,248  

Enauta Participacoes SA

    166,375        437,908  

Petroreconcavo SA

    206,305        1,115,173  
    

 

 

 
       3,537,329  
Paper & Forest Products — 1.0%  

Dexco SA

    589,428        734,048  
    

 

 

 
Professional Services — 0.6%  

Boa Vista Servicos SA

    333,131        482,951  
    

 

 

 
Real Estate Management & Development — 8.7%  

Aliansce Sonae Shopping Centers SA

    651,790        2,126,383  

BR Properties SA

    7,420        340,528  

Iguatemi SA

    336,465        1,242,275  

Iguatemi SA

    364,659        170,647  

JHSF Participacoes SA

    531,510        429,436  

LOG Commercial Properties e Participacoes SA

    71,937        202,121  

Multiplan Empreendimentos Imobiliarios SA

    442,204            2,125,944  
    

 

 

 
       6,637,334  
Road & Rail — 2.9%  

Movida Participacoes SA

    226,774        285,013  

SIMPAR SA

    524,780        719,694  

Vamos Locacao de Caminhoes Maquinas e Equipamentos SA

    481,366        1,221,011  
    

 

 

 
       2,225,718  
Specialty Retail — 2.1%  

Grupo SBF SA

    152,473        238,810  

Pet Center Comercio e Participacoes SA

    541,788        667,475  
 

 

 

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

  15


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® MSCI Brazil Small-Cap ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Specialty Retail (continued)

 

Via S/A(a)

    2,000,994     $ 737,648  
   

 

 

 
      1,643,933  
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals — 0.2%  

Multilaser Industrial SA

    320,997       141,018  
   

 

 

 
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods — 5.9%            

Arezzo Industria e Comercio SA

    103,452       1,474,089  

Grendene SA

    494,098       621,934  

Grupo De Moda Soma SA

    798,188       1,338,584  

Guararapes Confeccoes SA

    156,231       131,897  

Vivara Participacoes SA

    166,322       688,422  

Vulcabras Azaleia SA

    130,667       289,015  
   

 

 

 
      4,543,941  
Trading Companies & Distributors — 1.0%  

Armac Locacao Logistica E Servicos SA

    162,435       421,333  

Mills Estruturas e Servicos de Engenharia SA

    173,442       375,344  
   

 

 

 
      796,677  
Transportation Infrastructure — 2.8%            

EcoRodovias Infraestrutura e Logistica SA

    381,371       298,660  

Santos Brasil Participacoes SA

    810,872       1,240,597  

Wilson Sons Holdings Brasil SA, NVS

    308,518       602,251  
   

 

 

 
      2,141,508  
Water Utilities — 2.0%            

Cia. de Saneamento de Minas Gerais-COPASA

    297,512       808,072  

Cia. de Saneamento do Parana

    220,555       718,691  
   

 

 

 
      1,526,763  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 83.0%
(Cost: $67,250,420)

      63,615,205  
   

 

 

 

Preferred Stocks

   
Aerospace & Defense — 0.4%            

Taurus Armas SA, Preference Shares, NVS

    112,595       313,346  
   

 

 

 
Airlines — 1.2%            

Azul SA, Preference Shares, NVS

    446,402       607,941  

Gol Linhas Aereas Inteligentes SA, Preference Shares, NVS

    289,894       306,204  
   

 

 

 
      914,145  
Banks — 2.0%            

Banco ABC Brasil SA, Preference Shares, NVS

    132,201       458,308  

Banco do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul SA, Class B,

   

Preference Shares, NVS

    316,931       604,750  

Banco Pan SA, Preference Shares, NVS

    507,603       498,349  
   

 

 

 
      1,561,407  
Chemicals — 1.5%            

Unipar Carbocloro SA, Class B, Preference Shares, NVS

    76,660       1,161,003  
   

 

 

 
Security   Shares     Value  
Electric Utilities — 0.2%            

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

    22,105     $ 192,109  
   

 

 

 
Machinery — 1.2%            

Marcopolo SA, Preference Shares, NVS

    757,703       457,333  

Randon SA Implementos e Participacoes, Preference Shares, NVS

    283,063       430,370  
   

 

 

 
      887,703  
Metals & Mining — 8.1%            

Bradespar SA, Preference Shares, NVS

    399,202       2,109,069  

Cia Ferro Ligas da Bahia - FERBASA, Preference Shares, NVS

    55,282       606,624  

Metalurgica Gerdau SA, Preference Shares, NVS

    1,046,435       2,514,426  

Usinas Siderurgicas de Minas Gerais SA Usiminas, Class A, Preference Shares, NVS

    728,559       950,455  
   

 

 

 
      6,180,574  
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods — 0.8%            

Alpargatas SA, Preference Shares, NVS

    349,436       629,398  
   

 

 

 
Water Utilities — 0.6%            

Cia de Saneamento do Parana, Preference Shares, NVS

    694,282       452,206  
   

 

 

 

Total Preferred Stocks — 16.0%
(Cost: $12,492,964)

      12,291,891  
   

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 99.0%
(Cost: $79,743,384)

      75,907,096  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Securities

   
Money Market Funds — 0.1%            

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury,
SL Agency Shares, 4.41%(c)(d)

    50,000       50,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 0.1%
(Cost: $50,000)

      50,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments — 99.1%
(Cost: $79,793,384)

      75,957,096  

Other Assets Less Liabilities — 0.9%

      692,015  
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

    $ 76,649,111  
   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Non-income producing security.

(b) 

Security exempt from registration pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration to qualified institutional investors.

(c) 

Affiliate of the Fund.

(d) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

 

 

 

16  

2 0 2 3    H A R E S     E M I - A N N U A L    E P O R T    T O     H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® MSCI Brazil Small-Cap ETF

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended February 28, 2023 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

Affiliated Issuer

  

Value at

08/31/22

    

Purchases

at Cost

    

Proceeds

from Sale

    

Net Realized

Gain (Loss)

    

Change in

Unrealized

Appreciation

(Depreciation)

    

Value at

02/28/23

    

Shares

Held at

02/28/23

    

Income

    

Capital

Gain

Distributions

from

Underlying

Funds

 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

   $ 40,000      $ 10,000 (a)     $      $      $      $ 50,000        50,000      $ 2,515      $  
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Futures Contracts

 

Description

  

Number of

Contracts

      

Expiration

Date

      

Notional

Amount

(000)

 

Value/

Unrealized

Appreciation

(Depreciation)

 

Long Contracts

              

MSCI Brazil Index

     14          03/17/23        $ 651   $ (27,011
              

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

As of period end, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities were as follows:

 

     

Commodity

Contracts

      

Credit

Contracts

      

Equity

Contracts

 

Foreign

Currency

Exchange

Contracts

      

Interest

Rate

Contracts

 

Other

Contracts

      

Total

 

Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instruments

                          

Futures contracts

                          

Unrealized depreciation on futures contracts(a)

   $        $        $ 27,011   $        $ —   $        $ 27,011  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts are reported in the Schedule of Investments. In the Statements of Assets and Liabilities, only current day’s variation margin is reported in receivables or payables and the net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is included in accumulated earnings (loss).

 

For the period ended February 28, 2023, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

     

Commodity

Contracts

      

Credit

Contracts

      

Equity

Contracts

 

Foreign

Currency

Exchange

Contracts

      

Interest

Rate

Contracts

 

Other

Contracts

      

Total

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from

                          

Futures contracts

   $        $        $ 40,131   $        $ —   $        $ 40,131  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on

                          

Futures contracts

   $        $        $(54,066)   $        $ —   $        $ (54,066
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

      

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

Futures contracts

        

Average notional value of contracts — long

   $ 765,363  

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

 

 

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

  17


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® MSCI Brazil Small-Cap ETF

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments. For a description of the input levels and information about the Fund’s policy regarding valuation of financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.

The following table summarizes the Fund’s financial instruments categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The breakdown of the Fund’s financial instruments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.

 

      Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

Assets

                 

Investments

                 

Long-Term Investments

                 

Common Stocks

   $ 62,901,328        $ 713,877        $        $ 63,615,205  

Preferred Stocks

     12,291,891                            12,291,891  

Short-Term Securities

                 

Money Market Funds

     50,000                            50,000  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 75,243,219        $ 713,877        $        $ 75,957,096  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments(a)

                 

Liabilities

                 

Equity Contracts

   $ (27,011      $        $        $ (27,011
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

18  

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Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) 

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® MSCI China ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

   
Aerospace & Defense — 0.1%            

AECC Aero-Engine Control Co. Ltd., Class A

    74,800     $ 272,234  

AECC Aviation Power Co. Ltd., Class A

    694,476       4,583,859  

AviChina Industry & Technology Co. Ltd., Class H

    11,061,000       5,273,728  

Kuang-Chi Technologies Co. Ltd., Class A

    607,600       1,529,663  
   

 

 

 
      11,659,484  
Air Freight & Logistics — 0.7%            

SF Holding Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,215,283       9,411,117  

YTO Express Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    868,000       2,267,280  

Yunda Holding Co. Ltd., Class A

    868,557       1,592,751  

ZTO Express Cayman Inc., ADR

    1,713,317       41,222,407  
   

 

 

 
      54,493,555  
Airlines — 0.2%            

Air China Ltd., Class A(a)

    1,736,014       2,774,749  

Air China Ltd., Class H(a)

    6,966,000       6,422,879  

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

    3,472,096       2,713,196  

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

    3,385,234       3,847,681  

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

    6,966,000       5,079,372  
   

 

 

 
      20,837,877  
Auto Components — 0.4%            

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

    86,895       1,886,369  

Fuyao Glass Industry Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    434,098       2,316,353  

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

    2,430,400       10,891,461  

Huayu Automotive Systems Co. Ltd., Class A

    954,872       2,597,820  

Huizhou Desay Sv Automotive Co. Ltd., Class A

    174,100       2,852,404  

Minth Group Ltd.

    3,472,000       9,022,311  

Ningbo Tuopu Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    260,400       2,507,701  

Sailun Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    768,361       1,228,904  

Shandong Linglong Tyre Co. Ltd., Class A

    434,028       1,407,177  

Shenzhen Kedali Industry Co. Ltd., Class A

    86,800       1,527,874  
   

 

 

 
      36,238,374  
Automobiles — 3.8%            

BYD Co. Ltd., Class A

    448,969       16,797,580  

BYD Co. Ltd., Class H

    3,306,000       88,879,286  

Chongqing Changan Automobile Co. Ltd., Class A

    2,182,620       4,206,728  

Dongfeng Motor Group Co. Ltd., Class H

    9,374,000       4,788,868  

Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd.

    24,336,000       31,616,784  

Great Wall Motor Co. Ltd., Class A

    520,800       2,583,820  

Great Wall Motor Co. Ltd., Class H

    12,175,500       16,157,593  

Guangzhou Automobile Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,128,400       1,862,610  

Guangzhou Automobile Group Co. Ltd., Class H

    11,728,400       7,478,316  

Li Auto Inc.(a)

    4,586,280       54,114,250  

NIO Inc., ADR(a)(b)

    5,558,977       52,198,794  

SAIC Motor Corp. Ltd., Class A

    2,256,804       4,879,827  

XPeng Inc.(a)(b)

    3,758,472       16,706,580  

Yadea Group Holdings Ltd.(c)

    5,208,000       11,177,370  
   

 

 

 
      313,448,406  
Banks — 9.6%            

Agricultural Bank of China Ltd., Class A

    21,092,400       8,891,573  

Agricultural Bank of China Ltd., Class H

    115,937,000       40,195,033  

Bank of Beijing Co. Ltd., Class A

    5,215,799       3,249,336  

Bank of Chengdu Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,215,293       2,513,441  

Bank of China Ltd., Class A

    8,853,600       4,115,001  

Bank of China Ltd., Class H

    320,310,000       117,474,245  

Bank of Communications Co. Ltd., Class A

    9,680,722       6,825,274  

Bank of Communications Co. Ltd., Class H

    34,754,200       20,548,696  

Bank of Hangzhou Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,822,828       3,182,887  
Security   Shares     Value  
Banks (continued)            

Bank of Jiangsu Co. Ltd., Class A

    3,985,215     $ 4,123,018  

Bank of Nanjing Co. Ltd., Class A

    3,088,804       4,404,392  

Bank of Ningbo Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,616,502       6,859,952  

Bank of Shanghai Co. Ltd., Class A

    4,340,010       3,734,239  

China CITIC Bank Corp. Ltd., Class H

    35,589,800       16,465,898  

China Construction Bank Corp., Class A

    2,129,514       1,728,378  

China Construction Bank Corp., Class H

    388,918,000       237,736,793  

China Everbright Bank Co. Ltd., Class A

    11,631,200       4,987,158  

China Everbright Bank Co. Ltd., Class H

    8,763,000       2,523,500  

China Merchants Bank Co. Ltd., Class A

    5,121,225       27,507,064  

China Merchants Bank Co. Ltd., Class H

    15,639,150       84,865,859  

China Minsheng Banking Corp. Ltd., Class A

    9,461,270       4,641,918  

China Minsheng Banking Corp. Ltd., Class H

    22,214,160       7,671,747  

China Zheshang Bank Co. Ltd., Class A(a)

    4,985,900       2,095,052  

Chongqing Rural Commercial Bank Co. Ltd., Class A

    829,000       431,812  

Huaxia Bank Co. Ltd., Class A

    4,340,061       3,259,653  

Industrial & Commercial Bank of China Ltd., Class A

    15,276,800       9,450,997  

Industrial & Commercial Bank of China Ltd., Class H

    227,575,000       113,551,210  

Industrial Bank Co. Ltd., Class A

    5,068,210       12,329,253  

Ping An Bank Co. Ltd., Class A

    4,693,655       9,291,188  

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

    7,030,800       4,573,265  

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

    31,270,000       18,787,094  

Shanghai Pudong Development Bank Co. Ltd., Class A

    7,378,024       7,621,766  

Shanghai Rural Commercial Bank Co. Ltd.

    2,305,700       1,967,112  
   

 

 

 
      797,603,804  
Beverages — 3.4%            

Anhui Gujing Distillery Co. Ltd., Class A

    97,596       3,838,850  

Anhui Gujing Distillery Co. Ltd., Class B

    434,380       7,467,013  

Anhui Kouzi Distillery Co. Ltd., Class A

    145,200       1,439,496  

Anhui Yingjia Distillery Co. Ltd., Class A

    150,000       1,514,213  

Beijing Yanjing Brewery Co. Ltd., Class A

    682,100       1,323,990  

China Resources Beer Holdings Co. Ltd.

    6,598,000       48,812,474  

Chongqing Brewery Co. Ltd., Class A

    173,600       3,435,194  

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

    347,203       3,203,492  

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

    347,276       8,479,827  

JiuGui Liquor Co. Ltd., Class A

    87,400       1,907,301  

Kweichow Moutai Co. Ltd., Class A

    306,655       80,105,364  

Luzhou Laojiao Co. Ltd., Class A

    367,700       13,202,501  

Nongfu Spring Co. Ltd., Class H(b)(c)

    7,095,800       39,829,891  

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

    294,997       1,780,674  

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

    295,286       12,020,193  

Sichuan Swellfun Co. Ltd., Class A

    108,552       1,293,137  

Tsingtao Brewery Co. Ltd., Class A

    173,663       2,786,063  

Tsingtao Brewery Co. Ltd., Class H

    2,396,000       23,647,985  

Wuliangye Yibin Co. Ltd., Class A

    958,077       28,115,354  
   

 

 

 
      284,203,012  
Biotechnology — 1.5%            

3SBio Inc.(c)

    5,941,000       5,891,335  

Akeso Inc.(a)(c)

    1,865,000       9,503,911  

BeiGene Ltd.(a)

    2,527,534       43,810,543  

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

    114,475       2,089,718  

BGI Genomics Co. Ltd., Class A

    173,699       1,390,354  

Bloomage Biotechnology Corp. Ltd.

    68,688       1,253,942  

Chongqing Zhifei Biological Products Co. Ltd., Class A

    434,040       5,593,468  

Hualan Biological Engineering Inc., Class A

    475,872       1,517,862  

Imeik Technology Development Co. Ltd., Class A

    49,944       4,222,282  

Innovent Biologics Inc.(a)(c)

    4,051,500       19,704,979  
 

 

 

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

  19


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® MSCI China ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Biotechnology (continued)            

Legend Biotech Corp., ADR(a)(b)

    199,714     $ 9,222,793  

Shanghai Junshi Biosciences Co. Ltd., Class A(a)

    173,600       1,319,471  

Shanghai RAAS Blood Products Co. Ltd., Class A

    2,343,600       2,090,739  

Shenzhen Kangtai Biological Products Co. Ltd., Class A

    273,188       1,362,345  

Walvax Biotechnology Co. Ltd., Class A

    434,097       2,386,083  

Zai Lab Ltd., ADR(a)(b)

    357,616       13,285,434  
   

 

 

 
      124,645,259  
Building Products — 0.1%            

Beijing New Building Materials PLC, Class A

    520,870       2,251,841  

China Lesso Group Holdings Ltd.

    4,351,000       4,589,368  

Guangdong Kinlong Hardware Products Co. Ltd., Class A

    87,400       1,207,568  

Zhejiang Weixing New Building Materials Co. Ltd., Class A

    222,100       820,669  

Zhuzhou Kibing Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    694,400       1,093,431  
   

 

 

 
      9,962,877  
Capital Markets — 1.7%            

Caitong Securities Co. Ltd., Class A

    242,400       268,769  

Changjiang Securities Co. Ltd., Class A

    2,517,236       2,047,074  

China Cinda Asset Management Co. Ltd., Class H

    36,235,000       4,709,585  

China Galaxy Securities Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,235,800       1,710,043  

China Galaxy Securities Co. Ltd., Class H

    12,177,000       6,069,516  

China International Capital Corp. Ltd., Class A

    348,002       2,097,943  

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

    5,696,400       12,264,771  

China Merchants Securities Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,996,468       4,016,196  

CITIC Securities Co. Ltd., Class A

    2,952,631       8,771,307  

CITIC Securities Co. Ltd., Class H

    7,870,800       16,674,443  

CSC Financial Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,215,299       4,681,401  

Dongxing Securities Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,215,211       1,502,024  

East Money Information Co. Ltd., Class A

    3,223,876       9,679,805  

Everbright Securities Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,041,699       2,343,857  

First Capital Securities Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,388,889       1,195,299  

GF Securities Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,507,399       3,534,629  

GF Securities Co. Ltd., Class H

    4,175,000       5,927,712  

Guosen Securities Co. Ltd., Class A

    2,083,233       2,892,091  

Guotai Junan Securities Co. Ltd., Class A

    2,135,759       4,390,214  

Guoyuan Securities Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,539,070       1,558,721  

Haitong Securities Co. Ltd., Class A

    2,517,259       3,313,084  

Haitong Securities Co. Ltd., Class H

    10,416,000       6,703,227  

Hithink RoyalFlush Information Network Co. Ltd., Class A

    118,587       2,016,620  

Huatai Securities Co. Ltd., Class A

    2,343,693       4,248,477  

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

    4,938,600       5,559,319  

Huaxi Securities Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,302,073       1,546,839  

Industrial Securities Co. Ltd., Class A

    2,619,792       2,423,157  

Orient Securities Co. Ltd., Class A

    2,137,321       3,136,425  

SDIC Capital Co. Ltd., Class A

    814,600       825,167  

Sealand Securities Co. Ltd., Class A

    2,690,837       1,349,682  

Shanxi Securities Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,441,341       1,201,149  

Shenwan Hongyuan Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    7,162,179       4,344,644  

SooChow Securities Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,773,435       1,795,931  

Western Securities Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,996,430       1,902,048  

Zheshang Securities Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,128,400       1,674,928  

Zhongtai Securities Co. Ltd.

    1,388,800       1,391,928  
   

 

 

 
      139,768,025  
Chemicals — 1.3%            

Chengxin Lithium Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    260,400       1,420,240  

CNGR Advanced Material Co. Ltd.

    86,776       876,879  

Do-Fluoride New Materials Co. Ltd., Class A

    260,400       1,365,438  
Security   Shares     Value  
Chemicals (continued)            

Dongyue Group Ltd.(b)

    5,701,000     $ 6,456,307  

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

    1,499,800       10,476,541  

Ganfeng Lithium Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    392,541       4,083,747  

Guangzhou Tinci Materials Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    521,600       3,369,653  

Hangzhou Oxygen Plant Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    260,400       1,459,784  

Hengli Petrochemical Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,649,210       4,189,557  

Hengyi Petrochemical Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,562,476       1,824,238  

Hoshine Silicon Industry Co. Ltd., Class A

    173,600       2,447,676  

Huafon Chemical Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,518,000       1,780,584  

Hubei Xingfa Chemicals Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    347,200       1,753,333  

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

    2,830,170       1,799,922  

Inner Mongolia Yuan Xing Energy Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,041,600       1,414,181  

Jiangsu Eastern Shenghong Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,130,100       2,521,398  

Jiangsu Yangnong Chemical Co. Ltd., Class A

    74,800       1,155,304  

LB Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    694,400       2,185,892  

Ningbo Shanshan Co. Ltd.

    749,791       1,928,286  

Ningxia Baofeng Energy Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,864,700       4,240,020  

Qinghai Salt Lake Industry Co. Ltd., Class A(a)

    1,215,200       4,329,010  

Rongsheng Petrochemical Co. Ltd., Class A

    2,691,292       5,233,373  

Satellite Chemical Co. Ltd., Class A

    938,043       2,346,198  

Shandong Hualu Hengsheng Chemical Co. Ltd., Class A

    694,400       3,609,284  

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

    347,200       2,509,961  

Shenzhen Capchem Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    222,720       1,486,362  

Shenzhen Dynanonic Co. Ltd.

    13,200       429,260  

Shenzhen Senior Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    316,997       967,460  

Sichuan Yahua Industrial Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    158,600       558,246  

Sinoma Science & Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    520,800       1,723,928  

Skshu Paint Co. Ltd., Class A(a)

    104,200       1,834,997  

SuZhou TA&A Ultra Clean Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    173,600       1,433,264  

Tianqi Lithium Corp., Class A(a)

    347,200       4,087,529  

Tongkun Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    781,264       1,837,639  

Wanhua Chemical Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    781,273       11,723,906  

Weihai Guangwei Composites Co. Ltd., Class A

    173,600       1,663,118  

Yunnan Energy New Material Co. Ltd., Class A

    224,404       4,049,906  

Yunnan Yuntianhua Co. Ltd.(a)

    260,400       909,217  

Zangge Mining Co. Ltd.

    260,400       1,044,456  

Zhejiang Juhua Co. Ltd., Class A

    607,572       1,646,269  

Zhejiang Yongtai Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    260,400       870,130  
   

 

 

 
      111,042,493  
Commercial Services & Supplies — 0.1%            

China Everbright Environment Group Ltd.

    14,756,148       5,984,603  

Shanghai M&G Stationery Inc., Class A

    260,400       2,029,847  

Zhejiang Weiming Environment Protection Co. Ltd., Class A

    161,600       456,089  
   

 

 

 
      8,470,539  
Communications Equipment — 0.3%            

BYD Electronic International Co. Ltd.

    2,610,500       7,611,942  

Guangzhou Haige Communications Group Inc. Co., Class A

    1,388,884       1,902,989  

Hengtong Optic-Electric Co. Ltd., Class A

    248,400       526,276  

Yealink Network Technology Corp. Ltd., Class A

    203,094       1,946,180  

Zhongji Innolight Co. Ltd., Class A

    260,477       1,328,704  

ZTE Corp., Class A

    984,064       4,557,632  

ZTE Corp., Class H

    3,124,840       9,284,236  
   

 

 

 
      27,157,959  
 

 

 

20  

2 0 2 3    H A R E S     E M I - A N N U A L    E P O R T    T O     H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® MSCI China ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Construction & Engineering — 0.8%

 

China Communications Services Corp. Ltd., Class H

    10,176,800     $ 3,956,690  

China Conch Venture Holdings Ltd.

    6,524,500       13,130,400  

China Energy Engineering Corp. Ltd.

    7,424,200       2,542,325  

China National Chemical Engineering Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,736,095       2,252,930  

China Railway Group Ltd., Class A

    4,342,098       3,774,457  

China Railway Group Ltd., Class H

    17,973,000       9,367,286  

China State Construction Engineering Corp. Ltd., Class A

    10,416,038       8,425,925  

China State Construction International Holdings Ltd.

    8,680,000       9,885,364  

Metallurgical Corp. of China Ltd., Class A

    5,989,200       2,939,260  

Power Construction Corp. of China Ltd., Class A

    4,253,297       4,394,223  

Sichuan Road & Bridge Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,128,400       2,063,234  
   

 

 

 
      62,732,094  
Construction Materials — 0.5%            

Anhui Conch Cement Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,160,191       5,122,622  

Anhui Conch Cement Co. Ltd., Class H

    4,774,000       17,526,843  

China Jushi Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,302,005       2,838,631  

China National Building Material Co. Ltd., Class H

    15,624,000       13,852,597  

China Resources Cement Holdings Ltd.(b)

    10,416,000       5,604,638  
   

 

 

 
      44,945,331  
Consumer Finance — 0.2%            

360 DigiTech Inc.(b)

    440,734       8,973,344  

Lufax Holding Ltd., ADR

    2,758,594       5,958,563  
   

 

 

 
      14,931,907  
Distributors — 0.0%            

Wuchan Zhongda Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,649,203       1,160,190  
   

 

 

 
Diversified Consumer Services — 0.6%            

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

    1,610,000       9,168,800  

New Oriental Education & Technology Group Inc.(a)

    6,249,690       24,100,546  

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

    1,492,500       1,226,239  

TAL Education Group, ADR(a)

    1,821,367       12,804,210  
   

 

 

 
      47,299,795  
Diversified Financial Services — 0.1%            

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

    3,031,482       1,897,599  

Far East Horizon Ltd.(b)

    6,532,000       5,778,018  
   

 

 

 
      7,675,617  
Diversified Telecommunication Services — 0.2%  

China Tower Corp. Ltd., Class H(c)

    178,844,000       19,368,941  
   

 

 

 
Electrical Equipment — 1.1%            

Beijing Easpring Material Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    124,000       1,063,710  

Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    595,622       34,509,392  

Dongfang Electric Corp. Ltd., Class A

    781,200       2,216,909  

Eve Energy Co. Ltd., Class A

    529,236       5,524,702  

Fangda Carbon New Material Co. Ltd., Class A(a)

    1,388,847       1,336,775  

Ginlong Technologies Co. Ltd., Class A(a)

    118,400       2,699,823  

Gotion High-tech Co. Ltd., Class A

    471,892       2,003,181  

Hongfa Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    326,791       1,647,792  

Jiangsu GoodWe Power Supply Technology Co. Ltd., NVS

    20,126       1,124,743  

Jiangsu Zhongtian Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    868,000       2,005,216  

Jiangxi Special Electric Motor Co. Ltd., NVS(a)

    335,200       861,249  

Ming Yang Smart Energy Group Ltd., Class A

    518,452       1,893,730  

NARI Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,765,012       6,668,029  

Ningbo Orient Wires & Cables Co. Ltd.

    236,731       1,873,442  

Ningbo Ronbay New Energy Technology Co. Ltd.

    110,180       1,142,827  

Pylon Technologies Co. Ltd., NVS

    22,142       854,297  

Shanghai Electric Group Co. Ltd., Class A(a)

    3,211,600       1,935,307  

Sungrow Power Supply Co. Ltd., Class A

    370,600       6,362,874  
Security   Shares     Value  

Electrical Equipment (continued)

 

Sunwoda Electronic Co. Ltd., Class A

    520,808     $ 1,616,874  

Suzhou Maxwell Technologies Co. Ltd., Class A

    35,592       1,877,051  

TBEA Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,128,457       3,500,560  

Titan Wind Energy Suzhou Co. Ltd., Class A

    434,000       955,256  

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

    783,320       1,279,133  

Zhejiang Chint Electrics Co. Ltd., Class A

    607,621       2,622,834  
   

 

 

 
      87,575,706  
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components — 1.3%  

AAC Technologies Holdings Inc.(a)

    3,038,000       6,789,759  

Avary Holding Shenzhen Co. Ltd., Class A

    476,600       1,947,822  

BOE Technology Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    9,808,400       5,877,734  

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

    574,977       2,631,907  

China Zhenhua Group Science & Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    142,700       2,132,987  

Foxconn Industrial Internet Co. Ltd., Class A

    2,343,686       3,237,641  

GoerTek Inc., Class A

    868,000       2,686,794  

Guangzhou Shiyuan Electronic Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    173,619       1,715,143  

Hengdian Group DMEGC Magnetics Co. Ltd.

    393,700       1,232,676  

Kingboard Holdings Ltd.

    2,613,000       9,328,760  

Kingboard Laminates Holdings Ltd.

    4,287,000       5,346,168  

Lens Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,388,842       2,543,507  

Lingyi iTech Guangdong Co., Class A(a)

    2,343,813       1,930,330  

Luxshare Precision Industry Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,823,041       7,834,997  

Maxscend Microelectronics Co. Ltd., Class A

    133,852       2,254,009  

Raytron Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    70,314       467,795  

Shengyi Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    781,200       2,037,551  

Shennan Circuits Co. Ltd., Class A

    104,424       1,198,145  

Sunny Optical Technology Group Co. Ltd.

    2,865,500       32,585,969  

Suzhou Dongshan Precision Manufacturing Co. Ltd., Class A

    434,000       1,819,148  

Tianma Microelectronics Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,041,636       1,432,897  

Unisplendour Corp. Ltd., Class A

    731,527       2,669,421  

Westone Information Industry Inc., Class A

    229,500       1,033,714  

Wingtech Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    347,200       2,689,465  

Wuhan Guide Infrared Co. Ltd., Class A

    982,557       1,684,041  

WUS Printed Circuit Kunshan Co. Ltd., Class A

    868,018       2,045,877  

Xiamen Faratronic Co. Ltd.

    74,800       1,639,049  

Zhejiang Dahua Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    958,000       1,994,873  

Zhejiang Supcon Technology Co. Ltd.

    82,616       1,164,442  
   

 

 

 
      111,952,621  
Energy Equipment & Services — 0.1%            

China Oilfield Services Ltd., Class H

    7,160,000       7,640,380  

Offshore Oil Engineering Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,336,198       1,309,742  

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

    260,492       1,156,096  
   

 

 

 
      10,106,218  
Entertainment — 2.4%            

37 Interactive Entertainment Network Technology

   

Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    694,400       2,190,776  

Beijing Enlight Media Co. Ltd., Class A

    902,100       985,273  

Bilibili Inc.(a)

    735,365       14,233,194  

China Ruyi Holdings Ltd.(a)(b)

    19,752,000       4,908,787  

iQIYI Inc., ADR(a)(b)

    1,759,332       13,599,636  

Kingsoft Corp. Ltd.

    3,821,400       12,616,798  

Mango Excellent Media Co. Ltd., Class A

    520,880       2,508,808  

NetEase Inc.

    7,994,660       124,240,587  

Perfect World Co. Ltd., Class A

    628,000       1,284,446  

Tencent Music Entertainment Group, ADR(a)

    2,887,186       21,769,382  
 

 

 

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

  21


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® MSCI China ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Entertainment (continued)            

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

    2,430,498     $ 1,536,468  
   

 

 

 
      199,874,155  
Food & Staples Retailing — 0.0%            

DaShenLin Pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    288,889       1,605,469  

Yifeng Pharmacy Chain Co. Ltd., Class A

    270,380       2,352,610  
   

 

 

 
      3,958,079  
Food Products — 1.9%            

Angel Yeast Co. Ltd., Class A

    260,411       1,515,260  

Anjoy Foods Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    87,400       2,058,605  

Beijing Dabeinong Technology Group Co. Ltd., Class A(a)

    1,388,800       1,645,442  

China Feihe Ltd.(c)

    13,050,000       10,459,675  

China Mengniu Dairy Co. Ltd.

    12,551,000       55,245,367  

Chongqing Fuling Zhacai Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    260,423       958,556  

Dali Foods Group Co. Ltd.(b)(c)

    9,384,500       3,795,734  

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

    937,121       11,087,794  

Guangdong Haid Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    468,097       4,275,914  

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

    875,708       3,334,033  

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

    1,475,623       6,470,242  

Juewei Food Co. Ltd., Class A

    156,085       1,177,244  

Muyuan Foods Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,357,868       9,665,493  

New Hope Liuhe Co. Ltd., Class A(a)

    1,302,099       2,470,347  

Tingyi Cayman Islands Holding Corp.(b)

    8,680,000       14,023,246  

Uni-President China Holdings Ltd.

    5,970,000       5,234,374  

Want Want China Holdings Ltd.

    19,097,000       12,014,140  

Wens Foodstuffs Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,736,016       4,937,859  

Yihai International Holding Ltd.

    1,933,000       5,627,414  

Yihai Kerry Arawana Holdings Co. Ltd., Class A

    312,977       2,069,321  
   

 

 

 
      158,066,060  
Gas Utilities — 1.2%            

Beijing Enterprises Holdings Ltd.

    2,170,000       7,108,207  

China Gas Holdings Ltd.

    11,645,600       16,284,805  

China Resources Gas Group Ltd.

    3,744,800       15,801,837  

ENN Energy Holdings Ltd.

    3,213,800       45,750,841  

ENN Natural Gas Co. Ltd., Class A

    571,800       1,588,420  

Kunlun Energy Co. Ltd.

    15,646,000       12,536,270  
   

 

 

 
      99,070,380  
Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 0.6%            

Autobio Diagnostics Co. Ltd., Class A

    141,900       1,434,344  

Jafron Biomedical Co. Ltd., Class A

    260,420       1,213,525  

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

    366,300       1,660,794  

Lepu Medical Technology Beijing Co. Ltd., Class A

    492,351       1,662,056  

Microport Scientific Corp.(a)(b)

    2,665,300       7,561,556  

Ovctek China Inc., Class A

    208,640       1,032,896  

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

    10,255,600       16,554,233  

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

    293,395       13,236,723  

Shenzhen New Industries Biomedical Engineering Co. Ltd., Class A

    161,600       1,424,226  
   

 

 

 
      45,780,353  
Health Care Providers & Services — 0.6%            

Aier Eye Hospital Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,797,027       8,067,751  

Guangzhou Baiyunshan Pharmaceutical Holdings Co. Ltd., Class A

    520,895       2,366,579  

Guangzhou Kingmed Diagnostics Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    120,994       1,467,704  

Huadong Medicine Co. Ltd., Class A

    520,880       3,596,570  
Security   Shares     Value  
Health Care Providers & Services (continued)  

Hygeia Healthcare Holdings Co. Ltd.(a)(b)(c)

    1,388,800     $ 10,118,264  

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

    1,215,225       1,147,610  

Shanghai Pharmaceuticals Holding Co. Ltd., Class A

    575,597       1,636,114  

Shanghai Pharmaceuticals Holding Co. Ltd., Class H

    3,385,200       5,969,755  

Sinopharm Group Co. Ltd., Class H

    5,212,400       13,960,433  

Topchoice Medical Corp., Class A(a)

    86,800       1,824,305  
   

 

 

 
      50,155,085  
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 3.0%            

H World Group Ltd., ADR

    795,106       37,664,171  

Haidilao International Holding Ltd.(a)(b)(c)

    4,340,000       12,020,611  

Jiumaojiu International Holdings Ltd.(b)(c)

    3,472,000       8,389,761  

Shanghai Jinjiang International Hotels Co. Ltd., Class A

    173,600       1,549,674  

Shenzhen Overseas Chinese Town Co. Ltd., Class A

    2,430,438       1,854,476  

Songcheng Performance Development Co. Ltd., Class A

    868,077       1,958,532  

Tongcheng Travel Holdings Ltd.(a)

    5,106,000       10,135,294  

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

    2,219,584       78,906,211  

Yum China Holdings Inc.(b)

    1,703,297       100,034,633  
   

 

 

 
      252,513,363  
Household Durables — 0.6%            

Ecovacs Robotics Co. Ltd., Class A

    174,000       2,264,391  

Gree Electric Appliances Inc. of Zhuhai, Class A

    661,529       3,376,354  

Haier Smart Home Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,649,246       6,246,374  

Haier Smart Home Co. Ltd., Class H

    9,200,800       32,562,314  

Jason Furniture Hangzhou Co. Ltd., Class A

    239,750       1,625,061  

Oppein Home Group Inc., Class A

    173,620       3,537,491  

TCL Technology Group Corp., Class A

    4,079,600       2,603,210  

Zhejiang Supor Co. Ltd., Class A

    173,696       1,421,094  
   

 

 

 
      53,636,289  
Household Products — 0.1%            

Vinda International Holdings Ltd.

    1,736,000       4,781,534  
   

 

 

 
Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers — 1.2%  

CECEP Solar Energy Co. Ltd., Class A

    781,200       796,731  

CECEP Wind Power Corp, Class A

    1,600,800       911,692  

CGN Power Co. Ltd., Class H(c)

    40,867,000       9,166,112  

China Longyuan Power Group Corp. Ltd., Class H

    14,136,000       17,340,413  

China National Nuclear Power Co. Ltd., Class A

    4,774,076       4,163,958  

China Power International Development Ltd.

    22,031,000       8,736,456  

China Resources Power Holdings Co. Ltd.

    8,680,000       17,723,903  

China Three Gorges Renewables Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    7,164,026       5,763,531  

China Yangtze Power Co. Ltd., Class A

    5,645,241       17,194,273  

GD Power Development Co. Ltd., Class A(a)

    4,166,400       2,354,945  

Huadian Power International Corp. Ltd., Class A

    1,610,200       1,328,356  

Huaneng Power International Inc., Class A(a)

    1,816,452       2,134,294  

Huaneng Power International Inc., Class H(a)(b)

    16,872,000       8,303,318  

Shenzhen Energy Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,128,480       1,010,982  

Sichuan Chuantou Energy Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,338,562       2,500,009  
   

 

 

 
      99,428,973  
Industrial Conglomerates — 0.4%            

China Baoan Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    781,200       1,436,227  

CITIC Ltd.

    24,315,000       26,828,186  

Fosun International Ltd.(b)

    9,734,500       7,964,213  
   

 

 

 
      36,228,626  
Insurance — 4.1%            

China Life Insurance Co. Ltd., Class A

    781,205       4,020,180  

China Life Insurance Co. Ltd., Class H

    29,573,000       50,165,026  
 

 

 

22  

2 0 2 3    H A R E S     E M I - A N N U A L    E P O R T    T O     H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® MSCI China ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Insurance (continued)            

China Pacific Insurance Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,822,847     $ 7,247,166  

China Pacific Insurance Group Co. Ltd., Class H

    10,257,200       27,207,843  

China Taiping Insurance Holdings Co. Ltd.

    5,060,124       5,980,768  

New China Life Insurance Co. Ltd., Class A

    644,276       2,889,539  

New China Life Insurance Co. Ltd., Class H

    3,094,600       7,499,938  

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

    821,800       617,189  

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

    35,599,000       11,255,359  

PICC Property & Casualty Co. Ltd., Class H

    27,798,462       24,416,799  

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

    2,690,843       18,675,588  

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

    25,617,000       174,875,318  

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

    2,832,300       8,154,832  
   

 

 

 
      343,005,545  
Interactive Media & Services — 16.1%  

Autohome Inc., ADR

    306,700       9,354,351  

Baidu Inc.(a)

    8,941,256       153,729,796  

JOYY Inc., ADR

    185,219       5,815,876  

Kanzhun Ltd., ADR(a)(b)

    737,679       14,864,232  

Kuaishou Technology(a)(c)

    7,091,800       47,525,450  

Tencent Holdings Ltd.

    25,127,600       1,103,815,104  

Weibo Corp., ADR(a)

    286,109       5,916,734  
   

 

 

 
      1,341,021,543  
Internet & Direct Marketing Retail — 17.6%  

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.(a)

    59,931,668       658,735,447  

Alibaba Health Information Technology
Ltd.(a)

    18,608,000       13,323,834  

JD Health International Inc.(a)(c)

    4,495,750       31,471,371  

JD.com Inc., Class A

    8,736,596       194,213,848  

Meituan, Class B(a)(c)

    20,331,240       352,847,165  

Pinduoduo Inc., ADR(a)

    2,047,221       179,602,698  

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

    1,971,600       4,518,303  

Vipshop Holdings Ltd., ADR(a)

    1,693,784       25,220,444  
   

 

 

 
      1,459,933,110  
IT Services — 0.3%  

Chinasoft International Ltd.

    11,664,000       8,376,981  

DHC Software Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,562,428       1,477,749  

GDS Holdings Ltd., Class A(a)

    3,523,620       8,523,865  

TravelSky Technology Ltd., Class H

    3,472,000       6,853,415  
   

 

 

 
      25,232,010  
Life Sciences Tools & Services — 1.9%  

Genscript Biotech Corp.(a)

    5,208,000       14,255,319  

Hangzhou Tigermed Consulting Co. Ltd., Class A

    86,837       1,439,584  

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

    540,700       6,209,583  

Pharmaron Beijing Co. Ltd., Class A

    261,150       2,242,864  

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

    813,100       4,559,539  

WuXi AppTec Co. Ltd., Class A

    712,117       8,481,090  

WuXi AppTec Co. Ltd., Class H(c)

    1,388,881       14,817,899  

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

    14,756,000       103,294,199  
   

 

 

 
      155,300,077  
Machinery — 1.0%  

China CSSC Holdings Ltd., Class A

    1,388,800       4,771,147  

CRRC Corp. Ltd., Class A

    5,286,010       4,335,495  

CRRC Corp. Ltd., Class H

    14,959,000       6,844,367  

Haitian International Holdings Ltd.

    2,604,000       6,806,249  

Jiangsu Hengli Hydraulic Co. Ltd., Class A

    364,956       3,618,950  

Ningbo Deye Technology Co. Ltd., NVS

    47,400       2,253,736  

North Industries Group Red Arrow Co. Ltd., Class A

    434,000       1,413,661  

Sany Heavy Equipment International Holdings Co. Ltd.

    5,814,000       5,802,240  

Sany Heavy Industry Co. Ltd., Class A

    2,215,593       5,971,341  
Security   Shares     Value  
Machinery (continued)            

Shenzhen Inovance Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    694,430     $ 7,315,650  

Weichai Power Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,649,268       2,946,939  

Weichai Power Co. Ltd., Class H

    7,823,000       11,611,257  

Wuxi Shangji Automation Co. Ltd., Class A

    113,040       1,806,183  

XCMG Construction Machinery Co. Ltd., Class A

    2,711,999       2,768,158  

Zhejiang Dingli Machinery Co. Ltd., Class A

    190,909       1,608,170  

Zhuzhou CRRC Times Electric Co. Ltd., NVS

    149,600       1,113,544  

Zhuzhou CRRC Times Electric Co. Ltd.

    2,260,400       10,300,298  

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

    2,083,216       2,009,283  
   

 

 

 
      83,296,668  
Marine — 0.3%  

COSCO SHIPPING Holdings Co. Ltd., Class A

    3,261,670       5,058,145  

COSCO SHIPPING Holdings Co. Ltd., Class H

    13,036,600       13,521,863  

Orient Overseas International Ltd.(b)

    545,000       8,754,458  
   

 

 

 
      27,334,466  
Media — 0.1%  

China Literature Ltd.(a)(c)

    1,564,600       6,699,068  

Focus Media Information Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    3,992,838       3,749,709  
   

 

 

 
      10,448,777  
Metals & Mining — 1.7%  

Aluminum Corp. of China Ltd., Class A

    3,472,000       2,762,592  

Aluminum Corp. of China Ltd., Class H

    15,624,000       7,978,125  

Baoshan Iron & Steel Co. Ltd., Class A

    5,955,093       5,637,425  

Chengtun Mining Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,215,200       1,091,164  

China Hongqiao Group Ltd.

    9,998,000       10,693,886  

China Minmetals Rare Earth Co. Ltd., Class A(a)

    305,850       1,771,655  

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

    954,800       3,990,937  

CMOC Group Ltd., Class A

    4,947,600       4,206,844  

CMOC Group Ltd., Class H

    14,238,000       8,017,385  

GEM Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,562,400       1,771,578  

Henan Shenhuo Coal & Power Co. Ltd.

    335,200       900,600  

Hunan Valin Steel Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,864,700       1,505,576  

Inner Mongolia BaoTou Steel Union Co. Ltd., Class A

    12,759,692       3,766,779  

Jiangxi Copper Co. Ltd., Class A

    487,600       1,377,101  

Jiangxi Copper Co. Ltd., Class H

    5,208,000       8,213,392  

Pangang Group Vanadium Titanium & Resources Co. Ltd., Class A(a)

    1,870,600       1,502,448  

Shandong Gold Mining Co. Ltd., Class A

    868,091       2,371,937  

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

    3,126,500       5,361,427  

Shandong Nanshan Aluminum Co. Ltd., Class A

    4,860,800       2,524,895  

Shanxi Meijin Energy Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,302,206       1,760,339  

Shanxi Taigang Stainless Steel Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,996,400       1,372,700  

Shenghe Resources Holding Co. Ltd., Class A

    435,158       1,003,066  

Sinomine Resource Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    74,800       805,732  

Tianshan Aluminum Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,215,200       1,448,595  

Tongling Nonferrous Metals Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    3,401,800       1,652,003  

Western Superconducting Technologies Co. Ltd., Class A

    94,256       1,228,910  

Yintai Gold Co. Ltd., Class A

    321,600       536,272  

YongXing Special Materials Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    86,800       1,144,775  

Yunnan Aluminium Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,215,200       2,327,490  

Yunnan Tin Co. Ltd., Class A

    694,400       1,544,458  

Zhaojin Mining Industry Co. Ltd., Class H(a)

    5,023,500       5,275,247  

Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt Co. Ltd., Class A

    384,806       3,274,459  

Zijin Mining Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    4,925,517       8,093,748  

Zijin Mining Group Co. Ltd., Class H

    23,396,000       35,406,597  
   

 

 

 
      142,320,137  
 

 

 

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

  23


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® MSCI China ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Multiline Retail — 0.1%  

MINISO Group Holding Ltd.

    383,059     $ 6,856,756  
   

 

 

 
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 2.5%            

China Coal Energy Co. Ltd., Class H

    8,436,000       6,528,097  

China Merchants Energy Shipping Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,676,200       1,696,977  

China Petroleum & Chemical Corp., Class A

    7,985,888       5,349,910  

China Petroleum & Chemical Corp., Class H

    103,669,000       52,889,522  

China Shenhua Energy Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,544,886       6,225,218  

China Shenhua Energy Co. Ltd., Class H

    13,893,500       41,789,939  

COSCO SHIPPING Energy Transportation Co. Ltd., Class A(a)

    758,600       1,580,542  

Guanghui Energy Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,716,745       2,659,538  

Inner Mongolia Yitai Coal Co. Ltd., Class B

    4,651,000       6,271,441  

PetroChina Co. Ltd., Class A

    5,513,892       4,141,554  

PetroChina Co. Ltd., Class H

    85,086,000       43,405,599  

Shaanxi Coal Industry Co. Ltd., Class A

    2,601,689       7,487,059  

Shan Xi Hua Yang Group New Energy Co. Ltd.

    595,600       1,363,834  

Shanxi Coking Coal Energy Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,215,200       2,275,492  

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

    954,800       3,065,274  

Yankuang Energy Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    520,803       2,673,488  

Yankuang Energy Group Co. Ltd., Class H

    6,406,000       19,322,678  
   

 

 

 
      208,726,162  
Paper & Forest Products — 0.1%        

Nine Dragons Paper Holdings Ltd.(b)

    6,944,000       5,658,515  
   

 

 

 
Personal Products — 0.2%            

By-health Co. Ltd., Class A

    520,800       1,718,496  

Hengan International Group Co. Ltd.

    2,604,000       11,976,537  

Yunnan Botanee Bio-Technology Group Co. Ltd.

    86,879       1,729,199  
   

 

 

 
      15,424,232  
Pharmaceuticals — 1.8%        

Apeloa Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Class A

    260,400       898,289  

Asymchem Laboratories Tianjin Co. Ltd., Class A

    52,220       1,074,214  

Beijing Tongrentang Co. Ltd., Class A

    335,188       2,361,152  

Betta Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd., Class A

    120,998       1,014,437  

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

    96,696       2,741,246  

China Medical System Holdings Ltd.

    5,219,000       7,856,955  

China Resources Pharmaceutical Group Ltd.(c)

    6,324,000       5,201,325  

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

    260,417       1,907,514  

China Traditional Chinese Medicine Holdings Co. Ltd.

    12,216,000       6,338,354  

CSPC Pharmaceutical Group Ltd.

    36,478,400       39,188,678  

Dong-E-E-Jiao Co. Ltd., Class A

    260,779       1,793,020  

Hansoh Pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd.(c)

    5,208,000       9,362,603  

Humanwell Healthcare Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    434,300       1,666,973  

Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,562,480       9,779,860  

Joincare Pharmaceutical Group Industry Co. Ltd., Class A

    730,962       1,387,266  

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

    391,055       971,800  

Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    607,684       2,946,599  

Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd., Class H

    1,752,000       5,125,682  

Shenzhen Salubris Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd., Class A

    314,431       1,677,054  

Shijiazhuang Yiling Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Class A

    460,542       1,987,982  

Sichuan Kelun Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Class A

    520,865       2,161,984  

Sino Biopharmaceutical Ltd.

    41,666,000       21,511,804  

Yunnan Baiyao Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    461,342       3,774,207  
Security   Shares     Value  
Pharmaceuticals (continued)  

Zhangzhou Pientzehuang Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Class A

    155,509     $ 6,911,573  

Zhejiang Huahai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Class A

    423,499       1,263,821  

Zhejiang Jiuzhou Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Class A

    236,800       1,342,409  

Zhejiang NHU Co. Ltd., Class A

    954,831       2,604,729  

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

    124,706       945,292  
   

 

 

 
      145,796,822  
Real Estate Management & Development — 3.5%        

C&D International Investment Group Ltd.

    2,448,000       7,907,497  

China Evergrande Group(a)(b)(d)

    11,096,000       1,336,216  

China Jinmao Holdings Group Ltd.

    21,864,000       4,242,740  

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

    2,076,133       4,424,411  

China Overseas Land & Investment Ltd.

    15,629,500       38,800,038  

China Overseas Property Holdings Ltd.

    5,050,000       5,892,824  

China Resources Land Ltd.

    12,932,665       57,463,279  

China Resources Mixc Lifestyle Services Ltd.(c)

    2,726,600       14,969,175  

China Vanke Co. Ltd., Class A

    2,577,628       6,348,131  

China Vanke Co. Ltd., Class H

    6,431,631       11,244,986  

Country Garden Holdings Co. Ltd.(b)

    49,476,727       15,172,665  

Country Garden Services Holdings Co. Ltd.

    8,478,000       15,785,670  

Gemdale Corp., Class A

    1,216,297       1,692,695  

Greentown China Holdings Ltd.

    3,472,000       4,747,324  

Greentown Service Group Co. Ltd.

    6,944,000       4,633,488  

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

    2,700,770       49,289,052  

Longfor Group Holdings Ltd.(c)

    7,383,500       21,136,254  

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

    3,038,075       6,598,130  

Seazen Holdings Co. Ltd., Class A(a)

    600,464       1,689,790  

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

    5,335,878       4,163,794  

Shimao Group Holdings Ltd.(a)(b)

    2,810,504       716,107  

Sunac China Holdings Ltd.(a)(d)

    9,076,000       1,647,622  

Yuexiu Property Co. Ltd.

    6,087,600       8,965,498  
   

 

 

 
      288,867,386  
Road & Rail — 0.0%        

Daqin Railway Co. Ltd., Class A

    3,696,100       3,610,542  
   

 

 

 
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 1.9%  

3peak Inc.

    15,738       577,142  

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

    173,788       2,632,746  

Amlogic Shanghai Co. Ltd.(a)

    70,265       804,687  

China Resources Microelectronics Ltd.

    244,628       1,906,724  

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

    248,325       10,970,999  

Flat Glass Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    434,000       2,156,021  

Flat Glass Group Co. Ltd., Class H

    1,736,000       4,598,580  

GCL-Poly Energy Holdings Ltd.(a)

    82,144,000       21,153,257  

GigaDevice Semiconductor Inc., Class A

    183,687       2,769,042  

Hangzhou Chang Chuan Technology Co. Ltd.

    74,800       475,019  

Hangzhou First Applied Material Co. Ltd., Class A

    360,240       3,559,335  

Hangzhou Lion Electronics Co. Ltd.

    149,180       956,944  

Hangzhou Silan Microelectronics Co. Ltd., Class A

    347,200       1,682,902  

Hua Hong Semiconductor Ltd.(a)(c)

    2,017,000       7,734,543  

Ingenic Semiconductor Co. Ltd., Class A

    174,000       1,890,761  

JA Solar Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    607,640       5,329,823  

JCET Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    520,900       2,108,257  

Jiangsu Pacific Quartz Co. Ltd., NVS

    87,400       1,806,012  

LONGi Green Energy Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,922,523       12,242,905  

Montage Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    255,601       2,123,186  

NAURA Technology Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    109,200       3,654,273  

SG Micro Corp., Class A

    65,100       1,468,014  
 

 

 

24  

2 0 2 3    H A R E S     E M I - A N N U A L    E P O R T    T O     H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® MSCI China ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment (continued)  

Shanghai Aiko Solar Energy Co. Ltd.(a)

    250,700     $ 1,319,901  

Shanghai Fudan Microelectronics Group Co. Ltd.

    82,616       855,153  

Shanghai Fudan Microelectronics Group Co. Ltd., Class H

    1,118,000       4,587,465  

Shenzhen SC New Energy Technology Corp., Class A

    86,800       1,609,426  

StarPower Semiconductor Ltd., Class A

    22,000       933,486  

TCL Zhonghuan Renewable Energy Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    781,298       4,897,538  

Tianshui Huatian Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    954,829       1,314,610  

TongFu Microelectronics Co. Ltd., Class A(a)

    473,296       1,518,872  

Tongwei Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,128,499       6,805,922  

Trina Solar Co. Ltd.

    544,645       4,836,565  

Unigroup Guoxin Microelectronics Co. Ltd., Class A

    262,293       4,176,638  

Will Semiconductor Co. Ltd. Shanghai, Class A

    275,145       3,402,000  

Xinyi Solar Holdings Ltd.

    20,832,000       22,275,128  

Yangzhou Yangjie Electronic Technology Co. Ltd.

    74,800       587,917  

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

    401,893       3,961,339  
   

 

 

 
      155,683,132  
Software — 0.7%  

360 Security Technology Inc., Class A

    2,083,200       3,232,425  

Beijing Kingsoft Office Software Inc., Class A

    83,052       3,478,495  

Beijing Shiji Information Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    486,745       1,162,643  

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

    160,027       1,644,756  

Hundsun Technologies Inc., Class A

    504,640       3,224,866  

Iflytek Co. Ltd., Class A

    558,462       3,879,370  

Kingdee International Software Group Co.
Ltd.(a)(b)

    10,416,000       19,461,914  

NavInfo Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,041,618       1,951,702  

Sangfor Technologies Inc., Class A

    98,200       2,016,228  

Shanghai Baosight Software Co. Ltd., Class A

    391,034       2,784,237  

Shanghai Baosight Software Co. Ltd., Class B

    1,903,272       6,203,995  

Thunder Software Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    173,600       2,383,418  

Yonyou Network Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    954,812       3,198,976  
   

 

 

 
      54,623,025  
Specialty Retail — 0.8%  

China Meidong Auto Holdings Ltd.(b)

    2,110,000       4,542,456  

China Tourism Group Duty Free Corp.
Ltd.(a)(b)(c)

    244,800       6,191,237  

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

    487,524       13,867,411  

Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Ltd.(b)

    8,353,800       16,190,934  

Pop Mart International Group Ltd.(b)(c)

    2,181,600       6,077,980  

Topsports International Holdings Ltd.(c)

    7,674,000       6,712,188  

Zhongsheng Group Holdings Ltd.(b)

    2,604,000       13,007,575  
   

 

 

 
      66,589,781  
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals — 1.6%  

China Greatwall Technology Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    868,000       1,624,047  

Inspur Electronic Information Industry Co. Ltd., Class A

    448,216       2,510,927  

Lenovo Group Ltd.

    29,534,000       26,577,699  

Ninestar Corp., Class A

    401,226       3,112,566  

Shenzhen Transsion Holding Co. Ltd., Class A

    112,263       1,302,674  

Xiaomi Corp., Class B(a)(c)

    61,916,200       93,801,939  
   

 

 

 
      128,929,852  
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods — 2.4%  

ANTA Sports Products Ltd.

    4,983,400       65,806,937  

Bosideng International Holdings Ltd.

    13,888,000       7,703,981  

Li Ning Co. Ltd.

    9,669,500       82,506,993  

Shenzhou International Group Holdings Ltd.

    3,302,400       36,133,408  

Xtep International Holdings Ltd.

    5,454,000       6,169,191  
   

 

 

 
      198,320,510  
Security   Shares     Value  
Tobacco — 0.1%  

Smoore International Holdings Ltd.(b)(c)

    6,962,000     $ 8,631,660  
   

 

 

 
Trading Companies & Distributors — 0.1%  

Beijing United Information Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    142,150       1,652,089  

BOC Aviation Ltd.(b)(c)

    869,100       6,278,801  

COSCO SHIPPING Development Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,649,200       595,625  

Xiamen C & D Inc., Class A

    665,788       1,264,883  
   

 

 

 
      9,791,398  
Transportation Infrastructure — 0.5%  

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

    8,440,000       6,177,952  

China Merchants Port Holdings Co. Ltd.

    5,230,000       7,331,495  

COSCO SHIPPING Ports Ltd.(b)

    6,494,000       4,227,462  

Jiangsu Expressway Co. Ltd., Class H

    4,968,000       4,749,243  

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

    347,499       2,934,354  

Shanghai International Port Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    3,472,077       2,657,448  

Shenzhen International Holdings Ltd.

    5,208,000       4,526,491  

Zhejiang Expressway Co. Ltd., Class H

    6,456,000       5,206,891  
   

 

 

 
      37,811,336  
Water Utilities — 0.2%  

Beijing Enterprises Water Group Ltd.

    18,878,000       4,740,133  

Guangdong Investment Ltd.

    12,152,000       12,280,095  
   

 

 

 
      17,020,228  
Wireless Telecommunication Services — 0.1%  

China United Network Communications Ltd., Class A

    6,432,727       4,888,471  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 99.8%
(Cost: $9,339,675,715)

      8,295,895,122  
   

 

 

 

Rights

   
Pharmaceuticals — 0.0%            

Kangmei Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. (Expires 12/31/49)(a)

    82,699        
   

 

 

 

Total Rights — 0.0%
(Cost: $0)

 

     
   

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 99.8%
(Cost: $9,339,675,715)

 

    8,295,895,122  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Securities

   
Money Market Funds — 2.2%            

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional,
SL Agency Shares, 4.81%(e)(f)(g)

    182,418,980       182,528,431  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury,
SL Agency Shares, 4.41%(e)(f)

    1,820,000       1,820,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 2.2%
(Cost: $184,214,967)

 

    184,348,431  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments — 102.0%
(Cost: $9,523,890,682)

 

    8,480,243,553  

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (2.0)%

 

    (167,324,835
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

 

  $ 8,312,918,718  
   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Non-income producing security.

(b) 

All or a portion of this security is on loan.

(c) 

Security exempt from registration pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration to qualified institutional investors.

(d) 

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

 

 

 

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

  25


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® MSCI China ETF

 

(e) 

Affiliate of the Fund.

(f)

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

(g)

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

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended February 28, 2023 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

 

 
Affiliated Issuer  

Value at

08/31/22

   

Purchases

at Cost

   

Proceeds

from Sale

   

Net Realized

Gain (Loss)

   

Change in

Unrealized

Appreciation

(Depreciation)

   

Value at

02/28/23

   

Shares

Held at

02/28/23

    Income    

Capital

Gain

Distributions

from

Underlying

Funds

 

 

 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares

  $ 211,036,965     $     $ (28,543,412 )(a)    $ 44,040     $ (9,162   $ 182,528,431       182,418,980     $ 1,238,922 (b)    $  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

    7,230,000             (5,410,000 )(a)                  1,820,000       1,820,000       184,477       13  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
        $ 44,040     $ (9,162   $ 184,348,431       $ 1,423,399     $ 13  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 
  (b)

All or a portion represents securities lending income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral from loaned securities, net of fees and collateral investment expenses, and other payments to and from borrowers of securities.

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Futures Contracts

 

 

 
Description   

Number of

Contracts

    

Expiration

Date

    

Notional

Amount

(000)

    

Value/

Unrealized

Appreciation

(Depreciation)

 

 

 

Long Contracts

           

MSCI China Index

     705        03/17/23      $ 17,086      $ (360,144
           

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

As of period end, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities were as follows:

 

 

 
     Commodity
Contracts
     Credit
Contracts
     Equity
Contracts
     Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
     Interest
Rate
Contracts
     Other
Contracts
     Total  

 

 

Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instruments

                    

Futures contracts

                    

Unrealized depreciation on futures contracts(a)

   $      $      $ 360,144      $      $      $      $ 360,144  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts are reported in the Schedule of Investments. In the Statements of Assets and Liabilities, only current day’s variation margin is reported in receivables or payables and the net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is included in accumulated earnings (loss).

 

For the period ended February 28, 2023, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

 

 
     Commodity
Contracts
     Credit
Contracts
     Equity
Contracts
     Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
     Interest
Rate
Contracts
     Other
Contracts
     Total  

 

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from

                    

Futures contracts

   $      $      $ (1,708,684    $      $      $      $ (1,708,684
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on

                    

Futures contracts

   $      $      $ 798,470      $      $      $      $ 798,470  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

26  

2 0 2 3    H A R E S     E M I - A N N U A L    E P O R T    T O     H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® MSCI China ETF

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

 

 

Futures contracts

  

Average notional value of contracts — long

   $ 19,845,617  

 

 

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

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments. For a description of the input levels and information about the Fund’s policy regarding valuation of financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.

The following table summarizes the Fund’s financial instruments categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The breakdown of the Fund’s financial instruments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.

 

 

 
     Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

 

 

Assets

                 

Investments

                 

Long-Term Investments

                 

Common Stocks

   $ 715,077,485        $ 7,577,833,799        $ 2,983,838        $ 8,295,895,122  

Rights

                                 

Short-Term Securities

                 

Money Market Funds

     184,348,431                            184,348,431  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 899,425,916        $ 7,577,833,799        $ 2,983,838        $ 8,480,243,553  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments(a)

                 

Liabilities

                 

Equity Contracts

   $        $ (360,144)        $        $ (360,144)  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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

  27


Schedule of Investments (unaudited)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® MSCI China Small-Cap ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares      Value  

Common Stocks

 

  
Auto Components — 2.1%         

Huazhong In-Vehicle Holdings Co. Ltd.(a)

    420,000      $ 129,487  

Intron Technology Holdings Ltd.

    294,000        186,858  

Nexteer Automotive Group Ltd.

    672,000        426,909  

Prinx Chengshan Holdings Ltd.

    20,000        13,861  

Tianneng Power International Ltd.(a)

    530,000        679,927  

Wuling Motors Holdings Ltd.(a)

    950,000        112,732  
    

 

 

 
       1,549,774  
Beverages — 0.3%             

China Foods Ltd.

    672,000        237,355  

China Huiyuan Juice Group Ltd.(b)

    81,000         
    

 

 

 
       237,355  
Biotechnology — 5.1%             

Alphamab Oncology(a)(c)(d)

    336,000        622,056  

Ascentage Pharma Group International(c)(d)

    121,800        387,658  

Ascletis Pharma Inc.(c)(d)

    294,000        120,721  

Brii Biosciences Ltd.(a)(d)

    189,000        143,175  

CARsgen Therapeutics Holdings Ltd., NVS(c)(d)

    84,000        169,631  

CStone Pharmaceuticals(c)(d)

    420,000        210,590  

Everest Medicines Ltd.(a)(c)(d)

    117,500        254,963  

I-Mab, ADR(d)

    34,986        150,440  

Jacobio Pharmaceuticals Group Co. Ltd. (c)(d)

    176,400        197,048  

Keymed Biosciences Inc.(c)(d)

    120,000        965,058  

Kintor Pharmaceutical Ltd. (a)(c)(d)

    273,000        336,616  

Shanghai Haohai Biological Technology Co. Ltd., Class H(c)

    29,400        154,128  

Shanghai Henlius Biotech Inc.(c)(d)

    53,400        101,053  

Untrade Cteg(b)

    600,000        3,823  
    

 

 

 
       3,816,960  
Building Products — 0.5%             

China State Construction Development Holdings Ltd.

    504,000        129,806  

Luoyang Glass Co. Ltd., Class H (d)

    202,000        222,202  
    

 

 

 
       352,008  
Capital Markets — 2.1%             

Bairong Inc. (c)(d)

    147,000        199,775  

China Everbright Ltd.(a)

    726,000        520,180  

China Renaissance Holdings Ltd.(a)(c)

    151,200        140,575  

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

    23,940        447,918  

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

    76,745        286,259  
    

 

 

 
       1,594,707  
Chemicals — 3.3%             

China BlueChemical Ltd., Class H

    1,176,000        265,440  

China Longevity Group Co. Ltd.(b)(d)

    96,000         

China XLX Fertiliser Ltd.

    420,000        221,716  

Fufeng Group Ltd.(a)

    1,176,600        754,519  

Global New Material International Holdings Ltd.

    462,000        291,936  

Guizhou Zhongyida Co. Ltd.(d)

    277,200        149,663  

Huabao International Holdings Ltd.(a)

    756,000        379,042  

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

    310,893        208,647  

Sinofert Holdings Ltd.

    1,596,000        193,251  

Untradelumena Newmat, NVS(b)

    21,700         
    

 

 

 
       2,464,214  
Commercial Services & Supplies — 1.0%             

Binjiang Service Group Co. Ltd.

    68,500        211,541  

China Conch Environment Protection Holdings Ltd.(d)

    1,260,000        466,242  

Dynagreen Environmental Protection Group Co. Ltd., Class H

    294,000        100,097  
    

 

 

 
       777,880  
Security   Shares      Value  
Communications Equipment — 0.1%  

Eastern Communications Co. Ltd., Class B

    226,800      $ 97,066  
    

 

 

 
Construction & Engineering — 1.4%             

Greentown Management Holdings Co. Ltd.(c)

    462,000        371,768  

ReneSola Ltd., ADR(a)(d)

    25,578        115,868  

Sinopec Engineering Group Co. Ltd., Class H

    1,134,000        568,137  
    

 

 

 
       1,055,773  
Construction Materials — 0.5%             

Asia Cement China Holdings Corp.

    357,000        180,252  

MH Development Ltd.(b)

    112,000        3,209  

West China Cement Ltd.

    1,680,000        203,427  
    

 

 

 
       386,888  
Consumer Finance — 1.2%             

FinVolution Group, ADR

    103,824        526,388  

LexinFintech Holdings Ltd., ADR(d)

    79,000        218,830  

Yixin Group Ltd.(a)(c)(d)

    987,000        144,815  
    

 

 

 
       890,033  
Distributors — 0.6%             

China Tobacco International HK Co. Ltd.

    168,000        236,370  

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

    276,000        209,295  
    

 

 

 
       445,665  
Diversified Consumer Services — 3.7%             

China East Education Holdings Ltd.(c)

    420,000        316,372  

China Education Group Holdings Ltd.

    733,000        841,853  

China Maple Leaf Educational Systems Ltd.(b)(d)

    1,088,000        35,104  

China New Higher Education Group Ltd.(c)

    672,000        272,499  

China Yuhua Education Corp. Ltd.(a)(c)(d)

    1,326,000        221,298  

Fu Shou Yuan International Group Ltd.

    882,000        664,954  

Hope Education Group Co. Ltd.(c)(d)

    2,772,000        233,492  

Youdao Inc., ADR(a)(d)

    28,848        235,111  
    

 

 

 
       2,820,683  
Diversified Financial Services — 3.3%             

CSSC Hong Kong Shipping Co. Ltd.

    924,000        153,162  

Genertec Universal Medical Group Co. Ltd.(c)

    798,000        460,729  

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

    1,092,000        141,901  

International Alliance Financial Leasing Co. Ltd. (a)(c)(d)

    650,000        1,466,944  

SY Holdings Group Ltd.(a)

    315,000        238,105  
    

 

 

 
       2,460,841  
Electrical Equipment — 1.3%  

China Fiber Optic Network System Group Ltd.(b)

    181,600         

China High Speed Transmission Equipment Group Co. Ltd.(d)

    294,000        121,538  

Hangzhou Steam Turbine Power Group Co. Ltd., Class B

    256,210        370,799  

Harbin Electric Co. Ltd., Class H(d)

    504,000        250,682  

Sun King Technology Group Ltd.(d)

    962,000        226,937  

Trony Solar Holdings Co. Ltd.(b)

    216,000         
    

 

 

 
       969,956  
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components — 1.3%  

Anxin-China Holdings Ltd.(b)

    672,000        1  

BOE Varitronix Ltd.

    242,000        536,250  

FIH Mobile Ltd. (a)(d)

    2,394,000        256,340  

Truly International Holdings Ltd.

    1,344,000        188,540  
    

 

 

 
       981,131  
Entertainment — 3.8%  

Alibaba Pictures Group Ltd.(d)

    9,240,000        582,405  

CMGE Technology Group Ltd.(a)(d)

    840,000        233,776  

DouYu International Holdings Ltd., ADR(d)

    109,326        136,658  

Fire Rock Holdings Ltd.(a)(b)(d)

    1,472,000        72,854  
 

 

 

28  

2 0 2 3    H A R E S     E M I - A N N U A L    E P O R T    T O     H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® MSCI China Small-Cap ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Entertainment (continued)  

HUYA Inc., ADR(d)

    64,951     $ 279,289  

iDreamSky Technology Holdings Ltd.(a)(c)(d)

    537,600       245,697  

Maoyan Entertainment(a)(c)(d)

    302,400       338,456  

NetDragon Websoft Holdings Ltd.

    189,000       430,172  

Untrade SMI Holdings(b)

    267,200        

XD Inc.(d)

    168,000       543,788  
   

 

 

 
          2,863,095  
Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) — 0.7%        

Yuexiu REIT(a)

    1,806,000       545,817  
   

 

 

 
Food & Staples Retailing — 0.4%            

DingDong Cayman Ltd.(a)(d)

    69,048       312,787  
   

 

 

 
Food Products — 2.0%            

Ausnutria Dairy Corp. Ltd.(a)

    294,000       159,586  

China Modern Dairy Holdings Ltd.(a)

    2,394,000       326,500  

China Youran Dairy Group Ltd.(a)(c)(d)

    588,000       144,011  

COFCO Joycome Foods Ltd.

    1,806,000       527,314  

Zhou Hei Ya International Holdings Co. Ltd.(a)(c)

    735,000       371,306  
   

 

 

 
      1,528,717  
Gas Utilities — 0.5%            

Towngas Smart Energy Co. Ltd.

    756,000       382,525  
   

 

 

 
Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 3.8%            

AK Medical Holdings Ltd.(c)

    420,000       501,462  

Beijing Chunlizhengda Medical Instruments Co. Ltd., Class H

    73,500       194,585  

Kangji Medical Holdings Ltd.

    231,000       282,600  

Lifetech Scientific Corp. (d)

    2,856,000       1,063,667  

Peijia Medical Ltd.(c)(d)

    294,000       427,065  

Untrade Hosa International Ltd.(b)

    220,000        

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

    210,000       365,791  
   

 

 

 
      2,835,170  
Health Care Providers & Services — 3.7%            

Arrail Group Ltd., NVS(a)

    126,000       219,510  

China Resources Medical Holdings Co. Ltd.

    651,000       564,415  

Gushengtang Holdings Ltd.(d)

    63,000       443,886  

Jinxin Fertility Group Ltd.(a)(c)

    1,260,000       1,003,013  

New Horizon Health Ltd.(c)(d)

    134,500       562,842  
   

 

 

 
      2,793,666  
Health Care Technology — 0.6%            

Medlive Technology Co. Ltd.(a)(c)

    147,000       179,734  

Yidu Tech Inc. (a)(c)(d)

    226,800       248,558  
   

 

 

 
      428,292  
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 2.9%            

China Travel International Investment Hong Kong Ltd.(a)(d)

    1,680,000       333,944  

Haichang Ocean Park Holdings Ltd.(c)(d)

    2,478,000       602,974  

Helens International Holdings Co. Ltd. (a)(d)

    198,500       348,721  

Huangshan Tourism Development Co. Ltd., Class B

    161,700       133,786  

Nayuki Holdings Ltd.(a)(d)

    252,000       233,360  

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

    504,000       537,924  
   

 

 

 
      2,190,709  
Household Durables — 2.2%            

Chervon Holdings Ltd.

    75,600       381,881  

Konka Group Co. Ltd., Class B

    516,600       125,015  

Q Technology Group Co. Ltd.(d)

    378,000       228,034  

Skyworth Group Ltd.

    1,092,000       599,089  

TCL Electronics Holdings Ltd.

    672,000       290,424  
   

 

 

 
      1,624,443  

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers — 2.6%  

Beijing Jingneng Clean Energy Co. Ltd., Class H

    1,092,000     $ 272,850  

Canvest Environmental Protection Group Co. Ltd.

    378,000       186,300  

CGN New Energy Holdings Co. Ltd.

    1,008,000       351,080  

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

    1,722,000       599,546  

China Everbright Greentech Ltd.(a)(c)

    462,000       105,476  

Concord New Energy Group Ltd.

    4,620,000       441,640  
   

 

 

 
          1,956,892  
Industrial Conglomerates — 0.6%            

Shanghai Industrial Holdings Ltd.

    336,000       435,016  
   

 

 

 
Interactive Media & Services — 2.9%            

Hello Group Inc., ADR

    115,388       1,016,568  

Meitu Inc.(a)(c)(d)

    1,701,000       635,017  

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

    19,614       280,873  

Tongdao Liepin Group(d)

    142,800       236,121  
   

 

 

 
      2,168,579  
Internet & Direct Marketing Retail — 0.9%            

Baozun Inc., ADR(d)

    37,545       236,158  

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

    48,987       438,924  
   

 

 

 
      675,082  
IT Services — 2.8%            

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

    100,422       679,857  

Digital China Holdings Ltd.

    630,000       293,098  

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

    82,866       319,034  

National Agricultural Holdings Ltd., NVS(b)

    108,900       139  

Vnet Group Inc., ADR(d)

    76,818       304,967  

Yeahka Ltd.(a)(d)

    159,200       528,503  
   

 

 

 
      2,125,598  
Life Sciences Tools & Services — 0.2%            

Viva Biotech Holdings(c)(d)

    588,000       118,521  
   

 

 

 
Machinery — 2.7%            

China Yuchai International Ltd.

    11,004       89,463  

CIMC Enric Holdings Ltd.

    556,000       570,683  

First Tractor Co. Ltd., Class H

    304,000       151,109  

LK Technology Holdings Ltd.(a)

    420,000       566,154  

Lonking Holdings Ltd.

    1,470,000       266,115  

Shanghai Highly Group Co. Ltd., Class B

    193,284       88,325  

Shanghai Mechanical and Electrical Industry Co. Ltd., Class B

    163,705       178,243  

Shanghai New Power Automotive Technology Co. Ltd., Class B

    260,465       111,246  
   

 

 

 
      2,021,338  
Media — 0.6%            

Flowing Cloud Technology Ltd., NVS

    336,000       175,076  

Joy Spreader Group Inc.(a)(d)

    924,000       143,941  

Mobvista Inc.(c)(d)

    294,000       151,028  
   

 

 

 
      470,045  
Metals & Mining — 3.3%            

China Metal Recycling Holdings Ltd.(b)

    184,800        

China Nonferrous Mining Corp Ltd.

    1,008,000       507,800  

China Oriental Group Co. Ltd.

    840,000       170,419  

China Zhongwang Holdings Ltd.(a)(b)(d)

    1,271,200       123,420  

Jinchuan Group International Resources Co. Ltd.

    2,394,000       186,209  

MMG Ltd.(d)

    2,352,000       663,384  

Shougang Fushan Resources Group Ltd.

    1,344,000       431,742  

Tiangong International Co. Ltd.

    1,092,000       402,461  

Untrade Real Gold Mining(b)

    126,000        
 

 

 

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

  29


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® MSCI China Small-Cap ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Metals & Mining (continued)            

Youyuan International Holdings Ltd.(b)

    120,000     $ 818  
   

 

 

 
      2,486,253  
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 1.4%            

AAG Energy Holdings Ltd.(c)

    780,000       171,538  

CGN Mining Co. Ltd.(d)

    1,470,000       174,267  

Kinetic Development Group Ltd.

    1,932,000       159,987  

Productive Technologies Co. Ltd.(a)(d)

    2,352,000       296,644  

Sinopec Kantons Holdings Ltd.

    756,000       260,319  
   

 

 

 
      1,062,755  
Paper & Forest Products — 0.7%            

China Forestry Holdings Co. Ltd.(b)

    306,000        

Lee & Man Paper Manufacturing Ltd.

    1,008,000       436,294  

Qunxing Paper Holdings Co. Ltd.(b)

    148,000        

Shandong Chenming Paper Holdings Ltd., Class B(d)

    399,000       125,022  

Superb Summit International Group Ltd.(b)

    2,975        
   

 

 

 
      561,316  
Pharmaceuticals — 6.7%            

Antengene Corp. Ltd.(c)(d)

    231,000       117,222  

Beijing Tong Ren Tang Chinese Medicine Co. Ltd.

    196,000       302,312  

China Animal Healthcare Ltd.(b)

    140,000        

China Shineway Pharmaceutical Group Ltd.

    226,000       197,474  

Grand Pharmaceutical Group Ltd., Class A

    819,000       465,902  

Hua Han Health Industry Holdings Ltd.(b)

    505,580       1  

Hua Medicine(c)(d)

    525,000       271,672  

HUTCHMED China Ltd.(d)

    365,500       1,206,702  

Luye Pharma Group Ltd. (c)(d)

    1,365,000       628,211  

Ocumension Therapeutics(c)(d)

    231,000       296,500  

Shanghai Haixin Group Co., Class B

    344,463       113,687  

Sihuan Pharmaceutical Holdings Group Ltd.

    2,898,000       336,389  

SSY Group Ltd.

    1,008,000       604,415  

Tong Ren Tang Technologies Co. Ltd., Class H

    444,000       318,843  

YiChang HEC ChangJiang Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Class H(c)(d)

    201,600       208,009  
   

 

 

 
      5,067,339  
Real Estate Management & Development — 12.8%        

Agile Group Holdings Ltd.(d)

    924,000       254,662  

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

    598,500       613,583  

C&D Property Management Group Co. Ltd.

    314,000       203,619  

Central China New Life Ltd.

    247,000       88,647  

China Aoyuan Group Ltd.(a)(b)(d)

    896,000       77,737  

China Overseas Grand Oceans Group Ltd.

    1,386,000       539,193  

China SCE Group Holdings Ltd.

    1,302,000       149,285  

China South City Holdings Ltd.(d)

    3,528,000       233,878  

CIFI Ever Sunshine Services Group Ltd.

    618,000       249,799  

CIFI Holdings Group Co. Ltd.(a)

    3,192,000       342,791  

Colour Life Services Group Co. Ltd.(a)(b)(d)

    320,000       14,587  

Cosmopolitan International Holdings Ltd.(d)

    1,260,000       209,239  

Excellence Commercial Property & Facilities Management Group Ltd.(a)

    294,000       131,784  

Gemdale Properties & Investment Corp. Ltd.

    4,452,000       352,330  

Guangzhou R&F Properties Co. Ltd., Class H(a)(d)

    1,293,600       318,766  

Hopson Development Holdings Ltd.

    659,400       672,959  

Jinke Smart Services Group Co. Ltd.

    100,800       155,938  

Kaisa Group Holdings Ltd.(a)(b)(d)

    2,048,000       73,715  

KWG Group Holdings Ltd.(d)

    966,000       206,175  

Midea Real Estate Holding Ltd.(c)

    260,400       322,624  

Poly Property Group Co. Ltd.

    1,302,000       312,353  

Powerlong Real Estate Holdings Ltd.(a)

    966,000       200,999  

Radiance Holdings Group Co. Ltd.(a)

    630,000       384,450  

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Real Estate Management & Development (continued)        

Redco Properties Group Ltd.(a)(c)(d)

    672,000     $ 112,230  

SCE Intelligent Commercial Management Holdings Ltd.

    378,000       89,705  

Seazen Group Ltd.(d)

    1,512,000       508,980  

Shanghai Jinqiao Export Processing Zone Development Co. Ltd., Class B

    210,040       201,465  

Shenzhen Investment Ltd.

    2,016,000       367,972  

Shimao Services Holdings Ltd.(a)(c)(d)

    756,000       219,074  

Shoucheng Holdings Ltd.

    1,933,600       404,361  

Shui On Land Ltd.

    2,829,500       349,781  

Sino-Ocean Group Holding Ltd.(a)

    2,352,000       297,173  

SOHO China Ltd.(d)

    1,596,000       297,247  

Sunac Services Holdings Ltd.(c)

    798,000       319,099  

Yuexiu Services Group Ltd., NVS

    294,000       175,852  

Zhuguang Holdings Group Co. Ltd.(a)(d)

    1,680,000       188,372  
   

 

 

 
      9,640,424  
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 2.3%        

JinkoSolar Holding Co. Ltd., ADR(d)

    32,802       1,738,506  
   

 

 

 
Software — 3.8%            

Agora Inc., ADR(a)(d)

    52,122       159,493  

AsiaInfo Technologies Ltd.(c)

    134,400       232,293  

China Youzan Ltd.(d)

    11,256,000       304,007  

Inspur International Ltd.(d)

    420,000       322,649  

Linklogis Inc.(c)(d)

    630,000       296,040  

Ming Yuan Cloud Group Holdings Ltd.(a)

    546,000       372,828  

Tuya Inc.(a)(d)

    153,083       316,882  

Weimob Inc.(c)(d)

    1,470,000       884,048  
   

 

 

 
      2,888,240  
Specialty Retail — 0.9%            

Boshiwa International Holding Ltd.(b)

    67,000        

GOME Retail Holdings Ltd.(a)(d)

    24,486,000       493,922  

Pou Sheng International Holdings Ltd.

    1,638,000       175,726  
   

 

 

 
      669,648  
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals — 0.4%        

Canaan Inc., ADR(a)(d)

    108,906       304,937  
   

 

 

 
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods — 1.8%            

361 Degrees International Ltd.(d)

    630,000       302,157  

China Lilang Ltd.

    294,000       149,816  

Fuguiniao Co. Ltd.(b)

    43,200        

Golden Solar New Energy Technology Holdings Ltd. (a)(d)

    651,200       706,099  

JNBY Design Ltd.

    147,000       184,028  
   

 

 

 
      1,342,100  
Tobacco — 1.0%            

RLX Technology Inc., ADR(d)

    393,195       766,730  
   

 

 

 
Trading Companies & Distributors — 0.3%            

China Aircraft Leasing Group Holdings Ltd.

    168,000       109,640  

CITIC Resources Holdings Ltd.

    2,184,000       137,785  
   

 

 

 
      247,425  
Transportation Infrastructure — 2.0%            

Anhui Expressway Co. Ltd., Class H

    320,000       299,069  

COSCO SHIPPING International Hong Kong Co. Ltd.

    420,000       131,707  

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

    159,000       391,997  

Sichuan Expressway Co. Ltd., Class H

    588,000       142,286  

Tianjin Port Development Holdings Ltd.

    1,428,000       109,234  

Yuexiu Transport Infrastructure Ltd.

    786,000       443,509  
   

 

 

 
      1,517,802  
Water Utilities — 0.8%            

China Everbright Water Ltd.

    177,100       28,232  
 

 

 

30  

2 0 2 3    H A R E S     E M I - A N N U A L    E P O R T    T O     H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® MSCI China Small-Cap ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Water Utilities (continued)  

China Water Affairs Group Ltd.(a)

    640,000     $ 569,417  
   

 

 

 
      597,649  
   

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 99.9%
(Cost: $85,866,738)

 

    75,268,350  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Securities

   
Money Market Funds — 22.4%            

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional,
SL Agency Shares, 4.81%(e)(f)(g)

    16,660,232       16,670,229  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury,
SL Agency Shares, 4.41%(e)(f)

    180,000       180,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 22.4%
(Cost: $16,842,353)

 

    16,850,229  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments — 122.3%
(Cost: $102,709,091)

 

    92,118,579  

Liabilities in Excess of Other
Assets — (22.3)%

        (16,771,158)  
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

    $ 75,347,421  
   

 

 

 

 

 

(a) 

All or a portion of this security is on loan.

 

(b) 

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

 

(c) 

Security exempt from registration pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration to qualified institutional investors.

 

(d) 

Non-income producing security.

 

(e) 

Affiliate of the Fund.

 

(f) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

(g) 

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

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended February 28, 2023 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

 

 
Affiliated Issuer    Value at
08/31/22
     Purchases
at Cost
     Proceeds
from Sale
     Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
     Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
     Value at
02/28/23
     Shares
Held at
02/28/23
     Income      Capital
Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds
 

 

 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares

   $ 9,612,515      $ 7,051,966 (a)     $      $ 3,649      $ 2,099      $ 16,670,229        16,660,232      $ 392,090 (b)     $  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

     60,000        120,000 (a)                             180,000        180,000        1,689         
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 
            $ 3,649      $ 2,099      $ 16,850,229         $ 393,779      $  
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 
  (b) 

All or a portion represents securities lending income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral from loaned securities, net of fees and collateral investment expenses, and other payments to and from borrowers of securities.

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Futures Contracts

 

 

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

 

 

Long Contracts

           

MSCI China Index

     9        03/17/23      $ 218      $ (9,768
           

 

 

 

 

 

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

  31


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® MSCI China Small-Cap ETF

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

As of period end, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities were as follows:

 

 

 
     Commodity
Contracts
     Credit
Contracts
     Equity
Contracts
     Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
     Interest
Rate
Contracts
     Other
Contracts
     Total  

 

 

Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instruments

                    

Futures contracts

                    

Unrealized depreciation on futures contracts(a)

   $      $      $ 9,768      $      $      $      $ 9,768  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts are reported in the Schedule of Investments. In the Statements of Assets and Liabilities, only current day’s variation margin is reported in receivables or payables and the net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is included in accumulated earnings (loss).

 

For the period ended February 28, 2023, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

 

 
     Commodity
Contracts
     Credit
Contracts
     Equity
Contracts
     Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
     Interest
Rate
Contracts
     Other
Contracts
     Total  

 

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from

                    

Futures contracts

   $      $      $ (36,688    $      $      $      $ (36,688
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on

                    

Futures contracts

   $      $      $ 7,102      $      $      $      $ 7,102  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

 

 

Futures contracts

  

Average notional value of contracts — long

   $ 109,057  

 

 

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

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments. For a description of the input levels and information about the Fund’s policy regarding valuation of financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.

The following table summarizes the Fund’s financial instruments categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The breakdown of the Fund’s financial instruments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.

 

                                                                       

 

 
     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

 

 

Assets

           

Investments

           

Long-Term Investments

           

Common Stocks

   $ 12,859,329      $ 62,003,613      $ 405,408      $ 75,268,350  

Short-Term Securities

           

Money Market Funds

     16,850,229                      16,850,229  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 29,709,558      $ 62,003,613      $ 405,408      $ 92,118,579  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments(a)

           

Liabilities

           

Equity Contracts

   $      $ (9,768    $      $ (9,768
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

32  

2 0 2 3    H A R E S     E M I - A N N U A L    E P O R T    T O     H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® MSCI Indonesia ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

   
Automobiles — 4.1%            

Astra International Tbk PT

    45,956,130     $ 18,382,801  
   

 

 

 
Banks — 43.8%            

Bank Aladin Syariah Tbk PT(a)

    12,971,400       1,105,759  

Bank BTPN Syariah Tbk PT

    9,492,200       1,456,196  

Bank Bukopin Tbk PT(a)

    51,732,400       403,682  

Bank Central Asia Tbk PT

    153,021,890       87,763,973  

Bank Mandiri Persero Tbk PT

    41,416,260       27,150,436  

Bank Negara Indonesia Persero Tbk PT

    26,332,758       15,144,658  

Bank Neo Commerce Tbk PT(a)

    13,274,066       556,472  

Bank Pembangunan Daerah Jawa Barat Dan Banten Tbk PT

    18,432,376       1,595,329  

Bank Pembangunan Daerah Jawa Timur Tbk PT

    26,561,800       1,288,746  

Bank Rakyat Indonesia Persero Tbk PT

    180,566,954       55,265,292  

Bank Tabungan Negara Persero Tbk PT

    29,180,026       2,534,667  
   

 

 

 
      194,265,210  
Capital Markets — 0.5%            

Pacific Strategic Financial Tbk PT(a)

    30,076,900       2,218,788  

Pool Advista Indonesia Tbk PT(a)(b)

    7,126,300        
   

 

 

 
      2,218,788  
Chemicals — 1.8%            

Barito Pacific Tbk PT

    106,278,752       6,515,175  

Surya Esa Perkasa Tbk PT

    21,421,800       1,503,101  
   

 

 

 
      8,018,276  
Construction & Engineering — 0.7%            

PP Persero Tbk PT(a)

    18,465,522       774,657  

Waskita Karya Persero Tbk PT(a)(b)

    62,167,119       1,408,050  

Wijaya Karya Persero Tbk PT(a)

    17,974,670       742,319  
   

 

 

 
      2,925,026  
Construction Materials — 3.0%            

Berkah Beton Sadaya Tbk PT(b)

    64,732,500       2,525,629  

Indocement Tunggal Prakarsa Tbk PT

    6,017,644       4,388,762  

Semen Indonesia Persero Tbk PT

    13,043,941       6,178,394  
   

 

 

 
      13,092,785  
Consumer Finance — 0.4%            

BFI Finance Indonesia Tbk PT

    20,007,700       1,790,509  
   

 

 

 
Diversified Telecommunication Services — 7.7%        

Inovisi Infracom Tbk PT(b)

    9,476,400        

Sarana Menara Nusantara Tbk PT

    59,394,900       4,088,786  

Telkom Indonesia Persero Tbk PT

    117,808,790       30,010,124  
   

 

 

 
      34,098,910  
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components — 0.1%  

Metrodata Electronics Tbk PT

    13,035,500       512,872  
   

 

 

 
Food & Staples Retailing — 2.1%            

Sumber Alfaria Trijaya Tbk PT

    49,196,200       9,355,727  
   

 

 

 
Food Products — 6.4%            

Astra Agro Lestari Tbk PT

    734,700       399,903  

Charoen Pokphand Indonesia Tbk PT

    27,178,625       9,578,346  

Cisarua Mountain Dairy PT TBK

    3,159,900       922,069  

Indofood CBP Sukses Makmur Tbk PT

    9,160,554       6,083,364  

Indofood Sukses Makmur Tbk PT

    16,790,330       7,128,481  

Inti Agri Resources Tbk PT(a)(b)

    190,840,700        

Japfa Comfeed Indonesia Tbk PT

    20,417,900       1,800,489  

Perusahaan Perkebunan London Sumatra Indonesia Tbk PT

    19,551,800       1,365,441  

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Food Products (continued)  

Sawit Sumbermas Sarana Tbk PT

    8,699,300     $ 926,975  
   

 

 

 
      28,205,068  
Gas Utilities — 1.1%            

Perusahaan Gas Negara Tbk PT

    45,818,707       4,700,076  
   

 

 

 
Health Care Providers & Services — 0.8%            

Medikaloka Hermina Tbk PT

    16,616,000       1,623,465  

Metro Healthcare Indonesia TBK PT(a)

    50,460,400       1,588,290  

Siloam International Hospitals Tbk PT

    6,239,100       535,949  
   

 

 

 
      3,747,704  
Household Products — 1.7%            

Unilever Indonesia Tbk PT

    27,962,120       7,662,003  
   

 

 

 
Insurance — 0.6%            

Panin Financial Tbk PT

    93,599,678       2,442,747  
   

 

 

 
Internet & Direct Marketing Retail — 0.6%            

Bukalapak.com PT Tbk(a)

    161,683,500       2,777,153  
   

 

 

 
Marine — 0.5%            

Temas Tbk PT

    2,605,000       570,538  

Trada Alam Minera Tbk PT(a)(b)

    163,879,000        

Transcoal Pacific Tbk PT

    2,729,200       1,588,305  
   

 

 

 
      2,158,843  
Media — 0.6%            

Media Nusantara Citra Tbk PT(a)

    27,822,000       1,185,454  

Surya Citra Media Tbk PT

    103,779,800       1,470,130  
   

 

 

 
      2,655,584  
Metals & Mining — 4.5%            

Aneka Tambang Tbk

    33,632,554       4,388,799  

Bumi Resources Minerals Tbk PT(a)

    115,950,300       1,238,834  

Merdeka Copper Gold Tbk PT(a)

    35,834,206       10,666,334  

Timah Tbk PT

    6,113,400       477,095  

Vale Indonesia Tbk PT(a)

    7,119,100       3,184,506  
   

 

 

 
      19,955,568  
Multiline Retail — 1.2%            

Matahari Department Store Tbk PT

    2,432,100       825,319  

Mitra Adiperkasa Tbk PT(a)

    43,560,600       4,313,235  
   

 

 

 
      5,138,554  
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 7.7%            

Adaro Energy Indonesia Tbk PT

    54,234,239       10,625,715  

AKR Corporindo Tbk PT

    47,123,300       4,276,962  

Bukit Asam Tbk PT

    16,812,200       4,254,152  

Bumi Resources Tbk PT(a)

    193,328,300       1,724,109  

Energi Mega Persada Tbk PT, NVS

    22,993,400       410,112  

Harum Energy Tbk PT

    6,834,000       730,134  

Indika Energy Tbk PT

    4,561,900       687,748  

Indo Tambangraya Megah Tbk PT

    2,182,700       5,320,486  

Medco Energi Internasional Tbk PT

    43,120,886       3,235,445  

Sekawan Intipratama Tbk PT(b)

    30,572,100        

Sugih Energy Tbk PT(a)(b)

    39,886,700        

United Tractors Tbk PT

    1,607,796       2,940,741  
   

 

 

 
      34,205,604  
Paper & Forest Products — 1.7%            

Indah Kiat Pulp & Paper Tbk PT

    10,537,600       5,473,956  

Pabrik Kertas Tjiwi Kimia Tbk PT

    4,641,100       2,129,964  
   

 

 

 
      7,603,920  
Personal Products — 0.5%            

Industri Jamu Dan Farmasi Sido Muncul Tbk PT

    35,579,037       2,053,085  
   

 

 

 
 

 

 

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

  33


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® MSCI Indonesia ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Pharmaceuticals — 2.5%  

Kalbe Farma Tbk PT

    80,556,285     $ 11,143,792  
   

 

 

 
Real Estate Management & Development — 2.3%  

Bumi Serpong Damai Tbk PT(a)

    35,823,622       2,324,562  

Ciputra Development Tbk PT

    42,802,213       2,778,635  

Hanson International Tbk PT(a)(b)

    372,896,535        

Lippo Karawaci Tbk PT(a)

    138,882,542       737,671  

Pakuwon Jati Tbk PT

    81,925,977       2,482,322  

Rimo International Lestari Tbk PT(a)(b)

    54,096,000        

Summarecon Agung Tbk PT

    49,429,286       1,960,189  
   

 

 

 
          10,283,379  
Software — 0.1%            

Digital Mediatama Maxima Tbk PT(a)

    6,096,700       395,786  
   

 

 

 
Specialty Retail — 0.7%            

Ace Hardware Indonesia Tbk PT

    31,888,979       1,055,888  

Erajaya Swasembada Tbk PT

    48,507,100       1,637,668  

Map Aktif Adiperkasa PT(a)

    1,713,300       549,379  
   

 

 

 
      3,242,935  
Security   Shares     Value  
Tobacco — 0.7%  

Gudang Garam Tbk PT

    1,864,442     $ 3,056,462  
   

 

 

 
Transportation Infrastructure — 0.7%            

Astrindo Nusantara Infrastructure Tbk PT(a)

    118,552,600       1,173,731  

Jasa Marga Persero Tbk PT(a)

    10,072,408       2,146,390  
   

 

 

 
      3,320,121  
Wireless Telecommunication Services — 0.9%        

Smartfren Telecom Tbk PT(a)

    261,626,200       1,149,114  

XL Axiata Tbk PT

    20,120,700       2,757,134  
   

 

 

 
      3,906,248  

Total Investments — 100.0%
(Cost: $539,431,926)

 

      443,315,536  

Other Assets Less Liabilities — 0.0%

      221,628  
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

    $ 443,537,164  
   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Non-income producing security.

 

(b) 

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

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended February 28, 2023 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

 

 
Affiliated Issuer    Value at
08/31/22
     Purchases
at Cost
     Proceeds
from Sale
     Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
     Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
     Value at
02/28/23
     Shares
Held at
02/28/23
     Income     

Capital

Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds

 

 

 

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

   $ 260,000      $      $ (260,000 )(b)     $      $      $             $ 7,437      $  
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 
  (b) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Futures Contracts

 

 

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

 

 

Long Contracts

           

MSCI Emerging Markets Index

     16        03/17/23      $ 770      $ (18,748
           

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

As of period end, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities were as follows:

 

 

 
     Commodity
Contracts
     Credit
Contracts
     Equity
Contracts
     Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
     Interest
Rate
Contracts
     Other
Contracts
     Total  

 

 

Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instruments

                    

Futures contracts

                    

Unrealized depreciation on futures contracts(a)

   $      $      $ 18,748      $      $      $      $ 18,748  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts are reported in the Schedule of Investments. In the Statements of Assets and Liabilities, only current day’s variation margin is reported in receivables or payables and the net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is included in accumulated earnings (loss).

 

 

 

34  

2 0 2 3    H A R E S     E M I - A N N U A L    E P O R T    T O     H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® MSCI Indonesia ETF

 

For the period ended February 28, 2023, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:    

 

 

 
     Commodity
Contracts
     Credit
Contracts
     Equity
Contracts
     Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
     Interest
Rate
Contracts
     Other
Contracts
     Total  

 

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from

                    

Futures contracts

   $      $      $ 69,967      $      $      $      $ 69,967  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on

                    

Futures contracts

   $      $      $ (11,990    $      $      $      $ (11,990
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments    

 

 

 

Futures contracts

  

Average notional value of contracts — long

   $ 950,098  

 

 

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

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End    

Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments. For a description of the input levels and information about the Fund’s policy regarding valuation of financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.

The following table summarizes the Fund’s financial instruments categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The breakdown of the Fund’s financial instruments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.

 

                                                                       

 

 
     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

 

 

Assets

           

Investments

           

Long-Term Investments

           

Common Stocks

   $ 22,938,960      $ 416,442,897      $ 3,933,679      $ 443,315,536  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments(a)

           

Liabilities

           

Equity Contracts

   $ (18,748    $      $      $ (18,748
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a)

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

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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

  35


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® MSCI Peru ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

   
Banks — 26.6%            

Banco BBVA Peru SA

    6,189,456     $ 2,821,656  

Banco de Credito del Peru S.A., Class C

    423,177       289,935  

Credicorp Ltd.

    219,234       27,934,796  

Intercorp Financial Services Inc.

    86,705       2,066,180  
   

 

 

 
      33,112,567  
Construction & Engineering — 0.8%            

Aenza SAA(a)

    6,120,965       1,048,428  
   

 

 

 
Construction Materials — 2.0%            

Cementos Pacasmayo SAA

    2,339,312       2,496,598  
   

 

 

 
Diversified Consumer Services — 2.6%            

Laureate Education Inc., Class A

    268,004       3,178,527  
   

 

 

 
Electric Utilities — 2.0%            

Interconexion Electrica SA ESP

    709,214       2,511,729  
   

 

 

 
Food & Staples Retailing — 2.9%            

InRetail Peru Corp.(b)

    106,193       3,610,562  
   

 

 

 
Food Products — 5.2%            

Alicorp SAA

    3,074,300       5,184,795  

Casa Grande SAA

    570,896       1,293,780  
   

 

 

 
      6,478,575  
Metals & Mining — 45.6%            

Cia. de Minas Buenaventura SAA, ADR

    773,923       5,866,336  

Corp. Aceros Arequipa SA, NVS

    3,373,711       1,120,170  

Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.(a)

    1,016,775       3,301,072  

Hochschild Mining PLC

    3,399,411       2,611,485  

MMG Ltd.(a)

    10,592,000       2,987,484  

Pan American Silver Corp.

    182,245       2,716,646  

Sociedad Minera Cerro Verde SAA

    148,790       4,374,426  

Southern Copper Corp.

    375,966       27,704,934  

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

    22,892,706       2,895,635  

Wheaton Precious Metals Corp.

    79,165       3,298,300  
   

 

 

 
      56,876,488  
Security   Shares     Value  
Multiline Retail — 2.7%  

Falabella SA

    1,540,949     $ 3,391,041  
   

 

 

 
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 2.8%            

PetroTal Corp.(a)

    7,003,986       3,496,268  
   

 

 

 
Real Estate Management & Development — 2.7%  

Parque Arauco SA

    2,713,080       3,327,143  
   

 

 

 
Trading Companies & Distributors — 3.7%            

Ferreycorp SAA

    8,096,969       4,608,734  
   

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 99.6%
(Cost: $156,156,493)

 

    124,136,660  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Securities

   
Money Market Funds — 0.1%            

BlackRock Cash Funds:
Treasury, SL Agency Shares, 4.41%(c)(d)

    70,000       70,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 0.1%
(Cost: $70,000)

 

    70,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments — 99.7%
(Cost: $156,226,493)

 

    124,206,660  

Other Assets Less Liabilities — 0.3%

      418,790  
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

    $ 124,625,450  
   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Non-income producing security.

(b) 

Security exempt from registration pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration to qualified institutional investors.

(c) 

Affiliate of the Fund.

(d) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

 

Affiliates    

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended February 28, 2023 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:    

 

 

 

Affiliated Issuer

   Value at
08/31/22
     Purchases
at Cost
     Proceeds
from Sale
     Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
    

Change in
Unrealized

Appreciation

(Depreciation)

     Value at
02/28/23
    

Shares

Held at

02/28/23

     Income     

Capital

Gain
Distributions
from

Underlying
Funds

 

 

 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

   $      $ 70,000 (a)     $      $      $      $ 70,000        70,000      $ 3,916      $  
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 

 

 

36  

2 0 2 3    H A R E S     E M I - A N N U A L    E P O R T    T O     H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® MSCI Peru ETF

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End    

Futures Contracts    

 

 

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

 

 

Long Contracts

           

MSCI Emerging Markets Index

     11        03/17/23      $ 530      $ (27,000
           

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

As of period end, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities were as follows:    

 

 

 
     Commodity
Contracts
     Credit
Contracts
     Equity
Contracts
     Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
     Interest
Rate
Contracts
     Other
Contracts
     Total  

 

 

Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instruments

                    

Futures contracts

                    

Unrealized depreciation on futures contracts(a)

   $      $      $ 27,000      $      $      $      $ 27,000  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts are reported in the Schedule of Investments. In the Statements of Assets and Liabilities, only current day’s variation margin is reported in receivables or payables and the net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is included in accumulated earnings (loss).

 

For the period ended February 28, 2023, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:    

 

 

 
     Commodity
Contracts
     Credit
Contracts
     Equity
Contracts
     Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
     Interest
Rate
Contracts
     Other
Contracts
     Total  

 

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from

                    

Futures contracts

   $      $      $ (8,295    $      $      $      $ (8,295
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on

                    

Futures contracts

   $      $      $ (21,824    $      $      $      $ (21,824
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments    

 

 

 

Futures contracts

  

Average notional value of contracts — long

   $ 559,548  

 

 

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

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End    

Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments. For a description of the input levels and information about the Fund’s policy regarding valuation of financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.

The following table summarizes the Fund’s financial instruments categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The breakdown of the Fund’s financial instruments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.

 

                                                                       

 

 
     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

 

 

Assets

           

Investments

           

Long-Term Investments

           

Common Stocks

   $ 115,146,650      $ 8,990,010      $      $ 124,136,660  

Short-Term Securities

           

Money Market Funds

     70,000                      70,000  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 115,216,650      $ 8,990,010      $      $ 124,206,660  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments(a)

           

Liabilities

           

Equity Contracts

   $ (27,000    $      $      $ (27,000
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a)

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

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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

  37


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® MSCI Philippines ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

   
Airlines — 0.3%            

Cebu Air Inc.(a)

    510,140     $ 386,837  
   

 

 

 
Banks — 19.0%            

Bank of the Philippine Islands

    3,391,605       6,725,229  

BDO Unibank Inc.

    5,116,198       11,394,657  

Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co.

    4,972,484       5,223,401  

Security Bank Corp.

    1,424,870       2,643,889  
   

 

 

 
      25,987,176  
Chemicals — 1.0%            

D&L Industries Inc.

    9,749,100       1,387,667  
   

 

 

 
Diversified Financial Services — 1.8%            

Metro Pacific Investments Corp.

    34,196,050       2,519,938  
   

 

 

 
Diversified Telecommunication Services — 1.7%        

Converge Information and Communications Technology Solutions Inc.(a)

    8,031,200       2,356,406  
   

 

 

 
Electric Utilities — 4.3%            

Manila Electric Co.

    802,270       4,605,639  

Synergy Grid & Development Phils Inc.

    5,906,000       1,256,688  
   

 

 

 
      5,862,327  
Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) — 1.5%        

AREIT Inc.

    619,400       402,683  

Filinvest REIT Corp.

    96,200       8,911  

MREIT Inc.

    4,826,800       1,302,386  

RL Commercial REIT Inc.

    3,684,700       379,454  
   

 

 

 
      2,093,434  
Food & Staples Retailing — 2.7%            

Cosco Capital Inc.

    6,579,600       495,699  

Puregold Price Club Inc.

    3,515,960       2,001,179  

Robinsons Retail Holdings Inc.

    1,163,900       1,143,143  
   

 

 

 
      3,640,021  
Food Products — 7.3%            

Century Pacific Food Inc.

    4,035,800       1,913,997  

Monde Nissin Corp.(b)

    17,725,700       3,859,601  

Universal Robina Corp.

    1,701,318       4,195,365  
   

 

 

 
      9,968,963  
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 5.6%            

Bloomberry Resorts Corp.(a)

    13,883,865       2,291,441  

Jollibee Foods Corp.

    1,240,881       5,377,140  
   

 

 

 
      7,668,581  
Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers — 0.1%  

ACEN Corp.

    1,440,774       164,870  
   

 

 

 
Industrial Conglomerates — 23.7%            

Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc.

    4,764,027       4,646,888  

Alliance Global Group Inc.

    10,107,239       2,295,944  

Ayala Corp.

    511,098       5,762,422  
Security   Shares     Value  
Industrial Conglomerates (continued)  

DMCI Holdings Inc.

    11,522,400     $ 2,195,324  

GT Capital Holdings Inc.

    273,616       2,564,054  

JG Summit Holdings Inc.

    6,183,831       5,500,706  

LT Group Inc.

    7,821,300       1,482,744  

SM Investments Corp.

    526,366       8,091,616  
   

 

 

 
      32,539,698  
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 1.1%            

Semirara Mining & Power Corp.

    2,669,200       1,445,086  
   

 

 

 
Real Estate Management & Development — 18.8%  

Ayala Land Inc.

    15,903,350       8,174,387  

Megaworld Corp.

    38,276,960       1,396,099  

Robinsons Land Corp.

    1,356,206       368,698  

SM Prime Holdings Inc.

    25,765,435       15,836,237  
   

 

 

 
      25,775,421  
Specialty Retail — 1.9%            

Wilcon Depot Inc.

    4,618,200       2,634,043  
   

 

 

 
Transportation Infrastructure — 4.5%            

International Container Terminal Services Inc.

    1,705,563       6,152,597  
   

 

 

 
Water Utilities — 1.1%            

Manila Water Co. Inc.

    4,218,829       1,447,255  
   

 

 

 
Wireless Telecommunication Services — 4.0%  

Globe Telecom Inc.

    75       2,403  

PLDT Inc.

    237,639       5,513,638  
   

 

 

 
      5,516,041  
   

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 100.4%
(Cost: $173,300,330)

 

    137,546,361  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Securities

   
Money Market Funds — 0.0%            

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury,
SL Agency Shares, 4.41%(c)(d)

    30,000       30,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 0.0%
(Cost: $30,000)

 

    30,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments — 100.4%
(Cost: $173,330,330)

 

    137,576,361  

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (0.4)%

 

    (494,861)  
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

    $ 137,081,500  
   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Non-income producing security.

 

(b) 

Security exempt from registration pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration to qualified institutional investors.

 

(c) 

Affiliate of the Fund.

 

(d) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

 

 

 

38  

2 0 2 3    H A R E S     E M I - A N N U A L    E P O R T    T O     H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® MSCI Philippines ETF

 

Affiliates    

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended February 28, 2023 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:    

 

 

 
Affiliated Issuer    Value at
08/31/22
     Purchases
at Cost
     Proceeds
from Sale
     Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
    

Change in
Unrealized

Appreciation

(Depreciation)

     Value at
02/28/23
    

Shares

Held at
02/28/23

     Income     

Capital
Gain
Distributions
from

Underlying
Funds

 

 

 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

   $ 170,000      $      $ (140,000 )(a)     $      $      $ 30,000        30,000      $ 1,459      $  
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End    

Futures Contracts    

 

 

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

 

 

Long Contracts

           

MSCI Emerging Markets Index

     5        03/17/23      $ 241      $ (7,049
           

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure    

As of period end, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities were as follows:    

 

 

 
     Commodity
Contracts
     Credit
Contracts
     Equity
Contracts
     Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
     Interest
Rate
Contracts
     Other
Contracts
     Total  

 

 

Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instruments

                    

Futures contracts

                    

Unrealized depreciation on futures contracts(a)

   $      $      $ 7,049      $      $      $      $ 7,049  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts are reported in the Schedule of Investments. In the Statements of Assets and Liabilities, only current day’s variation margin is reported in receivables or payables and the net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is included in accumulated earnings (loss).

 

For the period ended February 28, 2023, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:    

 

 

 
     Commodity
Contracts
     Credit
Contracts
     Equity
Contracts
     Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
     Interest
Rate
Contracts
     Other
Contracts
     Total  

 

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from

                    

Futures contracts

   $      $      $ (3,722    $      $      $      $ (3,722
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on

                    

Futures contracts

   $      $      $ (2,889    $      $      $      $ (2,889
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments    

 

   

Futures contracts

  

Average notional value of contracts — long

   $ 218,613  

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

 

 

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

  39


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® MSCI Philippines ETF

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments. For a description of the input levels and information about the Fund’s policy regarding valuation of financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.

The following table summarizes the Fund’s financial instruments categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The breakdown of the Fund’s financial instruments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.

 

 

 
     Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

 

 

Assets

                 

Investments

                 

Long-Term Investments

                 

Common Stocks

   $ 2,789,150        $ 134,757,211        $        $ 137,546,361  

Short-Term Securities

                 

Money Market Funds

     30,000                            30,000  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $   2,819,150        $ 134,757,211        $        $ 137,576,361  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments(a)

                 

Liabilities

                 

Equity Contracts

   $ (7,049      $        $             —        $ (7,049
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a)

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

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

40  

2 0 2 3    H A R E S     E M I - A N N U A L    E P O R T    T O     H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) 

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® MSCI Poland ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares      Value  

 

 

Common Stocks

    
Banks — 27.5%             

Alior Bank SA(a)(b)

    306,355      $ 2,789,237  

Bank Handlowy w Warszawie SA

    149,893        2,811,062  

Bank Millennium SA(a)

    2,361,021        2,400,744  

Bank Polska Kasa Opieki SA

    618,141        12,438,957  

mBank SA(a)(b)

    55,990        4,123,373  

Powszechna Kasa Oszczednosci Bank Polski SA

    2,957,460        20,637,905  

Santander Bank Polska SA

    124,244        8,337,346  
    

 

 

 
       53,538,624  
Capital Markets — 1.2%             

Warsaw Stock Exchange(b)

    142,867        1,192,136  

XTB SA(b)(c)

    143,243        1,071,880  
    

 

 

 
       2,264,016  
Chemicals — 1.9%             

Ciech SA

    150,490        1,753,781  

Grupa Azoty SA(a)

    225,752        1,964,445  
    

 

 

 
       3,718,226  
Construction & Engineering — 1.7%             

Budimex SA

    51,429        3,253,369  
    

 

 

 
Consumer Finance — 2.5%             

KRUK SA

    66,041        4,908,253  
    

 

 

 
Diversified Telecommunication Services — 2.0%         

Orange Polska SA

    2,552,671        3,854,579  
    

 

 

 
Electric Utilities — 4.6%             

Enea SA(a)

    1,223,159        1,778,695  

PGE Polska Grupa Energetyczna SA(a)

    3,396,488        5,095,834  

Tauron Polska Energia SA(a)

    4,424,156        2,139,851  
    

 

 

 
       9,014,380  
Entertainment — 3.5%             

CD Projekt SA(b)

    230,505        6,857,525  
    

 

 

 
Food & Staples Retailing — 5.3%             

Dino Polska SA(a)(b)(c)

    106,562        8,896,165  

Eurocash SA(a)

    425,422        1,428,169  
    

 

 

 
           10,324,334  
Health Care Providers & Services — 0.7%  

Neuca SA(b)

    10,214        1,352,361  
    

 

 

 
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 0.9%         

AmRest Holdings SE(a)

    358,358        1,676,238  
    

 

 

 
Insurance — 8.6%             

Powszechny Zaklad Ubezpieczen SA

    2,033,878        16,722,463  
    

 

 

 
Internet & Direct Marketing Retail — 4.2%         

Allegro.eu SA (a)(c)

    1,243,855        8,107,298  
    

 

 

 
Media — 1.9%             

Cyfrowy Polsat SA

    959,237        3,715,690  
    

 

 

 
Security   Shares      Value  

 

 
Metals & Mining — 5.7%             

Jastrzebska Spolka Weglowa SA(a)(b)

    220,868      $ 2,713,751  

KGHM Polska Miedz SA

    292,649        8,346,043  
    

 

 

 
       11,059,794  
Multiline Retail — 2.9%             

Pepco Group NV(a)

    579,581        5,741,039  
    

 

 

 
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 16.7%             

Polski Koncern Naftowy ORLEN SA

    2,171,219        32,428,389  
    

 

 

 
Professional Services — 0.4%             

Grupa Pracuj SA

    59,543        722,780  
    

 

 

 
Software — 3.0%             

Asseco Poland SA(b)

    231,062        4,143,671  

LiveChat Software SA

    51,851        1,631,799  
    

 

 

 
       5,775,470  
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods — 4.7%         

CCC SA(a)(b)

    152,799        1,214,565  

LPP SA

    3,744        7,908,216  
    

 

 

 
       9,122,781  
    

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 99.9%
(Cost: $296,967,473)

       194,157,609  
    

 

 

 

Short-Term Securities

    
Money Market Funds — 6.4%             

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares, 4.81%(d)(e)(f)

    9,738,901        9,744,744  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares, 4.41%(d)(e)

    2,550,000        2,550,000  
    

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 6.4%
(Cost: $12,290,791)

       12,294,744  
    

 

 

 

Total Investments — 106.3%
(Cost: $309,258,264)

       206,452,353  

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (6.3)%

 

     (12,153,018
    

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

     $   194,299,335  
    

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Non-income producing security.

(b) 

All or a portion of this security is on loan.

(c) 

Security exempt from registration pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration to qualified institutional investors.

(d) 

Affiliate of the Fund.

(e) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

(f) 

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

 

 

 

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

  41


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® MSCI Poland ETF

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended February 28, 2023 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:    

 

 

 
Affiliated Issuer    Value at
08/31/22
     Purchases
at Cost
     Proceeds
from Sale
     Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
     Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
     Value at
02/28/23
     Shares
Held at
02/28/23
     Income     

Capital

Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds

 

 

 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares

   $ 5,617,290      $ 4,123,411 (a)     $      $ 3,703      $ 340      $ 9,744,744        9,738,901      $ 57,524 (b)     $  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

     1,140,000        1,410,000 (a)                            2,550,000        2,550,000        34,203        3  
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 
            $ 3,703      $ 340      $ 12,294,744         $ 91,727      $ 3  
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 
  (b) 

All or a portion represents securities lending income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral from loaned securities, net of fees and collateral investment expenses, and other payments to and from borrowers of securities.

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Futures Contracts

 

 

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

 

 

Long Contracts

           

MSCI Emerging Markets Index

     8        03/17/23      $ 385      $ (10,915
           

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure    

As of period end, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities were as follows:    

 

 

 
     Commodity
Contracts
     Credit
Contracts
     Equity
Contracts
     Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
     Interest
Rate
Contracts
     Other
Contracts
     Total  

 

 

Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instruments

                    

Futures contracts

                    

Unrealized depreciation on futures contracts(a)

   $      $      $ 10,915      $      $      $      $ 10,915  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts are reported in the Schedule of Investments. In the Statements of Assets and Liabilities, only current day’s variation margin is reported in receivables or payables and the net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is included in accumulated earnings (loss).

 

For the period ended February 28, 2023, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:    

 

 

 
     Commodity
Contracts
     Credit
Contracts
     Equity
Contracts
     Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
     Interest
Rate
Contracts
     Other
Contracts
     Total  

 

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from

                    

Futures contracts

   $      $      $ (11,694    $      $      $      $ (11,694
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on

                    

Futures contracts

   $      $      $ (10,476    $      $      $      $ (10,476
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

 

 

Futures contracts

  

Average notional value of contracts — long

   $ 315,393  

 

 

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

 

 

42  

2 0 2 3    H A R E S     E M I - A N N U A L    E P O R T    T O     H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® MSCI Poland ETF

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments. For a description of the input levels and information about the Fund’s policy regarding valuation of financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.

The following table summarizes the Fund’s financial instruments categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The breakdown of the Fund’s financial instruments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.

 

 

 
     Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

 

 

Assets

                 

Investments

                 

Long-Term Investments

                 

Common Stocks

   $ 3,706,940        $ 190,450,669        $        $ 194,157,609  

Short-Term Securities

                 

Money Market Funds

     12,294,744                            12,294,744  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $   16,001,684        $ 190,450,669        $             —        $ 206,452,353  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments(a)

                 

Liabilities

                 

Equity Contracts

   $ (10,915      $        $        $ (10,915
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a)

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

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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

  43


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) 

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® MSCI Qatar ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

 

 

Common Stocks

   

Air Freight & Logistics — 0.8%

   

Gulf Warehousing Co.

    599,722     $ 566,535  
   

 

 

 
Banks — 49.6%            

Commercial Bank PSQC (The)

    1,797,598       3,024,596  

Doha Bank QPSC

    2,112,065       954,220  

Masraf Al Rayan QSC

    4,004,359       2,957,683  

Qatar International Islamic Bank QSC

    908,488       2,607,133  

Qatar Islamic Bank SAQ

    1,618,939       8,242,389  

Qatar National Bank QPSC

    3,437,075       15,859,681  
   

 

 

 
          33,645,702  
Chemicals — 4.1%            

Mesaieed Petrochemical Holding Co.

    4,805,786       2,763,258  
   

 

 

 
Construction & Engineering — 0.4%            

Estithmar Holding QPSC(a)

    499,192       259,492  
   

 

 

 
Construction Materials — 1.8%            

Qatar National Cement Co. QSC

    586,139       678,246  

Qatari Investors Group QSC

    976,369       526,103  
   

 

 

 
      1,204,349  
Diversified Financial Services — 0.5%            

Salam International Investment Ltd. QSC(a)

    2,454,296       346,754  
   

 

 

 
Diversified Telecommunication Services — 3.4%  

Ooredoo QPSC

    903,106       2,275,755  
   

 

 

 
Energy Equipment & Services — 1.2%            

Gulf International Services QSC(a)

    1,648,262       823,936  
   

 

 

 
Food & Staples Retailing — 1.1%            

Al Meera Consumer Goods Co. QSC

    176,507       768,451  
   

 

 

 
Food Products — 0.8%            

Baladna

    1,538,218       566,723  
   

 

 

 
Health Care Providers & Services — 0.8%            

Medicare Group

    327,832       537,804  
   

 

 

 
Industrial Conglomerates — 10.8%            

Aamal Co.

    3,179,392       841,363  

Industries Qatar QSC

    1,473,609       5,619,994  

Mannai Corp. QSC

    249,308       471,606  

Qatar Industrial Manufacturing Co. QSC

    449,900       373,600  
   

 

 

 
      7,306,563  
Insurance — 1.5%            

Qatar Insurance Co. SAQ

    2,183,056       1,016,181  
   

 

 

 
Marine — 2.4%            

Qatar Navigation QSC

    667,485       1,643,275  
   

 

 

 
Security   Shares     Value  

 

 
Metals & Mining — 2.3%            

Qatar Aluminum Manufacturing Co.

    3,431,103     $ 1,588,297  
   

 

 

 
Multi-Utilities — 3.5%            

Qatar Electricity & Water Co. QSC

    496,733       2,372,066  
   

 

 

 
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 7.7%            

Qatar Fuel QSC

    568,721       2,527,720  

Qatar Gas Transport Co. Ltd.

    2,709,858       2,707,281  
   

 

 

 
      5,235,001  
Real Estate Management & Development — 5.0%  

Barwa Real Estate Co.

    2,231,434       1,679,105  

Ezdan Holding Group QSC(a)

    2,465,116       589,116  

Mazaya Real Estate Development QPSC(a)

    2,060,780       314,773  

United Development Co. QSC

    2,629,147       829,363  
   

 

 

 
      3,412,357  
Wireless Telecommunication Services — 1.6%  

Vodafone Qatar QSC

    2,421,375       1,053,508  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 99.3%
(Cost: $54,438,021)

      67,386,007  
   

 

 

 

Rights

   
Banks — 0.7%            

Lesha Bank LLC (a)

    1,916,776       451,700  
   

 

 

 

Total Rights — 0.7%
(Cost: $493,700)

      451,700  
   

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 100.0%
(Cost: $54,931,721)

      67,837,707  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Securities

   
Money Market Funds — 0.4%            

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares, 4.41%(b)(c)

    260,000       260,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 0.4%
(Cost: $260,000)

      260,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments — 100.4%
(Cost: $55,191,721)

      68,097,707  

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (0.4)%

 

    (252,144
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

    $   67,845,563  
   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Non-income producing security.

(b) 

Affiliate of the Fund.

(c) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

 

 

 

44  

2 0 2 3    H A R E S     E M I - A N N U A L    E P O R T    T O     H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® MSCI Qatar ETF

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended February 28, 2023 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:    

 

 

 
Affiliated Issuer    Value at
08/31/22
     Purchases
at Cost
     Proceeds
from Sale
     Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
     Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
     Value at
02/28/23
     Shares
Held at
02/28/23
     Income     

Capital

Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds

 

 

 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

   $ 50,000        $210,000 (a)     $      $      $      $ 260,000        260,000      $ 1,040      $  
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Futures Contracts

 

 

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

 

 

Long Contracts

           

MSCI Emerging Markets Index

     8        03/17/23      $ 385      $ (11,249
           

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

As of period end, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities were as follows:

 

 

 
     Commodity
Contracts
     Credit
Contracts
     Equity
Contracts
     Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
     Interest
Rate
Contracts
     Other
Contracts
     Total  

 

 

Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instruments

                    

Futures contracts

                    

Unrealized depreciation on futures contracts(a)

   $      $      $ 11,249      $      $      $      $ 11,249  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts are reported in the Schedule of Investments. In the Statements of Assets and Liabilities, only current day’s variation margin is reported in receivables or payables and the net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is included in accumulated earnings (loss).

 

For the period ended February 28, 2023, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:    

 

 

 
     Commodity
Contracts
     Credit
Contracts
     Equity
Contracts
     Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
     Interest
Rate
Contracts
     Other
Contracts
     Total  

 

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from

                    

Futures contracts

   $      $      $ (24,568    $      $      $      $ (24,568
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on

                    

Futures contracts

   $      $      $ (10,574    $      $      $      $ (10,574
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

 

 

Futures contracts

  

Average notional value of contracts — long

   $ 217,143    

 

 

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

 

 

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

  45


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® MSCI Qatar ETF

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments. For a description of the input levels and information about the Fund’s policy regarding valuation of financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.

The following table summarizes the Fund’s financial instruments categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The breakdown of the Fund’s financial instruments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.

 

 

 
     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

 

 

Assets

           

Investments

           

Long-Term Investments

           

Common Stocks

   $ 6,355,699      $ 61,030,308      $      $ 67,386,007  

Rights

            451,700               451,700  

Short-Term Securities

           

Money Market Funds

     260,000                      260,000  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $   6,615,699      $ 61,482,008      $             —      $ 68,097,707  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments(a)

           

Liabilities

           

Equity Contracts

   $ (11,249    $      $      $ (11,249
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a)

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

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

46  

2 0 2 3    H A R E S     E M I - A N N U A L    E P O R T    T O     H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) 

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® MSCI Saudi Arabia ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

 

 

Common Stocks

   

Banks — 39.1%

   

Al Rajhi Bank(a)

    5,892,256     $ 110,189,428  

Alinma Bank

    3,132,979       24,547,590  

Arab National Bank

    2,005,120       12,282,789  

Bank AlBilad(a)

    1,599,823       15,177,255  

Bank Al-Jazira

    1,469,683       7,080,945  

Banque Saudi Fransi

    1,937,991       16,855,988  

Riyad Bank

    4,255,911       29,495,982  

Saudi British Bank (The)

    2,830,275       24,970,510  

Saudi Investment Bank (The)

    658,074       2,769,637  

Saudi National Bank (The)

    6,562,117       82,535,713  
   

 

 

 
      325,905,837  
Building Products — 0.3%            

Bawan Co.

    46,258       360,924  

Saudi Ceramic Co.

    214,366       1,725,429  
   

 

 

 
      2,086,353  
Capital Markets — 0.2%            

Saudi Tadawul Group Holding Co.

    46,713       1,775,044  
   

 

 

 
Chemicals — 14.7%            

Advanced Petrochemical Co.

    489,031       6,293,359  

Alujain Corp.

    99,748       965,753  

Methanol Chemicals Co.(a)

    56,442       373,957  

National Industrialization Co.(a)

    1,327,922       4,262,046  

SABIC Agri-Nutrients Co.

    565,278       20,108,227  

Sahara International Petrochemical Co.

    1,226,481       11,556,245  

Saudi Basic Industries Corp.

    2,656,073       62,591,013  

Saudi Industrial Investment Group

    1,005,588       5,987,619  

Saudi Kayan Petrochemical Co.(a)

    1,390,591       4,696,810  

Yanbu National Petrochemical Co.

    513,710       5,744,378  
   

 

 

 
        122,579,407  
Commercial Services & Supplies — 0.4%            

Saudi Airlines Catering Co.(a)

    170,937       3,598,451  
   

 

 

 
Construction Materials — 3.4%            

Arabian Cement Co./Saudi Arabia

    247,351       2,263,836  

City Cement Co.

    332,536       1,821,502  

Eastern Province Cement Co.

    212,266       2,266,702  

Najran Cement Co.

    478,133       1,588,898  

Northern Region Cement Co.

    538,752       1,591,967  

Qassim Cement Co. (The)

    191,068       3,436,795  

Riyadh Cement Co.

    76,335       618,385  

Saudi Cement Co.

    310,817       4,337,218  

Southern Province Cement Co.

    268,777       3,592,550  

Yamama Cement Co.(a)

    437,533       3,544,430  

Yanbu Cement Co.

    335,637       3,163,288  
   

 

 

 
      28,225,571  
Consumer Finance — 0.0%            

Nayifat Finance Co.

    77,331       370,107  
   

 

 

 
Diversified Consumer Services — 0.2%            

Ataa Educational Co.

    42,505       606,545  

National Co. for Learning & Education Ltd.

    42,505       1,014,547  
   

 

 

 
      1,621,092  
Diversified Telecommunication Services — 4.5%        

Saudi Telecom Co.

    3,990,396       37,341,129  
   

 

 

 
Electric Utilities — 2.0%            

Saudi Electricity Co.

    2,754,755       16,281,216  
   

 

 

 
Security   Shares     Value  

 

 
Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) — 0.2%        

Jadwa REIT Saudi Fund

    453,214     $ 1,471,878  

Riyad REIT Fund

    154,346       373,459  
   

 

 

 
      1,845,337  
Food & Staples Retailing — 1.0%            

Abdullah Al Othaim Markets Co.

    180,838       5,438,619  

Al-Dawaa Medical Services Co.

    21,984       440,423  

Almunajem Foods Co.

    31,425       488,118  

BinDawood Holding Co.

    31,602       466,537  

Nahdi Medical Co.

    33,581       1,665,086  
   

 

 

 
      8,498,783  
Food Products — 3.4%            

Al Jouf Agricultural Development Co.

    45,661       640,025  

Almarai Co. JSC

    864,361       12,078,336  

Halwani Brothers Co.

    40,795       567,985  

National Agriculture Development Co. (The)(a)

    252,158       1,609,780  

Saudi Fisheries Co.(a)

    59,431       422,302  

Saudia Dairy & Foodstuff Co.

    71,959       4,658,827  

Savola Group (The)

    969,995       7,023,093  

Sinad Holding Co.(a)

    403,807       1,097,697  

Tanmiah Food Co.

    14,656       471,785  
   

 

 

 
      28,569,830  
Gas Utilities — 0.4%            

National Gas & Industrialization Co.

    207,660       2,953,238  
   

 

 

 
Health Care Providers & Services — 4.4%            

Al Hammadi Holding

    360,183       4,565,645  

Dallah Healthcare Co.

    145,646       5,664,653  

Dr Sulaiman Al Habib Medical Services Group Co.

    198,794       12,268,084  

Middle East Healthcare Co.(a)

    193,726       1,714,797  

Mouwasat Medical Services Co.

    177,896       8,556,738  

National Medical Care Co.

    123,320       2,556,672  

Saudi Chemical Co. Holding

    229,395       1,700,711  
   

 

 

 
      37,027,300  
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 1.1%            

Alamar Foods, NVS

    10,992       458,116  

Dur Hospitality Co.(a)

    244,079       1,503,897  

Herfy Food Services Co.(a)

    126,132       1,151,473  

Leejam Sports Co. JSC

    107,861       2,626,589  

Seera Group Holding(a)

    639,979       3,312,496  
   

 

 

 
      9,052,571  
Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers — 0.6%  

ACWA Power Co.

    135,181       5,016,543  
   

 

 

 
Industrial Conglomerates — 0.1%            

Astra Industrial Group

    60,120       949,639  
   

 

 

 
Insurance — 2.3%            

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

    92,081       2,453,759  

Bupa Arabia for Cooperative Insurance Co.

    264,484       10,878,192  

Co. for Cooperative Insurance (The)(a)

    252,151       6,252,558  
   

 

 

 
        19,584,509  
IT Services — 0.6%            

Al Moammar Information Systems Co.

    26,173       681,943  

Arabian Internet & Communications Services Co.

    6,870       452,615  

Elm Co.

    32,189       3,247,482  

Perfect Presentation For Commercial Services Co., NVS

    8,484       405,136  
   

 

 

 
      4,787,176  
Media — 0.9%            

Arabian Contracting Services Co.

    20,891       606,034  
 

 

 

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

  47


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® MSCI Saudi Arabia ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

 

 
Media (continued)            

Saudi Research & Media Group(a)

    134,915     $ 6,688,720  
   

 

 

 
      7,294,754  
Metals & Mining — 4.4%            

Al Masane Al Kobra Mining Co.

    21,526       428,963  

Saudi Arabian Mining Co.(a)

    2,161,328       36,556,867  
   

 

 

 
      36,985,830  
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 8.1%            

Aldrees Petroleum and Transport Services Co.

    172,030       3,860,075  

Rabigh Refining & Petrochemical Co.(a)

    1,630,382       4,395,126  

Saudi Arabia Refineries Co.

    20,422       422,759  

Saudi Arabian Oil Co.(b)

    6,963,446       58,825,750  
   

 

 

 
      67,503,710  
Paper & Forest Products — 0.1%            

Middle East Paper Co.

    51,548       416,657  
   

 

 

 
Pharmaceuticals — 0.2%            

Saudi Pharmaceutical Industries & Medical Appliances Corp.

    277,784       1,599,736  
   

 

 

 
Professional Services — 0.2%            

Maharah Human Resources Co.

    94,618       1,441,227  
   

 

 

 
Real Estate Management & Development — 2.0%        

Arriyadh Development Co.

    442,888       2,176,531  

Dar Al Arkan Real Estate Development Co.(a)

    2,038,209       7,792,372  

Emaar Economic City(a)

    1,692,265       3,401,422  

Retal Urban Development Co., NVS

    13,282       452,339  

Saudi Real Estate Co.(a)

    790,574       2,601,285  

Sumou Real Estate Co.

    28,854       362,504  
   

 

 

 
      16,786,453  
Road & Rail — 0.6%            

Saudi Public Transport Co.(a)

    361,111       1,658,105  

Theeb Rent A Car Co.

    36,070       735,692  

United International Transportation Co.

    190,012       2,708,974  
   

 

 

 
      5,102,771  
Specialty Retail — 1.7%            

Fawaz Abdulaziz Al Hokair & Co.(a)

    202,475       790,858  

Jarir Marketing Co.

    215,272       8,475,424  

Saudi Automotive Services Co.

    68,170       645,867  

Saudi Co. For Hardware CJSC(a)

    106,710       818,873  

 

Security   Shares     Value  

 

 
Specialty Retail (continued)            

United Electronics Co.

    175,735     $ 3,741,904  
   

 

 

 
      14,472,926  
Thrifts & Mortgage Finance — 0.1%            

Amlak International for Real Estate Finance Co.

    114,740       454,542  

Saudi Home Loans Co.

    75,265       407,548  
   

 

 

 
      862,090  
Transportation Infrastructure — 0.4%            

Saudi Ground Services Co.(a)

    390,731       2,220,625  

Saudi Industrial Services Co.

    112,672       719,830  
   

 

 

 
      2,940,455  
Water Utilities — 0.1%            

AlKhorayef Water & Power Technologies Co.

    24,468       885,742  
   

 

 

 
Wireless Telecommunication Services — 2.2%  

Etihad Etisalat Co.

    1,308,766       13,623,108  

Mobile Telecommunications Co.(a)

    1,770,913       4,892,239  
   

 

 

 
      18,515,347  
   

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 99.9%
(Cost: $665,857,060)

      832,876,831  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Securities

   
Money Market Funds — 0.0%            

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares, 4.41%(c)(d)

    340,000       340,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 0.0%
(Cost: $340,000)

      340,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments — 99.9%
(Cost: $666,197,060)

      833,216,831  

Other Assets Less Liabilities — 0.1%

      757,082  
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

    $   833,973,913  
   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Non-income producing security.

(b) 

Security exempt from registration pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration to qualified institutional investors.

(c) 

Affiliate of the Fund.

(d) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

 

Affiliates    

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended February 28, 2023 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

 

 
Affiliated Issuer    Value at
08/31/22
     Purchases
at Cost
     Proceeds
from Sale
     Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
     Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
     Value at
02/28/23
     Shares
Held at
02/28/23
     Income     

Capital

Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds

 

 

 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

   $ 3,600,000      $      $ (3,260,000 )(a)     $      $      $ 340,000        340,000      $ 23,866      $ 1  
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 

 

 

48  

2 0 2 3    H A R E S     E M I - A N N U A L    E P O R T    T O     H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® MSCI Saudi Arabia ETF

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End    

Futures Contracts    

 

 

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

 

 

Long Contracts

           

MSCI Emerging Markets Index

     11        03/17/23      $ 530      $ (3,601
           

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure    

As of period end, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities were as follows:    

 

 

 
     Commodity
Contracts
     Credit
Contracts
     Equity
Contracts
     Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
     Interest
Rate
Contracts
     Other
Contracts
     Total  

 

 

Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instruments

                    

Futures contracts

                    

Unrealized depreciation on futures contracts(a)

   $      $      $ 3,601      $      $      $      $ 3,601  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts are reported in the Schedule of Investments. In the Statements of Assets and Liabilities, only current day’s variation margin is reported in receivables or payables and the net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is included in accumulated earnings (loss).

 

For the period ended February 28, 2023, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:    

 

 

 
     Commodity
Contracts
     Credit
Contracts
     Equity
Contracts
     Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
     Interest
Rate
Contracts
     Other
Contracts
     Total  

 

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from

                    

Futures contracts

   $      $      $ (272,169    $      $      $      $ (272,169
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on

                    

Futures contracts

   $      $      $ (14,200    $      $      $      $ (14,200
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments    

 

 

 

Futures contracts

  

Average notional value of contracts — long

   $ 977,110      

 

 

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

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments. For a description of the input levels and information about the Fund’s policy regarding valuation of financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.

The following table summarizes the Fund’s financial instruments categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The breakdown of the Fund’s financial instruments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.

 

 

 
     Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

 

 

Assets

                 

Investments

                 

Long-Term Investments

                 

Common Stocks

   $ 15,192,622        $ 817,684,209        $        $ 832,876,831  

Short-Term Securities

                 

Money Market Funds

     340,000                            340,000  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 15,532,622        $ 817,684,209        $        $ 833,216,831  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments(a)

                 

Liabilities

                 

Equity Contracts

   $ (3,601      $        $             —        $ (3,601
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a)

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

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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

  49


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) 

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® MSCI UAE ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

 

 

Common Stocks

   
Air Freight & Logistics — 1.7%            

Aramex PJSC

    637,415     $ 624,730  
   

 

 

 
Airlines — 2.5%            

Air Arabia PJSC

    1,496,928       916,548  
   

 

 

 
Banks — 35.1%            

Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank PJSC

    684,835       1,561,332  

Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank PJSC

    601,580       1,708,915  

Ajman Bank PJSC(a)

    909,101       267,302  

Dubai Islamic Bank PJSC

    1,050,772       1,641,225  

Emirates NBD Bank PJSC

    457,522       1,692,060  

First Abu Dhabi Bank PJSC

    1,442,056       5,524,911  

Sharjah Islamic Bank

    727,700       445,571  
   

 

 

 
      12,841,316  
Building Products — 1.4%            

Ras Al Khaimah Ceramics

    656,069       517,891  
   

 

 

 
Capital Markets — 1.9%            

Dubai Financial Market PJSC

    1,447,246       566,325  

SHUAA Capital PSC(a)

    1,294,518       133,144  
   

 

 

 
      699,469  
Construction & Engineering — 0.1%            

Arabtec Holding PJSC(a)(b)

    2,433,366       6  

Drake & Scull International PJSC(a)(b)

    2,972,998       29,948  
   

 

 

 
      29,954  
Diversified Consumer Services — 0.6%            

Taaleem Holdings PSC, NVS

    303,970       220,130  
   

 

 

 
Diversified Financial Services — 2.5%            

Al Waha Capital PJSC

    1,314,163       479,085  

Amanat Holdings PJSC

    1,468,583       383,828  

Gulf General Investment Co.(a)(b)

    7,295,803       35,455  
   

 

 

 
      898,368  
Diversified Telecommunication Services — 23.3%        

Al Yah Satellite Communications Co.

    871,532       635,726  

Emirates Telecommunications Group Co. PJSC

    1,137,797       7,899,002  
   

 

 

 
      8,534,728  
Food Products — 1.3%            

Agthia Group PJSC

    412,180       460,038  
   

 

 

 
Health Care Providers & Services — 0.0%            

NMC Health PLC, NVS(b)

    112,588       1  
   

 

 

 
Industrial Conglomerates — 7.0%            

Dubai Investments PJSC

    1,381,721       860,966  

Multiply Group(a)

    1,388,073       1,509,619  

 

Security   Shares     Value  

 

 
Industrial Conglomerates (continued)            

Q Holding PJSC(a)

    257,720     $ 194,068  
   

 

 

 
      2,564,653  
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 1.6%            

Dana Gas PJSC

    2,741,676       589,548  
   

 

 

 
Real Estate Management & Development — 13.5%  

Aldar Properties PJSC

    1,135,655       1,451,270  

Deyaar Development PJSC(a)

    236,012       31,064  

Emaar Development PJSC(a)

    25,171       32,387  

Emaar Properties PJSC

    1,824,109       2,778,121  

Eshraq Investments PJSC(a)

    1,709,857       224,783  

RAK Properties PJSC(a)

    1,444,752       228,817  

Union Properties PJSC(a)

    3,098,661       199,645  
   

 

 

 
      4,946,087  
Specialty Retail — 4.5%            

Abu Dhabi National Oil Co. for Distribution PJSC

    1,399,691       1,646,202  
   

 

 

 
Thrifts & Mortgage Finance — 0.5%            

Amlak Finance PJSC(a)

    877,625       192,025  
   

 

 

 
Water Utilities — 2.3%            

Emirates Central Cooling Systems Corp.(a)

    1,084,920       466,683  

National Central Cooling Co. PJSC

    456,245       369,923  
   

 

 

 
      836,606  
   

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 99.8%
(Cost: $35,477,124)

      36,518,294  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Securities

   
Money Market Funds — 0.1%            

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares, 4.41%(c)(d)

    50,000       50,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 0.1%
(Cost: $50,000)

      50,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments — 99.9%
(Cost: $35,527,124)

      36,568,294  

Other Assets Less Liabilities — 0.1%

      19,320  
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

    $ 36,587,614  
   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Non-income producing security.

(b) 

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

(c) 

Affiliate of the Fund.

(d) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended February 28, 2023 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:    

 

 

 
Affiliated Issuer    Value at
08/31/22
     Purchases
at Cost
     Proceeds
from Sale
     Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
     Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
     Value at
02/28/23
     Shares
Held at
02/28/23
     Income     

Capital

Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds

 

 

 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

   $ 80,000      $      $ (30,000 )(a)     $      $      $ 50,000        50,000      $ 972      $  
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 

 

 

50  

2 0 2 3    H A R E S     E M I - A N N U A L    E P O R T    T O     H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® MSCI UAE ETF

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

For the period ended February 28, 2023, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

 

 
     Commodity
Contracts
     Credit
Contracts
     Equity
Contracts
     Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
     Interest
Rate
Contracts
     Other
Contracts
     Total  

 

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from

                    

Futures contracts

   $      $      $ (2,880    $      $      $      $ (2,880
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on

                    

Futures contracts

   $      $      $ 2,635      $      $      $      $ 2,635  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

 

 

Futures contracts:

  

Average notional value of contracts — long

   $ 24,563    

 

 

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

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments. For a description of the input levels and information about the Fund’s policy regarding valuation of financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.

The following table summarizes the Fund’s financial instruments categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The breakdown of the Fund’s financial instruments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.

 

                                                                       

 

 
     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

 

 

Assets

           

Investments

           

Long-Term Investments

           

Common Stocks

   $ 11,507,877      $ 24,945,007      $ 65,410      $ 36,518,294  

Short-Term Securities

           

Money Market Funds

     50,000                      50,000  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 11,557,877      $ 24,945,007      $ 65,410      $ 36,568,294  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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

  51


 

Statements of Assets and Liabilities (unaudited) 

February 28, 2023

 

   

iShares

MSCI Brazil

Small-Cap

ETF

    

iShares

MSCI China ETF

    

iShares

MSCI China

Small-Cap

ETF

    

iShares

MSCI

Indonesia

ETF

 

 

 

ASSETS

          

Investments, at value — unaffiliated(a)(b)

  $ 75,907,096      $ 8,295,895,122      $ 75,268,350      $ 443,315,536  

Investments, at value — affiliated(c)

    50,000        184,348,431        16,850,229         

Cash

    6,276        3,487        2,581        7,615  

Cash pledged for futures contracts

    86,000        2,731,000        45,000        7,000  

Foreign currency, at value(d)

    118,761        32,284,790        65,847        489,013  

Receivables:

          

Investments sold

    6,333,726        12,953,129        2,476,780        5,083,074  

Securities lending income — affiliated

           244,241        64,159         

Dividends — unaffiliated

    349,473        13,438        78,211        19,374  

Dividends — affiliated

    273        13,863        505        386  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

    82,851,605        8,528,487,501        94,851,662        448,921,998  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

          

Collateral on securities loaned, at value

           182,277,607        16,670,346         

Payables:

          

Investments purchased

    6,160,653        29,204,587        2,796,346        5,114,005  

Capital shares redeemed

           267               62,839  

Investment advisory fees

    35,795        3,960,096        34,978        205,797  

Variation margin on futures contracts

    6,046        126,226        2,571        2,193  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    6,202,494        215,568,783        19,504,241        5,384,834  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 76,649,111      $ 8,312,918,718      $ 75,347,421      $ 443,537,164  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF

          

Paid-in capital

  $ 154,028,702      $ 10,823,374,258      $ 113,182,312      $ 731,732,519  

Accumulated loss

    (77,379,591      (2,510,455,540      (37,834,891      (288,195,355
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 76,649,111      $ 8,312,918,718      $ 75,347,421      $ 443,537,164  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET ASSET VALUE

          

Shares outstanding

    6,700,000        173,600,000        2,100,000        19,350,000  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value

  $ 11.44      $ 47.89      $ 35.88      $ 22.92  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Shares authorized

    Unlimited        Unlimited        Unlimited        Unlimited  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Par value

    None        None        None        None  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

(a) Investments, at cost — unaffiliated

  $ 79,743,384      $ 9,339,675,715      $ 85,866,738      $ 539,431,926  

(b) Securities loaned, at value

  $      $ 173,070,470      $ 14,627,921      $  

(c)  Investments, at cost — affiliated

  $ 50,000      $ 184,214,967      $ 16,842,353      $  

(d) Foreign currency, at cost

  $ 118,732      $ 32,304,687      $ 66,000      $ 492,259  

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

52  

2 0 2 3    H A R E S     E M I - A N N U A L    E P O R T    T O     H A R E H O L D E R S


 

Statements of Assets and Liabilities  (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

 

   

iShares

MSCI Peru

ETF

    

iShares

MSCI
Philippines

ETF

    

iShares

MSCI Poland

ETF

    

iShares

MSCI Qatar
ETF

 

 

 

ASSETS

          

Investments, at value — unaffiliated(a)(b)

  $ 124,136,660      $ 137,546,361      $ 194,157,609      $ 67,837,707  

Investments, at value — affiliated(c)

    70,000        30,000        12,294,744        260,000  

Cash

    36,189        6,559        265        9,016  

Cash pledged for futures contracts

    19,000        14,000        14,000        16,000  

Foreign currency, at value(d)

    25,254        404,194        444,409        319,286  

Receivables:

          

Investments sold

    7,139,375        6,946,256        559,962        565,047  

Securities lending income — affiliated

                  9,070         

Capital shares sold

           14,890                

Dividends — unaffiliated

    571,092        34,025        69         

Dividends — affiliated

    366        242        9,440        330  

Tax reclaims

                  221,535         
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

    131,997,936        144,996,527        207,711,103        69,007,386  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

          

Collateral on securities loaned, at value

                  9,744,793         

Payables:

          

Investments purchased

    7,313,143        7,845,922        600,078        989,627  

Investment advisory fees

    55,713        66,765        87,867        30,142  

IRS compliance fee for foreign withholding tax claims

                  2,953,689         

Professional fees

                  22,667         

Variation margin on futures contracts

    3,630        2,340        2,674        2,872  

Other liabilities

                         139,182  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    7,372,486        7,915,027        13,411,768        1,161,823  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 124,625,450      $ 137,081,500      $ 194,299,335      $ 67,845,563  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF

          

Paid-in capital

  $ 332,106,890      $ 246,355,307      $ 430,658,839      $ 77,873,735  

Accumulated loss

    (207,481,440      (109,273,807      (236,359,504      (10,028,172
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 124,625,450      $ 137,081,500      $ 194,299,335      $ 67,845,563  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET ASSET VALUE

          

Shares outstanding

    4,250,000        5,150,000        12,300,000        3,700,000  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value

  $ 29.32      $ 26.62      $ 15.80      $ 18.34  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Shares authorized

    Unlimited        Unlimited        Unlimited        Unlimited  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Par value

    None        None        None        None  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

(a) Investments, at cost — unaffiliated

  $ 156,156,493      $ 173,300,330      $ 296,967,473      $ 54,931,721  

(b) Securities loaned, at value

  $      $      $ 9,305,463      $  

(c)  Investments, at cost — affiliated

  $ 70,000      $ 30,000      $ 12,290,791      $ 260,000  

(d) Foreign currency, at cost

  $ 23,756      $ 405,906      $ 454,509      $ 319,471  

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L    T A T E M E N T  S

  53


 

Statements of Assets and Liabilities  (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

 

    

iShares

MSCI Saudi

Arabia ETF

    

iShares

MSCI UAE

ETF

 

 

 

ASSETS

     

Investments, at value — unaffiliated(a)

   $ 832,876,831      $ 36,518,294  

Investments, at value — affiliated(b)

     340,000        50,000  

Cash

     312,928        7,035  

Cash pledged for futures contracts

     19,000         

Foreign currency, at value(c)

     125,900         

Receivables:

     

Investments sold

     3,608,684        2,572,364  

Dividends — unaffiliated

     466,305         

Dividends — affiliated

     524        135  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

     837,750,172        39,147,828  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

     

Foreign bank overdraft(d)

            10,293  

Payables:

     

Investments purchased

     3,282,361        2,533,419  

Investment advisory fees

     490,268        16,502  

Variation margin on futures contracts

     3,630         
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     3,776,259        2,560,214  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

   $ 833,973,913      $ 36,587,614  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF

     

Paid-in capital

   $ 819,725,593      $ 77,122,352  

Accumulated earnings (loss)

     14,248,320        (40,534,738
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

   $ 833,973,913      $ 36,587,614  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET ASSET VALUE

     

Shares outstanding

     22,900,000        2,500,000  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value

   $ 36.42      $ 14.64  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Shares authorized

     Unlimited        Unlimited  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Par value

     None        None  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

(a) Investments, at cost — unaffiliated

   $ 665,857,060      $ 35,477,124  

(b) Investments, at cost — affiliated

   $ 340,000      $ 50,000  

(c)  Foreign currency, at cost

   $ 125,900      $  

(d) Foreign bank overdraft, at cost

   $      $ 10,296  

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

54  

2 0 2 3    H A R E S     E M I - A N N U A L    E P O R T    T O     H A R E H O L D E R S


 

Statements of Operations  (unaudited) 

Six Months Ended February 28, 2023

 

   

iShares

MSCI Brazil
Small-Cap

ETF

    

iShares

MSCI China

ETF

    

iShares

MSCI China

Small-Cap

ETF

    

iShares

MSCI
Indonesia

ETF

 

 

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

          

Dividends — unaffiliated

  $ 1,481,549      $ 28,514,125      $ 373,321      $ 3,645,568  

Dividends — affiliated

    2,515        184,477        1,689        7,437  

Interest — unaffiliated

    1,462                       

Securities lending income — affiliated — net

           1,238,922        392,090         

Foreign taxes withheld

    (125,059      (1,490,953      (2,002      (635,508
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total investment income

    1,360,467        28,446,571        765,098        3,017,497  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

EXPENSES

          

Investment advisory

    239,645        21,901,433        187,605        1,468,977  

Commitment costs

    506        26,257                
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses

    240,151        21,927,690        187,605        1,468,977  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income

    1,120,316        6,518,881        577,493        1,548,520  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

          

Net realized gain (loss) from:

          

Investments — unaffiliated

    (1,706,265      (251,354,502      (7,045,091      (26,705,698

Investments — affiliated

           44,040        3,649         

Capital gain distributions from underlying funds — affiliated

           13                

Foreign currency transactions

    104,330        38,828        (1,619      (23,745

Futures contracts

    40,131        (1,708,684      (36,688      69,967  

In-kind redemptions — unaffiliated(a)

           57,248,526               11,920,027  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
    (1,561,804      (195,731,779      (7,079,749      (14,739,449
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

          

Investments — unaffiliated

    (11,540,181      (116,897,428      12,118,690        (4,955,630

Investments — affiliated

           (9,162      2,099         

Foreign currency translations

    (35,761      (35,136      134        (4,577

Futures contracts

    (54,066      798,470        7,102        (11,990
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
    (11,630,008      (116,143,256      12,128,025        (4,972,197
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    (13,191,812      (311,875,035      5,048,276        (19,711,646
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

  $ (12,071,496    $ (305,356,154    $ 5,625,769      $ (18,163,126
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a)

See Note 2 of the Notes to Financial Statements.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L    T A T E M E N T  S

  55


 

Statements of Operations  (unaudited) (continued)

Six Months Ended February 28, 2023

 

   

iShares

MSCI Peru

ETF

   

iShares

MSCI

Philippines

ETF

   

iShares

MSCI Poland

ETF

   

iShares

MSCI Qatar

ETF

 

 

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

       

Dividends — unaffiliated

  $ 1,729,354     $ 829,539     $ 990,514     $ 1,319,719  

Dividends — affiliated

    3,916       1,459       34,203       1,040  

Securities lending income — affiliated — net

                57,524        

Foreign taxes withheld

    (52,088     (201,345     (151,815      

IRS compliance fee for foreign withholding tax claims

                20,215        
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investment income

    1,681,182       629,653       950,641       1,320,759  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EXPENSES

       

Investment advisory

    355,153       343,560       497,834       234,556  

Commitment costs

                      528  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses

    355,153       343,560       497,834       235,084  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    1,326,029       286,093       452,807       1,085,675  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

       

Net realized gain (loss) from:

       

Investments — unaffiliated

    (8,499,470     (5,923,074     (6,818,273     1,807,897  

Investments — affiliated

                3,703        

Capital gain distributions from underlying funds — affiliated

                3        

Foreign currency transactions

    (37,041     (726     142,378       (12,533

Futures contracts

    (8,295     (3,722     (11,694     (24,568

In-kind redemptions — unaffiliated(a)

    (295,635     1,447,056       14,512,507        
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    (8,840,441     (4,480,466     7,828,624       1,770,796  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

       

Investments — unaffiliated

    26,111,951       4,132,724       39,741,988       (19,415,767

Investments — affiliated

                340        

Foreign currency translations

    (4,421     (191     (782     742  

Futures contracts

    (21,824     (2,889     (10,476     (10,574
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    26,085,706       4,129,644       39,731,070       (19,425,599
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    17,245,265       (350,822     47,559,694       (17,654,803
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

  $ 18,571,294     $ (64,729   $ 48,012,501     $ (16,569,128
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a)

See Note 2 of the Notes to Financial Statements.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

56  

2 0 2 3    H A R E S     E M I - A N N U A L    E P O R T    T O     H A R E H O L D E R S


 

Statements of Operations  (unaudited) (continued)

Six Months Ended February 28, 2023

 

    

iShares

MSCI Saudi

Arabia ETF

    

iShares

MSCI UAE

ETF

 

 

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

     

Dividends — unaffiliated

   $ 6,069,355      $ 151,297  

Dividends — affiliated

     23,866        972  

Foreign taxes withheld

     (235,236       
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total investment income

     5,857,985        152,269  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

EXPENSES

     

Investment advisory

     3,514,761        107,197  

Commitment costs

     6,272        232  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses

     3,521,033        107,429  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income

     2,336,952        44,840  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

     

Net realized gain (loss) from:

     

Investments — unaffiliated

     (1,484,029      (694,733

Capital gain distributions from underlying funds — affiliated

     1         

Foreign currency transactions

     (65,358      (7,068

Futures contracts

     (272,169      (2,880
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     (1,821,555      (704,681
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

     

Investments — unaffiliated

     (189,346,813      (2,868,671

Foreign currency translations

     882        617  

Futures contracts

     (14,200      2,635  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     (189,360,131      (2,865,419
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized loss

     (191,181,686      (3,570,100
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

   $ (188,844,734    $ (3,525,260
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L    T A T E M E N T  S

  57


 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets  

 

         

iShares

MSCI Brazil Small-Cap ETF

         

iShares

MSCI China ETF

 
   

 

 

     

 

 

 
         

Six Months Ended

02/28/23

(unaudited)

         

Year Ended

08/31/22

         

Six Months Ended

02/28/23

(unaudited)

         

Year Ended

08/31/22

 

 

 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

               

OPERATIONS

               

Net investment income

             $ 1,120,316             $ 3,157,710                 $ 6,518,881                $ 115,877,719  

Net realized loss

      (1,561,804       (6,571,328       (195,731,779       (417,082,741

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

      (11,630,008       (14,373,457       (116,143,256       (1,964,979,076
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations

      (12,071,496       (17,787,075       (305,356,154       (2,266,184,098
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a)

               

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

      (2,070,418 )(b)        (3,944,573       (111,281,572       (86,873,082
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

               

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

      7,925,933         (3,379,242       888,490,102         4,011,654,506  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

               

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

      (6,215,981       (25,110,890       471,852,376         1,658,597,326  

Beginning of period

      82,865,092         107,975,982         7,841,066,342         6,182,469,016  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

End of period

    $ 76,649,111       $ 82,865,092       $ 8,312,918,718       $ 7,841,066,342  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

(a) 

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

(b) 

A portion of the distributions from net investment income may be deemed a return of capital or net realized gain at fiscal year-end.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

58  

2 0 2 3    H A R E S     E M I - A N N U A L    E P O R T    T O     H A R E H O L D E R S


 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

 

         

iShares

MSCI China Small-Cap ETF

         

iShares

MSCI Indonesia ETF

 
   

 

 

     

 

 

 
         

Six Months

Ended

02/28/23

(unaudited)

         

Year Ended

08/31/22

         

Six Months

Ended

02/28/23

(unaudited)

         

Year Ended

08/31/22

 

 

 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

               

OPERATIONS

               

Net investment income

    $ 577,493                $ 2,280,854                 $ 1,548,520                $ 10,977,273  

Net realized gain (loss)

               (7,079,749       (13,987,668       (14,739,449       10,492,545  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

      12,128,025         (15,130,649       (4,972,197       24,816,440  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

      5,625,769         (26,837,463       (18,163,126       46,286,258  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a)

               

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

      (1,346,985       (3,772,602       (5,261,996 )(b)        (9,891,151
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

               

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

      15,731,111         (2,873,258       23,781,540         54,827,919  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

               

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

      20,009,895         (33,483,323       356,418         91,223,026  

Beginning of period

      55,337,526         88,820,849         443,180,746         351,957,720  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

End of period

    $ 75,347,421       $ 55,337,526       $ 443,537,164       $ 443,180,746  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

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

(b)    A portion of the distributions from net investment income may be deemed a return of capital or net realized gain at fiscal year-end.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L    T A T E M E N T  S

  59


 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets   (continued)

 

         

iShares

MSCI Peru ETF

         

iShares

MSCI Philippines ETF

 
   

 

 

     

 

 

 
         

Six Months

Ended

02/28/23

(unaudited)

         

Year Ended

08/31/22

         

Six Months

Ended

02/28/23

(unaudited)

         

Year Ended

08/31/22

 

 

 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

               

OPERATIONS

               

Net investment income

    $ 1,326,029             $ 6,822,237                 $ 286,093                $ 1,572,524  

Net realized loss

               (8,840,441       (6,142,433       (4,480,466       (5,729,585

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

      26,085,706         (4,967,384       4,129,644         (12,137,215
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

      18,571,294         (4,287,580       (64,729       (16,294,276
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a)

               

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

      (1,975,654 )(b)        (8,147,129       (574,749 )(b)         (1,785,174
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

               

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

      (19,500,193       44,102,942         28,902,911         1,854,320  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

               

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

      (2,904,553       31,668,233         28,263,433         (16,225,130

Beginning of period

      127,530,003         95,861,770         108,818,067         125,043,197  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

End of period

    $ 124,625,450       $ 127,530,003       $ 137,081,500       $ 108,818,067  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

(a) 

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

(b) 

A portion of the distributions from net investment income may be deemed a return of capital or net realized gain at fiscal year-end.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

60  

2 0 2 3    H A R E S     E M I - A N N U A L    E P O R T    T O     H A R E H O L D E R S


 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

 

   

iShares

MSCI Poland ETF

   

iShares

MSCI Qatar ETF

 
 

 

 

   

 

 

 
   

Six Months

Ended

02/28/23

(unaudited)

   

Year Ended

08/31/22

   

Six Months

Ended

02/28/23

(unaudited)

   

Year Ended

08/31/22

 

 

 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

       

OPERATIONS

       

Net investment income

  $ 452,807     $ 6,200,674     $ 1,085,675     $ 2,793,584  

Net realized gain (loss)

    7,828,624       (14,657,590     1,770,796       1,428,500  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    39,731,070       (116,037,602     (19,425,599     12,484,743  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    48,012,501       (124,494,518     (16,569,128     16,706,827  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a)

       

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

    (3,006,382 )(b)      (4,548,741     (486,504     (3,375,217
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

       

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

    18,920,604       (24,730,364     (11,251,857     (3,412,513
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

       

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

    63,926,723       (153,773,623     (28,307,489     9,919,097  

Beginning of period

    130,372,612       284,146,235       96,153,052       86,233,955  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period

  $ 194,299,335     $ 130,372,612     $ 67,845,563     $ 96,153,052  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

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

(b) 

A portion of the distributions from net investment income may be deemed a return of capital or net realized gain at fiscal year-end.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L    T A T E M E N T  S

  61


 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

 

   

iShares

MSCI Saudi Arabia ETF

   

iShares

MSCI UAE ETF

 
 

 

 

   

 

 

 
   

Six Months Ended

02/28/23

(unaudited)

   

Year Ended

08/31/22

   

Six Months Ended

02/28/23

(unaudited)

   

Year Ended

08/31/22

 

 

 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

       

OPERATIONS

       

Net investment income

  $ 2,336,952     $ 18,068,521     $ 44,840     $ 1,029,528  

Net realized loss

    (1,821,555     (19,228,092     (704,681     (372,738

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    (189,360,131     78,636,960       (2,865,419     1,412,106  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    (188,844,734     77,477,389       (3,525,260     2,068,896  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a)

       

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

    (9,480,450     (16,207,813     (76,044     (1,475,334
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

       

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

    (103,303,870     175,649,734       2,222,434       13,655,392  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

       

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

    (301,629,054     236,919,310       (1,378,870     14,248,954  

Beginning of period

    1,135,602,967       898,683,657       37,966,484       23,717,530  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period

  $ 833,973,913     $ 1,135,602,967     $ 36,587,614     $ 37,966,484  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a)

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

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

62  

2 0 2 3    H A R E S     E M I - A N N U A L    E P O R T    T O     H A R E H O L D E R S


Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    iShares MSCI Brazil Small-Cap ETF  
 

 

 

 
   

Six Months Ended

02/28/23

(unaudited)

   

Year Ended

08/31/22

   

Year Ended

08/31/21

   

Year Ended

08/31/20

   

Year Ended

08/31/19

   

Year Ended

08/31/18

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

           $ 13.58     $ 17.42     $ 13.62     $ 16.92     $ 11.87     $ 16.19  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

      0.17       0.46       0.37       0.23       0.50       0.40  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(b)

      (1.99     (3.71     3.79       (3.30     5.15       (4.01
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

      (1.82     (3.25     4.16       (3.07     5.65       (3.61
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions from net investment income(c)

      (0.32 )(d)      (0.59     (0.36     (0.23     (0.60     (0.71
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

    $ 11.44     $ 13.58     $ 17.42     $ 13.62     $ 16.92     $ 11.87  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(e)

             

Based on net asset value

      (13.30 )%(f)      (18.61 )%      30.34     (18.40 )%      48.35     (22.95 )% 
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(g)

             

Total expenses

      0.59 %(h)      0.58     0.57     0.59     0.59     0.59
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

      2.77 %(h)      3.18     2.26     1.51     3.26     2.55
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

             

Net assets, end of period (000)

    $ 76,649     $ 82,865     $ 107,976     $ 97,375     $ 106,588     $ 48,679  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(i)

      21 %(j)       52 %(j)       40 %(j)       65 %(j)       47 %(j)       67 %(j)  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b) 

The amounts reported for a share outstanding may not accord with the change in aggregate gains and losses in securities for the fiscal period due to the timing of capital share transactions in relation to the fluctuating market values of the Fund’s underlying securities.

(c) 

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

(d) 

A portion of the distributions from net investment income may be deemed a return of capital or net realized gain at fiscal year-end.

(e) 

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(f) 

Not annualized.

(g) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

(h) 

Annualized.

(i) 

Portfolio turnover rate includes portfolio transactions that are executed as a result of the Fund offering and redeeming Creation Units solely for cash in U.S. dollars (“cash creations”).

(j)    Portfolio turnover rate excluding cash creations was as follows:

       20        32        39        26        30        25
       

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L    I G H L I G H T  S

  63


Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    iShares MSCI China ETF  
 

 

 

 
   

Six Months Ended

02/28/23

(unaudited)

   

Year Ended

08/31/22

   

Year Ended

08/31/21

   

Year Ended

08/31/20

   

Year Ended

08/31/19

   

Year Ended

08/31/18

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

               $ 49.82     $ 70.90     $ 75.92     $ 56.43     $ 60.85     $ 62.06  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

      0.04       1.01       0.74       0.90       0.95       1.05  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(b)

      (1.26     (21.30     (4.98     19.40       (4.49     (1.10
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

      (1.22     (20.29     (4.24     20.30       (3.54     (0.05
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions from net investment income(c)

      (0.71     (0.79     (0.78     (0.81     (0.88     (1.16
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

    $ 47.89     $ 49.82     $ 70.90     $ 75.92     $ 56.43     $ 60.85  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

             

Based on net asset value

      (2.44 )%(e)       (28.80 )%      (5.69 )%      36.29     (5.76 )%      (0.22 )% 
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(f)

             

Total expenses

      0.59 %(g)       0.58     0.57     0.59     0.59     0.59
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

      0.18 %(g)       1.75     0.93     1.43     1.63     1.57
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

             

Net assets, end of period (000)

    $ 8,312,919     $ 7,841,066     $ 6,182,469     $ 6,118,904     $ 3,588,927     $ 3,444,143  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(h)

      5     8     18     16     14     14
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b) 

The amounts reported for a share outstanding may not accord with the change in aggregate gains and losses in securities for the fiscal period due to the timing of capital share transactions in relation to the fluctuating market values of the Fund’s underlying securities.

(c) 

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

(d) 

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(e) 

Not annualized.

(f) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

(g) 

Annualized.

(h) 

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

64  

2 0 2 3    H A R E S     E M I - A N N U A L    E P O R T    T O     H A R E H O L D E R S


Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    iShares MSCI China Small-Cap ETF  
 

 

 

 
   

Six Months Ended

02/28/23

(unaudited)

   

Year Ended

08/31/22

   

Year Ended

08/31/21

   

Year Ended

08/31/20

   

Year Ended

08/31/19

   

Year Ended

08/31/18

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

               $ 34.59     $ 53.83     $ 45.21     $ 38.46     $ 47.23     $ 48.50  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

      0.31       1.44       1.50       1.46       1.39       1.51  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(b)

      1.64       (18.32     8.86       6.48       (7.78     (1.14
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

      1.95       (16.88     10.36       7.94       (6.39     0.37  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions from net investment income(c)

      (0.66     (2.36     (1.74     (1.19     (2.38     (1.64
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

    $ 35.88     $ 34.59     $ 53.83     $ 45.21     $ 38.46     $ 47.23  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

             

Based on net asset value

      5.67 %(e)      (32.33 )%      23.33     21.21     (13.60 )%      0.58
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(f)

             

Total expenses

      0.59 %(g)      0.58     0.57     0.59     0.59     0.59
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

      1.82 %(g)      3.31     2.82     3.70     3.26     2.91
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

             

Net assets, end of period (000)

    $ 75,347     $ 55,338     $ 88,821     $ 51,989     $ 19,230     $ 25,977  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(h)

      24     64     51     39     38     63
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b) 

The amounts reported for a share outstanding may not accord with the change in aggregate gains and losses in securities for the fiscal period due to the timing of capital share transactions in relation to the fluctuating market values of the Fund’s underlying securities.

(c) 

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

(d) 

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(e) 

Not annualized.

(f) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

(g) 

Annualized.

(h) 

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L    I G H L I G H T  S

  65


Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    iShares MSCI Indonesia ETF  
 

 

 

 
   

Six Months Ended

02/28/23

(unaudited)

   

Year Ended

08/31/22

   

Year Ended

08/31/21

   

Year Ended

08/31/20

   

Year Ended

08/31/19

   

Year Ended

08/31/18

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $ 23.96     $ 21.33     $ 19.69     $ 25.22     $ 23.57     $ 26.89  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

      0.07       0.59       0.27       0.36       0.41       0.43  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(b)

                 (0.88     2.54       1.68       (5.66     1.70       (3.27
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

      (0.81     3.13       1.95       (5.30     2.11       (2.84
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions from net investment income(c)

      (0.23 )(d)       (0.50     (0.31     (0.23     (0.46     (0.48
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

    $ 22.92     $ 23.96     $ 21.33     $ 19.69     $ 25.22     $ 23.57  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(e)

             

Based on net asset value

      (3.34 )%(f)      14.69     9.88     (21.04 )%      9.00     (10.67 )% 
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(g)

             

Total expenses

      0.59 %(h)       0.58     0.57     0.59     0.59     0.59
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

      0.62 %(h)       2.52     1.26     1.65     1.64     1.63
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

             

Net assets, end of period (000)

    $ 443,537     $ 443,181     $ 351,958     $ 319,892     $ 402,185     $ 414,758  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(i)

      6     16     10     13     12     7
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b) 

The amounts reported for a share outstanding may not accord with the change in aggregate gains and losses in securities for the fiscal period due to the timing of capital share transactions in relation to the fluctuating market values of the Fund’s underlying securities.

(c) 

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

(d) 

A portion of the distributions from net investment income may be deemed a return of capital or net realized gain at fiscal year-end.

(e) 

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(f) 

Not annualized.

(g) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

(h) 

Annualized.

(i) 

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

66  

2 0 2 3    H A R E S     E M I - A N N U A L    E P O R T    T O     H A R E H O L D E R S


Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    iShares MSCI Peru ETF  
 

 

 

 
   

Six Months Ended

02/28/23

(unaudited)

   

Year Ended

08/31/22

   

Year Ended

08/31/21

   

Year Ended

08/31/20

   

Year Ended

08/31/19

   

Year Ended

08/31/18

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

               $ 25.51     $ 27.00     $ 31.65     $ 34.11     $ 37.44     $ 37.54  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

      0.31       1.34       0.79       0.69       0.85       1.09  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(b)

      4.01       (1.08     (5.00     (2.34     (3.36     (0.06
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

      4.32       0.26       (4.21     (1.65     (2.51     1.03  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions from net investment income(c)

      (0.51 )(d)       (1.75     (0.44     (0.81     (0.82     (1.13
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

    $ 29.32     $ 25.51     $ 27.00     $ 31.65     $ 34.11     $ 37.44  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(e)

             

Based on net asset value

      17.02 %(f)      0.24     (13.49 )%      (4.78 )%      (6.75 )%      2.60
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(g)

             

Total expenses

      0.59 %(h)       0.58     0.57     0.59     0.59     0.59
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

      2.21 %(h)       4.36     2.42     2.15     2.33     2.65
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

             

Net assets, end of period (000)

    $ 124,625     $ 127,530     $ 95,862     $ 82,297     $ 163,738     $ 164,717  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(i)

      12     24     33     26     18     11
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b) 

The amounts reported for a share outstanding may not accord with the change in aggregate gains and losses in securities for the fiscal period due to the timing of capital share transactions in relation to the fluctuating market values of the Fund’s underlying securities.

(c) 

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

(d) 

A portion of the distributions from net investment income may be deemed a return of capital or net realized gain at fiscal year-end.

(e) 

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(f) 

Not annualized.

(g) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

(h) 

Annualized.

(i) 

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L    I G H L I G H T  S

  67


Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    iShares MSCI Philippines ETF  
 

 

 

 
   

Six Months Ended

02/28/23

(unaudited)

   

Year Ended

08/31/22

   

Year Ended

08/31/21

   

Year Ended

08/31/20

   

Year Ended

08/31/19

   

Year Ended

08/31/18

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $ 26.54     $ 30.50     $ 26.63     $ 34.45     $ 33.08     $ 35.88  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

      0.06       0.39       0.26       0.17       0.28       0.14  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(b)

      0.14       (3.90     3.90       (7.80     1.35       (2.79
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

                 0.20       (3.51     4.16       (7.63     1.63       (2.65
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions from net investment income(c)

      (0.12 )(d)       (0.45     (0.29     (0.19     (0.26     (0.15
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

    $ 26.62     $ 26.54     $ 30.50     $ 26.63     $ 34.45     $ 33.08  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(e)

             

Based on net asset value

      0.77 %(f)       (11.65 )%      15.57     (22.16 )%      4.93     (7.40 )% 
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(g)

             

Total expenses

      0.59 %(h)       0.58     0.57     0.59     0.59     0.59
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

      0.49 %(h)       1.28     0.87     0.57     0.83     0.40
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

             

Net assets, end of period (000)

    $ 137,082     $ 108,818     $ 125,043     $ 118,507     $ 217,028     $ 172,013  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(i)

      8     13     20     16     8     8
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b) 

The amounts reported for a share outstanding may not accord with the change in aggregate gains and losses in securities for the fiscal period due to the timing of capital share transactions in relation to the fluctuating market values of the Fund’s underlying securities.

(c) 

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

(d) 

A portion of the distributions from net investment income may be deemed a return of capital or net realized gain at fiscal year-end.

(e) 

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(f) 

Not annualized.

(g) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

(h) 

Annualized.

(i) 

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

68  

2 0 2 3    H A R E S     E M I - A N N U A L    E P O R T    T O     H A R E H O L D E R S


Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    iShares MSCI Poland ETF  
 

 

 

 
   

Six Months Ended

02/28/23

(unaudited)

   

Year Ended

08/31/22

   

Year Ended

08/31/21

   

Year Ended

08/31/20

   

Year Ended

08/31/19

   

Year Ended

08/31/18

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $ 12.60     $ 23.10     $ 18.24     $ 20.68     $ 24.31     $ 27.33  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

                 0.04       0.51 (b)       0.16 (b)       0.17 (b)       0.65 (b)       0.33 (b)  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(c)

      3.43       (10.65     4.86       (1.95     (3.93     (2.90
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

      3.47       (10.14     5.02       (1.78     (3.28     (2.57
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions from net investment income(d)

      (0.27 )(e)       (0.36     (0.16     (0.66     (0.35     (0.45
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

    $ 15.80     $ 12.60     $ 23.10     $ 18.24     $ 20.68     $ 24.31  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(f)

             

Based on net asset value

      27.62 %(g)      (44.38 )%(b)      27.65 %(b)      (8.76 )%(b)      (13.64 )%(b)      (9.53 )%(b) 
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(h)

             

Total expenses

      0.59 %(i)       0.65     0.61     0.78     0.61     0.63
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses excluding professional fees for foreign withholding tax claims

      N/A       0.58     0.57     0.59     0.59     0.59
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

      0.54 %(i)       2.72 %(b)       0.80 %(b)       0.93 %(b)       2.81 %(b)       1.28 %(b)  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

             

Net assets, end of period (000)

    $ 194,299     $ 130,373     $ 284,146     $ 253,594     $ 260,578     $ 263,758  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(j)

      7     11     22     15     5     7
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b) 

Reflects the positive effect of foreign withholding tax claims, net of the associated professional fees, which resulted in the following increases for the years ended August 31, 2022, August 31, 2021, August 31, 2020, August 31, 2019 and August 31, 2018, respectively:

   

Net investment income per share by $0.15, $0.07, $0.28, $0.05 and $0.08, respectively.

   

Total return by 0.76%, 0.38%, 1.40%, 0.21% and 0.41%, respectively.

   

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets by 0.78%, 0.34%, 1.54%, 0.22% and 0.32%, respectively.

(c) 

The amounts reported for a share outstanding may not accord with the change in aggregate gains and losses in securities for the fiscal period due to the timing of capital share transactions in relation to the fluctuating market values of the Fund’s underlying securities.

(d) 

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

(e) 

A portion of the distributions from net investment income may be deemed a return of capital or net realized gain at fiscal year-end.

(f) 

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(g) 

Not annualized.

(h) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

(i) 

Annualized.

(j) 

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L    I G H L I G H T  S

  69


Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    iShares MSCI Qatar ETF  
 

 

 

 
   

Six Months Ended

02/28/23

(unaudited)

   

Year Ended

08/31/22

   

Year Ended

08/31/21

   

Year Ended

08/31/20

   

Year Ended

08/31/19

   

Year Ended

08/31/18

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $ 22.62     $ 19.60     $ 17.62     $ 17.44     $ 17.82     $ 16.19  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

      0.28       0.63       0.37       0.56       0.64       0.66  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(b)

                 (4.44     3.20       2.03       0.11       (0.26     1.71  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

      (4.16     3.83       2.40       0.67       0.38       2.37  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions(c)

             

From net investment income

      (0.12     (0.81     (0.42     (0.45     (0.76     (0.74

Return of capital

                        (0.04            
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions

      (0.12     (0.81     (0.42     (0.49     (0.76     (0.74
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

    $ 18.34     $ 22.62     $ 19.60     $ 17.62     $ 17.44     $ 17.82  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

             

Based on net asset value

      (18.43 )%(e)      19.69     13.70     4.10     1.98     14.96
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(f)

             

Total expenses

      0.59 %(g)      0.58     0.57     0.59     0.59     0.59
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

      2.75 %(g)      2.89     1.98     3.31     3.48     4.09
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

             

Net assets, end of period (000)

    $ 67,846     $ 96,153     $ 86,234     $ 87,223     $ 50,576     $ 55,253  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(h)

      4 %(i)       38 %(i)       26 %(i)       24 %(i)       33 %(i)       58 %(i)  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b) 

The amounts reported for a share outstanding may not accord with the change in aggregate gains and losses in securities for the fiscal period due to the timing of capital share transactions in relation to the fluctuating market values of the Fund’s underlying securities.

(c) 

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

(d) 

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(e) 

Not annualized.

(f) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

(g) 

Annualized.

(h) 

Portfolio turnover rate includes portfolio transactions that are executed as a result of the Fund offering and redeeming Creation Units solely for cash in U.S. dollars (“cash creations”).

(i)    Portfolio turnover rate excluding cash creations was as follows:

       4        12        9        14        23        22
       

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    iShares MSCI Saudi Arabia ETF  
 

 

 

 
   

Six Months Ended

02/28/23

(unaudited)

   

Year Ended

08/31/22

   

Year Ended

08/31/21

   

Year Ended

08/31/20

   

Year Ended

08/31/19

   

Year Ended

08/31/18

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $ 44.53     $ 41.22     $ 28.70     $ 30.21     $ 29.72     $ 26.15  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

      0.10       0.69       0.71       0.57       1.11       1.28  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(b)

      (7.81     3.23       12.27       (1.26     0.12       2.92  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

                 (7.71     3.92       12.98       (0.69     1.23       4.20  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions from net investment income(c)

      (0.40     (0.61     (0.46     (0.82     (0.74     (0.63
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

    $ 36.42     $ 44.53     $ 41.22     $ 28.70     $ 30.21     $ 29.72  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

             

Based on net asset value

      (17.34 )%(e)      9.60     45.37     (2.21 )%      4.14     16.23
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(f)

             

Total expenses

      0.74 %(g)       0.74     0.74     0.74     0.74     0.74
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

      0.49 %(g)       1.56     2.06     2.03     3.46     4.31
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

             

Net assets, end of period (000)

    $ 833,974     $ 1,135,603     $ 898,684     $ 516,629     $ 646,591     $ 257,099  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(h)

      4 %(i)       36 %(i)       13 %(i)       64 %(i)       82 %(i)       20 %(i)  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b) 

The amounts reported for a share outstanding may not accord with the change in aggregate gains and losses in securities for the fiscal period due to the timing of capital share transactions in relation to the fluctuating market values of the Fund’s underlying securities.

(c) 

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

(d) 

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(e) 

Not annualized.

(f) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

(g) 

Annualized.

(h) 

Portfolio turnover rate includes portfolio transactions that are executed as a result of the Fund offering and redeeming Creation Units solely for cash in U.S. dollars (“cash creations”).

(i)    Portfolio turnover rate excluding cash creations was as follows:

       2        8        6        20        14        10
       

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L    I G H L I G H T  S

  71


Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    iShares MSCI UAE ETF  
 

 

 

 
   

Six Months Ended

02/28/23

(unaudited)

   

Year Ended

08/31/22

   

Year Ended

08/31/21

   

Year Ended

08/31/20

   

Year Ended

08/31/19

   

Year Ended

08/31/18

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

               $ 16.16     $ 14.82     $ 10.91     $ 14.09     $ 15.61     $ 17.74  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

      0.02       0.49       0.46       0.53       0.57       0.70  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(b)

      (1.51     1.50       3.96       (3.16     (1.54     (2.04
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

      (1.49     1.99       4.42       (2.63     (0.97     (1.34
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions from net investment income(c)

      (0.03     (0.65     (0.51     (0.55     (0.55     (0.79
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

    $ 14.64     $ 16.16     $ 14.82     $ 10.91     $ 14.09     $ 15.61  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

             

Based on net asset value

      (9.20 )%(e)      13.30     40.74     (18.43 )%      (5.95 )%      (7.55 )% 
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(f)

             

Total expenses

      0.59 %(g)      0.58     0.57     0.59     0.59     0.59
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

      0.25 %(g)      2.93     3.61     4.46     3.95     4.18
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

             

Net assets, end of period (000)

    $ 36,588     $ 37,966     $ 23,718     $ 38,177     $ 45,807     $ 39,018  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(h)

      14     52     112     67     55     33
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b) 

The amounts reported for a share outstanding may not accord with the change in aggregate gains and losses in securities for the fiscal period due to the timing of capital share transactions in relation to the fluctuating market values of the Fund’s underlying securities.

(c) 

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

(d) 

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(e) 

Not annualized.

(f) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

(g) 

Annualized.

(h) 

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) 

 

1.

ORGANIZATION

iShares Trust (the “Trust”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as an open-end management investment company. The Trust is organized as a Delaware statutory trust and is authorized to have multiple series or portfolios.

These financial statements relate only to the following funds (each, a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”):

 

   

iShares ETF

 

Diversification

Classification

 

MSCI Brazil Small-Cap

    Diversified  

MSCI China

    Non-diversified  

MSCI China Small-Cap

    Diversified  

MSCI Indonesia

    Non-diversified  

MSCI Peru

    Non-diversified  

MSCI Philippines

    Non-diversified  

MSCI Poland

    Non-diversified  

MSCI Qatar

    Non-diversified  

MSCI Saudi Arabia

    Non-diversified  

MSCI UAE

    Non-diversified  

 

2.

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”), which may require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities in the financial statements, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Each Fund is considered an investment company under U.S. GAAP and follows the accounting and reporting guidance applicable to investment companies. Below is a summary of significant accounting policies:

Investment Transactions and Income Recognition: For financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are recorded on the dates the transactions are executed. Realized gains and losses on investment transactions are determined using the specific identification method. Dividend income and capital gain distributions, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Non-cash dividends, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend date at fair value. Dividends from foreign securities where the ex-dividend date may have passed are subsequently recorded when the Funds are informed of the ex-dividend date. Under the applicable foreign tax laws, a withholding tax at various rates may be imposed on capital gains, dividends and interest. Upon notification from issuers or as estimated by management, a portion of the dividend income received from a real estate investment trust may be redesignated as a reduction of cost of the related investment and/or realized gain. Interest income, including amortization and accretion of premiums and discounts on debt securities, is recognized daily on an accrual basis.

Foreign Currency Translation: Each Fund’s books and records are maintained in U.S. dollars. Securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars using prevailing market rates as quoted by one or more data service providers. Purchases and sales of investments are recorded at the rates of exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions. Generally, when the U.S. dollar rises in value against a foreign currency, the investments denominated in that currency will lose value; the opposite effect occurs if the U.S. dollar falls in relative value.

Each Fund does not isolate the effect of fluctuations in foreign exchange rates from the effect of fluctuations in the market prices of investments for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, the effects of changes in exchange rates on investments are not segregated in the Statements of Operations from the effects of changes in market prices of those investments, but are included as a component of net realized and unrealized gain (loss) from investments. Each Fund reports realized currency gains (losses) on foreign currency related transactions as components of net realized gain (loss) for financial reporting purposes, whereas such components are generally treated as ordinary income for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Foreign Taxes: The Funds may be subject to foreign taxes (a portion of which may be reclaimable) on income, stock dividends, capital gains on investments, or certain foreign currency transactions. All foreign taxes are recorded in accordance with the applicable foreign tax regulations and rates that exist in the foreign jurisdictions in which each Fund invests. These foreign taxes, if any, are paid by each Fund and are reflected in its Statements of Operations as follows: foreign taxes withheld at source are presented as a reduction of income, foreign taxes on securities lending income are presented as a reduction of securities lending income, foreign taxes on stock dividends are presented as “Other foreign taxes”, and foreign taxes on capital gains from sales of investments and foreign taxes on foreign currency transactions are included in their respective net realized gain (loss) categories. Foreign taxes payable or deferred as of February 28, 2023, if any, are disclosed in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

The Funds file withholding tax reclaims in certain jurisdictions to recover a portion of amounts previously withheld. The Funds may record a reclaim receivable based on collectability, which includes factors such as the jurisdiction’s applicable laws, payment history and market convention. The Statements of Operations includes tax reclaims recorded as well as professional and other fees, if any, associated with recovery of foreign withholding taxes.

Collateralization: If required by an exchange or counterparty agreement, the Funds may be required to deliver/deposit cash and/or securities to/with an exchange, or broker-dealer or custodian as collateral for certain investments.

 

 

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

  73


Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

In-kind Redemptions: For financial reporting purposes, in-kind redemptions are treated as sales of securities resulting in realized capital gains or losses to the Funds. Because such gains or losses are not taxable to the Funds and are not distributed to existing Fund shareholders, the gains or losses are reclassified from accumulated net realized gain (loss) to paid-in capital at the end of the Funds’ tax year. These reclassifications have no effect on net assets or net asset value (“NAV”) per share.

Distributions: Dividends and distributions paid by each Fund are recorded on the ex-dividend dates. Distributions are determined on a tax basis and may differ from net investment income and net realized capital gains for financial reporting purposes. Dividends and distributions are paid in U.S. dollars and cannot be automatically reinvested in additional shares of the Funds.

The character and timing of distributions are determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP.

Indemnifications: In the normal course of business, each Fund enters into contracts that contain a variety of representations that provide general indemnification. The Funds’ maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown because it involves future potential claims against the Funds, which cannot be predicted with any certainty.

 

3.

INVESTMENT VALUATION AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Investment Valuation Policies: Each Fund’s investments are valued at fair value (also referred to as “market value” within the financial statements) each day that the Fund’s listing exchange is open and, for financial reporting purposes, as of the report date. U.S. GAAP defines fair value as the price a fund would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”) of each Fund has approved the designation of BlackRock Fund Advisors (“BFA”), the Funds’ investment adviser, as the valuation designee for each Fund. Each Fund determines the fair values of its financial instruments using various independent dealers or pricing services under BFA’s policies. If a security’s market price is not readily available or does not otherwise accurately represent the fair value of the security, the security will be valued in accordance with BFA’s policies and procedures as reflecting fair value. BFA has formed a committee (the “Valuation Committee”) to develop pricing policies and procedures and to oversee the pricing function for all financial instruments, with assistance from other BlackRock pricing committees.

Fair Value Inputs and Methodologies: The following methods and inputs are used to establish the fair value of each Fund’s assets and liabilities:

 

   

Equity investments traded on a recognized securities exchange are valued at that day’s official closing price, as applicable, on the exchange where the stock is primarily traded. Equity investments traded on a recognized exchange for which there were no sales on that day are valued at the last traded price.

 

   

Investments in open-end U.S. mutual funds (including money market funds) are valued at that day’s published NAV.

 

   

Futures contracts are valued based on that day’s last reported settlement or trade price on the exchange where the contract is traded.

Generally, trading in foreign instruments is substantially completed each day at various times prior to the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”). Each business day, the Funds use current market factors supplied by independent pricing services to value certain foreign instruments (“Systematic Fair Value Price”). The Systematic Fair Value Price is designed to value such foreign securities at fair value as of the close of trading on the NYSE, which follows the close of the local markets.

If events (e.g., market volatility, company announcement or a natural disaster) occur that are expected to materially affect the value of such investment, or in the event that application of these methods of valuation results in a price for an investment that is deemed not to be representative of the market value of such investment, or if a price is not available, the investment will be valued by the Valuation Committee, in accordance with BFA’s policies and procedures as reflecting fair value (“Fair Valued Investments”). The fair valuation approaches that may be used by the Valuation Committee include market approach, income approach and cost approach. Valuation techniques such as discounted cash flow, use of market comparables and matrix pricing are types of valuation approaches and are typically used in determining fair value. When determining the price for Fair Valued Investments, the Valuation Committee seeks to determine the price that each Fund might reasonably expect to receive or pay from the current sale or purchase of that asset or liability in an arm’s-length transaction. Fair value determinations shall be based upon all available factors that the Valuation Committee deems relevant and consistent with the principles of fair value measurement.

Fair value pricing could result in a difference between the prices used to calculate a fund’s NAV and the prices used by the fund’s underlying index, which in turn could result in a difference between the fund’s performance and the performance of the fund’s underlying index.

Fair Value Hierarchy: Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments. These inputs to valuation techniques are categorized into a fair value hierarchy consisting of three broad levels for financial reporting purposes as follows:

 

   

Level 1 – Unadjusted price quotations in active markets/exchanges for identical assets or liabilities that each Fund has the ability to access;

 

   

Level 2 – Other observable inputs (including, but not limited to, quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in markets that are active, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the assets or liabilities (such as interest rates, yield curves, volatilities, prepayment speeds, loss severities, credit risks and default rates) or other market-corroborated inputs); and

 

   

Level 3 – Unobservable inputs based on the best information available in the circumstances, to the extent observable inputs are not available, (including the Valuation Committee’s assumptions used in determining the fair value of financial instruments).

The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized in Level 3.

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

The inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, for disclosure purposes, the fair value hierarchy classification is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. Investments classified within Level 3 have significant unobservable inputs used by the Valuation Committee in determining the price for Fair Valued Investments. Level 3 investments include equity or debt issued by privately held companies or funds that may not have a secondary market and/or may have a limited number of investors. The categorization of a value determined for financial instruments is based on the pricing transparency of the financial instruments and is not necessarily an indication of the risks associated with investing in those securities.

 

4.

SECURITIES AND OTHER INVESTMENTS

Securities Lending: Each Fund may lend its securities to approved borrowers, such as brokers, dealers and other financial institutions. The borrower pledges and maintains with the Fund collateral consisting of cash, an irrevocable letter of credit issued by an approved bank, or securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government. The initial collateral received by each Fund is required to have a value of at least 102% of the current market value of the loaned securities for securities traded on U.S. exchanges and a value of at least 105% for all other securities. The collateral is maintained thereafter at a value equal to at least 100% of the current value of the securities on loan. The market value of the loaned securities is determined at the close of each business day of the Fund and any additional required collateral is delivered to the Fund or excess collateral is returned by the Fund, on the next business day. During the term of the loan, each Fund is entitled to all distributions made on or in respect of the loaned securities but does not receive interest income on securities received as collateral. Loans of securities are terminable at any time and the borrower, after notice, is required to return borrowed securities within the standard time period for settlement of securities transactions.

As of period end, any securities on loan were collateralized by cash and/or U.S. Government obligations. Cash collateral invested in money market funds managed by BFA, or its affiliates is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments. Any non-cash collateral received cannot be sold, re-invested or pledged by the Fund, except in the event of borrower default. The securities on loan, if any, are also disclosed in each Fund’s Schedule of Investments. The market value of any securities on loan and the value of any related cash collateral are disclosed in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

Securities lending transactions are entered into by the Funds under Master Securities Lending Agreements (each, an “MSLA”) which provide the right, in the event of default (including bankruptcy or insolvency) for the non-defaulting party to liquidate the collateral and calculate a net exposure to the defaulting party or request additional collateral. In the event that a borrower defaults, the Funds, as lender, would offset the market value of the collateral received against the market value of the securities loaned. When the value of the collateral is greater than that of the market value of the securities loaned, the lender is left with a net amount payable to the defaulting party. However, bankruptcy or insolvency laws of a particular jurisdiction may impose restrictions on or prohibitions against such a right of offset in the event of an MSLA counterparty’s bankruptcy or insolvency. Under the MSLA, absent an event of default, the borrower can resell or re-pledge the loaned securities, and the Funds can reinvest cash collateral received in connection with loaned securities. Upon an event of default, the parties’ obligations to return the securities or collateral to the other party are extinguished, and the parties can resell or re-pledge the loaned securities or the collateral received in connection with the loaned securities in order to satisfy the defaulting party’s net payment obligation for all transactions under the MSLA. The defaulting party remains liable for any deficiency.

As of period end, the following table is a summary of the securities on loan by counterparty which are subject to offset under an MSLA:

 

 

 

iShares ETF and Counterparty

   

Securities Loaned

at Value

 

 

    

Cash Collateral

Received

 

(a)  

   

Non-Cash Collateral

Received, at Fair Value

 

(a) 

 

 

Net Amount

 

 

 

MSCI China

        

Barclays Bank PLC

  $ 5,432,238      $ (5,432,238   $     $  

Barclays Capital, Inc.

    2,345,707        (2,345,707            

BNP Paribas SA

    37,330,249        (37,330,249            

BofA Securities, Inc.

    18,189,091        (18,189,091            

Citadel Clearing LLC

    28,089        (28,089            

Citigroup Global Markets, Inc.

    8,412,759        (8,412,759            

Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC

    525,833        (525,833            

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC

    11,138,642        (11,138,642            

HSBC Bank PLC

    6,961,781        (6,961,781            

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

    18,404,254        (18,404,254            

Jefferies LLC

    366,210        (366,210            

Macquarie Bank Ltd.

    3,783,863        (3,783,863            

Morgan Stanley

    47,692,833        (47,692,833            

Nomura Securities International, Inc.

    1,819,782        (1,819,782            

State Street Bank & Trust Co.

    49,081        (49,081            

Toronto-Dominion Bank

    7,381,891        (7,381,891            

UBS AG

    1,800,063        (1,800,063            

UBS Securities LLC

    409,530        (409,530            

Virtu Americas LLC

    861,979        (861,979            

Wells Fargo Bank N.A.

    136,595        (136,595            
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  $ 173,070,470      $ (173,070,470   $     $  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

 

 

iShares ETF and Counterparty

   

Securities Loaned

at Value

 

 

    

Cash Collateral

Received

 

(a)  

   

Non-Cash Collateral

Received, at Fair Value

 

(a) 

 

 

Net Amount

 

 

 

MSCI China Small-Cap

        

Barclays Bank PLC

  $ 382,577      $ (382,577   $     $  

Barclays Capital, Inc.

    1,474,711        (1,474,711            

BNP Paribas SA

    452,736        (452,736            

BofA Securities, Inc.

    2,278,914        (2,278,914            

Citigroup Global Markets, Inc.

    1,055,034        (1,055,034            

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC

    1,149,078        (1,149,078            

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

    2,367,481        (2,367,481            

Morgan Stanley

    3,693,798        (3,693,798            

Nomura Securities International, Inc.

    12,615        (12,615            

SG Americas Securities LLC

    1,016,802        (1,016,802            

UBS AG

    433,668        (433,668            

UBS Securities LLC

    4,075        (4,000           75 (b)  

Wells Fargo Bank N.A.

    306,432        (306,432            
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  $ 14,627,921      $ (14,627,846   $     $ 75  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

MSCI Poland

        

BofA Securities, Inc.

  $ 54,166      $ (54,166   $     $  

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC

    8,075,399        (8,075,399            

Morgan Stanley

    1,175,898        (1,175,898            
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  $ 9,305,463      $ (9,305,463   $     $  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Collateral received, if any, in excess of the market value of securities on loan is not presented in this table. The total cash collateral received by each Fund is disclosed in the Fund’s Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

 
  (b) 

The market value of the loaned securities is determined as of February 28, 2023. Additional collateral is delivered to the Fund on the next business day in accordance with the MSLA. The net amount would be subject to the borrower default indemnity in the event of default by a counterparty.

 

The risks of securities lending include the risk that the borrower may not provide additional collateral when required or may not return the securities when due. To mitigate these risks, each Fund benefits from a borrower default indemnity provided by BlackRock, Inc. (“BlackRock”). BlackRock’s indemnity allows for full replacement of the securities loaned to the extent the collateral received does not cover the value of the securities loaned in the event of borrower default. Each Fund could incur a loss if the value of an investment purchased with cash collateral falls below the market value of the loaned securities or if the value of an investment purchased with cash collateral falls below the value of the original cash collateral received. Such losses are borne entirely by each Fund.

 

5.

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Futures Contracts: Futures contracts are purchased or sold to gain exposure to, or manage exposure to, changes in interest rates (interest rate risk) and changes in the value of equity securities (equity risk) or foreign currencies (foreign currency exchange rate risk).

Futures contracts are exchange-traded agreements between the Funds and a counterparty to buy or sell a specific quantity of an underlying instrument at a specified price and on a specified date. Depending on the terms of a contract, it is settled either through physical delivery of the underlying instrument on the settlement date or by payment of a cash amount on the settlement date. Upon entering into a futures contract, the Funds are required to deposit initial margin with the broker in the form of cash or securities in an amount that varies depending on a contract’s size and risk profile. The initial margin deposit must then be maintained at an established level over the life of the contract. Amounts pledged, which are considered restricted, are included in cash pledged for futures contracts in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

Securities deposited as initial margin are designated in the Schedule of Investments and cash deposited, if any, are shown as cash pledged for futures contracts in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. Pursuant to the contract, the Funds agree to receive from or pay to the broker an amount of cash equal to the daily fluctuation in market value of the contract (“variation margin”). Variation margin is recorded as unrealized appreciation (depreciation) and, if any, shown as variation margin receivable (or payable) on futures contracts in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. When the contract is closed, a realized gain or loss is recorded in the Statements of Operations equal to the difference between the notional amount of the contract at the time it was opened and the notional amount at the time it was closed. The use of futures contracts involves the risk of an imperfect correlation in the movements in the price of futures contracts and interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates or underlying assets.

 

6.

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

Investment Advisory Fees: Pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement with the Trust, BFA manages the investment of each Fund’s assets. BFA is a California corporation indirectly owned by BlackRock. Under the Investment Advisory Agreement, BFA is responsible for substantially all expenses of the Funds, except (i) interest and taxes; (ii) brokerage commissions and other expenses connected with the execution of portfolio transactions; (iii) distribution fees; (iv) the advisory fee payable to BFA; and (v) litigation expenses and any extraordinary expenses (in each case as determined by a majority of the independent trustees).

For its investment advisory services to each of the iShares MSCI Brazil Small-Cap, iShares MSCI China, iShares MSCI China Small-Cap, iShares MSCI Indonesia, iShares MSCI Peru, iShares MSCI Philippines, iShares MSCI Poland, iShares MSCI Qatar and iShares MSCI UAE ETFs, BFA is entitled to an annual investment advisory fee,

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

accrued daily and paid monthly by the Funds, based on each Fund’s allocable portion of the aggregate of the average daily net assets of the Fund and certain other iShares funds, as follows:

 

   
Aggregate Average Daily Net Assets   Investment Advisory Fees  

First $2 billion

    0.7400

Over $2 billion, up to and including $4 billion

    0.6900  

Over $4 billion, up to and including $8 billion

    0.6400  

Over $8 billion, up to and including $16 billion

    0.5700  

Over $16 billion, up to and including $24 billion

    0.5100  

Over $24 billion, up to and including $32 billion

    0.4800  

Over $32 billion, up to and including $40 billion

    0.4500  

Over $40 billion

    0.4275  

For its investment advisory services to the iShares MSCI Saudi Arabia ETF, BFA is entitled to an annual investment advisory fee of 0.74%, accrued daily and paid monthly by the Fund, based on the average daily net assets of the Fund.

Distributor: BlackRock Investments, LLC, an affiliate of BFA, is the distributor for each Fund. Pursuant to the distribution agreement, BFA is responsible for any fees or expenses for distribution services provided to the Funds.

Securities Lending: The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) has issued an exemptive order which permits BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A. (“BTC”), an affiliate of BFA, to serve as securities lending agent for the Funds, subject to applicable conditions. As securities lending agent, BTC bears all operational costs directly related to securities lending, including any custodial costs. Each Fund is responsible for fees in connection with the investment of cash collateral received for securities on loan (the “collateral investment fees”). The cash collateral is invested in a money market fund, BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional or BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, managed by BFA, or its affiliates. However, BTC has agreed to reduce the amount of securities lending income it receives in order to effectively limit the collateral investment fees each Fund bears to an annual rate of 0.04%. The SL Agency Shares of such money market fund will not be subject to a sales load, distribution fee or service fee. The money market fund in which the cash collateral has been invested may, under certain circumstances, impose a liquidity fee of up to 2% of the value redeemed or temporarily restrict redemptions for up to 10 business days during a 90 day period, in the event that the money market fund’s weekly liquid assets fall below certain thresholds.

Securities lending income is equal to the total of income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral, net of fees and other payments to and from borrowers of securities, and less the collateral investment fees. Each Fund retains a portion of securities lending income and remits the remaining portion to BTC as compensation for its services as securities lending agent.

Pursuant to the current securities lending agreement, each Fund retains 82% of securities lending income (which excludes collateral investment fees), and the amount retained can never be less than 70% of the total of securities lending income plus the collateral investment fees.

In addition, commencing the business day following the date that the aggregate securities lending income plus the collateral investment fees generated across all 1940 Act iShares exchange-traded funds (the “iShares ETF Complex”) in that calendar year exceeds a specified threshold, each Fund, pursuant to the securities lending agreement, will retain for the remainder of that calendar year 85% of securities lending income (which excludes collateral investment fees), and the amount retained can never be less than 70% of the total of securities lending income plus the collateral investment fees.

The share of securities lending income earned by each Fund is shown as securities lending income – affiliated – net in its Statements of Operations. For the six months ended February 28, 2023, the Funds paid BTC the following amounts for securities lending agent services:

 

   
iShares ETF   Amounts  

MSCI China

  $  298,733  

MSCI China Small-Cap

    85,061  

MSCI Poland

    13,781  

Officers and Trustees: Certain officers and/or trustees of the Trust are officers and/or trustees of BlackRock or its affiliates.

Other Transactions: Cross trading is the buying or selling of portfolio securities between funds to which BFA (or an affiliate) serves as investment adviser. At its regularly scheduled quarterly meetings, the Board reviews such transactions as of the most recent calendar quarter for compliance with the requirements and restrictions set forth by Rule 17a-7.

For the six months ended February 28, 2023, transactions executed by the Funds pursuant to Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act were as follows:

 

iShares ETF

 

Purchases

    

Sales

    

Net Realized

Gain (Loss)

 

MSCI China

  $  22,833,287      $  24,626,660      $ (24,170,456

MSCI China Small-Cap

    6,712,097        5,224,222        2,116,527  

MSCI Peru

    1,484,676        396,711        (149,382

MSCI Poland

    432,282        117,344        (40,627

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

Each Fund may invest its positive cash balances in certain money market funds managed by BFA or an affiliate. The income earned on these temporary cash investments is shown as dividends – affiliated in the Statements of Operations.

A fund, in order to improve its portfolio liquidity and its ability to track its underlying index, may invest in shares of other iShares funds that invest in securities in the fund’s underlying index.

 

7.

PURCHASES AND SALES

For the six months ended February 28, 2023, purchases and sales of investments, excluding short-term securities and in-kind transactions, were as follows:

 

iShares ETF   Purchases      Sales  

MSCI Brazil Small-Cap

  $ 24,335,707      $ 17,279,999  

MSCI China

      1,539,811,503          401,305,739  

MSCI China Small-Cap

    27,939,853        14,808,348  

MSCI Indonesia

    29,864,172        46,132,419  

MSCI Peru

    14,321,501        16,173,857  

MSCI Philippines

    10,097,694        9,423,294  

MSCI Poland

    10,988,147        13,492,502  

MSCI Qatar

    3,558,543        14,101,356  

MSCI Saudi Arabia

    38,972,819        146,587,899  

MSCI UAE

    7,323,069        5,171,369  

For the six months ended February 28, 2023, in-kind transactions were as follows:    

 

iShares ETF

 

In-kind

Purchases

    

In-kind

Sales

 

MSCI China

  $  122,700,426      $  417,540,798  

MSCI China Small-Cap

    1,970,294         

MSCI Indonesia

    143,418,824        106,268,805  

MSCI Peru

    9,810,357        28,151,941  

MSCI Philippines

    40,624,318        11,841,249  

MSCI Poland

    94,807,872        75,875,238  

 

8.

INCOME TAX INFORMATION

Each Fund is treated as an entity separate from the Trust’s other funds for federal income tax purposes. It is each Fund’s policy to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, applicable to regulated investment companies, and to distribute substantially all of its taxable income to its shareholders. Therefore, no U.S. federal income tax provision is required.

Management has analyzed tax laws and regulations and their application to the Funds as of February 28, 2023, inclusive of the open tax return years, and does not believe that there are any uncertain tax positions that require recognition of a tax liability in the Funds’ financial statements.

As of August 31, 2022, the Funds had non-expiring capital loss carryforwards available to offset future realized capital gains as follows:

 

iShares ETF   Amounts  

MSCI Brazil Small-Cap

  $ 59,632,998  

MSCI China

    943,741,690  

MSCI China Small-Cap

    16,247,124  

MSCI Indonesia

    174,454,845  

MSCI Peru

    161,123,009  

MSCI Philippines

    67,914,213  

MSCI Poland

    139,112,019  

MSCI Qatar

    16,705,358  

MSCI Saudi Arabia

    79,260,119  

MSCI UAE

    36,780,655  

A fund may own shares in certain foreign investment entities, referred to, under U.S. tax law, as “passive foreign investment companies.” Such fund may elect to mark-to-market annually the shares of each passive foreign investment company and would be required to distribute to shareholders any such marked-to-market gains.

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

As of February 28, 2023, gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation based on cost of investments (including short positions and derivatives, if any) for U.S. federal income tax purposes were as follows:

 

iShares ETF

 

Tax Cost

    

Gross Unrealized

Appreciation

    

Gross Unrealized

Depreciation

   

Net Unrealized

Appreciation

(Depreciation)

 

MSCI Brazil Small-Cap

  $ 91,793,318      $ 11,501,721      $ (27,364,954   $ (15,863,233

MSCI China

    9,900,999,798        395,372,134        (1,816,488,523     (1,421,116,389

MSCI China Small-Cap

    106,835,670        6,933,193        (21,660,052     (14,726,859

MSCI Indonesia

    541,499,702        19,893,402        (118,096,316     (98,202,914

MSCI Peru

    161,413,074        2,331,309        (39,564,723     (37,233,414

MSCI Philippines

    174,345,141        1,388,396        (38,164,225     (36,775,829

MSCI Poland

    311,128,530        2,661,566        (107,348,658     (104,687,092

MSCI Qatar

    64,266,903        15,403,896        (11,584,341     3,819,555  

MSCI Saudi Arabia

    737,593,345        195,309,647        (99,689,762     95,619,885  

MSCI UAE

    39,555,858        6,059,391        (9,046,955     (2,987,564

 

9.

LINE OF CREDIT

The iShares MSCI Brazil Small-Cap ETF, iShares MSCI China ETF, iShares MSCI Qatar ETF, iShares MSCI Saudi Arabia ETF and iShares MSCI UAE ETF, along with certain other iShares funds (“Participating Funds”), are parties to a $800 million credit agreement (“Syndicated Credit Agreement”) with a group of lenders, which expires on August 11, 2023. The line of credit may be used for temporary or emergency purposes, including redemptions, settlement of trades and rebalancing of portfolio holdings in certain target markets. The Funds may borrow up to the aggregate commitment amount subject to asset coverage and other limitations as specified in the Syndicated Credit Agreement. The Syndicated Credit Agreement has the following terms: a commitment fee of 0.15% per annum on the unused portion of the credit agreement and interest at a rate equal to the higher of (a) Daily Simple Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) plus 0.10% and 1.00% per annum or (b) the U.S. Federal Funds rate plus 1.00% per annum on amounts borrowed. The commitment fee is generally allocated to each Participating Fund based on the lesser of a Participating Fund’s relative exposure to certain target markets or a Participating Fund’s maximum borrowing amount as set forth by the terms of the Syndicated Credit Agreement.

During the six months ended February 28, 2023, the Funds did not borrow under the Syndicated Credit Agreement.

 

10.

PRINCIPAL RISKS

In the normal course of business, each Fund invests in securities or other instruments and may enter into certain transactions, and such activities subject the Fund to various risks, including, among others, fluctuations in the market (market risk) or failure of an issuer to meet all of its obligations. The value of securities or other instruments may also be affected by various factors, including, without limitation: (i) the general economy; (ii) the overall market as well as local, regional or global political and/or social instability; (iii) regulation, taxation or international tax treaties between various countries; or (iv) currency, interest rate or price fluctuations. Local, regional or global events such as war, acts of terrorism, the spread of infectious illness or other public health issues, recessions, or other events could have a significant impact on the Funds and their investments. Each Fund’s prospectus provides details of the risks to which the Fund is subject.

BFA uses a “passive” or index approach to try to achieve each Fund’s investment objective following the securities included in its underlying index during upturns as well as downturns. BFA does not take steps to reduce market exposure or to lessen the effects of a declining market. Divergence from the underlying index and the composition of the portfolio is monitored by BFA.

The Funds may be exposed to additional risks when reinvesting cash collateral in money market funds that do not seek to maintain a stable NAV per share of $1.00, which may be subject to redemption gates or liquidity fees under certain circumstances.

Infectious Illness Risk: An outbreak of an infectious illness, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, may adversely impact the economies of many nations and the global economy, and may impact individual issuers and capital markets in ways that cannot be foreseen. An infectious illness outbreak may result in, among other things, closed international borders, prolonged quarantines, supply chain disruptions, market volatility or disruptions and other significant economic, social and political impacts.

Valuation Risk: The market values of equities, such as common stocks and preferred securities or equity related investments, such as futures and options, may decline due to general market conditions which are not specifically related to a particular company. They may also decline due to factors which affect a particular industry or industries. A fund may invest in illiquid investments. An illiquid investment is any investment that a fund reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment. A fund may experience difficulty in selling illiquid investments in a timely manner at the price that it believes the investments are worth. Prices may fluctuate widely over short or extended periods in response to company, market or economic news. Markets also tend to move in cycles, with periods of rising and falling prices. This volatility may cause a fund’s NAV to experience significant increases or decreases over short periods of time. If there is a general decline in the securities and other markets, the NAV of a fund may lose value, regardless of the individual results of the securities and other instruments in which a fund invests.

The price each Fund could receive upon the sale of any particular portfolio investment may differ from each Fund’s valuation of the investment, particularly for securities that trade in thin or volatile markets or that are valued using a fair valuation technique or a price provided by an independent pricing service. Changes to significant unobservable inputs and assumptions (i.e., publicly traded company multiples, growth rate, time to exit) due to the lack of observable inputs.

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

Counterparty Credit Risk: The Funds may be exposed to counterparty credit risk, or the risk that an entity may fail to or be unable to perform on its commitments related to unsettled or open transactions, including making timely interest and/or principal payments or otherwise honoring its obligations. The Funds manage counterparty credit risk by entering into transactions only with counterparties that BFA believes have the financial resources to honor their obligations and by monitoring the financial stability of those counterparties. Financial assets, which potentially expose the Funds to market, issuer and counterparty credit risks, consist principally of financial instruments and receivables due from counterparties. The extent of the Funds’ exposure to market, issuer and counterparty credit risks with respect to these financial assets is approximately their value recorded in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities, less any collateral held by the Funds.

A derivative contract may suffer a mark-to-market loss if the value of the contract decreases due to an unfavorable change in the market rates or values of the underlying instrument. Losses can also occur if the counterparty does not perform under the contract.

With exchange-traded futures, there is less counterparty credit risk to the Funds since the exchange or clearinghouse, as counterparty to such instruments, guarantees against a possible default. The clearinghouse stands between the buyer and the seller of the contract; therefore, credit risk is limited to failure of the clearinghouse. While offset rights may exist under applicable law, a fund does not have a contractual right of offset against a clearing broker or clearinghouse in the event of a default (including the bankruptcy or insolvency). Additionally, credit risk exists in exchange-traded futures with respect to initial and variation margin that is held in a clearing broker’s customer accounts. While clearing brokers are required to segregate customer margin from their own assets, in the event that a clearing broker becomes insolvent or goes into bankruptcy and at that time there is a shortfall in the aggregate amount of margin held by the clearing broker for all its clients, typically the shortfall would be allocated on a pro rata basis across all the clearing broker’s customers, potentially resulting in losses to the Funds.

Concentration Risk: A diversified portfolio, where this is appropriate and consistent with a fund’s objectives, minimizes the risk that a price change of a particular investment will have a material impact on the NAV of a fund. The investment concentrations within each Fund’s portfolio are disclosed in its Schedule of Investments.

Certain Funds invest a significant portion of their assets in issuers located in a single country or a limited number of countries. When a fund concentrates its investments in this manner, it assumes the risk that economic, regulatory, political and social conditions in that country or those countries may have a significant impact on the fund and could affect the income from, or the value or liquidity of, the Fund’s portfolio. Unanticipated or sudden political or social developments may cause uncertainty in the markets and as a result adversely affect the Fund’s investments. Foreign issuers may not be subject to the same uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and practices as used in the United States. Foreign securities markets may also be more volatile and less liquid than U.S. securities and may be less subject to governmental supervision not typically associated with investing in U.S. securities. Investment percentages in specific countries are presented in the Schedule of Investments.

Certain Funds invest a significant portion of their assets in securities of issuers located in China or with significant exposure to Chinese issuers. Investments in Chinese securities, including certain Hong Kong-listed securities, involve risks specific to China. China may be subject to considerable degrees of economic, political and social instability and demonstrates significantly higher volatility from time to time in comparison to developed markets. Chinese markets generally continue to experience inefficiency, volatility and pricing anomalies resulting from governmental influence, a lack of publicly available information and/or political and social instability. Internal social unrest or confrontations with other neighboring countries may disrupt economic development in China and result in a greater risk of currency fluctuations, currency non-convertibility, interest rate fluctuations and higher rates of inflation. Incidents involving China’s or the region’s security may cause uncertainty in Chinese markets and may adversely affect the Chinese economy and a fund’s investments. Reduction in spending on Chinese products and services, institution of tariffs or other trade barriers, or a downturn in any of the economies of China’s key trading partners may have an adverse impact on the Chinese economy. In addition, measures may be taken to limit the flow of capital and/or sanctions may be imposed, which could prohibit or restrict the ability to own or transfer fund assets and may also include retaliatory actions, such as seizure of fund assets.

Certain Funds invest a significant portion of their assets in securities of issuers located in Asia or with significant exposure to Asian issuers or countries. The Asian financial markets have recently experienced volatility and adverse trends due to concerns in several Asian countries regarding monetary policy, government intervention in the markets, rising government debt levels or economic downturns. These events may spread to other countries in Asia and may affect the value and liquidity of certain of the Funds’ investments.

Certain Funds invest a significant portion of their assets in securities within a single or limited number of market sectors. When a fund concentrates its investments in this manner, it assumes the risk that economic, regulatory, political and social conditions affecting such sectors may have a significant impact on the fund and could affect the income from, or the value or liquidity of, the fund’s portfolio. Investment percentages in specific sectors are presented in the Schedule of Investments.

Significant Shareholder Redemption Risk: Certain shareholders may own or manage a substantial amount of fund shares and/or hold their fund investments for a limited period of time. Large redemptions of fund shares by these shareholders may force a fund to sell portfolio securities, which may negatively impact the fund’s NAV, increase the fund’s brokerage costs, and/or accelerate the realization of taxable income/gains and cause the fund to make additional taxable distributions to shareholders.

LIBOR Transition Risk: The Funds may be exposed to financial instruments that are tied to the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) to determine payment obligations, financing terms, hedging strategies or investment value. The United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority, which regulates LIBOR, announced that a majority of USD LIBOR settings will no longer be published after June 30, 2023. All other LIBOR settings and certain other interbank offered rates ceased to be published after December 31, 2021. SOFR has been used increasingly on a voluntary basis in new instruments and transactions. The Federal Reserve Board adopted regulations that provide a fallback mechanism by identifying benchmark rates based on SOFR that will replace LIBOR in certain financial contracts after June 30, 2023. The ultimate effect of the LIBOR transition process on the Funds is uncertain.

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

11.

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

Capital shares are issued and redeemed by each Fund only in aggregations of a specified number of shares or multiples thereof (“Creation Units”) at NAV. Except when aggregated in Creation Units, shares of each Fund are not redeemable.

Transactions in capital shares were as follows:

 

 

 
   

Six Months Ended

02/28/23

          

Year Ended

08/31/22

 
 

 

 

      

 

 

 
iShares ETF   Shares            Amount            Shares            Amount  

 

 

MSCI Brazil Small-Cap

                

Shares sold

    600,000        $ 7,925,933          1,550,000        $ 20,799,927  

Shares redeemed

                      (1,650,000        (24,179,169
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
    600,000        $ 7,925,933          (100,000      $ (3,379,242
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

MSCI China

                

Shares sold

    30,800,000        $ 1,475,749,175          71,000,000        $ 4,051,227,026  

Shares redeemed

    (14,600,000        (587,259,073        (800,000        (39,572,520
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
    16,200,000        $ 888,490,102          70,200,000        $ 4,011,654,506  
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

MSCI China Small-Cap

                

Shares sold

    500,000        $ 15,731,111          100,000        $ 4,311,829  

Shares redeemed

                      (150,000        (7,185,087
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
    500,000        $ 15,731,111          (50,000      $ (2,873,258
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

MSCI Indonesia

                

Shares sold

    6,050,000        $ 143,953,847          11,350,000        $ 273,842,673  

Shares redeemed

    (5,200,000        (120,172,307        (9,350,000        (219,014,754
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
    850,000        $ 23,781,540          2,000,000        $ 54,827,919  
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

MSCI Peru

                

Shares sold

    350,000        $ 10,738,920          8,450,000        $ 262,036,259  

Shares redeemed

    (1,100,000        (30,239,113        (7,000,000        (217,933,317
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
    (750,000      $ (19,500,193        1,450,000        $ 44,102,942  
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

MSCI Philippines

                

Shares sold

    1,500,000        $ 40,747,736          3,750,000        $ 115,441,475  

Shares redeemed

    (450,000        (11,844,825        (3,750,000        (113,587,155
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
    1,050,000        $ 28,902,911                 $ 1,854,320  
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

MSCI Poland

                

Shares sold

    7,000,000        $ 95,556,059          5,750,000        $ 122,087,777  

Shares redeemed

    (5,050,000        (76,635,455        (7,700,000        (146,818,141
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
    1,950,000        $ 18,920,604          (1,950,000      $ (24,730,364
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

MSCI Qatar

                

Shares sold

           $ 57,990          1,200,000        $ 26,058,936  

Shares redeemed

    (550,000        (11,309,847        (1,350,000        (29,471,449
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
    (550,000      $ (11,251,857        (150,000      $ (3,412,513
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

MSCI Saudi Arabia

                

Shares sold

    500,000        $ 21,758,734          10,850,000        $ 493,999,432  

Shares redeemed

    (3,100,000        (125,062,604        (7,150,000        (318,349,698
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
    (2,600,000      $ (103,303,870        3,700,000        $ 175,649,734  
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

MSCI UAE

                

Shares sold

    150,000        $ 2,222,434          1,350,000        $ 23,345,364  

Shares redeemed

                      (600,000        (9,689,972
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
    150,000        $ 2,222,434          750,000        $ 13,655,392  
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

The consideration for the purchase of Creation Units of a fund in the Trust generally consists of the in-kind deposit of a designated portfolio of securities and a specified amount of cash. Certain funds in the Trust may be offered in Creation Units solely or partially for cash in U.S. dollars. Investors purchasing and redeeming Creation Units may pay a purchase transaction fee and a redemption transaction fee directly to State Street Bank and Trust Company, the Trust’s administrator, to offset transfer and other transaction costs associated with the issuance and redemption of Creation Units, including Creation Units for cash. Investors transacting in Creation Units for cash may also pay an additional variable charge to compensate the relevant fund for certain transaction costs (i.e., stamp taxes, taxes on currency or other financial transactions, and brokerage costs) and market impact expenses relating to investing in portfolio securities. Such variable charges, if any, are included in shares sold in the table above.

 

 

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

  81


Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

From time to time, settlement of securities related to in-kind contributions or in-kind redemptions may be delayed. In such cases, securities related to in-kind transactions are reflected as a receivable or a payable in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

 

12.

FOREIGN WITHHOLDING TAX CLAIMS

The iShares MSCI Poland ETF is seeking a closing agreement with the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) to address any prior years’ U.S. income tax liabilities attributable to Fund shareholders resulting from the recovery of foreign taxes. The closing agreement would result in the Fund paying a compliance fee to the IRS, on behalf of its shareholders, representing the estimated tax savings generated from foreign tax credits claimed by Fund shareholders on their tax returns in prior years. The Fund has accrued a liability for the estimated IRS compliance fee related to foreign withholding tax claims, which is disclosed in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The actual IRS compliance fee may differ from the estimate and that difference may be material.

13. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Management’s evaluation of the impact of all subsequent events on the Funds’ financial statements was completed through the date the financial statements were available to be issued and the following items were noted:

On March 29, 2023, the Board approved a proposal to change the name of MSCI Peru to MSCI Peru and Global Exposure as well as the Fund’s investment objective. These changes became effective on April 10, 2023.

 

 

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Statement Regarding Liquidity Risk Management Program (unaudited)

 

In compliance with Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Liquidity Rule”), iShares Trust (the “Trust”) has adopted and implemented a liquidity risk management program (the “Program”) for iShares MSCI Brazil Small-Cap ETF, iShares MSCI China ETF, iShares MSCI China Small-Cap ETF, iShares MSCI Indonesia ETF, iShares MSCI Peru ETF, iShares MSCI Philippines ETF, iShares MSCI Poland ETF, iShares MSCI Qatar ETF, iShares MSCI Saudi Arabia ETF and iShares MSCI UAE ETF (the “Funds” or “ETFs”), each a series of the Trust, which is reasonably designed to assess and manage each Fund’s liquidity risk.

The Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of the Trust, on behalf of the Funds, met on December 9, 2022 (the “Meeting”) to review the Program. The Board previously appointed BlackRock Fund Advisors (“BlackRock”), the investment adviser to the Funds, as the program administrator for each Fund’s Program. BlackRock also previously delegated oversight of the Program to the 40 Act Liquidity Risk Management Committee (the “Committee”). At the Meeting, the Committee, on behalf of BlackRock, provided the Board with a report that addressed the operation of the Program and assessed its adequacy and effectiveness of implementation, including the management of each Fund’s Highly Liquid Investment Minimum (“HLIM”) where applicable, and any material changes to the Program (the “Report”). The Report covered the period from October 1, 2021 through September 30, 2022 (the “Program Reporting Period”).

The Report described the Program’s liquidity classification methodology for categorizing each Fund’s investments (including derivative transactions) into one of four liquidity buckets. It also referenced the methodology used by BlackRock to establish each Fund’s HLIM and noted that the Committee reviews and ratifies the HLIM assigned to each Fund no less frequently than annually. The Report also discussed notable events affecting liquidity over the Program Reporting Period, including extended market holidays, the imposition of capital controls in certain non-U.S. countries, Russian sanctions and the closure of the Russian securities market.

The Report noted that the Program complied with the key factors for consideration under the Liquidity Rule for assessing, managing and periodically reviewing each Fund’s liquidity risk, as follows:

 

  a)

The Fund’s investment strategy and liquidity of portfolio investments during both normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions. During the Program Reporting Period, the Committee reviewed whether each Fund’s strategy is appropriate for an open-end fund structure, with a focus on funds with more significant and consistent holdings of less liquid and illiquid assets. The Committee also factored a fund’s concentration in an issuer into the liquidity classification methodology by taking issuer position sizes into account. Derivative exposure was also considered in the calculation of a fund’s liquidity bucketing. Finally, a factor for consideration under the Liquidity Rule is a Fund’s use of borrowings for investment purposes. However, the Funds do not borrow for investment purposes.

 

  b)

Short-term and long-term cash flow projections during both normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions. During the Program Reporting Period, the Committee reviewed historical redemption activity and used this information as a component to establish each ETF’s reasonably anticipated trading size (“RATS”). The Committee may also take into consideration a fund’s shareholder ownership concentration (which, depending on product type and distribution channel, may or may not be available), a fund’s distribution channels, and the degree of certainty associated with a fund’s short-term and long-term cash flow projections.

 

  c)

Holdings of cash and cash equivalents, as well as borrowing arrangements. The Committee considered that ETFs generally do not hold more than de minimis amounts of cash. The Committee also considered that ETFs generally do not engage in borrowing.

 

  d)

The relationship between an ETF’s portfolio liquidity and the way in which, and the prices and spreads at which, ETF shares trade, including the efficiency of the arbitrage function and the level of active participation by market participants, including authorized participants. The Committee monitored the prevailing bid/ask spread and the ETF price premium (or discount) to NAV for all ETFs. However, there were no ETFs with persistent deviations of fund premium/discount or bid/ask spreads from long-term averages over the Program Reporting Period.

 

  e)

The effect of the composition of baskets on the overall liquidity of an ETF’s portfolio. In reviewing the linkage between the composition of custom baskets accepted by an ETF and any significant change in the liquidity profile of such ETF, the Committee reviewed changes in the proportion of each ETF’s portfolio comprised of less liquid and illiquid holdings to determine if applicable thresholds were met requiring enhanced review.

There were no material changes to the Program during the Program Reporting Period other than the enhancement of certain model components in the Program’s classification methodology. The Report provided to the Board stated that the Committee concluded that based on the operation of the functions, as described in the Report, the Program is operating as intended and is effective in implementing the requirements of the Liquidity Rule.

 

 

T A T E M E N T  E G A R D I N G  I Q U I D I T Y  I S K  A N A G E M E N T  R O G R A M

  83


Supplemental Information  (unaudited)

 

Section 19(a) Notices

The amounts and sources of distributions reported are estimates and are being provided pursuant to regulatory requirements and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources for tax reporting purposes will depend upon each Fund’s investment experience during the year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. Shareholders will receive a Form 1099-DIV each calendar year that will inform them how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes.

February 28, 2023

 

       
   

Total Cumulative Distributions

for the Fiscal Year-to-Date

         

% Breakdown of the Total Cumulative

Distributions for the Fiscal Year-to-Date

 
 

 

 

     

 

 

 
iShares ETF   Net
Investment
Income
    Net Realized
Capital Gains
    Return of
Capital
    Total Per
Share
           Net
Investment
Income
    Net Realized
Capital Gains
    Return of
Capital
    Total Per
Share
 

MSCI Brazil Small-Cap(a)

  $ 0.280573     $     $ 0.040422     $ 0.320995         87         13     100

MSCI Indonesia(a)

      0.153187               0.078619         0.231806         66             34       100  

MSCI Peru(a)

    0.471015             0.035563       0.506578         93             7       100  

MSCI Philippines(a)

    0.117640             0.005962       0.123602         95             5       100  

MSCI Poland(a)

    0.258945             0.009482       0.268427               96             4       100  

 

  (a) 

The Fund estimates that it has distributed more than its net investment income and net realized capital gains; therefore, a portion of the distribution may be a return of capital. A return of capital may occur, for example, when some or all of the shareholder’s investment in the Fund is returned to the shareholder. A return of capital does not necessarily reflect the Fund’s investment performance and should not be confused with “yield” or “income”. When distributions exceed total return performance, the difference will incrementally reduce the Fund’s net asset value per share.

 

 

 

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General Information  

 

Electronic Delivery

Shareholders can sign up for e-mail notifications announcing that the shareholder report or prospectus has been posted on the iShares website at iShares.com. Once you have enrolled, you will no longer receive prospectuses and shareholder reports in the mail.

To enroll in electronic delivery:

 

   

Go to icsdelivery.com.

   

If your brokerage firm is not listed, electronic delivery may not be available. Please contact your broker-dealer or financial advisor.

Householding

Householding is an option available to certain fund investors. Householding is a method of delivery, based on the preference of the individual investor, in which a single copy of certain shareholder documents and Rule 30e-3 notices can be delivered to investors who share the same address, even if their accounts are registered under different names. Please contact your broker-dealer if you are interested in enrolling in householding and receiving a single copy of prospectuses and other shareholder documents, or if you are currently enrolled in householding and wish to change your householding status.

Availability of Quarterly Schedule of Investments

The Funds file their complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to their reports on Form N-PORT. The Funds’ Forms N-PORT are available on the SEC’s website at sec.gov. Additionally, each Fund makes its portfolio holdings for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year available at iShares.com/fundreports.

Availability of Proxy Voting Policies and Proxy Voting Records

A description of the policies and procedures that the iShares Funds use to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities and information about how the iShares Funds voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve-month period ending June 30 is available without charge, upon request (1) by calling toll-free 1-800-474-2737; (2) on the iShares website at iShares.com; and (3) on the SEC website at sec.gov.

A description of the Trust’s policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of the Fund’s portfolio securities is available in the Fund Prospectus. The Fund discloses its portfolio holdings daily and provides information regarding its top holdings in Fund fact sheets at iShares.com.

 

 

G E N E R A L    N F O R M A T I O  N

  85


Glossary of Terms Used in this Report  

 

Portfolio Abbreviation
ADR    American Depositary Receipt
JSC    Joint Stock Company
NVS    Non-Voting Shares
PJSC    Public Joint Stock Company
REIT    Real Estate Investment Trust

    

 

 

 

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Want to know more?

iShares.com   |    1-800-474-2737

This report is intended for the Funds’ shareholders. It may not be distributed to prospective investors unless it is preceded or accompanied by the current prospectus.

Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal.

The iShares Funds are distributed by BlackRock Investments, LLC (together with its affiliates, “BlackRock”).

The iShares Funds are not sponsored, endorsed, issued, sold or promoted by MSCI Inc., nor does this company make any representation regarding the advisability of investing in the iShares Funds. BlackRock is not affiliated with the company listed above.

©2023 BlackRock, Inc. All rights reserved. iSHARES and BLACKROCK are registered trademarks of BlackRock, Inc. or its subsidiaries. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.

iS-SAR-806-0223

 

 

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   LOGO


 

LOGO

  FEBRUARY 28, 2023

 

  

2023 Semi-Annual Report

(Unaudited)

 

iShares Trust

 

·  

iShares MSCI Denmark ETF | EDEN | Cboe BZX

·  

iShares MSCI Finland ETF | EFNL | Cboe BZX

·  

iShares MSCI Germany Small-Cap ETF | EWGS | Cboe BZX

·  

iShares MSCI Ireland ETF | EIRL | NYSE Arca

·  

iShares MSCI Kuwait ETF | KWT | Cboe BZX

·  

iShares MSCI New Zealand ETF | ENZL | NASDAQ

·  

iShares MSCI Norway ETF | ENOR | Cboe BZX


The Markets in Review

Dear Shareholder,

Significant economic headwinds emerged during the 12-month reporting period ended February 28, 2023, as investors navigated changing economic conditions and volatile markets. The U.S. economy shrank in the first half of 2022 before returning to modest growth in the second half of the year, marking a shift to a more challenging post-reopening economic environment. Changes in consumer spending patterns and a tight labor market led to elevated inflation, which reached a 40-year high before beginning to moderate. Moreover, while the foremost effect of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has been a severe humanitarian crisis, the ongoing war continued to present challenges for both investors and policymakers.

Equity prices fell as interest rates rose, particularly during the first half of the reporting period. Both large-and small-capitalization U.S. stocks fell, although equities began to recover in the second half of the period as inflation eased and economic growth resumed. Emerging market stocks and international equities from developed markets declined overall, pressured by rising interest rates and a strong U.S. dollar.

The 10-year U.S. Treasury yield rose notably during the reporting period, driving its price down, as investors reacted to fluctuating inflation data and attempted to anticipate its impact on future interest rate changes. The corporate bond market also faced inflationary headwinds, and higher interest rates led to rising borrowing costs for corporate issuers.

The U.S. Federal Reserve (the “Fed”), acknowledging that inflation has been more persistent than expected, raised interest rates eight times. Furthermore, the Fed wound down its bond-buying programs and accelerated the reduction of its balance sheet.

Restricted labor supply kept inflation elevated even as other inflation drivers, such as goods prices and energy costs, moderated. While economic growth slowed in the last year, we believe that taming inflation requires a more substantial decline that lowers demand to a level more in line with the economy’s productive capacity. Although the Fed has decelerated the pace of interest rate hikes, it still seems determined to get inflation back to target. With this in mind, we believe the possibility of a U.S. recession in the near-term is high, but the dimming economic outlook has not yet been fully reflected in current market prices. We believe investors should expect a period of higher volatility as markets adjust to the new economic reality and policymakers attempt to adapt to rapidly changing conditions. Turmoil in the banking sector shortly following the end of the period highlighted the potential for the knock-on effects of substantially higher interest rates to disrupt markets with little warning.

While we favor an overweight to equities in the long term, several factors lead us to take an underweight stance on equities overall in the near term. Expectations for corporate earnings remain elevated, which seems inconsistent with the possibility of a recession in a business environment characterized by higher costs and reduced pricing power. Nevertheless, we are overweight on emerging market stocks as a weaker U.S. dollar provides a supportive backdrop. We also see long-term opportunities in credit, where valuations are appealing and higher yields provide attractive income, although we are neutral on credit in the near term, as we believe that troubles in the banking sector will likely lead to reduced lending. However, we believe there are still some strong opportunities for a six- to twelve-month horizon, particularly short-term U.S. Treasuries, global inflation-linked bonds, and emerging market bonds denominated in local currency.

Overall, our view is that investors need to think globally, position themselves to be prepared for a decarbonizing economy, and be nimble as market conditions change. We encourage you to talk with your financial advisor and visit iShares.com for further insight about investing in today’s markets.

 

LOGO

Rob Kapito

President, BlackRock, Inc.

LOGO

Rob Kapito

President, BlackRock, Inc.

 

Total Returns as of February 28, 2023
    

 

6-Month    

 

 

 

 12-Month    

 

 

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

 

  1.26%   (7.69)%

 

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

 

  3.63      (6.02)    

 

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

 

  12.58        (3.14)    

 

Emerging market equities
(MSCI Emerging Markets Index)

 

  (2.29)      (15.28)      

 

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

 

  1.74       2.11    

 

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

 

  (4.81)       (14.06)    

 

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

 

  (2.13)       (9.72)    

 

Tax-exempt municipal bonds
(Bloomberg Municipal
Bond Index)

 

  0.66       (5.10)    

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

 

 

  2.52       (5.45)    
Past performance is not an indication of future results. Index performance is shown for illustrative purposes only. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

 

 

 

2  

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


Table of Contents

 

      Page  

 

The Markets in Review

  

 

 

 

2

 

 

Semi-Annual Report:

  

Fund Summary

     4  

About Fund Performance

     11  

Disclosure of Expenses

     11  

Schedules of Investments

     12  

Financial Statements

  

Statements of Assets and Liabilities

     31  

Statements of Operations

     33  

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

     35  

Financial Highlights

     39  

Notes to Financial Statements

     46  

Statement Regarding Liquidity Risk Management Program

     55  

Supplemental Information

     56  

General Information

     57  

Glossary of Terms Used in this Report

     58  

 

 

 


Fund Summary as of February 28, 2023     iShares® MSCI Denmark ETF

 

Investment Objective

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

Performance

 

           Average Annual Total Returns            Cumulative Total Returns  
     6-Month
Total Returns
     1 Year      5 Years      10 Years             1 Year      5 Years      10 Years  

Fund NAV

    17.70      3.93      9.68      12.89        3.93      58.72      236.29

Fund Market

    17.93        4.75        9.81        12.88          4.75        59.68        235.91  

Index

    18.10        4.40        10.10        13.28                4.40        61.76        247.97  

Past performance is not an indication of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. See “About Fund Performance” for more information.

Expense Example

 

Actual           Hypothetical 5% Return         
 

Beginning
Account Value
(09/01/22)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(02/28/23)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
(a)  
           

Beginning
Account Value
(09/01/22)
 
 
 
      

Ending

Account Value

(02/28/23)

 

 

 

      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
(a)  
    

Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 
 
 
  $ 1,000.00        $ 1,177.00        $ 2.86             $ 1,000.00        $ 1,022.20        $ 2.66        0.53

 

  (a) 

Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period shown). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Disclosure of Expenses” for more information.

 

Portfolio Information

 

SECTOR ALLOCATION

 

Sector    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a)
 

Health Care

    39.5

Industrials

    26.9  

Financials

    13.3  

Consumer Staples

    6.1  

Materials

    4.5  

Utilities

    3.9  

Consumer Discretionary

    2.7  

Information Technology

    2.3  

Energy

    0.8  

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

Security    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a)
 

Novo Nordisk A/S, Class B

    23.1

DSV A/S

    8.1  

Vestas Wind Systems A/S

    6.5  

Genmab A/S

    5.6  

Danske Bank A/S

    4.0  

Orsted AS

    3.9  

Carlsberg AS, Class B

    3.4  

Coloplast A/S, Class B

    3.3  

AP Moller - Maersk A/S, Class B

    2.8  

Novozymes A/S, Class B

    2.5  
 

 

  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

 

 

 

4  

2 0 2 3    H A R E S     E M I - A N N U A L    E P O R T    T O     H A R E H O L D E R S


Fund Summary  as of February 28, 2023     iShares® MSCI Finland ETF

 

Investment Objective

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

Performance

 

           Average Annual Total Returns           Cumulative Total Returns  
     6-Month
Total Returns
     1 Year      5 Years     10 Years            1 Year      5 Years      10 Years  

Fund NAV

    9.49      (2.08 )%       1.89     6.96       (2.08 )%       9.81      95.97

Fund Market

    9.25        (1.47      1.92       6.96         (1.47      10.00        95.91  

Index

    9.32        (3.86      1.30       6.43               (3.86      6.69        86.49  

Past performance is not an indication of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. See “About Fund Performance” for more information.

Expense Example

 

Actual           Hypothetical 5% Return         
 

Beginning
Account Value
(09/01/22)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(02/28/23)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
(a)  
           

Beginning
Account Value
(09/01/22)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(02/28/23)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
(a)  
    

Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 
 
 
$ 1,000.00        $ 1,094.90        $ 2.75             $ 1,000.00        $ 1,022.20        $ 2.66        0.53

 

  (a) 

Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period shown). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Disclosure of Expenses” for more information.

 

Portfolio Information

 

SECTOR ALLOCATION

 

Sector    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a)
 

Materials

    19.9

Industrials

    19.6  

Information Technology

    16.0  

Financials

    12.5  

Energy

    10.4  

Communication Services

    5.5  

Health Care

    3.8  

Utilities

    3.8  

Consumer Staples

    3.7  

Consumer Discretionary

    3.1  

Real Estate

    1.7  

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

Security    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a)
 

Nokia OYJ

    12.9

Sampo OYJ, Class A

    12.0  

Neste OYJ

    10.4  

UPM-Kymmene OYJ

    9.8  

Kone OYJ, Class B

    4.6  

Elisa OYJ

    4.5  

Stora Enso OYJ, Class R

    4.2  

Metso Outotec OYJ

    4.0  

Fortum OYJ

    3.8  

Kesko OYJ, Class B

    3.4  
 

 

  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

 

 

 

U N D    U M M A R Y

  5


Fund Summary as of February 28, 2023     iShares® MSCI Germany Small-Cap ETF

 

Investment Objective

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

Performance

 

          Average Annual Total Returns            Cumulative Total Returns  
     6-Month
Total Returns
    1 Year     5 Years     10 Years             1 Year      5 Years      10 Years  

Fund NAV

    18.82     (13.15 )%      0.69     8.25        (13.15 )%       3.47      120.93

Fund Market

    19.18       (12.48     0.80       8.23          (12.48      4.08        120.63  

Index

    19.17       (13.68     0.60       8.18                (13.68      3.02        119.61  

Past performance is not an indication of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. See “About Fund Performance” for more information.

Expense Example

 

Actual           Hypothetical 5% Return           
 

Beginning
Account Value
(09/01/22)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(02/28/23)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
(a)  
           

Beginning
Account Value
(09/01/22)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(02/28/23)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
(a)  
      

Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 
 
 
$ 1,000.00        $ 1,188.20        $ 3.20             $ 1,000.00        $ 1,021.90        $ 2.96          0.59

 

  (a)

Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period shown). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Disclosure of Expenses” for more information.

 

Portfolio Information

 

SECTOR ALLOCATION

 

Sector    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a)
 

Industrials

    28.1

Materials

    15.5  

Information Technology

    15.0  

Health Care

    9.0  

Communication Services

    8.9  

Consumer Discretionary

    8.0  

Financials

    5.4  

Real Estate

    3.8  

Consumer Staples

    3.3  

Utilities

    1.9  

Energy

    1.1  

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

Security    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a)
 

K+S AG

    3.6

Hugo Boss AG

    3.1  

LANXESS AG

    3.0  

CTS Eventim AG & Co. KGaA

    3.0  

thyssenkrupp AG

    2.8  

AIXTRON SE

    2.8  

Aurubis AG

    2.5  

KION Group AG

    2.3  

Freenet AG

    2.2  

FUCHS PETROLUB SE

    2.2  
 

 

  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

 

 

 

6  

2 0 2 3    H A R E S     E M I - A N N U A L    E P O R T    T O     H A R E H O L D E R S


Fund Summary as of February 28, 2023     iShares® MSCI Ireland ETF

 

Investment Objective

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

Performance

 

          Average Annual Total Returns            Cumulative Total Returns  
     6-Month
Total Returns
    1 Year     5 Years     10 Years             1 Year      5 Years      10 Years  

Fund NAV

    23.49 %(a)      0.91     3.68     8.54        0.91      19.78      127.03

Fund Market

    23.42       2.16       3.77       8.40          2.16        20.31        123.95  

Index

    24.04       1.49       4.22       8.96                1.49        22.96        135.90  

Index performance through November 26, 2013 reflects the performance of the MSCI Ireland Investable Market Index 25/50. Index performance beginning on November 27, 2013 reflects the performance of the MSCI All Ireland Capped Index.

 

  (a) 

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

 

Past performance is not an indication of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. See “About Fund Performance” for more information.

Expense Example

 

Actual           Hypothetical 5% Return           
 

Beginning
Account Value
(09/01/22)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(02/28/23)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
(a)  
           

Beginning
Account Value
(09/01/22)
 
 
 
      


Ending

Account Value
(02/28/23)

 

 
 

      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
(a)  
      

Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 
 
 
    $ 1,000.00          $ 1,234.90          $ 2.83               $ 1,000.00        $ 1,022.30        $ 2.56          0.51

 

  (a) 

Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period shown). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Disclosure of Expenses” for more information.

 

Portfolio Information

 

SECTOR ALLOCATION

 

Sector    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a)
 

Materials

    29.0

Consumer Discretionary

    26.5  

Industrials

    14.0  

Consumer Staples

    12.7  

Financials

    9.8  

Health Care

    6.6  

Real Estate

    1.4  

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

Security    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a)
 

CRH PLC

    22.5

Flutter Entertainment PLC, Class DI

    20.9  

Bank of Ireland Group PLC

    4.8  

Kingspan Group PLC

    4.6  

AIB Group PLC

    4.5  

Glanbia PLC

    4.5  

Grafton Group PLC

    4.5  

Kerry Group PLC, Class A

    4.5  

Ryanair Holdings PLC

    4.4  

ICON PLC

    4.4  
 

 

  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

 

 

 

U N D    U M M A R Y

  7


Fund Summary as of February 28, 2023     iShares® MSCI Kuwait ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares MSCI Kuwait ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of a broad-based equity index with exposure to Kuwait,as defined by the index provider, as represented by the MSCI All Kuwait Select Size Liquidity Capped Index (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index.

Performance

 

          Average Annual Total Returns      Cumulative Total Returns  
     6-Month
Total Returns
    1 Year     Since
Inception
            1 Year      Since
Inception
 

Fund NAV

    (7.40 )%      (6.34 )%      16.86        (6.34 )%       47.53

Fund Market

    (6.90     (6.32     17.17          (6.32      48.50  

Index

    (7.10     (4.95     17.79                (4.95      50.53  

The inception date of the Fund was September 1, 2020. The first day of secondary market trading was September 3, 2020.

Past performance is not an indication of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. See “About Fund Performance” for more information.

Expense Example

 

Actual           Hypothetical 5% Return           
 

Beginning
Account Value
(09/01/22)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(02/28/23)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
(a)  
           

Beginning
Account Value
(09/01/22)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(02/28/23)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
(a)  
      

Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 
 
 
$ 1,000.00        $ 926.00        $ 3.53             $ 1,000.00        $ 1,021.10        $ 3.71          0.74

 

  (a) 

Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period shown). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Disclosure of Expenses” for more information.

 

Portfolio Information

 

SECTOR ALLOCATION

 

Sector    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a)
 

Financials

    62.7

Industrials

    12.6  

Real Estate

    10.8  

Consumer Discretionary

    4.7  

Communication Services

    4.7  

Materials

    1.4  

Utilities

    1.1  

Energy

    1.1  

Consumer Staples

    0.9  

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

Security    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a)
 

Kuwait Finance House KSCP

    22.3

National Bank of Kuwait SAKP

    21.9  

Mobile Telecommunications Co. KSCP

    4.7  

Agility Public Warehousing Co. KSC

    4.3  

Gulf Bank KSCP

    3.5  

Mabanee Co. KPSC

    3.5  

National Industries Group Holding SAK

    2.9  

Humansoft Holding Co. KSC

    2.9  

Warba Bank KSCP

    2.4  

Kuwait Projects Co. Holding KSCP

    2.3  
 
  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

 

 

 

8  

2 0 2 3    H A R E S     E M I - A N N U A L    E P O R T    T O     H A R E H O L D E R S


Fund Summary as of February 28, 2023     iShares® MSCI New Zealand ETF

 

Investment Objective

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

Performance

 

          Average Annual Total Returns            Cumulative Total Returns  
     6-Month
Total Returns
    1 Year     5 Years     10 Years             1 Year      5 Years      10 Years  

Fund NAV

    5.21     (8.13 )%      2.81     6.72        (8.13 )%       14.88      91.59

Fund Market

    5.42       (8.69     2.89       6.71          (8.69      15.31        91.42  

Index

    5.27       (6.82     3.39       7.23                (6.82      18.14        100.93  

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

Past performance is not an indication of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. See “About Fund Performance” for more information.

Expense Example

 

Actual           Hypothetical 5% Return           
 

Beginning
Account Value
(09/01/22)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(02/28/23)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
(a)  
           

Beginning
Account Value
(09/01/22)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(02/28/23)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
(a)  
      

Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 
 
 
$ 1,000.00        $ 1,052.10        $ 2.59             $ 1,000.00        $ 1,022.30        $ 2.56          0.51

 

  (a)

Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period shown). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Disclosure of Expenses” for more information.

 

Portfolio Information

 

SECTOR ALLOCATION

 

Sector    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a)
 

Health Care

    27.7

Utilities

    23.2  

Industrials

    17.9  

Communication Services

    14.4  

Real Estate

    7.1  

Consumer Staples

    4.6  

Consumer Discretionary

    3.2  

Information Technology

    1.9  

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

Security    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a)
 

Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Corp. Ltd.

    15.9

Auckland International Airport Ltd.

    11.7  

Spark New Zealand Ltd.

    10.1  

Meridian Energy Ltd.

    7.5  

EBOS Group Ltd.

    4.7  

Contact Energy Ltd.

    4.6  

Infratil Ltd.

    4.6  

a2 Milk Co. Ltd. (The)

    4.6  

Mercury NZ Ltd.

    4.5  

Chorus Ltd.

    4.3  
 
  (a)

Excludes money market funds.

 

 

 

U N D    U M M A R Y

  9


Fund Summary  as of February 28, 2023    iShares® MSCI Norway ETF

 

Investment Objective

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

Performance

 

          Average Annual Total Returns            Cumulative Total Returns  
     6-Month
Total Returns
    1 Year     5 Years     10 Years             1 Year      5 Years      10 Years  

Fund NAV

    (4.87 )%      (13.37 )%      0.76     0.95        (13.37 )%       3.85      9.87

Fund Market

    (4.38     (13.14     1.01       0.93          (13.14      5.17        9.70  

Index

    (4.32     (12.65     1.31       1.35                (12.65      6.74        14.40  

Past performance is not an indication of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. See “About Fund Performance” for more information.

Expense Example

 

Actual           Hypothetical 5% Return           
 

Beginning
Account Value
(09/01/22)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(02/28/23)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
(a)  
           

Beginning
Account Value
(09/01/22)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(02/28/23)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
(a)  
      

Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 
 
 
$ 1,000.00        $ 951.30        $ 2.56             $ 1,000.00        $ 1,022.20        $ 2.66          0.53

 

  (a)

Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period shown). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Disclosure of Expenses” for more information.

 

Portfolio Information

 

SECTOR ALLOCATION

 

Sector    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a)
 

Energy

    31.4

Financials

    19.2  

Materials

    12.7  

Consumer Staples

    12.3  

Industrials

    11.7  

Communication Services

    8.3  

Information Technology

    2.7  

Other (each representing less than 1%)

    1.7  

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

Security    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a)
 

Equinor ASA

    17.4

DNB Bank ASA

    11.1  

Norsk Hydro ASA

    5.8  

Aker BP ASA

    5.1  

Yara International ASA

    4.7  

Telenor ASA

    4.7  

Mowi ASA

    4.3  

Orkla ASA

    3.0  

Storebrand ASA

    2.3  

TOMRA Systems ASA

    2.2  
 
  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

 

 

 

10  

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About Fund Performance

 

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

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

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

Disclosure of Expenses

Shareholders of each Fund may incur the following charges: (1) transactional expenses, including brokerage commissions on purchases and sales of fund shares and (2) ongoing expenses, including management fees and other fund expenses. The expense examples shown (which are based on a hypothetical investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held through the end of the period) are intended to assist shareholders both in calculating expenses based on an investment in each Fund and in comparing these expenses with similar costs of investing in other funds.

The expense examples provide information about actual account values and actual expenses. Annualized expense ratios reflect contractual and voluntary fee waivers, if any. In order to estimate the expenses a shareholder paid during the period covered by this report, shareholders can divide their account value by $1,000 and then multiply the result by the number under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During the Period.”

The expense examples also provide information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on a fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses. In order to assist shareholders in comparing the ongoing expenses of investing in the Funds and other funds, compare the 5% hypothetical examples with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

The expenses shown in the expense examples are intended to highlight shareholders’ ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional expenses, such as brokerage commissions and other fees paid on purchases and sales of fund shares. Therefore, the hypothetical examples are useful in comparing ongoing expenses only and will not help shareholders determine the relative total expenses of owning different funds. If these transactional expenses were included, shareholder expenses would have been higher.

 

 

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

  11


Schedule of Investments (unaudited)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® MSCI Denmark ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

   
Air Freight & Logistics — 8.0%            

DSV A/S

    98,599     $ 17,916,041  
   

 

 

 
Banks — 9.3%            

Danske Bank A/S

    376,031       8,732,663  

Jyske Bank A/S, Registered(a)

    44,323       3,712,522  

Ringkjoebing Landbobank A/S

    20,442       3,228,581  

Spar Nord Bank A/S

    120,376       2,221,400  

Sydbank AS

    54,109       2,753,696  
   

 

 

 
        20,648,862  
Beverages — 4.6%            

Carlsberg AS, Class B

    53,351       7,539,078  

Royal Unibrew A/S

    38,333       2,665,841  
   

 

 

 
      10,204,919  
Biotechnology — 7.6%            

Bavarian Nordic A/S(a)(b)

    66,052       2,034,135  

Genmab A/S(a)

    32,816       12,346,983  

Zealand Pharma A/S(a)

    79,329       2,525,842  
   

 

 

 
      16,906,960  
Building Products — 0.9%            

Rockwool A/S, Class B

    8,625       1,958,207  
   

 

 

 
Chemicals — 4.4%            

Chr Hansen Holding A/S

    63,150       4,377,939  

Novozymes A/S, Class B

    114,554       5,517,366  
   

 

 

 
      9,895,305  
Commercial Services & Supplies — 1.2%            

ISS A/S(a)

    124,583       2,715,384  
   

 

 

 
Construction & Engineering — 0.6%            

Per Aarsleff Holding A/S

    32,642       1,414,770  
   

 

 

 
Electric Utilities — 3.8%            

Orsted AS(c)

    97,814       8,514,029  
   

 

 

 
Electrical Equipment — 7.2%            

NKT A/S(a)

    37,372       1,733,300  

Vestas Wind Systems A/S

    505,150       14,414,425  
   

 

 

 
      16,147,725  
Food Products — 0.7%            

Schouw & Co. A/S

    19,942       1,585,572  
   

 

 

 
Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 6.4%            

Ambu A/S, Class B(a)(b)

    155,239       2,274,883  

Coloplast A/S, Class B

    63,230       7,305,977  

Demant A/S(a)

    76,659       2,292,485  

GN Store Nord A/S(b)

    105,504       2,277,794  
   

 

 

 
      14,151,139  
Insurance — 3.9%            

Alm Brand A/S

    1,000,517       1,860,901  

Topdanmark AS

    41,459       2,217,650  

Tryg A/S

    212,778       4,713,767  
   

 

 

 
      8,792,318  
IT Services — 1.0%            

Netcompany Group A/S(a)(c)

    46,500       1,617,395  

Trifork Holding AG

    23,167       559,665  
   

 

 

 
      2,177,060  
Life Sciences Tools & Services — 0.6%            

Chemometec A/S(a)

    19,713       1,280,101  
   

 

 

 
Security   Shares     Value  
Machinery — 1.2%            

FLSmidth & Co. A/S(b)

    56,114     $ 2,206,410  

Nilfisk Holding A/S(a)

    22,035       407,935  
   

 

 

 
      2,614,345  
Marine — 6.8%            

AP Moller - Maersk A/S, Class A

    1,827       4,175,957  

AP Moller - Maersk A/S, Class B, NVS

    2,689       6,263,616  

D/S Norden A/S

    40,074       2,821,350  

Dfds A/S

    44,681       1,820,409  
   

 

 

 
      15,081,332  
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 0.8%            

TORM PLC, Class A

    51,995       1,846,135  
   

 

 

 
Pharmaceuticals — 24.7%            

ALK-Abello AS(a)

    129,976       1,936,612  

H Lundbeck AS

    384,684       1,625,380  

H Lundbeck AS, Class A(a)

    125,820       480,962  

Novo Nordisk A/S, Class B

    360,462       50,917,153  
   

 

 

 
      54,960,107  
Road & Rail — 0.3%            

NTG Nordic Transport Group A/S, Class A(a)(b)

    14,310       675,205  
   

 

 

 
Software — 1.3%            

cBrain A/S

    19,856       393,087  

SimCorp A/S

    33,433       2,396,238  
   

 

 

 
      2,789,325  
Specialty Retail — 0.3%            

Matas A/S

    65,665       763,578  
   

 

 

 
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods — 2.4%            

Pandora A/S

    55,727       5,278,665  
   

 

 

 
Tobacco — 0.7%            

Scandinavian Tobacco Group A/S, Class A(c)

    90,766       1,575,910  
   

 

 

 
Trading Companies & Distributors — 0.4%            

Solar A/S, Class B

    9,912       861,658  
   

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 99.1%
(Cost: $211,271,465)

      220,754,652  
   

 

 

 
Short-Term Securities            
Money Market Funds — 4.0%            

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares, 4.81%(d)(e)(f)

    8,774,061       8,779,326  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares, 4.41%(d)(e)

    180,000       180,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 4.0%
(Cost: $8,958,030)

      8,959,326  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments — 103.1%
(Cost: $220,229,495)

      229,713,978  

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (3.1)%

 

    (6,962,608
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

    $   222,751,370  
   

 

 

 

 

(a)

Non-income producing security.

(b)

All or a portion of this security is on loan.

(c)

Security exempt from registration pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration to qualified institutional investors.

(d)

Affiliate of the Fund.

(e)

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

 

 

 

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Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® MSCI Denmark ETF

 

(f) 

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

    

 

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended February 28, 2023 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

 

 
Affiliated Issuer    Value at
08/31/22
    

Purchases

at Cost

     Proceeds
from Sale
     Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
     Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
     Value at
02/28/23
     Shares
Held at
02/28/23
     Income     

Capital

Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds

 

 

 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares

   $ 3,637,677      $ 5,140,435 (a)     $      $ 1,211      $ 3      $ 8,779,326        8,774,061      $ 18,253 (b)     $  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

     160,000        20,000 (a)                             180,000        180,000        1,925         
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 
            $ 1,211      $ 3      $ 8,959,326         $ 20,178      $  
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 
  (b) 

All or a portion represents securities lending income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral from loaned securities, net of fees and collateral investment expenses, and other payments to and from borrowers of securities.

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Futures Contracts

 

 

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

 

 

Long Contracts

                 

OMX Copenhagen 25 Index

     72          03/17/23        $ 1,811        $ (5,932
                 

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

As of period end, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities were as follows:

 

 

 
     Commodity
Contracts
     Credit
Contracts
     Equity
Contracts
     Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
     Interest
Rate
Contracts
     Other
Contracts
     Total  

 

 

Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instruments

                    

Futures contracts

                    

Unrealized depreciation on futures contracts(a)

   $      $      $ 5,932      $      $      $      $ 5,932  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts are reported in the Schedule of Investments. In the Statements of Assets and Liabilities, only current day’s variation margin is reported in receivables or payables and the net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is included in accumulated earnings (loss).

 

For the period ended February 28, 2023, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

 

 
     Commodity
Contracts
     Credit
Contracts
     Equity
Contracts
     Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
     Interest
Rate
Contracts
     Other
Contracts
     Total  

 

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from

                    

Futures contracts

   $      $      $ 63,179      $      $      $      $ 63,179  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on

                    

Futures contracts

   $      $      $ 77,639      $      $      $      $ 77,639  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

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

  13


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® MSCI Denmark ETF

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

Futures contracts

        

Average notional value of contracts — long

     $1,791,208  

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

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments. For a description of the input levels and information about the Fund’s policy regarding valuation of financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.

The following table summarizes the Fund’s financial instruments categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The breakdown of the Fund’s financial instruments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.

 

 

 
     Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

 

 

Assets

                 

Investments

                 

Long-Term Investments

                 

Common Stocks

   $ 2,455,397        $ 218,299,255        $        $ 220,754,652  

Short-Term Securities

                 

Money Market Funds

     8,959,326                            8,959,326  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $   11,414,723        $ 218,299,255        $        $ 229,713,978  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments(a)

                 

Liabilities

                 

Equity Contracts

   $        $ (5,932      $             —        $ (5,932
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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Schedule of Investments (unaudited)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® MSCI Finland ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

   
Airlines — 0.4%            

Finnair OYJ(a)(b)

    113,799     $ 68,059  
   

 

 

 
Auto Components — 0.8%            

Nokian Renkaat OYJ

    14,743       133,706  
   

 

 

 
Banks — 0.5%            

Aktia Bank OYJ

    7,949       87,608  
   

 

 

 
Beverages — 0.3%            

Anora Group OYJ

    7,554       51,492  
   

 

 

 
Building Products — 0.7%            

Uponor OYJ

    6,835       127,202  
   

 

 

 
Chemicals — 1.3%            

Kemira OYJ

    11,751       225,073  
   

 

 

 
Commercial Services & Supplies — 0.7%            

Caverion OYJ

    12,674       121,050  
   

 

 

 
Communications Equipment — 12.7%            

Nokia OYJ

    467,541       2,163,101  
   

 

 

 
Containers & Packaging — 2.0%            

Huhtamaki OYJ

    9,737       343,746  
   

 

 

 
Diversified Telecommunication Services — 4.4%  

Elisa OYJ

    13,381       759,882  
   

 

 

 
Electric Utilities — 3.8%            

Fortum OYJ

    42,157       644,304  
   

 

 

 
Electrical Equipment — 0.4%            

Kempower OYJ(a)(b)

    2,765       75,453  
   

 

 

 
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components — 0.1%  

Incap OYJ

    711       13,191  
   

 

 

 
Entertainment — 0.4%            

Rovio Entertainment OYJ(c)

    7,789       67,267  
   

 

 

 
Food & Staples Retailing — 3.3%            

Kesko OYJ, Class B

    26,012       564,873  
   

 

 

 
Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 0.6%            

Revenio Group OYJ

    2,929       107,930  
   

 

 

 
Health Care Providers & Services — 0.3%            

Oriola OYJ, Class B

    29,820       48,509  
   

 

 

 
Household Durables — 0.4%            

YIT OYJ

    24,369       69,276  
   

 

 

 
Insurance — 11.8%            

Sampo OYJ, Class A

    41,285         2,009,761  
   

 

 

 
IT Services — 1.7%            

TietoEVRY OYJ

    9,107       289,159  
   

 

 

 
Machinery — 16.6%            

Cargotec OYJ, Class B

    4,165       211,724  

Kone OYJ, Class B

    14,725       764,693  

Konecranes OYJ

    6,405       217,920  

Metso Outotec OYJ

    62,817       668,296  

Valmet OYJ

    15,984       527,459  
Security   Shares     Value  
Machinery (continued)            

Wartsila OYJ Abp

    46,114     $ 445,398  
   

 

 

 
      2,835,490  
Media — 0.6%            

Sanoma OYJ

    10,259       95,412  
   

 

 

 
Metals & Mining — 1.4%            

Outokumpu OYJ

    38,974       233,337  
   

 

 

 
Multiline Retail — 1.0%            

Puuilo OYJ(b)

    9,970       68,101  

Tokmanni Group Corp.

    6,937       98,580  
   

 

 

 
      166,681  
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 10.2%            

Neste OYJ

    36,160       1,744,042  
   

 

 

 
Paper & Forest Products — 14.8%            

Metsa Board OYJ, Class B

    20,143       176,224  

Stora Enso OYJ, Class R

    49,736       703,158  

UPM-Kymmene OYJ

    45,513       1,649,229  
   

 

 

 
      2,528,611  
Pharmaceuticals — 2.9%            

Orion OYJ, Class B

    10,354       487,893  
   

 

 

 
Professional Services — 0.3%            

Talenom OYJ(b)

    6,247       54,313  
   

 

 

 
Real Estate Management & Development — 1.6%        

Citycon OYJ

    12,539       92,259  

Kojamo OYJ

    14,322       189,299  
   

 

 

 
      281,558  
Software — 1.3%            

F-Secure OYJ(a)

    20,570       72,266  

QT Group OYJ(a)(b)

    1,951       144,475  
   

 

 

 
      216,741  
Specialty Retail — 0.5%            

Musti Group OYJ

    4,663       87,281  
   

 

 

 
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods — 0.3%            

Marimekko OYJ

    5,875       57,226  
   

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 98.1%
(Cost: $21,192,370)

      16,759,227  
   

 

 

 
Short-Term Securities            
Money Market Funds — 2.1%            

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares, 4.81%(d)(e)(f)

    341,189       341,394  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares, 4.41%(d)(e)

    20,000       20,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 2.1%
(Cost: $361,200)

      361,394  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments — 100.2%
(Cost: $21,553,570)

      17,120,621  

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (0.2)%

      (26,579
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

    $   17,094,042  
   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Non-income producing security.

(b) 

All or a portion of this security is on loan.

 

 

 

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

  15


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® MSCI Finland ETF

 

(c) 

Security exempt from registration pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration to qualified institutional investors.

(d) 

Affiliate of the Fund.

(e) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

(f) 

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

    

 

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended February 28, 2023 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

 

 
Affiliated Issuer    Value at
08/31/22
     Purchases
at Cost
     Proceeds
from Sale
     Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
     Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
     Value at
02/28/23
     Shares
Held at
02/28/23
     Income     

Capital

Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds

 

 

 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares

   $ 143,791      $ 197,420 (a)     $      $ 55      $ 128      $ 341,394        341,189      $ 7,453 (b)     $  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

     40,000               (20,000 )(a)                     20,000        20,000        458         
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 
            $ 55      $ 128      $ 361,394         $ 7,911      $  
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 
  (b) 

All or a portion represents securities lending income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral from loaned securities, net of fees and collateral investment expenses, and other payments to and from borrowers of securities.

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Futures Contracts

 

 

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

 

 

Long Contracts

                 

Euro STOXX 50 Index

     7          03/17/23        $ 314        $ 22,549  
                 

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

As of period end, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities were as follows:

 

 

 
     Commodity
Contracts
     Credit
Contracts
     Equity
Contracts
     Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
     Interest
Rate
Contracts
     Other
Contracts
     Total  

 

 

Assets — Derivative Financial Instruments

                    

Futures contracts

                    

Unrealized appreciation on futures contracts

   $      $      $ 22,549      $      $      $      $ 22,549  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

For the period ended February 28, 2023, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

 

 
     Commodity
Contracts
     Credit
Contracts
     Equity
Contracts
     Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
     Interest
Rate
Contracts
     Other
Contracts
     Total  

 

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from

                    

Futures contracts

   $      $      $ 44,323      $      $      $      $ 44,323  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on

                    

Futures contracts

   $      $      $ 23,943      $      $      $      $ 23,943  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

16  

2 0 2 3    H A R E S     E M I - A N N U A L    E P O R T    T O     H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® MSCI Finland ETF

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure (continued)

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

Futures contracts

        

Average notional value of contracts — long

   $ 324,171  

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

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments. For a description of the input levels and information about the Fund’s policy regarding valuation of financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.

The following table summarizes the Fund’s financial instruments categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The breakdown of the Fund’s financial instruments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.

 

 

 
     Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

 

 

Assets

                 

Investments

                 

Long-Term Investments

                 

Common Stocks

   $ 467,391        $ 16,291,836        $        $ 16,759,227  

Short-Term Securities

                 

Money Market Funds

     361,394                            361,394  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $     828,785        $ 16,291,836        $        $ 17,120,621  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments(a)

                 

Assets

                 

Equity Contracts

   $        $ 22,549        $             —        $ 22,549  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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

  17


Schedule of Investments (unaudited)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® MSCI Germany Small-Cap ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

   
Aerospace & Defense — 1.1%            

Hensoldt AG

    7,231     $ 235,323  

OHB SE

    1,032       33,260  
   

 

 

 
      268,583  
Auto Components — 1.3%            

ElringKlinger AG

    5,695       52,785  

Vitesco Technologies Group AG(a)

    3,939       273,453  
   

 

 

 
      326,238  
Biotechnology — 0.9%            

CureVac NV(a)

    11,207       96,453  

MorphoSys AG(a)(b)

    6,740       122,284  
   

 

 

 
      218,737  
Building Products — 0.3%            

Steico SE

    1,109       64,482  
   

 

 

 
Capital Markets — 1.2%            

AURELIUS Equity Opportunities SE & Co. KGaA

    5,383       89,550  

Deutsche Beteiligungs AG

    2,777       91,284  

flatexDEGIRO AG(a)

    12,983       110,583  
   

 

 

 
      291,417  
Chemicals — 6.7%            

K+S AG, Registered

    37,708       895,070  

LANXESS AG

    16,162       751,948  
   

 

 

 
      1,647,018  
Commercial Services & Supplies — 3.5%            

Befesa SA(c)

    7,880       411,482  

Bilfinger SE(b)

    6,060       240,567  

Cewe Stiftung & Co. KGaA

    1,099       109,862  

Takkt AG

    6,460       96,774  
   

 

 

 
      858,685  
Communications Equipment — 0.3%            

ADVA Optical Networking SE(a)

    3,581       87,721  
   

 

 

 
Construction & Engineering — 1.5%            

HOCHTIEF AG

    5,369       365,686  
   

 

 

 
Diversified Financial Services — 1.2%            

GRENKE AG

    5,493       171,239  

Hypoport SE(a)

    767       115,737  
   

 

 

 
      286,976  
Electrical Equipment — 3.4%            

Energiekontor AG

    1,239       88,894  

Nordex SE(a)

    27,176       408,812  

PNE AG

    6,788       114,875  

SGL Carbon SE(a)(b)

    12,045       112,761  

Varta AG(b)

    3,589       106,697  
   

 

 

 
      832,039  
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components — 1.7%  

Basler AG(b)

    2,171       65,649  

Jenoptik AG

    10,165       352,606  
   

 

 

 
      418,255  
Entertainment — 3.3%            

Borussia Dortmund GmbH & Co. KGaA(a)

    15,217       68,676  

CTS Eventim AG & Co. KGaA(a)

    11,350       744,862  
   

 

 

 
      813,538  
Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) — 0.4%  

Hamborner REIT AG

    13,614       107,788  
   

 

 

 
Security   Shares     Value  
Food & Staples Retailing — 1.7%            

METRO AG(a)

    24,810     $ 223,707  

Shop Apotheke Europe NV(a)(c)

    2,867       207,107  
   

 

 

 
      430,814  
Food Products — 1.6%            

KWS Saat SE & Co. KGaA

    2,274       151,724  

Suedzucker AG

    14,062       238,595  
   

 

 

 
      390,319  
Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 1.3%            

Draegerwerk AG & Co. KGaA

    603       23,471  

Eckert & Ziegler Strahlen- und Medizintechnik AG

    2,918       165,824  

Stratec SE

    1,553       126,303  
   

 

 

 
      315,598  
Health Care Providers & Services — 0.6%            

Medios AG(a)

    2,812       58,085  

Synlab AG

    13,181       97,470  
   

 

 

 
      155,555  
Health Care Technology — 1.0%            

CompuGroup Medical SE & Co. KgaA

    5,287       251,164  
   

 

 

 
Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers — 1.9%  

Encavis AG

    23,766       463,864  
   

 

 

 
Industrial Conglomerates — 0.5%            

Indus Holding AG

    3,972       96,250  

MBB SE

    407       34,014  
   

 

 

 
      130,264  
Insurance — 0.3%            

Wuestenrot & Wuerttembergische AG

    4,615       83,830  
   

 

 

 
Internet & Direct Marketing Retail — 0.3%            

About You Holding SE(a)(b)

    7,281       40,766  

Global Fashion Group SA(a)

    19,847       22,296  
   

 

 

 
      63,062  
IT Services — 3.9%            

Adesso SE

    641       102,640  

CANCOM SE

    6,988       244,620  

Datagroup SE

    822       57,730  

GFT Technologies SE

    3,369       142,629  

Kontron AG(b)

    8,465       169,381  

Nagarro SE(a)(b)

    1,629       166,730  

Secunet Security Networks AG

    320       77,829  
   

 

 

 
      961,559  
Leisure Products — 0.2%            

Tonies SE, Class A(a)

    9,985       61,159  
   

 

 

 
Life Sciences Tools & Services — 4.2%            

Evotec SE(a)

    27,910       500,454  

Gerresheimer AG

    6,191       543,619  
   

 

 

 
      1,044,073  
Machinery — 10.0%            

Deutz AG

    22,608       138,875  

Duerr AG

    10,214       384,492  

Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG(a)

    50,961       91,687  

JOST Werke AG(c)

    2,640       150,329  

KION Group AG

    14,223       557,057  

Krones AG

    2,799       340,869  

Norma Group SE

    6,274       168,964  

Pfeiffer Vacuum Technology AG

    680       112,170  

Stabilus SE

    4,866       328,939  

Vossloh AG

    1,729       73,932  
 

 

 

18  

2 0 2 3     H A R E  S    E M I - A N N U A L    E P O R T    T O     H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® MSCI Germany Small-Cap ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Machinery (continued)            

Wacker Neuson SE

    5,524     $ 117,079  
   

 

 

 
        2,464,393  
Media — 2.9%            

ProSiebenSat.1 Media SE(b)

    34,480       343,383  

Stroeer SE & Co. KGaA(b)

    6,697       375,240  
   

 

 

 
      718,623  
Metals & Mining — 6.2%            

Aurubis AG

    6,202       606,609  

Salzgitter AG(b)

    5,917       248,289  

thyssenkrupp AG

    91,985       689,028  
   

 

 

 
      1,543,926  
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 1.1%            

CropEnergies AG

    5,154       63,424  

VERBIO Vereinigte BioEnergie AG

    4,374       219,428  
   

 

 

 
      282,852  
Pharmaceuticals — 0.6%            

Dermapharm Holding SE

    3,710       150,867  
   

 

 

 
Professional Services — 0.8%            

Amadeus Fire AG

    1,126       146,280  

Bertrandt AG

    1,111       56,762  
   

 

 

 
      203,042  
Real Estate Management & Development — 3.4%            

Deutsche EuroShop AG

    3,003       68,607  

DIC Asset AG

    8,187       74,634  

Grand City Properties SA

    19,097       194,922  

Instone Real Estate Group SE(b)(c)

    9,252       86,840  

PATRIZIA SE

    9,092       105,660  

TAG Immobilien AG

    34,548       274,739  

Vib Vermoegen AG

    1,638       33,230  
   

 

 

 
      838,632  
Road & Rail — 1.5%            

Sixt SE

    2,691       363,801  
   

 

 

 
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 5.2%  

AIXTRON SE

    22,325       684,718  

Elmos Semiconductor SE

    1,568       127,237  

PVA TePla AG(a)

    3,854       104,207  

Siltronic AG

    2,953       215,034  

SMA Solar Technology AG(a)(b)

    2,050       159,815  
   

 

 

 
      1,291,011  
Software — 3.8%            

Atoss Software AG

    783       134,320  

Software AG(b)

    10,201       202,158  

SUSE SA(a)

    8,328       163,887  

TeamViewer AG(a)(c)

    27,584       444,670  
   

 

 

 
      945,035  
Specialty Retail — 2.1%            

Auto1 Group SE(a)(b)(c)

    17,018       129,300  

Ceconomy AG(b)

    28,663       75,167  

Fielmann AG

    4,962       176,131  

Hornbach Holding AG & Co. KGaA

    1,733       143,927  
   

 

 

 
      524,525  
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods — 3.1%            

Hugo Boss AG

    11,096       758,903  
   

 

 

 
Thrifts & Mortgage Finance — 2.7%            

Aareal Bank AG(a)

    11,793       404,140  
Security   Shares     Value  
Thrifts & Mortgage Finance (continued)            

Deutsche Pfandbriefbank AG(c)

    26,478     $ 261,981  
   

 

 

 
      666,121  
Trading Companies & Distributors — 1.2%            

BayWa AG

    2,826       127,314  

Kloeckner & Co. SE

    14,731       159,445  
   

 

 

 
      286,759  
Transportation Infrastructure — 1.9%            

Fraport AG Frankfurt Airport Services Worldwide(a)

    7,297       394,985  

Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG

    5,184       68,578  
   

 

 

 
      463,563  
Wireless Telecommunication Services — 2.7%        

1&1 AG

    8,701       104,255  

Freenet AG

    22,268       555,059  
   

 

 

 
      659,314  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 93.5%
(Cost: $28,249,326)

      23,099,791  
   

 

 

 
Preferred Stocks            
Auto Components — 0.7%            

Schaeffler AG, Preference Shares, NVS

    24,515       178,664  
   

 

 

 
Chemicals — 2.2%            

FUCHS PETROLUB SE, Preference Shares, NVS

    13,700       548,829  
   

 

 

 
Construction Materials — 0.3%            

STO SE & Co. KGaA, Preference Shares, NVS

    500       79,203  
   

 

 

 
Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 0.3%            

Draegerwerk AG & Co. KGaA, Preference Shares, NVS

    1,693       73,830  
   

 

 

 
Household Durables — 0.3%            

Einhell Germany AG, Preference Shares, NVS

    330       56,873  
   

 

 

 
Machinery — 1.4%            

Jungheinrich AG, Preference Shares, NVS

    9,449       348,575  
   

 

 

 
Road & Rail — 1.1%            

Sixt SE, Preference Shares, NVS

    3,264       264,343  
   

 

 

 

Total Preferred Stocks — 6.3%
(Cost: $1,564,243)

      1,550,317  
   

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 99.8%
(Cost: $29,813,569)

      24,650,108  
   

 

 

 
Short-Term Securities            
Money Market Funds — 9.3%            

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares, 4.81%(d)(e)(f)

    2,289,743       2,291,117  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares, 4.41%(d)(e)

    10,000       10,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 9.3%
(Cost: $2,300,226)

      2,301,117  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments — 109.1%
(Cost: $32,113,795)

      26,951,225  

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (9.1)%

 

    (2,246,121
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

    $   24,705,104  
   

 

 

 

 

(a)

Non-income producing security.

 

 

 

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

  19


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® MSCI Germany Small-Cap ETF

 

(b) 

All or a portion of this security is on loan.

(c) 

Security exempt from registration pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration to qualified institutional investors.

(d) 

Affiliate of the Fund.

(e) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

(f) 

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

    

 

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended February 28, 2023 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

 

 
Affiliated Issuer    Value at
08/31/22
     Purchases
at Cost
    

Proceeds

from Sale

     Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
     Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
     Value at
02/28/23
    

Shares

Held at
02/28/23

     Income     

Capital

Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds

 

 

 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares

   $ 2,477,142      $      $ (186,805 )(a)     $ 1,178      $ (398    $ 2,291,117        2,289,743      $ 37,755 (b)     $  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares .

     10,000           — 0 (a)                      10,000        10,000        109         
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 
            $ 1,178      $ (398    $ 2,301,117         $ 37,864      $  
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 
  (b) 

All or a portion represents securities lending income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral from loaned securities, net of fees and collateral investment expenses, and other payments to and from borrowers of securities.

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Futures Contracts

 

 

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

 

 

Long Contracts

                 

Euro STOXX 50 Index

     1          03/17/23        $ 45        $ 3,199  
                 

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

As of period end, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities were as follows:

 

 

 
     Commodity
Contracts
     Credit
Contracts
     Equity
Contracts
     Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
     Interest
Rate
Contracts
     Other
Contracts
     Total  

 

 

Assets — Derivative Financial Instruments

                    

Futures contracts

                    

Unrealized appreciation on futures contracts(a)

   $      $      $ 3,199      $      $      $      $ 3,199  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts are reported in the Schedule of Investments. In the Statements of Assets and Liabilities, only current day’s variation margin is reported in receivables or payables and the net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is included in accumulated earnings (loss).

 

 

 

20  

2 0 2 3    H A R E S     E M I - A N N U A L    E P O R T    T O     H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

 

  

iShares® MSCI Germany Small-Cap ETF

 

For the period ended February 28, 2023, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

      Commodity
Contracts
       Credit
Contracts
       Equity
Contracts
      

 

Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts

       Interest
Rate
Contracts
       Other
Contracts
       Total  

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from

                                

Futures contracts

   $        $        $ 5,464        $        $        $        $ 5,464  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on

                                

Futures contracts

   $        $        $ 2,827        $        $        $        $ 2,827  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

Futures contracts

        

Average notional value of contracts — long

   $ 43,323      
   

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

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments. For a description of the input levels and information about the Fund’s policy regarding valuation of financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.

The following table summarizes the Fund’s financial instruments categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The breakdown of the Fund’s financial instruments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.

 

     

Level 1

 

      

Level 2

 

      

Level 3

 

      

Total

 

 

 

Assets

                 

Investments

                 

Long-Term Investments

                 

Common Stocks

   $ 687,937        $ 22,411,854        $        $ 23,099,791  

Preferred Stocks

              1,550,317                   1,550,317  

Short-Term Securities

                 

Money Market Funds

     2,301,117                            2,301,117  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 2,989,054        $ 23,962,171        $        $ 26,951,225  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments(a)

                 

Assets

                 

Equity Contracts

   $        $ 3,199        $             —          $ 3,199  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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

  21


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) 

February 28, 2023

 

  

iShares® MSCI Ireland ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

   
Airlines — 4.4%            

Ryanair Holdings PLC, ADR(a)

    29,868     $ 2,770,855  
   

 

 

 
Banks — 9.6%            

AIB Group PLC

    663,105       2,832,320  

Bank of Ireland Group PLC

    269,323       2,967,162  

Permanent TSB Group Holdings PLC(a)

    66,197       182,043  
   

 

 

 
      5,981,525  
Beverages — 1.8%            

C&C Group PLC(a)

    633,210       1,133,013  
   

 

 

 
Building Products — 4.6%            

Kingspan Group PLC

    44,082       2,861,276  
   

 

 

 
Construction Materials — 22.4%            

CRH PLC

    298,188       14,006,924  
   

 

 

 
Containers & Packaging — 6.2%            

Ardagh Metal Packaging SA

    244,000       1,176,080  

Smurfit Kappa Group PLC

    73,096       2,726,972  
   

 

 

 
      3,903,052  
Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) — 1.4%  

Irish Residential Properties REIT PLC

    728,217       839,578  
   

 

 

 
Food Products — 10.8%            

Dole PLC

    30,342       355,912  

Glanbia PLC

    227,660       2,811,297  

Kerry Group PLC, Class A

    29,026       2,779,087  

Origin Enterprises PLC

    184,775       826,696  
   

 

 

 
      6,772,992  
Health Care Providers & Services — 2.1%            

Uniphar PLC(a)

    375,420       1,302,428  
   

 

 

 
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 23.1%            

Dalata Hotel Group PLC(a)

    324,496       1,473,701  

Flutter Entertainment PLC, Class DI(a)

    80,899       12,989,009  
   

 

 

 
      14,462,710  
Household Durables — 3.3%            

Cairn Homes PLC(a)

    1,054,998       1,052,266  

Glenveagh Properties PLC(a)(b)

    928,576       977,244  
   

 

 

 
      2,029,510  
Security   Shares     Value  
Insurance — 0.2%            

FBD Holdings PLC

    9,904     $ 142,466  
   

 

 

 
Life Sciences Tools & Services — 4.4%            

ICON PLC(a)

    12,271       2,768,706  
   

 

 

 
Marine — 0.4%            

Irish Continental Group PLC

    59,905       271,886  
   

 

 

 
Metals & Mining — 0.3%            

Kenmare Resources PLC

    30,682       178,993  
   

 

 

 
Pharmaceuticals — 0.1%            

GH Research PLC(a)

    5,199       49,807  
   

 

 

 
Trading Companies & Distributors — 4.5%            

Grafton Group PLC

    245,515       2,807,290  
   

 

 

 
Total Long-Term Investments — 99.6%
    (Cost: $56,319,571)
        62,283,011  
   

 

 

 
Short-Term Securities            
Money Market Funds — 0.0%            

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares, 4.41%(c)(d)

    20,000       20,000  
   

 

 

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

 

 

 
Total Investments — 99.6%
    (Cost: $56,339,571)
        62,303,011  

Other Assets Less Liabilities — 0.4%

      225,193  
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

    $ 62,528,204  
   

 

 

 

 

(a)

Non-income producing security.

(b)

Security exempt from registration pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration to qualified institutional investors.

(c)

Affiliate of the Fund.

(d)

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended February 28, 2023 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

Affiliated Issuer    Value at
08/31/22
     Purchases
at Cost
     Proceeds
from Sale
     Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
    

Change in
Unrealized

Appreciation

(Depreciation)

     Value at
02/28/23
     Shares
Held at
02/28/23
     Income     

Capital

Gain

Distributions

from

Underlying

Funds

 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

   $      $ 20,000 (a)     $      $      $      $ 20,000        20,000      $ 287      $  
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 

 

 

22  

2 0 2 3    H A R E S     E M I - A N N U A L    E P O R T    T O     H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® MSCI Ireland ETF

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Futures Contracts

 

 

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

 

 

Long Contracts

                 

Euro STOXX 50 Index

     5          03/17/23        $ 224        $ 6,184  
                 

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

As of period end, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities were as follows:

 

 

 
     Commodity
Contracts
     Credit
Contracts
     Equity
Contracts
     Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
     Interest
Rate
Contracts
     Other
Contracts
     Total  

 

 

Assets — Derivative Financial Instruments

                    

Futures contracts

                    

Unrealized appreciation on futures contracts

   $      $      $ 6,184      $      $      $      $ 6,184  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

For the period ended February 28, 2023, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

 

 
     Commodity
Contracts
     Credit
Contracts
     Equity
Contracts
    

 

Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts

     Interest
Rate
Contracts
     Other
Contracts
     Total  

 

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from

                    

Futures contracts

   $      $      $ 11,722      $      $      $      $ 11,722  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on

                    

Futures contracts

   $      $      $ 7,601      $      $      $      $ 7,601  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

 

 

Futures contracts

  

Average notional value of contracts — long

   $ 153,877      

 

 

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

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments. For a description of the input levels and information about the Fund’s policy regarding valuation of financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.

The following table summarizes the Fund’s financial instruments categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The breakdown of the Fund’s financial instruments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.

 

 

 
     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

 

 

Assets

           

Investments

           

Long-Term Investments

           

Common Stocks

   $ 14,590,786      $ 47,692,225      $      $ 62,283,011  

Short-Term Securities

           

Money Market Funds

     20,000                      20,000  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 14,610,786      $ 47,692,225      $      $ 62,303,011  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments(a)

           

Assets

           

Equity Contracts

   $      $ 6,184      $             —      $ 6,184  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a)

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

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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

  23


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) 

February 28, 2023

 

  

iShares® MSCI Kuwait ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

   
Air Freight & Logistics — 4.3%            

Agility Public Warehousing Co. KSC

    1,109,296     $ 2,177,512  
   

 

 

 
Airlines — 2.0%            

Jazeera Airways Co. KSCP

    179,521       1,017,480  
   

 

 

 
Banks — 59.0%            

Ahli United Bank KSCP

    702,609       629,290  

Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait KSCP

    1,018,089       1,137,527  

Boubyan Bank KSCP

    31,636       78,838  

Burgan Bank SAK

    692,577       509,789  

Gulf Bank KSCP

    1,781,898       1,758,269  

Kuwait Finance House KSCP

    4,040,461       11,276,361  

Kuwait International Bank KSCP

    1,459,426       936,400  

Kuwait Projects Co. Holding KSCP

    3,194,115       1,175,403  

National Bank of Kuwait SAKP

    3,179,523       11,079,830  

Warba Bank KSCP(a)

    1,582,643       1,185,461  
   

 

 

 
      29,767,168  
Capital Markets — 1.1%            

Boursa Kuwait Securities Co. KPSC

    70,489       463,847  

Noor Financial Investment Co. KSC

    182,417       106,954  
   

 

 

 
      570,801  
Chemicals — 1.4%            

Boubyan Petrochemicals Co. KSCP

    281,651       714,574  
   

 

 

 
Construction & Engineering — 0.6%            

Combined Group Contracting Co. SAK

    216,760       306,230  
   

 

 

 
Diversified Consumer Services — 2.9%            

Humansoft Holding Co. KSC

    121,925       1,461,589  
   

 

 

 
Diversified Financial Services — 2.7%            

A’ayan Leasing & Investment Co. KSCP

    1,211,101       552,124  

Alimtiaz Investment Group KSC

    680,715       132,580  

National Investments Co. KSCP

    896,370       671,381  
   

 

 

 
      1,356,085  
Electrical Equipment — 0.8%            

Gulf Cable & Electrical Industries Co. KSCP

    107,300       420,066  
   

 

 

 
Energy Equipment & Services — 1.1%            

Heavy Engineering & Ship Building Co. KSCP

    278,431       562,200  
   

 

 

 
Food Products — 0.9%            

Mezzan Holding Co. KSCC

    353,053       451,954  
   

 

 

 
Security   Shares     Value  
Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers — 1.1%  

Shamal Az-Zour Al-Oula for the First Phase of Az-Zour Power

   

Plant KSC

    954,623     $ 565,933  
   

 

 

 
Industrial Conglomerates — 3.0%            

National Industries Group Holding SAK

    2,218,436       1,488,318  
   

 

 

 
Real Estate Management & Development — 10.9%  

Commercial Real Estate Co. Ksc

    3,034,250       1,018,055  

Kuwait Real Estate Co. KSC

    1,995,623       721,278  

Mabanee Co. KPSC

    684,477       1,751,390  

National Real Estate Co. KPSC(a)

    2,782,368       805,382  

Salhia Real Estate Co. KSCP

    654,593       1,170,638  
   

 

 

 
      5,466,743  
Specialty Retail — 1.8%            

Ali Alghanim Sons Automotive Co. KSCC, NVS

    323,135       925,198  
   

 

 

 
Trading Companies & Distributors — 1.9%            

ALAFCO Aviation Lease & Finance Co. KSCP(a)

    668,528       431,102  

Integrated Holding Co. KCSC

    426,355       504,127  
   

 

 

 
      935,229  
Wireless Telecommunication Services — 4.7%            

Mobile Telecommunications Co. KSCP

    1,294,717       2,357,190  
   

 

 

 
Total Long-Term Investments — 100.2%
  (Cost: $47,111,241)
        50,544,270  
   

 

 

 
Short-Term Securities            
Money Market Funds — 0.1%            

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares, 4.41%(b)(c)

    60,000       60,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 0.1%

    (Cost: $60,000)

      60,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments — 100.3%

    (Cost: $47,171,241)

      50,604,270  

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (0.3)%

      (164,852
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

    $ 50,439,418  
   

 

 

 

(a) Non-income producing security.

(b) Affiliate of the Fund.

(c) Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended February 28, 2023 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

 

 
Affiliated Issuer     
Value at
08/31/22
 
 
    
Purchases
at Cost
 
 
    
Proceeds
from Sale
 
 
    
Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
 
 
    


Change in
Unrealized

Appreciation
(Depreciation)

 
 

 
 

    
Value at
02/28/23
 
 
    

Shares
Held at
02/28/23
 
 
 
     Income       


Capital

Gain
Distributions

from

Underlying

Funds

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

   $ 50,000      $ 10,000 (a)      $      $      $      $ 60,000        60,000      $ 316      $  
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 

 

24  

2 0 2 3    H A R E S     E M I - A N N U A L    E P O R T    T O     H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

 

  

iShares® MSCI Kuwait ETF

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

For the period ended February 28, 2023, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

 

 
     Commodity
Contracts
     Credit
Contracts
     Equity
Contracts
     Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
     Interest
Rate
Contracts
     Other
Contracts
     Total  

 

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from

                    

Futures contracts

   $
 
 
 
 
   $      $ (4,172    $      $      $      $ (4,172
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on

                    

Futures contracts

   $      $      $ 1,783      $      $      $      $ 1,783  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

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

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments. For a description of the input levels and information about the Fund’s policy regarding valuation of financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.

The following table summarizes the Fund’s financial instruments categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The breakdown of the Fund’s financial instruments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.

 

 

 
     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

 

 

Assets

           

Investments

           

Long-Term Investments

           

Common Stocks

   $ 2,960,565      $ 47,583,705      $      $ 50,544,270  

Short-Term Securities

           

Money Market Funds

     60,000                      60,000  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 3,020,565      $ 47,583,705      $             —      $ 50,604,270  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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

  25


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) 

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® MSCI New Zealand ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

   
Airlines — 1.9%            

Air New Zealand Ltd.(a)

    5,236,120     $ 2,552,090  
   

 

 

 
Building Products — 4.3%            

Fletcher Building Ltd.

    1,973,791       5,783,264  
   

 

 

 
Diversified Telecommunication Services — 14.4%  

Chorus Ltd.

    1,143,903       5,865,376  

Spark New Zealand Ltd.

    4,404,576       13,599,439  
   

 

 

 
      19,464,815  
Electric Utilities — 15.7%            

Contact Energy Ltd.

    1,311,680       6,209,100  

Genesis Energy Ltd.

    1,541,865       2,760,062  

Infratil Ltd.

    1,134,615       6,166,990  

Mercury NZ Ltd.

    1,563,848       6,061,505  
   

 

 

 
      21,197,657  
Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) — 7.1%  

Argosy Property Ltd.

    13,200       9,075  

Goodman Property Trust

    2,931,208       3,892,762  

Kiwi Property Group Ltd.

    4,586,782       2,625,488  

Precinct Properties New Zealand Ltd.

    3,787,256       3,114,408  
   

 

 

 
      9,641,733  
Food Products — 4.5%            

a2 Milk Co. Ltd. (The)(a)

    1,377,980       6,155,585  
   

 

 

 
Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 15.9%            

Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Corp. Ltd.

    1,340,775       21,461,012  
   

 

 

 
Health Care Providers & Services — 11.7%            

EBOS Group Ltd.

    230,030       6,297,213  

Oceania Healthcare Ltd.(b)

    2,587,944       1,245,716  

Ryman Healthcare Ltd.(b)

    1,470,978       4,775,192  

Summerset Group Holdings Ltd.

    629,074       3,574,738  
   

 

 

 
      15,892,859  
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 2.5%            

SKYCITY Entertainment Group Ltd.(a)

    2,116,752       3,398,952  
   

 

 

 
Security   Shares     Value  
Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers — 7.4%  

Meridian Energy Ltd.

    3,069,432     $ 10,074,934  
   

 

 

 
IT Services — 1.9%            

Pushpay Holdings Ltd.(a)

    3,208,677       2,514,428  
   

 

 

 
Multiline Retail — 0.7%            

Warehouse Group Ltd. (The)

    593,207       971,967  
   

 

 

 
Transportation Infrastructure — 11.7%            

Auckland International Airport Ltd.(a)

    2,930,186       15,833,191  
   

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 99.7%

    (Cost: $158,125,894)

      134,942,487  
   

 

 

 
Short-Term Securities            
Money Market Funds — 2.3%            

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares, 4.81%(c)(d)(e)

    3,070,548       3,072,390  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares, 4.41%(c)(d)

    60,000       60,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 2.3%

    (Cost: $3,132,088)

      3,132,390  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments — 102.0%

    (Cost: $161,257,982)

      138,074,877  

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (2.0)%

 

    (2,740,650
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

    $ 135,334,227  
   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Non-income producing security.

(b) 

All or a portion of this security is on loan.

(c) 

Affiliate of the Fund.

(d) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

(e)

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

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended February 28, 2023 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

 

 
Affiliated Issuer    Value at
08/31/22
     Purchases
at Cost
     Proceeds
from Sale
     Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
     Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
    

Value at

02/28/23

    

Shares

Held at
02/28/23

     Income     

Capital

Gain
Distributions

from

Underlying

Funds

 

 

 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares

   $ 437,876      $ 2,634,396 (a)     $      $ 114      $ 4      $ 3,072,390        3,070,548      $ 1,286 (b)     $  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

            60,000 (a)                             60,000        60,000        1,316         
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 
            $ 114      $ 4      $ 3,132,390         $ 2,602      $  
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 
  (b) 

All or a portion represents securities lending income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral from loaned securities, net of fees and collateral investment expenses, and other payments to and from borrowers of securities.

 

 

 

26  

2 0 2 3    H A R E S     E M I - A N N U A L    E P O R T    T O     H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® MSCI New Zealand ETF

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Futures Contracts

 

 

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

 

 

Long Contracts

                 

SPI 200 Index

     1          03/16/23        $ 121        $ 0  
                 

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

For the period ended February 28, 2023, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

 

 
     Commodity
Contracts
     Credit
Contracts
     Equity
Contracts
     Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
     Interest
Rate
Contracts
     Other
Contracts
     Total  

 

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from

                    

Futures contracts

   $      $      $ (64,609    $      $      $      $ (64,609
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

 

 

Futures contracts

  

Average notional value of contracts — long

   $ 185,348      

 

 

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

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments. For a description of the input levels and information about the Fund’s policy regarding valuation of financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.

The following table summarizes the Fund’s financial instruments categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The breakdown of the Fund’s financial instruments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.

 

 

 
     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

 

 

Assets

           

Investments

           

Long-Term Investments

           

Common Stocks

   $ 4,086,375      $ 130,856,112      $      $ 134,942,487  

Short-Term Securities

           

Money Market Funds

     3,132,390                      3,132,390  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 7,218,765      $ 130,856,112      $      $ 138,074,877  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments(a)

           

Assets

           

Equity Contracts

   $      $      $             —      $  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Derivative financial instruments are. Forward foreign currency exchange contracts are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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

  27


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) 

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® MSCI Norway ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

   
Aerospace & Defense — 2.2%            

Kongsberg Gruppen ASA

    19,241     $ 799,575  
   

 

 

 
Airlines — 0.4%            

Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA(a)

    139,720       152,428  
   

 

 

 
Banks — 14.2%            

DNB Bank ASA

    201,886       4,028,678  

SpareBank 1 Nord Norge

    21,074       209,094  

SpareBank 1 Oestlandet

    7,542       91,270  

SpareBank 1 SMN

    28,178       371,632  

SpareBank 1 SR-Bank ASA

    38,854       485,428  
   

 

 

 
      5,186,102  
Biotechnology — 0.1%            

Nykode Therapeutics AS(a)

    22,034       55,803  
   

 

 

 
Chemicals — 6.4%            

Bewi ASA

    9,914       40,191  

Borregaard ASA

    19,533       331,152  

Elkem ASA(b)

    69,643       262,180  

Yara International ASA

    35,934       1,708,260  
   

 

 

 
      2,341,783  
Commercial Services & Supplies — 2.7%            

Aker Carbon Capture ASA(a)

    71,371       107,167  

Aker Horizons Holding AS(a)(c)

    50,870       57,406  

TOMRA Systems ASA(c)

    51,400       819,874  
   

 

 

 
      984,447  
Construction & Engineering — 1.0%            

Cadeler AS(a)(c)

    23,587       106,728  

Veidekke ASA

    23,432       261,836  
   

 

 

 
      368,564  
Containers & Packaging — 0.2%            

Elopak ASA

    26,552       59,062  
   

 

 

 
Diversified Telecommunication Services — 4.7%            

Telenor ASA

    151,862       1,702,805  
   

 

 

 
Electrical Equipment — 1.4%            

NEL ASA(a)(c)

    339,289       512,335  
   

 

 

 
Energy Equipment & Services — 5.4%            

Aker Solutions ASA

    53,408       225,597  

Borr Drilling Ltd.(a)

    42,294       293,921  

BW Offshore Ltd.

    23,792       65,249  

Odfjell Drilling Ltd.(a)

    19,718       50,966  

PGS ASA(a)

    187,530       184,915  

Subsea 7 SA

    52,087       676,575  

TGS ASA

    26,013       468,251  
   

 

 

 
      1,965,474  
Entertainment — 0.3%            

Kahoot! ASA(a)(c)

    57,562       108,363  
   

 

 

 
Food Products — 12.3%            

Austevoll Seafood ASA

    20,152       172,193  

Bakkafrost P/F

    10,910       713,794  

Grieg Seafood ASA

    9,849       71,012  

Leroy Seafood Group ASA

    58,185       288,521  

Mowi ASA

    89,783       1,550,082  

Orkla ASA

    163,006       1,097,155  

Salmar ASA

    14,175       587,626  
   

 

 

 
      4,480,383  
Security   Shares     Value  
Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers — 0.5%  

Scatec ASA(b)

    26,280     $ 177,519  
   

 

 

 
Industrial Conglomerates — 1.3%            

Aker ASA, Class A

    4,839       341,484  

Bonheur ASA

    4,578       123,214  
   

 

 

 
      464,698  
Insurance — 4.9%            

Gjensidige Forsikring ASA

    43,406       769,366  

Protector Forsikring ASA

    13,385       188,102  

Storebrand ASA

    102,433       845,549  
   

 

 

 
      1,803,017  
Interactive Media & Services — 1.3%            

Adevinta ASA(a)

    63,247       472,612  
   

 

 

 
IT Services — 0.6%            

Atea ASA

    18,293       208,925  
   

 

 

 
Machinery — 0.4%            

Hexagon Composites ASA(a)

    25,719       92,753  

Hexagon Purus ASA(a)

    16,012       53,812  
   

 

 

 
      146,565  
Marine — 2.1%            

Golden Ocean Group Ltd.

    28,339       289,866  

Hoegh Autoliners ASA

    10,351       67,878  

MPC Container Ships AS

    58,431       103,828  

Stolt-Nielsen Ltd.

    3,810       117,780  

Wallenius Wilhelmsen ASA

    23,000       201,073  
   

 

 

 
      780,425  
Media — 2.0%            

Schibsted ASA, Class A

    15,870       322,040  

Schibsted ASA, Class B

    21,128       401,900  
   

 

 

 
      723,940  
Metals & Mining — 5.8%            

Norsk Hydro ASA

    291,873       2,124,475  
   

 

 

 
Multiline Retail — 0.7%            

Europris ASA(b)

    34,425       242,693  
   

 

 

 
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 25.9%            

Aker BP ASA

    68,584       1,840,837  

BW Energy Ltd.(a)

    18,737       52,592  

BW LPG Ltd.(b)

    18,230       159,473  

Cool Co. Ltd.(a)

    2,884       37,261  

DNO ASA

    102,974       117,991  

Equinor ASA

    206,752       6,329,370  

Flex LNG Ltd.

    6,359       221,523  

Frontline PLC, NVS(c)

    28,990       536,597  

Hafnia Ltd.

    27,313       165,578  
   

 

 

 
      9,461,222  
Paper & Forest Products — 0.3%            

Norske Skog ASA(a)(b)

    16,367       105,511  
   

 

 

 
Professional Services — 0.1%            

Meltwater Holding BV(a)(c)

    28,834       48,673  
   

 

 

 
Real Estate Management & Development — 0.4%            

Entra ASA(b)

    14,091       157,222  
   

 

 

 
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 1.7%  

Nordic Semiconductor ASA(a)

    35,564       511,302  
 

 

 

28  

2 0 2 3    H A R E S     E M I - A N N U A L    E P O R T    T O     H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® MSCI Norway ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment (continued)  

REC Silicon ASA(a)(c)

    59,970     $ 98,243  
   

 

 

 
      609,545  
Software — 0.4%            

Crayon Group Holding ASA(a)(b)(c)

    15,219       137,279  

Volue ASA(a)

    11,219       24,956  
   

 

 

 
      162,235  
   

 

 

 
Total Long-Term Investments — 99.7%
    (Cost: $42,696,134)
        36,406,401  
   

 

 

 
Short-Term Securities            
Money Market Funds — 4.3%            

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares, 4.81%(d)(e)(f)

    1,571,966       1,572,910  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares, 4.41%(d)(e)

    10,000       10,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 4.3%

    (Cost: $1,582,486)

      1,582,910  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments — 104.0%

    (Cost: $44,278,620)

      37,989,311  

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (4.0)%

 

    (1,448,734
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

    $ 36,540,577  
   

 

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Non-income producing security.

(b) 

Security exempt from registration pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration to qualified institutional investors.

(c) 

All or a portion of this security is on loan.

(d)

Affiliate of the Fund.

(e) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

(f) 

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

 

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended February 28, 2023 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

 

 
Affiliated Issuer    Value at
08/31/22
     Purchases
at Cost
     Proceeds
from Sale
     Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
     Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
     Value at
02/28/23
     Shares
Held at
02/28/23
     Income     

Capital

Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds

 

 

 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares

   $ 860,484      $ 711,957 (a)     $      $ 400      $ 69      $ 1,572,910        1,571,966      $ 10,688 (b)     $  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

     10,000               0 (a)                      10,000        10,000        339         
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 
            $ 400      $ 69      $ 1,582,910         $ 11,027      $  
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 
  (b) 

All or a portion represents securities lending income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral from loaned securities, net of fees and collateral investment expenses, and other payments to and from borrowers of securities.

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Futures Contracts

 

 

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

 

 

Long Contracts

                 

Euro STOXX 50 Index

     3          03/17/23        $ 134        $ 1,105  
                 

 

 

 

 

 

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

  29


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® MSCI Norway ETF

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

As of period end, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities were as follows:

 

 

 
     Commodity
Contracts
     Credit
Contracts
     Equity
Contracts
     Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
     Interest
Rate
Contracts
     Other
Contracts
     Total  

 

 

Assets — Derivative Financial Instruments

                    

Futures contracts

                    

Unrealized appreciation on futures contracts(a)

   $      $      $ 1,105      $      $      $      $ 1,105  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts are reported in the Schedule of Investments. In the Statements of Assets and Liabilities, only current day’s variation margin is reported in receivables or payables and the net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is included in accumulated earnings (loss).

 

For the period ended February 28, 2023, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

 

 
     Commodity
Contracts
     Credit
Contracts
     Equity
Contracts
     Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
     Interest
Rate
Contracts
     Other
Contracts
     Total  

 

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from

                    

Futures contracts

   $      $      $ 7,693      $      $      $      $ 7,693  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on

                    

Futures contracts

   $      $      $ 6,572      $      $      $      $ 6,572  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

 

 

Futures contracts

  

Average notional value of contracts — long

   $ 150,880      

 

 

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

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments. For a description of the input levels and information about the Fund’s policy regarding valuation of financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.

The following table summarizes the Fund’s financial instruments categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The breakdown of the Fund’s financial instruments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.

 

 

 
     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

 

 

Assets

           

Investments

           

Long-Term Investments

           

Common Stocks

   $ 1,036,813      $ 35,369,588      $      $ 36,406,401  

Short-Term Securities

           

Money Market Funds

     1,582,910                      1,582,910  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 2,619,723      $ 35,369,588      $      $ 37,989,311  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments(a)

           

Assets

           

Equity Contracts

   $      $ 1,105      $             —      $ 1,105  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

30  

2 0 2 3    H A R E S     E M I - A N N U A L    E P O R T    T O     H A R E H O L D E R S


Statements of Assets and Liabilities  (unaudited)

February 28, 2023

 

    

iShares

MSCI

Denmark

ETF

    

iShares

MSCI Finland
ETF

   

iShares

MSCI

Germany
Small-Cap

ETF

   

iShares

MSCI Ireland
ETF

 

ASSETS

        

Investments, at value — unaffiliated(a)(b)

  $ 220,754,652      $ 16,759,227     $ 24,650,108     $ 62,283,011  

Investments, at value — affiliated(c)

    8,959,326        361,394       2,301,117       20,000  

Cash

    6,857        2,298       2,164       2,031  

Foreign currency collateral pledged for futures contracts(d)

    149,353        27,501       4,231       8,461  

Foreign currency, at value(e)

    268,699        11,222       41,469       80,483  

Receivables:

        

Investments sold

    4,505,533        373,234       72,956       2,402,665  

Securities lending income — affiliated

    7,543        1,374       6,257        

Dividends — unaffiliated

                       12,610  

Dividends — affiliated

    418        105       15       65  

Tax reclaims

    1,238,326        394,569       1,089       29,595  

Variation margin on futures contracts

                 421        
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

    235,890,707        17,930,924       27,079,827       64,838,921  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

        

Collateral on securities loaned, at value

    8,779,692        341,201       2,289,506        

Payables:

        

Investments purchased

    4,264,016        361,851       73,916       2,286,141  

Investment advisory fees

    86,974        7,057       11,301       24,071  

IRS compliance fee for foreign withholding tax claims

           102,819              

Professional fees

           22,667              

Variation margin on futures contracts

    8,655        1,287             505  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    13,139,337        836,882       2,374,723       2,310,717  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 222,751,370      $ 17,094,042     $ 24,705,104     $ 62,528,204  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF

        

Paid-in capital

  $ 210,847,875      $ 27,088,514     $ 34,455,695     $ 70,095,536  

Accumulated earnings (loss)

    11,903,495        (9,994,472     (9,750,591     (7,567,332
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 222,751,370      $ 17,094,042     $ 24,705,104     $ 62,528,204  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSET VALUE

        

Shares outstanding

    2,200,000        450,000       400,000       1,200,000  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value

  $ 101.25      $ 37.99     $ 61.76     $ 52.11  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Shares authorized

    Unlimited        Unlimited       Unlimited       Unlimited  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Par value

    None        None       None       None  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(a) Investments, at cost — unaffiliated

  $ 211,271,465      $ 21,192,370     $ 29,813,569     $ 56,319,571  

(b) Securities loaned, at value

  $ 8,344,889      $ 332,140     $ 2,166,016     $  

(c)  Investments, at cost — affiliated

  $ 8,958,030      $ 361,200     $ 2,300,226     $ 20,000  

(d) Foreign currency collateral pledged, at cost

  $ 150,167      $ 26,901     $ 4,242     $ 8,523  

(e) Foreign currency, at cost

  $ 270,892      $ 10,122     $ 41,850     $ 81,327  

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L    T A T E M E N T  S

  31


Statements of Assets and Liabilities  (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

 

    

iShares

MSCI Kuwait
ETF

    

iShares

MSCI New

Zealand ETF

   

iShares

MSCI

Norway ETF

 

ASSETS

      

Investments, at value — unaffiliated(a)(b)

  $ 50,544,270      $ 134,942,487     $ 36,406,401  

Investments, at value — affiliated(c)

    60,000        3,132,390       1,582,910  

Cash

    306        2,528       5,635  

Cash pledged for futures contracts

           343        

Foreign currency collateral pledged for futures contracts(d)

                 8,461  

Foreign currency, at value(e)

    37,710        73,253       73,623  

Receivables:

      

Investments sold

    2,243,640        2,783,994       740,182  

Securities lending income — affiliated

           883       2,650  

Capital shares sold

                 48,177  

Dividends — unaffiliated

                 26,849  

Dividends — affiliated

    73        212       55  

Tax reclaims

                 3,750  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

    52,885,999        140,936,090       38,898,693  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

      

Collateral on securities loaned, at value

           3,072,805       1,572,856  

Payables:

      

Investments purchased

    2,423,558        2,411,955       769,964  

Capital shares redeemed

           65,056        

Investment advisory fees

    23,023        52,045       14,904  

Variation margin on futures contracts

           2       392  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    2,446,581        5,601,863       2,358,116  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 50,439,418      $ 135,334,227     $ 36,540,577  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF

      

Paid-in capital

  $ 48,487,125      $ 195,889,051     $ 54,363,295  

Accumulated earnings (loss)

    1,952,293        (60,554,824     (17,822,718
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 50,439,418      $ 135,334,227     $ 36,540,577  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSET VALUE

      

Shares outstanding

    1,550,000        2,750,000       1,500,000  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value

  $ 32.54      $ 49.21     $ 24.36  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Shares authorized

    Unlimited        Unlimited       Unlimited  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Par value

    None        None       None  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

(a) Investments, at cost — unaffiliated

  $ 47,111,241      $ 158,125,894     $ 42,696,134  

(b) Securities loaned, at value

  $      $ 2,923,844     $ 1,356,734  

(c)  Investments, at cost — affiliated

  $ 60,000      $ 3,132,088     $ 1,582,486  

(d) Foreign currency collateral pledged, at cost

  $      $     $ 8,569  

(e) Foreign currency, at cost

  $ 37,827      $ 73,314     $ 75,056  

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

32  

2 0 2 3    H A R E S     E M I - A N N U A L    E P O R T    T O     H A R E H O L D E R S


Statements of Operations  (unaudited)

Six Months Ended February 28, 2023

 

    

iShares

MSCI

Denmark

ETF

   

iShares

MSCI Finland
ETF

   

iShares

MSCI

Germany
Small-Cap

ETF

   

iShares

MSCI Ireland
ETF

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

       

Dividends — unaffiliated

  $ 560,448     $ 120,446     $ 40,455     $ 214,369  

Dividends — affiliated

    1,925       458       109       287  

Interest — unaffiliated

    433                    

Securities lending income — affiliated — net

    18,253       7,453       37,755        

Foreign taxes withheld

    (72,191     (104     (5,292      

IRS compliance fee for foreign withholding tax claims

          (1,249            
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investment income

    508,868       127,004       73,027       214,656  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EXPENSES

       

Investment advisory

    510,078       48,658       65,409       134,788  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses

    510,078       48,658       65,409       134,788  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss)

    (1,210     78,346       7,618       79,868  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

       

Net realized gain (loss) from:

       

Investments — unaffiliated

    (612,908     (518,364     (1,053,547     (59,852

Investments — affiliated

    1,211       55       1,178        

Foreign currency transactions

    25,218       1,499       1,283       (431

Futures contracts

    63,179       44,323       5,464       11,722  

In-kind redemptions — unaffiliated(a)

    7,461,770       (461,766     (1,064,792     618,193  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    6,938,470       (934,253     (2,110,414     569,632  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

       

Investments — unaffiliated

    26,651,694       2,025,636       5,593,980       11,281,234  

Investments — affiliated

    3       128       (398      

Foreign currency translations

    62,967       22,000       320       2,436  

Futures contracts

    77,639       23,943       2,827       7,601  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    26,792,303       2,071,707       5,596,729       11,291,271  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain

    33,730,773       1,137,454       3,486,315       11,860,903  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

  $ 33,729,563     $ 1,215,800     $ 3,493,933     $ 11,940,771  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

See Note 2 of the Notes to Financial Statements.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L    T A T E M E N T  S

  33


Statements of Operations  (unaudited) (continued)

Six Months Ended February 28, 2023

 

   

iShares

MSCI Kuwait

ETF

 

 

 

   

iShares

MSCI New

Zealand ETF

 

 

 

   

iShares

MSCI

Norway ETF

 

 

 

 

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

     

Dividends — unaffiliated

  $ 43,304     $ 1,911,792     $ 676,044  

Dividends — affiliated

    316       1,316       339  

Securities lending income — affiliated — net

          1,286       10,688  

Foreign taxes withheld

          (262,328     (144,422
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investment income

    43,620       1,652,066       542,649  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EXPENSES

     

Investment advisory

    116,416       293,503       82,459  

Commitment costs

    194              
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses

    116,610       293,503       82,459  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss)

    (72,990     1,358,563       460,190  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

     

Net realized gain (loss) from:

     

Investments — unaffiliated

    (394,152     (5,584,827     (447,765

Investments — affiliated

          114       400  

Foreign currency transactions

    (30,444     (77,766     10,280  

Futures contracts

    (4,172     (64,609     7,693  

In-kind redemptions — unaffiliated(a)

          770,439       (42,705
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    (428,768     (4,956,649     (472,097
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

     

Investments — unaffiliated

    (2,403,961     8,416,700       (1,422,860

Investments — affiliated

          4       69  

Foreign currency translations

    45       1,552       1,043  

Futures contracts

    1,783             6,572  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    (2,402,133     8,418,256       (1,415,176
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    (2,830,901     3,461,607       (1,887,273
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

  $ (2,903,891   $ 4,820,170     $ (1,427,083
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

See Note 2 of the Notes to Financial Statements.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

34  

2 0 2 3    H A R E S     E M I - A N N U A L    E P O R T    T O     H A R E H O L D E R S


Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

    iShares
MSCI Denmark ETF
    iShares
MSCI Finland ETF
 
   

Six Months

Ended

02/28/23
(unaudited)

    Year Ended
08/31/22
   

Six Months
Ended

02/28/23
(unaudited)

    Year Ended
08/31/22
 

 

 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

       

OPERATIONS

       

Net investment income (loss)

  $ (1,210   $ 2,198,978     $ 78,346     $ 1,075,096  

Net realized gain (loss)

    6,938,470       1,121,567       (934,253     (3,205,805

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    26,792,303       (49,461,654     2,071,707       (8,127,501
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    33,729,563       (46,141,109     1,215,800       (10,258,210
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a)

       

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

    (196,316     (2,119,208     (78,547 )(b)       (1,184,601
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

       

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

    12,702,403       57,908,228       (6,695,616     2,896,784  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

       

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

    46,235,650       9,647,911       (5,558,363     (8,546,027

Beginning of period

    176,515,720       166,867,809       22,652,405       31,198,432  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period

  $ 222,751,370     $ 176,515,720     $ 17,094,042     $ 22,652,405  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

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

(b) 

A portion of the distributions from net investment income may be deemed a return of capital or net realized gain at fiscal year-end.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L    T A T E M E N T  S

  35


Statements of Changes in Net Assets  (continued)

 

    iShares
MSCI Germany Small-Cap ETF
    iShares
MSCI Ireland ETF
 
   

Six Months
Ended

02/28/23
(unaudited)

    Year Ended
08/31/22
   

Six Months
Ended

02/28/23
(unaudited)

     Year Ended
08/31/22
 

 

 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

        

OPERATIONS

        

Net investment income

  $ 7,618     $ 581,010     $ 79,868      $ 698,514  

Net realized gain (loss)

    (2,110,414     235,246       569,632        1,786,489  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    5,596,729       (15,947,442     11,291,271        (26,719,519
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    3,493,933       (15,131,186     11,940,771        (24,234,516
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a)

        

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

    (68,385 )(b)       (680,980            (817,439
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

        

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

    (2,184,110     (3,365,971     2,108,387        (9,098,537
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

        

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

    1,241,438       (19,178,137     14,049,158        (34,150,492

Beginning of period

    23,463,666       42,641,803       48,479,046        82,629,538  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

End of period

  $ 24,705,104     $ 23,463,666     $ 62,528,204      $ 48,479,046  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) 

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

(b) 

A portion of the distributions from net investment income may be deemed a return of capital or net realized gain at fiscal year-end.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

36  

2 0 2 3    H A R E S     E M I - A N N U A L    E P O R T    T O     H A R E H O L D E R S


Statements of Changes in Net Assets  (continued)

 

    iShares
MSCI Kuwait ETF
    iShares
MSCI New Zealand ETF
 
   

Six Months
Ended

02/28/23
(unaudited)

    Year Ended
08/31/22
   

Six Months

Ended

02/28/23
(unaudited)

    Year Ended
08/31/22
 

 

 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

       

OPERATIONS

       

Net investment income (loss)

  $ (72,990   $ 516,727     $ 1,358,563     $ 2,502,958  

Net realized gain (loss)

    (428,768     970,196       (4,956,649     (5,137,784

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    (2,402,133     1,964,246       8,418,256       (33,250,612
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    (2,903,891     3,451,169       4,820,170       (35,885,438
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a)

       

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

    (1,068,190 )(b)      (1,532,424     (569,262     (3,416,129
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

       

Net increase in net assets derived from capital share transactions

    25,295,557       8,535,177       15,936,308       11,592,502  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

       

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

    21,323,476       10,453,922       20,187,216       (27,709,065

Beginning of period

    29,115,942       18,662,020       115,147,011       142,856,076  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period

  $ 50,439,418     $ 29,115,942     $ 135,334,227     $ 115,147,011  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

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

(b) 

A portion of the distributions from net investment income may be deemed a return of capital or net realized gain at fiscal year-end.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L    T A T E M E N T  S

  37


Statements of Changes in Net Assets  (continued)

 

    iShares
MSCI Norway ETF
 
    Six Months
Ended
02/28/23
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
08/31/22
 

 

 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

   

OPERATIONS

   

Net investment income

  $ 460,190     $ 1,547,885  

Net realized gain (loss)

    (472,097     4,236,964  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    (1,415,176     (8,683,731
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations

    (1,427,083     (2,898,882
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a)

   

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

    (360,714     (1,471,431
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

   

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

    4,638,261       (7,807,097
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

   

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

    2,850,464       (12,177,410

Beginning of period

    33,690,113       45,867,523  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period

  $ 36,540,577     $ 33,690,113  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

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

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

38  

2 0 2 3    H A R E S     E M I - A N N U A L    E P O R T    T O     H A R E H O L D E R S


Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    iShares MSCI Denmark ETF  
    Six Months Ended
02/28/23
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
08/31/22
     Year Ended
08/31/21
     Year Ended
08/31/20
     Year Ended
08/31/19
     Year Ended
08/31/18
 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 86.11     $ 115.08      $ 84.54      $ 60.99      $ 67.75      $ 67.57  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    (0.00     1.37        0.76        0.50        0.97        0.90  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(b)

    15.23       (28.97      30.62        23.52        (5.99      0.77  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    15.23       (27.60      31.38        24.02        (5.02      1.67  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions from net investment income(c)

    (0.09     (1.37      (0.84      (0.47      (1.74      (1.49
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 101.25     $ 86.11      $ 115.08      $ 84.54      $ 60.99      $ 67.75  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

               

Based on net asset value

    17.70 %(e)      (24.07 )%       37.21      39.52      (7.41 )%       2.58
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(f)

               

Total expenses

    0.53 %(g)       0.53      0.53      0.53      0.53      0.53
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income

    (0.00 )%(g)      1.37      0.77      0.71      1.59      1.34
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

               

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 222,751     $ 176,516      $ 166,868      $ 109,899      $ 33,544      $ 40,649  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(h)

    6 %(e)       12      11      21      14      13
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b) 

The amounts reported for a share outstanding may not accord with the change in aggregate gains and losses in securities for the fiscal period due to the timing of capital share transactions in relation to the fluctuating market values of the Fund’s underlying securities.

(c) 

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

(d) 

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(e) 

Not annualized.

(f) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

(g) 

Annualized.

(h) 

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L    I G H L I G H T  S

  39


Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    iShares MSCI Finland ETF  
    Six Months Ended
02/28/23
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
08/31/22
     Year Ended
08/31/21
     Year Ended
08/31/20
     Year Ended
08/31/19
     Year Ended
08/31/18
 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 34.85     $ 52.00      $ 41.34      $ 35.63      $ 41.83      $ 39.79  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.15       1.73        1.10        0.85        1.30        1.39  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(b)

    3.16       (16.54      10.93        6.25        (5.98      2.16  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    3.31       (14.81      12.03        7.10        (4.68      3.55  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions from net investment income(c)

    (0.17 )(d)      (2.34      (1.37      (1.39      (1.52      (1.51
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 37.99     $ 34.85      $ 52.00      $ 41.34      $ 35.63      $ 41.83  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Return(e)

               

Based on net asset value

    9.49 %(f)      (28.85 )%       29.37      20.61      (11.24 )%       9.08
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(g)

               

Total expenses

    0.53 %(h)      0.57      0.55      0.53      0.53      0.53
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses excluding professional fees for foreign withholding tax claims

    N/A       N/A        0.53      0.53      0.53      N/A  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income

    0.85 %(h)      4.05      2.39      2.36      3.40      3.38
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

               

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 17,094     $ 22,652      $ 31,198      $ 35,139      $ 26,725      $ 39,735  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(i)

    4 %(f)       20      12      22      16      11
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b) 

The amounts reported for a share outstanding may not accord with the change in aggregate gains and losses in securities for the fiscal period due to the timing of capital share transactions in relation to the fluctuating market values of the Fund’s underlying securities.

(c) 

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

(d) 

A portion of the distributions from net investment income may be deemed a return of capital or net realized gain at fiscal year-end.

(e) 

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(f) 

Not annualized.

(g) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

(h) 

Annualized.

(i) 

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

40  

2 0 2 3    H A R E S     E M I - A N N U A L    E P O R T    T O     H A R E H O L D E R S


Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    iShares MSCI Germany Small-Cap ETF  
    Six Months Ended
02/28/23
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
08/31/22
     Year Ended
08/31/21
     Year Ended
08/31/20
     Year Ended
08/31/19
     Year Ended
08/31/18
 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 52.14     $ 85.28      $ 63.72      $ 52.75      $ 63.43      $ 57.18  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.02       1.19        0.99        0.38        1.07        1.33  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(b)

    9.77       (32.86      21.79        10.74        (10.06      6.19  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    9.79       (31.67      22.78        11.12        (8.99      7.52  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions from net investment income(c)

    (0.17 )(d)      (1.47      (1.22      (0.15      (1.69      (1.27
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 61.76     $ 52.14      $ 85.28      $ 63.72      $ 52.75      $ 63.43  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Return(e)

               

Based on net asset value

    18.82 %(f)      (37.52 )%       35.96      21.12      (14.08 )%       13.22
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(g)

               

Total expenses

    0.59 %(h)      0.59      0.59      0.59      0.59      0.59
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income

    0.07 %(h)      1.66      1.30      0.69      1.95      2.09
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

               

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 24,705     $ 23,464      $ 42,642      $ 31,862      $ 36,927      $ 60,260  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(i)

    4 %(f)       27      24      25      13      14
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b) 

The amounts reported for a share outstanding may not accord with the change in aggregate gains and losses in securities for the fiscal period due to the timing of capital share transactions in relation to the fluctuating market values of the Fund’s underlying securities.

(c) 

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

(d) 

A portion of the distributions from net investment income may be deemed a return of capital or net realized gain at fiscal year-end.

(e) 

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(f) 

Not annualized.

(g) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

(h) 

Annualized.

(i) 

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L    I G H L I G H T  S

  41


Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    iShares MSCI Ireland ETF  
    Six Months Ended
02/28/23
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
08/31/22
     Year Ended
08/31/21
     Year Ended
08/31/20
     Year Ended
08/31/19
     Year Ended
08/31/18
 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 42.16     $ 61.21      $ 42.50      $ 39.39      $ 46.25      $ 43.80  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.07       0.52        0.32        0.43        0.61        0.61  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(b)

    9.88       (18.92      18.74        3.34        (6.80      2.62  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    9.95       (18.40      19.06        3.77        (6.19      3.23  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions from net investment income(c)

          (0.65      (0.35      (0.66      (0.67      (0.78
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 52.11     $ 42.16      $ 61.21      $ 42.50      $ 39.39      $ 46.25  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

               

Based on net asset value

    23.61 %(e)      (30.16 )%       44.90      9.59      (13.44 )%       7.38
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(f)

               

Total expenses

    0.51 %(g)      0.50      0.50      0.51      0.49      0.47
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income

    0.30 %(g)      1.02      0.62      1.06      1.49      1.31
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

               

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 62,528     $ 48,479      $ 82,630      $ 53,119      $ 55,151      $ 69,381  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(h)

    9 %(e)       33      40      47      24      20
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b) 

The amounts reported for a share outstanding may not accord with the change in aggregate gains and losses in securities for the fiscal period due to the timing of capital share transactions in relation to the fluctuating market values of the Fund’s underlying securities.

(c) 

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

(d) 

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(e) 

Not annualized.

(f) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

(g) 

Annualized.

(h) 

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

42  

2 0 2 3    H A R E S     E M I - A N N U A L    E P O R T    T O     H A R E H O L D E R S


Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    iShares MSCI Kuwait ETF  
   

Six Months Ended
02/28/23
(unaudited)
 
 
 
   
Year Ended
08/31/22
 
 
   

Period From
09/01/20

to 08/31/21

 
(a)  

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 36.39     $ 33.93     $ 25.22  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss)(b)

    (0.08     0.87       0.66  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(c)

    (2.58     4.38       8.62  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    (2.66     5.25       9.28  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions(d)

     

From net investment income

    (0.46 )(e)       (2.79     (0.57

From net realized gain

    (0.73            
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (1.19     (2.79     (0.57
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 32.54     $ 36.39     $ 33.93  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(f)

     

Based on net asset value

    (7.40 )%(g)       16.26     37.03 %(g)  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(h)

     

Total expenses

    0.74 %(i)       0.74     0.74 %(i)  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss)

    (0.46 )%(i)       2.42     2.24 %(i)  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

     

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 50,439     $ 29,116     $ 18,662  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(j)

    17 %(g)       26     16 %(g)  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Commencement of operations.

(b) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(c) 

The amounts reported for a share outstanding may not accord with the change in aggregate gains and losses in securities for the fiscal period due to the timing of capital share transactions in relation to the fluctuating market values of the Fund’s underlying securities.

(d) 

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

(e) 

A portion of the distributions from net investment income may be deemed a return of capital or net realized gain at fiscal year-end.

(f) 

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(g) 

Not annualized.

(h) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

(i) 

Annualized.

(j) 

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L    I G H L I G H T  S

  43


Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    iShares MSCI New Zealand ETF  
    Six Months Ended
02/28/23
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
08/31/22
     Year Ended
08/31/21
     Year Ended
08/31/20
     Year Ended
08/31/19
     Year Ended
08/31/18
 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 47.00     $ 63.49      $ 60.80      $ 51.80      $ 49.11      $ 46.26  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.55       1.06        1.04        1.06        1.58        1.71  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(b)

    1.90       (16.12      2.97        9.49        2.70        2.86  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    2.45       (15.06      4.01        10.55        4.28        4.57  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions from net investment income(c)

    (0.24     (1.43      (1.32      (1.55      (1.59      (1.72
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 49.21     $ 47.00      $ 63.49      $ 60.80      $ 51.80      $ 49.11  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

               

Based on net asset value

    5.21 %(e)       (23.96 )%       6.58      20.71      9.00      10.02
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(f)

               

Total expenses

    0.51 %(g)       0.50      0.50      0.51      0.50      0.47
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income

    2.35 %(g)      1.95      1.64      1.96      3.16      3.58
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

               

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 135,334     $ 115,147      $ 142,856      $ 167,203      $ 165,751      $ 142,406  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(h)

    9 %(e)       12      16      12      15      14
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b) 

The amounts reported for a share outstanding may not accord with the change in aggregate gains and losses in securities for the fiscal period due to the timing of capital share transactions in relation to the fluctuating market values of the Fund’s underlying securities.

(c) 

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

(d) 

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(e) 

Not annualized.

(f) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

(g) 

Annualized.

(h) 

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

44  

2 0 2 3    H A R E S     E M I - A N N U A L    E P O R T    T O     H A R E H O L D E R S


Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    iShares MSCI Norway ETF  
    Six Months Ended
02/28/23
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
08/31/22
     Year Ended
08/31/21
     Year Ended
08/31/20
     Year Ended
08/31/19
     Year Ended
08/31/18
 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 25.92     $ 28.67      $ 22.40      $ 22.63      $ 27.67      $ 25.07  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.35       0.97        0.69        0.34        0.67        0.72  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(b)

    (1.61     (2.79      6.30        (0.15      (4.91      2.56  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    (1.26     (1.82      6.99        0.19        (4.24      3.28  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions from net investment income(c)

    (0.30     (0.93      (0.72      (0.42      (0.80      (0.68
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 24.36     $ 25.92      $ 28.67      $ 22.40      $ 22.63      $ 27.67  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

               

Based on net asset value

    (4.87 )%(e)      (6.50 )%       31.42      1.04      (15.42 )%       13.21
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(f)

               

Total expenses

    0.53 %(g)      0.53      0.53      0.53      0.53      0.53
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income

    2.96 %(g)      3.39      2.61      1.58      2.66      2.67
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

               

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 36,541     $ 33,690      $ 45,868      $ 31,364      $ 22,632      $ 30,434  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(h)

    5 %(e)       27      12      16      13      13
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b) 

The amounts reported for a share outstanding may not accord with the change in aggregate gains and losses in securities for the fiscal period due to the timing of capital share transactions in relation to the fluctuating market values of the Fund’s underlying securities.

(c) 

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

(d) 

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(e) 

Not annualized.

(f) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

(g) 

Annualized.

(h) 

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L    I G H L I G H T  S

  45


Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited)

 

1.  

ORGANIZATION

iShares Trust (the “Trust”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as an open-end management investment company. The Trust is organized as a Delaware statutory trust and is authorized to have multiple series or portfolios.

These financial statements relate only to the following funds (each, a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”):

 

iShares ETF    Diversification    
Classification    
MSCI Denmark    Non-diversified    
MSCI Finland    Non-diversified    
MSCI Germany Small-Cap    Diversified    
MSCI Ireland    Non-diversified    
MSCI Kuwait    Non-diversified    
MSCI New Zealand    Non-diversified    

MSCI Norway

   Non-diversified    

 

2.  

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”), which may require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities in the financial statements, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Each Fund is considered an investment company under U.S. GAAP and follows the accounting and reporting guidance applicable to investment companies. Below is a summary of significant accounting policies:

Investment Transactions and Income Recognition: For financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are recorded on the dates the transactions are executed. Realized gains and losses on investment transactions are determined using the specific identification method. Dividend income and capital gain distributions, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Non-cash dividends, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend date at fair value. Dividends from foreign securities where the ex-dividend date may have passed are subsequently recorded when the Funds are informed of the ex-dividend date. Under the applicable foreign tax laws, a withholding tax at various rates may be imposed on capital gains, dividends and interest. Upon notification from issuers or as estimated by management, a portion of the dividend income received from a real estate investment trust may be redesignated as a reduction of cost of the related investment and/or realized gain.

Foreign Currency Translation: Each Fund’s books and records are maintained in U.S. dollars. Securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars using prevailing market rates as quoted by one or more data service providers. Purchases and sales of investments are recorded at the rates of exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions. Generally, when the U.S. dollar rises in value against a foreign currency, the investments denominated in that currency will lose value; the opposite effect occurs if the U.S. dollar falls in relative value.

Each Fund does not isolate the effect of fluctuations in foreign exchange rates from the effect of fluctuations in the market prices of investments for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, the effects of changes in exchange rates on investments are not segregated in the Statements of Operations from the effects of changes in market prices of those investments, but are included as a component of net realized and unrealized gain (loss) from investments. Each Fund reports realized currency gains (losses) on foreign currency related transactions as components of net realized gain (loss) for financial reporting purposes, whereas such components are generally treated as ordinary income for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Foreign Taxes: The Funds may be subject to foreign taxes (a portion of which may be reclaimable) on income, stock dividends, capital gains on investments, or certain foreign currency transactions. All foreign taxes are recorded in accordance with the applicable foreign tax regulations and rates that exist in the foreign jurisdictions in which each Fund invests. These foreign taxes, if any, are paid by each Fund and are reflected in its Statements of Operations as follows: foreign taxes withheld at source are presented as a reduction of income, foreign taxes on securities lending income are presented as a reduction of securities lending income, foreign taxes on stock dividends are presented as “Other foreign taxes”, and foreign taxes on capital gains from sales of investments and foreign taxes on foreign currency transactions are included in their respective net realized gain (loss) categories. Foreign taxes payable or deferred as of February 28, 2023, if any, are disclosed in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

The Funds file withholding tax reclaims in certain jurisdictions to recover a portion of amounts previously withheld. The Funds may record a reclaim receivable based on collectability, which includes factors such as the jurisdiction’s applicable laws, payment history and market convention. The Statements of Operations includes tax reclaims recorded as well as professional and other fees, if any, associated with recovery of foreign withholding taxes.

Collateralization: If required by an exchange or counterparty agreement, the Funds may be required to deliver/deposit cash and/or securities to/with an exchange, or broker-dealer or custodian as collateral for certain investments.

In-kind Redemptions: For financial reporting purposes, in-kind redemptions are treated as sales of securities resulting in realized capital gains or losses to the Funds. Because such gains or losses are not taxable to the Funds and are not distributed to existing Fund shareholders, the gains or losses are reclassified from accumulated net realized gain (loss) to paid-in capital at the end of the Funds’ tax year. These reclassifications have no effect on net assets or net asset value (“NAV”) per share.

 

 

46  

2 0 2 3    H A R E S     E M I - A N N U A L    E P O R T    T O     H A R E H O L D E R S


Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

Distributions: Dividends and distributions paid by each Fund are recorded on the ex-dividend dates. Distributions are determined on a tax basis and may differ from net investment income and net realized capital gains for financial reporting purposes. Dividends and distributions are paid in U.S. dollars and cannot be automatically reinvested in additional shares of the Funds.

The character and timing of distributions are determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP.

Indemnifications: In the normal course of business, each Fund enters into contracts that contain a variety of representations that provide general indemnification. The Funds’ maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown because it involves future potential claims against the Funds, which cannot be predicted with any certainty.

 

3.  

INVESTMENT VALUATION AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Investment Valuation Policies: Each Fund’s investments are valued at fair value (also referred to as “market value” within the financial statements) each day that the Fund’s listing exchange is open and, for financial reporting purposes, as of the report date. U.S. GAAP defines fair value as the price a fund would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”) of each Fund has approved the designation of BlackRock Fund Advisors (“BFA”), the Funds’ investment adviser, as the valuation designee for each Fund. Each Fund determines the fair values of its financial instruments using various independent dealers or pricing services under BFA’s policies. If a security’s market price is not readily available or does not otherwise accurately represent the fair value of the security, the security will be valued in accordance with BFA’s policies and procedures as reflecting fair value. BFA has formed a committee (the “Valuation Committee”) to develop pricing policies and procedures and to oversee the pricing function for all financial instruments, with assistance from other BlackRock pricing committees.

Fair Value Inputs and Methodologies: The following methods and inputs are used to establish the fair value of each Fund’s assets and liabilities:

 

   

Equity investments traded on a recognized securities exchange are valued at that day’s official closing price, as applicable, on the exchange where the stock is primarily traded. Equity investments traded on a recognized exchange for which there were no sales on that day are valued at the last traded price.

 

   

Investments in open-end U.S. mutual funds (including money market funds) are valued at that day’s published NAV.

 

   

Futures contracts are valued based on that day’s last reported settlement or trade price on the exchange where the contract is traded.

Generally, trading in foreign instruments is substantially completed each day at various times prior to the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”). Each business day, the Funds use current market factors supplied by independent pricing services to value certain foreign instruments (“Systematic Fair Value Price”). The Systematic Fair Value Price is designed to value such foreign securities at fair value as of the close of trading on the NYSE, which follows the close of the local markets.

If events (e.g., market volatility, company announcement or a natural disaster) occur that are expected to materially affect the value of such investment, or in the event that application of these methods of valuation results in a price for an investment that is deemed not to be representative of the market value of such investment, or if a price is not available, the investment will be valued by the Valuation Committee, in accordance with BFA’s policies and procedures as reflecting fair value (“Fair Valued Investments”). The fair valuation approaches that may be used by the Valuation Committee include market approach, income approach and cost approach. Valuation techniques such as discounted cash flow, use of market comparables and matrix pricing are types of valuation approaches and are typically used in determining fair value. When determining the price for Fair Valued Investments, the Valuation Committee seeks to determine the price that each Fund might reasonably expect to receive or pay from the current sale or purchase of that asset or liability in an arm’s-length transaction. Fair value determinations shall be based upon all available factors that the Valuation Committee deems relevant and consistent with the principles of fair value measurement.

Fair value pricing could result in a difference between the prices used to calculate a fund’s NAV and the prices used by the fund’s underlying index, which in turn could result in a difference between the fund’s performance and the performance of the fund’s underlying index.

Fair Value Hierarchy: Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments. These inputs to valuation techniques are categorized into a fair value hierarchy consisting of three broad levels for financial reporting purposes as follows:

 

   

Level 1 – Unadjusted price quotations in active markets/exchanges for identical assets or liabilities that each Fund has the ability to access;

 

   

Level 2 – Other observable inputs (including, but not limited to, quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in markets that are active, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the assets or liabilities (such as interest rates, yield curves, volatilities, prepayment speeds, loss severities, credit risks and default rates) or other market-corroborated inputs); and

 

   

Level 3 – Unobservable inputs based on the best information available in the circumstances, to the extent observable inputs are not available, (including the Valuation Committee’s assumptions used in determining the fair value of financial instruments).

The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized in Level 3. The inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, for disclosure purposes, the fair value hierarchy classification is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. Investments classified within Level 3 have significant unobservable inputs used by the Valuation Committee in determining the price for Fair Valued Investments. Level 3 investments include equity or debt issued by privately

 

 

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

  47


Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

held companies or funds that may not have a secondary market and/or may have a limited number of investors. The categorization of a value determined for financial instruments is based on the pricing transparency of the financial instruments and is not necessarily an indication of the risks associated with investing in those securities.

 

4.  

SECURITIES AND OTHER INVESTMENTS

Securities Lending: Each Fund may lend its securities to approved borrowers, such as brokers, dealers and other financial institutions. The borrower pledges and maintains with the Fund collateral consisting of cash, an irrevocable letter of credit issued by an approved bank, or securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government. The initial collateral received by each Fund is required to have a value of at least 102% of the current market value of the loaned securities for securities traded on U.S. exchanges and a value of at least 105% for all other securities. The collateral is maintained thereafter at a value equal to at least 100% of the current value of the securities on loan. The market value of the loaned securities is determined at the close of each business day of the Fund and any additional required collateral is delivered to the Fund or excess collateral is returned by the Fund, on the next business day. During the term of the loan, each Fund is entitled to all distributions made on or in respect of the loaned securities but does not receive interest income on securities received as collateral. Loans of securities are terminable at any time and the borrower, after notice, is required to return borrowed securities within the standard time period for settlement of securities transactions.

As of period end, any securities on loan were collateralized by cash and/or U.S. Government obligations. Cash collateral invested in money market funds managed by BFA, or its affiliates is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments. Any non-cash collateral received cannot be sold, re-invested or pledged by the Fund, except in the event of borrower default. The securities on loan, if any, are also disclosed in each Fund’s Schedule of Investments. The market value of any securities on loan and the value of any related cash collateral are disclosed in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

Securities lending transactions are entered into by the Funds under Master Securities Lending Agreements (each, an “MSLA”) which provide the right, in the event of default (including bankruptcy or insolvency) for the non-defaulting party to liquidate the collateral and calculate a net exposure to the defaulting party or request additional collateral. In the event that a borrower defaults, the Funds, as lender, would offset the market value of the collateral received against the market value of the securities loaned. When the value of the collateral is greater than that of the market value of the securities loaned, the lender is left with a net amount payable to the defaulting party. However, bankruptcy or insolvency laws of a particular jurisdiction may impose restrictions on or prohibitions against such a right of offset in the event of an MSLA counterparty’s bankruptcy or insolvency. Under the MSLA, absent an event of default, the borrower can resell or re-pledge the loaned securities, and the Funds can reinvest cash collateral received in connection with loaned securities. Upon an event of default, the parties’ obligations to return the securities or collateral to the other party are extinguished, and the parties can resell or re-pledge the loaned securities or the collateral received in connection with the loaned securities in order to satisfy the defaulting party’s net payment obligation for all transactions under the MSLA. The defaulting party remains liable for any deficiency.

As of period end, the following table is a summary of the securities on loan by counterparty which are subject to offset under an MSLA:

 

 

 
iShares ETF and Counterparty  

 

 

 

Securities Loaned
at Value

 

 
 

  

 

 

 

Cash Collateral
Received

 

 
(a)  

  

 

 

 

Non-Cash Collateral
Received, at Fair Value

 

 
(a) 

     Net Amount  

 

 

MSCI Denmark

          

BofA Securities, Inc.

  $ 344,607      $ (344,607    $      $  

Citigroup Global Markets, Inc.

    1,094,981        (1,094,981              

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC

    2,331,163        (2,331,163              

HSBC Bank PLC

    1,185,069        (1,185,069              

Morgan Stanley

    3,240,203        (3,240,203              

UBS AG

    148,866        (148,866              
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
  $ 8,344,889      $ (8,344,889    $      $  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

MSCI Finland

          

BofA Securities, Inc.

  $ 26,668      $ (26,668    $      $  

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC

    285,101        (285,101              

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

    20,371        (20,371              
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
  $ 332,140      $ (332,140    $      $  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

MSCI Germany Small-Cap

          

Barclays Capital, Inc.

  $ 121,050      $ (121,050    $      $  

BNP Paribas SA

    363,365        (363,365              

BofA Securities, Inc.

    60,960        (60,960              

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC

    817,076        (817,076              

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

    40,274        (40,274              

Morgan Stanley

    586,678        (586,678              

Scotia Capital (USA), Inc.

    176,613        (176,613              
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
  $ 2,166,016      $ (2,166,016    $      $  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

MSCI New Zealand

          

Barclays Capital, Inc.

  $ 2,759,330      $ (2,759,330    $      $  

Morgan Stanley

    164,514        (164,514              
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
  $ 2,923,844      $ (2,923,844    $      $  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

48  

2 0 2 3    H A R E S     E M I - A N N U A L    E P O R T    T O     H A R E H O L D E R S


Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

 

 
iShares ETF and Counterparty  

 

 

 

Securities Loaned
at Value

 

 
 

  

 

 

 

Cash Collateral
Received

 

 
(a)  

  

 

 

 

Non-Cash Collateral
Received, at Fair Value

 

 
(a) 

     Net Amount  

 

 

MSCI Norway

          

Barclays Capital, Inc.

  $ 38,550      $ (38,550    $      $  

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC

    368,571        (368,571              

HSBC Bank PLC

    387,279        (387,279              

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

    515,682        (515,682              

UBS AG

    46,652        (46,652              
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
  $ 1,356,734      $ (1,356,734    $      $  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Collateral received, if any, in excess of the market value of securities on loan is not presented in this table. The total cash collateral received by each Fund is disclosed in the Fund’s Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

 

The risks of securities lending include the risk that the borrower may not provide additional collateral when required or may not return the securities when due. To mitigate these risks, each Fund benefits from a borrower default indemnity provided by BlackRock, Inc. (“BlackRock”). BlackRock’s indemnity allows for full replacement of the securities loaned to the extent the collateral received does not cover the value of the securities loaned in the event of borrower default. Each Fund could incur a loss if the value of an investment purchased with cash collateral falls below the market value of the loaned securities or if the value of an investment purchased with cash collateral falls below the value of the original cash collateral received. Such losses are borne entirely by each Fund.

 

5.  

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Futures Contracts: Futures contracts are purchased or sold to gain exposure to, or manage exposure to, changes in interest rates (interest rate risk) and changes in the value of equity securities (equity risk) or foreign currencies (foreign currency exchange rate risk).

Futures contracts are exchange-traded agreements between the Funds and a counterparty to buy or sell a specific quantity of an underlying instrument at a specified price and on a specified date. Depending on the terms of a contract, it is settled either through physical delivery of the underlying instrument on the settlement date or by payment of a cash amount on the settlement date. Upon entering into a futures contract, the Funds are required to deposit initial margin with the broker in the form of cash or securities in an amount that varies depending on a contract’s size and risk profile. The initial margin deposit must then be maintained at an established level over the life of the contract. Amounts pledged, which are considered restricted, are included in cash pledged for futures contracts in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

Securities deposited as initial margin are designated in the Schedule of Investments and cash deposited, if any, are shown as cash pledged for futures contracts in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. Pursuant to the contract, the Funds agree to receive from or pay to the broker an amount of cash equal to the daily fluctuation in market value of the contract (“variation margin”). Variation margin is recorded as unrealized appreciation (depreciation) and, if any, shown as variation margin receivable (or payable) on futures contracts in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. When the contract is closed, a realized gain or loss is recorded in the Statements of Operations equal to the difference between the notional amount of the contract at the time it was opened and the notional amount at the time it was closed. The use of futures contracts involves the risk of an imperfect correlation in the movements in the price of futures contracts and interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates or underlying assets.

 

6.  

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

Investment Advisory Fees: Pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement with the Trust, BFA manages the investment of each Fund’s assets. BFA is a California corporation indirectly owned by BlackRock. Under the Investment Advisory Agreement, BFA is responsible for substantially all expenses of the Funds, except (i) interest and taxes; (ii) brokerage commissions and other expenses connected with the execution of portfolio transactions; (iii) distribution fees; (iv) the advisory fee payable to BFA; and (v) litigation expenses and any extraordinary expenses (in each case as determined by a majority of the independent trustees).

For its investment advisory services to each of the following Funds, BFAis entitled to an annual investment advisory fee, accrued daily and paid monthly by the Funds, based on the average daily net assets of each Fund as follows:

 

 

iShares ETF

 

 

Investment Advisory Fees

 

MSCI Denmark

    0.53

MSCI Finland

    0.53  

MSCI Germany Small-Cap

    0.59  

MSCI Kuwait

    0.74  

MSCI Norway

    0.53  

 

 

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  49


Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

For its investment advisory services to each of the iShares MSCI Ireland and iShares MSCI New Zealand ETFs, BFA is entitled to an annual investment advisory fee, accrued daily and paid monthly by the Funds, based on each Fund’s allocable portion of the aggregate of the average daily net assets of the Fund and certain other iShares funds, as follows:

 

 

Aggregate Average Daily Net Assets

 

 

Investment Advisory Fees

 

First $7 billion

    0.59

Over $7 billion, up to and including $11 billion

    0.54  

Over $11 billion, up to and including $24 billion

    0.49  

Over $24 billion, up to and including $48 billion

    0.44  

Over $48 billion, up to and including $72 billion

    0.40  

Over $72 billion, up to and including $96 billion

    0.36  

Over $96 billion

    0.32  

Distributor: BlackRock Investments, LLC, an affiliate of BFA, is the distributor for each Fund. Pursuant to the distribution agreement, BFA is responsible for any fees or expenses for distribution services provided to the Funds.

Securities Lending: The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) has issued an exemptive order which permits BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A. (“BTC”), an affiliate of BFA, to serve as securities lending agent for the Funds, subject to applicable conditions. As securities lending agent, BTC bears all operational costs directly related to securities lending, including any custodial costs. Each Fund is responsible for fees in connection with the investment of cash collateral received for securities on loan (the “collateral investment fees”). The cash collateral is invested in a money market fund, BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional or BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, managed by BFA, or its affiliates. However, BTC has agreed to reduce the amount of securities lending income it receives in order to effectively limit the collateral investment fees each Fund bears to an annual rate of 0.04%. The SL Agency Shares of such money market fund will not be subject to a sales load, distribution fee or service fee. The money market fund in which the cash collateral has been invested may, under certain circumstances, impose a liquidity fee of up to 2% of the value redeemed or temporarily restrict redemptions for up to 10 business days during a 90 day period, in the event that the money market fund’s weekly liquid assets fall below certain thresholds.

Securities lending income is equal to the total of income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral, net of fees and other payments to and from borrowers of securities, and less the collateral investment fees. Each Fund retains a portion of securities lending income and remits the remaining portion to BTC as compensation for its services as securities lending agent.

Pursuant to the current securities lending agreement, each Fund retains 82% of securities lending income (which excludes collateral investment fees), and the amount retained can never be less than 70% of the total of securities lending income plus the collateral investment fees.

In addition, commencing the business day following the date that the aggregate securities lending income plus the collateral investment fees generated across all 1940 Act iShares exchange-traded funds (the “iShares ETF Complex”) in that calendar year exceeds a specified threshold, each Fund, pursuant to the securities lending agreement, will retain for the remainder of that calendar year 85% of securities lending income (which excludes collateral investment fees), and the amount retained can never be less than 70% of the total of securities lending income plus the collateral investment fees.

The share of securities lending income earned by each Fund is shown as securities lending income – affiliated – net in its Statements of Operations. For the six months ended February 28, 2023, the Funds paid BTC the following amounts for securities lending agent services:

 

 

iShares ETF

 

 

Amounts  

 

MSCI Denmark

  $ 4,624    

MSCI Finland

    1,600    

MSCI Germany Small-Cap

    8,364    

MSCI New Zealand

    372    

MSCI Norway

    2,446    

Officers and Trustees: Certain officers and/or trustees of the Trust are officers and/or trustees of BlackRock or its affiliates.

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

Other Transactions: Cross trading is the buying or selling of portfolio securities between funds to which BFA (or an affiliate) serves as investment adviser. At its regularly scheduled quarterly meetings, the Board reviews such transactions as of the most recent calendar quarter for compliance with the requirements and restrictions set forth by Rule 17a-7.

For the six months ended February 28, 2023, transactions executed by the Funds pursuant to Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act were as follows:

 

iShares ETF   Purchases      Sales      Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
 

MSCI Denmark

  $   3,438,386      $ 5,602,045      $ 174,761  

MSCI Finland

    396,868        127,322        (77,089

MSCI Germany Small-Cap

    475,505        85,254        (15,074

MSCI Ireland

    523,076          3,039,359        562,637  

MSCI New Zealand

    29,442        2,019,629        (296,101

MSCI Norway

    79,226        179,579        (21,216

Each Fund may invest its positive cash balances in certain money market funds managed by BFA or an affiliate. The income earned on these temporary cash investments is shown as dividends – affiliated in the Statements of Operations.

A fund, in order to improve its portfolio liquidity and its ability to track its underlying index, may invest in shares of other iShares funds that invest in securities in the fund’s underlying index.

 

7.  

PURCHASES AND SALES

For the six months ended February 28, 2023, purchases and sales of investments, excluding short-term securities and in-kind transactions, were as follows:

 

iShares ETF   Purchases      Sales  

MSCI Denmark

  $   11,809,645      $   12,250,721  

MSCI Finland

    834,738        906,812  

MSCI Germany Small-Cap

    943,235        1,001,563  

MSCI Ireland

    4,675,678        4,750,895  

MSCI Kuwait

    30,023,079        5,734,305  

MSCI New Zealand

    10,692,397        10,240,046  

MSCI Norway

    1,457,578        1,434,887  

For the six months ended February 28, 2023, in-kind transactions were as follows:

 

iShares ETF   In-kind
Purchases
    

In-kind

Sales

 

MSCI Denmark

  $ 40,683,415      $ 28,094,681  

MSCI Finland

           6,588,307  

MSCI Germany Small-Cap

           2,177,415  

MSCI Ireland

    6,293,519        4,191,623  

MSCI New Zealand

      31,998,906          16,206,084  

MSCI Norway

    7,101,856        2,395,915  

 

8.  

INCOME TAX INFORMATION

Each Fund is treated as an entity separate from the Trust’s other funds for federal income tax purposes. It is each Fund’s policy to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, applicable to regulated investment companies, and to distribute substantially all of its taxable income to its shareholders. Therefore, no U.S. federal income tax provision is required.

Management has analyzed tax laws and regulations and their application to the Funds as of February 28, 2023, inclusive of the open tax return years, and does not believe that there are any uncertain tax positions that require recognition of a tax liability in the Funds’ financial statements.

As of August 31, 2022, the Funds had non-expiring capital loss carryforwards available to offset future realized capital gains as follows:

 

iShares ETF   Amounts  

MSCI Denmark

  $ 3,263,163  

MSCI Finland

    4,540,781  

MSCI Germany Small-Cap

    1,407,194  

MSCI Ireland

      13,345,548  

MSCI New Zealand

    30,477,459  

MSCI Norway

    10,926,515  

 

 

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  51


Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

A fund may own shares in certain foreign investment entities, referred to, under U.S. tax law, as “passive foreign investment companies.” Such fund may elect to mark-to-market annually the shares of each passive foreign investment company and would be required to distribute to shareholders any such marked-to-market gains.

As of February 28, 2023, gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation based on cost of investments (including short positions and derivatives, if any) for U.S. federal income tax purposes were as follows:

 

iShares ETF   Tax Cost      Gross Unrealized
Appreciation
     Gross Unrealized
Depreciation
     Net Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

MSCI Denmark

  $   221,289,980      $   32,257,847      $ (23,839,781    $   8,418,066  

MSCI Finland

    21,642,806        163,637        (4,663,273      (4,499,636

MSCI Germany Small-Cap

    33,194,146        2,560,443        (8,800,165      (6,239,722

MSCI Ireland

    57,007,050        8,628,764        (3,326,619      5,302,145  

MSCI Kuwait

    48,152,005        3,989,552        (1,537,287      2,452,265  

MSCI New Zealand

    163,266,089        1,999,490        (27,190,702      (25,191,212

MSCI Norway

    44,585,447        1,294,614        (7,889,645      (6,595,031

 

9.  

LINE OF CREDIT

The iShares MSCI Kuwait ETF, along with certain other iShares funds (“Participating Funds”), is a party to a $800 million credit agreement (“Syndicated Credit Agreement”) with a group of lenders, which expires on August 11, 2023. The line of credit may be used for temporary or emergency purposes, including redemptions, settlement of trades and rebalancing of portfolio holdings in certain target markets. The Funds may borrow up to the aggregate commitment amount subject to asset coverage and other limitations as specified in the Syndicated Credit Agreement. The Syndicated Credit Agreement has the following terms: a commitment fee of 0.15% per annum on the unused portion of the credit agreement and interest at a rate equal to the higher of (a) Daily Simple Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) plus 0.10% and 1.00% per annum or (b) the U.S. Federal Funds rate plus 1.00% per annum on amounts borrowed. The commitment fee is generally allocated to each Participating Fund based on the lesser of a Participating Fund’s relative exposure to certain target markets or a Participating Fund’s maximum borrowing amount as set forth by the terms of the Syndicated Credit Agreement.

During the six months ended February 28, 2023, the Fund did not borrow under the Syndicated Credit Agreement.

 

10.  

PRINCIPAL RISKS

In the normal course of business, each Fund invests in securities or other instruments and may enter into certain transactions, and such activities subject the Fund to various risks, including, among others, fluctuations in the market (market risk) or failure of an issuer to meet all of its obligations. The value of securities or other instruments may also be affected by various factors, including, without limitation: (i) the general economy; (ii) the overall market as well as local, regional or global political and/or social instability; (iii) regulation, taxation or international tax treaties between various countries; or (iv) currency, interest rate or price fluctuations. Local, regional or global events such as war, acts of terrorism, the spread of infectious illness or other public health issues, recessions, or other events could have a significant impact on the Funds and their investments. Each Fund’s prospectus provides details of the risks to which the Fund is subject.

BFA uses a “passive” or index approach to try to achieve each Fund’s investment objective following the securities included in its underlying index during upturns as well as downturns. BFA does not take steps to reduce market exposure or to lessen the effects of a declining market. Divergence from the underlying index and the composition of the portfolio is monitored by BFA.

The Funds may be exposed to additional risks when reinvesting cash collateral in money market funds that do not seek to maintain a stable NAV per share of $1.00, which may be subject to redemption gates or liquidity fees under certain circumstances.

Infectious Illness Risk: An outbreak of an infectious illness, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, may adversely impact the economies of many nations and the global economy, and may impact individual issuers and capital markets in ways that cannot be foreseen. An infectious illness outbreak may result in, among other things, closed international borders, prolonged quarantines, supply chain disruptions, market volatility or disruptions and other significant economic, social and political impacts.

Valuation Risk: The market values of equities, such as common stocks and preferred securities or equity related investments, such as futures and options, may decline due to general market conditions which are not specifically related to a particular company. They may also decline due to factors which affect a particular industry or industries. A fund may invest in illiquid investments. An illiquid investment is any investment that a fund reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment. A fund may experience difficulty in selling illiquid investments in a timely manner at the price that it believes the investments are worth. Prices may fluctuate widely over short or extended periods in response to company, market or economic news. Markets also tend to move in cycles, with periods of rising and falling prices. This volatility may cause a fund’s NAV to experience significant increases or decreases over short periods of time. If there is a general decline in the securities and other markets, the NAV of a fund may lose value, regardless of the individual results of the securities and other instruments in which a fund invests.

Counterparty Credit Risk: The Funds may be exposed to counterparty credit risk, or the risk that an entity may fail to or be unable to perform on its commitments related to unsettled or open transactions, including making timely interest and/or principal payments or otherwise honoring its obligations. The Funds manage counterparty credit risk by entering into transactions only with counterparties that BFA believes have the financial resources to honor their obligations and by monitoring the financial stability

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

of those counterparties. Financial assets, which potentially expose the Funds to market, issuer and counterparty credit risks, consist principally of financial instruments and receivables due from counterparties. The extent of the Funds’ exposure to market, issuer and counterparty credit risks with respect to these financial assets is approximately their value recorded in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities, less any collateral held by the Funds.

A derivative contract may suffer a mark-to-market loss if the value of the contract decreases due to an unfavorable change in the market rates or values of the underlying instrument. Losses can also occur if the counterparty does not perform under the contract.

With exchange-traded futures, there is less counterparty credit risk to the Funds since the exchange or clearinghouse, as counterparty to such instruments, guarantees against a possible default. The clearinghouse stands between the buyer and the seller of the contract; therefore, credit risk is limited to failure of the clearinghouse. While offset rights may exist under applicable law, a fund does not have a contractual right of offset against a clearing broker or clearinghouse in the event of a default (including the bankruptcy or insolvency). Additionally, credit risk exists in exchange-traded futures with respect to initial and variation margin that is held in a clearing broker’s customer accounts. While clearing brokers are required to segregate customer margin from their own assets, in the event that a clearing broker becomes insolvent or goes into bankruptcy and at that time there is a shortfall in the aggregate amount of margin held by the clearing broker for all its clients, typically the shortfall would be allocated on a pro rata basis across all the clearing broker’s customers, potentially resulting in losses to the Funds.

Concentration Risk: A diversified portfolio, where this is appropriate and consistent with a fund’s objectives, minimizes the risk that a price change of a particular investment will have a material impact on the NAV of a fund. The investment concentrations within each Fund’s portfolio are disclosed in its Schedule of Investments.

Certain Funds invest a significant portion of their assets in issuers located in a single country or a limited number of countries. When a fund concentrates its investments in this manner, it assumes the risk that economic, regulatory, political and social conditions in that country or those countries may have a significant impact on the fund and could affect the income from, or the value or liquidity of, the Fund’s portfolio. Unanticipated or sudden political or social developments may cause uncertainty in the markets and as a result adversely affect the Fund’s investments. Foreign issuers may not be subject to the same uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and practices as used in the United States. Foreign securities markets may also be more volatile and less liquid than U.S. securities and may be less subject to governmental supervision not typically associated with investing in U.S. securities. Investment percentages in specific countries are presented in the Schedule of Investments.

Certain Funds invest a significant portion of their assets in securities of issuers located in Europe or with significant exposure to European issuers or countries. The European financial markets have recently experienced volatility and adverse trends due to concerns about economic downturns in, or rising government debt levels of, several European countries as well as acts of war in the region. These events may spread to other countries in Europe and may affect the value and liquidity of certain of the Funds’ investments.

Responses to the financial problems by European governments, central banks and others, including austerity measures and reforms, may not work, may result in social unrest and may limit future growth and economic recovery or have other unintended consequences. Further defaults or restructurings by governments and others of their debt could have additional adverse effects on economies, financial markets and asset valuations around the world. The United Kingdom has withdrawn from the European Union, and one or more other countries may withdraw from the European Union and/or abandon the Euro, the common currency of the European Union. These events and actions have adversely affected, and may in the future adversely affect, the value and exchange rate of the Euro and may continue to significantly affect the economies of every country in Europe, including countries that do not use the Euro and non-European Union member states. The impact of these actions, especially if they occur in a disorderly fashion, is not clear but could be significant and far reaching. In addition, Russia launched a large-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. The extent and duration of the military action, resulting sanctions and resulting future market disruptions in the region are impossible to predict, but have been, and may continue to be significant and have a severe adverse effect on the region, including significant negative impacts on the economy and the markets for certain securities and commodities, such as oil and natural gas, as well as other sectors.

Certain Funds invest a significant portion of their assets in securities within a single or limited number of market sectors. When a fund concentrates its investments in this manner, it assumes the risk that economic, regulatory, political and social conditions affecting such sectors may have a significant impact on the fund and could affect the income from, or the value or liquidity of, the fund’s portfolio. Investment percentages in specific sectors are presented in the Schedule of Investments.

Significant Shareholder Redemption Risk: Certain shareholders may own or manage a substantial amount of fund shares and/or hold their fund investments for a limited period of time. Large redemptions of fund shares by these shareholders may force a fund to sell portfolio securities, which may negatively impact the fund’s NAV, increase the fund’s brokerage costs, and/or accelerate the realization of taxable income/gains and cause the fund to make additional taxable distributions to shareholders.

LIBOR Transition Risk: The Funds may be exposed to financial instruments that are tied to the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) to determine payment obligations, financing terms, hedging strategies or investment value. The United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority, which regulates LIBOR, announced that a majority of USD LIBOR settings will no longer be published after June 30, 2023. All other LIBOR settings and certain other interbank offered rates ceased to be published after December 31, 2021. SOFR has been used increasingly on a voluntary basis in new instruments and transactions. The Federal Reserve Board adopted regulations that provide a fallback mechanism by identifying benchmark rates based on SOFR that will replace LIBOR in certain financial contracts after June 30, 2023. The ultimate effect of the LIBOR transition process on the Funds is uncertain.

 

11.  

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

Capital shares are issued and redeemed by each Fund only in aggregations of a specified number of shares or multiples thereof (“Creation Units”) at NAV. Except when aggregated in Creation Units, shares of each Fund are not redeemable.

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

Transactions in capital shares were as follows:

 

     Six Months Ended
02/28/23
            Year Ended
08/31/22
 
iShares ETF   Shares     Amount             Shares     Amount  

MSCI Denmark

          

Shares sold

    450,000     $ 41,062,563          750,000     $ 73,265,705  

Shares redeemed

    (300,000     (28,360,160        (150,000     (15,357,477
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 
    150,000     $ 12,702,403          600,000     $ 57,908,228  
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

MSCI Finland

          

Shares sold

        $          600,000     $ 25,593,046  

Shares redeemed

    (200,000     (6,695,616        (550,000     (22,696,262
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 
    (200,000   $ (6,695,616        50,000     $ 2,896,784  
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

MSCI Germany Small-Cap

          

Shares redeemed

    (50,000   $ (2,184,110        (50,000   $ (3,365,971
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

MSCI Ireland

          

Shares sold

    150,000     $ 6,315,044          150,000     $ 9,005,153  

Shares redeemed

    (100,000     (4,206,657        (350,000     (18,103,690
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 
    50,000     $ 2,108,387          (200,000   $ (9,098,537
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

MSCI Kuwait

          

Shares sold

    750,000     $ 25,295,557          300,000     $ 10,365,554  

Shares redeemed

                   (50,000     (1,830,377
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 
    750,000     $ 25,295,557          250,000     $ 8,535,177  
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

MSCI New Zealand

          

Shares sold

    650,000     $ 32,236,054          650,000     $ 33,480,693  

Shares redeemed

    (350,000     (16,299,746        (450,000     (21,888,191
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 
    300,000     $ 15,936,308          200,000     $ 11,592,502  
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

MSCI Norway

          

Shares sold

    300,000     $ 7,135,918          1,150,000     $ 33,999,245  

Shares redeemed

    (100,000     (2,497,657        (1,450,000     (41,806,342
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 
    200,000     $ 4,638,261          (300,000   $ (7,807,097
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

The consideration for the purchase of Creation Units of a fund in the Trust generally consists of the in-kind deposit of a designated portfolio of securities and a specified amount of cash. Certain funds in the Trust may be offered in Creation Units solely or partially for cash in U.S. dollars. Investors purchasing and redeeming Creation Units may pay a purchase transaction fee and a redemption transaction fee directly to State Street Bank and Trust Company, the Trust’s administrator, to offset transfer and other transaction costs associated with the issuance and redemption of Creation Units, including Creation Units for cash. Investors transacting in Creation Units for cash may also pay an additional variable charge to compensate the relevant fund for certain transaction costs (i.e., stamp taxes, taxes on currency or other financial transactions, and brokerage costs) and market impact expenses relating to investing in portfolio securities. Such variable charges, if any, are included in shares sold in the table above.

From time to time, settlement of securities related to in-kind contributions or in-kind redemptions may be delayed. In such cases, securities related to in-kind transactions are reflected as a receivable or a payable in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

 

12.  

FOREIGN WITHHOLDING TAX CLAIMS

The iShares MSCI Finland ETF is seeking a closing agreement with the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) to address any prior years’ U.S. income tax liabilities attributable to Fund shareholders resulting from the recovery of foreign taxes. The closing agreement would result in the Fund paying a compliance fee to the IRS, on behalf of its shareholders, representing the estimated tax savings generated from foreign tax credits claimed by Fund shareholders on their tax returns in prior years. The Fund has accrued a liability for the estimated IRS compliance fee related to foreign withholding tax claims, which is disclosed in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. The actual IRS compliance fee may differ from the estimate and that difference may be material.

 

13.  

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Management has evaluated the impact of all subsequent events on the Funds through the date the financial statements were available to be issued and has determined that there were no subsequent events requiring adjustment or additional disclosure in the financial statements.

 

 

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Statement Regarding Liquidity Risk Management Program (unaudited)

 

In compliance with Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Liquidity Rule”), iShares Trust (the “Trust”) has adopted and implemented a liquidity risk management program (the “Program”) for iShares MSCI Denmark ETF, iShares MSCI Finland ETF, iShares MSCI Germany Small-Cap ETF, iShares MSCI Ireland ETF, iShares MSCI Kuwait ETF, iShares MSCI New Zealand ETF and iShares MSCI Norway ETF (the “Funds” or “ETFs”), each a series of the Trust, which is reasonably designed to assess and manage each Fund’s liquidity risk.

The Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of the Trust, on behalf of the Funds, met on December 9, 2022 (the “Meeting”) to review the Program. The Board previously appointed BlackRock Fund Advisors (“BlackRock”), the investment adviser to the Funds, as the program administrator for each Fund’s Program. BlackRock also previously delegated oversight of the Program to the 40 Act Liquidity Risk Management Committee (the “Committee”). At the Meeting, the Committee, on behalf of BlackRock, provided the Board with a report that addressed the operation of the Program and assessed its adequacy and effectiveness of implementation, including the management of each Fund’s Highly Liquid Investment Minimum (“HLIM”) where applicable, and any material changes to the Program (the “Report”). The Report covered the period from October 1, 2021 through September 30, 2022 (the “Program Reporting Period”).

The Report described the Program’s liquidity classification methodology for categorizing each Fund’s investments (including derivative transactions) into one of four liquidity buckets. It also referenced the methodology used by BlackRock to establish each Fund’s HLIM and noted that the Committee reviews and ratifies the HLIM assigned to each Fund no less frequently than annually. The Report also discussed notable events affecting liquidity over the Program Reporting Period, including extended market holidays, the imposition of capital controls in certain non-U.S. countries, Russian sanctions and the closure of the Russian securities market.

The Report noted that the Program complied with the key factors for consideration under the Liquidity Rule for assessing, managing and periodically reviewing each Fund’s liquidity risk, as follows:

 

  a)  

The Fund’s investment strategy and liquidity of portfolio investments during both normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions. During the Program Reporting Period, the Committee reviewed whether each Fund’s strategy is appropriate for an open-end fund structure, with a focus on funds with more significant and consistent holdings of less liquid and illiquid assets. The Committee also factored a fund’s concentration in an issuer into the liquidity classification methodology by taking issuer position sizes into account. Derivative exposure was also considered in the calculation of a fund’s liquidity bucketing. Finally, a factor for consideration under the Liquidity Rule is a Fund’s use of borrowings for investment purposes. However, the Funds do not borrow for investment purposes.

 

  b)  

Short-term and long-term cash flow projections during both normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions. During the Program Reporting Period, the Committee reviewed historical redemption activity and used this information as a component to establish each ETF’s reasonably anticipated trading size (“RATS”). The Committee may also take into consideration a fund’s shareholder ownership concentration (which, depending on product type and distribution channel, may or may not be available), a fund’s distribution channels, and the degree of certainty associated with a fund’s short-term and long-term cash flow projections.

 

  c)  

Holdings of cash and cash equivalents, as well as borrowing arrangements. The Committee considered that ETFs generally do not hold more than de minimis amounts of cash. The Committee also considered that ETFs generally do not engage in borrowing.

 

  d)  

The relationship between an ETF’s portfolio liquidity and the way in which, and the prices and spreads at which, ETF shares trade, including the efficiency of the arbitrage function and the level of active participation by market participants, including authorized participants. The Committee monitored the prevailing bid/ask spread and the ETF price premium (or discount) to NAV for all ETFs. However, there were no ETFs with persistent deviations of fund premium/discount or bid/ask spreads from long-term averages over the Program Reporting Period.

 

  e)  

The effect of the composition of baskets on the overall liquidity of an ETF’s portfolio. In reviewing the linkage between the composition of custom baskets accepted by an ETF and any significant change in the liquidity profile of such ETF, the Committee reviewed changes in the proportion of each ETF’s portfolio comprised of less liquid and illiquid holdings to determine if applicable thresholds were met requiring enhanced review.

There were no material changes to the Program during the Program Reporting Period other than the enhancement of certain model components in the Program’s classification methodology. The Report provided to the Board stated that the Committee concluded that based on the operation of the functions, as described in the Report, the Program is operating as intended and is effective in implementing the requirements of the Liquidity Rule.

 

 

T A T E M E N T    E G A R D I N G     I Q U I D I T Y    I S K    A N A G E M E  N T    R O G R A M

  55


Supplemental Information (unaudited)

 

Section 19(a) Notices

The amounts and sources of distributions reported are estimates and are being provided pursuant to regulatory requirements and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources for tax reporting purposes will depend upon each Fund’s investment experience during the year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. Shareholders will receive a Form 1099-DIV each calendar year that will inform them how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes.

February 28, 2023

 

     Total Cumulative Distributions
for the Fiscal Year-to-Date
    % Breakdown of the Total Cumulative
Distributions for the Fiscal Year-to-Date
 
iShares ETF   Net
Investment
Income
    Net Realized
Capital Gains
    Return of
Capital
    Total Per
Share
    Net
Investment
Income
    Net Realized
Capital Gains
    Return of
Capital
    Total Per
Share
 

MSCI Finland(a)

  $ 0.174533     $     $ 0.000016     $ 0.174549       100         0 %(b)      100

MSCI Germany Small-Cap(a)

    0.132870             0.038093       0.170963       78             22       100  

MSCI Kuwait(a)

    0.417770       0.733952       0.035156       1.186878       35       62       3       100  

 

  (a)

The Fund estimates that it has distributed more than its net investment income and net realized capital gains; therefore, a portion of the distribution may be a return of capital. A return of capital may occur, for example, when some or all of the shareholder’s investment in the Fund is returned to the shareholder. A return of capital does not necessarily reflect the Fund’s investment performance and should not be confused with “yield” or “income”. When distributions exceed total return performance, the difference will incrementally reduce the Fund’s net asset value per share.

 
  (b) 

Rounds to less than 1%.

 

 

 

56  

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General Information

 

Electronic Delivery

Shareholders can sign up for e-mail notifications announcing that the shareholder report or prospectus has been posted on the iShares website at iShares.com. Once you have enrolled, you will no longer receive prospectuses and shareholder reports in the mail.

To enroll in electronic delivery:

 

   

Go to icsdelivery.com.

   

If your brokerage firm is not listed, electronic delivery may not be available. Please contact your broker-dealer or financial advisor.

Householding

Householding is an option available to certain fund investors. Householding is a method of delivery, based on the preference of the individual investor, in which a single copy of certain shareholder documents and Rule 30e-3 notices can be delivered to investors who share the same address, even if their accounts are registered under different names. Please contact your broker-dealer if you are interested in enrolling in householding and receiving a single copy of prospectuses and other shareholder documents, or if you are currently enrolled in householding and wish to change your householding status.

Availability of Quarterly Schedule of Investments

The Funds file their complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to their reports on Form N-PORT. The Funds’ Forms N-PORT are available on the SEC’s website at sec.gov. Additionally, each Fund makes its portfolio holdings for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year available at iShares.com/fundreports.

Availability of Proxy Voting Policies and Proxy Voting Records

A description of the policies and procedures that the iShares Funds use to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities and information about how the iShares Funds voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve-month period ending June 30 is available without charge, upon request (1) by calling toll-free 1-800-474-2737; (2) on the iShares website at iShares.com; and (3) on the SEC website at sec.gov.

A description of the Trust’s policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of the Fund’s portfolio securities is available in the Fund Prospectus. The Fund discloses its portfolio holdings daily and provides information regarding its top holdings in Fund fact sheets at iShares.com.

 

 

G E N E R A L    I N F O R M A T I O N

  57


Glossary of Terms Used in this Report

 

Portfolio Abbreviation

ADR    American Depositary Receipt
NVS    Non-Voting Shares
REIT    Real Estate Investment Trust

 

 

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Want to know more?

iShares.com    |     1-800-474-2737

This report is intended for the Funds’ shareholders. It may not be distributed to prospective investors unless it is preceded or accompanied by the current prospectus.

Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal.

The iShares Funds are distributed by BlackRock Investments, LLC (together with its affiliates, “BlackRock”).

The iShares Funds are not sponsored, endorsed, issued, sold or promoted by MSCI Inc., nor does this company make any representation regarding the advisability of investing in the iShares Funds. BlackRock is not affiliated with the company listed above.

©2023 BlackRock, Inc. All rights reserved. iSHARES and BLACKROCK are registered trademarks of BlackRock, Inc. or its subsidiaries. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.

iS-SAR-808-0223

 

 

LOGO

   LOGO


 

LOGO

  FEBRUARY 28, 2023

 

 

   

 

2023 Semi-Annual Report

(Unaudited)

 

 

iShares Trust

·  iShares MSCI India ETF | INDA | Cboe BZX

·  iShares MSCI India Small-Cap ETF | SMIN | Cboe BZX


The Markets in Review

Dear Shareholder,

Significant economic headwinds emerged during the 12-month reporting period ended February 28, 2023, as investors navigated changing economic conditions and volatile markets. The U.S. economy shrank in the first half of 2022 before returning to modest growth in the second half of the year, marking a shift to a more challenging post-reopening economic environment. Changes in consumer spending patterns and a tight labor market led to elevated inflation, which reached a 40-year high before beginning to moderate. Moreover, while the foremost effect of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has been a severe humanitarian crisis, the ongoing war continued to present challenges for both investors and policymakers.

Equity prices fell as interest rates rose, particularly during the first half of the reporting period. Both large-and small-capitalization U.S. stocks fell, although equities began to recover in the second half of the period as inflation eased and economic growth resumed. Emerging market stocks and international equities from developed markets declined overall, pressured by rising interest rates and a strong U.S. dollar.

The 10-year U.S. Treasury yield rose notably during the reporting period, driving its price down, as investors reacted to fluctuating inflation data and attempted to anticipate its impact on future interest rate changes. The corporate bond market also faced inflationary headwinds, and higher interest rates led to rising borrowing costs for corporate issuers.

The U.S. Federal Reserve (the “Fed”), acknowledging that inflation has been more persistent than expected, raised interest rates eight times. Furthermore, the Fed wound down its bond-buying programs and accelerated the reduction of its balance sheet.

Restricted labor supply kept inflation elevated even as other inflation drivers, such as goods prices and energy costs, moderated. While economic growth slowed in the last year, we believe that taming inflation requires a more substantial decline that lowers demand to a level more in line with the economy’s productive capacity. Although the Fed has decelerated the pace of interest rate hikes, it still seems determined to get inflation back to target. With this in mind, we believe the possibility of a U.S. recession in the near-term is high, but the dimming economic outlook has not yet been fully reflected in current market prices. We believe investors should expect a period of higher volatility as markets adjust to the new economic reality and policymakers attempt to adapt to rapidly changing conditions. Turmoil in the banking sector shortly following the end of the period highlighted the potential for the knock-on effects of substantially higher interest rates to disrupt markets with little warning.

While we favor an overweight to equities in the long term, several factors lead us to take an underweight stance on equities overall in the near term. Expectations for corporate earnings remain elevated, which seems inconsistent with the possibility of a recession in a business environment characterized by higher costs and reduced pricing power. Nevertheless, we are overweight on emerging market stocks as a weaker U.S. dollar provides a supportive backdrop. We also see long-term opportunities in credit, where valuations are appealing and higher yields provide attractive income, although we are neutral on credit in the near term, as we believe that troubles in the banking sector will likely lead to reduced lending. However, we believe there are still some strong opportunities for a six- to twelve-month horizon, particularly short-term U.S. Treasuries, global inflation-linked bonds, and emerging market bonds denominated in local currency.

Overall, our view is that investors need to think globally, position themselves to be prepared for a decarbonizing economy, and be nimble as market conditions change. We encourage you to talk with your financial advisor and visit iShares.com for further insight about investing in today’s markets.

 

LOGO

Rob Kapito

President, BlackRock, Inc.

LOGO

Rob Kapito

President, BlackRock, Inc.

 

Total Returns as of February 28, 2023
     
     6-Month    12-Month 
 

U.S. large cap equities

(S&P 500® Index)

  1.26%   (7.69)%
 

U.S. small cap equities

(Russell 2000® Index)

  3.63       (6.02)  
 

International equities

(MSCI Europe, Australasia, Far East Index)

  12.58         (3.14)  
 

Emerging market equities

(MSCI Emerging
Markets Index)

  (2.29)       (15.28)  
 

3-month Treasury bills

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

  1.74       2.11
 

U.S. Treasury securities

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

  (4.81)       (14.06)  
 

U.S. investment grade bonds

(Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate

Bond Index)

  (2.13)       (9.72)
 

Tax-exempt municipal bonds

(Bloomberg Municipal
Bond Index)

  0.66       (5.10)  
 

U.S. high yield bonds

(Bloomberg U.S. Corporate

High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index)

  2.52       (5.45)  

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

 

 

 

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


Table of Contents

 

      Page

The Markets in Review

   2

Semi-Annual Report:

  

Fund Summary

   4

About Fund Performance

   6

Disclosure of Expenses

   6

Schedules of Investments

   7

Financial Statements

  

Statements of Assets and Liabilities

   16

Statements of Operations

   17

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

   18

Financial Highlights

   19

Notes to Financial Statements

   21

Statement Regarding Liquidity Risk Management Program

   28

Supplemental Information

   29

General Information

   30

Glossary of Terms Used in this Report

   31

 

 

      


Fund Summary as of February 28, 2023    iShares® MSCI India ETF

 

Investment Objective

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

Performance

 

       Average Annual Total Returns       Cumulative Total Returns
    

6-Month

Total Returns

     1 Year     5 Years     10 Years           1 Year     5 Years     10 Years    

Fund NAV

    (10.10 )%       (11.25 )%      3.97   5.87%       (11.25 )%      21.47   76.92% 

Fund Market

    (9.81      (11.31     4.27     5.89          (11.31     23.24     77.27    

Index

    (11.66      (10.00     5.13     6.90            (10.00     28.43     94.81    

Past performance is not an indication of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. See “About Fund Performance” for more information.

Expense Example

 

    Actual         Hypothetical 5% Return         
                                                            
     

Beginning     

Account Value     

(09/01/22)     

 

 

 

      

Ending
Account Value
(02/28/23)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
(a) 
       

Beginning   
Account Value   
(09/01/22)   
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(02/28/23)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
(a) 
    

Annualized    

Expense    

Ratio    

      $       1,000.00               $          899.00          $        3.06           $       1,000.00          $      1,021.60          $        3.26        0.65% 

 

  (a) 

Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period shown). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Disclosure of Expenses” for more information.

 

Portfolio Information

 

SECTOR ALLOCATION

 

   
Sector   Percent of    
Total Investments(a)

Financials

  25.8%

Information Technology

  15.9   

Energy

  12.3   

Consumer Discretionary

  9.9   

Consumer Staples

  9.9   

Materials

  9.2   

Industrials

  5.4   

Health Care

  4.4   

Utilities

  3.8   

Communication Services

  2.9   

Real Estate

  0.5   

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

   
Security   Percent of    
Total Investments(a)

Reliance Industries Ltd.

  10.2%

Infosys Ltd.

  7.2   

Housing Development Finance Corp. Ltd.

  6.5   

ICICI Bank Ltd.

  6.4   

Tata Consultancy Services Ltd.

  4.4   

Hindustan Unilever Ltd.

  2.9   

Axis Bank Ltd.

  2.8   

Bajaj Finance Ltd.

  2.4   

Bharti Airtel Ltd.

  2.4   

Larsen & Toubro Ltd.

  2.1   
 

 

  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

 

 

 

4  

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Fund Summary as of February 28, 2023    iShares® MSCI India Small-Cap ETF

 

Investment Objective

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

Performance

 

      Average Annual Total Returns       Cumulative Total Returns
    

6-Month

Total Returns

    1 Year     5 Years     10 Years           1 Year     5 Years     10 Years    

Fund NAV

    (7.68 )%(a)      (8.62 )%      1.58   9.70%       (8.62 )%      8.15   152.28%

Fund Market

    (7.57     (9.32     1.75     9.72          (9.32     9.06     152.95   

Index

    (7.73     (6.47     3.04     10.95            (6.47     16.13     182.73   

 

  (a) 

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

 

Past performance is not an indication of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. See “About Fund Performance” for more information.

Expense Example

 

    Actual         Hypothetical 5% Return         
                                                            
     

Beginning     

Account Value     

(09/01/22)     

 

 

 

      

Ending
Account Value
(02/28/23)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
(a) 
       

Beginning   
Account Value   
(09/01/22)   
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(02/28/23)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
(a) 
    

Annualized    

Expense    

Ratio    

      $       1,000.00               $          923.20          $        4.01           $      1,000.00          $      1,020.60          $        4.21        0.84% 

 

  (a) 

Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period shown). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Disclosure of Expenses” for more information.

 

Portfolio Information

 

SECTOR ALLOCATION

 

   
Sector   Percent of    
Total Investments(a)

Industrials

  20.1%

Materials

  19.5   

Financials

  15.6   

Consumer Discretionary

  12.6   

Health Care

  10.6   

Information Technology

  7.6   

Communication Services

  4.0   

Real Estate

  3.7   

Consumer Staples

  3.1   

Utilities

  2.2   

Energy

  1.0   

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

   
Security   Percent of    
Total Investments(a)

Max Healthcare Institute Ltd.

  1.8%

Persistent Systems Ltd.

  1.3   

Ashok Leyland Ltd.

  1.2   

Federal Bank Ltd.

  1.1   

Cummins India Ltd.

  1.1   

Voltas Ltd.

  1.1   

Crompton Greaves Consumer Electricals Ltd.

  1.0   

APL Apollo Tubes Ltd.

  1.0   

Supreme Industries Ltd.

  1.0   

Astral Ltd.

  0.9   
 

 

  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

 

 

 

F U N D   S U M M A R Y

  5


About Fund Performance

 

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

Net asset value or “NAV” is the value of one share of a fund as calculated in accordance with the standard formula for valuing mutual fund shares. Beginning August 10, 2020, the price used to calculate market return (“Market Price”) is the closing price. Prior to August 10, 2020, Market Price was determined using the midpoint between the highest bid and the lowest ask on the primary stock exchange on which shares of a fund are listed for trading, as of the time that such fund’s NAV is calculated. Market and NAV returns assume that dividends and capital gain distributions have been reinvested at Market Price and NAV, respectively.

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

Disclosure of Expenses

Shareholders of each Fund may incur the following charges: (1) transactional expenses, including brokerage commissions on purchases and sales of fund shares and (2) ongoing expenses, including management fees and other fund expenses. The expense examples shown (which are based on a hypothetical investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held through the end of the period) are intended to assist shareholders both in calculating expenses based on an investment in each Fund and in comparing these expenses with similar costs of investing in other funds.

The expense examples provide information about actual account values and actual expenses. Annualized expense ratios reflect contractual and voluntary fee waivers, if any. In order to estimate the expenses a shareholder paid during the period covered by this report, shareholders can divide their account value by $1,000 and then multiply the result by the number under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During the Period.”

The expense examples also provide information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on a fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses. In order to assist shareholders in comparing the ongoing expenses of investing in the Funds and other funds, compare the 5% hypothetical examples with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

The expenses shown in the expense examples are intended to highlight shareholders’ ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional expenses, such as brokerage commissions and other fees paid on purchases and sales of fund shares. Therefore, the hypothetical examples are useful in comparing ongoing expenses only and will not help shareholders determine the relative total expenses of owning different funds. If these transactional expenses were included, shareholder expenses would have been higher.

 

 

6  

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Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) 

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® MSCI India ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

   
Aerospace & Defense — 0.5%            

Bharat Electronics Ltd.

    19,318,329     $ 22,092,210  
   

 

 

 
Airlines — 0.3%            

InterGlobe Aviation Ltd.(a)(b)

    508,804           11,412,850  
   

 

 

 
Auto Components — 1.4%            

Balkrishna Industries Ltd.

    408,759       9,952,726  

Bharat Forge Ltd.

    1,351,194       13,324,667  

MRF Ltd.

    10,072       10,380,542  

Samvardhana Motherson International Ltd.

    10,761,262       10,359,562  

Tube Investments of India Ltd.

    559,425       18,751,426  
   

 

 

 
      62,768,923  
Automobiles — 5.8%            

Bajaj Auto Ltd.

    358,730       15,876,503  

Eicher Motors Ltd.

    721,480       27,077,634  

Hero MotoCorp Ltd.

    578,711       16,923,904  

Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.

    4,597,032       70,532,461  

Maruti Suzuki India Ltd.

    638,297       66,520,834  

Tata Motors Ltd.(b)

    8,762,556       44,514,480  

TVS Motor Co. Ltd.

    1,128,144       14,729,332  
   

 

 

 
      256,175,148  
Banks — 12.7%            

AU Small Finance Bank Ltd.(a)

    885,014       6,341,384  

Axis Bank Ltd.

    12,016,691       122,556,770  

Bandhan Bank Ltd.(a)(b)

    3,495,375       9,752,018  

Bank of Baroda

    5,463,564       10,508,443  

ICICI Bank Ltd.

    27,262,117       281,997,023  

Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd.

    2,937,225       61,370,061  

State Bank of India

    9,430,143       59,573,338  

Yes Bank Ltd.(b)

    60,734,236       12,810,682  
   

 

 

 
      564,909,719  
Beverages — 0.7%            

United Spirits Ltd.(b)

    1,533,514       13,728,579  

Varun Beverages Ltd.

    1,204,754       18,939,861  
   

 

 

 
      32,668,440  
Chemicals — 3.5%            

Asian Paints Ltd.

    2,026,037       69,251,679  

Berger Paints India Ltd.

    1,273,652       8,920,013  

PI Industries Ltd.

    400,086       14,988,625  

Pidilite Industries Ltd.

    806,204       22,417,721  

SRF Ltd.

    784,022       20,545,023  

UPL Ltd.

    2,578,233       21,631,995  
   

 

 

 
      157,755,056  
Commercial Services & Supplies — 0.2%            

Indian Railway Catering & Tourism Corp. Ltd.

    1,270,458       9,350,817  
   

 

 

 
Construction & Engineering — 2.1%            

Larsen & Toubro Ltd.

    3,637,693       92,713,390  
   

 

 

 
Construction Materials — 2.5%            

ACC Ltd.

    352,035       7,368,914  

Ambuja Cements Ltd.

    3,146,762       13,010,727  

Grasim Industries Ltd.

    1,390,049       26,515,697  

Shree Cement Ltd.

    57,055       17,990,113  

UltraTech Cement Ltd.

    533,225       46,794,909  
   

 

 

 
      111,680,360  
Consumer Finance — 3.7%            

Bajaj Finance Ltd.

    1,439,190       106,270,931  
Security   Shares     Value  
Consumer Finance (continued)            

Cholamandalam Investment and Finance Co. Ltd.

    2,174,940     $ 19,884,303  

Muthoot Finance Ltd.

    637,395       7,493,465  

SBI Cards & Payment Services Ltd.

    1,246,892       11,311,097  

Shriram Transport Finance Co. Ltd.

    1,186,752       17,256,479  
   

 

 

 
      162,216,275  
Diversified Financial Services — 7.4%            

Bajaj Finserv Ltd.

    2,019,537       32,569,869  

Bajaj Holdings & Investment Ltd.

    141,390       10,690,073  

Housing Development Finance Corp. Ltd.

    9,130,297       287,826,129  
   

 

 

 
      331,086,071  
Diversified Telecommunication Services — 0.2%        

Indus Towers Ltd.

    3,575,142       7,384,702  
   

 

 

 
Electric Utilities — 1.7%            

Adani Transmission Ltd.(b)

    1,386,723       10,760,086  

Power Grid Corp. of India Ltd.

    16,605,594       44,607,706  

Tata Power Co. Ltd. (The)

    7,614,816       18,645,817  
   

 

 

 
      74,013,609  
Electrical Equipment — 1.0%            

ABB India Ltd.

    280,307       10,901,754  

CG Power and Industrial Solutions Ltd.(b)

    3,226,766       11,914,843  

Havells India Ltd.

    1,326,925       19,200,070  
   

 

 

 
      42,016,667  
Food & Staples Retailing — 0.8%            

Avenue Supermarts Ltd.(a)(b)

    855,545       35,330,481  
   

 

 

 
Food Products — 2.5%            

Britannia Industries Ltd.

    571,646       30,844,067  

Marico Ltd.

    2,740,320       16,292,001  

Nestle India Ltd.

    178,168       40,213,677  

Tata Consumer Products Ltd.

    2,944,513       25,461,658  
   

 

 

 
          112,811,403  
Gas Utilities — 0.8%            

Adani Total Gas Ltd.

    1,415,824       11,605,515  

GAIL India Ltd.

    12,144,452       15,075,607  

Indraprastha Gas Ltd.

    1,671,140       8,862,830  
   

 

 

 
      35,543,952  
Health Care Providers & Services — 0.6%            

Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Ltd.

    531,150       28,258,692  
   

 

 

 
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 0.6%            

Indian Hotels Co. Ltd. (The)

    4,493,019       16,873,437  

Jubilant Foodworks Ltd.

    2,086,957       11,114,619  
   

 

 

 
      27,988,056  
Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers — 1.3%  

Adani Green Energy Ltd.(b)

    1,650,032       9,663,177  

Adani Power Ltd.(b)

    3,968,626       7,009,566  

NTPC Ltd.

    20,523,458       42,331,322  
   

 

 

 
      59,004,065  
Industrial Conglomerates — 0.3%            

Siemens Ltd.

    375,895       14,753,575  
   

 

 

 
Insurance — 2.0%            

HDFC Life Insurance Co. Ltd.(a)

    5,095,787       30,108,687  

ICICI Lombard General Insurance Co. Ltd.(a)

    1,279,966       17,053,778  

ICICI Prudential Life Insurance Co. Ltd.(a)

    1,950,219       9,635,818  

SBI Life Insurance Co. Ltd.(a)

    2,379,946       32,241,234  
   

 

 

 
      89,039,517  

 

 

 

 

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

  7


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® MSCI India ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Interactive Media & Services — 0.4%            

Info Edge India Ltd.

    374,054     $ 15,783,670  
   

 

 

 
Internet & Direct Marketing Retail — 0.2%        

Zomato Ltd.(b)

    15,840,583       10,226,233  
   

 

 

 
IT Services — 15.5%            

HCL Technologies Ltd.

    5,017,246       65,331,787  

Infosys Ltd.

    17,782,865       319,431,237  

Larsen & Toubro Infotech Ltd.(a)

    468,386       26,721,259  

Mphasis Ltd.

    447,515       11,005,467  

Tata Consultancy Services Ltd.

    4,832,252       193,464,056  

Tech Mahindra Ltd.

    3,085,533       41,016,435  

Wipro Ltd.

    7,246,223       33,886,408  
   

 

 

 
          690,856,649  
Life Sciences Tools & Services — 0.5%            

Divi’s Laboratories Ltd.

    700,424       23,920,042  
   

 

 

 
Metals & Mining — 3.1%            

Hindalco Industries Ltd.

    7,117,382       34,334,080  

Jindal Steel & Power Ltd.

    1,886,022       12,527,860  

JSW Steel Ltd.

    3,834,101       30,944,717  

Tata Steel Ltd.

    38,723,977       48,701,870  

Vedanta Ltd.

    3,920,524       12,725,233  
   

 

 

 
      139,233,760  
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 12.3%            

Bharat Petroleum Corp. Ltd.

    4,596,143       17,647,060  

Coal India Ltd.

    8,144,885       21,212,895  

Hindustan Petroleum Corp. Ltd.

    3,346,250       8,718,008  

Indian Oil Corp. Ltd.

    14,897,667       13,706,348  

Oil & Natural Gas Corp. Ltd.

    13,305,779       24,414,089  

Petronet LNG Ltd.

    3,967,220       10,667,857  

Reliance Industries Ltd.

    16,082,384       451,080,842  
   

 

 

 
      547,447,099  
Personal Products — 4.2%            

Colgate-Palmolive India Ltd.

    646,921       11,525,224  

Dabur India Ltd.

    3,279,593       21,115,519  

Godrej Consumer Products Ltd.(b)

    2,161,181       24,127,793  

Hindustan Unilever Ltd.

    4,344,116       129,201,764  
   

 

 

 
      185,970,300  
Pharmaceuticals — 3.3%            

Aurobindo Pharma Ltd.

    1,381,968       7,730,656  

Cipla Ltd.

    2,561,636       28,065,611  

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Pharmaceuticals (continued)            

Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd.

    616,242     $ 32,115,519  

Lupin Ltd.

    1,072,755       8,549,632  

Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.

    5,070,115       58,635,078  

Torrent Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

    537,208       9,479,155  
   

 

 

 
      144,575,651  
Real Estate Management & Development — 0.5%        

DLF Ltd.

    3,265,621       13,878,340  

Godrej Properties Ltd.(b)

    662,348       8,808,118  
   

 

 

 
      22,686,458  
Road & Rail — 0.2%            

Container Corp. of India Ltd.

    1,449,636       10,346,572  
   

 

 

 
Software — 0.3%            

Tata Elxsi Ltd.

    180,746       13,387,441  
   

 

 

 
Specialty Retail — 0.3%            

Trent Ltd.

    956,898       14,784,402  
   

 

 

 
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods — 1.6%        

Page Industries Ltd.

    32,358       14,851,616  

Titan Co. Ltd.

    1,878,201       53,869,505  
   

 

 

 
      68,721,121  
Tobacco — 1.6%            

ITC Ltd.

    15,733,861       71,662,859  
   

 

 

 
Trading Companies & Distributors — 0.3%        

Adani Enterprises Ltd.

    903,312       14,889,029  
   

 

 

 
Transportation Infrastructure — 0.4%            

Adani Ports & Special Economic Zone Ltd.

    2,740,681       19,621,106  
   

 

 

 
Wireless Telecommunication Services — 2.4%  

Bharti Airtel Ltd.

    11,755,151       105,470,241  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments — 99.7%
(Cost: $6,598,990,435)

 

    4,440,556,611  

Other Assets Less Liabilities — 0.3%

      15,119,170  
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

    $   4,455,675,781  
   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Security exempt from registration pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration to qualified institutional investors.

 
(b) 

Non-income producing security.

 
 

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended February 28, 2023 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

 

 
Affiliated Issuer   Value at
08/31/22
    Purchases
at Cost
    Proceeds
from Sale
    Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
    Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
    Value at
02/28/23
   

Shares

Held at
02/28/23

    Income    

Capital

Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds

 

 

 

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

  $ 39,580,000     $     $ (39,580,000 )(b)    $     $     $           $ 811,195     $ 11  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 
  (b) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 

 

 

 

8  

2 0 2 3   I S H A R E S   S E M I - A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® MSCI India ETF

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Futures Contracts

 

 

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

 

 

Long Contracts

       

SGX Nifty 50 Index

    376       03/29/23     $ 13,075     $ (366,278
       

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

As of period end, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities were as follows:

 

               
      Commodity
Contracts
     Credit
Contracts
     Equity
Contracts
     Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
     Interest
Rate
Contracts
     Other
Contracts
     Total  

Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instruments

 

                 

Futures contracts

                    

Unrealized depreciation on futures contracts(a)

   $      $      $ 366,278      $      $      $      $ 366,278  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts are reported in the Schedule of Investments. In the Statements of Assets and Liabilities, only current day’s variation margin is reported in receivables or payables and the net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is included in accumulated earnings (loss).

 

For the period ended February 28, 2023, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Consolidated Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

               
      Commodity
Contracts
     Credit
Contracts
     Equity
Contracts
     Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
     Interest
Rate
Contracts
     Other
Contracts
     Total  

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from

 

                 

Futures contracts

   $      $      $ (142,938    $      $      $      $ (142,938
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on

 

                 

Futures contracts

   $      $      $ 86,693      $      $      $      $ 86,693  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

 

 

Futures contracts

  

Average notional value of contracts — long

   $ 10,240,948     

 

 

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

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments. For a description of the input levels and information about the Fund’s policy regarding valuation of financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.

The following table summarizes the Fund’s financial instruments categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The breakdown of the Fund’s financial instruments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.

 

                                                                                                   

 

 
     Level 1      Level 2     Level 3      Total  

 

 

Assets

          

Investments

          

Long-Term Investments

          

Common Stocks

   $ 10,508,443      $ 4,430,048,168     $             —      $ 4,440,556,611  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments(a)

          

Liabilities

          

Equity Contracts

   $      $ (366,278   $      $ (366,278
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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

  9


Consolidated Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) 

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® MSCI India Small-Cap ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

   
Aerospace & Defense — 0.4%            

Bharat Dynamics Ltd.

    45,662     $ 515,915  

Data Patterns India Ltd.(a)

    19,827       312,970  

Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd.

    36,476       181,955  
   

 

 

 
      1,010,840  
Air Freight & Logistics — 1.0%            

Allcargo Logistics Ltd.

    75,773       338,851  

Blue Dart Express Ltd.

    5,912       443,813  

Delhivery Ltd.(a)

    272,175       1,137,856  

Mahindra Logistics Ltd.(b)

    40,859       182,857  

TCI Express Ltd.

    14,170       270,622  

Transport Corp. of India Ltd.

    29,359       231,098  
   

 

 

 
      2,605,097  
Auto Components — 4.1%            

Apollo Tyres Ltd.

    395,570       1,498,062  

Asahi India Glass Ltd.

    75,704       440,890  

Ceat Ltd.

    27,714       463,456  

Endurance Technologies Ltd.(b)

    35,045       529,183  

Exide Industries Ltd.

    476,477       1,009,935  

JBM Auto Ltd.

    29,460       204,680  

JK Tyre & Industries Ltd.

    109,749       195,424  

Mahindra CIE Automotive Ltd.

    140,762       721,756  

Minda Corp. Ltd.

    74,907       174,618  

Motherson Sumi Wiring India Ltd.

    2,202,937       1,318,695  

Sansera Engineering Ltd.(b)

    25,775       227,069  

Sundaram Clayton Ltd.

    6,297       369,538  

Sundram Fasteners Ltd.

    117,790       1,400,629  

Suprajit Engineering Ltd.

    85,547       365,097  

UNO Minda Ltd.

    214,016       1,311,469  

Varroc Engineering Ltd.(a)(b)

    47,992       141,665  

ZF Commercial Vehicle Control Systems India Ltd.

    5,907       753,742  
   

 

 

 
      11,125,908  
Automobiles — 0.1%            

Maharashtra Scooters Ltd.

    3,496       188,325  
   

 

 

 
Banks — 4.2%            

City Union Bank Ltd.

    451,435       755,388  

DCB Bank Ltd.

    189,958       258,049  

Equitas Small Finance Bank Ltd.(a)(b)

    677,181       584,674  

Federal Bank Ltd.

    1,949,405       3,041,611  

IDFC First Bank Ltd.(a)

    3,806,812       2,536,570  

Indian Bank

    310,287       964,048  

Jammu & Kashmir Bank Ltd. (The)(a)

    359,313       213,847  

Karnataka Bank Ltd. (The)

    153,679       263,049  

Karur Vysya Bank Ltd. (The)

    488,586       602,148  

RBL Bank Ltd.(a)(b)

    552,645       1,040,614  

South Indian Bank Ltd. (The)(a)

    1,277,277       258,801  

Yes Bank Ltd., (Acquired 03/16/20,
Cost: $3,554,476)(c)

    4,044,378       849,445  
   

 

 

 
          11,368,244  
Beverages — 0.5%            

Radico Khaitan Ltd.

    99,910       1,402,248  
   

 

 

 
Biotechnology — 0.5%            

Biocon Ltd.

    523,453       1,450,984  
   

 

 

 
Building Products — 2.2%            

Astral Ltd.

    112,930       2,577,642  

Blue Star Ltd.

    71,987       1,249,737  

Cera Sanitaryware Ltd.

    5,670       446,556  

Kajaria Ceramics Ltd.

    99,177       1,288,097  
Security   Shares     Value  
Building Products (continued)            

Prince Pipes and Fittings Ltd.

    47,841     $ 319,418  
   

 

 

 
      5,881,450  
Capital Markets — 3.5%            

Angel One Ltd.

    31,153       383,696  

BSE Ltd.

    82,686       440,448  

Central Depository Services India Ltd.

    63,786       762,517  

CRISIL Ltd.

    18,203       745,338  

Dhani Services Ltd.(a)

    330,214       122,084  

Edelweiss Financial Services Ltd.

    650,469       506,973  

ICICI Securities Ltd.(b)

    100,536       566,545  

IDFC Ltd.

    1,393,466       1,280,002  

IIFL Wealth Management Ltd.

    44,336       923,598  

Indian Energy Exchange Ltd.(b)

    547,034       955,553  

JM Financial Ltd.

    531,641       419,437  

Motilal Oswal Financial Services Ltd.

    46,732       339,006  

Multi Commodity Exchange of India Ltd.

    31,129       527,643  

Nippon Life India Asset Management Ltd.(b)

    156,108       417,732  

Share India Securities Ltd.

    11,924       154,251  

Tata Investment Corp. Ltd.

    18,798       462,884  

UTI Asset Management Co. Ltd.(a)

    55,356       437,774  
   

 

 

 
          9,445,481  
Chemicals — 12.9%            

Aarti Industries Ltd.

    248,363       1,588,363  

Advanced Enzyme Technologies Ltd.

    55,332       186,763  

Akzo Nobel India Ltd.

    11,205       291,347  

Alkyl Amines Chemicals

    15,914       481,315  

Archean Chemical Industries Ltd., NVS

    38,322       291,909  

Astec Lifesciences Ltd.

    7,492       122,275  

Atul Ltd.

    18,381       1,562,925  

Balaji Amines Ltd.

    12,109       321,805  

BASF India Ltd.

    13,421       373,376  

Bayer CropScience Ltd.

    16,795       869,351  

Carborundum Universal Ltd.

    130,094       1,538,382  

Castrol India Ltd.

    492,124       682,928  

Chambal Fertilisers and Chemicals Ltd.

    207,329       688,165  

Chemplast Sanmar Ltd.(a)

    89,510       419,293  

Clean Science and Technology

    26,468       440,636  

Coromandel International Ltd.

    146,498       1,591,488  

Deepak Fertilisers & Petrochemicals Corp. Ltd.

    68,348       510,224  

Deepak Nitrite Ltd.

    84,952       1,847,070  

EID Parry India Ltd.

    99,002       601,348  

Fine Organic Industries Ltd.

    9,548       533,897  

Fineotex Chemical Ltd.

    49,362       135,710  

Finolex Industries Ltd.

    309,169       631,691  

Galaxy Surfactants Ltd.

    13,250       378,939  

GHCL Ltd.

    76,938       478,512  

Gujarat Alkalies & Chemicals Ltd.

    23,219       173,899  

Gujarat Fluorochemicals Ltd.

    27,368       1,040,337  

Gujarat Narmada Valley Fertilizers & Chemicals Ltd.

    96,464       613,067  

Gujarat State Fertilizers & Chemicals Ltd.

    248,190       375,355  

Himadri Speciality Chemical Ltd.

    240,305       242,456  

Indigo Paints Ltd.

    12,135       146,425  

Jubilant Ingrevia Ltd.

    88,785       478,361  

Kansai Nerolac Paints Ltd.

    167,832       817,100  

Laxmi Organic Industries Ltd.

    80,682       251,856  

Linde India Ltd.

    26,559       1,194,845  

Meghmani Finechem Ltd.

    15,882       196,386  

Navin Fluorine International Ltd.

    40,113       2,001,896  

Neogen Chemicals Ltd.

    12,719       194,628  

NOCIL Ltd.

    123,359       328,644  

 

 

 

 

10  

2 0 2 3   I S H A R E S   S E M I - A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Consolidated Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® MSCI India Small-Cap ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Chemicals (continued)            

Paradeep Phosphates Ltd., NVS

    363,034     $ 240,066  

PCBL Ltd.

    209,003       300,166  

Polyplex Corporation Ltd.

    19,553       319,628  

Privi Specility Chemical Ltd.

    9,664       109,183  

Rain Industries Ltd.

    231,986       430,270  

Rallis India Ltd.

    95,736       227,411  

Rashtriya Chemicals & Fertilizers Ltd.

    173,451       204,419  

Rossari Biotech Ltd.

    17,288       129,977  

Sharda Cropchem Ltd.

    34,003       193,240  

Solar Industries India Ltd.

    33,817       1,602,622  

Sumitomo Chemical India Ltd.

    124,138       671,433  

Supreme Industries Ltd.

    79,118       2,641,237  

Supreme Petrochem Ltd., NVS

    81,984       368,547  

Tata Chemicals Ltd.

    174,541       2,056,682  

Tatva Chintan Pharma Chem Ltd.

    7,060       163,509  

Vinati Organics Ltd.

    32,009       729,245  
   

 

 

 
          35,010,602  
Commercial Services & Supplies — 0.3%            

CMS Info Systems Ltd.

    68,675       237,205  

ION Exchange India Ltd.

    9,135       372,495  

SIS Ltd.(a)

    44,007       190,831  
   

 

 

 
      800,531  
Communications Equipment — 0.3%            

Sterlite Technologies Ltd.

    224,503       430,338  

Tejas Networks Ltd.(a)(b)

    75,678       511,366  
   

 

 

 
      941,704  
Construction & Engineering — 3.2%            

Dilip Buildcon Ltd.(b)

    53,013       125,342  

Engineers India Ltd.

    309,427       266,891  

G R Infraprojects Ltd.(a)

    24,089       301,930  

HG Infra Engineering Ltd.

    24,355       210,841  

IRB Infrastructure Developers Ltd., NVS

    1,504,548       532,604  

Kalpataru Power Transmission Ltd.

    83,473       534,820  

KEC International Ltd.

    160,127       869,649  

KNR Constructions Ltd.

    173,945       538,344  

NBCC India Ltd.

    775,604       312,106  

NCC Ltd./India

    508,368       546,786  

PNC Infratech Ltd.

    143,806       475,686  

Praj Industries Ltd.

    136,642       579,776  

Sterling and Wilson Renewable Energy Ltd.(a)

    46,830       165,319  

Techno Electric & Engineering Co. Ltd.

    53,932       211,279  

Voltas Ltd.

    267,917       2,888,346  
   

 

 

 
      8,559,719  
Construction Materials — 2.7%            

Birla Corp. Ltd.

    33,910       356,775  

Dalmia Bharat Ltd.

    93,417       2,071,076  

HeidelbergCement India Ltd.

    68,974       143,415  

India Cements Ltd. (The)

    153,743       347,560  

JK Cement Ltd.

    43,314       1,447,396  

JK Lakshmi Cement Ltd.

    73,290       595,699  

Nuvoco Vistas Corp. Ltd.(a)

    132,852       562,004  

Prism Johnson Ltd.(a)

    159,220       200,525  

Ramco Cements Ltd. (The)

    132,456       1,143,887  

Rhi Magnesita India Ltd.

    49,898       386,483  
   

 

 

 
      7,254,820  
Consumer Finance — 2.2%            

Cholamandalam Financial Holdings Ltd.

    116,942       813,167  

CreditAccess Grameen Ltd.(a)

    58,155       678,373  

Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services Ltd.

    691,148       2,102,909  
Security   Shares     Value  
Consumer Finance (continued)            

Manappuram Finance Ltd.

    632,609     $ 785,159  

MAS Financial Services Ltd.(b)

    20,567       202,679  

Paisalo Digital Ltd.

    304,667       218,201  

Poonawalla Fincorp Ltd.

    285,931       998,548  

Spandana Sphoorty Financial Ltd.(a)

    26,527       185,441  
   

 

 

 
          5,984,477  
Containers & Packaging — 0.1%            

EPL Ltd.

    176,041       341,568  
   

 

 

 
Diversified Financial Services — 2.0%            

Aditya Birla Capital Ltd.(a)

    572,017       1,008,004  

L&T Finance Holdings Ltd.

    926,069       977,426  

Piramal Enterprises Ltd.

    147,906       1,377,392  

REC Ltd.

    1,476,085       2,039,597  
   

 

 

 
      5,402,419  
Diversified Telecommunication Services — 1.1%        

HFCL Ltd.

    857,110       661,276  

Railtel Corp. of India Ltd.

    119,937       158,721  

Tata Communications Ltd.

    124,258       1,815,394  

Tata Teleservices Maharashtra Ltd.(a)

    601,450       407,339  
   

 

 

 
      3,042,730  
Electric Utilities — 0.8%            

CESC Ltd.

    741,735       621,934  

Reliance Infrastructure Ltd.(a)

    243,789       385,341  

Torrent Power Ltd.

    179,610       1,099,332  
   

 

 

 
      2,106,607  
Electrical Equipment — 3.4%            

Amara Raja Batteries Ltd.

    117,029       785,372  

Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd.

    1,084,395       914,737  

Elecon Engineering Co. Ltd.

    50,009       238,371  

Finolex Cables Ltd.

    76,717       654,743  

Graphite India Ltd.

    84,835       295,510  

HEG Ltd.

    17,094       198,902  

Hitachi Energy India Ltd.

    13,199       530,771  

KEI Industries Ltd.

    73,029       1,434,431  

Olectra Greentech Ltd.

    50,212       302,258  

Polycab India Ltd.

    55,932       2,082,949  

Suzlon Energy Ltd.(a)

    7,528,783       745,881  

Triveni Turbine Ltd.

    99,967       383,647  

V-Guard Industries Ltd.

    215,142       639,590  
   

 

 

 
      9,207,162  
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components — 0.5%  

Redington Ltd.

    681,435       1,403,058  
   

 

 

 
Entertainment — 0.8%            

Chennai Super Kings Cricket Ltd., (Acquired 10/08/15, Cost: $—)(c)(d)

    206,787       25  

Nazara Technologies Ltd.(a)

    36,041       229,805  

PVR Ltd.(a)

    59,602       1,093,487  

PVR Ltd., NVS

    25,743       472,299  

Saregama India Ltd.

    84,629       337,993  
   

 

 

 
      2,133,609  
Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) — 1.1%        

Brookfield India Real Estate Trust(b)

    147,572       475,558  

Embassy Office Parks REIT

    531,353       1,959,988  

Mindspace Business Parks REIT(b)

    184,388       651,545  
   

 

 

 
      3,087,091  
Food & Staples Retailing — 0.1%            

Medplus Health Services Ltd.(a)

    44,428       357,573  
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

  11


Consolidated Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® MSCI India Small-Cap ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Food Products — 1.5%            

Avanti Feeds Ltd.

    49,547     $ 219,081  

Balrampur Chini Mills Ltd.

    152,124       656,622  

Bombay Burmah Trading Co.

    22,137       237,856  

CCL Products India Ltd.

    91,142       602,698  

Gujarat Ambuja Exports Ltd.

    83,797       231,061  

Hindustan Foods Ltd.(a)

    35,896       249,581  

Kaveri Seed Co. Ltd.

    24,650       153,823  

KRBL Ltd.

    59,953       245,571  

LT Foods Ltd.

    183,290       213,960  

Shree Renuka Sugars Ltd.(a)

    786,149       414,087  

Tata Coffee Ltd.

    95,145       238,904  

Triveni Engineering & Industries Ltd.

    88,831       289,748  

Zydus Wellness Ltd.

    19,673       339,924  
   

 

 

 
      4,092,916  
Gas Utilities — 1.2%            

Gujarat Gas Ltd.

    214,381       1,308,794  

Gujarat State Petronet Ltd.

    351,417       1,201,877  

Mahanagar Gas Ltd.

    67,676       733,022  
   

 

 

 
          3,243,693  
Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 0.1%            

Poly Medicure Ltd.

    35,719       404,546  
   

 

 

 
Health Care Providers & Services — 4.1%            

Aster DM Healthcare Ltd.(a)(b)

    155,882       419,791  

Dr Lal PathLabs Ltd.(b)

    46,454       1,117,114  

Fortis Healthcare Ltd.(a)

    564,268       1,823,298  

Global Health Ltd., NVS

    58,709       369,792  

Krishna Institute Of Medical Sciences Ltd.(a)(b)

    34,892       567,056  

Max Healthcare Institute Ltd.(a)

    966,732       4,979,559  

Metropolis Healthcare Ltd.(b)

    31,894       505,404  

Narayana Hrudayalaya Ltd.

    88,487       801,601  

Rainbow Children’s Medicare Ltd.

    38,778       347,142  

Thyrocare Technologies Ltd.(b)

    18,920       103,303  

Vijaya Diagnostic Centre Pvt Ltd.

    49,513       226,077  
   

 

 

 
      11,260,137  
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 1.6%            

Barbeque Nation Hospitality Ltd.(a)

    24,800       215,177  

Chalet Hotel Ltd.(a)

    75,646       335,332  

Delta Corp. Ltd.

    81,044       183,917  

Devyani International Ltd.(a)

    298,413       549,484  

Easy Trip Planners Ltd., NVS(a)

    422,027       238,232  

EIH Ltd.(a)

    193,133       367,050  

Lemon Tree Hotels Ltd.(a)(b)

    537,089       505,592  

Mahindra Holidays & Resorts India Ltd.(a)

    76,213       251,936  

Restaurant Brands Asia Ltd.(a)

    336,832       380,271  

Sapphire Foods India Ltd.(a)

    39,577       592,605  

Westlife Development Ltd.(a)

    87,190       683,804  
   

 

 

 
      4,303,400  
Household Durables — 3.0%            

Amber Enterprises India Ltd.(a)

    20,986       478,288  

Bajaj Electricals Ltd.

    57,297       756,271  

Borosil Ltd.(a)

    36,375       139,974  

Crompton Greaves Consumer Electricals Ltd.

    752,512       2,763,566  

Dixon Technologies India Ltd.

    37,084       1,295,315  

LA Opala RG Ltd.

    49,475       212,986  

Orient Electric Ltd.

    158,990       525,539  

Sheela Foam Ltd.(a)

    36,461       517,059  

Symphony Ltd.

    21,389       302,394  

TTK Prestige Ltd.

    51,273       469,159  
Security   Shares     Value  
Household Durables (continued)            

Whirlpool of India Ltd.

    39,511     $ 622,816  
   

 

 

 
      8,083,367  
Household Products — 0.1%            

Jyothy Labs Ltd.

    184,193       423,696  
   

 

 

 
Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers — 0.2%  

Jaiprakash Power Ventures Ltd.(a)

    3,811,442       306,143  

Reliance Power Ltd.(a)

    2,964,859       351,278  
   

 

 

 
      657,421  
Industrial Conglomerates — 0.7%            

3M India Ltd.

    3,508       970,809  

Apar Industries Ltd.

    19,912       553,470  

Godrej Industries Ltd.(a)

    62,299       315,805  
   

 

 

 
          1,840,084  
Insurance — 1.5%            

Max Financial Services Ltd.(a)

    279,440       2,338,867  

PB Fintech Ltd.(a)

    251,825       1,698,048  
   

 

 

 
      4,036,915  
Interactive Media & Services — 0.2%            

Brightcom Group Ltd.

    1,274,274       353,083  

Just Dial Ltd.(a)

    20,504       143,084  
   

 

 

 
      496,167  
Internet & Direct Marketing Retail — 0.1%            

RattanIndia Enterprises Ltd.(a)

    438,327       203,181  
   

 

 

 
IT Services — 4.1%            

BLS International Services Ltd.

    104,640       196,588  

Coforge Ltd.

    34,189       1,776,168  

Computer Age Management Services Ltd.

    36,619       1,000,042  

eClerx Services Ltd.

    28,370       478,304  

Firstsource Solutions Ltd.

    394,569       537,115  

Happiest Minds Technologies Ltd.

    73,172       756,677  

Hinduja Global Solutions Ltd.

    15,975       251,891  

Infibeam Avenues Ltd.

    1,178,808       225,107  

Mastek Ltd.

    16,850       335,627  

NIIT Ltd.

    91,908       352,615  

Persistent Systems Ltd.

    61,885       3,583,840  

Sonata Software Ltd.

    104,797       920,128  

Vakrangee Ltd.

    633,454       166,500  

Zensar Technologies Ltd.

    126,894       445,069  
   

 

 

 
      11,025,671  
Life Sciences Tools & Services — 0.4%            

Syngene International Ltd.(b)

    150,019       1,053,171  

Tarsons Products Ltd.(a)

    20,329       145,886  
   

 

 

 
      1,199,057  
Machinery — 7.4%            

AIA Engineering Ltd.

    52,872       1,694,013  

Ashok Leyland Ltd.

    1,828,756       3,216,009  

BEML Ltd., (Acquired 09/19/22, Cost: $432,135)(c)

    23,344       350,864  

BEML Ltd., NVS

    25,071       88,496  

Cochin Shipyard Ltd.(b)

    48,104       262,944  

Craftsman Automation Ltd.

    6,729       270,433  

Cummins India Ltd.

    155,388       2,949,500  

Elgi Equipments Ltd.

    217,537       1,230,223  

ESAB India Ltd.

    5,809       262,691  

Escorts Kubota Ltd.

    40,113       1,007,028  

GMM Pfaudler Ltd.

    33,602       662,959  

Greaves Cotton Ltd.

    116,978       181,050  

Grindwell Norton Ltd.

    55,169       1,203,311  

 

 

 

 

12  

2 0 2 3   I S H A R E S   S E M I - A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Consolidated Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® MSCI India Small-Cap ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Machinery (continued)            

Ingersoll Rand India Ltd.

    10,050     $ 260,736  

ISGEC Heavy Engineering Ltd.

    36,480       194,484  

Jamna Auto Industries Ltd.

    219,554       268,062  

Kennametal India Ltd.

    7,004       169,410  

Kirloskar Oil Engines Ltd.

    73,675       280,719  

KSB Ltd.

    15,096       349,486  

Lakshmi Machine Works Ltd.

    3,992       520,344  

MTAR Technologies Ltd.

    21,035       431,119  

Rolex Rings Ltd.(a)

    15,266       339,260  

SKF India Ltd.

    30,792       1,661,463  

Thermax Ltd.

    51,951       1,352,001  

Timken India Ltd.

    28,110       1,002,665  
   

 

 

 
      20,209,270  
Marine — 0.1%            

Shipping Corp. of India Ltd.

    176,867       255,789  
   

 

 

 
Media — 1.6%            

Affle India Ltd.(a)

    66,396       821,728  

Network18 Media & Investments Ltd.(a)

    190,759       134,602  

Sun TV Network Ltd.

    99,074       513,442  

TV18 Broadcast Ltd.(a)

    549,313       211,681  

Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd.

    1,076,861       2,545,841  
   

 

 

 
      4,227,294  
Metals & Mining — 3.1%            

APL Apollo Tubes Ltd.

    189,878       2,731,389  

Godawari Power and Ispat Ltd.

    53,126       219,514  

Hindustan Copper Ltd.

    238,122       279,854  

Jindal Saw Ltd.

    158,285       287,495  

Jindal Stainless Hisar Ltd.(a)

    117,561       696,192  

Jindal Stainless Ltd.(a)

    196,382       634,175  

Kirloskar Ferrous Industries Ltd.

    61,880       324,409  

National Aluminium Co. Ltd.

    1,029,546       973,590  

Rajratan Global Wire Ltd.

    19,401       169,354  

Ramkrishna Forgings Ltd.

    79,669       249,172  

Ratnamani Metals & Tubes Ltd.

    34,925       923,781  

Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd.

    13,169       175,446  

Usha Martin Ltd.

    154,275       327,293  

Welspun Corp. Ltd.

    145,789       324,525  
   

 

 

 
          8,316,189  
Multiline Retail — 0.3%            

Shoppers Stop Ltd.(a)

    47,599       373,808  

V-Mart Retail Ltd.

    12,066       351,459  
   

 

 

 
      725,267  
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 1.0%            

Aegis Logistics Ltd.

    174,895       769,964  

Great Eastern Shipping Co. Ltd. (The)

    115,599       770,714  

Gujarat Mineral Development Corp. Ltd.

    99,758       160,903  

Oil India Ltd.

    337,709       1,006,654  
   

 

 

 
      2,708,235  
Paper & Forest Products — 0.6%            

Century Plyboards India Ltd.

    68,959       421,314  

Century Textiles & Industries Ltd.

    62,612       459,914  

Greenpanel Industries Ltd.

    59,399       201,354  

JK Paper Ltd.

    95,903       449,479  

West Coast Paper Mills Ltd.

    37,854       220,221  
   

 

 

 
      1,752,282  
Personal Products — 0.6%            

Emami Ltd.

    247,292       1,193,956  
Security   Shares     Value  
Personal Products (continued)            

Gillette India Ltd.

    8,118     $ 457,919  
   

 

 

 
      1,651,875  
Pharmaceuticals — 5.3%            

Aarti Drugs Ltd.

    46,990       208,065  

Aarti Pharmalabs Ltd., NVS(a)

    61,692       225,820  

Ajanta Pharma Ltd.

    47,881       684,380  

Alembic Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

    73,457       454,063  

AstraZeneca Pharma India Ltd.

    6,228       251,860  

Caplin Point Laboratories Ltd.

    28,803       227,526  

Eris Lifesciences Ltd.(b)

    51,151       392,486  

FDC Ltd./India(a)

    60,184       191,205  

Gland Pharma Ltd.(a)(b)

    36,928       588,780  

GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

    42,206       681,945  

Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

    175,747       910,971  

Granules India Ltd.

    180,907       612,567  

Hikal Ltd.

    54,678       195,287  

Indoco Remedies Ltd.

    45,916       199,427  

Ipca Laboratories Ltd.

    173,821       1,698,034  

JB Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

    43,362       1,016,369  

Jubilant Pharmova Ltd.

    78,987       292,206  

Laurus Labs Ltd.(b)

    435,100       1,653,225  

Natco Pharma Ltd.

    101,929       662,915  

Piramal Pharma Ltd., NVS(a)

    590,914       564,494  

Procter & Gamble Health Ltd.

    9,305       526,257  

Sanofi India Ltd.

    10,041       709,546  

Strides Pharma Science Ltd.(a)

    74,166       268,561  

Sun Pharma Advanced Research Co. Ltd.(a)

    69,076       158,845  

Suven Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

    126,730       735,325  

Wockhardt Ltd.(a)

    63,515       143,725  
   

 

 

 
          14,253,884  
Professional Services — 0.5%            

Latent View Analytics Ltd.(a)

    51,052       213,479  

Quess Corp. Ltd.(b)

    93,378       398,983  

RITES Ltd.

    61,209       241,402  

TeamLease Services Ltd.(a)

    13,843       420,649  
   

 

 

 
      1,274,513  
Real Estate Management & Development — 2.5%        

Brigade Enterprises Ltd.

    143,667       846,717  

Indiabulls Real Estate Ltd.(a)

    536,371       373,382  

Mahindra Lifespace Developers Ltd.

    96,297       433,403  

NESCO Ltd.

    26,588       166,781  

Oberoi Realty Ltd.

    158,527       1,642,483  

Phoenix Mills Ltd. (The)

    122,354       2,045,899  

Prestige Estates Projects Ltd.

    174,773       857,518  

Sobha Ltd.

    47,333       329,591  

Sunteck Realty Ltd.

    62,130       226,025  
   

 

 

 
      6,921,799  
Road & Rail — 0.1%            

VRL Logistics Ltd.

    33,755       222,980  
   

 

 

 
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 0.1%        

Borosil Renewables Ltd.(a)

    56,401       319,973  
   

 

 

 
Software — 2.6%            

Birlasoft Ltd.

    208,516       693,332  

CE Info Systems Ltd.

    13,459       186,571  

Cyient Ltd.

    103,214       1,178,166  

Intellect Design Arena Ltd.

    101,688       552,859  

KPIT Technologies Ltd.

    202,072       2,025,317  

Oracle Financial Services Software Ltd.

    26,901       1,030,560  

 

 

 

 

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

  13


Consolidated Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® MSCI India Small-Cap ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Software (continued)            

Rategain Travel Technologies Ltd.(a)

    40,460     $ 172,377  

Route Mobile Ltd.

    30,937       502,573  

Tanla Platforms Ltd.

    82,861       675,822  
   

 

 

 
      7,017,577  
Specialty Retail — 0.2%            

Arvind Fashions Ltd.(a)

    67,621       226,457  

Go Fashion India Ltd.(a)

    23,251       257,766  

PC Jeweller Ltd.(a)

    214,660       70,370  
   

 

 

 
      554,593  
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods — 3.2%            

Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Ltd.(a)

    413,602       1,148,177  

Alok Industries Ltd.(a)

    1,506,933       227,783  

Bata India Ltd.

    64,042       1,092,479  

Campus Activewear Ltd.(a)

    75,901       371,437  

Garware Technical Fibres Ltd.

    11,558       410,830  

Indo Count Industries Ltd.

    83,764       130,650  

KPR Mill Ltd.

    106,449       740,180  

LUX Industries Ltd.(a)

    9,594       147,613  

Mirza International Ltd.(a)

    53,626       179,364  

Rajesh Exports Ltd.

    73,561       585,084  

Raymond Ltd.

    41,465       636,741  

Relaxo Footwears Ltd.

    62,017       583,224  

Safari Industries India Ltd.

    13,594       332,244  

Trident Ltd.

    1,577,573       577,683  

Vaibhav Global Ltd.

    60,705       237,917  

Vardhman Textiles Ltd.(a)

    143,105       532,472  

VIP Industries Ltd.

    78,869       608,067  

Welspun India Ltd.

    305,932       245,668  
   

 

 

 
          8,787,613  
Thrifts & Mortgage Finance — 2.2%            

Aavas Financiers Ltd.(a)

    59,075       1,305,506  

Aptus Value Housing Finance India Ltd.

    124,691       364,781  

Can Fin Homes Ltd.

    66,793       464,338  
Security   Shares     Value  
Thrifts & Mortgage Finance (continued)            

Home First Finance Company India Ltd.(a)(b)

    32,338     $ 283,247  

IIFL Finance Ltd.

    165,621       857,669  

Indiabulls Housing Finance Ltd.(a)

    411,225       500,800  

LIC Housing Finance Ltd.

    376,865       1,596,721  

PNB Housing Finance Ltd.(a)(b)

    73,587       531,170  
   

 

 

 
      5,904,232  
Tobacco — 0.2%            

Godfrey Phillips India Ltd.

    15,544       333,707  

VST Industries Ltd.

    4,710       176,066  
   

 

 

 
      509,773  
Trading Companies & Distributors — 0.4%            

IndiaMART Intermesh Ltd.(b)

    17,161       1,005,646  
   

 

 

 
Transportation Infrastructure — 0.6%            

GMR Airports Infrastructure Ltd.(a)

    2,631,627       1,205,737  

Gujarat Pipavav Port Ltd.

    330,007       418,928  
   

 

 

 
      1,624,665  
Wireless Telecommunication Services — 0.4%  

Vodafone Idea Ltd.(a)

    12,003,065       986,466  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments — 99.8%
(Cost: $286,764,589)

 

    270,612,413  
Other Assets Less Liabilities — 0.2%         423,611  
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

    $   271,036,024  
   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Non-income producing security.

(b) 

Security exempt from registration pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration to qualified institutional investors.

(c) 

Restricted security as to resale, excluding 144A securities. The Fund held restricted securities with a current value of $1,200,334, representing 0.4% of its net assets as of period end, and an original cost of $3,986,611.

(d) 

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

 

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended February 28, 2023 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

 

 

Affiliated Issuer

  Value at
08/31/22
    Purchases
at Cost
    Proceeds
from Sale
    Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
    Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
    Value at
02/28/23
   

Shares

Held at
02/28/23

    Income    

Capital

Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds

 

 

 

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

  $ 1,770,000     $     $ (1,770,000 )(b)    $     $     $           $ 53,734     $ 2  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 
  (b) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Futures Contracts

 

 

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

 

 

Long Contracts

       

SGX Nifty 50 Index

    20       03/29/23     $ 695     $ (19,763
       

 

 

 

 

 

14  

2 0 2 3   I S H A R E S   S E M I - A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Consolidated Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® MSCI India Small-Cap ETF

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

As of period end, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities were as follows:

 

               
      Commodity
Contracts
     Credit
Contracts
     Equity
Contracts
     Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
     Interest
Rate
Contracts
     Other
Contracts
     Total  

Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instruments

 

                 

Futures contracts

                    

Unrealized depreciation on futures contracts(a)

   $      $      $ 19,763      $      $      $      $ 19,763  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts are reported in the Schedule of Investments. In the Statements of Assets and Liabilities, only current day’s variation margin is reported in receivables or payables and the net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is included in accumulated earnings (loss).

 

For the period ended February 28, 2023, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Consolidated Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

               
      Commodity
Contracts
     Credit
Contracts
     Equity
Contracts
     Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
     Interest
Rate
Contracts
     Other
Contracts
     Total  

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from

 

                 

Futures contracts

   $      $      $ (54,738    $      $      $      $ (54,738
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on

 

                 

Futures contracts

   $      $      $ 18,239      $      $      $      $ 18,239  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

 

 

Futures contracts:

  

Average notional value of contracts — long

   $ 1,126,450      

 

 

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

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments. For a description of the input levels and information about the Fund’s policy regarding valuation of financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.

The following table summarizes the Fund’s financial instruments categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The breakdown of the Fund’s financial instruments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.

 

                                                                                                   

 

 
     Level 1      Level 2     Level 3      Total  

 

 

Assets

          

Investments

          

Long-Term Investments

          

Common Stocks

   $ 8,706,509      $ 261,905,879     $             25      $ 270,612,413  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments(a)

          

Liabilities

          

Equity Contracts

   $      $ (19,763   $      $ (19,763
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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

  15


 

Statements of Assets and Liabilities (unaudited)

February 28, 2023

 

   

iShares

MSCI India ETF

      

iShares

MSCI India
Small-Cap

ETF

(Consolidated)

 

 

 

ASSETS

      

Investments, at value — unaffiliated(a)

  $ 4,440,556,611        $ 270,612,413  

Cash

    15,198,386          651,475  

Cash pledged for futures contracts

    924,000          54,000  

Foreign currency, at value(b)

    3,613,055          133,399  

Receivables:

      

Investments sold

    26,046,485          9,312,513  

Dividends — unaffiliated

    1,616,833          204,265  

Dividends — affiliated

    179,129          16,402  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total assets

    4,488,134,499          280,984,467  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

      

Payables:

      

Investments purchased

    30,067,184          9,785,902  

Investment advisory fees

    2,297,632          157,101  

Variation margin on futures contracts

    93,902          5,440  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    32,458,718          9,948,443  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 4,455,675,781        $ 271,036,024  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF

      

Paid-in capital

  $ 3,960,186,021        $ 265,872,255  

Accumulated earnings

    495,489,760          5,163,769  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 4,455,675,781        $ 271,036,024  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

NET ASSETVALUE

      

Shares outstanding

    114,750,000          5,400,000  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net asset value

  $ 38.83        $ 50.19  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

Shares authorized

    Unlimited          Unlimited  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

Par value

    None          None  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

(a) Investments, at cost — unaffiliated

  $ 6,598,990,435        $ 286,764,589  

(b) Foreign currency, at cost

  $ 3,611,796        $ 133,345  

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

 

16  

2 0 2 3   I S H A R E S   S E M I - A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


 

Statements of Operations (unaudited)

Six Months Ended February 28, 2023

 

   

iShares

MSCI India ETF

    

iShares

MSCI India
Small-Cap

ETF

(Consolidated)

 

 

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

 

  

Dividends — unaffiliated

  $ 23,742,016      $ 1,570,675  

Dividends — affiliated

    811,195        53,734  

Foreign taxes withheld

    (5,799,495      (271,949
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total investment income

    18,753,716        1,352,460  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

EXPENSES

    

Investment advisory

    14,395,990        1,103,289  

Commitment costs

    26,256        1,977  

Interest expense

           150,287  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses

    14,422,246        1,255,553  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income

    4,331,470        96,907  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

    

Net realized gain (loss) from:

    

Investments — unaffiliated(a)

    1,798,316,543        78,638,471  

Capital gain distributions from underlying funds — affiliated

    11        2  

Foreign currency transactions

    (2,749,722      (1,884,355

Futures contracts

    (142,938      (54,738
 

 

 

    

 

 

 
    1,795,423,894        76,699,380  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

    

Investments — unaffiliated(b)

    (2,304,771,928      (100,906,131

Foreign currency translations

    69,705        (1,330

Futures contracts

    86,693        18,239  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 
    (2,304,615,530      (100,889,222
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized loss

    (509,191,636      (24,189,842
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

  $ (504,860,166    $ (24,092,935
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

(a) Net of foreign capital gain tax and capital gain tax refund, if applicable

  $ (4,633,078    $ (5,193,101

(b) Net of reduction in deferred foreign capital gain tax of

  $ 29,998,706      $ 4,739,617  

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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

  17


 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

    iShares
MSCI India ETF
    iShares
MSCI India Small-Cap ETF
(Consolidated)
 
     

Six Months Ended
02/28/23

(unaudited)

 
 

 

   

Year Ended

08/31/22

(a) 

 

   

Six Months
Ended 02/28/23

(unaudited)

 
 

 

   
Year Ended
08/31/22
 
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

       

OPERATIONS

       

Net investment income

  $ 4,331,470     $ 25,600,458     $ 96,907     $ 275,777  

Net realized gain

    1,795,423,894       2,081,503,169       76,699,380       29,257,151  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    (2,304,615,530     (2,523,600,088     (100,889,222     (53,555,310
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations

    (504,860,166     (416,496,461     (24,092,935     (24,022,382
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(b)

       

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

          (374,889,807     (22,364 )(c)       (5,222,073
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

       

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

    774,917,642       (1,373,587,175     (9,648,578     4,578,598  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

       

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

    270,057,476       (2,164,973,443     (33,763,877     (24,665,857

Beginning of period

    4,185,618,305       6,350,591,748       304,799,901       329,465,758  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period

  $ 4,455,675,781     $ 4,185,618,305     $ 271,036,024     $ 304,799,901  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a)

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Net Assets.

(b) 

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

(c) 

A portion of the distributions from net investment income may be deemed a return of capital or net realized gain at fiscal year-end.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

18  

2 0 2 3   I S H A R E S   S E M I - A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    iShares MSCI India ETF  
 

 

 

 
   

Six Months Ended

02/28/23

(unaudited)

 

 

 

   
Year Ended
08/31/22
 
(a) 
   
Year Ended
08/31/21
 
(a) 
   
Year Ended
08/31/20
 
(a) 
   
Year Ended
08/31/19
 
(a) 
   
Year Ended
08/31/18
 
(a) 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $ 43.22     $ 48.79     $ 33.37     $ 32.38     $ 35.68     $ 34.20  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(b)

      0.04       0.21       0.14       0.14       0.29       0.25  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(c)

               (4.43     (2.87     15.35       0.96       (3.00     1.54  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

      (4.39     (2.66     15.49       1.10       (2.71     1.79  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions(d)

             

From net investment income

            (2.91     (0.07     (0.11     (0.49     (0.31

Return of capital

                              (0.10      
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions

            (2.91     (0.07     (0.11     (0.59     (0.31
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

    $ 38.83     $ 43.22     $ 48.79     $ 33.37     $ 32.38     $ 35.68  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(e)

             

Based on net asset value

      (10.10 )%(f)       (5.66 )%      46.54     3.40     (7.61 )%      5.26
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(g)

             

Total expenses

      0.65 %(h)       0.68     0.65     0.69     0.69     0.68
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

      0.19 %(h)       0.47     0.35     0.43     0.86     0.72
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

             

Net assets, end of period (000)

    $ 4,455,676     $ 4,185,618     $ 6,350,592     $ 3,093,833     $ 4,899,749     $ 5,082,120  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(i)

      9 %(j)       95 %(j)       25 %(j)       25 %(j)       9 %(j)       10 %(j)  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(a)   Consolidated Financial Highlights.

(b)   Based on average shares outstanding.

(c)   The amounts reported for a share outstanding may not accord with the change in aggregate gains and losses in securities for the fiscal period due to the timing of capital share transactions in relation to the fluctuating market values of the Fund’s underlying securities.

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

(e)   Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(f)   Not annualized.

(g)   Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

(h)   Annualized.

(i) Portfolio turnover rate includes portfolio transactions that are executed as a result of the Fund offering and redeeming Creation Units solely for cash in U.S. dollars (“cash creations”).

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

  

(j)  Portfolio turnover rate excluding cash creations was as follows:

                  5                 91                 17                 19                 6                 5
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

F I N A N C I A L   H I G H L I G H T S

  19


Consolidated Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

        iShares MSCI India Small-Cap ETF  
 

 

   

 

 

 
   

Six Months Ended
02/28/23
(unaudited)

    Year Ended
08/31/22
    Year Ended
08/31/21
    Year Ended
08/31/20
    Year Ended
08/31/19
    Year Ended
08/31/18
 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

      $ 54.43     $ 57.80     $ 34.60     $ 33.39     $ 44.10     $ 46.27  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss)(a)

        0.02       0.04       (0.01     0.15       0.10       (0.00 )(b)  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(c)

 

    

      (4.26     (2.64     23.26       1.88       (10.60     (1.06
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

        (4.24     (2.60     23.25       2.03       (10.50     (1.06
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions(d)

               

From net investment income

        (0.00 )(b)(e)      (0.77     (0.05     (0.82     (0.21     (0.63

Return of capital

                    (0.00 )(b)                   (0.48
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions

        (0.00 )(b)       (0.77     (0.05     (0.82     (0.21     (1.11
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

      $ 50.19     $ 54.43     $ 57.80     $ 34.60     $ 33.39     $ 44.10  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(f)

               

Based on net asset value

        (7.78 )%(g)      (4.61 )%      67.25     6.35     (23.88 )%      (2.36 )% 
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(h)

               

Total expenses

        0.79 %(i)(j)(k)      0.74     0.74     0.81     0.76     0.77
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss)

        0.07 %(i)       0.08     (0.01 )%      0.45     0.28     (0.00 )%(l) 
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

               

Net assets, end of period (000)

      $ 271,036     $ 304,800     $ 329,466     $ 193,770     $ 270,433     $ 282,264  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(m)

        117 %(n)       56 %(n)       55 %(n)       32 %(n)       24 %(n)       49 %(n)  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(a)   Based on average shares outstanding.

(b)   Rounds to less than $0.01.

(c)   The amounts reported for a share outstanding may not accord with the change in aggregate gains and losses in securities for the fiscal period due to the timing of capital share transactions in relation to the fluctuating market values of the Fund’s underlying securities.

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

(e)   A portion of the distributions from net investment income may be deemed a return of capital or net realized gain at fiscal year-end.

(f)   Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(g)   Not annualized.

(h)   Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

(i) Annualized.

(j) Interest expense was not annualized in the calculation of the expense ratio. If this expense was annualized, the total expense would have been 0.84%.

(k)   Includes non-recurring expense of Interest expense. Without this cost, total expenses would have been 0.74%.

(l) Rounds to less than 0.01%.

(m)  Portfolio turnover rate includes portfolio transactions that are executed as a result of the Fund offering and redeeming Creation Units solely for cash in U.S. dollars (“cash creations”).

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

  

  

    

  

   

(n) Portfolio turnover rate excluding cash creations was as follows:

        112     37     37     28     19     31
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

20  

2 0 2 3   I S H A R E S   S E M I - A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) 

 

1.

ORGANIZATION

iShares Trust (the “Trust”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as an open-end management investment company. The Trust is organized as a Delaware statutory trust and is authorized to have multiple series or portfolios.

These consolidated financial statements relate only to the following funds (each, a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”):

 

   
iShares ETF   Diversification    
Classification    
 

MSCI India

    Non-diversified      

MSCI India Small-Cap

    Diversified      

Basis of Consolidation: The accompanying consolidated financial statements for MSCI India Small-Cap includes the accounts of its subsidiary in the Republic of Mauritius, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary (a “Subsidiary”) of the Fund that invests in Indian securities. Through this investment structure, MSCI India Small-Cap expects to obtain certain benefits under a current tax treaty between Mauritius and India. The net assets of the Subsidiary as of period end was $953,567, which is 0.4% of MSCI India Small-Cap’s consolidated net assets. Intercompany accounts and transactions, if any, have been eliminated.

Effective November 17, 2022, iShares MSCI India Small-Cap ETF transferred substantially all of the assets of MSCI India Small-Cap’s wholly owned Mauritius Subsidiary to MSCI India Small-Cap through on-exchange transactions in India. MSCI India Small-Cap recognized a net realized gain of $86,245,896 as a result of this transaction. After the transfer, MSCI India Small-Cap began making new investments in India directly.

 

2.

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”), which may require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities in the financial statements, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Each Fund is considered an investment company under U.S. GAAP and follows the accounting and reporting guidance applicable to investment companies. Below is a summary of significant accounting policies:

Investment Transactions and Income Recognition: For financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are recorded on the dates the transactions are executed. Realized gains and losses on investment transactions are determined using the specific identification method. Dividend income and capital gain distributions, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Non-cash dividends, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend date at fair value. Dividends from foreign securities where the ex-dividend date may have passed are subsequently recorded when the Funds are informed of the ex-dividend date. Under the applicable foreign tax laws, a withholding tax at various rates may be imposed on capital gains, dividends and interest. Upon notification from issuers or as estimated by management, a portion of the dividend income received from a real estate investment trust may be redesignated as a reduction of cost of the related investment and/or realized gain.

Foreign Currency Translation: Each Fund’s books and records are maintained in U.S. dollars. Securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars using prevailing market rates as quoted by one or more data service providers. Purchases and sales of investments are recorded at the rates of exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions. Generally, when the U.S. dollar rises in value against a foreign currency, the investments denominated in that currency will lose value; the opposite effect occurs if the U.S. dollar falls in relative value.

Each Fund does not isolate the effect of fluctuations in foreign exchange rates from the effect of fluctuations in the market prices of investments for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, the effects of changes in exchange rates on investments are not segregated in the Consolidated Statements of Operations from the effects of changes in market prices of those investments, but are included as a component of net realized and unrealized gain (loss) from investments. Each Fund reports realized currency gains (losses) on foreign currency related transactions as components of net realized gain (loss) for financial reporting purposes, whereas such components are generally treated as ordinary income for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Foreign Taxes: The Funds may be subject to foreign taxes (a portion of which may be reclaimable) on income, stock dividends, capital gains on investments, or certain foreign currency transactions. All foreign taxes are recorded in accordance with the applicable foreign tax regulations and rates that exist in the foreign jurisdictions in which each Fund invests. These foreign taxes, if any, are paid by each Fund and are reflected in its Consolidated Statements of Operations as follows: foreign taxes withheld at source are presented as a reduction of income, foreign taxes on securities lending income are presented as a reduction of securities lending income, foreign taxes on stock dividends are presented as “Other foreign taxes”, and foreign taxes on capital gains from sales of investments and foreign taxes on foreign currency transactions are included in their respective net realized gain (loss) categories. Foreign taxes payable or deferred as of February 28, 2023, if any, are disclosed in the Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

The Funds file withholding tax reclaims in certain jurisdictions to recover a portion of amounts previously withheld. The Funds may record a reclaim receivable based on collectability, which includes factors such as the jurisdiction’s applicable laws, payment history and market convention. The Consolidated Statements of Operations includes tax reclaims recorded as well as professional and other fees, if any, associated with recovery of foreign withholding taxes.

MSCI India Small-Cap has conducted investment activities in India through its Subsidiary and, where applicable, expects to obtain benefits under the Double Tax Avoidance Agreement (“DTAA”) between India and Mauritius. In order to be eligible to claim benefits under the DTAA, MSCI India Small-Cap must have commercial

 

 

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

  21


Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

substance, on an annual basis, to satisfy certain tests and conditions, including the establishment and maintenance of valid tax residence in Mauritius, have the place of effective management outside of India, and related requirements. MSCI India Small-Cap has obtained a current tax residence certificate issued by the Mauritian Revenue Authorities.

Based upon current interpretation and practice of the current tax laws in India and Mauritius and the DTAA, the Subsidiary is subject to tax in Mauritius on its net income at the rate of 15%. However, the Subsidiary is entitled to a tax credit equivalent to the higher of the actual foreign tax incurred or 80% of the Mauritius tax on its foreign source income, thus reducing its maximum effective tax rate to 3% up to June 30, 2021. After June 30, 2021, under the new tax regime and subject to meeting the necessary substance requirements as required under the Financial Services Act 2007 (as amended by the Finance Act 2018) and such guidelines issued by the Financial Services Commission (the “FSC”), the Subsidiary is entitled to either (a) a foreign tax credit equivalent to the actual foreign tax suffered on its foreign income against the Subsidiary’s tax liability computed at 15% on such income, or (b) a partial exemption of 80% of some of the income derived, including interest income or foreign source dividends. Taxes on income, if any, are paid by the Subsidiary and are disclosed in its Consolidated Statements of Operations. Any dividends paid by a Subsidiary to its Fund are not subject to tax in Mauritius. The Subsidiary is currently exempt from tax in Mauritius on any gains from the sale of securities.

The DTAA provides that capital gains will be taxable in India with respect to the sale of shares acquired on or after April 1, 2017. Capital gains arising from shares acquired before April 1, 2017, regardless of when they are sold, will continue to be exempt from taxation under the amended DTAA, assuming requirements for eligibility under the DTAA are satisfied. There can be no assurance, however, that the DTAA will remain in effect during the Subsidiary’s existence or that it will continue to enjoy its benefits on the shares acquired prior to April 1, 2017.

Collateralization: If required by an exchange or counterparty agreement, the Funds may be required to deliver/deposit cash and/or securities to/with an exchange, or broker-dealer or custodian as collateral for certain investments.

Distributions: Dividends and distributions paid by each Fund are recorded on the ex-dividend dates. Distributions are determined on a tax basis and may differ from net investment income and net realized capital gains for financial reporting purposes. Dividends and distributions are paid in U.S. dollars and cannot be automatically reinvested in additional shares of the Funds.

The character and timing of distributions are determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP.

Indemnifications: In the normal course of business, each Fund enters into contracts that contain a variety of representations that provide general indemnification. The Funds’ maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown because it involves future potential claims against the Funds, which cannot be predicted with any certainty.

 

3.

INVESTMENT VALUATION AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Investment Valuation Policies: Each Fund’s investments are valued at fair value (also referred to as “market value” within the financial statements) each day that the Fund’s listing exchange is open and, for financial reporting purposes, as of the report date. U.S. GAAP defines fair value as the price a fund would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”) of each Fund has approved the designation of BlackRock Fund Advisors (“BFA”), the Funds’ investment adviser, as the valuation designee for each Fund. Each Fund determines the fair values of its financial instruments using various independent dealers or pricing services under BFA’s policies. If a security’s market price is not readily available or does not otherwise accurately represent the fair value of the security, the security will be valued in accordance with BFA’s policies and procedures as reflecting fair value. BFA has formed a committee (the “Valuation Committee”) to develop pricing policies and procedures and to oversee the pricing function for all financial instruments, with assistance from other BlackRock pricing committees.

Fair Value Inputs and Methodologies: The following methods and inputs are used to establish the fair value of each Fund’s assets and liabilities:

 

   

Equity investments traded on a recognized securities exchange are valued at that day’s official closing price, as applicable, on the exchange where the stock is primarily traded. Equity investments traded on a recognized exchange for which there were no sales on that day are valued at the last traded price.

 

   

Investments in open-end U.S. mutual funds (including money market funds) are valued at that day’s published net asset value (“NAV”).

 

   

Futures contracts are valued based on that day’s last reported settlement or trade price on the exchange where the contract is traded.

Generally, trading in foreign instruments is substantially completed each day at various times prior to the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”). Each business day, the Funds use current market factors supplied by independent pricing services to value certain foreign instruments (“Systematic Fair Value Price”). The Systematic Fair Value Price is designed to value such foreign securities at fair value as of the close of trading on the NYSE, which follows the close of the local markets.

If events (e.g., market volatility, company announcement or a natural disaster) occur that are expected to materially affect the value of such investment, or in the event that application of these methods of valuation results in a price for an investment that is deemed not to be representative of the market value of such investment, or if a price is not available, the investment will be valued by the Valuation Committee, in accordance with BFA’s policies and procedures as reflecting fair value (“Fair Valued Investments”). The fair valuation approaches that may be used by the Valuation Committee include market approach, income approach and cost approach. Valuation techniques such as discounted cash flow, use of market comparables and matrix pricing are types of valuation approaches and are typically used in determining fair value. When determining the price for Fair Valued Investments, the Valuation Committee seeks to determine the price that each Fund might reasonably expect to receive or pay from the current sale or purchase of that asset or liability in an arm’s-length transaction. Fair value determinations shall be based upon all available factors that the Valuation Committee deems relevant and consistent with the principles of fair value measurement.

 

 

22  

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Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

Fair value pricing could result in a difference between the prices used to calculate a fund’s NAV and the prices used by the fund’s underlying index, which in turn could result in a difference between the fund’s performance and the performance of the fund’s underlying index.

Fair Value Hierarchy: Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments. These inputs to valuation techniques are categorized into a fair value hierarchy consisting of three broad levels for financial reporting purposes as follows:

 

   

Level 1 – Unadjusted price quotations in active markets/exchanges for identical assets or liabilities that each Fund has the ability to access;

 

   

Level 2 – Other observable inputs (including, but not limited to, quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in markets that are active, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the assets or liabilities (such as interest rates, yield curves, volatilities, prepayment speeds, loss severities, credit risks and default rates) or other market-corroborated inputs); and

 

   

Level 3 – Unobservable inputs based on the best information available in the circumstances, to the extent observable inputs are not available, (including the Valuation Committee’s assumptions used in determining the fair value of financial instruments).

The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized in Level 3. The inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, for disclosure purposes, the fair value hierarchy classification is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. Investments classified within Level 3 have significant unobservable inputs used by the Valuation Committee in determining the price for Fair Valued Investments. Level 3 investments include equity or debt issued by privately held companies or funds that may not have a secondary market and/or may have a limited number of investors. The categorization of a value determined for financial instruments is based on the pricing transparency of the financial instruments and is not necessarily an indication of the risks associated with investing in those securities.

 

4.

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Futures Contracts: Futures contracts are purchased or sold to gain exposure to, or manage exposure to, changes in interest rates (interest rate risk) and changes in the value of equity securities (equity risk) or foreign currencies (foreign currency exchange rate risk).

Futures contracts are exchange-traded agreements between the Funds and a counterparty to buy or sell a specific quantity of an underlying instrument at a specified price and on a specified date. Depending on the terms of a contract, it is settled either through physical delivery of the underlying instrument on the settlement date or by payment of a cash amount on the settlement date. Upon entering into a futures contract, the Funds are required to deposit initial margin with the broker in the form of cash or securities in an amount that varies depending on a contract’s size and risk profile. The initial margin deposit must then be maintained at an established level over the life of the contract. Amounts pledged, which are considered restricted, are included in cash pledged for futures contracts in the Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

Securities deposited as initial margin are designated in the Consolidated Schedule of Investments and cash deposited, if any, are shown as cash pledged for futures contracts in the Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities. Pursuant to the contract, the Funds agree to receive from or pay to the broker an amount of cash equal to the daily fluctuation in market value of the contract (“variation margin”). Variation margin is recorded as unrealized appreciation (depreciation) and, if any, shown as variation margin receivable (or payable) on futures contracts in the Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities. When the contract is closed, a realized gain or loss is recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Operations equal to the difference between the notional amount of the contract at the time it was opened and the notional amount at the time it was closed. The use of futures contracts involves the risk of an imperfect correlation in the movements in the price of futures contracts and interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates or underlying assets.

 

5.

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

Investment Advisory Fees: Pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement with the Trust, BlackRock Fund Advisors (“BFA”) manages the investment of each Fund’s assets. BFA is a California corporation indirectly owned by BlackRock, Inc. (“BlackRock”). Under the Investment Advisory Agreement, BFA is responsible for substantially all expenses of the Funds, except (i) interest and taxes; (ii) brokerage commissions and other expenses connected with the execution of portfolio transactions; (iii) distribution fees; (iv) the advisory fee payable to BFA; and (v) litigation expenses and any extraordinary expenses (in each case as determined by a majority of the independent trustees).

For its investment advisory services to the iShares MSCI India ETF, BFA is entitled to an annual investment advisory fee, accrued daily and paid monthly by the Fund, based on the average daily net assets of the Fund as follows:

 

   
Aggregate Average Daily Net Assets   Investment Advisory Fees  

First $4 billion

    0.6500

Over $4 billion, up to and including $6 billion

    0.6175  

Over $6 billion, up to and including $8 billion

    0.5867  

Over $8 billion

    0.5573  

For its investment advisory services to the iShares MSCI India Small-Cap ETF, BFAis entitled to an annual investment advisory fee of 0.74%, accrued daily and paid monthly by the Fund, based on the average daily net assets of the Fund.

 

 

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

  23


Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

Each Subsidiary has entered into a separate contract with BFA under which BFA provides investment advisory services to the Subsidiary but does not receive separate compensation from the Subsidiary for providing it with such services. Each Subsidiary has also entered into separate arrangements that provide for the provision of other services to the Subsidiary (including administrative, custody, transfer agency and other services), and BFA pays the costs and expenses related to the provision of those services.

Distributor: BlackRock Investments, LLC, an affiliate of BFA, is the distributor for each Fund. Pursuant to the distribution agreement, BFA is responsible for any fees or expenses for distribution services provided to the Funds.

Officers and Trustees: Certain officers and/or trustees of the Trust are officers and/or trustees of BlackRock or its affiliates.

Each Fund may invest its positive cash balances in certain money market funds managed by BFA or an affiliate. The income earned on these temporary cash investments is shown as dividends – affiliated in the Statements of Operations.

A fund, in order to improve its portfolio liquidity and its ability to track its underlying index, may invest in shares of other iShares funds that invest in securities in the fund’s underlying index.

 

6.

PURCHASES AND SALES

For the six months ended February 28, 2023, purchases and sales of investments, excluding short-term securities and in-kind transactions, were as follows:

 

     

iShares ETF

  Purchases      Sales      

MSCI India

  $   1,179,458,294      $   387,837,023      

MSCI India Small-Cap

    344,713,347        355,829,388      

There were no in-kind transactions for the six months ended February 28, 2023.

 

7.

INCOME TAX INFORMATION

Each Fund is treated as an entity separate from the Trust’s other funds for federal income tax purposes. It is each Fund’s policy to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, applicable to regulated investment companies, and to distribute substantially all of its taxable income to its shareholders. Therefore, no U.S. federal income tax provision is required.

Management has analyzed tax laws and regulations and their application to the Funds as of February 28, 2023, inclusive of the open tax return years, and does not believe that there are any uncertain tax positions that require recognition of a tax liability in the Funds’ financial statements.

As of August 31, 2022, the Funds had non-expiring capital loss carryforwards available to offset future realized capital gains as follows:

 

   
iShares ETF   Amounts      

MSCI India

  $   337,313,909      

MSCI India Small-Cap

    28,005,798      

A fund may own shares in certain foreign investment entities, referred to, under U.S. tax law, as “passive foreign investment companies.” Such fund may elect to mark-to-market annually the shares of each passive foreign investment company and would be required to distribute to shareholders any such marked-to-market gains.

As of February 28, 2023, gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation based on cost of investments (including short positions and derivatives, if any) for U.S. federal income tax purposes were as follows:

 

         
iShares ETF   Tax Cost     

Gross Unrealized

Appreciation

    

Gross Unrealized

Depreciation

   

Net Unrealized    

Appreciation    

(Depreciation)    

 

MSCI India

  $   5,133,801,463      $ 1,696,409,935      $ (2,390,021,065   $ (693,611,130)      

MSCI India Small-Cap

    308,367,387        6,705,845        (44,480,582     (37,774,737)      

 

8.

LINE OF CREDIT

The Funds, along with certain other iShares funds (“Participating Funds”), are parties to a $800 million credit agreement (“Syndicated Credit Agreement”) with a group of lenders, which expires on August 11, 2023. The line of credit may be used for temporary or emergency purposes, including redemptions, settlement of trades and rebalancing of portfolio holdings in certain target markets. The Funds may borrow up to the aggregate commitment amount subject to asset coverage and other limitations as specified in the Syndicated Credit Agreement. The Syndicated Credit Agreement has the following terms: a commitment fee of 0.15% per annum on the unused portion of the credit agreement and interest at a rate equal to the higher of (a) Daily Simple Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) plus 0.10% and 1.00% per annum or (b)

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

the U.S. Federal Funds rate plus 1.00% per annum on amounts borrowed. The commitment fee is generally allocated to each Participating Fund based on the lesser of a Participating Fund’s relative exposure to certain target markets or a Participating Fund’s maximum borrowing amount as set forth by the terms of the Syndicated Credit Agreement.

During the six months ended February 28, 2023, the Funds did not borrow under the Syndicated Credit Agreement.

Effective April 21, 2022, the Funds, along with certain other iShares funds (“Mauritius Participating Funds”), were parties to a $1.50 billion unsecured and uncommitted line of credit (“Uncommitted Liquidity Facility”) with State Street Bank and Trust Company, which was used solely to facilitate trading associated with the closure of each Fund’s Mauritius subsidiary. The Uncommitted Liquidity Facility had interest at a rate equal to the higher of (a) the U.S. Federal Funds rate (not less than zero) plus 1.25% per annum or (b) the Overnight Bank Funding rate (not less than zero) plus 1.25% per annum on amounts borrowed. The Uncommitted Liquidity Facility was terminated on December 7, 2022.

During the six months ended February 28, 2023, iShares MSCI India ETF did not borrow under the Uncommitted Liquidity Facility.

For the six months ended February 28, 2023, the maximum amount borrowed, the average daily borrowing and the weighted average interest rate, if any, under the Uncommitted Liquidity Facility were as follows:

 

       
iShares ETF   Maximum
Amount
Borrowed
     Average
Borrowing
     Weighted 
Average 
Interest Rates 
 

MSCI India Small-Cap

  $ 70,000,000      $ 7,171,271        4.19

 

9.

PRINCIPAL RISKS

In the normal course of business, each Fund invests in securities or other instruments and may enter into certain transactions, and such activities subject the Fund to various risks, including, among others, fluctuations in the market (market risk) or failure of an issuer to meet all of its obligations. The value of securities or other instruments may also be affected by various factors, including, without limitation: (i) the general economy; (ii) the overall market as well as local, regional or global political and/or social instability; (iii) regulation, taxation or international tax treaties between various countries; or (iv) currency, interest rate or price fluctuations. Local, regional or global events such as war, acts of terrorism, the spread of infectious illness or other public health issues, recessions, or other events could have a significant impact on the Funds and their investments. Each Fund’s prospectus provides details of the risks to which the Fund is subject.

BFA uses a “passive” or index approach to try to achieve each Fund’s investment objective following the securities included in its underlying index during upturns as well as downturns. BFA does not take steps to reduce market exposure or to lessen the effects of a declining market. Divergence from the underlying index and the composition of the portfolio is monitored by BFA.

Infectious Illness Risk: An outbreak of an infectious illness, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, may adversely impact the economies of many nations and the global economy, and may impact individual issuers and capital markets in ways that cannot be foreseen. An infectious illness outbreak may result in, among other things, closed international borders, prolonged quarantines, supply chain disruptions, market volatility or disruptions and other significant economic, social and political impacts.

Valuation Risk: The market values of equities, such as common stocks and preferred securities or equity related investments, such as futures and options, may decline due to general market conditions which are not specifically related to a particular company. They may also decline due to factors which affect a particular industry or industries. A fund may invest in illiquid investments. An illiquid investment is any investment that a fund reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment. A fund may experience difficulty in selling illiquid investments in a timely manner at the price that it believes the investments are worth. Prices may fluctuate widely over short or extended periods in response to company, market or economic news. Markets also tend to move in cycles, with periods of rising and falling prices. This volatility may cause a fund’s NAV to experience significant increases or decreases over short periods of time. If there is a general decline in the securities and other markets, the NAV of a fund may lose value, regardless of the individual results of the securities and other instruments in which a fund invests.

The price each Fund could receive upon the sale of any particular portfolio investment may differ from each Fund’s valuation of the investment, particularly for securities that trade in thin or volatile markets or that are valued using a fair valuation technique or a price provided by an independent pricing service. Changes to significant unobservable inputs and assumptions (i.e., publicly traded company multiples, growth rate, time to exit) due to the lack of observable inputs.

Counterparty Credit Risk: The Funds may be exposed to counterparty credit risk, or the risk that an entity may fail to or be unable to perform on its commitments related to unsettled or open transactions, including making timely interest and/or principal payments or otherwise honoring its obligations. The Funds manage counterparty credit risk by entering into transactions only with counterparties that BFA believes have the financial resources to honor their obligations and by monitoring the financial stability of those counterparties. Financial assets, which potentially expose the Funds to market, issuer and counterparty credit risks, consist principally of financial instruments and receivables due from counterparties. The extent of the Funds’ exposure to market, issuer and counterparty credit risks with respect to these financial assets is approximately their value recorded in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities, less any collateral held by the Funds.

A derivative contract may suffer a mark-to-market loss if the value of the contract decreases due to an unfavorable change in the market rates or values of the underlying instrument. Losses can also occur if the counterparty does not perform under the contract.

 

 

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

  25


Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

With exchange-traded futures, there is less counterparty credit risk to the Funds since the exchange or clearinghouse, as counterparty to such instruments, guarantees against a possible default. The clearinghouse stands between the buyer and the seller of the contract; therefore, credit risk is limited to failure of the clearinghouse. While offset rights may exist under applicable law, a fund does not have a contractual right of offset against a clearing broker or clearinghouse in the event of a default (including the bankruptcy or insolvency). Additionally, credit risk exists in exchange-traded futures with respect to initial and variation margin that is held in a clearing broker’s customer accounts. While clearing brokers are required to segregate customer margin from their own assets, in the event that a clearing broker becomes insolvent or goes into bankruptcy and at that time there is a shortfall in the aggregate amount of margin held by the clearing broker for all its clients, typically the shortfall would be allocated on a pro rata basis across all the clearing broker’s customers, potentially resulting in losses to the Funds.

Concentration Risk: A diversified portfolio, where this is appropriate and consistent with a fund’s objectives, minimizes the risk that a price change of a particular investment will have a material impact on the NAV of a fund. The investment concentrations within each Fund’s portfolio are disclosed in its Schedule of Investments.

The Funds invest a significant portion of their assets in issuers located in a single country or a limited number of countries. When a fund concentrates its investments in this manner, it assumes the risk that economic, regulatory, political and social conditions in that country or those countries may have a significant impact on the fund and could affect the income from, or the value or liquidity of, the Fund’s portfolio. Unanticipated or sudden political or social developments may cause uncertainty in the markets and as a result adversely affect the Fund’s investments. Foreign issuers may not be subject to the same uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and practices as used in the United States. Foreign securities markets may also be more volatile and less liquid than U.S. securities and may be less subject to governmental supervision not typically associated with investing in U.S. securities.

The Funds invest a significant portion of their assets in securities of issuers located in Asia or with significant exposure to Asian issuers or countries. The Asian financial markets have recently experienced volatility and adverse trends due to concerns in several Asian countries regarding monetary policy, government intervention in the markets, rising government debt levels or economic downturns. These events may spread to other countries in Asia and may affect the value and liquidity of certain of the Funds’ investments.

The Funds invest a significant portion of their assets in securities within a single or limited number of market sectors. When a fund concentrates its investments in this manner, it assumes the risk that economic, regulatory, political and social conditions affecting such sectors may have a significant impact on the fund and could affect the income from, or the value or liquidity of, the fund’s portfolio. Investment percentages in specific sectors are presented in the Schedule of Investments.

Significant Shareholder Redemption Risk: Certain shareholders may own or manage a substantial amount of fund shares and/or hold their fund investments for a limited period of time. Large redemptions of fund shares by these shareholders may force a fund to sell portfolio securities, which may negatively impact the fund’s NAV, increase the fund’s brokerage costs, and/or accelerate the realization of taxable income/gains and cause the fund to make additional taxable distributions to shareholders.

LIBOR Transition Risk: The Funds may be exposed to financial instruments that are tied to the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) to determine payment obligations, financing terms, hedging strategies or investment value. The United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority, which regulates LIBOR, announced that a majority of USD LIBOR settings will no longer be published after June 30, 2023. All other LIBOR settings and certain other interbank offered rates ceased to be published after December 31, 2021. SOFR has been used increasingly on a voluntary basis in new instruments and transactions. The Federal Reserve Board adopted regulations that provide a fallback mechanism by identifying benchmark rates based on SOFR that will replace LIBOR in certain financial contracts after June 30, 2023. The ultimate effect of the LIBOR transition process on the Funds is uncertain.

 

10.

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

Capital shares are issued and redeemed by each Fund only in aggregations of a specified number of shares or multiples thereof (“Creation Units”) at NAV. Except when aggregated in Creation Units, shares of each Fund are not redeemable.

Transactions in capital shares were as follows:

 

 

 
   

Six Months Ended

02/28/23

    

Year Ended

08/31/22

 
 

 

 

    

 

 

 
iShares ETF   Shares      Amount      Shares      Amount  

 

 

MSCI India

          

Shares sold

    22,700,000      $ 969,247,609        7,750,000      $ 344,412,931  

Shares redeemed

    (4,800,000      (194,329,967      (41,050,000      (1,718,000,106
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
    17,900,000      $ 774,917,642        (33,300,000    $ (1,373,587,175
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

MSCI India Small-Cap

          

Shares sold

    250,000      $ 13,792,155        1,100,000      $ 67,453,633  

Shares redeemed

    (450,000      (23,440,733      (1,200,000      (62,875,035
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
    (200,000    $ (9,648,578      (100,000    $ 4,578,598  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The consideration for the purchase of Creation Units of a fund in the Trust generally consists of the in-kind deposit of a designated portfolio of securities and a specified amount of cash. Certain funds in the Trust may be offered in Creation Units solely or partially for cash in U.S. dollars. Investors purchasing and redeeming Creation Units may pay a purchase transaction fee and a redemption transaction fee directly to State Street Bank and Trust Company, the Trust’s administrator, to offset transfer and other transaction costs associated with the issuance and redemption of Creation Units, including Creation Units for cash. Investors transacting in Creation Units for cash may also

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

pay an additional variable charge to compensate the relevant fund for certain transaction costs (i.e., stamp taxes, taxes on currency or other financial transactions, and brokerage costs) and market impact expenses relating to investing in portfolio securities. Such variable charges, if any, are included in shares sold in the table above.

 

11.

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Management has evaluated the impact of all subsequent events on the Funds through the date the financial statements were available to be issued and has determined that there were no subsequent events requiring adjustment or additional disclosure in the financial statements.

 

 

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

  27


Statement Regarding Liquidity Risk Management Program (unaudited)

 

In compliance with Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Liquidity Rule”), iShares Trust (the “Trust”) has adopted and implemented a liquidity risk management program (the “Program”) for iShares MSCI India ETF and iShares MSCI India Small-Cap ETF (the “Funds” or “ETFs”), each a series of the Trust, which is reasonably designed to assess and manage each Fund’s liquidity risk.

The Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of the Trust, on behalf of the Funds, met on December 9, 2022 (the “Meeting”) to review the Program. The Board previously appointed BlackRock Fund Advisors (“BlackRock”), the investment adviser to the Funds, as the program administrator for each Fund’s Program. BlackRock also previously delegated oversight of the Program to the 40 Act Liquidity Risk Management Committee (the “Committee”). At the Meeting, the Committee, on behalf of BlackRock, provided the Board with a report that addressed the operation of the Program and assessed its adequacy and effectiveness of implementation, including the management of each Fund’s Highly Liquid Investment Minimum (“HLIM”) where applicable, and any material changes to the Program (the “Report”). The Report covered the period from October 1, 2021 through September 30, 2022 (the “Program Reporting Period”).

The Report described the Program’s liquidity classification methodology for categorizing each Fund’s investments (including derivative transactions) into one of four liquidity buckets. It also referenced the methodology used by BlackRock to establish each Fund’s HLIM and noted that the Committee reviews and ratifies the HLIM assigned to each Fund no less frequently than annually. The Report also discussed notable events affecting liquidity over the Program Reporting Period, including extended market holidays, the imposition of capital controls in certain non-U.S. countries, Russian sanctions and the closure of the Russian securities market.

The Report noted that the Program complied with the key factors for consideration under the Liquidity Rule for assessing, managing and periodically reviewing each Fund’s liquidity risk, as follows:

 

  a)

The Fund’s investment strategy and liquidity of portfolio investments during both normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions. During the Program Reporting Period, the Committee reviewed whether each Fund’s strategy is appropriate for an open-end fund structure, with a focus on funds with more significant and consistent holdings of less liquid and illiquid assets. The Committee also factored a fund’s concentration in an issuer into the liquidity classification methodology by taking issuer position sizes into account. Derivative exposure was also considered in the calculation of a fund’s liquidity bucketing. Finally, a factor for consideration under the Liquidity Rule is a Fund’s use of borrowings for investment purposes. However, the Funds do not borrow for investment purposes.

 

  b)

Short-term and long-term cash flow projections during both normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions. During the Program Reporting Period, the Committee reviewed historical redemption activity and used this information as a component to establish each ETF’s reasonably anticipated trading size (“RATS”). The Committee may also take into consideration a fund’s shareholder ownership concentration (which, depending on product type and distribution channel, may or may not be available), a fund’s distribution channels, and the degree of certainty associated with a fund’s short-term and long-term cash flow projections.

 

  c)

Holdings of cash and cash equivalents, as well as borrowing arrangements. The Committee considered that ETFs generally do not hold more than de minimis amounts of cash. The Committee also considered that ETFs generally do not engage in borrowing.

 

  d)

The relationship between an ETF’s portfolio liquidity and the way in which, and the prices and spreads at which, ETF shares trade, including the efficiency of the arbitrage function and the level of active participation by market participants, including authorized participants. The Committee monitored the prevailing bid/ask spread and the ETF price premium (or discount) to NAV for all ETFs. However, there were no ETFs with persistent deviations of fund premium/discount or bid/ask spreads from long-term averages over the Program Reporting Period.

 

  e)

The effect of the composition of baskets on the overall liquidity of an ETF’s portfolio. In reviewing the linkage between the composition of custom baskets accepted by an ETF and any significant change in the liquidity profile of such ETF, the Committee reviewed changes in the proportion of each ETF’s portfolio comprised of less liquid and illiquid holdings to determine if applicable thresholds were met requiring enhanced review.

There were no material changes to the Program during the Program Reporting Period other than the enhancement of certain model components in the Program’s classification methodology. The Report provided to the Board stated that the Committee concluded that based on the operation of the functions, as described in the Report, the Program is operating as intended and is effective in implementing the requirements of the Liquidity Rule.

 

 

 

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Supplemental Information  (unaudited)

 

Section 19(a) Notices

The amounts and sources of distributions reported are estimates and are being provided pursuant to regulatory requirements and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources for tax reporting purposes will depend upon each Fund’s investment experience during the year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. Shareholders will receive a Form 1099-DIV each calendar year that will inform them how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes.

February 28, 2023

 

     
   

Total Cumulative Distributions

for the Fiscal Year-to-Date

    

% Breakdown of the Total Cumulative

Distributions for the Fiscal Year-to-Date

 
 

 

 

    

 

 

 
iShares ETF   Net
Investment
Income
     Net Realized
Capital Gains
     Return of
Capital
     Total Per
Share
     Net
Investment
Income
    Net Realized
Capital Gains
    Return of
Capital
    Total Per
Share
 

MSCI India Small-Cap(a)

  $      $      $ 0.003823      $ 0.003823                100     100

 

  (a) 

The Fund estimates that it has distributed more than its net investment income and net realized capital gains; therefore, a portion of the distribution may be a return of capital. A return of capital may occur, for example, when some or all of the shareholder’s investment in the Fund is returned to the shareholder. A return of capital does not necessarily reflect the Fund’s investment performance and should not be confused with “yield” or “income”. When distributions exceed total return performance, the difference will incrementally reduce the Fund’s net asset value per share.

 

 

 

S U P P L E M E N T A L   I N F O R M A T I O N

  29


General Information

 

Electronic Delivery

Shareholders can sign up for e-mail notifications announcing that the shareholder report or prospectus has been posted on the iShares website at iShares.com. Once you have enrolled, you will no longer receive prospectuses and shareholder reports in the mail.

To enroll in electronic delivery:

 

   

Go to icsdelivery.com.

   

If your brokerage firm is not listed, electronic delivery may not be available. Please contact your broker-dealer or financial advisor.

Householding

Householding is an option available to certain fund investors. Householding is a method of delivery, based on the preference of the individual investor, in which a single copy of certain shareholder documents and Rule 30e-3 notices can be delivered to investors who share the same address, even if their accounts are registered under different names. Please contact your broker-dealer if you are interested in enrolling in householding and receiving a single copy of prospectuses and other shareholder documents, or if you are currently enrolled in householding and wish to change your householding status.

Availability of Quarterly Schedule of Investments

The Funds file their complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to their reports on Form N-PORT. The Funds’ Forms N-PORT are available on the SEC’s website at sec.gov. Additionally, each Fund makes its portfolio holdings for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year available at iShares.com/fundreports.

Availability of Proxy Voting Policies and Proxy Voting Records

A description of the policies and procedures that the iShares Funds use to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities and information about how the iShares Funds voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve-month period ending June 30 is available without charge, upon request (1) by calling toll-free 1-800-474-2737; (2) on the iShares website at iShares.com; and (3) on the SEC website at sec.gov.

A description of the Trust’s policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of the Fund’s portfolio securities is available in the Fund Prospectus. The Fund discloses its portfolio holdings daily and provides information regarding its top holdings in Fund fact sheets at iShares.com.

 

 

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Glossary of Terms Used in this Report

 

Portfolio Abbreviation
NVS     Non-Voting Shares
REIT     Real Estate Investment Trust

 

 

 

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

  31


 

 

 

 

 

Want to know more?

iShares.com    |    1-800-474-2737

This report is intended for the Funds’ shareholders. It may not be distributed to prospective investors unless it is preceded or accompanied by the current prospectus.

Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal.

The iShares Funds are distributed by BlackRock Investments, LLC (together with its affiliates, “BlackRock”).

The iShares Funds are not sponsored, endorsed, issued, sold or promoted by MSCI Inc., nor does this company make any representation regarding the advisability of investing in the iShares Funds. BlackRock is not affiliated with the company listed above.

©2023 BlackRock, Inc. All rights reserved. iSHARES and BLACKROCK are registered trademarks of BlackRock, Inc. or its subsidiaries. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.

iS-SAR-809-0223

 

 

 

 

LOGO

   LOGO         


 

LOGO

  FEBRUARY 28, 2023

 

  

2023 Semi-Annual Report

(Unaudited)

 

 

iShares Trust

 

·  

iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Canada ETF | HEWC | NYSE Arca

 

·  

iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Eurozone ETF | HEZU | NYSE Arca

 

·  

iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Germany ETF | HEWG | NASDAQ

 

·  

iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Japan ETF | HEWJ | NYSE Arca


The Markets in Review

Dear Shareholder,

Significant economic headwinds emerged during the 12-month reporting period ended February 28, 2023, as investors navigated changing economic conditions and volatile markets. The U.S. economy shrank in the first half of 2022 before returning to modest growth in the second half of the year, marking a shift to a more challenging post-reopening economic environment. Changes in consumer spending patterns and a tight labor market led to elevated inflation, which reached a 40-year high before beginning to moderate. Moreover, while the foremost effect of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has been a severe humanitarian crisis, the ongoing war continued to present challenges for both investors and policymakers.

Equity prices fell as interest rates rose, particularly during the first half of the reporting period. Both large- and small-capitalization U.S. stocks fell, although equities began to recover in the second half of the period as inflation eased and economic growth resumed. Emerging market stocks and international equities from developed markets declined overall, pressured by rising interest rates and a strong U.S. dollar.

The 10-year U.S. Treasury yield rose notably during the reporting period, driving its price down, as investors reacted to fluctuating inflation data and attempted to anticipate its impact on future interest rate changes. The corporate bond market also faced inflationary headwinds, and higher interest rates led to rising borrowing costs for corporate issuers.

The U.S. Federal Reserve (the “Fed”), acknowledging that inflation has been more persistent than expected, raised interest rates eight times. Furthermore, the Fed wound down its bond-buying programs and accelerated the reduction of its balance sheet.

Restricted labor supply kept inflation elevated even as other inflation drivers, such as goods prices and energy costs, moderated. While economic growth slowed in the last year, we believe that taming inflation requires a more substantial decline that lowers demand to a level more in line with the economy’s productive capacity. Although the Fed has decelerated the pace of interest rate hikes, it still seems determined to get inflation back to target. With this in mind, we believe the possibility of a U.S. recession in the near-term is high, but the dimming economic outlook has not yet been fully reflected in current market prices. We believe investors should expect a period of higher volatility as markets adjust to the new economic reality and policymakers attempt to adapt to rapidly changing conditions. Turmoil in the banking sector shortly following the end of the period highlighted the potential for the knock-on effects of substantially higher interest rates to disrupt markets with little warning.

While we favor an overweight to equities in the long term, several factors lead us to take an underweight stance on equities overall in the near term. Expectations for corporate earnings remain elevated, which seems inconsistent with the possibility of a recession in a business environment characterized by higher costs and reduced pricing power. Nevertheless, we are overweight on emerging market stocks as a weaker U.S. dollar provides a supportive backdrop. We also see long-term opportunities in credit, where valuations are appealing and higher yields provide attractive income, although we are neutral on credit in the near term, as we believe that troubles in the banking sector will likely lead to reduced lending. However, we believe there are still some strong opportunities for a six- to twelve-month horizon, particularly short-term U.S. Treasuries, global inflation-linked bonds, and emerging market bonds denominated in local currency.

Overall, our view is that investors need to think globally, position themselves to be prepared for a decarbonizing economy, and be nimble as market conditions change. We encourage you to talk with your financial advisor and visit iShares.com for further insight about investing in today’s markets.

 

LOGO

Rob Kapito

President, BlackRock, Inc.

LOGO

Rob Kapito

President, BlackRock, Inc.

 

Total Returns as of February 28, 2023  
     
     6-Month        12-Month  
   

U.S. large cap equities

(S&P 500® Index)

    1.26%        (7.69)%  
   

U.S. small cap equities

(Russell 2000® Index)

    3.63           (6.02)     
   

International equities

(MSCI Europe, Australasia, Far East Index)

    12.58           (3.14)     
   

Emerging market equities

(MSCI Emerging Markets Index)

    (2.29)          (15.28)     
   

3-month Treasury bills

(ICE BofA 3-Month

U.S. Treasury Bill Index)

    1.74           2.11      
   

U.S. Treasury securities

(ICE BofA 10-Year

U.S. Treasury Index)

    (4.81)          (14.06)     
   

U.S. investment grade bonds

(Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index)

    (2.13)          (9.72)     
   

Tax-exempt municipal bonds

(Bloomberg Municipal Bond Index)

    0.66           (5.10)     
   

U.S. high yield bonds

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

    2.52           (5.45)     
Past performance is not an indication of future results. Index performance is shown for illustrative purposes only. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

 

 

 

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


Table of Contents

 

      Page  

The Markets in Review

     2  

Semi-Annual Report:

  

Fund Summary

     4  

About Fund Performance

     8  

Disclosure of Expenses

     8  

Schedules of Investments

     9  

Financial Statements

  

Statements of Assets and Liabilities

     22  

Statements of Operations

     23  

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

     24  

Financial Highlights

     26  

Notes to Financial Statements

     30  

Statement Regarding Liquidity Risk Management Program

     38  

Supplemental Information

     39  

General Information

     40  

Glossary of Terms Used in this Report

     41  

 

 

 


Fund Summary  as of February 28, 2023    iShares® Currency Hedged MSCI Canada ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Canada ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of large- and mid-capitalization Canadian equities while mitigating exposure to fluctuations between the value of the Canadian dollar and the U.S. dollar, as represented by the MSCI Canada 100% Hedged to USD Index (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index. The Fund currently seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing a substantial portion of its assets in one underlying fund, the iShares MSCI Canada ETF.

Performance

 

            Average Annual Total Returns             Cumulative Total Returns  
      
6-Month
Total Returns
 
 
     1 Year        5 Years       
Since
Inception
 
 
              1 Year        5 Years       
Since
Inception
 
 

Fund NAV

     7.26      (0.93 )%       8.94      7.61         (0.93 )%       53.45      75.52

Fund Market

     7.20        (0.96      8.96        7.61           (0.96      53.60        75.55  

Index

     7.06        (0.94      8.84        7.62                 (0.94      52.71        75.60  

The inception date of the Fund was June 29, 2015. The first day of secondary market trading was July 1, 2015.

Past performance is not an indication of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. See “About Fund Performance” for more information.

Expense Example

 

Actual          

Hypothetical 5% Return

          

 

 

     

 

 

      
 

Beginning
Account Value
(09/01/22)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(02/28/23)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
(a)  
           

Beginning
Account Value
(09/01/22)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(02/28/23)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
(a)  
      

Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 
 
 
    $ 1,000.00        $ 1,072.60        $ 0.15             $ 1,000.00        $ 1,024.60        $ 0.15          0.03

 

  (a) 

Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period shown). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Disclosure of Expenses” for more information. The fees and expenses of the underlying funds in which the Fund invests are not included in the Fund’s annualized expense ratio.

 

Portfolio Information

 

PORTFOLIO COMPOSITION

 

   

Investment Type

   
Percent of
Net Assets
 
 

Investment Companies

    99.7

Short-term Investments

    44.3  
Forward foreign currency exchange contracts, net cumulative appreciation     2.2  

Other assets less liabilities

    (46.2

SECTOR ALLOCATION (of the UNDERLYING FUND)

 

Sector   Percent of
Total Investment(a)
 

Financials

    37.4

Energy

    18.0  

Industrials

    11.9  

Materials

    10.9  

Information Technology

    6.8  

Consumer Staples

    4.7  

Consumer Discretionary

    3.7  

Utilities

    3.4  

Communication Services

    2.6  

Real Estate

    0.6  

 

  (a)

Excludes money market funds.

 
 

 

 

4  

2023  I S H A R E S  E M  I - A N N U A L  E P O R T  T O  H A R E H O L D E  R S


Fund Summary  as of February 28, 2023    iShares® Currency Hedged MSCI Eurozone ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Eurozone ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of large- and mid-capitalization equities from developed market countries which use the euro as their official currency while mitigating exposure to fluctuations between the value of the euro and the U.S. dollar, as represented by the MSCI EMU 100% Hedged to USD Index (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index. The Fund currently seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing a substantial portion of its assets in one underlying fund, the iShares MSCI Eurozone ETF.

Performance

 

            Average Annual Total Returns             Cumulative Total Returns  
      
6-Month
Total Returns
 
 
     1 Year        5 Years       
Since
Inception
 
 
              1 Year        5 Years       
Since
Inception
 
 

Fund NAV

     19.99      11.80      8.06      7.74         11.80      47.35      90.48

Fund Market

     20.00        11.80        8.08        7.74           11.80        47.47        90.43  

Index

     19.98        10.12        7.88        7.91                 10.12        46.15        93.01  

The inception date of the Fund was July 9, 2014. The first day of secondary market trading was July 10, 2014.

Past performance is not an indication of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. See “About Fund Performance” for more information.

Expense Example

 

Actual          

Hypothetical 5% Return

          

 

 

     

 

 

      
 

Beginning
Account Value
(09/01/22)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(02/28/23)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
(a)  
           

Beginning
Account Value
(09/01/22)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(02/28/23)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
(a)  
      

Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 
 
 
    $ 1,000.00        $ 1,199.90        $ 0.16             $ 1,000.00        $ 1,024.60        $ 0.15          0.03

 

  (a) 

Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period shown). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Disclosure of Expenses” for more information. The fees and expenses of the underlying funds in which the Fund invests are not included in the Fund’s annualized expense ratio.

 

Portfolio Information

 

PORTFOLIO COMPOSITION

 

   

Investment Type

   
Percent of
Net Assets
 
 

Investment Companies

    99.6

Short-term Investments

    0.1  
Forward foreign currency exchange contracts, net cumulative appreciation     2.7  

Other assets less liabilities

    (2.4

SECTOR ALLOCATION (of the UNDERLYING FUND)

 

Sector   Percent of
Total Investment(a)
 

Financials

    17.1

Consumer Discretionary

    16.0  

Industrials

    15.9  

Information Technology

    12.7  

Consumer Staples

    7.9  

Health Care

    7.8  

Materials

    6.3  

Utilities

    5.9  

Energy

    5.0  

Communication Services

    4.4  

Real Estate

    1.0  

 

  (a)

Excludes money market funds.

 
 

 

 

U N D   S U M M A R Y

  5


Fund Summary  as of February 28, 2023    iShares® Currency Hedged MSCI Germany ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Germany ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of large- and mid-capitalization German equities while mitigating exposure to fluctuations between the value of the euro and the U.S. dollar, as represented by the MSCI Germany 100% Hedged to USD Index (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index. The Fund currently seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing a substantial portion of its assets in one underlying fund, the iShares MSCI Germany ETF.

Performance

 

           Average Annual Total Returns           Cumulative Total Returns  
     

6-Month

Total Returns

 

 

     1 Year        5 Years       

Since

Inception

 

 

            1 Year        5 Years       

Since

Inception

 

 

Fund NAV

    21.50      6.75      4.50      5.79       6.75      24.59      66.65

Fund Market

    21.38        6.63        4.47        5.77         6.63        24.46        66.46  

Index

    21.20        4.81        4.58        6.02               4.81        25.10        70.04  

The inception date of the Fund was January 31, 2014. The first day of secondary market trading was February 4, 2014.

Past performance is not an indication of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. See “About Fund Performance” for more information.

Expense Example

 

Actual          

Hypothetical 5% Return

          

 

 

     

 

 

      
 

Beginning
Account Value
(09/01/22)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(02/28/23)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
(a)  
           

Beginning
Account Value
(09/01/22)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(02/28/23)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
(a)  
      

Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 
 
 
    $ 1,000.00        $ 1,215.00        $ 0.11             $ 1,000.00        $ 1,024.70        $ 0.10          0.02

 

  (a) 

Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period shown). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Disclosure of Expenses” for more information. The fees and expenses of the underlying funds in which the Fund invests are not included in the Fund’s annualized expense ratio.

 

Portfolio Information

 

PORTFOLIO COMPOSITION

 

Investment Type  

Percent of

Net Assets

 

Investment Companies

    99.7

Short-term Investments

    0.0 (a) 

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts, net cumulative appreciation

    2.9  

Other assets less liabilities

    (2.6

 

  (a)

Rounds to less than 0.1%.

 

SECTOR ALLOCATION (of the UNDERLYING FUND)

 

Sector   Percent of
Total Investment(a)
 

Industrials

    18.8

Financials

    17.9  

Consumer Discretionary

    16.5  

Information Technology

    13.5  

Health Care

    11.3  

Materials

    6.6  

Communication Services

    6.5  

Utilities

    4.1  

Consumer Staples

    2.8  

Real Estate

    2.0  

 

  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

 
 

 

 

6  

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Fund Summary  as of February 28, 2023    iShares® Currency Hedged MSCI Japan ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Japan ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of large- and mid-capitalization Japanese equities while mitigating exposure to fluctuations between the value of the Japanese yen and the U.S. dollar, as represented by the MSCI Japan 100% Hedged to USD Index (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index. The Fund currently seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing a substantial portion of its assets in one underlying fund, the iShares MSCI Japan ETF.

Performance

 

            Average Annual Total Returns             Cumulative Total Returns  
      

6-Month

Total Returns

 

 

     1 Year        5 Years       

Since

Inception

 

 

              1 Year        5 Years       

Since

Inception

 

 

Fund NAV

     4.72      9.96      6.46      8.19         9.96      36.77      104.32

Fund Market

     4.66        9.90        6.44        8.18           9.90        36.64        104.18  

Index

     4.35        10.93        6.85        8.45                 10.93        39.25        108.92  

The inception date of the Fund was January 31, 2014. The first day of secondary market trading was February 4, 2014.

Past performance is not an indication of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. See “About Fund Performance” for more information.

Expense Example

 

Actual          

Hypothetical 5% Return

          

 

 

     

 

 

      
 

Beginning
Account Value
(09/01/22)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(02/28/23)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
(a)  
           

Beginning
Account Value
(09/01/22)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(02/28/23)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
(a)  
      

Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 
 
 
    $ 1,000.00        $ 1,047.20        $ 0.05             $ 1,000.00        $ 1,024.70        $ 0.05          0.01

 

  (a) 

Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period shown). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Disclosure of Expenses” for more information. The fees and expenses of the underlying funds in which the Fund invests are not included in the Fund’s annualized expense ratio.

 

Portfolio Information

 

PORTFOLIO COMPOSITION

 

Investment Type  

Percent of

Net Assets

 

Investment Companies

    100.1

Short-term Investments

    0.0 (a)  

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts, net cumulative appreciation

    4.9  

Other assets less liabilities

    (5.0

 

  (a)

Rounds to less than 0.1%.

 

SECTOR ALLOCATION (of the UNDERLYING FUND)

 

Sector  

Percent of

Total Investment(a)

 

Industrials

    22.3

Consumer Discretionary

    18.1  

Information Technology

    13.6  

Financials

    12.4  

Health Care

    9.2  

Communication Services

    8.0  

Consumer Staples

    6.7  

Materials

    4.8  

Real Estate

    3.1  

Utilities

    1.0  

Energy

    0.8  

 

  (a)

Excludes money market funds.

 
 

 

 

U N D   S U M M A R Y

  7


About Fund Performance

 

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

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

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

Disclosure of Expenses

Shareholders of each Fund may incur the following charges: (1) transactional expenses, including brokerage commissions on purchases and sales of fund shares and (2) ongoing expenses, including management fees and other fund expenses. The expense examples shown (which are based on a hypothetical investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held through the end of the period) are intended to assist shareholders both in calculating expenses based on an investment in each Fund and in comparing these expenses with similar costs of investing in other funds.

The expense examples provide information about actual account values and actual expenses. Annualized expense ratios reflect contractual and voluntary fee waivers, if any. In order to estimate the expenses a shareholder paid during the period covered by this report, shareholders can divide their account value by $1,000 and then multiply the result by the number under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During the Period.”

The expense examples also provide information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on a fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses. In order to assist shareholders in comparing the ongoing expenses of investing in the Funds and other funds, compare the 5% hypothetical examples with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

The expenses shown in the expense examples are intended to highlight shareholders’ ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional expenses, such as brokerage commissions and other fees paid on purchases and sales of fund shares. Therefore, the hypothetical examples are useful in comparing ongoing expenses only and will not help shareholders determine the relative total expenses of owning different funds. If these transactional expenses were included, shareholder expenses would have been higher.

 

 

8  

2 0 2 3   H A R E S   S E M I - A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® Currency Hedged MSCI Canada ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Investment Companies

   
Exchange-Traded Funds — 99.7%            

iShares MSCI Canada ETF(a)(b)

    425,957     $ 14,503,836  
   

 

 

 

Total Investment Companies
(Cost: $15,597,301)

      14,503,836  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Securities

   
Money Market Funds — 44.3%            

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional,
SL Agency Shares,

   

4.81%(a)(c)(d)

    6,432,955       6,436,815  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 44.3%
(Cost: $6,436,815)

      6,436,815  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities — 144.0%
(Cost: $22,034,116)

      20,940,651  

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (44.0)%

      (6,394,625
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

    $ 14,546,026  
   

 

 

 

 

(a)

Affiliate of the Fund.

(b)

All or a portion of this security is on loan.

(c)

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

(d)

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

 

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended February 28, 2023 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

Affiliated Issuer  

Value at

08/31/22

   

Purchases

at Cost

   

Proceeds

from Sale

   

Net Realized

Gain (Loss)

   

Change in

Unrealized

Appreciation

(Depreciation)

   

Value at

02/28/23

   

Shares

Held at

02/28/23

    Income    

Capital

Gain

Distributions

from

Underlying

Funds

 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares

  $     $ 6,438,713 (a)    $     $ (1,898   $     $ 6,436,815       6,432,955     $ 25,798 (b)    $  

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

                0 (a)                               423        

iShares MSCI Canada ETF

    21,141,688       2,990,551       (9,614,143     278,591       (292,851     14,503,836       425,957       207,852        
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
        $ 276,693     $ (292,851   $ 20,940,651       $ 234,073     $  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 

 

  (b) 

All or a portion represents securities lending income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral from loaned securities, net of fees and collateral investment expenses, and other payments to and from borrowers of securities.

 

 

  (c) 

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

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

 

  Currency Purchased        Currency Sold      Counterparty      Settlement Date       

Unrealized

Appreciation

(Depreciation)

 
USD     14,188,517        CAD        18,929,000      BNP Paribas SA        03/02/23        $ 315,964  
USD     667,125        CAD        890,000      Citibank N.A.        03/02/23          14,868  
USD     199,110        CAD        271,000      BNP Paribas SA        04/04/23          444  
USD     14,390,424        CAD        19,586,000      State Street Bank and Trust Co.        04/04/23          32,194  
                        

 

 

 
                           363,470  
                        

 

 

 
CAD     233,000        USD        175,128      Citibank N.A.        03/02/23          (4,368
CAD     19,586,000        USD        14,386,132      State Street Bank and Trust Co.        03/02/23          (32,082

 

 

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

  9


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® Currency Hedged MSCI Canada ETF

 

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts (continued)

 

  Currency Purchased        Currency Sold      Counterparty      Settlement Date       

Unrealized

Appreciation

(Depreciation)

 
CAD     54,000        USD        39,674      Bank of America N.A.        04/04/23         $ (87
                        

 

 

 
                           (36,537
                        

 

 

 
                           $326,933  
                        

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

As of period end, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities were as follows:

 

      Commodity
Contracts
     Credit
Contracts
     Equity
Contracts
     Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
     Interest
Rate
Contracts
     Other
Contracts
     Total  

Assets — Derivative Financial Instruments

                    

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

                    

Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts

   $      $      $      $ 363,470      $      $      $ 363,470  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instruments

                    

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

                    

Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts

   $      $      $      $ 36,537      $      $      $ 36,537  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

For the period ended February 28, 2023, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

      Commodity
Contracts
     Credit
Contracts
     Equity
Contracts
     Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
     Interest
Rate
Contracts
     Other
Contracts
     Total  

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from

                    

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

   $      $      $      $ 1,020,806      $      $      $ 1,020,806  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on

                    

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

   $      $      $      $ (200,158    $      $      $ (200,158
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

   

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

  

Average amounts purchased — in USD

   $ 15,712,727  

Average amounts sold — in USD

   $ 31,799,496  

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

Derivative Financial Instruments - Offsetting as of Period End

The Fund’s derivative assets and liabilities (by type) were as follows:

 

     
      Assets        Liabilities  

Derivative Financial Instruments:

       

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

   $ 363,470        $ 36,537  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total derivative assets and liabilities in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities

     363,470          36,537  

Derivatives not subject to a Master Netting Agreement or similar agreement (“MNA”)

               
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total derivative assets and liabilities subject to an MNA

     363,470          36,537  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

10  

2 0 2 3   H A R E S   S E M I - A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® Currency Hedged MSCI Canada ETF

 

Derivative Financial Instruments - Offsetting as of Period End (continued)

The following tables present the Fund’s derivative assets and liabilities by counterparty net of amounts available for offset under an MNA and net of the related collateral received and pledged by the Fund:

 

 

 

Counterparty

    


Derivative

Assets

Subject to

an MNA by
Counterparty

 

 

 

 
 

      

Derivatives
Available
for Offset
 
 
(a) 
    

Non-Cash
Collateral

Received

 
 

 

      

Cash
Collateral
Received
 
 
 
      

Net Amount
of Derivative
Assets
 
 
(b)(c) 

 

 

BNP Paribas SA

   $ 316,408        $      $        $        $ 316,408  

Citibank N.A.

     14,868          (4,368                        10,500  

State Street Bank and Trust Co.

     32,194          (32,082                        112  
  

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 363,470        $ (36,450    $        $        $ 327,020  
  

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

Counterparty

    



Derivative
Liabilities
Subject to
an MNA by
Counterparty
 
 
 
 
 
      

Derivatives
Available
for Offset
 
 
(a)  
    

Non-Cash
Collateral
Pledged
 
 
 
      

Cash
Collateral
Pledged
 
 
 
      

Net Amount
of Derivative
Liabilities
 
 
(d)  

 

 

Bank of America N.A.

   $ 87        $      $        $        $ 87  

Citibank N.A.

     4,368          (4,368                         

State Street Bank and Trust Co.

     32,082          (32,082                         
  

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 36,537        $ (36,450    $        $        $ 87  
  

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

The amount of derivatives available for offset is limited to the amount of derivative assets and/or liabilities that are subject to an MNA.

 

 

  (b) 

Net amount represents the net amount receivable from the counterparty in the event of default.

 

 

  (c) 

Net amount may also include forward foreign currency exchange contracts that are not required to be collateralized.

 

 

  (d) 

Net amount represents the net amount payable due to the counterparty in the event of default.

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments. For a description of the input levels and information about the Fund’s policy regarding valuation of financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.

The following table summarizes the Fund’s financial instruments categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The breakdown of the Fund’s financial instruments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.

 

 

 
     Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

 

 

Assets

                 

Investments

                 

Long-Term Investments

                 

Investment Companies

   $ 14,503,836        $        $        $ 14,503,836  

Short-Term Securities

                 

Money Market Funds

     6,436,815                            6,436,815  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 20,940,651        $        $        $ 20,940,651  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments(a)

                 

Assets

                 

Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

   $        $ 363,470        $        $ 363,470  

Liabilities

                 

Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

              (36,537                 (36,537
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $        $ 326,933        $                 —          326,933  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Derivative financial instruments are forward foreign currency exchange contracts. Forward foreign currency exchange contracts are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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

  11


Schedule of Investments (unaudited)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® Currency Hedged MSCI Eurozone ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares      Value  

 

 

Investment Companies

    

Exchange-Traded Funds — 99.6%

    

iShares MSCI Eurozone ETF(a)

    6,991,266      $ 304,679,372  
    

 

 

 

Total Investment Companies
(Cost: $336,887,306)

       304,679,372  
    

 

 

 

Short-Term Securities

    

Money Market Funds — 0.1%

    

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury,
SL Agency Shares, 4.41%(a)(b)

    250,000        250,000  
    

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 0.1%
(Cost: $250,000)

       250,000  
    

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities — 99.7%
(Cost: $337,137,306)

 

     304,929,372  

Other Assets Less Liabilities — 0.3%

 

     870,517  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

     $   305,799,889  
    

 

 

 

 

(a)

Affiliate of the Fund.

(b) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

 

 

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended February 28, 2023 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

 

 
Affiliated Issuer   Value at
08/31/22
    Purchases
at Cost
    Proceeds
from Sale
    Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
    Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
    Value at
02/28/23
    Shares
Held at
02/28/23
    Income    

Capital

Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds

 

 

 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares(a)

  $     $     $ (4,234 )(b)     $ 4,234     $     $           $ 33,112     $  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

    1,610,000             (1,360,000 )(b)                   250,000       250,000       13,389        

iShares MSCI Eurozone ETF

    352,789,764       169,552,600       (281,612,559     (28,717,014     92,666,581       304,679,372       6,991,266       1,196,987        
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
        $ (28,712,780   $ 92,666,581     $ 304,929,372       $ 1,243,488     $  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 

 

  (b) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

 

         
Currency Purchased        Currency Sold      Counterparty    Settlement Date        Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
USD             19,962,907        EUR     18,348,000      Bank of America N.A.      03/02/23        $ 556,234  
USD     1,610,154        EUR     1,505,000      BNP Paribas SA      03/02/23          18,317  
USD     95,361        EUR     90,000      Citibank N.A.      03/02/23          168  
USD     1,552,116        EUR     1,446,000      Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.      03/02/23          22,682  
USD     17,069,670        EUR             15,658,000      JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      03/02/23          508,209  
USD     267,955,627        EUR     246,279,345      State Street Bank and Trust Co.      03/02/23          7,466,054  
USD     12,463,051        EUR     11,729,000      Citibank N.A.      04/04/23          32,810  
USD     6,203,498        EUR     5,851,000      JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      04/04/23          2,685  

 

 

12  

2 0 2 3   H A R E S   S E M I - A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® Currency Hedged MSCI Eurozone ETF

 

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts (continued)

 

         
      Currency Purchased                        Currency Sold              Counterparty    Settlement Date        Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
USD     287,020,063        EUR             270,110,345        State Street Bank and Trust Co.      04/04/23        $ 760,645  
                     

 

 

 
                        9,367,804  
                     

 

 

 
EUR     82,000        USD     89,681        BNP Paribas SA      03/02/23          (2,950
EUR     89,000        USD     95,488        Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.      03/02/23          (1,353
EUR     6,024,000        USD     6,518,824        JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      03/02/23          (147,241
EUR     280,089,345        USD     297,241,217        State Street Bank and Trust Co.      03/02/23          (990,821
USD     3,120,329        EUR     2,958,000        JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      03/02/23          (8,346
                     

 

 

 
                        (1,150,711
                     

 

 

 
                        $8,217,093  
                     

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

As of period end, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities were as follows:

 

 

 
    

Commodity

Contracts

    

Credit

Contracts

    

Equity

Contracts

    

Foreign

Currency

Exchange

Contracts

    

Interest

Rate

Contracts

    

Other

Contracts

     Total  

 

 

Assets — Derivative Financial Instruments

                    

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts

   $      $      $      $ 9,367,804      $      $      $ 9,367,804  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instruments

                    

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts

   $      $      $      $ 1,150,711      $      $      $ 1,150,711  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

For the period ended February 28, 2023, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

 

 
    

Commodity

Contracts

    

Credit

Contracts

    

Equity

Contracts

    

Foreign

Currency

Exchange

Contracts

    

Interest

Rate

Contracts

    

Other

Contracts

     Total  

 

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from

                    

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

   $      $      $      $ (12,907,240    $      $      $ (12,907,240
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on

                    

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

   $      $      $      $ 2,140,780      $      $      $ 2,140,780  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

   

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

  

Average amounts purchased — in USD

   $ 317,137,735  

Average amounts sold — in USD

   $ 624,130,823  

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

Derivative Financial Instruments - Offsetting as of Period End

The Fund’s derivative assets and liabilities (by type) were as follows:

 

 

 
     Assets        Liabilities  

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments:

       

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

   $ 9,367,804        $ 1,150,711  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total derivative assets and liabilities in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities

     9,367,804          1,150,711  

Derivatives not subject to a Master Netting Agreement or similar agreement (“MNA”)

               
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total derivative assets and liabilities subject to an MNA

     9,367,804          1,150,711  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

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

  13


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® Currency Hedged MSCI Eurozone ETF

    

 

Derivative Financial Instruments - Offsetting as of Period End (continued)

The following tables present the Fund’s derivative assets and liabilities by counterparty net of amounts available for offset under an MNA and net of the related collateral received and pledged by the Fund:

 

 

 

Counterparty

    

Derivative

Assets

Subject to

an MNA by

Counterparty

 

 

 

 

 

      

Derivatives

Available

for Offset

 

 

(a) 

    

Non-Cash

Collateral

Received

 

 

 

      

Cash

Collateral

Received

 

 

 

      

Net Amount

of Derivative

Assets

 

 

(b)(c)  

 

 

Bank of America N.A.

   $ 556,234        $      $        $        $ 556,234  

BNP Paribas SA

     18,317          (2,950                        15,367  

Citibank N.A.

     32,978                                   32,978  

Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.

     22,682          (1,353                        21,329  

JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.

     510,894          (155,587                        355,307  

State Street Bank and Trust Co.

     8,226,699          (990,821                        7,235,878  
  

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 9,367,804        $ (1,150,711    $        $        $ 8,217,093  
  

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

Counterparty

    

Derivative

Liabilities

Subject to

an MNA by

Counterparty

 

 

 

 

 

      

Derivatives

Available

for Offset

 

 

(a)  

    

Non-Cash

Collateral

Pledged

 

 

 

      

Cash

Collateral

Pledged

 

 

 

      

Net Amount

of Derivative

Liabilities

 

 

(c)(d)  

 

 

BNP Paribas SA

   $ 2,950        $ (2,950    $        $        $  

Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.

     1,353          (1,353                         

JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.

     155,587          (155,587                         

State Street Bank and Trust Co.

     990,821          (990,821                         
  

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 1,150,711        $ (1,150,711    $        $        $  
  

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

The amount of derivatives available for offset is limited to the amount of derivative assets and/or liabilities that are subject to an MNA.

 

 

  (b) 

Net amount represents the net amount receivable from the counterparty in the event of default.

 

 

  (c) 

Net amount may also include forward foreign currency exchange contracts that are not required to be collateralized.

 

 

  (d) 

Net amount represents the net amount payable due to the counterparty in the event of default.

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments. For a description of the input levels and information about the Fund’s policy regarding valuation of financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.

The following table summarizes the Fund’s financial instruments categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The breakdown of the Fund’s financial instruments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.

 

 

 
     Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

 

 

Assets

                 

Investments

                 

Long-Term Investments

                 

Investment Companies

   $ 304,679,372        $        $        $ 304,679,372  

Short-Term Securities

                 

Money Market Funds

     250,000                            250,000  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 304,929,372        $        $           —        $ 304,929,372  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments(a)

                 

Assets

                 

Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

   $        $ 9,367,804        $        $ 9,367,804  

Liabilities

                 

Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

              (1,150,711                 (1,150,711
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $        $     8,217,093        $          8,217,093  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Derivative financial instruments are forward foreign currency exchange contracts. Forward foreign currency exchange contracts are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

14  

2 0 2 3   I S H A R E S   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments (unaudited)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® Currency Hedged MSCI Germany ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

 

 

Investment Companies

   

Exchange-Traded Funds — 99.7%

   

iShares MSCI Germany ETF(a)

    1,329,256     $ 36,275,396  
   

 

 

 

Total Investment Companies
(Cost: $45,836,332)

      36,275,396  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Securities

   

Money Market Funds — 0.0%

   

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares, 4.41%(a)(b)

    10,000       10,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 0.0%
(Cost: $10,000)

 

    10,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities — 99.7%
(Cost: $45,846,332)

 

    36,285,396  

Other Assets Less Liabilities — 0.3%

 

    115,987  
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

    $   36,401,383  
   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Affiliate of the Fund.

(b) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended February 28, 2023 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

 

   
Affiliated Issuer   

Value at

08/31/22

    

Purchases

at Cost

    

Proceeds

from Sale

    

Net Realized

Gain (Loss)

    

Change in

Unrealized

Appreciation

(Depreciation)

    

Value at

02/28/23

    

Shares

Held at

02/28/23

     Income     

Capital

Gain

Distributions

from

Underlying

Funds

       

 

   

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares(a)

   $      $      $ (7,297 )(b)      $ 7,297      $      $             $ 120,149      $
 
 
 
 
 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

     10,000               0 (b)                      10,000        10,000        417           

iShares MSCI Germany ETF

     36,246,996        141,380,775        (149,890,540      (1,554,210      10,092,375        36,275,396        1,329,256        12,799           
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

   
            $ (1,546,913    $ 10,092,375      $ 36,285,396         $ 133,365      $    
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

  (a) 

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

 
  (b) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

 

         

      Currency Purchased      

             Currency Sold              Counterparty   Settlement Date       

Unrealized

Appreciation

(Depreciation)

 
EUR     2,904,000        USD     3,063,366        JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.     03/02/23        $ 8,194  
USD     3,105,196        EUR     2,854,000        Bank of America N.A.     03/02/23          86,521  
USD     41,843        EUR     39,000        BNP Paribas SA     03/02/23          593  
USD     3,065,579        EUR     2,856,000        Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce     03/02/23          44,788  
USD     19,216        EUR     18,000        Citibank N.A.     03/02/23          178  
USD     1,551,700        EUR     1,462,000        HSBC Bank PLC     03/02/23          5,343  
USD     1,564,773        EUR     1,457,000        Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC     03/02/23          23,705  
USD     34,763,756        EUR     31,952,000        State Street Bank and Trust Co.     03/02/23          968,138  
USD     1,512,735        EUR     1,426,000        UBS AG     03/02/23          4,455  

 

 

 

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

    15  


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® Currency Hedged MSCI Germany ETF

 

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts (continued)

 

         
Currency Purchased       

Currency Sold

     Counterparty   Settlement Date        Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
USD      1,536,773        EUR      1,430,000      Westpac Banking Corp.     03/02/23        $ 24,262  
USD      1,420,675        EUR      1,337,000      Citibank N.A.     04/04/23          3,740  
USD      161,368        EUR      152,000      JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.     04/04/23          280  
USD      34,955,388        EUR      32,896,000      State Street Bank and Trust Co.     04/04/23          92,637  
                    

 

 

 
                       1,262,834  
                    

 

 

 
EUR      1,514,000        USD      1,624,370      Bank of New York     03/02/23          (23,013
EUR      78,000        USD      83,161      HSBC Bank PLC     03/02/23          (660
EUR      5,778,000        USD      6,184,428      JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.     03/02/23          (73,040
EUR      33,220,000        USD      35,239,070      State Street Bank and Trust Co.     03/02/23          (102,288
                    

 

 

 
                       (199,001
                    

 

 

 
                       $1,063,833  
                    

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

As of period end, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities were as follows:

 

 

 
     Commodity
Contracts
     Credit
Contracts
     Equity
Contracts
     Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
     Interest
Rate
Contracts
     Other
Contracts
     Total  

 

 

Assets — Derivative Financial Instruments

                    

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

                    

Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts

   $      $      $      $ 1,262,834      $      $      $ 1,262,834  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instruments

                    

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

                    

Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts

   $      $      $      $ 199,001      $      $      $ 199,001  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

For the period ended February 28, 2023, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

 

 
    Commodity
Contracts
     Credit
Contracts
     Equity
Contracts
     Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
     Interest
Rate
Contracts
     Other
Contracts
     Total  

 

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from

                   

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

  $      $      $      $ (1,887,494    $      $      $ (1,887,494
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on

                   

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

  $      $      $      $ 410,715      $      $      $ 410,715  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

   

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

  

Average amounts purchased — in USD

   $ 50,299,369  

Average amounts sold — in USD

   $ 88,694,399  

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

 

 

16  

2 0 2 3   H A R E S   S E M I - A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® Currency Hedged MSCI Germany ETF

 

Derivative Financial Instruments - Offsetting as of Period End

The Fund’s derivative assets and liabilities (by type) were as follows:

 

 

 
     Assets        Liabilities  

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments:

       

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

   $ 1,262,834        $ 199,001  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total derivative assets and liabilities in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities

     1,262,834          199,001  

Derivatives not subject to a Master Netting Agreement or similar agreement (“MNA”)

               
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total derivative assets and liabilities subject to an MNA

     1,262,834          199,001  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

The following tables present the Fund’s derivative assets and liabilities by counterparty net of amounts available for offset under an MNA and net of the related collateral received and pledged by the Fund:

 

 

 

Counterparty

    



Derivative
Assets
Subject to
an MNA by
Counterparty
 
 

 
 
      

Derivatives
Available
for Offset
 
 
(a) 
    

Non-Cash
Collateral
Received
 
 
 
      

Cash
Collateral
Received
 
 
 
      

Net Amount
of Derivative
Assets
 
 
(b)(c) 

 

 

Bank of America N.A.

   $ 86,521        $      $        $        $ 86,521  

BNP Paribas SA

     593                                   593  

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce

     44,788                                   44,788  

Citibank N.A.

     3,918                                   3,918  

HSBC Bank PLC

     5,343          (660                        4,683  

JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.

     8,474          (8,474                         

Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC

     23,705                                   23,705  

State Street Bank and Trust Co.

     1,060,775          (102,288                        958,487  

UBS AG

     4,455                                   4,455  

Westpac Banking Corp.

     24,262                                   24,262  
  

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 1,262,834        $ (111,422    $        $        $ 1,151,412  
  

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

Counterparty

    



Derivative
Liabilities
Subject to
an MNA by
Counterparty
 
 
 
 
 
      

Derivatives
Available
for Offset
 
 
(a) 
    

Non-Cash
Collateral
Pledged
 
 
 
      

Cash
Collateral
Pledged
 
 
 
      

Net Amount
of Derivative
Liabilities
 
 
(c)(d) 

 

 

Bank of New York

   $ 23,013        $      $        $        $ 23,013  

HSBC Bank PLC

     660          (660                         

JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.

     73,040          (8,474                        64,566  

State Street Bank and Trust Co.

     102,288          (102,288                         
  

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 199,001        $ (111,422    $        $        $ 87,579  
  

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

The amount of derivatives available for offset is limited to the amount of derivative assets and/or liabilities that are subject to an MNA.

 

 

  (b) 

Net amount represents the net amount receivable from the counterparty in the event of default.

 

 

  (c) 

Net amount may also include forward foreign currency exchange contracts that are not required to be collateralized.

 

 

  (d) 

Net amount represents the net amount payable due to the counterparty in the event of default.

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments. For a description of the input levels and information about the Fund’s policy regarding valuation of financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.

The following table summarizes the Fund’s financial instruments categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The breakdown of the Fund’s financial instruments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.

 

 

 
     Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

 

 

Assets

                 

Investments

                 

Long-Term Investments

                 

Investment Companies

   $ 36,275,396        $        $        $ 36,275,396  

Short-Term Securities

                 

Money Market Funds

     10,000                            10,000  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $     36,285,396        $           —        $           —        $     36,285,396  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

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

  17


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® Currency Hedged MSCI Germany ETF

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End (continued)

 

 

 
     Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments(a)

                 

Assets

                 

Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

   $        $ 1,262,834        $        $ 1,262,834  

Liabilities

                 

Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

              (199,001                 (199,001
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $           —        $     1,063,833        $           —              1,063,833  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Derivative financial instruments are forward foreign currency exchange contracts. Forward foreign currency exchange contracts are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

18  

2 0 2 3   H A R E S   S E M I - A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) 

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® Currency Hedged MSCI Japan ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Investment Companies

   

Exchange-Traded Funds — 100.1%

   

iShares MSCI Japan ETF(a)

    2,339,661     $ 130,880,636  
   

 

 

 

Total Investment Companies
(Cost: $159,187,509)

      130,880,636  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Securities

   

Money Market Funds — 0.0%

   

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares, 4.41%(a)(b)

    60,000       60,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 0.0%
(Cost: $60,000)

 

    60,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities — 100.1%
(Cost: $159,247,509)

 

    130,940,636  

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (0.1)%

 

    (162,940
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

    $   130,777,696  
   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Affiliate of the Fund.

(b) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended February 28, 2023 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

 

 
Affiliated Issuer   Value at
08/31/22
    Purchases at
Cost
    Proceeds
from Sale
    Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
    Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
    Value at
02/28/23
    Shares
Held at
02/28/23
    Income    

Capital

Gain

Distributions

from

Underlying

Funds

 

 

 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares(a)

  $     $ 14,773 (b)     $     $ (14,773   $     $           $ 27,047     $  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

    1,710,000             (1,650,000 )(b)                   60,000       60,000       19,324        

iShares MSCI Japan ETF

    463,540,692       196,271,269       (535,094,407     (83,359,866     89,522,948       130,880,636       2,339,661       457,576        
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
        $ (83,374,639   $ 89,522,948     $ 130,940,636       $ 503,947     $  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 
  (b) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

 

         
      Currency Purchased                    Currency Sold            Counterparty   Settlement Date        Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
JPY      17,293,620,000        USD      126,958,264      BNP Paribas SA     03/02/23        $ 55,947  
USD      4,251,259        JPY      545,721,000      Bank of New York     03/02/23          243,173  
USD      126,176,257        JPY      16,359,562,000      BNP Paribas SA     03/02/23          6,022,300  
USD      164,533        JPY      22,124,000      Citibank N.A.     03/02/23          2,042  
USD      2,824,846        JPY      375,115,000      JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.     03/02/23          69,788  
USD      4,431,016        JPY      574,082,000      UBS AG     03/02/23          214,630  
JPY      382,375,000        USD      2,821,047      Bank of America N.A.     04/04/23          351  
USD      824,475        JPY      111,550,000      Bank of America N.A.     04/04/23          1,391  
                    

 

 

 
                       6,609,622  
                    

 

 

 

 

 

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

  19


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® Currency Hedged MSCI Japan ETF

 

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts (continued)

 

         
      Currency Purchased                    Currency Sold      Counterparty   Settlement Date        Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
JPY      4,397,000        USD      34,336      Bank of America N.A.     03/02/23        $ (2,042
JPY      534,074,000        USD      4,084,349      Bank of New York     03/02/23          (161,805
JPY      4,945,000        USD      37,325      BNP Paribas SA     03/02/23          (1,006
JPY      39,568,000        USD      305,172      Citibank N.A.     03/02/23          (14,562
USD      127,546,957        JPY      17,293,620,000      BNP Paribas SA     04/04/23          (56,010
USD      5,568,222        JPY      754,987,000      Citibank N.A.     04/04/23          (2,537
                    

 

 

 
                       (237,962
                    

 

 

 
                       $6,371,660  
                    

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

As of period end, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities were as follows:

 

 

 
     Commodity
Contracts
     Credit
Contracts
     Equity
Contracts
     Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
     Interest
Rate
Contracts
     Other
Contracts
     Total  

 

 

Assets — Derivative Financial Instruments

                    

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

                    

Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts

   $      $      $      $ 6,609,622      $      $      $ 6,609,622  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instruments

                    

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

                    

Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts

   $      $      $      $ 237,962      $      $      $ 237,962  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

For the period ended February 28, 2023, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

 

 
     Commodity
Contracts
     Credit
Contracts
     Equity
Contracts
     Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
     Interest
Rate
Contracts
     Other
Contracts
     Total  

 

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from

                    

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

   $      $      $      $ 14,531,228      $      $      $ 14,531,228  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on

                    

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

   $      $      $      $ (13,186,556    $      $      $ (13,186,556
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

 

 

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

  

Average amounts purchased — in USD

   $ 253,636,011    

Average amounts sold — in USD

   $ 445,856,779    

 

 

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

Derivative Financial Instruments - Offsetting as of Period End

The Fund’s derivative assets and liabilities (by type) were as follows:

 

 

 
     Assets        Liabilities  

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments:

       

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

   $ 6,609,622        $ 237,962  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total derivative assets and liabilities in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities

     6,609,622          237,962  

Derivatives not subject to a Master Netting Agreement or similar agreement (“MNA”)

               
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total derivative assets and liabilities subject to an MNA

     6,609,622          237,962  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

20  

2 0 2 3   H A R E S   S E M I - A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® Currency Hedged MSCI Japan ETF

 

Derivative Financial Instruments - Offsetting as of Period End (continued)

The following tables present the Fund’s derivative assets and liabilities by counterparty net of amounts available for offset under an MNA and net of the related collateral received and pledged by the Fund:

 

 

 
Counterparty     

Derivative

Assets

Subject to

an MNA by

Counterparty

 

 

 

 

 

    

Derivatives

Available

for Offset

 

 

(a)  

   

Non-Cash

Collateral

Received

 

 

 

    

Cash

Collateral

Received

 

 

 

    

Net Amount

of Derivative

Assets

 

 

(b)(c)  

 

 

Bank of America N.A.

   $ 1,742      $ (1,742   $      $      $  

Bank of New York

     243,173        (161,805                   81,368  

BNP Paribas SA

     6,078,247        (57,016                   6,021,231  

Citibank N.A.

     2,042        (2,042                    

JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.

     69,788                            69,788  

UBS AG

     214,630                            214,630  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 6,609,622      $ (222,605   $      $      $ 6,387,017  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 
Counterparty     



Derivative
Liabilities
Subject to
an MNA by
Counterparty
 
 
 
 
 
    

Derivatives
Available
for Offset
 
 
(a) 
   

Non-Cash
Collateral
Pledged
 
 
 
    

Cash
Collateral
Pledged
 
 
 
    

Net Amount
of Derivative
Liabilities
 
 
(d)  

 

 

Bank of America N.A.

   $ 2,042      $ (1,742   $      $      $ 300  

Bank of New York

     161,805        (161,805                    

BNP Paribas SA

     57,016        (57,016                    

Citibank N.A.

     17,099        (2,042                   15,057  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 237,962      $ (222,605   $      $      $ 15,357  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

The amount of derivatives available for offset is limited to the amount of derivative assets and/or liabilities that are subject to an MNA.

 
  (b) 

Net amount represents the net amount receivable from the counterparty in the event of default.

 
  (c) 

Net amount may also include forward foreign currency exchange contracts that are not required to be collateralized.

 
  (d) 

Net amount represents the net amount payable due to the counterparty in the event of default.

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments. For a description of the input levels and information about the Fund’s policy regarding valuation of financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.

The following table summarizes the Fund’s financial instruments categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The breakdown of the Fund’s financial instruments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.

 

 

 
     Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

 

 

Assets

                 

Investments

                 

Long-Term Investments

                 

Investment Companies

   $ 130,880,636        $        $        $ 130,880,636  

Short-Term Securities

                 

Money Market Funds

     60,000                            60,000  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 130,940,636        $        $        $ 130,940,636  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments(a)

                 

Assets

                 

Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

   $        $ 6,609,622        $        $ 6,609,622  

Liabilities

                 

Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

              (237,962                 (237,962
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $        $ 6,371,660        $          6,371,660  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Derivative financial instruments are forward foreign currency exchange contracts. Forward foreign currency exchange contracts are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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

  21


Statements of Assets and Liabilities (unaudited)

February 28, 2023

 

   

iShares

Currency

Hedged

MSCI

Canada ETF

           

iShares

Currency

Hedged

MSCI

Eurozone

ETF

             

iShares

Currency

Hedged

MSCI

Germany

ETF

           

iShares

Currency

Hedged

MSCI Japan

ETF

 

 

 

ASSETS

                

Investments, at value — affiliated(a)(b)

  $ 20,940,651        $ 304,929,372        $ 36,285,396        $ 130,940,636  

Cash

    8,284          5,876          6,762          5,910  

Receivables:

                

Securities lending income — affiliated

    3,038          2,189          5,412          227  

Capital shares sold

             129,618          38,444           

Dividends — affiliated

             478          102          215  

Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts

    363,470          9,367,804          1,262,834          6,609,622  
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total assets

    21,315,443          314,435,337          37,598,950          137,556,610  
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

                

Collateral on securities loaned, at value

    6,436,815                             

Payables:

                

Investments purchased

    295,725          7,477,884          997,442          6,404,143  

Capital shares redeemed

                               135,620  

Investment advisory fees

    340          6,853          1,124          1,189  

Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts

    36,537          1,150,711          199,001          237,962  
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    6,769,417          8,635,448          1,197,567          6,778,914  
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 14,546,026        $ 305,799,889        $ 36,401,383        $ 130,777,696  
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF

                

Paid-in capital

  $ 15,235,390        $ 383,994,211        $ 83,875,993        $ 267,047,305  

Accumulated loss

    (689,364        (78,194,322        (47,474,610        (136,269,609
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 14,546,026        $ 305,799,889        $ 36,401,383        $ 130,777,696  
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

NET ASSETVALUE

                

Shares outstanding

    480,000          9,800,000          1,200,000          4,650,000  
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net asset value

  $ 30.30        $ 31.20        $ 30.33        $ 28.12  
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Shares authorized

    Unlimited          Unlimited          Unlimited          Unlimited  
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Par value

    None          None          None          None  
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

(a)  Investments, at cost — affiliated

  $ 22,034,116        $ 337,137,306        $ 45,846,332        $ 159,247,509  

(b)  Securities loaned, at value

  $ 6,262,101        $        $        $  

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

22  

2 0 2 3   H A R E S   S E M I - A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Statements of Operations (unaudited)

Six Months Ended February 28, 2023

       

 

   

iShares

Currency

Hedged

MSCI

Canada ETF

    

iShares

Currency

Hedged

MSCI

Eurozone

ETF

    

iShares

Currency

Hedged

MSCI

Germany

ETF

    

iShares

Currency

Hedged

MSCI Japan

ETF

 

 

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

 

        

Dividends — affiliated

  $ 208,275      $ 1,210,376      $ 13,216      $ 476,900  

Securities lending income — affiliated — net

    25,798        33,112        120,149        27,047  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total investment income

    234,073        1,243,488        133,365        503,947  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

EXPENSES

          

Investment advisory

    51,296        932,667        97,350        705,622  

Commitment costs

           1,884        238        1,925  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses

    51,296        934,551        97,588        707,547  

Less:

          

Investment advisory fees waived

    (48,914      (889,953      (94,065      (696,907
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived

    2,382        44,598        3,523        10,640  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income

    231,691        1,198,890        129,842        493,307  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

          

Net realized gain (loss) from:

          

Investments — affiliated

    (164,118      (18,146,017      (2,000,312      (29,271,268

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

    1,020,806        (12,907,240      (1,887,494      14,531,228  

In-kind redemptions — affiliated(a)

    440,811        (10,566,763      453,399        (54,103,371
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
    1,297,499        (41,620,020      (3,434,407      (68,843,411
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

          

Investments — affiliated

    (292,851      92,666,581        10,092,375        89,522,948  

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

    (200,158      2,140,780        410,715        (13,186,556
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
    (493,009      94,807,361        10,503,090        76,336,392  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain

    804,490        53,187,341        7,068,683        7,492,981  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

  $ 1,036,181      $ 54,386,231      $ 7,198,525      $ 7,986,288  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) 

See Note 2 of the Notes to Financial Statements.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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

  23


 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

         

iShares

Currency Hedged MSCI Canada ETF

         

iShares

Currency Hedged MSCI Eurozone ETF

 
   

 

 

     

 

 

 
         

Six Months

Ended

02/28/23

(unaudited)

           Year Ended
08/31/22
         

Six Months

Ended

02/28/23

(unaudited)

           Year Ended
08/31/22
 

 

 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

                 

OPERATIONS

                 

Net investment income

    $ 231,691        $ 396,182       $ 1,198,890        $ 17,460,591  

Net realized gain (loss)

      1,297,499          1,307,339         (41,620,020        103,600,247  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

      (493,009        (2,637,667       94,807,361          (188,711,508
   

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

      1,036,181          (934,146       54,386,231          (67,650,670
   

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a)

                 

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

      (1,158,072        (630,468       (51,216,130 )(b)         (17,477,602
   

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

                 

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

      (6,551,524        6,214,372         (50,508,254        (306,403,605
   

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

                 

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

      (6,673,415        4,649,758         (47,338,153        (391,531,877

Beginning of period

      21,219,441          16,569,683         353,138,042          744,669,919  
   

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

 

End of period

    $ 14,546,026        $ 21,219,441       $ 305,799,889        $ 353,138,042  
   

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

(a) 

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

(b) 

A portion of the distributions from net investment income may be deemed a return of capital or net realized gain at fiscal year-end.

See notes to financial statements.    

 

 

24  

2 0 2 3   H A R E S   S E M I - A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets  (continued)

 

         

iShares

Currency Hedged MSCI Germany ETF

         

iShares

Currency Hedged MSCI Japan ETF

 
   

 

 

     

 

 

 
         

Six Months

Ended

02/28/23

(unaudited)

           Year Ended
08/31/22
         

Six Months

Ended

02/28/23

(unaudited)

           Year Ended
08/31/22
 

 

 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

                 

OPERATIONS

                 

Net investment income

    $ 129,842        $ 1,846,296       $ 493,307        $ 15,014,014  

Net realized gain (loss)

      (3,434,407        5,622,904         (68,843,411        95,391,932  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

      10,503,090          (18,792,628       76,336,392          (110,567,650
   

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

      7,198,525          (11,323,428       7,986,288          (161,704
   

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a)

                 

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

      (91,368        (1,848,200       (78,758,776        (15,018,714
   

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

                 

Net decrease in net assets derived from capital share transactions

      (6,986,338        (13,942,180       (263,200,648        (55,467,158
   

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

                 

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

      120,819          (27,113,808       (333,973,136        (70,647,576

Beginning of period

      36,280,564          63,394,372         464,750,832          535,398,408  
   

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

 

End of period

    $ 36,401,383        $ 36,280,564       $ 130,777,696        $ 464,750,832  
   

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

(a) 

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

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L   S T A T E M E N T S

  25


Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

           iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Canada ETF  
    

 

 

 
           Six Months Ended
02/28/23
(unaudited)
           Year Ended
08/31/22
           Year Ended
08/31/21
           Year Ended
08/31/20
           Year Ended
08/31/19
           Year Ended
08/31/18
 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

     $ 30.31        $ 32.49        $ 25.68        $ 26.41        $ 26.79        $ 24.70  
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

       0.42          0.64          0.53          0.71          0.59          0.56  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(b)

       1.76          (1.75        6.80          0.30          0.30          2.10  
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

       2.18          (1.11        7.33          1.01          0.89          2.66  
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Distributions(c)

                             

From net investment income

       (0.45        (0.67        (0.52        (1.37        (0.64        (0.57

From net realized gain

       (1.74        (0.40                 (0.37        (0.63         
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total distributions

       (2.19        (1.07        (0.52        (1.74        (1.27        (0.57
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

     $ 30.30        $ 30.31        $ 32.49        $ 25.68        $ 26.41        $ 26.79  
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

                             

Based on net asset value

       7.26 %(e)         (3.60 )%         28.81        4.08        3.84        10.82
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(f)

                             

Total expenses

       0.62 %(g)         0.62        0.62        0.62        0.62        0.62
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived

       0.03 %(g)         0.03        0.03        0.03        0.03        0.03
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net investment income

       2.80 %(g)         1.97        1.84        2.75        2.31        2.12
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

                             

Net assets, end of period (000)

     $ 14,546        $ 21,219        $ 16,570        $ 11,556        $ 38,290        $ 5,357  
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(h)

       9 %(e)          10        10        15        12        10
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

 
(b) 

The amounts reported for a share outstanding may not accord with the change in aggregate gains and losses in securities for the fiscal period due to the timing of capital share transactions in relation to the fluctuating market values of the Fund’s underlying securities.

 
(c) 

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

 
(d) 

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

 
(e) 

Not annualized.

 
(f) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

 
(g) 

Annualized.

 
(h) 

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

26  

2 0 2 3   H A R E S   S E  M I - A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Financial Highlights (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

           iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Eurozone ETF  
    

 

 

 
           Six Months Ended
02/28/23
(unaudited)
           Year Ended
08/31/22
           Year Ended
08/31/21
           Year Ended
08/31/20
           Year Ended
08/31/19
           Year Ended
08/31/18
 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

     $ 30.98        $ 37.33        $ 28.36        $ 29.86        $ 29.76        $ 28.83  
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

       0.12          1.18          0.83          0.35          0.76          0.79  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(b)

       5.67          (6.17        9.00          (0.64        0.24          1.03  
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

       5.79          (4.99        9.83          (0.29        1.00          1.82  
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Distributions(c)

                             

From net investment income

       (0.13        (1.36        (0.86        (0.38        (0.90        (0.89

From net realized gain

       (5.44        (0.00 )(d)                   (0.83        (0.00 )(d)           

Return of capital

                                  (0.00 )(d)                    
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total distributions

       (5.57        (1.36        (0.86        (1.21        (0.90        (0.89
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

     $ 31.20        $ 30.98        $ 37.33        $ 28.36        $ 29.86        $ 29.76  
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total Return(e)

                             

Based on net asset value

       19.99 %(f)         (13.50 )%         35.04        (1.21 )%         3.41        6.36
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(g)

                             

Total expenses

       0.62 %(h)          0.62        0.62        0.62        0.62        0.62
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived

       0.03 %(h)          0.03        0.03        0.03        0.03        0.03
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net investment income

       0.80 %(h)          3.32        2.52        1.18        2.63        2.61
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

                             

Net assets, end of period (000)

     $ 305,800        $ 353,138        $ 744,670        $ 569,970        $ 868,987        $ 1,660,448  
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(i)

       7        6        14        10        5        11
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b) 

The amounts reported for a share outstanding may not accord with the change in aggregate gains and losses in securities for the fiscal period due to the timing of capital share transactions in relation to the fluctuating market values of the Fund’s underlying securities.

(c) 

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

(d) 

Rounds to less than $0.01.

(e) 

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(f) 

Not annualized.

(g) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

(h) 

Annualized.

(i) 

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L  I G H L I G H T S

  27


Financial Highlights (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

           iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Germany ETF  
    

 

 

 
           Six Months Ended
02/28/23
(unaudited)
           Year Ended
08/31/22
           Year Ended
08/31/21
           Year Ended
08/31/20
           Year Ended
08/31/19
           Year Ended
08/31/18
 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

     $ 25.02        $ 33.37        $ 28.13        $ 26.21        $ 27.64        $ 26.82  
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

       0.10          1.06          0.85          0.21          0.55          0.53  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(b)

       5.27          (8.32        5.31          2.06          (1.25        1.02  
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

       5.37          (7.26        6.16          2.27          (0.70        1.55  
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Distributions(c)

                             

Distributions from net investment income

       (0.06        (1.09        (0.92        (0.35        (0.73        (0.73

Return of capital

                                  (0.00 )(d)         (0.00 )(d)           
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total distributions

       (0.06        (1.09        (0.92        (0.35        (0.73        (0.73
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

     $ 30.33        $ 25.02        $ 33.37        $ 28.13        $ 26.21        $ 27.64  
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total Return(e)

                             

Based on net asset value

       21.50 %(f)         (21.88 )%         22.12        8.71        (2.65 )%         5.83
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(g)

                             

Total expenses

       0.53 %(h)         0.53        0.53        0.53        0.53        0.53
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived

       0.02 %(h)         0.04        0.03        0.02        0.04        0.06
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net investment income

       0.71 %(h)         3.49        2.78        0.77        2.09        1.87
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

                             

Net assets, end of period (000)

     $ 36,401        $ 36,281        $ 63,394        $ 75,957        $ 154,620        $ 330,346  
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(i)

       9        9        16        12        5        11
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b) 

The amounts reported for a share outstanding may not accord with the change in aggregate gains and losses in securities for the fiscal period due to the timing of capital share transactions in relation to the fluctuating market values of the Fund’s underlying securities.

(c) 

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

(d) 

Rounds to less than $0.01.

(e) 

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(f) 

Not annualized.

(g) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

(h) 

Annualized.

(i) 

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

28  

2 0 2 3   H A R E S   S E M I - A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Financial Highlights (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

           iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Japan ETF  
    

 

 

 
           Six Months Ended
02/28/23
(unaudited)
           Year Ended
08/31/22
           Year Ended
08/31/21
           Year Ended
08/31/20
           Year Ended
08/31/19
           Year Ended
08/31/18
 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

     $ 38.73        $ 38.66        $ 31.50        $ 29.13        $ 32.36        $ 29.56  
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

       0.06          1.02          0.51          0.72          0.45          0.46  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(b)

       1.45          (0.09        7.06          2.35          (3.04        2.81  
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

       1.51          0.93          7.57          3.07          (2.59        3.27  
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Distributions(c)

                             

From net investment income

       (0.08        (0.86        (0.41        (0.70        (0.64        (0.47

From net realized gain

       (12.04        (0.00 )(d)                                      
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total distributions

       (12.12        (0.86        (0.41        (0.70        (0.64        (0.47
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

     $ 28.12        $ 38.73        $ 38.66        $ 31.50        $ 29.13        $ 32.36  
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total Return(e)

                             

Based on net asset value

       4.72 %(f)          2.43        24.08        10.52        (8.06 )%         11.07
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(g)

                             

Total expenses

       0.53 %(h)          0.53        0.53        0.53        0.53        0.53
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived

       0.01 %(h)          0.01        0.00 %(i)          0.00 %(i)          0.00 %(i)          0.01
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net investment income

       0.37 %(h)          2.62        1.38        2.31        1.47        1.41
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

                             

Net assets, end of period (000)

     $ 130,778        $ 464,751        $ 535,398        $ 247,256        $ 329,138        $ 1,004,834  
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(j)

       16        6        7        9        9        9
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b) 

The amounts reported for a share outstanding may not accord with the change in aggregate gains and losses in securities for the fiscal period due to the timing of capital share transactions in relation to the fluctuating market values of the Fund’s underlying securities.

(c) 

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

(d) 

Rounds to less than $0.01.

(e) 

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(f) 

Not annualized.

(g) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

(h) 

Annualized.

(i) 

Rounds to less than 0.01%.

(j) 

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L  I G H L I G H T S

  29


Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited)

 

 

1.

ORGANIZATION

iShares Trust (the “Trust”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as an open-end management investment company. The Trust is organized as a Delaware statutory trust and is authorized to have multiple series or portfolios.

These financial statements relate only to the following funds (each, a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”):

 

   
iShares ETF  

Diversification  

Classification  

Currency Hedged MSCI Canada

  Diversified  

Currency Hedged MSCI Eurozone

  Diversified  

Currency Hedged MSCI Germany

  Diversified  

Currency Hedged MSCI Japan

  Diversified  

Currently each Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing a substantial portion of its assets in an iShares fund (an “underlying fund”). The financial statements, including the accounting policies, and schedules of investments for the underlying funds are available on iShares.com and should be read in conjunction with the Funds’ financial statements.

 

2.

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”), which may require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities in the financial statements, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Each Fund is considered an investment company under U.S. GAAP and follows the accounting and reporting guidance applicable to investment companies. Below is a summary of significant accounting policies:

Investment Transactions and Income Recognition: For financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are recorded on the dates the transactions are executed. Realized gains and losses on investment transactions are determined using the specific identification method. Dividend income and capital gain distributions from the underlying funds, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Interest income is recognized daily on an accrual basis.

Foreign Currency Translation: Each Fund’s books and records are maintained in U.S. dollars. Securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars using prevailing market rates as quoted by one or more data service providers. Purchases and sales of investments are recorded at the rates of exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions. Generally, when the U.S. dollar rises in value against a foreign currency, the investments denominated in that currency will lose value; the opposite effect occurs if the U.S. dollar falls in relative value.

Each Fund does not isolate the effect of fluctuations in foreign exchange rates from the effect of fluctuations in the market prices of investments for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, the effects of changes in exchange rates on investments are not segregated in the Statements of Operations from the effects of changes in market prices of those investments, but are included as a component of net realized and unrealized gain (loss) from investments. Each Fund reports realized currency gains (losses) on foreign currency related transactions as components of net realized gain (loss) for financial reporting purposes, whereas such components are generally treated as ordinary income for U.S. federal income tax purposes. However, each Fund has elected to treat realized gains (losses) from certain foreign currency contracts as capital gain (loss) for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Collateralization: If required by an exchange or counterparty agreement, the Funds may be required to deliver/deposit cash and/or securities to/with an exchange, or broker-dealer or custodian as collateral for certain investments.

In-kind Redemptions: For financial reporting purposes, in-kind redemptions are treated as sales of securities resulting in realized capital gains or losses to the Funds. Because such gains or losses are not taxable to the Funds and are not distributed to existing Fund shareholders, the gains or losses are reclassified from accumulated net realized gain (loss) to paid-in capital at the end of the Funds’ tax year. These reclassifications have no effect on net assets or net asset value (“NAV”) per share.

Distributions: Dividends and distributions paid by each Fund are recorded on the ex-dividend dates. Distributions are determined on a tax basis and may differ from net investment income and net realized capital gains for financial reporting purposes. Dividends and distributions are paid in U.S. dollars and cannot be automatically reinvested in additional shares of the Funds.

The character and timing of distributions are determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP.

Indemnifications: In the normal course of business, each Fund enters into contracts that contain a variety of representations that provide general indemnification. The Funds’ maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown because it involves future potential claims against the Funds, which cannot be predicted with any certainty.

 

 

30  

2 0 2 3   H A R E S   S E M I - A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

3.

INVESTMENT VALUATION AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Investment Valuation Policies: Each Fund’s investments are valued at fair value (also referred to as “market value” within the financial statements) each day that the Fund’s listing exchange is open and, for financial reporting purposes, as of the report date. U.S. GAAP defines fair value as the price a fund would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”) of each Fund has approved the designation of BlackRock Fund Advisors (“BFA”), the Funds’ investment adviser, as the valuation designee for each Fund. Each Fund determines the fair values of its financial instruments using various independent dealers or pricing services under BFA’s policies. If a security’s market price is not readily available or does not otherwise accurately represent the fair value of the security, the security will be valued in accordance with BFA’s policies and procedures as reflecting fair value. BFA has formed a committee (the “Valuation Committee”) to develop pricing policies and procedures and to oversee the pricing function for all financial instruments, with assistance from other BlackRock pricing committees.

Fair Value Inputs and Methodologies: The following methods and inputs are used to establish the fair value of each Fund’s assets and liabilities:

 

   

Exchange-traded funds and closed-end funds traded on a recognized securities exchange are valued at that day’s official closing price, as applicable, on the exchange where the fund is primarily traded. Funds traded on a recognized exchange for which there were no sales on that day may be valued at the last traded price.

 

   

Investments in open-end U.S. mutual funds (including money market funds) are valued at that day’s published NAV.

 

   

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts are valued at the mean between the bid and ask prices and are determined as of the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) based on that day’s prevailing forward exchange rate for the underlying currencies.

If events (e.g., market volatility, company announcement or a natural disaster) occur that are expected to materially affect the value of such investment, or in the event that application of these methods of valuation results in a price for an investment that is deemed not to be representative of the market value of such investment, or if a price is not available, the investment will be valued by the Valuation Committee, in accordance with BFA’s policies and procedures as reflecting fair value (“Fair Valued Investments”). The fair valuation approaches that may be used by the Valuation Committee include market approach, income approach and cost approach. Valuation techniques such as discounted cash flow, use of market comparables and matrix pricing are types of valuation approaches and are typically used in determining fair value. When determining the price for Fair Valued Investments, the Valuation Committee seeks to determine the price that each Fund might reasonably expect to receive or pay from the current sale or purchase of that asset or liability in an arm’s-length transaction. Fair value determinations shall be based upon all available factors that the Valuation Committee deems relevant and consistent with the principles of fair value measurement.

Fair value pricing could result in a difference between the prices used to calculate a fund’s NAV and the prices used by the fund’s underlying index, which in turn could result in a difference between the fund’s performance and the performance of the fund’s underlying index.

Fair Value Hierarchy: Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments. These inputs to valuation techniques are categorized into a fair value hierarchy consisting of three broad levels for financial reporting purposes as follows:

 

   

Level 1 – Unadjusted price quotations in active markets/exchanges for identical assets or liabilities that each Fund has the ability to access;

 

   

Level 2 – Other observable inputs (including, but not limited to, quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in markets that are active, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the assets or liabilities (such as interest rates, yield curves, volatilities, prepayment speeds, loss severities, credit risks and default rates) or other market-corroborated inputs); and

 

   

Level 3 – Unobservable inputs based on the best information available in the circumstances, to the extent observable inputs are not available, (including the Valuation Committee’s assumptions used in determining the fair value of financial instruments).

The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized in Level 3. The inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, for disclosure purposes, the fair value hierarchy classification is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. Investments classified within Level 3 have significant unobservable inputs used by the Valuation Committee in determining the price for Fair Valued Investments. Level 3 investments include equity or debt issued by privately held companies or funds that may not have a secondary market and/or may have a limited number of investors. The categorization of a value determined for financial instruments is based on the pricing transparency of the financial instruments and is not necessarily an indication of the risks associated with investing in those securities.

 

4.

SECURITIES AND OTHER INVESTMENTS

Securities Lending: Each Fund may lend its securities to approved borrowers, such as brokers, dealers and other financial institutions. The borrower pledges and maintains with the Fund collateral consisting of cash, an irrevocable letter of credit issued by an approved bank, or securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government. The initial collateral received by each Fund is required to have a value of at least 102% of the current market value of the loaned securities for securities traded on U.S. exchanges and a value of at least 105% for all other securities. The collateral is maintained thereafter at a value equal to at least 100% of the current value of the securities on loan. The market value of the loaned securities is determined at the close of each business day of the Fund and any additional required collateral is delivered to the Fund or excess collateral is returned by the Fund, on the next business day. During the term of the loan, each Fund is entitled to all distributions made on or in respect of the loaned

 

 

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

  31


Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

securities but does not receive interest income on securities received as collateral. Loans of securities are terminable at any time and the borrower, after notice, is required to return borrowed securities within the standard time period for settlement of securities transactions.

As of period end, any securities on loan were collateralized by cash and/or U.S. Government obligations. Cash collateral invested in money market funds managed by BFA, or its affiliates is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments. Any non-cash collateral received cannot be sold, re-invested or pledged by the Fund, except in the event of borrower default. The securities on loan, if any, are also disclosed in each Fund’s Schedule of Investments. The market value of any securities on loan and the value of any related cash collateral are disclosed in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

Securities lending transactions are entered into by the Funds under Master Securities Lending Agreements (each, an “MSLA”) which provide the right, in the event of default (including bankruptcy or insolvency) for the non-defaulting party to liquidate the collateral and calculate a net exposure to the defaulting party or request additional collateral. In the event that a borrower defaults, the Funds, as lender, would offset the market value of the collateral received against the market value of the securities loaned. When the value of the collateral is greater than that of the market value of the securities loaned, the lender is left with a net amount payable to the defaulting party. However, bankruptcy or insolvency laws of a particular jurisdiction may impose restrictions on or prohibitions against such a right of offset in the event of an MSLA counterparty’s bankruptcy or insolvency. Under the MSLA, absent an event of default, the borrower can resell or re-pledge the loaned securities, and the Funds can reinvest cash collateral received in connection with loaned securities. Upon an event of default, the parties’ obligations to return the securities or collateral to the other party are extinguished, and the parties can resell or re-pledge the loaned securities or the collateral received in connection with the loaned securities in order to satisfy the defaulting party’s net payment obligation for all transactions under the MSLA. The defaulting party remains liable for any deficiency.

As of period end, the following table is a summary of the securities on loan by counterparty which are subject to offset under an MSLA:

 

 

 
iShares ETF and Counterparty    
Securities Loaned
at Value
 
 
    
Cash Collateral
Received
 
(a) 
   
Non-Cash Collateral
Received, at Fair Value
 
(a) 
    Net Amount  

 

 

Currency Hedged MSCI Canada

        

Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC

  $ 591,380      $ (591,380   $     $  

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

    5,670,721        (5,670,721            
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  $ 6,262,101      $ (6,262,101   $     $  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Collateral received, if any, in excess of the market value of securities on loan is not presented in this table. The total cash collateral received by each Fund is disclosed in the Fund’s Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

 

The risks of securities lending include the risk that the borrower may not provide additional collateral when required or may not return the securities when due. To mitigate these risks, each Fund benefits from a borrower default indemnity provided by BlackRock, Inc. (“BlackRock”). BlackRock’s indemnity allows for full replacement of the securities loaned to the extent the collateral received does not cover the value of the securities loaned in the event of borrower default. Each Fund could incur a loss if the value of an investment purchased with cash collateral falls below the market value of the loaned securities or if the value of an investment purchased with cash collateral falls below the value of the original cash collateral received. Such losses are borne entirely by each Fund.

 

5.

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts: Forward foreign currency exchange contracts are entered into to gain or reduce exposure to foreign currencies (foreign currency exchange rate risk).

A forward foreign currency exchange contract is an agreement between two parties to buy and sell a currency at a set exchange rate on a specified date. These contracts help to manage the overall exposure to the currencies in which some of the investments held by the Funds are denominated and in some cases, may be used to obtain exposure to a particular market.The contracts are traded over-the-counter (“OTC”) and not on an organized exchange.

The contract is marked-to-market daily and the change in market value is recorded as unrealized appreciation or depreciation in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. When the contract is closed, a realized gain or loss is recorded in the Statements of Operations equal to the difference between the value at the time it was opened and the value at the time it was closed. Non-deliverable forward foreign currency exchange contracts are settled with the counterparty in cash without the delivery of foreign currency. The use of forward foreign currency exchange contracts involves the risk that the value of a contract changes unfavorably due to movements in the value of the referenced foreign currencies, and such value may exceed the amount(s) reflected in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. Cash amounts pledged for forward foreign currency exchange contracts are considered restricted and are included in cash pledged as collateral for OTC derivatives in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. A fund’s risk of loss from counterparty credit risk on OTC derivatives is generally limited to the aggregate unrealized gain netted against any collateral held by the Fund.

Master Netting Arrangements: In order to define its contractual rights and to secure rights that will help mitigate its counterparty risk, a Fund may enter into an International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. Master Agreement (“ISDA Master Agreement”) or similar agreement with its derivative contract counterparties. An ISDA Master Agreement is a bilateral agreement between a Fund and a counterparty that governs certain OTC derivatives and typically contains, among other things, collateral posting terms and netting provisions in the event of a default and/or termination event. Under an ISDA Master Agreement, a Fund may, under certain circumstances, offset with the counterparty certain derivative financial instruments’ payables and/or receivables with collateral held and/or posted and create one single net payment. The provisions of

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

the ISDA Master Agreement typically permit a single net payment in the event of default including the bankruptcy or insolvency of the counterparty. However, bankruptcy or insolvency laws of a particular jurisdiction may impose restrictions on or prohibitions against the right of offset in bankruptcy, insolvency, or other events.

For derivatives traded under an ISDA Master Agreement, the collateral requirements are typically calculated by netting the mark-to-market amount for each transaction under such agreement, and comparing that amount to the value of any collateral currently pledged by a fund and the counterparty.

Cash collateral that has been pledged to cover obligations of the Funds and cash collateral received from the counterparty, if any, is reported separately in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities as cash pledged as collateral and cash received as collateral, respectively. Non-cash collateral pledged by the Funds, if any, is noted in the Schedules of Investments. Generally, the amount of collateral due from or to a counterparty is subject to a certain minimum transfer amount threshold before a transfer is required, which is determined at the close of business of the Funds. Any additional required collateral is delivered to/pledged by the Funds on the next business day. Typically, the counterparty is not permitted to sell, re-pledge or use cash and non-cash collateral it receives. A fund generally agrees not to use non-cash collateral that it receives but may, absent default or certain other circumstances defined in the underlying ISDA Master Agreement, be permitted to use cash collateral received. In such cases, interest may be paid pursuant to the collateral arrangement with the counterparty. To the extent amounts due to the Funds from the counterparty are not fully collateralized, each Fund bears the risk of loss from counterparty non-performance. Likewise, to the extent the Funds have delivered collateral to a counterparty and stand ready to perform under the terms of their agreement with such counterparty, each Fund bears the risk of loss from a counterparty in the amount of the value of the collateral in the event the counterparty fails to return such collateral. Based on the terms of agreements, collateral may not be required for all derivative contracts.

For financial reporting purposes, each Fund does not offset derivative assets and derivative liabilities that are subject to netting arrangements, if any, in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

 

6.

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

Investment Advisory Fees: Pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement with the Trust, BlackRock Fund Advisors (“BFA”) manages the investment of each Fund’s assets. BFA is a California corporation indirectly owned by BlackRock, Inc. (“BlackRock”). Under the Investment Advisory Agreement, BFA is responsible for substantially all expenses of the Funds, except (i) interest and taxes; (ii) brokerage commissions and other expenses connected with the execution of portfolio transactions; (iii) distribution fees; (iv) the advisory fee payable to BFA; and (v) litigation expenses and any extraordinary expenses (in each case as determined by a majority of the independent trustees).

For its investment advisory services to each of the following Funds, BFAis entitled to an annual investment advisory fee, accrued daily and paid monthly by the Funds, based on the average daily net assets of each Fund as follows:

 

   
iShares ETF   Investment Advisory Fees  

Currency Hedged MSCI Canada

    0.62

Currency Hedged MSCI Eurozone

    0.62  

Currency Hedged MSCI Germany

    0.53  

Currency Hedged MSCI Japan

    0.53  

Expense Waivers: A fund may incur its pro rata share of fees and expenses attributable to its investments in other investment companies (“acquired fund fees and expenses”). The total of the investment advisory fee and acquired fund fees and expenses, if any, is a fund’s total annual operating expenses. Total expenses as shown in the Statements of Operations does not include acquired fund fees and expenses.

For the iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Canada ETF, BFA has contractually agreed to waive a portion of its investment advisory fee for the Fund through December 31, 2025 so that the Fund’s total annual operating expenses after fee waiver is equal to the acquired fund fees and expenses attributable to the Fund’s investment in the iShares MSCI Canada ETF (“EWC”), after taking into account any fee waivers by EWC, plus 0.03%.

For the iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Eurozone ETF, BFA has contractually agreed to waive a portion of its investment advisory fee for the Fund through December 31, 2025 so that the Fund’s total annual operating expenses after fee waiver is equal to the acquired fund fees and expenses attributable to the Fund’s investment in the iShares MSCI Eurozone ETF (“EZU”), after taking into account any fee waivers by EZU, plus 0.03%.

For the iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Germany ETF, BFA has contractually agreed to waive a portion of its investment advisory fee for the Fund through December 31, 2025 in an amount equal to the acquired fund fees and expenses, if any, attributable to the Fund’s investments in other iShares funds, provided that the waiver be no greater than the Fund’s investment advisory fee of 0.53%.

For the iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Japan ETF, BFA has contractually agreed to waive a portion of its investment advisory fee for the Fund through December 31, 2025 in an amount equal to the acquired fund fees and expenses, if any, attributable to the Fund’s investments in other iShares funds, provided that the waiver be no greater than the Fund’s investment advisory fee of 0.53%. BFA has also contractually agreed to waive an additional portion of its investment advisory fee for the Fund through December 31, 2025 such that the Fund’s total annual operating expenses after fee waiver will be equal to the greater of the acquired fund fees and expenses or 0.48%.

 

 

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  33


Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

These amounts are included in investment advisory fees waived in the Statements of Operations. For the six months ended February 28, 2023, the amounts waived in investment advisory fees pursuant to these arrangements were as follows:

 

   
iShares ETF   Amounts Waived    

Currency Hedged MSCI Canada

  $ 48,914    

Currency Hedged MSCI Eurozone

    889,953    

Currency Hedged MSCI Germany

    94,065    

Currency Hedged MSCI Japan

    696,907    

Distributor: BlackRock Investments, LLC, an affiliate of BFA, is the distributor for each Fund. Pursuant to the distribution agreement, BFA is responsible for any fees or expenses for distribution services provided to the Funds.

Securities Lending: The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) has issued an exemptive order which permits BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A. (“BTC”), an affiliate of BFA, to serve as securities lending agent for the Funds, subject to applicable conditions. As securities lending agent, BTC bears all operational costs directly related to securities lending, including any custodial costs. Each Fund is responsible for fees in connection with the investment of cash collateral received for securities on loan (the “collateral investment fees”). The cash collateral is invested in a money market fund, BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional or BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, managed by BFA, or its affiliates. However, BTC has agreed to reduce the amount of securities lending income it receives in order to effectively limit the collateral investment fees each Fund bears to an annual rate of 0.04%. The SL Agency Shares of such money market fund will not be subject to a sales load, distribution fee or service fee. The money market fund in which the cash collateral has been invested may, under certain circumstances, impose a liquidity fee of up to 2% of the value redeemed or temporarily restrict redemptions for up to 10 business days during a 90 day period, in the event that the money market fund’s weekly liquid assets fall below certain thresholds.

Securities lending income is equal to the total of income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral, net of fees and other payments to and from borrowers of securities, and less the collateral investment fees. Each Fund retains a portion of securities lending income and remits the remaining portion to BTC as compensation for its services as securities lending agent.

Pursuant to the current securities lending agreement, each Fund retains 82% of securities lending income (which excludes collateral investment fees) and the amount retained can never be less than 70% of the total of securities lending income plus the collateral investment fees.

In addition, commencing the business day following the date that the aggregate securities lending income plus the collateral investment fees generated across all 1940 Act iShares exchange-traded funds (the “iShares ETF Complex”) in that calendar year exceeds a specified threshold, each Fund, pursuant to the securities lending agreement, will retain for the remainder of that calendar year 85% of securities lending income (which excludes collateral investment fees), and the amount retained can never be less than 70% of the total of securities lending income plus the collateral investment fees.

The share of securities lending income earned by each Fund is shown as securities lending income – affiliated – net in its Statements of Operations. For the six months ended February 28, 2023, the Funds paid BTC the following amounts for securities lending agent services:

 

   
iShares ETF   Amounts    

Currency Hedged MSCI Canada

  $    5,862    

Currency Hedged MSCI Eurozone

    8,907    

Currency Hedged MSCI Germany

    26,158    

Currency Hedged MSCI Japan

    9,143    

Officers and Trustees: Certain officers and/or trustees of the Trust are officers and/or trustees of BlackRock or its affiliates.

Each Fund may invest its positive cash balances in certain money market funds managed by BFA or an affiliate. The income earned on these temporary cash investments is shown as dividends – affiliated in the Statements of Operations.

 

7.

PURCHASES AND SALES

For the six months ended February 28, 2023, purchases and sales of investments, excluding short-term securities and in-kind transactions, were as follows:

 

     
iShares ETF   Purchases      Sales  

Currency Hedged MSCI Canada

  $ 1,504,160      $ 1,597,687  

Currency Hedged MSCI Eurozone

      19,966,097        80,675,601  

Currency Hedged MSCI Germany

    3,369,628        4,774,886  

Currency Hedged MSCI Japan

    44,835,908          119,463,680  

 

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

For the six months ended February 28, 2023, in-kind transactions were as follows:

 

     
iShares ETF   In-kind
Purchases
    

In-kind  

Sales  

 

Currency Hedged MSCI Canada

  $ 1,486,392      $ 8,016,456    

Currency Hedged MSCI Eurozone

      149,586,502          200,936,957    

Currency Hedged MSCI Germany

    138,011,147        145,115,654    

Currency Hedged MSCI Japan

    151,435,362        415,630,728    

 

8.

INCOME TAX INFORMATION

Each Fund is treated as an entity separate from the Trust’s other funds for federal income tax purposes. It is each Fund’s policy to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, applicable to regulated investment companies, and to distribute substantially all of its taxable income to its shareholders. Therefore, no U.S. federal income tax provision is required.

Management has analyzed tax laws and regulations and their application to the Funds as of February 28, 2023, inclusive of the open tax return years, and does not believe that there are any uncertain tax positions that require recognition of a tax liability in the Funds’ financial statements.

As of August 31, 2022, the iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Germany ETF had non-expiring capital loss carryforwards of $34,845,855 available to offset future realized capital gains.

As of February 28, 2023, gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation based on cost of investments (including short positions and derivatives, if any) for U.S. federal income tax purposes were as follows:

 

         
iShares ETF   Tax Cost      Gross Unrealized
Appreciation
     Gross Unrealized
Depreciation
    Net Unrealized  
Appreciation  
(Depreciation)  
 

Currency Hedged MSCI Canada

  $ 22,106,680      $ 363,470      $ (1,202,566   $ (839,096)    

Currency Hedged MSCI Eurozone

      338,308,238        9,367,804        (34,529,577     (25,161,773)    

Currency Hedged MSCI Germany

    45,928,933        1,262,834        (9,842,538     (8,579,704)    

Currency Hedged MSCI Japan

    160,382,869        6,609,622        (29,680,195     (23,070,573)    

 

9.

LINE OF CREDIT

The iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Eurozone ETF, iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Germany ETF and iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Japan ETF, along with certain other iShares funds (“Participating Funds”), are parties to a $800 million credit agreement (“Syndicated Credit Agreement”) with a group of lenders, which expires on August 11, 2023. The line of credit may be used for temporary or emergency purposes, including redemptions, settlement of trades and rebalancing of portfolio holdings in certain target markets. The Funds may borrow up to the aggregate commitment amount subject to asset coverage and other limitations as specified in the Syndicated Credit Agreement. The Syndicated Credit Agreement has the following terms: a commitment fee of 0.15% per annum on the unused portion of the credit agreement and interest at a rate equal to the higher of (a) Daily Simple Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) plus 0.10% and 1.00% per annum or (b) the U.S. Federal Funds rate plus 1.00% per annum on amounts borrowed. The commitment fee is generally allocated to each Participating Fund based on the lesser of a Participating Fund’s relative exposure to certain target markets or a Participating Fund’s maximum borrowing amount as set forth by the terms of the Syndicated Credit Agreement.

During the six months ended February 28, 2023, the Funds did not borrow under the Syndicated Credit Agreement.

 

10.

PRINCIPAL RISKS

In the normal course of business, each Fund invests in securities or other instruments and may enter into certain transactions, and such activities subject the Fund to various risks, including, among others, fluctuations in the market (market risk) or failure of an issuer to meet all of its obligations. The value of securities or other instruments may also be affected by various factors, including, without limitation: (i) the general economy; (ii) the overall market as well as local, regional or global political and/or social instability; (iii) regulation, taxation or international tax treaties between various countries; or (iv) currency, interest rate or price fluctuations. Local, regional or global events such as war, acts of terrorism, the spread of infectious illness or other public health issues, recessions, or other events could have a significant impact on the Funds and their investments. Each Fund’s prospectus provides details of the risks to which the Fund is subject.

BFA uses a “passive” or index approach to try to achieve each Fund’s investment objective following the securities included in its underlying index during upturns as well as downturns. BFA does not take steps to reduce market exposure or to lessen the effects of a declining market. Divergence from the underlying index and the composition of the portfolio is monitored by BFA.

Infectious Illness Risk: An outbreak of an infectious illness, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, may adversely impact the economies of many nations and the global economy, and may impact individual issuers and capital markets in ways that cannot be foreseen. An infectious illness outbreak may result in, among other things, closed international borders, prolonged quarantines, supply chain disruptions, market volatility or disruptions and other significant economic, social and political impacts.

 

 

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

  35


Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

Counterparty Credit Risk: The Funds may be exposed to counterparty credit risk, or the risk that an entity may fail to or be unable to perform on its commitments related to unsettled or open transactions, including making timely interest and/or principal payments or otherwise honoring its obligations. The Funds manage counterparty credit risk by entering into transactions only with counterparties that BFA believes have the financial resources to honor their obligations and by monitoring the financial stability of those counterparties. Financial assets, which potentially expose the Funds to market, issuer and counterparty credit risks, consist principally of financial instruments and receivables due from counterparties. The extent of the Funds’ exposure to market, issuer and counterparty credit risks with respect to these financial assets is approximately their value recorded in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities, less any collateral held by the Funds.

A derivative contract may suffer a mark-to-market loss if the value of the contract decreases due to an unfavorable change in the market rates or values of the underlying instrument. Losses can also occur if the counterparty does not perform under the contract.

Concentration Risk: A diversified portfolio, where this is appropriate and consistent with a fund’s objectives, minimizes the risk that a price change of a particular investment will have a material impact on the NAV of a fund. The investment concentrations within each Fund’s portfolio are disclosed in its Schedule of Investments.

Significant Shareholder Redemption Risk: Certain shareholders may own or manage a substantial amount of fund shares and/or hold their fund investments for a limited period of time. Large redemptions of fund shares by these shareholders may force a fund to sell portfolio securities, which may negatively impact the fund’s NAV, increase the fund’s brokerage costs, and/or accelerate the realization of taxable income/gains and cause the fund to make additional taxable distributions to shareholders.

LIBOR Transition Risk: The Funds may be exposed to financial instruments that are tied to the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) to determine payment obligations, financing terms, hedging strategies or investment value. The United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority, which regulates LIBOR, announced that a majority of USD LIBOR settings will no longer be published after June 30, 2023. All other LIBOR settings and certain other interbank offered rates ceased to be published after December 31, 2021. SOFR has been used increasingly on a voluntary basis in new instruments and transactions. The Federal Reserve Board adopted regulations that provide a fallback mechanism by identifying benchmark rates based on SOFR that will replace LIBOR in certain financial contracts after June 30, 2023. The ultimate effect of the LIBOR transition process on the Funds is uncertain.

 

11.

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

Capital shares are issued and redeemed by each Fund only in aggregations of a specified number of shares or multiples thereof (“Creation Units”) at NAV. Except when aggregated in Creation Units, shares of each Fund are not redeemable.

Transactions in capital shares were as follows:

 

 

 
   

Six Months Ended

02/28/23

 

 

   

Year Ended

08/31/22

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

iShares ETF

    Shares       Amount       Shares       Amount  

 

 

Currency Hedged MSCI Canada

       

Shares sold

    50,000     $ 1,514,912       330,000     $ 10,691,502  

Shares redeemed

    (270,000     (8,066,436     (140,000     (4,477,130
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    (220,000   $ (6,551,524     190,000     $ 6,214,372  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Currency Hedged MSCI Eurozone

       

Shares sold

    4,900,000     $ 149,830,796       8,300,000     $ 287,220,148  

Shares redeemed

    (6,500,000     (200,339,050     (16,850,000     (593,623,753
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    (1,600,000   $ (50,508,254     (8,550,000   $ (306,403,605
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Currency Hedged MSCI Germany

       

Shares sold

    5,050,000     $ 137,266,611       9,700,000     $ 283,625,278  

Shares redeemed

    (5,300,000     (144,252,949     (10,150,000     (297,567,458
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    (250,000   $ (6,986,338     (450,000   $ (13,942,180
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Currency Hedged MSCI Japan

       

Shares sold

    4,350,000     $ 148,709,453       22,300,000     $ 859,549,528  

Shares redeemed

    (11,700,000     (411,910,101     (24,150,000     (915,016,686
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    (7,350,000   $ (263,200,648     (1,850,000   $ (55,467,158
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The consideration for the purchase of Creation Units of a fund in the Trust generally consists of the in-kind deposit of a designated portfolio of securities and a specified amount of cash. Certain funds in the Trust may be offered in Creation Units solely or partially for cash in U.S. dollars. Investors purchasing and redeeming Creation Units may pay a purchase transaction fee and a redemption transaction fee directly to State Street Bank and Trust Company, the Trust’s administrator, to offset transfer and other transaction costs associated with the issuance and redemption of Creation Units, including Creation Units for cash. Investors transacting in Creation Units for cash may also pay an additional variable charge to compensate the relevant fund for certain transaction costs (i.e., stamp taxes, taxes on currency or other financial transactions, and brokerage costs) and market impact expenses relating to investing in portfolio securities. Such variable charges, if any, are included in shares sold in the table above.

From time to time, settlement of securities related to in-kind contributions or in-kind redemptions may be delayed. In such cases, securities related to in-kind transactions are reflected as a receivable or a payable in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

12.

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Management has evaluated the impact of all subsequent events on the Funds through the date the financial statements were available to be issued and has determined that there were no subsequent events requiring adjustment or additional disclosure in the financial statements.

 

 

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

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Statement Regarding Liquidity Risk Management Program (unaudited)

 

In compliance with Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Liquidity Rule”), iShares Trust (the “Trust”) has adopted and implemented a liquidity risk management program (the “Program”) for iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Canada ETF, iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Eurozone ETF, iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Germany ETF and iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Japan ETF (the “Funds” or “ETFs”), each a series of the Trust, which is reasonably designed to assess and manage each Fund’s liquidity risk.

The Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of the Trust, on behalf of the Funds, met on December 9, 2022 (the “Meeting”) to review the Program. The Board previously appointed BlackRock Fund Advisors (“BlackRock”), the investment adviser to the Funds, as the program administrator for each Fund’s Program. BlackRock also previously delegated oversight of the Program to the 40 Act Liquidity Risk Management Committee (the “Committee”). At the Meeting, the Committee, on behalf of BlackRock, provided the Board with a report that addressed the operation of the Program and assessed its adequacy and effectiveness of implementation, including the management of each Fund’s Highly Liquid Investment Minimum (“HLIM”) where applicable, and any material changes to the Program (the “Report”). The Report covered the period from October 1, 2021 through September 30, 2022 (the “Program Reporting Period”).

The Report described the Program’s liquidity classification methodology for categorizing each Fund’s investments (including derivative transactions) into one of four liquidity buckets. It also referenced the methodology used by BlackRock to establish each Fund’s HLIM and noted that the Committee reviews and ratifies the HLIM assigned to each Fund no less frequently than annually. The Report also discussed notable events affecting liquidity over the Program Reporting Period, including extended market holidays, the imposition of capital controls in certain non-U.S. countries, Russian sanctions and the closure of the Russian securities market.

The Report noted that the Program complied with the key factors for consideration under the Liquidity Rule for assessing, managing and periodically reviewing each Fund’s liquidity risk, as follows:

 

  a)

The Fund’s investment strategy and liquidity of portfolio investments during both normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions. During the Program Reporting Period, the Committee reviewed whether each Fund’s strategy is appropriate for an open-end fund structure, with a focus on funds with more significant and consistent holdings of less liquid and illiquid assets. The Committee also factored a fund’s concentration in an issuer into the liquidity classification methodology by taking issuer position sizes into account. Derivative exposure was also considered in the calculation of a fund’s liquidity bucketing. Finally, a factor for consideration under the Liquidity Rule is a Fund’s use of borrowings for investment purposes. However, the Funds do not borrow for investment purposes.

 

  b)

Short-term and long-term cash flow projections during both normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions. During the Program Reporting Period, the Committee reviewed historical redemption activity and used this information as a component to establish each ETF’s reasonably anticipated trading size (“RATS”). The Committee may also take into consideration a fund’s shareholder ownership concentration (which, depending on product type and distribution channel, may or may not be available), a fund’s distribution channels, and the degree of certainty associated with a fund’s short-term and long-term cash flow projections.

 

  c)

Holdings of cash and cash equivalents, as well as borrowing arrangements. The Committee considered that ETFs generally do not hold more than de minimis amounts of cash. The Committee also considered that ETFs generally do not engage in borrowing.

 

  d)

The relationship between an ETF’s portfolio liquidity and the way in which, and the prices and spreads at which, ETF shares trade, including the efficiency of the arbitrage function and the level of active participation by market participants, including authorized participants. The Committee monitored the prevailing bid/ask spread and the ETF price premium (or discount) to NAV for all ETFs. However, there were no ETFs with persistent deviations of fund premium/discount or bid/ask spreads from long-term averages over the Program Reporting Period.

 

  e)

The effect of the composition of baskets on the overall liquidity of an ETF’s portfolio. In reviewing the linkage between the composition of custom baskets accepted by an ETF and any significant change in the liquidity profile of such ETF, the Committee reviewed changes in the proportion of each ETF’s portfolio comprised of less liquid and illiquid holdings to determine if applicable thresholds were met requiring enhanced review.

There were no material changes to the Program during the Program Reporting Period other than the enhancement of certain model components in the Program’s classification methodology. The Report provided to the Board stated that the Committee concluded that based on the operation of the functions, as described in the Report, the Program is operating as intended and is effective in implementing the requirements of the Liquidity Rule.

 

 

38  

2 0 2 3   H A R E S   S E M I - A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Supplemental Information (unaudited)

 

Section 19(a) Notices

The amounts and sources of distributions reported are estimates and are being provided pursuant to regulatory requirements and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources for tax reporting purposes will depend upon each Fund’s investment experience during the year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. Shareholders will receive a Form 1099-DIV each calendar year that will inform them how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes.

February 28, 2023

 

     Total Cumulative Distributions
for the Fiscal Year-to-Date
           % Breakdown of the Total Cumulative
Distributions for the Fiscal Year-to-Date
 
iShares ETF   Net
Investment
Income
    Net Realized
Capital Gains
    Return of
Capital
    Total Per
Share
           Net
Investment
Income
    Net Realized
Capital Gains
    Return of
Capital
    Total Per
Share
 

Currency Hedged MSCI Canada

  $   0.450148     $ 1.744446     $     $ 2.194594         21     79         100

Currency Hedged MSCI Eurozone(a)

    0.128134       5.436151         0.001279       5.565564         2       98             100  

Currency Hedged MSCI Japan

    0.081266         12.042345             12.123611               1       99             100  

 

  (a) 

The Fund estimates that it has distributed more than its net investment income and net realized capital gains; therefore, a portion of the distribution may be a return of capital. A return of capital may occur, for example, when some or all of the shareholder’s investment in the Fund is returned to the shareholder. A return of capital does not necessarily reflect the Fund’s investment performance and should not be confused with “yield” or “income”. When distributions exceed total return performance, the difference will incrementally reduce the Fund’s net asset value per share.

 

 

 

U P P L E M E N T A L   I N F O R M A T I O N

  39


General Information

 

Electronic Delivery

Shareholders can sign up for e-mail notifications announcing that the shareholder report or prospectus has been posted on the iShares website at iShares.com. Once you have enrolled, you will no longer receive prospectuses and shareholder reports in the mail.

To enroll in electronic delivery:

 

   

Go to icsdelivery.com.

   

If your brokerage firm is not listed, electronic delivery may not be available. Please contact your broker-dealer or financial advisor.

Householding

Householding is an option available to certain fund investors. Householding is a method of delivery, based on the preference of the individual investor, in which a single copy of certain shareholder documents and Rule 30e-3 notices can be delivered to investors who share the same address, even if their accounts are registered under different names. Please contact your broker-dealer if you are interested in enrolling in householding and receiving a single copy of prospectuses and other shareholder documents, or if you are currently enrolled in householding and wish to change your householding status.

Availability of Quarterly Schedule of Investments

The Funds file their complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to their reports on Form N-PORT. The Funds’ Forms N-PORT are available on the SEC’s website at sec.gov. Additionally, each Fund makes its portfolio holdings for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year available at iShares.com/fundreports.

Availability of Proxy Voting Policies and Proxy Voting Records

A description of the policies and procedures that the iShares Funds use to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities and information about how the iShares Funds voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve-month period ending June 30 is available without charge, upon request (1) by calling toll-free 1-800-474-2737; (2) on the iShares website at iShares.com; and (3) on the SEC website at sec.gov.

A description of the Trust’s policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of the Fund’s portfolio securities is available in the Fund Prospectus. The Fund discloses its portfolio holdings daily and provides information regarding its top holdings in Fund fact sheets at iShares.com.

 

 

40  

2 0 2 3   H A R E S   S E M I - A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Glossary of Terms Used in this Report

 

 

Currency Abbreviations
CAD    Canadian Dollar
EUR    Euro
JPY    Japanese Yen
USD    United States Dollar

 

 

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

  41


 

    

Want to know more?

iShares.com    |    1-800-474-2737

This report is intended for the Funds’ shareholders. It may not be distributed to prospective investors unless it is preceded or accompanied by the current prospectus.

Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal.

The iShares Funds are distributed by BlackRock Investments, LLC (together with its affiliates, “BlackRock”).

The iShares Funds are not sponsored, endorsed, issued, sold or promoted by MSCI Inc., nor does this company make any representation regarding the advisability of investing in the iShares Funds. BlackRock is not affiliated with the company listed above.

© 2023 BlackRock, Inc. All rights reserved. iSHARES and BLACKROCK are registered trademarks of BlackRock, Inc. or its subsidiaries. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.

iS-SAR-801-0223

 

 

LOGO

   LOGO


 

LOGO

  FEBRUARY 28, 2023

 

  

2023 Semi-Annual Report

(Unaudited)

 

 

iShares Trust

·  iShares Currency Hedged MSCI United Kingdom ETF | HEWU | NYSE Arca

·  iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF | EWU | NYSE Arca

·  iShares MSCI United Kingdom Small-Cap ETF | EWUS | Cboe BZX


The Markets in Review

Dear Shareholder,

Significant economic headwinds emerged during the 12-month reporting period ended February 28, 2023, as investors navigated changing economic conditions and volatile markets. The U.S. economy shrank in the first half of 2022 before returning to modest growth in the second half of the year, marking a shift to a more challenging post-reopening economic environment. Changes in consumer spending patterns and a tight labor market led to elevated inflation, which reached a 40-year high before beginning to moderate. Moreover, while the foremost effect of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has been a severe humanitarian crisis, the ongoing war continued to present challenges for both investors and policymakers.

Equity prices fell as interest rates rose, particularly during the first half of the reporting period. Both large-and small-capitalization U.S. stocks fell, although equities began to recover in the second half of the period as inflation eased and economic growth resumed. Emerging market stocks and international equities from developed markets declined overall, pressured by rising interest rates and a strong U.S. dollar.

The 10-year U.S. Treasury yield rose notably during the reporting period, driving its price down, as investors reacted to fluctuating inflation data and attempted to anticipate its impact on future interest rate changes. The corporate bond market also faced inflationary headwinds, and higher interest rates led to rising borrowing costs for corporate issuers.

The U.S. Federal Reserve (the “Fed”), acknowledging that inflation has been more persistent than expected, raised interest rates eight times. Furthermore, the Fed wound down its bond-buying programs and accelerated the reduction of its balance sheet.

Restricted labor supply kept inflation elevated even as other inflation drivers, such as goods prices and energy costs, moderated. While economic growth slowed in the last year, we believe that taming inflation requires a more substantial decline that lowers demand to a level more in line with the economy’s productive capacity. Although the Fed has decelerated the pace of interest rate hikes, it still seems determined to get inflation back to target. With this in mind, we believe the possibility of a U.S. recession in the near-term is high, but the dimming economic outlook has not yet been fully reflected in current market prices. We believe investors should expect a period of higher volatility as markets adjust to the new economic reality and policymakers attempt to adapt to rapidly changing conditions. Turmoil in the banking sector shortly following the end of the period highlighted the potential for the knock-on effects of substantially higher interest rates to disrupt markets with little warning.

While we favor an overweight to equities in the long term, several factors lead us to take an underweight stance on equities overall in the near term. Expectations for corporate earnings remain elevated, which seems inconsistent with the possibility of a recession in a business environment characterized by higher costs and reduced pricing power. Nevertheless, we are overweight on emerging market stocks as a weaker U.S. dollar provides a supportive backdrop. We also see long-term opportunities in credit, where valuations are appealing and higher yields provide attractive income, although we are neutral on credit in the near term, as we believe that troubles in the banking sector will likely lead to reduced lending. However, we believe there are still some strong opportunities for a six- to twelve-month horizon, particularly short-term U.S. Treasuries, global inflation-linked bonds, and emerging market bonds denominated in local currency.

Overall, our view is that investors need to think globally, position themselves to be prepared for a decarbonizing economy, and be nimble as market conditions change. We encourage you to talk with your financial advisor and visit iShares.com for further insight about investing in today’s markets.

 

LOGO

Rob Kapito

President, BlackRock, Inc.

LOGO

Rob Kapito

President, BlackRock, Inc.

 

Total Returns as of February 28, 2023  
     
      6-Month      12-Month    
 

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

    1.26%       (7.69)%  
     

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

    3.63          (6.02)     
 

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

    12.58          (3.14)     
     

Emerging market equities
(MSCI Emerging Markets Index)

    (2.29)         (15.28)     
 

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

    1.74          2.11      
     

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

    (4.81)         (14.06)     
 

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

    (2.13)         (9.72)     
     

Tax-exempt municipal bonds
(Bloomberg Municipal Bond Index)

    0.66          (5.10)     
 

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

    2.52          (5.45)     
Past performance is not an indication of future results. Index performance is shown for illustrative purposes only. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

 

 

 

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


Table of Contents

 

 

      Page

The Markets in Review

   2

Semi-Annual Report:

  

Fund Summary

   4

About Fund Performance

   7

Disclosure of Expenses

   7

Schedules of Investments

   8

Financial Statements

  

Statements of Assets and Liabilities

   19

Statements of Operations

   20

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

   21

Financial Highlights

   23

Notes to Financial Statements

   26

Statement Regarding Liquidity Risk Management Program

   35

General Information

   36

Glossary of Terms Used in this Report

   37

 

 

 


Fund Summary as of February 28, 2023    iShares® Currency Hedged MSCI United Kingdom ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares Currency Hedged MSCI United Kingdom ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of large- and mid-capitalization United Kingdom equities while mitigating exposure to fluctuations between the value of the British pound and the U.S. dollar, as represented by the MSCI United Kingdom 100% Hedged to USD Index (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index. The Fund currently seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing a substantial portion of its assets in one underlying fund, the iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF.

Performance

 

          Average Annual Total Returns        Cumulative Total Returns  
    

6-Month

Total Returns

        1 Year     5 Years    

Since   

Inception   

            1 Year     5 Years    

Since

Inception

 

Fund NAV

    10.92     13.13     6.58   6.81%        13.13     37.51     65.74

Fund Market

    10.87       13.20       6.58     6.81           13.20       37.52       65.73  

Index

    10.65       12.31       7.14     7.31             12.31       41.18       71.77  

The inception date of the Fund was June 29, 2015. The first day of secondary market trading was July 1, 2015.

Past performance is not an indication of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. See “About Fund Performance” for more information.

Expense Example

 

Actual           Hypothetical 5% Return           

 

 

     

 

 

      
 

Beginning

Account Value

(09/01/22)

 

 

 

      

Ending

Account Value

(02/28/23)

 

 

 

      

Expenses

Paid During

the Period

 

 

(a) 

           

Beginning

Account Value

(09/01/22)

 

 

 

      

Ending

Account Value

(02/28/23)

 

 

 

      

Expenses

Paid During

the Period

 

 

(a) 

      

Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 
 
 
  $      1,000.00          $      1,109.20          $         0.00               $     1,000.00          $      1,024.80          $         0.00          0.00

 

  (a) 

Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period shown). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Disclosure of Expenses” for more information. The fees and expenses of the underlying funds in which the Fund invests are not included in the Fund’s annualized expense ratio.

 

Portfolio Information

 

PORTFOLIO COMPOSITION
   
Investment Type  

Percent of   

Net Assets   

Investment Companies

  99.2%

Short-term Investments

  0.2   
Forward foreign currency exchange contracts, net cumulative appreciation   2.4   

Other assets less liabilities

  (1.8)  
SECTOR ALLOCATION (of the UNDERLYING FUND)
   
Sector  

Percent of   

Total Investment(a)   

Consumer Staples

  19.4%

Financials

  19.1   

Energy

  14.7   

Health Care

  12.6   

Industrials

  10.2   

Materials

  9.4   

Consumer Discretionary

  5.8   

Utilities

  3.7   

Communication Services

  3.3   

Real Estate

  1.0   

Information Technology

  0.8   

 

  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

 
 

 

 

4  

2 0 2 3   I S H A R E S   S E M I - A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Fund Summary as of February 28, 2023    iShares® MSCI United Kingdom ETF

 

Investment Objective

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

Performance

 

          Average Annual Total Returns         Cumulative Total Returns  
    

6-Month

Total Returns

        1 Year     5 Years     10 Years                 1 Year     5 Years     10 Years  

Fund NAV

    13.21     (1.08 )%      2.32   2.99%             (1.08 )%      12.15     34.31

Fund Market

    13.33       (0.37     2.43     2.99          (0.37     12.77       34.27  

Index

    13.86       (0.08     3.04     3.61                (0.08     16.14       42.61  

Past performance is not an indication of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. See “About Fund Performance” for more information.

Expense Example

 

Actual           Hypothetical 5% Return           

 

 

     

 

 

      
 

Beginning

Account Value

(09/01/22)

 

 

 

      

Ending

Account Value

(02/28/23)

 

 

 

      

Expenses

Paid During

the Period

 

 

(a) 

           

Beginning

Account Value

(09/01/22)

 

 

 

      

Ending

Account Value

(02/28/23)

 

 

 

      

Expenses

Paid During

the Period

 

 

(a) 

      

Annualized

Expense

Ratio

 

 

 

  $      1,000.00          $      1,132.10          $         2.70               $     1,000.00          $       1,022.30          $         2.56          0.51

 

  (a) 

Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period shown). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Disclosure of Expenses” for more information.

 

Portfolio Information

 

SECTOR ALLOCATION

 

   
Sector    

Percent of 

Total Investments

 

(a) 

Consumer Staples

    19.4

Financials

    19.1  

Energy

    14.7  

Health Care

    12.6  

Industrials

    10.2  

Materials

    9.4  

Consumer Discretionary

    5.8  

Utilities

    3.7  

Communication Services

    3.3  

Real Estate

    1.0  

Information Technology

    0.8  
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

   
Security    

Percent of

Total Investments

 

(a) 

Shell PLC

    9.4

AstraZeneca PLC

    8.9  

HSBC Holdings PLC

    6.7  

Unilever PLC

    5.6  

BP PLC

    5.2  

Diageo PLC

    4.2  

British American Tobacco PLC

    3.5  

Rio Tinto PLC

    3.4  

GSK PLC

    3.1  

Glencore PLC

    2.7  
 
  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

 

 

 

F U N D   S U M M A R Y

  5


Fund Summary as of February 28, 2023    iShares® MSCI United Kingdom Small-Cap ETF

 

Investment Objective

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

Performance

 

          Average Annual Total Returns         Cumulative Total Returns  
    

6-Month

Total Returns

        1 Year     5 Years     10 Years                 1 Year     5 Years     10 Years  

Fund NAV

    9.32     (16.20 )%      (2.34 )%    3.23%       (16.20 )%      (11.17 )%      37.37

Fund Market

    9.30       (15.50     (2.34   3.16          (15.50     (11.19     36.46  

Index

    10.02       (15.47     (1.63   3.92                (15.47     (7.89     46.82  

Past performance is not an indication of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. See “About Fund Performance” for more information.

Expense Example

 

Actual           Hypothetical 5% Return           

 

 

     

 

 

      
 

Beginning

Account Value

(09/01/22)

 

 

 

      

Ending

Account Value

(02/28/23)

 

 

 

      

Expenses

Paid During

the Period

 

 

(a) 

           

Beginning

Account Value

(09/01/22)

 

 

 

      

Ending

Account Value

(02/28/23)

 

 

 

      

Expenses

Paid During

the Period

 

 

(a) 

      

Annualized

Expense

Ratio

 

 

 

  $      1,000.00          $      1,093.20          $         3.06               $     1,000.00          $     1,021.90          $         2.96          0.59

 

  (a) 

Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period shown). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Disclosure of Expenses” for more information.

 

Portfolio Information

 

SECTOR ALLOCATION  
   
Sector    

Percent of

Total Investments

 

(a) 

Industrials

    20.5

Financials

    17.3  

Consumer Discretionary

    15.6  

Real Estate

    11.8  

Information Technology

    6.8  

Health Care

    5.9  

Communication Services

    5.9  

Materials

    5.2  

Consumer Staples

    4.4  

Utilities

    3.8  

Energy

    2.8  
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS  
   
Security    

Percent of

Total Investments

 

(a) 

Centrica PLC

    1.9

Weir Group PLC (The)

    1.5  

B&M European Value Retail SA

    1.5  

DS Smith PLC

    1.5  

Rightmove PLC

    1.5  

RS GROUP PLC

    1.4  

Beazley PLC

    1.4  

Intermediate Capital Group PLC

    1.3  

IMI PLC

    1.3  

Howden Joinery Group PLC

    1.2  
 

 

  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

 

 

 

6  

2 0 2 3   I S H A R E S   S E M I - A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


About Fund Performance

 

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

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

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

Disclosure of Expenses

Shareholders of each Fund may incur the following charges: (1) transactional expenses, including brokerage commissions on purchases and sales of fund shares and (2) ongoing expenses, including management fees and other fund expenses. The expense examples shown (which are based on a hypothetical investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held through the end of the period) are intended to assist shareholders both in calculating expenses based on an investment in each Fund and in comparing these expenses with similar costs of investing in other funds.

The expense examples provide information about actual account values and actual expenses. Annualized expense ratios reflect contractual and voluntary fee waivers, if any. In order to estimate the expenses a shareholder paid during the period covered by this report, shareholders can divide their account value by $1,000 and then multiply the result by the number under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During the Period.”

The expense examples also provide information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on a fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses. In order to assist shareholders in comparing the ongoing expenses of investing in the Funds and other funds, compare the 5% hypothetical examples with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

The expenses shown in the expense examples are intended to highlight shareholders’ ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional expenses, such as brokerage commissions and other fees paid on purchases and sales of fund shares. Therefore, the hypothetical examples are useful in comparing ongoing expenses only and will not help shareholders determine the relative total expenses of owning different funds. If these transactional expenses were included, shareholder expenses would have been higher.

 

 

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

  7


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) 

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® Currency Hedged MSCI United Kingdom ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Investment Companies

   
Exchange-Traded Funds — 99.2%            

iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF(a)(b)

    273,965     $  8,843,590  
   

 

 

 

Total Investment Companies
(Cost: $9,198,859)

      8,843,590  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Securities

   
Money Market Funds — 0.2%            

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares, 4.81%(a)(c)(d)

    15,575       15,584  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 0.2%
(Cost: $15,584)

      15,584  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities — 99.4%
(Cost: $9,214,443)

      8,859,174  

Other Assets Less Liabilities — 0.6%

      53,843  
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

    $   8,913,017  
   

 

 

 

 

(a)   

Affiliate of the Fund.

(b)   

All or a portion of this security is on loan.

(c)   

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

(d)   

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

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended February 28, 2023 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

 

 
Affiliated Issuer  

Value at

08/31/22

   

Purchases 

at Cost  

   

Proceeds

from Sale

   

Net Realized

Gain (Loss)

   

Change in

Unrealized

Appreciation

(Depreciation)

   

Value at

02/28/23

   

Shares

Held at

02/28/23

    Income    

Capital

Gain

Distributions

from

Underlying

Funds

 

 

 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares

  $     $  15,631 (a)    $     $ (47   $     $ 15,584       15,575     $  18,352 (b)    $  

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

    700,000             (700,000 )(a)                               205        

iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF

    15,793,013       2,883,610       (11,303,674     (232,117     1,702,758       8,843,590       273,965       206,751        
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
        $  (232,164   $  1,702,758     $ 8,859,174       $ 225,308     $  —  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 
  (b) 

All or a portion represents securities lending income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral from loaned securities, net of fees and collateral investment expenses, and other payments to and from borrowers of securities.

 
  (c) 

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

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

 

             
    Currency Purchased                 Currency Sold      Counterparty    Settlement Date            

Unrealized

Appreciation

(Depreciation)

 

USD

    261,807          GBP        216,000      Bank of America N.A.      03/02/23        $ 1,992  

USD

    4,822          GBP        4,000      HSBC Bank PLC      03/02/23          11  

USD

            10,763,940                               GBP        8,738,000      JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      03/02/23                                   253,439  

USD

    8,305,153          GBP                6,856,000      BNP Paribas SA      04/04/23          53,453  

USD

    263,594          GBP        219,000      HSBC Bank PLC      04/04/23          11  

USD

    511,193          GBP        422,000      UBS AG      04/04/23          3,285  
                    

 

 

 
                       312,191  
                    

 

 

 

GBP

    2,090,000          USD        2,558,818      Bank of America N.A.      03/02/23          (44,862

GBP

    6,856,000          USD        8,300,216      BNP Paribas SA      03/02/23          (53,478

 

 

8  

2 0 2 3   I S H A R E S   S E M I - A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

   iShares® Currency Hedged MSCI United Kingdom ETF

 

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts (continued)

 

             
    Currency Purchased                 Currency Sold      Counterparty    Settlement Date            

Unrealized

Appreciation

(Depreciation)

 

GBP

    12,000          USD        14,512      HSBC Bank PLC      03/02/23         $ (78

GBP

               64,000                           USD                 77,305      Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      04/04/23                                   (277
                    

 

 

 
                       (98,695
                    

 

 

 
                       $213,496  
                    

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

As of period end, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities were as follows:

 

 

 
   

Commodity

Contracts

    

Credit

Contracts

    

Equity

Contracts

    

Foreign

Currency

Exchange

Contracts

    

Interest

Rate

Contracts

    

Other

Contracts

     Total  

 

 

Assets — Derivative Financial Instruments

                   

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts
Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts

  $  —      $  —      $  —      $  312,191      $  —      $  —      $ 312,191  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instruments

                   

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts
Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts

  $      $      $      $ 98,695      $      $      $ 98,695  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

For the period ended February 28, 2023, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

 

 
   

Commodity

Contracts

    

Credit

Contracts

    

Equity

Contracts

    

Foreign

Currency

Exchange

Contracts

   

Interest

Rate

Contracts

    

Other

Contracts

     Total  

 

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from

                  

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

  $      $      $      $ 341,751     $      $      $ 341,751  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on

                  

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

  $  —      $  —      $  —      $ (793,351   $  —      $  —      $ (793,351
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

   

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

 

Average amounts purchased — in USD

  $ 12,085,057  

Average amounts sold — in USD

  $ 23,107,497      

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

Derivative Financial Instruments - Offsetting as of Period End

The Fund’s derivative assets and liabilities (by type) were as follows:

 

     
     Assets      Liabilities  

Derivative Financial Instruments:

    

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

  $ 312,191      $  98,695  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total derivative assets and liabilities in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities

    312,191        98,695  

Derivatives not subject to a Master Netting Agreement or similar agreement (“MNA”)

            
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total derivative assets and liabilities subject to an MNA

    312,191        98,695  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

The following tables present the Fund’s derivative assets and liabilities by counterparty net of amounts available for offset under an MNA and net of the related collateral received and pledged by the Fund:

 

 

 
   

Derivative

Assets

Subject to

an MNA by

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives

Available

 

 

 

 

Non-Cash

Collateral

 

 

 

 

Cash

Collateral

 

 

 

 

Net Amount

of Derivative

 

 

Counterparty

    Counterparty         for Offset (a)      Received       Received         Assets (b)(c) 

 

 

Bank of America N.A.

            $ 1,992                $   (1,992            $          —              $          —              $  

 

 

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

  9


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

   iShares® Currency Hedged MSCI United Kingdom ETF

 

Derivative Financial Instruments - Offsetting as of Period End (continued)

 

 

 
   

Derivative

Assets

Subject to

an MNA by

 

 

 

 

   

Derivatives

Available

 

 

   

Non-Cash

Collateral

 

 

   

Cash

Collateral

 

 

   

Net Amount

of Derivative

 

 

Counterparty

    Counterparty         for Offset (a)      Received       Received         Assets (b)(c) 

 

 

BNP Paribas SA

    $ 53,453       $  (53,453     $       $       $  

HSBC Bank PLC

      22         (22                        

JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.

      253,439                                 253,439  

UBS AG

      3,285                                 3,285  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
             $ 312,191       $ (55,467     $          —       $          —       $ 256,724  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
                                                             

 

 
   

Derivative

Liabilities

Subject to

an MNA by

 

 

 

 

   

Derivatives

Available

 

 

   

Non-Cash

Collateral

 

 

   

Cash

Collateral

 

 

   

Net Amount

of Derivative

 

 

Counterparty

    Counterparty         for Offset (a)      Pledged       Pledged         Liabilities (c)(d) 

 

 

Bank of America N.A.

    $ 44,862       $ (1,992     $         —       $          —       $ 42,870  

BNP Paribas SA

      53,478         (53,453                       25  

HSBC Bank PLC

      78         (22                       56  

Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC

      277                                 277  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
    $ 98,695       $ (55,467     $         —       $         —       $ 43,228  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

The amount of derivatives available for offset is limited to the amount of derivative assets and/or liabilities that are subject to an MNA.

 
  (b) 

Net amount represents the net amount receivable from the counterparty in the event of default.

 
  (c) 

Net amount may also include forward foreign currency exchange contracts that are not required to be collateralized.

 
  (d) 

Net amount represents the net amount payable due to the counterparty in the event of default.

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments. For a description of the input levels and information about the Fund’s policy regarding valuation of financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.

The following table summarizes the Fund’s financial instruments categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The breakdown of the Fund’s financial instruments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.

 

 

 
    Level 1      Level 2           Level 3            Total  

 

 

Assets

                 

Investments

                 

Long-Term Investments

                                      

Investment Companies

    $ 8,843,590        $       $        $ 8,843,590  

Short-Term Securities

                 

Money Market Funds

      15,584                           15,584  
   

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

 
    $ 8,859,174        $       $        $ 8,859,174  
   

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments(a)

                 

Assets

                 

Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

    $        $ 312,191       $        $ 312,191  

Liabilities

                 

Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

               (98,695                (98,695
   

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

 
    $        $ 213,496       $             —          213,496  
   

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Derivative financial instruments are forward foreign currency exchange contracts. Forward foreign currency exchange contracts are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

10  

2 0 2 3   I S H A R E S   S E M I - A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) 

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® MSCI United Kingdom ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

   

Aerospace & Defense — 2.1%

   

BAE Systems PLC

    4,459,350     $ 48,161,858  

Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC(a)

    12,068,538       21,026,988  
   

 

 

 
      69,188,846  
Banks — 11.8%            

Barclays PLC

    22,888,613       48,033,740  

HSBC Holdings PLC

    28,826,415       220,811,659  

Lloyds Banking Group PLC

    97,123,857       61,336,612  

NatWest Group PLC, NVS

    7,665,340       26,927,886  

Standard Chartered PLC

    3,552,059       33,610,279  
   

 

 

 
      390,720,176  
Beverages — 4.4%            

Coca-Cola HBC AG, Class DI(a)

    289,010       7,401,374  

Diageo PLC

    3,281,932       139,273,474  
   

 

 

 
      146,674,848  
Capital Markets — 3.1%            

3i Group PLC

    1,403,767       27,463,634  

abrdn PLC

    2,927,956       7,888,547  

Hargreaves Lansdown PLC

    508,815       5,069,814  

London Stock Exchange Group PLC

    471,958       42,108,915  

Schroders PLC

    1,279,962       7,640,044  

St. James’s Place PLC

    778,174       11,979,657  
   

 

 

 
          102,150,611  
Chemicals — 0.7%            

Croda International PLC

    201,401       15,882,889  

Johnson Matthey PLC

    261,950       6,872,224  
   

 

 

 
      22,755,113  
Commercial Services & Supplies — 0.7%            

Rentokil Initial PLC

    3,637,957       22,377,550  
   

 

 

 
Diversified Consumer Services — 0.3%            

Pearson PLC

    933,017       10,320,721  
   

 

 

 
Diversified Financial Services — 0.2%            

M&G PLC

    3,219,905       8,293,097  
   

 

 

 
Diversified Telecommunication Services — 0.5%  

BT Group PLC

    10,025,719       16,807,667  
   

 

 

 
Electric Utilities — 1.0%            

SSE PLC

    1,560,379       32,657,102  
   

 

 

 
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components — 0.4%  

Halma PLC

    546,764       14,230,349  
   

 

 

 
Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) — 1.0%  

British Land Co. PLC (The)

    1,261,567       6,766,700  

Land Securities Group PLC

    1,011,670       8,353,569  

Segro PLC

    1,745,845       17,243,846  
   

 

 

 
      32,364,115  
Food & Staples Retailing — 1.4%            

J Sainsbury PLC

    2,514,505       8,109,434  

Ocado Group PLC(a)

    825,861       5,457,299  

Tesco PLC

    10,709,924       32,808,599  
   

 

 

 
      46,375,332  
Food Products — 0.4%            

Associated British Foods PLC

    509,539       12,282,847  
   

 

 

 
Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 0.5%  

Smith & Nephew PLC

    1,256,945       17,934,783  
   

 

 

 
Security   Shares     Value  
Health Care Providers & Services — 0.0%            

NMC Health PLC, NVS(b)

    122,262     $ 2  
   

 

 

 
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 3.0%            

Compass Group PLC

    2,532,455       58,504,225  

Entain PLC

    850,069       13,882,207  

InterContinental Hotels Group PLC

    253,107       17,062,262  

Whitbread PLC

    288,965       10,717,272  
   

 

 

 
      100,165,966  
Household Durables — 1.0%            

Barratt Developments PLC

    1,462,562       8,223,218  

Berkeley Group Holdings PLC

    156,625       7,884,289  

Persimmon PLC

    456,711       7,964,432  

Taylor Wimpey PLC

    5,051,583       7,472,488  
   

 

 

 
      31,544,427  
Household Products — 2.2%            

Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC

    1,033,151       71,685,179  
   

 

 

 
Industrial Conglomerates — 0.9%            

DCC PLC

    141,169       7,840,041  

Melrose Industries PLC

    5,796,843       10,439,127  

Smiths Group PLC

    518,174       10,988,408  
   

 

 

 
      29,267,576  
Insurance — 3.7%            

Admiral Group PLC

    262,308       6,941,198  

Aviva PLC

    4,042,878       21,719,996  

Legal & General Group PLC

    8,622,559       26,541,087  

Phoenix Group Holdings PLC

    1,072,728       8,172,014  

Prudential PLC

    3,968,941       60,657,103  
   

 

 

 
          124,031,398  
Interactive Media & Services — 0.3%            

Auto Trader Group PLC(c)

    1,346,873       9,632,940  
   

 

 

 
Machinery — 0.4%            

Spirax-Sarco Engineering PLC

    106,007       14,887,742  
   

 

 

 
Media — 1.1%            

Informa PLC

    2,073,895       16,659,694  

WPP PLC

    1,546,016       19,014,720  
   

 

 

 
      35,674,414  
Metals & Mining — 8.3%            

Anglo American PLC

    1,834,395       63,386,989  

Antofagasta PLC

    569,277       10,738,716  

Glencore PLC

    14,869,381       88,649,186  

Rio Tinto PLC

    1,623,447       111,408,300  
   

 

 

 
      274,183,191  
Multi-Utilities — 2.0%            

National Grid PLC

    5,279,162       66,251,931  
   

 

 

 
Multiline Retail — 0.5%            

Next PLC

    186,436       15,336,573  
   

 

 

 
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 14.5%            

BP PLC

    26,197,615       172,158,362  

Shell PLC

    10,188,690       308,598,862  
   

 

 

 
      480,757,224  
Paper & Forest Products — 0.4%            

Mondi PLC

    699,754       11,759,592  
   

 

 

 
Personal Products — 6.4%            

Haleon PLC(a)

    7,325,436       28,346,906  
 

 

 

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

  11


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® MSCI United Kingdom ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

 

 
Personal Products (continued)            

Unilever PLC

    3,659,499     $ 182,197,226  
   

 

 

 
      210,544,132  
Pharmaceuticals — 12.0%            

AstraZeneca PLC

    2,236,899       291,418,728  

GSK PLC

    5,871,726       100,588,044  

Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC

    236,134       4,926,612  
   

 

 

 
      396,933,384  
Professional Services — 4.2%            

Experian PLC

    1,329,880       44,835,740  

Intertek Group PLC

    232,989       11,694,287  

RELX PLC

    2,764,982       83,379,334  
   

 

 

 
      139,909,361  
Software — 0.4%            

Sage Group PLC (The)

    1,467,523       13,222,552  
   

 

 

 
Specialty Retail — 0.5%            

JD Sports Fashion PLC

    3,688,735       8,030,990  

Kingfisher PLC

    2,821,653       9,758,283  
   

 

 

 
      17,789,273  
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods — 0.5%        

Burberry Group PLC

    555,544       16,496,628  
   

 

 

 
Tobacco — 4.5%            

British American Tobacco PLC

    3,065,004       115,997,420  

Imperial Brands PLC

    1,294,782       31,192,930  
   

 

 

 
          147,190,350  
Trading Companies & Distributors — 1.8%        

Ashtead Group PLC

    631,941       41,815,066  

Bunzl PLC

    487,387       17,366,036  
   

 

 

 
      59,181,102  
Security   Shares     Value  

 

 
Water Utilities — 0.7%            

Severn Trent PLC

    359,844     $ 11,885,376  

United Utilities Group PLC

    982,881       12,001,351  
   

 

 

 
      23,886,727  
Wireless Telecommunication Services — 1.4%        

Vodafone Group PLC

    37,623,613       45,049,552  
   

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 99.2%
(Cost: $3,788,160,349)

 

    3,280,514,373  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Securities

   
Money Market Funds — 0.0%            

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares, 4.41%(d)(e)

    1,170,000       1,170,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 0.0%
(Cost: $1,170,000)

      1,170,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments — 99.2%
(Cost: $3,789,330,349)

      3,281,684,373  

Other Assets Less Liabilities — 0.8%

      25,186,954  
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

    $  3,306,871,327  
   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Non-income producing security.

(b) 

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

(c) 

Security exempt from registration pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration to qualified institutional investors.

(d) 

Affiliate of the Fund.

(e) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

 

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended February 28, 2023 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

 

 
Affiliated Issuer  

Value at

08/31/22

     Purchases
at Cost
   

Proceeds

from Sale

    

Net Realized

Gain (Loss)

    

Change in

Unrealized

Appreciation

(Depreciation)

    

Value at

02/28/23

    

Shares

Held at

02/28/23

     Income     

Capital

Gain
Distributions

from

Underlying

Funds

 

 

 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

  $ 120,000      $ 1,050,000 (a)    $      $      $      $ 1,170,000        1,170,000      $ 44,370      $ 1  
         

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Futures Contracts

 

 

 
Description   Number of
Contracts
     Expiration
Date
     Notional
Amount
(000)
    

Value/

Unrealized

Appreciation

(Depreciation)

 

 

 

Long Contracts

          

FTSE 100 Index

    268        03/17/23      $ 25,307      $ 520,723  
          

 

 

 

 

 

12  

2 0 2 3   I S H A R E S   S E M I - A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

   iShares® MSCI United Kingdom ETF

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

As of period end, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities were as follows:

 

 

 
    Commodity
Contracts
     Credit
Contracts
     Equity
Contracts
     Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
     Interest
Rate
Contracts
     Other
Contracts
     Total  

 

 

Assets — Derivative Financial Instruments

                   

Futures contracts

                   

Unrealized appreciation on futures contracts(a)

  $      $      $ 520,723      $      $      $      $ 520,723  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts are reported in the Schedule of Investments. In the Statements of Assets and Liabilities, only current day’s variation margin is reported in receivables or payables and the net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is included in accumulated earnings (loss).

 

For the period ended February 28, 2023, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

 

 
    Commodity
Contracts
     Credit
Contracts
     Equity
Contracts
    Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
     Interest
Rate
Contracts
     Other
Contracts
     Total  

 

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from

                  

Futures contracts

  $      $      $ (295,921   $      $      $      $ (295,921
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on

                  

Futures contracts

  $      $      $ 625,667     $      $      $      $ 625,667  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

 

 

Futures contracts

 

Average notional value of contracts — long

  $ 22,768,936      

 

 

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

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments. For a description of the input levels and information about the Fund’s policy regarding valuation of financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.

The following table summarizes the Fund’s financial instruments categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The breakdown of the Fund’s financial instruments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.

 

 

 
    Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

 

 

Assets

          

Investments

          

Long-Term Investments

          

Common Stocks

  $      $ 3,280,514,371      $               2      $ 3,280,514,373  

Short-Term Securities

          

Money Market Funds

    1,170,000                      1,170,000  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
  $     1,170,000      $ 3,280,514,371      $ 2      $ 3,281,684,373  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments(a)

          

Assets

          

Equity Contracts

  $      $ 520,723      $      $ 520,723  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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

  13


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) 

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® MSCI United Kingdom Small-Cap ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

   
Aerospace & Defense — 1.2%            

Avon Protection PLC

    3,722     $ 43,673  

Babcock International Group PLC(a)

    31,596       124,733  

Chemring Group PLC

    35,730       126,140  

QinetiQ Group PLC

    72,777       296,443  
   

 

 

 
      590,989  
Air Freight & Logistics — 0.7%            

International Distributions Services PLC

    96,068       270,174  

Wincanton PLC

    15,674       58,823  
   

 

 

 
      328,997  
Airlines — 1.1%            

easyJet PLC(a)

    38,078       221,689  

JET2 PLC

    20,139       312,837  
   

 

 

 
      534,526  
Auto Components — 0.1%            

TI Fluid Systems PLC(b)

    42,630       62,046  
   

 

 

 
Automobiles — 0.3%            

Aston Martin Lagonda Global Holdings
PLC(a)(b)(c)

    52,837       127,421  
   

 

 

 
Banks — 1.8%            

Bank of Georgia Group PLC

    4,478       150,279  

Close Brothers Group PLC

    18,849       229,446  

TBC Bank Group PLC

    5,158       153,867  

Virgin Money UK PLC

    156,885       339,563  
   

 

 

 
      873,155  
Beverages — 1.4%            

AG Barr PLC

    11,796       78,885  

Britvic PLC

    32,713       327,009  

C&C Group PLC(a)

    48,917       87,528  

Fevertree Drinks PLC(c)

    13,167       168,674  
   

 

 

 
             662,096  
Biotechnology — 0.7%            

Genus PLC

    8,217       292,806  

Oxford Biomedica PLC(a)

    9,159       60,593  
   

 

 

 
      353,399  
Building Products — 0.6%            

Genuit Group PLC

    31,143       117,438  

Tyman PLC

    24,883       76,024  

Volution Group PLC

    24,706       108,915  
   

 

 

 
      302,377  
Capital Markets — 9.0%            

AJ Bell PLC

    38,777       152,056  

Alpha FX Group PLC

    3,962       88,642  

Ashmore Group PLC

    58,182       189,166  

Bridgepoint Group PLC(b)

    31,144       93,383  

CMC Markets PLC(b)

    15,729       46,637  

Draper Esprit PLC(a)

    17,333       80,936  

IG Group Holdings PLC

    49,673       479,528  

Impax Asset Management Group PLC

    10,770       103,446  

IntegraFin Holdings PLC

    37,138       126,599  

Intermediate Capital Group PLC

    36,375       612,374  

Investec PLC

    87,238       556,991  

IP Group PLC

    129,270       101,614  

JTC PLC(b)

    16,877       157,146  

Jupiter Fund Management PLC

    55,420       97,794  

Liontrust Asset Management PLC

    8,120       116,798  

Man Group PLC/Jersey

    160,424       512,333  

Ninety One PLC

    50,444       127,785  
Security   Shares     Value  
Capital Markets (continued)            

Polar Capital Holdings PLC

    8,874     $ 56,573  

Quilter PLC(b)

    167,271       185,307  

Rathbones Group PLC

    7,516       188,269  

TP ICAP Group PLC

    98,842       229,462  
   

 

 

 
          4,302,839  
Chemicals — 1.1%            

Elementis PLC(a)

    72,853       111,521  

Essentra PLC

    37,714       101,466  

Synthomer PLC

    47,102       86,722  

Victrex PLC

    10,891       229,887  
   

 

 

 
      529,596  
Commercial Services & Supplies — 1.7%            

Finablr PLC(a)(b)(d)

    61,710       1  

Johnson Service Group PLC

    55,577       74,472  

Mitie Group PLC

    170,807       166,008  

Renewi PLC(a)

    10,006       82,686  

Restore PLC

    15,552       59,300  

Serco Group PLC

    146,143       274,229  

Smart Metering Systems PLC

    15,857       164,605  
   

 

 

 
      821,301  
Communications Equipment — 0.4%            

Spirent Communications PLC

    76,831       196,846  
   

 

 

 
Construction & Engineering — 1.2%            

Balfour Beatty PLC

    74,081       325,067  

Keller Group PLC

    9,075       88,528  

Kier Group PLC(a)

    56,087       52,959  

Morgan Sindall Group PLC

    5,318       114,886  
   

 

 

 
      581,440  
Construction Materials — 1.1%            

Breedon Group PLC

    190,489       162,704  

Forterra PLC(b)

    26,670       70,576  

Ibstock PLC(b)

    49,190       100,527  

Marshalls PLC

    28,801       116,194  

RHI Magnesita NV

    3,247       100,922  
   

 

 

 
      550,923  
Consumer Finance — 0.2%            

Provident Financial PLC

    30,353       80,979  
   

 

 

 
Containers & Packaging — 1.5%            

DS Smith PLC

    172,631       701,245  
   

 

 

 
Distributors — 1.1%            

Inchcape PLC

    46,934       513,121  
   

 

 

 
Diversified Consumer Services — 0.2%            

Auction Technology Group PLC(a)

    11,317       94,336  
   

 

 

 
Diversified Financial Services — 0.9%            

Burford Capital Ltd.

    23,330       189,141  

Plus500 Ltd.

    11,787       254,495  
   

 

 

 
      443,636  
Diversified Telecommunication Services — 0.5%  

Gamma Communications PLC

    10,256       143,843  

Helios Towers PLC(a)

    92,703       122,375  
   

 

 

 
      266,218  
Electrical Equipment — 0.8%            

Ceres Power Holdings PLC(a)(c)

    15,663       80,734  

DiscoverIE Group PLC

    12,099       124,430  

ITM Power PLC(a)(c)

    54,399       64,066  
 

 

 

14  

2 0 2 3   I S H A R E S   S E M I - A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® MSCI United Kingdom Small-Cap ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Electrical Equipment (continued)            

Volex PLC

    14,815     $ 40,095  

XP Power Ltd.

    2,350       66,145  
   

 

 

 
      375,470  
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components — 2.0%  

Oxford Instruments PLC

    6,869       205,733  

Renishaw PLC

    4,561       219,104  

Spectris PLC

    13,132       556,612  
   

 

 

 
      981,449  
Energy Equipment & Services — 0.7%            

Hunting PLC

    17,393       69,145  

John Wood Group PLC(a)

    87,003       204,534  

Petrofac Ltd.(a)(c)

    55,856       53,144  
   

 

 

 
      326,823  
Entertainment — 0.2%            

Team17 Group PLC(a)

    13,628       77,864  
   

 

 

 
Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) — 9.9%  

Assura PLC

    370,204       228,216  

Balanced Commercial Property Trust Ltd.

    88,013       92,633  

Big Yellow Group PLC

    21,980       319,293  

Capital & Counties Properties PLC

    90,285       137,270  

Civitas Social Housing PLC

    74,836       56,658  

CLS Holdings PLC(c)

    22,149       39,590  

Custodian Reit PLC

    52,511       57,983  

Derwent London PLC

    12,631       394,745  

Empiric Student Property PLC

    75,289       78,336  

Great Portland Estates PLC

    26,937       184,039  

Hammerson PLC

    500,765       183,158  

Home Reit PLC(d)

    103,572       45,034  

Impact Healthcare Reit PLC

    41,008       50,313  

LondonMetric Property PLC

    117,356       266,699  

LXI REIT PLC

    203,589       276,568  

Picton Property Income Ltd. (The)

    69,252       63,474  

Primary Health Properties PLC

    159,065       206,721  

PRS REIT PLC (The)

    65,961       69,662  

Regional REIT Ltd.(b)

    52,786       39,112  

Safestore Holdings PLC

    26,499       321,903  

Shaftesbury PLC

    24,063       120,574  

Supermarket Income Reit PLC

    155,948       171,255  

Target Healthcare REIT PLC

    76,740       72,830  

Tritax Big Box REIT PLC

    233,640       419,765  

UK Commercial Property REIT Ltd.

    98,004       67,068  

UNITE Group PLC (The)

    42,714       504,213  

Urban Logistics REIT PLC

    59,059       100,876  

Warehouse REIT PLC

    51,193       66,134  

Workspace Group PLC

    17,977       110,605  
   

 

 

 
            4,744,727  
Food & Staples Retailing — 1.0%            

Marks & Spencer Group PLC(a)

    246,654       474,298  
   

 

 

 
Food Products — 1.9%            

Cranswick PLC

    6,737       253,642  

Greencore Group PLC(a)

    64,061       62,762  

Premier Foods PLC

    81,030       110,924  

Tate & Lyle PLC

    50,238       484,683  
   

 

 

 
      912,011  
Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 1.3%            

Advanced Medical Solutions Group PLC

    27,129       81,581  
Security   Shares     Value  
Health Care Equipment & Supplies (continued)            

ConvaTec Group PLC(b)

    205,134     $ 553,749  
   

 

 

 
      635,330  
Health Care Providers & Services — 1.3%            

CVS Group PLC

    8,918       199,902  

Mediclinic International PLC

    50,661       303,391  

Spire Healthcare Group PLC(a)(b)

    35,221       101,889  
   

 

 

 
      605,182  
Health Care Technology — 0.4%            

Craneware PLC

    3,376       56,851  

EMIS Group PLC

    7,167       161,382  
   

 

 

 
      218,233  
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 4.1%            

888 Holdings PLC(a)

    48,097       40,878  

Carnival PLC(a)

    18,243       172,407  

Domino’s Pizza Group PLC

    47,962       165,227  

Greggs PLC

    12,817       418,573  

J D Wetherspoon PLC(a)

    12,183       82,430  

Mitchells & Butlers PLC(a)

    33,418       65,241  

Patisserie Holdings PLC, NVS(d)

    6,053        

Playtech PLC(a)

    28,817       195,150  

Rank Group PLC(a)

    26,087       28,075  

SSP Group PLC(a)

    99,457       311,179  

Trainline PLC(a)(b)

    60,145       184,987  

TUI AG(a)(c)

    14,580       285,730  

Young & Co’s Brewery PLC, Series A

    2,848       38,848  
   

 

 

 
          1,988,725  
Household Durables — 2.5%            

Bellway PLC

    15,509       413,474  

Crest Nicholson Holdings PLC

    32,014       94,080  

Redrow PLC

    35,552       218,478  

Victoria PLC(a)(c)

    7,873       55,684  

Vistry Group PLC

    43,416       427,967  
   

 

 

 
      1,209,683  
Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers — 0.8%  

Drax Group PLC

    50,327       384,866  
   

 

 

 
Insurance — 4.2%            

Beazley PLC

    84,115       691,568  

Direct Line Insurance Group PLC

    164,691       356,531  

Hiscox Ltd.

    43,375       593,887  

Just Group PLC

    129,658       136,464  

Lancashire Holdings Ltd.

    30,456       224,163  
   

 

 

 
      2,002,613  
Interactive Media & Services — 1.9%            

Moneysupermarket.com Group PLC

    67,398       186,947  

Rightmove PLC

    103,549       696,890  

Trustpilot Group PLC(a)(b)

    28,379       35,003  
   

 

 

 
      918,840  
Internet & Direct Marketing Retail — 0.9%            

AO World PLC(a)(c)

    55,607       47,088  

ASOS PLC(a)(c)

    8,775       91,726  

boohoo Group PLC(a)

    127,845       77,121  

Deliveroo PLC(a)(b)

    109,283       108,710  

Moonpig Group PLC(a)

    27,590       38,657  

THG PLC(a)

    94,687       65,938  
   

 

 

 
      429,240  
IT Services — 2.9%            

Capita PLC(a)

    208,644       72,329  

Computacenter PLC

    10,763       292,924  
 

 

 

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

  15


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® MSCI United Kingdom Small-Cap ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
IT Services (continued)            

Kainos Group PLC

    10,123     $ 169,374  

Keywords Studios PLC

    9,234       322,200  

NCC Group PLC

    38,822       79,572  

Network International Holdings PLC(a)(b)

    62,346       213,430  

Softcat PLC

    16,218       236,276  
   

 

 

 
          1,386,105  
Leisure Products — 0.9%            

Games Workshop Group PLC

    4,124       457,795  
   

 

 

 
Life Sciences Tools & Services — 0.4%            

Ergomed PLC(a)

    5,018       67,950  

Oxford Nanopore Technologies PLC(a)

    41,078       103,207  
   

 

 

 
      171,157  
Machinery — 4.8%            

Bodycote PLC

    24,114       192,597  

IMI PLC

    32,635       610,216  

Judges Scientific PLC

    682       77,933  

Morgan Advanced Materials PLC

    35,960       133,850  

Rotork PLC

    107,840       420,014  

Vesuvius PLC

    26,984       134,245  

Weir Group PLC (The)

    32,519       739,789  
   

 

 

 
      2,308,644  
Marine — 0.3%            

Clarkson PLC

    3,428       136,277  
   

 

 

 
Media — 2.9%            

Ascential PLC(a)

    55,285       179,815  

Future PLC

    14,419       242,683  

ITV PLC

    453,165       481,877  

Next Fifteen Communications Group PLC

    10,418       129,824  

Reach PLC

    36,839       40,723  

S4 Capital PLC(a)

    46,786       115,326  

Tremor International Ltd.(a)(c)

    11,016       42,140  

YouGov PLC

    13,311       143,720  
   

 

 

 
      1,376,108  
Metals & Mining — 1.4%            

Atalaya Mining PLC

    13,879       60,267  

Centamin PLC

    144,955       177,652  

Central Asia Metals PLC

    22,343       71,085  

Ferrexpo PLC

    37,239       65,980  

Greatland Gold PLC(a)

    567,436       53,579  

Hill & Smith PLC

    10,060       167,231  

Hochschild Mining PLC

    38,174       29,326  

Pan African Resources PLC

    218,440       35,571  

SolGold PLC(a)(c)

    141,175       28,087  
   

 

 

 
      688,778  
Multi-Utilities — 2.3%            

Centrica PLC

    738,571       932,029  

Telecom Plus PLC

    7,957       167,876  
   

 

 

 
      1,099,905  
Multiline Retail — 1.5%            

B&M European Value Retail SA

    119,453       706,126  
   

 

 

 
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 2.1%            

Capricorn Energy PLC(a)

    39,321       117,959  

Diversified Energy Co. PLC

    105,601       132,357  

Energean PLC

    15,599       226,285  

EnQuest PLC(a)

    192,487       43,973  

Genel Energy PLC

    18,893       28,472  

Gulf Keystone Petroleum Ltd.

    26,941       67,174  
Security   Shares     Value  
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (continued)            

Harbour Energy PLC

    53,646     $ 187,178  

Pantheon Resources PLC(a)(c)

    92,926       63,824  

Serica Energy PLC

    25,758       80,227  

Tullow Oil PLC(a)

    144,388       60,444  
   

 

 

 
          1,007,893  
Personal Products — 0.1%            

PZ Cussons PLC

    29,685       65,057  
   

 

 

 
Pharmaceuticals — 1.7%            

Alliance Pharma PLC(c)

    64,515       52,769  

Dechra Pharmaceuticals PLC

    14,288       469,323  

Indivior PLC, NVS(a)

    17,145       314,124  
   

 

 

 
      836,216  
Professional Services — 1.9%            

Alpha Financial Markets Consulting PLC

    14,287       75,615  

Hays PLC

    201,048       285,333  

Marlowe PLC(a)

    10,291       59,417  

Pagegroup PLC

    41,155       220,280  

RWS Holdings PLC

    38,852       166,463  

SThree PLC

    16,005       87,980  
   

 

 

 
      895,088  
Real Estate Management & Development — 1.9%  

Grainger PLC

    92,653       283,077  

Helical PLC

    13,676       58,398  

IWG PLC(a)

    94,817       208,764  

Savills PLC

    18,105       218,202  

Sirius Real Estate Ltd.

    147,326       148,680  
   

 

 

 
      917,121  
Road & Rail — 0.7%            

Firstgroup PLC

    93,895       119,153  

National Express Group PLC(a)

    65,092       97,366  

Redde Northgate PLC

    27,435       133,156  
   

 

 

 
      349,675  
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 0.1%  

Alphawave IP Group PLC(a)

    34,024       37,501  
   

 

 

 
Software — 1.3%            

Bytes Technology Group PLC

    26,928       129,432  

Darktrace PLC(a)

    40,802       128,752  

FD Technologies PLC(a)

    2,946       66,194  

GB Group PLC

    30,248       121,535  

Kape Technologies PLC(a)

    21,241       75,116  

Learning Technologies Group PLC

    73,945       125,501  
   

 

 

 
      646,530  
Specialty Retail — 3.3%            

Currys PLC

    134,760       131,299  

Dunelm Group PLC

    13,804       208,714  

Frasers Group PLC(a)

    20,960       201,489  

Halfords Group PLC

    27,206       68,984  

Pets at Home Group PLC

    61,126       285,387  

Watches of Switzerland Group PLC(a)(b)

    30,091       301,042  

WH Smith PLC

    16,457       313,469  

Wickes Group PLC

    32,813       58,967  
   

 

 

 
      1,569,351  
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods — 0.7%            

Coats Group PLC

    200,607       176,632  

Dr. Martens PLC

    75,648       144,489  
   

 

 

 
      321,121  
 

 

 

16  

2 0 2 3   I S H A R E S   S E M I - A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® MSCI United Kingdom Small-Cap ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

 

 
Thrifts & Mortgage Finance — 1.2%            

OSB Group PLC

    53,799     $ 360,979  

Paragon Banking Group PLC

    29,473       211,469  
   

 

 

 
      572,448  
Trading Companies & Distributors — 5.4%            

Diploma PLC

    15,651       522,942  

Grafton Group PLC

    26,865       307,182  

Howden Joinery Group PLC

    69,564       599,114  

RS GROUP PLC

    59,132       695,276  

SIG PLC(a)

    86,881       44,563  

Travis Perkins PLC

    26,701       322,875  

Yellow Cake PLC(a)(b)

    21,785       105,038  
   

 

 

 
          2,596,990  
Water Utilities — 0.7%            

Penno Group PLC

    32,770       324,447  
   

 

 

 
Wireless Telecommunication Services — 0.4%            

Airtel Africa PLC(b)

    118,026       170,481  
   

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 99.6%
(Cost: $67,022,678)

      47,843,654  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Securities

   
Money Market Funds — 2.1%            

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares, 4.81%(e)(f)(g)

    953,008       953,580  
Security   Shares     Value  

 

 
Money Market Funds (continued)            

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares, 4.41%(e)(f)

    20,000     $ 20,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 2.1%
(Cost: $972,706)

      973,580  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments — 101.7%
(Cost: $67,995,384)

      48,817,234  

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (1.7)%

      (793,991
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

    $  48,023,243  
   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Non-income producing security.

(b) 

Security exempt from registration pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration to qualified institutional investors.

(c) 

All or a portion of this security is on loan.

(d) 

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

(e) 

Affiliate of the Fund.

(f) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

(g) 

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

 

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended February 28, 2023 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

 

 
Affiliated Issuer  

Value at

08/31/22

   

Purchases

at Cost

   

Proceeds

from Sale

   

Net Realized

Gain (Loss)

    Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
    Value at
02/28/23
    Shares
Held at
02/28/23
    Income    

Capital

Gain

Distributions

from

Underlying

Funds

 

 

 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares

  $ 685,192     $ 267,987 (a)    $     $ 122     $ 279     $ 953,580       953,008     $ 28,083 (b)    $  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

    20,000             0 (a)                   20,000       20,000       365        
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
        $ 122     $ 279     $ 973,580       $ 28,448     $  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 
  (b) 

All or a portion represents securities lending income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral from loaned securities, net of fees and collateral investment expenses, and other payments to and from borrowers of securities.

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Futures Contracts

 

 

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

 

 

Long Contracts

       

FTSE 250 Index

    3       03/17/23     $ 143     $ 4,076  
       

 

 

 

 

 

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

  17


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

   iShares® MSCI United Kingdom Small-Cap ETF

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

As of period end, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities were as follows:

 

 

 
   

Commodity

Contracts

    

Credit

Contracts

    

Equity

Contracts

    

Foreign

Currency

Exchange

Contracts

    

Interest

Rate

Contracts

    

Other

Contracts

     Total  

 

 

Assets — Derivative Financial Instruments

                   

Futures contracts

                   

Unrealized appreciation on futures contracts(a)

  $      $      $ 4,076      $      $      $      $ 4,076  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts are reported in the Schedule of Investments. In the Statements of Assets and Liabilities, only current day’s variation margin is reported in receivables or payables and the net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is included in accumulated earnings (loss).

 

For the period ended February 28, 2023, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

 

 
    Commodity
Contracts
    

Credit

Contracts

    

Equity

Contracts

   

Foreign

Currency

Exchange

Contracts

    

Interest

Rate

Contracts

    

Other

Contracts

     Total  

 

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from

                  

Futures contracts

  $      $      $ (5,253   $      $      $      $ (5,253
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on

                  

Futures contracts

  $      $      $ 16,370     $      $      $      $ 16,370  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

 

 

Futures contracts

 

Average notional value of contracts — long

  $ 187,136      

 

 

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

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments. For a description of the input levels and information about the Fund’s policy regarding valuation of financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.

The following table summarizes the Fund’s financial instruments categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The breakdown of the Fund’s financial instruments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.

 

                                                                               

 

 
    Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

 

 

Assets

          

Investments

          

Long-Term Investments

          

Common Stocks

  $ 15,367,133      $ 32,431,486      $ 45,035      $ 47,843,654  

Short-Term Securities

          

Money Market Funds

    973,580                      973,580  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
  $ 16,340,713      $ 32,431,486      $ 45,035      $ 48,817,234  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments(a)

          

Assets

          

Equity Contracts

  $      $ 4,076      $      $ 4,076  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

18  

2 0 2 3   I S H A R E S   S E M I - A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


 

Statements of Assets and Liabilities (unaudited)

February 28, 2023

 

   

iShares

Currency

Hedged

MSCI United

Kingdom

ETF

   

iShares

MSCI United

Kingdom ETF

   

iShares

MSCI United

Kingdom

Small-Cap

ETF

 

 

 

ASSETS

     

Investments, at value — unaffiliated(a)(b)

  $     $ 3,280,514,373     $ 47,843,654  

Investments, at value — affiliated(c)

    8,859,174       1,170,000       973,580  

Cash

    4,404       1,388       3,133  

Foreign currency collateral pledged for futures contracts(d)

          1,470,219       9,623  

Foreign currency, at value(e)

          9,919,090       84,194  

Receivables:

     

Investments sold

          17,033,066       398,005  

Securities lending income — affiliated

    947             6,247  

Capital shares sold

    6,564              

Dividends — unaffiliated

          15,729,133       56,386  

Dividends — affiliated

          3,999       41  

Tax reclaims

          125,065       19,263  

Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts

    312,191              
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

    9,183,280       3,325,966,333       49,394,126  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

     

Collateral on securities loaned, at value

    15,584             954,268  

Payables:

     

Investments purchased

    155,984           17,579,962           393,521  

Investment advisory fees

          1,283,823       22,233  

Variation margin on futures contracts

          231,221       861  

Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts

    98,695              
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    270,263       19,095,006       1,370,883  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 8,913,017     $ 3,306,871,327     $ 48,023,243  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF

     

Paid-in capital

  $ 14,205,672     $ 4,351,422,163     $ 81,676,008  

Accumulated loss

    (5,292,655     (1,044,550,836     (33,652,765
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 8,913,017     $ 3,306,871,327     $ 48,023,243  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETVALUE

     

Shares outstanding

    340,000       102,600,000       1,450,000  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value

  $ 26.21     $ 32.23     $ 33.12  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Shares authorized

    Unlimited       Unlimited       Unlimited  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Par value

    None       None       None  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(a) Investments, at cost — unaffiliated

  $     $ 3,788,160,349     $ 67,022,678  

(b) Securities loaned, at value

  $ 15,107     $     $ 777,809  

(c)  Investments, at cost — affiliated

  $ 9,214,443     $ 1,170,000     $ 972,706  

(d) Foreign currency collateral pledged, at cost

  $     $ 1,539,968     $ 10,141  

(e) Foreign currency, at cost

  $     $ 10,057,842     $ 83,975  

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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

  19


 

Statements of Operations (unaudited)

Six Months Ended February 28, 2023

 

   

iShares

Currency

Hedged

MSCI United

Kingdom

ETF

   

iShares

MSCI United

Kingdom

ETF

   

iShares

MSCI United

Kingdom

Small-Cap

ETF

 

 

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

     

Dividends — unaffiliated

  $     $ 41,596,481     $ 636,289  

Dividends — affiliated

    206,956       44,370       365  

Securities lending income — affiliated — net

    18,352             28,083  

Foreign taxes withheld

          (60,542     (20,757
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investment income

    225,308       41,580,309       643,980  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EXPENSES

     

Investment advisory

    40,918       7,958,371       137,460  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses

    40,918       7,958,371           137,460  

Less:

     

Investment advisory fees waived

    (41,017            
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived

    (99     7,958,371       137,460  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    225,407       33,621,938       506,520  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

     

Net realized gain (loss) from:

     

Investments — unaffiliated

          (10,942,062     (1,624,205

Investments — affiliated

    (175,923           122  

Capital gain distributions from underlying funds — affiliated

          1        

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

    341,751                  

Foreign currency transactions

          (1,669,374     19,532  

Futures contracts

          (295,921     (5,253

In-kind redemptions — unaffiliated(a)

          15,470,773       485,322  

In-kind redemptions — affiliated(a)

    (56,241            
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    109,587       2,563,417       (1,124,482
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

     

Investments — unaffiliated

          347,052,974       4,978,255  

Investments — affiliated

    1,702,758             279  

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

    (793,351            

Foreign currency translations

          1,015,264       7,807  

Futures contracts

          625,667       16,370  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    909,407       348,693,905       5,002,711  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain

    1,018,994       351,257,322       3,878,229  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

  $ 1,244,401     $ 384,879,260     $ 4,384,749  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

See Note 2 of the Notes to Financial Statements.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

20  

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Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

   

iShares

Currency Hedged MSCI United Kingdom

ETF

       

iShares

MSCI United Kingdom ETF

 
 

 

 

     

 

 

 
   

Six Months Ended

02/28/23

(unaudited)

   

Year Ended

08/31/22

   

Six Months Ended

02/28/23

(unaudited)

   

Year Ended

08/31/22

 

 

 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

             

OPERATIONS

             

Net investment income

               $ 225,407              $ 688,168       $ 33,621,938           $ 131,753,890  

Net realized gain

      109,587         1,841,564         2,563,417       200,034,166  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

      909,407         (1,080,231       348,693,905       (677,452,421
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

      1,244,401         1,449,501         384,879,260       (345,664,365
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a)

             

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

      (213,989       (688,249       (48,407,453     (144,252,025
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

             

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

      (7,955,509       6,810,679         (329,442,495     210,576,943  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

             

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

      (6,925,097       7,571,931         7,029,312       (279,339,447

Beginning of period

      15,838,114         8,266,183         3,299,842,015       3,579,181,462  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period

    $ 8,913,017       $ 15,838,114          $ 3,306,871,327     $ 3,299,842,015  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

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

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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

  21


Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

 

   

iShares

MSCI United Kingdom Small-Cap ETF

 
 

 

 

 
         

Six Months

Ended

02/28/23

(unaudited)

   

Year Ended

08/31/22

 

 

 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

       

OPERATIONS

       

Net investment income

    $ 506,520       $ 1,925,857  

Net realized loss

      (1,124,482       (2,383,431

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

      5,002,711                (37,540,449
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

      4,384,749         (37,998,023
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a)

       

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

      (296,954       (3,896,752
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

       

Net decrease in net assets derived from capital share transactions

      (3,304,472       (41,424,975
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

       

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

      783,323         (83,319,750

Beginning of period

      47,239,920         130,559,670  
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

End of period

          $ 48,023,243       $ 47,239,920  
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

(a) 

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

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

22  

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Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    iShares Currency Hedged MSCI United Kingdom ETF  
 

 

 

 
   

Six Months Ended

02/28/23

   

Year Ended

   

Year Ended

    Year Ended     Year Ended     Year Ended  
      (unaudited       08/31/22         08/31/21         08/31/20         08/31/19         08/31/18  

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

               $ 24.00       $ 22.96       $ 18.95       $ 23.43             $ 23.83             $ 23.84  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

      0.42         1.08               0.59               0.74         0.92         1.11  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(b)

      2.18         1.00         4.04         (4.46       (0.26       (0.05
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

      2.60         2.08         4.63         (3.72       0.66         1.06  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Distributions from net investment income(c)

      (0.39       (1.04       (0.62       (0.76       (1.06       (1.07
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

    $ 26.21       $ 24.00       $ 22.96       $ 18.95       $ 23.43       $ 23.83  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

                       

Based on net asset value

      10.92 %(e)        9.18       24.59       (16.34 )%        2.92       4.42
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(f)

                       

Total expenses

      0.62 %(g)        0.62       0.62       0.62       0.62       0.62
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived

      0.00 %(g)(h)        0.00 %(h)        0.00 %(h)        0.00 %(h)        0.00       0.00
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net investment income

      3.42 %(g)        4.50       2.82       3.31       3.96       4.62
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

                       

Net assets, end of period (000)

    $ 8,913       $ 15,838       $ 8,266       $ 10,420       $ 35,146       $ 22,643  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(i)

      9       12       15       15       11       17
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b) 

The amounts reported for a share outstanding may not accord with the change in aggregate gains and losses in securities for the fiscal period due to the timing of capital share transactions in relation to the fluctuating market values of the Fund’s underlying securities.

(c) 

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

(d) 

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(e) 

Not annualized.

(f) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

(g) 

Annualized.

(h) 

Rounds to less than 0.01%.

(i) 

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

F I N A N C I A L   H I G H L I G H T S

  23


Financial Highlights (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

          iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF  
 

 

 

 
    Six Months Ended                                
      02/28/23       Year Ended       Year Ended       Year Ended       Year Ended       Year Ended  
    (unaudited)       08/31/22       08/31/21       08/31/20       08/31/19       08/31/18  

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $ 28.90     $ 33.05     $ 26.88     $ 30.27     $ 33.62     $ 33.76  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

               0.32       1.26       1.20       0.90       1.49       1.29  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(b)

      3.48       (3.95     5.87       (3.30     (3.39     0.06  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

      3.80       (2.69     7.07       (2.40     (1.90     1.35  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions from net investment income(c)

      (0.47     (1.46     (0.90     (0.99     (1.45     (1.49
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

    $ 32.23     $ 28.90     $ 33.05     $ 26.88     $ 30.27     $ 33.62  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

             

Based on net asset value

      13.21 %(e)       (8.50 )%      26.46     (8.25 )%      (5.64 )%      3.90
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(f)

             

Total expenses

      0.51 %(g)       0.50     0.50     0.51     0.50     0.47
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

      2.14 %(g)       3.90     3.91     3.12     4.64     3.66
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

             

Net assets, end of period (000)

    $ 3,306,871     $ 3,299,842     $ 3,579,181     $ 2,191,064     $ 2,000,722     $ 1,986,971  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(h)

      2     7     9     4     11     5
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a)

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b) 

The amounts reported for a share outstanding may not accord with the change in aggregate gains and losses in securities for the fiscal period due to the timing of capital share transactions in relation to the fluctuating market values of the Fund’s underlying securities.

(c) 

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

(d) 

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(e)

Not annualized.

(f) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

(g) 

Annualized.

(h) 

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

24  

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Financial Highlights (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

          iShares MSCI United Kingdom Small-Cap ETF  
 

 

 

 
    Six Months Ended                                
      02/28/23       Year Ended       Year Ended       Year Ended       Year Ended       Year Ended  
    (unaudited)       08/31/22       08/31/21       08/31/20       08/31/19       08/31/18  

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

             $ 30.48     $ 50.22     $ 35.68     $ 35.95     $ 42.65     $ 39.92  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

      0.33       0.92       0.86       0.72       1.05       1.15  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(b)

      2.50       (18.83     14.32       0.03       (6.69     2.93  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

      2.83       (17.91     15.18       0.75       (5.64     4.08  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions from net investment income(c)

      (0.19     (1.83     (0.64     (1.02     (1.06     (1.35
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

    $ 33.12     $ 30.48     $ 50.22     $ 35.68     $ 35.95     $ 42.65  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

             

Based on net asset value

      9.32 %(e)      (36.56 )%      42.88     1.90     (13.17 )%      10.22
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(f)

             

Total expenses

      0.59 %(g)      0.59     0.59     0.59     0.59     0.59
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

      2.17 %(g)      2.23     1.94     1.99     2.76     2.68
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

             

Net assets, end of period (000)

    $ 48,023     $ 47,240     $ 130,560     $ 60,657     $ 61,109     $ 57,571  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(h)

      10     17     15     25     20     20
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b) 

The amounts reported for a share outstanding may not accord with the change in aggregate gains and losses in securities for the fiscal period due to the timing of capital share transactions in relation to the fluctuating market values of the Fund’s underlying securities.

(c) 

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

(d) 

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(e) 

Not annualized.

(f) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

(g) 

Annualized.

(h) 

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

F I N A N C I A L   H I G H L I G H T S

  25


Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited)

 

 

1.

ORGANIZATION

iShares Trust (the “Trust”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as an open-end management investment company. The Trust is organized as a Delaware statutory trust and is authorized to have multiple series or portfolios.

These financial statements relate only to the following funds (each, a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”):

 

   
iShares ETF  

Diversification   

Classification   

 

Currency Hedged MSCI United Kingdom

    Diversified     

MSCI United Kingdom

    Non-diversified     

MSCI United Kingdom Small-Cap

    Diversified     

Currently the iShares Currency Hedged MSCI United Kingdom ETF seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing a substantial portion of its assets in the iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF (the “underlying fund”). The financial statements, including the accounting policies, and Schedule of Investments for the underlying fund are included in this report and should be read in conjunction with the financial statements of the iShares Currency Hedged MSCI United Kingdom ETF.

 

2.

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”), which may require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities in the financial statements, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Each Fund is considered an investment company under U.S. GAAP and follows the accounting and reporting guidance applicable to investment companies. Below is a summary of significant accounting policies:

Investment Transactions and Income Recognition: For financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are recorded on the dates the transactions are executed. Realized gains and losses on investment transactions are determined using the specific identification method. Dividend income and capital gain distributions, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Non-cash dividends, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend date at fair value. Dividends from foreign securities where the ex-dividend date may have passed are subsequently recorded when the Funds are informed of the ex-dividend date. Under the applicable foreign tax laws, a withholding tax at various rates may be imposed on capital gains, dividends and interest. Upon notification from issuers or as estimated by management, a portion of the dividend income received from a real estate investment trust may be redesignated as a reduction of cost of the related investment and/or realized gain.

Foreign Currency Translation: Each Fund’s books and records are maintained in U.S. dollars. Securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars using prevailing market rates as quoted by one or more data service providers. Purchases and sales of investments are recorded at the rates of exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions. Generally, when the U.S. dollar rises in value against a foreign currency, the investments denominated in that currency will lose value; the opposite effect occurs if the U.S. dollar falls in relative value.

Each Fund does not isolate the effect of fluctuations in foreign exchange rates from the effect of fluctuations in the market prices of investments for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, the effects of changes in exchange rates on investments are not segregated in the Statements of Operations from the effects of changes in market prices of those investments, but are included as a component of net realized and unrealized gain (loss) from investments. Each Fund reports realized currency gains (losses) on foreign currency related transactions as components of net realized gain (loss) for financial reporting purposes, whereas such components are generally treated as ordinary income for U.S. federal income tax purposes. However, the currency hedged fund has elected to treat realized gains (losses) from certain foreign currency contracts as capital gain (loss) for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Foreign Taxes: The Funds may be subject to foreign taxes (a portion of which may be reclaimable) on income, stock dividends, capital gains on investments, or certain foreign currency transactions. All foreign taxes are recorded in accordance with the applicable foreign tax regulations and rates that exist in the foreign jurisdictions in which each Fund invests. These foreign taxes, if any, are paid by each Fund and are reflected in its Statements of Operations as follows: foreign taxes withheld at source are presented as a reduction of income, foreign taxes on securities lending income are presented as a reduction of securities lending income, foreign taxes on stock dividends are presented as “Other foreign taxes”, and foreign taxes on capital gains from sales of investments and foreign taxes on foreign currency transactions are included in their respective net realized gain (loss) categories. Foreign taxes payable or deferred as of February 28, 2023, if any, are disclosed in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

The Funds file withholding tax reclaims in certain jurisdictions to recover a portion of amounts previously withheld. The Funds may record a reclaim receivable based on collectability, which includes factors such as the jurisdiction’s applicable laws, payment history and market convention. The Statements of Operations includes tax reclaims recorded as well as professional and other fees, if any, associated with recovery of foreign withholding taxes.

Collateralization: If required by an exchange or counterparty agreement, the Funds may be required to deliver/deposit cash and/or securities to/with an exchange, or broker-dealer or custodian as collateral for certain investments.

In-kind Redemptions: For financial reporting purposes, in-kind redemptions are treated as sales of securities resulting in realized capital gains or losses to the Funds. Because such gains or losses are not taxable to the Funds and are not distributed to existing Fund shareholders, the gains or losses are reclassified from accumulated net realized gain (loss) to paid-in capital at the end of the Funds’ tax year. These reclassifications have no effect on net assets or net asset value (“NAV”) per share.

 

 

26  

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Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

Distributions: Dividends and distributions paid by each Fund are recorded on the ex-dividend dates. Distributions are determined on a tax basis and may differ from net investment income and net realized capital gains for financial reporting purposes. Dividends and distributions are paid in U.S. dollars and cannot be automatically reinvested in additional shares of the Funds.

The character and timing of distributions are determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP.

Indemnifications: In the normal course of business, each Fund enters into contracts that contain a variety of representations that provide general indemnification. The Funds’ maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown because it involves future potential claims against the Funds, which cannot be predicted with any certainty.

 

3.

INVESTMENT VALUATION AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Investment Valuation Policies: Each Fund’s investments are valued at fair value (also referred to as “market value” within the financial statements) each day that the Fund’s listing exchange is open and, for financial reporting purposes, as of the report date. U.S. GAAP defines fair value as the price a fund would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”) of each Fund has approved the designation of BlackRock Fund Advisors (“BFA”), the Funds’ investment adviser, as the valuation designee for each Fund. Each Fund determines the fair values of its financial instruments using various independent dealers or pricing services under BFA’s policies. If a security’s market price is not readily available or does not otherwise accurately represent the fair value of the security, the security will be valued in accordance with BFA’s policies and procedures as reflecting fair value. BFA has formed a committee (the “Valuation Committee”) to develop pricing policies and procedures and to oversee the pricing function for all financial instruments, with assistance from other BlackRock pricing committees.

Fair Value Inputs and Methodologies: The following methods and inputs are used to establish the fair value of each Fund’s assets and liabilities:

 

   

Equity investments traded on a recognized securities exchange are valued at that day’s official closing price, as applicable, on the exchange where the stock is primarily traded. Equity investments traded on a recognized exchange for which there were no sales on that day are valued at the last traded price.

 

   

Exchange-traded funds and closed-end funds traded on a recognized securities exchange are valued at that day’s official closing price, as applicable, on the exchange where the fund is primarily traded. Funds traded on a recognized exchange for which there were no sales on that day may be valued at the last traded price.

 

   

Investments in open-end U.S. mutual funds (including money market funds) are valued at that day’s published NAV.

 

   

Futures contracts are valued based on that day’s last reported settlement or trade price on the exchange where the contract is traded.

 

   

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts are valued at the mean between the bid and ask prices and are determined as of the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) based on that day’s prevailing forward exchange rate for the underlying currencies.

Generally, trading in foreign instruments is substantially completed each day at various times prior to the close of trading on the NYSE. Each business day, the Funds use current market factors supplied by independent pricing services to value certain foreign instruments (“Systematic Fair Value Price”). The Systematic Fair Value Price is designed to value such foreign securities at fair value as of the close of trading on the NYSE, which follows the close of the local markets.

If events (e.g., market volatility, company announcement or a natural disaster) occur that are expected to materially affect the value of such investment, or in the event that application of these methods of valuation results in a price for an investment that is deemed not to be representative of the market value of such investment, or if a price is not available, the investment will be valued by the Valuation Committee, in accordance with BFA’s policies and procedures as reflecting fair value (“Fair Valued Investments”). The fair valuation approaches that may be used by the Valuation Committee include market approach, income approach and cost approach. Valuation techniques such as discounted cash flow, use of market comparables and matrix pricing are types of valuation approaches and are typically used in determining fair value. When determining the price for Fair Valued Investments, the Valuation Committee seeks to determine the price that each Fund might reasonably expect to receive or pay from the current sale or purchase of that asset or liability in an arm’s-length transaction. Fair value determinations shall be based upon all available factors that the Valuation Committee deems relevant and consistent with the principles of fair value measurement.

Fair value pricing could result in a difference between the prices used to calculate a fund’s NAV and the prices used by the fund’s underlying index, which in turn could result in a difference between the fund’s performance and the performance of the fund’s underlying index.

Fair Value Hierarchy: Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments. These inputs to valuation techniques are categorized into a fair value hierarchy consisting of three broad levels for financial reporting purposes as follows:

 

   

Level 1 – Unadjusted price quotations in active markets/exchanges for identical assets or liabilities that each Fund has the ability to access;

 

   

Level 2 – Other observable inputs (including, but not limited to, quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in markets that are active, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the assets or liabilities (such as interest rates, yield curves, volatilities, prepayment speeds, loss severities, credit risks and default rates) or other market-corroborated inputs); and

 

   

Level 3 – Unobservable inputs based on the best information available in the circumstances, to the extent observable inputs are not available, (including the Valuation Committee’s assumptions used in determining the fair value of financial instruments).

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized in Level 3. The inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, for disclosure purposes, the fair value hierarchy classification is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. Investments classified within Level 3 have significant unobservable inputs used by the Valuation Committee in determining the price for Fair Valued Investments. Level 3 investments include equity or debt issued by privately held companies or funds that may not have a secondary market and/or may have a limited number of investors. The categorization of a value determined for financial instruments is based on the pricing transparency of the financial instruments and is not necessarily an indication of the risks associated with investing in those securities.

 

4.

SECURITIES AND OTHER INVESTMENTS

Securities Lending: Each Fund may lend its securities to approved borrowers, such as brokers, dealers and other financial institutions. The borrower pledges and maintains with the Fund collateral consisting of cash, an irrevocable letter of credit issued by an approved bank, or securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government. The initial collateral received by each Fund is required to have a value of at least 102% of the current market value of the loaned securities for securities traded on U.S. exchanges and a value of at least 105% for all other securities. The collateral is maintained thereafter at a value equal to at least 100% of the current value of the securities on loan. The market value of the loaned securities is determined at the close of each business day of the Fund and any additional required collateral is delivered to the Fund or excess collateral is returned by the Fund, on the next business day. During the term of the loan, each Fund is entitled to all distributions made on or in respect of the loaned securities but does not receive interest income on securities received as collateral. Loans of securities are terminable at any time and the borrower, after notice, is required to return borrowed securities within the standard time period for settlement of securities transactions.

As of period end, any securities on loan were collateralized by cash and/or U.S. Government obligations. Cash collateral invested in money market funds managed by BFA, or its affiliates is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments. Any non-cash collateral received cannot be sold, re-invested or pledged by the Fund, except in the event of borrower default. The securities on loan, if any, are also disclosed in each Fund’s Schedule of Investments. The market value of any securities on loan and the value of any related cash collateral are disclosed in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

Securities lending transactions are entered into by the Funds under Master Securities Lending Agreements (each, an “MSLA”) which provide the right, in the event of default (including bankruptcy or insolvency) for the non-defaulting party to liquidate the collateral and calculate a net exposure to the defaulting party or request additional collateral. In the event that a borrower defaults, the Funds, as lender, would offset the market value of the collateral received against the market value of the securities loaned. When the value of the collateral is greater than that of the market value of the securities loaned, the lender is left with a net amount payable to the defaulting party. However, bankruptcy or insolvency laws of a particular jurisdiction may impose restrictions on or prohibitions against such a right of offset in the event of an MSLA counterparty’s bankruptcy or insolvency. Under the MSLA, absent an event of default, the borrower can resell or re-pledge the loaned securities, and the Funds can reinvest cash collateral received in connection with loaned securities. Upon an event of default, the parties’ obligations to return the securities or collateral to the other party are extinguished, and the parties can resell or re-pledge the loaned securities or the collateral received in connection with the loaned securities in order to satisfy the defaulting party’s net payment obligation for all transactions under the MSLA. The defaulting party remains liable for any deficiency.

As of period end, the following table is a summary of the securities on loan by counterparty which are subject to offset under an MSLA:

 

 

 

iShares ETF and Counterparty

   

Securities Loaned

at Value

 

 

    

Cash Collateral

Received

 

(a)  

   

Non-Cash Collateral

Received, at Fair Value

 

(a) 

    Net Amount  

 

 

Currency Hedged MSCI United Kingdom

        

Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC

  $ 15,107      $  (15,107   $  —     $  —  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

MSCI United Kingdom Small-Cap

        

Barclays Capital, Inc.

  $ 156,430      $  (156,430   $     $  

BofA Securities, Inc.

    46,578        (46,578            

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

    244,414        (244,414            

Jefferies LLC

    60,485        (60,485            

Morgan Stanley

    266,317        (266,317            

UBS AG

    3,585        (3,585            
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  $  777,809      $  (777,809   $     $  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Collateral received, if any, in excess of the market value of securities on loan is not presented in this table. The total cash collateral received by each Fund is disclosed in the Fund’s Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

 

The risks of securities lending include the risk that the borrower may not provide additional collateral when required or may not return the securities when due. To mitigate these risks, each Fund benefits from a borrower default indemnity provided by BlackRock, Inc. (“BlackRock”). BlackRock’s indemnity allows for full replacement of the securities loaned to the extent the collateral received does not cover the value of the securities loaned in the event of borrower default. Each Fund could incur a loss if the value of an investment purchased with cash collateral falls below the market value of the loaned securities or if the value of an investment purchased with cash collateral falls below the value of the original cash collateral received. Such losses are borne entirely by each Fund.

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

5.

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Futures Contracts: Futures contracts are purchased or sold to gain exposure to, or manage exposure to, changes in interest rates (interest rate risk) and changes in the value of equity securities (equity risk) or foreign currencies (foreign currency exchange rate risk).

Futures contracts are exchange-traded agreements between the Funds and a counterparty to buy or sell a specific quantity of an underlying instrument at a specified price and on a specified date. Depending on the terms of a contract, it is settled either through physical delivery of the underlying instrument on the settlement date or by payment of a cash amount on the settlement date. Upon entering into a futures contract, the Funds are required to deposit initial margin with the broker in the form of cash or securities in an amount that varies depending on a contract’s size and risk profile. The initial margin deposit must then be maintained at an established level over the life of the contract. Amounts pledged, which are considered restricted, are included in cash pledged for futures contracts in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

Securities deposited as initial margin are designated in the Schedule of Investments and cash deposited, if any, are shown as cash pledged for futures contracts in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. Pursuant to the contract, the Funds agree to receive from or pay to the broker an amount of cash equal to the daily fluctuation in market value of the contract (“variation margin”). Variation margin is recorded as unrealized appreciation (depreciation) and, if any, shown as variation margin receivable (or payable) on futures contracts in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. When the contract is closed, a realized gain or loss is recorded in the Statements of Operations equal to the difference between the notional amount of the contract at the time it was opened and the notional amount at the time it was closed. The use of futures contracts involves the risk of an imperfect correlation in the movements in the price of futures contracts and interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates or underlying assets.

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts: Forward foreign currency exchange contracts are entered into to gain or reduce exposure to foreign currencies (foreign currency exchange rate risk).

A forward foreign currency exchange contract is an agreement between two parties to buy and sell a currency at a set exchange rate on a specified date. These contracts help to manage the overall exposure to the currencies in which some of the investments held by the Funds are denominated and in some cases, may be used to obtain exposure to a particular market. The contracts are traded over-the-counter (“OTC”) and not on an organized exchange.

The contract is marked-to-market daily and the change in market value is recorded as unrealized appreciation or depreciation in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. When the contract is closed, a realized gain or loss is recorded in the Statements of Operations equal to the difference between the value at the time it was opened and the value at the time it was closed. Non-deliverable forward foreign currency exchange contracts are settled with the counterparty in cash without the delivery of foreign currency. The use of forward foreign currency exchange contracts involves the risk that the value of a contract changes unfavorably due to movements in the value of the referenced foreign currencies, and such value may exceed the amount(s) reflected in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. Cash amounts pledged for forward foreign currency exchange contracts are considered restricted and are included in cash pledged as collateral for OTC derivatives in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. A fund’s risk of loss from counterparty credit risk on OTC derivatives is generally limited to the aggregate unrealized gain netted against any collateral held by the Fund.

Master Netting Arrangements: In order to define its contractual rights and to secure rights that will help mitigate its counterparty risk, a Fund may enter into an International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. Master Agreement (“ISDA Master Agreement”) or similar agreement with its derivative contract counterparties. An ISDA Master Agreement is a bilateral agreement between a Fund and a counterparty that governs certain OTC derivatives and typically contains, among other things, collateral posting terms and netting provisions in the event of a default and/or termination event. Under an ISDA Master Agreement, a Fund may, under certain circumstances, offset with the counterparty certain derivative financial instruments’ payables and/or receivables with collateral held and/or posted and create one single net payment. The provisions of the ISDA Master Agreement typically permit a single net payment in the event of default including the bankruptcy or insolvency of the counterparty. However, bankruptcy or insolvency laws of a particular jurisdiction may impose restrictions on or prohibitions against the right of offset in bankruptcy, insolvency, or other events.

For derivatives traded under an ISDA Master Agreement, the collateral requirements are typically calculated by netting the mark-to-market amount for each transaction under such agreement, and comparing that amount to the value of any collateral currently pledged by a fund and the counterparty.

Cash collateral that has been pledged to cover obligations of the Funds and cash collateral received from the counterparty, if any, is reported separately in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities as cash pledged as collateral and cash received as collateral, respectively. Non-cash collateral pledged by the Funds, if any, is noted in the Schedules of Investments. Generally, the amount of collateral due from or to a counterparty is subject to a certain minimum transfer amount threshold before a transfer is required, which is determined at the close of business of the Funds. Any additional required collateral is delivered to/pledged by the Funds on the next business day. Typically, the counterparty is not permitted to sell, re-pledge or use cash and non-cash collateral it receives. A fund generally agrees not to use non-cash collateral that it receives but may, absent default or certain other circumstances defined in the underlying ISDA Master Agreement, be permitted to use cash collateral received. In such cases, interest may be paid pursuant to the collateral arrangement with the counterparty. To the extent amounts due to the Funds from the counterparty are not fully collateralized, each Fund bears the risk of loss from counterparty non-performance. Likewise, to the extent the Funds have delivered collateral to a counterparty and stand ready to perform under the terms of their agreement with such counterparty, each Fund bears the risk of loss from a counterparty in the amount of the value of the collateral in the event the counterparty fails to return such collateral. Based on the terms of agreements, collateral may not be required for all derivative contracts.

For financial reporting purposes, each Fund does not offset derivative assets and derivative liabilities that are subject to netting arrangements, if any, in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

6.

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

Investment Advisory Fees: Pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement with the Trust, BFA manages the investment of each Fund’s assets. BFA is a California corporation indirectly owned by BlackRock. Under the Investment Advisory Agreement, BFA is responsible for substantially all expenses of the Funds, except (i) interest and taxes; (ii) brokerage commissions and other expenses connected with the execution of portfolio transactions; (iii) distribution fees; (iv) the advisory fee payable to BFA; and (v) litigation expenses and any extraordinary expenses (in each case as determined by a majority of the independent trustees).

For its investment advisory services to each of the following Funds, BFAis entitled to an annual investment advisory fee, accrued daily and paid monthly by the Funds, based on the average daily net assets of each Fund as follows:

 

 

 
iShares ETF   Investment Advisory Fees      

 

 

Currency Hedged MSCI United Kingdom

    0.62%   

MSCI United Kingdom Small-Cap

    0.59      

 

 

For its investment advisory services to the iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF, BFA is entitled to an annual investment advisory fee, accrued daily and paid monthly by the Fund, based on the Fund’s allocable portion of the aggregate of the average daily net assets of the Fund and certain other iShares funds, as follows:

 

 

 
Aggregate Average Daily Net Assets   Investment Advisory Fees      

 

 

First $7 billion

    0.59%   

Over $7 billion, up to and including $11 billion

    0.54      

Over $11 billion, up to and including $24 billion

    0.49      

Over $24 billion, up to and including $48 billion

    0.44      

Over $48 billion, up to and including $72 billion

    0.40      

Over $72 billion, up to and including $96 billion

    0.36      

Over $96 billion

    0.32      

 

 

Expense Waivers: A fund may incur its pro rata share of fees and expenses attributable to its investments in other investment companies (“acquired fund fees and expenses”). The total of the investment advisory fee and acquired fund fees and expenses, if any, is a fund’s total annual operating expenses. Total expenses as shown in the Statements of Operations does not include acquired fund fees and expenses.

For the iShares Currency Hedged MSCI United Kingdom ETF, BFA has contractually agreed to waive a portion of its investment advisory fee for the Fund through December 31, 2025 so that the Fund’s total annual operating expenses after fee waiver is equal to the acquired fund fees and expenses attributable to the Fund’s investment in the iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF (“EWU”), after taking into account any fee waivers by EWU, plus 0.03%. BFA has also contractually agreed to an additional reduction in its investment advisory fee of 0.03% through December 31, 2025.

This amount is included in investment advisory fees waived in the Statements of Operations. For the six months ended February 28, 2023, the amounts waived in investment advisory fees pursuant to this arrangement were as follows:

 

   
iShares ETF   Amounts Waived    

Currency Hedged MSCI United Kingdom

  $  41,017    

Distributor: BlackRock Investments, LLC, an affiliate of BFA, is the distributor for each Fund. Pursuant to the distribution agreement, BFA is responsible for any fees or expenses for distribution services provided to the Funds.

Securities Lending: The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) has issued an exemptive order which permits BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A. (“BTC”), an affiliate of BFA, to serve as securities lending agent for the Funds, subject to applicable conditions. As securities lending agent, BTC bears all operational costs directly related to securities lending, including any custodial costs. Each Fund is responsible for fees in connection with the investment of cash collateral received for securities on loan (the “collateral investment fees”). The cash collateral is invested in a money market fund, BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional or BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, managed by BFA, or its affiliates. However, BTC has agreed to reduce the amount of securities lending income it receives in order to effectively limit the collateral investment fees each Fund bears to an annual rate of 0.04%. The SL Agency Shares of such money market fund will not be subject to a sales load, distribution fee or service fee. The money market fund in which the cash collateral has been invested may, under certain circumstances, impose a liquidity fee of up to 2% of the value redeemed or temporarily restrict redemptions for up to 10 business days during a 90 day period, in the event that the money market fund’s weekly liquid assets fall below certain thresholds.

Securities lending income is equal to the total of income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral, net of fees and other payments to and from borrowers of securities, and less the collateral investment fees. Each Fund retains a portion of securities lending income and remits the remaining portion to BTC as compensation for its services as securities lending agent.

Pursuant to the current securities lending agreement, each Fund retains 82% of securities lending income (which excludes collateral investment fees), and the amount retained can never be less than 70% of the total of securities lending income plus the collateral investment fees.

In addition, commencing the business day following the date that the aggregate securities lending income plus the collateral investment fees generated across all 1940 Act iShares exchange-traded funds (the “iShares ETF Complex”) in that calendar year exceeds a specified threshold, each Fund, pursuant to the securities lending agreement,

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

will retain for the remainder of that calendar year 85% of securities lending income (which excludes collateral investment fees), and the amount retained can never be less than 70% of the total of securities lending income plus the collateral investment fees.

The share of securities lending income earned by each Fund is shown as securities lending income – affiliated – net in its Statements of Operations. For the six months ended February 28, 2023, the Funds paid BTC the following amounts for securities lending agent services:

 

   
iShares ETF   Amounts    

Currency Hedged MSCI United Kingdom

  $  4,146    

MSCI United Kingdom Small-Cap

    6,164    

 

 

Officers and Trustees: Certain officers and/or trustees of the Trust are officers and/or trustees of BlackRock or its affiliates.

Other Transactions: Cross trading is the buying or selling of portfolio securities between funds to which BFA (or an affiliate) serves as investment adviser. At its regularly scheduled quarterly meetings, the Board reviews such transactions as of the most recent calendar quarter for compliance with the requirements and restrictions set forth by Rule 17a-7.

For the six months ended February 28, 2023, transactions executed by the Funds pursuant to Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act were as follows:

 

       
iShares ETF   Purchases        Sales       

Net Realized  

Gain (Loss)   

 

MSCI United Kingdom

    $42,930,061          $2,007,026          $(1,087,956)    

Each Fund may invest its positive cash balances in certain money market funds managed by BFA or an affiliate. The income earned on these temporary cash investments is shown as dividends – affiliated in the Statements of Operations.

A fund, in order to improve its portfolio liquidity and its ability to track its underlying index, may invest in shares of other iShares funds that invest in securities in the fund’s underlying index.

 

7.

PURCHASES AND SALES

For the six months ended February 28, 2023, purchases and sales of investments, excluding short-term securities and in-kind transactions, were as follows:

 

     
iShares ETF   Purchases      Sales    

Currency Hedged MSCI United Kingdom

  $ 1,155,186      $ 1,466,972    

MSCI United Kingdom

    113,118,531           70,821,976    

MSCI United Kingdom Small-Cap

    5,265,262        4,717,163    

For the six months ended February 28, 2023, in-kind transactions were as follows:

 

     
iShares ETF  

In-kind

Purchases

    

In-kind   

Sales   

 

Currency Hedged MSCI United Kingdom

  $  1,728,425      $ 9,836,702    

MSCI United Kingdom

            364,287,728    

MSCI United Kingdom Small-Cap

           3,271,436    

 

8.

INCOME TAX INFORMATION

Each Fund is treated as an entity separate from the Trust’s other funds for federal income tax purposes. It is each Fund’s policy to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, applicable to regulated investment companies, and to distribute substantially all of its taxable income to its shareholders. Therefore, no U.S. federal income tax provision is required.

Management has analyzed tax laws and regulations and their application to the Funds as of February 28, 2023, inclusive of the open tax return years, and does not believe that there are any uncertain tax positions that require recognition of a tax liability in the Funds’ financial statements.

As of August 31, 2022, the Funds had non-expiring capital loss carryforwards available to offset future realized capital gains as follows:

 

   
iShares ETF   Amounts    

Currency Hedged MSCI United Kingdom

  $ 4,113,809    

MSCI United Kingdom

     533,266,947    

MSCI United Kingdom Small-Cap

    12,550,279    

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

A fund may own shares in certain foreign investment entities, referred to, under U.S. tax law, as “passive foreign investment companies.” Such fund may elect to mark-to-market annually the shares of each passive foreign investment company and would be required to distribute to shareholders any such marked-to-market gains.

As of February 28, 2023, gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation based on cost of investments (including short positions and derivatives, if any) for U.S. federal income tax purposes were as follows:

 

         
iShares ETF   Tax Cost     

 Gross Unrealized

Appreciation

    

 Gross Unrealized

Depreciation

   

Net Unrealized

Appreciation

(Depreciation)

 

Currency Hedged MSCI United Kingdom

  $ 9,365,674      $ 312,191      $ (605,195   $ (293,004

MSCI United Kingdom

     3,812,393,929        82,585,113        (612,773,946     (530,188,833

MSCI United Kingdom Small-Cap

    68,773,269        1,735,895        (21,687,854     (19,951,959

 

9.

PRINCIPAL RISKS

In the normal course of business, each Fund invests in securities or other instruments and may enter into certain transactions, and such activities subject the Fund to various risks, including, among others, fluctuations in the market (market risk) or failure of an issuer to meet all of its obligations. The value of securities or other instruments may also be affected by various factors, including, without limitation: (i) the general economy; (ii) the overall market as well as local, regional or global political and/or social instability; (iii) regulation, taxation or international tax treaties between various countries; or (iv) currency, interest rate or price fluctuations. Local, regional or global events such as war, acts of terrorism, the spread of infectious illness or other public health issues, recessions, or other events could have a significant impact on the Funds and their investments. Each Fund’s prospectus provides details of the risks to which the Fund is subject.

BFA uses a “passive” or index approach to try to achieve each Fund’s investment objective following the securities included in its underlying index during upturns as well as downturns. BFA does not take steps to reduce market exposure or to lessen the effects of a declining market. Divergence from the underlying index and the composition of the portfolio is monitored by BFA.

The Funds may be exposed to additional risks when reinvesting cash collateral in money market funds that do not seek to maintain a stable NAV per share of $1.00, which may be subject to redemption gates or liquidity fees under certain circumstances.

Infectious Illness Risk: An outbreak of an infectious illness, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, may adversely impact the economies of many nations and the global economy, and may impact individual issuers and capital markets in ways that cannot be foreseen. An infectious illness outbreak may result in, among other things, closed international borders, prolonged quarantines, supply chain disruptions, market volatility or disruptions and other significant economic, social and political impacts.

Valuation Risk: The market values of equities, such as common stocks and preferred securities or equity related investments, such as futures and options, may decline due to general market conditions which are not specifically related to a particular company. They may also decline due to factors which affect a particular industry or industries. A fund may invest in illiquid investments. An illiquid investment is any investment that a fund reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment. A fund may experience difficulty in selling illiquid investments in a timely manner at the price that it believes the investments are worth. Prices may fluctuate widely over short or extended periods in response to company, market or economic news. Markets also tend to move in cycles, with periods of rising and falling prices. This volatility may cause a fund’s NAV to experience significant increases or decreases over short periods of time. If there is a general decline in the securities and other markets, the NAV of a fund may lose value, regardless of the individual results of the securities and other instruments in which a fund invests.

The price each Fund could receive upon the sale of any particular portfolio investment may differ from each Fund’s valuation of the investment, particularly for securities that trade in thin or volatile markets or that are valued using a fair valuation technique or a price provided by an independent pricing service. Changes to significant unobservable inputs and assumptions (i.e., publicly traded company multiples, growth rate, time to exit) due to the lack of observable inputs.

Counterparty Credit Risk: The Funds may be exposed to counterparty credit risk, or the risk that an entity may fail to or be unable to perform on its commitments related to unsettled or open transactions, including making timely interest and/or principal payments or otherwise honoring its obligations. The Funds manage counterparty credit risk by entering into transactions only with counterparties that BFA believes have the financial resources to honor their obligations and by monitoring the financial stability of those counterparties. Financial assets, which potentially expose the Funds to market, issuer and counterparty credit risks, consist principally of financial instruments and receivables due from counterparties. The extent of the Funds’ exposure to market, issuer and counterparty credit risks with respect to these financial assets is approximately their value recorded in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities, less any collateral held by the Funds.

A derivative contract may suffer a mark-to-market loss if the value of the contract decreases due to an unfavorable change in the market rates or values of the underlying instrument. Losses can also occur if the counterparty does not perform under the contract.

With exchange-traded futures, there is less counterparty credit risk to the Funds since the exchange or clearinghouse, as counterparty to such instruments, guarantees against a possible default. The clearinghouse stands between the buyer and the seller of the contract; therefore, credit risk is limited to failure of the clearinghouse. While offset rights may exist under applicable law, a fund does not have a contractual right of offset against a clearing broker or clearinghouse in the event of a default (including the bankruptcy or insolvency). Additionally, credit risk exists in exchange-traded futures with respect to initial and variation margin that is held in a clearing broker’s customer accounts. While clearing brokers are required to segregate customer margin from their own assets, in the event that a clearing broker becomes insolvent or goes into

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

bankruptcy and at that time there is a shortfall in the aggregate amount of margin held by the clearing broker for all its clients, typically the shortfall would be allocated on a pro rata basis across all the clearing broker’s customers, potentially resulting in losses to the Funds.

Concentration Risk: A diversified portfolio, where this is appropriate and consistent with a fund’s objectives, minimizes the risk that a price change of a particular investment will have a material impact on the NAV of a fund. The investment concentrations within each Fund’s portfolio are disclosed in its Schedule of Investments.

Certain Funds invest a significant portion of their assets in issuers located in a single country or a limited number of countries. When a fund concentrates its investments in this manner, it assumes the risk that economic, regulatory, political and social conditions in that country or those countries may have a significant impact on the fund and could affect the income from, or the value or liquidity of, the Fund’s portfolio. Unanticipated or sudden political or social developments may cause uncertainty in the markets and as a result adversely affect the Fund’s investments. Foreign issuers may not be subject to the same uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and practices as used in the United States. Foreign securities markets may also be more volatile and less liquid than U.S. securities and may be less subject to governmental supervision not typically associated with investing in U.S. securities.

Certain Funds invest a significant portion of their assets in securities of issuers located in Europe or with significant exposure to European issuers or countries. The European financial markets have recently experienced volatility and adverse trends due to concerns about economic downturns in, or rising government debt levels of, several European countries as well as acts of war in the region. These events may spread to other countries in Europe and may affect the value and liquidity of certain of the Funds’ investments.

Responses to the financial problems by European governments, central banks and others, including austerity measures and reforms, may not work, may result in social unrest and may limit future growth and economic recovery or have other unintended consequences. Further defaults or restructurings by governments and others of their debt could have additional adverse effects on economies, financial markets and asset valuations around the world. The United Kingdom has withdrawn from the European Union, and one or more other countries may withdraw from the European Union and/or abandon the Euro, the common currency of the European Union. These events and actions have adversely affected, and may in the future adversely affect, the value and exchange rate of the Euro and may continue to significantly affect the economies of every country in Europe, including countries that do not use the Euro and non-European Union member states. The impact of these actions, especially if they occur in a disorderly fashion, is not clear but could be significant and far reaching. In addition, Russia launched a large-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. The extent and duration of the military action, resulting sanctions and resulting future market disruptions in the region are impossible to predict, but have been, and may continue to be significant and have a severe adverse effect on the region, including significant negative impacts on the economy and the markets for certain securities and commodities, such as oil and natural gas, as well as other sectors.

Significant Shareholder Redemption Risk: Certain shareholders may own or manage a substantial amount of fund shares and/or hold their fund investments for a limited period of time. Large redemptions of fund shares by these shareholders may force a fund to sell portfolio securities, which may negatively impact the fund’s NAV, increase the fund’s brokerage costs, and/or accelerate the realization of taxable income/gains and cause the fund to make additional taxable distributions to shareholders.

LIBOR Transition Risk: The Funds may be exposed to financial instruments that are tied to the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) to determine payment obligations, financing terms, hedging strategies or investment value. The United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority, which regulates LIBOR, announced that a majority of USD LIBOR settings will no longer be published after June 30, 2023. All other LIBOR settings and certain other interbank offered rates ceased to be published after December 31, 2021. The Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) has been used increasingly on a voluntary basis in new instruments and transactions. The Federal Reserve Board adopted regulations that provide a fallback mechanism by identifying benchmark rates based on SOFR that will replace LIBOR in certain financial contracts after June 30, 2023. The ultimate effect of the LIBOR transition process on the Funds is uncertain.

 

10.

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

Capital shares are issued and redeemed by each Fund only in aggregations of a specified number of shares or multiples thereof (“Creation Units”) at NAV. Except when aggregated in Creation Units, shares of each Fund are not redeemable.

Transactions in capital shares were as follows:

 

 

 
   

Six Months Ended

02/28/23

      

Year Ended

08/31/22

 
 

 

 

      

 

 

 
iShares ETF   Shares      Amount        Shares      Amount  

 

 

Currency Hedged MSCI United Kingdom

            

Shares sold

    70,000      $ 1,727,890          760,000      $ 17,906,170  

Shares redeemed

    (390,000      (9,683,399        (460,000      (11,095,491
 

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

 
    (320,000    $ (7,955,509        300,000      $ 6,810,679  
 

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

 

MSCI United Kingdom

            

Shares sold

    1,300,000      $ 40,850,646          43,500,000      $ 1,432,434,045  

Shares redeemed

    (12,900,000      (370,293,141        (37,600,000      (1,221,857,102
 

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

 
    (11,600,000    $  (329,442,495        5,900,000      $ 210,576,943  
 

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

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

  33


Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

 

 
   

Six Months Ended

02/28/23

      

Year Ended

08/31/22

 
 

 

 

      

 

 

 
iShares ETF   Shares      Amount        Shares      Amount  

 

 

MSCI United Kingdom Small-Cap

            

Shares sold

         $ 16          50,000      $ 1,854,361  

Shares redeemed

    (100,000      (3,304,488        (1,100,000      (43,279,336
 

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

 
    (100,000    $     (3,304,472        (1,050,000    $     (41,424,975
 

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

 

The consideration for the purchase of Creation Units of a fund in the Trust generally consists of the in-kind deposit of a designated portfolio of securities and a specified amount of cash. Certain funds in the Trust may be offered in Creation Units solely or partially for cash in U.S. dollars. Investors purchasing and redeeming Creation Units may pay a purchase transaction fee and a redemption transaction fee directly to State Street Bank and Trust Company, the Trust’s administrator, to offset transfer and other transaction costs associated with the issuance and redemption of Creation Units, including Creation Units for cash. Investors transacting in Creation Units for cash may also pay an additional variable charge to compensate the relevant fund for certain transaction costs (i.e., stamp taxes, taxes on currency or other financial transactions, and brokerage costs) and market impact expenses relating to investing in portfolio securities. Such variable charges, if any, are included in shares sold in the table above.

From time to time, settlement of securities related to in-kind contributions or in-kind redemptions may be delayed. In such cases, securities related to in-kind transactions are reflected as a receivable or a payable in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

 

11.

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Management has evaluated the impact of all subsequent events on the Funds through the date the financial statements were available to be issued and has determined that there were no subsequent events requiring adjustment or additional disclosure in the financial statements.

 

 

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Statement Regarding Liquidity Risk Management Program (unaudited)

 

In compliance with Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Liquidity Rule”), iShares Trust (the “Trust”) has adopted and implemented a liquidity risk management program (the “Program”) for iShares Currency Hedged MSCI United Kingdom ETF, iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF and iShares MSCI United Kingdom Small-Cap ETF (the “Funds” or “ETFs”), each a series of the Trust, which is reasonably designed to assess and manage each Fund’s liquidity risk.

The Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of the Trust, on behalf of the Funds, met on December 9, 2022 (the “Meeting”) to review the Program. The Board previously appointed BlackRock Fund Advisors (“BlackRock”), the investment adviser to the Funds, as the program administrator for each Fund’s Program. BlackRock also previously delegated oversight of the Program to the 40 Act Liquidity Risk Management Committee (the “Committee”). At the Meeting, the Committee, on behalf of BlackRock, provided the Board with a report that addressed the operation of the Program and assessed its adequacy and effectiveness of implementation, including the management of each Fund’s Highly Liquid Investment Minimum (“HLIM”) where applicable, and any material changes to the Program (the “Report”). The Report covered the period from October 1, 2021 through September 30, 2022 (the “Program Reporting Period”).

The Report described the Program’s liquidity classification methodology for categorizing each Fund’s investments (including derivative transactions) into one of four liquidity buckets. It also referenced the methodology used by BlackRock to establish each Fund’s HLIM and noted that the Committee reviews and ratifies the HLIM assigned to each Fund no less frequently than annually. The Report also discussed notable events affecting liquidity over the Program Reporting Period, including extended market holidays, the imposition of capital controls in certain non-U.S. countries, Russian sanctions and the closure of the Russian securities market.

The Report noted that the Program complied with the key factors for consideration under the Liquidity Rule for assessing, managing and periodically reviewing each Fund’s liquidity risk, as follows:

 

  a)

The Fund’s investment strategy and liquidity of portfolio investments during both normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions. During the Program Reporting Period, the Committee reviewed whether each Fund’s strategy is appropriate for an open-end fund structure, with a focus on funds with more significant and consistent holdings of less liquid and illiquid assets. The Committee also factored a fund’s concentration in an issuer into the liquidity classification methodology by taking issuer position sizes into account. Derivative exposure was also considered in the calculation of a fund’s liquidity bucketing. Finally, a factor for consideration under the Liquidity Rule is a Fund’s use of borrowings for investment purposes. However, the Funds do not borrow for investment purposes.

 

  b)

Short-term and long-term cash flow projections during both normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions. During the Program Reporting Period, the Committee reviewed historical redemption activity and used this information as a component to establish each ETF’s reasonably anticipated trading size (“RATS”). The Committee may also take into consideration a fund’s shareholder ownership concentration (which, depending on product type and distribution channel, may or may not be available), a fund’s distribution channels, and the degree of certainty associated with a fund’s short-term and long-term cash flow projections.

 

  c)

Holdings of cash and cash equivalents, as well as borrowing arrangements. The Committee considered that ETFs generally do not hold more than de minimis amounts of cash. The Committee also considered that ETFs generally do not engage in borrowing.

 

  d)

The relationship between an ETF’s portfolio liquidity and the way in which, and the prices and spreads at which, ETF shares trade, including the efficiency of the arbitrage function and the level of active participation by market participants, including authorized participants. The Committee monitored the prevailing bid/ask spread and the ETF price premium (or discount) to NAV for all ETFs. However, there were no ETFs with persistent deviations of fund premium/discount or bid/ask spreads from long-term averages over the Program Reporting Period.

 

  e)

The effect of the composition of baskets on the overall liquidity of an ETF’s portfolio. In reviewing the linkage between the composition of custom baskets accepted by an ETF and any significant change in the liquidity profile of such ETF, the Committee reviewed changes in the proportion of each ETF’s portfolio comprised of less liquid and illiquid holdings to determine if applicable thresholds were met requiring enhanced review.

There were no material changes to the Program during the Program Reporting Period other than the enhancement of certain model components in the Program’s classification methodology. The Report provided to the Board stated that the Committee concluded that based on the operation of the functions, as described in the Report, the Program is operating as intended and is effective in implementing the requirements of the Liquidity Rule.

 

 

S T A T E M E N T   R E G A R D I N G   L I Q U I D I T Y   R I S K   M A N A G E M E N T   P R O G R A M

  35


General Information

 

Electronic Delivery

Shareholders can sign up for e-mail notifications announcing that the shareholder report or prospectus has been posted on the iShares website at iShares.com. Once you have enrolled, you will no longer receive prospectuses and shareholder reports in the mail.

To enroll in electronic delivery:

 

   

Go to icsdelivery.com.

   

If your brokerage firm is not listed, electronic delivery may not be available. Please contact your broker-dealer or financial advisor.

Householding

Householding is an option available to certain fund investors. Householding is a method of delivery, based on the preference of the individual investor, in which a single copy of certain shareholder documents and Rule 30e-3 notices can be delivered to investors who share the same address, even if their accounts are registered under different names. Please contact your broker-dealer if you are interested in enrolling in householding and receiving a single copy of prospectuses and other shareholder documents, or if you are currently enrolled in householding and wish to change your householding status.

Availability of Quarterly Schedule of Investments

The Funds file their complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to their reports on Form N-PORT. The Funds’ Forms N-PORT are available on the SEC’s website at sec.gov. Additionally, each Fund makes its portfolio holdings for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year available at iShares.com/fundreports.

Availability of Proxy Voting Policies and Proxy Voting Records

A description of the policies and procedures that the iShares Funds use to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities and information about how the iShares Funds voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve-month period ending June 30 is available without charge, upon request (1) by calling toll-free 1-800-474-2737; (2) on the iShares website at iShares.com; and (3) on the SEC website at sec.gov.

A description of the Trust’s policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of the Fund’s portfolio securities is available in the Fund Prospectus. The Fund discloses its portfolio holdings daily and provides information regarding its top holdings in Fund fact sheets at iShares.com.

 

 

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Glossary of Terms Used in this Report

 

Portfolio Abbreviation
NVS    Non-Voting Shares
REIT    Real Estate Investment Trust
Currency Abbreviations
GBP    British Pound
USD    United States Dollar

 

 

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

  37


 

 

 

 

Want to know more?

iShares.com    |     1-800-474-2737

This report is intended for the Funds’ shareholders. It may not be distributed to prospective investors unless it is preceded or accompanied by the current prospectus.

Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal.

The iShares Funds are distributed by BlackRock Investments, LLC (together with its affiliates, “BlackRock”).

The iShares Funds are not sponsored, endorsed, issued, sold or promoted by MSCI Inc., nor does this company make any representation regarding the advisability of investing in the iShares Funds. BlackRock is not affiliated with the company listed above.

©2023 BlackRock, Inc. All rights reserved. iSHARES and BLACKROCK are registered trademarks of BlackRock, Inc. or its subsidiaries. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.

iS-SAR-813-0223

 

 

LOGO

   LOGO                     


 

LOGO

  FEBRUARY 28, 2023

 

  

2023 Semi-Annual Report

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

iShares Trust

· iShares Emergent Food and AgTech Multisector ETF | IVEG | NASDAQ

· iShares ESG Aware MSCI EAFE ETF | ESGD | NASDAQ

· iShares ESG MSCI EM Leaders ETF | LDEM | NASDAQ

· iShares MSCI Global Sustainable Development Goals ETF | SDG | NASDAQ

· iShares MSCI Water Management Multisector ETF | IWTR | NASDAQ


The Markets in Review

Dear Shareholder,

Significant economic headwinds emerged during the 12-month reporting period ended February 28, 2023, as investors navigated changing economic conditions and volatile markets. The U.S. economy shrank in the first half of 2022 before returning to modest growth in the second half of the year, marking a shift to a more challenging post-reopening economic environment. Changes in consumer spending patterns and a tight labor market led to elevated inflation, which reached a 40-year high before beginning to moderate. Moreover, while the foremost effect of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has been a severe humanitarian crisis, the ongoing war continued to present challenges for both investors and policymakers.

Equity prices fell as interest rates rose, particularly during the first half of the reporting period. Both large-and small-capitalization U.S. stocks fell, although equities began to recover in the second half of the period as inflation eased and economic growth resumed. Emerging market stocks and international equities from developed markets declined overall, pressured by rising interest rates and a strong U.S. dollar.

The 10-year U.S. Treasury yield rose notably during the reporting period, driving its price down, as investors reacted to fluctuating inflation data and attempted to anticipate its impact on future interest rate changes. The corporate bond market also faced inflationary headwinds, and higher interest rates led to rising borrowing costs for corporate issuers.

The U.S. Federal Reserve (the “Fed”), acknowledging that inflation has been more persistent than expected, raised interest rates eight times. Furthermore, the Fed wound down its bond-buying programs and accelerated the reduction of its balance sheet.

Restricted labor supply kept inflation elevated even as other inflation drivers, such as goods prices and energy costs, moderated. While economic growth slowed in the last year, we believe that taming inflation requires a more substantial decline that lowers demand to a level more in line with the economy’s productive capacity. Although the Fed has decelerated the pace of interest rate hikes, it still seems determined to get inflation back to target. With this in mind, we believe the possibility of a U.S. recession in the near-term is high, but the dimming economic outlook has not yet been fully reflected in current market prices. We believe investors should expect a period of higher volatility as markets adjust to the new economic reality and policymakers attempt to adapt to rapidly changing conditions. Turmoil in the banking sector shortly following the end of the period highlighted the potential for the knock-on effects of substantially higher interest rates to disrupt markets with little warning.

While we favor an overweight to equities in the long term, several factors lead us to take an underweight stance on equities overall in the near term. Expectations for corporate earnings remain elevated, which seems inconsistent with the possibility of a recession in a business environment characterized by higher costs and reduced pricing power. Nevertheless, we are overweight on emerging market stocks as a weaker U.S. dollar provides a supportive backdrop. We also see long-term opportunities in credit, where valuations are appealing and higher yields provide attractive income, although we are neutral on credit in the near term, as we believe that troubles in the banking sector will likely lead to reduced lending. However, we believe there are still some strong opportunities for a six- to twelve-month horizon, particularly short-term U.S. Treasuries, global inflation-linked bonds, and emerging market bonds denominated in local currency.

Overall, our view is that investors need to think globally, position themselves to be prepared for a decarbonizing economy, and be nimble as market conditions change. We encourage you to talk with your financial advisor and visit iShares.com for further insight about investing in today’s markets.

 

 

LOGO

Rob Kapito

President, BlackRock, Inc.

 

LOGO

Rob Kapito

President, BlackRock, Inc.

 

Total Returns as of February 28, 2023
     
      6-Month    12-Month  
   

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

  1.26%   (7.69)%
   

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

  3.63      (6.02)  
   

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

  12.58      (3.14)  
   

Emerging market equities (MSCI Emerging Markets Index)

  (2.29)      (15.28)   
   

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

  1.74      2.11  
   

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

  (4.81)      (14.06)   
   

U.S. investment grade bonds

(Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index)

  (2.13)      (9.72)  
   

Tax-exempt municipal bonds

(Bloomberg Municipal Bond Index)

  0.66      (5.10)  
   

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

  2.52      (5.45)  
Past performance is not an indication of future results. Index performance is shown for illustrative purposes only. You cannot invest directly in an index.
 

 

 

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


Table of Contents

 

    Page  

 

 

The Markets in Review

    2  

Semi-Annual Report:

 

Fund Summary

    4  

About Fund Performance

    9  

Disclosure of Expenses

    9  

Schedules of Investments

    10  

Financial Statements

 

Statements of Assets and Liabilities

    32  

Statements of Operations

    34  

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

    36  

Financial Highlights

    39  

Notes to Financial Statements

    44  

Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract

    53  

Statement Regarding Liquidity Risk Management Program

    55  

Supplemental Information

    56  

General Information

    57  

Glossary of Terms Used in this Report

    58  

 

 

 


Fund Summary as of February 28, 2023    iShares® Emergent Food and AgTech Multisector ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares Emergent Food and AgTech Multisector ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of companies from U.S. and non-U.S. markets that are expected to benefit from creating or using agricultural technologies or innovative food products or services as representd by the Morningstar Global Food Innovation Index (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index.

Performance

 

                   Cumulative Total Returns  
     

6-Month

Total Returns

            

Since

Inception

 

Fund NAV

     0.54         (11.53 )% 

Fund Market

     0.21           (11.36

Index

     0.58                 (11.22

The inception date of the Fund was April 25, 2022. The first day of secondary market trading was April 27, 2022.

Past performance is not an indication of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. See “About Fund Performance” for more information.

Expense Example

 

Actual           Hypothetical 5% Return           

 

     

 

 

      

Beginning

Account Value

(09/01/22)

      

Ending

Account Value

(02/28/23)

 

 

 

      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
(a) 
           

Beginning

Account Value

(09/01/22)

 

 

 

      

Ending

Account Value

(02/28/23)

 

 

 

      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
(a) 
      

Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 
 
 
$        1,000.00        $          1,005.40          $        2.34               $       1,000.00             $       1,022.50          $        2.36          0.47

 

  (a) 

Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period shown). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Disclosure of Expenses” for more information.

 

Portfolio Information

 

SECTOR ALLOCATION  
   

Sector

   
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Materials

    50.8

Industrials

    18.4  

Consumer Staples

    17.7  

Health Care

    9.5  

Information Technology

    3.6  
GEOGRAPHIC ALLOCATION

 

   

Country/Geographic Region

   
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

United States

    58.6

Germany

    10.5  

United Kingdom

    8.1  

France

    6.9  

Norway

    4.7  

Japan

    4.1  

Canada

    4.0  

Denmark

    2.1  

Other (each representing less than 1%)

    1.0  
 
  (a)

Excludes money market funds.

 

 

 

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Fund Summary as of February 28, 2023    iShares® ESG Aware MSCI EAFE ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares ESG Aware MSCI EAFE ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of large- and mid-capitalization developed market equities, excluding the U.S. and Canada that have positive environmental, social and governance characteristics, as identified by the index provider while exhibiting risk and return characteristics similar to those of the parent index, as represented by the MSCI EAFE Extended ESG Focus Index (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index.

Performance

 

           Average Annual Total Returns           Cumulative Total Returns  
     6-Month
Total Returns
     1 Year      5 Years      Since
Inception
           1 Year      5 Years      Since
Inception
 

Fund NAV

    12.71      (3.30 )%       3.00      7.22       (3.30 )%       15.91      59.22

Fund Market

    12.71        (3.10      3.05        7.21         (3.10      16.20        59.18  

Index

    12.63        (3.16      3.10        7.36               (3.16      16.50        60.64  

The inception date of the Fund was June 28, 2016. The first day of secondary market trading was June 30, 2016.

Index performance through May 31, 2018 reflects the performance of the MSCI EAFE ESG Focus Index. Index performance beginning on June 1, 2018 reflects the performance of the MSCI EAFE Extended ESG Focus Index.

Past performance is not an indication of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. See “About Fund Performance” for more information.

Expense Example

 

Actual           Hypothetical 5% Return         

 

 

     

 

 

    
 

Beginning
Account Value
(09/01/22)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(02/28/23)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
(a) 
           

Beginning
Account Value
(09/01/22)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(02/28/23)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
(a) 
    

Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 
 
 
  $        1,000.00          $        1,127.10          $         1.05               $       1,000.00          $      1,023.80          $         1.00        0.20

 

  (a) 

Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period shown). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Disclosure of Expenses” for more information.

 

Portfolio Information

 

SECTOR ALLOCATION  
   

Sector

   
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Financials

    19.3

Industrials

    15.3  

Health Care

    12.2  

Consumer Discretionary

    11.4  

Consumer Staples

    10.0  

Information Technology

    8.9  

Materials

    7.7  

Energy

    5.6  

Communication Services

    3.8  

Utilities

    3.0  

Real Estate

    2.8  
GEOGRAPHIC ALLOCATION  
   

Country/Geographic Region

   
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Japan

    21.4

United Kingdom

    15.4  

France

    11.7  

Switzerland

    10.5  

Germany

    8.1  

Australia

    7.5  

Netherlands

    4.5  

Sweden

    3.5  

Denmark

    3.1  

Spain

    2.7  

Hong Kong

    2.6  

Italy

    2.1  

Singapore

    1.5  

Finland

    1.1  

Norway

    1.0  

Belgium

    1.0  

Other (each representing less than 1%)

    2.3  
 

 

  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

 

 

 

F U N D   S U M M A R Y

  5


Fund Summary as of February 28, 2023    iShares® ESG MSCI EM Leaders ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares ESG MSCI EM Leaders ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of large and mid-capitalization stocks of emerging market companies with high environmental, social, and governance performance relative to their sector peers as determined by the index provider, as represented by the MSCI EM Extended ESG Leaders 5% Issuer Capped Index (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index.

Performance

 

           Average Annual Total Returns           Cumulative Total Returns  
     6-Month
Total Returns
     1 Year      Since
Inception
           1 Year      Since
Inception
 

Fund NAV

    (1.76 )%       (16.27 )%       (2.35 )%        (16.27 )%       (7.04 )% 

Fund Market

    (1.29      (17.94      (2.50       (17.94      (7.46

Index

    (2.32      (16.72      (1.87             (16.72      (5.62

The inception date of the Fund was February 5, 2020. The first day of secondary market trading was February 7, 2020.

Past performance is not an indication of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. See “About Fund Performance” for more information.

Expense Example

 

Actual           Hypothetical 5% Return         

 

 

     

 

 

    
 

Beginning
Account Value
(09/01/22)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(02/28/23)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
(a) 
           

Beginning
Account Value
(09/01/22)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(02/28/23)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
(a) 
    

Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 
 
 
  $        1,000.00          $          982.40          $         0.79               $       1,000.00          $      1,024.00          $         0.80        0.16

 

  (a) 

Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period shown). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Disclosure of Expenses” for more information.

 

Portfolio Information

 

SECTOR ALLOCATION  
   

Sector

   
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Financials

    24.5

Information Technology

    13.3  

Consumer Discretionary

    13.2  

Communication Services

    13.1  

Materials

    8.4  

Industrials

    7.0  

Consumer Staples

    6.8  

Energy

    5.2  

Health Care

    4.2  

Utilities

    2.2  

Real Estate

    2.1  
GEOGRAPHIC ALLOCATION  
   

Country/Geographic Region

   
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

China

    29.3

Taiwan

    15.2  

India

    14.5  

South Korea

    8.1  

South Africa

    6.6  

Brazil

    4.5  

Mexico

    3.7  

Thailand

    3.1  

Malaysia

    2.3  

United Arab Emirates

    2.1  

Indonesia

    2.1  

Saudi Arabia

    2.0  

Poland

    1.1  

Qatar

    1.1  

Other (each representing less than 1%)

    4.3  
 

 

  (a)

Excludes money market funds.

 

 

 

6  

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Fund Summary as of February 28, 2023    iShares® MSCI Global Sustainable Development Goals ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares MSCI Global Sustainable Development Goals ETF (the “Fund”) (formerly the iShares MSCI Global Impact ETF) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of companies that derive a majority of their revenue from products and services that address at least one of the world’s major social and environmental challenges as identified by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, as represented by the MSCIACWI Sustainable Impact Index (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index.

Performance

 

           Average Annual Total Returns           Cumulative Total Returns  
     6-Month
Total Returns
     1 Year      5 Years      Since
Inception
           1 Year      5 Years      Since
Inception
 

Fund NAV

    0.03      (9.00 )%       7.46      9.02       (9.00 )%       43.31      80.93

Fund Market

    (0.44      (8.98      7.39        8.98         (8.98      42.86        80.48  

Index

    (0.09      (9.49      7.45        9.13               (9.49      43.25        82.10  

The inception date of the Fund was April 20, 2016. The first day of secondary market trading was April 22, 2016.

Past performance is not an indication of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. See “About Fund Performance” for more information.

Expense Example

 

Actual

         

Hypothetical 5% Return

        

 

 

     

 

 

    
 

Beginning
Account Value
(09/01/22)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value

(02/28/23)

 
 

 

      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
(a) 
           

Beginning
Account Value
(09/01/22)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(02/28/23)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
(a) 
    

Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 
 
 
  $        1,000.00          $          1,000.30          $         2.43               $       1,000.00          $      1,022.40          $         2.46        0.49

 

  (a) 

Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period shown). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Disclosure of Expenses” for more information.

 

Portfolio Information

 

SECTOR ALLOCATION  
   

Sector

   
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Consumer Staples

    20.3

Health Care

    20.2  

Real Estate

    16.2  

Industrials

    15.4  

Materials

    13.1  

Consumer Discretionary

    6.6  

Utilities

    4.5  

Information Technology

    3.7  

Financials

    0.0  
GEOGRAPHIC ALLOCATION  
   

Country/Geographic Region

   
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

United States

    26.7

Japan

    15.2  

China

    10.3  

Denmark

    8.5  

United Kingdom

    6.0  

Hong Kong

    5.1  

Switzerland

    4.6  

Belgium

    4.3  

Canada

    4.2  

Sweden

    2.7  

Germany

    2.3  

Chile

    1.7  

Taiwan

    1.7  

France

    1.5  

Australia

    1.0  

Other (each representing less than 1%)

    4.2  

 

 

 

  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

 

 

 

F U N D   S U M M A R Y

  7


Fund Summary as of February 28, 2023    iShares® MSCI Water Management Multisector ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares MSCI Water Management Multisector ETF(the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of U.S. and non-U.S. companies that either 1) derive a proportion of their revenues from sustainable water products or services or 2) demonstrate relative efficiency in their water management, as represented by the MSCI ACWI IMI Sustainable Water Transition Extended Capped Index (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index.

Performance

 

         Cumulative Total Returns      
     

Since   

Inception   

 

Fund NAV

     9.90%  

Fund Market

     9.82     

Index

     9.83     

The inception date of the Fund was September 20, 2022. The first day of secondary market trading was September 22, 2022.

Past performance is not an indication of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. See “About Fund Performance” for more information.

Expense Example

 

Actual           Hypothetical 5% Return         

 

 

     

 

 

    
 

Beginning
Account Value
(09/20/22)
 
 
(a)  
      


Ending

Account Value
(02/28/23)

 

 
 

      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
(b) 
           

Beginning
Account Value
(09/01/22)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(02/28/23)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
(b) 
    

Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 
 
 
  $        1,000.00          $          1,099.00          $         2.18               $       1,000.00          $      1,022.50          $         2.36        0.47

 

  (a) 

Commencement of operations.

 
  (b) 

Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 161/365 for actual expenses and 181/365 for hypothetical expenses (to reflect the six month period shown). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Disclosure of Expenses” for more information.

 

Portfolio Information

 

SECTOR ALLOCATION  
   

Sector

   
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Consumer Staples

    28.7

Industrials

    25.4  

Utilities

    19.3  

Information Technology

    16.0  

Consumer Discretionary

    7.2  

Materials

    2.3  

Other (each representing less than 1%)

    1.1  
GEOGRAPHIC ALLOCATION  
   

Country/Geographic Region

   
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

United States

    49.6

Switzerland

    7.7  

Taiwan

    7.4  

France

    7.1  

United Kingdom

    6.2  

Belgium

    4.1  

Japan

    3.8  

Brazil

    3.2  

Austria

    2.9  

China

    1.8  

Mexico

    1.5  

Other (each representing less than 1%)

    4.7  
 

 

  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

 

 

 

8  

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About Fund Performance

 

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

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

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

Disclosure of Expenses

Shareholders of each Fund may incur the following charges: (1) transactional expenses, including brokerage commissions on purchases and sales of fund shares and (2) ongoing expenses, including management fees and other fund expenses. The expense examples shown (which are based on a hypothetical investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held through the end of the period) are intended to assist shareholders both in calculating expenses based on an investment in each Fund and in comparing these expenses with similar costs of investing in other funds.

The expense examples provide information about actual account values and actual expenses. Annualized expense ratios reflect contractual and voluntary fee waivers, if any. In order to estimate the expenses a shareholder paid during the period covered by this report, shareholders can divide their account value by $1,000 and then multiply the result by the number under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During the Period.”

The expense examples also provide information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on a fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses. In order to assist shareholders in comparing the ongoing expenses of investing in the Funds and other funds, compare the 5% hypothetical examples with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

The expenses shown in the expense examples are intended to highlight shareholders’ ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional expenses, such as brokerage commissions and other fees paid on purchases and sales of fund shares. Therefore, the hypothetical examples are useful in comparing ongoing expenses only and will not help shareholders determine the relative total expenses of owning different funds. If these transactional expenses were included, shareholder expenses would have been higher.

 

 

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

  9


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) 

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® Emergent Food and AgTech Multisector ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

   

Australia — 0.4%

   

Nufarm Ltd./Australia

    7,128     $ 27,753  
   

 

 

 

Canada — 4.0%

   

Nutrien Ltd.

    3,258       253,859  
   

 

 

 

Denmark — 2.1%

   

Chr Hansen Holding A/S

    1,902       131,858  
   

 

 

 

France — 6.9%

   

Danone SA

    4,674       262,736  

Eurofins Scientific SE

    2,496       173,958  
   

 

 

 
      436,694  

Germany — 10.5%

   

BASF SE

    4,998       255,909  

Bayer AG, Registered

    4,506       267,572  

GEA Group AG

    3,114       136,891  
   

 

 

 
      660,372  

Japan — 4.1%

   

Kubota Corp

    17,200       259,613  
   

 

 

 

Netherlands — 0.6%

   

Corbion NV

    1,002       37,644  
   

 

 

 

Norway — 4.6%

   

Austevoll Seafood ASA

    1,800       15,380  

Bakkafrost P/F

    960       62,809  

Grieg Seafood ASA

    1,146       8,263  

Mowi ASA

    9,078       156,729  

Salmar ASA

    1,182       49,000  
   

 

 

 
      292,181  

United Kingdom — 8.1%

   

CNH Industrial NV

    15,354       251,688  
Security   Shares     Value  

United Kingdom (continued)

   

Croda International PLC

    2,700     $ 212,928  

Genus PLC

    1,200       42,761  
   

 

 

 
      507,377  

United States — 58.4%

   

AGCO Corp.

    1,188       167,282  

Archer-Daniels-Midland Co.

    2,676       213,010  

CF Industries Holdings Inc.

    2,472       212,320  

Corteva Inc.

    3,912       243,679  

Deere & Co.

    570       238,967  

Ecolab Inc.

    1,686       268,698  

Exponent Inc.

    1,020       104,958  

FMC Corp.

    1,944       251,068  

Ingredion Inc.

    1,266       125,840  

International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.

    2,304       214,733  

International Paper Co.

    6,864       249,781  

Kellogg Co.

    3,360       221,558  

Mosaic Co. (The)

    5,244       278,928  

Neogen Corp.(a)

    4,536       80,242  

Packaging Corp. of America

    1,836       251,018  

Sealed Air Corp.

    2,862       139,150  

Sotera Health Co.(a)

    1,926       32,145  

Trimble Inc.(a)

    4,320       224,899  

Westrock Co.

    5,232       164,285  
   

 

 

 
      3,682,561  

Total Investments — 99.7%
(Cost: $6,873,549)

 

    6,289,912  

Other Assets Less Liabilities — 0.3%

 

    18,801  
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

    $   6,308,713  
   

 

 

 

 

(a)

Non-income producing security.

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended February 28, 2023 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

 

 
Affiliated Issuer   Value at
08/31/22
    Purchases
at Cost
    Proceeds
from Sale
    Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
    Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
    Value at
02/28/23
    Shares
Held at
02/28/23
    Income    

Capital

Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds

 

 

 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares(a)

  $ 65,147     $     $ (65,146 )(b)    $ 5     $ (6   $           $
1,648
(c) 
  $  

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

                0 (b)                         —                   30        
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
        $         5     $ (6   $         —       $ 1,678     $             —  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 
  (b)

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 
  (c) 

All or a portion represents securities lending income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral from loaned securities, net of fees and collateral investment expenses, and other payments to and from borrowers of securities.

 

 

 

10  

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Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

   iShares® Emergent Food and AgTech Multisector ETF

 

For the period ended February 28, 2023, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

 

 
     Commodity
Contracts
     Credit
Contracts
     Equity
Contracts
     Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
     Interest
Rate
Contracts
     Other
Contracts
     Total  

 

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from

                    

Futures contracts

   $      $      $ (945    $      $      $      $ (945
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on

                    

Futures contracts

   $      $      $ (278    $      $      $      $ (278
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

 

 

Futures contracts

  

Average notional value of contracts — long

   $ 10,203      

 

 

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

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments. For a description of the input levels and information about the Fund’s policy regarding valuation of financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.

The following table summarizes the Fund’s financial instruments categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The breakdown of the Fund’s financial instruments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.

 

 

 
     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

 

 

Assets

           

Investments

           

Long-Term Investments

           

Common Stocks

   $ 3,936,420      $ 2,353,492      $         —      $ 6,289,912  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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

  11


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) 

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® ESG Aware MSCI EAFE ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

   

Australia — 7.5%

   

Ampol Ltd.

    342,032     $ 7,540,710  

APA Group

    1,612,310       11,616,303  

Aristocrat Leisure Ltd.

    285,119       6,986,624  

ASX Ltd.

    261,846       11,960,154  

Aurizon Holdings Ltd.

    2,991,525       6,647,595  

Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd.

    1,197,135       19,802,372  

BlueScope Steel Ltd.

    598,426       7,656,676  

Brambles Ltd.

    1,929,051       16,668,339  

Cochlear Ltd.

    84,520       12,604,016  

Coles Group Ltd.

    917,975       11,211,780  

Commonwealth Bank of Australia

    708,049       47,834,959  

Computershare Ltd.

    593,730       9,875,570  

CSL Ltd.

    206,728       41,132,080  

Dexus

    1,965,820       11,107,983  

Fortescue Metals Group Ltd.

    1,066,821       15,287,455  

Goodman Group

    541,695       7,206,198  

GPT Group (The)

    3,445,086       10,875,113  

IGO Ltd.

    705,009       6,197,417  

Lendlease Corp. Ltd.

    1,252,910       6,416,169  

Macquarie Group Ltd.

    143,503       18,222,361  

Mineral Resources Ltd.

    145,052       8,011,015  

Mirvac Group

    5,869,796       8,937,223  

National Australia Bank Ltd.

    1,169,784           23,545,734  

Newcrest Mining Ltd.

    517,969       7,929,450  

Northern Star Resources Ltd.

    985,890       6,880,848  

Orica Ltd.

    637,914       6,930,654  

Pilbara Minerals Ltd.(a)

    2,034,697       5,669,819  

Ramsay Health Care Ltd.

    155,579       7,053,461  

REA Group Ltd.

    81,500       6,711,086  

Rio Tinto Ltd.

    200,327       15,656,374  

Santos Ltd.

    2,442,580       11,405,407  

SEEK Ltd.

    409,774       6,639,436  

South32 Ltd.

    3,063,025       8,899,388  

Stockland

    2,918,134       7,516,963  

Transurban Group

    3,446,377       32,794,758  

Wesfarmers Ltd.

    295,393       9,562,437  

Westpac Banking Corp.

    932,501       14,100,747  

Woodside Energy Group Ltd.

    1,366,887       33,119,636  

Woolworths Group Ltd.

    342,559       8,495,911  

Xero Ltd.(a)

    125,603       6,541,877  
   

 

 

 
          523,252,098  

Austria — 0.3%

   

OMV AG

    226,031       11,009,398  

Verbund AG

    83,620       7,231,659  
   

 

 

 
      18,241,057  

Belgium — 1.0%

   

Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV

    432,459       26,232,332  

Argenx SE(a)

    22,337       8,130,780  

KBC Group NV

    253,296       18,915,023  

UCB SA

    85,011       7,308,247  

Umicore SA

    185,149       6,170,757  
   

 

 

 
      66,757,139  

Denmark — 3.1%

   

AP Moller - Maersk A/S, Class A

    4,512       10,313,037  

Carlsberg AS, Class B

    59,316       8,381,997  

Coloplast A/S, Class B

    61,119       7,062,060  

DSV A/S

    82,746       15,035,454  

Genmab A/S(a)

    38,582       14,516,435  
Security   Shares     Value  

Denmark (continued)

   

Novo Nordisk A/S, Class B

    811,454     $     114,622,144  

Novozymes A/S, Class B

    141,409       6,810,807  

Orsted AS(b)

    125,998       10,967,251  

Pandora A/S

    95,741       9,068,937  

Vestas Wind Systems A/S

    574,175       16,384,049  
   

 

 

 
      213,162,171  

Finland — 1.1%

   

Kesko OYJ, Class B

    377,577       8,199,404  

Metso Outotec OYJ

    846,345       9,023,402  

Neste OYJ

    326,833       15,763,560  

Nokia OYJ

    3,815,274       17,651,550  

Stora Enso OYJ, Class R

    444,176       6,279,675  

UPM-Kymmene OYJ

    427,808       15,502,238  

Wartsila OYJ Abp

    705,916       6,818,178  
   

 

 

 
      79,238,007  

France — 11.7%

   

Air Liquide SA

    139,050       22,091,759  

Airbus SE

    180,952       23,699,371  

Alstom SA

    258,727       7,593,174  

AXA SA

    986,863       31,097,496  

BNP Paribas SA

    521,351       36,448,241  

Capgemini SE

    42,908       8,046,798  

Carrefour SA

    392,979       7,768,980  

Cie. de Saint-Gobain

    128,120       7,613,227  

Cie. Generale des Etablissements Michelin SCA

    820,072       25,763,415  

Covivio

    122,503       7,845,698  

Credit Agricole SA

    655,894       7,993,721  

Danone SA

    541,816       30,456,730  

Dassault Systemes SE

    544,513       21,012,850  

Edenred

    123,601       6,957,035  

Eiffage SA

    69,813       7,661,913  

Engie SA

    636,220       9,284,594  

EssilorLuxottica SA

    109,886       19,049,110  

Gecina SA

    101,243       11,647,972  

Hermes International

    15,604       28,245,309  

Kering SA

    46,367       27,185,929  

Klepierre SA

    312,550       7,794,891  

Legrand SA

    84,353       7,815,684  

L’Oreal SA

    141,508       55,934,263  

LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE

    136,440       113,426,157  

Orange SA

    649,308       7,412,689  

Pernod Ricard SA

    114,562       23,898,918  

Safran SA

    126,224       17,822,996  

Sanofi

    478,478       44,736,852  

Schneider Electric SE

    347,747       55,798,458  

Societe Generale SA

    729,285       21,017,663  

Teleperformance

    25,396       6,607,890  

TotalEnergies SE

    1,153,481       71,174,561  

Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield(a)

    122,357       7,731,436  

Valeo

    461,892       9,595,686  

Vinci SA

    92,021       10,463,507  

Worldline SA/France(a)(b)

    139,941       5,828,884  
   

 

 

 
      814,523,857  

Germany — 7.7%

   

adidas AG

    93,712       13,995,585  

Allianz SE, Registered

    203,011       47,669,696  

BASF SE

    264,515       13,543,766  

Bayer AG, Registered

    377,409       22,411,002  

Bayerische Motoren Werke AG

    140,358       14,480,085  
 

 

 

12  

2 0 2 3   I S H A R E S   S E M I - A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® ESG Aware MSCI EAFE ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Germany (continued)

   

Brenntag SE

    95,856     $ 7,220,178  

Commerzbank AG(a)

    665,773       8,112,770  

Covestro AG(b)

    156,730       6,889,916  

Deutsche Bank AG, Registered

    892,924       11,132,364  

Deutsche Boerse AG

    114,748       20,009,050  

Deutsche Lufthansa AG, Registered(a)

    690,934       7,158,601  

Deutsche Post AG, Registered

    435,122       18,401,713  

Deutsche Telekom AG, Registered

    464,086       10,415,503  

E.ON SE

    1,104,914       12,055,562  

Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA

    233,669       6,429,914  

GEA Group AG

    200,210       8,801,206  

HeidelbergCement AG

    104,566       7,178,712  

Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

    127,810       8,847,831  

Infineon Technologies AG

    780,826       27,622,798  

LEG Immobilien SE

    94,729       6,891,400  

Mercedes-Benz Group AG

    373,182       28,601,677  

Merck KGaA

    124,953       23,677,717  

MTU Aero Engines AG

    28,995       6,997,162  

Muenchener Rueckversicherungs-Gesellschaft AG in Muenchen, Registered

    93,120       32,077,709  

Puma SE

    162,633       10,352,311  

Rheinmetall AG

    29,386       7,469,257  

SAP SE

    631,214       71,712,756  

Siemens AG, Registered

    367,258       55,967,104  

Vonovia SE

    511,512       12,864,038  

Zalando SE(a)(b)

    177,629       7,037,670  
   

 

 

 
          536,025,053  

Hong Kong — 2.6%

   

AIA Group Ltd.

    6,009,000       63,863,705  

BOC Hong Kong Holdings Ltd.

    3,647,500       12,344,400  

Galaxy Entertainment Group Ltd.

    1,251,000       8,328,705  

Hang Seng Bank Ltd.

    489,300       7,959,209  

Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing Ltd.

    669,800       26,827,261  

MTR Corp. Ltd.

    3,175,500       16,002,191  

Sands China Ltd.(a)

    1,923,200       6,674,679  

Sun Hung Kai Properties Ltd.

    577,500       7,892,351  

Swire Pacific Ltd., Class A

    879,000       7,173,260  

Swire Properties Ltd.

    6,717,400       17,676,841  

Wharf Real Estate Investment Co. Ltd.

    1,274,000       6,985,120  
   

 

 

 
      181,727,722  

Ireland — 0.8%

   

CRH PLC

    614,174       28,849,882  

Flutter Entertainment PLC, Class DI(a)

    71,077       11,412,005  

Kerry Group PLC, Class A

    175,433       16,796,787  
   

 

 

 
      57,058,674  

Israel — 0.6%

   

Bank Hapoalim BM

    898,427       7,514,646  

Bank Leumi Le-Israel BM

    908,743       7,065,044  

CyberArk Software Ltd.(a)

    48,737       7,055,655  

Elbit Systems Ltd.

    43,765       7,410,065  

Isracard Ltd.

    1       4  

Nice Ltd.(a)

    40,483       8,415,000  

Wix.com Ltd.(a)

    76,375       6,914,229  
   

 

 

 
      44,374,643  

Italy — 2.1%

   

Assicurazioni Generali SpA

    1,360,629       26,912,382  

Enel SpA

    4,616,834       25,898,406  

Eni SpA

    768,126       10,849,029  

FinecoBank Banca Fineco SpA

    403,325       6,969,645  
Security   Shares     Value  

Italy (continued)

   

Intesa Sanpaolo SpA

    10,029,383     $ 27,092,206  

Moncler SpA

    114,663       7,009,927  

Poste Italiane SpA(b)

    663,083       7,149,868  

Prysmian SpA

    175,822       6,759,469  

Stellantis NV

    451,087       7,891,441  

Terna - Rete Elettrica Nazionale

    926,841       6,967,473  

UniCredit SpA

    670,441       13,716,230  
   

 

 

 
          147,216,076  

Japan — 21.3%

   

Aeon Co. Ltd.

    537,700       10,029,110  

Ajinomoto Co. Inc.

    630,300       18,598,338  

ANA Holdings Inc.(a)

    342,200       6,945,538  

Asahi Group Holdings Ltd.

    304,300       10,761,369  

Asahi Kasei Corp.

    2,935,100       20,443,006  

Astellas Pharma Inc.

    1,129,200       15,856,876  

Azbil Corp.

    391,500       10,181,306  

Bridgestone Corp.

    532,400       20,368,473  

Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

    267,500       6,654,723  

Dai Nippon Printing Co. Ltd.

    262,800       7,045,608  

Dai-ichi Life Holdings Inc.

    316,100       6,743,772  

Daiichi Sankyo Co. Ltd.

    899,100       28,318,356  

Daikin Industries Ltd.

    150,400       25,717,601  

Daiwa Securities Group Inc.

    3,368,400       16,105,383  

East Japan Railway Co.

    125,900       6,358,480  

Eisai Co. Ltd.

    173,200       9,355,004  

ENEOS Holdings Inc.

    3,256,800       11,196,484  

FANUC Corp.

    116,800       19,852,595  

Fast Retailing Co. Ltd.

    94,800       18,715,021  

FUJIFILM Holdings Corp.

    250,400       11,681,626  

Fujitsu Ltd.

    140,600       18,057,015  

Hankyu Hanshin Holdings Inc.

    394,500       11,226,341  

Hitachi Construction Machinery Co. Ltd.

    294,200       6,579,724  

Hitachi Ltd.

    447,100       22,631,266  

Honda Motor Co. Ltd.

    1,282,500       33,349,076  

Hoya Corp.

    256,100       25,354,590  

Ibiden Co. Ltd.

    207,500       7,117,575  

Idemitsu Kosan Co. Ltd.

    319,500       7,071,015  

Inpex Corp.

    1,455,000       15,254,782  

ITOCHU Corp.

    1,159,700       34,664,217  

JFE Holdings Inc.

    617,900       7,666,893  

KDDI Corp.

    1,346,400       39,392,787  

Keyence Corp.

    76,300       32,978,936  

Kirin Holdings Co. Ltd.

    653,800       9,786,393  

Komatsu Ltd.

    552,400       13,216,386  

Kubota Corp.

    716,500       10,814,679  

Kurita Water Industries Ltd.

    149,500       6,754,435  

Kyowa Kirin Co. Ltd.

    304,700       6,520,705  

Marubeni Corp.

    1,464,100       18,690,785  

Mazda Motor Corp.

    829,900       7,425,155  

Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corp.

    1,296,300       7,550,768  

Mitsubishi Corp.

    410,900       13,958,707  

Mitsubishi Electric Corp.

    669,000       7,517,697  

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd.

    248,500       9,157,134  

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc.

    5,078,900       36,006,824  

Mitsui Chemicals Inc.

    298,300       7,196,526  

Mizuho Financial Group Inc.

    1,374,500       21,424,733  

MS&AD Insurance Group Holdings Inc.

    348,300       11,397,811  

Murata Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

    178,700       9,565,341  

NEC Corp.

    198,800       7,117,991  

Nidec Corp.

    134,100       6,805,502  
 

 

 

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

  13


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® ESG Aware MSCI EAFE ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Japan (continued)

   

Nintendo Co. Ltd.

    525,480     $ 19,672,425  

Nippon Express Holdings Inc.

    116,500       6,498,955  

Nippon Paint Holdings Co. Ltd.

    811,700       7,093,049  

Nippon Steel Corp.

    420,400       9,394,995  

Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corp.

    241,200       6,989,208  

Nippon Yusen KK

    286,000       7,433,993  

Nitto Denko Corp.

    129,800       7,814,656  

Nomura Holdings Inc.

    1,744,500       7,189,614  

Nomura Research Institute Ltd.

    387,700       8,661,936  

Omron Corp.

    317,100       17,022,943  

Ono Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

    332,200       6,766,238  

Oriental Land Co. Ltd./Japan

    114,900       18,347,800  

ORIX Corp.

    661,900       11,863,234  

Panasonic Holdings Corp.

    1,231,700       10,755,234  

Rakuten Group Inc.

    1,334,100       6,584,519  

Recruit Holdings Co. Ltd.

    763,300       20,468,509  

Renesas Electronics Corp.(a)

    732,800       9,494,027  

Resona Holdings Inc.

    1,736,400       9,563,884  

SCSK Corp.

    493,700       7,163,599  

Secom Co. Ltd.

    122,300       7,116,763  

Sekisui Chemical Co. Ltd.

    478,600       6,416,207  

Sekisui House Ltd.

    664,300       12,577,346  

Seven & i Holdings Co. Ltd.

    256,100       11,449,396  

SG Holdings Co. Ltd.

    471,600       6,799,691  

Shimizu Corp.

    1,273,600       6,874,742  

Shin-Etsu Chemical Co. Ltd.

    82,400       11,423,200  

Shionogi & Co. Ltd.

    195,900       8,678,764  

Shiseido Co. Ltd.

    153,200       7,056,055  

SoftBank Corp.

    2,109,500           23,797,190  

SoftBank Group Corp.

    538,400       21,773,577  

Sompo Holdings Inc.

    406,500       17,451,489  

Sony Group Corp.

    739,800       61,859,431  

Sumitomo Chemical Co. Ltd.

    4,195,300       14,700,307  

Sumitomo Metal Mining Co. Ltd.

    216,300       8,051,823  

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc.

    590,400       25,785,028  

Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings Inc.

    305,600       11,322,487  

Suntory Beverage & Food Ltd.

    201,500       7,068,425  

Sysmex Corp.

    181,400       10,866,038  

T&D Holdings Inc.

    440,600       6,669,433  

Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

    584,194       18,007,355  

TDK Corp.

    268,300       8,983,058  

Terumo Corp.

    284,900       7,659,070  

Tokio Marine Holdings Inc.

    1,063,300       22,574,526  

Tokyo Electron Ltd.

    82,700       28,374,530  

Tokyo Gas Co. Ltd.

    387,700       7,477,741  

Tokyu Corp.

    737,200       8,881,030  

Toray Industries Inc.

    2,736,600       15,668,166  

TOTO Ltd.

    196,800       6,576,727  

Toyota Motor Corp.

    4,981,600       67,897,045  

West Japan Railway Co.

    166,000       6,442,967  

Yamaha Corp.

    296,700       11,257,651  

Yamaha Motor Co. Ltd.

    656,300       16,791,571  

Yaskawa Electric Corp.

    323,000       12,708,120  

Yokogawa Electric Corp.

    447,800       6,688,014  
   

 

 

 
      1,485,684,239  

Netherlands — 4.4%

   

Adyen NV(a)(b)

    10,012       14,191,302  

Akzo Nobel NV

    185,768       13,589,831  

ASM International NV

    23,165       7,896,159  

ASML Holding NV

    211,068       130,093,067  
Security   Shares     Value  

Netherlands (continued)

   

Heineken NV

    105,589     $ 10,762,527  

ING Groep NV(a)

    1,764,546       24,695,025  

Koninklijke Ahold Delhaize NV

    559,758       17,773,363  

Koninklijke DSM NV

    131,868       16,250,094  

Koninklijke KPN NV

    5,559,916       19,059,435  

Prosus NV

    420,334       30,133,397  

Universal Music Group NV

    339,625       8,002,020  

Wolters Kluwer NV

    148,479       17,189,049  
   

 

 

 
          309,635,269  

New Zealand — 0.3%

   

EBOS Group Ltd.

    383,974       10,511,525  

Meridian Energy Ltd.

    2,249,562       7,383,838  

Spark New Zealand Ltd.

    2,141,275       6,611,338  
   

 

 

 
      24,506,701  

Norway — 1.0%

   

DNB Bank ASA

    819,618       16,355,651  

Equinor ASA

    681,824       20,872,911  

Kongsberg Gruppen ASA

    171,741       7,147,606  

Norsk Hydro ASA

    991,659       7,218,051  

Orkla ASA

    1,035,880       6,972,263  

Telenor ASA

    1,123,571       12,598,424  
   

 

 

 
      71,164,906  

Portugal — 0.2%

   

Galp Energia SGPS SA

    1,162,985       14,187,860  
   

 

 

 

Singapore — 1.5%

   

Capitaland Investment Ltd/Singapore

    4,715,700       13,005,872  

City Developments Ltd.

    2,254,200       12,894,816  

DBS Group Holdings Ltd.

    892,200       22,636,114  

Keppel Corp. Ltd.

    4,462,100       18,119,749  

Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp. Ltd.

    1,782,800       16,755,630  

Sea Ltd., ADR(a)(c)

    114,992       7,185,850  

Sembcorp Marine Ltd.(a)(d)

    70,981,057       6,679,836  

United Overseas Bank Ltd.

    450,000       9,974,533  
   

 

 

 
      107,252,400  

Spain — 2.7%

   

Amadeus IT Group SA(a)

    352,626       22,174,122  

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA

    3,264,508       25,375,110  

Banco Santander SA

    6,676,937       26,289,800  

CaixaBank SA

    1,637,647       7,031,840  

Cellnex Telecom SA(b)

    192,092       7,207,051  

Corp. ACCIONA Energias Renovables SA

    178,789       6,925,027  

Endesa SA

    371,339       7,281,964  

Iberdrola SA

    3,616,928       41,462,355  

Industria de Diseno Textil SA

    666,704       20,538,968  

Naturgy Energy Group SA

    320,510       8,817,120  

Red Electrica Corp. SA

    248,322       4,119,313  

Repsol SA

    531,626       8,407,579  
   

 

 

 
      185,630,249  

Sweden — 3.5%

   

Alfa Laval AB

    209,494       6,890,842  

Assa Abloy AB, Class B

    451,900       10,996,425  

Atlas Copco AB, Class A

    1,195,014       14,187,470  

Atlas Copco AB, Class B

    839,509       8,843,803  

Boliden AB

    437,649       17,915,994  

Epiroc AB, Class A

    367,394       7,060,527  

Epiroc AB, Class B

    431,501       7,099,017  

EQT AB

    288,517       6,452,516  

Essity AB, Class B

    562,008       15,158,813  
 

 

 

14  

2 0 2 3   I S H A R E S   S E M I - A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® ESG Aware MSCI EAFE ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Sweden (continued)

   

Evolution AB(b)

    79,120     $ 9,547,144  

H & M Hennes & Mauritz AB, Class B

    580,634       7,316,212  

Kinnevik AB, Class B(a)

    448,679       6,692,895  

Nibe Industrier AB, Class B

    805,797       8,331,717  

Nordea Bank Abp

    1,474,130       18,680,509  

Sandvik AB

    428,638       8,817,905  

Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB, Class A

    614,299       7,685,798  

Svenska Cellulosa AB SCA, Class B

    692,287       9,661,139  

Svenska Handelsbanken AB, Class A

    1,295,421       13,740,481  

Swedbank AB, Class A

    416,863       8,517,563  

Tele2 AB, Class B

    1,145,918       10,533,050  

Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson, Class B

    1,220,621       6,759,310  

Telia Co. AB

    5,175,178       13,364,294  

Volvo AB, Class A

    420,864       8,761,470  

Volvo AB, Class B

    445,688       8,917,826  
   

 

 

 
        241,932,720  

Switzerland — 10.4%

   

ABB Ltd., Registered

    956,118       31,816,793  

Alcon Inc.

    184,476       12,578,084  

Chocoladefabriken Lindt & Spruengli AG, Participation Certificates, NVS

    643       7,044,481  

Coca-Cola HBC AG, Class DI(a)

    276,301       7,075,904  

Credit Suisse Group AG, Registered

    2,354,711       7,098,694  

Geberit AG, Registered

    23,942       12,921,445  

Givaudan SA, Registered

    6,197       18,679,495  

Holcim AG

    180,935       11,168,214  

Julius Baer Group Ltd.

    154,915       10,270,531  

Kuehne + Nagel International AG, Registered

    55,399       14,184,208  

Logitech International SA, Registered

    177,456       9,692,727  

Lonza Group AG, Registered

    49,535       29,505,088  

Nestle SA, Registered

    1,352,162       152,348,933  

Novartis AG, Registered

    954,174       80,303,394  

Roche Holding AG, Bearer

    22,449       6,954,267  

Roche Holding AG, NVS

    306,891       88,488,602  

SGS SA, Registered

    7,000       16,046,346  

SIG Group AG(a)

    418,050       10,111,354  

Sika AG, Registered

    52,897       14,833,639  

Sonova Holding AG, Registered

    35,964       8,844,863  

STMicroelectronics NV

    482,522       23,113,566  

Straumann Holding AG

    57,523       7,626,156  

Swiss Life Holding AG, Registered

    12,463       7,499,633  

Swiss Re AG

    232,166       24,253,838  

Swisscom AG, Registered

    17,753       10,954,367  

Temenos AG, Registered

    94,479       6,949,626  

UBS Group AG, Registered

    1,862,595       40,483,936  

VAT Group AG(b)

    23,939       7,225,905  

Zurich Insurance Group AG

    103,883       49,277,240  
   

 

 

 
          727,351,329  

United Kingdom — 15.3%

   

3i Group PLC

    826,752       16,174,774  

abrdn PLC

    3,560,332       9,592,305  

Anglo American PLC

    666,749       23,039,319  

Antofagasta PLC

    474,199       8,945,185  

Ashtead Group PLC

    196,086       12,974,865  

Associated British Foods PLC

    306,258       7,382,595  

AstraZeneca PLC

    743,981       96,924,357  

BAE Systems PLC

    1,952,926       21,091,986  

Barclays PLC

    5,185,641       10,882,518  

Barratt Developments PLC

    1,938,450       10,898,886  
Security   Shares     Value  

United Kingdom (continued)

   

Berkeley Group Holdings PLC

    147,188     $ 7,409,243  

BP PLC

    6,892,269       45,292,739  

British Land Co. PLC (The)

    1,491,418       7,999,558  

BT Group PLC

    4,452,891       7,465,072  

Burberry Group PLC

    401,877       11,933,556  

CNH Industrial NV

    1,021,569       16,745,929  

Coca-Cola Europacific Partners PLC

    184,543       10,149,865  

Compass Group PLC

    583,625       13,482,778  

Croda International PLC(c)

    151,949       11,983,005  

DCC PLC

    131,310       7,300,274  

Diageo PLC

    1,383,664       58,717,759  

Entain PLC

    402,388       6,571,271  

Experian PLC

    189,202       6,378,780  

GSK PLC

    1,719,939       29,464,130  

HSBC Holdings PLC

    8,703,967       66,672,786  

Informa PLC

    1,011,633       8,126,494  

InterContinental Hotels Group PLC

    104,517       7,045,623  

Intertek Group PLC

    131,778       6,614,259  

J Sainsbury PLC

    3,480,666       11,225,362  

Johnson Matthey PLC

    268,134       7,034,460  

Kingfisher PLC

    2,983,724       10,318,782  

Legal & General Group PLC

    3,265,978       10,053,002  

Lloyds Banking Group PLC

    31,774,123       20,066,306  

London Stock Exchange Group PLC

    151,974       13,559,385  

Mondi PLC

    490,772       8,247,582  

National Grid PLC

    2,454,303       30,800,781  

NatWest Group PLC, NVS

    2,910,916       10,225,876  

Pearson PLC

    647,465       7,162,040  

Prudential PLC

    1,288,722       19,695,466  

Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC

    338,174       23,464,202  

RELX PLC

    956,441       28,841,929  

Rio Tinto PLC

    530,937       36,435,306  

Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC(a)

    5,207,111       9,072,338  

Sage Group PLC (The)

    1,462,225       13,174,817  

Schroders PLC

    1,308,203       7,808,614  

Segro PLC

    1,136,831       11,228,567  

Shell PLC

    3,490,798       105,730,598  

Smiths Group PLC

    345,490       7,326,468  

Spirax-Sarco Engineering PLC

    48,552       6,818,697  

SSE PLC

    621,298       13,003,118  

St. James’s Place PLC

    669,146       10,301,217  

Standard Chartered PLC

    1,268,210       12,000,052  

Tesco PLC

    3,617,238       11,080,985  

Unilever PLC

    1,369,025       68,160,302  

Vodafone Group PLC

    9,643,362       11,546,715  
   

 

 

 
      1,071,642,878  

Total Common Stocks — 99.1%
(Cost: $6,514,880,791)

          6,920,565,048  
   

 

 

 

Preferred Stocks

   

Germany — 0.4%

   

Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, Preference Shares, NVS

    82,494       7,813,494  

Dr Ing hc F Porsche AG, Preference Shares, NVS

    59,471       7,167,101  

Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, Preference Shares, NVS

    95,062       6,915,599  
 

 

 

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

  15


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® ESG Aware MSCI EAFE ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Germany (continued)

   

Sartorius AG, Preference Shares, NVS

    16,533     $ 7,022,687  
   

 

 

 
      28,918,881  

Total Preferred Stocks — 0.4%
(Cost: $24,705,092)

 

    28,918,881  
   

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 99.5%
(Cost: $6,539,585,883)

 

    6,949,483,929  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Securities

   

Money Market Funds — 0.1%

   

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares, 4.81%(e)(f)(g)

    3,390,586       3,392,620  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares, 4.41%(e)(f)

    1,300,000       1,300,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 0.1%
(Cost: $4,691,629)

 

    4,692,620  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments — 99.6%
(Cost: $6,544,277,512)

 

    6,954,176,549  

Other Assets Less Liabilities — 0.4%

 

    26,790,412  
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

    $  6,980,966,961  
   

 

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Non-income producing security.

(b) 

Security exempt from registration pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration to qualified institutional investors.

(c) 

All or a portion of this security is on loan.

(d) 

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

(e) 

Affiliate of the Fund.

(f) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

(g) 

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

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended February 28, 2023 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

 

 
Affiliated Issuer   Value at
08/31/22
    Purchases
at Cost
    Proceeds
from Sale
    Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
    Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
    Value at
02/28/23
    Shares
Held at
02/28/23
    Income    

Capital

Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds

 

 

 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares

  $ 9,537,814     $     $ (6,151,042 )(a)    $ 8,490     $ (2,642   $ 3,392,620       3,390,586     $ 23,405 (b)    $  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

    1,370,000             (70,000 )(a)                   1,300,000       1,300,000       31,209        
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
        $ 8,490     $ (2,642   $ 4,692,620       $ 54,614     $  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 
  (b) 

All or a portion represents securities lending income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral from loaned securities, net of fees and collateral investment expenses, and other payments to and from borrowers of securities.

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Futures Contracts

 

 

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

 

 

Long Contracts

           

TOPIX Index

     55        03/09/23      $ 8,047      $ 196,538  

SPI 200 Index

     28        03/16/23        3,380        11,935  

Euro STOXX 50 Index

     281        03/17/23        12,595        679,782  

 

 

16  

2 0 2 3   I S H A R E S   S E M I - A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

   iShares® ESG Aware MSCI EAFE ETF

 

Futures Contracts (continued)

 

 

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

 

 

FTSE 100 Index

     76        03/17/23      $ 7,177      $ 243,978  
           

 

 

 
            $     1,132,233  
           

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

As of period end, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities were as follows:

 

 

 
     Commodity
Contracts
     Credit
Contracts
     Equity
Contracts
     Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
     Interest
Rate
Contracts
     Other
Contracts
     Total  

 

 

Assets — Derivative Financial Instruments

                    

Futures contracts

                    

Unrealized appreciation on futures contracts(a)

   $      $      $ 1,132,233      $      $      $      $ 1,132,233  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts are reported in the Schedule of Investments. In the Statements of Assets and Liabilities, only current day’s variation margin is reported in receivables or payables and the net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is included in accumulated earnings (loss).

 

For the period ended February 28, 2023, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

 

 
     Commodity
Contracts
     Credit
Contracts
     Equity
Contracts
     Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
     Interest
Rate
Contracts
     Other
Contracts
     Total  

 

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from

                    

Futures contracts

   $      $      $ 2,563,278      $      $      $      $ 2,563,278  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on

                    

Futures contracts

   $

 
   $      $ 1,581,754      $      $      $      $ 1,581,754  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

 

 

Futures contracts

  

Average notional value of contracts — long

   $ 36,709,372      

 

 

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

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments. For a description of the input levels and information about the Fund’s policy regarding valuation of financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.

The following table summarizes the Fund’s financial instruments categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The breakdown of the Fund’s financial instruments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.

 

 

 
     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

 

 

Assets

           

Investments

           

Long-Term Investments

           

Common Stocks

   $ 31,305,599      $ 6,882,579,613      $ 6,679,836      $ 6,920,565,048  

Preferred Stocks

            28,918,881               28,918,881  

Short-Term Securities

           

Money Market Funds

     4,692,620                      4,692,620  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $     35,998,219      $ 6,911,498,494      $   6,679,836      $ 6,954,176,549  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

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

  17


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

   iShares® ESG Aware MSCI EAFE ETF

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End (continued)

 

 

 
     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments(a)

           

Assets

           

Equity Contracts

   $             —      $         1,132,233      $             —      $         1,132,233  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

18  

2 0 2 3   I S H A R E S   S E M I - A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments (unaudited)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® ESG MSCI EM Leaders ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

   

Brazil — 2.9%

   

Atacadao SA

    9,263     $ 23,797  

Banco Bradesco SA

    22,960       51,047  

Banco Santander Brasil SA

    5,263       28,479  

CCR SA

    18,480       38,792  

Cia. de Saneamento Basico do Estado de Sao Paulo

    5,253       51,923  

Cosan SA

    18,597       53,211  

Energisa SA

    2,946       21,771  

Equatorial Energia SA

    14,640       71,110  

Hapvida Participacoes e Investimentos SA(a)(b)

    69,157       59,310  

Hypera SA

    5,735       45,624  

Klabin SA

    11,042       41,043  

Localiza Rent a Car SA

    11,138       118,051  

Localiza Rent a Car SA, NVS

    54       547  

Lojas Renner SA

    15,146       53,954  

Natura & Co. Holding SA

    13,741       40,209  

Petro Rio SA(b)

    10,502       67,600  

Raia Drogasil SA

    15,621       67,670  

Rede D’Or Sao Luiz SA(a)

    8,441       41,194  

Rumo SA

    19,135       65,642  

Telefonica Brasil SA

    7,341       54,601  

Tim SA

    11,814       27,665  

TOTVS SA

    8,042       41,919  

Ultrapar Participacoes SA

    11,015       27,730  

WEG SA

    24,522       183,419  
   

 

 

 
          1,276,308  

Chile — 0.4%

   

Cencosud SA

    20,693       39,127  

Empresas CMPC SA

    15,804       26,261  

Empresas COPEC SA

    5,920       42,772  

Enel Americas SA

    342,687       42,667  

Falabella SA

    10,678       23,498  
   

 

 

 
      174,325  

China — 29.3%

   

37 Interactive Entertainment Network Technology Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    2,000       6,310  

3SBio Inc.(a)

    21,000       20,824  

AAC Technologies Holdings Inc.(b)

    12,500       27,937  

Air China Ltd., Class A(b)

    6,200       9,910  

Air China Ltd., Class H(b)

    28,000       25,817  

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.(b)

    167,716       1,843,441  

Alibaba Health Information Technology Ltd.(b)

    76,000       54,418  

Angel Yeast Co. Ltd., Class A

    800       4,655  

Anjoy Foods Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    300       7,066  

Baidu Inc.(b)

    33,050       568,239  

BBMG Corp., Class A

    10,000       3,756  

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

    32,000       23,424  

Beijing Enterprises Water Group Ltd.

    74,000       18,581  

BOC Aviation Ltd.(a)

    3,400       24,563  

BYD Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,600       59,862  

BYD Co. Ltd., Class H

    12,000       322,611  

By-health Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,500       4,950  

CECEP Wind Power Corp, Class A

    7,310       4,163  

Chengtun Mining Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    2,800       2,514  

Chengxin Lithium Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,000       5,454  

China Baoan Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    2,500       4,596  

China Communications Services Corp. Ltd., Class H

    40,000       15,552  

China Conch Venture Holdings Ltd.

    26,000       52,324  

China Construction Bank Corp., Class H

    1,439,000       879,628  
Security   Shares     Value  

China (continued)

   

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

    8,000     $ 6,251  

China Everbright Environment Group Ltd.

    64,000       25,956  

China Feihe Ltd.(a)

    59,000       47,289  

China Jushi Co. Ltd., Class A

    3,478       7,583  

China Lesso Group Holdings Ltd.

    20,000       21,096  

China Medical System Holdings Ltd.

    20,000       30,109  

China Mengniu Dairy Co. Ltd.

    48,000       211,280  

China Merchants Bank Co. Ltd., Class A

    18,800       100,978  

China Merchants Bank Co. Ltd., Class H

    58,500       317,450  

China Overseas Land & Investment Ltd.

    57,000       141,502  

China Resources Cement Holdings Ltd.

    44,000       23,676  

China Resources Gas Group Ltd.

    14,800       62,451  

China Resources Land Ltd.

    48,000           213,277  

China Resources Mixc Lifestyle Services Ltd.(a)

    10,200       55,999  

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

    800       5,860  

China Ruyi Holdings Ltd.(b)

    88,000       21,870  

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

    7,400       8,411  

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

    28,000       20,417  

China Three Gorges Renewables Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    25,200       20,274  

China Vanke Co. Ltd., Class A

    9,200       22,658  

China Vanke Co. Ltd., Class H

    25,500       44,584  

CITIC Ltd.

    85,000       93,786  

CMOC Group Ltd., Class A

    14,200       12,074  

CMOC Group Ltd., Class H

    51,000       28,718  

Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    2,200       127,465  

COSCO SHIPPING Holdings Co. Ltd., Class A

    12,200       18,920  

COSCO SHIPPING Holdings Co. Ltd., Class H

    49,500       51,343  

Country Garden Services Holdings Co. Ltd.

    22,000       40,963  

CSPC Pharmaceutical Group Ltd.

    135,360       145,417  

Dali Foods Group Co. Ltd.(a)

    36,500       14,763  

ENN Energy Holdings Ltd.

    12,000       170,829  

ENN Natural Gas Co. Ltd., Class A

    2,750       7,639  

Far East Horizon Ltd.(c)

    21,000       18,576  

Fosun International Ltd.(c)

    37,000       30,271  

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

    5,840       40,794  

Ganfeng Lithium Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,520       15,813  

GEM Co. Ltd., Class A

    4,600       5,222  

Genscript Biotech Corp.(b)

    16,000       43,795  

Greentown Service Group Co. Ltd.(c)

    20,000       13,345  

Guangzhou Baiyunshan Pharmaceutical Holdings Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,600       7,269  

Guangzhou Kingmed Diagnostics Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    500       6,065  

Hansoh Pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd.(a)

    20,000       35,955  

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

    3,100       11,802  

Huadong Medicine Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,600       11,048  

Huatai Securities Co. Ltd., Class A

    7,200       13,052  

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

    26,800       30,168  

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

    5,900       25,870  

Jafron Biomedical Co. Ltd., Class A

    700       3,262  

Jiangsu Eastern Shenghong Co. Ltd., Class A

    3,900       8,701  

Jiangsu Expressway Co. Ltd., Class H

    20,000       19,119  

Jiangsu GoodWe Power Supply Technology Co. Ltd., NVS

    121       6,762  

Jiangsu Zhongtian Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    3,000       6,931  

Jonjee Hi-Tech Industrial And Commercial Holding Co. Ltd., Class A

    800       4,384  

Kingdee International Software Group Co. Ltd.(b)

    41,000       76,607  

Kunlun Energy Co. Ltd.

    62,000       49,677  

Lenovo Group Ltd.

    108,000       97,189  
 

 

 

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

  19


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® ESG MSCI EM Leaders ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

China (continued)

   

Li Auto Inc.(b)(c)

    17,004     $ 200,633  

Longfor Group Holdings Ltd.(a)

    28,000       80,154  

Meituan, Class B(a)(b)

    71,390       1,238,968  

Microport Scientific Corp.(b)(c)

    10,500       29,789  

Ming Yang Smart Energy Group Ltd., Class A

    2,100       7,671  

NetEase Inc.

    29,600       459,997  

Orient Securities Co. Ltd., Class A

    7,100       10,419  

Ovctek China Inc., Class A

    760       3,763  

Pharmaron Beijing Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,100       9,447  

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

    3,200       17,944  

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

    8,500       19,479  

Pop Mart International Group Ltd.(a)(c)

    9,200       25,631  

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

    24,500       15,936  

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

    125,000       75,100  

Pylon Technologies Co. Ltd., NVS

    176       6,791  

SF Holding Co. Ltd., Class A

    4,400       34,074  

Shandong Nanshan Aluminum Co. Ltd., Class A

    11,700       6,077  

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

    38,400       61,984  

Shanghai Electric Group Co. Ltd., Class A(b)

    13,400       8,075  

Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    2,200       10,668  

Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd., Class H

    8,000       23,405  

Shanghai M&G Stationery Inc., Class A

    800       6,236  

Shanghai Pharmaceuticals Holding Co. Ltd., Class A

    3,100       8,812  

Shanghai Pharmaceuticals Holding Co. Ltd., Class H

    11,600       20,456  

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

    1,100       7,952  

Shenzhen Inovance Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    2,550       26,864  

Shenzhen International Holdings Ltd.

    26,000       22,598  

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

    1,100       49,627  

Sichuan Yahua Industrial Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,400       4,928  

Sino Biopharmaceutical Ltd.

    162,000       83,639  

Sinopharm Group Co. Ltd., Class H

    20,000       53,566  

Skshu Paint Co. Ltd., Class A(b)

    300       5,283  

Sungrow Power Supply Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,300       22,320  

Tencent Holdings Ltd.

    44,600           1,959,206  

Tongcheng Travel Holdings Ltd.(b)

    20,000       39,700  

Topchoice Medical Corp., Class A(b)

    300       6,305  

Uni-President China Holdings Ltd.

    21,000       18,412  

Unisplendour Corp. Ltd., Class A

    2,900       10,582  

Vinda International Holdings Ltd.

    6,000       16,526  

Vipshop Holdings Ltd., ADR(b)(c)

    6,243       92,958  

Want Want China Holdings Ltd.

    75,000       47,183  

Weichai Power Co. Ltd., Class A

    6,100       10,900  

Weichai Power Co. Ltd., Class H

    30,000       44,527  

WuXi AppTec Co. Ltd., Class A

    2,292       27,297  

WuXi AppTec Co. Ltd., Class H(a)

    5,560       59,319  

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

    54,000       378,008  

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

    2,900       4,736  

Xinyi Solar Holdings Ltd.

    76,000       81,265  

XPeng Inc.(b)

    13,600       60,453  

Yadea Group Holdings Ltd.(a)

    18,000       38,631  

Yihai International Holding Ltd.

    8,000       23,290  

Yum China Holdings Inc.

    6,302       370,117  

Yunnan Baiyao Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,240       10,144  

Yunnan Energy New Material Co. Ltd., Class A

    800       14,438  

Zhejiang Chint Electrics Co. Ltd., Class A

    2,000       8,633  

Zhejiang Expressway Co. Ltd., Class H

    22,000       17,743  

Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,410       11,998  

Zhejiang Jiuzhou Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Class A

    900       5,102  

Zhejiang Weixing New Building Materials Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,800       6,641  
Security   Shares     Value  

China (continued)

   

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

    3,200     $ 3,086  

ZTO Express Cayman Inc., ADR

    6,294       151,434  
   

 

 

 
      12,870,080  

Colombia — 0.1%

   

Bancolombia SA

    4,170       30,807  

Interconexion Electrica SA ESP

    7,854       27,815  
   

 

 

 
      58,622  

Czech Republic — 0.1%

   

Komercni Banka AS

    1,107       37,291  

Moneta Money Bank AS(a)

    4,419       16,834  
   

 

 

 
      54,125  

Egypt — 0.2%

   

Commercial International Bank Egypt SAE

    37,755       65,454  
   

 

 

 

Greece — 0.4%

   

Alpha Services and Holdings SA(b)

    36,152       56,566  

Eurobank Ergasias Services and Holdings SA, Class A(b)

    39,648       60,777  

Mytilineos SA

    1,605       43,303  

Terna Energy SA

    863       17,982  
   

 

 

 
      178,628  

Hungary — 0.3%

   

MOL Hungarian Oil & Gas PLC

    6,087       46,223  

OTP Bank Nyrt

    3,410       103,298  
   

 

 

 
      149,521  

India — 14.5%

   

Adani Green Energy Ltd.(b)

    1,365       7,994  

Adani Total Gas Ltd.

    4,019       32,944  

Asian Paints Ltd.

    5,803       198,352  

Axis Bank Ltd.

    33,844       345,171  

Berger Paints India Ltd.

    3,409       23,875  

Britannia Industries Ltd.

    1,569       84,658  

Colgate-Palmolive India Ltd.

    1,734       30,892  

Dabur India Ltd.

    9,078       58,448  

Eicher Motors Ltd.

    2,000       75,061  

GAIL India Ltd.

    35,387       43,928  

Grasim Industries Ltd.

    3,765       71,819  

Havells India Ltd.

    3,761       54,420  

HCL Technologies Ltd.

    14,090       183,472  

Hero MotoCorp Ltd.

    1,787       52,259  

Hindalco Industries Ltd.

    19,720       95,129  

Hindustan Unilever Ltd.

    12,221       363,474  

Housing Development Finance Corp. Ltd.

    25,661       808,945  

ICICI Prudential Life Insurance Co. Ltd.(a)

    5,542       27,382  

Indraprastha Gas Ltd.

    4,611       24,454  

Info Edge India Ltd.

    1,165       49,159  

Infosys Ltd.

    50,384       905,041  

Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd.

    8,264       172,667  

Lupin Ltd.

    3,041       24,236  

Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.

    13,006       199,552  

Marico Ltd.

    7,281       43,288  

Nestle India Ltd.

    486       109,693  

PI Industries Ltd.

    1,181       44,244  

Reliance Industries Ltd.

    45,508           1,276,414  

Shree Cement Ltd.

    159       50,135  

Shriram Transport Finance Co. Ltd.

    3,346       48,654  

Siemens Ltd.

    1,099       43,135  

State Bank of India

    26,747       168,970  

Tata Consultancy Services Ltd.

    13,735       549,894  
 

 

 

20  

2 0 2 3   I S H A R E S   S E M I - A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® ESG MSCI EM Leaders ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

India (continued)

   

UPL Ltd.

    7,156     $ 60,041  

Zomato Ltd.(b)

    51,542       33,274  
   

 

 

 
          6,361,074  

Indonesia — 2.1%

   

Aneka Tambang Tbk

    124,000       16,181  

Bank Central Asia Tbk PT

    818,400       469,384  

Bank Negara Indonesia Persero Tbk PT

    108,300       62,286  

Barito Pacific Tbk PT

    386,484       23,693  

Indah Kiat Pulp & Paper Tbk PT

    40,200       20,883  

Kalbe Farma Tbk PT

    307,200       42,497  

Merdeka Copper Gold Tbk PT(b)

    176,457       52,524  

Telkom Indonesia Persero Tbk PT

    749,000       190,797  

Unilever Indonesia Tbk PT

    110,500       30,278  
   

 

 

 
      908,523  

Kuwait — 0.7%

   

Kuwait Finance House KSCP

    109,313       305,077  
   

 

 

 

Malaysia — 2.3%

   

AMMB Holdings Bhd

    25,000       22,334  

Axiata Group Bhd

    42,000       29,663  

CIMB Group Holdings Bhd

    104,500       130,639  

DiGi.Com Bhd

    46,700       44,738  

HAP Seng Consolidated Bhd

    9,900       13,454  

Hartalega Holdings Bhd

    1,300       426  

IHH Healthcare Bhd

    25,500       32,898  

Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd

    6,400       29,655  

Malayan Banking Bhd

    70,000       137,263  

Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd(b)

    10,863       16,438  

Maxis Bhd

    35,000       30,490  

MISC Bhd

    18,500       31,154  

Nestle Malaysia Bhd

    1,000       30,106  

Petronas Dagangan Bhd

    4,100       19,205  

Petronas Gas Bhd

    11,800       43,808  

PPB Group Bhd

    9,400       36,657  

Press Metal Aluminium Holdings Bhd

    54,500       62,647  

Public Bank Bhd

    216,800       199,523  

QL Resources Bhd

    17,000       22,010  

RHB Bank Bhd

    22,200       28,098  

Sime Darby Bhd

    42,400       21,448  

Telekom Malaysia Bhd

    17,900       20,063  

Top Glove Corp. Bhd(b)

    91,000       15,307  
   

 

 

 
      1,018,024  

Mexico — 3.7%

   

America Movil SAB de CV, Series L, NVS

    410,700       426,043  

Arca Continental SAB de CV

    7,000       59,079  

Cemex SAB de CV, NVS(b)

    229,069       114,682  

Coca-Cola Femsa SAB de CV

    8,400       60,758  

Fomento Economico Mexicano SAB de CV

    29,400       271,335  

Gruma SAB de CV, Class B

    3,020       44,270  

Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste SAB de CV, Class B

    3,010       86,339  

Grupo Bimbo SAB de CV, Series A

    19,600       93,037  

Grupo Financiero Banorte SAB de CV, Class O

    38,700       326,665  

Grupo Televisa SAB, CPO

    38,400       38,428  

Industrias Penoles SAB de CV(b)

    2,215       26,502  

Kimberly-Clark de Mexico SAB de CV, Class A

    23,300       46,749  

Orbia Advance Corp. SAB de CV

    15,000       31,326  
   

 

 

 
      1,625,213  

Peru — 0.3%

   

Credicorp Ltd.

    1,100       140,162  
   

 

 

 
Security   Shares     Value  

Philippines — 0.7%

   

Ayala Corp.

    3,940     $ 44,422  

Globe Telecom Inc.

    15       481  

JG Summit Holdings Inc.

    43,788       38,951  

Monde Nissin Corp.(a)

    93,300       20,315  

SM Investments Corp.

    3,640       55,956  

SM Prime Holdings Inc.

    175,000       107,560  

Universal Robina Corp.

    12,400       30,578  
   

 

 

 
      298,263  

Poland — 1.1%

   

Bank Polska Kasa Opieki SA

    2,892       58,196  

CD Projekt SA

    1,125       33,469  

KGHM Polska Miedz SA

    2,115       60,318  

Polski Koncern Naftowy ORLEN SA

    9,434       140,902  

Powszechna Kasa Oszczednosci Bank Polski SA

    13,379       93,362  

Powszechny Zaklad Ubezpieczen SA

    9,015       74,121  

Santander Bank Polska SA

    519       34,827  
   

 

 

 
      495,195  

Qatar — 1.1%

   

Commercial Bank PSQC (The)

    47,719       80,291  

Qatar Fuel QSC

    9,092       40,410  

Qatar Gas Transport Co. Ltd.

    35,538       35,504  

Qatar National Bank QPSC

    69,679           321,520  
   

 

 

 
      477,725  

Russia — 0.0%

   

Gazprom PJSC(b)(d)

    244,340       33  

LUKOIL PJSC(b)(d)

    8,544       1  

Mobile TeleSystems PJSC(b)(d)

    18,946       3  

Moscow Exchange MICEX-RTS PJSC(b)(d)

    30,360       4  

Novatek PJSC(b)(d)

    18,630       2  

Novolipetsk Steel PJSC(b)(d)

    31,136       4  

PhosAgro PJSC(b)(d)

    910        

PhosAgro PJSC, New(b)(d)

    18        

Polymetal International PLC(b)(d)

    7,120       1  

Polyus PJSC(b)(d)

    698        
   

 

 

 
      48  

Saudi Arabia — 2.0%

   

ACWA Power Co.

    1,240       46,016  

Bank AlBilad(b)

    7,236       68,647  

Dr Sulaiman Al Habib Medical Services Group Co.

    1,260       77,758  

Saudi Arabian Oil Co.(a)

    35,859       302,929  

Saudi Basic Industries Corp.

    13,524       318,696  

Saudi Electricity Co.

    12,012       70,994  
   

 

 

 
      885,040  

South Africa — 6.6%

   

Absa Group Ltd.

    12,317       132,982  

Anglo American Platinum Ltd.

    832       46,007  

Aspen Pharmacare Holdings Ltd.

    5,689       43,929  

Bid Corp. Ltd.

    4,889       107,071  

Bidvest Group Ltd. (The)

    4,226       53,922  

Capitec Bank Holdings Ltd.

    1,318       125,743  

Clicks Group Ltd.

    3,504       51,038  

Discovery Ltd.(b)

    7,558       61,629  

FirstRand Ltd.

    75,869       270,607  

Gold Fields Ltd.

    13,318       120,862  

Growthpoint Properties Ltd.

    51,072       37,376  

Impala Platinum Holdings Ltd.

    13,066       121,996  

Kumba Iron Ore Ltd.

    928       24,200  

Mr. Price Group Ltd.

    3,757       31,150  

MTN Group Ltd.

    25,251       198,964  
 

 

 

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

  21


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® ESG MSCI EM Leaders ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

South Africa (continued)

   

MultiChoice Group

    5,492     $ 42,166  

Naspers Ltd., Class N

    3,253       572,019  

Nedbank Group Ltd.

    6,733       84,536  

NEPI Rockcastle NV

    7,574       45,373  

Northam Platinum Holdings Ltd.(b)

    5,286       43,534  

Old Mutual Ltd.

    75,254       48,813  

Remgro Ltd.

    7,985       60,776  

Sanlam Ltd.

    25,623       83,475  

Sasol Ltd.

    8,614       126,311  

Shoprite Holdings Ltd.

    7,330       88,760  

Standard Bank Group Ltd.

    19,583       195,615  

Vodacom Group Ltd.

    9,395       64,747  
   

 

 

 
      2,883,601  

South Korea — 8.0%

   

Amorepacific Corp.

    441       46,099  

BGF retail Co. Ltd.

    121       16,550  

Celltrion Healthcare Co. Ltd.

    1,341       55,154  

CJ CheilJedang Corp.

    120       29,119  

CJ Corp.

    188       12,342  

Coway Co. Ltd.

    841       33,931  

Doosan Bobcat Inc.

    762       21,815  

Hana Financial Group Inc.

    4,443       152,383  

Hanwha Solutions Corp.(b)(d)

    1,620       50,925  

HMM Co. Ltd.(b)

    3,916       66,623  

Hyundai Engineering & Construction Co. Ltd.

    1,182       32,482  

Hyundai Glovis Co. Ltd.

    275       32,935  

Hyundai Mipo Dockyard Co. Ltd.(b)

    358       18,976  

Kakao Corp.

    4,736       222,934  

KB Financial Group Inc.

    5,828       225,713  

Korea Zinc Co. Ltd.

    129       56,959  

Korean Air Lines Co. Ltd.

    2,706       46,496  

LG Chem Ltd.

    736       377,820  

LG Corp.

    1,366       84,990  

LG Display Co. Ltd.(b)

    3,362       38,861  

LG Electronics Inc.

    1,545       129,588  

LG H&H Co. Ltd.

    141       71,150  

Lotte Chemical Corp.

    301       40,525  

NAVER Corp.

    1,982       311,574  

NCSoft Corp.

    259       84,981  

Netmarble Corp.(a)(b)

    416       19,390  

POSCO Chemical Co. Ltd.

    391       65,237  

S-1 Corp.

    239       10,190  

Samsung Engineering Co. Ltd.(b)

    2,194       43,501  

Samsung Life Insurance Co. Ltd.

    1,163       59,893  

Samsung SDI Co. Ltd.

    817       429,232  

Samsung SDS Co. Ltd.

    564       53,340  

Samsung Securities Co. Ltd.

    963       24,371  

Shinhan Financial Group Co. Ltd.

    6,846       201,033  

SK Biopharmaceuticals Co. Ltd.(b)

    477       24,035  

SK IE Technology Co. Ltd.(a)(b)

    429       21,150  

SK Inc.

    540       72,830  

SK Innovation Co. Ltd.(b)

    833       94,217  

SKC Co. Ltd.

    325       24,038  

Woori Financial Group Inc.

    8,002       73,770  

Yuhan Corp.

    753       29,989  
   

 

 

 
          3,507,141  

Taiwan — 15.1%

   

Acer Inc.

    46,000       38,145  

Airtac International Group

    2,000       69,815  
Security   Shares     Value  

Taiwan (continued)

   

AUO Corp.

    96,600     $ 58,786  

Cathay Financial Holding Co. Ltd.

    129,650       183,855  

Chailease Holding Co. Ltd.

    20,877       153,022  

China Airlines Ltd.

    43,000       28,459  

China Steel Corp.

    175,000       180,028  

Chunghwa Telecom Co. Ltd.

    56,000       211,728  

CTBC Financial Holding Co. Ltd.

    264,000       196,002  

Delta Electronics Inc.

    29,000       271,316  

E.Sun Financial Holding Co. Ltd.

    194,525       158,757  

Eva Airways Corp.

    38,000       35,194  

Evergreen Marine Corp. Taiwan Ltd.

    15,800       80,742  

Far Eastern New Century Corp.

    47,000       49,965  

Far EasTone Telecommunications Co. Ltd.

    23,000       51,898  

First Financial Holding Co. Ltd.

    154,550       135,437  

Fubon Financial Holding Co. Ltd.

    112,990       220,942  

Hotai Motor Co. Ltd.

    4,000       80,623  

Hua Nan Financial Holdings Co. Ltd.

    130,650       97,643  

MediaTek Inc.

    22,000       516,538  

Mega Financial Holding Co. Ltd.

    164,500       179,455  

momo.com Inc.

    1,200       30,841  

Nan Ya Plastics Corp.

    72,000       177,151  

President Chain Store Corp.

    8,000       69,902  

Shanghai Commercial & Savings Bank Ltd. (The)

    55,424       86,037  

SinoPac Financial Holdings Co. Ltd.

    154,120       86,281  

Taishin Financial Holding Co. Ltd.

    158,800       85,284  

Taiwan Cement Corp.

    93,792       120,238  

Taiwan Cooperative Financial Holding Co. Ltd.

    143,880       125,160  

Taiwan High Speed Rail Corp.

    28,000       26,922  

Taiwan Mobile Co. Ltd.

    25,000       79,198  

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

    132,000       2,183,794  

Uni-President Enterprises Corp.

    73,000       161,152  

United Microelectronics Corp.

    179,000       291,538  

Voltronic Power Technology Corp.

    1,000       52,214  

Wan Hai Lines Ltd.

    10,260       26,553  

Yang Ming Marine Transport Corp.

    26,000       54,724  
   

 

 

 
          6,655,339  

Thailand — 3.1%

   

Advanced Info Service PCL, NVDR

    17,200       98,286  

Airports of Thailand PCL, NVDR(b)

    62,000       127,594  

Asset World Corp. PCL, NVDR

    126,800       21,158  

B Grimm Power PCL, NVDR

    12,700       14,021  

Bangkok Dusit Medical Services PCL, NVDR

    150,800       119,448  

Berli Jucker PCL, NVDR

    18,600       20,255  

BTS Group Holdings PCL, NVDR

    123,000       28,010  

Bumrungrad Hospital PCL, NVDR

    8,400       50,140  

Central Pattana PCL, NVDR

    30,400       60,399  

Charoen Pokphand Foods PCL, NVDR

    55,700       34,984  

CP ALL PCL, NVDR

    87,500       153,465  

Energy Absolute PCL, NVDR

    26,800       59,349  

Home Product Center PCL, NVDR

    85,500       33,849  

Indorama Ventures PCL, NVDR

    26,200       27,229  

Intouch Holdings PCL, NVDR

    16,100       32,223  

Krungthai Card PCL, NVDR

    13,700       22,765  

Minor International PCL, NVDR(b)

    48,300       45,757  

Osotspa PCL, NVDR

    23,300       21,256  

PTT Exploration & Production PCL, NVDR

    20,300       85,919  

PTT Global Chemical PCL, NVDR

    35,500       47,437  

PTT Oil & Retail Business PCL, NVDR

    44,300       27,451  

SCB X PCL, NVS(c)

    12,700       37,360  

SCG Packaging PCL, NVDR

    19,700       28,977  
 

 

 

22  

2 0 2 3   I S H A R E S   S E M I - A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® ESG MSCI EM Leaders ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Thailand (continued)

   

Siam Cement PCL (The), NVDR

    12,000     $ 111,006  

Thai Union Group PCL, NVDR

    41,900       18,848  

True Corp. PCL, NVDR

    162,700       23,709  
   

 

 

 
      1,350,895  

Turkey — 0.6%

   

KOC Holding AS

    11,387       46,642  

Turk Hava Yollari AO(b)

    8,137       61,826  

Turkiye Is Bankasi AS, Class C

    51,231       30,746  

Turkiye Petrol Rafinerileri AS(b)

    2,066       64,785  

Turkiye Sise ve Cam Fabrikalari AS

    19,392       48,519  
   

 

 

 
      252,518  

United Arab Emirates — 2.1%

   

Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank PJSC

    41,078       93,652  

Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank PJSC

    20,808       59,110  

Aldar Properties PJSC

    55,871       71,398  

Emirates NBD Bank PJSC

    27,304       100,979  

Emirates Telecommunications Group Co. PJSC

    51,761       359,344  

First Abu Dhabi Bank PJSC

    66,747       255,726  
   

 

 

 
      940,209  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 97.7%
(Cost: $42,550,832)

 

      42,931,110  
   

 

 

 

Preferred Stocks

   

Brazil — 1.5%

   

Banco Bradesco SA, Preference Shares, NVS

    79,851       199,496  

Cia Energetica de Minas Gerais, Preference Shares, NVS

    20,087       40,209  

Gerdau SA, Preference Shares, NVS

    16,581       90,673  

Itau Unibanco Holding SA, Preference Shares, NVS

    71,302       346,333  
   

 

 

 
      676,711  

Chile — 0.4%

   

Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile SA, Class B, Preference Shares

    2,138       190,818  
   

 

 

 
Security   Shares     Value  

Colombia — 0.1%

   

Bancolombia SA, Preference Shares, NVS

    6,319     $ 40,077  
   

 

 

 

South Korea — 0.1%

   

LG Chem Ltd., Preference Shares, NVS

    120       26,619  
   

 

 

 

Total Preferred Stocks — 2.1%
(Cost: $881,914)

 

    934,225  
   

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 99.8%
(Cost: $43,432,746)

 

    43,865,335  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Securities

   

Money Market Funds — 1.0%

   

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares, 4.81%(e)(f)(g)

    412,068       412,315  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 1.0%
(Cost: $412,272)

 

    412,315  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments — 100.8%
(Cost: $43,845,018)

 

    44,277,650  

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (0.8)%

 

    (336,599
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

    $   43,941,051  
   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Security exempt from registration pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration to qualified institutional investors.

(b) 

Non-income producing security.

(c) 

All or a portion of this security is on loan.

(d) 

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

(e) 

Affiliate of the Fund.

(f) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

(g) 

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

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended February 28, 2023 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

 

 
Affiliated Issuer   Value at
08/31/22
    Purchases
at Cost
    Proceeds
from Sale
    Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
    Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
    Value at
02/28/23
    Shares
Held at
02/28/23
    Income    

Capital

Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds

 

 

 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares

  $ 116,900     $ 295,446 (a)    $     $ (63   $ 32     $ 412,315       412,068     $ 1,676 (b)    $  

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

                0 (a)                 —                         2,639       1  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
        $ (63   $             32     $ 412,315       $ 4,315     $             1  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 
  (b) 

All or a portion represents securities lending income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral from loaned securities, net of fees and collateral investment expenses, and other payments to and from borrowers of securities.

 
  (c) 

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

 

 

 

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

  23


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® ESG MSCI EM Leaders ETF

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Futures Contracts

 

 

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

 

 

Long Contracts

           

MSCI Emerging Markets Index

     2        03/17/23      $ 96      $ (2,849
           

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

As of period end, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities were as follows:

 

 

 
     Commodity
Contracts
     Credit
Contracts
     Equity
Contracts
     Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
     Interest
Rate
Contracts
     Other
Contracts
     Total  

 

 

Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instruments

                    

Futures contracts

                    

Unrealized depreciation on futures contracts(a)

   $      $      $ 2,849      $      $      $      $ 2,849  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts are reported in the Schedule of Investments. In the Statements of Assets and Liabilities, only current day’s variation margin is reported in receivables or payables and the net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is included in accumulated earnings (loss).

 

For the period ended February 28, 2023, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

 

 
     Commodity
Contracts
     Credit
Contracts
     Equity
Contracts
     Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
     Interest
Rate
Contracts
     Other
Contracts
     Total  

 

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from

                    

Futures contracts

   $      $      $ (11,623    $      $      $      $ (11,623
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on

                    

Futures contracts

   $      $      $ (1,336    $      $      $      $ (1,336
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

 

 

Futures contracts

  

Average notional value of contracts — long

   $ 97,270      

 

 

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

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments. For a description of the input levels and information about the Fund’s policy regarding valuation of financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.

The following table summarizes the Fund’s financial instruments categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The breakdown of the Fund’s financial instruments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.

 

 

 
     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

 

 

Assets

           

Investments

           

Long-Term Investments

           

Common Stocks

   $ 5,032,897      $ 37,847,240      $ 50,973      $ 42,931,110  

Preferred Stocks

     716,788        217,437               934,225  

Short-Term Securities

           

Money Market Funds

     412,315                      412,315  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 6,162,000      $ 38,064,677      $ 50,973      $ 44,277,650  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

24  

2 0 2 3   I S H A R E S   S E M I - A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® ESG MSCI EM Leaders ETF

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End (continued)

 

 

 
     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments(a)

           

Liabilities

           

Equity Contracts

   $ (2,849    $      $      $ (2,849
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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

  25


Schedule of Investments (unaudited)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® MSCI Global Sustainable Development Goals ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

   

Australia — 1.0%

   

CSL Ltd.

    14,992     $ 2,982,916  

IDP Education Ltd.

    18,742       360,431  

Vicinity Ltd.

    531,634       727,376  
   

 

 

 
      4,070,723  
Austria — 0.4%            

Verbund AG

    21,618       1,869,577  
   

 

 

 
Belgium — 4.3%            

Elia Group SA/NV

    10,359       1,364,574  

Umicore SA

    495,563       16,516,421  
   

 

 

 
        17,880,995  
Canada — 4.2%            

Northland Power Inc.

    73,563       1,787,185  

RioCan REIT

    26,034       412,309  

Saputo Inc.

    150,700       4,035,601  

West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd.

    150,567       11,310,456  
   

 

 

 
      17,545,551  
Chile — 1.7%            

Empresas CMPC SA

    4,316,739       7,172,921  
   

 

 

 
China — 10.3%            

3SBio Inc.(a)

    257,500       255,347  

Anjoy Foods Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    3,400       80,083  

BeiGene Ltd.(b)

    13,021       225,697  

Beijing Easpring Material Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    14,300       122,670  

Beijing Enterprises Water Group Ltd.

    6,074,000       1,525,139  

CECEP Solar Energy Co. Ltd., Class A

    114,400       116,674  

CECEP Wind Power Corp, Class A

    98,300       55,984  

China Conch Venture Holdings Ltd.

    601,000       1,209,498  

China Everbright Environment Group Ltd.

    9,338,000       3,787,183  

China Longyuan Power Group Corp. Ltd., Class H

    1,693,000       2,076,777  

China Medical System Holdings Ltd.

    150,000       225,818  

China Mengniu Dairy Co. Ltd.

    941,000       4,141,972  

China Railway Signal & Communication Corp. Ltd., Class A

    273,936       201,390  

China Three Gorges Renewables Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    302,800       243,606  

Chongqing Fuling Zhacai Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    4,800       17,668  

Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    63,300       3,667,501  

CSPC Pharmaceutical Group Ltd.

    671,520       721,413  

Ginlong Technologies Co. Ltd., Class A(b)

    1,900       43,408  

Hansoh Pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd.(a)

    58,000       104,269  

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

    109,500       416,893  

Hengan International Group Co. Ltd.

    274,000       1,260,204  

Hengdian Group DMEGC Magnetics Co. Ltd.

    39,500       123,675  

Jiangsu GoodWe Power Supply Technology Co. Ltd., NVS

    1,008       56,332  

Koolearn Technology Holding Ltd.(a)(b)

    9,000       51,254  

Li Auto Inc.(b)

    367,844       4,340,250  

Ming Yang Smart Energy Group Ltd., Class A

    106,100       387,547  

NIO Inc., ADR(b)(c)

    702,688       6,598,240  

Nongfu Spring Co. Ltd., Class H(a)

    65,000       364,359  

Pylon Technologies Co. Ltd., NVS

    1,162       44,833  

Riyue Heavy Industry Co. Ltd., Class A

    19,900       71,905  

Shanghai Junshi Biosciences Co. Ltd., Class A(b)

    1,200       9,121  

Shijiazhuang Yiling Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Class A

    3,500       15,108  

Shimao Group Holdings Ltd.(b)(c)

    7,401,474       1,885,870  

Sungrow Power Supply Co. Ltd., Class A

    23,800       408,625  
Security   Shares     Value  

China (continued)

   

Tingyi Cayman Islands Holding Corp.(c)

    924,000     $ 1,492,797  

Titan Wind Energy Suzhou Co. Ltd., Class A

    49,200       108,292  

Vinda International Holdings Ltd.(c)

    201,000       553,622  

Xinyi Solar Holdings Ltd.

    1,458,000       1,559,002  

XPeng Inc.(b)

    662,432       2,944,541  

Yadea Group Holdings Ltd.(a)

    678,000       1,455,119  

Yihai Kerry Arawana Holdings Co. Ltd., Class A

    43,400       287,320  

Zai Lab Ltd., ADR(b)(c)

    1,304       48,444  
   

 

 

 
        43,305,450  
Denmark — 8.5%            

Genmab A/S(b)

    1,882       708,100  

Novo Nordisk A/S, Class B

    60,533       8,550,605  

Orsted AS(a)

    85,828       7,470,731  

Rockwool A/S, Class B

    10,029       2,276,969  

Vestas Wind Systems A/S

    578,292       16,501,528  
   

 

 

 
      35,507,933  
France — 1.5%            

Covivio

    13,530       866,528  

Gecina SA

    3,854       443,401  

Ipsen SA

    3,917       447,551  

Klepierre SA

    74,798       1,865,437  

Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield(b)

    40,930       2,586,265  
   

 

 

 
      6,209,182  
Germany — 2.3%            

LEG Immobilien SE

    26,732       1,935,864  

Vonovia SE

    308,013       7,746,233  
   

 

 

 
      9,682,097  
Greece — 0.1%            

Terna Energy SA

    13,851       288,609  
   

 

 

 
Hong Kong — 5.1%            

Henderson Land Development Co. Ltd.

    281,000       986,362  

Link REIT

    154,500       1,016,839  

MTR Corp. Ltd.

    413,500       2,083,737  

Sun Hung Kai Properties Ltd.

    368,500       5,036,072  

Swire Properties Ltd.

    171,600       451,565  

WH Group Ltd.(a)

    20,515,000       11,938,272  
   

 

 

 
      21,512,847  
India — 0.5%            

Adani Green Energy Ltd.(b)

    6,336       37,106  

Colgate-Palmolive India Ltd.

    11,195       199,444  

Godrej Consumer Products Ltd.(b)

    20,114       224,556  

Hindustan Unilever Ltd.

    35,994       1,070,526  

Marico Ltd.

    35,523       211,195  

Nestle India Ltd.

    1,410       318,246  
   

 

 

 
      2,061,073  
Indonesia — 0.2%            

Indofood CBP Sukses Makmur Tbk PT

    806,500       535,463  

Unilever Indonesia Tbk PT

    628,500       172,218  
   

 

 

 
      707,681  
Japan — 15.2%            

Asahi Intecc Co. Ltd.

    7,800       132,803  

Central Japan Railway Co.

    65,300       7,331,551  

Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

    39,200       975,197  

Daiichi Sankyo Co. Ltd.

    70,900       2,233,090  

Daiwa House Industry Co. Ltd.

    744,000       17,172,390  

Daiwa House REIT Investment Corp.

    170       350,911  

East Japan Railway Co.

    269,500       13,610,885  
 

 

 

26  

2 0 2 3   I S H A R E S   S E M I - A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® MSCI Global Sustainable Development Goals ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Japan (continued)

   

Eisai Co. Ltd.

    26,600     $ 1,436,738  

Japan Metropolitan Fund Invest

    827       620,880  

Japan Real Estate Investment Corp.

    124       513,528  

Kyowa Kirin Co. Ltd.

    17,900       383,067  

Nippon Building Fund Inc.

    158       666,894  

Nippon Prologis REIT Inc.

    247       526,872  

Nisshin Seifun Group Inc.

    178,300       2,060,271  

Nissin Foods Holdings Co. Ltd.

    19,200       1,598,981  

Nomura Real Estate Master Fund Inc.

    456       505,455  

Ono Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

    43,500       886,006  

Open House Group Co. Ltd.

    103,700       3,732,415  

Shionogi & Co. Ltd.

    19,300       855,029  

Sysmex Corp.

    11,800       706,832  

Terumo Corp.

    43,700       1,174,803  

TOTO Ltd.

    115,000       3,843,108  

Unicharm Corp.

    66,000       2,442,814  
   

 

 

 
        63,760,520  
Malaysia — 0.1%            

PPB Group Bhd

    62,000       241,783  

QL Resources Bhd

    271,400       351,383  
   

 

 

 
      593,166  
Mexico — 0.6%            

Gruma SAB de CV, Class B

    91,040       1,334,564  

Kimberly-Clark de Mexico SAB de CV, Class A

    508,600       1,020,452  
   

 

 

 
      2,355,016  
Netherlands — 0.3%            

JDE Peet’s NV

    42,523       1,251,752  
   

 

 

 
Norway — 0.6%            

Mowi ASA

    111,341       1,922,275  

Salmar ASA

    19,239       797,555  
   

 

 

 
      2,719,830  
Saudi Arabia — 0.1%            

ACWA Power Co.

    3,350       124,318  

Almarai Co. JSC

    31,075       434,233  
   

 

 

 
      558,551  
Singapore — 0.8%            

CapitaLand Ascendas REIT

    324,400       666,272  

CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust

    950,340       1,367,064  

City Developments Ltd.

    149,100       852,904  

Mapletree Pan Asia Commercial Trust

    277,200       353,599  
   

 

 

 
      3,239,839  
Spain — 0.4%            

Corp. ACCIONA Energias Renovables SA

    22,645       877,108  

EDP Renovaveis SA

    48,999       1,002,751  
   

 

 

 
      1,879,859  
Sweden — 2.7%            

Essity AB, Class B

    274,604       7,406,782  

Svenska Cellulosa AB SCA, Class B

    238,075       3,322,431  

Swedish Orphan Biovitrum AB(b)

    21,799       502,187  
   

 

 

 
      11,231,400  
Switzerland — 4.6%            

Geberit AG, Registered

    5,563       3,002,339  

Novartis AG, Registered

    195,808       16,479,224  
   

 

 

 
      19,481,563  
Taiwan — 1.6%            

Taiwan High Speed Rail Corp.

    634,000       609,600  
Security   Shares     Value  

Taiwan (continued)

   

Uni-President Enterprises Corp.

    2,863,000     $ 6,320,234  
   

 

 

 
      6,929,834  
Thailand — 0.1%            

BTS Group Holdings PCL, NVDR(c)

    1,901,800       433,078  
   

 

 

 
United Kingdom — 5.9%            

Berkeley Group Holdings PLC

    42,638       2,146,339  

Johnson Matthey PLC

    635,947       16,683,986  

Land Securities Group PLC

    78,255       646,168  

Pearson PLC

    494,405       5,468,942  
   

 

 

 
      24,945,435  
United States — 26.6%            

Alexandria Real Estate Equities Inc.

    17,166       2,571,123  

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals Inc.(b)

    1,749       334,846  

Amgen Inc.

    43,595       10,099,218  

Baxter International Inc.

    99,928       3,992,124  

BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc.(b)

    9,484       944,512  

Boston Properties Inc.

    40,606       2,658,881  

Colgate-Palmolive Co.

    92,553       6,784,135  

Darling Ingredients Inc.(b)

    73,148       4,628,074  

Dexcom Inc.(b)(c)

    12,570       1,395,396  

Digital Realty Trust Inc.

    84,339       8,790,654  

Edwards Lifesciences Corp.(b)

    30,355       2,441,756  

Eli Lilly & Co.

    26,404       8,217,453  

Enphase Energy Inc.(b)

    14,620       3,077,949  

First Solar Inc.(b)

    20,010       3,384,491  

Healthpeak Properties Inc.

    56,462       1,358,476  

Horizon Therapeutics PLC(b)

    15,004       1,642,788  

Hormel Foods Corp.

    98,182       4,357,317  

Incyte Corp.(b)

    19,014       1,463,698  

Insulet Corp.(b)

    2,013       556,313  

Jazz Pharmaceuticals PLC(b)

    12,843       1,803,157  

Kimberly-Clark Corp.

    117,235       14,660,237  

Lucid Group Inc.(b)(c)

    10,247       93,555  

Plug Power Inc.(b)(c)

    61,289       911,367  

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc.(b)

    7,353       5,591,368  

Rivian Automotive Inc., Class A(b)(c)

    26,097       503,672  

Seagen Inc.(b)

    3,495       628,016  

SolarEdge Technologies Inc.(b)

    10,995       3,495,530  

Sun Communities Inc.

    14,889       2,131,211  

United Therapeutics Corp.(b)

    3,976       978,255  

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc.(b)

    15,708       4,559,875  

VMware Inc., Class A(b)

    33,754       3,717,328  

Xylem Inc./NY

    39,355       4,039,791  
   

 

 

 
      111,812,566  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 99.7%
(Cost: $460,110,571)

        419,007,048  
   

 

 

 

Rights

   

Hong Kong — 0.0%

   

Link REIT, (Expires 03/28/23, Strike Price HKD 44.20)(b)

    38,220       36,032  
   

 

 

 

Total Rights — 0.0%
(Cost: $—)

      36,032  
   

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 99.7%
(Cost: $460,110,571)

      419,043,080  
   

 

 

 
 

 

 

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

  27


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® MSCI Global Sustainable Development Goals ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Short-Term Securities

   

Money Market Funds — 0.7%

   

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares, 4.81%(d)(e)(f)

    2,975,187     $ 2,976,972  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares,
4.41%(d)(e)

    10,000       10,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 0.7%
(Cost: $2,986,369)

      2,986,972  

Total Investments — 100.4%
(Cost: $463,096,940)

      422,030,052  

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (0.4)%

      (1,825,798
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

    $   420,204,254  
   

 

 

 
(a) 

Security exempt from registration pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration to qualified institutional investors.

(b) 

Non-income producing security.

(c) 

All or a portion of this security is on loan.

(d) 

Affiliate of the Fund.

(e) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

(f) 

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

 

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended February 28, 2023 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

 

 

   
       Affiliated Issuer    Value at
08/31/22
     Purchases
at Cost
     Proceeds
from Sale
    Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
     Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
    Value at
02/28/23
     Shares
Held at
02/28/23
     Income    

Capital

Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds

          
 

 

   
  BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares    $ 7,678,485      $      $ (4,703,503 )(a)    $ 3,227      $ (1,237   $ 2,976,972        2,975,187      $ 26,780 (b)    $    
  BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares      60,000               (50,000 )(a)                    10,000        10,000        8,496          
            

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

   
             $ 3,227      $ (1,237   $ 2,986,972         $ 35,276     $    
            

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

  (a) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 
  (b) 

All or a portion represents securities lending income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral from loaned securities, net of fees and collateral investment expenses, and other payments to and from borrowers of securities.

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Futures Contracts

 

 

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

 

 

Long Contracts

           

MSCI EAFE Index

     5        03/17/23      $ 512      $ (10,113

MSCI Emerging Markets Index

     6        03/17/23        289        (16,406
           

 

 

 
            $ (26,519
           

 

 

 

 

 

28  

2 0 2 3   I S H A R E S   S E M I - A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

   iShares® MSCI Global Sustainable Development Goals ETF

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

As of period end, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities were as follows:

 

 

 
     Commodity
Contracts
     Credit
Contracts
     Equity
Contracts
     Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
     Interest
Rate
Contracts
     Other
Contracts
     Total  

 

 

Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instruments

                    

Futures contracts

                    

Unrealized depreciation on futures contracts(a)

   $      $      $ 26,519      $      $      $      $ 26,519  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts are reported in the Schedule of Investments. In the Statements of Assets and Liabilities, only current day’s variation margin is reported in receivables or payables and the net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is included in accumulated earnings (loss).

 

For the period ended February 28, 2023, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

 

 
     Commodity
Contracts
     Credit
Contracts
     Equity
Contracts
     Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
     Interest
Rate
Contracts
     Other
Contracts
     Total  

 

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from

                    

Futures contracts

   $      $      $ 93,587      $      $      $      $ 93,587  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on

                    

Futures contracts

   $      $      $ 16,504      $      $      $      $ 16,504  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

 

 

Futures contracts

  

Average notional value of contracts — long

   $ 1,344,898      

 

 

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

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments. For a description of the input levels and information about the Fund’s policy regarding valuation of financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.

The following table summarizes the Fund’s financial instruments categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The breakdown of the Fund’s financial instruments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.

 

 

 
     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

 

 

Assets

           

Investments

           

Long-Term Investments

           

Common Stocks

   $ 146,125,904      $ 272,881,144      $      $ 419,007,048  

Rights

            36,032               36,032  

Short-Term Securities

           

Money Market Funds

     2,986,972                      2,986,972  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 149,112,876      $ 272,917,176      $      $ 422,030,052  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments(a)

           

Liabilities

           

Equity Contracts

   $ (26,519    $      $      $ (26,519
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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

  29


Schedule of Investments (unaudited)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® MSCI Water Management Multisector ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

   

Beverages — 22.5%

   

Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV

    3,724     $ 225,892  

Coca-Cola Co. (The)

    5,548       330,161  

Coca-Cola Europacific Partners PLC

    984       54,120  

Diageo PLC

    5,780       245,283  

Fomento Economico Mexicano SAB de CV

    8,800       81,216  

Heineken Holding NV

    544       46,539  

PepsiCo Inc.

    1,414       245,371  
   

 

 

 
        1,228,582  
Building Products — 8.4%            

Geberit AG, Registered

    703       379,408  

Genuit Group PLC

    9,936       37,468  

Uponor OYJ

    2,156       40,124  
   

 

 

 
      457,000  
Commercial Services & Supplies — 1.0%            

China Everbright Environment Group Ltd.

    136,000       55,157  
   

 

 

 
Construction Materials — 2.3%            

Wienerberger AG

    4,004       124,470  
   

 

 

 
Diversified Financial Services — 0.6%            

Metro Pacific Investments Corp.

    412,000       30,361  
   

 

 

 
Electric Utilities — 0.9%            

Light SA

    4,672       2,231  

Mercury NZ Ltd.

    4,744       18,388  

Verbund AG

    364       31,479  
   

 

 

 
      52,098  
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components — 2.3%  

Badger Meter Inc.

    1,014       123,323  
   

 

 

 
Food Products — 6.2%            

Ausnutria Dairy Corp. Ltd.

    5,000       2,714  

Barry Callebaut AG, Registered

    20       39,823  

General Mills Inc.

    2,645       210,304  

McCormick & Co. Inc./MD, NVS

    1,136       84,427  
   

 

 

 
      337,268  
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 7.2%            

Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc.

    1,264       182,661  

Marriott International Inc./MD, Class A

    1,240       209,857  
   

 

 

 
      392,518  
Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers — 1.5%  

AES Brasil Energia SA

    4,592       8,701  

Auren Energia SA

    3,816       10,787  

Brookfield Renewable Corp., Class A

    772       21,499  

Meridian Energy Ltd.

    7,656       25,130  

Shamal Az-Zour Al-Oula for the First Phase of Az-Zour Power Plant KSC

    29,208       17,316  
   

 

 

 
      83,433  
Security   Shares     Value  

Machinery — 16.0%

   

Energy Recovery Inc.(a)

    1,979     $ 43,677  

Franklin Electric Co. Inc.

    1,364       130,357  

Kurita Water Industries Ltd.

    3,600       162,649  

METAWATER Co. Ltd.

    1,200       14,690  

Takuma Co. Ltd.

    2,800       28,194  

Watts Water Technologies Inc., Class A

    936       164,015  

Xylem Inc./NY

    3,193       327,761  
   

 

 

 
      871,343  
Metals & Mining — 0.0%            

Shanxi Taigang Stainless Steel Co. Ltd., Class A

    4,000       2,751  
   

 

 

 
Multi-Utilities — 7.1%        

Veolia Environnement SA

    13,028       388,812  
   

 

 

 
Real Estate Management & Development — 0.4%        

Swire Pacific Ltd., Class A

    3,000       24,482  
   

 

 

 
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 13.7%        

ASE Technology Holding Co. Ltd.

    16,000       55,095  

Macronix International Co. Ltd.

    16,000       17,916  

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

    20,000       330,878  

Texas Instruments Inc.

    2,008       344,272  
   

 

 

 
      748,161  
Water Utilities — 9.5%            

AlKhorayef Water & Power Technologies Co.

    318       11,525  

American Water Works Co. Inc.

    2,204       309,398  

Athens Water Supply & Sewage Co. SA

    2,280       17,104  

Beijing Enterprises Water Group Ltd.

    152,000       38,166  

Cia. de Saneamento Basico do Estado de Sao Paulo

    11,874       117,369  

Cia. de Saneamento do Parana

    7,392       24,087  
   

 

 

 
      517,649  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 99.6%
(Cost: $5,021,743)

        5,437,408  
   

 

 

 

Preferred Stocks

   

Water Utilities — 0.2%

   

Cia de Saneamento do Parana, Preference Shares, NVS

    18,468       12,029  
   

 

 

 

Total Preferred Stocks — 0.2%
(Cost: $12,771)

      12,029  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments — 99.8%
(Cost: $5,034,514)

      5,449,437  

Other Assets Less Liabilities — 0.2%

      9,246  
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

    $ 5,458,683  
   

 

 

 

 

(a)

Non-income producing security.

 

 

 

30  

2 0 2 3   I S H A R E S   S E M I - A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

   iShares® MSCI Water Management Multisector ETF

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the period ended February 28, 2023 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

 

 
Affiliated Issuer   Value at    
09/20/22(a)
    Purchases
at Cost
    Proceeds
from Sale
    Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
    Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
    Value at
02/28/23
    Shares
Held at
02/28/23
    Income    

Capital

Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds

 

 

 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares(b)

  $     $     $ (15 )(c)    $ 15     $     $           $ 8     $  

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

                0 (c)                               82        
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
        $                 15     $                 —     $                 —       $ 90     $                 —  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Commencement of operations.

 
  (b) 

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

 
  (c) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments. For a description of the input levels and information about the Fund’s policy regarding valuation of financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.

The following table summarizes the Fund’s financial instruments categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The breakdown of the Fund’s financial instruments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.

 

 

 
     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

 

 

Assets

           

Investments

           

Long-Term Investments

           

Common Stocks

   $ 3,071,677      $ 2,365,731      $      $ 5,437,408  

Preferred Stocks

     12,029                      12,029  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 3,083,706      $ 2,365,731      $             —      $ 5,449,437  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

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

  31


 

Statements of Assets and Liabilities (unaudited)

February 28, 2023

 

   

iShares
Emergent

Food and
AgTech
Multisector

ETF

   

iShares

ESG Aware MSCI

EAFE ETF

   

iShares

ESG MSCI

EM Leaders

ETF

   

iShares

MSCI Global
Sustainable
Development

Goals ETF

 

 

 

ASSETS

       

Investments, at value — unaffiliated(a)(b)

  $ 6,289,912     $ 6,949,483,929     $ 43,865,335     $ 419,043,080  

Investments, at value — affiliated(c)

          4,692,620       412,315       2,986,972  

Cash

    7,688       940       213,456       46,156  

Cash pledged for futures contracts

    1,983             8,000       26,000  

Foreign currency collateral pledged for futures contracts(d)

          2,451,217              

Foreign currency, at value(e)

    10,142       13,962,873       77,871       793,308  

Receivables:

       

Investments sold

    6,782       326,683,767       1,335,806       23,280,998  

Securities lending income — affiliated

          664       223       2,570  

Dividends — unaffiliated

    10,838       10,435,379       252,097       297,047  

Dividends — affiliated

          2,996       740       1,249  

Tax reclaims

    2,794       11,200,015       4,987       277,674  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

    6,330,139       7,318,914,400       46,170,830       446,755,054  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

       

Collateral on securities loaned, at value

          3,401,177       418,924       2,977,424  

Payables:

       

Investments purchased

    19,102       333,325,446       1,623,996       23,327,454  

Bank borrowings

                180,028        

Capital shares redeemed

                      72,937  

Foreign taxes

                      163  

Investment advisory fees

    2,324       1,092,648       5,883       166,439  

Professional fees

          14,821             380  

Variation margin on futures contracts

          113,347       948       6,003  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    21,426       337,947,439       2,229,779       26,550,800  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 6,308,713     $ 6,980,966,961     $ 43,941,051     $ 420,204,254  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF

       

Paid-in capital

  $ 7,105,162     $ 7,004,848,901     $ 45,236,691     $ 504,647,305  

Accumulated loss

    (796,449     (23,881,940     (1,295,640     (84,443,051
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 6,308,713     $ 6,980,966,961     $ 43,941,051     $ 420,204,254  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETVALUE

       

Shares outstanding

    300,000       100,300,000       1,000,000       5,400,000  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value

  $ 21.03     $ 69.60     $ 43.94     $ 77.82  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Shares authorized

    Unlimited       Unlimited       Unlimited       Unlimited  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Par value

    None       None       None       None  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(a) Investments, at cost — unaffiliated

  $ 6,873,549     $ 6,539,585,883     $ 43,432,746     $ 460,110,571  

(b) Securities loaned, at value

  $     $ 3,074,170     $ 404,286     $ 2,924,154  

(c)  Investments, at cost — affiliated

  $     $ 4,691,629     $ 412,272     $ 2,986,369  

(d) Foreign currency collateral pledged, at cost

  $     $ 2,426,586     $     $  

(e) Foreign currency, at cost

  $ 10,414     $ 14,174,018     $ 78,272     $ 794,479  

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

32  

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Statements of Assets and Liabilities (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

 

   

iShares

MSCI Water
Management
Multisector

ETF

 

 

 

ASSETS

 

Investments, at value — unaffiliated(a)

  $ 5,449,437  

Cash

    5,914  

Foreign currency, at value(b)

    10,607  

Receivables:

 

Investments sold

    522,731  

Dividends — unaffiliated

    4,437  
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    5,993,126  
 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

 

Payables:

 

Investments purchased

    532,440  

Investment advisory fees

    2,003  
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    534,443  
 

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 5,458,683  
 

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF

 

Paid-in capital

  $ 4,982,461  

Accumulated earnings

    476,222  
 

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 5,458,683  
 

 

 

 

NET ASSET VALUE

 

Shares outstanding

    200,000  
 

 

 

 

Net asset value

  $ 27.29  
 

 

 

 

Shares authorized

    Unlimited  
 

 

 

 

Par value

    None  
 

 

 

 

(a) Investments, at cost — unaffiliated

  $ 5,034,514  

(b) Foreign currency, at cost

  $ 10,737  

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L  T A T E M E N T S

  33


 

Statements of Operations (unaudited)

Six Months Ended February 28, 2023

 

   

iShares

Emergent

Food and

AgTech

Multisector

ETF

   

iShares

ESG Aware

MSCI EAFE

ETF

   

iShares

ESG MSCI

EM Leaders

ETF

   

iShares

MSCI Global

Sustainable

Development

Goals ETF

 

 

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

 

     

Dividends — unaffiliated

  $ 49,148     $ 60,636,180     $ 473,611     $ 3,460,640  

Dividends — affiliated

    30       31,209       2,639       8,496  

Securities lending income — affiliated — net

    1,648       23,405       1,676       26,780  

Other income — unaffiliated

          382              

Foreign taxes withheld

    (2,491     (5,298,104     (55,606     (210,871

Foreign withholding tax claims

          150,432             3,811  

Other foreign taxes

                (2,284      
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investment income

    48,335       55,543,504       420,036       3,288,856  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EXPENSES

       

Investment advisory

    13,290       6,557,942       42,996       1,025,781  

Commitment costs

                568       874  

Professional

          15,081             382  

Interest expense

                28        
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses

    13,290       6,573,023       43,592       1,027,037  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    35,045       48,970,481       376,444       2,261,819  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

       

Net realized gain (loss) from:

       

Investments — unaffiliated(a)

    (207,104     (134,195,668     (141,312     (10,379,267

Investments — affiliated

    5       8,490       (63     3,227  

Capital gain distributions from underlying funds — affiliated

                1        

Foreign currency transactions

    (412     64,652       (11,680     (20,409

Futures contracts

    (945     2,563,278       (11,623     93,587  

In-kind redemptions — unaffiliated(b)

          64,555,274       411,073       1,785,407  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    (208,456     (67,003,974     246,396       (8,517,455
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

       

Investments — unaffiliated(c)

    194,524       823,064,440       (1,372,862     7,348,262  

Investments — affiliated

    (6     (2,642     32       (1,237

Foreign currency translations

    17       904,317       4,061       46,702  

Futures contracts

    (278     1,581,754       (1,336     16,504  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    194,257       825,547,869       (1,370,105     7,410,231  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    (14,199     758,543,895       (1,123,709     (1,107,224
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

  $     20,846     $   807,514,376     $ (747,265)     $ 1,154,595  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(a) Net of foreign capital gain tax and capital gain tax refund, if applicable

  $     $     $ (42,182   $ (8,861)  

(b) See Note 2 of the Notes to Financial Statements.

       

(c)  Net of reduction in deferred foreign capital gain tax of

  $     $     $       68,236     $       35,265  

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

34  

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Statements of Operations (unaudited) (continued)

Six Months Ended February 28, 2023

 

   




iShares

MSCI

Water
Management
Multisector
ETF

 

 

 
 
 
(a)  

 

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

 

Dividends — unaffiliated

  $ 32,617  

Dividends — affiliated

    82  

Securities lending income — affiliated — net

    8  

Foreign taxes withheld

    (867
 

 

 

 

Total investment income

    31,840  
 

 

 

 

EXPENSES

 

Investment advisory

    10,839  

Commitment costs

    5  
 

 

 

 

Total expenses

    10,844  
 

 

 

 

Net investment income

    20,996  
 

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

 

Net realized gain (loss) from:

 

Investments — unaffiliated

    54,236  

Investments — affiliated

    15  

Foreign currency transactions

    2,616  
 

 

 

 
    56,867  
 

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

 

Investments — unaffiliated

    414,923  

Foreign currency translations

    651  
 

 

 

 
    415,574  
 

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain

    472,441  
 

 

 

 

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

  $ 493,437  
 

 

 

 

(a) For the period from September 20, 2022 (commencement of operations) to February 28, 2023.

 
 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L  T A T E M E N T S

  35


 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

   

iShares

Emergent Food and AgTech Multisector
ETF

         

iShares

ESG Aware MSCI EAFE ETF

 
 

 

 

     

 

 
     

Six Months Ended

02/28/23

(unaudited)

 

 

 

     

Period From
04/25/22

to 08/31/22

 
(a)  

 

   

Six Months Ended 02/28/23

(unaudited)

 

 

   

Year Ended

08/31/22

 

 

 

 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

                 

OPERATIONS

                 

Net investment income

    $ 35,045       $ 52,594         $ 48,970,481       $ 200,220,111  

Net realized loss

      (208,456       (10,583         (67,003,974       (240,509,355

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

      194,257         (778,202         825,547,869         (1,579,348,818
   

 

 

     

 

 

       

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

      20,846         (736,191         807,514,376         (1,619,638,062
   

 

 

     

 

 

       

 

 

     

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(b)

                 

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

      (43,805       (37,299         (31,427,081       (246,221,801
   

 

 

     

 

 

       

 

 

     

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

                 

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

      1,066,423         6,038,739           (171,382,038       1,547,452,980  
   

 

 

     

 

 

       

 

 

     

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

                 

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

      1,043,464         5,265,249           604,705,257         (318,406,883

Beginning of period

      5,265,249                   6,376,261,704         6,694,668,587  
   

 

 

     

 

 

       

 

 

     

 

 

 

End of period

    $ 6,308,713       $ 5,265,249         $ 6,980,966,961       $ 6,376,261,704  
   

 

 

     

 

 

       

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Commencement of operations.

 

(b) 

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

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

36  

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Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

 

   

iShares

ESG MSCI EM Leaders ETF

         

iShares

MSCI Global Sustainable Development

Goals ETF

 
 

 

     

 

 

 
   

Six Months
Ended

02/28/23

(unaudited)

         

Year Ended

08/31/22

   

    

   

Six Months
Ended

02/28/23

(unaudited)

   

Year Ended

08/31/22

 

 

 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

                 

OPERATIONS

                 

Net investment income

    $ 376,444              $ 5,099,358         $ 2,261,819       $ 10,093,334  

Net realized gain (loss)

      246,396         68,750,663           (8,517,455       (18,394,084

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

      (1,370,105       (157,777,441         7,410,231         (104,450,604
   

 

 

     

 

 

       

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

      (747,265       (83,927,420         1,154,595         (112,751,354
   

 

 

     

 

 

       

 

 

     

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a)

                 

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

      (2,201,979       (11,692,050         (3,789,063       (10,093,155
   

 

 

     

 

 

       

 

 

     

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

                 

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

      (13,503,748       (726,515,865         7,048,073         (26,510,247
   

 

 

     

 

 

       

 

 

     

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

                 

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

      (16,452,992       (822,135,335         4,413,605         (149,354,756

Beginning of period

      60,394,043         882,529,378           415,790,649         565,145,405  
   

 

 

     

 

 

       

 

 

     

 

 

 

End of period

    $ 43,941,051       $ 60,394,043         $ 420,204,254                $ 415,790,649  
   

 

 

     

 

 

       

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

(a) 

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

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L  T A T E M E N T S

  37


 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

 

    iShares
MSCI Water
Management
Multisector
ETF
 
   


Period From

09/20/22

to 02/28/23
(unaudited)

 

(a) 

 
 

 

 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

 

OPERATIONS

 

Net investment income

  $ 20,996  

Net realized gain

    56,867  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    415,574  
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

    493,437  
 

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(b)

 

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

    (17,215 )(c)  
 

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

 

Net increase in net assets derived from capital share transactions

    4,982,461  
 

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

 

Total increase in net assets

    5,458,683  

Beginning of period

     
 

 

 

 

End of period

  $ 5,458,683  
 

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Commencement of operations.

(b) 

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

(c) 

A portion of the distributions from net investment income may be deemed a return of capital or net realized gain at fiscal year-end.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

38  

2 0 2 3   I S H A R E S   S E M I - A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Financial Highlights 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    iShares Emergent Food and AgTech Multisector ETF  
 

 

 
  Six Months Ended

 

    Period From

 

  02/28/23

 

      04/25/22 (a) 
  (unaudited)

 

    to 08/31/22

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $ 21.06              $ 24.09  
   

 

 

       

 

 

 

Net investment income(b)

      0.13           0.21  

Net realized and unrealized loss(c)

                  (0.01         (3.09
   

 

 

       

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

      0.12           (2.88
   

 

 

       

 

 

 

Distributions from net investment income(d)

      (0.15         (0.15
   

 

 

       

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

    $ 21.03         $ 21.06  
   

 

 

       

 

 

 

Total Return(e)

         

Based on net asset value

      0.54 %(f)          (12.00 )%(f) 
   

 

 

       

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(g)

         

Total expenses

      0.47 %(h)          0.47 %(h) 
   

 

 

       

 

 

 

Net investment income

      1.24 %(h)          2.78 %(h) 
   

 

 

       

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

         

Net assets, end of period (000)

    $ 6,309         $ 5,265  
   

 

 

       

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(i)

      17         1
   

 

 

       

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Commencement of operations.

(b) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(c) 

The amounts reported for a share outstanding may not accord with the change in aggregate gains and losses in securities for the fiscal period due to the timing of capital share transactions in relation to the fluctuating market values of the Fund’s underlying securities.

(d) 

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

(e) 

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(f) 

Not annualized.

(g) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

(h) 

Annualized.

(i) 

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L   H I G H L I G H T S

  39


Financial Highlights (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    iShares ESG Aware MSCI EAFE ETF  
    Six Months Ended
02/28/23
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
08/31/22
    Year Ended
08/31/21
    Year Ended
08/31/20
    Year Ended
08/31/19
    Year Ended
08/31/18
 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $ 62.03       $ 80.85       $ 65.21       $ 62.01       $ 65.51       $ 64.28  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

      0.48         2.07         1.84         1.53         2.12         2.16  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(b)

                 7.40         (18.37       15.47         2.85         (3.92       0.83  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

      7.88         (16.30       17.31         4.38         (1.80       2.99  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Distributions from net investment income(c)

      (0.31       (2.52       (1.67       (1.18       (1.70       (1.76
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

    $ 69.60       $ 62.03       $ 80.85       $ 65.21       $ 62.01       $ 65.51  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

                       

Based on net asset value

      12.71 %(e)        (20.54 )%        26.69       7.12       (2.68 )%        4.64
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(f)

                       

Total expenses

      0.20 %(g)        0.20       0.20       0.20       0.20       0.20
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total expenses excluding professional fees for foreign withholding tax claims

      0.20 %(g)         0.20       N/A         N/A         N/A         N/A  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net investment income

      1.49 %(g)        2.84       2.45       2.47       3.39       3.22
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

                       

Net assets, end of period (000)

    $ 6,980,967       $ 6,376,262       $ 6,694,669       $ 3,025,519       $ 917,780       $ 360,309  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(h)

      14       27       25       30       26       24
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b) 

The amounts reported for a share outstanding may not accord with the change in aggregate gains and losses in securities for the fiscal period due to the timing of capital share transactions in relation to the fluctuating market values of the Fund’s underlying securities.

(c) 

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

(d) 

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(e) 

Not annualized.

(f) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

(g) 

Annualized.

(h) 

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

40  

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Financial Highlights (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    iShares ESG MSCI EM Leaders ETF  
 

 

 

 
   

Six Months Ended
02/28/23
(unaudited)
 
 
 
   
Year Ended
08/31/22
 
 
   
Year Ended
08/31/21
 
 
   

Period From
02/05/20

to 08/31/20

 
(a)  

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $ 46.46     $ 63.49     $ 51.84     $ 51.43  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(b)

      0.31       0.96       1.01       0.79  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(c)

               (1.14     (16.79     11.67       (0.03
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

      (0.83     (15.83     12.68       0.76  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions(d)

         

From net investment income

      (0.27     (0.90     (1.03     (0.35

From net realized gain

      (1.42     (0.30            
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions

      (1.69     (1.20     (1.03     (0.35
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

    $ 43.94     $ 46.46     $ 63.49     $ 51.84  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(e)

         

Based on net asset value

      (1.76 )%(f)      (25.25 )%(g)      24.68     1.54 %(f)  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(h)

         

Total expenses

      0.16 %(i)      0.16     0.16     0.16 %(i)  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

      1.40 %(i)      1.60     1.66     3.04 %(i)  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

         

Net assets, end of period (000)

    $ 43,941     $ 60,394     $ 882,529     $ 647,969  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(j)

      7     17     34     19
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Commencement of operations.

(b) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(c) 

The amounts reported for a share outstanding may not accord with the change in aggregate gains and losses in securities for the fiscal period due to the timing of capital share transactions in relation to the fluctuating market values of the Fund’s underlying securities.

(d) 

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

(e) 

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(f) 

Not annualized.

(g) 

Includes payments received from an affiliate, which impacted the Fund’s total return. Excluding payments, the Fund’s total return would have been -26.07%.

(h) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

(i) 

Annualized.

(j) 

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L   H I G H L I G H T S

  41


Financial Highlights (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    iShares MSCI Global Sustainable Development Goals ETF  
   

Six Months Ended

02/28/23
(unaudited)

   

Year Ended
08/31/22

   

Year Ended
08/31/21

   

Year Ended
08/31/20

   

Year Ended
08/31/19

   

Year Ended
08/31/18

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $ 78.45        $ 100.03        $ 81.68        $ 57.03        $ 58.35        $ 55.92  
   

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

      0.42          1.81          1.12          1.19          1.02          1.32  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(b)

      (0.35        (21.60        18.09          24.32          (1.29        2.65  
   

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

                 0.07          (19.79        19.21          25.51          (0.27        3.97  
   

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Distributions from net investment income(c)

      (0.70        (1.79        (0.86        (0.86        (1.05        (1.54
   

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

    $ 77.82        $ 78.45        $ 100.03        $ 81.68        $ 57.03        $ 58.35  
   

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

                            

Based on net asset value

      0.03 %(e)          (19.93 )%         23.60        45.10        (0.40 )%         7.16
   

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(f)

                            

Total expenses

      0.49 %(g)          0.49        0.49        0.49        0.49        0.49
   

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total expenses excluding professional fees for foreign withholding tax claims

      0.49 %(g)          N/A          N/A          N/A          N/A          N/A  
   

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net investment income

      1.08 %(g)          2.06        1.19        1.82        1.79        2.26
   

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

                            

Net assets, end of period (000)

    $ 420,204        $ 415,791        $ 565,145        $ 175,604        $ 54,174        $ 37,928  
   

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(h)

      18        54        70        47        43        36
   

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b) 

The amount reported for a share outstanding may not accord with the change in aggregate gains and losses in securities for the fiscal period due to the timing of capital share transactions in relation to the fluctuating market values of the Fund’s underlying securities.

(c) 

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

(d) 

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(e) 

Not annualized.

(f) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

(g) 

Annualized.

(h) 

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

42  

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Financial Highlights (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    iShares
MSCI Water
Management
Multisector
ETF
 
    Period From  
      09/20/22 (a) 
   

to 02/28/23

(unaudited)

 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

      $24.91  
   

 

 

 

Net investment income(b)

      0.11  

Net realized and unrealized gain(c)

      2.36  
   

 

 

 

Net increase from investment operations

      2.47  
   

 

 

 

Distributions from net investment income(d)

      (0.09 )(e) 
   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

      $27.29  
   

 

 

 

Total Return(f)

   

Based on net asset value

      9.90 %(g) 
   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(h)

   

Total expenses

      0.47 %(i) 
   

 

 

 

Net investment income

      0.91 %(i) 
   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

   

Net assets, end of period (000)

      $5,459  
   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(j)

      24
   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Commencement of operations.

(b) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(c) 

The amounts reported for a share outstanding may not accord with the change in aggregate gains and losses in securities for the fiscal period due to the timing of capital share transactions in relation to the fluctuating market values of the Fund’s underlying securities.

(d) 

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

(e) 

A portion of the distributions from net investment income may be deemed a return of capital or net realized gain at fiscal year-end.

(f) 

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(g) 

Not annualized.

(h) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds. (i) Annualized.

(j) 

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L   H I G H L I G H T S

  43


Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited)

 

 

1.

ORGANIZATION

iShares Trust (the “Trust”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as an open-end management investment company. The Trust is organized as a Delaware statutory trust and is authorized to have multiple series or portfolios.

These financial statements relate only to the following funds (each, a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”):

 

   
iShares ETF  

Diversification  

Classification  

 

Emergent Food and AgTech Multisector

    Non-diversified    

ESG Aware MSCI EAFE

    Diversified    

ESG MSCI EM Leaders(a)

    Diversified    

MSCI Global Sustainable Development Goals

    Diversified    

MSCI Water Management Multisector(b)

    Non-diversified    

 

  (a) 

The Fund’s classification changed from non-diversified to diversified during the reporting period.

 
  (b) 

The Fund commenced operations on September 20, 2022.

 

 

2.

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”), which may require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities in the financial statements, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Each Fund is considered an investment company under U.S. GAAP and follows the accounting and reporting guidance applicable to investment companies. Below is a summary of significant accounting policies:

Investment Transactions and Income Recognition: For financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are recorded on the dates the transactions are executed. Realized gains and losses on investment transactions are determined using the specific identification method. Dividend income and capital gain distributions, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Non-cash dividends, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend date at fair value. Dividends from foreign securities where the ex-dividend date may have passed are subsequently recorded when the Funds are informed of the ex-dividend date. Under the applicable foreign tax laws, a withholding tax at various rates may be imposed on capital gains, dividends and interest. Upon notification from issuers or as estimated by management, a portion of the dividend income received from a real estate investment trust may be redesignated as a reduction of cost of the related investment and/or realized gain.

Foreign Currency Translation: Each Fund’s books and records are maintained in U.S. dollars. Securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars using prevailing market rates as quoted by one or more data service providers. Purchases and sales of investments are recorded at the rates of exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions. Generally, when the U.S. dollar rises in value against a foreign currency, the investments denominated in that currency will lose value; the opposite effect occurs if the U.S. dollar falls in relative value.

Each Fund does not isolate the effect of fluctuations in foreign exchange rates from the effect of fluctuations in the market prices of investments for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, the effects of changes in exchange rates on investments are not segregated in the Statements of Operations from the effects of changes in market prices of those investments, but are included as a component of net realized and unrealized gain (loss) from investments. Each Fund reports realized currency gains (losses) on foreign currency related transactions as components of net realized gain (loss) for financial reporting purposes, whereas such components are generally treated as ordinary income for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Foreign Taxes: The Funds may be subject to foreign taxes (a portion of which may be reclaimable) on income, stock dividends, capital gains on investments, or certain foreign currency transactions. All foreign taxes are recorded in accordance with the applicable foreign tax regulations and rates that exist in the foreign jurisdictions in which each Fund invests. These foreign taxes, if any, are paid by each Fund and are reflected in its Statements of Operations as follows: foreign taxes withheld at source are presented as a reduction of income, foreign taxes on securities lending income are presented as a reduction of securities lending income, foreign taxes on stock dividends are presented as “Other foreign taxes”, and foreign taxes on capital gains from sales of investments and foreign taxes on foreign currency transactions are included in their respective net realized gain (loss) categories. Foreign taxes payable or deferred as of February 28, 2023, if any, are disclosed in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

The Funds file withholding tax reclaims in certain jurisdictions to recover a portion of amounts previously withheld. The Funds may record a reclaim receivable based on collectability, which includes factors such as the jurisdiction’s applicable laws, payment history and market convention. The Statements of Operations includes tax reclaims recorded as well as professional and other fees, if any, associated with recovery of foreign withholding taxes.

Collateralization: If required by an exchange or counterparty agreement, the Funds may be required to deliver/deposit cash and/or securities to/with an exchange, or broker-dealer or custodian as collateral for certain investments.

In-kind Redemptions: For financial reporting purposes, in-kind redemptions are treated as sales of securities resulting in realized capital gains or losses to the Funds. Because such gains or losses are not taxable to the Funds and are not distributed to existing Fund shareholders, the gains or losses are reclassified from accumulated net realized gain (loss) to paid-in capital at the end of the Funds’ tax year. These reclassifications have no effect on net assets or net asset value (“NAV”) per share.

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

Distributions: Dividends and distributions paid by each Fund are recorded on the ex-dividend dates. Distributions are determined on a tax basis and may differ from net investment income and net realized capital gains for financial reporting purposes. Dividends and distributions are paid in U.S. dollars and cannot be automatically reinvested in additional shares of the Funds.

The character and timing of distributions are determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP.

Indemnifications: In the normal course of business, each Fund enters into contracts that contain a variety of representations that provide general indemnification. The Funds’ maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown because it involves future potential claims against the Funds, which cannot be predicted with any certainty.

 

3.

INVESTMENT VALUATION AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Investment Valuation Policies: Each Fund’s investments are valued at fair value (also referred to as “market value” within the financial statements) each day that the Fund’s listing exchange is open and, for financial reporting purposes, as of the report date. U.S. GAAP defines fair value as the price a fund would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”) of each Fund has approved the designation of BlackRock Fund Advisors (“BFA”), the Funds’ investment adviser, as the valuation designee for each Fund. Each Fund determines the fair values of its financial instruments using various independent dealers or pricing services under BFA’s policies. If a security’s market price is not readily available or does not otherwise accurately represent the fair value of the security, the security will be valued in accordance with BFA’s policies and procedures as reflecting fair value. BFA has formed a committee (the “Valuation Committee”) to develop pricing policies and procedures and to oversee the pricing function for all financial instruments, with assistance from other BlackRock pricing committees.

Fair Value Inputs and Methodologies: The following methods and inputs are used to establish the fair value of each Fund’s assets and liabilities:

 

   

Equity investments traded on a recognized securities exchange are valued at that day’s official closing price, as applicable, on the exchange where the stock is primarily traded. Equity investments traded on a recognized exchange for which there were no sales on that day are valued at the last traded price.

 

   

Investments in open-end U.S. mutual funds (including money market funds) are valued at that day’s published NAV.

 

   

Futures contracts are valued based on that day’s last reported settlement or trade price on the exchange where the contract is traded.

Generally, trading in foreign instruments is substantially completed each day at various times prior to the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”). Each business day, the Funds use current market factors supplied by independent pricing services to value certain foreign instruments (“Systematic Fair Value Price”). The Systematic Fair Value Price is designed to value such foreign securities at fair value as of the close of trading on the NYSE, which follows the close of the local markets.

If events (e.g., market volatility, company announcement or a natural disaster) occur that are expected to materially affect the value of such investment, or in the event that application of these methods of valuation results in a price for an investment that is deemed not to be representative of the market value of such investment, or if a price is not available, the investment will be valued by the Valuation Committee, in accordance with BFA’s policies and procedures as reflecting fair value (“Fair Valued Investments”). The fair valuation approaches that may be used by the Valuation Committee include market approach, income approach and cost approach. Valuation techniques such as discounted cash flow, use of market comparables and matrix pricing are types of valuation approaches and are typically used in determining fair value. When determining the price for Fair Valued Investments, the Valuation Committee seeks to determine the price that each Fund might reasonably expect to receive or pay from the current sale or purchase of that asset or liability in an arm’s-length transaction. Fair value determinations shall be based upon all available factors that the Valuation Committee deems relevant and consistent with the principles of fair value measurement.

Fair value pricing could result in a difference between the prices used to calculate a fund’s NAV and the prices used by the fund’s underlying index, which in turn could result in a difference between the fund’s performance and the performance of the fund’s underlying index.

Fair Value Hierarchy: Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments. These inputs to valuation techniques are categorized into a fair value hierarchy consisting of three broad levels for financial reporting purposes as follows:

 

   

Level 1 – Unadjusted price quotations in active markets/exchanges for identical assets or liabilities that each Fund has the ability to access;

 

   

Level 2 – Other observable inputs (including, but not limited to, quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in markets that are active, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the assets or liabilities (such as interest rates, yield curves, volatilities, prepayment speeds, loss severities, credit risks and default rates) or other market-corroborated inputs); and

 

   

Level 3 – Unobservable inputs based on the best information available in the circumstances, to the extent observable inputs are not available, (including the Valuation Committee’s assumptions used in determining the fair value of financial instruments).

The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized in Level 3. The inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, for disclosure purposes, the fair value hierarchy classification is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. Investments classified within Level 3 have significant unobservable inputs used by the Valuation Committee in determining the price for Fair Valued Investments. Level 3 investments include equity or debt issued by privately

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

held companies or funds that may not have a secondary market and/or may have a limited number of investors. The categorization of a value determined for financial instruments is based on the pricing transparency of the financial instruments and is not necessarily an indication of the risks associated with investing in those securities.

 

4.

SECURITIES AND OTHER INVESTMENTS

Securities Lending: Each Fund may lend its securities to approved borrowers, such as brokers, dealers and other financial institutions. The borrower pledges and maintains with the Fund collateral consisting of cash, an irrevocable letter of credit issued by an approved bank, or securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government. The initial collateral received by each Fund is required to have a value of at least 102% of the current market value of the loaned securities for securities traded on U.S. exchanges and a value of at least 105% for all other securities. The collateral is maintained thereafter at a value equal to at least 100% of the current value of the securities on loan. The market value of the loaned securities is determined at the close of each business day of the Fund and any additional required collateral is delivered to the Fund or excess collateral is returned by the Fund, on the next business day. During the term of the loan, each Fund is entitled to all distributions made on or in respect of the loaned securities but does not receive interest income on securities received as collateral. Loans of securities are terminable at any time and the borrower, after notice, is required to return borrowed securities within the standard time period for settlement of securities transactions.

As of period end, any securities on loan were collateralized by cash and/or U.S. Government obligations. Cash collateral invested in money market funds managed by BFA, or its affiliates is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments. Any non-cash collateral received cannot be sold, re-invested or pledged by the Fund, except in the event of borrower default. The securities on loan, if any, are also disclosed in each Fund’s Schedule of Investments. The market value of any securities on loan and the value of any related cash collateral are disclosed in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

Securities lending transactions are entered into by the Funds under Master Securities Lending Agreements (each, an “MSLA”) which provide the right, in the event of default (including bankruptcy or insolvency) for the non-defaulting party to liquidate the collateral and calculate a net exposure to the defaulting party or request additional collateral. In the event that a borrower defaults, the Funds, as lender, would offset the market value of the collateral received against the market value of the securities loaned. When the value of the collateral is greater than that of the market value of the securities loaned, the lender is left with a net amount payable to the defaulting party. However, bankruptcy or insolvency laws of a particular jurisdiction may impose restrictions on or prohibitions against such a right of offset in the event of an MSLA counterparty’s bankruptcy or insolvency. Under the MSLA, absent an event of default, the borrower can resell or re-pledge the loaned securities, and the Funds can reinvest cash collateral received in connection with loaned securities. Upon an event of default, the parties’ obligations to return the securities or collateral to the other party are extinguished, and the parties can resell or re-pledge the loaned securities or the collateral received in connection with the loaned securities in order to satisfy the defaulting party’s net payment obligation for all transactions under the MSLA. The defaulting party remains liable for any deficiency.

As of period end, the following table is a summary of the securities on loan by counterparty which are subject to offset under an MSLA:

 

 

 

iShares ETF and Counterparty

   
Securities Loaned
at Value
 
 
   
Cash Collateral
Received
 
(a)  
   
Non-Cash Collateral
Received, at Fair Value
 
(a) 
    Net Amount  

 

 

ESG Aware MSCI EAFE

       

BNP Paribas SA

  $ 68,739     $ (67,189   $     $ 1,550 (b)  

HSBC Bank PLC

    3,005,431       (3,005,431            
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  $ 3,074,170     $ (3,072,620   $     $ 1,550  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

ESG MSCI EM Leaders

       

Barclays Capital, Inc.

  $ 6,673     $ (6,673   $     $  

BofA Securities, Inc.

    33,446       (33,446            

Citigroup Global Markets, Inc.

    28,758       (28,758            

Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC

    17,647       (17,647            

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

    199,516       (199,516            

Morgan Stanley

    21,174       (21,174            

State Street Bank & Trust Co.

    8,625       (8,625            

UBS AG

    88,447       (86,540           1,907 (b)  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  $ 404,286     $ (402,379   $     $ 1,907  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

MSCI Global Sustainable Development Goals

       

Barclays Bank PLC

  $ 18,460     $ (18,194   $     $ 266 (b)  

BNP Paribas SA

    1,399,299       (1,399,299            

HSBC Bank PLC

    82,630       (82,630            

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

    681,306       (681,306            

Morgan Stanley

    268,411       (268,411            

Nomura Securities International, Inc

    10,332       (10,332            

State Street Bank & Trust Co.

    287,184       (287,184            

UBS AG

    176,532       (176,532            
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  $ 2,924,154         $  (2,923,888 )            $         $ 266  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Collateral received, if any, in excess of the market value of securities on loan is not presented in this table. The total cash collateral received by each Fund is disclosed in the Fund’s Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

 

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

 

  (b) 

The market value of the loaned securities is determined as of February 28, 2023. Additional collateral is delivered to the Fund on the next business day in accordance with the MSLA. The net amount would be subject to the borrower default indemnity in the event of default by a counterparty.

 

The risks of securities lending include the risk that the borrower may not provide additional collateral when required or may not return the securities when due. To mitigate these risks, each Fund benefits from a borrower default indemnity provided by BlackRock, Inc. (“BlackRock”). BlackRock’s indemnity allows for full replacement of the securities loaned to the extent the collateral received does not cover the value of the securities loaned in the event of borrower default. Each Fund could incur a loss if the value of an investment purchased with cash collateral falls below the market value of the loaned securities or if the value of an investment purchased with cash collateral falls below the value of the original cash collateral received. Such losses are borne entirely by each Fund.

 

5.

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Futures Contracts: Futures contracts are purchased or sold to gain exposure to, or manage exposure to, changes in interest rates (interest rate risk) and changes in the value of equity securities (equity risk) or foreign currencies (foreign currency exchange rate risk).

Futures contracts are exchange-traded agreements between the Funds and a counterparty to buy or sell a specific quantity of an underlying instrument at a specified price and on a specified date. Depending on the terms of a contract, it is settled either through physical delivery of the underlying instrument on the settlement date or by payment of a cash amount on the settlement date. Upon entering into a futures contract, the Funds are required to deposit initial margin with the broker in the form of cash or securities in an amount that varies depending on a contract’s size and risk profile. The initial margin deposit must then be maintained at an established level over the life of the contract. Amounts pledged, which are considered restricted, are included in cash pledged for futures contracts in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

Securities deposited as initial margin are designated in the Schedule of Investments and cash deposited, if any, are shown as cash pledged for futures contracts in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. Pursuant to the contract, the Funds agree to receive from or pay to the broker an amount of cash equal to the daily fluctuation in market value of the contract (“variation margin”). Variation margin is recorded as unrealized appreciation (depreciation) and, if any, shown as variation margin receivable (or payable) on futures contracts in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. When the contract is closed, a realized gain or loss is recorded in the Statements of Operations equal to the difference between the notional amount of the contract at the time it was opened and the notional amount at the time it was closed. The use of futures contracts involves the risk of an imperfect correlation in the movements in the price of futures contracts and interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates or underlying assets.

 

6.

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

Investment Advisory Fees: Pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement with the Trust, BFA manages the investment of each Fund’s assets. BFA is a California corporation indirectly owned by BlackRock. Under the Investment Advisory Agreement, BFA is responsible for substantially all expenses of the Funds, except (i) interest and taxes; (ii) brokerage commissions and other expenses connected with the execution of portfolio transactions; (iii) distribution fees; (iv) the advisory fee payable to BFA; and (v) litigation expenses and any extraordinary expenses (in each case as determined by a majority of the independent trustees).

For its investment advisory services to each of the following Funds, BFAis entitled to an annual investment advisory fee, accrued daily and paid monthly by the Funds, based on the average daily net assets of each Fund as follows:

 

   
iShares ETF   Investment Advisory Fees  

Emergent Food and AgTech Multisector

    0.47

ESG Aware MSCI EAFE

    0.20  

ESG MSCI EM Leaders

    0.16  

MSCI Global Sustainable Development Goals

    0.49  

MSCI Water Management Multisector

    0.47  

Distributor: BlackRock Investments, LLC, an affiliate of BFA, is the distributor for each Fund. Pursuant to the distribution agreement, BFA is responsible for any fees or expenses for distribution services provided to the Funds.

Securities Lending: The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) has issued an exemptive order which permits BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A. (“BTC”), an affiliate of BFA, to serve as securities lending agent for the Funds, subject to applicable conditions. As securities lending agent, BTC bears all operational costs directly related to securities lending, including any custodial costs. Each Fund is responsible for fees in connection with the investment of cash collateral received for securities on loan (the “collateral investment fees”). The cash collateral is invested in a money market fund, BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional or BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, managed by BFA, or its affiliates. However, BTC has agreed to reduce the amount of securities lending income it receives in order to effectively limit the collateral investment fees each Fund bears to an annual rate of 0.04%. The SL Agency Shares of such money market fund will not be subject to a sales load, distribution fee or service fee. The money market fund in which the cash collateral has been invested may, under certain circumstances, impose a liquidity fee of up to 2% of the value redeemed or temporarily restrict redemptions for up to 10 business days during a 90 day period, in the event that the money market fund’s weekly liquid assets fall below certain thresholds.

Securities lending income is equal to the total of income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral, net of fees and other payments to and from borrowers of securities, and less the collateral investment fees. Each Fund retains a portion of securities lending income and remits the remaining portion to BTC as compensation for its services as securities lending agent.

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

Pursuant to the current securities lending agreement, each Fund retains 82% of securities lending income (which excludes collateral investment fees), and the amount retained can never be less than 70% of the total of securities lending income plus the collateral investment fees.

In addition, commencing the business day following the date that the aggregate securities lending income plus the collateral investment fees generated across all 1940 Act iShares exchange-traded funds (the “iShares ETF Complex”) in that calendar year exceeds a specified threshold, each Fund, pursuant to the securities lending agreement, will retain for the remainder of that calendar year 85% of securities lending income (which excludes collateral investment fees), and the amount retained can never be less than 70% of the total of securities lending income plus the collateral investment fees.

The share of securities lending income earned by each Fund is shown as securities lending income – affiliated – net in its Statements of Operations. For the six months ended February 28, 2023, the Funds paid BTC the following amounts for securities lending agent services:

 

   
iShares ETF   Amounts  

Emergent Food and AgTech Multisector

  $ 343  

ESG Aware MSCI EAFE

    7,818  

ESG MSCI EM Leaders

    445  

MSCI Global Sustainable Development Goals

    6,706  

MSCI Water Management Multisector

    2  

Officers and Trustees: Certain officers and/or trustees of the Trust are officers and/or trustees of BlackRock or its affiliates.

Other Transactions: Cross trading is the buying or selling of portfolio securities between funds to which BFA (or an affiliate) serves as investment adviser. At its regularly scheduled quarterly meetings, the Board reviews such transactions as of the most recent calendar quarter for compliance with the requirements and restrictions set forth by Rule 17a-7.

For the six months ended February 28, 2023, transactions executed by the Funds pursuant to Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act were as follows:

 

       
iShares ETF   Purchases      Sales      Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
 

ESG Aware MSCI EAFE

  $  240,947,888      $  324,483,080      $  (48,713,378

ESG MSCI EM Leaders

    370,396        1,139,276        (351,513

MSCI Global Sustainable Development Goals

    22,237,308        31,765,121        (1,426,144

Each Fund may invest its positive cash balances in certain money market funds managed by BFA or an affiliate. The income earned on these temporary cash investments is shown as dividends – affiliated in the Statements of Operations.

A fund, in order to improve its portfolio liquidity and its ability to track its underlying index, may invest in shares of other iShares funds that invest in securities in the fund’s underlying index.

 

7.

PURCHASES AND SALES

For the six months ended February 28, 2023, purchases and sales of investments, excluding short-term securities and in-kind transactions, were as follows:

 

     
iShares ETF   Purchases      Sales  

Emergent Food and AgTech Multisector

  $ 966,079      $ 959,615  

ESG Aware MSCI EAFE

    971,513,114        932,798,931  

ESG MSCI EM Leaders

    3,694,313        12,904,543  

MSCI Global Sustainable Development Goals

    74,782,015        73,277,136  

MSCI Water Management Multisector

    1,716,080        1,248,697  

For the six months ended February 28, 2023, in-kind transactions were as follows:

 

     
iShares ETF   In-kind
Purchases
    

In-kind

Sales

 

Emergent Food and AgTech Multisector

  $ 1,058,220      $  

ESG Aware MSCI EAFE

    30,430,251        201,741,073  

ESG MSCI EM Leaders

           5,825,585  

MSCI Global Sustainable Development Goals

    15,590,518        10,804,586  

MSCI Water Management Multisector

    4,512,913         

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

 

8.

INCOME TAX INFORMATION

Each Fund is treated as an entity separate from the Trust’s other funds for federal income tax purposes. It is each Fund’s policy to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, applicable to regulated investment companies, and to distribute substantially all of its taxable income to its shareholders. Therefore, no U.S. federal income tax provision is required.

Management has analyzed tax laws and regulations and their application to the Funds as of February 28, 2023, inclusive of the open tax return years, and does not believe that there are any uncertain tax positions that require recognition of a tax liability in the Funds’ financial statements.

As of August 31, 2022, the Funds had non-expiring capital loss carryforwards available to offset future realized capital gains as follows:

 

   
iShares ETF   Amounts  

Emergent Food and AgTech Multisector

  $ 8,113  

ESG Aware MSCI EAFE

    349,991,271  

MSCI Global Sustainable Development Goals

    31,101,981  

A fund may own shares in certain foreign investment entities, referred to, under U.S. tax law, as “passive foreign investment companies.” Such fund may elect to mark-to-market annually the shares of each passive foreign investment company and would be required to distribute to shareholders any such marked-to-market gains.

As of February 28, 2023, gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation based on cost of investments (including short positions and derivatives, if any) for U.S. federal income tax purposes were as follows:

 

         
iShares ETF   Tax Cost      Gross Unrealized
Appreciation
     Gross Unrealized
Depreciation
    Net Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

Emergent Food and AgTech Multisector

  $ 6,875,436      $ 138,817      $ (724,341   $ (585,524

ESG Aware MSCI EAFE

    6,573,169,685        784,296,670        (402,157,573     382,139,097  

ESG MSCI EM Leaders

    45,959,626        6,752,167        (8,436,992     (1,684,825

MSCI Global Sustainable Development Goals

    467,027,477        19,633,302        (64,657,246     (45,023,944

MSCI Water Management Multisector

    5,034,514        460,226        (45,303     414,923  

 

9.

LINE OF CREDIT

The iShares ESG MSCI EM Leaders ETF, iShares MSCI Global Sustainable Development Goals ETF and iShares MSCI Water Management Multisector ETF, along with certain other iShares funds (“Participating Funds”), are parties to a $800 million credit agreement (“Syndicated Credit Agreement”) with a group of lenders, which expires on August 11, 2023. The line of credit may be used for temporary or emergency purposes, including redemptions, settlement of trades and rebalancing of portfolio holdings in certain target markets. The Funds may borrow up to the aggregate commitment amount subject to asset coverage and other limitations as specified in the Syndicated Credit Agreement. The Syndicated Credit Agreement has the following terms: a commitment fee of 0.15% per annum on the unused portion of the credit agreement and interest at a rate equal to the higher of (a) Daily Simple Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) plus 0.10% and 1.00% per annum or (b) the U.S. Federal Funds rate plus 1.00% per annum on amounts borrowed. The commitment fee is generally allocated to each Participating Fund based on the lesser of a Participating Fund’s relative exposure to certain target markets or a Participating Fund’s maximum borrowing amount as set forth by the terms of the Syndicated Credit Agreement.

During the six months ended February 28, 2023, the iShares MSCI Global Sustainable Developement Goals ETF and iShares MSCI Water Management Multisector ETF did not borrow under the Syndicated Credit Agreement.

For the six months ended February 28, 2023, the maximum amount borrowed, the average daily borrowing and the weighted average interest rate, if any, under the Syndicated Credit Agreement were as follows:

 

       
iShares ETF   Maximum
Amount
Borrowed
     Average
Borrowing
     Weighted
Average
Interest Rates
 

ESG MSCI EM Leaders

  $  180,000      $  994        5.67

 

10.

PRINCIPAL RISKS

In the normal course of business, each Fund invests in securities or other instruments and may enter into certain transactions, and such activities subject the Fund to various risks, including, among others, fluctuations in the market (market risk) or failure of an issuer to meet all of its obligations. The value of securities or other instruments may also be affected by various factors, including, without limitation: (i) the general economy; (ii) the overall market as well as local, regional or global political and/or social instability; (iii) regulation, taxation or international tax treaties between various countries; or (iv) currency, interest rate or price fluctuations. Local, regional or global events such as war, acts of terrorism, the spread of infectious illness or other public health issues, recessions, or other events could have a significant impact on the Funds and their investments. Each Fund’s prospectus provides details of the risks to which the Fund is subject.

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

BFA uses a “passive” or index approach to try to achieve each Fund’s investment objective following the securities included in its underlying index during upturns as well as downturns. BFA does not take steps to reduce market exposure or to lessen the effects of a declining market. Divergence from the underlying index and the composition of the portfolio is monitored by BFA.

The Funds may be exposed to additional risks when reinvesting cash collateral in money market funds that do not seek to maintain a stable NAV per share of $1.00, which may be subject to redemption gates or liquidity fees under certain circumstances.

Market Risk: Investments in the securities of issuers domiciled in countries with emerging capital markets involve certain additional risks that do not generally apply to investments in securities of issuers in more developed capital markets, such as (i) low or nonexistent trading volume, resulting in a lack of liquidity and increased volatility in prices for such securities; (ii) uncertain national policies and social, political and economic instability, increasing the potential for expropriation of assets, confiscatory taxation, high rates of inflation or unfavorable diplomatic developments; (iii) lack of publicly available or reliable information about issuers as a result of not being subject to the same degree of regulatory requirements and accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards; and (iv) possible fluctuations in exchange rates, differing legal systems and the existence or possible imposition of exchange controls, custodial restrictions or other foreign or U.S. governmental laws or restrictions applicable to such investments.

Infectious Illness Risk: An outbreak of an infectious illness, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, may adversely impact the economies of many nations and the global economy, and may impact individual issuers and capital markets in ways that cannot be foreseen. An infectious illness outbreak may result in, among other things, closed international borders, prolonged quarantines, supply chain disruptions, market volatility or disruptions and other significant economic, social and political impacts.

Valuation Risk: The market values of equities, such as common stocks and preferred securities or equity related investments, such as futures and options, may decline due to general market conditions which are not specifically related to a particular company. They may also decline due to factors which affect a particular industry or industries. A fund may invest in illiquid investments. An illiquid investment is any investment that a fund reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment. A fund may experience difficulty in selling illiquid investments in a timely manner at the price that it believes the investments are worth. Prices may fluctuate widely over short or extended periods in response to company, market or economic news. Markets also tend to move in cycles, with periods of rising and falling prices. This volatility may cause a fund’s NAV to experience significant increases or decreases over short periods of time. If there is a general decline in the securities and other markets, the NAV of a fund may lose value, regardless of the individual results of the securities and other instruments in which a fund invests.

The price each Fund could receive upon the sale of any particular portfolio investment may differ from each Fund’s valuation of the investment, particularly for securities that trade in thin or volatile markets or that are valued using a fair valuation technique or a price provided by an independent pricing service. Changes to significant unobservable inputs and assumptions (i.e., publicly traded company multiples, growth rate, time to exit) due to the lack of observable inputs.

Counterparty Credit Risk: The Funds may be exposed to counterparty credit risk, or the risk that an entity may fail to or be unable to perform on its commitments related to unsettled or open transactions, including making timely interest and/or principal payments or otherwise honoring its obligations. The Funds manage counterparty credit risk by entering into transactions only with counterparties that BFA believes have the financial resources to honor their obligations and by monitoring the financial stability of those counterparties. Financial assets, which potentially expose the Funds to market, issuer and counterparty credit risks, consist principally of financial instruments and receivables due from counterparties. The extent of the Funds’ exposure to market, issuer and counterparty credit risks with respect to these financial assets is approximately their value recorded in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities, less any collateral held by the Funds.

A derivative contract may suffer a mark-to-market loss if the value of the contract decreases due to an unfavorable change in the market rates or values of the underlying instrument. Losses can also occur if the counterparty does not perform under the contract.

With exchange-traded futures, there is less counterparty credit risk to the Funds since the exchange or clearinghouse, as counterparty to such instruments, guarantees against a possible default. The clearinghouse stands between the buyer and the seller of the contract; therefore, credit risk is limited to failure of the clearinghouse. While offset rights may exist under applicable law, a fund does not have a contractual right of offset against a clearing broker or clearinghouse in the event of a default (including the bankruptcy or insolvency). Additionally, credit risk exists in exchange-traded futures with respect to initial and variation margin that is held in a clearing broker’s customer accounts. While clearing brokers are required to segregate customer margin from their own assets, in the event that a clearing broker becomes insolvent or goes into bankruptcy and at that time there is a shortfall in the aggregate amount of margin held by the clearing broker for all its clients, typically the shortfall would be allocated on a pro rata basis across all the clearing broker’s customers, potentially resulting in losses to the Funds.

Concentration Risk: A diversified portfolio, where this is appropriate and consistent with a fund’s objectives, minimizes the risk that a price change of a particular investment will have a material impact on the NAV of a fund. The investment concentrations within each Fund’s portfolio are disclosed in its Schedule of Investments.

Certain Funds invest a significant portion of their assets in issuers located in a single country or a limited number of countries. When a fund concentrates its investments in this manner, it assumes the risk that economic, regulatory, political and social conditions in that country or those countries may have a significant impact on the fund and could affect the income from, or the value or liquidity of, the Fund’s portfolio. Unanticipated or sudden political or social developments may cause uncertainty in the markets and as a result adversely affect the Fund’s investments. Foreign issuers may not be subject to the same uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and practices as used in the United States. Foreign securities markets may also be more volatile and less liquid than U.S. securities and may be less subject to governmental supervision not typically associated with investing in U.S. securities. Investment percentages in specific countries are presented in the Schedule of Investments.

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

Certain Funds invest a significant portion of their assets in securities of issuers located in Europe or with significant exposure to European issuers or countries. The European financial markets have recently experienced volatility and adverse trends due to concerns about economic downturns in, or rising government debt levels of, several European countries as well as acts of war in the region. These events may spread to other countries in Europe and may affect the value and liquidity of certain of the Funds’ investments.

Responses to the financial problems by European governments, central banks and others, including austerity measures and reforms, may not work, may result in social unrest and may limit future growth and economic recovery or have other unintended consequences. Further defaults or restructurings by governments and others of their debt could have additional adverse effects on economies, financial markets and asset valuations around the world. The United Kingdom has withdrawn from the European Union, and one or more other countries may withdraw from the European Union and/or abandon the Euro, the common currency of the European Union. These events and actions have adversely affected, and may in the future adversely affect, the value and exchange rate of the Euro and may continue to significantly affect the economies of every country in Europe, including countries that do not use the Euro and non-European Union member states. The impact of these actions, especially if they occur in a disorderly fashion, is not clear but could be significant and far reaching. In addition, Russia launched a large-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. The extent and duration of the military action, resulting sanctions and resulting future market disruptions in the region are impossible to predict, but have been, and may continue to be significant and have a severe adverse effect on the region, including significant negative impacts on the economy and the markets for certain securities and commodities, such as oil and natural gas, as well as other sectors.

Certain Funds invest a significant portion of their assets in securities of issuers located in China or with significant exposure to Chinese issuers. Investments in Chinese securities, including certain Hong Kong-listed securities, involve risks specific to China. China may be subject to considerable degrees of economic, political and social instability and demonstrates significantly higher volatility from time to time in comparison to developed markets. Chinese markets generally continue to experience inefficiency, volatility and pricing anomalies resulting from governmental influence, a lack of publicly available information and/or political and social instability. Internal social unrest or confrontations with other neighboring countries may disrupt economic development in China and result in a greater risk of currency fluctuations, currency non-convertibility, interest rate fluctuations and higher rates of inflation. Incidents involving China’s or the region’s security may cause uncertainty in Chinese markets and may adversely affect the Chinese economy and a fund’s investments. Reduction in spending on Chinese products and services, institution of tariffs or other trade barriers, or a downturn in any of the economies of China’s key trading partners may have an adverse impact on the Chinese economy. In addition, measures may be taken to limit the flow of capital and/or sanctions may be imposed, which could prohibit or restrict the ability to own or transfer fund assets and may also include retaliatory actions, such as seizure of fund assets.

Certain Funds invest a significant portion of their assets in securities of issuers located in Asia or with significant exposure to Asian issuers or countries. The Asian financial markets have recently experienced volatility and adverse trends due to concerns in several Asian countries regarding monetary policy, government intervention in the markets, rising government debt levels or economic downturns. These events may spread to other countries in Asia and may affect the value and liquidity of certain of the Funds’ investments.

Certain Funds invest a significant portion of their assets in securities within a single or limited number of market sectors. When a fund concentrates its investments in this manner, it assumes the risk that economic, regulatory, political and social conditions affecting such sectors may have a significant impact on the fund and could affect the income from, or the value or liquidity of, the fund’s portfolio. Investment percentages in specific sectors are presented in the Schedule of Investments.

Significant Shareholder Redemption Risk: Certain shareholders may own or manage a substantial amount of fund shares and/or hold their fund investments for a limited period of time. Large redemptions of fund shares by these shareholders may force a fund to sell portfolio securities, which may negatively impact the fund’s NAV, increase the fund’s brokerage costs, and/or accelerate the realization of taxable income/gains and cause the fund to make additional taxable distributions to shareholders.

LIBOR Transition Risk: The Funds may be exposed to financial instruments that are tied to the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) to determine payment obligations, financing terms, hedging strategies or investment value. The United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority, which regulates LIBOR, announced that a majority of USD LIBOR settings will no longer be published after June 30, 2023. All other LIBOR settings and certain other interbank offered rates ceased to be published after December 31, 2021. SOFR has been used increasingly on a voluntary basis in new instruments and transactions. The Federal Reserve Board adopted regulations that provide a fallback mechanism by identifying benchmark rates based on SOFR that will replace LIBOR in certain financial contracts after June 30, 2023. The ultimate effect of the LIBOR transition process on the Funds is uncertain.

 

11.

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

Capital shares are issued and redeemed by each Fund only in aggregations of a specified number of shares or multiples thereof (“Creation Units”) at NAV. Except when aggregated in Creation Units, shares of each Fund are not redeemable.

Transactions in capital shares were as follows:

 

 

 
     Six Months Ended
02/28/23
     Year Ended
08/31/22
 
iShares ETF    Shares      Amount      Shares      Amount  

 

 

Emergent Food and AgTech Multisector

           

Shares sold

     50,000      $ 1,066,423        250,000      $ 6,038,739  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

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

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Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

 

 
     Six Months Ended
02/28/23
     Year Ended
08/31/22
 
iShares ETF    Shares      Amount      Shares      Amount  

 

 

ESG Aware MSCI EAFE

           

Shares sold

     500,000        $31,311,889        20,900,000        $  1,606,111,842  

Shares redeemed

     (3,000,000      (202,693,927      (900,000      (58,658,862
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     (2,500,000      $ (171,382,038      20,000,000        $ 1,547,452,980  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

ESG MSCI EM Leaders

           

Shares sold

            $(1,052      350,000        $25,549,181  

Shares redeemed

     (300,000      (13,502,696      (12,950,000      (752,065,046
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     (300,000      $  (13,503,748      (12,600,000      $   (726,515,865
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

MSCI Global Sustainable Development Goals

           

Shares sold

     250,000        $   18,919,405        600,000        $54,530,456  

Shares redeemed

     (150,000      (11,871,332      (950,000      (81,040,703
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     100,000        $     7,048,073        (350,000      $     (26,510,247
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 
     Period Ended
02/28/23
 
iShares ETF    Shares        Amount  

 

 

MSCI Water Management Multisector(a)

       

Shares sold

     200,000        $ 4,982,461  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

The Fund commenced operations on September 20, 2022.

 

The consideration for the purchase of Creation Units of a fund in the Trust generally consists of the in-kind deposit of a designated portfolio of securities and a specified amount of cash. Certain funds in the Trust may be offered in Creation Units solely or partially for cash in U.S. dollars. Investors purchasing and redeeming Creation Units may pay a purchase transaction fee and a redemption transaction fee directly to State Street Bank and Trust Company, the Trust’s administrator, to offset transfer and other transaction costs associated with the issuance and redemption of Creation Units, including Creation Units for cash. Investors transacting in Creation Units for cash may also pay an additional variable charge to compensate the relevant fund for certain transaction costs (i.e., stamp taxes, taxes on currency or other financial transactions, and brokerage costs) and market impact expenses relating to investing in portfolio securities. Such variable charges, if any, are included in shares sold in the table above.

From time to time, settlement of securities related to in-kind contributions or in-kind redemptions may be delayed. In such cases, securities related to in-kind transactions are reflected as a receivable or a payable in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

 

12.

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Management has evaluated the impact of all subsequent events on the Funds through the date the financial statements were available to be issued and has determined that there were no subsequent events requiring adjustment or additional disclosure in the financial statements.

 

 

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Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract

 

iShares MSCI Water Management Multisector ETF (each the “Fund”)

Under Section 15(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”), including a majority of Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act) (the “Independent Board Members”), is required to consider and approve the proposed Investment Advisory Contract between the Trust and BFA (the “Advisory Contract”) on behalf of the Fund. The Independent Trustees requested, and BFA provided, such information as the Independent Board Members, with advice from independent counsel, deemed reasonably necessary to evaluate the terms of the proposed Advisory Contract. At a meeting held on June 13-15, 2022, the Board, including the Independent Board Members, approved the selection of BFA as investment adviser and approved the proposed Advisory Contract for the Fund, based on a review of qualitative and quantitative information provided by BFA. The Board also considered information previously provided by BFA, BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A. (“BTC”), and BlackRock, Inc. (“BlackRock”), as applicable, at prior Board meetings. The Independent Board Members were advised by their independent counsel throughout the process, including about the legal standards applicable to their review. In approving the Advisory Contract for the Fund, the Board, including the Independent Board Members, considered various factors, including: (i) the expenses of the Fund; (ii) the nature, extent and quality of the services to be provided by BFA; (iii) the costs of services to be provided to the Fund and the availability of information related to profits to be realized by BFA and its affiliates; (iv) potential economies of scale and the sharing of related benefits; (v) the fees and services provided for other comparable funds/accounts managed by BFA and its affiliates; and (vi) other benefits to BFA and/or its affiliates. The material factors, no one of which was controlling, and conclusions that formed the basis for the Board, including the Independent Board Members, to approve the Advisory Contract are discussed below.

Expenses of the Fund: The Board reviewed statistical information prepared by Broadridge Financial Solutions Inc. (“Broadridge”), an independent provider of investment company data, regarding the expense ratio components of the Fund in comparison with the same information for other ETFs, objectively selected by Broadridge as comprising the Fund’s applicable peer group pursuant to Broadridge’s proprietary ETF methodology (the “Peer Group”). The Board was provided with a detailed description of the proprietary ETF methodology used by Broadridge to determine the Fund’s Peer Group. The Board further noted that due to the limitations in providing comparable funds in the Peer Group, the statistical information provided in Broadridge’s report may or may not provide meaningful direct comparisons to the Fund in all instances.

The Board also noted that the overall fund expenses (net of any waivers and reimbursements) for the Fund were lower than the median of the overall fund expenses (net of any waivers and reimbursements) of the funds in its Peer Group, excluding iShares funds.

Based on this review, the other factors considered at the meeting, and their general knowledge of ETF pricing, the Board concluded that the investment advisory fee rate and expense level of the Fund supported the Board’s approval of the Advisory Contract.

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services: The Board reviewed the scope of services to be provided by BFA under the Advisory Contract. In reviewing the scope of these services, the Board considered BFA’s investment philosophy and experience, noting that BFA and its affiliates have committed significant resources over time and have made significant investments into the iShares business to support the iShares funds and their shareholders. The Board considered representations by BFA, BTC, and BlackRock that the scope and quality of services to be provided to the Fund would be similar to the scope and quality of services provided to other iShares funds. The Board also considered BFA’s compliance program and its compliance record with respect to other iShares funds. In that regard, the Board noted that BFA reports to the Board about portfolio management and compliance matters on a periodic basis in connection with regularly scheduled meetings of the Board, and on other occasions as necessary and relevant, and has provided information and made appropriate officers and other employees of BFA (and its affiliates) available as needed to provide further assistance with these matters. The Board also reviewed the background and experience of the persons who will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund, as well as the resources that will be available to them in managing the Fund. The Board also considered detailed presentations regarding BFA’s investment performance, investment and risk management processes and strategies, which were provided throughout the year with respect to other iShares funds.

Based on review of this information, the Board concluded that the nature, extent and quality of services to be provided to the Fund under the Advisory Contract supported the Board’s approval of the Advisory Contract.

Costs of Services to be Provided to the Fund and Profits to be Realized by BFA and Affiliates: The Board did not consider the profitability of the Fund to BFA based on the fees payable under the Advisory Contract or revenue to be received by BFA or its affiliates in connection with services to be provided to the Fund since the proposed relationship had not yet commenced. The Board noted that it expects to receive profitability information from BFA periodically following the Fund’s launch and will thus be in a position to evaluate whether any new or additional breakpoints or other adjustments in Fund fees would be appropriate.

Economies of Scale: The Board reviewed information regarding potential economies of scale or other efficiencies that may result from increases in the Fund’s assets. The Board considered information that it had previously received regarding economies of scale, efficiencies and scale benefits shared with the iShares funds through relatively low fee rates established at inception, breakpoints and waivers or other fee reductions, as well as through additional investment in the iShares business and the provision of improved or additional infrastructure and services to the iShares funds and their shareholders. The Board noted that the Advisory Contract for the Fund did not provide for any breakpoints in the Fund’s investment advisory fee rate as the assets of the Fund increase. However, the Board noted that it would continue to assess the appropriateness of adding breakpoints in the future.

This consideration of potential economies of scale and the sharing of related benefits, as well as the other factors considered at the meeting, supported the Board’s approval of the Advisory Contract.

Fees and Services Provided for Other Comparable Funds/Accounts Managed by BFA and its Affiliates: The Board considered information regarding the investment advisory/management fee rates for other funds/accounts in the U.S. for which BFA (or its affiliates) provides investment advisory/management services, including open-end funds registered under the 1940 Act (including sub-advised funds), collective trust funds, and institutional separate accounts (collectively, the “Other Accounts”), and acknowledged BFA’s assertion that the iShares funds are fundamentally different investment vehicles from the Other Accounts. The Board noted that BFA and its affiliates do not manage Other Accounts with substantially the same investment objective and strategy as the Fund and that track the same index as the Fund. The Board further

 

 

B O A R D   R E V I E W   A N D   A P P R O V A L   O F   I N V E S T M E N T   A D V I S O R Y   C O N T R A C T

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Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract (continued)

 

noted that BFA previously provided the Board with detailed information regarding how the Other Accounts (particularly institutional clients) generally differ from the iShares funds, including in terms of the different and generally more extensive services provided to the iShares funds, as well as other significant differences. In that regard, the Board considered that the pricing of services to institutional clients is typically based on a number of factors beyond the nature and extent of the specific services to be provided and often depends on the overall relationship between the client and its affiliates and the adviser and its affiliates. In addition, the Board considered the relative complexity and inherent risks and challenges of managing and providing other services to the Fund, as a publicly traded investment vehicle, as compared to the Other Accounts, particularly those that are institutional clients, in light of differing regulatory requirements and client-imposed mandates. The Board considered the “all-inclusive” nature of the Fund’s advisory fee structure, and the Fund’s expenses borne by BFA under this arrangement.

Other Benefits to BFA and/or its Affiliates: Except as noted below, the Board did not consider the “fallout” benefits or ancillary revenue to be received by BFA and/or its affiliates in connection with the services to be provided to the Fund by BFA since the proposed relationship had not yet commenced. However, the Board noted that BFA generally does not use soft dollars or consider the value of research or other services that may be provided to BFA (including its affiliates) in selecting brokers for portfolio transactions for the Fund. The Board considered the potential payment of advisory fees and/or administration fees to BFA (or its affiliates) in connection with any investments by the Fund in other funds for which BFA (or its affiliates) provides investment advisory services and/or administration services. The Board also noted the potential revenue to be received by BFA and/or its affiliates pursuant to an agreement that would permit a service provider to use certain portions of BlackRock’s technology platform to service accounts managed by BFA and/or its affiliates, including the iShares funds. The Board also considered the potential for revenue to BTC, the Fund’s securities lending agent, and its affiliates in the event of any loaning of portfolio securities of the Fund. The Board further noted that any portfolio transactions on behalf of the Fund placed through a BFA affiliate or purchased from an underwriting syndicate in which a BFA affiliate participates (including associated commissions), will be reported to the Board pursuant to Rule 17e-1 or Rule 10f-3, as applicable, under the 1940 Act. The Board concluded that any such ancillary benefits would not be disadvantageous to the Fund and thus would not alter the Board’s conclusion with respect to the appropriateness of approving the Advisory Contract.

Conclusion: Based on a review of the factors described above, as well as such other factors as deemed appropriate by the Board, the Board, including all of the Independent Board Members, determined that the Fund investment advisory fee rate under the Advisory Contract does not constitute a fee that is so disproportionately large as to bear no reasonable relationship to the services to be rendered and that could not have been the product of arm’s-length bargaining, and concluded to approve the Advisory Contract.

 

 

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Statement Regarding Liquidity Risk Management Program (unaudited)

 

In compliance with Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Liquidity Rule”), iShares Trust (the “Trust”) has adopted and implemented a liquidity risk management program (the “Program”) for iShares Emergent Food and AgTech Multisector ETF, iShares ESG Aware MSCI EAFE ETF, iShares ESG MSCI EM Leaders ETF, iShares MSCI Global Sustainable Development Goals ETF and iShares MSCI Water Management Multisector ETF (the “Funds” or “ETFs”), each a series of the Trust, which is reasonably designed to assess and manage each Fund’s liquidity risk.

The Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of the Trust, on behalf of the Funds, met on December 9, 2022 (the “Meeting”) to review the Program. The Board previously appointed BlackRock Fund Advisors (“BlackRock”), the investment adviser to the Funds, as the program administrator for each Fund’s Program. BlackRock also previously delegated oversight of the Program to the 40 Act Liquidity Risk Management Committee (the “Committee”). At the Meeting, the Committee, on behalf of BlackRock, provided the Board with a report that addressed the operation of the Program and assessed its adequacy and effectiveness of implementation, including the management of each Fund’s Highly Liquid Investment Minimum (“HLIM”) where applicable, and any material changes to the Program (the “Report”). The Report covered the period from October 1, 2021 through September 30, 2022 (the “Program Reporting Period”).

The Report described the Program’s liquidity classification methodology for categorizing each Fund’s investments (including derivative transactions) into one of four liquidity buckets. It also referenced the methodology used by BlackRock to establish each Fund’s HLIM and noted that the Committee reviews and ratifies the HLIM assigned to each Fund no less frequently than annually. The Report also discussed notable events affecting liquidity over the Program Reporting Period, including extended market holidays, the imposition of capital controls in certain non-U.S. countries, Russian sanctions and the closure of the Russian securities market.

The Report noted that the Program complied with the key factors for consideration under the Liquidity Rule for assessing, managing and periodically reviewing each Fund’s liquidity risk, as follows:

 

  a)

The Fund’s investment strategy and liquidity of portfolio investments during both normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions. During the Program Reporting Period, the Committee reviewed whether each Fund’s strategy is appropriate for an open-end fund structure, with a focus on funds with more significant and consistent holdings of less liquid and illiquid assets. The Committee also factored a fund’s concentration in an issuer into the liquidity classification methodology by taking issuer position sizes into account. Derivative exposure was also considered in the calculation of a fund’s liquidity bucketing. Finally, a factor for consideration under the Liquidity Rule is a Fund’s use of borrowings for investment purposes. However, the Funds do not borrow for investment purposes.

 

  b)

Short-term and long-term cash flow projections during both normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions. During the Program Reporting Period, the Committee reviewed historical redemption activity and used this information as a component to establish each ETF’s reasonably anticipated trading size (“RATS”). The Committee may also take into consideration a fund’s shareholder ownership concentration (which, depending on product type and distribution channel, may or may not be available), a fund’s distribution channels, and the degree of certainty associated with a fund’s short-term and long-term cash flow projections.

 

  c)

Holdings of cash and cash equivalents, as well as borrowing arrangements. The Committee considered that ETFs generally do not hold more than de minimis amounts of cash. The Committee also considered that ETFs generally do not engage in borrowing.

 

  d)

The relationship between an ETF’s portfolio liquidity and the way in which, and the prices and spreads at which, ETF shares trade, including the efficiency of the arbitrage function and the level of active participation by market participants, including authorized participants. The Committee monitored the prevailing bid/ask spread and the ETF price premium (or discount) to NAV for all ETFs. However, there were no ETFs with persistent deviations of fund premium/discount or bid/ask spreads from long-term averages over the Program Reporting Period.

 

  e)

The effect of the composition of baskets on the overall liquidity of an ETF’s portfolio. In reviewing the linkage between the composition of custom baskets accepted by an ETF and any significant change in the liquidity profile of such ETF, the Committee reviewed changes in the proportion of each ETF’s portfolio comprised of less liquid and illiquid holdings to determine if applicable thresholds were met requiring enhanced review.

There were no material changes to the Program during the Program Reporting Period other than the enhancement of certain model components in the Program’s classification methodology. The Report provided to the Board stated that the Committee concluded that based on the operation of the functions, as described in the Report, the Program is operating as intended and is effective in implementing the requirements of the Liquidity Rule.

 

 

T A T E M E N T  E G A R D I N G   L I Q U I D I T Y   R I S K   M A N A G E M E N T   P R O G R A M

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Supplemental Information (unaudited)

 

Section 19(a) Notices

The amounts and sources of distributions reported are estimates and are being provided pursuant to regulatory requirements and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources for tax reporting purposes will depend upon each Fund’s investment experience during the year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. Shareholders will receive a Form 1099-DIV each calendar year that will inform them how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes.

February 28, 2023

 

 

 
    

Total Cumulative Distributions

for the Fiscal Year-to-Date

          

% Breakdown of the Total Cumulative

Distributions for the Fiscal Year-to-Date

 
  

 

 

      

 

 

 
iShares ETF    Net
Investment
Income
     Net Realized
Capital Gains
     Return of
Capital
     Total Per
Share
              Net
Investment
Income
     Net Realized
Capital Gains
     Return of
Capital
     Total Per
Share
 

ESG MSCI EM Leaders

   $ 0.269765      $ 1.424065      $      $ 1.693830          16      84           100

MSCI Water Management Multisector(a)

     0.081803               0.004272        0.086075                95               5        100  

 

  (a) 

The Fund estimates that it has distributed more than its net investment income and net realized capital gains; therefore, a portion of the distribution may be a return of capital. A return of capital may occur, for example, when some or all of the shareholder’s investment in the Fund is returned to the shareholder. A return of capital does not necessarily reflect the Fund’s investment performance and should not be confused with “yield” or “income”. When distributions exceed total return performance, the difference will incrementally reduce the Fund’s net asset value per share.

 

 

 

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General Information

 

Electronic Delivery

Shareholders can sign up for e-mail notifications announcing that the shareholder report or prospectus has been posted on the iShares website at iShares.com. Once you have enrolled, you will no longer receive prospectuses and shareholder reports in the mail.

To enroll in electronic delivery:

 

   

Go to icsdelivery.com.

   

If your brokerage firm is not listed, electronic delivery may not be available. Please contact your broker-dealer or financial advisor.

Householding

Householding is an option available to certain fund investors. Householding is a method of delivery, based on the preference of the individual investor, in which a single copy of certain shareholder documents and Rule 30e-3 notices can be delivered to investors who share the same address, even if their accounts are registered under different names. Please contact your broker-dealer if you are interested in enrolling in householding and receiving a single copy of prospectuses and other shareholder documents, or if you are currently enrolled in householding and wish to change your householding status.

Availability of Quarterly Schedule of Investments

The Funds file their complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to their reports on Form N-PORT. The Funds’ Forms N-PORT are available on the SEC’s website at sec.gov. Additionally, each Fund makes its portfolio holdings for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year available at iShares.com/fundreports.

Availability of Proxy Voting Policies and Proxy Voting Records

A description of the policies and procedures that the iShares Funds use to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities and information about how the iShares Funds voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve-month period ending June 30 is available without charge, upon request (1) by calling toll-free 1-800-474-2737; (2) on the iShares website at iShares.com; and (3) on the SEC website at sec.gov.

A description of the Trust’s policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of the Fund’s portfolio securities is available in the Fund Prospectus. The Fund discloses its portfolio holdings daily and provides information regarding its top holdings in Fund fact sheets at iShares.com.

 

 

E N E R A L   I N F O R M A T I O N

  57


Glossary of Terms Used in this Report

 

Portfolio Abbreviation
ADR    American Depositary Receipt
CPO    Certificates of Participation (Ordinary)
JSC    Joint Stock Company
NVDR    Non-Voting Depositary Receipt
NVS    Non-Voting Shares
PJSC    Public Joint Stock Company
REIT    Real Estate Investment Trust

 

 

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Want to know more?

iShares.com   |   1-800-474-2737

This report is intended for the Funds’ shareholders. It may not be distributed to prospective investors unless it is preceded or accompanied by the current prospectus.

Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal.

The iShares Funds are distributed by BlackRock Investments, LLC (together with its affiliates, “BlackRock”).

The iShares Funds are not sponsored, endorsed, issued, sold or promoted by Morningstar Inc. and MSCI Inc., nor does this company make any representation regarding the advisability of investing in the iShares Funds. BlackRock is not affiliated with the company listed above.

©2023 BlackRock, Inc. All rights reserved. iSHARES and BLACKROCK are registered trademarks of BlackRock, Inc. or its subsidiaries. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.

iS-SAR-817-0223

 

 

 

LOGO

  

LOGO


 

LOGO

  FEBRUARY 28, 2023

 

 

  

  

2023 Semi-Annual Report

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

iShares Trust

· iShares MSCI China Multisector Tech ETF | TCHI | NASDAQ

· iShares MSCI Japan Value ETF | EWJV | NASDAQ


The Markets in Review

Dear Shareholder,

Significant economic headwinds emerged during the 12-month reporting period ended February 28, 2023, as investors navigated changing economic conditions and volatile markets. The U.S. economy shrank in the first half of 2022 before returning to modest growth in the second half of the year, marking a shift to a more challenging post-reopening economic environment. Changes in consumer spending patterns and a tight labor market led to elevated inflation, which reached a 40-year high before beginning to moderate. Moreover, while the foremost effect of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has been a severe humanitarian crisis, the ongoing war continued to present challenges for both investors and policymakers.

Equity prices fell as interest rates rose, particularly during the first half of the reporting period. Both large-and small-capitalization U.S. stocks fell, although equities began to recover in the second half of the period as inflation eased and economic growth resumed. Emerging market stocks and international equities from developed markets declined overall, pressured by rising interest rates and a strong U.S. dollar.

The 10-year U.S. Treasury yield rose notably during the reporting period, driving its price down, as investors reacted to fluctuating inflation data and attempted to anticipate its impact on future interest rate changes. The corporate bond market also faced inflationary headwinds, and higher interest rates led to rising borrowing costs for corporate issuers.

The U.S. Federal Reserve (the “Fed”), acknowledging that inflation has been more persistent than expected, raised interest rates eight times. Furthermore, the Fed wound down its bond-buying programs and accelerated the reduction of its balance sheet.

Restricted labor supply kept inflation elevated even as other inflation drivers, such as goods prices and energy costs, moderated. While economic growth slowed in the last year, we believe that taming inflation requires a more substantial decline that lowers demand to a level more in line with the economy’s productive capacity. Although the Fed has decelerated the pace of interest rate hikes, it still seems determined to get inflation back to target. With this in mind, we believe the possibility of a U.S. recession in the near-term is high, but the dimming economic outlook has not yet been fully reflected in current market prices. We believe investors should expect a period of higher volatility as markets adjust to the new economic reality and policymakers attempt to adapt to rapidly changing conditions. Turmoil in the banking sector shortly following the end of the period highlighted the potential for the knock-on effects of substantially higher interest rates to disrupt markets with little warning.

While we favor an overweight to equities in the long term, several factors lead us to take an underweight stance on equities overall in the near term. Expectations for corporate earnings remain elevated, which seems inconsistent with the possibility of a recession in a business environment characterized by higher costs and reduced pricing power. Nevertheless, we are overweight on emerging market stocks as a weaker U.S. dollar provides a supportive backdrop. We also see long-term opportunities in credit, where valuations are appealing and higher yields provide attractive income, although we are neutral on credit in the near term, as we believe that troubles in the banking sector will likely lead to reduced lending. However, we believe there are still some strong opportunities for a six- to twelve-month horizon, particularly short-term U.S. Treasuries, global inflation-linked bonds, and emerging market bonds denominated in local currency.

Overall, our view is that investors need to think globally, position themselves to be prepared for a decarbonizing economy, and be nimble as market conditions change. We encourage you to talk with your financial advisor and visit iShares.com for further insight about investing in today’s markets.

 

LOGO

Rob Kapito

President, BlackRock, Inc.

LOGO

Rob Kapito

President, BlackRock, Inc.

 

Total Returns as of February 28, 2023
     
      6-Month      12-Month  
   

U.S. large cap equities

(S&P 500® Index)

  1.26%    (7.69)%
   

U.S. small cap equities

(Russell 2000® Index)

  3.63      (6.02)  
   

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

  12.58      (3.14)  
   

Emerging market equities
(MSCI Emerging Markets Index)

  (2.29)     (15.28)    
   

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

  1.74      2.11   
   

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

  (4.81)     (14.06)    
   

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

  (2.13)     (9.72)  
   

Tax-exempt municipal bonds
(Bloomberg Municipal Bond Index)

  0.66      (5.10)  
   

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

  2.52      (5.45)  
Past performance is not an indication of future results. Index performance is shown for illustrative purposes only. You cannot invest directly in an index.
 

 

 

2  

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


Table of Contents

 

     Page  

 

 

The Markets in Review

     2  

Semi-Annual Report:

  

Fund Summary

     4  

About Fund Performance

     6  

Disclosure of Expenses

     6  

Schedules of Investments

     7  

Financial Statements

  

Statements of Assets and Liabilities

     14  

Statements of Operations

     15  

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

     16  

Financial Highlights

     17  

Notes to Financial Statements

     19  

Statement Regarding Liquidity Risk Management Program

     26  

Supplemental Information

     27  

General Information

     28  

Glossary of Terms Used in this Report

     29  


Fund Summary as of February 28, 2023    iShares® MSCI China Multisector Tech ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares MSCI China Multisector Tech ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of Chinese equities in technology and technology-related industries, as represented by the MSCI China Technology Sub-Industries Select Capped Index (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index.

Performance

 

               Average Annual Total Returns               Cumulative Total Returns  
      6-Month
Total Returns
     1 Year     

Since

Inception

            1 Year      Since
Inception
 

Fund NAV

     (3.82 )%       (18.13 )%       (21.03 )%         (18.13 )%       (22.80 )% 

Fund Market

     (3.60      (18.17      (20.80        (18.17      (22.55

Index

     (4.16      (17.42      (20.21              (17.42      (21.98

The inception date of the Fund was January 25, 2022. The first day of secondary market trading was January 27, 2022.

Past performance is not an indication of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. See “About Fund Performance” for more information.

Expense Example

 

Actual           Hypothetical 5% Return           

 

 

     

 

 

      
 

Beginning

Account Value

(09/01/22)

 

 

 

      


Ending

Account Value
(02/28/23

 

 
)  

      

Expenses

Paid During

the Period

 

 

(a) 

     


Beginning

Account Value
(09/01/22

 

 
)  

      


Ending

Account Value
(02/28/23

 

 
)  

      


Expenses

Paid During
the Period

 

 
(a) 

      


Annualized

Expense
Ratio

 

 
 

               
  $        1,000.00          $          961.80          $        2.87               $       1,000.00             $       1,021.90          $        2.96          0.59

 

  (a) 

Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period shown). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Disclosure of Expenses” for more information.

 

Portfolio Information

 

SECTOR ALLOCATION

 

Sector

   
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Information Technology

    39.6

Consumer Discretionary

    26.2  

Communication Services

    23.3  

Industrials

    8.5  

Financials

    2.4  
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

Security

   
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Meituan, Class B

    4.1

Baidu Inc.

    3.9  

Pinduoduo Inc.

    3.9  

Xiaomi Corp., Class B

    3.9  

NetEase Inc.

    3.9  

Tencent Holdings Ltd.

    3.7  

Kuaishou Technology

    3.7  

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.

    3.6  

JD.com Inc., Class A

    3.1  

Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    2.9  
 

 

  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

 

 

 

4  

2 0 2 3   I S H A R E S   S E M I - A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Fund Summary as of February 28, 2023    iShares® MSCI Japan Value ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares MSCI JapanValue ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of large- and mid-capitalization Japanese equities with value characteristics and relatively lower valuations, as represented by the MSCI Japan Value Index (USD) (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index.

Performance

 

             Average Annual Total Returns        Cumulative Total Returns  
     6-Month
Total Returns
    1 Year    

Since

Inception

    1 Year    

Since

Inception

 

Fund NAV

    6.70     (4.94 )%      3.40     (4.94 )%      14.26

Fund Market

    6.79       (5.59     3.32       (5.59     13.92  

Index

    5.93       (4.97     3.32       (4.97     13.92  

The inception date of the Fund was March 5, 2019. The first day of secondary market trading was March 7, 2019.

Past performance is not an indication of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. See “About Fund Performance” for more information.

Expense Example

 

Actual           Hypothetical 5% Return           

 

 

     

 

 

      
 

Beginning

Account Value

(09/01/22)

 

 

 

      

Ending

Account Value

(02/28/23)

 

 

 

      

Expenses

Paid During

the Period

 

 

(a) 

           

Beginning

Account Value

(09/01/22)

 

 

 

      

Ending

Account Value

(02/28/23)

 

 

 

      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
(a) 
      

Annualized

Expense

Ratio

 

 

 

  $        1,000.00          $       1,067.00          $         0.77               $       1,000.00          $      1,024.10          $         0.75          0.15

 

  (a) 

Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period shown). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Disclosure of Expenses” for more information.

 

Portfolio Information

 

SECTOR ALLOCATION

 

   
Sector    

Percent of 

Total Investments

 

(a) 

Industrials

    25.6

Financials

    21.1  

Consumer Discretionary

    19.3  

Communication Services

    8.3  

Real Estate

    4.7  

Information Technology

    4.7  

Materials

    4.5  

Health Care

    4.5  

Consumer Staples

    3.7  

Utilities

    2.0  

Energy

    1.6  
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

   
Security    

Percent of

Total Investments

 

(a) 

Toyota Motor Corp.

    8.7

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc.

    5.1  

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc.

    3.5  

Hitachi Ltd.

    3.0  

SoftBank Group Corp.

    2.9  

Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

    2.8  

KDDI Corp.

    2.8  

Honda Motor Co. Ltd.

    2.6  

Mitsubishi Corp.

    2.6  

Mitsui & Co. Ltd.

    2.5  
 

 

  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

 

 

 

F U N D   S U M M A R Y

  5


About Fund Performance

 

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

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

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

Disclosure of Expenses

Shareholders of each Fund may incur the following charges: (1) transactional expenses, including brokerage commissions on purchases and sales of fund shares and (2) ongoing expenses, including management fees and other fund expenses. The expense examples shown (which are based on a hypothetical investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held through the end of the period) are intended to assist shareholders both in calculating expenses based on an investment in each Fund and in comparing these expenses with similar costs of investing in other funds.

The expense examples provide information about actual account values and actual expenses. Annualized expense ratios reflect contractual and voluntary fee waivers, if any. In order to estimate the expenses a shareholder paid during the period covered by this report, shareholders can divide their account value by $1,000 and then multiply the result by the number under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During the Period.”

The expense examples also provide information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on a fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses. In order to assist shareholders in comparing the ongoing expenses of investing in the Funds and other funds, compare the 5% hypothetical examples with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

The expenses shown in the expense examples are intended to highlight shareholders’ ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional expenses, such as brokerage commissions and other fees paid on purchases and sales of fund shares. Therefore, the hypothetical examples are useful in comparing ongoing expenses only and will not help shareholders determine the relative total expenses of owning different funds. If these transactional expenses were included, shareholder expenses would have been higher.

 

 

6  

2 0 2 3   I S H A R E S   S E M I - A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments (unaudited)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® MSCI China Multisector Tech ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

   
Capital Markets — 1.0%            

East Money Information Co. Ltd., Class A

    20,960     $ 62,933  

Hithink RoyalFlush Information Network Co. Ltd., Class A

    800       13,605  
   

 

 

 
      76,538  
Communications Equipment — 2.4%            

BYD Electronic International Co. Ltd.

    18,000       52,486  

Guangzhou Haige Communications Group Inc. Co., Class A

    4,000       5,481  

Hengtong Optic-Electric Co. Ltd., Class A

    3,600       7,627  

Tianjin 712 Communication & Broadcasting Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,200       5,877  

Yealink Network Technology Corp. Ltd., Class A

    1,600       15,332  

Zhongji Innolight Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,200       6,121  

ZTE Corp., Class A

    6,000       27,789  

ZTE Corp., Class H

    20,800       61,799  
   

 

 

 
      182,512  
Consumer Finance — 1.4%            

360 DigiTech Inc.

    3,184       64,826  

Lufax Holding Ltd., ADR

    18,168       39,243  
   

 

 

 
          104,069  
Diversified Consumer Services — 4.1%            

Koolearn Technology Holding Ltd.(a)(b)

    10,000       56,949  

New Oriental Education & Technology Group Inc.(b)

    40,800       157,336  

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

    10,000       8,216  

TAL Education Group, ADR(b)

    12,044       84,670  
   

 

 

 
      307,171  
Electrical Equipment — 6.4%            

Beijing Easpring Material Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    800       6,863  

Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    3,800       220,166  

Eve Energy Co. Ltd., Class A

    3,200       33,405  

Fangda Carbon New Material Co. Ltd., Class A(b)

    6,000       5,775  

Ginlong Technologies Co. Ltd., Class A(b)

    600       13,682  

Gotion High-tech Co. Ltd., Class A

    2,800       11,886  

Guangzhou Great Power Energy & Technology Co. Ltd.

    800       7,704  

Hongfa Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    880       4,437  

Jiangsu GoodWe Power Supply Technology Co. Ltd., NVS

    200       11,177  

Jiangsu Zhongtian Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    5,600       12,937  

Jiangxi Special Electric Motor Co. Ltd., NVS(b)

    2,800       7,194  

Ningbo Orient Wires & Cables Co. Ltd.

    1,192       9,433  

Ningbo Ronbay New Energy Technology Co. Ltd.

    740       7,676  

Pylon Technologies Co. Ltd., NVS

    284       10,957  

Shenzhen Kstar Science & Technology Co. Ltd.

    800       5,768  

Sieyuan Electric Co. Ltd.

    1,200       8,108  

Sungrow Power Supply Co. Ltd., Class A

    2,400       41,206  

Sunwoda Electronic Co. Ltd., Class A

    2,800       8,693  

Suzhou Maxwell Technologies Co. Ltd., Class A

    300       15,821  

TBEA Co. Ltd., Class A

    6,400       19,853  

Zhejiang Chint Electrics Co. Ltd., Class A

    3,600       15,540  

Zhejiang HangKe Technology Inc. Co., Class A

    800       5,786  
   

 

 

 
      484,067  
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components — 9.6%  

AAC Technologies Holdings Inc.(b)(c)

    20,000       44,699  

Avary Holding Shenzhen Co. Ltd., Class A

    3,200       13,078  

Beijing Yuanliu Hongyuan Electronic Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    400       5,180  

BOE Technology Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    59,600       35,716  

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

    3,200       14,648  

China Railway Signal & Communication Corp. Ltd., Class A

    12,000       8,822  

China Zhenhua Group Science & Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    800       11,958  

Foxconn Industrial Internet Co. Ltd., Class A

    15,600       21,550  
Security   Shares     Value  
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components (continued)  

GoerTek Inc., Class A

    5,600     $ 17,334  

Guangzhou Shiyuan Electronic Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,200       11,855  

Hengdian Group DMEGC Magnetics Co. Ltd.

    2,722       8,506  

Kingboard Holdings Ltd.

    18,000       64,262  

Kingboard Laminates Holdings Ltd.

    24,000       29,930  

Lens Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    7,800       14,285  

Lingyi iTech Guangdong Co., Class A(b)

    11,200       9,224  

Luxshare Precision Industry Co. Ltd., Class A

    11,200       48,135  

Maxscend Microelectronics Co. Ltd., Class A

    640       10,777  

Raytron Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    800       5,322  

Shanghai Friendess Electronic Technology Corp. Ltd., Class A

    200       6,052  

Shengyi Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    3,600       9,390  

Shennan Circuits Co. Ltd., Class A

    800       9,179  

Shenzhen Sunlord Electronics Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,200       4,394  

Sunny Optical Technology Group Co. Ltd.

    19,200       218,339  

Suzhou Dongshan Precision Manufacturing Co. Ltd., Class A

    2,800       11,736  

Tianma Microelectronics Co. Ltd., Class A

    4,000       5,503  

Unisplendour Corp. Ltd., Class A

    4,800       17,516  

Westone Information Industry Inc., Class A

    1,200       5,405  

Wingtech Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    2,000       15,492  

Wuhan Guide Infrared Co. Ltd., Class A

    5,360       9,187  

WUS Printed Circuit Kunshan Co. Ltd., Class A

    2,800       6,599  

Xiamen Faratronic Co. Ltd.

    400       8,765  

Zhejiang Dahua Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    4,400       9,162  

Zhejiang Supcon Technology Co. Ltd.

    804       11,332  

Zhuzhou Hongda Electronics Corp. Ltd.

    800       5,249  
   

 

 

 
      728,581  
Entertainment — 8.8%            

37 Interactive Entertainment Network Technology Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    3,600       11,358  

Beijing Enlight Media Co. Ltd., Class A

    4,800       5,242  

Bilibili Inc.(b)

    5,040       97,551  

China Ruyi Holdings Ltd.(b)

    144,000       35,787  

G-Bits Network Technology Xiamen Co. Ltd., Class A

    100       5,083  

iQIYI Inc., ADR(b)

    11,612       89,761  

Kingsoft Corp. Ltd.

    25,600       84,521  

Mango Excellent Media Co. Ltd., Class A

    3,200       15,413  

NetEase Inc.

    18,800       292,160  

Perfect World Co. Ltd., Class A

    3,200       6,545  

Tencent Music Entertainment Group, ADR(b)

    696       5,248  

Wanda Film Holding Co. Ltd., Class A(b)

    3,600       7,003  

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

    12,400       7,839  
   

 

 

 
      663,511  
Household Durables — 4.2%            

Ecovacs Robotics Co. Ltd., Class A

    800       10,411  

Gree Electric Appliances Inc. of Zhuhai, Class A

    4,400       22,457  

Haier Smart Home Co. Ltd., Class A

    10,000       37,874  

Haier Smart Home Co. Ltd., Class H

    61,600       218,007  

Hangzhou Robam Appliances Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,600       7,080  

TCL Technology Group Corp., Class A

    26,800       17,101  

Zhejiang Supor Co. Ltd., Class A

    800       6,546  
   

 

 

 
          319,476  
Interactive Media & Services — 14.5%            

Autohome Inc., ADR

    2,004       61,122  

Baidu Inc.(b)

    17,400       299,163  

JOYY Inc., ADR

    1,272       39,941  

Kanzhun Ltd., ADR(b)

    4,880       98,332  

Kuaishou Technology(a)(b)

    41,600       278,781  

Tencent Holdings Ltd.

    6,400       281,142  
 

 

 

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

  7


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® MSCI China Multisector Tech ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

 

 
Interactive Media & Services (continued)            

Weibo Corp., ADR(b)(c)

    1,860     $ 38,465  
   

 

 

 
      1,096,946  
Internet & Direct Marketing Retail — 17.9%            

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.(b)

    24,800       272,588  

Alibaba Health Information Technology Ltd.(b)

    8,000       5,728  

JD Health International Inc.(a)(b)

    5,400       37,802  

JD.com Inc., Class A

    10,600       235,637  

Meituan, Class B(a)(b)

    17,920       311,000  

Pinduoduo Inc., ADR(b)

    3,388       297,229  

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

    13,600       31,167  

Vipshop Holdings Ltd., ADR(b)

    11,216       167,006  
   

 

 

 
          1,358,157  
IT Services — 2.1%            

Chinasoft International Ltd.

    72,000       51,710  

DHC Software Co. Ltd., Class A

    4,000       3,783  

GDS Holdings Ltd., Class A(b)

    23,200       56,122  

TravelSky Technology Ltd., Class H

    24,000       47,374  
   

 

 

 
      158,989  
Machinery — 2.1%            

Haitian International Holdings Ltd.

    16,000       41,820  

Jiangsu Hengli Hydraulic Co. Ltd., Class A

    2,000       19,832  

Keda Industrial Group Co. Ltd.

    3,200       7,545  

Luoyang Xinqianglian Slewing Bearing Co. Ltd.

    680       5,457  

Ningbo Deye Technology Co. Ltd., NVS

    400       19,019  

North Industries Group Red Arrow Co. Ltd., Class A

    2,400       7,818  

Riyue Heavy Industry Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,600       5,781  

Shenzhen Inovance Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    4,400       46,353  

Wuxi Shangji Automation Co. Ltd., Class A

    560       8,948  
   

 

 

 
      162,573  
Media — 0.0%            

China Literature Ltd.(a)(b)

    800       3,425  
   

 

 

 
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 13.7%  

3peak Inc.

    156       5,721  

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

    800       12,119  

Amlogic Shanghai Co. Ltd.(b)

    684       7,833  

China Resources Microelectronics Ltd.

    1,840       14,342  

Daqo New Energy Corp., ADR(b)

    1,616       71,395  

Flat Glass Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    2,400       11,923  

Flat Glass Group Co. Ltd., Class H

    12,000       31,787  

GCL-Poly Energy Holdings Ltd.(b)

    544,000       140,088  

GigaDevice Semiconductor Inc., Class A

    1,200       18,090  

Hangzhou Chang Chuan Technology Co. Ltd.

    775       4,922  

Hangzhou First Applied Material Co. Ltd., Class A

    2,240       22,132  

Hangzhou Lion Electronics Co. Ltd.

    1,200       7,698  

Hangzhou Silan Microelectronics Co. Ltd., Class A

    2,400       11,633  

Hua Hong Semiconductor Ltd.(a)(b)

    16,000       61,355  

Ingenic Semiconductor Co. Ltd., Class A

    800       8,693  

JA Solar Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    3,920       34,384  

JCET Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    2,800       11,332  

Jiangsu Pacific Quartz Co. Ltd., NVS

    400       8,265  

LONGi Green Energy Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    12,320       78,455  

Montage Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,600       13,291  

NAURA Technology Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    800       26,771  

Risen Energy Co. Ltd.(b)

    2,000       9,036  

SG Micro Corp., Class A

    600       13,530  

Shanghai Aiko Solar Energy Co. Ltd.(b)

    1,574       8,287  

Shanghai Fudan Microelectronics Group Co. Ltd.

    744       7,701  

Shanghai Fudan Microelectronics Group Co. Ltd., Class H

    8,000       32,826  
Security   Shares     Value  

 

 
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment (continued)  

Shenzhen SC New Energy Technology Corp., Class A

    400     $ 7,417  

StarPower Semiconductor Ltd., Class A

    400       16,972  

TCL Zhonghuan Renewable Energy Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    5,200       32,596  

Tianshui Huatian Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    4,800       6,609  

TongFu Microelectronics Co. Ltd., Class A(b)

    2,400       7,702  

Tongwei Co. Ltd., Class A

    7,200       43,408  

Trina Solar Co. Ltd.

    3,584       31,827  

Unigroup Guoxin Microelectronics Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,519       24,188  

Will Semiconductor Co. Ltd. Shanghai, Class A

    2,020       24,976  

Wuhan DR Laser Technology Corp. Ltd.

    200       4,116  

Wuxi Autowell Technology Co. Ltd.

    204       5,753  

Xinyi Solar Holdings Ltd.

    128,000       136,867  

Yangzhou Yangjie Electronic Technology Co. Ltd.

    766       6,021  

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

    2,000       19,713  
   

 

 

 
          1,041,774  
Software — 4.7%            

360 Security Technology Inc., Class A

    11,600       17,999  

Beijing Kingsoft Office Software Inc., Class A

    800       33,507  

Beijing Shiji Information Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    2,800       6,688  

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

    1,192       12,251  

Hundsun Technologies Inc., Class A

    3,120       19,938  

Iflytek Co. Ltd., Class A

    3,600       25,008  

Kingdee International Software Group Co. Ltd.(b)

    68,000       127,056  

NavInfo Co. Ltd., Class A

    4,000       7,495  

Sangfor Technologies Inc., Class A

    800       16,425  

Shanghai Baosight Software Co. Ltd., Class A

    2,200       15,664  

Shanghai Baosight Software Co. Ltd., Class B

    13,520       44,070  

Thunder Software Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    800       10,984  

Yonyou Network Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    5,400       18,092  
   

 

 

 
      355,177  
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals — 7.0%  

China Greatwall Technology Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    5,600       10,478  

GRG Banking Equipment Co. Ltd., Class A

    4,400       6,769  

Inspur Electronic Information Industry Co. Ltd., Class A

    2,400       13,445  

Lenovo Group Ltd.

    192,000       172,781  

Ninestar Corp., Class A

    2,400       18,618  

Shenzhen Transsion Holding Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,104       12,811  

Xiaomi Corp., Class B(a)(b)

    196,000       296,936  
   

 

 

 
      531,838  
   

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 99.9%
(Cost: $9,449,688)

      7,574,804  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Securities

   
Money Market Funds — 1.2%            

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares, 4.81%(d)(e)(f)

    94,373       94,429  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 1.2%
(Cost: $94,389)

      94,429  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments — 101.1%
(Cost: $9,544,077)

      7,669,233  

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (1.1)%

      (86,946
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

    $ 7,582,287  
   

 

 

 
 

 

 

8  

2 0 2 3   I S H A R E S   S E M I - A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

   iShares® MSCI China Multisector Tech ETF

 

(a) 

Security exempt from registration pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration to qualified institutional investors.

(b) 

Non-income producing security.

(c) 

All or a portion of this security is on loan.

(d) 

Affiliate of the Fund.

(e) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

(f) 

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

    

 

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended February 28, 2023 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

 

 
Affiliated Issuer   Value at
08/31/22
    Purchases
at Cost
    Proceeds
from Sale
   

Net Realized

Gain (Loss)

   

Change in

Unrealized

Appreciation

(Depreciation)

   

Value at

02/28/23

    Shares
Held at
02/28/23
    Income    

Capital

Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds

 

 

 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares

  $ 47,181       $ 47,179 (a)    $     $ 48     $ 21     $ 94,429       94,373     $ 279 (b)    $  

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

                0 (a)                               46        
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
        $ 48     $ 21     $ 94,429       $ 325     $  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 
  (b) 

All or a portion represents securities lending income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral from loaned securities, net of fees and collateral investment expenses, and other payments to and from borrowers of securities.

 
  (c)

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

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

For the period ended February 28, 2023, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

 

 
    

Commodity

Contracts

    

Credit

Contracts

    

Equity

Contracts

    

Foreign

Currency

Exchange

Contracts

    

Interest

Rate

Contracts

    

Other

Contracts

     Total  

 

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from

                    

Futures contracts

   $      $      $ 518      $      $      $      $ 518  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments. For a description of the input levels and information about the Fund’s policy regarding valuation of financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.

The following table summarizes the Fund’s financial instruments categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The breakdown of the Fund’s financial instruments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.

 

 

 
     Level 1      Level 2            Level 3      Total  

 

 

Assets

           

Investments

           

Long-Term Investments

           

Common Stocks

   $ 1,089,009      $ 6,485,795      $      $ 7,574,804  

Short-Term Securities

           

Money Market Funds

     94,429                      94,429  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 1,183,438      $ 6,485,795      $      $ 7,669,233  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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

  9


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) 

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® MSCI Japan Value ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

   
Air Freight & Logistics — 0.2%            

Nippon Express Holdings Inc.

    9,400     $ 524,379  
   

 

 

 
Airlines — 0.2%            

ANA Holdings Inc.(a)

    9,400       190,713  

Japan Airlines Co. Ltd.(a)

    9,400       177,001  
   

 

 

 
      367,714  
Auto Components — 2.0%            

Aisin Corp.

    19,000       520,667  

Bridgestone Corp.

    77,300       2,957,331  

Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd.

    103,400       1,272,436  
   

 

 

 
      4,750,434  
Automobiles — 14.2%            

Honda Motor Co. Ltd.

    235,000       6,110,747  

Isuzu Motors Ltd.

    84,600       1,011,682  

Mazda Motor Corp.

    75,200       672,818  

Nissan Motor Co. Ltd.

    338,400       1,313,797  

Subaru Corp.

    56,400       903,597  

Suzuki Motor Corp.

    56,400       1,979,136  

Toyota Motor Corp.

    1,504,000       20,498,867  

Yamaha Motor Co. Ltd.

    37,600       962,004  
   

 

 

 
          33,452,648  
Banks — 13.2%            

Chiba Bank Ltd. (The)

    75,200       550,608  

Concordia Financial Group Ltd.

    150,400       646,157  

Japan Post Bank Co. Ltd.

    56,400       487,224  

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc.

    1,692,000       11,995,421  

Mizuho Financial Group Inc.

    338,450       5,275,519  

Resona Holdings Inc.

    310,200       1,708,545  

Shizuoka Financial Group Inc., NVS

    65,800       525,774  

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc.

    188,000       8,210,680  

Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings Inc.

    47,000       1,741,351  
   

 

 

 
      31,141,279  
Beverages — 1.1%            

Asahi Group Holdings Ltd.

    65,800       2,326,974  

Suntory Beverage & Food Ltd.

    9,400       329,743  
   

 

 

 
      2,656,717  
Building Products — 0.8%            

AGC Inc.

    28,200       1,043,307  

Lixil Corp.

    37,600       599,429  

TOTO Ltd.

    9,400       314,132  
   

 

 

 
      1,956,868  
Capital Markets — 1.4%            

Daiwa Securities Group Inc.

    188,000       898,629  

Nomura Holdings Inc.

    413,600       1,704,571  

SBI Holdings Inc.

    37,600       810,479  
   

 

 

 
      3,413,679  
Chemicals — 2.3%            

Asahi Kasei Corp.

    178,600       1,243,951  

Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corp.

    178,600       1,040,320  

Mitsui Chemicals Inc.

    28,200       680,329  

Sumitomo Chemical Co. Ltd.

    216,200       757,563  

Toray Industries Inc.

    197,500       1,130,769  

Tosoh Corp.

    37,600       511,706  
   

 

 

 
      5,364,638  
Commercial Services & Supplies — 1.0%            

Dai Nippon Printing Co. Ltd.

    28,200       756,036  

Secom Co. Ltd.

    14,800       860,686  
Security   Shares     Value  
Commercial Services & Supplies (continued)            

Toppan Inc.

    37,600     $ 679,975  
   

 

 

 
      2,296,697  
Construction & Engineering — 1.1%            

Kajima Corp.

    56,500       675,232  

Obayashi Corp.

    94,000       695,320  

Shimizu Corp.

    75,200       405,921  

Taisei Corp.

    28,200       919,409  
   

 

 

 
      2,695,882  
Diversified Financial Services — 1.5%            

Mitsubishi HC Capital Inc.

    94,000       490,732  

ORIX Corp.

    169,200       3,032,572  
   

 

 

 
      3,523,304  
Electric Utilities — 1.1%            

Chubu Electric Power Co. Inc.

    94,000       973,300  

Kansai Electric Power Co. Inc. (The)

    103,400       971,313  

Tokyo Electric Power Co. Holdings Inc.(a)

    216,200       716,338  
   

 

 

 
      2,660,951  
Electrical Equipment — 1.5%            

Fuji Electric Co. Ltd.

    9,400       362,932  

Mitsubishi Electric Corp.

    272,600       3,063,265  
   

 

 

 
          3,426,197  
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components — 1.3%  

Kyocera Corp.

    47,000       2,313,149  

Omron Corp.

    9,400       504,622  

Yokogawa Electric Corp.

    9,400       140,392  
   

 

 

 
      2,958,163  
Entertainment — 0.1%            

Toho Co. Ltd./Tokyo

    9,400       327,213  
   

 

 

 
Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) — 1.8%  

Daiwa House REIT Investment Corp.

    285       588,292  

GLP J-Reit

    282       296,126  

Japan Metropolitan Fund Invest

    1,128       846,859  

Japan Real Estate Investment Corp.

    188       778,575  

Nippon Building Fund Inc.

    191       806,182  

Nippon Prologis REIT Inc.

    188       401,020  

Nomura Real Estate Master Fund Inc.

    564       625,168  
   

 

 

 
      4,342,222  
Food & Staples Retailing — 0.1%            

MatsukiyoCocokara & Co.

    5,700       264,999  
   

 

 

 
Food Products — 0.4%            

MEIJI Holdings Co. Ltd.

    15,700       718,993  

Nisshin Seifun Group Inc.

    28,200       325,854  
   

 

 

 
      1,044,847  
Gas Utilities — 0.9%            

Osaka Gas Co. Ltd.

    56,400       916,123  

Tokyo Gas Co. Ltd.

    56,400       1,087,812  
   

 

 

 
      2,003,935  
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 0.6%            

Oriental Land Co. Ltd./Japan

    9,400       1,501,039  
   

 

 

 
Household Durables — 2.1%            

Iida Group Holdings Co. Ltd.

    18,800       312,419  

Panasonic Holdings Corp.

    310,200       2,708,674  

Sekisui House Ltd.

    84,600       1,601,751  

Sharp Corp./Japan

    37,600       259,425  
   

 

 

 
      4,882,269  
 

 

 

10  

2 0 2 3   I S H A R E S   S E M I - A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® MSCI Japan Value ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Industrial Conglomerates — 2.9%            

Hitachi Ltd.

    137,000     $ 6,934,653  
   

 

 

 
Insurance — 4.9%            

Dai-ichi Life Holdings Inc.

    141,000       3,008,136  

Japan Post Holdings Co. Ltd.

    338,400       3,008,101  

Japan Post Insurance Co. Ltd.

    28,200       489,618  

MS&AD Insurance Group Holdings Inc.

    61,100       1,999,444  

Sompo Holdings Inc.

    44,200       1,897,554  

T&D Holdings Inc.

    75,200       1,138,844  
   

 

 

 
      11,541,697  
Internet & Direct Marketing Retail — 0.1%            

Rakuten Group Inc.

    65,800       324,340  
   

 

 

 
IT Services — 0.0%            

Otsuka Corp.

    1,700       57,307  
   

 

 

 
Machinery — 4.7%            

FANUC Corp.

    9,400       1,597,726  

Hitachi Construction Machinery Co. Ltd.

    18,800       420,458  

Hoshizaki Corp.

    9,400       333,237  

Komatsu Ltd.

    131,600       3,148,581  

Kubota Corp.

    94,000       1,418,813  

Makita Corp.

    18,800       459,759  

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd.

    47,000       1,731,933  

NGK Insulators Ltd.

    37,600       499,100  

Toyota Industries Corp.

    18,800       1,102,999  

Yaskawa Electric Corp.

    9,400       369,834  
   

 

 

 
      11,082,440  
Marine — 1.2%            

Mitsui OSK Lines Ltd.

    47,000       1,227,645  

Nippon Yusen KK

    65,800       1,710,338  
   

 

 

 
      2,937,983  
Media — 0.6%            

Dentsu Group Inc.

    28,200       904,333  

Hakuhodo DY Holdings Inc.

    37,600       419,170  
   

 

 

 
      1,323,503  
Metals & Mining — 2.0%            

JFE Holdings Inc.

    65,800       816,445  

Nippon Steel Corp.

    112,800       2,520,826  

Sumitomo Metal Mining Co. Ltd.

    37,600       1,399,670  
   

 

 

 
      4,736,941  
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 1.6%            

ENEOS Holdings Inc.

    432,800       1,487,914  

Idemitsu Kosan Co. Ltd.

    28,292       626,144  

Inpex Corp.

    150,400       1,576,852  
   

 

 

 
      3,690,910  
Paper & Forest Products — 0.2%            

Oji Holdings Corp.

    112,800       457,706  
   

 

 

 
Personal Products — 0.5%            

Kao Corp.

    33,600       1,251,666  
   

 

 

 
Pharmaceuticals — 4.5%            

Astellas Pharma Inc.

    169,200       2,376,004  

Eisai Co. Ltd.

    18,800       1,015,439  

Shionogi & Co. Ltd.

    11,100       491,752  

Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

        216,200       6,664,208  
   

 

 

 
          10,547,403  
Real Estate Management & Development — 2.9%  

Daito Trust Construction Co. Ltd.

    9,400       885,468  
Security   Shares     Value  
Real Estate Management & Development (continued)        

Daiwa House Industry Co. Ltd.

    84,600     $ 1,952,667  

Hulic Co. Ltd.

    56,400       448,872  

Mitsubishi Estate Co. Ltd.

    159,800       1,986,347  

Nomura Real Estate Holdings Inc.

    18,800       419,135  

Sumitomo Realty & Development Co. Ltd.

    47,000       1,109,582  
   

 

 

 
      6,802,071  
Road & Rail — 2.9%            

Central Japan Railway Co.

    19,400       2,178,133  

East Japan Railway Co.

    28,200       1,424,219  

Hankyu Hanshin Holdings Inc.

    18,800       534,994  

Keio Corp.

    9,400       327,517  

Keisei Electric Railway Co. Ltd.

    9,400       271,718  

Kintetsu Group Holdings Co. Ltd.

    18,800       569,533  

Odakyu Electric Railway Co. Ltd.

    18,800       227,909  

Tobu Railway Co. Ltd.

    9,400       209,864  

Tokyu Corp.

    37,600       452,966  

West Japan Railway Co.

    18,800       729,686  
   

 

 

 
      6,926,539  
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 0.3%        

SUMCO Corp.

    47,000       648,526  
   

 

 

 
Software — 0.2%            

Trend Micro Inc./Japan

    9,400       441,994  
   

 

 

 
Specialty Retail — 0.3%            

Nitori Holdings Co. Ltd.

    3,900       440,724  

USS Co. Ltd.

    9,400       152,502  
   

 

 

 
      593,226  
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals — 3.0%  

Brother Industries Ltd.

    37,600       553,056  

Canon Inc.

    141,000       3,034,636  

FUJIFILM Holdings Corp.

    48,700       2,271,946  

Ricoh Co. Ltd.

    75,200       584,223  

Seiko Epson Corp.

    37,600       518,417  
   

 

 

 
      6,962,278  
Tobacco — 1.5%            

Japan Tobacco Inc.

    169,200       3,440,749  
   

 

 

 
Trading Companies & Distributors — 8.9%            

ITOCHU Corp.

    84,600       2,528,751  

Marubeni Corp.

        216,200       2,760,021  

Mitsubishi Corp.

    178,600       6,067,231  

Mitsui & Co. Ltd.

    206,800       5,804,021  

Sumitomo Corp.

    159,800       2,723,435  

Toyota Tsusho Corp.

    28,200       1,150,095  
   

 

 

 
      21,033,554  
Wireless Telecommunication Services — 7.6%        

KDDI Corp.

    225,600       6,600,574  

SoftBank Corp.

    404,200       4,559,765  

SoftBank Group Corp.

    169,200       6,842,662  
   

 

 

 
      18,003,001  
   

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 99.7%
(Cost: $247,592,932)

          235,294,561  
   

 

 

 
 

 

 

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

  11


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® MSCI Japan Value ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Short-Term Securities

   

Money Market Funds — 0.0%

   

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares, 4.41%(b)(c)

    80,000     $ 80,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 0.0%
(Cost: $80,000)

      80,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments — 99.7%
(Cost: $247,672,932)

      235,374,561  

Other Assets Less Liabilities — 0.3%

      591,455  
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

    $   235,966,016  
   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Non-income producing security.

(b) 

Affiliate of the Fund.

(c) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended February 28, 2023 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

 

 
Affiliated Issuer   

Value at

08/31/22

    

Purchases

at Cost

    

Proceeds

from Sale

    

Net Realized

Gain (Loss)

    

Change in

Unrealized

Appreciation

(Depreciation)

    

Value at

02/28/23

    

Shares

Held at

02/28/23

     Income     

Capital

Gain

Distributions

from

Underlying

Funds

 

 

 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

   $ 20,000        $ 60,000 (a)     $      $      $      $ 80,000        80,000      $ 1,280      $  
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Futures Contracts

 

 

 
Description   

Number of

Contracts

    

Expiration

Date

    

Notional

Amount

(000)

    

Value/

Unrealized

Appreciation

(Depreciation)

 

 

 

Long Contracts

           

Mini TOPIX Index

     42        03/09/23      $ 614      $ 11,740  
           

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

As of period end, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities were as follows:

 

 

 
     Commodity
Contracts
     Credit
Contracts
     Equity
Contracts
     Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
     Interest
Rate
Contracts
     Other
Contracts
     Total  

 

 

Assets — Derivative Financial Instruments

                    

Futures contracts

                    

Unrealized appreciation on futures contracts(a)

   $      $      $ 11,740      $      $      $      $ 11,740  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts are reported in the Schedule of Investments. In the Statements of Assets and Liabilities, only current day’s variation margin is reported in receivables or payables and the net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is included in accumulated earnings (loss).

 

 

 

12  

2 0 2 3   I S H A R E S   S E M I - A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

   iShares® MSCI Japan Value ETF

 

For the period ended February 28, 2023, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

 

 
     Commodity
Contracts
     Credit
Contracts
     Equity
Contracts
     Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
     Interest
Rate
Contracts
     Other
Contracts
     Total  

 

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from

                    

Futures contracts

   $      $      $ 45,190      $      $      $      $ 45,190  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on

                    

Futures contracts

   $      $      $ 11,954      $      $      $      $ 11,954  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

 

 

Futures contracts

  

Average notional value of contracts — long

   $ 861,310      

 

 

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

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments. For a description of the input levels and information about the Fund’s policy regarding valuation of financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.

The following table summarizes the Fund’s financial instruments categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The breakdown of the Fund’s financial instruments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.

 

 

 
     Level 1      Level 2          Level 3      Total  

 

 

Assets

           

Investments

           

Long-Term Investments

           

Common Stocks

   $      $ 235,294,561      $      $ 235,294,561  

Short-Term Securities

           

Money Market Funds

     80,000                      80,000  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $        80,000      $ 235,294,561      $      $ 235,374,561  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
Derivative Financial Instruments(a)                            

Assets

           

Equity Contracts

   $      $ 11,740      $      $ 11,740  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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

  13


Statements of Assets and Liabilities (unaudited)

February 28, 2023

 

   

iShares

MSCI China

Multisector

Tech ETF

   

iShares

MSCI Japan

Value ETF

 

 

 

ASSETS

   

Investments, at value — unaffiliated(a)(b)

  $ 7,574,804     $ 235,294,561  

Investments, at value — affiliated(c)

    94,429       80,000  

Cash

    3,811       297  

Foreign currency collateral pledged for futures contracts(d)

          18,633  

Foreign currency, at value(e)

    43,383       282,506  

Receivables:

   

Investments sold

    251,662       343,730  

Securities lending income — affiliated

    42        

Dividends — unaffiliated

    17,390       236,511  

Dividends — affiliated

          281  

Variation margin on futures contracts

          2,115  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

    7,985,521       236,258,634  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

   

Collateral on securities loaned, at value

    94,359        

Payables:

   

Investments purchased

    305,202       265,052  

Investment advisory fees

    3,673       27,566  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    403,234       292,618  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 7,582,287     $ 235,966,016  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF

   

Paid-in capital

  $ 9,892,974     $ 251,541,278  

Accumulated loss

    (2,310,687     (15,575,262
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 7,582,287     $ 235,966,016  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETVALUE

   

Shares outstanding

    400,000       9,400,000  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value

  $ 18.96     $ 25.10  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Shares authorized

    Unlimited       Unlimited  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Par value

    None       None  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

(a) Investments, at cost — unaffiliated

  $ 9,449,688     $ 247,592,932  

(b) Securities loaned, at value

  $ 81,511     $  

(c)  Investments, at cost — affiliated

  $ 94,389     $ 80,000  

(d) Foreign currency collateral pledged, at cost

  $     $ 19,059  

(e) Foreign currency, at cost

  $ 43,382     $ 296,812  

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

14  

2 0 2 3   I S H A R E S   S E M I - A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Statements of Operations (unaudited)

Six Months Ended February 28, 2023

 

   

iShares

MSCI

China

Multisector

Tech ETF

   

iShares

MSCI Japan

Value ETF

 

 

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

   

Dividends — unaffiliated

  $ 12,034     $ 1,372,680  

Dividends — affiliated

    46       1,280  

Securities lending income — affiliated — net

    279        

Foreign taxes withheld

    (197     (137,269
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investment income

    12,162       1,236,691  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

EXPENSES

   

Investment advisory

    21,499       78,584  

Commitment costs

    46        
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses

    21,545       78,584  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss)

    (9,383     1,158,107  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

   

Net realized gain (loss) from:

   

Investments — unaffiliated

    (116,851     (974,530

Investments — affiliated

    48        

Foreign currency transactions

    110       62,867  

Futures contracts

    518       45,190  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 
    (116,175     (866,473
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

   

Investments — unaffiliated

    (177,896     (955,888

Investments — affiliated

    21        

Foreign currency translations

    168       (15,808

Futures contracts

          11,954  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 
    (177,707     (959,742
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized loss

    (293,882     (1,826,215
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

  $ (303,265   $ (668,108
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L  T A T E M E N T S

  15


Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

   

iShares

MSCI China Multisector Tech ETF

   

iShares

MSCI Japan Value ETF

 
 

 

 

   

 

 

 
          Six Months
Ended
    Period From    

Six Months

Ended

       
      02/28/23       01/25/22 (a)      02/28/23       Year Ended  
          (unaudited)     to 08/31/22     (unaudited)     08/31/22  

 

 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

                  

OPERATIONS

         

Net investment income (loss)

    $ (9,383   $ 45,984     $ 1,158,107     $ 2,218,537  

Net realized loss

      (116,175     (276,477     (866,473     (1,114,202

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

      (177,707     (1,697,116     (959,742     (12,976,420
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations

      (303,265     (1,927,609     (668,108     (11,872,085
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(b)

         

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

      (58,126 )(c)       (21,687     (894,771     (2,495,878
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

         

Net increase in net assets derived from capital share transactions

            9,892,974       156,676,823       50,859,340  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

         

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

      (361,391     7,943,678       155,113,944       36,491,377  

Beginning of period

      7,943,678             80,852,072       44,360,695  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period

    $ 7,582,287     $ 7,943,678     $ 235,966,016     $ 80,852,072  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Commencement of operations.

(b) 

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

(c) 

A portion of the distributions from net investment income may be deemed a return of capital or net realized gain at fiscal year-end.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

16  

2 0 2 3   I S H A R E S   S E M I - A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Financial Highlights 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

   

     iShares MSCI China Multisector Tech  ETF     

 
    Six Months Ended     Period From  
  02/28/23

 

      01/25/22 (a) 
    (unaudited)     to 08/31/22  

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $ 19.86       $ 24.81  
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss)(b)

                       (0.02                    0.12  

Net realized and unrealized loss(c)

      (0.73       (5.02
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net decrease from investment operations

      (0.75       (4.90
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Distributions from net investment income(d)

      (0.15 )(e)        (0.05
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

    $ 18.96       $ 19.86  
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Return(f)

       

Based on net asset value

      (3.82 )%(g)        (19.74 )%(g) 
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(h)

       

Total expenses

      0.59 %(i)        0.59 %(i) 
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss)

      (0.26 )%(i)        0.93 %(i) 
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

       

Net assets, end of period (000)

    $ 7,582       $ 7,944  
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(j)

      11       17
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Commencement of operations.

(b) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(c) 

The amounts reported for a share outstanding may not accord with the change in aggregate gains and losses in securities for the fiscal period due to the timing of capital share transactions in relation to the fluctuating market values of the Fund’s underlying securities.

(d) 

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

(e) 

A portion of the distributions from net investment income may be deemed a return of capital or net realized gain at fiscal year-end.

(f) 

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(g) 

Not annualized.

(h) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

(i) 

Annualized.

(j) 

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L   H I G H L I G H T S

  17


Financial Highlights (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    iShares MSCI Japan Value ETF  
 

 

 

 
    Six Months Ended                                         Period From  
    02/28/23       Year Ended       Year Ended       Year Ended         03/05/19 (a) 
    (unaudited)     08/31/22     08/31/21     08/31/20     to 08/31/19  

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $ 23.78       $ 27.73       $ 23.22       $ 23.70       $ 24.67  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net investment income(b)

      0.27         0.72         0.65         0.71         0.46  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(c)

      1.31         (3.88       4.36         (0.26       (0.97
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

      1.58         (3.16       5.01         0.45         (0.51
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Distributions from net investment income(d)

      (0.26       (0.79       (0.50       (0.93       (0.46
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

               $ 25.10                $ 23.78                $ 27.73                $ 23.22                      $ 23.70  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Return(e)

                   

Based on net asset value

      6.70 %(f)         (11.57 )%        21.62       1.71       (2.10 )%(f) 
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(g)

                   

Total expenses

      0.15 %(h)         0.15       0.15       0.15       0.15 %(h) 
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net investment income

      2.21 %(h)         2.74       2.39       2.98       3.83 %(h) 
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

                   

Net assets, end of period (000)

    $ 235,966       $ 80,852       $ 44,361       $ 6,965       $ 7,111  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(i)

      6       24       24       35       9
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Commencement of operations.

(b) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(c) 

The amounts reported for a share outstanding may not accord with the change in aggregate gains and losses in securities for the fiscal period due to the timing of capital share transactions in relation to the fluctuating market values of the Fund’s underlying securities.

(d) 

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

(e) 

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(f) 

Not annualized.

(g) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

(h) 

Annualized.

(i) 

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) 

 

1.

ORGANIZATION

iShares Trust (the “Trust”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as an open-end management investment company. The Trust is organized as a Delaware statutory trust and is authorized to have multiple series or portfolios.

These financial statements relate only to the following funds (each, a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”):

 

   
iShares ETF   Diversification  
Classification  
 

MSCI China Multisector Tech

    Non-diversified    

MSCI Japan Value

    Diversified    

 

2.

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”), which may require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities in the financial statements, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Each Fund is considered an investment company under U.S. GAAP and follows the accounting and reporting guidance applicable to investment companies. Below is a summary of significant accounting policies:

Investment Transactions and Income Recognition: For financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are recorded on the dates the transactions are executed. Realized gains and losses on investment transactions are determined using the specific identification method. Dividend income and capital gain distributions, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Non-cash dividends, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend date at fair value. Dividends from foreign securities where the ex-dividend date may have passed are subsequently recorded when the Funds are informed of the ex-dividend date. Under the applicable foreign tax laws, a withholding tax at various rates may be imposed on capital gains, dividends and interest. Upon notification from issuers or as estimated by management, a portion of the dividend income received from a real estate investment trust may be redesignated as a reduction of cost of the related investment and/or realized gain.

Foreign Currency Translation: Each Fund’s books and records are maintained in U.S. dollars. Securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars using prevailing market rates as quoted by one or more data service providers. Purchases and sales of investments are recorded at the rates of exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions. Generally, when the U.S. dollar rises in value against a foreign currency, the investments denominated in that currency will lose value; the opposite effect occurs if the U.S. dollar falls in relative value.

Each Fund does not isolate the effect of fluctuations in foreign exchange rates from the effect of fluctuations in the market prices of investments for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, the effects of changes in exchange rates on investments are not segregated in the Statements of Operations from the effects of changes in market prices of those investments, but are included as a component of net realized and unrealized gain (loss) from investments. Each Fund reports realized currency gains (losses) on foreign currency related transactions as components of net realized gain (loss) for financial reporting purposes, whereas such components are generally treated as ordinary income for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Foreign Taxes: The Funds may be subject to foreign taxes (a portion of which may be reclaimable) on income, stock dividends, capital gains on investments, or certain foreign currency transactions. All foreign taxes are recorded in accordance with the applicable foreign tax regulations and rates that exist in the foreign jurisdictions in which each Fund invests. These foreign taxes, if any, are paid by each Fund and are reflected in its Statements of Operations as follows: foreign taxes withheld at source are presented as a reduction of income, foreign taxes on securities lending income are presented as a reduction of securities lending income, foreign taxes on stock dividends are presented as “Other foreign taxes”, and foreign taxes on capital gains from sales of investments and foreign taxes on foreign currency transactions are included in their respective net realized gain (loss) categories. Foreign taxes payable or deferred as of February 28, 2023, if any, are disclosed in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

The Funds file withholding tax reclaims in certain jurisdictions to recover a portion of amounts previously withheld. The Funds may record a reclaim receivable based on collectability, which includes factors such as the jurisdiction’s applicable laws, payment history and market convention. The Statements of Operations includes tax reclaims recorded as well as professional and other fees, if any, associated with recovery of foreign withholding taxes.

Collateralization: If required by an exchange or counterparty agreement, the Funds may be required to deliver/deposit cash and/or securities to/with an exchange, or broker-dealer or custodian as collateral for certain investments.

In-kind Redemptions: For financial reporting purposes, in-kind redemptions are treated as sales of securities resulting in realized capital gains or losses to the Funds. Because such gains or losses are not taxable to the Funds and are not distributed to existing Fund shareholders, the gains or losses are reclassified from accumulated net realized gain (loss) to paid-in capital at the end of the Funds’ tax year. These reclassifications have no effect on net assets or net asset value (“NAV”) per share.

Distributions: Dividends and distributions paid by each Fund are recorded on the ex-dividend dates. Distributions are determined on a tax basis and may differ from net investment income and net realized capital gains for financial reporting purposes. Dividends and distributions are paid in U.S. dollars and cannot be automatically reinvested in additional shares of the Funds.

The character and timing of distributions are determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP.

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

Indemnifications: In the normal course of business, each Fund enters into contracts that contain a variety of representations that provide general indemnification. The Funds’ maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown because it involves future potential claims against the Funds, which cannot be predicted with any certainty.

 

3.

INVESTMENT VALUATION AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Investment Valuation Policies: Each Fund’s investments are valued at fair value (also referred to as “market value” within the financial statements) each day that the Fund’s listing exchange is open and, for financial reporting purposes, as of the report date. U.S. GAAP defines fair value as the price a fund would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”) of each Fund has approved the designation of BlackRock Fund Advisors (“BFA”), the Funds’ investment adviser, as the valuation designee for each Fund. Each Fund determines the fair values of its financial instruments using various independent dealers or pricing services under BFA’s policies. If a security’s market price is not readily available or does not otherwise accurately represent the fair value of the security, the security will be valued in accordance with BFA’s policies and procedures as reflecting fair value. BFA has formed a committee (the “Valuation Committee”) to develop pricing policies and procedures and to oversee the pricing function for all financial instruments, with assistance from other BlackRock pricing committees.

Fair Value Inputs and Methodologies: The following methods and inputs are used to establish the fair value of each Fund’s assets and liabilities:

 

   

Equity investments traded on a recognized securities exchange are valued at that day’s official closing price, as applicable, on the exchange where the stock is primarily traded. Equity investments traded on a recognized exchange for which there were no sales on that day are valued at the last traded price.

 

   

Investments in open-end U.S. mutual funds (including money market funds) are valued at that day’s published NAV.

 

   

Futures contracts are valued based on that day’s last reported settlement or trade price on the exchange where the contract is traded.

Generally, trading in foreign instruments is substantially completed each day at various times prior to the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”). Each business day, the Funds use current market factors supplied by independent pricing services to value certain foreign instruments (“Systematic Fair Value Price”). The Systematic Fair Value Price is designed to value such foreign securities at fair value as of the close of trading on the NYSE, which follows the close of the local markets.

If events (e.g., market volatility, company announcement or a natural disaster) occur that are expected to materially affect the value of such investment, or in the event that application of these methods of valuation results in a price for an investment that is deemed not to be representative of the market value of such investment, or if a price is not available, the investment will be valued by the Valuation Committee, in accordance with BFA’s policies and procedures as reflecting fair value (“Fair Valued Investments”). The fair valuation approaches that may be used by the Valuation Committee include market approach, income approach and cost approach. Valuation techniques such as discounted cash flow, use of market comparables and matrix pricing are types of valuation approaches and are typically used in determining fair value. When determining the price for Fair Valued Investments, the Valuation Committee seeks to determine the price that each Fund might reasonably expect to receive or pay from the current sale or purchase of that asset or liability in an arm’s-length transaction. Fair value determinations shall be based upon all available factors that the Valuation Committee deems relevant and consistent with the principles of fair value measurement.

Fair value pricing could result in a difference between the prices used to calculate a fund’s NAV and the prices used by the fund’s underlying index, which in turn could result in a difference between the fund’s performance and the performance of the fund’s underlying index.

Fair Value Hierarchy: Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments. These inputs to valuation techniques are categorized into a fair value hierarchy consisting of three broad levels for financial reporting purposes as follows:

 

   

Level 1 – Unadjusted price quotations in active markets/exchanges for identical assets or liabilities that each Fund has the ability to access;

 

   

Level 2 – Other observable inputs (including, but not limited to, quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in markets that are active, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the assets or liabilities (such as interest rates, yield curves, volatilities, prepayment speeds, loss severities, credit risks and default rates) or other market-corroborated inputs); and

 

   

Level 3 – Unobservable inputs based on the best information available in the circumstances, to the extent observable inputs are not available, (including the Valuation Committee’s assumptions used in determining the fair value of financial instruments).

The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized in Level 3. The inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, for disclosure purposes, the fair value hierarchy classification is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. Investments classified within Level 3 have significant unobservable inputs used by the Valuation Committee in determining the price for Fair Valued Investments. Level 3 investments include equity or debt issued by privately held companies or funds that may not have a secondary market and/or may have a limited number of investors. The categorization of a value determined for financial instruments is based on the pricing transparency of the financial instruments and is not necessarily an indication of the risks associated with investing in those securities.

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

4.

SECURITIES AND OTHER INVESTMENTS

Securities Lending: Each Fund may lend its securities to approved borrowers, such as brokers, dealers and other financial institutions. The borrower pledges and maintains with the Fund collateral consisting of cash, an irrevocable letter of credit issued by an approved bank, or securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government. The initial collateral received by each Fund is required to have a value of at least 102% of the current market value of the loaned securities for securities traded on U.S. exchanges and a value of at least 105% for all other securities. The collateral is maintained thereafter at a value equal to at least 100% of the current value of the securities on loan. The market value of the loaned securities is determined at the close of each business day of the Fund and any additional required collateral is delivered to the Fund or excess collateral is returned by the Fund, on the next business day. During the term of the loan, each Fund is entitled to all distributions made on or in respect of the loaned securities but does not receive interest income on securities received as collateral. Loans of securities are terminable at any time and the borrower, after notice, is required to return borrowed securities within the standard time period for settlement of securities transactions.

As of period end, any securities on loan were collateralized by cash and/or U.S. Government obligations. Cash collateral invested in money market funds managed by BFA, or its affiliates is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments. Any non-cash collateral received cannot be sold, re-invested or pledged by the Fund, except in the event of borrower default. The securities on loan, if any, are also disclosed in each Fund’s Schedule of Investments. The market value of any securities on loan and the value of any related cash collateral are disclosed in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

Securities lending transactions are entered into by the Funds under Master Securities Lending Agreements (each, an “MSLA”) which provide the right, in the event of default (including bankruptcy or insolvency) for the non-defaulting party to liquidate the collateral and calculate a net exposure to the defaulting party or request additional collateral. In the event that a borrower defaults, the Funds, as lender, would offset the market value of the collateral received against the market value of the securities loaned. When the value of the collateral is greater than that of the market value of the securities loaned, the lender is left with a net amount payable to the defaulting party. However, bankruptcy or insolvency laws of a particular jurisdiction may impose restrictions on or prohibitions against such a right of offset in the event of an MSLA counterparty’s bankruptcy or insolvency. Under the MSLA, absent an event of default, the borrower can resell or re-pledge the loaned securities, and the Funds can reinvest cash collateral received in connection with loaned securities. Upon an event of default, the parties’ obligations to return the securities or collateral to the other party are extinguished, and the parties can resell or re-pledge the loaned securities or the collateral received in connection with the loaned securities in order to satisfy the defaulting party’s net payment obligation for all transactions under the MSLA. The defaulting party remains liable for any deficiency.

As of period end, the following table is a summary of the securities on loan by counterparty which are subject to offset under an MSLA:

 

 

 

iShares ETF and Counterparty

   
Securities Loaned
at Value
 
 
    
Cash Collateral
Received
 
(a)  
   
Non-Cash Collateral
Received, at Fair Value
 
(a) 
    Net Amount  

 

 

MSCI China Multisector Tech

        

Barclays Capital, Inc.

  $ 41,514      $ (41,514   $     $  

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

    39,997        (39,997            
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  $ 81,511      $ (81,511   $     $  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Collateral received, if any, in excess of the market value of securities on loan is not presented in this table. The total cash collateral received by each Fund is disclosed in the Fund’s Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

 

The risks of securities lending include the risk that the borrower may not provide additional collateral when required or may not return the securities when due. To mitigate these risks, each Fund benefits from a borrower default indemnity provided by BlackRock, Inc. (“BlackRock”). BlackRock’s indemnity allows for full replacement of the securities loaned to the extent the collateral received does not cover the value of the securities loaned in the event of borrower default. Each Fund could incur a loss if the value of an investment purchased with cash collateral falls below the market value of the loaned securities or if the value of an investment purchased with cash collateral falls below the value of the original cash collateral received. Such losses are borne entirely by each Fund.

 

5.

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Futures Contracts: Futures contracts are purchased or sold to gain exposure to, or manage exposure to, changes in interest rates (interest rate risk) and changes in the value of equity securities (equity risk) or foreign currencies (foreign currency exchange rate risk).

Futures contracts are exchange-traded agreements between the Funds and a counterparty to buy or sell a specific quantity of an underlying instrument at a specified price and on a specified date. Depending on the terms of a contract, it is settled either through physical delivery of the underlying instrument on the settlement date or by payment of a cash amount on the settlement date. Upon entering into a futures contract, the Funds are required to deposit initial margin with the broker in the form of cash or securities in an amount that varies depending on a contract’s size and risk profile. The initial margin deposit must then be maintained at an established level over the life of the contract. Amounts pledged, which are considered restricted, are included in cash pledged for futures contracts in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

Securities deposited as initial margin are designated in the Schedule of Investments and cash deposited, if any, are shown as cash pledged for futures contracts in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. Pursuant to the contract, the Funds agree to receive from or pay to the broker an amount of cash equal to the daily fluctuation in market value of the contract (“variation margin”). Variation margin is recorded as unrealized appreciation (depreciation) and, if any, shown as variation margin receivable (or payable) on futures contracts in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. When the contract is closed, a realized gain or loss is recorded in the Statements of Operations equal to the difference between the notional amount of the contract at the time it was opened and the notional amount at the time it was closed. The use of futures contracts involves the risk of an imperfect correlation in the movements in the price of futures contracts and interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates or underlying assets.

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

6.

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

Investment Advisory Fees: Pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement with the Trust, BFA manages the investment of each Fund’s assets. BFA is a California corporation indirectly owned by BlackRock. Under the Investment Advisory Agreement, BFA is responsible for substantially all expenses of the Funds, except (i) interest and taxes; (ii) brokerage commissions and other expenses connected with the execution of portfolio transactions; (iii) distribution fees; (iv) the advisory fee payable to BFA; and (v) litigation expenses and any extraordinary expenses (in each case as determined by a majority of the independent trustees).

For its investment advisory services to each of the following Funds, BFA is entitled to an annual investment advisory fee, accrued daily and paid monthly by the Funds, based on the average daily net assets of each Fund as follows:

 

 

 
iShares ETF   Investment Advisory Fees     

 

 

MSCI China Multisector Tech

    0.59%  

MSCI Japan Value

    0.15     

 

 

Distributor: BlackRock Investments, LLC, an affiliate of BFA, is the distributor for each Fund. Pursuant to the distribution agreement, BFA is responsible for any fees or expenses for distribution services provided to the Funds.

Securities Lending: The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) has issued an exemptive order which permits BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A. (“BTC”), an affiliate of BFA, to serve as securities lending agent for the Funds, subject to applicable conditions. As securities lending agent, BTC bears all operational costs directly related to securities lending, including any custodial costs. Each Fund is responsible for fees in connection with the investment of cash collateral received for securities on loan (the “collateral investment fees”). The cash collateral is invested in a money market fund, BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional or BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, managed by BFA, or its affiliates. However, BTC has agreed to reduce the amount of securities lending income it receives in order to effectively limit the collateral investment fees each Fund bears to an annual rate of 0.04%. The SL Agency Shares of such money market fund will not be subject to a sales load, distribution fee or service fee. The money market fund in which the cash collateral has been invested may, under certain circumstances, impose a liquidity fee of up to 2% of the value redeemed or temporarily restrict redemptions for up to 10 business days during a 90 day period, in the event that the money market fund’s weekly liquid assets fall below certain thresholds.

Securities lending income is equal to the total of income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral, net of fees and other payments to and from borrowers of securities, and less the collateral investment fees. Each Fund retains a portion of securities lending income and remits the remaining portion to BTC as compensation for its services as securities lending agent.

Pursuant to the current securities lending agreement, each Fund retains 82% of securities lending income (which excludes collateral investment fees), and the amount retained can never be less than 70% of the total of securities lending income plus the collateral investment fees.

In addition, commencing the business day following the date that the aggregate securities lending income plus the collateral investment fees generated across all 1940 Act iShares exchange-traded funds (the “iShares ETF Complex”) in that calendar year exceeds a specified threshold, each Fund, pursuant to the securities lending agreement, will retain for the remainder of that calendar year 85% of securities lending income (which excludes collateral investment fees), and the amount retained can never be less than 70% of the total of securities lending income plus the collateral investment fees.

The share of securities lending income earned by each Fund is shown as securities lending income – affiliated – net in its Statements of Operations. For the six months ended February 28, 2023, the Funds paid BTC the following amounts for securities lending agent services:

 

 

 
iShares ETF   Amounts    

 

 

MSCI China Multisector Tech

  $ 78    

 

 

Officers and Trustees: Certain officers and/or trustees of the Trust are officers and/or trustees of BlackRock or its affiliates.

Other Transactions: Cross trading is the buying or selling of portfolio securities between funds to which BFA (or an affiliate) serves as investment adviser. At its regularly scheduled quarterly meetings, the Board reviews such transactions as of the most recent calendar quarter for compliance with the requirements and restrictions set forth by Rule 17a-7.

For the six months ended February 28, 2023, transactions executed by the Funds pursuant to Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act were as follows:

 

 

 
iShares ETF   Purchases      Sales      Net Realized  
Gain (Loss)   
 

 

 

MSCI Japan Value

  $ 4,497,586      $ 5,094,067      $ (741,458)    

 

 

Each Fund may invest its positive cash balances in certain money market funds managed by BFA or an affiliate. The income earned on these temporary cash investments is shown as dividends – affiliated in the Statements of Operations.

A fund, in order to improve its portfolio liquidity and its ability to track its underlying index, may invest in shares of other iShares funds that invest in securities in the fund’s underlying index.

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

7.

PURCHASES AND SALES

For the six months ended February 28, 2023, purchases and sales of investments, excluding short-term securities and in-kind transactions, were as follows:

 

     
iShares ETF   Purchases      Sales    

MSCI China Multisector Tech

  $ 835,398      $ 879,725    

MSCI Japan Value

    11,544,501        8,011,602    

For the six months ended February 28, 2023, in-kind transactions were as follows:

 

     
iShares ETF   In-kind
Purchases
     In-kind  
Sales  
 

MSCI Japan Value

  $ 153,084,168      $ —    

 

8.

INCOME TAX INFORMATION

Each Fund is treated as an entity separate from the Trust’s other funds for federal income tax purposes. It is each Fund’s policy to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, applicable to regulated investment companies, and to distribute substantially all of its taxable income to its shareholders. Therefore, no U.S. federal income tax provision is required.

Management has analyzed tax laws and regulations and their application to the Funds as of February 28, 2023, inclusive of the open tax return years, and does not believe that there are any uncertain tax positions that require recognition of a tax liability in the Funds’ financial statements.

As of August 31, 2022, the Funds had non-expiring capital loss carryforwards available to offset future realized capital gains as follows:

 

   
iShares ETF   Amounts    

MSCI China Multisector Tech

  $  274,665    

MSCI Japan Value

    1,845,089    

A fund may own shares in certain foreign investment entities, referred to, under U.S. tax law, as “passive foreign investment companies.” Such fund may elect to mark-to-market annually the shares of each passive foreign investment company and would be required to distribute to shareholders any such marked-to-market gains.

As of February 28, 2023, gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation based on cost of investments (including short positions and derivatives, if any) for U.S. federal income tax purposes were as follows:

 

         
iShares ETF   Tax Cost      Gross Unrealized
Appreciation
     Gross Unrealized
Depreciation
    Net Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

MSCI China Multisector Tech

  $ 9,563,108      $ 411,889      $ (2,305,764   $ (1,893,875

MSCI Japan Value

    248,322,552        2,861,312        (15,797,563     (12,936,251

 

9.

LINE OF CREDIT

The iShares MSCI China Multisector Tech ETF, along with certain other iShares funds (“Participating Funds”), is a party to a $800 million credit agreement (“Syndicated Credit Agreement”) with a group of lenders, which expires on August 11, 2023. The line of credit may be used for temporary or emergency purposes, including redemptions, settlement of trades and rebalancing of portfolio holdings in certain target markets. The Funds may borrow up to the aggregate commitment amount subject to asset coverage and other limitations as specified in the Syndicated Credit Agreement. The Syndicated Credit Agreement has the following terms: a commitment fee of 0.15% per annum on the unused portion of the credit agreement and interest at a rate equal to the higher of (a) Daily Simple Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) plus 0.10% and 1.00% per annum or (b) the U.S. Federal Funds rate plus 1.00% per annum on amounts borrowed. The commitment fee is generally allocated to each Participating Fund based on the lesser of a Participating Fund’s relative exposure to certain target markets or a Participating Fund’s maximum borrowing amount as set forth by the terms of the Syndicated Credit Agreement.

During the six months ended February 28, 2023, the Fund did not borrow under the Syndicated Credit Agreement.

 

10.

PRINCIPAL RISKS

In the normal course of business, each Fund invests in securities or other instruments and may enter into certain transactions, and such activities subject the Fund to various risks, including, among others, fluctuations in the market (market risk) or failure of an issuer to meet all of its obligations. The value of securities or other instruments may also be affected by various factors, including, without limitation: (i) the general economy; (ii) the overall market as well as local, regional or global political and/or social instability; (iii) regulation, taxation or international tax treaties between various countries; or (iv) currency, interest rate or price fluctuations. Local, regional or global events

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

such as war, acts of terrorism, the spread of infectious illness or other public health issues, recessions, or other events could have a significant impact on the Funds and their investments. Each Fund’s prospectus provides details of the risks to which the Fund is subject.

BFA uses a “passive” or index approach to try to achieve each Fund’s investment objective following the securities included in its underlying index during upturns as well as downturns. BFA does not take steps to reduce market exposure or to lessen the effects of a declining market. Divergence from the underlying index and the composition of the portfolio is monitored by BFA.

The Funds may be exposed to additional risks when reinvesting cash collateral in money market funds that do not seek to maintain a stable NAV per share of $1.00, which may be subject to redemption gates or liquidity fees under certain circumstances.

Infectious Illness Risk: An outbreak of an infectious illness, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, may adversely impact the economies of many nations and the global economy, and may impact individual issuers and capital markets in ways that cannot be foreseen. An infectious illness outbreak may result in, among other things, closed international borders, prolonged quarantines, supply chain disruptions, market volatility or disruptions and other significant economic, social and political impacts.

Valuation Risk: The market values of equities, such as common stocks and preferred securities or equity related investments, such as futures and options, may decline due to general market conditions which are not specifically related to a particular company. They may also decline due to factors which affect a particular industry or industries. A fund may invest in illiquid investments. An illiquid investment is any investment that a fund reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment. A fund may experience difficulty in selling illiquid investments in a timely manner at the price that it believes the investments are worth. Prices may fluctuate widely over short or extended periods in response to company, market or economic news. Markets also tend to move in cycles, with periods of rising and falling prices. This volatility may cause a fund’s NAV to experience significant increases or decreases over short periods of time. If there is a general decline in the securities and other markets, the NAV of a fund may lose value, regardless of the individual results of the securities and other instruments in which a fund invests.

Counterparty Credit Risk: The Funds may be exposed to counterparty credit risk, or the risk that an entity may fail to or be unable to perform on its commitments related to unsettled or open transactions, including making timely interest and/or principal payments or otherwise honoring its obligations. The Funds manage counterparty credit risk by entering into transactions only with counterparties that BFA believes have the financial resources to honor their obligations and by monitoring the financial stability of those counterparties. Financial assets, which potentially expose the Funds to market, issuer and counterparty credit risks, consist principally of financial instruments and receivables due from counterparties. The extent of the Funds’ exposure to market, issuer and counterparty credit risks with respect to these financial assets is approximately their value recorded in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities, less any collateral held by the Funds.

A derivative contract may suffer a mark-to-market loss if the value of the contract decreases due to an unfavorable change in the market rates or values of the underlying instrument. Losses can also occur if the counterparty does not perform under the contract.

With exchange-traded futures, there is less counterparty credit risk to the Funds since the exchange or clearinghouse, as counterparty to such instruments, guarantees against a possible default. The clearinghouse stands between the buyer and the seller of the contract; therefore, credit risk is limited to failure of the clearinghouse. While offset rights may exist under applicable law, a fund does not have a contractual right of offset against a clearing broker or clearinghouse in the event of a default (including the bankruptcy or insolvency). Additionally, credit risk exists in exchange-traded futures with respect to initial and variation margin that is held in a clearing broker’s customer accounts. While clearing brokers are required to segregate customer margin from their own assets, in the event that a clearing broker becomes insolvent or goes into bankruptcy and at that time there is a shortfall in the aggregate amount of margin held by the clearing broker for all its clients, typically the shortfall would be allocated on a pro rata basis across all the clearing broker’s customers, potentially resulting in losses to the Funds.

Concentration Risk: A diversified portfolio, where this is appropriate and consistent with a fund’s objectives, minimizes the risk that a price change of a particular investment will have a material impact on the NAV of a fund. The investment concentrations within each Fund’s portfolio are disclosed in its Schedule of Investments.

The Funds invest a significant portion of their assets in issuers located in a single country or a limited number of countries. When a fund concentrates its investments in this manner, it assumes the risk that economic, regulatory, political and social conditions in that country or those countries may have a significant impact on the fund and could affect the income from, or the value or liquidity of, the Fund’s portfolio. Unanticipated or sudden political or social developments may cause uncertainty in the markets and as a result adversely affect the Fund’s investments. Foreign issuers may not be subject to the same uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and practices as used in the United States. Foreign securities markets may also be more volatile and less liquid than U.S. securities and may be less subject to governmental supervision not typically associated with investing in U.S. securities.

The Funds invest a significant portion of their assets in securities of issuers located in China or with significant exposure to Chinese issuers. Investments in Chinese securities, including certain Hong Kong-listed securities, involve risks specific to China. China may be subject to considerable degrees of economic, political and social instability and demonstrates significantly higher volatility from time to time in comparison to developed markets. Chinese markets generally continue to experience inefficiency, volatility and pricing anomalies resulting from governmental influence, a lack of publicly available information and/or political and social instability. Internal social unrest or confrontations with other neighboring countries may disrupt economic development in China and result in a greater risk of currency fluctuations, currency non-convertibility, interest rate fluctuations and higher rates of inflation. Incidents involving China’s or the region’s security may cause uncertainty in Chinese markets and may adversely affect the Chinese economy and a fund’s investments. Reduction in spending on Chinese products and services, institution of tariffs or other trade barriers, or a downturn in any of the economies of China’s key trading partners may have an adverse impact on the Chinese economy. In addition, measures may be taken to limit the flow of capital and/or sanctions may be imposed, which could prohibit or restrict the ability to own or transfer fund assets and may also include retaliatory actions, such as seizure of fund assets.

 

 

24  

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Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

The Funds invest a significant portion of their assets in securities of issuers located in Asia or with significant exposure to Asian issuers or countries. The Asian financial markets have recently experienced volatility and adverse trends due to concerns in several Asian countries regarding monetary policy, government intervention in the markets, rising government debt levels or economic downturns. These events may spread to other countries in Asia and may affect the value and liquidity of certain of the Funds’ investments.

The Funds invest a significant portion of their assets in securities within a single or limited number of market sectors. When a fund concentrates its investments in this manner, it assumes the risk that economic, regulatory, political and social conditions affecting such sectors may have a significant impact on the fund and could affect the income from, or the value or liquidity of, the fund’s portfolio. Investment percentages in specific sectors are presented in the Schedule of Investments.

Significant Shareholder Redemption Risk: Certain shareholders may own or manage a substantial amount of fund shares and/or hold their fund investments for a limited period of time. Large redemptions of fund shares by these shareholders may force a fund to sell portfolio securities, which may negatively impact the fund’s NAV, increase the fund’s brokerage costs, and/or accelerate the realization of taxable income/gains and cause the fund to make additional taxable distributions to shareholders.

LIBOR Transition Risk: The Funds may be exposed to financial instruments that are tied to the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) to determine payment obligations, financing terms, hedging strategies or investment value. The United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority, which regulates LIBOR, announced that a majority of USD LIBOR settings will no longer be published after June 30, 2023. All other LIBOR settings and certain other interbank offered rates ceased to be published after December 31, 2021. SOFR has been used increasingly on a voluntary basis in new instruments and transactions. The Federal Reserve Board adopted regulations that provide a fallback mechanism by identifying benchmark rates based on SOFR that will replace LIBOR in certain financial contracts after June 30, 2023. The ultimate effect of the LIBOR transition process on the Funds is uncertain.

 

11.

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

Capital shares are issued and redeemed by each Fund only in aggregations of a specified number of shares or multiples thereof (“Creation Units”) at NAV. Except when aggregated in Creation Units, shares of each Fund are not redeemable.

Transactions in capital shares were as follows:

 

 

 
    Six Months Ended
02/28/23
    

Period Ended

08/31/22

 
 

 

 

    

 

 

 
iShares ETF   Shares      Amount      Shares      Amount  

 

 

MSCI China Multisector Tech

          

Shares sold

         $        400,000      $ 9,892,974  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 
   

Six Months Ended

02/28/23

    

Year Ended

08/31/22

 
 

 

 

    

 

 

 
iShares ETF   Shares      Amount      Shares     Amount  

 

 

MSCI Japan Value

         

Shares sold

    6,000,000      $ 156,676,823        2,100,000     $ 58,305,017  

Shares redeemed

                  (300,000     (7,445,677
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
    6,000,000      $ 156,676,823        1,800,000     $ 50,859,340  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

The consideration for the purchase of Creation Units of a fund in the Trust generally consists of the in-kind deposit of a designated portfolio of securities and a specified amount of cash. Certain funds in the Trust may be offered in Creation Units solely or partially for cash in U.S. dollars. Investors purchasing and redeeming Creation Units may pay a purchase transaction fee and a redemption transaction fee directly to State Street Bank and Trust Company, the Trust’s administrator, to offset transfer and other transaction costs associated with the issuance and redemption of Creation Units, including Creation Units for cash. Investors transacting in Creation Units for cash may also pay an additional variable charge to compensate the relevant fund for certain transaction costs (i.e., stamp taxes, taxes on currency or other financial transactions, and brokerage costs) and market impact expenses relating to investing in portfolio securities. Such variable charges, if any, are included in shares sold in the table above.

From time to time, settlement of securities related to in-kind contributions or in-kind redemptions may be delayed. In such cases, securities related to in-kind transactions are reflected as a receivable or a payable in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

 

12.

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Management has evaluated the impact of all subsequent events on the Funds through the date the financial statements were available to be issued and has determined that there were no subsequent events requiring adjustment or additional disclosure in the financial statements.

 

 

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

  25


Statement Regarding Liquidity Risk Management Program (unaudited)

 

In compliance with Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Liquidity Rule”), iShares Trust (the “Trust”) has adopted and implemented a liquidity risk management program (the “Program”) for iShares MSCI ChinaMultisector Tech ETF and iShares MSCI Japan Value ETF (the “Funds” or “ETFs”), each a series of the Trust, which is reasonably designed to assess and manage each Fund’s liquidity risk.

The Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of the Trust, on behalf of the Funds, met on December 9, 2022 (the “Meeting”) to review the Program. The Board previously appointed BlackRock Fund Advisors (“BlackRock”), the investment adviser to the Funds, as the program administrator for each Fund’s Program. BlackRock also previously delegated oversight of the Program to the 40 Act Liquidity Risk Management Committee (the “Committee”). At the Meeting, the Committee, on behalf of BlackRock, provided the Board with a report that addressed the operation of the Program and assessed its adequacy and effectiveness of implementation, including the management of each Fund’s Highly Liquid Investment Minimum (“HLIM”) where applicable, and any material changes to the Program (the “Report”). The Report covered the period from October 1, 2021 through September 30, 2022 (the “Program Reporting Period”).

The Report described the Program’s liquidity classification methodology for categorizing each Fund’s investments (including derivative transactions) into one of four liquidity buckets. It also referenced the methodology used by BlackRock to establish each Fund’s HLIM and noted that the Committee reviews and ratifies the HLIM assigned to each Fund no less frequently than annually. The Report also discussed notable events affecting liquidity over the Program Reporting Period, including extended market holidays, the imposition of capital controls in certain non-U.S. countries, Russian sanctions and the closure of the Russian securities market.

The Report noted that the Program complied with the key factors for consideration under the Liquidity Rule for assessing, managing and periodically reviewing each Fund’s liquidity risk, as follows:

 

  a)

The Fund’s investment strategy and liquidity of portfolio investments during both normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions. During the Program Reporting Period, the Committee reviewed whether each Fund’s strategy is appropriate for an open-end fund structure, with a focus on funds with more significant and consistent holdings of less liquid and illiquid assets. The Committee also factored a fund’s concentration in an issuer into the liquidity classification methodology by taking issuer position sizes into account. Derivative exposure was also considered in the calculation of a fund’s liquidity bucketing. Finally, a factor for consideration under the Liquidity Rule is a Fund’s use of borrowings for investment purposes. However, the Funds do not borrow for investment purposes.

 

  b)

Short-term and long-term cash flow projections during both normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions. During the Program Reporting Period, the Committee reviewed historical redemption activity and used this information as a component to establish each ETF’s reasonably anticipated trading size (“RATS”). The Committee may also take into consideration a fund’s shareholder ownership concentration (which, depending on product type and distribution channel, may or may not be available), a fund’s distribution channels, and the degree of certainty associated with a fund’s short-term and long-term cash flow projections.

 

  c)

Holdings of cash and cash equivalents, as well as borrowing arrangements. The Committee considered that ETFs generally do not hold more than de minimis amounts of cash. The Committee also considered that ETFs generally do not engage in borrowing.

 

  d)

The relationship between an ETF’s portfolio liquidity and the way in which, and the prices and spreads at which, ETF shares trade, including the efficiency of the arbitrage function and the level of active participation by market participants, including authorized participants. The Committee monitored the prevailing bid/ask spread and the ETF price premium (or discount) to NAV for all ETFs. However, there were no ETFs with persistent deviations of fund premium/discount or bid/ask spreads from long-term averages over the Program Reporting Period.

 

  e)

The effect of the composition of baskets on the overall liquidity of an ETF’s portfolio. In reviewing the linkage between the composition of custom baskets accepted by an ETF and any significant change in the liquidity profile of such ETF, the Committee reviewed changes in the proportion of each ETF’s portfolio comprised of less liquid and illiquid holdings to determine if applicable thresholds were met requiring enhanced review.

There were no material changes to the Program during the Program Reporting Period other than the enhancement of certain model components in the Program’s classification methodology. The Report provided to the Board stated that the Committee concluded that based on the operation of the functions, as described in the Report, the Program is operating as intended and is effective in implementing the requirements of the Liquidity Rule.

 

 

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Supplemental Information (unaudited)

 

Section 19(a) Notices

The amounts and sources of distributions reported are estimates and are being provided pursuant to regulatory requirements and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources for tax reporting purposes will depend upon each Fund’s investment experience during the year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. Shareholders will receive a Form 1099-DIV each calendar year that will inform them how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes.

February 28, 2023

 

       
   

Total Cumulative Distributions

for the Fiscal Year-to-Date

           

% Breakdown of the Total Cumulative

Distributions for the Fiscal Year-to-Date

 
 

 

 

       

 

 

 
iShares ETF  

Net

Investment

Income

    

Net Realized 

Capital Gains

    

Return of

Capital

    

Total Per

Share

            

Net

Investment

Income

   

Net Realized

Capital Gains

    Return of
Capital
    Total Per
Share
 

MSCI China Multisector Tech(a)

  $ 0.054469      $      $ 0.090846      $ 0.145315                 37         63     100

 

  (a) 

The Fund estimates that it has distributed more than its net investment income and net realized capital gains; therefore, a portion of the distribution may be a return of capital. A return of capital may occur, for example, when some or all of the shareholder’s investment in the Fund is returned to the shareholder. A return of capital does not necessarily reflect the Fund’s investment performance and should not be confused with “yield” or “income”. When distributions exceed total return performance, the difference will incrementally reduce the Fund’s net asset value per share.

 

 

 

E N E R A L  N F O R M A T I O N

  27


General Information

 

Electronic Delivery

Shareholders can sign up for e-mail notifications announcing that the shareholder report or prospectus has been posted on the iShares website at iShares.com. Once you have enrolled, you will no longer receive prospectuses and shareholder reports in the mail.

To enroll in electronic delivery:

 

   

Go to icsdelivery.com.

   

If your brokerage firm is not listed, electronic delivery may not be available. Please contact your broker-dealer or financial advisor.

Householding

Householding is an option available to certain fund investors. Householding is a method of delivery, based on the preference of the individual investor, in which a single copy of certain shareholder documents and Rule 30e-3 notices can be delivered to investors who share the same address, even if their accounts are registered under different names. Please contact your broker-dealer if you are interested in enrolling in householding and receiving a single copy of prospectuses and other shareholder documents, or if you are currently enrolled in householding and wish to change your householding status.

Availability of Quarterly Schedule of Investments

The Funds file their complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to their reports on Form N-PORT. The Funds’ Forms N-PORT are available on the SEC’s website at sec.gov. Additionally, each Fund makes its portfolio holdings for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year available at iShares.com/fundreports.

Availability of Proxy Voting Policies and Proxy Voting Records

A description of the policies and procedures that the iShares Funds use to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities and information about how the iShares Funds voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve-month period ending June 30 is available without charge, upon request (1) by calling toll-free 1-800-474-2737; (2) on the iShares website at iShares.com; and (3) on the SEC website at sec.gov.

A description of the Trust’s policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of the Fund’s portfolio securities is available in the Fund Prospectus. The Fund discloses its portfolio holdings daily and provides information regarding its top holdings in Fund fact sheets at iShares.com.

 

 

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Glossary of Terms Used in this Report

 

Portfolio Abbreviation
ADR    American Depositary Receipt
NVS    Non-Voting Shares

 

 

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

  29


 

Want to know more?

iShares.com    |     1-800-474-2737

This report is intended for the Funds’ shareholders. It may not be distributed to prospective investors unless it is preceded or accompanied by the current prospectus.

Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal.

The iShares Funds are distributed by BlackRock Investments, LLC (together with its affiliates, “BlackRock”).

The iShares Funds are not sponsored, endorsed, issued, sold or promoted by MSCI Inc., nor does this company make any representation regarding the advisability of investing in the iShares Funds. BlackRock is not affiliated with the company listed above.

©2023 BlackRock, Inc. All rights reserved. iSHARES and BLACKROCK are registered trademarks of BlackRock, Inc. or its subsidiaries. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.

iS-SAR-819-0223

 

 

LOGO

   LOGO


 

LOGO

  FEBRUARY 28, 2023

 

  

2023 Semi-Annual Report

(Unaudited)

 

iShares Trust

 

·  

iShares ESG Advanced MSCI EAFE ETF  |  DMXF  |  NASDAQ

·  

iShares ESG Advanced MSCI EM ETF  |  EMXF  |  NASDAQ

 


The Markets in Review

Dear Shareholder,

Significant economic headwinds emerged during the 12-month reporting period ended February 28, 2023, as investors navigated changing economic conditions and volatile markets. The U.S. economy shrank in the first half of 2022 before returning to modest growth in the second half of the year, marking a shift to a more challenging post-reopening economic environment. Changes in consumer spending patterns and a tight labor market led to elevated inflation, which reached a 40-year high before beginning to moderate. Moreover, while the foremost effect of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has been a severe humanitarian crisis, the ongoing war continued to present challenges for both investors and policymakers.

Equity prices fell as interest rates rose, particularly during the first half of the reporting period. Both large-and small-capitalization U.S. stocks fell, although equities began to recover in the second half of the period as inflation eased and economic growth resumed. Emerging market stocks and international equities from developed markets declined overall, pressured by rising interest rates and a strong U.S. dollar.

The 10-year U.S. Treasury yield rose notably during the reporting period, driving its price down, as investors reacted to fluctuating inflation data and attempted to anticipate its impact on future interest rate changes. The corporate bond market also faced inflationary headwinds, and higher interest rates led to rising borrowing costs for corporate issuers.

The U.S. Federal Reserve (the “Fed”), acknowledging that inflation has been more persistent than expected, raised interest rates eight times. Furthermore, the Fed wound down its bond-buying programs and accelerated the reduction of its balance sheet.

Restricted labor supply kept inflation elevated even as other inflation drivers, such as goods prices and energy costs, moderated. While economic growth slowed in the last year, we believe that taming inflation requires a more substantial decline that lowers demand to a level more in line with the economy’s productive capacity. Although the Fed has decelerated the pace of interest rate hikes, it still seems determined to get inflation back to target. With this in mind, we believe the possibility of a U.S. recession in the near-term is high, but the dimming economic outlook has not yet been fully reflected in current market prices. We believe investors should expect a period of higher volatility as markets adjust to the new economic reality and policymakers attempt to adapt to rapidly changing conditions. Turmoil in the banking sector shortly following the end of the period highlighted the potential for the knock-on effects of substantially higher interest rates to disrupt markets with little warning.

While we favor an overweight to equities in the long term, several factors lead us to take an underweight stance on equities overall in the near term. Expectations for corporate earnings remain elevated, which seems inconsistent with the possibility of a recession in a business environment characterized by higher costs and reduced pricing power. Nevertheless, we are overweight on emerging market stocks as a weaker U.S. dollar provides a supportive backdrop. We also see long-term opportunities in credit, where valuations are appealing and higher yields provide attractive income, although we are neutral on credit in the near term, as we believe that troubles in the banking sector will likely lead to reduced lending. However, we believe there are still some strong opportunities for a six- to twelve-month horizon, particularly short-term U.S. Treasuries, global inflation-linked bonds, and emerging market bonds denominated in local currency.

Overall, our view is that investors need to think globally, position themselves to be prepared for a decarbonizing economy, and be nimble as market conditions change. We encourage you to talk with your financial advisor and visit iShares.com for further insight about investing in today’s markets.

 

LOGO

Rob Kapito

President, BlackRock, Inc.

LOGO

Rob Kapito

President, BlackRock, Inc.

 

Total Returns as of February 28, 2023

 

    

 

6-Month 

 

 

 

12-Month

 

 

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

 

  1.26%   (7.69)%

 

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

 

  3.63      (6.02)   

 

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

 

  12.58       (3.14)   

 

Emerging market equities
(MSCI Emerging Markets Index)

 

  (2.29)      (15.28)     

 

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

 

  1.74       2.11    

 

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

 

  (4.81)      (14.06)     

 

U.S. investment grade bonds

(Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index)

 

  (2.13)      (9.72)   

 

Tax-exempt municipal bonds
(Bloomberg Municipal Bond Index)

 

  0.66      (5.10)   

 

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

 

  2.52      (5.45)   

 

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

 

 

 

 

2  

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


Table of Contents

 

     

Page

 

 

The Markets in Review

     2  

Semi-Annual Report:

  

Fund Summary

     4  

About Fund Performance

     6  

Disclosure of Expenses

     6  

Schedules of Investments

     7  

Financial Statements

  

Statements of Assets and Liabilities

     21  

Statements of Operations

     22  

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

     23  

Financial Highlights

     24  

Notes to Financial Statements

     26  

Statement Regarding Liquidity Risk Management Program

     34  

General Information

     35  

Glossary of Terms Used in this Report

     36  

 

 

 


Fund Summary  as of February 28, 2023    iShares® ESG Advanced MSCI EAFE ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares ESG Advanced MSCI EAFE ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of large- and mid-capitalization developed market companies excluding the U.S. and Canada that have a favorable environmental, social and governance rating while applying extensive screens for company involvement in controversial activities, as represented by the MSCI EAFE Choice ESG Screened Index (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index.

Performance

 

                Average Annual Total Returns

 

                Cumulative Total Returns

 

 
    

 

6-Month
Total Returns

 

   

 

1 Year

 

    

 

Since
Inception

 

          

 

1 Year

 

    

 

Since
Inception

 

 

Fund NAV

    12.23     (4.86 )%       5.91       (4.86 )%       16.81

Fund Market

    11.82       (4.33      6.02         (4.33      17.13  

Index

    11.99       (4.83      6.07               (4.83      17.28  

The inception date of the Fund was June 16, 2020. The first day of secondary market trading was June 18, 2020.

Past performance is not an indication of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. See “About Fund Performance” for more information.

Expense Example

 

             Actual                             Hypothetical 5% Return                    
 

 

 

     

 

 

      
     

Beginning
Account Value
(09/01/22)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(02/28/23)

 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
(a) 
           

Beginning
Account Value
(09/01/22)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(02/28/23)


 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
(a) 
      

Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 
 
 
      $        1,000.00          $          1,122.30          $        0.63               $        1,000.00          $        1,024.20          $        0.60          0.12

 

  (a)

Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period shown). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Disclosure of Expenses” for more information.

 

Portfolio Information

 

SECTOR ALLOCATION

 

 

Sector    
Percent of
Total Investments

(a) 

Financials

    21.1

Industrials

    19.1  

Information Technology

    14.3  

Health Care

    13.0  

Consumer Discretionary

    8.6  

Materials

    7.7  

Communication Services

    5.8  

Consumer Staples

    5.2  

Real Estate

    4.6  

Utilities

    0.6  

GEOGRAPHIC ALLOCATION

 

 

Country/Geographic Region    

Percent of

Total Investments

 

(a) 

Japan

    27.0

France

    10.7  

Germany

    9.2  

Switzerland

    9.1  

United Kingdom

    8.6  

Netherlands

    7.3  

Australia

    4.9  

Sweden

    4.8  

Denmark

    4.7  

Hong Kong

    3.8  

Singapore

    1.9  

Spain

    1.8  

Italy

    1.2  

Finland

    1.2  

Belgium

    1.0  

Other (each representing less than 1%)

    2.8  
 

 

  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

 

 

 

4  

2 0 2 3  H A R E S   E M I - A N N U A L  E P O R T  T O  H A R E  H O L D E R S


Fund Summary  as of February 28, 2023    iShares® ESG Advanced MSCI EM ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares ESG Advanced MSCI EM ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of large- and mid-capitalization emerging market companies that have a favorable environmental, social and governance rating while applying extensive screens for company involvement in controversial activities, as represented by the MSCI Emerging Markets Choice ESG Screened 5% Issuer Capped Index (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index.

Performance

 

                      Average Annual Total Returns

 

                Cumulative Total Returns

 

 
           

6-Month
Total Returns

 

   

1 Year

 

    

Since
Inception

 

          

1 Year

 

    

Since
Inception

 

 

Fund NAV

      (2.13 )%      (15.67 )%       0.38       (15.67 )%       0.91

Fund Market

      (2.05     (16.28      0.44         (16.28      1.07  

Index

            (2.60     (15.54      0.69               (15.54      1.65  

The inception date of the Fund was October 6, 2020. The first day of secondary market trading was October 8, 2020.

Past performance is not an indication of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. See “About Fund Performance” for more information.

Expense Example

 

     Actual           Hypothetical 5% Return         
     

Beginning
Account Value
(09/01/22)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(02/28/23)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
(a) 
           

Beginning
Account Value
(09/01/22)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(02/28/23)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 

(a) 
    

Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 
 
 
      $        1,000.00          $          978.70          $        0.78               $    1,000.00          $        1,024.00          $        0.80        0.16

 

  (a)

Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period shown). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Disclosure of Expenses” for more information.

 

Portfolio Information

 

SECTOR ALLOCATION

 

 

 
Sector   Percent of   
Total Investments(a)
 

 

 

Financials

    34.2%  

Consumer Discretionary

    17.2     

Information Technology

    17.0     

Communication Services

    8.4     

Consumer Staples

    6.5     

Materials

    5.3     

Health Care

    4.9     

Industrials

    3.9     

Real Estate

    2.2     

Utilities

    0.4     

 

 
GEOGRAPHIC ALLOCATION

 

 

 
Country/Geographic Region   Percent of   
Total Investments(a)
 

 

 

China

    32.2%  

Taiwan

    17.5     

India

    12.6     

South Africa

    6.4     

South Korea

    5.4     

Brazil

    4.4     

Thailand

    3.0     

Saudi Arabia

    2.9     

Indonesia

    2.8     

United Arab Emirates

    2.3     

Malaysia

    2.1     

Mexico

    2.1     

Poland

    1.0     

Qatar

    1.0     

Other (each representing less than 1%)

    4.3     

 

 
 

 

  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

 

 

 

U N D  U M M A R Y

  5


About Fund Performance

 

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

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

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

Disclosure of Expenses

Shareholders of each Fund may incur the following charges: (1) transactional expenses, including brokerage commissions on purchases and sales of fund shares and (2) ongoing expenses, including management fees and other fund expenses. The expense examples shown (which are based on a hypothetical investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held through the end of the period) are intended to assist shareholders both in calculating expenses based on an investment in each Fund and in comparing these expenses with similar costs of investing in other funds.

The expense examples provide information about actual account values and actual expenses. Annualized expense ratios reflect contractual and voluntary fee waivers, if any. In order to estimate the expenses a shareholder paid during the period covered by this report, shareholders can divide their account value by $1,000 and then multiply the result by the number under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During the Period.”

The expense examples also provide information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on a fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses. In order to assist shareholders in comparing the ongoing expenses of investing in the Funds and other funds, compare the 5% hypothetical examples with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

The expenses shown in the expense examples are intended to highlight shareholders’ ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional expenses, such as brokerage commissions and other fees paid on purchases and sales of fund shares. Therefore, the hypothetical examples are useful in comparing ongoing expenses only and will not help shareholders determine the relative total expenses of owning different funds. If these transactional expenses were included, shareholder expenses would have been higher.

 

 

6  

2 0 2 3  H A R E S   E M I - A N N U A L  E P O R T  T O  H A R E  H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® ESG Advanced MSCI EAFE ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

 

Australia — 4.9%  

ASX Ltd.

    10,074     $ 460,143  

Aurizon Holdings Ltd.

    90,087       200,186  

BlueScope Steel Ltd.

    24,309       311,026  

Brambles Ltd.

    72,061       622,657  

Cochlear Ltd.

    3,431       511,647  

Computershare Ltd.

    28,397       472,330  

CSL Ltd.

    24,747       4,923,840  

Dexus

    50,301       284,229  

Fortescue Metals Group Ltd.

    87,381       1,252,163  

Goodman Group

    87,308       1,161,463  

GPT Group (The)

    95,565       301,670  

IDP Education Ltd.

    10,767       207,062  

IGO Ltd.

    35,186       309,304  

James Hardie Industries PLC

    22,995       479,092  

Lendlease Corp. Ltd.

    35,551       182,057  

Mineral Resources Ltd.

    8,833       487,834  

Mirvac Group

    206,517       314,438  

Newcrest Mining Ltd.

    46,063       705,166  

Northern Star Resources Ltd.

    59,349       414,216  

Orica Ltd.

    23,214       252,210  

Pilbara Minerals Ltd.(a)

    130,962       364,934  

QBE Insurance Group Ltd.

    76,577       774,671  

Ramsay Health Care Ltd.

    9,350       423,900  

REA Group Ltd.

    2,701       222,413  

Reece Ltd.

    11,607       128,529  

Scentre Group

    267,983       535,230  

SEEK Ltd.

    17,823       288,780  

Sonic Healthcare Ltd.

    23,652       511,667  

Stockland

    121,405       312,733  

Suncorp Group Ltd.

    65,262       562,951  

Transurban Group

    158,702       1,510,164  

Vicinity Ltd.

    206,229       282,161  

WiseTech Global Ltd.

    7,665       323,914  

Xero Ltd.(a)

    6,935       361,201  
   

 

 

 
      20,455,981  
Austria — 0.2%  

Erste Group Bank AG

    17,739       696,309  

voestalpine AG

    5,706       210,751  
   

 

 

 
      907,060  
Belgium — 1.0%  

Ageas SA/NV

    8,322       375,564  

Argenx SE(a)

    2,847       1,036,322  

D’ieteren Group

    1,402       271,725  

Elia Group SA/NV

    1,800       237,111  

Groupe Bruxelles Lambert NV

    5,110       428,964  

KBC Group NV

    12,921       964,883  

Sofina SA

    803       200,047  

Umicore SA

    10,587       352,850  

Warehouses De Pauw CVA

    8,322       253,971  
   

 

 

 
      4,121,437  
Denmark — 4.6%  

AP Moller - Maersk A/S, Class A

    148       338,282  

AP Moller - Maersk A/S, Class B, NVS

    219       510,127  

Chr Hansen Holding A/S

    5,476       379,629  

Demant A/S(a)

    4,845       144,890  

DSV A/S

    9,636       1,750,920  

Genmab A/S(a)

    3,358       1,263,444  

Novo Nordisk A/S, Class B

    85,191       12,033,677  
Security   Shares     Value  
Denmark (continued)  

Novozymes A/S, Class B

    10,585     $ 509,815  

Pandora A/S

    4,745       449,464  

Rockwool A/S, Class B

    444       100,805  

Tryg A/S

    19,068       422,422  

Vestas Wind Systems A/S

    52,122       1,487,298  
   

 

 

 
      19,390,773  
Finland — 1.2%  

Elisa OYJ

    7,305       414,838  

Kesko OYJ, Class B

    14,600       317,051  

Kone OYJ, Class B

    17,520       909,842  

Metso Outotec OYJ

    34,164       364,243  

Nokia OYJ

    279,298       1,292,186  

Orion OYJ, Class B

    5,372       253,135  

Sampo OYJ, Class A

    24,747       1,204,688  

Wartsila OYJ Abp

    22,212       214,537  
   

 

 

 
      4,970,520  
France — 10.6%  

Accor SA(a)

    8,761       290,771  

Aeroports de Paris(a)

    1,460       211,542  

Air Liquide SA

    27,010       4,291,251  

Amundi SA(b)

    3,249       213,697  

Arkema SA

    2,999       304,036  

AXA SA

    96,433       3,038,745  

BioMerieux

    2,192       214,642  

BNP Paribas SA

    57,305       4,006,258  

Bouygues SA

    11,836       400,491  

Bureau Veritas SA

    15,549       444,181  

Capgemini SE

    8,468       1,588,055  

Carrefour SA

    31,244       617,677  

Cie. Generale des Etablissements Michelin SCA

    35,040       1,100,818  

Covivio

    2,342       149,993  

Credit Agricole SA

    62,488       761,574  

Danone SA

    33,142       1,862,988  

Dassault Systemes SE

    34,383       1,326,846  

Edenred

    12,848       723,166  

Eiffage SA

    4,241       465,446  

Eurazeo SE

    2,201       148,106  

Eurofins Scientific SE

    6,887       479,987  

Euronext NV(b)

    4,380       319,477  

Gecina SA

    2,487       286,128  

Getlink SE

    22,796       382,855  

Hermes International

    1,606       2,907,073  

Ipsen SA

    1,985       226,803  

Klepierre SA

    9,992       249,197  

Legrand SA

    13,797       1,274,390  

L’Oreal SA

    12,410       4,905,335  

Publicis Groupe SA

    11,826       938,832  

Sartorius Stedim Biotech

    1,460       475,517  

Schneider Electric SE

    27,886       4,474,505  

SEB SA

    1,255       144,773  

Sodexo SA

    4,672       432,710  

Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield(a)(c)

    5,870       370,911  

Valeo

    10,403       216,120  

Vinci SA

    27,740       3,154,255  

Vivendi SE

    36,368       374,251  

Wendel SE

    1,387       157,302  

Worldline SA/France(a)(b)

    12,337       513,866  
   

 

 

 
      44,444,570  
 

 

 

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

  7


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® ESG Advanced MSCI EAFE ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Germany — 8.6%  

adidas AG

    8,322     $ 1,242,864  

Aroundtown SA

    46,663       120,890  

Bayerische Motoren Werke AG

    17,082       1,762,271  

Bechtle AG

    4,307       181,380  

Beiersdorf AG

    5,183       618,568  

Brenntag SE

    7,957       599,347  

Carl Zeiss Meditec AG, Bearer

    1,971       262,725  

Commerzbank AG(a)

    53,228       648,609  

Continental AG

    5,986       429,747  

Covestro AG(b)

    10,220       449,275  

Daimler Truck Holding AG(a)

    22,703       719,097  

Deutsche Boerse AG

    9,782       1,705,725  

Deutsche Lufthansa AG, Registered(a)

    29,638       307,072  

Deutsche Post AG, Registered

    51,173       2,164,154  

Evonik Industries AG

    10,951       233,823  

GEA Group AG

    7,811       343,371  

Hannover Rueck SE

    3,070       596,190  

HeidelbergCement AG

    7,665       526,221  

HelloFresh SE(a)

    8,614       192,975  

Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

    5,484       379,191  

Infineon Technologies AG

    67,379       2,383,625  

Knorr-Bremse AG

    3,587       243,790  

LEG Immobilien SE

    3,869       280,183  

Merck KGaA

    6,643       1,258,802  

Muenchener Rueckversicherungs-Gesellschaft AG in Muenchen, Registered

    7,227       2,489,536  

Nemetschek SE

    2,993       169,493  

Rational AG

    264       175,109  

SAP SE

    53,655       6,095,790  

Scout24 SE(b)

    4,044       221,636  

Siemens AG, Registered

    39,370       6,025,544  

Siemens Healthineers AG(b)

    14,527       758,166  

Symrise AG

    6,862       701,086  

Telefonica Deutschland Holding AG

    57,457       174,292  

United Internet AG, Registered

    5,256       114,859  

Vonovia SE

    36,938       928,955  

Zalando SE(a)(b)

    11,972       474,331  
   

 

 

 
      35,978,692  
Hong Kong — 3.8%  

AIA Group Ltd.

    607,400       6,455,453  

BOC Hong Kong Holdings Ltd.

    186,000       629,488  

CK Asset Holdings Ltd.

    109,500       686,787  

ESR Group Ltd.(b)

    102,200       173,846  

Futu Holdings Ltd., ADR(a)(c)

    3,431       168,840  

Hang Lung Properties Ltd.

    96,000       185,153  

Hang Seng Bank Ltd.

    43,800       712,474  

Henderson Land Development Co. Ltd.

    73,000       256,243  

HKT Trust & HKT Ltd., Class SS

    219,000       284,721  

Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing Ltd.

    61,800       2,475,253  

Hongkong Land Holdings Ltd.

    58,400       266,888  

Link REIT

    109,500       720,672  

MTR Corp. Ltd.

    76,500       385,504  

New World Development Co. Ltd.

    73,000       198,718  

Sino Land Co. Ltd.

    170,000       218,000  

Sun Hung Kai Properties Ltd.

    73,000       997,648  

Swire Pacific Ltd., Class A

    36,500       297,866  

Swire Properties Ltd.

    58,400       153,680  

WH Group Ltd.(b)

    438,000       254,885  
Security   Shares     Value  
Hong Kong (continued)  

Wharf Real Estate Investment Co. Ltd.

    75,000     $ 411,212  
   

 

 

 
      15,933,331  
Ireland — 0.9%  

AIB Group PLC

    55,188       235,725  

Bank of Ireland Group PLC

    52,852       582,276  

CRH PLC

    39,128       1,837,978  

Kerry Group PLC, Class A

    8,402       804,447  

Smurfit Kappa Group PLC

    12,848       479,317  
   

 

 

 
      3,939,743  
Israel — 0.5%  

Azrieli Group Ltd.

    2,190       122,905  

Check Point Software Technologies Ltd.(a)

    5,208       644,334  

CyberArk Software Ltd.(a)

    2,117       306,478  

Nice Ltd.(a)

    3,285       682,837  

Wix.com Ltd.(a)

    2,920       264,347  
   

 

 

 
      2,020,901  
Italy — 1.2%  

Amplifon SpA

    6,424       185,750  

Assicurazioni Generali SpA

    57,670       1,140,676  

DiaSorin SpA

    1,314       158,400  

FinecoBank Banca Fineco SpA

    31,463       543,696  

Infrastrutture Wireless Italiane SpA(b)

    18,475       203,337  

Mediobanca Banca di Credito Finanziario SpA

    30,766       328,320  

Moncler SpA

    10,585       645,219  

Nexi SpA(a)(b)

    29,346       236,842  

Poste Italiane SpA(b)

    26,083       281,247  

Prysmian SpA

    13,213       507,973  

Recordati Industria Chimica e Farmaceutica SpA

    5,122       217,206  

Telecom Italia SpA/Milano(a)

    582,547       190,215  

Terna - Rete Elettrica Nazionale

    72,635       546,029  
   

 

 

 
      5,184,910  
Japan — 26.9%  

Advantest Corp.

    7,900       626,223  

Aeon Co. Ltd.

    36,500       680,793  

AGC Inc.

    7,300       270,076  

Ajinomoto Co. Inc.

    21,900       646,206  

ANA Holdings Inc.(a)

    7,400       150,135  

Asahi Intecc Co. Ltd.

    14,600       248,580  

Asahi Kasei Corp.

    62,800       437,403  

Astellas Pharma Inc.

    94,900       1,332,640  

Azbil Corp.

    7,300       189,843  

Bridgestone Corp.

    29,200       1,117,129  

Brother Industries Ltd.

    14,600       214,751  

Canon Inc.

    51,800       1,114,852  

Capcom Co. Ltd.

    7,300       229,734  

Central Japan Railway Co.

    7,300       819,607  

Chiba Bank Ltd. (The)

    29,200       213,800  

Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

    36,500       908,028  

Concordia Financial Group Ltd.

    58,400       250,901  

CyberAgent Inc.

    21,900       187,241  

Dai Nippon Printing Co. Ltd.

    14,600       391,423  

Daifuku Co. Ltd.

    7,300       398,100  

Dai-ichi Life Holdings Inc.

    51,900       1,107,250  

Daiichi Sankyo Co. Ltd.

    87,600       2,759,079  

Daikin Industries Ltd.

    12,200       2,086,135  

Daito Trust Construction Co. Ltd.

    3,000       282,596  

Daiwa House Industry Co. Ltd.

    29,200       673,970  

Daiwa House REIT Investment Corp.

    146       301,371  

Daiwa Securities Group Inc.

    65,700       314,042  
 

 

 

8  

2 0 2 3  H A R E S   E M I - A N N U A L  E P O R T  T O  H A R E  H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® ESG Advanced MSCI EAFE ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Japan (continued)  

Denso Corp.

    21,900     $ 1,164,394  

Dentsu Group Inc.

    14,600       468,201  

Disco Corp.

    1,400       438,986  

East Japan Railway Co.

    14,600       737,362  

Eisai Co. Ltd.

    14,600       788,586  

FANUC Corp.

    9,300       1,580,729  

Fast Retailing Co. Ltd.

    9,000       1,776,743  

FUJIFILM Holdings Corp.

    18,300       853,729  

Fujitsu Ltd.

    9,400       1,207,226  

GMO Payment Gateway Inc.

    2,200       180,699  

Hakuhodo DY Holdings Inc.

    14,600       162,763  

Hamamatsu Photonics KK

    7,300       358,215  

Hankyu Hanshin Holdings Inc.

    14,600       415,474  

Hirose Electric Co. Ltd.

    1,300       158,943  

Hitachi Construction Machinery Co. Ltd.

    7,300       163,263  

Hoshizaki Corp.

    7,300       258,790  

Hoya Corp.

    18,100       1,791,949  

Hulic Co. Ltd.

    21,900       174,296  

Ibiden Co. Ltd.

    7,300       250,401  

Itochu Techno-Solutions Corp.

    7,300       162,452  

Japan Exchange Group Inc.

    29,200       435,506  

Japan Metropolitan Fund Invest

    367       275,529  

Japan Post Bank Co. Ltd.

    21,900       189,188  

Japan Real Estate Investment Corp.

    73       302,319  

JFE Holdings Inc.

    29,200       362,313  

JSR Corp.

    7,300       165,854  

Kajima Corp.

    21,900       261,727  

Kao Corp.

    22,500       838,169  

KDDI Corp.

    80,300       2,349,406  

Keio Corp.

    7,300       254,348  

Keisei Electric Railway Co. Ltd.

    7,300       211,015  

Keyence Corp.

    10,000       4,322,272  

Kikkoman Corp.

    7,300       341,307  

Kintetsu Group Holdings Co. Ltd.

    7,300       221,148  

Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

    2,000       120,405  

Kobe Bussan Co. Ltd.

    7,300       199,555  

Komatsu Ltd.

    43,800       1,047,932  

Konami Group Corp.

    4,800       211,716  

Kubota Corp.

    51,800       781,857  

Kurita Water Industries Ltd.

    7,300       329,815  

Kyocera Corp.

    14,600       718,553  

Kyowa Kirin Co. Ltd.

    14,600       312,446  

Lixil Corp.

    14,600       232,757  

Makita Corp.

    11,500       287,173  

MatsukiyoCocokara & Co.

    5,900       274,298  

McDonald’s Holdings Co. Japan Ltd.

    7,300       288,990  

MEIJI Holdings Co. Ltd.

    7,300       334,309  

MINEBEA MITSUMI Inc.

    14,600       253,033  

MISUMI Group Inc.

    14,700       349,559  

Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corp.

    65,700       382,693  

Mitsubishi Electric Corp.

    102,200       1,148,443  

Mitsubishi Estate Co. Ltd.

    59,300       737,111  

Mitsubishi HC Capital Inc.

    29,500       154,006  

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc.

    620,500       4,399,030  

Mitsui Chemicals Inc.

    7,300       176,113  

Mitsui Fudosan Co. Ltd.

    44,500       848,109  

MonotaRO Co. Ltd.

    14,600       198,580  

MS&AD Insurance Group Holdings Inc.

    21,900       716,658  

Murata Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

    29,200       1,562,999  

NEC Corp.

    14,600       522,509  
Security   Shares     Value  
Japan (continued)  

NGK Insulators Ltd.

    14,600     $ 193,800  

Nidec Corp.

    22,400       1,136,788  

Nihon M&A Center Holdings Inc.

    15,300       127,566  

Nintendo Co. Ltd.

    58,400       2,186,324  

Nippon Building Fund Inc.

    73       308,122  

Nippon Paint Holdings Co. Ltd.

    43,800       382,747  

Nippon Prologis REIT Inc.

    73       155,715  

Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corp.

    58,400       1,692,246  

Nippon Yusen KK

    21,900       569,246  

Nissan Chemical Corp.

    7,300       320,570  

Nissin Foods Holdings Co. Ltd.

    2,100       174,889  

Nitori Holdings Co. Ltd.

    3,800       429,423  

Nitto Denko Corp.

    7,300       439,499  

Nomura Real Estate Holdings Inc.

    7,400       164,979  

Nomura Real Estate Master Fund Inc.

    219       242,751  

Nomura Research Institute Ltd.

    21,900       489,287  

NTT Data Corp.

    29,700       412,077  

Obayashi Corp.

    37,000       273,690  

Odakyu Electric Railway Co. Ltd.

    14,600       176,993  

Oji Holdings Corp.

    37,100       150,540  

Omron Corp.

    7,300       391,887  

Ono Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

    21,900       446,058  

Open House Group Co. Ltd.

    7,300       262,745  

Oriental Land Co. Ltd./Japan

    9,600       1,532,975  

Otsuka Corp.

    7,300       246,084  

Otsuka Holdings Co. Ltd.

    21,900       663,481  

Pan Pacific International Holdings Corp.

    19,000       347,296  

Persol Holdings Co. Ltd.

    7,400       148,210  

Rakuten Group Inc.

    43,800       215,898  

Recruit Holdings Co. Ltd.

    73,000       1,957,554  

Renesas Electronics Corp.(a)

    58,400       754,381  

Resona Holdings Inc.

    109,500       603,113  

Ricoh Co. Ltd.

    29,200       226,853  

Rohm Co. Ltd.

    4,100       315,752  

SCSK Corp.

    7,300       105,923  

Secom Co. Ltd.

    9,900       575,729  

Seiko Epson Corp.

    14,600       201,300  

Sekisui Chemical Co. Ltd.

    21,900       293,596  

Sekisui House Ltd.

    29,700       562,317  

SG Holdings Co. Ltd.

    14,600       210,508  

Sharp Corp./Japan

    14,600       100,734  

Shimadzu Corp.

    14,600       421,633  

Shimizu Corp.

    29,200       157,618  

Shin-Etsu Chemical Co. Ltd.

    18,500       2,564,675  

Shionogi & Co. Ltd.

    14,600       646,809  

Shiseido Co. Ltd.

    21,900       1,009,099  

Shizuoka Financial Group Inc., NVS

    22,200       177,389  

SoftBank Corp.

    146,000       1,647,021  

SoftBank Group Corp.

    58,400       2,361,770  

Sompo Holdings Inc.

    14,600       626,794  

Sony Group Corp.

    65,700       5,493,599  

Square Enix Holdings Co. Ltd.

    7,300       325,393  

SUMCO Corp.

    14,600       201,457  

Sumitomo Chemical Co. Ltd.

    73,000       255,792  

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc.

    65,700       2,869,370  

Sumitomo Realty & Development Co. Ltd.

    15,500       365,926  

Suntory Beverage & Food Ltd.

    7,300       256,077  

Sysmex Corp.

    7,300       437,277  

T&D Holdings Inc.

    29,200       442,211  

Taisei Corp.

    7,300       238,003  
 

 

 

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

  9


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® ESG Advanced MSCI EAFE ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Japan (continued)  

TDK Corp.

    21,900     $ 733,243  

Terumo Corp.

    36,500       981,243  

TIS Inc.

    14,600       362,433  

Tobu Railway Co. Ltd.

    7,300       162,980  

Tokio Marine Holdings Inc.

    94,900       2,014,787  

Tokyo Electron Ltd.

    7,600       2,607,575  

Tokyu Corp.

    36,500       439,715  

Toppan Inc.

    14,600       264,033  

Toray Industries Inc.

    73,000       417,955  

Tosoh Corp.

    14,600       198,694  

TOTO Ltd.

    7,300       243,954  

Toyota Industries Corp.

    7,500       440,123  

Trend Micro Inc./Japan

    7,300       343,250  

Unicharm Corp.

    21,900       810,570  

USS Co. Ltd.

    14,600       236,865  

Welcia Holdings Co. Ltd.

    7,300       159,805  

West Japan Railway Co.

    14,600       566,671  

Yakult Honsha Co. Ltd.

    7,300       497,613  

Yamaha Corp.

    7,300       276,983  

Yamaha Motor Co. Ltd.

    14,600       373,544  

Yamato Holdings Co. Ltd.

    14,600       246,605  

Yaskawa Electric Corp.

    14,600       574,423  

Yokogawa Electric Corp.

    14,600       218,055  

Z Holdings Corp.

    138,700       372,361  

ZOZO Inc.

    7,300       162,247  
   

 

 

 
      112,557,145  
Netherlands — 7.3%  

ABN AMRO Bank NV, CVA(b)

    21,046       371,381  

Adyen NV(a)(b)

    1,095       1,552,085  

AerCap Holdings NV(a)

    7,081       442,138  

Akzo Nobel NV

    9,344       683,559  

ASM International NV

    2,409       821,146  

ASML Holding NV

    20,732       12,778,296  

EXOR NV, NVS(a)

    5,694       469,837  

IMCD NV

    2,936       464,743  

ING Groep NV(a)

    194,399       2,720,636  

JDE Peet’s NV

    5,186       152,661  

Just Eat Takeaway.com NV(a)(b)

    9,441       205,345  

Koninklijke Ahold Delhaize NV

    53,947       1,712,918  

Koninklijke DSM NV

    9,052       1,115,478  

NN Group NV

    14,381       582,093  

OCI NV

    5,318       176,652  

Prosus NV

    41,318       2,962,053  

QIAGEN NV(a)

    11,753       540,985  

Randstad NV

    6,209       380,985  

Universal Music Group NV

    37,814       890,948  

Wolters Kluwer NV

    13,578       1,571,892  
   

 

 

 
      30,595,831  
New Zealand — 0.4%  

Auckland International Airport Ltd.(a)

    65,700       355,008  

EBOS Group Ltd.

    8,322       227,820  

Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Corp. Ltd.

    30,076       481,409  

Mercury NZ Ltd.

    39,133       151,680  

Meridian Energy Ltd.

    66,430       218,046  

Spark New Zealand Ltd.

    97,973       302,499  
   

 

 

 
      1,736,462  
Norway — 0.7%  

Adevinta ASA(a)

    14,390       107,529  

DNB Bank ASA

    48,034       958,529  
Security   Shares     Value  
Norway (continued)  

Gjensidige Forsikring ASA

    9,646     $ 170,974  

Mowi ASA

    22,046       380,619  

Orkla ASA

    37,376       251,569  

Salmar ASA

    3,358       139,690  

Telenor ASA

    35,415       397,103  

Yara International ASA

    8,428       400,657  
   

 

 

 
      2,806,670  
Portugal — 0.1%  

Jeronimo Martins SGPS SA

    15,257       313,164  
   

 

 

 
Singapore — 1.9%  

CapitaLand Ascendas REIT

    175,299       360,040  

CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust

    277,481       399,156  

Capitaland Investment Ltd/Singapore

    146,000       402,667  

City Developments Ltd.

    22,300       127,564  

DBS Group Holdings Ltd.

    94,900       2,407,719  

Grab Holdings Ltd., Class A(a)

    64,139       205,886  

Mapletree Logistics Trust

    173,300       217,195  

Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp. Ltd.

    175,200       1,646,616  

Singapore Airlines Ltd.

    73,000       308,211  

Singapore Exchange Ltd.

    37,100       239,605  

United Overseas Bank Ltd.

    58,400       1,294,473  

UOL Group Ltd.

    22,300       112,933  

Venture Corp. Ltd.

    14,600       185,926  
   

 

 

 
      7,907,991  
Spain — 1.8%  

Acciona SA

    1,314       247,564  

ACS Actividades de Construccion y Servicios SA

    11,779       357,087  

Aena SME SA(a)(b)

    3,961       612,792  

Amadeus IT Group SA(a)

    23,214       1,459,762  

CaixaBank SA

    228,125       977,698  

Cellnex Telecom SA(b)

    29,127       1,092,809  

Corp. ACCIONA Energias Renovables SA

    3,358       130,065  

EDP Renovaveis SA

    14,746       301,773  

Ferrovial SA

    25,519       708,302  

Grifols SA(a)

    17,155       208,987  

Red Electrica Corp. SA

    7,817       129,673  

Telefonica SA

    270,392       1,103,058  
   

 

 

 
      7,329,570  
Sweden — 4.8%  

Assa Abloy AB, Class B

    51,757       1,259,442  

Atlas Copco AB, Class A

    138,627       1,645,810  

Atlas Copco AB, Class B

    80,519       848,227  

Electrolux AB, Class B(c)

    10,401       125,860  

Embracer Group AB(a)(c)

    31,122       150,024  

Epiroc AB, Class A

    32,777       629,904  

Epiroc AB, Class B

    20,124       331,078  

EQT AB

    18,323       409,783  

Essity AB, Class B

    31,390       846,670  

Fastighets AB Balder, Class B(a)

    28,908       143,004  

Getinge AB, Class B

    11,796       253,534  

H & M Hennes & Mauritz AB, Class B

    38,070       479,697  

Hexagon AB, Class B

    100,448       1,113,222  

Holmen AB, Class B

    4,735       191,186  

Husqvarna AB, Class B

    21,652       191,708  

Industrivarden AB, Class A

    6,590       181,143  

Industrivarden AB, Class C

    7,769       213,000  

Indutrade AB

    13,807       293,681  

Investment AB Latour, Class B

    7,738       160,089  
 

 

 

10  

2 0 2 3  H A R E S   E M I - A N N U A L  E P O R T  T O  H A R E  H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® ESG Advanced MSCI EAFE ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Sweden (continued)  

Investor AB, Class A

    25,842     $ 529,732  

Investor AB, Class B

    94,827       1,831,713  

Kinnevik AB, Class B(a)

    12,556       186,731  

Lifco AB, Class B

    10,950       218,748  

Nibe Industrier AB, Class B

    78,183       808,390  

Nordea Bank Abp

    174,178       2,207,223  

Sagax AB, Class B

    9,250       227,561  

Sandvik AB

    55,042       1,132,319  

Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB, Class A

    83,366       1,043,033  

SKF AB, Class B

    19,783       375,741  

Svenska Cellulosa AB SCA, Class B

    31,244       436,022  

Svenska Handelsbanken AB, Class A

    75,263       798,312  

Swedish Orphan Biovitrum AB(a)

    8,249       190,034  

Tele2 AB, Class B

    28,983       266,406  

Telia Co. AB

    140,160       361,947  

Volvo Car AB, Class B(a)(c)

    30,119       142,005  
   

 

 

 
      20,222,979  
Switzerland — 9.1%  

ABB Ltd., Registered

    81,103       2,698,869  

Adecco Group AG, Registered

    8,068       287,675  

Alcon Inc.

    25,769       1,757,002  

Bachem Holding AG, Class A

    1,845       183,892  

Baloise Holding AG, Registered

    2,430       404,660  

Banque Cantonale Vaudoise, Registered

    1,533       137,081  

Clariant AG, Registered

    11,169       180,654  

Coca-Cola HBC AG, Class DI(a)

    10,157       260,115  

Geberit AG, Registered

    1,825       984,949  

Givaudan SA, Registered

    476       1,434,797  

Julius Baer Group Ltd.

    11,023       730,801  

Kuehne + Nagel International AG, Registered

    2,774       710,247  

Logitech International SA, Registered

    8,804       480,878  

Lonza Group AG, Registered

    3,796       2,261,054  

Novartis AG, Registered

    111,325       9,369,125  

Partners Group Holding AG

    1,168       1,106,018  

Schindler Holding AG, Participation Certificates, NVS

    2,117       476,121  

Schindler Holding AG, Registered

    1,241       267,443  

SGS SA, Registered

    292       669,362  

SIG Group AG(a)

    15,768       381,380  

Sika AG, Registered

    7,519       2,108,515  

Sonova Holding AG, Registered

    2,774       682,228  

STMicroelectronics NV

    35,259       1,688,962  

Straumann Holding AG

    5,694       754,886  

Swiss Life Holding AG, Registered

    1,606       966,413  

Swiss Prime Site AG, Registered

    3,877       326,700  

Swiss Re AG

    15,549       1,624,368  

Swisscom AG, Registered

    1,319       813,880  

Temenos AG, Registered

    3,220       236,838  

VAT Group AG(b)

    1,387       418,661  

Zurich Insurance Group AG

    7,738       3,670,546  
   

 

 

 
      38,074,120  
United Kingdom — 8.6%  

3i Group PLC

    50,224       982,594  

abrdn PLC

    112,201       302,294  

Admiral Group PLC

    9,216       243,874  

Anglo American PLC

    65,554       2,265,200  

Antofagasta PLC

    20,805       392,461  

Ashtead Group PLC

    22,849       1,511,901  

Auto Trader Group PLC(b)

    48,910       349,808  

Aviva PLC

    144,613       776,920  
Security   Shares     Value  
United Kingdom (continued)  

Barratt Developments PLC

    52,427     $ 294,769  

Berkeley Group Holdings PLC

    5,350       269,312  

British Land Co. PLC (The)

    44,020       236,111  

Bunzl PLC

    17,447       621,652  

Burberry Group PLC

    20,221       600,453  

CNH Industrial NV

    52,779       865,173  

Coca-Cola Europacific Partners PLC

    10,521       578,655  

Compass Group PLC

    91,104       2,104,665  

Croda International PLC

    7,227       569,936  

Halma PLC

    18,834       490,183  

Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC

    8,614       179,719  

Informa PLC

    75,701       608,110  

InterContinental Hotels Group PLC

    8,906       600,365  

Intertek Group PLC

    8,395       421,366  

JD Sports Fashion PLC

    128,616       280,018  

Johnson Matthey PLC

    9,417       247,054  

Kingfisher PLC

    103,451       357,770  

Land Securities Group PLC

    32,975       272,281  

Legal & General Group PLC

    308,279       948,913  

Lloyds Banking Group PLC

    3,519,768       2,222,838  

London Stock Exchange Group PLC

    17,009       1,517,573  

M&G PLC

    115,340       297,066  

Mondi PLC

    25,039       420,788  

Ocado Group PLC(a)

    28,861       190,714  

Pearson PLC

    34,164       377,911  

Persimmon PLC

    16,137       281,408  

Phoenix Group Holdings PLC

    37,896       288,691  

Prudential PLC

    141,912       2,168,833  

RELX PLC

    99,061       2,987,231  

Rentokil Initial PLC

    129,502       796,584  

Sage Group PLC (The)

    52,633       474,229  

Schroders PLC

    37,920       226,343  

Segro PLC

    62,780       620,083  

Severn Trent PLC

    13,224       436,779  

Spirax-Sarco Engineering PLC

    3,796       533,115  

St. James’s Place PLC

    28,324       436,036  

Standard Chartered PLC

    129,064       1,221,229  

Taylor Wimpey PLC

    172,718       255,491  

Vodafone Group PLC

    1,362,983       1,632,001  

Whitbread PLC

    10,367       384,496  

WPP PLC

    56,429       694,030  
   

 

 

 
      35,835,026  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 99.1%
(Cost: $441,134,947)

 

    414,726,876  
   

 

 

 
Preferred Stocks            
Germany — 0.6%  

Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, Preference Shares, NVS

    3,139       297,313  

Dr Ing hc F Porsche AG, Preference Shares, NVS

    5,913       712,600  

Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, Preference Shares, NVS

    9,198       669,139  

Sartorius AG, Preference Shares, NVS

    1,241       527,137  
   

 

 

 
      2,206,189  
   

 

 

 

Total Preferred Stocks — 0.6%
(Cost: $2,331,660)

 

    2,206,189  
   

 

 

 
 

 

 

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

  11


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® ESG Advanced MSCI EAFE ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Rights

 

Hong Kong — 0.0%  

Link REIT, (Expires 03/28/23, Strike Price HKD 44.20)(a)

    21,900     $ 20,646  
   

 

 

 

Total Rights — 0.0%
(Cost: $—)

 

    20,646  
   

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 99.7%
(Cost: $443,466,607)

 

    416,953,711  
   

 

 

 
Short-Term Securities            
Money Market Funds — 0.2%  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares, 4.81%(d)(e)(f)

    911,414       911,961  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares, 4.41%(d)(e)

    40,000       40,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 0.2%
(Cost: $951,626)

 

    951,961  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments — 99.9%
(Cost: $444,418,233)

 

    417,905,672  

Other Assets Less Liabilities — 0.1%

 

    565,154  
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

 

  $ 418,470,826  
   

 

 

 

 

(a)

Non-income producing security.

(b)

Security exempt from registration pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration to qualified institutional investors.

(c)

All or a portion of this security is on loan.

(d)

Affiliate of the Fund.

(e)

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

(f)

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

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended February 28, 2023 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

 

 
Affiliated Issuer   Value at
08/31/22
    Purchases
at Cost
    Proceeds
from Sale
    Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
    Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
    Value at
02/28/23
    Shares
Held at
02/28/23
    Income     Capital
Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds
 

 

 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares

  $ 1,631,126     $     $ (724,862 )(a)    $ 5,967     $ (270   $ 911,961       911,414     $ 14,426 (b)    $  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

    30,000       10,000 (a)                        40,000       40,000       1,633        
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
        $ 5,967     $ (270   $ 951,961       $ 16,059     $  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 
  (b)

All or a portion represents securities lending income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral from loaned securities, net of fees and collateral investment expenses, and other payments to and from borrowers of securities.

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Futures Contracts

 

 

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

 

 

Long Contracts

           

Mini TOPIX Index

     40        03/09/23      $ 585      $ 18,869  

Euro STOXX 50 Index

     18        03/17/23        807        53,864  
           

 

 

 
            $ 72,733  
           

 

 

 

 

 

12  

2 0 2 3  H A R E S   E M I - A N N U A L  E P O R T  T O  H A R E  H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® ESG Advanced MSCI EAFE  ETF

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

As of period end, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities were as follows:

 

      Commodity
Contracts
     Credit
Contracts
     Equity
Contracts
     Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
     Interest
Rate
Contracts
     Other
Contracts
     Total  

Assets — Derivative Financial Instruments

                    

Futures contracts

                    

Unrealized appreciation on futures contracts(a)

   $      $      $ 72,733      $      $      $      $ 72,733  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts are reported in the Schedule of Investments In the Statements of Assets and Liabilities, only current day’s variation margin is reported in receivables or payables and the net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is included in accumulated earnings (loss).

 

For the period ended February 28, 2023, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

      Commodity
Contracts
     Credit
Contracts
     Equity
Contracts
     Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
     Interest
Rate
Contracts
     Other
Contracts
     Total  

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from

                    

Futures contracts

   $      $      $ 204,397      $      $      $      $ 204,397  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on                                                 

Futures contracts

   $      $      $ 85,862      $      $      $      $ 85,862  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

Futures contracts

        

Average notional value of contracts — long

   $ 1,831,773  

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

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments For a description of the input levels and information about the Fund’s policy regarding valuation of financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.

The following table summarizes the Fund’s financial instruments categorized in the fair value hierarchy The breakdown of the Fund’s financial instruments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.

 

      Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

Assets

                 

Investments

                 

Long-Term Investments

                 

Common Stocks

   $ 2,610,678        $ 412,116,198        $        $ 414,726,876  

Preferred Stocks

              2,206,189                   2,206,189  

Rights

              20,646                   20,646  

Short-Term Securities

                 

Money Market Funds

     951,961                            951,961  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 3,562,639        $ 414,343,033        $        $ 417,905,672  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments(a)

                 

Assets

                 

Equity Contracts

   $        $ 72,733        $        $ 72,733  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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

  13


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® ESG Advanced MSCI EM ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

   
Brazil — 2.9%            

Atacadao SA

    9,828     $ 25,248  

B3 SA - Brasil, Bolsa, Balcao

    96,978       195,421  

Banco Bradesco SA

    24,466       54,395  

Banco do Brasil SA

    13,650       105,071  

CCR SA

    19,124       40,144  

Cia. de Saneamento Basico do Estado de Sao Paulo

    5,572       55,077  

Energisa SA

    3,052       22,554  

Hapvida Participacoes e Investimentos SA(a)(b)

    73,570       63,095  

Localiza Rent a Car SA

    11,878       125,894  

Localiza Rent a Car SA, NVS

    41       415  

Lojas Renner SA

    16,114       57,402  

Natura & Co. Holding SA

    14,518       42,483  

Raia Drogasil SA

    16,702       72,353  

Rede D’Or Sao Luiz SA(a)

    9,187       44,834  

Rumo SA

    20,580       70,599  

Sendas Distribuidora SA

    15,359       53,216  

Telefonica Brasil SA

    7,812       58,104  

Tim SA

    13,104       30,686  

TOTVS SA

    8,232       42,910  

WEG SA

    26,726       199,905  
   

 

 

 
      1,359,806  
Chile — 0.5%            

Banco de Chile

    725,340       75,367  

Banco de Credito e Inversiones SA

    930       29,102  

Banco Santander Chile

    1,048,265       44,442  

Cencosud SA

    22,358       42,276  

Empresas CMPC SA

    15,827       26,299  

Falabella SA

    12,656       27,851  
   

 

 

 
      245,337  
China — 32.0%            

37 Interactive Entertainment Network Technology Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    2,800       8,834  

3SBio Inc.(a)

    21,000       20,824  

AAC Technologies Holdings Inc.(b)

    14,000       31,289  

Agricultural Bank of China Ltd., Class A

    88,200       37,181  

Agricultural Bank of China Ltd., Class H

    410,000       142,146  

Air China Ltd., Class A(b)

    8,400       13,428  

Air China Ltd., Class H(b)

    28,000       25,791  

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.(b)

    191,800       2,108,159  

Alibaba Health Information Technology Ltd.(b)

    84,000       60,146  

Baidu Inc.(b)

    35,240       605,892  

Bank of China Ltd., Class A

    32,200       14,966  

Bank of China Ltd., Class H

    1,260,000       462,107  

Bank of Communications Co. Ltd., Class A

    39,200       27,637  

Bank of Communications Co. Ltd., Class H

    140,000       82,776  

Bank of Hangzhou Co. Ltd., Class A

    5,600       9,778  

Bank of Ningbo Co. Ltd., Class A

    7,000       29,706  

BeiGene Ltd.(b)

    9,737       168,775  

Beijing Enterprises Water Group Ltd.

    56,000       14,061  

Beijing Shiji Information Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,828       4,366  

Beijing Tongrentang Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,400       9,863  

BOC Aviation Ltd.(a)

    2,800       20,226  

Bosideng International Holdings Ltd.

    56,000       31,064  

By-health Co. Ltd., Class A

    2,800       9,250  

China CITIC Bank Corp. Ltd., Class H

    140,000       64,772  

China Conch Venture Holdings Ltd.

    28,000       56,349  

China Construction Bank Corp., Class A

    11,200       9,090  

China Construction Bank Corp., Class H

    1,526,000       932,809  
Security   Shares     Value  
China (continued)            

China Everbright Bank Co. Ltd., Class A

    43,400     $ 18,609  

China Everbright Bank Co. Ltd., Class H

    42,000       12,095  

China Everbright Environment Group Ltd.

    56,000       22,687  

China Feihe Ltd.(a)

    56,000       44,884  

China International Capital Corp. Ltd., Class A

    1,400       8,440  

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

    28,000       60,286  

China Jinmao Holdings Group Ltd.

    84,000       16,266  

China Jushi Co. Ltd., Class A

    4,371       9,530  

China Lesso Group Holdings Ltd.

    14,000       14,767  

China Life Insurance Co. Ltd., Class A

    2,800       14,409  

China Life Insurance Co. Ltd., Class H

    112,000       189,987  

China Literature Ltd.(a)(b)

    5,600       23,977  

China Medical System Holdings Ltd.

    28,000       42,153  

China Mengniu Dairy Co. Ltd.

    56,000       246,494  

China Minsheng Banking Corp. Ltd., Class A

    34,576       16,964  

China Minsheng Banking Corp. Ltd., Class H

    98,000       33,845  

China Overseas Land & Investment Ltd.

    56,000       138,834  

China Railway Signal & Communication Corp. Ltd., Class A

    5,800       4,264  

China Resources Land Ltd.

    56,000       248,823  

China Resources Mixc Lifestyle Services Ltd.(a)

    11,200       61,489  

China Resources Pharmaceutical Group Ltd.(a)

    21,000       17,256  

China Ruyi Holdings Ltd.(b)

    112,000       27,834  

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

    12,100       13,753  

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

    28,000       20,417  

China Tourism Group Duty Free Corp. Ltd.(a)(b)

    1,400       35,407  

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

    1,400       39,822  

China Vanke Co. Ltd., Class A

    9,800       24,135  

China Vanke Co. Ltd., Class H

    26,600       46,507  

China Zheshang Bank Co. Ltd., Class A(b)

    15,400       6,471  

Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Ltd.

    30,800       59,695  

CITIC Securities Co. Ltd., Class A

    11,200       33,278  

CITIC Securities Co. Ltd., Class H

    35,000       74,108  

CMOC Group Ltd., Class A

    26,600       22,617  

CMOC Group Ltd., Class H

    42,000       23,650  

Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    2,100       121,671  

Country Garden Services Holdings Co. Ltd.

    35,000       65,168  

CSC Financial Co. Ltd., Class A

    4,200       16,179  

CSPC Pharmaceutical Group Ltd.

    140,000       150,402  

Dali Foods Group Co. Ltd.(a)

    35,000       14,156  

Dongfeng Motor Group Co. Ltd., Class H

    56,000       28,609  

Far East Horizon Ltd.

    28,000       24,768  

Foxconn Industrial Internet Co. Ltd., Class A

    11,200       15,472  

Ganfeng Lithium Co. Ltd., Class H(a)

    5,600       39,118  

Ganfeng Lithium Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,400       14,565  

GDS Holdings Ltd., Class A(b)

    14,000       33,867  

Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd.

    98,000       127,319  

GEM Co. Ltd., Class A

    6,400       7,257  

Genscript Biotech Corp.(b)

    14,000       38,321  

Great Wall Motor Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,400       6,946  

Great Wall Motor Co. Ltd., Class H

    49,000       65,026  

Greentown China Holdings Ltd.

    14,000       19,142  

Greentown Service Group Co. Ltd.

    28,000       18,683  

Guangzhou Baiyunshan Pharmaceutical Holdings Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,424       6,470  

Haier Smart Home Co. Ltd., Class A

    7,000       26,500  

Haier Smart Home Co. Ltd., Class H

    36,400       128,685  

Haitong Securities Co. Ltd., Class A

    14,000       18,426  

Haitong Securities Co. Ltd., Class H

    39,200       25,227  

Hangzhou Robam Appliances Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,400       6,195  

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

    2,800       32,156  
 

 

 

14  

2 0 2 3  H A R E S   E M I - A N N U A L  E P O R T  T O  H A R E  H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® ESG Advanced MSCI EM ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
China (continued)            

Hansoh Pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd.(a)

    28,000     $ 50,337  

Huatai Securities Co. Ltd., Class A

    9,800       17,765  

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

    22,400       25,215  

Huaxia Bank Co. Ltd., Class A

    12,600       9,463  

Hundsun Technologies Inc., Class A

    1,778       11,362  

Hygeia Healthcare Holdings Co. Ltd.(a)(b)

    5,600       40,799  

Industrial & Commercial Bank of China Ltd., Class A

    65,800       40,707  

Industrial & Commercial Bank of China Ltd., Class H

    910,000       454,055  

Industrial Bank Co. Ltd., Class A

    21,000       51,086  

Industrial Securities Co. Ltd., Class A

    11,260       10,415  

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

    7,000       30,693  

Jafron Biomedical Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,400       6,524  

JD.com Inc., Class A

    34,300       759,027  

Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine Co. Ltd., Class A

    5,600       35,051  

Jiumaojiu International Holdings Ltd.(a)

    14,000       33,830  

Joincare Pharmaceutical Group Industry Co. Ltd., Class A

    2,800       5,314  

Kanzhun Ltd., ADR(b)

    2,898       58,395  

Keda Industrial Group Co. Ltd.

    2,800       6,602  

Kingboard Holdings Ltd.

    7,000       24,991  

Kingdee International Software Group Co. Ltd.(b)

    42,000       78,475  

Kingsoft Corp. Ltd.

    14,000       46,223  

Koolearn Technology Holding Ltd.(a)(b)

    7,000       39,864  

Kuaishou Technology(a)(b)

    28,000       187,275  

Legend Biotech Corp., ADR(b)

    938       43,317  

Li Auto Inc.(b)

    17,538       206,934  

Longfor Group Holdings Ltd.(a)

    28,000       80,154  

Meituan, Class B(a)(b)

    70,000       1,214,845  

Microport Scientific Corp.(b)

    9,800       27,803  

Ming Yang Smart Energy Group Ltd., Class A

    2,800       10,227  

MINISO Group Holding Ltd.

    1,526       27,315  

NetEase Inc.

    32,275       501,568  

NIO Inc., ADR(b)(c)

    21,756       204,289  

Nongfu Spring Co. Ltd., Class H(a)

    28,000       156,955  

Orient Securities Co. Ltd., Class A

    8,800       12,914  

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

    8,400       6,309  

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

    126,000       39,838  

Pharmaron Beijing Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,400       12,024  

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

    2,800       15,701  

Ping An Bank Co. Ltd., Class A

    19,600       38,799  

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

    8,400       19,250  

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

    12,600       87,449  

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

    98,000       669,000  

Pop Mart International Group Ltd.(a)(c)

    8,400       23,403  

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

    23,800       15,481  

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

    126,000       75,701  

Sangfor Technologies Inc., Class A

    700       14,372  

SF Holding Co. Ltd., Class A

    4,200       32,525  

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

    39,200       63,275  

Shanghai Electric Group Co. Ltd., Class A(b)

    13,083       7,884  

Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    2,800       13,577  

Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd., Class H

    7,000       20,479  

Shanghai Pharmaceuticals Holding Co. Ltd., Class A

    2,800       7,959  

Shanghai Pharmaceuticals Holding Co. Ltd., Class H

    11,200       19,751  

Shanghai Pudong Development Bank Co. Ltd., Class A

    29,400       30,371  

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

    1,400       10,131  

Shanghai Rural Commercial Bank Co. Ltd.

    8,399       7,167  

Shenzhen Inovance Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    2,850       30,024  

Sino Biopharmaceutical Ltd.

    168,000       86,737  

Sinopharm Group Co. Ltd., Class H

    22,400       59,994  

Sungrow Power Supply Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,400       24,037  
Security   Shares     Value  
China (continued)            

Sunny Optical Technology Group Co. Ltd.

    11,200     $ 127,364  

TCL Technology Group Corp., Class A

    19,600       12,507  

Tongcheng Travel Holdings Ltd.(b)

    22,400       44,463  

Topsports International Holdings Ltd.(a)

    28,000       24,491  

Unisplendour Corp. Ltd., Class A

    2,800       10,218  

Vipshop Holdings Ltd., ADR(b)

    6,636       98,810  

Want Want China Holdings Ltd.

    70,000       44,038  

WuXi AppTec Co. Ltd., Class A

    2,860       34,062  

WuXi AppTec Co. Ltd., Class H(a)

    5,640       60,173  

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

    60,000       420,009  

Xinyi Solar Holdings Ltd.

    84,000       89,819  

XPeng Inc.(b)

    13,136       58,390  

Yadea Group Holdings Ltd.(a)

    28,000       60,093  

Yonyou Network Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    2,800       9,381  

Yum China Holdings Inc.

    6,622       388,910  

Yunnan Baiyao Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    1,940       15,871  

Zai Lab Ltd., ADR(b)(c)

    1,414       52,530  

Zhejiang Expressway Co. Ltd., Class H

    28,000       22,583  

Zhejiang Weixing New Building Materials Co. Ltd., Class A

    2,100       7,748  

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

    7,000       6,752  
   

 

 

 
      15,254,605  
Colombia — 0.1%            

Bancolombia SA

    3,990       29,477  

Interconexion Electrica SA ESP

    7,182       25,435  
   

 

 

 
      54,912  
Czech Republic — 0.1%            

Komercni Banka AS

    1,204       40,559  

Moneta Money Bank AS(a)

    5,488       20,906  
   

 

 

 
      61,465  
Egypt — 0.1%            

Commercial International Bank Egypt SAE

    32,770       56,811  
   

 

 

 
Greece — 0.6%            

Alpha Services and Holdings SA(b)

    35,789       55,998  

Eurobank Ergasias Services and Holdings SA, Class A(b)

    41,312       63,328  

Hellenic Telecommunications Organization SA

    3,059       46,925  

JUMBO SA

    1,952       38,977  

National Bank of Greece SA(b)

    8,783       49,143  

Terna Energy SA

    854       17,795  
   

 

 

 
      272,166  
Hungary — 0.3%            

OTP Bank Nyrt

    3,556       107,721  

Richter Gedeon Nyrt

    2,226       46,661  
   

 

 

 
      154,382  
India — 12.5%            

ABB India Ltd.

    812       31,602  

Adani Green Energy Ltd.(b)

    4,928       28,860  

Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Ltd.

    1,596       84,912  

Asian Paints Ltd.

    6,090       208,161  

AU Small Finance Bank Ltd.(a)

    2,786       19,962  

Axis Bank Ltd.

    36,138       368,567  

Bajaj Auto Ltd.

    1,036       45,851  

Bajaj Finance Ltd.

    4,326       319,435  

Bandhan Bank Ltd.(a)(b)

    10,445       29,141  

Bank of Baroda

    16,184       31,128  

Berger Paints India Ltd.

    3,999       28,007  

Bharti Airtel Ltd.

    35,322       316,918  

Britannia Industries Ltd.

    1,736       93,669  
 

 

 

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

  15


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® ESG Advanced MSCI EM ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
India (continued)  

Cholamandalam Investment and Finance Co. Ltd.

    6,622     $ 60,541  

Colgate-Palmolive India Ltd.

    1,890       33,671  

Dabur India Ltd.

    9,898       63,728  

Eicher Motors Ltd.

    2,170       81,442  

Grasim Industries Ltd.

    3,962       75,655  

Havells India Ltd.

    3,990       57,734  

HCL Technologies Ltd.

    15,078       196,337  

HDFC Life Insurance Co. Ltd.(a)

    15,512       91,653  

Hero MotoCorp Ltd.

    1,680       49,130  

Hindustan Unilever Ltd.

    13,048       388,071  

ICICI Lombard General Insurance Co. Ltd.(a)

    3,894       51,882  

ICICI Prudential Life Insurance Co. Ltd.(a)

    5,978       29,537  

Indian Hotels Co. Ltd. (The)

    13,174       49,521  

Info Edge India Ltd.

    1,135       47,893  

Infosys Ltd.

    53,370       958,678  

Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd.

    8,834       184,577  

Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.

    13,818       212,010  

Marico Ltd.

    8,330       49,524  

Mphasis Ltd.

    1,330       32,708  

Nestle India Ltd.

    532       120,076  

PI Industries Ltd.

    1,218       45,631  

SBI Cards & Payment Services Ltd.

    3,836       34,798  

Shriram Transport Finance Co. Ltd.

    3,598       52,318  

Siemens Ltd.

    1,148       45,058  

State Bank of India

    28,364       179,185  

Tata Consultancy Services Ltd.

    14,492       580,202  

Tata Elxsi Ltd.

    546       40,441  

Tech Mahindra Ltd.

    9,296       123,573  

Titan Co. Ltd.

    5,670       162,624  

Torrent Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

    1,498       26,454  

Trent Ltd.

    3,010       46,506  

TVS Motor Co. Ltd.

    3,346       43,686  

Wipro Ltd.

    21,854       102,199  

Zomato Ltd.(b)

    47,533       30,686  
   

 

 

 
      5,953,942  
Indonesia — 2.8%  

Bank Central Asia Tbk PT

    877,800       503,452  

Bank Negara Indonesia Persero Tbk PT

    117,600       67,635  

Bank Rakyat Indonesia Persero Tbk PT

    1,082,247       331,238  

Barito Pacific Tbk PT

    486,062       29,797  

Kalbe Farma Tbk PT

    340,200       47,062  

Merdeka Copper Gold Tbk PT(b)

    193,200       57,507  

Sarana Menara Nusantara Tbk PT

    291,200       20,050  

Sumber Alfaria Trijaya Tbk PT

    266,000       50,586  

Telkom Indonesia Persero Tbk PT

    784,200       199,764  

Unilever Indonesia Tbk PT

    117,954       32,321  
   

 

 

 
      1,339,412  
Kuwait — 0.7%  

Gulf Bank KSCP

    25,956       25,612  

Kuwait Finance House KSCP

    116,947       326,382  
   

 

 

 
      351,994  
Malaysia — 2.1%  

AMMB Holdings Bhd

    29,500       26,354  

Axiata Group Bhd

    44,800       31,641  

CIMB Group Holdings Bhd

    109,200       136,515  

DiGi.Com Bhd

    49,000       46,941  

HAP Seng Consolidated Bhd

    11,200       15,221  

Hong Leong Bank Bhd

    9,800       44,855  

Hong Leong Financial Group Bhd

    4,200       17,053  
Security   Shares     Value  
Malaysia (continued)  

IHH Healthcare Bhd

    28,000     $ 36,123  

Inari Amertron Bhd

    42,000       22,914  

Malayan Banking Bhd

    75,600       148,244  

Maxis Bhd

    39,200       34,149  

MR DIY Group M Bhd(a)

    47,600       18,027  

Nestle Malaysia Bhd

    1,400       42,148  

PPB Group Bhd

    11,200       43,677  

Press Metal Aluminium Holdings Bhd

    59,000       67,819  

Public Bank Bhd

    228,700       210,474  

RHB Bank Bhd

    23,800       30,123  

Sime Darby Bhd

    44,800       22,662  

Telekom Malaysia Bhd

    18,200       20,400  
   

 

 

 
      1,015,340  
Mexico — 2.1%  

Arca Continental SAB de CV

    6,100       51,483  

Banco del Bajio SA(a)

    12,600       48,220  

Gruma SAB de CV, Class B

    3,360       49,255  

Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste SAB de CV, Class B

    3,080       88,347  

Grupo Financiero Banorte SAB de CV, Class O

    40,600       342,703  

Grupo Televisa SAB, CPO

    39,200       39,229  

Kimberly-Clark de Mexico SAB de CV, Class A

    25,200       50,561  

Wal-Mart de Mexico SAB de CV

    82,600       325,091  
   

 

 

 
      994,889  
Peru — 0.3%  

Credicorp Ltd.

    1,134       144,494  
   

 

 

 
Philippines — 0.5%            

BDO Unibank Inc.

    38,308       85,319  

Globe Telecom Inc.

    10       320  

Monde Nissin Corp.(a)

    100,800       21,948  

PLDT Inc.

    1,330       30,858  

SM Prime Holdings Inc.

    190,400       117,026  
   

 

 

 
      255,471  
Poland — 1.0%  

Allegro.eu SA (a)(b)

    6,062       39,512  

Bank Polska Kasa Opieki SA

    2,958       59,524  

CD Projekt SA

    1,050       31,238  

KGHM Polska Miedz SA

    2,226       63,484  

LPP SA

    14       29,571  

mBank SA(b)

    242       17,822  

Powszechna Kasa Oszczednosci Bank Polski SA

    14,014       97,793  

Powszechny Zaklad Ubezpieczen SA

    9,898       81,381  

Santander Bank Polska SA

    560       37,579  
   

 

 

 
      457,904  
Qatar — 1.0%  

Commercial Bank PSQC (The)

    51,660       86,922  

Ooredoo QPSC

    12,502       31,504  

Qatar National Bank QPSC

    73,458       338,957  
   

 

 

 
      457,383  
Russia — 0.0%  

Magnit PJSC(b)(d)

    693        

Moscow Exchange MICEX-RTS PJSC(b)(d)

    12,190       2  

Novolipetsk Steel PJSC(b)(d)

    15,750       2  

PhosAgro PJSC(b)(d)

    563        

PhosAgro PJSC, New(b)(d)

    11        

Polymetal International PLC(b)(d)

    3,451       1  

Polyus PJSC(b)(d)

    329        

TCS Group Holding PLC, GDR(b)(d)

    1,183        
 

 

 

16  

2 0 2 3  H A R E S   E M I - A N N U A L  E P O R T  T O  H A R E  H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® ESG Advanced MSCI EM ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Russia (continued)  

VK Co. Ltd.(b)(d)

    1,337     $  
   

 

 

 
      5  
Saudi Arabia — 2.9%            

Al Rajhi Bank(b)

    31,080       581,218  

Almarai Co. JSC

    3,962       55,364  

Bank AlBilad(b)

    7,745       73,476  

Dr Sulaiman Al Habib Medical Services Group Co.

    1,386       85,534  

Etihad Etisalat Co.

    5,950       61,934  

Jarir Marketing Co.

    1,008       39,686  

Mobile Telecommunications Co.(b)

    6,468       17,868  

Sahara International Petrochemical Co.

    5,796       54,611  

Saudi Basic Industries Corp.

    14,252       335,852  

Saudi Investment Bank (The)

    7,700       32,407  

Savola Group (The)

    4,228       30,612  
   

 

 

 
      1,368,562  
South Africa — 6.3%            

Absa Group Ltd.

    13,392       144,588  

Anglo American Platinum Ltd.

    840       46,449  

Aspen Pharmacare Holdings Ltd.

    5,992       46,269  

Bid Corp. Ltd.

    5,320       116,510  

Bidvest Group Ltd. (The)

    4,536       57,878  

Capitec Bank Holdings Ltd.

    1,386       132,230  

Clicks Group Ltd.

    3,850       56,078  

Discovery Ltd.(b)

    7,994       65,184  

FirstRand Ltd.

    80,052       285,527  

Foschini Group Ltd. (The)

    5,306       29,307  

Gold Fields Ltd.

    14,182       128,703  

Growthpoint Properties Ltd.

    54,600       39,958  

Impala Platinum Holdings Ltd.

    13,524       126,272  

Kumba Iron Ore Ltd.

    980       25,556  

Mr. Price Group Ltd.

    4,200       34,824  

MTN Group Ltd.

    26,908       212,020  

MultiChoice Group

    5,922       45,467  

Naspers Ltd., Class N

    3,458       608,067  

Nedbank Group Ltd.

    7,252       91,052  

NEPI Rockcastle NV

    7,448       44,618  

Old Mutual Ltd.

    78,988       51,235  

Pepkor Holdings Ltd.(a)

    33,368       34,068  

Remgro Ltd.

    8,246       62,762  

Sanlam Ltd.

    28,462       92,724  

Shoprite Holdings Ltd.

    7,952       96,292  

Standard Bank Group Ltd.

    21,212       211,887  

Vodacom Group Ltd.

    9,954       68,600  

Woolworths Holdings Ltd.

    15,680       65,743  
   

 

 

 
      3,019,868  
South Korea — 5.3%            

Amorepacific Corp.

    476       49,758  

BGF retail Co. Ltd.

    126       17,234  

CJ CheilJedang Corp.

    126       30,575  

CJ Corp.

    238       15,625  

Coway Co. Ltd.

    910       36,715  

DB Insurance Co. Ltd.

    728       42,365  

Hana Financial Group Inc.

    4,704       161,334  

Hanon Systems

    2,926       19,948  

HYBE Co. Ltd.(b)

    308       43,036  

Hyundai Engineering & Construction Co. Ltd.

    1,260       34,626  

KakaoBank Corp.(b)

    2,268       45,677  

KB Financial Group Inc.

    6,174       239,113  

Korean Air Lines Co. Ltd.

    2,758       47,417  
Security   Shares     Value  
South Korea (continued)            

LG Display Co. Ltd.(b)

    3,640     $ 42,074  

LG Electronics Inc.

    1,708       143,260  

LG H&H Co. Ltd.

    154       77,709  

LG Uplus Corp.

    2,772       23,190  

Lotte Chemical Corp.

    316       42,544  

Mirae Asset Securities Co. Ltd.

    4,676       25,248  

NCSoft Corp.

    266       87,278  

Netmarble Corp.(a)(b)

    378       17,619  

NH Investment & Securities Co. Ltd.(b)

    1,946       13,971  

POSCO Chemical Co. Ltd.

    441       73,580  

Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance Co. Ltd.

    490       79,471  

Samsung Life Insurance Co. Ltd.

    1,288       66,330  

Samsung SDS Co. Ltd.

    535       50,598  

Samsung Securities Co. Ltd.

    1,036       26,219  

Shinhan Financial Group Co. Ltd.

    7,266       213,366  

SK Biopharmaceuticals Co. Ltd.(b)

    504       25,395  

SK Bioscience Co. Ltd.(b)

    364       19,173  

SK Hynix Inc.

    8,638       583,797  

SK IE Technology Co. Ltd.(a)(b)

    420       20,706  

SKC Co. Ltd.

    336       24,852  

Woori Financial Group Inc.

    8,440       77,808  

Yuhan Corp.

    762       30,348  
   

 

 

 
      2,547,959  
Taiwan — 17.4%            

Accton Technology Corp.

    7,000       64,107  

Acer Inc.

    42,000       34,828  

Advantech Co. Ltd.

    4,000       46,400  

ASE Technology Holding Co. Ltd.

    56,000       192,835  

Asustek Computer Inc.

    14,000       126,803  

AUO Corp.

    112,000       68,158  

Cathay Financial Holding Co. Ltd.

    134,080       190,138  

Chailease Holding Co. Ltd.

    21,315       156,232  

Chang Hwa Commercial Bank Ltd.

    84,600       48,281  

China Airlines Ltd.

    42,000       27,797  

China Development Financial Holding Corp.

    252,000       108,505  

China Steel Corp.

    196,000       201,631  

Chunghwa Telecom Co. Ltd.

    60,000       226,851  

Compal Electronics Inc.

    70,000       55,359  

CTBC Financial Holding Co. Ltd.

    280,000       207,881  

Delta Electronics Inc.

    33,000       308,739  

E Ink Holdings Inc.

    14,000       88,591  

E.Sun Financial Holding Co. Ltd.

    210,232       171,576  

Eclat Textile Co. Ltd.

    2,000       31,440  

Eva Airways Corp.

    42,000       38,898  

Evergreen Marine Corp. Taiwan Ltd.

    16,000       81,764  

Far Eastern New Century Corp.

    56,000       59,532  

Far EasTone Telecommunications Co. Ltd.

    28,000       63,181  

First Financial Holding Co. Ltd.

    171,059       149,904  

Fubon Financial Holding Co. Ltd.

    112,650       220,277  

Hotai Motor Co. Ltd.

    4,000       80,623  

Hua Nan Financial Holdings Co. Ltd.

    145,037       108,395  

Innolux Corp.

    140,600       67,352  

Inventec Corp.

    42,000       36,486  

Lite-On Technology Corp.

    28,000       63,715  

MediaTek Inc.

    25,000       586,976  

Mega Financial Holding Co. Ltd.

    185,250       202,091  

Micro-Star International Co. Ltd.

    14,000       62,455  

momo.com Inc.

    1,000       25,701  

Nan Ya Plastics Corp.

    70,000       172,230  

Nien Made Enterprise Co. Ltd.

    2,000       21,294  
 

 

 

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

  17


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® ESG Advanced MSCI EM ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Taiwan (continued)            

President Chain Store Corp.

    10,000     $ 87,377  

Shanghai Commercial & Savings Bank Ltd. (The)

    59,225       91,938  

Shin Kong Financial Holding Co. Ltd.

    210,000       60,967  

SinoPac Financial Holdings Co. Ltd.

    173,200       96,962  

Taishin Financial Holding Co. Ltd.

    175,941       94,490  

Taiwan Business Bank

    98,000       46,022  

Taiwan Cement Corp.

    98,994       126,907  

Taiwan Cooperative Financial Holding Co. Ltd.

    154,165       134,107  

Taiwan Mobile Co. Ltd.

    28,000       88,701  

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

    143,000       2,365,777  

Unimicron Technology Corp.

    20,000       82,604  

United Microelectronics Corp.

    182,000       296,424  

Voltronic Power Technology Corp.

    1,000       52,214  

Win Semiconductors Corp.

    6,000       32,931  

WPG Holdings Ltd.

    28,000       45,260  

Yageo Corp.

    4,775       83,685  

Yuanta Financial Holding Co. Ltd.

    168,600       125,363  
   

 

 

 
      8,308,755  
Thailand — 3.0%            

Advanced Info Service PCL, NVDR

    18,900       108,000  

Airports of Thailand PCL, NVDR(b)

    68,600       141,177  

Asset World Corp. PCL, NVDR

    151,200       25,230  

Bangkok Dusit Medical Services PCL, NVDR

    166,600       131,963  

Berli Jucker PCL, NVDR

    22,400       24,393  

BTS Group Holdings PCL, NVDR

    125,400       28,556  

Bumrungrad Hospital PCL, NVDR

    9,800       58,496  

Central Pattana PCL, NVDR

    32,100       63,777  

Central Retail Corp. PCL, NVDR

    14,000       17,727  

Charoen Pokphand Foods PCL, NVDR

    61,500       38,627  

CP ALL PCL, NVDR

    94,300       165,392  

Delta Electronics Thailand PCL, NVDR

    4,900       126,332  

Home Product Center PCL, NVDR

    93,900       37,174  

Indorama Ventures PCL, NVDR

    28,000       29,100  

Intouch Holdings PCL, NVDR

    18,200       36,426  

Kasikornbank PCL, NVDR

    9,800       37,980  

Krung Thai Bank PCL, NVDR

    58,800       28,780  

Krungthai Card PCL, NVDR

    16,800       27,916  

Minor International PCL, NVDR(b)

    51,800       49,073  

Osotspa PCL, NVDR

    16,800       15,331  

SCB X PCL, NVS(c)

    14,000       41,184  

SCG Packaging PCL, NVDR

    22,800       33,537  

Siam Cement PCL (The), NVDR

    12,600       116,557  

Thai Union Group PCL, NVDR

    50,400       22,671  

True Corp. PCL, NVDR

    191,800       27,949  
   

 

 

 
      1,433,348  
Turkey — 0.6%            

Akbank TAS

    49,994       46,228  

Haci Omer Sabanci Holding AS

    16,240       37,470  

Turk Hava Yollari AO(b)

    8,708       66,165  

Turkcell Iletisim Hizmetleri AS

    19,726       33,253  

Turkiye Is Bankasi AS, Class C

    55,081       33,056  

Turkiye Sise ve Cam Fabrikalari AS

    21,784       54,446  

Yapi ve Kredi Bankasi AS

    45,150       23,927  
   

 

 

 
      294,545  
Security   Shares      Value  
United Arab Emirates — 2.3%             

Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank PJSC

    44,632      $ 101,755  

Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank PJSC

    23,744        67,450  

Aldar Properties PJSC

    62,650        80,061  

Dubai Islamic Bank PJSC

    40,600        63,446  

Emirates NBD Bank PJSC

    30,282        111,992  

Emirates Telecommunications Group Co. PJSC

    55,286        383,816  

First Abu Dhabi Bank PJSC

    70,283        269,274  
    

 

 

 
       1,077,794  
    

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 97.4%
(Cost: $50,136,350)

       46,481,149  
    

 

 

 

Preferred Stocks

    
Brazil — 1.5%             

Banco Bradesco SA, Preference Shares, NVS

    85,225        212,922  

Itau Unibanco Holding SA, Preference Shares, NVS

    76,720        372,650  

Itausa SA, Preference Shares, NVS

    80,353        126,313  
    

 

 

 
       711,885  
Chile — 0.4%             

Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile SA, Class B, Preference Shares

    2,268        202,420  
    

 

 

 
Colombia — 0.1%             

Bancolombia SA, Preference Shares, NVS

    7,448        47,238  
    

 

 

 

Total Preferred Stocks — 2.0%
(Cost: $917,326)

       961,543  
    

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 99.4%
(Cost: $51,053,676)

       47,442,692  
    

 

 

 

Short-Term Securities

    
Money Market Funds — 0.7%             

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional,
SL Agency Shares,
4.81%(e)(f)(g)

    334,684        334,884  
    

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 0.7%
(Cost: $334,853)

       334,884  
    

 

 

 

Total Investments — 100.1%
(Cost: $51,388,529)

       47,777,576  

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (0.1)%

       (41,412
    

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

     $ 47,736,164  
    

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Security exempt from registration pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration to qualified institutional investors.

(b) 

Non-income producing security.

(c) 

All or a portion of this security is on loan.

(d) 

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

(e) 

Affiliate of the Fund.

(f) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

(g) 

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

 

 

 

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Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® ESG Advanced MSCI EM  ETF

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended February 28, 2023 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

Affiliated Issuer    Value at
08/31/22
     Purchases
at Cost
     Proceeds
from Sale
     Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
     Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
     Value at
02/28/23
     Shares
Held at
02/28/23
     Income      Capital
Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds
 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional,
SL Agency Shares

   $ 288,657      $ 46,280 (a)     $      $ (62    $ 9      $ 334,884        334,684      $ 1,388 (b)     $  

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

     50,000               (50,000 )(a)                                   1,153         
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 
            $ (62    $ 9      $ 334,884         $ 2,541      $  
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 
  (b)

All or a portion represents securities lending income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral from loaned securities, net of fees and collateral investment expenses, and other payments to and from borrowers of securities.

 
  (c)

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

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Futures Contracts

 

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

Long Contracts

                                   

MSCI Emerging Markets Index

     3        03/17/23      $ 144      $ (287
           

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

As of period end, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities were as follows:

 

      Commodity
Contracts
     Credit
Contracts
     Equity
Contracts
     Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
     Interest
Rate
Contracts
     Other
Contracts
     Total  

Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instruments

                    

Futures contracts

                    

Unrealized depreciation on futures contracts(a)

   $      $      $ 287      $      $      $      $ 287  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts are reported in the Schedule of Investments. In the Statements of Assets and Liabilities, only current day’s variation margin is reported in receivables or payables and the net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is included in accumulated earnings (loss).

 

For the period ended February 28, 2023, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

      Commodity
Contracts
     Credit
Contracts
     Equity
Contracts
     Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
     Interest
Rate
Contracts
     Other
Contracts
     Total  

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from

                    

Futures contracts

   $      $      $ (314    $      $      $      $ (314
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on                                                 

Futures contracts

   $      $      $ 216      $      $      $      $ 216  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

Futures contracts

        

Average notional value of contracts — long

   $ 96,780  

 

 

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

  19


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2023

  

iShares® ESG Advanced MSCI EM  ETF

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments. For a description of the input levels and information about the Fund’s policy regarding valuation of financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.

The following table summarizes the Fund’s financial instruments categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The breakdown of the Fund’s financial instruments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.

 

      Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

Assets

                 

Investments

                 

Long-Term Investments

                 

Common Stocks

   $ 4,907,755        $ 41,573,389        $ 5        $ 46,481,149  

Preferred Stocks

     759,123          202,420                   961,543  

Short-Term Securities

                 

Money Market Funds

     334,884                            334,884  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 6,001,762        $ 41,775,809        $ 5        $ 47,777,576  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments(a)

                 

Liabilities

                 

Equity Contracts

   $ (287      $        $        $ (287
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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Statements of Assets and Liabilities  (unaudited)

February 28, 2023

 

    

iShares

ESG

Advanced
MSCI EAFE
ETF

   

iShares

ESG
Advanced
MSCI EM
ETF

 

ASSETS

   

Investments, at value — unaffiliated(a)(b)

  $ 416,953,711     $ 47,442,692  

Investments, at value — affiliated(c)

    951,961       334,884  

Cash

    6,547       314,306  

Cash pledged for futures contracts

    101,000       4,000  

Foreign currency, at value(d)

    873,460       324,341  

Receivables:

   

Investments sold

    9,246,244       2,984,902  

Securities lending income — affiliated

    2,179       172  

Dividends — unaffiliated

    376,780       69,959  

Dividends — affiliated

    87       254  

Tax reclaims

    350,718       589  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

    428,862,687       51,476,099  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

   

Collateral on securities loaned, at value

    906,393       334,939  

Payables:

   

Investments purchased

    9,445,412       3,168,093  

Bank borrowings

          230,036  

Investment advisory fees

    39,377       6,133  

Variation margin on futures contracts

    679       734  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    10,391,861       3,739,935  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 418,470,826     $ 47,736,164  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF

   

Paid-in capital

  $ 461,854,554     $ 54,485,764  

Accumulated loss

    (43,383,728     (6,749,600
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 418,470,826     $ 47,736,164  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSET VALUE

   

Shares outstanding

    7,300,000       1,400,000  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value

  $ 57.32     $ 34.10  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Shares authorized

    Unlimited       Unlimited  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Par value

    None       None  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

(a) Investments, at cost — unaffiliated

  $ 443,466,607     $ 51,053,676  

(b) Securities loaned, at value

  $ 871,596     $ 318,825  

(c)  Investments, at cost — affiliated

  $ 951,626     $ 334,853  

(d) Foreign currency, at cost

  $ 885,562     $ 324,362  

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L  T A T E M E N T  S

  21


Statements of Operations  (unaudited)

Six Months Ended February 28, 2023

 

     iShares
ESG
Advanced
MSCI EAFE
ETF
    iShares
ESG
Advanced
MSCI EM
ETF
 

INVESTMENT INCOME

   

Dividends — unaffiliated

  $ 2,567,675     $ 318,660  

Dividends — affiliated

    1,633       1,153  

Securities lending income — affiliated — net

    14,426       1,388  

Foreign taxes withheld

    (231,735     (40,953
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investment income

    2,351,999       280,248  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

EXPENSES

   

Investment advisory

    230,206       31,875  

Commitment costs

          413  

Interest expense

          69  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses

    230,206       32,357  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    2,121,793       247,891  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

   

Net realized gain (loss) from:

   

Investments — unaffiliated(a)

    (2,848,291     (1,300,626

Investments — affiliated

    5,967       (62

Foreign currency transactions

    34,300       (9,380

Futures contracts

    204,397       (314
 

 

 

   

 

 

 
    (2,603,627     (1,310,382
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

   

Investments — unaffiliated(b)

    47,183,234       624,305  

Investments — affiliated

    (270     9  

Foreign currency translations

    20,117       (262

Futures contracts

    85,862       216  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 
    47,288,943       624,268  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    44,685,316       (686,114
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

  $ 46,807,109     $ (438,223
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

(a) Net of foreign capital gain tax and capital gain tax refund, if applicable

  $     $ (8,267

(b) Net of reduction in deferred foreign capital gain tax of

  $     $ 10,591  

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

22  

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Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

    iShares
ESG Advanced MSCI EAFE ETF
            iShares
ESG Advanced MSCI EM ETF
 
     Six Months
Ended
02/28/23
(unaudited)
     Year Ended
08/31/22
            Six Months
Ended
02/28/23
(unaudited)
     Year Ended
08/31/22
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

            

OPERATIONS

            

Net investment income

  $ 2,121,793      $ 9,021,180        $ 247,891      $ 840,274  

Net realized loss

    (2,603,627      (13,145,851        (1,310,382      (1,585,361

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    47,288,943        (94,638,332        624,268        (6,761,697
 

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    46,807,109        (98,763,003        (438,223      (7,506,784
 

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a)

            

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

    (2,282,900      (9,431,637        (673,916      (523,636
 

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

            

Net increase in net assets derived from capital share transactions

    19,514,153        216,781,420          13,380,462        29,948,355  
 

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

            

Total increase in net assets

    64,038,362        108,586,780          12,268,323        21,917,935  

Beginning of period

    354,432,464        245,845,684          35,467,841        13,549,906  
 

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

 

End of period

  $ 418,470,826      $ 354,432,464        $ 47,736,164      $ 35,467,841  
 

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) 

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

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L  T A T E M E N T  S

  23


Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    iShares ESG Advanced MSCI EAFE ETF  
 

 

 

 
   

Six Months Ended

02/28/23

(unaudited

 

 

   

Year Ended

08/31/22

 

 

   

Year Ended

08/31/21

 

 

   

Period From

06/16/20

to 08/31/20

 

(a) 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 51.37     $ 70.24     $ 55.79     $ 51.37  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(b)

    0.29       1.65       1.36       0.18  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(c)

    5.97       (18.86     13.91       4.24  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    6.26       (17.21     15.27       4.42  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions from net investment income(d)

    (0.31     (1.66     (0.82      
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 57.32     $ 51.37     $ 70.24     $ 55.79  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(e)

       

Based on net asset value

    12.23 %(f)      (24.82 )%      27.47     8.60 %(f) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(g)

       

Total expenses

    0.12 %(h)       0.12     0.12     0.12 %(h) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    1.11 %(h)       2.73     2.06     1.64 %(h) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

       

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 418,471     $ 354,432     $ 245,846     $ 11,158  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(i)

    8 %(f)      18     28     6 %(f) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a)

Commencement of operations.

(b)

Based on average shares outstanding.

(c)

The amounts reported for a share outstanding may not accord with the change in aggregate gains and losses in securities for the fiscal period due to the timing of capital share transactions in relation to the fluctuating market values of the Fund’s underlying securities.

(d)

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

(e)

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(f)

Not annualized.

(g)

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

(h)

Annualized.

(i)

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    iShares ESG Advanced MSCI EM ETF  
 

 

 

 
   

Six Months Ended
02/28/23
 
 
(unaudited) 
   
Year Ended
08/31/22
 
 
   

Period From

10/06/20

to 08/31/21

 

(a) 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 35.47     $ 45.17     $ 35.39  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(b)

    0.21       1.08       0.71  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(c)

    (0.97     (9.94     9.42  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    (0.76     (8.86     10.13  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions from net investment income(d)

    (0.61     (0.84     (0.35
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 34.10     $ 35.47     $ 45.17  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(e)

     

Based on net asset value

    (2.13 )%(f)      (19.91 )%      28.74 %(f) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(g)

     

Total expenses

    0.16 %(h)      0.16     0.16 %(h) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    1.24 %(h)      2.72     1.83 %(h) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

     

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 47,736     $ 35,468     $ 13,550  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(i)

    14 %(f)       31     51 %(f)  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a)

Commencement of operations.

(b)

Based on average shares outstanding.

(c)

The amounts reported for a share outstanding may not accord with the change in aggregate gains and losses in securities for the fiscal period due to the timing of capital share transactions in relation to the fluctuating market values of the Fund’s underlying securities.

(d)

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

(e)

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(f)

Not annualized.

(g)

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

(h)

Annualized.

(i)

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L  I G H L I G H T  S

  25


Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited)

 

1.

ORGANIZATION

iShares Trust (the “Trust”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as an open-end management investment company. The Trust is organized as a Delaware statutory trust and is authorized to have multiple series or portfolios.

These financial statements relate only to the following funds (each, a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”):

 

iShares ETF   Diversification
Classification
 

ESG Advanced MSCI EAFE

    Non-diversified  

ESG Advanced MSCI EM

    Non-diversified  

 

2.

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”), which may require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities in the financial statements, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Each Fund is considered an investment company under U.S. GAAP and follows the accounting and reporting guidance applicable to investment companies. Below is a summary of significant accounting policies:

Investment Transactions and Income Recognition: For financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are recorded on the dates the transactions are executed. Realized gains and losses on investment transactions are determined using the specific identification method. Dividend income and capital gain distributions, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Non-cash dividends, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend date at fair value. Dividends from foreign securities where the ex-dividend date may have passed are subsequently recorded when the Funds are informed of the ex-dividend date. Under the applicable foreign tax laws, a withholding tax at various rates may be imposed on capital gains, dividends and interest. Upon notification from issuers or as estimated by management, a portion of the dividend income received from a real estate investment trust may be redesignated as a reduction of cost of the related investment and/or realized gain.

Foreign Currency Translation: Each Fund’s books and records are maintained in U.S. dollars. Securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars using prevailing market rates as quoted by one or more data service providers. Purchases and sales of investments are recorded at the rates of exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions. Generally, when the U.S. dollar rises in value against a foreign currency, the investments denominated in that currency will lose value; the opposite effect occurs if the U.S. dollar falls in relative value.

Each Fund does not isolate the effect of fluctuations in foreign exchange rates from the effect of fluctuations in the market prices of investments for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, the effects of changes in exchange rates on investments are not segregated in the Statements of Operations from the effects of changes in market prices of those investments, but are included as a component of net realized and unrealized gain (loss) from investments. Each Fund reports realized currency gains (losses) on foreign currency related transactions as components of net realized gain (loss) for financial reporting purposes, whereas such components are generally treated as ordinary income for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Foreign Taxes: The Funds may be subject to foreign taxes (a portion of which may be reclaimable) on income, stock dividends, capital gains on investments, or certain foreign currency transactions. All foreign taxes are recorded in accordance with the applicable foreign tax regulations and rates that exist in the foreign jurisdictions in which each Fund invests. These foreign taxes, if any, are paid by each Fund and are reflected in its Statements of Operations as follows: foreign taxes withheld at source are presented as a reduction of income, foreign taxes on securities lending income are presented as a reduction of securities lending income, foreign taxes on stock dividends are presented as “Other foreign taxes”, and foreign taxes on capital gains from sales of investments and foreign taxes on foreign currency transactions are included in their respective net realized gain (loss) categories. Foreign taxes payable or deferred as of February 28, 2023, if any, are disclosed in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

The Funds file withholding tax reclaims in certain jurisdictions to recover a portion of amounts previously withheld. The Funds may record a reclaim receivable based on collectability, which includes factors such as the jurisdiction’s applicable laws, payment history and market convention. The Statements of Operations includes tax reclaims recorded as well as professional and other fees, if any, associated with recovery of foreign withholding taxes.

Collateralization: If required by an exchange or counterparty agreement, the Funds may be required to deliver/deposit cash and/or securities to/with an exchange, or broker-dealer or custodian as collateral for certain investments.

In-kind Redemptions: For financial reporting purposes, in-kind redemptions are treated as sales of securities resulting in realized capital gains or losses to the Funds. Because such gains or losses are not taxable to the Funds and are not distributed to existing Fund shareholders, the gains or losses are reclassified from accumulated net realized gain (loss) to paid-in capital at the end of the Funds’ tax year. These reclassifications have no effect on net assets or net asset value (“NAV”) per share.

Distributions: Dividends and distributions paid by each Fund are recorded on the ex-dividend dates. Distributions are determined on a tax basis and may differ from net investment income and net realized capital gains for financial reporting purposes. Dividends and distributions are paid in U.S. dollars and cannot be automatically reinvested in additional shares of the Funds.

The character and timing of distributions are determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP.

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

Indemnifications: In the normal course of business, each Fund enters into contracts that contain a variety of representations that provide general indemnification. The Funds’ maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown because it involves future potential claims against the Funds, which cannot be predicted with any certainty.

 

3.

INVESTMENT VALUATION AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Investment Valuation Policies: Each Fund’s investments are valued at fair value (also referred to as “market value” within the financial statements) each day that the Fund’s listing exchange is open and, for financial reporting purposes, as of the report date. U.S. GAAP defines fair value as the price a fund would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”) of each Fund has approved the designation of BlackRock Fund Advisors (“BFA”), the Funds’ investment adviser, as the valuation designee for each Fund. Each Fund determines the fair values of its financial instruments using various independent dealers or pricing services under BFA’s policies. If a security’s market price is not readily available or does not otherwise accurately represent the fair value of the security, the security will be valued in accordance with BFA’s policies and procedures as reflecting fair value. BFA has formed a committee (the “Valuation Committee”) to develop pricing policies and procedures and to oversee the pricing function for all financial instruments, with assistance from other BlackRock pricing committees.

Fair Value Inputs and Methodologies: The following methods and inputs are used to establish the fair value of each Fund’s assets and liabilities:

 

   

Equity investments traded on a recognized securities exchange are valued at that day’s official closing price, as applicable, on the exchange where the stock is primarily traded. Equity investments traded on a recognized exchange for which there were no sales on that day are valued at the last traded price.

 

   

Investments in open-end U.S. mutual funds (including money market funds) are valued at that day’s published NAV.

 

   

Futures contracts are valued based on that day’s last reported settlement or trade price on the exchange where the contract is traded.

Generally, trading in foreign instruments is substantially completed each day at various times prior to the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”). Each business day, the Funds use current market factors supplied by independent pricing services to value certain foreign instruments (“Systematic Fair Value Price”). The Systematic Fair Value Price is designed to value such foreign securities at fair value as of the close of trading on the NYSE, which follows the close of the local markets.

If events (e.g., market volatility, company announcement or a natural disaster) occur that are expected to materially affect the value of such investment, or in the event that application of these methods of valuation results in a price for an investment that is deemed not to be representative of the market value of such investment, or if a price is not available, the investment will be valued by the Valuation Committee, in accordance with BFA’s policies and procedures as reflecting fair value (“Fair Valued Investments”). The fair valuation approaches that may be used by the Valuation Committee include market approach, income approach and cost approach. Valuation techniques such as discounted cash flow, use of market comparables and matrix pricing are types of valuation approaches and are typically used in determining fair value. When determining the price for Fair Valued Investments, the Valuation Committee seeks to determine the price that each Fund might reasonably expect to receive or pay from the current sale or purchase of that asset or liability in an arm’s-length transaction. Fair value determinations shall be based upon all available factors that the Valuation Committee deems relevant and consistent with the principles of fair value measurement.

Fair value pricing could result in a difference between the prices used to calculate a fund’s NAV and the prices used by the fund’s underlying index, which in turn could result in a difference between the fund’s performance and the performance of the fund’s underlying index.

Fair Value Hierarchy: Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments. These inputs to valuation techniques are categorized into a fair value hierarchy consisting of three broad levels for financial reporting purposes as follows:

 

   

Level 1 – Unadjusted price quotations in active markets/exchanges for identical assets or liabilities that each Fund has the ability to access;

 

   

Level 2 – Other observable inputs (including, but not limited to, quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in markets that are active, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the assets or liabilities (such as interest rates, yield curves, volatilities, prepayment speeds, loss severities, credit risks and default rates) or other market-corroborated inputs); and

 

   

Level 3 – Unobservable inputs based on the best information available in the circumstances, to the extent observable inputs are not available, (including the Valuation Committee’s assumptions used in determining the fair value of financial instruments).

The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized in Level 3. The inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, for disclosure purposes, the fair value hierarchy classification is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. Investments classified within Level 3 have significant unobservable inputs used by the Valuation Committee in determining the price for Fair Valued Investments. Level 3 investments include equity or debt issued by privately held companies or funds that may not have a secondary market and/or may have a limited number of investors. The categorization of a value determined for financial instruments is based on the pricing transparency of the financial instruments and is not necessarily an indication of the risks associated with investing in those securities.

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

4.

SECURITIES AND OTHER INVESTMENTS

Securities Lending: Each Fund may lend its securities to approved borrowers, such as brokers, dealers and other financial institutions. The borrower pledges and maintains with the Fund collateral consisting of cash, an irrevocable letter of credit issued by an approved bank, or securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government. The initial collateral received by each Fund is required to have a value of at least 102% of the current market value of the loaned securities for securities traded on U.S. exchanges and a value of at least 105% for all other securities. The collateral is maintained thereafter at a value equal to at least 100% of the current value of the securities on loan. The market value of the loaned securities is determined at the close of each business day of the Fund and any additional required collateral is delivered to the Fund or excess collateral is returned by the Fund, on the next business day. During the term of the loan, each Fund is entitled to all distributions made on or in respect of the loaned securities but does not receive interest income on securities received as collateral. Loans of securities are terminable at any time and the borrower, after notice, is required to return borrowed securities within the standard time period for settlement of securities transactions.

As of period end, any securities on loan were collateralized by cash and/or U.S. Government obligations. Cash collateral invested in money market funds managed by BFA, or its affiliates is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments. Any non-cash collateral received cannot be sold, re-invested or pledged by the Fund, except in the event of borrower default. The securities on loan, if any, are also disclosed in each Fund’s Schedule of Investments. The market value of any securities on loan and the value of any related cash collateral are disclosed in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

Securities lending transactions are entered into by the Funds under Master Securities Lending Agreements (each, an “MSLA”) which provide the right, in the event of default (including bankruptcy or insolvency) for the non-defaulting party to liquidate the collateral and calculate a net exposure to the defaulting party or request additional collateral. In the event that a borrower defaults, the Funds, as lender, would offset the market value of the collateral received against the market value of the securities loaned. When the value of the collateral is greater than that of the market value of the securities loaned, the lender is left with a net amount payable to the defaulting party. However, bankruptcy or insolvency laws of a particular jurisdiction may impose restrictions on or prohibitions against such a right of offset in the event of an MSLA counterparty’s bankruptcy or insolvency. Under the MSLA, absent an event of default, the borrower can resell or re-pledge the loaned securities, and the Funds can reinvest cash collateral received in connection with loaned securities. Upon an event of default, the parties’ obligations to return the securities or collateral to the other party are extinguished, and the parties can resell or re-pledge the loaned securities or the collateral received in connection with the loaned securities in order to satisfy the defaulting party’s net payment obligation for all transactions under the MSLA. The defaulting party remains liable for any deficiency.

As of period end, the following table is a summary of the securities on loan by counterparty which are subject to offset under an MSLA:

 

iShares ETF and Counterparty    
Securities Loaned
at Value

 
    
Cash Collateral
Received

(a)  
   
Non-Cash Collateral
Received, at Fair Value
 
(a) 
    Net Amount  

ESG Advanced MSCI EAFE

        

Barclays Capital, Inc.

  $ 167,117      $ (162,298   $     $ 4,819  

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC

    148,520        (148,520            

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

    204,510        (204,510            

Morgan Stanley

    351,449        (351,449            
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  $ 871,596      $ (866,777   $     $ 4,819  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

ESG Advanced MSCI EM

        

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

  $ 318,825      $ (318,825   $     $  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Collateral received, if any, in excess of the market value of securities on loan is not presented in this table. The total cash collateral received by each Fund is disclosed in the Fund’s Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

 

The risks of securities lending include the risk that the borrower may not provide additional collateral when required or may not return the securities when due. To mitigate these risks, each Fund benefits from a borrower default indemnity provided by BlackRock, Inc. (“BlackRock”). BlackRock’s indemnity allows for full replacement of the securities loaned to the extent the collateral received does not cover the value of the securities loaned in the event of borrower default. Each Fund could incur a loss if the value of an investment purchased with cash collateral falls below the market value of the loaned securities or if the value of an investment purchased with cash collateral falls below the value of the original cash collateral received. Such losses are borne entirely by each Fund.

 

5.

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Futures Contracts: Futures contracts are purchased or sold to gain exposure to, or manage exposure to, changes in interest rates (interest rate risk) and changes in the value of equity securities (equity risk) or foreign currencies (foreign currency exchange rate risk).

Futures contracts are exchange-traded agreements between the Funds and a counterparty to buy or sell a specific quantity of an underlying instrument at a specified price and on a specified date. Depending on the terms of a contract, it is settled either through physical delivery of the underlying instrument on the settlement date or by payment of a cash amount on the settlement date. Upon entering into a futures contract, the Funds are required to deposit initial margin with the broker in the form of cash or securities in an amount that varies depending on a contract’s size and risk profile. The initial margin deposit must then be maintained at an established level over the life of the contract. Amounts pledged, which are considered restricted, are included in cash pledged for futures contracts in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

Securities deposited as initial margin are designated in the Schedule of Investments and cash deposited, if any, are shown as cash pledged for futures contracts in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. Pursuant to the contract, the Funds agree to receive from or pay to the broker an amount of cash equal to the daily fluctuation in market value of the contract (“variation margin”). Variation margin is recorded as unrealized appreciation (depreciation) and, if any, shown as variation margin receivable (or

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

payable) on futures contracts in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. When the contract is closed, a realized gain or loss is recorded in the Statements of Operations equal to the difference between the notional amount of the contract at the time it was opened and the notional amount at the time it was closed. The use of futures contracts involves the risk of an imperfect correlation in the movements in the price of futures contracts and interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates or underlying assets.

 

6.

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

Investment Advisory Fees: Pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement with the Trust, BFA manages the investment of each Fund’s assets. BFA is a California corporation indirectly owned by BlackRock. Under the Investment Advisory Agreement, BFA is responsible for substantially all expenses of the Funds, except (i) interest and taxes; (ii) brokerage commissions and other expenses connected with the execution of portfolio transactions; (iii) distribution fees; (iv) the advisory fee payable to BFA; and (v) litigation expenses and any extraordinary expenses (in each case as determined by a majority of the independent trustees).

For its investment advisory services to each of the following Funds, BFA is entitled to an annual investment advisory fee, accrued daily and paid monthly by the Funds, based on the average daily net assets of each Fund as follows:

 

iShares ETF   Investment Advisory Fees     

ESG Advanced MSCI EAFE

    0.12%  

ESG Advanced MSCI EM

    0.16     

Distributor: BlackRock Investments, LLC, an affiliate of BFA, is the distributor for each Fund. Pursuant to the distribution agreement, BFA is responsible for any fees or expenses for distribution services provided to the Funds.

Securities Lending: The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) has issued an exemptive order which permits BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A. (“BTC”), an affiliate of BFA, to serve as securities lending agent for the Funds, subject to applicable conditions. As securities lending agent, BTC bears all operational costs directly related to securities lending, including any custodial costs. Each Fund is responsible for fees in connection with the investment of cash collateral received for securities on loan (the “collateral investment fees”). The cash collateral is invested in a money market fund, BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional or BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, managed by BFA, or its affiliates. However, BTC has agreed to reduce the amount of securities lending income it receives in order to effectively limit the collateral investment fees each Fund bears to an annual rate of 0.04%. The SL Agency Shares of such money market fund will not be subject to a sales load, distribution fee or service fee. The money market fund in which the cash collateral has been invested may, under certain circumstances, impose a liquidity fee of up to 2% of the value redeemed or temporarily restrict redemptions for up to 10 business days during a 90 day period, in the event that the money market fund’s weekly liquid assets fall below certain thresholds.

Securities lending income is equal to the total of income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral, net of fees and other payments to and from borrowers of securities, and less the collateral investment fees. Each Fund retains a portion of securities lending income and remits the remaining portion to BTC as compensation for its services as securities lending agent.

Pursuant to the current securities lending agreement, each Fund retains 82% of securities lending income (which excludes collateral investment fees), and the amount retained can never be less than 70% of the total of securities lending income plus the collateral investment fees.

In addition, commencing the business day following the date that the aggregate securities lending income plus the collateral investment fees generated across all 1940 Act iShares exchange-traded funds (the “iShares ETF Complex”) in that calendar year exceeds a specified threshold, each Fund, pursuant to the securities lending agreement, will retain for the remainder of that calendar year 85% of securities lending income (which excludes collateral investment fees), and the amount retained can never be less than 70% of the total of securities lending income plus the collateral investment fees.

The share of securities lending income earned by each Fund is shown as securities lending income – affiliated – net in its Statements of Operations. For the six months ended February 28, 2023, the Funds paid BTC the following amounts for securities lending agent services:

 

iShares ETF   Amounts  

ESG Advanced MSCI EAFE

  $ 4,191  

ESG Advanced MSCI EM

    344  

Officers and Trustees: Certain officers and/or trustees of the Trust are officers and/or trustees of BlackRock or its affiliates.

Other Transactions: Cross trading is the buying or selling of portfolio securities between funds to which BFA (or an affiliate) serves as investment adviser. At its regularly scheduled quarterly meetings, the Board reviews such transactions as of the most recent calendar quarter for compliance with the requirements and restrictions set forth by Rule 17a-7.

For the six months ended February 28, 2023, transactions executed by the Funds pursuant to Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act were as follows:

 

iShares ETF   Purchases      Sales     

Net Realized    

Gain (Loss)    

 

ESG Advanced MSCI EAFE

  $   12,785,806      $   16,206,592      $ (306,597)      

ESG Advanced MSCI EM

    166,161        759,943        (196,055)      

 

 

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

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Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

Each Fund may invest its positive cash balances in certain money market funds managed by BFA or an affiliate. The income earned on these temporary cash investments is shown as dividends – affiliated in the Statements of Operations.

A fund, in order to improve its portfolio liquidity and its ability to track its underlying index, may invest in shares of other iShares funds that invest in securities in the fund’s underlying index.

 

7.

PURCHASES AND SALES

For the six months ended February 28, 2023, purchases and sales of investments, excluding short-term securities and in-kind transactions, were as follows:

 

iShares ETF   Purchases      Sales    

ESG Advanced MSCI EAFE

  $   33,107,545      $   30,833,191    

ESG Advanced MSCI EM

    16,052,365        5,819,184    

For the six months ended February 28, 2023, in-kind transactions were as follows:

 

iShares ETF   In-kind
Purchases
    

In-kind  

Sales  

 

ESG Advanced MSCI EAFE

  $   17,768,692      $     —    

ESG Advanced MSCI EM

    2,585,190        —    

 

8.

INCOME TAX INFORMATION

Each Fund is treated as an entity separate from the Trust’s other funds for federal income tax purposes. It is each Fund’s policy to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, applicable to regulated investment companies, and to distribute substantially all of its taxable income to its shareholders. Therefore, no U.S. federal income tax provision is required.

Management has analyzed tax laws and regulations and their application to the Funds as of February 28, 2023 and does not believe that there are any uncertain tax positions that require recognition of a tax liability in the Funds’ financial statements.

As of August 31, 2022, the Funds had non-expiring capital loss carryforwards available to offset future realized capital gains as follows:

 

iShares ETF   Amounts    

ESG Advanced MSCI EAFE

  $   12,048,286    

ESG Advanced MSCI EM

    1,369,975    

A fund may own shares in certain foreign investment entities, referred to, under U.S. tax law, as “passive foreign investment companies.” Such fund may elect to mark-to-market annually the shares of each passive foreign investment company and would be required to distribute to shareholders any such marked-to-market gains.

As of February 28, 2023, gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation based on cost of investments (including short positions and derivatives, if any) for U.S. federal income tax purposes were as follows:

 

iShares ETF   Tax Cost      Gross Unrealized
Appreciation
     Gross Unrealized
Depreciation
   

Net Unrealized  

Appreciation  

(Depreciation)  

 

ESG Advanced MSCI EAFE

  $   446,992,084      $ 22,784,610      $ (51,798,289   $ (29,013,679)    

ESG Advanced MSCI EM

    51,928,846        1,822,057        (5,973,614     (4,151,557)    

 

9.

LINE OF CREDIT

The iShares ESG Advanced MSCI EM ETF, along with certain other iShares funds (“Participating Funds”), is a party to a $800 million credit agreement (“Syndicated Credit Agreement”) with a group of lenders, which expires on August 11, 2023. The line of credit may be used for temporary or emergency purposes, including redemptions, settlement of trades and rebalancing of portfolio holdings in certain target markets. The Funds may borrow up to the aggregate commitment amount subject to asset coverage and other limitations as specified in the Syndicated Credit Agreement. The Syndicated Credit Agreement has the following terms: a commitment fee of 0.15% per annum on the unused portion of the credit agreement and interest at a rate equal to the higher of (a) Daily Simple Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) plus 0.10% and 1.00% per annum or (b) the U.S. Federal Funds rate plus 1.00% per annum on amounts borrowed. The commitment fee is generally allocated to each Participating Fund based on the lesser of a Participating Fund’s relative exposure to certain target markets or a Participating Fund’s maximum borrowing amount as set forth by the terms of the Syndicated Credit Agreement.

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

For the six months ended February 28, 2023, the maximum amount borrowed, the average daily borrowing and the weighted average interest rate, if any, under the Syndicated Credit Agreement were as follows:

 

iShares ETF   Maximum
Amount
Borrowed
     Average
Borrowing
    

Weighted

Average

Interest Rates

 

ESG Advanced MSCI EM

  $ 230,000      $ 3,227        3.67

 

10.

PRINCIPAL RISKS

In the normal course of business, each Fund invests in securities or other instruments and may enter into certain transactions, and such activities subject the Fund to various risks, including, among others, fluctuations in the market (market risk) or failure of an issuer to meet all of its obligations. The value of securities or other instruments may also be affected by various factors, including, without limitation: (i) the general economy; (ii) the overall market as well as local, regional or global political and/or social instability; (iii) regulation, taxation or international tax treaties between various countries; or (iv) currency, interest rate or price fluctuations. Local, regional or global events such as war, acts of terrorism, the spread of infectious illness or other public health issues, recessions, or other events could have a significant impact on the Funds and their investments. Each Fund’s prospectus provides details of the risks to which the Fund is subject.

BFA uses a “passive” or index approach to try to achieve each Fund’s investment objective following the securities included in its underlying index during upturns as well as downturns. BFA does not take steps to reduce market exposure or to lessen the effects of a declining market. Divergence from the underlying index and the composition of the portfolio is monitored by BFA.

The Funds may be exposed to additional risks when reinvesting cash collateral in money market funds that do not seek to maintain a stable NAV per share of $1.00, which may be subject to redemption gates or liquidity fees under certain circumstances.

Market Risk: Investments in the securities of issuers domiciled in countries with emerging capital markets involve certain additional risks that do not generally apply to investments in securities of issuers in more developed capital markets, such as (i) low or nonexistent trading volume, resulting in a lack of liquidity and increased volatility in prices for such securities; (ii) uncertain national policies and social, political and economic instability, increasing the potential for expropriation of assets, confiscatory taxation, high rates of inflation or unfavorable diplomatic developments; (iii) lack of publicly available or reliable information about issuers as a result of not being subject to the same degree of regulatory requirements and accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards; and (iv) possible fluctuations in exchange rates, differing legal systems and the existence or possible imposition of exchange controls, custodial restrictions or other foreign or U.S. governmental laws or restrictions applicable to such investments.

Infectious Illness Risk: An outbreak of an infectious illness, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, may adversely impact the economies of many nations and the global economy, and may impact individual issuers and capital markets in ways that cannot be foreseen. An infectious illness outbreak may result in, among other things, closed international borders, prolonged quarantines, supply chain disruptions, market volatility or disruptions and other significant economic, social and political impacts.

Valuation Risk: The market values of equities, such as common stocks and preferred securities or equity related investments, such as futures and options, may decline due to general market conditions which are not specifically related to a particular company. They may also decline due to factors which affect a particular industry or industries. A fund may invest in illiquid investments. An illiquid investment is any investment that a fund reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment. A fund may experience difficulty in selling illiquid investments in a timely manner at the price that it believes the investments are worth. Prices may fluctuate widely over short or extended periods in response to company, market or economic news. Markets also tend to move in cycles, with periods of rising and falling prices. This volatility may cause a fund’s NAV to experience significant increases or decreases over short periods of time. If there is a general decline in the securities and other markets, the NAV of a fund may lose value, regardless of the individual results of the securities and other instruments in which a fund invests.

The price each Fund could receive upon the sale of any particular portfolio investment may differ from each Fund’s valuation of the investment, particularly for securities that trade in thin or volatile markets or that are valued using a fair valuation technique or a price provided by an independent pricing service. Changes to significant unobservable inputs and assumptions (i.e., publicly traded company multiples, growth rate, time to exit) due to the lack of observable inputs.

Counterparty Credit Risk: The Funds may be exposed to counterparty credit risk, or the risk that an entity may fail to or be unable to perform on its commitments related to unsettled or open transactions, including making timely interest and/or principal payments or otherwise honoring its obligations. The Funds manage counterparty credit risk by entering into transactions only with counterparties that BFA believes have the financial resources to honor their obligations and by monitoring the financial stability of those counterparties. Financial assets, which potentially expose the Funds to market, issuer and counterparty credit risks, consist principally of financial instruments and receivables due from counterparties. The extent of the Funds’ exposure to market, issuer and counterparty credit risks with respect to these financial assets is approximately their value recorded in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities, less any collateral held by the Funds.

A derivative contract may suffer a mark-to-market loss if the value of the contract decreases due to an unfavorable change in the market rates or values of the underlying instrument. Losses can also occur if the counterparty does not perform under the contract.

With exchange-traded futures, there is less counterparty credit risk to the Funds since the exchange or clearinghouse, as counterparty to such instruments, guarantees against a possible default. The clearinghouse stands between the buyer and the seller of the contract; therefore, credit risk is limited to failure of the clearinghouse. While offset rights may exist under applicable law, a fund does not have a contractual right of offset against a clearing broker or clearinghouse in the event of a default (including

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

the bankruptcy or insolvency). Additionally, credit risk exists in exchange-traded futures with respect to initial and variation margin that is held in a clearing broker’s customer accounts. While clearing brokers are required to segregate customer margin from their own assets, in the event that a clearing broker becomes insolvent or goes into bankruptcy and at that time there is a shortfall in the aggregate amount of margin held by the clearing broker for all its clients, typically the shortfall would be allocated on a pro rata basis across all the clearing broker’s customers, potentially resulting in losses to the Funds.

Concentration Risk: A diversified portfolio, where this is appropriate and consistent with a fund’s objectives, minimizes the risk that a price change of a particular investment will have a material impact on the NAV of a fund. The investment concentrations within each Fund’s portfolio are disclosed in its Schedule of Investments.

Certain Funds invest a significant portion of their assets in issuers located in a single country or a limited number of countries. When a fund concentrates its investments in this manner, it assumes the risk that economic, regulatory, political and social conditions in that country or those countries may have a significant impact on the fund and could affect the income from, or the value or liquidity of, the Fund’s portfolio. Unanticipated or sudden political or social developments may cause uncertainty in the markets and as a result adversely affect the Fund’s investments. Foreign issuers may not be subject to the same uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and practices as used in the United States. Foreign securities markets may also be more volatile and less liquid than U.S. securities and may be less subject to governmental supervision not typically associated with investing in U.S. securities. Investment percentages in specific countries are presented in the Schedule of Investments.

Certain Funds invest a significant portion of their assets in securities of issuers located in Europe or with significant exposure to European issuers or countries. The European financial markets have recently experienced volatility and adverse trends due to concerns about economic downturns in, or rising government debt levels of, several European countries as well as acts of war in the region. These events may spread to other countries in Europe and may affect the value and liquidity of certain of the Funds’ investments.

Responses to the financial problems by European governments, central banks and others, including austerity measures and reforms, may not work, may result in social unrest and may limit future growth and economic recovery or have other unintended consequences. Further defaults or restructurings by governments and others of their debt could have additional adverse effects on economies, financial markets and asset valuations around the world. The United Kingdom has withdrawn from the European Union, and one or more other countries may withdraw from the European Union and/or abandon the Euro, the common currency of the European Union. These events and actions have adversely affected, and may in the future adversely affect, the value and exchange rate of the Euro and may continue to significantly affect the economies of every country in Europe, including countries that do not use the Euro and non-European Union member states. The impact of these actions, especially if they occur in a disorderly fashion, is not clear but could be significant and far reaching. In addition, Russia launched a large-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. The extent and duration of the military action, resulting sanctions and resulting future market disruptions in the region are impossible to predict, but have been, and may continue to be significant and have a severe adverse effect on the region, including significant negative impacts on the economy and the markets for certain securities and commodities, such as oil and natural gas, as well as other sectors.

Certain Funds invest a significant portion of their assets in securities of issuers located in China or with significant exposure to Chinese issuers. Investments in Chinese securities, including certain Hong Kong-listed securities, involve risks specific to China. China may be subject to considerable degrees of economic, political and social instability and demonstrates significantly higher volatility from time to time in comparison to developed markets. Chinese markets generally continue to experience inefficiency, volatility and pricing anomalies resulting from governmental influence, a lack of publicly available information and/or political and social instability. Internal social unrest or confrontations with other neighboring countries may disrupt economic development in China and result in a greater risk of currency fluctuations, currency non-convertibility, interest rate fluctuations and higher rates of inflation. Incidents involving China’s or the region’s security may cause uncertainty in Chinese markets and may adversely affect the Chinese economy and a fund’s investments. Reduction in spending on Chinese products and services, institution of tariffs or other trade barriers, or a downturn in any of the economies of China’s key trading partners may have an adverse impact on the Chinese economy. In addition, measures may be taken to limit the flow of capital and/or sanctions may be imposed, which could prohibit or restrict the ability to own or transfer fund assets and may also include retaliatory actions, such as seizure of fund assets.

Certain Funds invest a significant portion of their assets in securities of issuers located in Asia or with significant exposure to Asian issuers or countries. The Asian financial markets have recently experienced volatility and adverse trends due to concerns in several Asian countries regarding monetary policy, government intervention in the markets, rising government debt levels or economic downturns. These events may spread to other countries in Asia and may affect the value and liquidity of certain of the Funds’ investments.

Certain Funds invest a significant portion of their assets in securities within a single or limited number of market sectors. When a fund concentrates its investments in this manner, it assumes the risk that economic, regulatory, political and social conditions affecting such sectors may have a significant impact on the fund and could affect the income from, or the value or liquidity of, the fund’s portfolio. Investment percentages in specific sectors are presented in the Schedule of Investments.

Significant Shareholder Redemption Risk: Certain shareholders may own or manage a substantial amount of fund shares and/or hold their fund investments for a limited period of time. Large redemptions of fund shares by these shareholders may force a fund to sell portfolio securities, which may negatively impact the fund’s NAV, increase the fund’s brokerage costs, and/or accelerate the realization of taxable income/gains and cause the fund to make additional taxable distributions to shareholders.

LIBOR Transition Risk: The Funds may be exposed to financial instruments that are tied to the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) to determine payment obligations, financing terms, hedging strategies or investment value. The United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority, which regulates LIBOR, announced that a majority of USD LIBOR settings will no longer be published after June 30, 2023. All other LIBOR settings and certain other interbank offered rates ceased to be published after December 31, 2021. SOFR has been used increasingly on a voluntary basis in new instruments and transactions. The Federal Reserve Board adopted regulations that provide a fallback mechanism by identifying benchmark rates based on SOFR that will replace LIBOR in certain financial contracts after June 30, 2023. The ultimate effect of the LIBOR transition process on the Funds is uncertain.

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

11.

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

Capital shares are issued and redeemed by each Fund only in aggregations of a specified number of shares or multiples thereof (“Creation Units”) at NAV. Except when aggregated in Creation Units, shares of each Fund are not redeemable.

Transactions in capital shares were as follows:

 

     Six Months Ended
02/28/23
     Year Ended
08/31/22
 
iShares ETF   Shares      Amount      Shares      Amount  

ESG Advanced MSCI EAFE

          

Shares sold

    400,000      $ 19,514,153        3,500,000      $ 223,468,417  

Shares redeemed

                  (100,000      (6,686,997
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
    400,000      $ 19,514,153        3,400,000      $ 216,781,420  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

ESG Advanced MSCI EM

          

Shares sold

    400,000      $ 13,380,462        700,000      $ 29,948,355  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The consideration for the purchase of Creation Units of a fund in the Trust generally consists of the in-kind deposit of a designated portfolio of securities and a specified amount of cash. Certain funds in the Trust may be offered in Creation Units solely or partially for cash in U.S. dollars. Investors purchasing and redeeming Creation Units may pay a purchase transaction fee and a redemption transaction fee directly to State Street Bank and Trust Company, the Trust’s administrator, to offset transfer and other transaction costs associated with the issuance and redemption of Creation Units, including Creation Units for cash. Investors transacting in Creation Units for cash may also pay an additional variable charge to compensate the relevant fund for certain transaction costs (i.e., stamp taxes, taxes on currency or other financial transactions, and brokerage costs) and market impact expenses relating to investing in portfolio securities. Such variable charges, if any, are included in shares sold in the table above.

From time to time, settlement of securities related to in-kind contributions or in-kind redemptions may be delayed. In such cases, securities related to in-kind transactions are reflected as a receivable or a payable in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

 

12.

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Management has evaluated the impact of all subsequent events on the Funds through the date the financial statements were available to be issued and has determined that there were no subsequent events requiring adjustment or additional disclosure in the financial statements.

 

 

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  33


Statement Regarding Liquidity Risk Management Program (unaudited)

 

In compliance with Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Liquidity Rule”), iShares Trust (the “Trust”) has adopted and implemented a liquidity risk management program (the “Program”) for iShares ESG Advanced MSCI EAFE ETF and iShares ESG Advanced MSCI EM ETF (the “Funds” or “ETFs”), each a series of the Trust, which is reasonably designed to assess and manage each Fund’s liquidity risk.

The Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of the Trust, on behalf of the Funds, met on December 9, 2022 (the “Meeting”) to review the Program. The Board previously appointed BlackRock Fund Advisors (“BlackRock”), the investment adviser to the Funds, as the program administrator for each Fund’s Program. BlackRock also previously delegated oversight of the Program to the 40 Act Liquidity Risk Management Committee (the “Committee”). At the Meeting, the Committee, on behalf of BlackRock, provided the Board with a report that addressed the operation of the Program and assessed its adequacy and effectiveness of implementation, including the management of each Fund’s Highly Liquid Investment Minimum (“HLIM”) where applicable, and any material changes to the Program (the “Report”). The Report covered the period from October 1, 2021 through September 30, 2022 (the “Program Reporting Period”).

The Report described the Program’s liquidity classification methodology for categorizing each Fund’s investments (including derivative transactions) into one of four liquidity buckets. It also referenced the methodology used by BlackRock to establish each Fund’s HLIM and noted that the Committee reviews and ratifies the HLIM assigned to each Fund no less frequently than annually. The Report also discussed notable events affecting liquidity over the Program Reporting Period, including extended market holidays, the imposition of capital controls in certain non-U.S. countries, Russian sanctions and the closure of the Russian securities market.

The Report noted that the Program complied with the key factors for consideration under the Liquidity Rule for assessing, managing and periodically reviewing each Fund’s liquidity risk, as follows:

 

  a)

The Fund’s investment strategy and liquidity of portfolio investments during both normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions. During the Program Reporting Period, the Committee reviewed whether each Fund’s strategy is appropriate for an open-end fund structure, with a focus on funds with more significant and consistent holdings of less liquid and illiquid assets. The Committee also factored a fund’s concentration in an issuer into the liquidity classification methodology by taking issuer position sizes into account. Derivative exposure was also considered in the calculation of a fund’s liquidity bucketing. Finally, a factor for consideration under the Liquidity Rule is a Fund’s use of borrowings for investment purposes. However, the Funds do not borrow for investment purposes.

 

  b)

Short-term and long-term cash flow projections during both normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions. During the Program Reporting Period, the Committee reviewed historical redemption activity and used this information as a component to establish each ETF’s reasonably anticipated trading size (“RATS”). The Committee may also take into consideration a fund’s shareholder ownership concentration (which, depending on product type and distribution channel, may or may not be available), a fund’s distribution channels, and the degree of certainty associated with a fund’s short-term and long-term cash flow projections.

 

  c)

Holdings of cash and cash equivalents, as well as borrowing arrangements. The Committee considered that ETFs generally do not hold more than de minimis amounts of cash. The Committee also considered that ETFs generally do not engage in borrowing.

 

  d)

The relationship between an ETF’s portfolio liquidity and the way in which, and the prices and spreads at which, ETF shares trade, including the efficiency of the arbitrage function and the level of active participation by market participants, including authorized participants. The Committee monitored the prevailing bid/ask spread and the ETF price premium (or discount) to NAV for all ETFs. However, there were no ETFs with persistent deviations of fund premium/discount or bid/ask spreads from long-term averages over the Program Reporting Period.

 

  e)

The effect of the composition of baskets on the overall liquidity of an ETF’s portfolio. In reviewing the linkage between the composition of custom baskets accepted by an ETF and any significant change in the liquidity profile of such ETF, the Committee reviewed changes in the proportion of each ETF’s portfolio comprised of less liquid and illiquid holdings to determine if applicable thresholds were met requiring enhanced review.

There were no material changes to the Program during the Program Reporting Period other than the enhancement of certain model components in the Program’s classification methodology. The Report provided to the Board stated that the Committee concluded that based on the operation of the functions, as described in the Report, the Program is operating as intended and is effective in implementing the requirements of the Liquidity Rule.

 

 

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General Information

Electronic Delivery

Shareholders can sign up for e-mail notifications announcing that the shareholder report or prospectus has been posted on the iShares website at iShares.com. Once you have enrolled, you will no longer receive prospectuses and shareholder reports in the mail.

To enroll in electronic delivery:

 

   

Go to icsdelivery.com.

 

   

If your brokerage firm is not listed, electronic delivery may not be available. Please contact your broker-dealer or financial advisor.

Householding

Householding is an option available to certain fund investors. Householding is a method of delivery, based on the preference of the individual investor, in which a single copy of certain shareholder documents and Rule 30e-3 notices can be delivered to investors who share the same address, even if their accounts are registered under different names. Please contact your broker-dealer if you are interested in enrolling in householding and receiving a single copy of prospectuses and other shareholder documents, or if you are currently enrolled in householding and wish to change your householding status.

Availability of Quarterly Schedule of Investments

The Funds file their complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to their reports on Form N-PORT. The Funds’ Forms N-PORT are available on the SEC’s website at sec.gov. Additionally, each Fund makes its portfolio holdings for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year available at iShares.com/fundreports.

Availability of Proxy Voting Policies and Proxy Voting Records

A description of the policies and procedures that the iShares Funds use to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities and information about how the iShares Funds voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve-month period ending June 30 is available without charge, upon request (1) by calling toll-free 1-800-474-2737; (2) on the iShares website at iShares.com; and (3) on the SEC website at sec.gov.

A description of the Trust’s policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of the Fund’s portfolio securities is available in the Fund Prospectus. The Fund discloses its portfolio holdings daily and provides information regarding its top holdings in Fund fact sheets at iShares.com.

 

 

E N E R A L  N F O R M A T I O N

  35


Glossary of Terms Used in this Report

 

Portfolio Abbreviation
ADR    American Depositary Receipt
CPO    Certificates of Participation (Ordinary)
GDR    Global Depositary Receipt
JSC    Joint Stock Company
NVDR    Non-Voting Depositary Receipt
NVS    Non-Voting Shares
PJSC    Public Joint Stock Company
REIT    Real Estate Investment Trust
 

 

 

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Want to know more?

iShares.com    |     1-800-474-2737

This report is intended for the Funds’ shareholders. It may not be distributed to prospective investors unless it is preceded or accompanied by the current prospectus.

Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal.

The iShares Funds are distributed by BlackRock Investments, LLC (together with its affiliates, “BlackRock”).

The iShares Funds are not sponsored, endorsed, issued, sold or promoted by MSCI Inc., nor does this company make any representation regarding the advisability of investing in the iShares Funds. BlackRock is not affiliated with the company listed above.

©2023 BlackRock, Inc. All rights reserved. iSHARES and BLACKROCK are registered trademarks of BlackRock, Inc. or its subsidiaries. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.

iS-SAR-820-0223

 

 

 

LOGO

   LOGO         


(b) Not Applicable

Item 2.      Code of Ethics.

Not applicable to this semi-annual report.

Item 3.      Audit Committee Financial Expert.

Not applicable to this semi-annual report.

Item 4.      Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

Not applicable to this semi-annual report.

Item 5.      Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.

Not applicable to this semi-annual report.

Item 6.      Investments.

 

  (a)

Schedules of investments are included as part of the reports to shareholders filed under Item 1 of this Form.

 

  (b)

Not applicable.

Item 7.      Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

Not applicable to the registrant.

Item 8.      Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

Not applicable to the registrant.

Item 9.      Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers.

Not applicable to the registrant.

Item 10.    Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

There were no material changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the registrant’s Board of Trustees.

Item 11.    Controls and Procedures.

 

  (a)

The President (the registrant’s Principal Executive Officer) and Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer (the registrant’s Principal Financial Officer) have concluded that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) are effective as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report, based on their evaluation of these controls and procedures required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and Rules 13a-15(b) or 15d-15(b) under the Exchange Act of 1934.

 

  (b)

There were no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) that occurred during the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Item 12.    Disclosure of Securities Lending Activities for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

Not applicable to the registrant.

Item 13.    Exhibits.

(a) (1) Not applicable to this semi-annual report.

(a) (2) Section 302 Certifications are attached.

(a) (3) Any written solicitation to purchase securities under Rule 23c-1 – Not Applicable

(a) (4) Change in Registrant’s independent public accountant – Not Applicable

(b) Section 906 Certifications are attached.

 


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

iShares Trust

 By: /s/ Dominik Rohe

 Dominik Rohe, President (Principal Executive

 Officer)

 Date:             April 20, 2023

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

 By: /s/ Dominik Rohe

 Dominik Rohe, President (Principal Executive

 Officer)

 Date:             April 20, 2023

 By: /s/ Trent Walker

 Trent Walker, Treasurer and Chief Financial

 Officer (Principal Financial Officer)

 Date:             April 20, 2023