0001193125-12-460946.txt : 20121109 0001193125-12-460946.hdr.sgml : 20121109 20121108181103 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001193125-12-460946 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 497 PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 7 FILED AS OF DATE: 20121109 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20121108 EFFECTIVENESS DATE: 20121109 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: iSHARES INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000930667 IRS NUMBER: 510396525 STATE OF INCORPORATION: MD FISCAL YEAR END: 0831 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 497 SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 033-97598 FILM NUMBER: 121191222 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 400 HOWARD STREET CITY: SAN FRANCISCO STATE: CA ZIP: 94105 BUSINESS PHONE: (415) 670-2000 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 400 HOWARD STREET CITY: SAN FRANCISCO STATE: CA ZIP: 94105 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: ISHARES INC DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 20000516 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: WEBS INDEX FUND INC DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19970211 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: FOREIGN FUND INC DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19950524 0000930667 S000004246 iShares MSCI Australia Index Fund C000011950 iShares MSCI Australia Index Fund EWA 0000930667 S000004247 iShares MSCI Hong Kong Index Fund C000011951 iShares MSCI Hong Kong Index Fund EWH 0000930667 S000004248 iShares MSCI Italy Index Fund C000011952 iShares MSCI Italy Index Fund EWI 0000930667 S000004249 iShares MSCI Japan Index Fund C000011953 iShares MSCI Japan Index Fund EWJ 0000930667 S000004251 iShares MSCI Mexico Investable Market Index Fund C000011955 iShares MSCI Mexico Investable Market Index Fund EWW 0000930667 S000004252 iShares MSCI Netherlands Investable Market Index Fund C000011956 iShares MSCI Netherlands Investable Market Index Fund EWN 0000930667 S000004253 iShares MSCI Pacific ex-Japan Index Fund C000011957 iShares MSCI Pacific ex-Japan Index Fund EPP 0000930667 S000004254 iShares MSCI Singapore Index Fund C000011958 iShares MSCI Singapore Index Fund EWS 0000930667 S000004255 iShares MSCI South Africa Index Fund C000011959 iShares MSCI South Africa Index Fund EZA 0000930667 S000004256 iShares MSCI Spain Index Fund C000011960 iShares MSCI Spain Index Fund EWP 0000930667 S000004257 iShares MSCI Austria Investable Market Index Fund C000011961 iShares MSCI Austria Investable Market Index Fund EWO 0000930667 S000004259 iShares MSCI Sweden Index Fund C000011963 iShares MSCI Sweden Index Fund EWD 0000930667 S000004260 iShares MSCI Switzerland Index Fund C000011964 iShares MSCI Switzerland Index Fund EWL 0000930667 S000004262 iShares MSCI United Kingdom Index Fund C000011966 iShares MSCI United Kingdom Index Fund EWU 0000930667 S000004263 iShares MSCI Belgium Capped Investable Market Index Fund C000011967 iShares MSCI Belgium Capped Investable Market Index Fund EWK 0000930667 S000004265 iShares MSCI Canada Index Fund C000011969 iShares MSCI Canada Index Fund EWC 0000930667 S000004267 iShares MSCI France Index Fund C000011971 iShares MSCI France Index Fund EWQ 0000930667 S000004268 iShares MSCI EMU Index Fund C000011972 iShares MSCI EMU Index Fund EZU 0000930667 S000004269 iShares MSCI Germany Index Fund C000011973 iShares MSCI Germany Index Fund EWG 0000930667 S000018072 iShares MSCI Thailand Investable Market Index Fund C000050068 iShares MSCI Thailand Investable Market Index Fund THD 0000930667 S000018073 iShares MSCI Turkey Investable Market Index Fund C000050069 iShares MSCI Turkey Investable Market Index Fund TUR 0000930667 S000019126 iShares MSCI Japan Small Cap Index Fund C000052898 iShares MSCI Japan Small Cap Index Fund SCJ 0000930667 S000021462 iShares MSCI Israel Capped Investable Market Index Fund C000061365 iShares MSCI Israel Capped Investable Market Index Fund EIS 0000930667 S000022494 iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Eastern Europe Index Fund C000065070 iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Eastern Europe Index Fund ESR 0000930667 S000028709 iShares MSCI USA Index Fund C000087836 iShares MSCI USA Index Fund EUSA 497 1 d429488d497.htm FORM 497 Form 497
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January 1, 2012

(as revised November 9, 2012)

2012 Prospectus

 

iShares MSCI Belgium Capped Investable Market Index Fund

EWK • NYSE ARCA

The Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) has not approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

 

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Table of Contents

Table of Contents

 

Fund Overview      S-1   
More Information About the Fund      1   
A Further Discussion of Principal Risks      2   
A Further Discussion of Other Risks      7   
Portfolio Holdings Information      8   
Management      8   
Shareholder Information      11   
Distribution      19   
Financial Highlights      21   
Index Provider      22   
Disclaimers      22   
Supplemental Information      24   

 

“MSCI Belgium IMI 25/50 Index,” “MSCI Belgium Investable Market IndexSM” and “MSCI Belgium IndexSM” are servicemarks of MSCI Inc. and have been licensed for use for certain purposes by BlackRock Fund Advisors or its affiliates. iShares® is a registered trademark of BlackRock Fund Advisors or its affiliates. The Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, sold, or promoted by MSCI Inc., nor does MSCI Inc. make any representation regarding the advisability of investing in the Fund.

 

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iSHARES® MSCI BELGIUM CAPPED INVESTABLE MARKET INDEX FUND

 

Ticker: EWK   Stock Exchange: NYSE Arca

Investment Objective

The iShares MSCI Belgium Capped Investable Market Index Fund (the “Fund”) seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the MSCI Belgium IMI 25/50 Index (the “Underlying Index”).

Fees and Expenses

The following table describes the fees and expenses that you will incur if you own shares of the Fund. The investment advisory agreement between iShares, Inc. (the “Company”) and BlackRock Fund Advisors (“BFA”) (the “Investment Advisory Agreement”) provides that BFA will pay all operating expenses of the Fund, except interest expenses, taxes, brokerage expenses, future distribution fees or expenses, and extraordinary expenses.

You may also incur usual and customary brokerage commissions when buying or selling shares of the Fund, which are not reflected in the example that follows:

 

Annual Fund Operating Expenses

(ongoing expenses that you pay each year as a

percentage of the value of your investments)1

Management

Fees

 

Distribution and

Service (12b-1)

Fees

 

Other

Expenses

 

Total Annual

Fund

Operating

Expenses

0.53%   None   None   0.53%

 

 

 

  1 

The expense information in the table has been restated, as of the Fund’s most recent fiscal year end, to reflect current fees.

Example. This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of owning shares of the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then sell all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

 

1 Year

 

3 Years

 

5 Years

 

10 Years

$54   $170   $296   $665

Portfolio Turnover. The Fund may pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 12% of the average value of its portfolio.

 

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Principal Investment Strategies

The Underlying Index is designed to measure broad-based equity market performance in Belgium. A capping methodology is applied that limits the weight of any single component to a maximum of 25% of the Underlying Index. Additionally, the sum of the components that individually constitute more than 5% of the weight of the Underlying Index cannot exceed a maximum of 50% of the weight of the Underlying Index in the aggregate. The Underlying Index consists of stocks traded primarily on the Brussels Stock Exchange. As of September 28, 2012, the Underlying Index was comprised of 48 constituents. Component companies include consumer staples, financial and materials companies. The components of the Underlying Index, and the degree to which these components represent certain industries, may change over time.

BFA uses a “passive” or indexing approach to try to achieve the Fund’s investment objective. Unlike many investment companies, the Fund does not try to “beat” the index it tracks and does not seek temporary defensive positions when markets decline or appear overvalued.

Indexing may eliminate the chance that the Fund will substantially outperform the Underlying Index but also may reduce some of the risks of active management, such as poor security selection. Indexing seeks to achieve lower costs and better after-tax performance by keeping portfolio turnover low in comparison to actively managed investment companies.

BFA uses a representative sampling indexing strategy to manage the Fund. “Representative sampling” is an indexing strategy that involves investing in a representative sample of securities that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Underlying Index. The securities selected are expected to have, in the aggregate, investment characteristics (based on factors such as market capitalization and industry weightings), fundamental characteristics (such as return variability and yield) and liquidity measures similar to those of the Underlying Index. The Fund may or may not hold all of the securities in the Underlying Index.

The Fund generally invests at least 90% of its assets in the securities of its Underlying Index and in depositary receipts (“DRs”) representing securities in its Underlying Index. The Fund will at all times invest at least 80% of its assets in the securities of the Underlying Index or in DRs representing securities in its Underlying Index. The Fund may invest the remainder of its assets in other securities, including securities not in the Underlying Index, but which BFA believes will help the Fund track the Underlying Index, and in other investments, including futures contracts, options on futures contracts, other types of options and swaps related to its Underlying Index, as well as cash and cash equivalents, including shares of money market funds advised by BFA or its affiliates.

The Fund may lend securities representing up to one-third of the value of the Fund’s total assets (including the value of the collateral received).

The Underlying Index is sponsored by an organization (the “Index Provider”) that is independent of the Fund and BFA. The Index Provider determines the composition and relative weightings of the securities in the Underlying Index and publishes information regarding the

 

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market value of the Underlying Index. The Fund’s Index Provider is MSCI Inc. (“MSCI”).

Industry Concentration Policy. The Fund will concentrate its investments (i.e., hold 25% or more of its total assets) in a particular industry or group of industries to approximately the same extent that the Underlying Index is concentrated. For purposes of this limitation, securities of the U.S. government (including its agencies and instrumentalities) and repurchase agreements collateralized by U.S. government securities are not considered to be issued by members of any industry.

Summary of Principal Risks

As with any investment, you could lose all or part of your investment in the Fund, and the Fund’s performance could trail that of other investments. The Fund is subject to the principal risks noted below, any of which may adversely affect the Fund’s net asset value per share (“NAV”), trading price, yield, total return and ability to meet its investment objective.

Asset Class Risk. Securities in the Underlying Index or in the Fund’s portfolio may underperform in comparison to the general securities markets or other asset classes.

Concentration Risk. To the extent that the Fund’s investments are concentrated in a particular issuer, region, country, market, industry or asset class, the Fund may be susceptible to loss due to adverse occurrences affecting that issuer, region, country, market, industry or asset class.

Consumer Staples Sector Risk. The consumer staples sector may be affected by marketing campaigns, changes in consumer demands, government regulations and changes in commodity prices.

Currency Risk. Because the Fund’s NAV is determined in U.S. dollars, the Fund’s NAV could decline if the currency of a non-U.S. market in which the Fund invests depreciates against the U.S. dollar.

Equity Securities Risk. Equity securities are subject to changes in value and their values may be more volatile than other asset classes.

Financial Sector Risk. Performance of companies in the financial sector may be adversely impacted by many factors, including, among others, government regulations, economic conditions, credit rating downgrades, changes in interest rates, and decreased liquidity in credit markets. This sector has experienced significant losses in the recent past, and the impact of more stringent capital requirements and of recent or future regulation on any individual financial company or on the sector as a whole cannot be predicted.

Geographic Risk. A natural or other disaster could occur in a geographic region in which the Fund invests, which could affect the economy or particular business operations of companies in the specific geographic region, causing an adverse impact on the Fund’s investments in the affected region.

Issuer Risk. Fund performance depends on the performance of individual securities to which the Fund has exposure. Changes to the financial condition or credit rating of an issuer of those securities may cause the value of the securities to decline.

Lack of Natural Resources Risk. The Fund invests in Belgium, which has few natural resources. Any fluctuation or shortage in the commodity markets

 

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could have a negative impact on the Belgian economy.

Management Risk. As the Fund may not fully replicate the Underlying Index, it is subject to the risk that BFA’s investment management strategy may not produce the intended results.

Market Risk. The Fund could lose money over short periods due to short-term market movements and over longer periods during market downturns.

Market Trading Risk. The Fund faces numerous market trading risks, including the potential lack of an active market for Fund shares, losses from trading in secondary markets, periods of high volatility and disruption in the creation/redemption process of the Fund. ANY OF THESE FACTORS, AMONG OTHERS, MAY LEAD TO THE FUND’S SHARES TRADING AT A PREMIUM OR DISCOUNT TO NAV.

Materials Sector Risk. Companies in the materials sector may be adversely impacted by the volatility of commodity prices, exchange rates, depletion of resources, over-production, litigation and government regulations, among other factors.

Mid-Capitalization Companies Risk. The Fund may invest in the securities of mid-capitalization companies. Compared to large-capitalization companies, mid-capitalization companies may be less stable and more susceptible to adverse developments and their securities may be more volatile and less liquid.

Non-Diversification Risk. The Fund may invest a large percentage of its assets in securities issued by or representing a small number of issuers. As a result, the Fund’s performance may depend on the performance of a small number of issuers.

Non-U.S. Securities Risk. Investments in the securities of non-U.S. issuers are subject to the risks associated with investing in those non-U.S. markets, such as heightened risks of inflation or nationalization. The Fund may lose money due to political, economic and geographic events affecting a Belgian issuer or market. The Fund is specifically exposed to European Economic Risk.

Passive Investment Risk. The Fund is not actively managed and BFA does not attempt to take defensive positions under any market conditions, including declining markets.

Risk of Investing in Belgium. The Fund’s investment in Belgian issuers may subject the Fund to legal, regulatory, political, currency, security, and economic risk specific to Belgium. The Belgian economy is heavily dependent on trade with other European Union (“EU”) countries; a reduction in such trade may cause an adverse impact on the Belgian economy. As result, such risks, among others, may adversely affect the value of the Fund’s investments.

Securities Lending Risk. The Fund may engage in securities lending. Securities lending involves the risk that the Fund may lose money because the borrower of the Fund’s loaned securities fails to return the securities in a timely manner or at all. The Fund could also lose money in the event of a decline in the value of the collateral provided for loaned securities or a decline in the value of any investments made with cash collateral. These events could also trigger adverse tax consequences for the Fund.

Tracking Error Risk. The performance of the Fund may diverge from that of the Underlying Index. Because the Fund employs a representative sampling

 

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strategy, the Fund may experience tracking error to a greater extent than a fund that seeks to replicate an index. BFA EXPECTS THAT THE FUND MAY EXPERIENCE HIGHER TRACKING ERROR THAN IS TYPICAL FOR SIMILAR INDEX EXCHANGE-TRADED FUNDS.

Valuation Risk. The value of the securities in the Fund’s portfolio may change on days when shareholders will not be able to purchase or sell the Fund’s shares.

Performance Information

The bar chart and table that follow show how the Fund has performed on a calendar year basis and provide an indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. Both assume that all dividends and distributions have been reinvested in the Fund. Past performance (before and after taxes) does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. Supplemental information about the Fund’s performance is shown under the heading Total Return Information in the Supplemental Information section of the Fund’s prospectus (the “Prospectus”).

Year by Year Returns1 (Years Ended December 31)

 

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  1 

The Fund’s total return for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 was -13.83%.

The best calendar quarter return during the periods shown above was 30.06% in the 2nd quarter of 2003; the worst was –35.90% in the 4th quarter of 2008.

Updated performance information is available at www.iShares.com or by calling 1-800-iShares (1-800-474-2737) (toll free).

 

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Average Annual Total Returns

(for the periods ended December 31, 2010)

 

    One Year     Five Years     Ten Years  
(Inception Date: 3/12/1996)      

Return Before Taxes

    3.62%        -4.26%        3.33%   

Return After Taxes on Distributions1

    3.62%        -4.30%        2.94%   

Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares1

    3.02%        -3.08%        3.03%   
MSCI Belgium Investable Market Index (Index returns do not reflect deductions for fees, expenses, or taxes)2,3     3.58%        -5.07%        2.15%   

 

 

  1 

After-tax returns in the table above are calculated using the historical highest individual U.S. federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state or local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown, and after-tax returns shown are not relevant to tax-exempt investors or investors who hold shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts (“IRAs”). Fund returns after taxes on distributions and sale of Fund shares are calculated assuming that an investor has sufficient capital gains of the same character from other investments to offset any capital losses from the sale of Fund shares. As a result, Fund returns after taxes on distributions and sale of Fund shares may exceed Fund returns before taxes and/or returns after taxes on distributions.

  2 

Index performance reflects the performance of the MSCI Belgium Index through November 30, 2007 and the MSCI Belgium Investable Market Index thereafter.

  3 

On November 9, 2012, the Fund’s Underlying Index changed from the MSCI Belgium Investable Market Index to the current Underlying Index, the MSCI Belgium IMI 25/50 Index. Since the inception date of the MSCI Belgium IMI 25/50 is August 28, 2012, which occurred outside of the periods covered in the table above, index returns for the MSCI Belgium IMI 25/50 Index are not shown.

 

Management

Investment Adviser. BlackRock Fund Advisors.

Portfolio Managers. Rene Casis, Diane Hsiung and Greg Savage (the “Portfolio Managers”) are primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund. Each Portfolio Manager supervises a portfolio management team. Mr. Casis, Ms. Hsiung and Mr. Savage have been Portfolio Managers of the Fund since 2011, 2008 and 2008, respectively.

Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares

The Fund is an exchange-traded fund (commonly referred to as an “ETF”). Individual Fund shares may only be purchased and sold on a national securities exchange through a broker-dealer. The price of Fund shares is based on market price, and because ETF shares trade at market prices rather than NAV, shares may trade at a price greater than NAV (a premium) or less than NAV (a discount). The Fund will only issue or redeem shares that have been aggregated into blocks of 40,000 shares or multiples thereof (“Creation Units”) to authorized participants who have entered into agreements with the Fund’s distributor. The Fund generally will issue or redeem Creation Units in return for a designated portfolio of securities (and an amount of cash) that the Fund specifies each day.

 

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Tax Information

The Fund intends to make distributions that may be taxable to you as ordinary income or capital gains, unless you are investing through a tax-deferred arrangement such as a 401(k) plan or an IRA.

Payments to Broker-Dealers and other Financial Intermediaries

If you purchase shares of the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), BFA or other related companies may pay the intermediary for marketing activities and presentations, educational training programs, conferences, the development of technology platforms and reporting systems or other services related to the sale or promotion of the Fund. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.

 

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More Information About the Fund

This Prospectus contains important information about investing in the Fund. Please read this Prospectus carefully before you make any investment decisions. Additional information regarding the Fund is available at www.iShares.com.

On November 9, 2012, the name of the Fund changed from the iShares MSCI Belgium Investable Market Index Fund to the iShares MSCI Belgium Capped Investable Market Index Fund and the Fund’s Underlying Index changed from the MSCI Belgium Investable Market Index to the MSCI Belgium IMI 25/50 Index.

BFA is the investment adviser to the Fund. Shares of the Fund are listed for trading on NYSE Arca, Inc. (“NYSE Arca”). The market price for a share of the Fund may be different from the Fund’s most recent NAV.

ETFs are funds that trade like other publicly traded securities. The Fund is designed to track an index. Similar to shares of an index mutual fund, each share of the Fund represents a partial ownership in an underlying portfolio of securities intended to track a market index. Unlike shares of a mutual fund, which can be bought and redeemed from the issuing fund by all shareholders at a price based on NAV, shares of the Fund may be purchased or redeemed directly from the Fund at NAV solely by authorized participants. Also unlike shares of a mutual fund, shares of the Fund are listed on a national securities exchange and trade in the secondary market at market prices that change throughout the day.

The Fund invests in a particular segment of the securities markets and seeks to track the performance of a securities index that generally is not representative of the market as a whole. The Fund is designed to be used as part of broader asset allocation strategies. Accordingly, an investment in the Fund should not constitute a complete investment program.

An index is a theoretical financial calculation while the Fund is an actual investment portfolio. The performance of the Fund and the Underlying Index may vary due to transaction costs, non-U.S. currency valuations, asset valuations, corporate actions (such as mergers and spin-offs), timing variances and differences between the Fund’s portfolio and the Underlying Index resulting from legal restrictions (such as diversification requirements) that apply to the Fund but not to the Underlying Index or to the use of representative sampling. “Tracking error” is the difference between the performance (return) of the Fund’s portfolio and that of the Underlying Index. BFA expects that, over time, the Fund’s tracking error will not exceed 5%. Because the Fund uses a representative sampling indexing strategy, it can be expected to have a larger tracking error than if it used a replication indexing strategy. “Replication” is an indexing strategy in which a fund invests in substantially all of the securities in its underlying index in approximately the same proportions as in the underlying index.

An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and it is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency, BFA or any of its affiliates.

The Fund’s investment objective and the Underlying Index may be changed without shareholder approval.

 

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A Further Discussion of Principal Risks

The Fund is subject to various risks, including the principal risks noted below, any of which may adversely affect the Fund’s NAV, trading price, yield, total return and ability to meet its investment objective. You could lose all or part of your investment in the Fund, and the Fund could underperform other investments.

Asset Class Risk. The securities in the Underlying Index or in the Fund’s portfolio may underperform the returns of other securities or indexes that track other countries, groups of countries, regions, industries, groups of industries, markets, asset classes or sectors. Various types of securities or indexes tend to experience cycles of outperformance and underperformance in comparison to the general securities markets.

Concentration Risk. To the extent that the Fund’s portfolio reflects the Underlying Index’s concentration in the securities of a particular issuer or issuers in a particular country, group of countries, region, market, industry, group of industries, sector or asset class, the Fund may be adversely affected by the performance of those securities, may be subject to increased price volatility and may be more susceptible to adverse economic, market, political or regulatory occurrences affecting that issuer, country, group of countries, region, market, industry, group of industries, sector or asset class.

Consumer Staples Sector Risk. The Fund invests in companies in the consumer staples sector. The consumer staples sector may be affected by the permissibility of using various food additives and production methods, marketing campaigns and other factors affecting consumer demand. Tobacco companies, in particular, may be adversely affected by new laws, regulations and litigation. The consumer staples sector may also be adversely affected by changes or trends in commodity prices, which may be influenced or characterized by unpredictable factors.

Currency Risk. Because the Fund’s NAV is determined on the basis of the U.S. dollar, investors may lose money if the currency of a non-U.S. market in which the Fund invests depreciates against the U.S. dollar, even if the local currency value of the Fund’s holdings in that market increases.

Equity Securities Risk. The Fund invests in equity securities, which are subject to changes in value that may be attributable to market perception of a particular issuer or to general stock market fluctuations that affect all issuers. Investments in equity securities may be more volatile than investments in other asset classes.

European Economic Risk. The Economic and Monetary Union of the EU requires member countries to comply with restrictions on inflation rates, deficits, interest rates, debt levels and fiscal and monetary controls, each of which may significantly affect every country in Europe. Decreasing imports or exports, changes in governmental or EU regulations on trade, changes in the exchange rate of the euro, the default or threat of default by an EU member country on its sovereign debt, and/or an economic recession in an EU member country may have a significant adverse effect on the economies of EU member countries and their trading partners. The European financial markets have recently experienced volatility and have been adversely affected by concerns about economic downturns, credit rating downgrades, rising government debt levels and possible default on or restructuring of government debt in several European countries,

 

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including Greece, Ireland, Italy, Portugal and Spain. A default or debt restructuring by any European country would adversely impact holders of that country’s debt, and sellers of credit default swaps linked to that country’s creditworthiness, which may be located in countries other than those listed in the previous sentence. These events have adversely affected the value and exchange rate of the euro and may continue to significantly affect the economies of every country in Europe, including EU member countries that do not use the euro and non-EU member countries.

Financial Sector Risk. Companies in the financial sector of an economy are often subject to extensive governmental regulation and, recently, government intervention and the potential for additional regulation, which may adversely affect the scope of their activities, the prices they can charge and the amount of capital they must maintain. Governmental regulation may change frequently and may have significant adverse consequences for companies in the financial sector, including effects not intended by such regulation. The impact of recent or future regulation in various countries on any individual financial company or on the sector as a whole cannot be predicted. Certain risks may impact the value of investments in the financial sector more severely than investments outside this sector, including the risks associated with companies that operate with substantial financial leverage. Companies in the financial sector may also be adversely affected by increases in interest rates and loan losses, decreases in the availability of money or asset valuations, credit rating downgrades and adverse conditions in other related markets. Over the past few years, the deterioration of the credit markets has impacted a broad range of mortgage, asset-backed, auction rate, sovereign debt and other markets, including U.S. and non-U.S. credit and interbank money markets, thereby affecting a wide range of financial institutions and markets. A number of large financial institutions have failed, merged with stronger institutions or have had significant government infusions of capital. This situation has created instability in the financial markets and caused certain financial companies to incur large losses. Some financial companies have experienced declines in the valuations of their assets, taken actions to raise capital (such as the issuance of debt or equity securities), or even ceased operations. Some financial companies have borrowed significant amounts of capital from governments and may face future government-imposed restrictions on their businesses or increased government intervention. These actions have caused the securities of many financial companies to decline in value. Insurance companies, in particular, may be subject to severe price competition and/or rate regulation, which may have an adverse impact on their profitability. The financial sector is particularly sensitive to fluctuations in interest rates.

Geographic Risk. Belgium’s geographic location near the center of Europe’s transportation network makes it vulnerable to environmental events (such as pollution, oil spills, etc.) that may have an adverse impact on the Belgian economy and the securities to which the Fund has exposure. Belgium also faces a significant risk of major flooding which could adversely affect the country’s economy.

Issuer Risk. The performance of the Fund depends on the performance of individual securities to which the Fund has exposure. Any issuer of these securities may perform poorly, causing the value of its securities to decline. Poor performance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, changes in technology,

 

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expiration of patent protection, disruptions in supply, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures or other factors. Issuers may, in times of distress or at their own discretion, decide to reduce or eliminate dividends, which may also cause their stock prices to decline.

Lack of Natural Resources Risk. Except for its coal, which is no longer economical to exploit, Belgium has virtually no natural resources. Belgium is reliant on imports for its commodity needs. Any fluctuations or shortages in the commodity markets could have a negative impact on the Belgian economy.

Management Risk. The Fund may not fully replicate the Underlying Index and may hold securities not included in the Underlying Index. As a result, the Fund is subject to the risk that BFA’s investment management strategy, the implementation of which is subject to a number of constraints, may not produce the intended results.

Market Risk. The Fund could lose money due to short-term market movements and over longer periods during market downturns. Securities may decline in value due to factors affecting securities markets generally or particular industries represented in the markets. The value of a security may decline due to general market conditions, economic trends or events that are not specifically related to the issuer of the security or to factors that affect a particular industry or industries. During a general downturn in the securities markets, multiple asset classes may be negatively affected.

Market Trading Risk

Absence of Active Market. Although shares of the Fund are listed for trading on one or more stock exchanges, there can be no assurance that an active trading market for such shares will develop or be maintained.

Risk of Secondary Listings. The Fund’s shares may be listed or traded on U.S. and non-U.S. stock exchanges other than the U.S. stock exchange where the Fund’s primary listing is maintained. There can be no assurance that the Fund’s shares will continue to trade on any such stock exchange or in any market or that the Fund’s shares will continue to meet the requirements for listing or trading on any exchange or in any market. The Fund’s shares may be less actively traded in certain markets than others, and investors are subject to the execution and settlement risks and market standards of the market where they or their broker direct their trades for execution. Certain information available to investors who trade Fund shares on a U.S. stock exchange during regular U.S. market hours may not be available to investors who trade in other markets, which may result in secondary market prices in such markets being less efficient.

Secondary Market Trading Risk. Shares of the Fund may trade in the secondary market at times when the Fund does not accept orders to purchase or redeem shares. At such times, shares may trade in the secondary market with more significant premiums or discounts than might be experienced at times when the Fund accepts purchase and redemption orders.

Secondary market trading in Fund shares may be halted by a stock exchange because of market conditions or other reasons. In addition, trading in Fund shares on a stock exchange or in any market may be subject to trading halts caused by extraordinary market volatility pursuant to “circuit breaker” rules on the stock exchange or market.

 

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There can be no assurance that the requirements necessary to maintain the listing or trading of Fund shares will continue to be met or will remain unchanged.

Shares of the Fund, similar to shares of issuers listed on a stock exchange, may be sold short and are therefore subject to the risk of increased volatility associated with short selling.

Shares of the Fund May Trade at Prices Other Than NAV. Shares of the Fund trade on stock exchanges at prices at, above or below their most recent NAV. The NAV of the Fund is calculated at the end of each business day and fluctuates with changes in the market value of the Fund’s holdings since the most recent calculation. The trading prices of the Fund’s shares fluctuate continuously throughout trading hours based on market supply and demand rather than NAV. The trading prices of the Fund’s shares may deviate significantly from NAV during periods of market volatility. ANY OF THESE FACTORS, AMONG OTHERS, MAY LEAD TO THE FUND’S SHARES TRADING AT A PREMIUM OR DISCOUNT TO NAV. However, because shares can be created and redeemed in Creation Units at NAV (unlike shares of many closed-end funds, which frequently trade at appreciable discounts from, and sometimes at premiums to, their NAVs), BFA believes that large discounts or premiums to the NAV of the Fund are not likely to be sustained over the long-term. While the creation/redemption feature is designed to make it likely that the Fund’s shares normally will trade on stock exchanges at prices close to the Fund’s next calculated NAV, exchange prices are not expected to correlate exactly with the Fund’s NAV due to timing reasons as well as market supply and demand factors. In addition, disruptions to creations and redemptions or extreme market volatility may result in trading prices for shares of the Fund that differ significantly from its NAV.

Costs of Buying or Selling Fund Shares. Buying or selling Fund shares on an exchange involves two types of costs that apply to all securities transactions. When buying or selling shares of the Fund through a broker, you will likely incur a brokerage commission or other charges imposed by brokers as determined by that broker. In addition, you may incur the cost of the “spread” – that is, the difference between what investors are willing to pay for Fund shares (the “bid” price) and the price at which they are willing to sell Fund shares (the “ask” price). Because of the costs inherent in buying or selling Fund shares, frequent trading may detract significantly from investment results and an investment in Fund shares may not be advisable for investors who anticipate regularly making small investments.

Materials Sector Risk. Companies in the materials sector may be adversely affected by commodity price volatility, exchange rates, import controls, increased competition, depletion of resources, technical progress, labor relations, exchange rates and government regulations, among other factors. Also, companies in the materials sector are at risk of liability for environmental damage and product liability claims. Production of materials may exceed demand as a result of market imbalances or economic downturns, leading to poor investment returns.

Mid-Capitalization Companies Risk. Many of the companies in which the Fund invests are considered mid-capitalization companies. Stock prices of mid-capitalization companies may be more volatile than those of large-capitalization companies and, therefore, the Fund’s share price may be more volatile than those of funds that invest a

 

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larger percentage of their assets in stocks issued by large-capitalization companies. Stock prices of mid-capitalization companies are also more vulnerable than those of large-capitalization companies to adverse business or economic developments, and the stocks of mid-capitalization companies may be less liquid, making it difficult for the Fund to buy and sell them. In addition, mid-capitalization companies generally have less diverse product lines than large-capitalization companies and are more susceptible to adverse developments related to their products.

Non-Diversification Risk. The Fund is classified as “non-diversified.” This means that the Fund may invest a large percentage of its assets in securities issued by or representing a small number of issuers. As a result, the Fund may be more susceptible to the risks associated with these particular issuers, or to a single economic, political or regulatory occurrence affecting these issuers.

Non-U.S. Securities Risk. Investments in the securities of non-U.S. issuers are subject to all of the risks of investing in the markets where such issuers are located, including heightened risks of inflation or nationalization and market fluctuations caused by economic and political developments. As a result of investing in non-U.S. securities, the Fund may be subject to increased risk of loss caused by any of the factors listed below:

 

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Lower levels of liquidity and market efficiency;

 

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Greater securities price volatility;

 

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Exchange rate fluctuations and exchange controls;

 

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Less availability of public information about issuers;

 

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Limitations on foreign ownership of securities;

 

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Imposition of withholding or other taxes;

 

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Imposition of restrictions on the expatriation of the funds or other assets of the Fund;

 

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Higher transaction and custody costs and delays in settlement procedures;

 

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Difficulties in enforcing contractual obligations;

 

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Lower levels of regulation of the securities market;

 

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Weaker accounting, disclosure and reporting requirements; and

 

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Legal principles related to corporate governance, directors’ fiduciary duties and liabilities and stockholders’ rights in markets in which the Fund invests may differ and/or may not be as extensive or protective as those that apply in the United States.

Passive Investment Risk. The Fund is not actively managed and may be affected by a general decline in market segments related to the Underlying Index. The Fund invests in securities included in, or representative of, the Underlying Index regardless of their investment merits. BFA generally does not attempt to take defensive positions under any market conditions, including declining markets.

Risk of Investing in Belgium. Investment in Belgian issuers may subject the Fund to legal, regulatory, political, currency, security, and economic risk specific to Belgium. Although Belgium has few natural resources and imports substantial amounts of raw

 

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materials, it has an established industrial sector, which is responsible for exporting large volume of finished goods to other European countries. Belgium relies heavily on trade with key trading partners. Most of Belgium’s trade is with fellow EU members. As a result, Belgium is dependent on the economies of other EU countries and any change in the price or demand for its exports may have an adverse impact on its economy.

Securities Lending Risk. The Fund may engage in securities lending. Securities lending involves the risk that the Fund may lose money because the borrower of the Fund’s loaned securities fails to return the securities in a timely manner or at all. The Fund could also lose money in the event of a decline in the value of the collateral provided for the loaned securities or a decline in the value of any investments made with cash collateral. These events could also trigger adverse tax consequences for the Fund.

Tracking Error Risk. Imperfect correlation between the Fund’s portfolio securities and those in the Underlying Index, rounding of prices, changes to the Underlying Index and regulatory requirements may cause tracking error, which is the divergence of the Fund’s performance from that of the Underlying Index. This risk may be heightened during times of increased market volatility or other unusual market conditions. Tracking error also may result because the Fund incurs fees and expenses, while the Underlying Index does not. Because the Fund employs a representative sampling strategy, the Fund may experience tracking error to a greater extent than a fund that seeks to replicate an index. BFA EXPECTS THAT THE FUND MAY EXPERIENCE HIGHER TRACKING ERROR THAN IS TYPICAL FOR SIMILAR INDEX ETFS.

Valuation Risk. Because non-U.S. exchanges may be open on days when the Fund does not price its shares, the value of the securities in the Fund’s portfolio may change on days when shareholders will not be able to purchase or sell the Fund’s shares. In addition, for purposes of calculating the Fund’s NAV, the value of assets denominated in non-U.S. currencies is converted into U.S. dollars using exchange rates deemed appropriate by BFA. This conversion may result in a difference between the prices used to calculate the Fund’s NAV and the prices used by the Underlying Index, which, in turn, could result in a difference between the Fund’s performance and the performance of the Underlying Index.

A Further Discussion of Other Risks

The Fund may also be subject to certain other risks associated with its investments and investment strategies.

Health Care Sector Risk. The profitability of companies in the health care sector may be affected by extensive government regulations, restrictions on government reimbursement for medical expenses, rising costs of medical products and services, pricing pressure, an increased emphasis on outpatient services, limited number of products, industry innovation, changes in technologies and other market developments. Many health care companies are heavily dependent on patent protection. The expiration of patents may adversely affect the profitability of these companies. Many health care companies are subject to extensive litigation based on product liability and similar claims. Health care companies are subject to competitive forces that may make it difficult to raise prices and, in fact, may result in price discounting. Many new

 

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products in the health care sector may be subject to regulatory approvals. The process of obtaining such approvals may be long and costly. Companies in the health care sector may be thinly capitalized and may be susceptible to product obsolescence.

Telecommunications Sector Risk. The telecommunications sector of an economy is often subject to extensive government regulation. The costs of complying with governmental regulations, delays or failure to receive required regulatory approvals, or the enactment of new adverse regulatory requirements may negatively affect the business of the telecommunications companies. Government actions around the world, specifically in the area of pre-marketing clearance of products and prices, can be arbitrary and unpredictable. Companies in the telecommunications sector may encounter distressed cash flows due to the need to commit substantial capital to meet increasing competition, particularly in formulating new products and services using new technology. Technological innovations may make the products and services of telecommunications companies obsolete.

Portfolio Holdings Information

A description of the Company’s policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of the Fund’s portfolio securities is available in the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”). The top holdings of the Fund can be found at www.iShares.com. Fund fact sheets provide information regarding the Fund’s top holdings and may be requested by calling 1-800-iShares (1-800-474-2737).

Management

Investment Adviser. As investment adviser, BFA has overall responsibility for the general management and administration of the Company. BFA provides an investment program for the Fund and manages the investment of the Fund’s assets. In managing the Fund, BFA may draw upon the research and expertise of its asset management affiliates with respect to certain portfolio securities. In seeking to achieve the Fund’s investment objective, BFA uses teams of portfolio managers, investment strategists and other investment specialists. This team approach brings together many disciplines and leverages BFA’s extensive resources.

Pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement between BFA and the Company (entered into on behalf of the Fund), BFA is responsible for substantially all expenses of the Fund, except interest expenses, taxes, brokerage expenses, future distribution fees or expenses and extraordinary expenses.

For its investment advisory services to the Fund, BFA is entitled to receive a management fee from the Fund corresponding to the Fund’s allocable portion of an aggregate management fee based on the aggregate average daily net assets of the following iShares funds: iShares MSCI Australia Index Fund, iShares MSCI Austria Investable Market Index Fund, iShares MSCI Belgium Capped Investable Market Index Fund, iShares MSCI Canada Index Fund, iShares MSCI EMU Index Fund, iShares MSCI France Index Fund, iShares MSCI Germany Index Fund, iShares MSCI Hong Kong Index Fund, iShares MSCI Ireland Capped Investable Market Index Fund, iShares MSCI Italy Index Fund, iShares MSCI Japan Index Fund, iShares MSCI Japan Small Cap Index Fund, iShares MSCI Malaysia Index Fund, iShares MSCI Mexico Investable Market Index Fund,

 

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iShares MSCI Netherlands Investable Market Index Fund, iShares MSCI New Zealand Investable Market Index Fund, iShares MSCI Singapore Index Fund, iShares MSCI Spain Index Fund, iShares MSCI Sweden Index Fund, iShares MSCI Switzerland Index Fund and iShares MSCI United Kingdom Index Fund. The aggregate management fee is calculated as follows: 0.59% per annum of the aggregate net assets less than or equal to $7.0 billion, plus 0.54% per annum of the aggregate net assets over $7.0 billion, up to and including $11.0 billion, plus 0.49% per annum of the aggregate net assets over $11.0 billion, up to and including $24.0 billion, plus 0.44% per annum of the aggregate net assets over $24.0 billion, up to and including $48.0 billion, plus 0.40% per annum of the aggregate net assets in excess of $48.0 billion. As calculated on August 31, 2012, for its investment advisory services to the Fund, BFA is entitled to receive a management fee from the Fund, based on a percentage of the Fund’s average daily net assets, at an annual rate of 0.53%.

BFA is located at 400 Howard Street, San Francisco, CA 94105. It is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of BlackRock, Inc. (“BlackRock”). As of September 30, 2011, BFA and its affiliates, including BTC and BlackRock, provided investment advisory services for assets in excess of $3.35 trillion. BFA, BTC, BlackRock Execution Services, BlackRock and their affiliates deal, trade and invest for their own accounts in the types of securities in which the Fund may also invest.

A discussion regarding the basis for the Company’s Board of Directors’ (the “Board”) approval of the Investment Advisory Agreement with BFA is available in the Fund’s annual report for the period ended August 31.

Portfolio Managers. Rene Casis, Diane Hsiung and Greg Savage are primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund. Each Portfolio Manager is responsible for various functions related to portfolio management, including, but not limited to, investing cash inflows, coordinating with members of his or her portfolio management team to focus on certain asset classes, implementing investment strategy, researching and reviewing investment strategy and overseeing members of his or her portfolio management team that have more limited responsibilities.

Rene Casis has been employed by BFA (formerly, Barclays Global Fund Advisors (“BGFA”)) and BTC (formerly, Barclays Global Investors, N.A. (“BGI”)) as a senior portfolio manager since 2009. From 2005 to 2009, Mr. Casis was a trader at Barclays Capital. Prior to that, Mr. Casis was a portfolio manager from 2000 to 2005 for BGFA and BGI. Mr. Casis has been a Portfolio Manager of the Fund since 2011.

Diane Hsiung has been employed by BFA and BTC as a senior portfolio manager since 2007. Prior to that, Ms. Hsiung was a portfolio manager from 2002 to 2006 for BGFA and BGI. Ms. Hsiung has been a Portfolio Manager of the Fund since 2008.

Greg Savage has been employed by BFA and BTC as a senior portfolio manager since 2006. Prior to that, Mr. Savage was a portfolio manager from 2001 to 2006 for BGFA and BGI. Mr. Savage has been a Portfolio Manager of the Fund since 2008.

The Fund’s SAI provides additional information about the Portfolio Managers’ compensation, other accounts managed by the Portfolio Managers and the Portfolio Managers’ ownership (if any) of shares in the Fund.

 

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Administrator, Custodian and Transfer Agent. State Street Bank and Trust Company (“State Street”) is the administrator, custodian and transfer agent for the Fund.

Conflicts of Interest. BFA wants you to know that there are certain entities with which BFA has relationships that may give rise to conflicts of interest, or the appearance of conflicts of interest. These entities include the following: BFA’s affiliates (including BlackRock and The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc., and each of their affiliates, directors, partners, trustees, managing members, officers and employees (collectively, the “Affiliates”)) and BlackRock’s significant shareholder, Barclays Bank PLC and its affiliates, including Barclays PLC (each, an “Entity” and together, the “Entities”).

The activities of BFA, the Affiliates and the Entities in the management of, or their interest in, their own accounts and other accounts they manage, may present conflicts of interest that could disadvantage the Fund and its shareholders. BFA and its Affiliates or the Entities provide investment management services to other funds and discretionary managed accounts that may follow an investment program similar to that of the Fund. BFA, its Affiliates and the Entities are involved worldwide with a broad spectrum of financial services and asset management activities and may engage in the ordinary course of business in activities in which their interests or the interests of their clients may conflict with those of the Fund. BFA, one or more of the Affiliates or the Entities acts, or may act, as an investor, investment banker, research provider, investment manager, financier, underwriter, advisor, market maker, trader, prime broker, lender, agent or principal, and have other direct and indirect interests, in securities, currencies and other instruments in which the Fund may directly or indirectly invest. Thus, it is likely that the Fund will have multiple business relationships with and will invest in, engage in transactions with, make voting decisions with respect to, or obtain services from, entities for which BFA, an Affiliate or an Entity performs or seeks to perform investment banking or other services.

BFA or one or more Affiliates or Entities may engage in proprietary trading and advise accounts and funds that have investment objectives similar to those of the Fund and/or that engage in and compete for transactions in the same types of securities, currencies and other instruments as the Fund, including in securities issued by other open-end and closed-end investment management companies, including investment companies that are affiliated with the Fund and BFA, to the extent permitted under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). The trading activities of BFA, these Affiliates and Entities are carried out without reference to positions held directly or indirectly by the Fund and may result in BFA, an Affiliate or an Entity having positions that are adverse to those of the Fund.

No Affiliate or Entity is under any obligation to share any investment opportunity, idea or strategy with the Fund. As a result, an Affiliate or an Entity may compete with the Fund for appropriate investment opportunities. As a result of this and several other factors, the results of the Fund’s investment activities may differ from those of an Affiliate or an Entity and of other accounts managed by an Affiliate or an Entity, and it is possible that the Fund could sustain losses during periods in which one or more Affiliates or Entities and other accounts achieve profits on their trading for proprietary or other accounts. The opposite result is also possible.

 

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The Fund may, from time to time, enter into transactions in which BFA or an Affiliate’s or an Entity’s clients have an interest adverse to the Fund. Furthermore, transactions undertaken by Affiliate-advised clients may adversely impact the Fund. Transactions by one or more Affiliate- or Entity-advised clients or BFA may have the effect of diluting or otherwise disadvantaging the values, prices or investment strategies of the Fund.

An Entity may maintain securities indices as part of its product offerings. Index-based funds seek to track the performance of securities indices and may use the name of the index in the fund name. Index providers, including the Entities, may be paid licensing fees for use of their indices or index names. Entities will not be obligated to license their indices to BFA and its Affiliates, and BFA and its Affiliates will not be assured that the terms of any index licensing agreement with the Entities will be as favorable as those terms offered to other index licensees.

The Fund’s activities may be limited because of regulatory restrictions applicable to one or more Affiliates or Entities, and/or their internal policies designed to comply with such restrictions. In addition, the Fund may invest in securities of companies with which an Affiliate or an Entity has or is trying to develop investment banking relationships or in which an Affiliate or an Entity has significant debt or equity investments. The Fund also may invest in securities of companies for which an Affiliate or an Entity provides or may some day provide research coverage. An Affiliate or an Entity may have business relationships with and purchase or distribute or sell services or products from or to distributors, consultants or others who recommend the Fund or who engage in transactions with or for the Fund, and may receive compensation for such services. The Fund may also make brokerage and other payments to Affiliates or Entities in connection with the Fund’s portfolio investment transactions.

Pursuant to a securities lending program approved by the Board, the Fund has retained an Affiliate of BFA to serve as the securities lending agent for the Fund to the extent that the Fund participates in the securities lending program. For these services, the lending agent may receive a fee from the Fund, including a fee based on the returns earned on the Fund’s investment of the cash received as collateral for any loaned securities. In addition, one or more Affiliates may be among the entities to which the Fund may lend its portfolio securities under the securities lending program.

The activities of BFA, the Affiliates or Entities may give rise to other conflicts of interest that could disadvantage the Fund and its shareholders. BFA has adopted policies and procedures designed to address these potential conflicts of interest. See the Fund’s SAI for further information.

Shareholder Information

Additional shareholder information, including how to buy and sell shares of the Fund, is available free of charge by calling toll-free: 1-800-iShares (1-800-474-2737) or visiting our website at www.iShares.com.

Buying and Selling Shares. Shares of the Fund may be acquired or redeemed directly from the Fund only in Creation Units or multiples thereof, as discussed in the Creations and Redemptions section of this Prospectus. Only an Authorized Participant (as defined in the Creations and Redemptions section) may engage in creation or redemption transactions directly with the Fund. Once created, shares of the Fund generally trade in the secondary market in amounts less than a Creation Unit.

 

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Shares of the Fund are listed on a national securities exchange for trading during the trading day. Shares can be bought and sold throughout the trading day like shares of other publicly traded companies. The Company does not impose any minimum investment for shares of the Fund purchased on an exchange. The Fund’s shares trade under the trading symbol “EWK.”

Buying or selling Fund shares on an exchange involves two types of costs that may apply to all securities transactions. When buying or selling shares of the Fund through a broker, you will likely incur a brokerage commission or other charges determined by your broker. The commission is frequently a fixed amount and may be a significant proportional cost for investors seeking to buy or sell small amounts of shares. In addition, you may incur the cost of the “spread” – that is, any difference between the bid price and the ask price. The spread varies over time for shares of the Fund based on its trading volume and market liquidity, and is generally lower if the Fund has a lot of trading volume and market liquidity, and higher if the Fund has little trading volume and market liquidity.

The Board has adopted a policy of not monitoring for frequent purchases and redemptions of Fund shares (“frequent trading”) that appear to attempt to take advantage of a potential arbitrage opportunity presented by a lag between a change in the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities after the close of the primary markets for the Fund’s portfolio securities and the reflection of that change in the Fund’s NAV (“market timing”), because the Fund generally sells and redeems its shares directly through transactions that are in-kind and/or for cash, subject to the conditions described below under Creations and Redemptions. The Board has not adopted a policy of monitoring for other frequent trading activity because shares of the Fund are listed for trading on a national securities exchange.

The national securities exchange on which the Fund’s shares are listed is open for trading Monday through Friday and is closed on weekends and the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. The Fund’s primary listing exchange is NYSE Arca.

Section 12(d)(1) of the 1940 Act restricts investments by investment companies in the securities of other investment companies. Registered investment companies are permitted to invest in the Fund beyond the limits set forth in Section 12(d)(1), subject to certain terms and conditions set forth in SEC rules or in an SEC exemptive order issued to the Company. In order for a registered investment company to invest in shares of the Fund beyond the limitations of Section 12(d)(1) pursuant to the exemptive relief obtained by the Company, the registered investment company must enter into an agreement with the Company.

Book Entry. Shares of the Fund are held in book-entry form, which means that no stock certificates are issued. The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) or its nominee is the record owner of all outstanding shares of the Fund and is recognized as the owner of all shares for all purposes.

Investors owning shares of the Fund are beneficial owners as shown on the records of DTC or its participants. DTC serves as the securities depository for shares of the Fund.

 

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DTC participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and other institutions that directly or indirectly maintain a custodial relationship with DTC. As a beneficial owner of shares, you are not entitled to receive physical delivery of stock certificates or to have shares registered in your name, and you are not considered a registered owner of shares. Therefore, to exercise any right as an owner of shares, you must rely upon the procedures of DTC and its participants. These procedures are the same as those that apply to any other securities that you hold in book-entry or “street name” form.

Share Prices. The trading prices of the Fund’s shares in the secondary market generally differ from the Fund’s daily NAV and are affected by market forces such as supply and demand, economic conditions and other factors. Information regarding the intraday value of shares of the Fund, also known as the “indicative optimized portfolio value” (“IOPV”), is disseminated every 15 seconds throughout the trading day by the national securities exchange on which the Fund’s shares are listed or by market data vendors or other information providers. The IOPV is based on the current market value of the securities and/or cash required to be deposited in exchange for a Creation Unit. The IOPV does not necessarily reflect the precise composition of the current portfolio of securities held by the Fund at a particular point in time or the best possible valuation of the current portfolio. Therefore, the IOPV should not be viewed as a “real-time” update of the Fund’s NAV, which is computed only once a day. The IOPV is generally determined by using both current market quotations and/or price quotations obtained from broker-dealers that may trade in the portfolio securities held by the Fund. The quotations of certain Fund holdings may not be updated during U.S. trading hours if such holdings do not trade in the United States. The Fund is not involved in, or responsible for, the calculation or dissemination of the IOPV and makes no representation or warranty as to its accuracy.

Determination of Net Asset Value. The NAV of the Fund normally is determined once daily Monday through Friday, generally as of the regularly scheduled close of business of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) (normally 4:00 p.m., Eastern time) on each day that the NYSE is open for trading, based on prices at the time of closing provided that (a) any Fund assets or liabilities denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar are translated into U.S. dollars at the prevailing market rates on the date of valuation as quoted by one or more data service providers (as detailed below) and (b) U.S. fixed-income assets may be valued as of the announced closing time for trading in fixed-income instruments in a particular market or exchange. The NAV of the Fund is calculated by dividing the value of the net assets of the Fund (i.e., the value of its total assets less total liabilities) by the total number of outstanding shares of the Fund, generally rounded to the nearest cent.

The value of the securities and other assets held by the Fund, and its liabilities, are determined pursuant to valuation policies and procedures approved by the Board. The Fund’s assets and liabilities are valued primarily on the basis of market quotations.

Equity investments are valued at market value, which is generally determined using the last reported official closing price or last trading price on the exchange or market on which the security is primarily traded at the time of valuation.

 

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The Fund invests in non-U.S. securities. Foreign currency exchange rates are generally determined as of 4:00 p.m., London time. Non-U.S. securities held by the Fund may trade on weekends or other days when the Fund does not price its shares. As a result, the Fund’s NAV may change on days when Authorized Participants will not be able to purchase or redeem Fund shares.

Generally, trading in non-U.S. securities, U.S. government securities, money market instruments and certain fixed-income securities is substantially completed each day at various times prior to the close of business on the NYSE. The values of such securities used in computing the NAV of the Fund are determined as of such times.

When market quotations are not readily available or are believed by BFA to be unreliable, the Fund’s investments are valued at fair value. Fair value determinations are made by BFA in accordance with policies and procedures approved by the Fund’s Board. BFA may conclude that a market quotation is not readily available or is unreliable if a security or other asset or liability does not have a price source due to its lack of liquidity, if a market quotation differs significantly from recent price quotations or otherwise no longer appears to reflect fair value, where the security or other asset or liability is thinly traded, or where there is a significant event subsequent to the most recent market quotation. A “significant event” is an event that, in the judgment of BFA, is likely to cause a material change to the closing market price of the asset or liability held by the Fund. Non-U.S. securities whose values are affected by volatility that occurs in U.S. markets on a trading day after the close of non-U.S. securities markets may be fair valued.

Fair value represents a good faith approximation of the value of an asset or liability. The fair value of an asset or liability held by the Fund is the amount the Fund might reasonably expect to receive from the current sale of that asset or the cost to extinguish that liability in an arm’s-length transaction. Valuing the Fund’s investments using fair value pricing will result in prices that may differ from current market valuations and that may not be the prices at which those investments could have been sold during the period in which the particular fair values were used. Use of fair value prices and certain current market valuations could result in a difference between the prices used to calculate the Fund’s NAV and the prices used by the Underlying Index, which, in turn, could result in a difference between the Fund’s performance and the performance of the Underlying Index.

The value of assets or liabilities denominated in non-U.S. currencies will be converted into U.S. dollars using exchange rates deemed appropriate by BFA as investment adviser. Use of a rate different from the rate used by the Index Provider may adversely affect the Fund’s ability to track the Underlying Index.

Dividends and Distributions

General Policies. Dividends from net investment income, if any, generally are declared and paid semi-annually by the Fund. Distributions of net realized securities gains, if any, generally are declared and paid once a year, but the Company may make distributions on a more frequent basis for the Fund. The Company reserves the right to declare special distributions if, in its reasonable discretion, such action is necessary or

 

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advisable to preserve its status as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) or to avoid imposition of income or excise taxes on undistributed income or realized gains.

Dividends and other distributions on shares of the Fund are distributed on a pro rata basis to beneficial owners of such shares. Dividend payments are made through DTC participants and indirect participants to beneficial owners then of record with proceeds received from the Fund.

Dividend Reinvestment Service. No dividend reinvestment service is provided by the Company. Broker-dealers may make available the DTC book-entry Dividend Reinvestment Service for use by beneficial owners of the Fund for reinvestment of their dividend distributions. Beneficial owners should contact their broker to determine the availability and costs of the service and the details of participation therein. Brokers may require beneficial owners to adhere to specific procedures and timetables. If this service is available and used, dividend distributions of both income and realized gains will be automatically reinvested in additional whole shares of the Fund purchased in the secondary market.

Taxes. As with any investment, you should consider how your investment in shares of the Fund will be taxed. The tax information in this Prospectus is provided as general information, based on current law. You should consult your own tax professional about the tax consequences of an investment in shares of the Fund.

Unless your investment in Fund shares is made through a tax-exempt entity or tax-deferred retirement account, such as an IRA, you need to be aware of the possible tax consequences when the Fund makes distributions or you sell Fund shares.

Taxes on Distributions. Distributions from the Fund’s net investment income (other than qualified dividend income), including distributions of income from securities lending and distributions out of the Fund’s net short-term capital gains, if any, are taxable to you as ordinary income. Distributions by the Fund of net long-term capital gains in excess of net short-term capital losses (capital gain dividends) are taxable to you as long-term capital gains, generally at a 15% tax rate (0% at certain income levels), regardless of how long you have held the Fund’s shares. Distributions by the Fund that qualify as qualified dividend income are taxable to you at long-term capital gain rates for taxable years beginning on or before December 31, 2012. The 15% and 0% tax rates expire for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012. Maximum long-term capital gain income tax rates are scheduled to rise to 20% in 2013. Beginning in 2013, a 3.8% U.S. federal Medicare contribution tax will be imposed on “net investment income,” including interest, dividends, and capital gains, of U.S. individuals with income exceeding $200,000 (or $250,000 if married and filing jointly), and of estates and trusts.

Dividends will be qualified dividend income to you if they are attributable to qualified dividend income received by the Fund. Generally, qualified dividend income includes dividend income from taxable U.S. corporations and qualified non-U.S. corporations, provided that the Fund satisfies certain holding period requirements in respect of the stock of such corporations and has not hedged its position in the stock in certain ways. Substitute dividends received by the Fund with respect to dividends paid on securities lent out will not be qualified dividend income. For this purpose, a qualified non-U.S. corporation means any non-U.S. corporation that is eligible for benefits under a

 

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comprehensive income tax treaty with the United States, which includes an exchange of information program or if the stock with respect to which the dividend was paid is readily tradable on an established U.S. securities market. The term excludes a corporation that is a passive foreign investment company. Under current Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) guidance, the United States has an appropriate comprehensive income tax treaty with Belgium.

Dividends received by the Fund from a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) or another RIC generally are qualified dividend income only to the extent the dividend distributions are made out of qualified dividend income received by such REIT or RIC. It is expected that dividends received by the Fund from a REIT and distributed to a shareholder generally will be taxable to the shareholder as ordinary income.

For a dividend to be treated as qualified dividend income, the dividend must be received with respect to a share of stock held without being hedged by the Fund, and with respect to a share of the Fund held without being hedged by you, for 61 days during the 121-day period beginning at the date which is 60 days before the date on which such share becomes ex-dividend with respect to such dividend or, in the case of certain preferred stock, 91 days during the 181-day period beginning 90 days before such date.

If your Fund shares are loaned out pursuant to a securities lending arrangement, you may lose the ability to use foreign tax credits passed through by the Fund or to treat Fund dividends paid while the shares are held by the borrower as qualified dividend income.

In general, your distributions are subject to U.S. federal income tax for the year when they are paid. Certain distributions paid in January, however, may be treated as paid on December 31 of the prior year.

If the Fund’s distributions exceed current and accumulated earnings and profits, all or a portion of the distributions made in the taxable year may be recharacterized as a return of capital to shareholders. A return of capital distribution generally will not be taxable but will reduce the shareholder’s cost basis and result in a higher capital gain or lower capital loss when those shares on which the distribution was received are sold. Once a shareholder’s cost basis is reduced to zero, further distributions will be treated as capital gain, if the shareholder holds shares of the Fund as capital assets.

If you are neither a resident nor a citizen of the United States or if you are a non-U.S. entity, the Fund’s ordinary income dividends (which include distributions of net short-term capital gains) will generally be subject to a 30% U.S. withholding tax, unless a lower treaty rate applies, provided that withholding tax will generally not apply to any gain or income realized by a non-U.S. shareholder in respect of any distributions of long-term capital gains or upon the sale or other disposition of shares of the Fund.

A 30% withholding tax will be imposed on dividends paid after December 31, 2013, and redemption proceeds paid after December 31, 2014, to (i) foreign financial institutions including non-U.S. investment funds unless they agree to collect and disclose to the IRS information regarding their direct and indirect U.S. account holders and (ii) certain other foreign entities, unless they certify certain information regarding their direct and indirect U.S. owners. To avoid withholding, foreign financial institutions will need to

 

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enter into agreements with the IRS that state that they will provide the IRS information, including the name, address and taxpayer identification number of direct and indirect U.S. account holders, comply with due diligence procedures with respect to the identification of U.S. accounts, report to the IRS certain information with respect to U.S. accounts maintained, agree to withhold tax on certain payments made to non-compliant foreign financial institutions or to account holders who fail to provide the required information, and determine certain other information as to their account holders. Other foreign entities will need to provide the name, address, and taxpayer identification number of each substantial U.S. owner or certifications of no substantial U.S. ownership unless certain exceptions apply.

Dividends, interest and capital gains earned by the Fund with respect to non-U.S. securities may give rise to withholding and other taxes imposed by non-U.S. countries. Tax conventions between certain countries and the United States may reduce or eliminate such taxes. If more than 50% of the total assets of the Fund at the close of a year consists of non-U.S. stocks or securities, the Fund may “pass through” to you certain non-U.S. income taxes (including withholding taxes) paid by the Fund. This means that you would be considered to have received as an additional dividend your share of such non-U.S. taxes, but you may be entitled to either a corresponding tax deduction in calculating your taxable income, or, subject to certain limitations, a credit in calculating your U.S. federal income tax.

For purposes of foreign tax credits for U.S. shareholders of the Fund, foreign capital gains taxes may not produce associated foreign source income, thereby limiting a U.S. person’s ability to use such credits.

If you are a resident or a citizen of the United States, by law, back-up withholding will apply to your distributions and proceeds if you have not provided a taxpayer identification number or social security number and made other required certifications.

Taxes When Shares are Sold. Currently, any capital gain or loss realized upon a sale of Fund shares is generally treated as a long-term gain or loss if the shares have been held for more than one year. Any capital gain or loss realized upon a sale of Fund shares held for one year or less is generally treated as short-term gain or loss, except that any capital loss on the sale of shares held for six months or less is treated as long-term capital loss to the extent that capital gain dividends were paid with respect to such shares. Beginning in 2013, any such capital gains, including from sales of Fund shares or from capital gain dividends, will be included in “net investment income” for purposes of the 3.8% U.S. federal Medicare contribution tax mentioned above.

The foregoing discussion summarizes some of the consequences under current U.S. federal tax law of an investment in the Fund. It is not a substitute for personal tax advice. You may also be subject to state and local taxation on Fund distributions and sales of shares. Consult your personal tax adviser about the potential tax consequences of an investment in shares of the Fund under all applicable tax laws.

Creations and Redemptions. Prior to trading in the secondary market, shares of the Fund are “created” at NAV by market makers, large investors and institutions only in block-size Creation Units of 40,000 shares or multiples thereof. Each “creator” or “Authorized Participant” enters into an authorized participant agreement with the Fund’s distributor, BlackRock Investments, LLC (the “Distributor”).

 

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A creation transaction, which is subject to acceptance by the transfer agent, generally takes place when an Authorized Participant deposits into the Fund a designated portfolio of securities (including any portion of such securities for which cash may be substituted) and a specified amount of cash approximating the holdings of the Fund in exchange for a specified number of Creation Units. To the extent practicable, the composition of such portfolio generally corresponds pro rata to the holdings of the Fund.

Similarly, shares can be redeemed only in Creation Units, generally for a designated portfolio of securities (including any portion of such securities for which cash may be substituted) held by the Fund (“Fund Securities”) and a specified amount of cash. Except when aggregated in Creation Units, shares are not redeemable by the Fund. The prices at which creations and redemptions occur are based on the next calculation of NAV after an order is received in a form described in the authorized participant agreement.

Only an Authorized Participant may create or redeem Creation Units directly with the Fund.

The Fund intends to comply with the U.S. federal securities laws in accepting securities for deposit and satisfying redemptions with redemption securities by, among other means, assuring that any securities accepted for deposit and any securities used to satisfy redemption requests will be sold in transactions that would be exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”). Further, an Authorized Participant that is not a “qualified institutional buyer,” as such term is defined under Rule 144A of the 1933 Act, will not be able to receive Fund Securities that are restricted securities eligible for resale under Rule 144A.

Creations and redemptions must be made through a firm that is either a member of the Continuous Net Settlement System of the National Securities Clearing Corporation or a DTC participant and has executed an agreement with the Distributor with respect to creations and redemptions of Creation Unit aggregations. Information about the procedures regarding creation and redemption of Creation Units (including the cut-off times for receipt of creation and redemption orders) is included in the Fund’s SAI.

Because new shares may be created and issued on an ongoing basis, at any point during the life of the Fund a “distribution,” as such term is used in the 1933 Act, may be occurring. Broker-dealers and other persons are cautioned that some activities on their part may, depending on the circumstances, result in their being deemed participants in a distribution in a manner that could render them statutory underwriters and subject to the prospectus delivery and liability provisions of the 1933 Act. Any determination of whether one is an underwriter must take into account all the relevant facts and circumstances of each particular case.

Broker-dealers should also note that dealers who are not “underwriters” but are participating in a distribution (as contrasted to ordinary secondary transactions), and thus dealing with shares that are part of an “unsold allotment” within the meaning of Section 4(3)(C) of the 1933 Act, would be unable to take advantage of the prospectus delivery exemption provided by Section 4(3) of the 1933 Act. For delivery of prospectuses to exchange members, the prospectus delivery mechanism of Rule 153

 

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under the 1933 Act is available only with respect to transactions on a national securities exchange.

Costs Associated with Creations and Redemptions. Authorized Participants are charged standard creation and redemption transaction fees to offset transfer and other transaction costs associated with the issuance and redemption of Creation Units. The standard creation and redemption transaction fees are set forth in the table below. The standard creation transaction fee is charged to the Authorized Participant on the day such Authorized Participant creates a Creation Unit, and is the same regardless of the number of Creation Units purchased by the Authorized Participant on the applicable business day. Similarly, the standard redemption transaction fee is charged to the Authorized Participant on the day such Authorized Participant redeems a Creation Unit, and is the same regardless of the number of Creation Units redeemed by the Authorized Participant on the applicable business day. Creations and redemptions for cash (when cash creations and redemptions (in whole or in part) are available or specified) are also subject to an additional charge (up to the maximum amounts shown in the table below). This charge is intended to compensate for brokerage, tax, foreign exchange, execution, market impact and other costs and expenses related to cash transactions. Investors who use the services of a broker or other financial intermediary may pay fees for such services.

The following table shows, as of September 30, 2011, the approximate value of one Creation Unit, standard fees and maximum additional charges for creations and redemptions (as described above):

 

Approximate

Value of a

Creation Unit

 

Creation

Unit Size

 

Standard

Creation/

Redemption

Transaction Fee

 

Maximum Additional

Charge for

Creations*

 

Maximum Additional

Charge for

Redemptions*

$444,800   40,000   $700   3.0%   2.0%

 

 

  * As a percentage of the net asset value per Creation Unit, inclusive, in the case of redemptions, of the standard redemption transaction fee.

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 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.

Distribution

The Distributor distributes Creation Units for the Fund on an agency basis. The Distributor does not maintain a secondary market in shares of the Fund. The Distributor has no role in determining the policies of the Fund or the securities that are purchased or sold by the Fund. The Distributor’s principal address is 525 Washington Boulevard, Suite 1405, Jersey City, NJ 07310.

 

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In addition, BFA or its Affiliates make payments to broker-dealers, banks or other financial intermediaries (together, “intermediaries”) related to marketing activities and presentations, educational training programs, conferences, the development of technology platforms and reporting systems, or their making shares of the Fund and certain other iShares funds available to their customers. Such payments, which may be significant to the intermediary, are not made by the Fund. Rather, such payments are made by BFA or its Affiliates from their own resources, which come directly or indirectly in part from fees paid by the iShares funds complex. Payments of this type are sometimes referred to as revenue-sharing payments. A financial intermediary may make decisions about which investment options it recommends or makes available, or the level of services provided, to its customers based on the revenue-sharing payments it is eligible to receive. Therefore, such payments to an intermediary create conflicts of interest between the intermediary and its customers and may cause the intermediary to recommend the Fund or other iShares funds over another investment. More information regarding these payments is contained in the Fund’s SAI. Please contact your salesperson or other investment professional for more information regarding any such payments his or her firm may receive from BFA or its Affiliates.

 

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Financial Highlights

The financial highlights table is intended to help investors understand the Fund’s financial performance for the past five years. Certain information reflects financial results for a single share of the Fund. The total returns in the table represent the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund, assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions. This information has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, whose report is included, along with the Fund’s financial statements, in the Fund’s Annual Report (available upon request).

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

   

Year ended
Aug. 31, 2011

   

Year ended
Aug. 31, 2010

   

Year ended
Aug. 31, 2009

   

Year ended
Aug. 31, 2008

   

Year ended
Aug. 31, 2007

 

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 11.78      $ 12.06      $ 17.64      $ 25.89      $ 22.83   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from investment operations:

         

Net investment incomea

    0.35        0.19        0.22        0.78        0.76   

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)b

    0.80        (0.27     (5.46     (7.27     2.74   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    1.15        (0.08     (5.24     (6.49     3.50   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Less distributions from:

         

Net investment income

    (0.33     (0.20     (0.34     (1.76     (0.44
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.33     (0.20     (0.34     (1.76     (0.44
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 12.60      $ 11.78      $ 12.06      $ 17.64      $ 25.89   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total return

    9.59     (0.60 )%      (29.15 )%      (26.21 )%      15.36
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios/Supplemental data:

         

Net assets, end of year (000s)

  $ 31,256      $ 58,896      $ 53,042      $ 119,955      $ 303,483   

Ratio of expenses to average net assets

    0.52     0.54     0.56     0.52     0.51

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

    2.56     1.55     2.23     3.32     2.90

Portfolio turnover ratec

    12     17     33     31     12

 

 

  a

Based on average shares outstanding throughout each period.

  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

Portfolio turnover rates exclude portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of processing capital share transactions in Creation Units.

 

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Index Provider

MSCI is a leading provider of global indexes and benchmark related products and services to investors worldwide. MSCI is not affiliated with the Company, BTC, BFA, State Street, the Distributor or any of their respective affiliates.

BTC has entered into a license agreement with the Index Provider to use the Underlying Index. BTC sublicenses rights in the Underlying Index to the Company at no charge.

Disclaimers

The Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by MSCI or any affiliate of MSCI. Neither MSCI nor any other party makes any representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the shares of the Fund or any member of the public regarding advisability of investing in funds generally or in the Fund particularly or the ability of the Underlying Index to track general stock market performance. MSCI is the licensor of certain trademarks, service marks and trade names of MSCI and of the Underlying Index which is determined, composed and calculated by MSCI without regard to the Company, BTC, BFA or the Fund. MSCI has no obligation to take the needs of the BTC, BFA or the owners of the shares of the Fund into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the Underlying Index. MSCI is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination of the timing of, prices at, or quantities of the Fund to be issued or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the Fund is redeemable for cash. Neither MSCI nor any other party has any obligation or liability to owners of the shares of the Fund in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the Fund.

ALTHOUGH MSCI SHALL OBTAIN INFORMATION FOR INCLUSION IN OR FOR USE IN THE CALCULATION OF THE INDEXES FROM SOURCES WHICH MSCI CONSIDERS RELIABLE, NEITHER MSCI NOR ANY OTHER PARTY GUARANTEES THE ACCURACY AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF THE INDEXES OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. NEITHER MSCI NOR ANY OTHER PARTY MAKES ANY WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY LICENSEE, LICENSEE’S CUSTOMERS AND COUNTERPARTIES, OWNERS OF THE SHARES OF THE FUND, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF THE INDEXES OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN IN CONNECTION WITH THE RIGHTS LICENSED BY MSCI FOR USE HEREIN OR FOR ANY OTHER USE. NEITHER MSCI NOR ANY OTHER PARTY MAKES ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND MSCI HEREBY EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE WITH RESPECT TO THE INDEXES OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT SHALL MSCI OR ANY OTHER PARTY HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, CONSEQUENTIAL OR ANY OTHER DAMAGES (INCLUDING LOST PROFITS) EVEN IF NOTIFIED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

Shares of the Fund are not sponsored, endorsed or promoted by NYSE Arca. NYSE Arca makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the shares of the Fund or any member of the public regarding the

 

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ability of the Fund to track the total return performance of the Underlying Index or the ability of the Underlying Index to track stock market performance. NYSE Arca is not responsible for, nor has it participated in, the determination of the compilation or the calculation of the Underlying Index, nor in the determination of the timing of, prices of, or quantities of shares of the Fund to be issued, nor in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the shares are redeemable. NYSE Arca has no obligation or liability to owners of the shares of the Fund in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the shares of the Fund.

NYSE Arca does not guarantee the accuracy and/or the completeness of the Underlying Index or any data included therein. NYSE Arca makes no warranty, express or implied, as to results to be obtained by the Company on behalf of the Fund as licensee, licensee’s customers and counterparties, owners of the shares of the Fund, or any other person or entity from the use of the subject index or any data included therein in connection with the rights licensed as described herein or for any other use. NYSE Arca makes no express or implied warranties and hereby expressly disclaims all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose with respect to the Underlying Index or any data included therein. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall NYSE Arca have any liability for any direct, indirect, special, punitive, consequential or any other damages (including lost profits) even if notified of the possibility of such damages.

BFA does not guarantee the accuracy or the completeness of the Underlying Index or any data included therein and BFA shall have no liability for any errors, omissions or interruptions therein.

BFA makes no warranty, express or implied, to the owners of shares of the Fund or to any other person or entity, as to results to be obtained by the Fund from the use of the Underlying Index or any data included therein. BFA makes no express or implied warranties and expressly disclaims all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use with respect to the Underlying Index or any data included therein. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall BFA have any liability for any special, punitive, direct, indirect or consequential damages (including lost profits), even if notified of the possibility of such damages.

 

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Supplemental Information

I. Premium/Discount Information

The table that follows presents information about the differences between the daily market price on secondary markets for shares of the Fund and the Fund’s NAV. NAV is the price at which the Fund issues and redeems shares. It is calculated in accordance with the standard formula for valuing mutual fund shares. The price used to calculate market returns (“Market Price”) of the Fund generally is determined using the midpoint between the highest bid and the lowest offer on the primary securities exchange on which shares of the Fund are listed for trading, as of the time that the Fund’s NAV is calculated. The Fund’s Market Price may be at, above or below its NAV. The NAV of the Fund will fluctuate with changes in the value of its portfolio holdings. The Market Price of the Fund will fluctuate in accordance with changes in its NAV, as well as market supply and demand.

Premiums or discounts are the differences (expressed as a percentage) between the NAV and Market Price of the Fund on a given day, generally at the time the NAV is calculated. A premium is the amount that the Fund is trading above the reported NAV, expressed as a percentage of the NAV. A discount is the amount that the Fund is trading below the reported NAV, expressed as a percentage of the NAV.

The following information shows the frequency of distributions of premiums and discounts for the Fund for each full calendar quarter of 2010 through September 30, 2011.

Each line in the table shows the number of trading days in which the Fund traded within the premium/discount range indicated. The number of trading days in each premium/discount range is also shown as a percentage of the total number of trading days in the period covered by the table. All data presented here represents past performance, which cannot be used to predict future results.

 

Premium/Discount Range

   Number of Days      Percentage of Total Days  
Greater than 3.0%      1         0.23
Greater than 2.5% and Less than 3.0%      1         0.23   
Greater than 2.0% and Less than 2.5%      2         0.45   
Greater than 1.5% and Less than 2.0%      10         2.27   
Greater than 1.0% and Less than 1.5%      16         3.63   
Greater than 0.5% and Less than 1.0%      66         14.97   
Between 0.5% and -0.5%      247         56.00   
Less than -0.5% and Greater than -1.0%      57         12.93   
Less than -1.0% and Greater than -1.5%      27         6.12   
Less than -1.5% and Greater than -2.0%      7         1.59   
Less than -2.0% and Greater than -2.5%      5         1.13   
Less than -2.5%      2         0.45   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     441         100.00
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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II. Total Return Information

The tables that follow present information about the total returns of the Fund and the Underlying Index as of the fiscal year ended August 31, 2011.

Effective December 1, 2007, to broaden its coverage of the market, the Fund changed its Underlying Index from the MSCI Belgium Index to the MSCI Belgium Investable Market Index.

Index performance reflects the performance of the MSCI Belgium Index through November 30, 2007 and the MSCI Belgium Investable Market Index thereafter.

“Average Annual Total Returns” represent the average annual change in value of an investment over the periods indicated. “Cumulative Total Returns” represent the total change in value of an investment over the periods indicated.

The Fund’s NAV is the value of one share of the Fund as calculated in accordance with the standard formula for valuing mutual fund shares. The NAV return is based on the NAV of the Fund and the market return is based on the Market Price of the Fund. Market Price is determined by using the midpoint between the highest bid and the lowest offer on the primary stock exchange on which shares of the Fund are listed for trading, as of the time that the Fund’s NAV is calculated. Market and NAV returns assume that dividends and capital gain distributions have been reinvested in the Fund at Market Price and NAV, respectively.

An index is a statistical composite that tracks a specified financial market or sector. Unlike the Fund, the Underlying Index does not actually hold a portfolio of securities and therefore does not incur the expenses incurred by the Fund. These expenses negatively impact the performance of the Fund. 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. The returns shown in the following tables do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption or sale of Fund shares. The investment return and principal value of shares of the Fund will vary with changes in market conditions. Shares of the Fund may be worth more or less than their original cost when they are redeemed or sold in the market. The Fund’s past performance is no guarantee of future results.

Performance as of August 31, 2011

 

Average Annual Total Returns
Year Ended 8/31/11   Five Years Ended 8/31/11   Ten Years Ended 8/31/11
NAV   MARKET   INDEX*   NAV   MARKET   INDEX*   NAV   MARKET   INDEX*
9.59%   10.00%   8.09%   (8.06)%   (8.19)%   (9.00)%   3.99%   3.97%   2.52%
Cumulative Total Returns
Year Ended 8/31/11   Five Years Ended 8/31/11   Ten Years Ended 8/31/11
NAV   MARKET   INDEX*   NAV   MARKET   INDEX*   NAV   MARKET   INDEX*
9.59%   10.00%   8.09%   (34.29)%   (34.77)%   (37.58)%   47.84%   47.53%   28.23%

 

 

  * Index returns are for the Fund’s former Underlying Indexes, the MSCI Belgium Index through November 30, 2007, and the MSCI Belgium Investable Market Index thereafter. The Fund’s current Underlying Index is the MSCI Belgium IMI 25/50 Index.

 

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LOGO

 

 

 

For more information visit www.iShares.com or call 1-800-474-2737

Copies of the Prospectus, SAI and recent shareholder reports can be found on our website at www.iShares.com. For more information about the Fund, you may request a copy of the SAI. The SAI provides detailed information about the Fund and is incorporated by reference into this Prospectus. This means that the SAI, for legal purposes, is a part of this Prospectus.

Additional information about the Fund’s investments is available in the Fund’s Annual and Semi-Annual reports to shareholders. In the Fund’s Annual Report, you will find a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the Fund’s performance during the last fiscal year.

If you have any questions about the Company or shares of the Fund or you wish to obtain the SAI, Semi-Annual or Annual report free of charge, please:

 

  Call: 1-800-iShares or 1-800-474-2737 (toll free) Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. (Eastern time)

 

  Email: iSharesETFs@blackrock.com

 

  Write: c/o BlackRock Investments, LLC 525 Washington Boulevard, Suite 1405, Jersey City, NJ 07310

Information about the Fund (including the SAI) can be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C., and information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-202-551-8090. Reports and other information about the Fund are available on the EDGAR database on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov, and copies of this information may be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing to the SEC’s Public Reference Section, Washington, D.C. 20549-1520.

No person is authorized to give any information or to make any representations about the Fund and its shares not contained in this Prospectus and you should not rely on any other information. Read and keep the Prospectus for future reference.

Investment Company Act File No.: 811-09102

 

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IS-P-EWK-1112


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iShares®, Inc.

Statement of Additional Information

Dated January 1, 2012

(as revised November 9, 2012)

This combined Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) is not a prospectus. It should be read in conjunction with the current prospectuses (each, a “Prospectus” and collectively, the “Prospectuses”) for the following funds of iShares, Inc. (the “Company”):

 

Funds

   Ticker      Stock Exchange  

iShares MSCI Australia Index Fund

     EWA         NYSE Arca   

iShares MSCI Austria Investable Market Index Fund

     EWO         NYSE Arca   

iShares MSCI Belgium Capped Investable Market Index Fund

     EWK         NYSE Arca   

iShares MSCI Canada Index Fund

     EWC         NYSE Arca   

iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Eastern Europe Index Fund

     ESR         NYSE Arca   

iShares MSCI EMU Index Fund

     EZU         NYSE Arca   

iShares MSCI France Index Fund

     EWQ         NYSE Arca   

iShares MSCI Germany Index Fund

     EWG         NYSE Arca   

iShares MSCI Hong Kong Index Fund

     EWH         NYSE Arca   

iShares MSCI Israel Capped Investable Market Index Fund

     EIS         NYSE Arca   

iShares MSCI Italy Index Fund

     EWI         NYSE Arca   

iShares MSCI Japan Index Fund

     EWJ         NYSE Arca   

iShares MSCI Japan Small Cap Index Fund

     SCJ         NYSE Arca   

iShares MSCI Mexico Investable Market Index Fund

     EWW         NYSE Arca   

iShares MSCI Netherlands Investable Market Index Fund

     EWN         NYSE Arca   

iShares MSCI Pacific ex-Japan Index Fund

     EPP         NYSE Arca   

iShares MSCI Singapore Index Fund

     EWS         NYSE Arca   

iShares MSCI South Africa Index Fund

     EZA         NYSE Arca   

iShares MSCI Spain Index Fund

     EWP         NYSE Arca   

iShares MSCI Sweden Index Fund

     EWD         NYSE Arca   

iShares MSCI Switzerland Index Fund

     EWL         NYSE Arca   

iShares MSCI Thailand Investable Market Index Fund

     THD         NYSE Arca   

iShares MSCI Turkey Investable Market Index Fund

     TUR         NYSE Arca   

iShares MSCI United Kingdom Index Fund

     EWU         NYSE Arca   

iShares MSCI USA Index Fund

     EUSA         NYSE Arca   

The Prospectuses for the above listed funds (each, a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”) are dated January 1, 2012, as amended and supplemented from time to time. Capitalized terms used herein that are not defined have the same meaning as in the applicable Prospectus, unless otherwise noted. The Financial Statements and Notes contained in the Annual and Semi-Annual Reports of the Company for the Funds are incorporated by reference into and are deemed to be part of this SAI. A copy of each Prospectus, Annual Report and Semi-Annual Report for each Fund may be obtained without charge by writing to the Company’s distributor, BlackRock Investments, LLC (the “Distributor”) at 525 Washington Boulevard, Suite 1405, Jersey City, NJ 07310, calling 1-800-iShares (1-800-474-2737) or visiting www.iShares.com. Each Fund’s Prospectus is incorporated by reference to this SAI.

iShares® is a registered trademark of BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A. (“BTC”).


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

      Page  

General Description of the Company and its Funds

     1   

Exchange Listing and Trading

     2   

Investment Strategies and Risks

     3   

Currency Transactions

     3   

Diversification Status

     4   

Futures and Options

     4   

Illiquid Securities

     5   

Lending Portfolio Securities

     5   

Non-U.S. Securities

     6   

Options on Futures Contracts

     7   

Repurchase Agreements

     7   

Reverse Repurchase Agreements

     8   

Securities of Investment Companies

     8   

Short-Term Instruments and Temporary Investments

     8   

Swap Agreements

     9   

Tracking Stocks

     9   

Future Developments

     9   

General Considerations and Risks

     9   

Dividend Risk

     9   

Risks of Derivatives

     9   

Risks of Equity Securities

     10   

Risks of Futures and Options Transactions

     10   

Risks of Investing in Africa

     11   

Risks of Investing in Asia

     13   

Risks of Investing in Australasia

     13   

Risks of Investing in Australia

     13   

Risks of Investing in Eastern Europe

     14   

Risks of Investing in Emerging Markets Securities

     14   

Risks of Investing in Japan

     16   

Risks of Investing in Non-U.S. Equity Securities

     16   

Risks of Investing in Russia

     16   

Risks of Investing in the Capital Goods Sector

     17   

Risks of Investing in the Consumer Discretionary Sector

     17   

Risks of Investing in the Consumer Goods Sector

     17   

Risks of Investing in the Consumer Staples Sector

     17   

Risks of Investing in the Energy Sector

     18   

Risks of Investing in the Financial Sector

     18   

 

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      Page  

Risks of Investing in the Health Care Sector

     19   

Risks of Investing in the Industrial Sector

     19   

Risks of Investing in the Information Technology Sector

     19   

Risks of Investing in the Insurance Industry

     20   

Risks of Investing in the Materials Sector

     20   

Risks of Investing in the Telecommunications Sector

     20   

Risks of Investing in the Utilities Sector

     20   

Risks of Swap Agreements

     20   

Small-Capitalization Companies Risk

     20   

Proxy Voting Policy

     21   

Portfolio Holdings Information

     22   

Construction and Maintenance of the Underlying Indexes

     23   

The MSCI Indexes

     23   

MSCI Australia Index

     25   

MSCI Austria Investable Market Index

     26   

MSCI Belgium IMI 25/50 Index

     26   

MSCI Canada Index

     26   

MSCI Emerging Markets Eastern Europe Index

     26   

MSCI EMU Index

     26   

MSCI France Index

     26   

MSCI Germany Index

     26   

MSCI Hong Kong Index

     26   

MSCI Israel Capped Investable Market Index

     26   

MSCI Italy Index

     27   

MSCI Japan Index

     27   

MSCI Japan Small Cap Index

     27   

MSCI Mexico Investable Market Index

     27   

MSCI Netherlands Investable Market Index

     27   

MSCI Pacific ex-Japan Index

     27   

MSCI Singapore Index

     27   

MSCI South Africa Index

     27   

MSCI Spain Index

     27   

MSCI Sweden Index

     27   

MSCI Switzerland Index

     28   

MSCI Thailand Investable Market Index

     28   

MSCI Turkey Investable Market Index

     28   

MSCI United Kingdom Index

     28   

MSCI USA Index

     28   

 

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      Page  

Investment Limitations

     28   

Continuous Offering

     33   

Management

     33   

Directors and Officers

     33   

Committees of the Board of Directors

     40   

Remuneration of Directors

     44   

Control Persons and Principal Holders of Securities

     44   

Potential Conflicts of Interest

     56   

Investment Advisory, Administrative and Distribution Services

     62   

Investment Adviser

     62   

Portfolio Managers

     66   

Codes of Ethics

     71   

Anti-Money Laundering Requirements

     71   

Administrator, Custodian and Transfer Agent

     72   

Distributor

     73   

Financial Intermediary Compensation

     74   

Brokerage Transactions

     75   

Additional Information Concerning the Company

     78   

Capital Stock

     78   

Termination of the Company or a Fund

     79   

DTC as Securities Depository for Shares of the Funds

     80   

Creation and Redemption of Creation Units

     81   

General

     81   

Fund Deposit

     81   

Cash Purchase Method

     82   

Role of the Authorized Participant

     82   

Purchase Orders

     83   

Timing of Submission of Purchase Orders

     83   

Acceptance of Orders for Creation Units

     83   

Issuance of a Creation Unit

     84   

Costs Associated with Creation Transactions

     85   

Redemption of Creation Units

     85   

Cash Redemption Method

     86   

Costs Associated with Redemption Transactions

     86   

Placement of Redemption Orders

     87   

Taxation on Creation and Redemptions of Creation Units

     89   

Regular Holidays

     90   

Redemptions

     94   

 

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      Page  

Taxes

     98   

Regulated Investment Company Qualifications

     98   

Taxation of RICs

     99   

Excise Tax

     99   

Net Capital Loss Carryforwards

     99   

Taxation of U.S. Shareholders

     101   

Sales of Shares

     103   

Back-Up Withholding

     103   

Sections 351 and 362

     103   

Taxation of Certain Derivatives

     104   

Qualified Dividend Income

     104   

Corporate Dividends Received Deduction

     105   

Excess Inclusion Income

     105   

Non-U.S. Investments

     106   

Passive Foreign Investment Companies

     106   

Reporting

     107   

Other Taxes

     107   

Taxation of Non-U.S. Shareholders

     107   

Financial Statements

     109   

Miscellaneous Information

     109   

Counsel

     109   

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     109   

Shareholder Communications to the Board

     109   

 

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General Description of the Company and its Funds

The Company currently consists of more than 35 investment series or portfolios. The Company was organized as a Maryland corporation on August 31, 1994 and is authorized to have multiple series or portfolios. The Company is an open-end management investment company registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). The offering of the Company’s shares is registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”). This SAI relates to the following funds:

 

   

iShares MSCI Australia Index Fund

   

iShares MSCI Austria Investable Market Index Fund

   

iShares MSCI Belgium Capped Investable Market Index Fund1

   

iShares MSCI Canada Index Fund

   

iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Eastern Europe Index Fund

   

iShares MSCI EMU Index Fund

   

iShares MSCI France Index Fund

   

iShares MSCI Germany Index Fund

   

iShares MSCI Hong Kong Index Fund

   

iShares MSCI Israel Capped Investable Market Index Fund

   

iShares MSCI Italy Index Fund

   

iShares MSCI Japan Index Fund

   

iShares MSCI Japan Small Cap Index Fund

   

iShares MSCI Mexico Investable Market Index Fund

   

iShares MSCI Netherlands Investable Market Index Fund

   

iShares MSCI Pacific ex-Japan Index Fund

   

iShares MSCI Singapore Index Fund

   

iShares MSCI South Africa Index Fund

   

iShares MSCI Spain Index Fund

   

iShares MSCI Sweden Index Fund

   

iShares MSCI Switzerland Index Fund

   

iShares MSCI Thailand Investable Market Index Fund

   

iShares MSCI Turkey Investable Market Index Fund

   

iShares MSCI United Kingdom Index Fund

   

iShares MSCI USA Index Fund

 

  1 

On November 9, 2012, the name of the Fund changed from the iShares MSCI Belgium Investable Market Index Fund to the iShares MSCI Belgium Capped Investable Market Index Fund and the Fund’s Underlying Index changed from the MSCI Belgium Investable Market Index to the MSCI Belgium IMI 25/50 Index.

The investment objective of each Fund is to seek investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of a specified benchmark index (each, an “Underlying Index”) representing publicly-traded equity securities of issuers in a particular country, region or group of

 

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countries. Each Fund is managed by BlackRock Fund Advisors (“BFA” or the “Investment Adviser”), an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of BlackRock, Inc.

Each Fund offers and issues shares at their net asset value per share (“NAV”) only in aggregations of a specified number of shares (“Creation Unit”), generally in exchange for a designated portfolio of securities (including any portion of such securities for which cash may be substituted) included in its Underlying Index (the “Deposit Securities”), together with the deposit of a specified cash payment (the “Cash Component”). Shares of the Funds are listed and trade on NYSE Arca, Inc. (“NYSE Arca” or the “Listing Exchange”), a national securities exchange. Shares of each Fund are traded in the secondary market and elsewhere at market prices that may be at, above or below the Fund’s NAV. Shares are redeemable only in Creation Units, and, generally, in exchange for portfolio securities and a Cash Component. Creation Units typically are a specified number of shares, generally ranging from 40,000 to 600,000 shares or multiples thereof.

The Company reserves the right to permit or require that creations and redemptions of shares are effected fully or partially in cash. Shares may be issued in advance of receipt of Deposit Securities, subject to various conditions, including a requirement to maintain with the Company a cash deposit, equal to at least 105% and up to 115%, which percentage BFA may change from time to time, of the market value of the omitted Deposit Securities. See the Creation and Redemption of Creation Units section of this SAI. Transaction fees associated with creations or redemptions that include a cash portion may be higher than the transaction fees associated with in-kind creations or redemptions. In all cases, conditions and fees will be limited in accordance with the requirements of SEC rules and regulations applicable to investment management companies offering redeemable securities.

Exchange Listing and Trading

A discussion of exchange listing and trading matters associated with an investment in each Fund is contained in the Shareholder Information section of each Fund’s Prospectus. The discussion below supplements, and should be read in conjunction with, that section of the applicable Prospectus.

Shares of each Fund are listed for trading, and trade throughout the day, on the Listing Exchange and other secondary markets. Shares of the Funds may also be listed on certain non-U.S. exchanges. There can be no assurance that the requirements of the Listing Exchange necessary to maintain the listing of shares of any Fund will continue to be met. The Listing Exchange may, but is not required to, remove the shares of a Fund from listing if (i) following the initial 12-month period beginning upon the commencement of trading of Fund shares, there are fewer than 50 beneficial owners of shares of the Fund for 30 or more consecutive trading days, (ii) the value of the Underlying Index on which the Fund is based is no longer calculated or available, (iii) the “indicative optimized portfolio value” (“IOPV”) of the Fund is no longer calculated or available, or (iv) any other event shall occur or condition shall exist that, in the opinion of the Listing Exchange, makes further dealings on the Listing Exchange inadvisable. The Listing Exchange will also remove shares of a Fund from listing and trading upon termination of the Fund.

As in the case of other publicly-traded securities, when you buy or sell shares through a broker you will incur a brokerage commission determined by that broker.

In order to provide additional information regarding the indicative value of shares of the Funds, the Listing Exchange or a market data vendor disseminates information every 15 seconds through the facilities of the Consolidated Tape Association, or through other widely disseminated means, an updated IOPV for the Funds as calculated by an information provider or market data vendor. The Company is not involved in or responsible for any aspect of the calculation or dissemination of the IOPVs and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the IOPVs.

 

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An IOPV has an equity securities component and a cash component. The equity securities values included in an IOPV are the values of the Deposit Securities for a Fund. While the IOPV reflects the current market value of the Deposit Securities required to be deposited in connection with the purchase of a Creation Unit, it does not necessarily reflect the precise composition of the current portfolio of securities held by the Fund at a particular point in time because the current portfolio of the Fund may include securities that are not a part of the current Deposit Securities. Therefore, a Fund’s IOPV disseminated during the Listing Exchange trading hours should not be viewed as a real-time update of the Fund’s NAV, which is calculated only once a day.

The cash component included in an IOPV consists of estimated accrued interest, dividends and other income, less expenses. If applicable, each IOPV also reflects changes in currency exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and the applicable currency.

The Company reserves the right to adjust the share prices of the Funds in the future to maintain convenient trading ranges for investors. Any adjustments would be accomplished through stock splits or reverse stock splits, which would have no effect on the net assets of the Funds or an investor’s equity interest in the Funds.

Investment Strategies and Risks

Each Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing primarily in securities issued by issuers that comprise its relevant Underlying Index and through transactions that provide substantially similar exposure to securities in the Underlying Index. Each Fund operates as an index fund and will not be actively managed. Adverse performance of a security in a Fund’s portfolio will ordinarily not result in the elimination of the security from a Fund’s portfolio.

Each Fund engages in representative sampling, which is investing in a sample of securities selected by BFA to have a collective investment profile similar to that of the Fund’s Underlying Index. Securities selected have aggregate investment characteristics (based on market capitalization and industry weightings), fundamental characteristics (such as return variability, earnings valuation and yield) and liquidity measures similar to those of the Underlying Index. Funds that use representative sampling generally do not hold all of the securities that are in their relevant underlying indexes.

Currency Transactions. The Funds do not expect to engage in currency transactions for the purpose of hedging against declines in the value of the Funds’ assets that are denominated in a non-U.S. currency. A Fund may enter into non-U.S. currency forward and non-U.S. currency futures contracts to facilitate local securities settlements or to protect against currency exposure in connection with its distributions to shareholders, but may not enter into such contracts for speculative purposes.

A forward currency contract is an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency at a future date, which may be any fixed number of days from the date of the contract agreed upon by the parties, at a price set at the time of the contract. A currency futures contract is a contract involving an obligation to deliver or acquire the specified amount of a specific currency, at a specified price and at a specified future time. Currency futures contracts may be settled on a net cash payment basis rather than by the sale and delivery of the underlying currency. To the extent required by law, liquid assets committed to futures contracts will be maintained.

Foreign exchange transactions involve a significant degree of risk and the markets in which foreign exchange transactions are effected are highly volatile, highly specialized and highly technical. Significant changes, including changes in liquidity and prices, can occur in such markets within very short periods of time, often within minutes. Foreign exchange trading risks include, but are not limited to, exchange rate risk, counterparty risk, maturity gap, interest rate risk, and potential interference by foreign governments through regulation of local exchange markets, foreign investment or particular transactions in non-U.S. currency. If BFA utilizes foreign exchange transactions at an inappropriate time or judges market conditions,

 

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trends or correlations incorrectly, foreign exchange transactions may not serve their intended purpose of improving the correlation of a Fund’s return with the performance of its Underlying Index and may lower the Fund’s return. Each Fund could experience losses if the value of its currency forwards, options and futures positions were poorly correlated with its other investments or if it could not close out its positions because of an illiquid market. In addition, a Fund could incur transaction costs, including trading commissions, in connection with certain non-U.S. currency transactions.

Diversification Status. The following table sets forth the diversification status of each Fund:

 

Diversified Funds

   Non-Diversified Funds
iShares MSCI Canada Index Fund    iShares MSCI Australia Index Fund
iShares MSCI EMU Index Fund    iShares MSCI Austria Investable Market Index Fund
iShares MSCI Japan Index Fund    iShares MSCI Belgium Capped Investable Market Index Fund
iShares MSCI Japan Small Cap Index Fund    iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Eastern Europe Index Fund
iShares MSCI Pacific ex-Japan Index Fund    iShares MSCI France Index Fund
   iShares MSCI Germany Index Fund
   iShares MSCI Hong Kong Index Fund
   iShares MSCI Israel Capped Investable Market Index Fund
   iShares MSCI Italy Index Fund
   iShares MSCI Mexico Investable Market Index Fund
   iShares MSCI Netherlands Investable Market Index Fund
   iShares MSCI Singapore Index Fund
   iShares MSCI South Africa Index Fund
   iShares MSCI Spain Index Fund
   iShares MSCI Sweden Index Fund
   iShares MSCI Switzerland Index Fund
   iShares MSCI Thailand Investable Market Index Fund
   iShares MSCI Turkey Investable Market Index Fund
   iShares MSCI United Kingdom Index Fund
   iShares MSCI USA Index Fund

With respect to 75% of a Fund’s total assets, a “diversified” fund is limited by the 1940 Act such that it may not invest more than 5% of its total assets in securities of any one issuer and does not acquire more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of any one issuer (excluding cash and cash items, government securities, and securities of other investment companies). The remaining 25% of the fund’s total assets may be invested in any manner.

A “non-diversified” fund is a fund that is not limited by the 1940 Act with regard to the percentage of its assets that may be invested in the securities of a single issuer. The securities of a particular issuer (or securities of issuers in particular industries) may dominate the underlying index of such a fund and, consequently, the fund’s investment portfolio. This may adversely affect the fund’s performance or subject the fund’s shares to greater price volatility than that experienced by more diversified investment companies.

Each Fund intends to maintain the required level of diversification and otherwise conduct its operations so as to qualify as a Regulated Investment Company (“RIC”) for purposes of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Internal Revenue Code”), and to relieve the Fund of any liability for U.S. federal income tax to the extent that its earnings are distributed to shareholders, provided that the Fund satisfies a minimum distribution requirement. Compliance with the diversification requirements of the Internal Revenue Code may limit the investment flexibility of the Funds and may make it less likely that the Funds will meet their respective investment objectives.

Futures and Options. Futures contracts and options may be used by a Fund to simulate investment in its Underlying Index, to facilitate trading or to reduce transaction costs. Each Fund may enter into futures

 

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contracts and options that are traded on a U.S. or non-U.S. exchange. No Fund will use futures or options for speculative purposes. Each Fund intends to use futures and options in accordance with Rule 4.5 of the Commodity Exchange Act (“CEA”). The Company, on behalf of each Fund, has claimed an exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” in accordance with Rule 4.5 so that the Fund is not subject to registration or regulation as a commodity pool operator under the CEA. On February 11, 2011, however, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) proposed certain regulatory changes that would subject registered investment companies to regulation by the CFTC if a fund invests more than a prescribed level of its liquidation value in futures and certain other instruments, or if the fund markets itself as providing investment exposure to such instruments. If these regulatory changes are ultimately adopted by the CFTC, a Fund may be subject to the CFTC registration requirements, and the disclosure and operations of each Fund would need to comply with all applicable regulations governing commodity pools. Compliance with these additional registration and regulatory requirements would increase Fund expenses. BFA may also be subject to CFTC regulation if a Fund is deemed to be a commodity pool. Other potentially adverse regulatory initiatives could also develop.

Futures contracts provide for the future sale by one party and purchase by another party of a specified amount of a specific instrument or index at a specified future time and at a specified price. Stock index contracts are based on investments that reflect the market value of common stock of the firms included in the investments. Each Fund may enter into futures contracts to purchase securities indexes when BFA anticipates purchasing the underlying securities and believes prices will rise before the purchase will be made. To the extent required by law, liquid assets committed to futures contracts will be maintained.

A call option gives a holder the right to purchase a specific security at a specified price (“exercise price”) within a specified period of time. A put option gives a holder the right to sell a specific security at a specified exercise price within a specified period of time. The initial purchaser of a call option pays the “writer” a premium, which is paid at the time of purchase and is retained by the writer whether or not such option is exercised. Each Fund may purchase put options to hedge its portfolio against the risk of a decline in the market value of securities held and may purchase call options to hedge against an increase in the price of securities it is committed to purchase. Each Fund may write put and call options along with a long position in options to increase its ability to hedge against a change in the market value of the securities it holds or is committed to purchase. Investments in futures contracts and other investments that contain leverage may require a Fund to maintain liquid assets. Generally, a Fund maintains an amount of liquid assets equal to its obligations relative to the position involved, adjusted daily on a marked-to-market basis. With respect to futures contracts that are contractually required to “cash-settle,” a Fund maintains liquid assets in an amount at least equal to a Fund’s daily marked-to-market obligation (i.e., a Fund’s daily net liability, if any), rather than the contracts’ notional value (i.e., the value of the underlying asset). By maintaining assets equal to its net obligation under cash-settled futures contracts, the Fund may employ leverage to a greater extent than if a Fund set aside assets equal to the futures contracts’ full notional value. Each Fund bases its asset maintenance policies on methods permitted by the staff of the SEC and may modify these policies in the future to comply with any changes in the guidance articulated from time to time by the SEC or its staff.

Illiquid Securities. Each Fund may invest up to an aggregate amount of 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities (calculated at the time of investment). Illiquid securities include securities subject to contractual or other restrictions on resale and other instruments that lack readily available markets.

Lending Portfolio Securities. Each Fund may lend portfolio securities to certain creditworthy borrowers, including borrowers affiliated with BFA. The borrowers provide collateral that is maintained in an amount at least equal to the current market value of the securities loaned. No securities loan shall be made on behalf of a Fund if, as a result, the aggregate value of all securities loans of the particular Fund exceeds one-third of the value of such Fund’s total assets (including the value of the collateral received). A Fund may terminate a loan at any time and obtain the return of the securities loaned. Each Fund receives the value of any interest or cash or non-cash distributions paid on the loaned securities.

 

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With respect to loans that are collateralized by cash, the borrower will be entitled to receive a fee based on the amount of cash collateral. The Funds are compensated by the difference between the amount earned on the reinvestment of cash collateral and the fee paid to the borrower. In the case of collateral other than cash, a Fund is compensated by a fee paid by the borrower equal to a percentage of the market value of the loaned securities. Any cash collateral may be reinvested in certain short-term instruments either directly on behalf of each lending Fund or through one or more joint accounts or money market funds, including those affiliated with BFA; such reinvestments are subject to investment risk. BFA may receive compensation for these investments.

Securities lending involves exposure to certain risks, including operational risk (i.e., the risk of losses resulting from problems in the settlement and accounting process), “gap” risk (i.e., the risk of a mismatch between the return on cash collateral reinvestments and the fees each Fund has agreed to pay a borrower), and credit, legal, counterparty and market risk. If a securities lending counterparty were to default, a Fund would be subject to the risk of a possible delay in receiving collateral or in recovering the loaned securities, or to a possible loss of rights in the collateral. In the event a borrower does not return a Fund’s securities as agreed, the Fund may experience losses if the proceeds received from liquidating the collateral do not at least equal the value of the loaned security at the time the collateral is liquidated, plus the transaction costs incurred in purchasing replacement securities. This event could trigger adverse tax consequences for the Funds. Substitute payments for dividends received by a Fund for securities loaned out by the Fund will not be considered qualified dividend income. The Fund may take the tax effects of this difference into account in its securities lending program.

Each Fund pays a portion of the interest or fees earned from securities lending to a borrower as described above and to a securities lending agent who administers the lending program in accordance with guidelines approved by the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board” or the “Directors”). To the extent that the Funds engage in securities lending, BTC acts as securities lending agent for the Funds, subject to the overall supervision of BFA. BTC receives a portion of the revenues generated by securities lending activities as compensation for its services.

Non-U.S. Securities. Each Fund intends to purchase publicly-traded common stocks of non-U.S. issuers. To the extent a Fund invests in stocks of non-U.S. issuers, certain of the Fund’s investments in such stocks may be in the form of American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”), Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”), Non-Voting Depositary Receipts (“NVDRs”) and European Depositary Receipts (“EDRs”) (collectively, “Depositary Receipts”). Depositary Receipts are receipts, typically issued by a bank or trust issuer, which evidence ownership of underlying securities issued by a non-U.S. issuer. For ADRs, the depository is typically a U.S. financial institution and the underlying securities are issued by a non-U.S. issuer. For other forms of Depositary Receipts, the depository may be a non-U.S. or a U.S. entity, and the underlying securities may be issued by a non-U.S. or a U.S. issuer. Depositary Receipts are not necessarily denominated in the same currency as their underlying securities. Generally, ADRs, issued in registered form, are designed for use in the U.S. securities markets, and EDRs, issued in bearer form, are designed for use in European securities markets. NVDRs are designed for use in the Thai securities market. GDRs are tradable both in the United States and in Europe and are designed for use throughout the world.

The Funds will not invest in any unlisted Depositary Receipt or any Depositary Receipt that BFA deems illiquid at the time of purchase or for which pricing information is not readily available. In general, Depositary Receipts must be sponsored, but a Fund may invest in unsponsored Depositary Receipts under certain limited circumstances. The issuers of unsponsored Depositary Receipts are not obligated to disclose material information in the United States. Therefore, there may be less information available regarding such issuers and there may be no correlation between available information and the market value of the Depositary Receipts.

Investing in the securities of non-U.S. issuers involves special risks and considerations not typically associated with investing in U.S. issuers. These include differences in accounting, auditing and financial

 

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reporting standards, the possibility of expropriation or confiscatory taxation, adverse changes in investment or exchange control regulations, political instability which could affect U.S. investments in non-U.S. countries, and potential restrictions on the flow of international capital. Non-U.S. issuers may be subject to less governmental regulation than U.S. issuers. Moreover, individual non-U.S. economies may differ favorably or unfavorably from the U.S. economy in such respects as growth of gross domestic product, rate of inflation, capital reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency and balance of payment positions.

Options on Futures Contracts. An option on a futures contract, as contrasted with the direct investment in such a contract, gives the purchaser the right, in return for the premium paid, to assume a position in the underlying futures contract at a specified exercise price at any time prior to the expiration date of the option. Upon exercise of an option, the delivery of the futures position by the writer of the option to the holder of the option will be accompanied by delivery of the accumulated balance in the writer’s futures margin account that represents the amount by which the market price of the futures contract exceeds (in the case of a call) or is less than (in the case of a put) the exercise price of the option on the futures contract. The potential for loss related to the purchase of an option on a futures contract is limited to the premium paid for the option plus transaction costs. Because the value of the option is fixed at the point of sale, there are no daily cash payments by the purchaser to reflect changes in the value of the underlying contract; however, the value of the option changes daily and that change would be reflected in the NAV of each Fund. The potential for loss related to writing call options is unlimited. The potential for loss related to writing put options is limited to the agreed upon price per share, also known as the “strike price,” less the premium received from writing the put.

Each Fund may purchase and write put and call options on futures contracts that are traded on an exchange as a hedge against changes in value of its portfolio securities, or in anticipation of the purchase of securities, and may enter into closing transactions with respect to such options to terminate existing positions. There is no guarantee that such closing transactions can be effected.

Upon entering into a futures contract, a Fund will be required to deposit with the broker an amount of cash or cash equivalents known as “initial margin,” which is in the nature of a performance bond or good faith deposit on the contract and is returned to a Fund upon termination of the futures contract, assuming all contractual obligations have been satisfied. Subsequent payments, known as “variation margin,” to and from the broker will be made daily as the price of the index underlying the futures contract fluctuates, making the long and short positions in the futures contract more or less valuable, a process known as “marking-to-market.” At any time prior to the expiration of a futures contract, a Fund may elect to close the position by taking an opposite position, which will operate to terminate a Fund’s existing position in the contract.

Repurchase Agreements. A repurchase agreement is an instrument under which the purchaser (i.e., a Fund) acquires the security and the seller agrees, at the time of the sale, to repurchase the security at a mutually agreed upon time and price, thereby determining the yield during the purchaser’s holding period. Repurchase agreements may be construed to be collateralized loans by the purchaser to the seller secured by the securities transferred to the purchaser. If a repurchase agreement is construed to be a collateralized loan, the underlying securities will not be considered to be owned by each Fund but only to constitute collateral for the seller’s obligation to pay the repurchase price, and, in the event of a default by the seller, each Fund may suffer time delays and incur costs or losses in connection with the disposition of the collateral.

In any repurchase transaction, the collateral for a repurchase agreement may include: (i) cash items; (ii) obligations issued by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities; or (iii) obligations that, at the time the repurchase agreement is entered into, are rated in the highest rating category generally by at least two nationally recognized statistical rating organizations (“NRSRO”), or, if unrated, determined to be of comparable quality by BFA. Collateral, however, is not limited to the foregoing and may include, for example, obligations rated below the highest category by NRSROs. Collateral for a repurchase agreement

 

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may also include securities that a Fund could not hold directly without the repurchase obligation. Irrespective of the type of collateral underlying the repurchase agreement, in the case of a repurchase agreement entered into by a non-money market fund, the repurchase obligation of a seller must be of comparable credit quality to securities which are rated in one of the two highest rating categories by any NRSRO.

Repurchase agreements pose certain risks for a Fund that utilizes them. Such risks are not unique to the Funds, but are inherent in repurchase agreements. The Funds seek to minimize such risks, but because of the inherent legal uncertainties involved in repurchase agreements, such risks cannot be eliminated. Lower quality collateral and collateral with longer maturities may be subject to greater price fluctuations than higher quality collateral and collateral with shorter maturities. If the repurchase agreement counterparty were to default, lower quality collateral may be more difficult to liquidate than higher quality collateral. Should the counterparty default and the amount of collateral not be sufficient to cover the counterparty’s repurchase obligation, a Fund would retain the status of an unsecured creditor of the counterparty (i.e., the position the Fund would normally be in if it were to hold, pursuant to its investment policies, other unsecured debt securities of the defaulting counterparty) with respect to the amount of the shortfall. As an unsecured creditor, a Fund would be at risk of losing some or all of the principal and income involved in the transaction.

Reverse Repurchase Agreements. Reverse repurchase agreements involve the sale of securities with an agreement to repurchase the securities at an agreed-upon price, date and interest payment and have the characteristics of borrowing. Generally, the effect of such transactions is that a Fund can recover all or most of the cash invested in the portfolio securities involved during the term of the reverse repurchase agreement, while in many cases the Fund is able to keep some of the interest income associated with those securities. Such transactions are advantageous only if a Fund has an opportunity to earn a rate of interest on the cash derived from these transactions that is greater than the interest cost of obtaining the same amount of cash. Opportunities to realize earnings from the use of the proceeds equal to or greater than the interest required to be paid may not always be available and a Fund intends to use the reverse repurchase technique only when BFA believes it will be advantageous to the Fund. The use of reverse repurchase agreements may exaggerate any interim increase or decrease in the value of a Fund’s assets. A Fund’s exposure to reverse repurchase agreements will be covered by liquid assets having a value equal to or greater than such commitments.

Securities of Investment Companies. Each Fund may invest in the securities of other investment companies (including money market funds) to the extent allowed by law. Pursuant to the 1940 Act, a Fund’s investment in registered investment companies is limited to, subject to certain exceptions: (i) 3% of the total outstanding voting stock of any one investment company; (ii) 5% of the Fund’s total assets with respect to any one investment company; and (iii) 10% of the Fund’s total assets with respect to investment companies in the aggregate. To the extent allowed by law or regulation, each Fund may invest its assets in the securities of investment companies that are money market funds, including those advised by or otherwise affiliated with BFA, in excess of the limits discussed above. Other investment companies in which a Fund may invest can be expected to incur fees and expenses for operations, such as investment advisory and administration fees, which would be in addition to those incurred by the Fund.

Short-Term Instruments and Temporary Investments. Each Fund may invest in short-term instruments, including money market instruments, on an ongoing basis to provide liquidity or for other reasons. Money market instruments are generally short-term investments that may include but are not limited to: (i) shares of money market funds (including those advised by BFA or otherwise affiliated with BFA); (ii) obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities (including government-sponsored enterprises); (iii) negotiable certificates of deposit (“CDs”), bankers’ acceptances, fixed-time deposits and other obligations of U.S. and non-U.S. banks (including non-U.S. branches) and similar institutions; (iv) commercial paper rated, at the date of purchase, “Prime-1” by Moody’s® Investors Service, Inc., “F-1” by Fitch Inc., or “A-1” by Standard & Poor’s® (a subsidiary of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.)

 

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(“S&P® ” ), or if unrated, of comparable quality as determined by BFA; (v) non-convertible corporate debt securities (e.g., bonds and debentures) with remaining maturities at the date of purchase of not more than 397 days and that satisfy the rating requirements set forth in Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act; (vi) repurchase agreements; and (vii) short-term U.S. dollar-denominated obligations of non-U.S. banks (including U.S. branches) that, in the opinion of BFA, are of comparable quality to obligations of U.S. banks which may be purchased by a Fund. Any of these instruments may be purchased on a current or forward-settled basis. Time deposits are non-negotiable deposits maintained in banking institutions for specified periods of time at stated interest rates. Bankers’ acceptances are time drafts drawn on commercial banks by borrowers, usually in connection with international transactions.

Swap Agreements. Swap agreements are contracts between parties in which one party agrees to make periodic payments to the other party based on the change in market value or level of a specified rate, index or asset. In return, the other party agrees to make periodic payments to the first party based on the return of a different specified rate, index or asset. Swap agreements will usually be performed on a net basis, with a Fund receiving or paying only the net amount of the two payments. The net amount of the excess, if any, of a Fund’s obligations over its entitlements with respect to each swap is accrued on a daily basis and an amount of liquid assets having an aggregate value at least equal to the accrued excess will be maintained by the Fund.

The use of interest rate and index swaps is a highly specialized activity that involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio security transactions. These transactions generally do not involve the delivery of securities or other underlying assets or principal.

Tracking Stocks. A tracking stock is a separate class of common stock whose value is linked to a specific business unit or operating division within a larger company and is designed to “track” the performance of such business unit or division. The tracking stock may pay dividends to shareholders independent of the parent company. The parent company, rather than the business unit or division, generally is the issuer of tracking stock. However, holders of the tracking stock may not have the same rights as holders of the company’s common stock.

Future Developments. The Board may, in the future, authorize a Fund to invest in securities contracts and investments, other than those listed in this SAI and in the applicable Prospectuses, provided they are consistent with a Fund’s investment objective and do not violate any investment restrictions or policies.

General Considerations and Risks

A discussion of some of the principal risks associated with an investment in a Fund is contained in the applicable Prospectus.

An investment in a Fund should be made with an understanding that the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities may fluctuate in accordance with changes in the financial condition of the issuers of the portfolio securities, the value of stocks in general, and other factors that affect the market.

Dividend Risk. There is no guarantee that the issuer of the stocks held by a Fund will declare dividends in the future or that if declared, they will either remain at current levels or increase over time.

Risks of Derivatives. A derivative is a financial contract, the value of which depends on, or is derived from, the value of an underlying asset such as a security or an index. A Fund may invest in stock index futures contracts and other derivatives. Compared to conventional securities, derivatives can be more sensitive to changes in interest rates or to sudden fluctuations in market prices and thus a Fund’s losses may be greater if it invests in derivatives than if it invests only in conventional securities. Derivatives are also subject to counterparty risk, which is the risk that the other party in the transaction will not fulfill its contractual obligations.

 

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Risks of Equity Securities. An investment in a Fund should be made with an understanding of the risks inherent in an investment in equity securities, including the risk that the financial condition of issuers may become impaired or that the general condition of stock markets may deteriorate (either of which may cause a decrease in the value of the portfolio securities and thus in the value of shares of a Fund). Common stocks are susceptible to general stock market fluctuations and to increases and decreases in value as market confidence and perceptions of their issuers change. These investor perceptions are based on various and unpredictable factors, including expectations regarding government, economic, monetary and fiscal policies, inflation and interest rates, economic expansion or contraction, and global or regional political, economic or banking crises. Holders of common stocks incur more risks than holders of preferred stocks and debt obligations because common stockholders generally have rights to receive payments from stock issuers that are inferior to the rights of creditors, or holders of debt obligations or preferred stocks. Further, unlike debt securities, which typically have a stated principal amount payable at maturity (the value of which, however, is subject to market fluctuations prior to maturity), or preferred stocks, which typically have a liquidation preference and which may have stated optional or mandatory redemption provisions, common stocks have neither a fixed principal amount nor a maturity.

Although most of the securities in each Underlying Index are listed on a national securities exchange, the principal trading market for some of the securities may be in the over-the-counter market. The existence of a liquid trading market for certain securities may depend on whether dealers will make a market in such securities. There can be no assurance that a market will be made or maintained or that any such market will be or remain liquid. The price at which securities may be sold and the value of a Fund’s shares will be adversely affected if trading markets for the Fund’s portfolio securities are limited or absent, or if bid/ask spreads are wide.

Risks of Futures and Options Transactions. There are several risks accompanying the utilization of futures contracts and options on futures contracts. First, a position in futures contracts and options on futures contracts may be closed only on the exchange on which the contract was made (or a linked exchange). While each Fund plans to utilize futures contracts only if an active market exists for such contracts, there is no guarantee that a liquid market will exist for the contract at a specified time. Furthermore, because, by definition, futures contracts project price levels in the future and not current levels of valuation, market circumstances may result in a discrepancy between the price of the stock index future and the movement in a Fund’s Underlying Index. In the event of adverse price movements, a Fund would continue to be required to make daily cash payments to maintain its required margin. In such situations, if a Fund has insufficient cash, it may have to sell portfolio securities to meet daily margin requirements at a time when it may be disadvantageous to do so. In addition, a Fund may be required to deliver the instruments underlying the future contracts it has sold.

The risk of loss in trading futures contracts or uncovered call options in some strategies (e.g., selling uncovered stock index futures contracts) is potentially unlimited. The Funds do not plan to use futures and options contracts in this way. The risk of a futures position may still be large as traditionally measured due to the low margin deposits required. In many cases, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in immediate and substantial loss or gain to the investor relative to the size of a required margin deposit. The Funds, however, intend to utilize futures and options contracts in a manner designed to limit their risk exposure to levels comparable to a direct investment in the types of stocks in which they invest.

Utilization of futures and options on futures by a Fund involves the risk of imperfect or even negative correlation to its Underlying Index if the index underlying the futures contract differs from the Underlying Index. There is also the risk of loss by the Fund of margin deposits in the event of bankruptcy of a broker with whom a Fund has an open position in the futures contract or option. The purchase of put or call options will be based upon predictions by BFA as to anticipated trends, which predictions could prove to be incorrect.

Because the futures market generally imposes less burdensome margin requirements than the securities market, an increased amount of participation by speculators in the futures market could result in price

 

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fluctuations. Certain financial futures exchanges limit the amount of fluctuation permitted in futures contract prices during a single trading day. The daily limit establishes the maximum amount by which the price of a futures contract may vary either up or down from the previous day’s settlement price at the end of a trading session. Once the daily limit has been reached in a particular type of contract, no trades may be made on that day at a price beyond that limit. It is possible that futures contract prices could move to the daily limit for several consecutive trading days with little or no trading, thereby preventing prompt liquidation of futures positions and subjecting each Fund to substantial losses. In the event of adverse price movements, each Fund would be required to make daily cash payments of variation margin.

Risks of Investing in Africa. Investments in securities of issuers in certain African countries involve heightened risks including, among others, expropriation and/or nationalization of assets, confiscatory taxation, political instability, including authoritarian and/or military involvement in governmental decision-making, armed conflict, civil war, and social instability as a result of religious, ethnic and/or socioeconomic unrest and, in certain countries, genocidal warfare.

Certain countries in Africa generally have less developed capital markets than traditional emerging market countries, and, consequently, the risks of investing in foreign securities are magnified in such countries. Because securities markets of countries in Africa are underdeveloped and are less correlated to global economic cycles than those markets located in more developed countries, securities markets in Africa are subject to greater risks associated with market volatility, lower market capitalization, lower trading volume, illiquidity, inflation, greater price fluctuations and uncertainty regarding the existence of trading markets.

Moreover, trading on securities markets may be suspended altogether. Market volatility may also be heightened by the actions of a small number of investors. Brokerage firms in certain countries in Africa may be fewer in number and less established than brokerage firms in more developed markets. Since a Fund may need to effect securities transactions through these brokerage firms, the Fund is subject to the risk that these brokerage firms will not be able to fulfill their obligations to the Fund (i.e., counterparty risk). This risk is magnified to the extent that a Fund effects securities transactions through a single brokerage firm or a small number of brokerage firms.

Certain governments in Africa restrict or control to varying degrees the ability of foreign investors to invest in securities of issuers located or operating in those countries. These restrictions and/or controls may at times limit or prevent foreign investment in securities of issuers located or operating in countries in Africa. Moreover, certain countries in Africa require governmental approval or special licenses prior to investment by foreign investors and may limit the amount of investment by foreign investors in a particular industry and/or issuer, and may limit such foreign investment to a certain class of securities of an issuer that may have less advantageous rights than the classes available for purchase by domestic investors of the countries and/or impose additional taxes on foreign investors. A delay in obtaining a government approval or a license would delay investments in a particular country, and, as a result, a Fund may not be able to invest in certain securities while approval is pending. The government of a particular country may also withdraw or decline to renew a license that enables a Fund to invest in such country. These factors make investing in issuers located or operating in countries in Africa significantly riskier than investing in issuers located or operating in more developed countries, and any one of these factors could cause a decline in the value of a Fund’s investments.

Issuers located or operating in countries in Africa are not subject to the same rules and regulations as issuers located or operating in more developed countries. Therefore, there may be less financial and other information publicly available with regard to issuers located or operating in countries in Africa and such issuers are not subject to the uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards applicable to issuers located or operating in more developed countries.

In addition, governments of certain countries in Africa in which a Fund may invest may levy withholding or other taxes on income such as dividends, interest and realized capital gains. Although in certain countries in

 

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Africa a portion of these taxes are recoverable, the non-recovered portion of foreign withholding taxes will reduce the income received from investments in such countries.

Investment in countries in Africa may be subject to a greater degree of risk associated with governmental approval in connection with the repatriation of investment income, capital or the proceeds of sales of securities by foreign investors. In addition, there is the risk that if an African country’s balance of payments declines, such African country may impose temporary restrictions on foreign capital remittances. Consequently, a Fund could be adversely affected by delays in, or a refusal to grant, required governmental approval for repatriation of capital, as well as by the application to the Fund of any restrictions on investments. Additionally, investments in countries in Africa may require a Fund to adopt special procedures, seek local government approvals or take other actions, each of which may involve additional costs to the Fund.

Securities laws in many countries in Africa are relatively new and unsettled and, consequently, there is a risk of rapid and unpredictable change in laws regarding foreign investment, securities regulation, title to securities and shareholder rights. Accordingly, foreign investors may be adversely affected by new or amended laws and regulations. In addition, there may be no single centralized securities exchange on which securities are traded in certain countries in Africa and the systems of corporate governance to which issuers located in countries in Africa are subject may be less advanced than those systems to which issuers located in more developed countries are subject, and therefore, shareholders of issuers located in such countries may not receive many of the protections available to shareholders of issuers located in more developed countries.

In circumstances where adequate laws and shareholder rights exist, it may not be possible to obtain swift and equitable enforcement of the law. In addition, the enforcement of systems of taxation at federal, regional and local levels in countries in Africa may be inconsistent and subject to sudden change.

Certain countries in Africa may be heavily dependent upon international trade and, consequently, have been and may continue to be negatively affected by trade barriers, exchange controls, managed adjustments in relative currency values and other protectionist measures imposed or negotiated by the countries with which they trade. These countries also have been and may continue to be adversely affected by economic conditions in the countries with which they trade. Certain countries in Africa depend to a significant extent upon exports of primary commodities such as gold, silver, copper and diamonds. These countries therefore are vulnerable to changes in commodity prices, which may be affected by a variety of factors. In addition, certain issuers located in countries in Africa in which a Fund invests may operate in, or have dealings with, countries subject to sanctions and/or embargoes imposed by the U.S. government and the United Nations, and/or countries identified by the U.S. government as state sponsors of terrorism. As a result, an issuer may sustain damage to its reputation if it is identified as an issuer which operates in, or has dealings with, such countries. A Fund, as an investor in such issuers, will be indirectly subject to those risks.

The governments of certain countries in Africa may exercise substantial influence over many aspects of the private sector and may own or control many companies. Future government actions could have a significant effect on the economic conditions in such countries, which could have a negative impact on private sector companies. There is also the possibility of diplomatic developments that could adversely affect investments in certain countries in Africa. Some countries in Africa may be affected by a greater degree of public corruption and crime, including organized crime.

In addition, recent political instability and protests in North Africa and the Middle East have caused significant disruptions to many industries. This instability has demonstrated that political and social unrest can spread quickly through the region, and that developments in one country can influence the political events in neighboring countries. Some protests have turned violent, and the threat of civil war in countries such as Libya poses a risk to investments in the region. Continued political and social unrest in these regions may negatively affect the value of your investment in a Fund.

 

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Risks of Investing in Asia. Investments in securities of issuers in certain Asian countries involve risks not typically associated with investments in securities of issuers in more developed countries. Such heightened risks include, among others, expropriation and/or nationalization of assets, confiscatory taxation, political instability, including authoritarian and/or military involvement in governmental decision-making, armed conflict and social instability as a result of religious, ethnic and/or socio-economic unrest.

Certain Asian countries have democracies with relatively short histories, which may increase the risk of political instability. These countries have faced political and military unrest, and further unrest could present a risk to their local economies and securities markets. Indonesia and the Philippines have each experienced violence and terrorism, which has negatively impacted their economies. North and South Korea each have substantial military capabilities, and historical tensions between the two countries present the risk of war. Any outbreak of hostilities between the two countries could have a severe adverse effect on the South Korean economy and securities market. Increased political and social unrest in these geographic areas could adversely affect the performance of investments in this region.

Certain governments in this region administer prices on several basic goods, including fuel and electricity, within their respective countries. Certain governments may exercise substantial influence over many aspects of the private sector in their respective countries and may own or control many companies. Future government actions could have a significant effect on the economic conditions in this region, which in turn could have a negative impact on private sector companies. There is also the possibility of diplomatic developments adversely affecting investments in the region.

Corruption and the perceived lack of a rule of law in dealings with international companies in certain Asian countries may discourage foreign investment and could negatively impact the long-term growth of certain economies in this region. In addition, certain countries in the region are experiencing high unemployment and corruption, and have fragile banking sectors.

Some economies in this region are dependent on a range of commodities, including oil, natural gas and coal. Accordingly, they are strongly affected by international commodity prices and particularly vulnerable to any weakening in global demand for these products. The market for securities in this region may also be directly influenced by the flow of international capital, and by the economic and market conditions of neighboring countries. Adverse economic conditions or developments in neighboring countries may increase investors’ perception of the risk of investing in the region as a whole, which may adversely impact the market value of the securities issued by companies in the region.

Risks of Investing in Australasia. The economies of Australasia, which include Australia and New Zealand, are dependent on exports from the agricultural and mining sectors. This makes Australasian economies susceptible to fluctuations in the commodity markets. Australasian economies are also increasingly dependent on their growing service industries. Because the economies of Australasia are dependent on the economies of Asia, Europe and the United States as key trading partners and investors, reduction in spending by any of these trading partners on Australasian products and services, or negative changes in any of these economies, may cause an adverse impact on some or all of the Australasian economies. Additionally, Australia and New Zealand are located in a region that has historically been prone to natural disasters. Any natural disaster in the region could negatively impact the economies of Australia and New Zealand and affect the value of securities held by a Fund.

Risks of Investing in Australia. The Fund’s investment in Australian issuers may subject the Fund to loss in the event of adverse political, economic, regulatory and other developments that affect Australia, including fluctuations of Australian currency versus the U.S. dollar. Also, Australia is located in a part of the world that has historically been prone to natural disasters, such as drought and flooding. Any such event in the future could have a significant adverse impact on the Australian economy. The Australian economy is dependent on trading with certain key trading partners. The Australia–U.S. Free Trade Agreement has significantly expanded the trading relationship between the United States and Australia. Recently, Australia and

 

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Singapore entered into the Singapore-Australia Free Trade Agreement (“SAFTA”). SAFTA is intended to further expand the economic relationship with Singapore, Australia’s largest trade and investment partner in South-East Asia. Thus, economic events in the United States, Asia, or in other key trading countries can have a significant economic effect on the Australian economy. The Australian economy is heavily dependent on the mining sector, passage of new regulations limiting foreign ownership of companies in the mining sector or imposition of new taxes on profits of mining companies may dissuade foreign investment, and as a result, have a negative impact on companies to which the Fund has exposure.

Risks of Investing in Eastern Europe. Investing in the securities of Eastern European issuers is highly speculative and involves risks not usually associated with investing in the more developed markets of Western Europe. Political and economic reforms are too recent to establish a definite trend away from centrally planned economies and state-owned industries. In the past, some Eastern European governments have expropriated substantial amounts of private property, and many claims of the property owners have never been fully settled.

Many Eastern European countries continue to move towards market economies at different paces with appropriately different characteristics. Most Eastern European securities markets suffer from thin trading activity, dubious investor protections, and often a dearth of reliable corporate information. Information and transaction costs, differential taxes, and sometimes political or transfer risk give a comparative advantage to the domestic investor rather than the foreign investor. In addition, these markets are particularly sensitive to social, political, economic, and currency events in Russia and may suffer heavy losses as a result of their trading and investment links to the Russian economy and currency. Russia also may attempt to assert its influence in the region through economic or even military measures, as it did with Georgia in the Summer of 2008. Eastern European economies may also be particularly susceptible to changes in the international credit markets due to their reliance on bank related inflows of capital. The recent global economic crisis has restricted international credit supplies, and several Eastern European economies have faced significant credit and economic crises. Although some Eastern European economies are expanding again, major challenges are still present as a result of their continued dependence on the Western European zone for credit.

Risks of Investing in Emerging Markets Securities. Investments in emerging market countries may be subject to greater risks than investments in developed countries. These risks include: (i) less social, political, and economic stability; (ii) greater illiquidity and price volatility due to smaller or limited local capital markets for such securities, or low or nonexistent trading volumes; (iii) foreign exchanges and broker-dealers may be subject to less scrutiny and regulation by local authorities; (iv) local governments may decide to seize or confiscate securities held by foreign investors and/or local governments may decide to suspend or limit an issuer’s ability to make dividend or interest payments; (v) local governments may limit or entirely restrict repatriation of invested capital, profits, and dividends; (vi) capital gains may be subject to local taxation, including on a retroactive basis; (vii) issuers facing restrictions on dollar or euro payments imposed by local governments may attempt to make dividend or interest payments to foreign investors in the local currency; (viii) investors may experience difficulty in enforcing legal claims related to the securities and/or local judges may favor the interests of the issuer over those of foreign investors; (ix) bankruptcy judgments may only be permitted to be paid in the local currency; (x) limited public information regarding the issuer may result in greater difficulty in determining market valuations of the securities, and (xi) lax financial reporting on a regular basis, substandard disclosure and differences in accounting standards may make it difficult to ascertain the financial health of an issuer.

Emerging market securities markets are typically marked by a high concentration of market capitalization and trading volume in a small number of issuers representing a limited number of industries, as well as a high concentration of ownership of such securities by a limited number of investors. In addition, brokerage and other costs associated with transactions in emerging markets securities markets can be higher, sometimes significantly, than similar costs incurred in securities markets in developed countries. Although some emerging markets have become more established and tend to issue securities of higher credit quality, the markets for

 

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securities in other emerging countries are in the earliest stages of their development, and these countries issue securities across the credit spectrum. Even the markets for relatively widely traded securities in emerging countries may not be able to absorb, without price disruptions, a significant increase in trading volume or trades of a size customarily undertaken by institutional investors in the securities markets of developed countries. The limited size of many of these securities markets can cause prices to be erratic for reasons apart from factors that affect the soundness and competitiveness of the securities issuers. For example, prices may be unduly influenced by traders who control large positions in these markets. Additionally, market making and arbitrage activities are generally less extensive in such markets, which may contribute to increased volatility and reduced liquidity of such markets. The limited liquidity of emerging country securities may also affect a Fund’s ability to accurately value its portfolio securities or to acquire or dispose of securities at the price and time it wishes to do so or in order to meet redemption requests.

Many emerging market countries suffer from uncertainty and corruption in their legal frameworks. Legislation may be difficult to interpret and laws may be too new to provide any precedential value. Laws regarding foreign investment and private property may be weak or non-existent. Sudden changes in governments may result in policies which are less favorable to investors such as policies designed to expropriate or nationalize “sovereign” assets. Certain emerging market countries in the past have expropriated large amounts of private property, in many cases with little or no compensation, and there can be no assurance that such expropriation will not occur in the future.

Foreign investment in the securities markets of certain emerging countries is restricted or controlled to varying degrees. These restrictions may limit a Fund’s investment in certain emerging countries and may increase the expenses of the Fund. Certain emerging countries require governmental approval prior to investments by foreign persons or limit investment by foreign persons to only a specified percentage of an issuer’s outstanding securities or a specific class of securities which may have less advantageous terms (including price) than securities of the company available for purchase by nationals.

Many emerging market countries lack the social, political, and economic stability characteristic of the United States. Political instability among emerging market countries can be common and may be caused by an uneven distribution of wealth, social unrest, labor strikes, civil wars, and religious oppression. Economic instability in emerging market countries may take the form of: (i) high interest rates; (ii) high levels of inflation, including hyperinflation; (iii) high levels of unemployment or underemployment; (iv) changes in government economic and tax policies, including confiscatory taxation; and (v) imposition of trade barriers.

A Fund’s income and, in some cases, capital gains from foreign securities will be subject to applicable taxation in certain of the emerging market countries in which it invests, and treaties between the United States and such countries may not be available in some cases to reduce the otherwise applicable tax rates.

Emerging markets also have different clearance and settlement procedures, and in certain of these emerging markets there have been times when settlements have been unable to keep pace with the volume of securities transactions, making it difficult to conduct such transactions.

In the past, certain governments in emerging market countries have become overly reliant on the international capital markets and other forms of foreign credit to finance large public spending programs, which in the past have caused huge budget deficits. Often, interest payments have become too overwhelming for a government to meet, representing a large percentage of total gross domestic product (GDP). These foreign obligations have become the subject of political debate and served as fuel for political parties of the opposition, which pressure the government not to make payments to foreign creditors, but instead to use these funds for, among other things, social programs. Either due to an inability to pay or submission to political pressure, foreign governments have been forced to seek a restructuring of their loan and/or bond obligations, have declared a temporary suspension of interest payments or have defaulted. These events have adversely affected the values of securities issued by foreign governments and

 

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corporations domiciled in those countries and have negatively affected not only their cost of borrowing, but their ability to borrow in the future as well.

Risks of Investing in Japan. Investments in securities issued by Japanese companies may be subject to additional risks.

 

   

Political Risk. Historically, Japan has had unpredictable national politics and may experience frequent political turnover. Future political developments may lead to changes in policy that might adversely affect a Fund’s investments. Large Government Debt Risk. The Japanese economy faces several concerns, including a financial system with large levels of nonperforming loans, over-leveraged corporate balance sheets, extensive cross-ownership by major corporations, a changing corporate governance structure, and large government deficits. These issues may cause a slowdown of the Japanese economy.

 

   

Currency Risk. The Japanese yen has fluctuated widely at times and any increase in its value may cause a decline in exports that could weaken the economy.

 

   

Labor Risk. Japan has an aging workforce. It is a labor market undergoing fundamental structural changes, as traditional lifetime employment clashes with the need for increased labor mobility, which may adversely affect Japan’s economic competitiveness.

 

   

Geographic Risk. Natural disasters, such as earthquakes, could occur in Japan or surrounding areas and could negatively affect the Japanese economy, and, in turn, could negatively affect a Fund.

Risks of Investing in Non-U.S. Equity Securities. An investment in a Fund involves risks similar to those of investing in a portfolio of equity securities traded on foreign exchanges. These risks include market fluctuations caused by such factors as economic and political developments, changes in interest rates and perceived trends in stock prices. Investing in securities issued by issuers domiciled in countries other than the domicile of the investor and denominated in currencies other than an investor’s local currency entails certain considerations and risks not typically encountered by the investor in making investments in its home country and in that country’s currency. These considerations include favorable or unfavorable changes in interest rates, currency exchange rates, exchange control regulations and the costs that may be incurred in connection with conversions between various currencies. Investing in any of these Funds also involves certain risks and considerations not typically associated with investing in a fund whose portfolio contains exclusively securities of U.S. issuers. These risks include generally less liquid and less efficient securities markets; generally greater price volatility; less publicly available information about issuers; the imposition of withholding or other taxes; the imposition of restrictions on the expatriation of funds or other assets of the Funds; higher transaction and custody costs; delays and risks attendant in settlement procedures; difficulties in enforcing contractual obligations; lower liquidity and significantly smaller market capitalization; different accounting and disclosure standards; lower levels of regulation of the securities markets; more substantial government interference with the economy; higher rates of inflation; greater social, economic, and political uncertainty; the risk of nationalization or expropriation of assets; and the risk of war.

Risks of Investing in Russia. Investing in the Russian securities market involves a high degree of risk and special considerations not typically associated with investing in the U.S. securities markets, and should be considered highly speculative. Risks include the absence of developed legal structures governing private and foreign investments and private property; the possibility of the loss of all or a substantial portion of a Fund’s assets invested in Russia as a result of expropriation; certain national policies which may restrict the Fund’s investment opportunities, including, without limitation, restrictions on investing in issuers or industries deemed sensitive to relevant national interests; and potentially greater price volatility in, significantly smaller capitalization of, and relative illiquidity of, the Russian market. There can also be no assurance that a Fund’s investments in these companies would not be expropriated, nationalized or otherwise confiscated. In the event of the settlement of any such claims or such expropriation, nationalization or other confiscation, a Fund could lose its entire investment. In addition, it may be difficult and more costly to obtain and enforce a judgment in the Russian court system.

 

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Russia may also be subject to a greater degree of economic, political and social instability than is the case in other developed countries. Such instability may result from, among other things, the following: (i) an authoritarian government or military involvement in political and economic decision-making, including changes in government through extra-constitutional means; (ii) popular unrest associated with demands for improved political, economic and social conditions; (iii) internal insurgencies; (iv) hostile relations with neighboring countries; and (v) ethnic, religious and racial disaffection.

The Russian economy is heavily dependent upon the export of a range of commodities including most industrial metals, forestry products and oil and gas. Accordingly, it is strongly affected by international commodity prices and is particularly vulnerable to any weakening in global demand for these products. Any acts of terrorism or armed conflicts in Russia or internationally could have an adverse effect on the financial and commodities markets and the global economy. As Russia produces and exports large amounts of crude oil and gas, any acts of terrorism or armed conflict causing disruptions of Russian oil and gas exports could negatively affect the Russian economy and, thus, adversely affect, the financial condition, results of operations or prospects of related companies.

The Russian government may exercise substantial influence over many aspects of the private sector and may own or control many companies. Future government actions could have a significant effect on the economic conditions in Russia, which could have a negative impact on private sector companies. There is also the possibility of diplomatic developments that could adversely affect investments in Russia. In recent years, the Russian government has begun to take bolder steps to re-assert its regional geopolitical influence (including military steps). Such steps may increase tensions between Russia and its neighbors and Western countries and may negatively affect economic growth.

Risks of Investing in the Capital Goods Sector. The capital goods sector may be affected by fluctuations in the business cycle and by other factors affecting manufacturing demands. The capital goods sector depends heavily on corporate spending. The capital goods sector may perform well during times of economic expansion, and as economic conditions worsen, the demand for capital goods may decrease. Many capital goods are sold internationally and such companies are subject to market conditions in other countries and regions.

Risks of Investing in the Consumer Discretionary Sector. Companies engaged in the design, production or distribution of products or services for the consumer discretionary sector (including, without limitation, television and radio broadcasting, manufacturing, publishing, recording and musical instruments, motion pictures, photography, amusement and theme parks, gaming casinos, sporting goods and sports arenas, camping and recreational equipment, toys and games, apparel, travel-related services, automobiles, hotels and motels, and fast food and other restaurants) are subject to the risk that their products or services may become obsolete quickly. The consumer discretionary sector can be significantly affected by several factors, including, without limitation, the performance of domestic and international economies, exchange rates, changing consumer tastes and trends, marketing campaigns, cyclical revenue generation, consumer confidence, commodity price volatility, labor relations, interest rates, import and export controls, intense competition, technological developments and government regulation.

Risks of Investing in the Consumer Goods Sector. The consumer goods sector may be strongly affected by trends, marketing campaigns and other factors affecting consumer demand. Governmental regulation affecting the use of various food additives may affect the profitability of certain companies in the consumer goods sector. In addition, tobacco companies may be adversely affected by new laws, regulations and litigation. Many consumer goods may be marketed globally, and consumer goods companies may be affected by the demand and market conditions in other countries and regions.

Risks of Investing in the Consumer Staples Sector. Companies in the consumer staples sector may be adversely affected by changes in the global economy, consumer spending, competition, demographics and consumer preferences, and production spending. Companies in the consumers staples sector are also

 

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affected by changes in government regulation, global economic, environmental and political events, economic conditions and the depletion of resources. In addition, companies in the consumers staples sector may be subject to risks pertaining to the supply of, demand for and prices of raw materials. The prices of raw materials fluctuate in response to a number of factors, including, without limitation, changes in government agricultural support programs, exchange rates, import and export controls, changes in international agricultural and trading policies, and seasonal and weather conditions.

Risks of Investing in the Energy Sector. Companies in the energy sector are strongly affected by the levels and volatility of global energy prices, energy supply and demand, government regulations and policies, energy production and conservation efforts, and technological change. Prices and supplies of energy may fluctuate significantly over short and long periods of time due to national and international political changes, Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (“OPEC”) policies, changes in relationships among OPEC members and between OPEC and oil-importing nations, the regulatory environment, taxation policies, and the economy of the key energy-consuming countries. In addition, companies in the energy sector are at risk of civil liability from accidents resulting in injury, loss of life or property, pollution or other environmental damage claims and risk of loss from terrorism and natural disasters. Disruptions in the oil industry or shifts in fuel consumption may significantly impact companies in this sector. In addition, because a significant portion of revenues of companies in this sector are derived from a relatively small number of customers that are largely composed of governmental entities and utilities, governmental budget constraints may have a significant impact on the stock prices of companies in this industry.

Risks of Investing in the Financial Sector. Companies in the financial sector include regional and money center banks, securities brokerage firms, asset management companies, savings banks and thrift institutions, specialty finance companies (e.g., credit card, mortgage providers), insurance and insurance brokerage firms, financial conglomerates and foreign banking and financial companies. The global financial markets have recently experienced very difficult conditions and volatility as well as significant adverse trends. The deteriorating conditions in these markets have resulted in a decrease in availability of corporate credit, capital and liquidity and have led indirectly to the insolvency, closure or acquisition of a number of financial institutions. These conditions have also contributed to consolidation within the financial industry. In addition, the global financial industry has been materially and adversely affected by a significant decline in the value of mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities, and by the sovereign debt crisis. The prospects of many financial companies are questionable and continue to evolve as financial companies revise their outlooks and write down assets that they hold.

Most financial companies are subject to extensive governmental regulation, which limits their activities and may affect their ability to earn a profit from a given line of business. Government regulation may change frequently and may have significant adverse consequences for companies in the financial sector, including effects not intended by the regulation. Direct governmental intervention in the operations of financial companies and financial markets may materially and adversely affect the companies in which a Fund invests, including recent legislation in many countries that may increase government regulation, repatriation and other intervention. The impact of governmental intervention and recent legislation on any individual financial company or on the financial sector as a whole cannot be predicted. The valuation of financial companies has been and continues to be subject to unprecedented volatility and may be influenced by unpredictable factors, including interest rate risk and sovereign debt default. Certain financial businesses are subject to intense competitive pressures, including market share and price competition. Financial companies in non-U.S. countries are subject to market specific and general regulatory and interest rate concerns. In particular, government regulation in certain non-U.S. countries may include taxes and controls on interest rates, credit availability, minimum capital requirements, ban on short sales, prices and currency transfers.

The profitability of banks, savings and loan associations and financial companies is largely dependent on the availability and cost of capital funds and can fluctuate significantly when interest rates change. In addition, general economic conditions are important to the operations of these concerns, with exposure to credit

 

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losses resulting from financial difficulties of borrowers having an adverse effect on the profitability of financial companies. Financial companies can be highly dependent upon access to capital markets and any impediments to such access, such as adverse overall economic conditions or a negative perception in the capital markets of a financial company’s financial condition or prospects, could adversely affect its business.

Risks of Investing in the Health Care Sector. Companies in the health care sector are often issuers whose profitability may be affected by extensive government regulation, restrictions on government reimbursement for medical expenses, rising or falling costs of medical products and services, pricing pressure, an increased emphasis on outpatient services, limited number of products, industry innovation, changes in technologies and other market developments. Many health care companies are heavily dependent on patent protection and the actual or perceived safety and efficiency of their products. The expiration of patents may adversely affect the profitability of these companies. Many health care companies are subject to extensive litigation based on product liability and similar claims. Health care companies are subject to competitive forces that may make it difficult to raise prices and, in fact, may result in price discounting. Many new products in the health care sector may be subject to regulatory approvals. The process of obtaining such approvals may be long and costly, and may diminish the opportunity for a company to profit from a new product or to bring a new product to market. Many health care-related companies are relatively small and unseasoned. Health care companies may also be strongly affected by scientific bio-technology or technological developments and their products may quickly become obsolete. Also, many health care companies offer products and services that are subject to governmental regulation and may be adversely affected by changes in governmental policies or laws. The impact of recent legislation passed by the U.S. government and other legislation introduced or considered by other governments on any individual health care company or on the health care sector as a whole cannot be predicted. These laws and proposals span a wide range of topics, including cost control, national health insurance, incentives for compensation in the provision of health care services, tax incentives and penalties related to health care insurance premiums, and promotion of prepaid health care plans. No one can predict what proposals will be enacted or what potentially adverse effect they may have on health care-related or biotechnology-related companies.

Risks of Investing in the Industrial Sector. The stock prices of companies in the industrial sector are affected by supply and demand both for their specific product or service and for industrial sector products in general. The products of manufacturing companies may face product obsolescence due to rapid technological developments and frequent new product introduction. Government regulations, world events and economic conditions affect the performance of companies in the industrial sector. Companies in the industrial sector may be adversely affected by liability for environmental damage, product liability claims and exchange rates. The industrial sector may also be adversely affected by changes or trends in commodity prices, which may be influenced by unpredictable factors. Aerospace and defense companies, a component of the industrial sector, can be significantly affected by government spending policies because companies involved in this industry rely, to a significant extent, on government demand for their products and services. Thus, the financial condition of, and investor interest in, aerospace and defense companies are heavily influenced by governmental defense spending policies, which are typically under pressure from efforts to control government budgets. Transportation stocks, a component of the industrial sector, are cyclical and can be significantly affected by economic changes, fuel prices, labor relations and insurance costs. Transportation companies in certain countries may also be subject to significant government regulation and oversight, which may adversely affect their businesses.

Risks of Investing in the Information Technology Sector. Information technology companies face intense competition, both domestically and internationally, which may have an adverse effect on profit margins. Like other technology companies, information technology companies may have limited product lines, markets, financial resources or personnel. The products of information technology companies may face product obsolescence due to rapid technological developments and frequent new product introduction, unpredictable changes in growth rates and competition for the services of qualified personnel. Companies in the information technology sector are heavily dependent on patent and intellectual property rights. The loss or impairment of these rights may adversely affect the profitability of these companies.

 

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Risks of Investing in the Insurance Industry. The insurance industry is subject to extensive government regulation in some countries and can be significantly affected by changes in interest rates, general economic conditions, price and marketing competition, the imposition of premium rate caps or other changes in government regulation or tax law. Different segments of the insurance industry can be significantly affected by mortality and morbidity rates, environmental clean-up costs and catastrophic events such as earthquakes, hurricanes and terrorist acts.

Risks of Investing in the Materials Sector. Companies in the materials sector may be adversely affected by commodity price volatility, exchange rates, import controls, increased competition, depletion of resources, technical progress, labor relations, exchange rates and government regulations, among other factors. Also, companies in the materials sector are at risk of liability for environmental damage and product liability claims. Production of materials may exceed demand as a result of market imbalances or economic downturns, leading to poor investment returns.

Risks of Investing in the Telecommunications Sector. The telecommunications sector of an economy is often subject to extensive government regulation. The costs of complying with governmental regulations, delays or failure to receive required regulatory approvals, or the enactment of new adverse regulatory requirements may negatively affect the business of the telecommunications companies. Government actions around the world, specifically in the area of pre-marketing clearance of products and prices, can be arbitrary and unpredictable. Companies in the telecommunications sector may encounter distressed cash flows due to the need to commit substantial capital to meet increasing competition, particularly in formulating new products and services using new technology. Technological innovations may make the products and services of telecommunications companies obsolete.

Risks of Investing in the Utilities Sector. Investments in utility companies involve special considerations, including the risk of changing commodity prices, government regulation stipulating rates charged by utilities, increased tariffs, changes in tax laws, interest rate fluctuations and changes in the cost of providing the specific utility services. The utilities industry is also subject to potential terrorist attacks, natural disasters and severe weather conditions, as well as regulatory and operational burdens associated with the operation and maintenance of nuclear facilities. Government regulators monitor and control utility revenues and costs, and therefore may limit utility profits. In certain countries regulatory authorities may also restrict a company’s access to new markets, thereby diminishing a company’s long-term prospects. The deregulation of certain utilities companies may eliminate restrictions on profits but may also subject these companies to greater risks of loss.

Risks of Swap Agreements. The risk of loss with respect to swaps generally is limited to the net amount of payments that a Fund is contractually obligated to make. Swap agreements are subject to the risk that the swap counterparty will default on its obligations. If such a default occurs, a Fund will have contractual remedies pursuant to the agreements related to the transaction. However, such remedies may be subject to bankruptcy and insolvency laws which could affect such Fund’s rights as a creditor (e.g., a Fund may not receive the net amount of payments that it is contractually entitled to receive).

Small-Capitalization Companies Risk. Many of the companies in which Funds invests are considered small-capitalization companies. Stock prices of small-capitalization companies may be more volatile than those of larger companies and therefore the Fund’s share price may be more volatile than those of funds that invest a larger percentage of their assets in stocks issued by large-capitalization companies. Stock prices of small-capitalization companies are generally more vulnerable than those of large-capitalization companies to adverse business and economic developments. The stocks of small-capitalization companies may be thinly traded, making it difficult for the Funds to buy and sell them. In addition, small-capitalization companies are typically less financially stable than larger, more established companies and may depend on a small number of essential personnel, making them more vulnerable to loss of personnel. Small-capitalization companies also normally have less diverse product lines than large-capitalization companies and are more susceptible to adverse developments concerning their products.

 

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Proxy Voting Policy

The Company has adopted, as its proxy voting policies for each Fund, the proxy voting guidelines of BFA, the investment adviser to each Fund. The Company has delegated to BFA the responsibility for voting proxies on the portfolio securities held by each Fund. The remainder of this section discusses each Fund’s proxy voting guidelines and BFA’s role in implementing such guidelines.

BFA votes (or refrains from voting) proxies for each Fund in a manner that BFA, in the exercise of its independent business judgment, concludes is in the best economic interests of such Fund. In some cases, BFA may determine that it is in the best economic interests of a Fund to refrain from exercising the Fund’s proxy voting rights (such as, for example, proxies on certain non-U.S. securities that might impose costly or time-consuming in-person voting requirements). With regard to the relationship between securities lending and proxy voting, BFA’s approach is also driven by each Fund’s economic interests. The evaluation of the economic desirability of recalling loans involves balancing the revenue-producing value of loans against the likely economic value of casting votes. Based on our evaluation of this relationship, we believe that the likely economic value of casting a vote generally is less than the securities lending income, either because the votes will not have significant economic consequences or because the outcome of the vote would not be affected by BFA recalling loaned securities in order to ensure they are voted. Periodically, BFA analyzes the process and benefits of voting proxies for securities on loan, and will consider whether any modification of its proxy voting policies or procedures are necessary in light of any regulatory changes. BFA will normally vote on specific proxy issues in accordance with its proxy voting guidelines. BFA’s proxy voting guidelines provide detailed guidance as to how to vote proxies on certain important or commonly raised issues. BFA may, in the exercise of its business judgment, conclude that the proxy voting guidelines do not cover the specific matter upon which a proxy vote is requested, or that an exception to the proxy voting guidelines would be in the best economic interests of a Fund. BFA votes (or refrains from voting) proxies without regard to the relationship of the issuer of the proxy (or any shareholder of such issuer) to a Fund, a Fund’s affiliates (if any), BFA or BFA’s affiliates, or the Distributor or the Distributor’s affiliates. When voting proxies, BFA attempts to encourage issuers to follow practices that enhance shareholder value and increase transparency and allow the market to place a proper value on their assets. With respect to certain specific issues:

 

   

Each Fund generally supports the board’s nominees in the election of directors and generally supports proposals that strengthen the independence of boards of directors;

 

   

Each Fund generally does not support proposals on social issues that lack a demonstrable economic benefit to the issuer and the Fund investing in such issuer; and

 

   

Each Fund generally votes against anti-takeover proposals and proposals that would create additional barriers or costs to corporate transactions that are likely to deliver a premium to shareholders.

BFA maintains institutional policies and procedures that are designed to prevent any relationship between the issuer of the proxy (or any shareholder of the issuer) and a Fund, a Fund’s affiliates (if any), BFA or BFA’s affiliates (if any) or the Distributor or the Distributor’s affiliates, from having undue influence on BFA’s proxy voting activity. In certain instances, BFA may determine to engage an independent fiduciary to vote proxies as a further safeguard against potential conflicts of interest or as otherwise required by applicable law. The independent fiduciary may either vote such proxies or provide BFA with instructions as to how to vote such proxies. In the latter case, BFA votes the proxy in accordance with the independent fiduciary’s determination.

Information with respect to how BFA voted proxies relating to the Funds’ portfolio securities during the 12-month period ended June 30 is available: (i) without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-iShares (1-800-474-2737) or through the Funds’ website at www.iShares.com; and (ii) on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

 

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Portfolio Holdings Information

The Board has adopted a policy regarding the disclosure of the Funds’ portfolio holdings information that requires that such information be disclosed in a manner that: (i) is consistent with applicable legal requirements and in the best interests of each Fund’s respective shareholders; (ii) does not put the interests of BFA, the Distributor or any affiliated person of BFA or the Distributor, above those of Fund shareholders; (iii) does not advantage any current or prospective Fund shareholders over any other current or prospective Fund shareholders, except to the extent that certain Entities (as described below) may receive portfolio holdings information not available to other current or prospective Fund shareholders in connection with the dissemination of information necessary for transactions in Creation Units, as discussed below; and (iv) does not provide selective access to portfolio holdings information except pursuant to the procedures outlined below and to the extent appropriate confidentiality arrangements limiting the use of such information are in effect. The “Entities” referred to in sub-section (iii) above are generally limited to National Securities Clearing Corporation (“NSCC”) members, subscribers to various fee-based subscription services, large institutional investors (known as “Authorized Participants”) that have been authorized by the Distributor to purchase and redeem large blocks of shares pursuant to legal requirements and other institutional market participants and entities that provide information services.

Each business day, each Fund’s portfolio holdings information is provided to the Distributor or other agent for dissemination through the facilities of the NSCC and/or other fee-based subscription services to NSCC members and/or subscribers to those other fee-based subscription services, including Authorized Participants, and to entities that publish and/or analyze such information in connection with the process of purchasing or redeeming Creation Units or trading shares of the Funds in the secondary market. This information typically reflects each Fund’s anticipated holdings on the following business day.

Daily access to information concerning the Funds’ portfolio holdings is permitted (i) to certain personnel of those service providers that are involved in portfolio management and providing administrative, operational, risk management, or other support to portfolio management, including affiliated broker-dealers and Authorized Participants; and (ii) to other personnel of the Funds’ investment adviser and the Distributor, administrator, custodian and fund accountant who deal directly with or assist in, functions related to investment management, distribution, administration, custody and fund accounting, as may be necessary to conduct business in the ordinary course in a manner consistent with agreements with the Funds and the terms of the Funds’ current registration statements. In addition, each Fund discloses its portfolio holdings and the percentages they represent of the Fund’s net assets at least monthly, and as often as each day the Fund is open for business, at www.iShares.com. More information about this disclosure is available at www.iShares.com.

Portfolio holdings information made available in connection with the creation/redemption process may be provided to other entities that provide services to the Funds in the ordinary course of business after it has been disseminated to the NSCC. From time to time, information concerning portfolio holdings other than portfolio holdings information made available in connection with the creation/redemption process, as discussed above, may be provided to other entities that provide services to the Funds, including rating or ranking organizations, in the ordinary course of business, no earlier than one business day following the date of the information.

Each Fund discloses its complete portfolio holdings schedule in public filings with the SEC within 70 days after the end of each fiscal quarter and will provide that information to shareholders as required by federal securities laws and regulations thereunder. A Fund may, however, voluntarily disclose all or part of its portfolio holdings other than in connection with the creation/redemption process, as discussed above, in advance of required filings with the SEC, provided that such information is made generally available to all shareholders and other interested parties in a manner that is consistent with the above policy for disclosure of portfolio holdings information. Such information may be made available through a publicly-available

 

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website or other means that make the information available to all likely interested parties contemporaneously.

The Company’s Chief Compliance Officer may authorize disclosure of portfolio holdings information pursuant to the above policy and procedures.

The Board reviews the policy and procedures for disclosure of portfolio holdings information at least annually.

Construction and Maintenance of the Underlying Indexes

Descriptions of the Underlying Indexes are provided below.

The MSCI Indexes

The MSCI indexes were founded in 1969 by Capital International S.A. as the first international performance benchmarks constructed to facilitate accurate comparison of world markets. The MSCI single country standard equity indexes have covered the world’s developed markets since 1969 and in 1987 MSCI commenced coverage of emerging markets.

Local stock exchanges traditionally calculated their own indexes, which were generally not comparable with one another due to differences in the representation of the local market, mathematical formulas, base dates and methods of adjusting for capital changes. MSCI, however, applies the same calculation methodology to all markets for all single country standard equity indexes, both developed and emerging.

MSCI’s Global Investable Market Indexes (the “MSCI GIMI”) provide exhaustive coverage and non-overlapping market segmentation by market capitalization size and by style. The MSCI GIMI intends to target approximately 99% coverage of the free-float adjusted market capitalization in each market of large, mid and small cap securities.

 

 

MSCI Global Standard Indexes cover all investable large and mid cap securities by including approximately 85% of each market’s free-float adjusted market capitalization.

 

 

MSCI Global Small Cap Indexes provide coverage to all companies with a market capitalization below that of the companies in the MSCI Global Standard Indexes by including above and beyond the coverage of the MSCI Global Standard Indexes.

MSCI Global Investable Market Indexes

Selection Criteria. MSCI’s index construction process involves: (i) defining the equity universe; (ii) determining the market investable equity universe for each market; (iii) determining market capitalization size segments for each market; (iv) applying final size segment investability requirements; and (v) applying index continuity rules for the MSCI Global Standard Index.

Defining the Equity Universe. MSCI begins with securities listed in countries in the MSCI GIMI. Of these countries, as of August 31, 2011, 24 are classified as developed markets, 21 as emerging markets, and 31 as frontier markets. All listed equity securities and listed securities that exhibit characteristics of equity securities, except mutual funds, exchange traded funds, equity derivatives, limited partnerships and most investment trusts, are eligible for inclusion in the equity universe. Real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) in

 

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some countries and certain income trusts in Canada are also eligible for inclusion. Each company and its securities (i.e., share classes) are classified in only one country.

Determining the Market Investable Equity Universe for Each Market. The equity universe in any market is derived by applying investability screens to individual companies and securities in the equity universe of that market. Some investability requirements are applied at the individual security level and some at the overall company level, represented by the aggregation of individual securities of the company. As a result, the inclusion or exclusion of one security does not imply the automatic inclusion or exclusion of other securities of the same company.

Determining Market Capitalization Size Segments for Each Market. In each market, MSCI creates an Investable Market Index, Standard Index, Large Cap Index, Mid Cap Index and Small Cap Index. The MSCI Global Standard Index is the aggregation of the Large Cap Index and Mid Cap Index. The MSCI GIMI is the aggregation of the MSCI Global Standard Index and MSCI Global Small Cap Index. In order to create size components that can be meaningfully aggregated into composites, individual market size segments balance the following two objectives:

 

 

Achieving global size integrity by ensuring that companies of comparable and relevant sizes are included in a given size segment across all markets in a composite index; and

 

 

Achieving consistent market coverage by ensuring that each market’s size segment is represented in its proportional weight in the composite universe.

Applying Final Size Segment Investability Requirements. In order to enhance replicability of the indexes, additional size segment investability requirements are set for the MSCI GIMI and MSCI Global Standard Index. These investability requirements include minimum free float market capitalization, minimum liquidity, minimum foreign limits and minimum length of trading.

Applying Index Continuity Rules for the Standard Index. In order to achieve index continuity as well as provide some basic level of diversification within a market index, notwithstanding the effect of other index construction rules contained herein, a minimum number of five constituents will be maintained for a developed market Standard Index and a minimum number of three constituents will be maintained for an emerging market Standard Index.

Weighting. All indexes of the MSCI GIMI are free-float weighted, i.e., companies are included in the indexes at the value of their free public float (free float multiplied by security price).

Regional Weights. Market capitalization weighting, combined with a consistent target of approximately 99% of free-float adjusted market capitalization, helps ensure that each country’s weight in regional and international indexes approximates its weight in the total universe of developing and emerging markets. A market is equivalent to a single country except for Europe, where all markets are aggregated into a single market for index construction purposes. Individual country indexes of the European developed markets are derived from the constituents of the MSCI GIMI Europe Index.

Free Float. MSCI defines the free float of a security as the proportion of shares outstanding that are deemed to be available for purchase in the public equity markets by international investors. In practice, limitations on free float available to international investors include: (i) strategic and other shareholdings not considered part of available free float; and (ii) limits on share ownership for foreigners.

Under MSCI’s free-float adjustment methodology, a constituent’s inclusion factor is equal to its estimated free float rounded-up to the closest 5% for constituents with free float equal to or exceeding 15%. For example, a constituent security with a free float of 23.2% will be included in the index at 25% of its market capitalization. For securities with a free float of less than 15%, the estimated free float is adjusted to the nearest 1%.

 

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Price and Exchange Rates

Prices. The prices used to calculate all MSCI indexes are the official exchange closing prices or those figures accepted as such. MSCI reserves the right to use an alternative pricing source on any given day.

Exchange Rates. Since July 2000, MSCI uses the WM/Reuters Closing Spot Rates taken at 4:00 p.m. London time. In case WM/Reuters does not provide rates for specific markets on given days (for example, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day), the previous business day’s rates are normally used. MSCI independently monitors the exchange rates on all its indices. MSCI may under exceptional circumstances elect to use alternative sources of exchange rates if the WM/Reuters rates are not available, or if MSCI determines that the WM/Reuters rates are not reflective of market circumstances for a given currency on a particular day. In such circumstances, an announcement would be sent to clients with the related information. If appropriate, MSCI may conduct a consultation with the investment community to gather feedback on the most relevant exchange rate.

Changes to the Indexes. The MSCI GIMI is maintained with the objective of reflecting, on a timely basis, the evolution of the underlying equity markets. In maintaining the MSCI indexes, emphasis is also placed on continuity, replicability and minimizing turnover in the indexes. Maintaining the MSCI indexes involves many aspects, including (i) additions to, and deletions from, the indexes; (ii) changes in number of shares; and (iii) changes in inclusion factors as a result of updated free float estimates.

Index maintenance can be described by three broad categories of changes:

 

 

Semi-Annual Index Reviews (“SAIRs”), conducted on a fixed semi-annual timetable that systematically reassess the various dimensions of the equity universe for all markets;

 

 

Quarterly Index Reviews (“QIRs”), aimed at promptly reflecting other significant market events; and

 

 

Ongoing event-related changes, such as mergers, acquisitions, spin-offs, bankruptcies, reorganizations and other similar corporate events, which generally are implemented in the indexes as they occur.

Potential changes in the status of countries (stand-alone, frontier, emerging and developed) follow their own implementation time tables.

MSCI conducts SAIRs generally as of the close of the last business day of May and November. During the SAIRs, MSCI updates the investable equity universe and reassesses size segmentation investability requirements. MSCI also conducts QIRs generally as of the close of the last business day of February and August. During the QIRs, MSCI reflects changes in the index that were not captured at the time of their actual occurrence, but are significant enough to be included before the next SAIR. The results of the SAIR and QIR are generally announced at least ten business days in advance of implementation.

MSCI 25/50 Indexes

Each of the MSCI 25/50 Indexes (the “25/50 Indexes”) is a sub-index of either an MSCI Global Standard Index or an MSCI GIMI. Their construction reflects the diversification requirements applicable to RICs pursuant to Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code. Each 25/50 Index is constructed in such a way as to ensure that no single issuer represents more than 25% of the weight of the index and that all issues that individually represent more than 5% of the weight of the index do not in the aggregate represent more than 50% of the weight of the index.

MSCI Australia Index

Number of Components: approximately 71

Index Description. The MSCI Australia Index consists of stocks traded primarily on the Australian Stock Exchange.

 

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MSCI Austria Investable Market Index

Number of Components: approximately 29

Index Description. The MSCI Austria Investable Market Index consists of stocks traded primarily on the Vienna Stock Exchange.

MSCI Belgium IMI 25/50 Index

Number of Components: approximately 48 (as of 9/28/12)

Index Description. The MSCI Belgium IMI 25/50 consists of stocks traded primarily on the Brussels Stock Exchange.

MSCI Canada Index

Number of Components: approximately 101

Index Description. The MSCI Canada Index consists of stocks traded primarily on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

MSCI Emerging Markets Eastern Europe Index

Number of Components: approximately 56

Index Description. The MSCI Emerging Markets Eastern Europe Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization index designed to measure the equity performance of companies domiciled in four Eastern European emerging market nations: the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Russia.

MSCI EMU Index

Number of Components: approximately 265

Index Description. The MSCI EMU Index consists of stocks from the following 11 markets: Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain.

MSCI France Index

Number of Components: approximately 75

Index Description. The MSCI France Index consists of stocks traded primarily on the Paris Stock Exchange.

MSCI Germany Index

Number of Components: approximately 52

Index Description. The MSCI Germany Index consists of stocks traded primarily on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.

MSCI Hong Kong Index

Number of Components: approximately 41

Index Description. The MSCI Hong Kong Index consists of stocks traded primarily on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (SEHK).

MSCI Israel Capped Investable Market Index

Number of Components: approximately 80

Index Description. The MSCI Israel Capped Investable Market Index consists of stocks traded primarily on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange.

 

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MSCI Italy Index

Number of Components: approximately 30

Index Description. The MSCI Italy Index consists of stocks traded primarily on the Milan Stock Exchange.

MSCI Japan Index

Number of Components: approximately 317

Index Description. The MSCI Japan Index consists of stocks traded primarily on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

MSCI Japan Small Cap Index

Number of Components: approximately 836

Index Description. The MSCI Japan Small Cap Index targets a coverage range between 85% and 99% of the free float-adjusted market capitalization, which consists of stocks traded primarily on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

MSCI Mexico Investable Market Index

Number of Components: approximately 44

Index Description. The MSCI Mexico Investable Market Index consists of stocks traded primarily on the Mexican Stock Exchange.

MSCI Netherlands Investable Market Index

Number of Components: approximately 60

Index Description. The MSCI Netherlands Investable Market Index consists of stocks traded primarily on the Amsterdam Stock Exchange.

MSCI Pacific ex-Japan Index

Number of Components: approximately 149

Index Description. The MSCI Pacific ex-Japan Index is designed to measure equity market performance in the Australia, Hong Kong, New Zealand and Singapore equity markets.

MSCI Singapore Index

Number of Components: approximately 32

Index Description. The MSCI Singapore Index consists of stocks traded primarily on the Singapore Stock Exchange.

MSCI South Africa Index

Number of Components: approximately 49

Index Description. The MSCI South Africa Index consists of stocks traded primarily on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.

MSCI Spain Index

Number of Components: approximately 28

Index Description. The MSCI Spain Index consists of stocks traded primarily on the Madrid Stock Exchange.

MSCI Sweden Index

Number of Components: approximately 33

Index Description. The MSCI Sweden Index consists of stocks traded primarily on the Stockholm Stock Exchange.

 

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MSCI Switzerland Index

Number of Components: approximately 37

Index Description. The MSCI Switzerland Index consists of stocks traded primarily on the Zurich Stock Exchange.

MSCI Thailand Investable Market Index

Number of Components: approximately 84

Index Description. The MSCI Thailand Investable Market Index consists of stocks traded primarily on the Stock Exchange of Thailand.

MSCI Turkey Investable Market Index

Number of Components: approximately 97

Index Description. The MSCI Turkey Investable Market Index consists of stocks traded primarily on the Istanbul Stock Exchange (ISE).

MSCI United Kingdom Index

Number of Components: approximately 104

Index Description. The MSCI United Kingdom Index consists of stocks traded primarily on the London Stock Exchange.

MSCI USA Index

Number of Components: approximately 588

Index Description. The MSCI USA Index is a market capitalization weighted index designed to measure the performance of equity securities in the top 85% by market capitalization of equity securities listed on stock exchanges in the United States.

Additional Information. “MSCI,” MSCI Australia Index, MSCI Austria Investable Market Index, MSCI Belgium IMI 25/50 Index, MSCI Canada Index, MSCI Emerging Markets Eastern Europe Index, MSCI EMU Index MSCI France Index, MSCI Germany Index, MSCI Hong Kong Index, MSCI Israel Capped Investable Market Index, MSCI Italy Index, MSCI Japan Index, MSCI Japan Small Cap Index, MSCI Mexico Investable Market Index, MSCI Netherlands Investable Market Index, MSCI Pacific ex-Japan Index, MSCI Singapore Index, MSCI South Africa Index, MSCI Spain Index, MSCI Sweden Index, MSCI Switzerland Index, MSCI Thailand Investable Market Index, MSCI Turkey Investable Market Index, MSCI United Kingdom Index and MSCI USA Index are service marks of MSCI Inc. and have been licensed for use by BTC. The Funds are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by MSCI Inc. nor does MSCI Inc. make any representation regarding the advisability of investing in any of the Funds.

Investment Limitations

The Board has adopted as non-fundamental policies the investment objectives of the Funds discussed in this SAI. Therefore, each of these Funds may change its investment objective and its Underlying Index without a shareholder vote. The Board has adopted as fundamental policies the following numbered investment restrictions, which cannot be changed without the approval of the holders of a majority of the applicable Fund’s outstanding voting securities. A vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities is defined in the 1940 Act as the lesser of (a) 67% or more of the voting securities present at a fund meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities are present or represented by proxy, and (b) more than 50% of outstanding voting securities.

 

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The iShares MSCI Australia Index Fund, iShares MSCI Canada Index Fund, iShares MSCI Germany Index Fund, iShares MSCI Hong Kong Index Fund, iShares MSCI Netherlands Investable Market Index Fund, iShares MSCI Pacific ex-Japan Index Fund, iShares MSCI Singapore Index Fund, iShares MSCI South Africa Index Fund and iShares Switzerland Index Fund will not:

 

1. Lend any funds or other assets except through the purchase of all or a portion of an issue of securities or obligations of the type in which it is permitted to invest (including participation interests in such securities or obligations) and except that a Fund may lend its portfolio securities in an amount not to exceed 33 1/3% of the value of its total assets;

 

2. Issue senior securities or borrow money, except borrowings from banks for temporary or emergency purposes in an amount up to 33 1/3% of the value of the Fund’s total assets (including the amount borrowed), valued at the lesser of cost or market, less liabilities (not including the amount borrowed) valued at the time the borrowing is made, and the Fund will not purchase securities while borrowings in excess of 5% of the Fund’s total assets are outstanding, provided, that for purposes of this restriction, short-term credits necessary for the clearance of transactions are not considered borrowings;

 

3. Pledge, hypothecate, mortgage or otherwise encumber its assets, except to secure permitted borrowings. (The deposit of underlying securities and other assets in escrow and collateral arrangements with respect to initial or variation margin for currency transactions and futures contracts will not be deemed to be pledges of the Fund’s assets);

 

4. Purchase a security (other than obligations of the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities) if as a result 25% or more of its total assets would be invested in a single issuer. (This restriction applies to the iShares MSCI Singapore Index Fund only);

 

5. Purchase, hold or deal in real estate, or oil, gas or mineral interests or leases, but a Fund may purchase and sell securities that are issued by companies that invest or deal in such assets;

 

6. Act as an underwriter of securities of other issuers, except to the extent the Fund may be deemed an underwriter in connection with the sale of securities in its portfolio;

 

7. Purchase securities on margin, except for such short-term credits as are necessary for the clearance of transactions, except that a Fund may make margin deposits in connection with transactions in currencies, options, futures and options on futures;

 

8. Sell securities short; or

 

9. Invest in commodities or commodity contracts, except that a Fund may buy and sell currencies and forward contracts with respect thereto, and may transact in futures contracts on securities, stock indices and currencies and options on such futures contracts and make margin deposits in connection with such contracts.

The iShares MSCI Austria Investable Market Index Fund, iShares MSCI Belgium Capped Investable Market Index Fund, iShares MSCI EMU Index Fund, iShares MSCI France Index Fund, iShares MSCI Italy Index Fund, iShares MSCI Japan Index Fund, iShares MSCI Mexico Investable Market Index Fund, iShares MSCI Spain Index Fund, iShares MSCI Sweden Index Fund and iShares MSCI United Kingdom Index Fund will not:

 

1. Make loans, except as permitted under the 1940 Act, as amended, and as interpreted, modified or otherwise permitted by regulatory authority having jurisdiction, from time to time;

 

2. Issue any senior security, except as permitted under the 1940 Act, as amended, and as interpreted, modified or otherwise permitted by regulatory authority having jurisdiction, from time to time;

 

3. Pledge, hypothecate, mortgage or otherwise encumber its assets, except to secure permitted borrowings. (The deposit of underlying securities and other assets in escrow and collateral arrangements with respect to initial or variation margin for currency transactions and futures contracts will not be deemed to be pledges of the Fund’s assets);

 

4. Purchase, hold or deal in real estate, or oil, gas or mineral interests or leases, but a Fund may purchase and sell securities that are issued by companies that invest or deal in such assets;

 

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5. Act as an underwriter of securities of other issuers, except to the extent the Fund may be deemed an underwriter in connection with the sale of securities in its portfolio;

 

6. Purchase securities on margin, except for such short-term credits as are necessary for the clearance of transactions, except that a Fund may make margin deposits in connection with transactions in currencies, options, futures and options on futures;

 

7. Sell securities short; or

 

8. Invest in commodities or commodity contracts, except that a Fund may buy and sell currencies and forward contracts with respect thereto, and may transact in futures contracts on securities, stock indices and currencies and options on such futures contracts and make margin deposits in connection with such contracts.

The iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Eastern Europe Index Fund, iShares MSCI Israel Capped Investable Market Index Fund, iShares MSCI Japan Small Cap Index Fund, iShares MSCI Thailand Investable Market Index Fund, iShares MSCI Turkey Investable Market Index Fund and iShares MSCI USA Index Fund will not:

 

1. Concentrate its investments (i.e., invest 25% or more of its total assets in the securities of a particular industry or group of industries), except that a Fund will concentrate to approximately the same extent that its Underlying Index concentrates in the securities of such particular industry or group of industries. For purposes of this limitation, securities of the U.S. government (including its agencies and instrumentalities), repurchase agreements collateralized by U.S. government securities, and securities of state or municipal governments and their political subdivisions are not considered to be issued by members of any industry;

 

2. Borrow money, except that (i) each Fund may borrow from banks for temporary or emergency (not leveraging) purposes, including the meeting of redemption requests which might otherwise require the untimely disposition of securities, and (ii) each Fund may, to the extent consistent with its investment policies, enter into repurchase agreements, reverse repurchase agreements, forward roll transactions and similar investment strategies and techniques;

To the extent that it engages in transactions described in (i) and (ii), each Fund will be limited so that no more than 33 1/3% of the value of its total assets (including the amount borrowed) is derived from such transactions. Any borrowings which come to exceed this amount will be reduced in accordance with applicable law;

 

3. Issue any senior security, except as permitted under the 1940 Act, as amended, and as interpreted, modified or otherwise permitted by regulatory authority having jurisdiction, from time to time;

 

4. Make loans, except as permitted under the 1940 Act, as interpreted, modified or otherwise permitted by regulatory authority having jurisdiction, from time to time;

 

5. Purchase or sell real estate unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other investments (but this restriction shall not prevent each Fund from investing in securities of companies engaged in the real estate business or securities or other instruments backed by real estate or mortgages), or commodities or commodity contracts (but this restriction shall not prevent each Fund from trading in futures contracts and options on futures contracts, including options on currencies to the extent consistent with each Fund’s investment objectives and policies); or

 

6. Engage in the business of underwriting securities issued by other persons, except to the extent that each Fund may technically be deemed to be an underwriter under the 1933 Act, the disposing of portfolio securities.

Industry concentration. The iShares MSCI Singapore Index Fund has the following concentration policy: With respect to the two most heavily weighted industries or groups of industries in its benchmark MSCI

 

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Index, the Fund will invest in securities (consistent with its investment objective and other investment policies) so that the weighting of each such industry or group of industries in the Fund does not diverge by more than 10% from the respective weighting of such industry or group of industries in its benchmark MSCI Index. An exception to this policy is that if investment in the stock of a single issuer would account for more than 25% of the Fund, the Fund will invest less than 25% of its net assets in such stock and will reallocate the excess to stock(s) in the same industry or group of industries, and/or to stock(s) in another industry or group of industries, in its benchmark MSCI Index. The Fund will evaluate these industry weightings at least weekly, and at the time of evaluation will adjust its portfolio composition to the extent necessary to maintain compliance with the above policy. The Fund may not concentrate its investments except as discussed above. The Board has adopted this policy as fundamental, which means that it may not be changed with respect to a Fund without the approval of the holders of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities.

As of September 30, 2011, the following Fund was concentrated (i.e., invested 25% or more of its total assets) in the specified industry:

 

Fund

  

Industry or Industries

iShares MSCI Singapore Index Fund

   Banks

Each of the iShares MSCI Australia Index Fund, iShares MSCI Austria Investable Market Index Fund, iShares MSCI Belgium Capped Investable Market Index Fund, iShares MSCI Canada Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Eastern Europe Index Fund, iShares MSCI EMU Index Fund, iShares MSCI France Index Fund, iShares MSCI Germany Index Fund, iShares MSCI Hong Kong Index Fund, iShares MSCI Israel Capped Investable Market Index Fund, iShares MSCI Italy Index Fund, iShares MSCI Japan Index Fund, iShares MSCI Japan Small Cap Index Fund, iShares MSCI Mexico Investable Market Index Fund, iShares MSCI Netherlands Investable Market Index Fund, iShares MSCI Pacific ex-Japan Index Fund, iShares MSCI South Africa Index Fund, iShares MSCI Spain Index Fund, iShares MSCI Sweden Index Fund, iShares MSCI Switzerland Index Fund, iShares MSCI Thailand Investable Market Index Fund, iShares MSCI Turkey Investable Market Index Fund, iShares MSCI United Kingdom Index Fund and iShares MSCI USA Index Fund will not concentrate its investments (i.e., hold 25% or more of its total assets in the stocks of a particular industry or group of industries), except that, to the extent practicable, the Fund will concentrate to approximately the same extent that its benchmark MSCI Index concentrates in the stocks of such particular industry or group of industries, provided that the Fund will comply with the diversification requirements of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to RICs, any underlying Treasury regulations or any successor provision.

As of September 30, 2011, each of the following Funds was concentrated (i.e., held 25% or more of its total assets) in the specified industries:

 

Fund

  

Industry or Industries

iShares MSCI Australia Index Fund

   Banks

iShares MSCI Belgium Capped Investable Market Index Fund

   Beverages

iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Eastern Europe Index Fund

   Oil & Gas

iShares MSCI Mexico Investable Market Index Fund

   Telecommunications

iShares MSCI Netherlands Investable Market Index Fund

   Food

iShares MSCI Spain Index Fund

   Banks

iShares MSCI Switzerland Index Fund

   Pharmaceuticals

iShares MSCI Switzerland Index Fund

   Food

iShares MSCI Thailand Investable Market Index Fund

   Banks

iShares MSCI Turkey Investable Market Index Fund

   Banks

 

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In addition to the investment limitations adopted as fundamental as set forth above, each Fund observes the following restrictions, which may be changed by the Board without a shareholder vote. A Fund will not:

 

1. Invest in the securities of a company for the purpose of exercising management or control, or in any event purchase and hold more than 10% of the securities of a single issuer, provided that the Company may vote the investment securities owned by each Fund in accordance with its views; or

 

2. Hold illiquid assets in excess of 15% of its net assets. An illiquid asset is any asset which may not be sold or disposed of in the ordinary course of business within seven days at approximately the value at which the Fund has valued the investment.

For purposes of the percentage limitation on each Fund’s investments in illiquid securities, foreign equity securities, though not registered under the 1933 Act, are not deemed illiquid with respect to each Fund if they are otherwise readily marketable. Such securities ordinarily are considered to be “readily marketable” if they are traded on an exchange or other organized market and are not legally restricted from sale by the Fund. BFA monitors the liquidity of restricted securities in each Fund’s portfolio. In reaching liquidity decisions, BFA considers the following factors:

 

1. The frequency of trades and quotes for the security;

 

2. The number of dealers wishing to purchase or sell the security and the number of other potential purchasers;

 

3. Dealer undertakings to make a market in the security; and

 

4. The nature of the security and the nature of the marketplace in which it trades (e.g., the time needed to dispose of the security, the method of soliciting offers and the mechanics of transfer).

If any percentage restriction described above is complied with to at the time of investment, a later increase or decrease in percentage resulting from any change in value or total or net assets will not constitute in a violation of such restriction, except that certain percentage limitations will be observed continuously in accordance with applicable law.

Each Fund has adopted a non-fundamental investment policy in accordance with Rule 35d-1 under the 1940 Act to invest, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the value of its net assets, plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes, in securities, and in ADRs based on securities, in its Underlying Index. Each Fund also has adopted a policy to provide its shareholders with at least 60 days’ prior written notice of any change in such policy. If, subsequent to an investment, the 80% requirement is no longer met, a Fund’s future investments will be made in a manner that will bring the Fund into compliance with this policy.

The iShares MSCI Canada Index Fund has adopted a non-fundamental investment policy such that the Fund may invest in shares of other open-end management investment companies or unit investment trusts, subject to the limitations of Section 12(d)(1) of the 1940 Act, including the rules, regulations and exemptive orders obtained thereunder; provided, however, that if the Fund has knowledge that its shares are purchased by another investment company investor in reliance on the provisions of subparagraphs (G) or (F) of Section 12(d)(1) of the 1940 Act, the Fund will not acquire any securities of other open-end management investment companies or unit investment trusts in reliance on the provisions of subparagraphs (G) or (F) of Section 12(d)(1) of the 1940 Act.

 

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Continuous Offering

The method by which Creation Units are created and traded may raise certain issues under applicable securities laws. Because new Creation Units are issued and sold by the Funds on an ongoing basis, at any point a “distribution,” as such term is used in the 1933 Act, may occur. Broker-dealers and other persons are cautioned that some activities on their part may, depending on the circumstances, result in their being deemed participants in a distribution in a manner that could render them statutory underwriters and subject them to the prospectus delivery requirement and liability provisions of the 1933 Act.

For example, a broker-dealer firm or its client may be deemed a statutory underwriter if it takes Creation Units after placing an order with the Distributor, breaks them down into constituent shares and sells such shares directly to customers or if it chooses to couple the creation of new shares with an active selling effort involving solicitation of secondary market demand for shares. A determination of whether one is an underwriter for purposes of the 1933 Act must take into account all the facts and circumstances pertaining to the activities of the broker-dealer or its client in the particular case and the examples mentioned above should not be considered a complete description of all the activities that could lead to a categorization as an underwriter.

Broker-dealer firms should also note that dealers who are not “underwriters” but are effecting transactions in shares, whether or not participating in the distribution of shares, generally are required to deliver a prospectus. This is because the prospectus delivery exemption in Section 4(3) of the 1933 Act is not available in respect of such transactions as a result of Section 24(d) of the 1940 Act. Firms that incur a prospectus delivery obligation with respect to shares of the Funds are reminded that, pursuant to Rule 153 under the 1933 Act, a prospectus delivery obligation under Section 5(b)(2) of the 1933 Act owed to an exchange member in connection with a sale on the Listing Exchange is satisfied by the fact that the prospectus is available at the Listing Exchange upon request. The prospectus delivery mechanism provided in Rule 153 is available only with respect to transactions on an exchange.

Management

Directors and Officers. The Board has responsibility for the overall management and operations of the Funds, including general supervision of the duties performed by BFA and other service providers. Each Director serves until he or she resigns, is removed, dies, retires or becomes incapacitated. The President, Chief Compliance Officer, Treasurer and Secretary shall each hold office until their successors are chosen and qualified, and all other officers shall hold office until he or she resigns or is removed. Directors who are not interested persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) are referred to as Independent Directors.

The registered investment companies advised by BFA or its affiliates are organized into one complex of closed-end funds, two complexes of open-end funds and one complex of exchange-traded funds (“Exchange-Traded Fund Complex”) (each, a “BlackRock Fund Complex”). Each Fund is included in the BlackRock Fund Complex referred to as the Exchange-Traded Fund Complex. Each Director also serves as a Trustee of iShares Trust and a Director of iShares MSCI Russia Capped Index Fund, Inc. and, as a result, oversees a total of 230 funds within the Exchange-Traded Fund Complex. With the exception of Robert S. Kapito, the address of each Director and officer is c/o BlackRock, Inc., 400 Howard Street, San Francisco,

 

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CA 94105. The address of Mr. Kapito is c/o BlackRock, Inc., Park Avenue Plaza, 55 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10055. The Board has designated George G.C. Parker as its Independent Chairman.

Interested Directors

 

Name (Age)

  

Position

  

Principal Occupation(s)
During the Past 5 Years

  

Other Directorships
Held by Director

Robert S. Kapito1

(54)

   Director
(since 2009).
   President and Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2006 and 2007, respectively); Vice Chairman of BlackRock, Inc. and Head of BlackRock’s Portfolio Management Group (since its formation in 1998) and BlackRock’s predecessor entities (since 1988); Trustee, University of Pennsylvania (since 2009); President of Board of Directors, Hope & Heroes Children’s Cancer Fund (since 2002); President of the Board of Directors, Periwinkle Theatre for Youth (since 1983).    Trustee of iShares Trust (since 2009); Director of iShares MSCI Russia Capped Index Fund, Inc. (since 2010); Director of BlackRock, Inc. (since 2007).

Michael Latham2

(46)

   Director (since 2010); President (since 2007).   

Chairman of iShares, BTC (since 2011); Global Chief Executive Officer of iShares, BTC (2010-2011); Managing Director, BTC (since 2009); Head of Americas iShares, Barclays Global Investors (“BGI”) (2007-2009); Director and Chief Financial Officer of Barclays Global Investors International, Inc. (2005-2009); Chief Operating Officer of the Intermediary Investor and Exchange-Traded Products Business of

BGI (2003-2007).

   Trustee of iShares Trust (since 2010); Director of iShares MSCI Russia Capped Index Fund, Inc. (since 2010).

 

  1 

Robert S. Kapito is deemed to be an “interested person” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Company due to his affiliations with BlackRock, Inc.

  2 

Michael Latham is deemed to be an “interested person” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Company due to his affiliations with BlackRock, Inc. and its affiliates.

 

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Independent Directors

 

Name (Age)

  

Position

  

Principal Occupation(s)
During the Past 5 Years

  

Other Directorships
Held by Director

George G.C. Parker

(72)

   Director (since 2002); Independent Chairman (since 2010).    Dean Witter Distinguished Professor of Finance, Emeritus, Stanford University: Graduate School of Business (since 1994).    Trustee of iShares Trust (since 2000); Director of iShares MSCI Russia Capped Index Fund, Inc. (since 2010); Independent Chairman of iShares Trust (since 2010); Independent Chairman of iShares MSCI Russia Capped Index Fund, Inc. (since 2010); Director of Tejon Ranch Company (since 1999); Director of Threshold Pharmaceuticals (since 2004); Director of Colony Financial, Inc. (since 2009); Director of First Republic Bank (since 2010).

John E. Martinez

(50)

  

Director

(since 2003).

   Director of EquityRock, Inc. (since 2005).    Trustee of iShares Trust (since 2003); Director of iShares MSCI Russia Capped Index Fund, Inc. (since 2010).

Cecilia H. Herbert

(62)

  

Director

(since 2005).

   Director (since 1998) and President (2007-2010) of the Board of Directors, Catholic Charities CYO; Trustee of Pacific Select Funds (2004-2005); Trustee (since 2002) and Chair of the Finance Committee (2006-2009) and Investment Committee (since 2006) of the Thacher School; Member (since 1994) and Chair (1994-2005) of Investment Committee, Archdiocese of San Francisco.    Trustee of iShares Trust (since 2005); Director of iShares MSCI Russia Capped Index Fund, Inc. (since 2010); Director, Forward Funds (35 portfolios) (since 2009).

Charles A. Hurty

(68)

  

Director

(since 2005).

   Retired; Partner, KPMG LLP (1968-2001).    Trustee of iShares Trust (since 2005); Director of iShares MSCI Russia Capped Index Fund, Inc. (since 2010); Director of GMAM Absolute Return Strategy Fund (1 portfolio) (since 2002); Director of SkyBridge Multi-Adviser Hedge Fund Portfolios LLC (1 portfolio) (since 2002).

John E. Kerrigan

(56)

  

Director

(since 2005).

   Chief Investment Officer, Santa Clara University (since 2002).    Trustee of iShares Trust (since 2005); Director of iShares MSCI Russia Capped Index Fund, Inc. (since 2010).

 

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Name (Age)

  

Position

  

Principal Occupation(s)

During the Past 5 Years

  

Other Directorships Held by Director

Robert H. Silver

(56)

   Director (since 2007).    President and Co-Founder of The Bravitas Group, Inc. (since 2006); Member, Non-Investor Advisory Board of Russia Partners II, LP (since 2006); Director and Vice Chairman of the YMCA of Greater NYC (2001-2011); Broadway Producer (since 2006); Co-Founder and Vice President of Parentgiving Inc. (since 2008); Director and Member of the Audit and Compensation Committee of EPAM Systems, Inc. (2006-2009).    Trustee of iShares Trust (since 2007); Director of iShares MSCI Russia Capped Index Fund, Inc. (since 2010).

Madhav V. Rajan

(47)

  

Director

(since 2011).

   Gregor G. Peterson Professor of Accounting and Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Stanford University: Graduate School of Business (since 2001); Professor of Law (by courtesy), Stanford Law School (since 2005); Visiting Professor, University of Chicago (Winter 2007-2008).    Trustee of iShares Trust (since 2011); Director of iShares MSCI Russia Capped Index Fund, Inc. (since 2011).

Officers

 

Name (Age)

  

Position

  

Principal Occupation(s)
During the Past 5 Years

Jack Gee
(52)
   Treasurer and Chief
Financial Officer
(since 2008).
   Managing Director, BTC (since 2009); Senior Director of Fund Administration of Intermediary Investor Business of BGI (2009); Director of Fund Administration of Intermediary Investor Business of BGI (2004-2009).
Eilleen M. Clavere
(59)
   Secretary
(since 2007).
   Director, BTC (since 2009); Director of Legal Administration of Intermediary Investor Business of BGI (2006-2009); Legal Counsel and Vice President of Atlas Funds, Atlas Advisers, Inc. and Atlas Securities, Inc. (2005-2006); Counsel of Kirkpatrick & Lockhart LLP (2001-2005).
Ira P. Shapiro
(48)
   Vice President and
Chief Legal Officer
(since 2007).
   Managing Director, BTC (since 2009); Associate General Counsel, BGI (2004-2009).

 

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Name (Age)

  

Position

  

Principal Occupation(s)
During the Past 5 Years

Amy Schioldager

(49)

  

Executive Vice

President

(since 2007).

   Managing Director, BTC (since 2009); Global Head of Index Equity, BGI (2008-2009); Global Head of U.S. Indexing, BGI (2006-2008); Head of Domestic Equity Portfolio Management, BGI (2001-2006).

Matt Tucker

(39)

  

Vice President

(since 2007).

   Managing Director, BTC (since 2009); Director of Fixed Income Investment Strategy, BGI (2009); Head of U.S. Fixed Income Investment Solutions, BGI (2005-2008); Fixed Income Investment Strategist, BGI (2003-2005).

The Board has concluded that, based on each Director’s experience, qualifications, attributes or skills on an individual basis and in combination with those of the other Directors, each Director should serve as a Director of the Board. Among the attributes common to all Directors are their ability to review critically, evaluate, question and discuss information provided to them, to interact effectively with the Funds’ investment adviser, other service providers, counsel and the independent registered public accounting firm, and to exercise effective business judgment in the performance of their duties as Directors. A Director’s ability to perform his or her duties effectively may have been attained through the Director’s educational background or professional training; business, consulting, public service or academic positions; experience from service as a board member of the Funds and the other funds in the Company (and any predecessor funds), other investment funds, public companies, or non-profit entities or other organizations; and/or other life experiences. Also, set forth below is a brief discussion of the specific experience, qualifications, attributes or skills of each Director that led the Board to conclude that he or she should serve as a Director.

Robert Kapito has been a Director of the Company since 2009. Mr. Kapito has served as a Trustee of iShares Trust since 2009, a Director of iShares MSCI Russia Capped Index Fund, Inc. since 2010 and a Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2007. In addition, he has over 20 years of experience as part of BlackRock, Inc. and BlackRock’s predecessor entities. Mr. Kapito serves as President and Director of BlackRock, Inc., and is the Chairman of the Operating Committee, a member of the Office of the Chairman, the Leadership Committee and the Corporate Council. He is responsible for day-to-day oversight of BlackRock’s key operating units, including the Account Management and Portfolio Management Groups, Real Estate Group and BlackRock Solutions® . Prior to assuming his current responsibilities in 2007, Mr. Kapito served as Head of BlackRock’s Portfolio Management Group. In that role, he was responsible for overseeing all portfolio management within BlackRock, including the Fixed Income, Equity, Liquidity, and Alternative Investment Groups. Mr. Kapito serves as a member of the Board of Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania. He is also President of the Board of Directors for the Hope & Heroes Children’s Cancer Fund since 2002 and President of the Board of Directors for Periwinkle Theatre for Youth, a national non-profit arts-in-education organization, since 1983. Mr. Kapito earned a BS degree in economics from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in 1979, and an MBA degree from Harvard Business School in 1983.

Michael Latham has been a Director of the Company since 2010 and President of the Company since 2007. Mr. Latham served as Principal Financial Officer of the Company from 2002 until 2007. Mr. Latham has served as a Trustee of iShares Trust since 2010, President of iShares Trust since 2007, Principal Financial Officer of iShares Trust from 2002 until 2007, a Director of iShares MSCI Russia Capped Index Fund, Inc. since 2010 and President of iShares MSCI Russia Capped Index Fund, Inc. since 2010. Mr. Latham is the

 

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Chairman of BlackRock’s iShares exchange-traded fund business. In addition, he has over 15 years of experience as part of BlackRock, Inc. and BlackRock’s predecessor entities. Prior to assuming his current responsibilities in September 2011, he was the global head of BlackRock’s iShares exchange-traded fund business. Prior to April 2009, he was head of BlackRock’s iShares exchange-traded fund business for the United States and Canada, and Chief Operating Officer for the U.S. iShares business. He previously held a variety of operating positions within the firm. Mr. Latham earned a BS degree in business administration from California State University at San Francisco in 1988.

George G.C. Parker has been a Director of the Company since 2002 and Chairman of the Company’s Board since 2010. Mr. Parker served as Lead Independent Director of the Company from 2006 until 2010 and Chairman of the Nominating and Governance Committee for the Company from 2002 until 2010. Mr. Parker has served as a Trustee of iShares Trust since 2000, Chairman of iShares Trust’s Board since 2010, Lead Independent Director of iShares Trust from 2006 until 2010, Chairman of the Nominating and Governance Committee for iShares Trust from 2002 until 2010, a Director of iShares MSCI Russia Capped Index Fund, Inc. since 2010 and Chairman of iShares MSCI Russia Capped Index Fund, Inc.’s Board since 2010. Mr. Parker also serves as Director on four other boards. Mr. Parker is the Dean Witter Distinguished Professor of Finance (Emeritus) at the Stanford Graduate School of Business. He teaches courses in Corporate Finance in the MBA Program, Stanford Sloan Program for Executives, and in various other Executive Education Programs at Stanford University. Mr. Parker’s teaching and research interests are primarily in the field of corporate finance, management of financial institutions, and corporate governance, and he has written numerous case studies related to these subjects. He has also authored several articles on capital structure, risk management, and corporate valuation. Mr. Parker holds MBA and Ph.D. degrees from the Stanford Graduate School of Business.

John E. Martinez has been a Director of the Company since 2003. Mr. Martinez has served as a Trustee of iShares Trust since 2003 and a Director of iShares MSCI Russia Capped Index Fund, Inc. since 2010. Mr. Martinez is a Director of EquityRock, Inc. (previously Real Estate Equity Exchange, Inc), providing governance oversight and consulting services to this privately held firm that develops products and strategies for homeowners in managing the equity in their homes. Mr. Martinez previously served as Director of Barclays Global Investors (BGI) UK Holdings, where he provided governance oversight representing BGI’s shareholders (Barclays PLC, BGI management shareholders) through oversight of BGI’s worldwide activities. Since 2003, he is a Director and Executive Committee Member for Larkin Street Youth Services, providing governance oversight and strategy development to an agency that provides emergency and transitional housing, health care, education, job and life skills training to homeless youth. Mr. Martinez has an AB degree in economics from The University of California, Berkeley and holds an MBA degree in finance and statistics from the Graduate School of Business, University of Chicago.

Cecilia H. Herbert has been a Director of the Company since 2005. Ms. Herbert has served as a Trustee of iShares Trust since 2005 and a Director of iShares MSCI Russia Capped Index Fund, Inc. since 2010. She is Director of the Board of the Catholic Charities CYO, among the Bay Area’s largest private social services organizations serving the homeless, poor, aged, families, children and AIDS/HIV victims, on which she has served since 1998. Ms. Herbert is a member of the Finance Council, Archdiocese of San Francisco since 1994, which she chaired from 1994 to 2005. She is a Trustee of the Thacher School since 2002 and chairs its Investment Committee. She has served on numerous non-profit boards. Ms. Herbert is also a Director and Advisory Board Member since 2009 of the Forward Funds. Ms. Herbert previously served as a Trustee for the Pacific Select Funds and The Montgomery Funds. Ms. Herbert previously served as Managing Director of J.P. Morgan/Morgan Guaranty Trust Company responsible for product development, marketing and credit for U.S. multinational corporations and as head of its San Francisco office and as Assistant Vice President, Signet Banking Corporation. Ms. Herbert has a BA degree in economics and communications from Stanford University and an MBA degree in finance from Harvard Business School.

Charles A. Hurty has been a Director of the Company since 2005 and Chairman of the Audit Committee of the Company since 2006. Mr. Hurty has served as a Trustee of iShares Trust since 2005, Chairman of the

 

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Audit Committee of iShares Trust since 2006, a Director of iShares MSCI Russia Capped Index Fund, Inc. since 2010 and Chairman of the Audit Committee of iShares MSCI Russia Capped Index Fund, Inc. since 2010. In addition, Mr. Hurty serves as Director of the GMAM Absolute Return Strategy Fund since 2002, Director of the SkyBridge Multi-Adviser Hedge Fund Portfolios LLC (formerly, Citigroup Alternative Investments Multi-Adviser Hedge Fund Portfolios LLC) since 2002 and was a Director of the CSFB Alternative Investment Funds from 2005 to December 2009, when the funds were liquidated. Mr. Hurty was formerly a Partner at KPMG, LLP from 1968 to 2001. Mr. Hurty has a BS degree in accounting from University of Kansas.

John E. Kerrigan has been a Director of the Company since 2005 and Chairman of the Nominating and Governance Committee of the Company since 2010. Mr. Kerrigan has served as a Trustee of iShares Trust since 2005, Chairman of the Nominating and Governance Committee of iShares Trust since 2010, a Director of iShares MSCI Russia Capped Index Fund, Inc. since 2010 and Chairman of the Nominating and Governance Committee of iShares MSCI Russia Capped Index Fund, Inc. since 2010. Mr. Kerrigan serves as Chief Investment Officer, Santa Clara University since 2002. Mr. Kerrigan was formerly a Managing Director at Merrill Lynch & Co., including the following responsibilities: Global Manager of Institutional Client Division eCommerce, Global Manager of Technology Specialists Sales and Chair, Performance Measurement, Evaluation & Compensation Task Force. Mr. Kerrigan is a Trustee, since 2008, of Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton, CA, and Director, since 1999, of The BASIC Fund (Bay Area Scholarships for Inner City Children). Mr. Kerrigan has a BA degree from Boston College and is a Chartered Financial Analyst.

Robert H. Silver has been a Director of the Company since 2007. Mr. Silver has served as a Trustee of iShares Trust since 2007 and a Director of iShares MSCI Russia Capped Index Fund, Inc. since 2010. Mr. Silver is President and a co-founder of The Bravitas Group Inc., a firm dedicated to advising and investing in emerging business enterprises and to supporting philanthropic activities that benefit under-served urban youth. Previously, Mr. Silver served as the President and Chief Operating Officer of UBS Financial Services Inc., the registered broker dealer comprising the Wealth Management USA business unit of UBS AG. Mr. Silver also served on the Board of Directors of EPAM, a provider of software engineering outsourcing services in Central and Eastern Europe, the Depository Trust and Clearing Corporation (DTCC) and served as a governor of the Philadelphia Stock Exchange. In addition, Mr. Silver is a Vice Chairman and a Member of the Board of Directors for the YMCA of Greater New York and chairs its Fund Development Committee since 2001 and Co-Founder and Vice President of Parentgiving Inc. since 2008. Mr. Silver began his career as a CPA at KPMG LLP from 1983 until 1997. Mr. Silver has a BS degree in business administration from the University of North Carolina.

Madhav V. Rajan has been a Director of the Company since 2011. Mr. Rajan has served as a Trustee of iShares Trust and a Director of iShares MSCI Russia Capped Index Fund, Inc. since 2011. Mr. Rajan is the Gregor G. Peterson Professor of Accounting at the Stanford Graduate School of Business. He has taught accounting for over 20 years to undergraduate, MBA and law students, as well as to senior executives. Mr. Rajan serves as the Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and head of the MBA Program at the Stanford Graduate School of Business. Mr. Rajan served as editor of “The Accounting Review” from 2002 to 2008 and is co-author of “Cost Accounting: A Managerial Emphasis,” a leading cost accounting textbook. Mr. Rajan holds MS, MBA and Ph.D. degrees in Accounting from Carnegie Mellon University.

Board—Leadership Structure and Oversight Responsibilities

Overall responsibility for oversight of the Funds rests with the Board. The Board has engaged BFA to manage the Funds on a day-to-day basis. The Board is responsible for overseeing BFA and other service providers in the operations of the Funds in accordance with the provisions of the 1940 Act, applicable provisions of state and other laws and the Company’s charter. The Board is currently composed of nine members, seven of whom are Independent Directors (defined below). The Board currently conducts regular meetings four times a year. In addition, the Board frequently holds special in-person or telephonic meetings or informal conference calls to discuss specific matters that may arise or require action between regular

 

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meetings. The Independent Directors meet regularly outside the presence of management, in executive session or with other service providers to the Company.

The Board has appointed an Independent Director to serve in the role of Chairman. The Chairman’s role is to preside at all meetings of the Board and to act as a liaison with service providers, officers, attorneys, and other Directors generally between meetings. The Chairman may also perform such other functions as may be delegated by the Board from time to time. The Board has established a Nominating and Governance Committee and an Audit Committee to assist the Board in the oversight and direction of the business and affairs of the Funds, and from time to time may establish ad-hoc committees or informal working groups to review and address the policies and practices of the Funds with respect to certain specified matters. The Board and each standing Committee conduct annual assessments of their oversight function and structure. The Board has determined that the Board’s leadership structure is appropriate because it allows the Board to exercise independent judgment over management and it allocates areas of responsibility among committees of Independent Directors and the full Board to enhance effective oversight.

Day-to-day risk management with respect to the Funds is the responsibility of BFA or other service providers (depending on the nature of the risk), subject to the supervision of BFA. Each Fund is subject to a number of risks, including investment, compliance, operational and valuation risks, among others. While there are a number of risk management functions performed by BFA and other service providers, as applicable, it is not possible to eliminate all of the risks applicable to the Fund. The Directors have an oversight role in this area, satisfying themselves that risk management processes are in place and operating effectively. Risk oversight forms part of the Board’s general oversight of each Fund and is addressed as part of various Board and committee activities. The Board, directly or through a committee, also reviews reports from, among others, management and the independent registered public accounting firm for the Company, as appropriate, regarding risks faced by each Fund and management’s risk functions. The Board has appointed a Chief Compliance Officer who oversees the implementation and testing of the Company’s compliance program and reports to the Board regarding compliance matters for the Company and its principal service providers. In testing and maintaining the compliance program, the Chief Compliance Officer assesses key compliance risks affecting each Fund, and addresses them in reports to the Board. The Independent Directors have engaged independent legal counsel to assist them in performing their oversight responsibilities.

Committees of the Board of Directors. Each Director who is not an interested person (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Company (“Independent Director”) serves on the Audit Committee and the Nominating and Governance Committee of the Board. The purposes of the Audit Committee are to assist the Board (i) in its oversight of the Company’s accounting and financial reporting principles and policies and related controls and procedures maintained by or on behalf of the Company; (ii) in its oversight of the Company’s financial statements and the independent audit thereof; (iii) in selecting, evaluating and, where deemed appropriate, replacing the independent accountants (or nominating the independent accountants to be proposed for shareholder approval in any proxy statement); (iv) in evaluating the independence of the independent accountants; (v) in complying with legal and regulatory requirements that relate to the Company’s accounting and financial reporting, internal controls and independent audits; and (vi) to assume such other responsibilities as may be delegated by the Board. The Audit Committee met six times during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2011.

The Nominating and Governance Committee nominates individuals for Independent Director membership on the Board. The Nominating and Governance Committee functions include, but are not limited to, the following: (i) reviewing the qualifications of any person properly identified or nominated to serve as an Independent Director; (ii) recommending to the Board and current Independent Directors the nominee(s) for appointment as an Independent Director by the Board and current Independent Directors and/or for election as Independent Directors by shareholders to fill any vacancy for a position of Independent Director(s) on the Board; (iii) recommending to the Board and current Independent Directors the size and composition of the Board and Board committees and whether they comply with applicable laws and

 

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regulations; (iv) recommending a current Independent Director to the Board and current Independent Directors to serve as Lead Independent Director; (v) periodic review of the Board’s retirement policy; and (vi) recommending an appropriate level of compensation for the Independent Directors for their services as Directors, members or chairpersons of committees of the Board, Lead Independent Director, Chairperson of the Board and any other positions as the Nominating and Governance Committee considers appropriate. The Nominating and Governance Committee does not consider Board nomination(s) recommended by shareholders (acting solely in their capacity as a shareholder and not in any other capacity). The Nominating and Governance Committee is comprised of all members of the Board that are Independent Directors. The Nominating and Governance Committee met six times during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2011.

The following table sets forth, as of December 31, 2010, the dollar range of equity securities beneficially owned by each Director in the Funds and in other registered investment companies overseen by the Director within the same family of investment companies as the Company. If a fund is not listed below, the Director did not own any securities in that fund as of the date indicated above:

 

Name of Director

  

Fund

  

Dollar Range of Equity
Securities in the Fund

  

Aggregate Dollar Range
of Equity Securities in all
Registered Investment
Companies Overseen by
Director in Family of
Investment Companies

Robert Kapito   

None

   None    None
Michael Latham   

iShares Barclays 1-3 Year Credit Bond Fund

   Over $100,000    Over $100,000
  

iShares Core Total U.S. Bond Market ETF

   Over $100,000   
  

iShares FTSE China 25 Index Fund

   Over $100,000   
  

iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond Fund

   Over $100,000   
  

iShares MSCI BRIC Index Fund

   Over $100,000   
  

iShares MSCI EAFE Index Fund

   Over $100,000   
  

iShares MSCI EAFE Value Index Fund

   Over $100,000   
  

iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund

   Over $100,000   
  

iShares Russell 2000 Index Fund

   Over $100,000   
  

iShares Russell 3000 Index Fund

   Over $100,000   
  

iShares Russell 3000 Value Index Fund

   Over $100,000   
  

iShares Russell Microcap Index Fund

   Over $100,000   
  

iShares S&P California AMT-Free Municipal Bond Fund

   Over $100,000   
  

iShares S&P U.S. Preferred Stock Index Fund

   Over $100,000   
John E. Martinez   

iShares Barclays TIPS Bond Fund

   Over $100,000    Over $100,000
  

iShares MSCI All Country Asia ex Japan Index Fund

   Over $100,000   
  

iShares MSCI EAFE Index Fund

   Over $100,000   
  

iShares Russell 1000 Index Fund

   Over $100,000   
  

iShares Russell 1000 Value Index Fund

   Over $100,000   
  

iShares Core S&P 500 ETF

   Over $100,000   
  

iShares S&P Global Consumer Staples Sector Index Fund

   Over $100,000   

 

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Name of Director

  

Fund

  

Dollar Range of Equity
Securities in the Fund

  

Aggregate Dollar Range
of Equity Securities in all
Registered Investment
Companies Overseen by
Director in Family of
Investment Companies

George G.C. Parker   

iShares Core Total U.S. Bond Market ETF

   Over $100,000    Over $100,000
  

iShares Dow Jones Select Dividend Index Fund

   Over $100,000   
  

iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond Fund

   Over $100,000   
  

iShares MSCI EAFE Index Fund

   Over $100,000   
  

iShares S&P 100 Index Fund

   Over $100,000   
  

iShares Core S&P 500 ETF

   Over $100,000   
  

iShares S&P California AMT-Free Municipal Bond Fund

   Over $100,000   
Cecilia H. Herbert   

iShares Barclays 1-3 Year Treasury Bond Fund

   $10,001-$50,000    Over $100,000
  

iShares Dow Jones Select Dividend Index Fund

   $10,001-$50,000   
  

iShares FTSE China 25 Index Fund

   Over $100,000   
  

iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond Fund

   $1-$10,000   
  

iShares JPMorgan USD Emerging Markets Bond Fund

   $1-$10,000   
  

iShares MSCI EAFE Index Fund

   $10,001-$50,000   
  

iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund

   $10,001-$50,000   
  

iShares MSCI Pacific ex-Japan Index Fund

   $10,001-$50,000   
  

iShares Core S&P 500 ETF

   $10,001-$50,000   
  

iShares S&P MidCap 400 Growth Index Fund

   $10,001-$50,000   
Charles A. Hurty   

iShares Dow Jones Financial Sector Index Fund

   $1-$10,000    Over $100,000
  

iShares Dow Jones Select Dividend Index Fund

   $1-$10,000   
  

iShares Dow Jones U.S. Energy Sector Index Fund

   $10,001-$50,000   
  

iShares Dow Jones U.S. Technology Sector Index Fund

   $10,001-$50,000   
  

iShares FTSE China 25 Index Fund

   $10,001-$50,000   
  

iShares MSCI EAFE Index Fund

   $10,001-$50,000   
  

iShares MSCI Japan Index Fund

   $10,001-$50,000   
  

iShares Core S&P 500 ETF

   $10,001-$50,000   
  

iShares S&P Global Energy Sector Fund

   $1-$10,000   
  

iShares S&P Global Technology Sector Index Fund

   $1-$10,000   
  

iShares S&P North American Technology-Multimedia Networking Index Fund

   $1-$10,000   

 

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Name of Director

  

Fund

  

Dollar Range of Equity
Securities in the Fund

  

Aggregate Dollar Range
of Equity Securities in all
Registered Investment
Companies Overseen by
Director in Family of
Investment Companies

John E. Kerrigan   

iShares MSCI ACWI ex US Index Fund

   Over $100,000    Over $100,000
  

iShares S&P Short Term National AMT-Free Municipal Bond Fund

   Over $100,000   
Robert H. Silver   

iShares Barclays 1-3 Year Credit Bond Fund

   Over $100,000    Over $100,000
  

iShares Barclays 1-3 Year Treasury Bond Fund

   Over $100,000   
  

iShares Core Total U.S. Bond Market ETF

   $10,001-$50,000   
  

iShares Dow Jones U.S. Broker-Dealers Index Fund

   Over $100,000   
  

iShares Dow Jones U.S. Financial Services Index Fund

   $10,001-$50,000   
  

iShares Dow Jones U.S. Regional Banks Index Fund

   $50,001-$100,000   
  

iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond Fund

   Over $100,000   
  

iShares MSCI ACWI ex US Index Fund

   Over $100,000   
  

iShares MSCI BRIC Index Fund

   $10,001-$50,000   
  

iShares MSCI EAFE Index Fund

   Over $100,000   
  

iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund

   $10,001-$50,000   
  

iShares MSCI Japan Index Fund

   $10,001-$50,000   
  

iShares Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund

   Over $100,000   
  

iShares Russell 1000 Value Index Fund

   $50,001-$100,000   
  

iShares Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund

   $50,001-$100,000   
  

iShares Russell 2000 Index Fund

   $1-$10,000   
  

iShares Russell 2000 Value Index Fund

   $50,001-$100,000   
  

iShares Russell 3000 Index Fund

   Over $100,000   
  

iShares Core S&P 500 ETF

   Over $100,000   
  

iShares S&P Europe 350 Index Fund

   $10,001-$50,000   
  

iShares S&P U.S. Preferred Stock Index Fund

   Over $100,000   
  

iShares S&P/Citigroup International Treasury Bond Fund

   $1-$10,000   

Madhav V. Rajan1

   None    None    None

Darrell Duffie2

   None    None    None

 

  1 

Appointed to serve as Director effective May 16, 2011.

  2 

Served as Director through March 19, 2011.

As of December 31, 2010, none of the Independent Directors or their immediate family members owned beneficially or of record any securities of BFA (the Funds’ investment adviser), the Distributor or any person controlling, controlled by or under common control with BFA or the Distributor.

 

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Remuneration of Directors. For the calendar year ended December 31, 2010, the Company paid each Independent Director $73,333 for meetings of the Board attended by the Director. Effective January 1, 2011, the Company pays each Independent Director $83,333 for meetings of the Board attended by the Director. The Company also pays Charles Hurty an annual fee of $13,333 for service as the Chairperson of the Board’s Audit Committee and George G.C. Parker an annual fee of $16,667 for service as the Board’s Lead Independent Director (now, Independent Chairman). John Martinez, John Kerrigan and Cecilia Herbert are also each entitled to $10,000 (plus an additional $1,765 paid to compensate for taxes due in Mauritius) for his or her service as a director of subsidiaries of the Company and iShares Trust. The Company pays John Kerrigan an annual fee of $5,000 for service as the Chairperson of the Board’s Nominating and Governance Committee. The Company also reimburses each Director for travel and other out-of-pocket expenses incurred by him/her in connection with attending such meetings.

The table below sets forth the total compensation paid to each Interested Director for the calendar year ended December 31, 2010:

 

Name of Interested Director1

   Aggregate
Compensation
from the
Company
   Pension or
Retirement

Benefits Accrued As
Part of Company

Expenses2
   Estimated Annual
Benefits Upon
Retirement2
   Total
Compensation
From the Funds
and Fund Complex3

Robert S. Kapito

   $0    Not Applicable    Not Applicable    $0

Michael Latham

     0    Not Applicable    Not Applicable      0

 

  1 

Robert S. Kapito and Michael Latham were not compensated by the Company due to their employment with BlackRock, Inc. during the time period reflected in the table.

  2 

No Director or officer is entitled to any pension or retirement benefits from the Company.

  3 

Includes compensation for service on the Board of Trustees of iShares Trust and the Board of Directors of iShares MSCI Russia Capped Index Fund, Inc.

The table below sets forth the total compensation paid to each Independent Director for the calendar year ended December 31, 2010:

 

Name of Independent Director1

   Aggregate
Compensation
from the
Company
   Pension or
Retirement Benefits Accrued As
Part of Company
Expenses2
   Estimated Annual
Benefits Upon
Retirement2
   Total
Compensation
From the Funds
and Fund Complex3

George G.C. Parker

   $90,000    Not Applicable    Not Applicable    $270,000

John E. Kerrigan

     77,083    Not Applicable    Not Applicable      243,015

Charles A. Hurty

     86,666    Not Applicable    Not Applicable      260,000

Cecilia H. Herbert

     73,333    Not Applicable    Not Applicable      231,765

Robert H. Silver

     73,333    Not Applicable    Not Applicable      220,000

Darrell Duffie4

     73,333    Not Applicable    Not Applicable      220,000

John E. Martinez

     73,333    Not Applicable    Not Applicable      231,765

 

  1 

Compensation is not shown for Madhav V. Rajan because he was appointed to serve as Independent Director of the Company effective May 16, 2011.

  2 

No Director or officer is entitled to any pension or retirement benefits from the Company.

  3 

Includes compensation for service on the Board of Trustees of iShares Trust and the Board of Directors of iShares MSCI Russia Capped Index Fund, Inc.

  4 

Served as Director through March 19, 2011.

Control Persons and Principal Holders of Securities. The Directors and officers of the Company collectively owned less than 1% of each of the Funds’ outstanding shares as of November 30, 2011.

 

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Although the Company does not have information concerning the beneficial ownership of shares held in the names of Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) participants (as defined below), as of November 30, 2011, the name and percentage ownership of each DTC participant that owned of record 5% or more of the outstanding shares of a Fund were as follows:

 

Fund

  

Name

   Percentage
of
Ownership
 

iShares MSCI Australia Index Fund

   State Street Bank and Trust Company
1776 Heritage Drive
North Quincy, MA 02171
     13.08
   Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
111 Pavonia Avenue
Jersey City, NJ 07310
     10.28
   Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.
525 Washington Blvd.
11
th Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07310
     7.51
   National Financial Services LLC
200 Liberty Street
5
th Floor
New York, NY 10281
     7.12
   Bank of America, National Association
411 N. Akard Street
5
th Floor
Dallas, TX 75201
     6.65
   JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association 14201 Dallas Pkwy
12
th Floor
Dallas, TX 75240
     5.87
   Deutsche Bank Securities Inc./Cedear
1251 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10020
     5.66
iShares MSCI Austria Investable Market Index Fund    Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
111 Pavonia Avenue
Jersey City, NJ 07310
     11.89
   JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association 14201 Dallas Pkwy
12
th Floor
Dallas, TX 75240
     8.39
   Curian Clearing, LLC
8055 East Tufts Avenue
10
th Floor
Denver, CO 80237
     8.17
   National Financial Services LLC
200 Liberty Street
5
th Floor
New York, NY 10281
     6.53

 

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Fund

  

Name

   Percentage
of
Ownership
 
   First Clearing, LLC
901 East Byrd Street
Richmond, VA 23219
     6.42
   Merrill Lynch, Pierce Fenner & Smith Safekeeping
101 Hudson Street
8
th Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07302
     6.34
   TD Ameritrade Clearing, Inc.
1005 N. Ameritrade Place
Bellevue, NE 68005
     5.33
iShares MSCI Belgium Capped Investable Market Index Fund    JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association 14201 Dallas Pkwy
12
th Floor
Dallas, TX 75240
     16.64
   Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
111 Pavonia Avenue
Jersey City, NJ 07310
     12.73
   First Clearing, LLC
901 East Byrd Street
Richmond, VA 23219
     10.77
   Citigroup Global Markets Inc.
333 W 34
th Street
New York, NY 10001-2402
     6.86

iShares MSCI Canada Index Fund

   State Street Bank and Trust Company
1776 Heritage Drive
North Quincy, MA 02171
     9.45
   Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.
525 Washington Blvd.
11
th Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07310
     9.13
   The Bank of New York Mellon
401 Salina Street
2nd Floor
Syracuse, NY 13202
     8.61
   Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
111 Pavonia Avenue
Jersey City, NJ 07310
     8.55
   National Financial Services LLC
200 Liberty Street
5
th Floor
New York, NY 10281
     6.89

 

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Fund

  

Name

   Percentage
of
Ownership
 
   Deutsche Bank Securities Inc./Cedear
1251 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10020
     6.17
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Eastern Europe Index Fund    Merrill Lynch, Pierce Fenner & Smith Safekeeping
101 Hudson Street
8
th Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07302
     12.53
   Citibank, N.A.
3800 Citicorp Center Tampa
Building B/Floor 1
Tampa, FL 33610
     11.22
   Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.
525 Washington Blvd.
11
th Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07310
     11.09
   Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated
101 Hudson Street
9
th Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07302-3997
     7.98
   JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association 14201 Dallas Pkwy
12
th Floor
Dallas, TX 75240
     7.79
   Pershing LLC
One Pershing Plaza
Jersey City, NJ 07399
     6.33
   National Financial Services LLC
200 Liberty Street
5
th Floor
New York, NY 10281
     6.02
   Bear, Stearns Securities Corp.
One Metrotech Center North
Brooklyn, NY 11201
     5.09

iShares MSCI EMU Index Fund

   Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.
525 Washington Blvd.
11
th Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07310
     20.90
   Deutsche Bank Securities Inc./Cedear
1251 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10020
     11.41

 

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Fund

  

Name

   Percentage
of
Ownership
 
   Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
111 Pavonia Avenue
Jersey City, NJ 07310
     11.16
   Curian Clearing, LLC
8055 East Tufts Avenue
10
th Floor
Denver, CO 80237
     9.96

iShares MSCI France Index Fund

   State Street Bank and Trust Company
1776 Heritage Drive
North Quincy, MA 02171
     26.23
  

Deutsche Bank Securities Inc./Cedear

1251 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10020

     9.24
   Merrill Lynch, Pierce Fenner & Smith Safekeeping
101 Hudson Street
8
th Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07302
     7.92

iShares MSCI Germany Index Fund

   State Street Bank and Trust Company
1776 Heritage Drive
North Quincy, MA 02171
     20.78
   Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.
525 Washington Blvd.
11
th Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07310
     19.70
   Deutsche Bank Securities Inc./Cedear
1251 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10020
     9.04

iShares MSCI Hong Kong Index Fund

   Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
111 Pavonia Avenue
Jersey City, NJ 07310
     25.62
   Deutsche Bank Securities Inc./Cedear
1251 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10020
     9.90
   JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association 14201 Dallas Pkwy
12
th Floor
Dallas, TX 75240
     6.71
   National Financial Services LLC
200 Liberty Street
5
th Floor
New York, NY 10281
     6.68

 

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Fund

  

Name

   Percentage
of
Ownership
 
   Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.
525 Washington Blvd.
11
th Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07310
     5.88
iShares MSCI Israel Capped Investable Market Index Fund    Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.
525 Washington Blvd.
11
th Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07310
     13.46
   Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
111 Pavonia Avenue
Jersey City, NJ 07310
     12.62
   National Financial Services LLC
200 Liberty Street
5
th Floor
New York, NY 10281
     8.22
   First Clearing, LLC
901 East Byrd Street
Richmond, VA 23219
     7.54
   JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association 14201 Dallas Pkwy
12
th Floor
Dallas, TX 75240
     5.21

iShares MSCI Italy Index Fund

   Pershing LLC
One Pershing Plaza
Jersey City, NJ 07399
     9.60
  

Citibank, N.A.
3800 Citicorp Center Tampa
Building B/Floor 1

Tampa, FL 33610

     9.55
   First Clearing, LLC
901 East Byrd Street
Richmond, VA 23219
     8.46
   Merrill Lynch, Pierce Fenner & Smith Safekeeping
101 Hudson Street
8
th Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07302
     7.85
   State Street Bank and Trust Company
1776 Heritage Drive
North Quincy, MA 02171
     6.48
   Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
111 Pavonia Avenue
Jersey City, NJ 07310
     5.70

 

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Table of Contents

Fund

  

Name

   Percentage
of
Ownership
 
   Citigroup Global Markets Inc.
333 W 34
th Street
New York, NY 10001-2402
     5.26

iShares MSCI Japan Index Fund

   State Street Bank and Trust Company
1776 Heritage Drive
North Quincy, MA 02171
     13.22
   Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.
525 Washington Blvd.
11
th Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07310
     11.55
  

JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association 14201 Dallas Pkwy

12th Floor
Dallas, TX 75240

     7.32
   Citibank, N.A.
3800 Citicorp Center Tampa
Building B/Floor 1
Tampa, FL 33610
     6.68
   Deutsche Bank Securities Inc./Cedear
1251 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10020
     6.40
  

Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
111 Pavonia Avenue

Jersey City, NJ 07310

     5.32

iShares MSCI Japan Small Cap Index Fund

   Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.
525 Washington Blvd.
11
th Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07310
     12.68
   Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
111 Pavonia Avenue
Jersey City, NJ 07310
     11.18
   National Financial Services LLC
200 Liberty Street
5
th Floor
New York, NY 10281
     8.89
   Citibank, N.A.
3800 Citicorp Center Tampa
Building B/Floor 1
Tampa, FL 33610
     8.52
   Bear, Stearns Securities Corp.
One Metrotech Center North
Brooklyn, NY 11201
     5.89

 

50


Table of Contents

Fund

  

Name

   Percentage
of
Ownership
 
iShares MSCI Mexico Investable Market Index Fund    Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.
525 Washington Blvd.
11
th Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07310
     15.21
   JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association 14201 Dallas Pkwy
12
th Floor
Dallas, TX 75240
     8.43
   Deutsche Bank Securities Inc./Cedear
1251 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10020
     6.28
   State Street Bank and Trust Company
1776 Heritage Drive
North Quincy, MA 02171
     6.24
  

The Bank of New York Mellon

401 Salina Street
2nd Floor
Syracuse, NY 13202

     5.25
iShares MSCI Netherlands Investable Market Index Fund    Citibank, N.A.
3800 Citicorp Center Tampa
Building B/Floor 1
Tampa, FL 33610
     11.50
   State Street Bank and Trust Company
1776 Heritage Drive
North Quincy, MA 02171
     9.70
   Merrill Lynch, Pierce Fenner & Smith Safekeeping
101 Hudson Street
8
th Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07302
     7.45
   Barclays Capital Inc.
70 Hudson Street
Jersey City, NJ 07302
     6.69
   JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association 14201 Dallas Pkwy
12
th Floor
Dallas, TX 75240
     6.12
   Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
111 Pavonia Avenue
Jersey City, NJ 07310
     5.65

iShares MSCI Pacific ex-Japan Index Fund

   Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.
525 Washington Blvd.
11
th Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07310
     19.00

 

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Fund

  

Name

   Percentage
of
Ownership
 
   Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
111 Pavonia Avenue
Jersey City, NJ 07310
     9.20

iShares MSCI Singapore Index Fund

   Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
111 Pavonia Avenue
Jersey City, NJ 07310
     13.12
   Bank of America, National Association
411 N. Akard Street
5th Floor
Dallas, TX 75201
     10.33
   Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.
525 Washington Blvd.
11
th Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07310
     10.02
   JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association 14201 Dallas Pkwy
12
th Floor
Dallas, TX 75240
     8.34
   National Financial Services LLC
200 Liberty Street
5
th Floor
New York, NY 10281
     8.07
   First Clearing, LLC
901 East Byrd Street
Richmond, VA 23219
     5.25

iShares MSCI South Africa Index Fund

   Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.
525 Washington Blvd.
11
th Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07310
     11.81
   Northern Trust Company (The)
801 South Canal Street
Chicago, IL 60612
     9.05
   State Street Bank and Trust Company
1776 Heritage Drive
North Quincy, MA 02171
     6.79
   Pershing LLC
One Pershing Plaza
Jersey City, NJ 07399
     5.70
   JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association 14201 Dallas Pkwy
12
th Floor
Dallas, TX 75240
     5.49

 

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Table of Contents

Fund

  

Name

   Percentage
of
Ownership
 
   National Financial Services LLC
200 Liberty Street
5
th Floor
New York, NY 10281
     5.44
   Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
111 Pavonia Avenue
Jersey City, NJ 07310
     5.31

iShares MSCI Spain Index Fund

   Bear, Stearns Securities Corp.
One Metrotech Center North
Brooklyn, NY 11201
     12.36
   Merrill Lynch, Pierce Fenner & Smith Safekeeping
101 Hudson Street
8
th Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07302
     9.89
   First Clearing, LLC
901 East Byrd Street
Richmond, VA 23219
     7.59
   Curian Clearing, LLC
8055 East Tufts Avenue
10
th Floor
Denver, CO 80237
     7.17
   Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.
525 Washington Blvd.
11
th Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07310
     5.72
   Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
111 Pavonia Avenue
Jersey City, NJ 07310
     5.51
   Citigroup Global Markets Inc.
333 W 34
th Street
New York, NY 10001-2402
     5.47

iShares MSCI Sweden Index Fund

   First Clearing, LLC
901 East Byrd Street
Richmond, VA 23219
     17.14
   Merrill Lynch, Pierce Fenner & Smith Safekeeping
101 Hudson Street
8
th Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07302
     8.11
   State Street Bank and Trust Company
1776 Heritage Drive
North Quincy, MA 02171
     7.16

 

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Fund

  

Name

   Percentage
of
Ownership
 
   JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association 14201 Dallas Pkwy
12
th Floor Dallas, TX 75240
     6.22
   Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
111 Pavonia Avenue
Jersey City, NJ 07310
     6.03
   National Financial Services LLC
200 Liberty Street
5
th Floor
New York, NY 10281
     5.79
   Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.
525 Washington Blvd.
11
th Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07310
     5.36

iShares MSCI Switzerland Index Fund

   Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.
525 Washington Blvd.
11
th Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07310
     14.50
   National Financial Services LLC
200 Liberty Street
5
th Floor
New York, NY 10281
     11.77
   First Clearing, LLC
901 East Byrd Street
Richmond, VA 23219
     11.73
   Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
111 Pavonia Avenue
Jersey City, NJ 07310
     9.53
   State Street Bank and Trust Company
1776 Heritage Drive
North Quincy, MA 02171
     5.91
   Merrill Lynch, Pierce Fenner & Smith Safekeeping
101 Hudson Street
8
th Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07302
     5.49
iShares MSCI Thailand Investable Market Index Fund    Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.
525 Washington Blvd.
11
th Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07310
     18.59
   JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association 14201 Dallas Pkwy
12
th Floor
Dallas, TX 75240
     10.99

 

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Fund

  

Name

   Percentage
of
Ownership
 
   National Financial Services LLC
200 Liberty Street
5
th Floor
New York, NY 10281
     9.00
   Citibank, N.A.
3800 Citicorp Center Tampa
Building B/Floor 1
Tampa, FL 33610
     6.18
   Citigroup Global Markets Inc.
333 W 34
th Street
New York, NY 10001-2402
     5.75
   First Clearing, LLC
901 East Byrd Street
Richmond, VA 23219
     5.11
iShares MSCI Turkey Investable Market Index Fund    Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.
525 Washington Blvd.
11
th Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07310
     16.03
   The Bank of New York Mellon
401 Salina Street
2nd Floor
Syracuse, NY 13202
     11.33
   JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association 14201 Dallas Pkwy
12
th Floor
Dallas, TX 75240
     10.12
   Pershing LLC
One Pershing Plaza
Jersey City, NJ 07399
     8.09
   National Financial Services LLC
200 Liberty Street
5
th Floor
New York, NY 10281
     6.47
   Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
111 Pavonia Avenue
Jersey City, NJ 07310
     5.41

iShares MSCI United Kingdom Index Fund

   State Street Bank and Trust Company
1776 Heritage Drive
North Quincy, MA 02171
     16.55
   Curian Clearing, LLC
8055 East Tufts Avenue
10
th Floor
Denver, CO 80237
     10.81

 

55


Table of Contents

Fund

  

Name

   Percentage
of
Ownership
 
   Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.
525 Washington Blvd.
11
th Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07310
     9.32
   Pershing LLC
One Pershing Plaza
Jersey City, NJ 07399
     5.86
   The Bank of New York Mellon
401 Salina Street
2nd Floor
Syracuse, NY 13202
     5.17

iShares MSCI USA Index Fund

   Goldman, Sachs & Co.
30 Hudson Street
16
th Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07302
     33.78
   Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.
525 Washington Blvd.
11
th Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07310
     14.66
   Vanguard Marketing Corporation
100 Vanguard Boulevard
Malvern, PA 19355
     7.87
   National Financial Services LLC
200 Liberty Street
5
th Floor
New York, NY 10281
     6.93
   Bear, Stearns Securities Corp.
One Metrotech Center North
Brooklyn, NY 11201
     6.22

Potential Conflicts of Interest. The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (“PNC”) has a significant economic interest in BlackRock, Inc., the parent of BFA, the Funds’ investment adviser. PNC is considered to be an affiliate of BlackRock, Inc., under the 1940 Act. Certain activities of BFA, BlackRock, Inc. and their affiliates (collectively, “BlackRock”) and PNC and its affiliates (collectively, “PNC” and together with BlackRock, “Affiliates”), with respect to the Funds and/or other accounts managed by BlackRock or PNC, may give rise to actual or perceived conflicts of interest such as those described below.

BlackRock is one of the world’s largest asset management firms. PNC is a diversified financial services organization spanning the retail, business and corporate markets. BlackRock and PNC are affiliates of one another under the 1940 Act. BlackRock and PNC and their respective affiliates (including, for these purposes, their directors, partners, trustees, managing members, officers and employees), including the entities and personnel who may be involved in the investment activities and business operations of a Fund, are engaged worldwide in businesses, including equity, fixed-income, cash management and alternative investments. These are considerations of which investors in a Fund should be aware, and which may cause conflicts of interest that could disadvantage the Fund and its shareholders. These activities and interests include potential multiple advisory, transactional, financial and other interests in securities and other instruments that may be purchased or sold by a Fund.

 

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BlackRock and its Affiliates have proprietary interests in, and may manage or advise with respect to, accounts or funds (including separate accounts and other funds and collective investment vehicles) that have investment objectives similar to those of a Fund and/or that engage in transactions in the same types of securities, currencies and instruments as the Fund. One or more Affiliates are also major participants in the global currency, equities, swap and fixed-income markets, in each case both on a proprietary basis and for the accounts of customers. As such, one or more Affiliates are or may be actively engaged in transactions in the same securities, currencies, and instruments in which a Fund invests. Such activities could affect the prices and availability of the securities, currencies, and instruments in which a Fund invests, which could have an adverse impact on the Fund’s performance. Such transactions, particularly in respect of most proprietary accounts or customer accounts, will be executed independently of a Fund’s transactions and thus at prices or rates that may be more or less favorable than those obtained by the Fund. When BlackRock and its Affiliates purchase or sell the same assets for their managed accounts, including a Fund, the assets actually purchased or sold may be allocated among the accounts on a basis determined in their good faith discretion to be equitable. In some cases, this system may adversely affect the size or price of the assets purchased or sold for a Fund. In addition, transactions in investments by one or more other accounts managed by BlackRock or its Affiliates may have the effect of diluting or otherwise disadvantaging the values, prices or investment strategies of a Fund, particularly, but not limited to, with respect to small capitalization, emerging market or less liquid strategies. This may occur when investment decisions regarding a Fund are based on research or other information that is also used to support decisions for other accounts. When BlackRock or its Affiliates implements a portfolio decision or strategy on behalf of another account ahead of, or contemporaneously with, similar decisions or strategies for a Fund, market impact, liquidity constraints, or other factors could result in the Fund receiving less favorable trading results and the costs of implementing such decisions or strategies could be increased or the Fund could otherwise be disadvantaged. BlackRock or its Affiliates may, in certain cases, elect to implement internal policies and procedures designed to limit such consequences, which may cause a Fund to be unable to engage in certain activities, including purchasing or disposing of securities, when it might otherwise be desirable for it to do so.

Conflicts may also arise because portfolio decisions regarding a Fund may benefit other accounts managed by BlackRock or its Affiliates. For example, the sale of a long position or establishment of a short position by a Fund may impair the price of the same security sold short by (and therefore benefit) one or more Affiliates or their other accounts, and the purchase of a security or covering of a short position in a security by a Fund may increase the price of the same security held by (and therefore benefit) one or more Affiliates or their other accounts.

BlackRock and its Affiliates and their clients may pursue or enforce rights with respect to an issuer in which a Fund has invested, and those activities may have an adverse effect on the Fund. As a result, prices, availability, liquidity and terms of a Fund’s investments may be negatively impacted by the activities of BlackRock or its Affiliates or their clients, and transactions for the Fund may be impaired or effected at prices or terms that may be less favorable than would otherwise have been the case.

The results of a Fund’s investment activities may differ significantly from the results achieved by BlackRock and its Affiliates for their proprietary accounts or other accounts (including investment companies or collective investment vehicles) managed or advised by them. It is possible that one or more Affiliate-managed accounts and such other accounts will achieve investment results that are substantially more or less favorable than the results achieved by a Fund. Moreover, it is possible that a Fund will sustain losses during periods in which one or more Affiliate-managed accounts achieve significant profits on their trading for proprietary or other accounts. The opposite result is also possible. The investment activities of one or more Affiliates for their proprietary accounts and accounts under their management may also limit the investment opportunities for a Fund in certain emerging and other markets in which limitations are imposed upon the amount of investment, in the aggregate or in individual issuers, by affiliated foreign investors.

From time to time, a Fund’s activities may also be restricted because of regulatory restrictions applicable to one or more Affiliates, and/or their internal policies designed to comply with such restrictions. As a result, there may be periods, for example, when BlackRock, and/or one or more Affiliates, will not initiate or

 

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recommend certain types of transactions in certain securities or instruments with respect to which BlackRock and/or one or more Affiliates are performing services or when position limits have been reached.

In connection with its management of a Fund, BlackRock may have access to certain fundamental analysis and proprietary technical models developed by one or more Affiliates. BlackRock will not be under any obligation, however, to effect transactions on behalf of a Fund in accordance with such analysis and models. In addition, neither BlackRock nor any of its Affiliates will have any obligation to make available any information regarding their proprietary activities or strategies, or the activities or strategies used for other accounts managed by them, for the benefit of the management of a Fund and it is not anticipated that BlackRock will have access to such information for the purpose of managing the Fund. The proprietary activities or portfolio strategies of BlackRock and its Affiliates, or the activities or strategies used for accounts managed by them or other customer accounts could conflict with the transactions and strategies employed by BlackRock in managing a Fund.

In addition, certain principals and certain employees of BlackRock are also principals or employees of Affiliates. As a result, the performance by these principals and employees of their obligations to such other entities may be a consideration of which investors in a Fund should be aware.

BlackRock may enter into transactions and invest in securities, instruments and currencies on behalf of a Fund in which customers of BlackRock or its Affiliates, or, to the extent permitted by the SEC, BlackRock or another Affiliate, serves as the counterparty, principal or issuer. In such cases, such party’s interests in the transaction will be adverse to the interests of the Fund, and such party may have no incentive to assure that the Fund obtains the best possible prices or terms in connection with the transactions. In addition, the purchase, holding and sale of such investments by a Fund may enhance the profitability of BlackRock or its Affiliates. One or more Affiliates may also create, write or issue derivatives for their customers, the underlying securities, currencies or instruments of which may be those in which a Fund invests or which may be based on the performance of the Fund. A Fund may, subject to applicable law, purchase investments that are the subject of an underwriting or other distribution by one or more Affiliates and may also enter into transactions with other clients of an Affiliate where such other clients have interests adverse to those of the Fund.

At times, these activities may cause departments of BlackRock or its Affiliates to give advice to clients that may cause these clients to take actions adverse to the interests of the Fund. To the extent affiliated transactions are permitted, a Fund will deal with BlackRock and its Affiliates on an arms-length basis. BlackRock or its Affiliates may also have an ownership interest in certain trading or information systems used by a Fund. A Fund’s use of such trading or information systems may enhance the profitability of BlackRock and its Affiliates.

One or more Affiliates may act as broker, dealer, agent, lender or adviser or in other commercial capacities for a Fund. It is anticipated that the commissions, mark-ups, mark-downs, financial advisory fees, underwriting and placement fees, sales fees, financing and commitment fees, brokerage fees, other fees, compensation or profits, rates, terms and conditions charged by an Affiliate will be in its view commercially reasonable, although each Affiliate, including its sales personnel, will have an interest in obtaining fees and other amounts that are favorable to the Affiliate and such sales personnel.

Subject to applicable law, the Affiliates (and their personnel and other distributors) will be entitled to retain fees and other amounts that they receive in connection with their service to the Funds as broker, dealer, agent, lender, adviser or in other commercial capacities and no accounting to the Funds or their respective shareholders will be required, and no fees or other compensation payable by the Funds or their respective shareholders will be reduced by reason of receipt by an Affiliate of any such fees or other amounts.

When an Affiliate acts as broker, dealer, agent, adviser or in other commercial capacities in relation to the Funds, the Affiliate may take commercial steps in its own interests, which may have an adverse effect on the Funds. A Fund will be required to establish business relationships with its counterparties based on the

 

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Fund’s own credit standing. Neither BlackRock nor any of the Affiliates will have any obligation to allow their credit to be used in connection with a Fund’s establishment of its business relationships, nor is it expected that the Fund’s counterparties will rely on the credit of BlackRock or any of the Affiliates in evaluating the Fund’s creditworthiness.

Purchases and sales of securities for a Fund may be bunched or aggregated with orders for other BlackRock client accounts. BlackRock, however, is not required to bunch or aggregate orders if portfolio management decisions for different accounts are made separately, or if it determines that bunching or aggregating is not practicable or required, or in cases involving client direction.

Prevailing trading activity frequently may make impossible the receipt of the same price or execution on the entire volume of securities purchased or sold. When this occurs, the various prices may be averaged, and the Funds will be charged or credited with the average price. Thus, the effect of the aggregation may operate on some occasions to the disadvantage of the Funds. In addition, under certain circumstances, the Funds will not be charged the same commission or commission equivalent rates in connection with a bunched or aggregated order.

BlackRock may select brokers (including, without limitation, Affiliates) that furnish BlackRock, the Funds, other BlackRock client accounts or other Affiliates or personnel, directly or through correspondent relationships, with research or other appropriate services which provide, in BlackRock’s view, appropriate assistance to BlackRock in the investment decision-making process (including with respect to futures, fixed-price offerings and over-the-counter transactions). Such research or other services may include, to the extent permitted by law, research reports on companies, industries and securities; economic and financial data; financial publications; proxy analysis; trade industry seminars; computer data bases; research-oriented software and other services and products. Research or other services obtained in this manner may be used in servicing any or all of the Funds and other BlackRock client accounts, including in connection with BlackRock client accounts other than those that pay commissions to the broker relating to the research or other service arrangements. Such products and services may disproportionately benefit other BlackRock client accounts relative to the Funds based on the amount of brokerage commissions paid by the Funds and such other BlackRock client accounts. For example, research or other services that are paid for through one client’s commissions may not be used in managing that client’s account. In addition, other BlackRock client accounts may receive the benefit, including disproportionate benefits, of economies of scale or price discounts in connection with products and services that may be provided to the Funds and to such other BlackRock client accounts. To the extent that BlackRock uses soft dollars, it will not have to pay for those products and services itself.

BlackRock may receive research that is bundled with the trade execution, clearing, and/or settlement services provided by a particular broker-dealer. To the extent that BlackRock receives research on this basis, many of the same conflicts related to traditional soft dollars may exist. For example, the research effectively will be paid by client commissions that also will be used to pay for the execution, clearing, and settlement services provided by the broker-dealer and will not be paid by BlackRock.

BlackRock may endeavor to execute trades through brokers who, pursuant to such arrangements, provide research or other services in order to ensure the continued receipt of research or other services BlackRock believes are useful in its investment decision-making process. BlackRock may from time to time choose not to engage in the above described arrangements to varying degrees. BlackRock may also enter into commission sharing arrangements under which BlackRock may execute transactions through a broker-dealer, including, where permitted, an Affiliate, and request that the broker-dealer allocate a portion of the commissions or commission credits to another firm that provides research to BlackRock. To the extent that BlackRock engages in commission sharing arrangements, many of the same conflicts related to traditional soft dollars may exist.

 

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BlackRock may utilize certain electronic crossing networks (“ECNs”) in executing client securities transactions for certain types of securities. These ECNs may charge fees for their services, including access fees and transaction fees. The transaction fees, which are similar to commissions or markups/markdowns, will generally be charged to clients and, like commissions and markups/markdowns, would generally be included in the cost of the securities purchased. Access fees may be paid by BlackRock even though incurred in connection with executing transactions on behalf of clients, including the Funds. In certain circumstances, ECNs may offer volume discounts that will reduce the access fees typically paid by BlackRock. This would have the effect of reducing the access fees paid by BlackRock. BlackRock will only utilize ECNs consistent with its obligation to seek to obtain best execution in client transactions.

BlackRock has adopted policies and procedures designed to prevent conflicts of interest from influencing proxy voting decisions that it makes on behalf of advisory clients, including the Funds, and to help ensure that such decisions are made in accordance with BlackRock’s fiduciary obligations to its clients. Nevertheless, notwithstanding such proxy voting policies and procedures, actual proxy voting decisions of BlackRock may have the effect of favoring the interests of other clients or businesses of other divisions or units of BlackRock and/or its Affiliates, provided that BlackRock believes such voting decisions to be in accordance with its fiduciary obligations. For a more detailed discussion of these policies and procedures, see the Proxy Voting Policy section of this SAI.

It is also possible that, from time to time, BlackRock or its Affiliates may, although they are not required to, purchase and hold shares of a Fund. Increasing a Fund’s assets may enhance investment flexibility and diversification and may contribute to economies of scale that tend to reduce the Fund’s expense ratio. BlackRock and its Affiliates reserve the right to redeem at any time some or all of the shares of a Fund acquired for their own accounts. A large redemption of shares of a Fund by BlackRock or its Affiliates could significantly reduce the asset size of the Fund, which might have an adverse effect on the Fund’s investment flexibility, portfolio diversification and expense ratio. BlackRock will consider the effect of redemptions on a Fund and other shareholders in deciding whether to redeem its shares.

It is possible that a Fund may invest in securities of companies with which an Affiliate has or is trying to develop investment banking relationships as well as securities of entities in which BlackRock or its Affiliates has significant debt or equity investments or in which an Affiliate makes a market. A Fund also may invest in securities of companies to which an Affiliate provides or may someday provide research coverage. Such investments could cause conflicts between the interests of a Fund and the interests of other clients of BlackRock or its Affiliates. In making investment decisions for a Fund, BlackRock is not permitted to obtain or use material non-public information acquired by any division, department or Affiliate of BlackRock in the course of these activities. In addition, from time to time, the activities of an Affiliate may limit a Fund’s flexibility in purchases and sales of securities. When an Affiliate is engaged in an underwriting or other distribution of securities of an entity, BlackRock may be prohibited from purchasing or recommending the purchase of certain securities of that entity for a Fund.

BlackRock and its Affiliates, their personnel and other financial service providers may have interests in promoting sales of the Funds. With respect to BlackRock and its Affiliates and their personnel, the remuneration and profitability relating to services to and sales of the Funds or other products may be greater than remuneration and profitability relating to services to and sales of certain funds or other products that might be provided or offered. BlackRock and its Affiliates and their sales personnel may directly or indirectly receive a portion of the fees and commissions charged to the Funds or their respective shareholders. BlackRock and its advisory or other personnel may also benefit from increased amounts of assets under management. Fees and commissions may also be higher than for other products or services, and the remuneration and profitability to BlackRock or its Affiliates and such personnel resulting from transactions on behalf of or management of the Funds may be greater than the remuneration and profitability resulting from other funds or products.

BlackRock and its Affiliates and their personnel may receive greater compensation or greater profit in connection with an account for which BlackRock serves as an adviser than with an account advised by an

 

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unaffiliated investment adviser. Differentials in compensation may be related to the fact that BlackRock may pay a portion of its advisory fee to its Affiliate, or relate to compensation arrangements, including for portfolio management, brokerage transactions or account servicing. Any differential in compensation may create a financial incentive on the part of BlackRock or its Affiliates and their personnel to recommend BlackRock over unaffiliated investment advisers or to effect transactions differently in one account over another.

BlackRock and its Affiliates may provide valuation assistance to certain clients with respect to certain securities or other investments and the valuation recommendations made for their clients’ accounts may differ from the valuations for the same securities or investments assigned by a Fund’s pricing vendors, especially if such valuations are based on broker-dealer quotes or other data sources unavailable to the Fund’s pricing vendors. While BlackRock will generally communicate its valuation information or determinations to a Fund’s pricing vendors and/or fund accountants, there may be instances where the Fund’s pricing vendors or fund accountants assign a different valuation to a security or other investment than the valuation for such security or investment determined or recommended by BlackRock.

As disclosed in more detail in the Determination of Net Asset Value section of each Fund’s Prospectus, when market valuations are not readily available or such valuations do not reflect current market values, the affected investments will be valued using fair value pricing, pursuant to procedures adopted by the Fund’s Board. As a result, the Funds’ sale or redemption of its shares at net asset value, at a time when a holding or holdings are valued by BlackRock (pursuant to Board-adopted procedures) at fair value, may have the effect of diluting or increasing the economic interest of existing shareholders.

To the extent permitted by applicable law, a Fund may invest all or some of its short-term cash investments in any money market fund or similarly-managed private fund advised or managed by BlackRock. In connection with any such investments, a Fund, to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, may pay its share of expenses of a money market fund in which it invests, which may result in a Fund bearing some additional expenses.

BlackRock and its Affiliates and their directors, officers and employees, may buy and sell securities or other investments for their own accounts, and may have conflicts of interest with respect to investments made on behalf of a Fund. As a result of differing trading and investment strategies or constraints, positions may be taken by directors, officers, employees and Affiliates of BlackRock that are the same, different from or made at different times than positions taken for the Fund. To lessen the possibility that a Fund will be adversely affected by this personal trading, the Fund, BFA and BlackRock each has adopted a Code of Ethics in compliance with Section 17(j) of the 1940 Act that restricts securities trading in the personal accounts of investment professionals and others who normally come into possession of information regarding the Fund’s portfolio transactions. Each Code of Ethics can be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at (202) 551-8090. Each Code of Ethics is also available on the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s Internet site at http://www.sec.gov, and copies may be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by e-mail at publicinfo@sec.gov or by writing the SEC’s Public Reference Section, Washington, DC 20549-1520.

BlackRock and its Affiliates will not purchase securities or other property from, or sell securities or other property to, a Fund, except that the Fund may in accordance with rules adopted under the 1940 Act engage in transactions with accounts that are affiliated with the Fund as a result of common officers, directors, or investment advisers or pursuant to exemptive orders granted to the Funds and/or BlackRock by the SEC. These transactions would be affected in circumstances in which BlackRock determined that it would be appropriate for a Fund to purchase and another client of BlackRock to sell, or the Fund to sell and another client of BlackRock to purchase, the same security or instrument on the same day. From time to time, the activities of a Fund may be restricted because of regulatory requirements applicable to BlackRock or its Affiliates and/or BlackRock’s internal policies designed to comply with, limit the applicability of, or otherwise relate to such requirements. A client not advised by BlackRock would not be subject to some of those considerations. There may be periods when BlackRock may not initiate or recommend certain types of

 

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transactions, or may otherwise restrict or limit their advice in certain securities or instruments issued by or related to companies for which an Affiliate is performing investment banking, market making or other services or has proprietary positions. For example, when an Affiliate is engaged in an underwriting or other distribution of securities of, or advisory services for, a company, the Funds may be prohibited from or limited in purchasing or selling securities of that company. Similar situations could arise if personnel of BlackRock or its Affiliates serve as directors of companies the securities of which the Funds wish to purchase or sell. However, if permitted by applicable law, the Funds may purchase securities or instruments that are issued by such companies or are the subject of an underwriting, distribution, or advisory assignment by an Affiliate, or in cases in which personnel of BlackRock or its Affiliates are directors or officers of the issuer.

The investment activities of one or more Affiliates for their proprietary accounts and for client accounts may also limit the investment strategies and rights of the Funds. For example, in regulated industries, in certain emerging or international markets, in corporate and regulatory ownership definitions, and in certain futures and derivative transactions, there may be limits on the aggregate amount of investment by affiliated investors that may not be exceeded without the grant of a license or other regulatory or corporate consent or, if exceeded, may cause BlackRock, the Funds or other client accounts to suffer disadvantages or business restrictions.

If certain aggregate ownership thresholds are reached or certain transactions undertaken, the ability of BlackRock on behalf of clients (including the Funds) to purchase or dispose of investments, or exercise rights or undertake business transactions, may be restricted by regulation or otherwise impaired. As a result, BlackRock, on behalf of clients (including the Funds), may limit purchases, sell existing investments, or otherwise restrict or limit the exercise of rights (including voting rights) when BlackRock, in its sole discretion, deems it appropriate.

BlackRock and its Affiliates may maintain securities indices as part of their product offerings. Index based funds seek to track the performance of securities indices and may use the name of the index in the fund name. Index providers, including BlackRock and its Affiliates may be paid licensing fees for use of their index or index name. BlackRock and its Affiliates will not be obligated to license their indices to BlackRock, and BlackRock cannot be assured that the terms of any index licensing agreement with BlackRock and its Affiliates will be as favorable as those terms offered to other index licensees.

BlackRock and its Affiliates may serve as Authorized Participants in the creation and redemption of exchange-traded funds, including funds advised by Affiliates of BlackRock. As described in greater detail in the Creations and Redemptions section of the prospectus, BlackRock and its Affiliates may therefore be deemed to be participants in a distribution of iShares funds that could render them statutory underwriters.

Present and future activities of BlackRock and its Affiliates, including BFA, in addition to those described in this section, may give rise to additional conflicts of interest.

Investment Advisory, Administrative and Distribution Services

Investment Adviser. BFA serves as investment adviser to each Fund pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement between the Company, on behalf of each Fund, and BFA. BFA is a California corporation indirectly owned by BlackRock, Inc., and is registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. Under the Investment Advisory Agreement, BFA, subject to the supervision of the Board and in conformity with the stated investment policies of each Fund, manages and administers the Company and the investment of each Fund’s assets. BFA is responsible for placing purchase and sale orders and providing continuous supervision of the investment portfolio of each Fund.

 

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Pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement, BFA may from time to time, in its sole discretion to the extent permitted by applicable law, appoint one or more sub-advisers, including, without limitation, affiliates of BFA, to perform investment advisory or other services with respect to the Fund. In addition, BFA may delegate certain of its investment advisory functions under the Investment Advisory Agreement to one or more of its affiliates to the extent permitted by applicable law. BFA may terminate any or all sub-advisers or such delegation arrangements in its sole discretion upon appropriate notice at any time to the extent permitted by applicable law.

For its investment advisory services to the iShares MSCI Pacific ex-Japan Index Fund, BFA is paid a management fee based on a percentage of the Fund’s average daily net assets at an annual rate of 0.50%.

For its investment advisory services to the iShares MSCI USA Index Fund, BFA is paid a management fee based on a percentage of the Fund’s average daily net assets at an annual rate of 0.15%.

For its investment advisory services to certain of the Funds included in this SAI, BFA is entitled to receive a management fee from such Funds corresponding to each of the Fund’s allocable portion of an aggregate management fee based on the aggregate average daily net assets of the following iShares funds: iShares MSCI All Peru Capped Index Fund, iShares MSCI Brazil Index Fund, iShares MSCI Brazil Small Cap Index Fund, iShares MSCI Chile Investable Market Index Fund, iShares MSCI China Index Fund, iShares MSCI China Small Cap Index Fund, iShares MSCI Indonesia Investable Market Index Fund, iShares MSCI Israel Capped Investable Market Index Fund, iShares MSCI Philippines Investable Market Index Fund, iShares MSCI Poland Investable Market Index Fund, iShares MSCI Russia Capped Index Fund, iShares MSCI South Africa Index Fund, iShares MSCI South Korea Index Fund, iShares MSCI Taiwan Index Fund, iShares MSCI Thailand Investable Market Index Fund and iShares MSCI Turkey Investable Market Index Fund. The aggregate management fee is calculated as follows: 0.74% per annum of the aggregate net assets less than or equal to $2.0 billion, plus 0.69% per annum of the aggregate net assets over $2.0 billion, up to and including $4.0 billion, plus 0.64% per annum of the aggregate net assets over $4.0 billion, up to and including $8.0 billion, plus 0.57% per annum of the aggregate net assets over $8.0 billion, up to and including $16.0 billion, plus 0.51% per annum of the aggregate net assets over $16.0 billion, up to and including $32.0 billion, plus 0.45% per annum of the aggregate net assets in excess of $32.0 billion.

For its investment advisory services to the iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Eastern Europe Index Fund, BFA is entitled to receive a management fee from the Fund corresponding to the Fund’s allocable portion of an aggregate management fee based on the aggregate average daily net assets of the following iShares funds: iShares MSCI All Country Asia ex Japan Index Fund, iShares MSCI BRIC Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Consumer Discretionary Sector Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Eastern Europe Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Energy Sector Capped Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Financials Sector Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Materials Sector Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Minimum Volatility Index Fund and iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Small Cap Index Fund. The aggregate management fee is calculated as follows: 0.75% per annum of the aggregate net assets less than or equal to $14.0 billion, plus 0.68% per annum of the aggregate net assets over $14.0 billion, up to and including $28.0 billion, plus 0.61% per annum of the aggregate net assets over $28.0 billion, up to and including $42.0 billion, plus 0.56% per annum of the aggregate net assets over $42.0 billion, up to and including $56.0 billion, plus 0.50% per annum of the aggregate net assets over $56.0 billion, up to and including $70.0 billion, plus 0.45% per annum of the aggregate net assets over $70.0 billion, up to and including $84.0 billion, plus 0.40% per annum of the aggregate net assets in excess of $84.0 billion.

For its investment advisory services to certain of the Funds included in this SAI, BFA is entitled to receive a management fee from such Funds corresponding to each of the Fund’s allocable portion of an aggregate management fee based on the aggregate average daily net assets of the following iShares funds: iShares MSCI Australia Index Fund, iShares MSCI Austria Investable Market Index Fund, iShares MSCI Belgium Capped Investable Market Index Fund, iShares MSCI Canada Index Fund, iShares MSCI EMU Index Fund,

 

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iShares MSCI France Index Fund, iShares MSCI Germany Index Fund, iShares MSCI Hong Kong Index Fund, iShares MSCI Ireland Capped Investable Market Index Fund, iShares MSCI Italy Index Fund, iShares MSCI Japan Index Fund, iShares MSCI Japan Small Cap Index Fund, iShares MSCI Malaysia Index Fund, iShares MSCI Mexico Investable Market Index Fund, iShares MSCI Netherlands Investable Market Index Fund, iShares MSCI New Zealand Investable Market Index Fund, iShares MSCI Singapore Index Fund, iShares MSCI Spain Index Fund, iShares MSCI Sweden Index Fund, iShares MSCI Switzerland Index Fund and iShares MSCI United Kingdom Index Fund. The aggregate management fee is calculated as follows: 0.59% per annum of the aggregate net assets less than or equal to $7.0 billion, plus 0.54% per annum of the aggregate net assets over $7.0 billion, up to and including $11.0 billion, plus 0.49% per annum of the aggregate net assets over $11.0 billion, up to and including $24.0 billion, plus 0.44% per annum of the aggregate net assets over $24.0 billion, up to and including $48.0 billion, plus 0.40% per annum of the aggregate net assets in excess of $48.0 billion.

Effective June 30, 2012, the management fee charged on the aggregate average daily net assets of the iShares Dow Jones Select Dividend Index Fund, iShares MSCI Pacific ex-Japan Index Fund, iShares Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund, iShares Russell 2000 Index Fund, iShares Russell 2000 Value Index Fund, iShares S&P Latin America 40 Index Fund and iShares S&P U.S. Preferred Stock Index Fund in excess of $46 billion is reduced by 5.0% per annum.

Under the Investment Advisory Agreement, BFA is responsible for all expenses of the Funds, including the cost of transfer agency, custody, fund administration, legal, audit and other services, except interest expense, taxes, brokerage expenses, distribution fees or expenses and extraordinary expenses. For its investment management services to each Fund, BFA received a management fee at the annual rates (as a percentage of each Fund’s average net assets) set forth below for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2011.

The following table sets forth the management fees paid by each Fund to BFA for the fiscal years noted:

 

Fund

   Management
Fee for the
Fiscal Year
Ended
August 31,
2011
    Fund
Inception
Date
     Management
Fees Paid
For
Fiscal Year
Ended
August 31,
2011
     Management
Fees Paid
For
Fiscal Year
Ended
August 31,
2010
     Management
Fees Paid
For
Fiscal Year
Ended
August 31,
2009
 

iShares MSCI Australia Index Fund

     0.52     03/12/96       $ 15,491,910       $ 12,339,948       $ 4,365,698   

iShares MSCI Austria Investable Market Index Fund

     0.52     03/12/96         858,928         822,617         527,579   

iShares MSCI Belgium Capped Investable Market Index Fund1

     0.52     03/12/96         281,283         389,142         339,987   

iShares MSCI Canada Index Fund

     0.52     03/12/96         26,198,533         17,081,917         8,045,646   

iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Eastern Europe Index Fund2

     0.68     09/30/09         221,080         67,428         N/A   

iShares MSCI EMU Index Fund

     0.52     07/25/00         4,477,629         4,463,524         3,909,074   

iShares MSCI France Index Fund

     0.52     03/12/96         1,815,550         1,568,843         900,092   

iShares MSCI Germany Index Fund

     0.51     03/12/96         13,628,580         5,468,927         2,369,432   

iShares MSCI Hong Kong Index Fund

     0.52     03/12/96         10,481,935         9,797,546         7,779,500   

iShares MSCI Israel Capped Investable Market Index Fund

     0.59     03/26/08         743,548         1,106,791         692,048   

iShares MSCI Italy Index Fund

     0.51     03/12/96         606,658         623,082         570,682   

iShares MSCI Japan Index Fund

     0.51     03/12/96         30,400,171         27,202,065         29,763,035   

iShares MSCI Japan Small Cap Index Fund

     0.51     12/20/07         270,288         177,474         151,508   

iShares MSCI Mexico Investable Market Index Fund

     0.52     03/12/96         8,188,227         6,401,000         2,962,618   

iShares MSCI Netherlands Investable Market Index Fund

     0.52     03/12/96         874,624         599,732         594,140   

 

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Fund

   Management
Fee for the
Fiscal Year
Ended
August 31,
2011
    Fund
Inception
Date
     Management
Fees Paid
For
Fiscal Year
Ended
August 31,
2011
     Management
Fees Paid
For
Fiscal Year
Ended
August 31,
2010
     Management
Fees Paid
For
Fiscal Year
Ended
August 31,
2009
 

iShares MSCI Pacific ex-Japan Index Fund

     0.50     10/25/01       $ 20,163,744       $ 18,876,847       $ 11,437,463   

iShares MSCI Singapore Index Fund

     0.52     03/12/96         10,268,194         7,922,869         5,088,402   

iShares MSCI South Africa Index Fund

     0.59     02/03/03         3,648,638         3,137,352         2,109,421   

iShares MSCI Spain Index Fund

     0.52     03/12/96         1,076,007         1,298,278         1,236,278   

iShares MSCI Sweden Index Fund

     0.51     03/12/96         2,536,271         1,105,743         754,249   

iShares MSCI Switzerland Index Fund

     0.52     03/12/96         2,569,744         1,783,191         1,439,437   

iShares MSCI Thailand Investable Market Index Fund

     0.59     03/26/08         3,807,783         1,524,281         257,410   

iShares MSCI Turkey Investable Market Index Fund

     0.59     03/26/08         4,021,933         2,492,426         680,004   

iShares MSCI United Kingdom Index Fund

     0.52     03/12/96         6,213,817         4,977,068         3,150,913   

iShares MSCI USA Index Fund

     0.15     05/05/10         2,853         1,127         N/A   

 

  1 

For the iShares MSCI Belgium Capped Investable Market Index Fund, the management fee as of August 31, 2012 was 0.53%.

  2 

For the iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Eastern Europe Index Fund, BFA may voluntarily waive a portion of the management fee, as it determines, from time to time. During the period from September 1, 2010 through December 31, 2010 BFA voluntarily waived a portion of its management fee. For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2011, BFA waived $462 of its management fees.

The Investment Advisory Agreement with respect to each Fund continues in effect for two years from its effective date, and thereafter is subject to annual approval by (i) the Board, or (ii) the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the applicable Fund, provided that in either event such continuance also is approved by a majority of the Board who are not interested persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the applicable Fund, by a vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.

The Investment Advisory Agreement with respect to each Fund is terminable without penalty, on 60 days’ notice, by the Board or by a vote of the holders of a majority of the applicable Fund’s outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act). The Investment Advisory Agreement is also terminable upon 60 days’ notice by BFA and will terminate automatically in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act).

Current interpretations of U.S. federal banking laws and regulations (i) may prohibit BlackRock, Inc., BTC and BFA from controlling or underwriting the shares of the Funds, but (ii) do not prohibit BlackRock, Inc. or BFA generally from acting as an investment adviser, administrator, transfer agent or custodian to the Funds or from purchasing shares as agent for and upon the order of a customer.

BFA believes that it may perform advisory and related services for the Company without violating applicable banking laws or regulations. However, the legal requirements and interpretations about the permissible activities of banks and their affiliates may change in the future. These changes could prevent BFA from continuing to perform services for the Company. If this happens, the Board would consider selecting other qualified firms. Any new investment advisory agreement would be subject to shareholder approval.

If current restrictions on bank activities with mutual funds were relaxed, BFA, or its affiliates, would consider performing additional services for the Company. BFA cannot predict whether these changes will be enacted, or the terms under which BFA, or its affiliates, might offer to provide additional services.

 

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Portfolio Managers. As of August 31, 2011, the individuals named as Portfolio Managers in the Funds’ Prospectuses were also primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of other iShares funds and certain other types of portfolios and/or accounts as indicated in the tables below:

 

Christopher Bliss      

Types of Accounts

   Number      Total Assets  

Registered Investment Companies

     13       $ 77,000,000,000   

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles

     179       $ 362,600,000,000   

Other Accounts

     161       $ 257,900,000,000   

Accounts with Incentive-Based Fee Arrangements

     0         N/A   
Rene Casis      

Types of Accounts

   Number      Total Assets  

Registered Investment Companies

     158       $ 266,400,000,000   

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles

     28       $ 43,600,000,000   

Other Accounts

     5       $ 283,800,000   

Accounts with Incentive-Based Fee Arrangements

     0         N/A   
Diane Hsiung      

Types of Accounts

   Number      Total Assets  

Registered Investment Companies

     159       $ 268,400,000,000   

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles

     15       $ 9,000,000,000   

Other Accounts

     3       $ 5,700,000   

Accounts with Incentive-Based Fee Arrangements

     0         N/A   
Greg Savage      

Types of Accounts

   Number      Total Assets  

Registered Investment Companies

     159       $ 268,400,000,000   

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles

     44       $ 52,700,000,000   

Other Accounts

     7       $ 289,000,000   

Accounts with Incentive-Based Fee Arrangements

     0         N/A   

Each of the portfolios or accounts for which the Portfolio Managers are primarily responsible for the day-to-day management seeks to track the rate of return, risk profile and other characteristics of independent third-party indexes by either replicating the same combination of securities that constitute those indexes or through a representative sampling of the securities that constitute those indexes based on objective criteria and data. Pursuant to BTC and BFA policy, investment opportunities are allocated equitably among the Funds and other portfolios and accounts. For example, under certain circumstances, an investment opportunity may be restricted due to limited supply on the market, legal constraints or other factors, in which event the investment opportunity will be allocated equitably among those portfolios and accounts, including the Funds seeking such investment opportunity. As a consequence, from time to time the Funds may receive a smaller allocation of an investment opportunity than they would have if the Portfolio Managers and BFA and its affiliates did not manage other portfolios or accounts.

Like the Funds, the other portfolios or accounts for which the Portfolio Managers are primarily responsible for the day-to-day portfolio management generally pay an asset-based fee to BFA or BTC, as applicable, for its advisory services. One or more of those other portfolios or accounts, however, may pay BTC an incentive-based fee in lieu of, or in addition to, an asset-based fee for its advisory services. A portfolio or account with an incentive-based fee would pay BTC a portion of that portfolio’s or account’s gains, or would pay BTC more for its services than would otherwise be the case if BTC meets or exceeds specified performance targets. By their nature, incentive-based fee arrangements could present an incentive for BTC to devote greater resources, and allocate more investment opportunities, to the portfolios or accounts that have those fee arrangements, relative to other portfolios or accounts, in order to earn larger fees. Although

 

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BTC has an obligation to allocate resources and opportunities equitably among portfolios and accounts and intends to do so, shareholders of the Funds should be aware that, as with any group of portfolios and accounts managed by an investment adviser and/or its affiliates pursuant to varying fee arrangements, including incentive-based fee arrangements, there is the potential for a conflict of interest that may result in the Portfolio Managers’ favoring those portfolios or accounts with incentive-based fee arrangements.

The tables below show, for each Portfolio Manager, the number of portfolios or accounts of the types set forth in the above tables and the aggregate of total assets in those portfolios or accounts with respect to which the investment management fees are based on the performance of those portfolios or accounts as of August 31, 2011:

 

Christopher Bliss

     

Types of Accounts

   Number of Other
Accounts with

Performance-Based
Fees Managed by Portfolio Manager
     Aggregate
of Total Assets
 

Registered Investment Companies

     0         N/A   

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles

     0         N/A   

Other Accounts

     0         N/A   

Rene Casis

     

Types of Accounts

   Number of Other
Accounts  with

Performance-Based
Fees Managed by Portfolio Manager
     Aggregate
of Total Assets
 

Registered Investment Companies

     0         N/A   

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles

     0         N/A   

Other Accounts

     0         N/A   
Diane Hsiung      

Types of Accounts

   Number of Other
Accounts with
Performance-Based

Fees Managed by Portfolio Manager
     Aggregate
of Total Assets
 

Registered Investment Companies

     0         N/A   

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles

     0         N/A   

Other Accounts

     0         N/A   
Greg Savage      

Types of Accounts

   Number of Other
Accounts with
Performance-Based

Fees Managed by Portfolio Manager
     Aggregate
of Total Assets
 

Registered Investment Companies

     0         N/A   

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles

     0         N/A   

Other Accounts

     0         N/A   

The discussion below describes the Portfolio Managers’ compensation as of August 31, 2011.

Portfolio Manager Compensation Overview

Base compensation. Generally, portfolio managers receive base compensation based on their seniority and/or their position with the firm. Senior portfolio managers who perform additional management functions within the portfolio management group or within BlackRock may receive additional compensation for serving in these other capacities.

 

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Discretionary Incentive Compensation. Discretionary incentive compensation is a function of several components: the performance of BlackRock, Inc., the performance of the portfolio manager’s group within BlackRock, the investment performance, including risk-adjusted returns, of the firm’s assets under management or supervision by that portfolio manager relative to predetermined benchmarks, and the individual’s seniority, role within the portfolio management team, teamwork and contribution to the overall performance of these portfolios and BlackRock.

Distribution of Discretionary Incentive Compensation. Discretionary incentive compensation is distributed to portfolio managers in a combination of cash and BlackRock, Inc. restricted stock units which vest ratably over a number of years. The BlackRock, Inc. restricted stock units, if properly vested, will be settled in BlackRock, Inc. common stock. Typically, the cash bonus, when combined with base salary, represents more than 60% of total compensation for the portfolio managers. Paying a portion of annual bonuses in stock puts compensation earned by a portfolio manager for a given year “at risk” based on BlackRock’s ability to sustain and improve its performance over future periods.

From time to time, long-term incentive equity awards are granted to certain key employees to aid in retention, align their interests with long-term shareholder interests and motivate performance. Equity awards are generally granted in the form of BlackRock, Inc. restricted stock units that, once vested, settle in BlackRock, Inc. common stock.

As of August 31, 2011, the Portfolio Managers beneficially owned shares of the Funds, for which they are primarily responsible for the day-to-day management, in the amounts reflected in the following tables:

 

Christopher Bliss

                    
     Dollar Range

Fund

   None      $1 to $10k    $10,001
to $50k
   $50,001
to $100k
   $100,001
to $500k
   $500,001
to $1m
   over
$1m

iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Eastern Europe Index Fund

     X                     

iShares MSCI Mexico Investable Market Index Fund

     X                     

iShares MSCI South Africa Index Fund

     X                     

iShares MSCI Thailand Investable Market Index Fund

     X                     

iShares MSCI Turkey Investable Market Index Fund

     X                     

 

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Rene Casis

                    
     Dollar Range

Fund

   None      $1 to $10k    $10,001
to $50k
   $50,001
to $100k
   $100,001
to $500k
   $500,001
to $1m
   over
$1m

iShares MSCI Australia Index Fund

     X                     

iShares MSCI Austria Investable Market Index Fund

     X                     

iShares MSCI Belgium Capped Investable Market Index Fund

     X                     

iShares MSCI Canada Index Fund

     X                     

iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Eastern Europe Index Fund

     X                     

iShares MSCI EMU Index Fund

     X                     

iShares MSCI France Index Fund

     X                     

iShares MSCI Germany Index Fund

     X                     

iShares MSCI Hong Kong Index Fund

     X                     

iShares MSCI Israel Capped Investable Market Index Fund

     X                     

iShares MSCI Italy Index Fund

     X                     

iShares MSCI Japan Index Fund

     X                     

iShares MSCI Japan Small Cap Index Fund

     X                     

iShares MSCI Mexico Investable Market Index Fund

     X                     

iShares MSCI Netherlands Investable Market Index Fund

     X                     

iShares MSCI Pacific ex-Japan Index Fund

     X                     

iShares MSCI Singapore Index Fund

     X                     

iShares MSCI South Africa Index Fund

     X                     

iShares MSCI Spain Index Fund

     X                     

iShares MSCI Sweden Index Fund

     X                     

iShares MSCI Switzerland Index Fund

     X                     

iShares MSCI Thailand Investable Market Index Fund

     X                     

iShares MSCI Turkey Investable Market Index Fund

     X                     

iShares MSCI United Kingdom Index Fund

     X                     

iShares MSCI USA Index Fund

     X                     

 

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Diane Hsiung                     
     Dollar Range

Fund

   None      $1 to $10k      $10,001
to $50k
   $50,001
to $100k
   $100,001
to $500k
   $500,001
to $1m
   over
$1m

iShares MSCI Australia Index Fund

     X                     

iShares MSCI Austria Investable Market Index Fund

        X                  

iShares MSCI Belgium Capped Investable Market Index Fund

     X                     

iShares MSCI Canada Index Fund

     X                     

iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Eastern Europe Index Fund

     X                     

iShares MSCI EMU Index Fund

     X                     

iShares MSCI France Index Fund

     X                     

iShares MSCI Germany Index Fund

     X                     

iShares MSCI Hong Kong Index Fund

     X                     

iShares MSCI Israel Capped Investable Market Index Fund

     X                     

iShares MSCI Italy Index Fund

     X                     

iShares MSCI Japan Index Fund

     X                     

iShares MSCI Japan Small Cap Index Fund

     X                     

iShares MSCI Mexico Investable Market Index Fund

     X                     

iShares MSCI Netherlands Investable Market Index Fund

     X                     

iShares MSCI Pacific ex-Japan Index Fund

     X                     

iShares MSCI Singapore Index Fund

     X                     

iShares MSCI South Africa Index Fund

     X                     

iShares MSCI Spain Index Fund

     X                     

iShares MSCI Sweden Index Fund

     X                     

iShares MSCI Switzerland Index Fund

     X                     

iShares MSCI Thailand Investable Market Index Fund

     X                     

iShares MSCI Turkey Investable Market Index Fund

     X                     

iShares MSCI United Kingdom Index Fund

     X                     

iShares MSCI USA Index Fund

     X                     

 

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Greg Savage                     
     Dollar Range

Fund

   None      $1 to $10k    $10,001
to $50k
   $50,001
to $100k
   $100,001
to $500k
   $500,001
to $1m
   over
$1m

iShares MSCI Australia Index Fund

     X                     

iShares MSCI Austria Investable Market Index Fund

     X                     

iShares MSCI Belgium Capped Investable Market Index Fund

     X                     

iShares MSCI Canada Index Fund

     X                     

iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Eastern Europe Index Fund

     X                     

iShares MSCI EMU Index Fund

     X                     

iShares MSCI France Index Fund

     X                     

iShares MSCI Germany Index Fund

     X                     

iShares MSCI Hong Kong Index Fund

     X                     

iShares MSCI Israel Capped Investable Market Index Fund

     X                     

iShares MSCI Italy Index Fund

     X                     

iShares MSCI Japan Index Fund

     X                     

iShares MSCI Japan Small Cap Index Fund

     X                     

iShares MSCI Mexico Investable Market Index Fund

     X                     

iShares MSCI Netherlands Investable Market Index Fund

     X                     

iShares MSCI Pacific ex-Japan Index Fund

     X                     

iShares MSCI Singapore Index Fund

     X                     

iShares MSCI South Africa Index Fund

     X                     

iShares MSCI Spain Index Fund

     X                     

iShares MSCI Sweden Index Fund

     X                     

iShares MSCI Switzerland Index Fund

     X                     

iShares MSCI Thailand Investable Market Index Fund

     X                     

iShares MSCI Turkey Investable Market Index Fund

     X                     

iShares MSCI United Kingdom Index Fund

     X                     

iShares MSCI USA Index Fund

     X                     

Codes of Ethics. The Company, BFA and the Distributor have adopted Codes of Ethics pursuant to Rule 17j-1 of the 1940 Act. The Codes of Ethics permit personnel subject to the Codes of Ethics to invest in securities, subject to certain limitations, including securities that may be purchased or held by the Funds. The Codes of Ethics are on public file with, and are available from, the SEC.

Anti-Money Laundering Requirements. The Funds are subject to the USA PATRIOT Act (the “Patriot Act”). The Patriot Act is intended to prevent the use of the U.S. financial system in furtherance of money laundering, terrorism or other illicit activities. Pursuant to requirements under the Patriot Act, a Fund may request information from Authorized Participants to enable it to form a reasonable belief that it knows the true identity of its Authorized Participants. This information will be used to verify the identity of Authorized Participants or, in some cases, the status of financial professionals; it will be used only for compliance with the requirements of the Patriot Act.

The Funds reserve the right to reject purchase orders from persons who have not submitted information sufficient to allow the Fund to verify their identity. Each Fund also reserves the right to redeem any amounts

 

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in a Fund from persons whose identity it is unable to verify on a timely basis. It is the Funds’ policy to cooperate fully with appropriate regulators in any investigations conducted with respect to potential money laundering, terrorism or other illicit activities.

Administrator, Custodian and Transfer Agent. State Street Bank and Trust Company (“State Street”) serves as administrator, custodian and transfer agent for the Funds under the Master Services Agreement and related Service Schedule (the “Service Module”). State Street’s principal address is 200 Clarendon Street, Boston, MA 02116. Pursuant to the Service Module for Fund Administration and Accounting Services with the Company, State Street provides necessary administrative, legal, tax and accounting and financial reporting services for the maintenance and operations of the Company and each Fund. In addition, State Street makes available the office space, equipment, personnel and facilities required to provide such services. Pursuant to the Service Module for Custodial Services with the Company, State Street maintains, in separate accounts, cash, securities and other assets of the Company and each Fund, keeps all necessary accounts and records and provides other services. State Street is required, upon the order of the Company, to deliver securities held by State Street and to make payments for securities purchased by the Company for each Fund. State Street is authorized to appoint certain foreign custodians or foreign custody managers for Fund investments outside the United States. Pursuant to the Service Module for Transfer Agency Services with the Company, State Street acts as a transfer agent for each Fund’s authorized and issued shares of beneficial interest, and as dividend disbursing agent of the Company. As compensation for these services, State Street receives certain out-of-pocket costs, transaction fees and asset-based fees which are accrued daily and paid monthly by BFA from its management fee.

The following table sets forth the administration, transfer agency and custodian expenses of each Fund paid by BFA to State Street for the fiscal years noted:

 

Fund

   Fund
Inception
Date
    Custody,
Administration,
Transfer Agency
Expenses Paid
During Fiscal
Year Ended
August 31, 2011
    Custody,
Administration,
Transfer Agency
Expenses Paid
During Fiscal
Year Ended
August 31, 2010
    Custody,
Administration,
Transfer Agency
Expenses Paid
During Fiscal
Year Ended
August 31, 2009
 

iShares MSCI Australia Index Fund

     03/12/96      $ 344,773      $ 254,789      $ 109,442   

iShares MSCI Austria Investable Market Index Fund

     03/12/96      $ 42,435        41,110        30,029   

iShares MSCI Belgium Capped Investable Market Index Fund

     03/12/96      $ 17,533        20,736        23,940   

iShares MSCI Canada Index Fund

     03/12/96      $ 410,956        252,407        123,276   

iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Eastern Europe Index Fund

     09/30/09      $ 57,888        11,860        N/A   

iShares MSCI EMU Index Fund

     07/25/00      $ 130,735        106,995        103,543   

iShares MSCI France Index Fund

     03/12/96      $ 52,221        48,247        33,179   

iShares MSCI Germany Index Fund

     03/12/96      $ 281,912        109,518        50,349   

iShares MSCI Hong Kong Index Fund

     03/12/96      $ 211,579        191,807        202,609   

iShares MSCI Israel Capped Investable Market Index Fund

     03/26/08      $ 116,501        154,344        91,287   

iShares MSCI Italy Index Fund

     03/12/96      $ 16,538        16,317        17,547   

iShares MSCI Japan Index Fund

     03/12/96      $ 311,780        252,341        274,212   

iShares MSCI Japan Small Cap Index Fund

     12/20/07      $ 16,508        4,931        9,436   

iShares MSCI Mexico Investable Market Index Fund

     03/12/96      $ 319,222        245,591        111,771   

iShares MSCI Netherlands Investable Market Index Fund

     03/12/96      $ 20,458        15,666        17,653   

iShares MSCI Pacific ex-Japan Index Fund

     10/25/01      $ 493,182        435,461        310,375   

iShares MSCI Singapore Index Fund

     03/12/96      $ 382,591        221,345        200,363   

iShares MSCI South Africa Index Fund

     02/03/03      $ 127,197        105,530        75,320   

iShares MSCI Spain Index Fund

     03/12/96      $ 22,840        25,178        25,868   

iShares MSCI Sweden Index Fund

     03/12/96      $ 65,932        32,224        25,535   

 

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Table of Contents

Fund

   Fund
Inception
Date
    Custody,
Administration,
Transfer Agency
Expenses Paid
During Fiscal
Year Ended
August 31, 2011
    Custody,
Administration,
Transfer Agency
Expenses Paid
During Fiscal
Year Ended
August 31, 2010
    Custody,
Administration,
Transfer Agency
Expenses Paid
During Fiscal
Year Ended
August 31, 2009
 

iShares MSCI Switzerland Index Fund

     03/12/96      $ 52,803      $ 36,466      $ 30,968   

iShares MSCI Thailand Investable Market Index Fund

     03/26/08      $ 124,819        48,341        16,198   

iShares MSCI Turkey Investable Market Index Fund

     03/26/08      $ 370,844        255,152        79,482   

iShares MSCI United Kingdom Index Fund

     03/12/96      $ 31,324        28,196        23,114   

iShares MSCI USA Index Fund

     05/05/10      $ 2,477        2,694        N/A   

Distributor. The Distributor’s principal address is 525 Washington Boulevard, Suite 1405, Jersey City, New Jersey 07310. Shares are continuously offered for sale by the Funds through the Distributor only in Creation Units, as described in the applicable Prospectus and below in the Creation and Redemption of Creation Units section of this SAI. Fund shares in amounts less than Creation Units are generally not distributed by the Distributor. The Distributor will arrange for the delivery of the applicable Prospectus and, upon request, the SAI to persons purchasing Creation Units and will maintain records of both orders placed with it or its agents and confirmations of acceptance furnished by it or its agents. The Distributor is a broker-dealer registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”), and a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”).

The Distribution Agreement for each Fund provides that it may be terminated at any time, without the payment of any penalty, on at least 60 days’ prior written notice to the other party following (i) the vote of a majority of the Independent Directors, or (ii) the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the relevant Fund. The Distribution Agreement will terminate automatically in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act).

The Distributor may also enter into agreements with securities dealers (“Soliciting Dealers”) who will solicit purchases of Creation Units of Fund shares. Such Soliciting Dealers may also be Authorized Participants (as defined below), DTC participants and/or investor services organizations.

BFA or BTC may, from time to time and from its own resources, pay, defray or absorb costs relating to distribution, including payments out of its own resources to the Distributor, or to otherwise promote the sale of shares.

The Distributor serves as the Funds’ distributor effective April 1, 2012. Prior to that date, SEI Investments Distribution, Co. (“SEI”), located at One Freedom Valley Drive, Oaks, PA 19456, served as distributor to the Funds. The following table sets forth the compensation paid by BFA to SEI for certain services, not primarily intended to result in the sale of Fund shares, provided to each Fund during the fiscal years noted:

 

Fund

   Fund
Inception
Date
    Distributor
Compensation
Paid During
Fiscal Year
Ended
August 31,
2011
    Distributor
Compensation
Paid During
Fiscal Year
Ended
August 31,
2010
    Distributor
Compensation
Paid During
Fiscal Year
Ended
August 31,
2009
 

iShares MSCI Australia Index Fund

     03/12/96      $ 11,753      $ 13,367      $ 10,603   

iShares MSCI Austria Investable Market Index Fund

     03/12/96        11,753        13,367        10,603   

iShares MSCI Belgium Capped Investable Market Index Fund

     03/12/96        11,753        13,367        10,603   

iShares MSCI Canada Index Fund

     03/12/96        11,753        13,367        10,603   

iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Eastern Europe Index Fund

     09/30/09        11,753        13,367        N/A   

iShares MSCI EMU Index Fund

     07/25/00        11,753        13,367        10,603   

iShares MSCI France Index Fund

     03/12/96        11,753        13,367        10,603   

 

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Table of Contents

Fund

   Fund
Inception
Date
    Distributor
Compensation
Paid During
Fiscal Year
Ended
August 31,
2011
    Distributor
Compensation
Paid During
Fiscal Year
Ended
August 31,
2010
    Distributor
Compensation
Paid During
Fiscal Year
Ended
August 31,
2009
 

iShares MSCI Germany Index Fund

     03/12/96      $ 11,753      $ 13,367      $ 10,603   

iShares MSCI Hong Kong Index Fund

     03/12/96        11,753        13,367        10,603   

iShares MSCI Israel Capped Investable Market Index Fund

     03/26/08        11,753        13,367        10,603   

iShares MSCI Italy Index Fund

     03/12/96        11,753        13,367        10,603   

iShares MSCI Japan Index Fund

     03/12/96        11,753        13,367        10,603   

iShares MSCI Japan Small Cap Index Fund

     12/20/07        11,753        13,367        10,603   

iShares MSCI Mexico Investable Market Index Fund

     03/12/96        11,753        13,367        10,603   

iShares MSCI Netherlands Investable Market Index Fund

     03/12/96        11,753        13,367        10,603   

iShares MSCI Pacific ex-Japan Index Fund

     10/25/01        11,753        13,367        10,603   

iShares MSCI Singapore Index Fund

     03/12/96        11,753        13,367        10,603   

iShares MSCI South Africa Index Fund

     02/03/03        11,753        13,367        10,603   

iShares MSCI Spain Index Fund

     03/12/96        11,753        13,367        10,603   

iShares MSCI Sweden Index Fund

     03/12/96        11,753        13,367        10,603   

iShares MSCI Switzerland Index Fund

     03/12/96        11,753        13,367        10,603   

iShares MSCI Thailand Investable Market Index Fund

     03/26/08        11,753        13,367        10,603   

iShares MSCI Turkey Investable Market Index Fund

     03/26/08        11,753        13,367        10,603   

iShares MSCI United Kingdom Index Fund

     03/12/96        11,753        13,367        10,603   

iShares MSCI USA Index Fund

     05/05/10        11,753        3,718        N/A   

Financial Intermediary Compensation. BFA and/or BTC and/or their respective subsidiaries (“BFA Entities”) pay certain broker-dealers, banks and other financial intermediaries (“Intermediaries”) for certain activities related to the Funds, other iShares funds or exchange-traded products in general (“Payments”). BFA Entities make Payments from their own assets and not from the assets of the Funds. Although a portion of BFA Entities’ revenue comes directly or indirectly in part from fees paid by the Funds and other iShares funds, Payments do not increase the price paid by investors for the purchase of shares of, or the cost of owning, the Fund or other iShares funds. BFA Entities make Payments for Intermediaries’ participating in activities that are designed to make registered representatives, other professionals and individual investors more knowledgeable about exchange-traded products, including the Funds or for other activities, such as participation in marketing activities and presentations, educational training programs, conferences, the development of technology platforms and reporting systems (“Education Costs”). BFA Entities also make Payments to Intermediaries for certain printing, publishing and mailing costs associated with the Funds or materials relating to exchange-traded products in general (“Publishing Costs”). In addition, BFA Entities make Payments to Intermediaries that make shares of the Funds and certain other iShares funds available to their clients, develop new products that feature iShares or otherwise promote the Funds and other iShares funds. Payments of this type are sometimes referred to as revenue-sharing payments.

Payments to an Intermediary may be significant to the Intermediary, and amounts that Intermediaries pay to your salesperson or other investment professional may also be significant for your salesperson or other investment professional. Because an Intermediary may make decisions about which investment options it will recommend or make available to its clients or what services to provide for various products based on payments it receives or is eligible to receive, Payments create conflicts of interest between the Intermediary and its clients and these financial incentives may cause the Intermediary to recommend the Fund and other iShares funds over other investments. The same conflict of interest exists with respect to your salesperson or other investment professional if he or she receives similar payments from his or her Intermediary firm.

As of February 2, 2010, BFA Entities had arrangements to make Payments other than Education Costs or Publishing Costs only to Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC (“FBS”) and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Inc. (“ML”). Pursuant to BFA Entities’ arrangement with FBS, FBS has agreed to promote iShares funds to FBS’s customers and not to charge certain of its customers any commissions when those customers purchase or sell

 

74


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shares of certain iShares funds online (the “Co-Branded Marketing Program”). BFA Entities have agreed to facilitate the Co-Branded Marketing Program by making payments to FBS during the term of the agreement in a fixed amount. Upon termination of the agreement the BFA Entities will make additional payments to FBS based upon a number of criteria, including the overall success of the Co-Branded Marketing program and the level of services provided by FBS during the wind-down period. Pursuant to BFA Entities’ arrangement with ML, BFA Entities have agreed to reimburse ML for a portion of certain fee waivers that ML may be required to implement with respect to accounts that hold “plan assets” within the meaning of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), as a consequence of a technical ERISA affiliate relationship between BFA and ML.

Any additions, modifications, or deletions to Intermediaries listed above that have occurred since the date noted above are not included in the list. Further, BFA Entities make Education Costs and Publishing Costs Payments to other Intermediaries that are not listed above. BFA Entities may determine to make Payments based on any number of metrics. For example, BFA Entities may make Payments at year-end or other intervals in a fixed amount, an amount based upon an Intermediary’s services at defined levels or an amount based on the Intermediary’s net sales of one or more iShares funds in a year or other period, any of which arrangements may include an agreed-upon minimum or maximum payment, or any combination of the foregoing. As of the date of this SAI, BFA anticipates that the Payments paid by BFA Entities in connection with the Funds, iShares funds and exchange-traded products in general will be immaterial to BFA Entities in the aggregate for the next year. Please contact your salesperson or other investment professional for more information regarding any Payments his or her Intermediary firm may receive. Any Payments made by the BFA Entities to an Intermediary may create the incentive for an Intermediary to encourage customers to buy shares of iShares funds.

Brokerage Transactions

BFA assumes general supervision over placing orders on behalf of each Fund for the purchase and sale of portfolio securities. In selecting brokers or dealers for any transaction in portfolio securities, BFA’s policy is to make such selection based on factors deemed relevant, including but not limited to, the breadth of the market in the security, the price of the security, the reasonableness of the commission or mark-up or mark-down, if any, execution capability, settlement capability, back office efficiency and the financial condition of the broker or dealer, both for the specific transaction and on a continuing basis. The overall reasonableness of brokerage commissions paid is evaluated by BFA based upon its knowledge of available information as to the general level of commissions paid by other institutional investors for comparable services. Brokers may also be selected because of their ability to handle special or difficult executions, such as may be involved in large block trades, less liquid securities, broad distributions, or other circumstances. BFA does not consider the provision or value of research, products or services a broker or dealer may provide, if any, as a factor in the selection of a broker or dealer or the determination of the reasonableness of commissions paid in connection with portfolio transactions. The Company has adopted policies and procedures that prohibit the consideration of sales of a Fund’s shares as a factor in the selection of a broker or a dealer to execute its portfolio transactions.

 

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The table below sets forth the brokerage commissions paid by each Fund for the fiscal years noted. Any differences in brokerage commissions paid by a Fund from year to year are due to increases or decreases in that Fund’s assets over those periods:

 

Fund

   Fund
Inception
Date
     Brokerage
Commissions
Paid During
Fiscal Year
Ended
August 31,
2011
     Brokerage
Commissions
Paid During
Fiscal Year
Ended
August 31,
2010
     Brokerage
Commissions
Paid During
Fiscal Year
Ended
August 31,
2009
 

iShares MSCI Australia Index Fund

     03/12/96       $ 152,979       $ 101,452       $ 86,032   

iShares MSCI Austria Investable Market Index Fund

     03/12/96         10,896         13,937         21,249   

iShares MSCI Belgium Capped Investable Market Index Fund

     03/12/96         5,882         11,638         16,284   

iShares MSCI Canada Index Fund

     03/12/96         114,330         61,232         63,764   

iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Eastern Europe Index Fund

     09/30/09         15,440         2,692         N/A   

iShares MSCI EMU Index Fund

     07/25/00         50,034         30,678         45,240   

iShares MSCI France Index Fund

     03/12/96         13,503         9,652         6,845   

iShares MSCI Germany Index Fund

     03/12/96         218,407         27,512         38,682   

iShares MSCI Hong Kong Index Fund

     03/12/96         77,084         39,826         64,339   

iShares MSCI Israel Capped Investable Market Index Fund

     03/26/08         8,497         39,519         61,045   

iShares MSCI Italy Index Fund

     03/12/96         16,323         10,810         13,412   

iShares MSCI Japan Index Fund

     03/12/96         121,836         172,772         169,576   

iShares MSCI Japan Small Cap Index Fund

     12/20/07         1,278         1,893         1,651   

iShares MSCI Mexico Investable Market Index Fund

     03/12/96         62,589         191,950         109,935   

iShares MSCI Netherlands Investable Market Index Fund

     03/12/96         5,744         3,913         14,865   

iShares MSCI Pacific ex-Japan Index Fund

     10/25/01         166,317         149,896         188,666   

iShares MSCI Singapore Index Fund

     03/12/96         113,886         83,246         88,823   

iShares MSCI South Africa Index Fund

     02/03/03         56,842         37,270         93,568   

iShares MSCI Spain Index Fund

     03/12/96         16,635         20,964         40,977   

iShares MSCI Sweden Index Fund

     03/12/96         21,191         5,978         7,727   

iShares MSCI Switzerland Index Fund

     03/12/96         13,341         26,875         41,294   

iShares MSCI Thailand Investable Market Index Fund

     03/26/08         196,525         48,858         9,733   

iShares MSCI Turkey Investable Market Index Fund

     03/26/08         116,660         114,341         67,382   

iShares MSCI United Kingdom Index Fund

     03/12/96         33,311         37,958         42,669   

iShares MSCI USA Index Fund

     05/05/10         20         34         N/A   

The following table sets forth the names of the Funds’ “regular broker dealers,” as defined under Rule 10b-1 of the 1940 Act, which derive more than 15% of their gross revenues from securities-related activities and in which the Funds invest, together with the market value of each investment as of the applicable Fund’s fiscal year ended August 31, 2011.

 

Fund

  

Issuer

   Market Value of
Investment
 

iShares MSCI Canada Index Fund

   Royal Bank of Canada    $ 289,056,445   

iShares MSCI EMU Index Fund

   Deutshce Bank AG    $ 9,497,080   

iShares MSCI Germany Index Fund

   Deutshce Bank AG    $ 128,362,185   

iShares MSCI Japan Index Fund

   Nomura Holdings, Inc    $ 47,783,539   

iShares MSCI Switzerland Index Fund

   UBS AG    $ 21,753,346   
   Credit Suisse Group AG      19,244,928   

 

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Fund

  

Issuer

   Market Value
of Investment
 

iShares MSCI USA Index Fund

   JP Morgan Chase & Co    $        67,383   
   Citigroup, Inc      40,706   
   Bank of America Corp      37,370   
   Goldman Sachs Group, Inc (The)      25,801   
   Morgan Stanley      10,990   

None of the Funds paid any brokerage commissions to BlackRock, an affiliate of BFA, or a subsidiary of BTC, during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2011.

The Funds’ purchase and sale orders for securities may be combined with those of other investment companies, clients or accounts that BFA or its Affiliates manage or advise and for which they have brokerage placement authority. If purchases or sales of portfolio securities of the Funds and one or more other accounts managed or advised by BFA or its Affiliates are considered at or about the same time, transactions in such securities are allocated among the Funds and the other accounts in a manner deemed equitable to all by BFA and its Affiliates. In some cases, this procedure could have a detrimental effect on the price or volume of the security as far as the Funds are concerned. However, in other cases, it is possible that the ability to participate in volume transactions and to negotiate lower transaction costs will be beneficial to the Funds. BFA and its Affiliates may deal, trade and invest for their own account in the types of securities in which the Funds may invest. BFA and its Affiliates may, from time to time, effect trades on behalf of and for the account of the Funds with brokers or dealers that are affiliated with BFA, in conformity with the 1940 Act and SEC rules and regulations. Under these provisions, any commissions paid to affiliated brokers or dealers must be reasonable and fair compared to the commissions charged by other brokers or dealers in comparable transactions. The Funds will not deal with affiliates in principal transactions unless permitted by applicable SEC rules or regulations, or by SEC exemptive order.

Portfolio turnover may vary from year to year as well as within a year. High turnover rates may result in comparatively greater brokerage expenses.

The table below sets forth the portfolio turnover rates of each Fund for the fiscal years noted:

 

Fund

   Fiscal Year
Ended
August 31, 2011
    Fiscal Year
Ended
August 31, 2010
 

iShares MSCI Australia Index Fund

     9     8

iShares MSCI Austria Investable Market Index Fund

     12     11

iShares MSCI Belgium Capped Investable Market Index Fund

     12     17

iShares MSCI Canada Index Fund

     8     6

iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Eastern Europe Index Fund

     24     13

iShares MSCI EMU Index Fund

     8     5

iShares MSCI France Index Fund

     6     6

iShares MSCI Germany Index Fund

     13     5

iShares MSCI Hong Kong Index Fund

     15     5

iShares MSCI Israel Capped Investable Market Index Fund

     17     21

iShares MSCI Italy Index Fund

     16     12

iShares MSCI Japan Index Fund

     4     5

iShares MSCI Japan Small Cap Index Fund

     10     7

iShares MSCI Mexico Investable Market Index Fund

     5     11

iShares MSCI Netherlands Investable Market Index Fund

     6     9

iShares MSCI Pacific ex-Japan Index Fund

     10     7

iShares MSCI Singapore Index Fund

     10     9

iShares MSCI South Africa Index Fund

     4     5

 

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Fund

   Fiscal Year
Ended
August 31, 2011
    Fiscal Year
Ended
August 31, 2010
 

iShares MSCI Spain Index Fund

     14     9

iShares MSCI Sweden Index Fund

     9     10

iShares MSCI Switzerland Index Fund

     7     7

iShares MSCI Thailand Investable Market Index Fund

     22     14

iShares MSCI Turkey Investable Market Index Fund

     12     13

iShares MSCI United Kingdom Index Fund

     4     7

iShares MSCI USA Index Fund

     8     1

Additional Information Concerning the Company

Capital Stock. The Company currently is comprised of 36 series referred to as funds. Each series issues shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share. The Company has authorized and issued the following funds as separate series of capital stock: iShares Emerging Markets Local Currency Bond Fund, iShares MSCI All Country World Minimum Volatility Index Fund, iShares MSCI Australia Index Fund, iShares MSCI Austria Investable Market Index Fund, iShares MSCI Belgium Capped Investable Market Index Fund, iShares MSCI Brazil Index Fund, iShares MSCI BRIC Index Fund, iShares MSCI Canada Index Fund, iShares MSCI Chile Investable Market Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Eastern Europe Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Minimum Volatility Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Small Cap Index Fund, iShares MSCI EMU Index Fund, iShares MSCI France Index Fund, iShares MSCI Germany Index Fund, iShares MSCI Hong Kong Index Fund, iShares MSCI Israel Capped Investable Market Index Fund, iShares MSCI Italy Index Fund, iShares MSCI Japan Index Fund, iShares MSCI Japan Small Cap Index Fund, iShares MSCI Malaysia Index Fund, iShares MSCI Mexico Investable Market Index Fund, iShares MSCI Netherlands Investable Market Index Fund, iShares MSCI Pacific ex-Japan Index Fund, iShares MSCI Singapore Index Fund, iShares MSCI South Africa Index Fund, iShares MSCI South Korea Index Fund, iShares MSCI Spain Index Fund, iShares MSCI Sweden Index Fund, iShares MSCI Switzerland Index Fund, iShares MSCI Taiwan Index Fund, iShares MSCI Thailand Investable Market Index Fund, iShares MSCI Turkey Investable Market Index Fund, iShares MSCI United Kingdom Index Fund and iShares MSCI USA Index Fund. The Company has authorized for issuance, but is not currently offering for sale to the public, eight additional series of shares of common stock. The Board may designate additional series of common stock and classify shares of a particular series into one or more classes of that series. The Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation confers upon the Board the power to establish the number of shares which constitute a Creation Unit or by resolution, restrict the redemption right to Creation Units.

Each share issued by a fund has a pro rata interest in the assets of that fund. The Company is currently authorized to issue 28.85 billion shares of common stock. The following number of shares is currently authorized for each of the funds: iShares Emerging Markets Local Currency Bond Fund, 500 million shares; iShares MSCI All Country World Minimum Volatility Index Fund, 500 million shares; iShares MSCI Australia Index Fund, 627.8 million shares; iShares MSCI Austria Investable Market Index Fund, 100 million shares; iShares MSCI Belgium Capped Investable Market Index Fund, 136.2 million shares; iShares MSCI Brazil Index Fund, 500 million shares; iShares MSCI BRIC Index Fund, 500 million shares; iShares MSCI Canada Index Fund, 340.2 million shares; iShares MSCI Chile Investable Market Index Fund, 200 million shares; iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Eastern Europe Index Fund, 200 million shares; iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund, 2 billion shares; iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Minimum Volatility Index Fund, 500 million shares; iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Small Cap Index Fund, 500 million shares; iShares MSCI EMU Index Fund, 1 billion shares; iShares MSCI France Index Fund, 340.2 million shares; iShares MSCI Germany Index Fund, 382.2 million shares; iShares MSCI Hong Kong Index Fund, 250 million shares; iShares MSCI Israel

 

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Capped Investable Market Index Fund, 500 million; iShares MSCI Italy Index Fund, 63.6 million shares; iShares MSCI Japan Index Fund, 2.1246 billion shares; iShares MSCI Japan Small Cap Index Fund, 500 million shares; iShares MSCI Malaysia Index Fund, 300 million shares; iShares MSCI Mexico Investable Market Index Fund, 255 million shares; iShares MSCI Netherlands Investable Market Index Fund, 255 million shares; iShares MSCI Pacific ex-Japan Index Fund, 1 billion shares; iShares MSCI Singapore Index Fund, 300 million shares; iShares MSCI South Africa Index Fund, 400 million shares; iShares MSCI South Korea Index Fund, 200 million shares; iShares MSCI Spain Index Fund, 127.8 million shares; iShares MSCI Sweden Index Fund, 63.6 million shares; iShares MSCI Switzerland Index Fund, 318.625 million shares; iShares MSCI Taiwan Index Fund, 900 million shares; iShares MSCI Thailand Investable Market Index Fund, 200 million; iShares MSCI Turkey Investable Market Index Fund, 200 million; iShares MSCI United Kingdom Index Fund, 934.2 million shares; and iShares MSCI USA Index Fund, 500 million shares. Fractional shares will not be issued. Shares have no preemptive, exchange, subscription or conversion rights and are freely transferable. Each share is entitled to participate equally in dividends and distributions declared by the Board with respect to the relevant fund, and in the net distributable assets of such fund on liquidation. Shareholders are entitled to require the Company to redeem Creation Units of their shares. The Articles of Incorporation confer upon the Board the power, by resolution, to alter the number of shares constituting a Creation Unit or to specify that shares of common stock of the Company may be individually redeemable.

Each share has one vote with respect to matters upon which a stockholder vote is required consistent with the requirements of the 1940 Act and the rules promulgated thereunder and the Maryland General Corporation Law. Stockholders have no cumulative voting rights with respect to their shares. Shares of all funds vote together as a single class except that, if the matter being voted on affects only a particular fund or, if a matter affects a particular fund differently from other funds, that fund will vote separately on such matter.

Under Maryland law, the Company is not required to hold an annual meeting of stockholders unless required to do so under the 1940 Act. The policy of the Company is not to hold an annual meeting of stockholders unless required to do so under the 1940 Act. Under Maryland law, Directors of the Company may be removed by vote of the stockholders.

Following the creation of the initial Creation Unit(s) of shares of a fund and immediately prior to the commencement of trading in such fund’s shares, a holder of shares may be a “control person” of the fund, as defined in the 1940 Act. A fund cannot predict the length of time for which one or more stockholders may remain a control person of the fund.

Stockholders may make inquiries by writing to iShares, Inc., c/o BlackRock Investments, LLC, 525 Washington Boulevard, Suite 1405, Jersey City, NJ 07310.

Absent an applicable exemption or other relief from the SEC or its staff, beneficial owners of more than 5% of the shares of a fund may be subject to the reporting provisions of Section 13 of the 1934 Act and the SEC’s rules promulgated thereunder. In addition, absent an applicable exemption or other relief from the SEC or its staff, officers and directors of a fund and beneficial owners of 10% of the shares of a fund (“Insiders”) may be subject to the insider reporting, short-swing profit and short sale provisions of Section 16 of the 1934 Act and the SEC’s rules promulgated thereunder. Beneficial owners and Insiders should consult with their own legal counsel concerning their obligations under Sections 13 and 16 of the 1934 Act.

Termination of the Company or a Fund. The Company or a Fund may be terminated by a majority vote of the Board, or the affirmative vote of a supermajority of the shareholders of the Company or such Fund entitled to vote on termination. Although the shares are not automatically redeemable upon the occurrence of any specific event, the Company’s organizational documents provide that the Board will have the unrestricted power to alter the number of shares in a Creation Unit. In the event of a termination of the Company or a Fund, the Board, in its sole discretion, could determine to permit the shares to be redeemable

 

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in aggregations smaller than Creation Units or to be individually redeemable. In such circumstance, the Company may make redemptions in-kind, for cash or for a combination of cash or securities.

DTC as Securities Depository for Shares of the Funds. Shares of each Fund are represented by securities registered in the name of DTC or its nominee and deposited with, or on behalf of, DTC.

DTC, a limited-purpose trust company, was created to hold securities of its participants (“DTC Participants”) and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of securities transactions among the DTC Participants in such securities through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of the DTC Participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities’ certificates. DTC Participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations, some of whom (and/or their representatives) own DTC. More specifically, DTC is owned by a number of its DTC Participants and by the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”), the NYSE Amex Equities and FINRA. Access to the DTC system is also available to others such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a DTC Participant, either directly or indirectly (“Indirect Participants”).

Beneficial ownership of shares is limited to DTC Participants, Indirect Participants and persons holding interests through DTC Participants and Indirect Participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in shares (owners of such beneficial interests are referred to herein as “Beneficial Owners”) is shown on, and the transfer of ownership is effected only through, records maintained by DTC (with respect to DTC Participants) and on the records of DTC Participants (with respect to Indirect Participants and Beneficial Owners that are not DTC Participants). Beneficial Owners will receive from or through the DTC Participant a written confirmation relating to their purchase of shares. The laws of some jurisdictions may require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of such securities in definitive form. Such laws may impair the ability of certain investors to acquire beneficial interests in shares.

Conveyance of all notices, statements and other communications to Beneficial Owners is effected as follows. Pursuant to the Depositary Agreement between the Company and DTC, DTC is required to make available to the Company upon request and for a fee to be charged to the Company a listing of the shares of each Fund held by each DTC Participant. The Company shall inquire of each such DTC Participant as to the number of Beneficial Owners holding shares, directly or indirectly, through such DTC Participant. The Company shall provide each such DTC Participant with copies of such notice, statement or other communication, in such form, number and at such place as such DTC Participant may reasonably request, in order that such notice, statement or communication may be transmitted by such DTC Participant, directly or indirectly, to such Beneficial Owners. In addition, the Company shall pay to each such DTC Participant a fair and reasonable amount as reimbursement for the expenses attendant to such transmittal, all subject to applicable statutory and regulatory requirements.

Share distributions shall be made to DTC or its nominee, Cede & Co., as the registered holder of all shares of the Company. DTC or its nominee, upon receipt of any such distributions, shall credit immediately DTC Participants’ accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in shares of each Fund as shown on the records of DTC or its nominee. Payments by DTC Participants to Indirect Participants and Beneficial Owners of shares held through such DTC Participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in a “street name,” and will be the responsibility of such DTC Participants.

The Company has no responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or notices to Beneficial Owners, or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in such shares, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests, or for any other aspect of the relationship between DTC and the DTC Participants or the relationship between such DTC Participants and the Indirect Participants and Beneficial Owners owning through such DTC Participants. DTC may decide to discontinue providing its service with respect to shares of the Company at

 

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any time by giving reasonable notice to the Company and discharging its responsibilities with respect thereto under applicable law. Under such circumstances, the Company shall take action to find a replacement for DTC to perform its functions at a comparable cost.

Creation and Redemption of Creation Units

General. The Company issues and sells shares of each Fund only in Creation Units on a continuous basis through the Distributor, without a sales load, at the NAV next determined after receipt, on any Business Day (as defined below), of an order in proper form. The following table sets forth the number of shares of a Fund that constitute a Creation Unit for such Fund and the value of such Creation Unit as of September 30, 2011:

 

Fund

   Shares Per
Creation Unit
     Value Per
Creation
Unit (U.S.$)
 

iShares MSCI Australia Index Fund

     200,000       $ 4,132,000   

iShares MSCI Austria Investable Market Index Fund

     100,000       $ 1,523,000   

iShares MSCI Belgium Capped Investable Market Index Fund

     40,000       $ 444,800   

iShares MSCI Canada Index Fund

     100,000       $ 2,569,000   

iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Eastern Europe Index Fund

     50,000       $ 1,157,500   

iShares MSCI EMU Index Fund

     100,000       $ 2,770,000   

iShares MSCI France Index Fund

     200,000       $ 3,864,000   

iShares MSCI Germany Index Fund

     300,000       $ 5,559,000   

iShares MSCI Hong Kong Index Fund

     75,000       $ 1,104,000   

iShares MSCI Israel Capped Investable Market Index Fund

     50,000       $ 2,029,000   

iShares MSCI Italy Index Fund

     150,000       $ 1,813,500   

iShares MSCI Japan Index Fund

     600,000       $ 5,778,000   

iShares MSCI Japan Small Cap Index Fund

     100,000       $ 4,657,000   

iShares MSCI Mexico Investable Market Index Fund

     100,000       $ 4,935,000   

iShares MSCI Netherlands Investable Market Index Fund

     50,000       $ 830,500   

iShares MSCI Pacific ex-Japan Index Fund

     300,000       $ 11,367,000   

iShares MSCI Singapore Index Fund

     100,000       $ 1,125,000   

iShares MSCI South Africa Index Fund

     100,000       $ 5,860,000   

iShares MSCI Spain Index Fund

     75,000       $ 2,460,750   

iShares MSCI Sweden Index Fund

     75,000       $ 1,743,750   

iShares MSCI Switzerland Index Fund

     125,000       $ 2,728,750   

iShares MSCI Thailand Investable Market Index Fund

     50,000       $ 2,737,000   

iShares MSCI Turkey Investable Market Index Fund

     50,000       $ 2,441,000   

iShares MSCI United Kingdom Index Fund

     200,000       $ 2,998,000   

iShares MSCI USA Index Fund

     50,000       $ 1,211,000   

The Board reserves the right to declare a split or a consolidation in the number of shares outstanding of any Fund, and to make a corresponding change in the number of shares constituting a Creation Unit, in the event that the per share price in the secondary market rises (or declines) to an amount that falls outside the range deemed desirable by the Board.

A “Business Day” with respect to each Fund is any day on which the Listing Exchange on which the Fund is listed for trading is open for business. As of the date of this SAI, each Listing Exchange observes the following holidays, as observed: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

Fund Deposit. The consideration for purchase of Creation Units of a Fund, generally consists of the in-kind deposit of a designated portfolio of securities (including any portion of such securities for which cash may

 

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be substituted) (i.e., the Deposit Securities) and the Cash Component computed as described below. Together, the Deposit Securities and the Cash Component constitute the “Fund Deposit,” which will be applicable (subject to possible amendment or correction) to creation requests received in proper form. The Fund Deposit, when combined with the Fund’s portfolio securities, is intended to generate performance similar to that of the Underlying Index. The Fund Deposit represents the minimum initial and subsequent investment amount for a Creation Unit of any Fund.

The Cash Component is an amount equal to the difference between the net asset value of the shares (per Creation Unit) and the “Deposit Amount,” which is an amount equal to the market value of the Deposit Securities, and serves to compensate for any differences between the net asset value per Creation Unit and the Deposit Amount. Payment of any stamp duty or other similar fees and expenses payable upon transfer of beneficial ownership of the Deposit Securities are the sole responsibility of the Authorized Participant purchasing a Creation Unit.

BFA makes available through the NSCC on each Business Day, prior to the opening of business on the Listing Exchange, the list of names and the required number of shares of each Deposit Security and the amount of the Cash Component to be included in the current Fund Deposit (based on information as of the end of the previous Business Day) for each Fund. Such Fund Deposit is applicable, subject to any adjustments as described below, in order to effect purchases of Creation Units of shares of a given Fund until such time as the next-announced Fund Deposit is made available.

The identity and number of shares of the Deposit Securities change pursuant to changes in the composition of a Fund’s portfolio and as rebalancing adjustments and corporate action events are reflected from time to time by BFA with a view to the investment objective of the Fund. The composition of the Deposit Securities may also change in response to adjustments to the weighting or composition of the component securities constituting the relevant Underlying Index.

The Funds reserve the right to permit or require the substitution of a “cash in lieu” amount to be added to the Cash Component to replace any Deposit Security that may not be available in sufficient quantity for delivery or that may not be eligible for transfer through DTC. The Funds also reserve the right to permit or require a “cash in lieu” amount in certain circumstances, including circumstances in which (i) the delivery of the Deposit Security by the Authorized Participant (as described below) would be restricted under applicable securities laws or (ii) the delivery of the Deposit Security to the Authorized Participant would result in the disposition of the Deposit Security by the Authorized Participant becoming restricted under applicable securities laws, or in certain other situations.

Cash Purchase Method. Although the Company does not ordinarily permit partial or full cash purchases of Creation Units of iShares funds, when partial or full cash purchases of Creation Units are available or specified for a Fund, they will be effected in essentially the same manner as in-kind purchases thereof. In the case of a partial or full cash purchase, the Authorized Participant must pay the cash equivalent of the Deposit Securities it would otherwise be required to provide through an in-kind purchase, plus the same Cash Component required to be paid by an in-kind purchaser.

Role of the Authorized Participant. Creation Units may be purchased only by or through a DTC Participant that has entered into an Authorized Participant Agreement with the Distributor (an “Authorized Participant”). Such Authorized Participant will agree, pursuant to the terms of such Authorized Participant Agreement and on behalf of itself or any investor on whose behalf it will act, to certain conditions, including that such Authorized Participant will make available in advance of each purchase of shares an amount of cash sufficient to pay the Cash Component, once the net asset value of a Creation Unit is next determined after receipt of the purchase order in proper form, together with the transaction fee described below. The Authorized Participant may require the investor to enter into an agreement with such Authorized Participant with respect to certain matters, including payment of the Cash Component. Investors who are not

 

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Authorized Participants must make appropriate arrangements with an Authorized Participant. Investors should be aware that their particular broker may not be a DTC Participant or may not have executed an Authorized Participant Agreement and that orders to purchase Creation Units may have to be placed by the investor’s broker through an Authorized Participant. As a result, purchase orders placed through an Authorized Participant may result in additional charges to such investor. The Company does not expect to enter into an Authorized Participant Agreement with more than a small number of DTC Participants. A list of current Authorized Participants may be obtained from the Distributor.

Purchase Orders. Unless otherwise described below, to initiate an order for a Creation Unit, an Authorized Participant must submit to the Distributor an irrevocable order to purchase shares of a Fund generally before 4:00 p.m., Eastern time on any Business Day to receive that day’s NAV. On days when the Listing Exchange closes earlier than normal, the Funds may require orders for Creation Units to be placed earlier in the day. The Distributor will notify BFA and the Custodian of such order. The Custodian will then provide such information to any appropriate subcustodian. Procedures and requirements governing the delivery of the Fund Deposit are set forth in the procedures handbook for Authorized Participants and may change from time to time. Those placing orders to purchase Creation Units through an Authorized Participant should allow sufficient time to permit proper submission of the purchase order to the Distributor by the Cutoff Time (as defined below) on such Business Day.

The Authorized Participant must also make available on or before the contractual settlement date, by means satisfactory to the Funds, immediately available or same day funds estimated by the Funds to be sufficient to pay the Cash Component next determined after acceptance of the purchase order, together with the applicable purchase transaction fees. Any excess funds will be returned following settlement of the issue of the Creation Unit. Those placing orders should ascertain the applicable deadline for cash transfers by contacting the operations department of the broker or depositary institution effectuating the transfer of the Cash Component. This deadline is likely to be significantly earlier than the Cutoff Time of the Funds.

The Authorized Participant is responsible for any and all expenses and costs incurred by a Fund, including any applicable cash amounts, in connection with any purchase order.

Investors, other than Authorized Participants, are responsible for making arrangements for a creation request to be made through an Authorized Participant. The Distributor will provide a list of current Authorized Participants upon request. Investors should be aware that an Authorized Participant may require orders for purchases of shares placed with it to be in the particular form required by the individual Authorized Participant.

Timing of Submission of Purchase Orders. An Authorized Participant must submit an irrevocable order to purchase shares of a Fund generally before 4:00 p.m., Eastern time on any Business Day in order to receive that day’s NAV. Orders to create shares of a Fund that are submitted on the Business Day immediately preceding a holiday or day (other than a weekend) when the equity markets in the relevant foreign market are closed may not be accepted. Each Fund’s deadline specified above for the submission of purchase orders is referred to as that Fund’s “Cutoff Time.” The Distributor, in its discretion, may permit the submission of such orders and requests by or through an Authorized Participant at any time (including on days on which the Listing Exchange is not open for business) via communication through the facilities of the Distributor’s proprietary website maintained for this purpose. Purchase orders and redemption requests, if accepted by the Company, will be processed based on the NAV next determined after such acceptance in accordance with the Company’s standard Cutoff Times as provided in the Authorized Participant Agreement and disclosed in this SAI.

Acceptance of Orders for Creation Units. Subject to the conditions that (i) an irrevocable purchase order has been submitted by the Authorized Participant (either on its own or another investor’s behalf) and (ii) arrangements satisfactory to the Funds are in place for payment of the Cash Component and any other

 

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cash amounts which may be due, the Funds will accept the order, subject to each Fund’s right (and the right of the Distributor and BFA) to reject any order until acceptance.

Once a Fund has accepted an order, upon the next determination of the net asset value of the shares, the Fund will confirm the issuance of a Creation Unit, against receipt of payment, at such net asset value. The Distributor will then transmit a confirmation of acceptance to the Authorized Participant that placed the order.

Each Fund reserves the absolute right to reject or revoke a creation order transmitted to it by the Distributor if (i) the order is not in proper form; (ii) the investor(s), upon obtaining the shares ordered, would own 80% or more of the currently outstanding shares of the Fund; (iii) the Deposit Securities delivered do not conform to the identity and number of shares specified, as described above; (iv) acceptance of the Deposit Securities would have certain adverse tax consequences to the Fund; (v) acceptance of the Fund Deposit would, in the opinion of counsel, be unlawful; (vi) acceptance of the Fund Deposit would, in the discretion of the Fund or BFA, have an adverse effect on the Fund or the rights of beneficial owners; or (vii) circumstances outside the control of the Fund, the Distributor and BFA make it impracticable to process purchase orders. The Distributor shall notify a prospective purchaser of a Creation Unit and/or the Authorized Participant acting on behalf of such purchaser of its rejection of such order. The Funds, State Street, the subcustodian and the Distributor are under no duty, however, to give notification of any defects or irregularities in the delivery of Portfolio Deposits nor shall any of them incur any liability for failure to give such notification.

Issuance of a Creation Unit. Except as provided herein, a Creation Unit will not be issued until the transfer of good title to the Funds of the Deposit Securities and the payment of the Cash Component have been completed. When the subcustodian has confirmed to the Custodian that the securities included in the Fund Deposit (or the cash value thereof) have been delivered to the account of the relevant subcustodian or subcustodians, the Distributor and BFA shall be notified of such delivery and the applicable Fund will issue and cause the delivery of the Creation Unit. Creation Units typically are issued on a “T+3 basis” (i.e., three Business Days after trade date). Creation Units for the iShares MSCI Germany Index Fund, iShares MSCI Hong Kong Index Fund and iShares MSCI Turkey Investable Market Index Fund typically are issued on a “T+2 basis” (i.e., two Business Days after trade date). Creation Units for the iShares MSCI South Africa Index Fund typically are issued on a “T+5 basis” (i.e., five Business Days after trade date). However, as discussed in the Regular Holidays section, each Fund reserves the right to settle Creation Unit transactions on a basis other than T+3 in order to accommodate non-U.S. market holiday schedules, to account for different treatment among non-U.S. and U.S. markets of dividend record dates and ex-dividend dates (i.e., the last day the holder of a security can sell the security and still receive dividends payable on the security) and in certain other circumstances.

To the extent contemplated by an Authorized Participant’s agreement with the Distributor, each Fund will issue Creation Units to such Authorized Participant, notwithstanding the fact that the corresponding Portfolio Deposits have not been received in part or in whole, in reliance on the undertaking of the Authorized Participant to deliver the missing Deposit Securities as soon as possible, which undertaking shall be secured by such Authorized Participant’s delivery and maintenance of collateral having a value at least equal to 105% and up to 115%, which percentage BFA may change from time to time, of the value of the missing Deposit Securities in accordance with the Funds’ then-effective procedures. The only collateral that is acceptable to the Funds is cash in U.S. dollars. Such cash collateral must be delivered no later than 2:00 p.m., Eastern time on the contractual settlement date. The cash collateral posted by the Authorized Participant may be invested at the risk of the Authorized Participant, and income, if any, on invested cash collateral will be paid to that Authorized Participant. Information concerning the Funds’ current procedures for collateralization of missing Deposit Securities is available from the Distributor. The Authorized Participant Agreement will permit the Funds to buy the missing Deposit Securities at any time and will subject the Authorized Participant to liability for any shortfall between the cost to the Funds of purchasing such securities and the cash collateral.

 

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In certain cases, Authorized Participants may create and redeem Creation Units on the same trade date and in these instances, the Funds reserve the right to settle these transactions on a net basis or require a representation from the Authorized Participants that the creation and redemption transactions are for separate beneficial owners. All questions as to the number of shares of each security in the Deposit Securities and the validity, form, eligibility and acceptance for deposit of any securities to be delivered shall be determined by each Fund and the Fund’s determination shall be final and binding.

Costs Associated with Creation Transactions. A standard creation transaction fee is imposed to offset the transfer and other transaction costs associated with the issuance of Creation Units. The standard creation transaction fee will be the same regardless of the number of Creation Units purchased by an Authorized Participant on the applicable Business Day. The Authorized Participant may also be required to cover certain brokerage, tax, foreign exchange, execution, market impact and other costs and expenses related to the execution of trades resulting from such transaction (up to the maximum amount shown below). Authorized Participants will also bear the costs of transferring the Deposit Securities to the Funds. Investors who use the services of a broker or other financial intermediary may be charged a fee for such services.

The following table sets forth each Fund’s standard creation transaction fees and maximum additional charge (as described above):

 

Fund

   Standard Creation
Transaction Fee
     Maximum Additional
Charge for Creations*
 

iShares MSCI Australia Index Fund

   $ 2,400         3.0

iShares MSCI Austria Investable Market Index Fund

     600         3.0

iShares MSCI Belgium Capped Investable Market Index Fund

     700         3.0

iShares MSCI Canada Index Fund

     1,900         3.0

iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Eastern Europe Index Fund

     800         3.0

iShares MSCI EMU Index Fund

     7,500         3.0

iShares MSCI France Index Fund

     2,900         3.0

iShares MSCI Germany Index Fund

     1,500         3.0

iShares MSCI Hong Kong Index Fund

     2,000         3.0

iShares MSCI Israel Capped Investable Market Index Fund

     3,300         3.0

iShares MSCI Italy Index Fund

     1,400         3.0

iShares MSCI Japan Index Fund

     5,000         3.0

iShares MSCI Japan Small Cap Index Fund

     6,000         3.0

iShares MSCI Mexico Investable Market Index Fund

     1,400         3.0

iShares MSCI Netherlands Investable Market Index Fund

     1,000         3.0

iShares MSCI Pacific ex-Japan Index Fund

     6,000         3.0

iShares MSCI Singapore Index Fund

     2,000         3.0

iShares MSCI South Africa Index Fund

     1,200         3.0

iShares MSCI Spain Index Fund

     1,500         3.0

iShares MSCI Sweden Index Fund

     1,300         3.0

iShares MSCI Switzerland Index Fund

     1,500         3.0

iShares MSCI Thailand Investable Market Index Fund

     1,700         3.0

iShares MSCI Turkey Investable Market Index Fund

     1,600         3.0

iShares MSCI United Kingdom Index Fund

     3,500         3.0

iShares MSCI USA Index Fund

     1,700         3.0

 

  * As a percentage of the net asset value per Creation Unit.

Redemption of Creation Units. Shares of a Fund may be redeemed by Authorized Participants only in Creation Units at their NAV next determined after receipt of a redemption request in proper form by the Distributor and only on a Business Day. The Funds will not redeem shares in amounts less than Creation Units. There can be no assurance, however, that there will be sufficient liquidity in the secondary market at any time to permit assembly of a Creation Unit. Investors should expect to incur brokerage and other costs

 

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in connection with assembling a sufficient number of shares to constitute a Creation Unit that could be redeemed by an Authorized Participant. Beneficial owners also may sell shares in the secondary market.

BFA makes available through the NSCC, prior to the opening of business on the Listing Exchange on each Business Day, the designated portfolio of securities (including any portion of such securities for which cash may be substituted) that will be applicable (subject to possible amendment or correction) to redemption requests received in proper form (as defined below) on that day (“Fund Securities”), and an amount of cash (the “Cash Amount,” as described below). Such Fund Securities and the corresponding Cash Amount (each subject to possible amendment or correction) are applicable, in order to effect redemptions of Creation Units of a Fund until such time as the next announced composition of the Fund Securities and Cash Amount is made available. Fund Securities received on redemption may not be identical to Deposit Securities that are applicable to creations of Creation Units.

Unless cash redemptions are available or specified for a Fund, the redemption proceeds for a Creation Unit generally consist of Fund Securities, plus the Cash Amount, which is an amount equal to the difference between the net asset value of the shares being redeemed, as next determined after the receipt of a redemption request in proper form, and the value of Fund Securities, less a redemption transaction fee (as described below).

The Company may, in its sole discretion, substitute a “cash in lieu” amount to replace any Fund Security. The amount of cash paid out in such cases will be equivalent to the value of the substituted security listed as a Fund Security. In the event that the Fund Securities have a value greater than the NAV of the shares, a compensating cash payment equal to the difference is required to be made by or through an Authorized Participant by the redeeming shareholder. Each Fund currently redeems shares for Fund Securities, but each Fund reserves the right to utilize a cash option for redemption of shares.

Cash Redemption Method. Although the Company does not ordinarily permit partial or full cash redemptions of Creation Units of iShares funds, when partial or full cash redemptions of Creation Units are available or specified for a Fund, they will be effected in essentially the same manner as in-kind redemptions thereof. In the case of partial or full cash redemption, the Authorized Participant receives the cash equivalent of the Fund Securities it would otherwise receive through an in-kind redemption, plus the same Cash Amount to be paid by an in-kind redeemer.

Costs Associated with Redemption Transactions. A standard redemption transaction fee is imposed to offset transfer and other transaction costs that may be incurred by the relevant Fund. The standard redemption transaction fee will be the same regardless of the number of Creation Units redeemed by an Authorized Participant on the applicable Business Day. If a redemption consists of a cash portion, the Authorized Participant may also be required to cover certain brokerage, tax, foreign exchange, execution, market impact and other costs and expenses related to the execution of trades resulting from the cash portion of such transaction, as further described in the Brokerage Transactions section of this SAI. The Authorized Participants may also be required to pay an additional charge (up to the maximum amount shown below) to cover other costs related to the redemption transaction. Authorized Participants will also bear the costs of transferring the Fund Securities from a Fund to their account on their order. Investors who use the services of a broker or other financial intermediary may be charged a fee for such services.

 

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The following table sets forth each Fund’s standard redemption transaction fees and maximum additional charge (as described above):

 

Fund

   Standard Redemption
Transaction Fee
     Maximum Additional
Charge for Redemptions*
 

iShares MSCI Australia Index Fund

   $ 2,400         2.0

iShares MSCI Austria Investable Market Index Fund

     600         2.0

iShares MSCI Belgium Capped Investable Market Index Fund

     700         2.0

iShares MSCI Canada Index Fund

     1,900         2.0

iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Eastern Europe Index Fund

     800         2.0

iShares MSCI EMU Index Fund

     7,500         2.0

iShares MSCI France Index Fund

     2,900         2.0

iShares MSCI Germany Index Fund

     1,500         2.0

iShares MSCI Hong Kong Index Fund

     2,000         2.0

iShares MSCI Israel Capped Investable Market Index Fund

     3,300         2.0

iShares MSCI Italy Index Fund

     1,400         2.0

iShares MSCI Japan Index Fund

     5,000         2.0

iShares MSCI Japan Small Cap Index Fund

     6,000         2.0

iShares MSCI Mexico Investable Market Index Fund

     1,400         2.0

iShares MSCI Netherlands Investable Market Index Fund

     1,000         2.0

iShares MSCI Pacific ex-Japan Index Fund

     6,000         2.0

iShares MSCI Singapore Index Fund

     2,000         2.0

iShares MSCI South Africa Index Fund

     1,200         2.0

iShares MSCI Spain Index Fund

     1,500         2.0

iShares MSCI Sweden Index Fund

     1,300         2.0

iShares MSCI Switzerland Index Fund

     1,500         2.0

iShares MSCI Thailand Investable Market Index Fund

     1,700         2.0

iShares MSCI Turkey Investable Market Index Fund

     1,600         2.0

iShares MSCI United Kingdom Index Fund

     3,500         2.0

iShares MSCI USA Index Fund

     1,700         2.0

 

 

  * As a percentage of the net asset value per Creation Unit, inclusive of the standard redemption transaction fee.

Placement of Redemption Orders. Redemption requests for Creation Units of any Fund must be submitted to the Distributor by or through an Authorized Participant. An Authorized Participant must submit an irrevocable request to redeem shares of a Fund generally before 4:00 p.m., Eastern time on any Business Day in order to receive that day’s NAV. Investors other than Authorized Participants are responsible for making arrangements for a redemption request to be made through an Authorized Participant. The Distributor will provide a list of current Authorized Participants upon request.

The Authorized Participant must transmit the request for redemption in the form required by the Funds to the Distributor in accordance with procedures set forth in the Authorized Participant Agreement. Investors should be aware that their particular broker may not have executed an Authorized Participant Agreement and that, therefore, requests to redeem Creation Units may have to be placed by the investor’s broker through an Authorized Participant who has executed an Authorized Participant Agreement. At any time, only a limited number of broker-dealers will have an Authorized Participant Agreement in effect. Investors making a redemption request should be aware that such request must be in the form specified by such Authorized Participant. Investors making a request to redeem Creation Units should allow sufficient time to permit proper submission of the request by an Authorized Participant and transfer of the shares to the Funds’ Transfer Agent; such investors should allow for the additional time that may be required to effect redemptions through their banks, brokers or other financial intermediaries if such intermediaries are not Authorized Participants.

 

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A redemption request is considered to be in “proper form” if (i) an Authorized Participant has transferred or caused to be transferred to the Funds’ Transfer Agent the Creation Unit being redeemed through the book-entry system of DTC so as to be effective by the Listing Exchange closing time on any Business Day, (ii) a request in form satisfactory to the applicable Fund is received by the Distributor from the Authorized Participant on behalf of itself or another redeeming investor within the time periods specified above and (iii) all other procedures set forth in the Authorized Participant Agreement are properly followed. If the Transfer Agent does not receive the investor’s shares through DTC’s facilities by 10:00 a.m., Eastern time on the Business Day next following the day that the redemption request is received, the redemption request shall be rejected. Investors should be aware that the deadline for such transfers of shares through the DTC system may be significantly earlier than the close of business on the Listing Exchange. Those making redemption requests should ascertain the deadline applicable to transfers of shares through the DTC system by contacting the operations department of the broker or depositary institution effecting the transfer of the shares.

Upon receiving a redemption request, the Distributor shall notify the applicable Fund and the Fund’s Transfer Agent of such redemption request. The tender of an investor’s shares for redemption and the distribution of the securities and/or cash included in the redemption payment made in respect of Creation Units redeemed will be made through DTC and the relevant Authorized Participant to the Beneficial Owner thereof as recorded on the book-entry system of DTC or the DTC Participant through which such investor holds, as the case may be, or by such other means specified by the Authorized Participant submitting the redemption request.

A redeeming Beneficial Owner or Authorized Participant acting on behalf of such Beneficial Owner must maintain appropriate security arrangements with a qualified broker-dealer, bank or other custody providers in each jurisdiction in which any of the Portfolio Securities are customarily traded, to which account such Portfolio Securities will be delivered.

Unless otherwise described below, deliveries of redemption proceeds by the Funds generally will be made within three Business Days (i.e., “T+3”). For the iShares MSCI Germany Index Fund, iShares MSCI Hong Kong Index Fund and iShares MSCI Turkey Investable Market Index Fund, deliveries of redemption proceeds generally will be made within two Business Days (i.e., “T+2”). For the iShares MSCI South Africa Index Fund, deliveries of redemption proceeds generally will be made within five Business Days (i.e., “T+5”). However, as discussed in the Regular Holidays section, each Fund reserves the right to settle redemption transactions and deliver redemption proceeds on another basis to accommodate non-U.S. market holiday schedules, to account for different treatment among non-U.S. and U.S. markets of dividend record dates and dividend ex-dates (i.e., the last date the holder of a security can sell the security and still receive dividends payable on the security sold) and in certain other circumstances. The Regular Holidays section hereto identifies the instances, if any, where more than seven days would be needed to deliver redemption proceeds. Pursuant to an order of the SEC, the Company will make delivery of redemption proceeds within the number of days stated in the Regular Holidays section to be the maximum number of days necessary to deliver redemption proceeds.

If neither the redeeming Beneficial Owner nor the Authorized Participant acting on behalf of such redeeming Beneficial Owner has appropriate arrangements to take delivery of Fund Securities in the applicable non-U.S. jurisdiction and it is not possible to make other such arrangements, or if it is not possible to effect deliveries of Fund Securities in such jurisdiction, a Fund may in its discretion exercise its option to redeem such shares in cash, and the redeeming Beneficial Owner will be required to receive its redemption proceeds in cash. In such case, the investor will receive a cash payment equal to the net asset value of its shares based on the net asset value of shares of the relevant Fund next determined after the redemption request is received in proper form (minus a redemption transaction fee and additional charges specified above to offset the Fund’s brokerage and other transaction costs associated with the disposition of Fund Securities). Redemptions of shares for Fund Securities will be subject to compliance with applicable U.S. federal and state securities laws and each Fund (whether or not it otherwise permits cash redemptions) reserves the

 

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right to redeem Creation Units for cash to the extent that the Fund cannot lawfully deliver specific Fund Securities upon redemptions or cannot do so without first registering the Fund Securities under such laws.

Although the Company does not ordinarily permit cash redemptions of Creation Units, in the event that cash redemptions are permitted or required by the Company proceeds will be paid to the Authorized Participant redeeming shares as soon as practicable after the date of redemption (within seven calendar days thereafter, except for the instances listed in the Regular Holidays section hereto where more than seven calendar days would be needed).

To the extent contemplated by an Authorized Participant’s agreement with the Distributor, in the event an Authorized Participant has submitted a redemption request in proper form but is unable to transfer all or part of the Creation Unit to be redeemed to the Fund, at or prior to 10:00 a.m., Eastern time on the Listing Exchange business day after the date of submission of such redemption request, the Distributor will accept the redemption request in reliance on the undertaking by the Authorized Participant to deliver the missing shares as soon as possible. Such undertaking shall be secured by the Authorized Participant’s delivery and maintenance of collateral consisting of cash, in U.S. dollars in immediately available funds, having a value at least equal to 105% and up to 115%, which percentage BFA may change from time to time, of the value of the missing shares. Such cash collateral must be delivered no later than 10:00 a.m., Eastern time on the day after the date of submission of such redemption request and shall be held by State Street and marked-to-market daily. The fees of State Street and any subcustodians in respect of the delivery, maintenance and redelivery of the cash collateral shall be payable by the Authorized Participant. The cash collateral posted by the Authorized Participant may be invested at the risk of the Authorized Participant, and income, if any, on invested cash collateral will be paid to that Authorized Participant. The Authorized Participant Agreement permits the Funds to acquire shares of the Funds at any time and subjects the Authorized Participant to liability for any shortfall between the aggregate of the cost to the Funds of purchasing such shares, plus the value of the Cash Amount, and the value of the cash collateral.

Because the Portfolio Securities of a Fund may trade on exchange(s) on days that the Listing Exchange is closed or are otherwise not Business Days for such Fund, shareholders may not be able to redeem their shares of such Fund, or purchase or sell shares of such Fund on the Listing Exchange on days when the NAV of such a Fund could be significantly affected by events in the relevant non-U.S. markets.

The right of redemption may be suspended or the date of payment postponed with respect to any Fund (i) for any period during which the Listing Exchange is closed (other than customary weekend and holiday closings), (ii) for any period during which trading on the Listing Exchange is suspended or restricted, (iii) for any period during which an emergency exists as a result of which disposal of the shares of the Fund’s portfolio securities or determination of its net asset value is not reasonably practicable; or (iv) in such other circumstance as is permitted by the SEC.

Taxation on Creation and Redemptions of Creation Units. An Authorized Participant generally will recognize either gain or loss upon the exchange of Deposit Securities for Creation Units. This gain or loss is calculated by taking the market value of the Creation Units purchased over the Authorized Participant’s aggregate basis in the Deposit Securities exchanged therefor. However, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) may apply the wash sales rules to determine that any loss realized upon the exchange of Deposit Securities for Creation Units is not currently deductible. Authorized Participants should consult their own tax advisors.

Current U.S. federal tax laws dictate that capital gain or loss realized from the redemption of Creation Units will generally create long-term capital gain or loss if the Authorized Participant holds the Creation Units for more than one year, or short-term capital gain or loss if the Creation Units were held for one year or less, if the Creation Units are held as capital assets.

 

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Regular Holidays. For every occurrence of one or more intervening holidays in the applicable non-U.S. market that are not holidays observed in the U.S. equity market, the redemption settlement cycle will be extended by the number of such intervening holidays. In addition to holidays, other unforeseeable closings in a non-U.S. market due to emergencies may also prevent the Company from delivering securities within normal settlement period.

The securities delivery cycles currently practicable for transferring portfolio securities to redeeming investors, coupled with non-U.S. market holiday schedules, will require a delivery process longer than seven calendar days, in certain circumstances. The holidays applicable to each Fund during such periods are listed below, as are instances where more than seven days will be needed to deliver redemption proceeds. Although certain holidays may occur on different dates in subsequent years, the number of days required to deliver redemption proceeds in any given year is not expected to exceed the maximum number of days listed below for each Fund. The proclamation of new holidays, the treatment by market participants of certain days as “informal holidays” (e.g., days on which no or limited securities transactions occur, as a result of substantially shortened trading hours), the elimination of existing holidays, or changes in local securities delivery practices, could affect the information set forth herein at some time in the future.

In calendar years 2012 and 2013, the dates of regular holidays affecting the relevant securities markets in which a Fund invests are as follows (please note these holiday schedules are subject to potential changes in the relevant securities markets):

2012

 

Australia

January 2   April 10   August 6   December 24
January 26   April 25   August 15   December 25
March 12   May 7   October 1   December 26
April 6   June 4   October 8   December 31
April 9   June 11   November 6  

 

Austria

January 6   May 17   October 26   December 26
April 6   May 28   November 1   December 31
April 9   June 7   December 24  
May 1   August 15   December 25  

 

Belgium

April 6   May 18   September 27  
April 9   May 28   November 1  
May 1   July 11   December 25  
May 17   August 15   December 26  

 

Brazil

January 25   April 6   September 7   December 24
February 20   May 1   October 12   December 25
February 21   June 7   November 2   December 31
February 22   July 9   November 15  

 

Canada

January 2   May 21   September 3   December 26
January 3   June 25   October 8  
February 20   July 2   November 12  
April 6   August 6   December 25  

Chilé

April 6   July 16   September 19   December 25
May 1   August 15   October 15   December 31
May 21   September 17   November 1  
July 2   September 18   November 2  

 

The Czech Republic

April 9   July 6   December 26   
May 1   September 28     
May 8   December 24     
July 5   December 25     

 

Finland

January 6    May 1    December 24   
April 5    May 17    December 25   
April 6    June 22    December 26   
April 9    December 6    December 31   

 

France

April 6   May 17   December 26  
April 9   August 15    
May 1   November 1    
May 8   December 25    

 

Germany

April 6   December 25    
April 9   December 26    
May 1      
 

 

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Greece

January 6   April 13   August 15   December 31
February 27   April 16   December 24  
April 6   May 1   December 25  
April 9   June 4   December 26  

 

Hong Kong

January 2   April 4   July 2   December 25
January 23   April 6   October 1   December 26
January 24   April 9   October 2  
January 25   May 1   October 23  

 

Hungary

March 15   May 1   October 23   December 25
March 16   May 28   November 1   December 26
April 9   August 20   November 2   December 31
April 30   October 22   December 24  

 

Ireland

January 2   June 4   December 31  
April 6   December 24    
April 9   December 25    
May 7   December 26    

 

Israel

January 2   April 25   September 17   September 30
March 8   April 26   September 18   October 1
April 9   May 27   September 19   October 7
April 11   July 29   September 25   October 8
April 12   September 16   September 26   December 25

The Israeli market is closed every Friday.

 

Italy

April 6   August 15   December 26  
April 9   December 24   December 31  
May 1   December 25    

 

Japan

January 2   April 30   September 17   December 31
January 3   May 3   October 8  
January 9   May 4   November 23  
March 20   July 16   December 24  

 

Malaysia

January 2   February 7   September 17  
January 23   May 1   October 26  
January 24   August 19   November 13  
February 1   August 20   November 15  
February 6   August 31   December 25  

Mexico

February 6   May 1   December 25  
March 19   November 2    
April 5   November 19    
April 6   December 12    

 

The Netherlands

April 6   December 25    
April 9   December 26    
May 1      

 

New Zealand

January 2   April 9   December 25  
January 3   April 25   December 26  
February 6   June 4    
April 6   October 22    

 

Poland

January 6   May 3   December 24  
April 6   June 7   December 25  
April 9   August 15   December 26  
May 1   November 1   December 31  

 

Portugal

April 6

   December 25      

April 9

   December 26      

May 1

        

 

Russia

January 9   March 9   June 11  
February 22   April 30   June 12  
February 23   May 1   November 5  
March 7   May 8   December 31  
March 8   May 9    

 

Singapore

January 2   May 1   November 13  
January 23   August 9   December 25  
January 24   August 20    
April 6   October 26    

 

South Africa

January 2   April 27   December 17  
March 21   May 1   December 25  
April 6   August 9   December 26  
April 9   September 24    

 

South Korea

January 23   May 28   December 19  
January 24   June 6   December 25  
March 1   August 15   December 31  
April 11   October 1    
May 1   October 3    
 

 

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Spain

April 6   December 24   December 31  
April 9   December 25    
May 1   December 26    

 

Sweden

January 5   April 9   May 17   December 24
January 6   April 30   June 6   December 25
April 5   May 1   June 22   December 26
April 6   May 16   November 2   December 31

 

Switzerland

January 2   May 1   August 1  
April 6   May 17   December 25  
April 9   May 28   December 26  

 

Taiwan

January 23   January 27   May 1  
January 24   February 27   October 10  
January 25   February 28   December 31  
January 26   April 4    

Thailand

January 2   April 16   August 2   December 10
March 7   May 1   August 13   December 31
April 6   May 7   October 23  
April 13   June 4   December 5  

 

Turkey

April 23   August 21   October 25  
May 1   August 30   October 26  
August 20   October 24   October 29  

 

The United Kingdom

January 2   June 4   December 25  
April 6   June 5   December 26  
April 9   August 27   December 31  
May 7   December 24    
 

 

2013

 

Australia

January 1   April 1   June 10   November 5
January 28   April 25   August 5   December 25
March 4   May 6   August 14   December 26
March 11   May 20   September 30  
March 29   June 3   October 7  

 

Austria

January 1   May 9   November 1   December 31
March 29   May 20   December 24  
April 1   May 30   December 25  
May 1   August 15   December 26  

 

Belgium

January 1   May 9   November 1  
March 29   May 10   November 11  
April 1   May 20   December 25  
May 1   August 15   December 26  

 

Brazil

January 1   March 29   November 15   December 31
January 25   May 1   November 20  
February 11   May 30   December 24  
February 12   July 9   December 25  

 

Canada

January 1   May 20   September 2   December 26
January 2   June 24   October 14  
February 18   July 1   November 11  
March 29   August 5   December 25  

Chilé

January 1   May 27   November 1  
March 29   August 15   December 25  
May 1   September 18   December 31  
May 21   September 19    

 

The Czech Republic

January 1   July 5   December 26  
April 1   October 28   December 31  
May 1   December 24    
May 8   December 25    

 

Finland

January 1   May 9   December 25  
March 29   June 21   December 26  
April 1   December 6   December 31  
May 1   December 24    

 

France

January 1   May 8   November 11  
March 29   May 9   December 25  
April 1   August 15   December 26  
May 1   November 1    

 

Germany

January 1   May 1   August 15   December 25
February 11   May 9   October 3   December 26
March 29   May 20   November 1   December 31
April 1   May 30   December 24  
 

 

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Greece

January 1   April 1   June 24   December 26
March 18   May 1   August 15  
March 25   May 3   October 28  
March 29   May 6   December 25  

 

Hong Kong

January 1   April 4   September 20   December 26
February 11   May 1   October 1   December 31
February 12   May 17   October 14  
March 29   June 12   December 24  
April 1   July 1   December 25  

 

Hungary

January 1   May 20   November 1  
March 15   August 19   December 24  
April 1   August 20   December 25  
May 1   October 23   December 26  

 

Ireland

January 1   May 1   October 28   December 27
March 18   May 6   December 24  
March 29   June 3   December 25  
April 1   August 5   December 26  

 

Israel

February 24   April 14   September 4   September 19
March 25   April 15   September 5   September 25
March 26   May 14   September 6   September 26
March 31   May 15   September 13  
April 1   July 16   September 18  

The Israeli market is closed every Friday.

 

Italy

January 1   May 1   December 25  
March 29   August 15   December 26  
April 1   November 1   December 31  
April 25   December 24    

 

Japan

January 1   February 11   May 6   October 14
January 2   March 20   July 15   November 4
January 3   April 29   September 16   December 23
January 14   May 3   September 23   December 31

 

Malaysia

January 1   May 1   June 1   October 15
January 24   May 24   August 7   November 4
February 1   May 25   August 8   November 5
February 11   May 30   August 9   December 25
February 12   May 31   August 31  

 

Mexico

January 1   March 21   September 16   December 25
February 4   March 28   November 18  
February 5   March 29   November 20  
March 18   May 1   December 12  

 

The Netherlands

January 1   April 30   May 20  
March 29   May 1   December 25  
April 1   May 9   December 26  

 

New Zealand

January 1   February 6   June 3  
January 2   March 29   October 28  
January 21   April 1   December 25  
January 28   April 25   December 26  

 

Poland

January 1   May 3   November 11  
March 29   May 30   December 25  
April 1   August 15   December 26  
May 1   November 1    

 

Portugal

January 1   April 25   June 13   December 25
February 12   May 1   August 15   December 26
March 29   May 30   November 1  
April 1   June 10   December 24  

 

Russia

January 1   January 8   May 9  
January 2   January 9   May 10  
January 3   February 25   June 12  
January 4   March 8   November 4  
January 7   May 1    

 

Singapore

January 1    May 24   November 2  
February 11    May 25   November 4  
February 12    August 8   December 25  
March 29    August 9    
May 1    October 15    

 

South Africa

January 1   May 1   December 16  
March 21   June 17   December 25  
March 29   August 9   December 26  
April 1   September 24    
 

 

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South Korea

January 1    May 17   September 19  
February 11    June 6   September 20  
March 1    July 17   October 3  
April 5    August 15   December 25  
May 1    September 18   December 31  

 

Spain

January 1   March 29   May 15   December 25
January 7   April 1   August 15   December 26
March 19   May 1   November 1  
March 28   May 2   December 6  

 

Sweden

January 1   May 9   December 25  
March 29   June 6   December 26  
April 1   June 21   December 31  
May 1   December 24    

 

Switzerland

January 1   May 1   August 15   December 26
January 2   May 9   September 5   December 31
March 19   May 20   November 1  
March 29   May 30   December 24  
April 1   August 1   December 25  

Taiwan

January 1   February 12   April 4   October 10
February 7   February 13   May 1  
February 8   February 14   June 12  
February 11   February 28   September 19  

 

Thailand

January 1

  April 16   July 1   December 5

February 25

  May 1   July 23   December 10

April 8

  May 6   August 12   December 31

April 15

  May 27   October 23  

 

Turkey

January 1

   August 9    October 16    October 29

April 23

   August 30    October 17   

August 7

   October 14    October 18   

August 8

   October 15    October 28   

 

The United Kingdom

January 1

   May 6    December 25   

March 29

   May 27    December 26   

April 1

   August 26      
        
 

Redemptions. The longest redemption cycle for a Fund is a function of the longest redemption cycle among the countries and regions whose stocks comprise the Funds. In the calendar years 2012 and 2013, the dates of regular holidays affecting the following securities markets present the worst-case redemption cycles* for a Fund as follows:

 

2012               

Country

   Trade
Date
   Settlement
Date
   Number of
Days to
Settle

Australia

   04/03/12    04/11/12    8
   04/04/12    04/12/12    8
   04/05/12    04/13/12    8
   12/19/12    12/27/12    8
   12/20/12    12/28/12    8
   12/21/12    01/01/13    11

Austria

   12/19/12    12/27/12    8
   12/20/12    12/28/12    8
   12/21/12    01/01/13    11

Brazil

   02/15/12    02/23/12    8
   02/16/12    02/24/12    8
   02/17/12    02/27/12    10

Czech Republic

   12/19/12    12/27/12    8
   12/20/12    12/28/12    8
   12/21/12    12/31/13    10

 

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Country

   Trade
Date
     Settlement
Date
     Number of
Days to
Settle

Finland

     04/02/12         04/10/12       8
     04/03/12         04/11/12       8
     04/04/12         04/12/12       8
     12/19/12         12/27/12       8
     12/20/12         12/28/12       8
     12/21/12         01/01/13       11

Greece

     12/19/12         12/27/12       8
     12/20/12         12/28/12       8
     12/21/12         01/01/13       11

Hungary

     12/19/12         12/27/12       8
     12/20/12         12/28/12       8
     12/21/12         01/01/13       11

Ireland

     12/19/12         12/28/12       9
     12/20/12         12/31/12       11
     12/21/12         01/01/13       11

Israel

     04/04/12         04/15/12       11
     04/05/12         04/16/12       11
     09/12/12         09/20/12       8
     09/13/12         09/23/12       10

Italy

     12/19/12         12/27/12       8
     12/20/12         12/28/12       8
     12/21/12         01/01/13       11

Japan

     04/27/12         05/07/12       10

Malaysia

     01/31/12         02/08/12       8

Philippines

     04/02/12         04/10/12       8
     04/03/12         04/11/12       8
     04/04/12         04/12/12       8

Poland

     12/19/12         12/27/12       8
     12/20/12         12/28/12       8
     12/21/12         01/01/13       11

Russia

     03/02/12         03/12/12       10
     03/05/12         03/13/12       8
     03/06/12         03/14/12       8

South Africa

     12/26/11         01/03/12       8
     12/27/11         01/04/12       8
     12/28/11         01/05/12       8
     12/29/11         01/06/12       8
     12/30/11         01/09/12       10
     03/14/12         03/22/12       8
     03/15/12         03/23/12       8
     03/16/12         03/26/12       10
     03/19/12         03/27/12       8
     03/20/12         03/28/12       8
     03/30/12         04/10/12       11
     04/02/12         04/11/12       9
     04/03/12         04/12/12       9
     04/04/12         04/13/12       9
     04/05/12         04/16/12       11
     04/20/12         04/30/12       10

 

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Country

   Trade
Date
     Settlement
Date
     Number of
Days to
Settle
     04/23/12         05/02/12       9
     04/24/12         05/03/12       9
     04/25/12         05/04/12       9
     04/26/12         05/07/12       11
     04/30/12         05/08/12       8
     08/02/12         08/10/12       8
     08/03/12         08/13/12       10
     08/06/12         08/14/12       8
     08/07/12         08/15/12       8
     08/08/12         08/16/12       8
     09/17/12         09/25/12       8
     09/18/12         09/26/12       8
     09/19/12         09/27/12       8
     09/20/12         09/28/12       8
     09/21/12         10/01/12       10
     12/10/12         12/18/12       8
     12/11/12         12/19/12       8
     12/12/12         12/20/12       8
     12/13/12         12/21/12       8
     12/14/12         12/24/12       10
     12/18/12         12/27/12       9
     12/19/12         12/28/12       9
     12/20/12         12/31/12       11
     12/21/12         01/01/13       11
     12/24/12         01/02/13       9

Spain

     12/19/12         12/27/12       8
     12/20/12         12/28/12       8
     12/21/12         01/01/13       11

Sweden

     04/02/12         04/10/12       8
     04/03/12         04/11/12       8
     04/04/12         04/12/12       8
     12/19/12         12/27/12       8
     12/20/12         12/28/12       8
     12/21/12         01/01/13       11

Taiwan

     01/19/12         01/30/12       11
     01/20/12         01/31/12       11

Turkey

     10/19/12         10/30/12       11
     10/22/12         10/31/12       9
     10/23/12         11/01/12       9

United Kingdom

     12/19/12         12/27/12       8
     12/20/12         12/28/12       8
     12/21/12         01/01/13       11

 

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2013               

Country

   Trade
Date
   Settlement
Date
   Number of
Days to
Settle

Austria

   12/19/13    12/27/13    8
   12/20/13    12/30/13    10
   12/23/13    01/02/14    10

The Czech Republic

   12/19/13    12/27/13    8
   12/20/13    12/30/13    10
   12/23/13    01/02/14    10

Finland

   12/19/13    12/27/13    8
   12/20/13    12/30/13    10
   12/23/13    01/02/14    10

Germany

   12/19/13    12/27/13    8
   12/20/13    12/30/13    10
   12/23/13    01/02/14    10

Hungary

   12/19/13    12/27/13    8
   12/20/13    12/30/13    10
   12/23/13    12/31/13    8

Ireland

   12/19/13    12/30/13    11
   12/20/13    12/31/13    11
   12/23/13    01/02/14    10

Italy

   12/19/13    12/27/13    8
   12/20/13    12/30/13    10
   12/23/13    01/02/14    10

Malaysia

   08/02/13    08/12/13    10
   08/05/13    08/13/13    8
   08/06/13    08/14/13    8

Portugal

   12/19/13    12/27/13    8
   12/20/13    12/30/13    10
   12/23/13    12/31/13    8

South Africa

   03/14/13    03/22/13    8
   03/15/13    03/25/13    10
   03/18/13    03/26/13    8
   03/19/13    03/27/13    8
   03/20/13    03/28/13    8
   03/22/13    04/02/13    11
   03/25/13    04/03/13    8
   03/26/13    04/04/13    8
   03/27/13    04/05/13    8
   03/28/13    04/08/13    11
   04/24/13    05/02/13    8
   04/25/13    05/03/13    8
   04/26/13    05/06/13    10
   04/29/13    05/07/13    8
   04/30/13    05/08/13    8
   06/10/13    06/18/13    8
   06/11/13    06/19/13    8
   06/12/13    06/20/13    8
   06/13/13    06/21/13    8
   06/14/13    06/24/13    10
   08/02/13    08/12/13    10

 

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Country

   Trade
Date
   Settlement
Date
   Number of
Days to
Settle
   08/05/13    08/13/13    8
   08/06/13    08/14/13    8
   08/07/13    08/15/13    8
   08/08/13    08/16/13    8
   09/17/13    09/25/13    8
   09/18/13    09/26/13    8
   09/19/13    09/27/13    8
   09/20/13    09/30/13    10
   09/23/13    10/01/13    8
   12/11/13    12/19/13    8
   12/12/13    12/20/13    8
   12/13/13    12/23/13    10
   12/18/13    12/27/13    9
   12/19/13    12/30/13    11
   12/20/13    12/31/13    11
   12/23/13    01/02/14    10
   12/24/13    01/03/14    10

Spain

   03/25/13    04/02/13    8
   03/26/13    04/03/13    8
   03/27/13    04/04/13    8

Sweden

   12/19/13    12/27/13    8
   12/20/13    12/30/13    10
   12/23/13    01/02/14    10

Switzerland

   12/19/13    12/27/13    8
   12/20/13    12/30/13    10
   12/23/13    01/02/14    10

Taiwan

   02/05/13    02/15/13    10
   02/06/13    02/18/13    12

Turkey

   10/10/13    10/21/13    11
   10/11/13    10/22/13    11

 

  * These worst-case redemption cycles are based on information regarding regular holidays, which may be out of date. Based on changes in holidays, longer (worse) redemption cycles are possible.

Taxes

Regulated Investment Company Qualifications. Each Fund intends to continue to qualify for treatment as a separate RIC under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code. To qualify for treatment as a RIC, each Fund must annually distribute at least 90% of its investment company taxable income (which includes dividends, interest and net short-term capital gains) and meet several other requirements. Among such other requirements are the following: (i) at least 90% of each Fund’s annual gross income must be derived from dividends, interest, payments with respect to securities loans, gains from the sale or other disposition of stock or securities or non-U.S. currencies, other income (including, but not limited to, gains from options, futures or forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock, securities or currencies, and net income derived from interests in qualified publicly-traded partnerships (i.e., partnerships that are traded on an established securities market or tradable on a secondary market, other than partnerships that derive 90% of their income from interest, dividends, capital gains and other traditionally permitted mutual fund income); and (ii) at the close of each quarter of each Fund’s taxable year, (a) at least

 

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50% of the market value of each Fund’s total assets must be represented by cash and cash items, U.S. government securities, securities of other RICs and other securities, with such other securities limited for purposes of this calculation in respect of any one issuer to an amount not greater than 5% of the value of the Fund’s assets and not greater than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, and (b) not more than 25% of the value of each Fund’s total assets may be invested in the securities (other than U.S. government securities or the securities of other RICs) of any one issuer, of two or more issuers of which 20% or more of the voting stock is held by the Fund and that are engaged in the same or similar trades or businesses or related trades or businesses, or the securities of one or more qualified publicly-traded partnerships.

Although, in general, the passive loss rules of the Internal Revenue Code do not apply to RICs, such rules do apply to a RIC with respect to items attributable to interests in qualified publicly-traded partnerships. A Fund’s investments in partnerships, including in qualified publicly-traded partnerships, may result in a Fund being subject to state, local, or non-U.S. income, franchise or withholding tax liabilities.

Taxation of RICs. As a RIC, a Fund will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the portion of its taxable investment income and capital gains that it distributes to its shareholders, provided that it satisfies a minimum distribution requirement. To satisfy the minimum distribution requirement, a Fund must distribute to its shareholders at least the sum of (i) 90% of its “investment company taxable income” (i.e., income other than its net realized long-term capital gain over its net realized short-term capital loss), plus or minus certain adjustments, and (ii) 90% of its net tax-exempt income for the taxable year. A Fund will be subject to income tax at regular corporate rates on any taxable income or gains that it does not distribute to its shareholders. If a Fund fails to qualify for any taxable year as a RIC or fails to meet the distribution requirement, all of its taxable income will be subject to tax at regular corporate income tax rates without any deduction for distributions to shareholders, and such distributions generally will be taxable to shareholders as ordinary dividends to the extent of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits. In such event, distributions to individuals should be eligible to be treated as qualified dividend income and distributions to corporate shareholders generally should be eligible for the dividends received deduction. Although each Fund intends to distribute substantially all of its net investment income and its capital gains for each taxable year, each Fund will be subject to U.S. federal income taxation to the extent any such income or gains are not distributed. If a Fund fails to qualify as a RIC in any year, it must pay out its earnings and profits accumulated in that year in order to qualify again as a RIC. If a Fund fails to qualify as a RIC for a period greater than two taxable years, the Fund may be required to recognize any net built-in gains with respect to certain of its assets (i.e., the excess of the aggregate gains, including items of income, over aggregate losses that would have been realized with respect to such assets if the Fund had been liquidated) if it qualifies as a RIC in a subsequent year.

Excise Tax. A Fund will be subject to a 4% excise tax on certain undistributed income if it does not distribute to its shareholders in each calendar year at least 98% of its ordinary income for the calendar year plus 98.2% of its capital gain net income for the 12 months ended October 31 of such year. For this purpose, however, any ordinary income or capital gain net income retained by a Fund that is subject to corporate income tax will be considered to have been distributed by year-end. In addition, the minimum amounts that must be distributed in any year to avoid the excise tax will be increased or decreased to reflect any underdistribution or overdistribution, as the case may be, from the previous year. Each Fund intends to declare and distribute dividends and distributions in the amounts and at the times necessary to avoid the application of this 4% excise tax.

Net Capital Loss Carryforwards. Net capital loss carryforwards may be applied against any net realized capital gains in each succeeding year, until they have been reduced to zero or until their respective expiration dates, whichever occurs first. Capital loss carryforwards from taxable years beginning after December 2010 are not subject to expiration. However, any losses incurred after December 2010 are required to be utilized prior to the losses incurred before December 2010, with the result that losses incurred before December 2010 may be more likely to expire unused.

 

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Table of Contents

The following Funds had tax basis net capital loss carryforwards as of August 31, 2011, the tax year-end for the Funds listed:

 

Fund

  Expiring
2012
    Expiring
2013
    Expiring
2014
    Expiring
2015
    Expiring
2016
    Expiring
2017
    Expiring
2018
    Expiring
2019
    Total  

iShares

                 

MSCI

                 

Australia

                 

Index

                 

Fund

  $ 596,240      $ 384,424      $ —        $ 7,066      $ 529,868      $ 24,006,125      $ 23,348,244      $ 12,127,364     $ 60,999,331   

iShares

                 

MSCI

                 

Austria

                 

Investable

                 

Market

                 

Index

                 

Fund

    855,364        —          —          9,795,917        2,587,916        7,102,366        16,657,011        13,826,937        50,825,511   

iShares

                 

MSCI

                 

Belgium

                 

Capped

                 

Investable

                 

Market

                 

Index

                 

Fund

    175,781        33,969        —          —          1,698,444        5,953,120        10,826,174        19,023,517        37,711,005   

iShares

                 

MSCI

                 

Canada

                 

Index

                 

Fund

    —          2,931,648        —          5,363,291        5,107,471        27,886,883        68,928,677        14,903,919        125,121,889   

iShares

                 

MSCI

                 

Emerging

                 

Markets

                 

Eastern

                 

Europe

                 

Index

                 

Fund

    —          —          —          —          —          —          —          204,914        204,914   

iShares

                 

MSCI

                 

EMU

                 

Index

                 

Fund

    659,648        1,873,963        —          —          —          26,644,200        68,035,542        30,230,739        127,444,092   

iShares

                 

MSCI

                 

France

                 

Index

                 

Fund

    2,400,550        —           —          158,472        335,795        3,408,374        7,008,530        2,858,814        16,170,535   

iShares

                 

MSCI

                 

Germany

                 

Index

                 

Fund

    8,656,712        2,241,687        —          4,227,713        3,394,735        27,790,050        28,490,949        32,215,954        107,017,800   

iShares

                 

MSCI

                 

Hong

                 

Kong

                 

Index

                 

Fund

    2,330,414        468,716             425,440          2,899,247        3,185,408        29,235,556        114,836,904        34,565,959        187,947,644   

iShares

                 

MSCI

                 

Israel

                 

Capped

                 

Investable

                 

Market

                 

Index

                 

Fund

    —          —          —          —          —          784,479        10,801,191        7,130,249        18,715,919   

iShares

                 

MSCI

                 

Italy Index

                 

Fund

    541,980        527,327        —          —               472,268            2,743,650          18,169,627            9,459,662          31,914,514   

 

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Fund

  Expiring
2012
    Expiring
2013
    Expiring
2014
    Expiring
2015
    Expiring
2016
    Expiring
2017
    Expiring
2018
    Expiring
2019
    Total  

iShares

                 

MSCI

                 

Japan

                 

Index

                 

Fund

  $ 5,594,562      $ 8,733,802      $ 68,122,871      $ 27,817,841      $ 44,443,527      $ 116,295,478      $ 173,577,101      $ 139,228,194      $ 583,813,376   

iShares

                 

MSCI

                 

Japan

                 

Small

                 

Cap Index

                 

Fund

    —          —          —          —          —          131,718        541,322        203,697        876,737   

iShares

                 

MSCI

                 

Mexico

                 

Investable

                 

Market

                 

Index Fund

    3,136,171        12,912        632,766        —          853,150        8,973,988        2,789,471        22,863,665        39,262,123   

iShares

                 

MSCI

                 

Netherlands

                 

Investable

                 

Market

                 

Index Fund

    2,481,175        129,137        403,525        260,715        1,195,162        5,819,153        22,256,170        2,329,005        34,874,042   

iShares

                 

MSCI

                 

Pacific ex-

                 

Japan

                 

Index Fund

    —          —          —          —          —          66,207,828        104,799,503        36,600,987        207,608,318   

iShares

                 

MSCI

                 

Singapore

                 

Index Fund

    4,256,421        2,558,348        —          —          807,115        15,680,510        132,420,824        11,588,528        167,311,746   

iShares

                 

MSCI South

                 

Africa Index

                 

Fund

    527,613        —          260,738        1,607,845        972,024        15,339,464        14,856,365        6,137,142        39,701,191   

iShares

                 

MSCI Spain

                 

Index Fund

    995,671        —          —          —          —          5,946,927        15,120,672        8,619,903        30,683,173   

IShares

                 

MSCI

                 

Sweden

                 

Index Fund

    1,149,514        —          107,613        —          100,015        13,686,746        8,483,510        5,244,977        28,772,375   

iShares

                 

MSCI

                 

Switzerland

                 

Index Fund

    2,149,171        354,252        —          —          —          2,837,786        22,569,380        6,955,758        34,866,347   

iShares

                 

MSCI

                 

Thailand

                 

Investable

                 

Market

                 

Index Fund

    —          —          —          —          —          555,444        2,321,428        1,304,910        4,181,782   

iShares

                 

MSCI

                 

Turkey

                 

Investable

                 

Market

                 

Index Fund

    —          —          —          —          —          720,636        5,982,737        3,859,184        10,562,557   

iShares

                 

MSCI

                 

United

                 

Kingdom

                 

Index Fund

    4,272,059        1,517,783        7,063,063        —          261,754        16,140,312        23,559,917        22,514,433        75,329,321   

Taxation of U.S. Shareholders. Dividends and other distributions by a Fund are generally treated under the Internal Revenue Code as received by the shareholders at the time the dividend or distribution is made. However, any dividend or distribution declared by a Fund in October, November or December of any calendar year and payable to shareholders of record on a specified date in such a month shall be deemed to have been received by each shareholder on December 31 of such calendar year and to have been paid by

 

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the Fund not later than such December 31, provided such dividend is actually paid by the Fund during January of the following calendar year.

Each Fund intends to distribute annually to its shareholders substantially all of its investment company taxable income and any net realized long-term capital gains in excess of net realized short-term capital losses (including any capital loss carryovers). However, if a Fund retains for investment an amount equal to all or a portion of its net long-term capital gains in excess of its net short-term capital losses (including any capital loss carryovers), it will be subject to a corporate tax (currently at a maximum rate of 35%) on the amount retained. In that event, the Fund will designate such retained amounts as undistributed capital gains in a notice to its shareholders who (a) will be required to include in income for U.S. federal income tax purposes, as long-term capital gains, their proportionate shares of the undistributed amount, (b) will be entitled to credit their proportionate shares of the 35% tax paid by the Fund on the undistributed amount against their U.S. federal income tax liabilities, if any, and to claim refunds to the extent their credits exceed their liabilities, if any, and (c) will be entitled to increase their tax basis, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, in their shares by an amount equal to 65% of the amount of undistributed capital gains included in the shareholder’s income. Organizations or persons not subject to U.S. federal income tax on such capital gains will be entitled to a refund of their pro rata share of such taxes paid by the Fund upon filing appropriate returns or claims for refund with the IRS.

Distributions of net realized long-term capital gains, if any, that a Fund reports as capital gains dividends are taxable as long-term capital gains, whether paid in cash or in shares and regardless of how long a shareholder has held shares of the Fund. All other dividends of a Fund (including dividends from short-term capital gains) from its current and accumulated earnings and profits (“regular dividends”) are generally subject to tax as ordinary income, subject to the discussion of qualified dividend income below.

If an individual receives a regular dividend qualifying for the long-term capital gains rates and such dividend constitutes an “extraordinary dividend,” and the individual subsequently recognizes a loss on the sale or exchange of stock in respect of which the extraordinary dividend was paid, then the loss will be long-term capital loss to the extent of such extraordinary dividend. An “extraordinary dividend” on common stock for this purpose is generally a dividend (i) in an amount greater than or equal to 10% of the taxpayer’s tax basis (or trading value) in a share of stock, aggregating dividends with ex-dividend dates within an 85-day period, or (ii) in an amount greater than 20% of the taxpayer’s tax basis (or trading value) in a share of stock, aggregating dividends with ex-dividend dates within a 365-day period.

Distributions in excess of a Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits will, as to each shareholder, be treated as a tax-free return of capital to the extent of a shareholder’s basis in shares of the Fund, and as a capital gain thereafter (if the shareholder holds shares of the Fund as capital assets). Shareholders receiving dividends or distributions in the form of additional shares should be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as receiving a distribution in an amount equal to the amount of money that the shareholders receiving cash dividends or distributions will receive and should have a cost basis in the shares received equal to such amount. Dividends paid by a Fund that are attributable to dividends received by a Fund from domestic corporations may qualify for the U.S. federal dividends received deduction for corporations.

Beginning in 2013, a 3.8% U.S. federal Medicare contribution tax will be imposed on net investment income, including interest, dividends, and capital gain, of U.S. individuals with income exceeding $200,000 (or $250,000 if married and filing jointly), and of estates and trusts.

Investors considering buying shares just prior to a dividend or capital gain distribution should be aware that, although the price of shares purchased at that time may reflect the amount of the forthcoming distribution, such dividend or distribution may nevertheless be taxable to them. If a Fund is the holder of record of any security on the record date for any dividends payable with respect to such security, such dividends will be included in the Fund’s gross income not as of the date received but as of the later of (a) the date such

 

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security became ex-dividend with respect to such dividends (i.e., the date on which a buyer of the security would not be entitled to receive the declared, but unpaid, dividends); or (b) the date the Fund acquired such security. Accordingly, in order to satisfy its income distribution requirements, a Fund may be required to pay dividends based on anticipated earnings, and shareholders may receive dividends in an earlier year than would otherwise be the case.

In certain situations, a Fund may, for a taxable year, defer all or a portion of its capital losses and currency losses realized after October and certain ordinary losses realized after December until the next taxable year in computing its investment company taxable income and net capital gain, which will defer the recognition of such realized losses. Such deferrals and other rules regarding gains and losses realized after October (or December) may affect the tax character of shareholder distributions.

Sales of Shares. Upon the sale or exchange of shares of a Fund, a shareholder will realize a taxable gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized and the shareholder’s basis in shares of the Fund. A redemption of shares by a Fund will be treated as a sale for this purpose. Such gain or loss will be treated as capital gain or loss if the shares are capital assets in the shareholder’s hands and will be long-term capital gain or loss if the shares are held for more than one year and short-term capital gain or loss if the shares are held for one year or less. Any loss realized on a sale or exchange will be disallowed to the extent the shares disposed of are replaced, including replacement through the reinvesting of dividends and capital gains distributions in the Funds, within a 61-day period beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the disposition of the shares. In such a case, the basis of the shares acquired will be increased to reflect the disallowed loss. Any loss realized by a shareholder on the sale of Fund shares held by the shareholder for six months or less will be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any distributions or deemed distributions of long-term capital gains received by the shareholder with respect to such share. The Medicare contribution tax described above will apply to the sale of Fund shares.

If a shareholder incurs a sales charge in acquiring shares of a Fund, disposes of those shares within 90 days and then, on or before January 31 of the following calendar year, acquires shares in a mutual fund for which the otherwise applicable sales charge is reduced by reason of a reinvestment right (e.g., an exchange privilege), the original sales charge will not be taken into account in computing gain/loss on the original shares to the extent the subsequent sales charge is reduced. Instead, the disregarded portion of the original sales charge will be added to the tax basis of the newly acquired shares. Furthermore, the same rule also applies to a disposition of the newly acquired shares made within 90 days of the second acquisition. This provision prevents shareholders from immediately deducting the sales charge by shifting their investments within a family of mutual funds.

Back-Up Withholding. In certain cases, a Fund will be required to withhold at the applicable withholding rate, and remit to the U.S. Treasury such amounts withheld from any distributions paid to a shareholder who: (i) has failed to provide a correct taxpayer identification number; (ii) is subject to back-up withholding by the IRS; (iii) has failed to certify to a Fund that such shareholder is not subject to back-up withholding; or (iv) has not certified that such shareholder is a U.S. person (including a U.S. resident alien). Back-up withholding is not an additional tax and any amount withheld may be credited against a shareholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability.

Sections 351 and 362. The Company, on behalf of each Fund, has the right to reject an order for a purchase of shares of the Fund if the purchaser (or group of purchasers) would, upon obtaining the shares so ordered, own 80% or more of the outstanding shares of a given Fund and if, pursuant to Sections 351 and 362 of the Internal Revenue Code, that Fund would have a basis in the securities different from the market value of such securities on the date of deposit. If a Fund’s basis in such securities on the date of deposit was less than market value on such date, the Fund, upon disposition of the securities, would recognize more taxable gain or less taxable loss than if its basis in the securities had been equal to market value. It is not anticipated that the Company will exercise the right of rejection except in a case where the Company

 

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determines that accepting the order could result in material adverse tax consequences to a Fund or its shareholders. The Company also has the right to require information necessary to determine beneficial share ownership for purposes of the 80% determination.

Taxation of Certain Derivatives. A Fund’s transactions in zero coupon securities, non-U.S. currencies, forward contracts, options and futures contracts (including options and futures contracts on non-U.S. currencies), to the extent permitted, will be subject to special provisions of the Internal Revenue Code (including provisions relating to “hedging transactions” and “straddles”) that, among other things, may affect the character of gains and losses realized by the Fund (i.e., may affect whether gains or losses are ordinary or capital), accelerate recognition of income to the Fund and defer Fund losses. These rules could therefore affect the character, amount and timing of distributions to shareholders. These provisions also (a) will require a Fund to mark-to-market certain types of the positions in its portfolio (i.e., treat them as if they were closed out at the end of each year) and (b) may cause a Fund to recognize income without receiving cash with which to pay dividends or make distributions in amounts necessary to satisfy the distribution requirements for avoiding income and excise taxes. Each Fund will monitor its transactions, will make the appropriate tax elections and will make the appropriate entries in its books and records when it acquires any zero coupon security, non-U.S. currency, forward contract, option, futures contract or hedged investment in order to mitigate the effect of these rules and prevent disqualification of the Fund as a RIC.

A Fund’s investments in so-called “Section 1256 contracts,” such as regulated futures contracts, most non-U.S. currency forward contracts traded in the interbank market and options on most security indexes, are subject to special tax rules. All Section 1256 contracts held by a Fund at the end of its taxable year are required to be marked to their market value, and any unrealized gain or loss on those positions will be included in the Fund’s income as if each position had been sold for its fair market value at the end of the taxable year. The resulting gain or loss will be combined with any gain or loss realized by the Fund from positions in Section 1256 contracts closed during the taxable year. Provided such positions were held as capital assets and were not part of a “hedging transaction” nor part of a “straddle,” 60% of the resulting net gain or loss will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss, and 40% of such net gain or loss will be treated as short-term capital gain or loss, regardless of the period of time the positions were actually held by the Fund.

As a result of entering into swap contracts, a Fund may make or receive periodic net payments. A Fund may also make or receive a payment when a swap is terminated prior to maturity through an assignment of the swap or other closing transaction. Periodic net payments will generally constitute ordinary income or deductions, while termination of a swap will generally result in capital gain or loss (which will be a long-term capital gain or loss if the Fund has been a party to the swap for more than one year). With respect to certain types of swaps, a Fund may be required to currently recognize income or loss with respect to future payments on such swaps or may elect under certain circumstances to mark such swaps to market annually for tax purposes as ordinary income or loss.

Qualified Dividend Income. Distributions by a Fund of investment company taxable income (including any short-term capital gains), whether received in cash or shares, will be taxable either as ordinary income or as qualified dividend income, eligible for the reduced maximum rate to individuals of 15% (0% for individuals in lower tax brackets) to the extent the Fund receives qualified dividend income on the securities it holds and the Fund reports the distribution as qualified dividend income. Qualified dividend income is, in general, dividend income from taxable U.S. corporations (but generally not from U.S. REITs) and certain non-U.S. corporations (e.g., non-U.S. corporations that are not “passive foreign investment companies” and which are incorporated in a possession of the United States or in certain countries with a comprehensive tax treaty with the United States, or the stock of which is readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States (where the dividends are paid with respect to such stock)). Under current IRS guidance, the United States has appropriate comprehensive income tax treaties with the following countries: Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, China (but not with Hong Kong, which is treated as a separate jurisdiction for U.S. tax purposes), Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan,

 

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Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Morocco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Pakistan, the Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, the Slovak Republic, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and Venezuela. Substitute payments received by a Fund for securities lent out by the Fund will not be qualified dividend income.

A dividend from a Fund will not be treated as qualified dividend income to the extent that (i) the shareholder has not held the shares on which the dividend was paid for 61 days during the 121-day period that begins on the date that is 60 days before the date on which the shares become ex-dividend with respect to such dividend or the Fund fails to satisfy those holding period requirements with respect to the securities it holds that paid the dividends distributed to the shareholder (or, in the case of certain preferred stocks, the holding requirement of 91 days during the 181-day period beginning on the date that is 90 days before the date on which the stock becomes ex-dividend with respect to such dividend); (ii) the Fund or the shareholder is under an obligation (whether pursuant to a short sale or otherwise) to make related payments with respect to substantially similar or related property; or (iii) the shareholder elects to treat such dividend as investment income under Section 163(d)(4)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code. Dividends received by a Fund from a REIT or another RIC may be treated as qualified dividend income only to the extent the dividend distributions are attributable to qualified dividend income received by such REIT or other RIC. It is expected that dividends received by a Fund from a REIT and distributed to a shareholder generally will be taxable to the shareholder as ordinary income. The maximum 15% rate on qualified dividend income will not apply to dividends received in taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012. Distributions by a Fund of its net short-term capital gains will be taxable as ordinary income. Capital gain distributions consisting of a Fund’s net capital gains will be taxable as long-term capital gains.

If you lend your Fund shares pursuant to securities lending arrangements, you may lose the ability to use non-U.S. tax credits passed through by the Fund or to treat Fund dividends (paid while the shares are held by the borrower) as qualified dividends. Consult your financial intermediary or tax advisor. If you enter into a short sale with respect to shares of the Fund, substitute payments made to the lender of such shares may not be deductible. Consult your financial intermediary or tax advisor.

Corporate Dividends Received Deduction. Each Fund (with the exception of the iShares MSCI USA Index Fund) does not expect dividends that are paid to its corporate shareholders to be eligible, in the hands of such shareholders, for the corporate dividends received deduction.

Dividends paid by the iShares MSCI USA Index Fund that are attributable to dividends received by the Fund from U.S. corporations may qualify for the U.S. federal dividends received deduction for corporations. A 46-day minimum holding period during the 90-day period that begins 45 days prior to ex-dividend date (or 91-day minimum holding period during the 180 period beginning 90 days prior to ex-dividend date for certain preference dividends) during which risk of loss may not be diminished is required for the applicable shares, at both the Fund and shareholder level, for a dividend to be eligible for the dividends received deduction. Restrictions may apply if indebtedness, including a short sale, is attributable to the investment.

Excess Inclusion Income. Under current law, the Funds serve to block unrelated business taxable income from being realized by their tax-exempt shareholders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a tax-exempt shareholder could realize unrelated business taxable income by virtue of its investment in a Fund if shares in the Fund constitute debt-financed property in the hands of the tax-exempt shareholder within the meaning of Section 514(b) of the Internal Revenue Code. Certain types of income received by a Fund from REITs, real estate mortgage investment conduits, taxable mortgage pools or other investments may cause the Fund to report some or all of its distributions as “excess inclusion income.” To Fund shareholders, such excess inclusion income may (i) constitute taxable income, as unrelated business taxable income for those shareholders who would otherwise be tax-exempt such as individual retirement accounts, 401(k) accounts, Keogh plans, pension plans and certain charitable entities; (ii) not be offset by otherwise allowable

 

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deductions for tax purposes; (iii) not be eligible for reduced U.S. withholding for non-U.S. shareholders even from tax treaty countries; and (iv) cause the Fund to be subject to tax if certain “disqualified organizations,” as defined by the Internal Revenue Code, are Fund shareholders. If a charitable remainder annuity trust or a charitable remainder unitrust (each as defined in Section 664 of the Internal Revenue Code) has unrelated business taxable income (“UBTI”) for a taxable year, a 100% excise tax on the UBTI is imposed on the trust.

Non-U.S. Investments. Under Section 988 of the Internal Revenue Code, gains or losses attributable to fluctuations in exchange rates between the time a Fund accrues income or receivables or expenses or other liabilities denominated in a non-U.S. currency and the time the Fund actually collects such income or pays such liabilities are generally treated as ordinary income or ordinary loss. In general, gains (and losses) realized on debt instruments will be treated as Section 988 gain (or loss) to the extent attributable to changes in exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and the currencies in which the instruments are denominated. Similarly, gains or losses on non-U.S. currency, non-U.S. currency forward contracts and certain non-U.S. currency options or futures contracts denominated in non-U.S currency, to the extent attributable to fluctuations in exchange rates between the acquisition and disposition dates, are also treated as ordinary income or loss unless the Fund were to elect otherwise.

Each Fund may be subject to non-U.S. income taxes withheld at the source. Each Fund, if permitted to do so, may elect to “pass through” to its investors the amount of non-U.S. income taxes paid by the Fund provided that the Fund held the security on the dividend settlement date and for at least 15 additional days immediately before and/or thereafter, with the result that each investor with respect to shares of the Fund held for a minimum 16-day holding period at the time of deemed distribution will (i) include in gross income, even though not actually received, the investor’s pro rata share of the Fund’s non-U.S. income taxes, and (ii) either deduct (in calculating U.S. taxable income) but only for investors who itemize their deductions on their personal tax returns) or credit (in calculating U.S. federal income tax) the investor’s pro rata share of the Fund’s non-U.S. income taxes. A non-U.S. person invested in the Fund in a year that the Fund elects to “pass through” its non-U.S. taxes may be treated as receiving additional dividend income subject to U.S. withholding tax. A non-U.S. tax credit may not exceed the investor’s U.S. federal income tax otherwise payable with respect to the investor’s non-U.S. source income. For this purpose, shareholders must treat as non-U.S. source gross income (i) their proportionate shares of non-U.S. taxes paid by the Fund and (ii) the portion of any dividend paid by the Fund that represents income derived from non-U.S. sources; the Fund’s gain from the sale of securities will generally be treated as U.S.-source income. Certain limitations will be imposed to the extent to which the non-U.S. tax credit may be claimed.

Passive Foreign Investment Companies. If a Fund purchases shares in “passive foreign investment companies” (“PFICs”), it may be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a portion of any “excess distribution” or gain from the disposition of such shares even if such income is distributed as a taxable dividend by the Fund to its shareholders. Additional charges in the nature of interest may be imposed on the Fund in respect of deferred taxes arising from such distributions or gains.

If a Fund were to invest in a PFIC and elect to treat the PFIC as a “qualified electing fund” under the Internal Revenue Code, in lieu of the foregoing requirements, the Fund might be required to include in income each year a portion of the ordinary earnings and net capital gains of the qualified electing fund, even if not distributed to the Fund, and such amounts would be subject to the 90% and excise tax distribution requirements described above. In order to make this election, the Fund would be required to obtain certain annual information from the PFICs in which it invests, which may be difficult or impossible to obtain.

Alternatively, a Fund may make a mark-to-market election that would result in the Fund being treated as if it had sold and repurchased its PFIC stock at the end of each year. In such case, the Fund would report any such gains as ordinary income and would deduct any such losses as ordinary losses to the extent of previously recognized gains. The election must be made separately for each PFIC owned by the Fund and, once made, would be effective for all subsequent taxable years, unless revoked with the consent of the IRS. By making the election, the Fund could potentially ameliorate the adverse tax consequences with respect to

 

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its ownership of shares in a PFIC, but in any particular year may be required to recognize income in excess of the distributions it receives from PFICs and its proceeds from dispositions of PFIC stock. The Fund may have to distribute this “phantom” income and gain to satisfy the 90% distribution requirement and to avoid imposition of the 4% excise tax.

A Fund will make the appropriate tax elections, if possible, and take any additional steps that are necessary to mitigate the effects of these rules.

Reporting. If a shareholder recognizes a loss with respect to a Fund’s shares of $2 million or more for an individual shareholder or $10 million or more for a corporate shareholder, the shareholder must file with the IRS a disclosure statement on Form 8886. Direct shareholders of portfolio securities are in many cases exempted from this reporting requirement, but under current guidance, shareholders of a RIC are not exempted. The fact that a loss is reportable under these regulations does not affect the legal determination of whether the taxpayer’s treatment of the loss is proper. Shareholders should consult their tax advisors to determine the applicability of these regulations in light of their individual circumstances.

Other Taxes. Dividends, distributions and redemption proceeds may also be subject to additional state, local and non-U.S. taxes depending on each shareholder’s particular situation.

Taxation of Non-U.S. Shareholders. Dividends paid by a Fund to non-U.S. shareholders are generally subject to withholding tax at a 30% rate or a reduced rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty to the extent derived from investment income and short-term capital gains. Dividends paid by a Fund from net tax-exempt income or long-term capital gains are generally not subject to such withholding tax. In order to obtain a reduced rate of withholding, a non-U.S. shareholder will be required to provide an IRS Form W-8BEN certifying its entitlement to benefits under a treaty. The withholding tax does not apply to regular dividends paid to a non-U.S. shareholder who provides a Form W-8ECI, certifying that the dividends are effectively connected with the non-U.S. shareholder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States. Instead, the effectively connected dividends will be subject to regular U.S. income tax as if the non-U.S. shareholder were a U.S. shareholder. A non-U.S. corporation receiving effectively connected dividends may also be subject to additional “branch profits tax” imposed at a rate of 30% (or lower treaty rate). A non-U.S. shareholder who fails to provide an IRS Form W-8BEN or other applicable form may be subject to back-up withholding at the appropriate rate.

In general, U.S. federal withholding tax will not apply to any gain or income realized by a non-U.S. shareholder in respect of any distributions of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital losses, tax-exempt interest dividends, or upon the sale or other disposition of shares of a Fund. If a Fund’s direct or indirect interests in U.S. real property were to exceed certain levels, distributions to a non-U.S. shareholder from the Fund attributable to a REIT’s distribution to the Fund of gain from a sale or exchange of a U.S. real property interest and, in the case of a non-U.S. shareholder owning more than 5% of the class of shares throughout either such person’s holding period for the redeemed shares or, if shorter, the previous five years, the gain on redemption will be treated as real property gain subject to additional taxes or withholding and may result in the non-U.S. shareholder having additional filing requirements.

For taxable years beginning before January 1, 2012, distributions that a Fund reports as “short-term capital gain dividends” or “long-term capital gain dividends” are not treated as such to a recipient non-U.S. shareholder if the distribution is attributable to gain received from the sale or exchange of U.S. real property or an interest in a U.S. real property holding corporation and a Fund’s direct or indirect interests in U.S. real property exceed certain levels. Instead, if the non-U.S. shareholder has not owned more than 5% of the outstanding shares of a Fund at any time during the one year period ending on the date of distribution, such distribution is subject to 30% withholding by the Fund and is treated as ordinary dividends to the non-U.S. shareholder; if the non-U.S. shareholder owned more than 5% of the outstanding shares of the Fund at any time during the one year period ending on the date of the distribution, such distribution is treated as real property gain subject to 35% withholding tax and could subject the non-U.S. shareholder to U.S. filing

 

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requirements. Additionally, if a Fund’s direct or indirect interests in U.S. real property were to exceed certain levels, a non-U.S. shareholder realizing gains upon redemption from the Fund on or before December 31, 2011 could be subject to the 35% withholding tax and U.S. filing requirements unless more than 50% of the Fund’s shares were owned by U.S. persons at such time or unless the non-U.S. person had not held more than 5% of the Fund’s outstanding shares throughout either such person’s holding period for the redeemed shares or, if shorter, the previous five years.

The rules laid out in the previous two paragraphs, other than the withholding rules, will apply notwithstanding the Fund’s participation in a wash sale transaction or its payment of a substitute dividend.

Provided that 50% or more of the value of the Fund’s stock is held by U.S. shareholders, distributions of U.S. real property interests (including securities in a U.S. real property holding corporation, unless such corporation is regularly traded on an established securities market and the Fund has held 5% or less of the outstanding shares of the corporation during the five-year period ending on the date of distribution) occurring on or before December 31, 2011, in redemption of a foreign shareholder’s shares of the Fund will cause the Fund to recognize gain. If the Fund is required to recognize gain, the amount of gain recognized will be equal to the fair market value of such interests over the Fund’s adjusted bases to the extent of the greatest foreign ownership percentage of the Fund during the five-year period ending on the date of redemption.

For taxable years beginning before January 1, 2012, properly reported dividends are generally exempt from U.S. federal withholding tax where they (i) are paid in respect of a Fund’s “qualified net interest income” (generally, a Fund’s U.S. source interest income, other than certain contingent interest and interest from obligations of a corporation or partnership in which the Fund is at least a 10% shareholder, reduced by expenses that are allocable to such income), or (ii) are paid in respect of a Fund’s “qualified short-term capital gains” (generally, the excess of a Fund’s net short-term capital gain over the Fund’s long-term capital loss for such taxable year). However, depending on its circumstances, a Fund may report all, some or none of its potentially eligible dividends as such qualified net interest income or as qualified short-term capital gains and/or treat such dividends, in whole or in part, as ineligible for this exemption from withholding. In order to qualify for this exemption from withholding, a non-U.S. shareholder will need to comply with applicable certification requirements relating to its non-U.S. status (including, in general, furnishing an IRS Form W-8BEN or substitute Form). In the case of shares held through an intermediary, the intermediary may withhold even if a Fund reports the payment as qualified net interest income or qualified short-term capital gain. Non-U.S. shareholders should contact their intermediaries with respect to the application of these rules to their accounts.

A 30% withholding tax will be imposed on dividends paid after December 31, 2013, and redemption proceeds paid after December 31, 2014, to (i) foreign financial institutions, including non-U.S. investment funds, unless they agree to collect and disclose to the IRS information regarding their direct and indirect U.S. account holders; and (ii) certain other foreign entities, unless they certify certain information regarding their direct and indirect U.S. owners. To avoid withholding, foreign financial institutions will need to enter into agreements with the IRS that state that they will provide the IRS information, including the name, address and taxpayer identification number of direct and indirect U.S. account holders; comply with due diligence procedures with respect to the identification of U.S. accounts; report to the IRS certain information with respect to U.S. accounts maintained; agree to withhold tax on certain payments made to non-compliant foreign financial institutions or to account holders who fail to provide the required information; and determine certain other information as to their account holders. Other foreign entities will need to provide the name, address, and taxpayer identification number of each substantial U.S. owner or certifications of no substantial U.S. ownership, unless certain exceptions apply.

Shares of a Fund held by a non-U.S. shareholder at death will be considered situated within the United States and subject to the U.S. estate tax for decedents dying after December 31, 2011, with a lookthrough rule applying before such date.

 

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The foregoing discussion is a summary of certain material U.S. federal income tax considerations only and is not intended as a substitute for careful tax planning. Purchasers of shares should consult their own tax advisors as to the tax consequences of investing in such shares, including consequences under state, local and non-U.S. tax laws. Finally, the foregoing discussion is based on applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, regulations, judicial authority and administrative interpretations in effect on the date of this SAI. Changes in applicable authority could materially affect the conclusions discussed above, and such changes often occur.

Financial Statements

Each Fund’s audited Financial Statements, including the Financial Highlights, appearing in the Annual Report to Shareholders and the report therein of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, are hereby incorporated by reference in this SAI. The applicable Annual Report to Shareholders, which contains the referenced audited financial statements, is available upon request and without charge.

Miscellaneous Information

Counsel. Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, located at 787 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10019, is counsel to the Company.

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, located at Three Embarcadero Center, San Francisco, CA 94111 serves as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, audits the Funds’ financial statements, and may perform other services.

Shareholder Communications to the Board. The Board has established a process for shareholders to communicate with the Board. Shareholders may contact the Board by mail. Correspondence should be addressed to iShares Board of Directors, c/o BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A. – Mutual Fund Administration, 400 Howard Street, San Francisco, CA 94105. Shareholder communications to the Board should include the following information: (i) the name and address of the shareholder; (ii) the number of shares owned by the shareholder; (iii) the Fund(s) of which the shareholder owns shares; and (iv) if these shares are owned indirectly through a broker, financial intermediary or other record owner, the name of the broker, financial intermediary or other record owner. All correspondence received as set forth above shall be reviewed by the Secretary of the Company and reported to the Board.

IS-SAI-08i-1112

 

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