497 1 d459825d497.htm FORM 497 Form 497
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iShares® , Inc.
Statement of Additional Information
Dated January 1, 2013
(as revised January 2, 2013)
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 Global Gold Miners Fund RING NYSE Arca
iShares MSCI Global Silver Miners Fund SLVP 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
iShares MSCI World Index Fund URTH NYSE Arca
The Prospectuses for the above-listed funds (each, a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”) are dated January 1, 2013, 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” or “BRIL”), 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 Fund Advisors (“BFA”) or its affiliates.


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iShares®


The following changes will take effect for the Fund on February 11, 2013 or as soon as practicable thereafter.
Current New
Fund Name iShares MSCI Austria Investable Market Index Fund iShares MSCI Austria Capped Investable Market Index Fund
Underlying Index MSCI Austria Investable Market Index MSCI Austria IMI 25/50 Index
Investment Policy The iShares MSCI Austria Investable Market Index Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the MSCI Austria Investable Market Index. The iShares MSCI Austria Capped Investable Market Index Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the MSCI Austria IMI 25/50 Index.
Description of Underlying Index The MSCI Austria Investable Market Index consists of stocks traded primarily on the Vienna Stock Exchange. The MSCI Austria IMI 25/50 Index consists of stocks traded primarily on the Vienna Stock Exchange. A capping methodology is applied that limits the weight of any single component to a maximum of 25% of the MSCI Austria IMI 25/50 Index. Additionally, the sum of the components that individually constitute more than 5% of the weight of the MSCI Austria IMI 25/50 Index cannot exceed a maximum of 50% of the weight of the MSCI Austria IMI 25/50 Index in the aggregate.

If you have any questions, please call 1-800-iShares (1-800-474-2737).


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iShares®


The following changes will take effect for the Fund on February 11, 2013 or as soon as practicable thereafter.
Current New
Fund Name iShares MSCI Italy Index Fund iShares MSCI Italy Capped Index Fund
Underlying Index MSCI Italy Index MSCI Italy 25/50 Index
Investment Policy The iShares MSCI Italy Index Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the MSCI Italy Index. The iShares MSCI Italy Capped Index Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the MSCI Italy 25/50 Index.
Description of Underlying Index The MSCI Italy Index consists of stocks traded primarily on the Milan Stock Exchange. The MSCI Italy 25/50 Index consists of stocks traded primarily on the Milan Stock Exchange. A capping methodology is applied that limits the weight of any single component to a maximum of 25% of the MSCI Italy 25/50 Index. Additionally, the sum of the components that individually constitute more than 5% of the weight of the MSCI Italy 25/50 Index cannot exceed a maximum of 50% of the weight of the MSCI Italy 25/50 Index in the aggregate.

If you have any questions, please call 1-800-iShares (1-800-474-2737).


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iShares®


The following changes will take effect for the Fund on February 11, 2013 or as soon as practicable thereafter.
Current New
Fund Name iShares MSCI Mexico Investable Market Index Fund iShares MSCI Mexico Capped Investable Market Index Fund
Underlying Index MSCI Mexico Investable Market Index MSCI Mexico IMI 25/50 Index
Investment Policy The iShares MSCI Mexico Investable Market Index Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the MSCI Mexico Investable Market Index. The iShares MSCI Mexico Capped Investable Market Index Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the MSCI Mexico IMI 25/50 Index.
Description of Underlying Index The MSCI Mexico Investable Market Index consists of stocks traded primarily on the Mexican Stock Exchange. The MSCI Mexico IMI 25/50 Index consists of stocks traded primarily on the Mexican Stock Exchange. A capping methodology is applied that limits the weight of any single component to a maximum of 25% of the MSCI Mexico IMI 25/50 Index. Additionally, the sum of the components that individually constitute more than 5% of the weight of the MSCI Mexico IMI 25/50 Index cannot exceed a maximum of 50% of the weight of the MSCI Mexico IMI 25/50 Index in the aggregate.

If you have any questions, please call 1-800-iShares (1-800-474-2737).


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iShares®


The following changes will take effect for the Fund on February 11, 2013 or as soon as practicable thereafter.
Current New
Fund Name iShares MSCI Spain Index Fund iShares MSCI Spain Capped Index Fund
Underlying Index MSCI Spain Index MSCI Spain 25/50 Index
Investment Policy The iShares MSCI Spain Index Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the MSCI Spain Index. The iShares MSCI Spain Capped Index Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the MSCI Spain 25/50 Index.
Description of Underlying Index The MSCI Spain Index consists of stocks traded primarily on the Madrid Stock Exchange. The MSCI Spain 25/50 Index consists of stocks traded primarily on the Madrid Stock Exchange. A capping methodology is applied that limits the weight of any single component to a maximum of 25% of the MSCI Spain 25/50 Index. Additionally, the sum of the components that individually constitute more than 5% of the weight of the MSCI Spain 25/50 Index cannot exceed a maximum of 50% of the weight of the MSCI Spain 25/50 Index in the aggregate.

If you have any questions, please call 1-800-iShares (1-800-474-2737).


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iShares®


The following changes will take effect for the Fund on February 11, 2013 or as soon as practicable thereafter.
Current New
Fund Name iShares MSCI Switzerland Index Fund iShares MSCI Switzerland Capped Index Fund
Underlying Index MSCI Switzerland Index MSCI Switzerland 25/50 Index
Investment Policy The iShares MSCI Switzerland Index Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the MSCI Switzerland Index. The iShares MSCI Switzerland Capped Index Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the MSCI Switzerland 25/50 Index.
Description of Underlying Index The MSCI Switzerland Index consists of stocks traded primarily on the Zurich Stock Exchange. The MSCI Switzerland 25/50 Index consists of stocks traded primarily on the Zurich Stock Exchange. A capping methodology is applied that limits the weight of any single component to a maximum of 25% of the MSCI Switzerland 25/50 Index. Additionally, the sum of the components that individually constitute more than 5% of the weight of the MSCI Switzerland 25/50 Index cannot exceed a maximum of 50% of the weight of the MSCI Switzerland 25/50 Index in the aggregate.

If you have any questions, please call 1-800-iShares (1-800-474-2737).


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iShares®


The following changes will take effect for the Fund on February 11, 2013 or as soon as practicable thereafter.
Current New
Fund Name iShares MSCI Thailand Investable Market Index Fund iShares MSCI Thailand Capped Investable Market Index Fund
Underlying Index MSCI Thailand Investable Market Index MSCI Thailand IMI 25/50 Index
Investment Policy The iShares MSCI Thailand Investable Market Index Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the MSCI Thailand Investable Market Index. The iShares MSCI Thailand Capped Investable Market Index Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the MSCI Thailand IMI 25/50 Index.
Description of Underlying Index The MSCI Thailand Investable Market Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization index designed to measure broad-based equity market performance in Thailand. The MSCI Thailand Investable Market Index consists of stocks traded primarily on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET). The MSCI Thailand IMI 25/50 Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization index designed to measure broad-based equity market performance in Thailand. The MSCI Thailand IMI 25/50 Index consists of stocks traded primarily on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET). A capping methodology is applied that limits the weight of any single component to a maximum of 25% of the MSCI Thailand IMI 25/50 Index. Additionally, the sum of the components that individually constitute more than 5% of the weight of the MSCI Thailand IMI 25/50 Index cannot exceed a maximum of 50% of the weight of the MSCI Thailand IMI 25/50 Index in the aggregate.

If you have any questions, please call 1-800-iShares (1-800-474-2737).


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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 3
Futures and Options 4
Illiquid Securities 5
Lending Portfolio Securities 5
Non-U.S. Securities 5
Options on Futures Contracts 6
Regulation Regarding Derivatives 6
Repurchase Agreements 7
Reverse Repurchase Agreements 7
Securities of Investment Companies 8
Short-Term Instruments and Temporary Investments 8
Swap Agreements 8
Tracking Stocks 8
Future Developments 8
General Considerations and Risks 8
Dividend Risk 9
Risk of Derivatives 9
Risk of Equity Securities 9
Risk of Futures and Options Transactions 9
Risk of Investing in Mid-Capitalization Companies 10
Risk of Investing in Non-U.S. Equity Securities 10
Risk of Investing in Small-Capitalization Companies 10
Risk of Swap Agreements 10
Risk of Investing in Africa 10
Risk of Investing in Asia 12
Risk of Investing in Australasia 13
Risk of Investing in Australia 13
Risk of Investing in Eastern Europe 13
Risk of Investing in Emerging Markets 13
Risk of Investing in Japan 15
Risk of Investing in North America 15
Risk of Investing in Russia 15
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Risk of Investing in the Capital Goods Sector 16
Risk of Investing in the Consumer Discretionary Sector 16
Risk of Investing in the Consumer Goods Sector 16
Risk of Investing in the Consumer Staples Sector 16
Risk of Investing in the Energy Sector 16
Risk of Investing in the Financial Sector 16
Risk of Investing in the Healthcare Sector 17
Risk of Investing in the Industrials Sector 17
Risk of Investing in the Information Technology Sector 18
Risk of Investing in the Insurance Industry 18
Risk of Investing in the Materials Sector 18
Risk of Investing in the Telecommunications Sector 18
Risk of Investing in the Utilities Sector 18
Proxy Voting Policy 18
Portfolio Holdings Information 19
Construction and Maintenance of the Underlying Indexes 20
The MSCI Indexes 20
MSCI ACWI Select Gold Miners Investable Market Index 22
MSCI ACWI Select Silver Miners Investable Market Index 22
MSCI Australia Index 23
MSCI Austria Investable Market Index 23
MSCI Belgium IMI 25/50 Index 23
MSCI Canada Index 23
MSCI Emerging Markets Eastern Europe Index 23
MSCI EMU Index 23
MSCI France Index 23
MSCI Germany Index 23
MSCI Hong Kong Index 23
MSCI Israel Capped Investable Market Index 23
MSCI Italy Index 24
MSCI Japan Index 24
MSCI Japan Small Cap Index 24
MSCI Mexico Investable Market Index 24
MSCI Netherlands Investable Market Index 24
MSCI Pacific ex-Japan Index 24
MSCI Singapore Index 24
MSCI South Africa Index 24
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MSCI Spain Index 24
MSCI Sweden Index 24
MSCI Switzerland Index 24
MSCI Thailand Investable Market Index 25
MSCI Turkey Investable Market Index 25
MSCI United Kingdom Index 25
MSCI USA Index 25
MSCI World Index 25
Investment Limitations 25
Continuous Offering 29
Management 30
Directors and Officers 30
Committees of the Board of Directors 36
Remuneration of Directors 40
Control Persons and Principal Holders of Securities 44
Potential Conflicts of Interest 55
Investment Advisory, Administrative and Distribution Services 60
Investment Adviser 60
Portfolio Managers 63
Codes of Ethics 70
Anti-Money Laundering Requirements 70
Administrator, Custodian and Transfer Agent 70
Distributor 71
Financial Intermediary Compensation 73
Brokerage Transactions 74
Additional Information Concerning the Company 76
Capital Stock 76
Termination of the Company or a Fund 78
DTC as Securities Depository for Shares of the Funds 78
Creation and Redemption of Creation Units 79
General 79
Fund Deposit 80
Cash Purchase Method 81
Role of the Authorized Participant 81
Purchase Orders 81
Timing of Submission of Purchase Orders 81
Acceptance of Orders for Creation Units 82
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Issuance of a Creation Unit 82
Costs Associated with Creation Transactions 83
Redemption of Creation Units 84
Cash Redemption Method 84
Costs Associated with Redemption Transactions 84
Placement of Redemption Orders 85
Taxation on Creations and Redemptions of Creation Units 87
Regular Holidays 87
Redemptions 93
Taxes 97
Regulated Investment Company Qualifications 97
Taxation of RICs 97
Excise Tax 98
Net Capital Loss Carryforwards 98
Taxation of U.S. Shareholders 99
Sales of Shares 100
Back-Up Withholding 101
Sections 351 and 362 101
Taxation of Certain Derivatives 101
Qualified Dividend Income 102
Corporate Dividends Received Deduction 102
Excess Inclusion Income 103
Non-U.S. Investments 103
Passive Foreign Investment Companies 103
Reporting 104
Other Taxes 104
Taxation of Non-U.S. Shareholders 104
Financial Statements 105
Miscellaneous Information 105
Counsel 105
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 105
Shareholder Communications to the Board 105
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General Description of the Company and its Funds
The Company currently consists of more than 55 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 “Investment Company Act” or 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 Global Gold Miners Fund
iShares MSCI Global Silver Miners 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
iShares MSCI World 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.
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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 countries. Each Fund is managed by BFA, 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 management investment 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 a 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.
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 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.
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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 the 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. A fund that uses representative sampling generally does not hold all of the securities that are in its underlying index.
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, 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
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Diversified Funds Non-Diversified Funds
iShares MSCI World Index Fund iShares MSCI Germany Index Fund
  iShares MSCI Global Gold Miners Fund
  iShares MSCI Global Silver Miners 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 contracts and options that are traded on a U.S. or non-U.S. exchange. Each Fund will not use futures or options for speculative purposes.
As a result, 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
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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 each Fund to maintain liquid assets. Generally, each 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,” each Fund maintains liquid assets in an amount at least equal to the Fund’s daily marked-to-market obligation (i.e., each 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 the Fund sets 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.
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 managing the reinvestment of cash collateral.
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. A Fund could lose money if its short-term investment of the collateral declines in value over the period of the loan. Substitute payments for dividends received by a Fund for securities loaned out by the Fund will not be considered qualified dividend income. A 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, BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A. (“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
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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 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 (“GDP”), 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 the Fund upon termination of the futures contract, assuming all contractual obligations have been satisfied. Subsequent payments, known as “variation margin,” to and from the broker will be made daily as the price of the index underlying the futures contract fluctuates, making the long and short positions in the futures contract more or less valuable, a process known as “ marking-to-market.” At any time prior to the expiration of a futures contract, each Fund may elect to close the position by taking an opposite position, which will operate to terminate the Fund’s existing position in the contract.
Regulation Regarding Derivatives.  Effective December 31, 2012, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) adopted certain regulatory changes that subject registered investment companies and advisers to registered investment companies to regulation by the CFTC if a fund invests more than a prescribed level of its liquidation value in CFTC-regulated futures, options and swaps (“CFTC Derivatives” ), or if the fund markets itself as providing investment exposure to such instruments. To the extent a Fund uses CFTC-regulated futures, options and swaps, it intends to do so below such prescribed levels and will not market itself as a “commodity pool” or a vehicle for trading such instruments. Accordingly, BFA has
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claimed an exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” under the Commodity Exchange Act (“CEA”) pursuant to Rule 4.5 under the CEA. BFA is not, therefore, subject to registration or regulation as a “commodity pool operator” under the CEA in respect of such Fund.
A Fund may also have investments in “underlying funds” not advised by BFA (which for purposes of the no-action letter referenced below may include certain securitized vehicles and/or mortgage REITS that may invest in CFTC Derivatives). BFA has no transparency into the holdings of these underlying funds because they are not advised by BFA. To address this issue of lack of transparency, the CFTC staff issued a no-action letter on November 29, 2012 permitting the adviser of a fund that invests in such underlying funds and that would otherwise have filed a claim of exclusion pursuant to Rule 4.5, to delay registration as a “commodity pool operator” until June 30, 2013 or six months from the date in which the CFTC issues additional guidance on the treatment of CFTC Derivatives held by underlying funds. BFA, the adviser of the Funds, has filed a claim with the CFTC for certain of the Funds to rely on this no-action relief.
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 a 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, the 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 (“NRSROs”), 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 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 that are rated in the highest two short-term rating categories by at least one NRSRO or, if unrated, deemed by BFA to be of equivalent quality.
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 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. The use of reverse repurchase agreements is a form of leverage because the proceeds derived from reverse repurchase agreements may be invested in additional securities.
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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® Financial Services LLC, a subsidiary of The McGraw-Hill Companies (“Standard & Poor's Ratings Services”), 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 that 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 the Fund’s investment objective and do not violate any of its 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.
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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.
Risk 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.
Risk 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 the 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.
Risk of Futures and Options Transactions.  There are several risks accompanying the utilization of futures contracts and options on futures contracts. 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. Futures contracts, by definition, project price levels in the future and not current levels of valuation; therefore, 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 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.
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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 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.
Risk of Investing in Mid-Capitalization Companies.  Stock prices of mid-capitalization companies may be more volatile than those of large-capitalization companies and, therefore, a 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 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 more difficult for the Funds 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.
Risk 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.
Risk of Investing in Small-Capitalization Companies. Stock prices of small-capitalization companies may be more volatile than those of larger companies and therefore a 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.
Risk 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).
Risk 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.
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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 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.
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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 civil war and political reconstruction 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.
Risk 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 other regions. 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. Many Asian economies have experienced rapid growth and industrialization, and there is no assurance that this growth rate will be maintained.
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 Korea 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.
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Risk 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. Australia and New Zealand are 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 economies of Australia and New Zealand and affect the value of securities held by a relevant Fund. The economies of Australia and New Zealand are dependent on trading with certain key trading partners, including Asia, Europe and the United States. The Australia–U.S. Free Trade Agreement has significantly expanded the trading relationship between the United States and Australia. In 2003, Australia and 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 Southeast 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 economies of Australia and New Zealand are 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 a Fund has exposure.
Risk of Investing in Australia.  A 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. In 2003, Australia and 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 Southeast 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 a Fund has exposure.
Risk 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 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.
Risk of Investing in Emerging Markets.   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 non-existent 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
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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 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.
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 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
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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 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.
Risk 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.
Risk of Investing in North America.  The United States is Canada’s and Mexico’s largest trading and investment partner. The Canadian and Mexican economies are significantly affected by developments in the U.S. economy. Since the implementation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (“NAFTA”) in 1994 among Canada, the United States and Mexico, total merchandise trade between the three countries has increased. To further this relationship, the three NAFTA countries entered into the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America in March 2005, which may further affect Canada’s and Mexico’s dependency on the U.S. economy. Economic events in any one North American country can have a significant economic effect on the entire North American region, and on some or all of the North American countries in which a Fund invests.
Risk 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 market, 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 the Russian securities market 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.
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
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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.
Risk 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.
Risk 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.
Risk 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.
Risk 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 consumer staples sector are also affected by changes in government regulation, global economic, environmental and political events, economic conditions and the depletion of resources. In addition, companies in the consumer 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.
Risk 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.
Risk 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
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banking and financial companies. The global financial markets have 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 legislation in many countries that may increase government regulation, repatriation and other intervention. The impact of governmental intervention and legislative changes 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 foreign countries are subject to market specific and general regulatory and interest rate concerns. In particular, government regulation in certain foreign 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 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.
Risk of Investing in the Healthcare Sector.  Companies in the healthcare 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 healthcare 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 healthcare companies are subject to extensive litigation based on product liability and similar claims. Healthcare 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 healthcare 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 healthcare-related companies are relatively small and unseasoned. Healthcare companies may also be strongly affected by scientific bio-technology or technological developments and their products may quickly become obsolete. Also, many healthcare 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 healthcare company or on the healthcare 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 healthcare services, tax incentives and penalties related to healthcare insurance premiums, and promotion of prepaid healthcare plans. No one can predict what proposals will be enacted or what potentially adverse effect they may have on healthcare-related or biotechnology-related companies.
Risk of Investing in the Industrials Sector.  The value of securities issued by companies in the industrials sector may be affected by supply and demand both for their specific product or service and for industrials 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 industrials sector. Companies in the industrials sector may be adversely affected by liability for environmental damage, product liability claims and exchange rates. The industrials sector may also be adversely affected by changes or trends in commodity prices, which may be influenced by unpredictable factors. Aerospace and defense
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companies, a component of the industrials 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 industrials 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.
Risk 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.
Risk 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.
Risk 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 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.
Risk 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.
Risk 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 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 the company’s long-term prospects. The deregulation of certain utility companies may eliminate restrictions on profits but may also subject these companies to greater risks of loss.
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
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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.
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
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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 BFA 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 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.
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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 June 29, 2012, 22 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 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.
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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%.
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 ACWI Select Gold Miners Investable Market Index
Number of Components: approximately 52
Index Description. The MSCI ACWI Select Gold Miners Investable Market Index is a capped free float-adjusted market capitalization-weighted index comprised of companies primarily engaged in the business of gold mining in both developed and emerging markets.
MSCI ACWI Select Silver Miners Investable Market Index
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Number of Components: approximately 30
Index Description. The MSCI ACWI Select Silver Miners Investable Market Index is a capped free float-adjusted market capitalization-weighted index compromised of companies primarily engaged in the business of silver mining in both developed and emerging markets.
MSCI Australia Index
Number of Components: approximately 69
Index Description. The MSCI Australia Index consists of stocks traded primarily on the Australian Stock Exchange.
MSCI Austria Investable Market Index
Number of Components: approximately 31
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
Index Description. The MSCI Belgium IMI 25/50 Index consists of stocks traded primarily on the Brussels Stock Exchange.
MSCI Canada Index
Number of Components: approximately 102
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 54
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 243
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 73
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 42
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 69
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Index Description. The MSCI Israel Capped Investable Market Index consists of stocks traded primarily on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange.
MSCI Italy Index
Number of Components: approximately 27
Index Description. The MSCI Italy Index consists of stocks traded primarily on the Milan Stock Exchange.
MSCI Japan Index
Number of Components: approximately 316
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 824
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 40
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 55
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 148
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 50
Index Description. The MSCI South Africa Index consists of stocks traded primarily on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.
MSCI Spain Index
Number of Components: approximately 24
Index Description. The MSCI Spain Index consists of stocks traded primarily on the Madrid Stock Exchange.
MSCI Sweden Index
Number of Components: approximately 35
Index Description. The MSCI Sweden Index consists of stocks traded primarily on the Stockholm Stock Exchange.
MSCI Switzerland Index
Number of Components: approximately 40
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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 82
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 93
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 106
Index Description. The MSCI United Kingdom Index consists of stocks traded primarily on the London Stock Exchange.
MSCI USA Index
Number of Components: approximately 605
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.
MSCI World Index
Number of Components: approximately 1,626
Index Description. The MSCI World Index is designed to measure the performance of equity securities in the top 85% of equity market capitalization, in certain developed market countries.
Additional Information. “MSCI,” MSCI ACWI Select Gold Miners Investable Market Index, MSCI ACWI Select Silver Miners Investable Market Index, 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, MSCI USA Index and MSCI World Index are servicemarks of MSCI Inc. and have been licensed for use by BTC. The Funds are neither sponsored, endorsed, sold nor 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.
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:
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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;
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;
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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 Global Gold Miners Fund, iShares MSCI Global Silver Miners 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, iShares MSCI USA Index Fund and iShares MSCI World 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 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, 2012, the following Fund was concentrated (i.e., invested 25% or more of its total assets) in the specified industry, which is approximately the same extent that the Fund's Underlying Index was concentrated:
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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 Global Gold Miners Fund, iShares MSCI Global Silver Miners 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, iShares MSCI USA Index Fund and iShares MSCI World 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, 2012, each of the following Funds was concentrated (i.e., held 25% or more of its total assets) in the specified industries, which is approximately the same extent that the Funds Underlying Indexes are concentrated:
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 Global Gold Miners Fund Mining
iShares MSCI Global Silver Miners Fund Mining
iShares MSCI Netherlands Investable Market Index Fund Food
iShares MSCI Pacific ex-Japan Index Fund Banks
iShares MSCI Singapore Index Fund Banks
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
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
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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.
Each Fund may not purchase securities of other investment companies, except to the extent permitted by the Investment Company Act. As a matter of policy, however, a Fund will not purchase shares of any registered open-end investment company or registered unit investment trust, in reliance on Section 12(d)(1)(F) or (G) (the “fund of funds” provisions) of the Investment Company Act, at any time the Fund has knowledge that its shares are purchased by another investment company investor in reliance on the provisions of subparagraph (G) of Section 12(d)(1).
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.
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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) of the Company are referred to as independent directors (“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, a Director of iShares MSCI Russia Capped Index Fund, Inc. and a Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust and, as a result, oversees a total of 284 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, 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 Robert H. Silver as its Independent Chairman. Additional information about the Funds' Directors and officers may be found in this SAI, which is available without charge, upon request, by calling toll-free 1-800-iShares (1-800-474-2737).
Interested Directors
Name (Age) Position Principal Occupation(s)
During the Past 5 Years
Other Directorships
Held by Director
Robert S. Kapito1
(55)
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); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011); Director of BlackRock, Inc. (since 2007).
Michael Latham2
(47)
Director
(since 2010);
President
(since 2007).
Chairman of iShares, BlackRock (since 2011); Global Chief Executive Officer of iShares, BlackRock (2010-2011); Managing Director, BlackRock (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); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011).

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.
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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.
Independent Directors
Name (Age) Position Principal Occupation(s)
During the Past 5 Years
Other Directorships
Held by Director
Robert H. Silver
(57)
Director
(since 2007); Independent Chairman
(since 2012).
President and Co-Founder of The Bravitas Group, Inc. (since 2006); Director and Vice Chairman of the YMCA of Greater NYC (2001-2011); Broadway Producer (2006-2011); 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); President and Chief Operating Officer of UBS Financial Services Inc. (formerly Paine Webber Inc.) (2004-2005) and various executive positions with UBS and its affiliates (1988-2005); CPA and Audit Manager of KPMG, LLP (formerly Peat Marwick Mitchell) (1977-1983). Trustee of iShares Trust (since 2007); Director of iShares MSCI Russia Capped Index Fund, Inc. (since 2010); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011); Independent Chairman of iShares Trust, iShares MSCI Russia Capped Index Fund, Inc. and iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2012).
George G.C. Parker
(73)
Director
(since 2002).
Dean Witter Distinguished Professor of Finance, Emeritus, Stanford University Graduate School of Business (Professor since 1973; Emeritus since 2006). Trustee of iShares Trust (since 2000); Director of iShares MSCI Russia Capped Index Fund, Inc. (since 2010); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011); 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
(51)
Director
(since 2003);
Securities Lending Committee Chair
(since 2012).
Director of FirstREX Agreement Corp. (formerly EquityRock, Inc.) (since 2005). Trustee of iShares Trust (since 2003); Director of iShares MSCI Russia Capped Index Fund, Inc. (since 2010); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011).
Cecilia H. Herbert
(63)
Director
(since 2005); Nominating and Governance Committee Chair and Equity Plus Committee Chair
(since 2012).
Director (since 1998) and President (2007-2011) of the Board of Directors, Catholic Charities CYO; Trustee (2002-2011) and Chair of the Finance and Investment Committee (2006-2010) the Thacher School; Member (since 1994) and Chair (1994-2005) of the Investment Committee, Archdiocese of San Francisco; Trustee and Member of the Investment Committee (since 2011), WNET, the New York public broadcasting company. Trustee of iShares Trust (since 2005); Director of iShares MSCI Russia Capped Index Fund, Inc. (since 2010); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011); Director, Forward Funds (34 portfolios) (since 2009).
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Name (Age) Position Principal Occupation(s)
During the Past 5 Years
Other Directorships
Held by Director
Charles A. Hurty
(69)
Director
(since 2005);
Audit Committee Chair
(since 2006).
Retired; Partner, KPMG LLP (1968-2001). Trustee of iShares Trust (since 2005); Director of iShares MSCI Russia Capped Index Fund, Inc. (since 2010); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011); Director of GMAM Absolute Return Strategy Fund (1 portfolio) (since 2002); Director of SkyBridge Alternative Investments Multi-Adviser Hedge Fund Portfolios LLC (1 portfolio) (since 2002).
John E. Kerrigan
(57)
Director
(since 2005);
Fixed Income Plus Committee Chair
(since 2012).
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); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011).
Madhav V. Rajan
(48)
Director
(since 2011);
15(c) Committee Chair
(since 2012).
Robert K. Jaedicke Professor of Accounting and Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Head of MBA Program, 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); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011).
Officers
Name (Age) Position Principal Occupation(s)
During the Past 5 Years
Jack Gee
(53)
Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer
(since 2008).
Managing Director, BlackRock (since 2009); Senior Director of Fund Administration of Intermediary Investor Business, BGI (2009); Director of Fund Administration of Intermediary Investor Business, BGI (2004-2009).
Eilleen M. Clavere (60) Secretary
(since 2007).
Director of Global Fund Administration, BlackRock (since 2009); Director of Legal Administration of Intermediary Investor Business, 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).
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Name (Age) Position Principal Occupation(s)
During the Past 5 Years
Edward B. Baer
(44)
Vice President and Chief Legal Officer
(since 2012).
Managing Director of Legal & Compliance, BlackRock (since 2006); Director of Legal & Compliance, BlackRock (2004-2006).
Scott Radell
(44)
Executive Vice President
(since 2012).
Managing Director, BlackRock (since 2009); Head of Portfolio Solutions, BlackRock (since 2009); Head of Portfolio Solutions, BGI (2007-2009); Credit Portfolio Manager, BGI (2005-2007); Credit Research Analyst, BGI (2003-2005).
Amy Schioldager
(50)
Executive Vice President
(since 2007).
Managing Director, BlackRock (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).
Ira P. Shapiro
(49)
Vice President
(since 2007).
Managing Director, BlackRock (since 2009); Chief Legal Officer, Exchange-Traded Fund Complex (2007-2012); Associate General Counsel, BGI (2004-2009).
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, a Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust since 2011 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 has also been 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
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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, President of iShares MSCI Russia Capped Index Fund, Inc. since 2010, and a Trustee and President of iShares U.S. ETF Trust since 2011. Mr. Latham is the 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.
Robert H. Silver has been a Director of the Company since 2007 and Chairman of the Company's Board since 2012. Mr. Silver has served as a Trustee of iShares Trust since 2007, Chairman of iShares Trust's Board since 2012, a Director of iShares MSCI Russia Capped Index Fund, Inc. since 2010, Chairman of iShares MSCI Russia Capped Index Fund, Inc.'s Board since 2012, a Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust since 2011 and Chairman of iShares U.S. ETF Trust's Board since 2012. 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. (formerly Paine Webber Inc.), the registered broker dealer comprising the Wealth Management USA business unit of UBS AG, including the following responsibilities: President of Paine Webber Services, Director of Retail Products and Marketing, Director of Private Client Group Branch Offices, Director of Finance and Controls for Paine Webber, Inc. and Chief Administrative Officer for Paine Webber Private Client Group. Mr. Silver also served on the Board of Directors of EPAM Systems, Inc., a provider of software engineering outsourcing services in Central and Eastern Europe, served on the Board and Executive Committee of the Depository Trust and Clearing Corporation (DTCC), chaired the National Securities Clearing Corporations’ Membership and Risk Committee and served as Governor of the Philadelphia Stock Exchange. In addition, Mr. Silver was a Vice Chairman and a Member of the Board of Directors for the YMCA of Greater New York and chaired its Fund Development Committee from 2001 until 2011 and Co-Founder and Vice President of Parentgiving Inc. since 2008. Mr. Silver began his career as a CPA and Audit Manager at KPMG LLP (formerly Peat Marwick Mitchell) from 1977 until 1983. Mr. Silver has a BS degree in business administration from the University of North Carolina.
George G.C. Parker has been a Director of the Company since 2002. Mr. Parker served as Chair of the Company's Board from 2010 until 2012, Lead Independent Director of the Company from 2006 until 2010 and Chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee of the Company from 2002 until 2010. Mr. Parker has served as a Trustee of iShares Trust since 2000, Chair of iShares Trust's Board from 2010 until 2012, Lead Independent Trustee of iShares Trust from 2006 until 2010, Chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee of iShares Trust from 2002 until 2010, a Director of iShares MSCI Russia Capped Index Fund, Inc. since 2010, Chair of iShares MSCI Russia Capped Index Fund, Inc.'s Board from 2010 until 2012, a Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust since 2011 and Chair of iShares U.S. ETF Trust's Board from 2011 until 2012. Mr. Parker also serves as Director on four other boards. Mr. Parker is the Dean Witter Distinguished Professor of Finance, Emeritus, at the Stanford University 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 previously served as a Director of Continental Airlines and a Director of NETGEAR, Inc. Mr. Parker holds MBA and Ph.D. degrees from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business.
John E. Martinez has been a Director of the Company since 2003 and Chair of the Securities Lending Committee of the Company since 2012. Mr. Martinez has served as a Trustee of iShares Trust since 2003, Chair of the Securities Lending Committee of iShares Trust since 2012, a Director of iShares MSCI Russia Capped Index Fund, Inc. since 2010, Chair of the Securities Lending Committee of iShares MSCI Russia Capped Index Fund, Inc. since 2012, a Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust since 2011 and Chair of the Securities Lending Committee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust since 2012. Mr. Martinez is a Director of FirstREX Agreement Corp. (formerly EquityRock, 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. Mr. Martinez also previously served as Co-Chief Executive Officer of the Global Index and Markets Group of BGI, Chairman of Barclays Global Investor Services and Chief Executive Officer of the Capital Markets Group of BGI. Since
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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, healthcare, 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 University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
Cecilia H. Herbert has been a Director of the Company since 2005 and Chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee and the Equity Plus Committee of the Company since 2012. Ms. Herbert has served as a Trustee of iShares Trust since 2005, Chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee and the Equity Plus Committee of iShares Trust since 2012, a Director of iShares MSCI Russia Capped Index Fund, Inc. since 2010, Chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee and the Equity Plus Committee of iShares MSCI Russia Capped Index Fund, Inc. since 2012, a Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust since 2011 and Chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee and the Equity Plus Committee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust since 2012. She is Director of the Board of the Catholic Charities CYO, one of 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 Investment Committee, Archdiocese of San Francisco since 1992, which she chaired from 1994 to 2005. 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 Chair of the Audit Committee of the Company since 2006. Mr. Hurty has served as a Trustee of iShares Trust since 2005, Chair of the Audit Committee of iShares Trust since 2006, a Director of iShares MSCI Russia Capped Index Fund, Inc. since 2010, Chair of the Audit Committee of iShares MSCI Russia Capped Index Fund, Inc. since 2010, a Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust since 2011 and Chair of the Audit Committee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust since 2011. In addition, Mr. Hurty serves as Director of the GMAM Absolute Return Strategy Fund since 2002, Director of the SkyBridge Alternative Investments 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 the University of Kansas.
John E. Kerrigan has been a Director of the Company since 2005 and Chair of the Fixed Income Plus Committee of the Company since 2012. Mr. Kerrigan served as Chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee of the Company from 2010 until 2012. Mr. Kerrigan has served as a Trustee of iShares Trust since 2005, Chair of the Fixed Income Plus Committee of iShares Trust since 2012, Chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee of iShares Trust from 2010 until 2012, a Director of iShares MSCI Russia Capped Index Fund, Inc. since 2010, Chair of the Fixed Income Plus Committee of iShares MSCI Russia Capped Index Fund, Inc. since 2012, Chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee of iShares MSCI Russia Capped Index Fund, Inc. from 2010 until 2012, Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust since 2011, Chair of the Fixed Income Plus Committee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust since 2012 and Chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust from 2011 until 2012. 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.
Madhav V. Rajan has been a Director of the Company since 2011 and Chair of the 15(c) Committee of the Company since 2012. Mr. Rajan has served as a Trustee of iShares Trust since 2011, Chair of the 15(c) Committee of iShares Trust since 2012, a Director of iShares MSCI Russia Capped Index Fund, Inc. since 2011, Chair of the 15(c) Committee of iShares MSCI Russia Capped Index Fund, Inc. since 2012, a Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust since 2011 and Chair of the 15(c) Committee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust since 2012. Mr. Rajan is the Robert K. Jaedicke Professor of Accounting at the Stanford University 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 University 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.
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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. 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 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 six standing Committees: a Nominating and Governance Committee, an Audit Committee, a 15(c) Committee, a Securities Lending Committee, an Equity Plus Committee and a Fixed Income Plus 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 Chair of each standing Committee is an Independent Director. The role of the Chair of each Committee is to preside at all meetings of the Committee and to act as a liaison with service providers, officers, attorneys and other Directors between meetings. Each Committee meets regularly to conduct the oversight functions delegated to the Committee by the Board and reports its finding to the Board. 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 Independent Director serves on the Audit Committee. The Chair of the Audit Committee is Charles A. Hurty. 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 four times during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2012.
The members of the Nominating and Governance Committee are Cecilia H. Herbert (Chair), Charles A. Hurty, Madhav V. Rajan and John E. Kerrigan, all of whom are Independent Directors. 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
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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 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 nominations recommended by shareholders (acting solely in their capacity as a shareholder and not in any other capacity). The Nominating and Governance Committee met four times during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2012.
The members of the 15(c) Committee are Madhav V. Rajan (Chair), Cecilia H. Herbert, Charles A. Hurty and John E. Martinez, all of whom are Independent Directors. The principal responsibilities of the 15(c) Committee are to support, oversee and organize on behalf of the Board the process for the annual review and renewal of the Company's advisory and sub-advisory agreements. These responsibilities include: (i) meeting with BlackRock, Inc. in advance of the Board meeting at which the Company's advisory and sub-advisory agreements are to be considered to discuss generally the process for providing requested information to the Board and the format in which information will be provided; and (ii) considering and discussing with BlackRock, Inc. such other matters and information as may be necessary and appropriate for the Board to evaluate the investment advisory and sub-advisory agreements of the Company. The 15(c) Committee met four times during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2012.
The members of the Securities Lending Committee are John E. Martinez (Chair), John E. Kerrigan and George G.C. Parker, all of whom are Independent Directors. The principal responsibilities of the Securities Lending Committee are to support, oversee and organize on behalf of the Board the process for oversight of the Company's securities lending activities. These responsibilities include: (i) requesting that certain information be provided to the Committee for its review and consideration prior to such information being provided to the Board; (ii) considering and discussing with BlackRock, Inc. such other matters and information as may be necessary and appropriate for the Board to oversee the Company's securities lending activities and make required findings and approvals; and (iii) providing a recommendation to the Board regarding the annual approval of the Company's Securities Lending Guidelines and the required findings with respect to, and annual approval of, the Company's agreement with the lending agent. The Securities Lending Committee met two times during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2012.
The members of the Equity Plus Committee are Cecilia H. Herbert (Chair), John E. Martinez and George G.C. Parker, all of whom are Independent Directors. The principal responsibilities of the Equity Plus Committee are to support, oversee and organize on behalf of the Board the process for oversight of Company performance and related matters for equity funds. These responsibilities include: (i) reviewing quarterly reports regarding Company performance, secondary market trading and changes in net assets to identify any matters that should be brought to the attention of the Board; and (ii) considering any performance or investment related matters as may be delegated to the Committee by the Board from time to time and providing a report or recommendation to the Board as appropriate. The Equity Plus Committee met one time during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2012.
The members of the Fixed Income Plus Committee are John E. Kerrigan (Chair), Charles A. Hurty and Madhav V. Rajan, all of whom are Independent Directors. The principal responsibilities of the Fixed Income Plus Committee are to support, oversee and organize on behalf of the Board the process for oversight of Company performance and related matters for fixed income or multi-asset funds. These responsibilities include: (i) reviewing quarterly reports regarding Company performance, secondary market trading and changes in net assets to identify any matters that should be brought to the attention of the Board; and (ii) considering any performance or investment related matters as may be delegated to the Committee by the Board from time to time and providing a report or recommendation to the Board as appropriate. The Fixed Income Plus Committee met one time during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2012.
As the Chairman of the Board, Robert H. Silver may participate in each Committee's meetings.
The following table sets forth, as of December 31, 2011, 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:
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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
Robert S. Kapito iShares Dow Jones U.S. Real Estate Index Fund $10,001-$50,000 Over $100,000
  iShares MSCI Australia Index Fund $10,001-$50,000  
  iShares MSCI Brazil Index Fund Over $100,000  
  iShares MSCI Canada Index Fund $10,001-$50,000  
  iShares MSCI EAFE Index Fund Over $100,000  
  iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund Over $100,000  
  iShares MSCI Japan Index Fund $10,001-$50,000  
  iShares FTSE China 25 Index Fund Over $100,000  
  iShares Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund Over $100,000  
  iShares Russell 1000 Value Index Fund Over $100,000  
  iShares Russell 2000 Index Fund Over $100,000  
  iShares Russell Midcap Index Fund Over $100,000  
       
Michael Latham iShares MSCI ACWI ex US Index Fund Over $100,000 Over $100,000
  iShares MSCI EAFE Small Cap 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 2000 Value 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 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. Index Fund $50,001-$100,000  
  iShares Dow Jones U.S. Regional Banks Index Fund $50,001-$100,000  
  iShares High Dividend Equity Fund Over $100,000  
  iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond Fund Over $100,000  
38


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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
  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 Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund Over $100,000  
  iShares Russell 1000 Value Index Fund Over $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  
       
George G.C. Parker iShares Core Total U.S. Bond Market ETF $10,001-$50,000 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  
       
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 Russell 2000 Index Fund Over $100,000  
  iShares Core S&P 500 ETF Over $100,000  
  iShares S&P Emerging Markets Infrastructure Index Fund Over $100,000  
  iShares S&P Global Consumer Staples Sector Index Fund Over $100,000  
       
39


Table of Contents

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
Cecilia H. Herbert iShares FTSE China 25 Index Fund $10,001-$50,000 $10,001-$50,000
       
Charles A. Hurty iShares Dow Jones U.S. 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 Index Fund $10,001-$50,000  
  iShares S&P Global Technology Sector Index Fund $10,001-$50,000  
  iShares S&P North American Technology-Multimedia Networking Index Fund $10,001-$50,000  
       
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
 
       
Madhav V. Rajan iShares Dow Jones Select Dividend Index Fund $10,001-$50,000 Over $100,000
  iShares High Dividend Equity Fund $10,001-$50,000  
  iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond Fund $10,001-$50,000  
As of December 31, 2011, 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.
Remuneration of Directors.  Each current Independent Director is paid an annual retainer of $275,000 for his or her services as a Board member to the BlackRock-advised Funds in the Exchange-Traded Fund Complex, together with out-of-pocket expenses in accordance with a Board's policy on travel and other business expenses relating to attendance at meetings. For the period January 1, 2011 through December 31, 2012, each current Independent Director was paid an annual retainer of $250,000 for his or her services as a Board member to the BlackRock-advised Funds in the Exchange-Traded Fund Complex, together with out-of-pocket expenses in accordance with a Board’s policy on travel and other business expenses relating to attendance at meetings. The Independent Chairman of the Boards is paid an additional annual retainer of $50,000. The Chair of the Audit Committees is paid an additional annual retainer of $40,000. The Chair of each of the Nominating and Governance Committees, Equity Plus Committees, Fixed Income Plus Committees, Securities Lending Committees and 15(c) Committees is paid an additional annual retainer of $15,000. Each Independent Director that serves as a director of subsidiaries of the Exchange-Traded Complex is paid an additional annual retainer of $10,000 (plus an additional $1,765 paid annually to compensate for taxes due in the Republic of Mauritius). Additionally, an Independent Director who travels to the Republic of Mauritius to attend board meetings is paid an additional $12,000 (plus an additional $2,117 paid annually to compensate for taxes due in the Republic of Mauritius).
40


Table of Contents

The table below sets forth the compensation earned by each Independent Director and Interested Director from each Fund for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2012 and the aggregate compensation paid to them by the Exchange-Traded Complex for the calendar year ended December 31, 2011.
Directors iShares MSCI
Australia Index Fund
iShares MSCI
Australia Investable Market
Index Fund
iShares MSCI
Belgium Capped
Investable Market
Index Fund
iShares MSCI
Canada Index Fund
Independent Directors:        
         
Robert H. Silver $ 1,308 $28 $ 13 $2,230
George G.C. Parker 1,570 34 16 2,677
John E. Kerrigan 1,387 30 14 2,364
Charles A. Hurty 1,518 33 15 2,587
Cecilia H. Herbert 1,308 28 13 2,230
Darrell Duffie3 327 7 3 558
John E. Martinez 1,308 28 13 2,230
Madhav V. Rajan4 981 21 10 1,673
         
Interested Directors:        
         
Robert S. Kapito $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0
Michael Latham 0 0 0 0
Directors iShares MSCI
Emerging Markets
Eastern Europe
Index Fund
iShares MSCI
EMU Index Fund
iShares MSCI
France Index Fund
iShares MSCI
Germany Index Fund
Independent Directors:        
         
Robert H. Silver $ 11 $ 417 $ 211 $ 1,468
George G.C. Parker 13 500 253 1,761
John E. Kerrigan 11 442 223 1,556
Charles A. Hurty 13 483 244 1,702
Cecilia H. Herbert 11 417 211 1,468
Darrell Duffie3 3 104 53 367
John E. Martinez 11 417 211 1,468
Madhav V. Rajan4 8 313 158 1,101
         
Interested Directors:        
         
Robert S. Kapito $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0
Michael Latham 0 0 0 0
Directors iShares MSCI
Global Gold Miners Fund
iShares MSCI
Global Silver Miners Fund
iShares MSCI
Hong Kong Index Fund
iShares MSCI
Israel Capped
Investable Market
Index Fund
Independent Directors:        
         
Robert H. Silver $ 17 $ 1 $ 979 $36
George G.C. Parker 20 1 1,175 43
John E. Kerrigan 18 1 1,038 38
Charles A. Hurty 20 1 1,136 42
Cecilia H. Herbert 17 1 979 36
41


Table of Contents

Directors iShares MSCI
Global Gold Miners Fund
iShares MSCI
Global Silver Miners Fund
iShares MSCI
Hong Kong Index Fund
iShares MSCI
Israel Capped
Investable Market
Index Fund
Darrell Duffie3 4 0 245 9
John E. Martinez 17 1 979 36
Madhav V. Rajan4 13 1 734 27
         
Interested Directors:        
         
Robert S. Kapito $ 0 $0 $ 0 $ 0
Michael Latham 0 0 0 0
Directors iShares MSCI
Italy Index Fund
iShares MSCI
Japan Index Fund
iShares MSCI
Japan Small Cap
Index Fund
iShares MSCI
Mexico Investable Market
Index Fund
Independent Directors:        
         
Robert H. Silver $ 103 $ 2,471 $22 $621
George G.C. Parker 124 2,966 27 745
John E. Kerrigan 109 2,620 24 658
Charles A. Hurty 119 2,867 26 720
Cecilia H. Herbert 103 2,471 22 621
Darrell Duffie3 26 618 6 155
John E. Martinez 103 2,471 22 621
Madhav V. Rajan4 77 1,854 17 465
         
Interested Directors:        
         
Robert S. Kapito $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0
Michael Latham 0 0 0 0
Directors 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
Independent Directors:        
         
Robert H. Silver $ 41 $ 1,673 $794 $248
George G.C. Parker 49 2,008 952 297
John E. Kerrigan 44 1,773 841 262
Charles A. Hurty 48 1,941 921 287
Cecilia H. Herbert 41 1,673 794 248
Darrell Duffie3 10 418 198 62
John E. Martinez 41 1,673 794 248
Madhav V. Rajan4 31 1,255 595 186
         
Interested Directors:        
         
Robert S. Kapito $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0
Michael Latham 0 0 0 0
42


Table of Contents

Directors iShares MSCI
Spain Index Fund
iShares MSCI
Sweden Index Fund
iShares MSCI
Switzerland Index Fund
iShares MSCI
Thailand Investable Market
Index Fund
Independent Directors:        
         
Robert H. Silver $ 102 $ 195 $ 291 $ 313
George G.C. Parker 123 233 349 375
John E. Kerrigan 109 206 308 331
Charles A. Hurty 119 226 338 363
Cecilia H. Herbert 102 195 291 313
Darrell Duffie3 26 49 73 78
John E. Martinez 102 195 291 313
Madhav V. Rajan4 77 146 218 235
         
Interested Directors:        
         
Robert S. Kapito $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0
Michael Latham 0 0 0 0
Directors iShares MSCI
Turkey Investable Market
Index Fund
iShares MSCI
United Kingdom
Index Fund
iShares MSCI
USA Index Fund
iShares MSCI
World Index Fund
Independent Directors:        
         
Robert H. Silver $295 $ 712 $76 $6
George G.C. Parker 353 854 92 7
John E. Kerrigan 312 754 81 6
Charles A. Hurty 342 826 89 7
Cecilia H. Herbert 295 712 76 6
Darrell Duffie3 295 178 19 1
John E. Martinez 295 712 76 6
Madhav V. Rajan4 221 534 57 4
         
Interested Directors:        
         
Robert S. Kapito $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $0
Michael Latham 0 0 0 0
Directors Pension or
Retirement Benefits
Accrued As
Part of Company
Expenses1
Estimated Annual
Benefits Upon
Retirement1
Total
Compensation
From the Funds
and Fund Complex2
Independent Directors:      
       
Robert H. Silver Not Applicable Not Applicable $250,000
George G.C. Parker Not Applicable Not Applicable 300,000
John E. Kerrigan Not Applicable Not Applicable 276,765
Charles A. Hurty Not Applicable Not Applicable 290,000
Cecilia H. Herbert Not Applicable Not Applicable 261,765
Darrell Duffie3 Not Applicable Not Applicable 62,500
John E. Martinez Not Applicable Not Applicable 261,765
Madhav V. Rajan4 Not Applicable Not Applicable 187,500
43


Table of Contents

Interested Directors:      
       
Robert S. Kapito Not Applicable Not Applicable $0
Michael Latham Not Applicable Not Applicable 0

1 No Director or officer is entitled to any pension or retirement benefits from the Company.
2 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.
3 Served as Director through March 19, 2011.
4 Appointed to serve as Independent Director of the Company effective May 16, 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, 2012.
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, 2012, 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 Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
111 Pavonia Avenue
Jersey City, NJ 07310
12.27%
  National Financial Services LLC
200 Liberty Street
5th Floor
New York, NY 10281
8.57%
  Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.
525 Washington Blvd.
11th Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07310
8.45%
  State Street Bank and Trust Company
1776 Heritage Drive
North Quincy, MA 02171
6.90%
  Bank of America, National Association
411 N. Akard Street
5th Floor
Dallas, TX 75201
5.93%
     
iShares MSCI Austria Investable Market Index Fund Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
111 Pavonia Avenue
Jersey City, NJ 07310
13.44%
  Morgan Stanley & Co.
Harbourside Financial Center
Plaza 3, 1st Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07311
11.21%
  JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association
14201 Dallas Pkwy
12th Floor
Dallas, TX 75240
10.48%
44


Table of Contents

Fund Name Percentage
of Ownership
  National Financial Services LLC
200 Liberty Street
5th Floor
New York, NY 10281
6.48%
  First Clearing, LLC
901 East Byrd Street
Richmond, VA 23219
6.09%
  TD Ameritrade Clearing, Inc.
1005 N. Ameritrade Place
Bellevue, NE 68005
5.27%
     
iShares MSCI Belgium Capped Investable Market Index Fund Union Bank of California, N.A.
350 California St.
8th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94104
20.40%
  First Clearing, LLC
901 East Byrd Street
Richmond, VA 23219
19.07%
  Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
111 Pavonia Avenue
Jersey City, NJ 07310
10.79%
  JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association
14201 Dallas Pkwy
12th Floor
Dallas, TX 75240
6.99%
  National Financial Services LLC
200 Liberty Street
5th Floor
New York, NY 10281
6.36%
     
iShares MSCI Canada Index Fund Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.
525 Washington Blvd.
11th Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07310
10.23%
  Deutsche Bank Securities Inc./Cedear
1251 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10020
8.92%
  Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
111 Pavonia Avenue
Jersey City, NJ 07310
8.55%
  State Street Bank and Trust Company
1776 Heritage Drive
North Quincy, MA 02171
7.41%
  Citibank, N.A.
3800 Citicorp Center Tampa
Building B/Floor 1
Tampa, FL 33610
6.57%
  National Financial Services LLC
200 Liberty Street
5th Floor
New York, NY 10281
6.25%
45


Table of Contents

Fund Name Percentage
of Ownership
  Morgan Stanley & Co.
Harbourside Financial Center
Plaza 3, 1st Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07311
6.19%
  The Bank of New York Mellon
401 Salina Street
2nd Floor
Syracuse, NY 13202
5.57%
     
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Eastern Europe Index Fund Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.
525 Washington Blvd.
11th Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07310
30.65%
  National Financial Services LLC
200 Liberty Street
5th Floor
New York, NY 10281
11.17%
  Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
111 Pavonia Avenue
Jersey City, NJ 07310
9.72%
  Citibank, N.A.
3800 Citicorp Center Tampa
Building B/Floor 1
Tampa, FL 33610
9.06%
  Merrill Lynch, Pierce Fenner & Smith Safekeeping
101 Hudson Street
8th Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07302
5.70%
  Pershing LLC
One Pershing Plaza
Jersey City, NJ 07399
5.48%
     
iShares MSCI EMU Index Fund Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.
525 Washington Blvd.
11th Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07310
27.71%
  State Street Bank and Trust Company
1776 Heritage Drive
North Quincy, MA 02171
23.98%
  Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
111 Pavonia Avenue
Jersey City, NJ 07310
7.71%
  Curian Clearing, LLC
8055 East Tufts Avenue
10th Floor
Denver, CO 80237
6.76%
     
iShares MSCI France Index Fund SG Americas Securities, LLC
480 Washington Boulevard
Jersey City, NJ 07310
15.65%
46


Table of Contents

Fund Name Percentage
of Ownership
  Deutsche Bank Securities Inc./Cedear
1251 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10020
12.44%
  State Street Bank and Trust Company
1776 Heritage Drive
North Quincy, MA 02171
11.52%
  Merrill Lynch, Pierce Fenner & Smith Safekeeping
101 Hudson Street
8th Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07302
9.92%
  The Bank of New York Mellon
401 Salina Street
2nd Floor
Syracuse, NY 13202
8.28%
  Citibank, N.A.
3800 Citicorp Center Tampa
Building B/Floor 1
Tampa, FL 33610
7.44%
     
iShares MSCI Germany Index Fund Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.
525 Washington Blvd.
11th Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07310
26.96%
  State Street Bank and Trust Company
1776 Heritage Drive
North Quincy, MA 02171
13.93%
  Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
111 Pavonia Avenue
Jersey City, NJ 07310
12.32%
  Deutsche Bank Securities Inc./Cedear
1251 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10020
8.19%
  JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association
14201 Dallas Pkwy
12th Floor
Dallas, TX 75240
5.63%
     
iShares MSCI Global Gold Miners Fund LPL Financial Corporation
9785 Towne Centre Drive
San Diego, CA 92121-1968
54.71%
  National Financial Services LLC
200 Liberty Street
5th Floor
New York, NY 10281
24.43%
     
iShares MSCI Global Silver Miners Fund Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated
101 Hudson Street
9th Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07302-3997
49.79%
47


Table of Contents

Fund Name Percentage
of Ownership
  National Financial Services LLC
200 Liberty Street
5th Floor
New York, NY 10281
10.41%
  Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
111 Pavonia Avenue
Jersey City, NJ 07310
5.39%
     
iShares MSCI Hong Kong Index Fund Deutsche Bank Securities Inc./Cedear
1251 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10020
26.03%
  Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
111 Pavonia Avenue
Jersey City, NJ 07310
18.55%
  State Street Bank and Trust Company
1776 Heritage Drive
North Quincy, MA 02171
7.71%
  JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association
14201 Dallas Pkwy
12th Floor
Dallas, TX 75240
6.19%
  Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.
525 Washington Blvd.
11th Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07310
5.94%
  National Financial Services LLC
200 Liberty Street
5th Floor
New York, NY 10281
5.11%
     
iShares MSCI Israel Capped Investable Market Index Fund Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
111 Pavonia Avenue
Jersey City, NJ 07310
14.21%
  Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.
525 Washington Blvd.
11th Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07310
11.30%
  National Financial Services LLC
200 Liberty Street
5th Floor
New York, NY 10281
7.13%
  First Clearing, LLC
901 East Byrd Street
Richmond, VA 23219
6.26%
  J.P. Morgan Clearing Corp
One Metrotech Center North
Brooklyn, NY 11201
5.72%
  Morgan Stanley & Co.
Harbourside Financial Center
Plaza 3, 1st Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07311
5.61%
48


Table of Contents

Fund Name Percentage
of Ownership
  JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association
14201 Dallas Pkwy
12th Floor
Dallas, TX 75240
5.13%
     
iShares MSCI Italy Index Fund State Street Bank and Trust Company
1776 Heritage Drive
North Quincy, MA 02171
36.73%
  Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.
525 Washington Blvd.
11th Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07310
10.35%
  Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
111 Pavonia Avenue
Jersey City, NJ 07310
7.78%
  Citibank, N.A.
3800 Citicorp Center Tampa
Building B/Floor 1
Tampa, FL 33610
5.69%
  The Bank of New York Mellon
401 Salina Street
2nd Floor
Syracuse, NY 13202
5.27%
     
iShares MSCI Japan Index Fund Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.
525 Washington Blvd.
11th Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07310
12.67%
  State Street Bank and Trust Company
1776 Heritage Drive
North Quincy, MA 02171
9.39%
  JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association
14201 Dallas Pkwy
12th Floor
Dallas, TX 75240
8.22%
  Citibank, N.A.
3800 Citicorp Center Tampa
Building B/Floor 1
Tampa, FL 33610
7.08%
  Deutsche Bank Securities Inc./Cedear
1251 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10020
6.38%
  Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
111 Pavonia Avenue
Jersey City, NJ 07310
6.02%
     
iShares MSCI Japan Small Cap Index Fund J.P. Morgan Clearing Corp
One Metrotech Center North
Brooklyn, NY 11201
16.35%
49


Table of Contents

Fund Name Percentage
of Ownership
  Citibank, N.A.
3800 Citicorp Center Tampa
Building B/Floor 1
Tampa, FL 33610
13.34%
  Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
111 Pavonia Avenue
Jersey City, NJ 07310
9.92%
  Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.
525 Washington Blvd.
11th Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07310
9.71%
  National Financial Services LLC
200 Liberty Street
5th Floor
New York, NY 10281
9.23%
  Morgan Stanley & Co.
Harbourside Financial Center
Plaza 3, 1st Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07311
5.44%
     
iShares MSCI Mexico Investable Market Index Fund Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.
525 Washington Blvd.
11th Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07310
19.16%
  State Street Bank and Trust Company
1776 Heritage Drive
North Quincy, MA 02171
9.48%
  Deutsche Bank Securities Inc./Cedear
1251 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10020
6.39%
  First Clearing, LLC
901 East Byrd Street
Richmond, VA 23219
5.66%
     
iShares MSCI Netherlands Investable Market Index Fund Pershing LLC
One Pershing Plaza
Jersey City, NJ 07399
12.83%
  Merrill Lynch, Pierce Fenner & Smith Safekeeping
101 Hudson Street
8th Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07302
10.20%
  Citibank, N.A.
3800 Citicorp Center Tampa
Building B/Floor 1
Tampa, FL 33610
9.53%
  UBS Financial Services Inc.
1000 Harbor Blvd.
4th Floor
Weehawken, NJ 07087
8.69%
50


Table of Contents

Fund Name Percentage
of Ownership
  Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
111 Pavonia Avenue
Jersey City, NJ 07310
8.31%
     
iShares MSCI Pacific ex-Japan Index Fund Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.
525 Washington Blvd.
11th Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07310
17.77%
  Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
111 Pavonia Avenue
Jersey City, NJ 07310
10.34%
  Morgan Stanley & Co.
Harbourside Financial Center
Plaza 3, 1st Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07311
5.96%
  National Financial Services LLC
200 Liberty Street
5th Floor
New York, NY 10281
5.96%
     
iShares MSCI Singapore Index Fund Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
111 Pavonia Avenue
Jersey City, NJ 07310
14.53%
  National Financial Services LLC
200 Liberty Street
5th Floor
New York, NY 10281
9.73%
  Bank of America, National Association
411 N. Akard Street
5th Floor
Dallas, TX 75201
8.47%
  Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.
525 Washington Blvd.
11th Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07310
8.09%
  Citibank, N.A.
3800 Citicorp Center Tampa
Building B/Floor 1
Tampa, FL 33610
6.35%
  JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association
14201 Dallas Pkwy
12th Floor
Dallas, TX 75240
6.16%
  First Clearing, LLC
901 East Byrd Street
Richmond, VA 23219
5.74%
     
iShares MSCI South Africa Index Fund Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.
525 Washington Blvd.
11th Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07310
11.88%
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Fund Name Percentage
of Ownership
  Northern Trust Company (The)
801 South Canal Street
Chicago, IL 60612
9.78%
  State Street Bank and Trust Company
1776 Heritage Drive
North Quincy, MA 02171
6.61%
  National Financial Services LLC
200 Liberty Street
5th Floor
New York, NY 10281
5.40%
  Merrill Lynch, Pierce Fenner & Smith Safekeeping
101 Hudson Street
8th Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07302
5.14%
     
iShares MSCI Spain Index Fund Merrill Lynch, Pierce Fenner & Smith Safekeeping
101 Hudson Street
8th Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07302
10.85%
  National Financial Services LLC
200 Liberty Street
5th Floor
New York, NY 10281
8.78%
  Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.
525 Washington Blvd.
11th Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07310
7.80%
  Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
111 Pavonia Avenue
Jersey City, NJ 07310
7.42%
  First Clearing, LLC
901 East Byrd Street
Richmond, VA 23219
6.85%
  Morgan Stanley & Co.
Harbourside Financial Center
Plaza 3, 1st Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07311
5.53%
  Pershing LLC
One Pershing Plaza
Jersey City, NJ 07399
5.35%
  The Bank of New York Mellon
401 Salina Street
2nd Floor
Syracuse, NY 13202
5.26%
     
iShares MSCI Sweden Index Fund First Clearing, LLC
901 East Byrd Street
Richmond, VA 23219
12.39%
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Fund Name Percentage
of Ownership
  National Financial Services LLC
200 Liberty Street
5th Floor
New York, NY 10281
10.78%
  State Street Bank and Trust Company
1776 Heritage Drive
North Quincy, MA 02171
9.21%
  Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.
525 Washington Blvd.
11th Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07310
7.30%
  Citibank, N.A.
3800 Citicorp Center Tampa
Building B/Floor 1
Tampa, FL 33610
7.17%
  The Bank of New York Mellon
401 Salina Street
2nd Floor
Syracuse, NY 13202
6.93%
  Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
111 Pavonia Avenue
Jersey City, NJ 07310
6.73%
  JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association
14201 Dallas Pkwy
12th Floor
Dallas, TX 75240
6.08%
     
iShares MSCI Switzerland Index Fund National Financial Services LLC
200 Liberty Street
5th Floor
New York, NY 10281
11.37%
  Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.
525 Washington Blvd.
11th Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07310
10.28%
  First Clearing, LLC
901 East Byrd Street
Richmond, VA 23219
8.14%
  Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
111 Pavonia Avenue
Jersey City, NJ 07310
8.04%
  Pershing LLC
One Pershing Plaza
Jersey City, NJ 07399
6.67%
  Merrill Lynch, Pierce Fenner & Smith Safekeeping
101 Hudson Street
8th Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07302
6.13%
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Fund Name Percentage
of Ownership
  Barclays Capital Inc. /LE
70 Hudson St.
Jersey City, NJ 07302
5.98%
  State Street Bank and Trust Company
1776 Heritage Drive
North Quincy, MA 02171
5.90%
     
iShares MSCI Thailand Investable Market Index Fund Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.
525 Washington Blvd.
11th Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07310
19.54%
  Northern Trust Company/United Nations
Joint Staff Pension Funds
50 South LaSalle St.
Chicago, IL 60675
12.86%
  The Bank of New York Mellon
401 Salina Street
2nd Floor
Syracuse, NY 13202
7.16%
  Morgan Stanley & Co.
Harbourside Financial Center
Plaza 3, 1st Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07311
5.57%
     
iShares MSCI Turkey Investable Market Index Fund Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.
525 Washington Blvd.
11th Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07310
14.67%
  The Bank of New York Mellon
401 Salina Street
2nd Floor
Syracuse, NY 13202
14.20%
  National Financial Services LLC
200 Liberty Street
5th Floor
New York, NY 10281
8.98%
  Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
111 Pavonia Avenue
Jersey City, NJ 07310
6.35%
  JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association
14201 Dallas Pkwy
12th Floor
Dallas, TX 75240
6.26%
     
iShares MSCI United Kingdom Index Fund State Street Bank and Trust Company
1776 Heritage Drive
North Quincy, MA 02171
12.94%
  Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.
525 Washington Blvd.
11th Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07310
9.78%
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Fund Name Percentage
of Ownership
  Deutsche Bank Securities Inc./Cedear
1251 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10020
6.51%
  Morgan Stanley & Co.
Harbourside Financial Center
Plaza 3, 1st Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07311
6.45%
  Merrill Lynch, Pierce Fenner & Smith Safekeeping
101 Hudson Street
8th Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07302
5.90%
     
iShares MSCI USA Index Fund JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association
14201 Dallas Pkwy
12th Floor
Dallas, TX 75240
89.71%
  U.S. Bank N.A.
1555 North Rivercenter Dr.
Suite 302
Milwaukee, WI 53212
5.15%
     
iShares MSCI World Index Fund Citigroup Global Markets Inc.
333 W 34th Street
New York, NY 10001-2402
71.45%
  RBC Capital Markets Corporation
One Liberty Plaza
New York, NY 10006-1446
5.01%
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.
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
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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 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.
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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 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;
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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.
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. 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
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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 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
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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 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.
BFA is responsible, under the Investment Advisory Agreement, for substantially 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 years noted:
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%. 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 $46.0 billion is reduced by 5.0% per annum.
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 certain of the Funds included in this SAI, BFA is entitled to receive a management fee from such 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, 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
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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.
Fund Management
Fee for the
Fiscal Year
Ended
August 31, 2012
Fund
Inception
Date
Management
Fees Paid
For
Fiscal Year
Ended
August 31, 2012
Management
Fees Paid
For
Fiscal Year
Ended
August 31, 2011
Management
Fees Paid
For
Fiscal Year
Ended
August 31, 2010
iShares MSCI Australia Index Fund 0.53% 03/12/96 $ 13,830,149 $ 15,491,910 $12,339,948
iShares MSCI Austria Investable Market Index Fund 0.52% 03/12/96 350,168 858,928 822,617
iShares MSCI Belgium Capped Investable Market Index Fund 0.53% 03/12/96 131,854 281,283 389,142
iShares MSCI Canada Index Fund 0.53% 03/12/96 23,683,748 26,198,533 17,081,917
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Eastern Europe Index Fund1 0.69% 09/30/09 171,465 221,080 67,428
iShares MSCI EMU Index Fund 0.53% 07/25/00 3,695,691 4,477,629 4,463,524
iShares MSCI France Index Fund 0.53% 03/12/96 1,529,840 1,815,550 1,568,843
iShares MSCI Germany Index Fund 0.53% 03/12/96 14,093,002 13,628,580 5,468,927
iShares MSCI Global Gold Miners Fund 0.39% 01/31/12 53,344 N/A N/A
iShares MSCI Global Silver Miners Fund 0.39% 01/31/12 6,803 N/A N/A
iShares MSCI Hong Kong Index Fund 0.53% 03/12/96 9,202,379 10,481,935 9,797,546
iShares MSCI Israel Capped Investable Market Index Fund 0.61% 03/26/08 469,665 743,548 1,106,791
iShares MSCI Italy Index Fund 0.53% 03/12/96 687,537 606,658 623,082
iShares MSCI Japan Index Fund 0.53% 03/12/96 28,798,955 30,400,171 27,202,065
iShares MSCI Japan Small Cap Index Fund 0.53% 12/20/07 291,630 270,288 177,474
iShares MSCI Mexico Investable Market Index Fund 0.53% 03/12/96 6,061,230 8,188,227 6,401,000
iShares MSCI Netherlands Investable Market Index Fund 0.53% 03/12/96 373,539 874,624 599,732
iShares MSCI Pacific ex-Japan Index Fund2 0.50% 10/25/01 16,176,388 20,163,744 18,876,847
iShares MSCI Singapore Index Fund 0.53% 03/12/96 7,690,242 10,268,194 7,922,869
iShares MSCI South Africa Index Fund 0.61% 02/03/03 3,145,182 3,648,638 3,137,352
iShares MSCI Spain Index Fund 0.53% 03/12/96 705,321 1,076,007 1,298,278
iShares MSCI Sweden Index Fund 0.53% 03/12/96 1,624,714 2,536,271 1,105,743
iShares MSCI Switzerland Index Fund 0.53% 03/12/96 2,708,262 2,569,744 1,783,191
iShares MSCI Thailand Investable Market Index Fund 0.61% 03/26/08 3,584,474 3,807,783 1,524,281
iShares MSCI Turkey Investable Market Index Fund 0.61% 03/26/08 2,589,437 4,021,933 2,492,426
iShares MSCI United Kingdom Index Fund 0.53% 03/12/96 6,994,397 6,213,817 4,977,068
iShares MSCI USA Index Fund 0.15% 05/05/10 147,696 2,853 1,127
iShares MSCI World Index Fund 0.24% 01/10/12 29,225 N/A N/A

1 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.
2 Effective June 30, 2012, the management fee charged on the aggregate average daily net assets of the Fund and the iShares Dow Jones Select
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  Dividend 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.
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., BFA or its affiliates 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.
Portfolio Managers.  As of August 31, 2012, 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 follows:
Christopher Bliss    
Types of Accounts Number Total Assets
Registered Investment Companies 40 $ 56,500,000,000
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles 161 $392,800,000,000
Other Accounts 150 $278,800,000,000
Accounts with Incentive-Based Fee Arrangements N/A N/A
Rene Casis    
Types of Accounts Number Total Assets
Registered Investment Companies 195 $315,000,000,000
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles 68 $ 51,400,000,000
Other Accounts N/A N/A
Accounts with Incentive-Based Fee Arrangements N/A N/A
Diane Hsiung    
Types of Accounts Number Total Assets
Registered Investment Companies 193 $314,900,000,000
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles 15 $ 8,000,000,000
Other Accounts 4 $ 113,000,000
Accounts with Incentive-Based Fee Arrangements N/A N/A
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Jennifer Hsui    
Types of Accounts Number Total Assets
Registered Investment Companies 56 $ 174,400,000,000
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles 26 $162,000,000,000
Other Accounts 40 $ 53,400,000,000
Accounts with Incentive-Based Fee Arrangements N/A N/A
Greg Savage    
Types of Accounts Number Total Assets
Registered Investment Companies 198 $317,500,000,000
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles 83 $ 55,300,000,000
Other Accounts 3 $ 64,400,000
Accounts with Incentive-Based Fee Arrangements N/A 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 BFA’s 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 each Fund may receive a smaller allocation of an investment opportunity than it 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 its affiliates, as applicable, for its advisory services. One or more of those other portfolios or accounts, however, may pay BFA or its affiliates 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 BFA or its affiliates a portion of that portfolio’s or account’s gains, or would pay BFA or its affiliates more for its services than would otherwise be the case if BFA or any of its affiliates meets or exceeds specified performance targets. By their nature, incentive-based fee arrangements could present an incentive for BFA or its affiliates 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 BFA and each of its affiliates 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, 2012:
Christopher Bliss    
Types of Accounts Number of Other
Accounts with
Performance-Based Fees
Managed by Portfolio Manager
Aggregate
of Total Assets
Registered Investment Companies N/A N/A
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles N/A N/A
Other Accounts N/A N/A
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Rene Casis    
Types of Accounts Number of Other
Accounts with
Performance-Based Fees
Managed by Portfolio Manager
Aggregate
of Total Assets
Registered Investment Companies N/A N/A
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles N/A N/A
Other Accounts N/A 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 N/A N/A
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles N/A N/A
Other Accounts N/A N/A
Jennifer Hsui    
Types of Accounts Number of Other
Accounts with
Performance Fees
Managed by Portfolio Manager
Aggregate
of Total Assets
Registered Investment Companies N/A N/A
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles N/A N/A
Other Accounts N/A 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 N/A N/A
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles N/A N/A
Other Accounts N/A N/A
The discussion below describes the Portfolio Managers' compensation as of August 31, 2012.
Portfolio Manager Compensation Overview
BlackRock, Inc.'s financial arrangements with its portfolio managers, its competitive compensation and its career path emphasis at all levels reflect the value senior management places on key resources. Compensation may include a variety of components and may vary from year to year based on a number of factors. The principal components of compensation include a base salary, a performance-based discretionary bonus, participation in various benefits programs and one or more of the incentive compensation programs established by BlackRock, Inc.
Base compensation. Generally, portfolio managers receive base compensation based on their position with the firm.
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, Inc. and the individual's performance and contribution to the overall performance of these portfolios and BlackRock, Inc.
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
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a portion of annual bonuses in stock puts compensation earned by a portfolio manager for a given year “at risk” based on BlackRock, Inc.'s ability to sustain and improve its performance over future periods.
Long-Term Incentive Plan Awards — 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.
Deferred Compensation Program — A portion of the compensation paid to eligible BlackRock, Inc. employees may be voluntarily deferred at their election for defined periods of time into an account that tracks the performance of certain of the firm's investment products. All of the eligible portfolio managers have participated in the deferred compensation program.
Other Compensation Benefits. In addition to base compensation and discretionary incentive compensation, portfolio managers may be eligible to receive or participate in one or more of the following:
Incentive Savings Plans — BlackRock, Inc. has created a variety of incentive savings plans in which BlackRock, Inc. employees are eligible to participate, including a 401(k) plan, the BlackRock Retirement Savings Plan (“RSP”), and the BlackRock Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”). The employer contribution components of the RSP include a company match equal to 50% of the first 8% of eligible pay contributed to the plan capped at $5,000 per year, and a company retirement contribution equal to 3-5% of eligible compensation up to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) limit ($250,000 for 2012). The RSP offers a range of investment options, including registered investment companies and collective investment funds managed by the firm. BlackRock, Inc. contributions follow the investment direction set by participants for their own contributions or, absent participant investment direction, are invested into an index target date fund that corresponds to, or is closest to, the year in which the participant attains age 65. The ESPP allows for investment in BlackRock, Inc. common stock at a 5% discount on the fair market value of the stock on the purchase date. Annual participation in the ESPP is limited to the purchase of 1,000 shares of common stock or a dollar value of $25,000 based on its fair market value on the Purchase Date. Christopher Bliss, Rene Casis, Diane Hsiung, Jennifer Hsui and Greg Savage are each eligible to participate in these plans.
As of August 31, 2012, 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            
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            
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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 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 Global Gold Miners Fund X            
iShares MSCI Global Silver Miners 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            
iShares MSCI World Index Fund X            
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            
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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 EMU Index Fund X            
iShares MSCI France Index Fund X            
iShares MSCI Germany Index Fund X            
iShares MSCI Global Gold Miners Fund X            
iShares MSCI Global Silver Miners 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            
iShares MSCI World Index Fund X            
Jennifer Hsui              
  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 Global Gold Miners Fund X            
iShares MSCI Global Silver Miners Fund X            
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Jennifer Hsui              
  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 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            
iShares MSCI World Index Fund X            
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 Global Gold Miners Fund X            
iShares MSCI Global Silver Miners 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            
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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 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            
iShares MSCI World 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 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
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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,
2012
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
iShares MSCI Australia Index Fund 03/12/96 $260,347 $344,773 $254,789
iShares MSCI Austria Investable Market Index Fund 03/12/96 19,323 42,435 41,110
iShares MSCI Belgium Capped Investable Market Index Fund 03/12/96 9,296 17,533 20,736
iShares MSCI Canada Index Fund 03/12/96 302,024 410,956 252,407
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Eastern Europe Index Fund 09/30/09 71,820 57,888 11,860
iShares MSCI EMU Index Fund 07/25/00 91,925 130,735 106,995
iShares MSCI France Index Fund 03/12/96 34,682 52,221 48,247
iShares MSCI Germany Index Fund 03/12/96 230,545 281,912 109,518
iShares MSCI Global Gold Miners Fund 01/31/12 5,193 N/A N/A
iShares MSCI Global Silver Miners Fund 01/31/12 2,913 N/A N/A
iShares MSCI Hong Kong Index Fund 03/12/96 205,860 211,579 191,807
iShares MSCI Israel Capped Investable Market Index Fund 03/26/08 75,184 116,501 154,344
iShares MSCI Italy Index Fund 03/12/96 15,532 16,538 16,317
iShares MSCI Japan Index Fund 03/12/96 227,756 311,780 252,341
iShares MSCI Japan Small Cap Index Fund 12/20/07 8,437 16,508 4,931
iShares MSCI Mexico Investable Market Index Fund 03/12/96 204,531 319,222 245,591
iShares MSCI Netherlands Investable Market Index Fund 03/12/96 11,286 20,458 15,666
iShares MSCI Pacific ex-Japan Index Fund 10/25/01 346,760 493,182 435,461
iShares MSCI Singapore Index Fund 03/12/96 226,563 382,591 221,345
iShares MSCI South Africa Index Fund 02/03/03 90,497 127,197 105,530
iShares MSCI Spain Index Fund 03/12/96 12,459 22,840 25,178
iShares MSCI Sweden Index Fund 03/12/96 43,033 65,932 32,224
iShares MSCI Switzerland Index Fund 03/12/96 44,241 52,803 36,466
iShares MSCI Thailand Investable Market Index Fund 03/26/08 92,955 124,819 48,341
iShares MSCI Turkey Investable Market Index Fund 03/26/08 190,383 370,844 255,152
iShares MSCI United Kingdom Index Fund 03/12/96 33,985 31,324 28,196
iShares MSCI USA Index Fund 05/05/10 17,572 2,477 2,694
iShares MSCI World Index Fund 01/10/12 40,355 N/A N/A
Distributor.  The Distributor's principal address is 525 Washington Boulevard, Suite 1405, Jersey City, NJ 07310. Shares are continuously offered for sale by the Funds through the Distributor or its agent 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 or its agent. The Distributor or its agent will arrange for the delivery of the applicable Prospectus and, upon request, this SAI to persons purchasing Creation Units and
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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 its affiliates 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 as of April 1, 2012. Prior to that date, SEI Investments Distribution Co. (“SEI”), located at One Freedom Valley Drive, Oaks, PA 19456, served as the 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 From
April 1, 2012
to August 31,
20121
Distributor
Compensation
Paid From
September 1,
2011 to
March 31,
20122
Distributor
Compensation
Paid During
Fiscal Year
Ended
August 31,
2011
Distributor
Compensation
Paid During
Fiscal Year
Ended
August 31,
2010
iShares MSCI Australia Index Fund 03/12/96 $3,318 $6,270 $ 11,753 $ 13,367
iShares MSCI Austria Investable Market Index Fund 03/12/96 3,318 6,270 11,753 13,367
iShares MSCI Belgium Capped Investable Market Index Fund 03/12/96 3,318 6,270 11,753 13,367
iShares MSCI Canada Index Fund 03/12/96 3,318 6,270 11,753 13,367
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Eastern Europe Index Fund 09/30/09 3,318 6,270 11,753 13,367
iShares MSCI EMU Index Fund 07/25/00 3,318 6,270 11,753 13,367
iShares MSCI France Index Fund 03/12/96 3,318 6,270 11,753 13,367
iShares MSCI Germany Index Fund 03/12/96 3,318 6,270 11,753 13,367
iShares MSCI Global Gold Miners Fund 01/31/12 3,318 1,712 N/A N/A
iShares MSCI Global Silver Miners Fund 01/31/12 3,318 1,712 N/A N/A
iShares MSCI Hong Kong Index Fund 03/12/96 3,318 6,270 11,753 13,367
iShares MSCI Israel Capped Investable Market Index Fund 03/26/08 3,318 6,270 11,753 13,367
iShares MSCI Italy Index Fund 03/12/96 3,318 6,270 11,753 13,367
iShares MSCI Japan Index Fund 03/12/96 3,318 6,270 11,753 13,367
iShares MSCI Japan Small Cap Index Fund 12/20/07 3,318 6,270 11,753 13,367
iShares MSCI Mexico Investable Market Index Fund 03/12/96 3,318 6,270 11,753 13,367
iShares MSCI Netherlands Investable Market Index Fund 03/12/96 3,318 6,270 11,753 13,367
iShares MSCI Pacific ex-Japan Index Fund 10/25/01 3,318 6,270 11,753 13,367
iShares MSCI Singapore Index Fund 03/12/96 3,318 6,270 11,753 13,367
iShares MSCI South Africa Index Fund 02/03/03 3,318 6,270 11,753 13,367
iShares MSCI Spain Index Fund 03/12/96 3,318 6,270 11,753 13,367
iShares MSCI Sweden Index Fund 03/12/96 3,318 6,270 11,753 13,367
iShares MSCI Switzerland Index Fund 03/12/96 3,318 6,270 11,753 13,367
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Fund Fund Inception
Date
Distributor
Compensation
Paid From
April 1, 2012
to August 31,
20121
Distributor
Compensation
Paid From
September 1,
2011 to
March 31,
20122
Distributor
Compensation
Paid During
Fiscal Year
Ended
August 31,
2011
Distributor
Compensation
Paid During
Fiscal Year
Ended
August 31,
2010
iShares MSCI Thailand Investable Market Index Fund 03/26/08 3,318 6,270 11,753 13,367
iShares MSCI Turkey Investable Market Index Fund 03/26/08 3,318 6,270 11,753 13,367
iShares MSCI United Kingdom Index Fund 03/12/96 3,318 6,270 11,753 13,367
iShares MSCI USA Index Fund 05/05/10 3,318 6,270 11,753 3,718
iShares MSCI World Index Fund 01/10/12 3,318 2,621 N/A N/A

1 BRIL serves as the distributor to the Funds effective April 1, 2012. These fees reflected payments made to SEI, acting as an agent of the Distributor.
2 SEI served as the distributor to the Funds through March 31, 2012.
Financial Intermediary Compensation.  BFA and/or its 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”). 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 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.
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,
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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 expertise in certain markets or with certain securities, or 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.
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,
2012
Brokerage
Commissions
Paid During
Fiscal Year
Ended August 31,
2011
Brokerage
Commissions
Paid During
Fiscal Year
Ended August 31,
2010
iShares MSCI Australia Index Fund 03/12/96 $150,277 $ 152,979 $ 101,452
iShares MSCI Austria Investable Market Index Fund 03/12/96 2,803 10,896 13,937
iShares MSCI Belgium Capped Investable Market Index Fund 03/12/96 3,482 5,882 11,638
iShares MSCI Canada Index Fund 03/12/96 93,216 114,330 61,232
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Eastern Europe Index Fund 09/30/09 5,565 15,440 2,692
iShares MSCI EMU Index Fund 07/25/00 26,471 50,034 30,678
iShares MSCI France Index Fund 03/12/96 9,472 13,503 9,652
iShares MSCI Germany Index Fund 03/12/96 85,600 218,407 27,512
iShares MSCI Global Gold Miners Fund 01/31/12 745 N/A N/A
iShares MSCI Global Silver Miners Fund 01/31/12 76 N/A N/A
iShares MSCI Hong Kong Index Fund 03/12/96 46,825 77,084 39,826
iShares MSCI Israel Capped Investable Market Index Fund 03/26/08 4,466 8,497 39,519
iShares MSCI Italy Index Fund 03/12/96 14,811 16,323 10,810
iShares MSCI Japan Index Fund 03/12/96 115,204 121,836 172,772
iShares MSCI Japan Small Cap Index Fund 12/20/07 1,723 1,278 1,893
iShares MSCI Mexico Investable Market Index Fund 03/12/96 104,154 62,589 191,950
iShares MSCI Netherlands Investable Market Index Fund 03/12/96 3,176 5,744 3,913
iShares MSCI Pacific ex-Japan Index Fund 10/25/01 128,911 166,317 149,896
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Fund Fund
Inception
Date
Brokerage
Commissions
Paid During
Fiscal Year
Ended August 31,
2012
Brokerage
Commissions
Paid During
Fiscal Year
Ended August 31,
2011
Brokerage
Commissions
Paid During
Fiscal Year
Ended August 31,
2010
iShares MSCI Singapore Index Fund 03/12/96 53,389 113,886 83,246
iShares MSCI South Africa Index Fund 02/03/03 35,570 56,842 37,270
iShares MSCI Spain Index Fund 03/12/96 14,139 16,635 20,964
iShares MSCI Sweden Index Fund 03/12/96 10,883 21,191 5,978
iShares MSCI Switzerland Index Fund 03/12/96 36,744 13,341 26,875
iShares MSCI Thailand Investable Market Index Fund 03/26/08 165,916 196,525 48,858
iShares MSCI Turkey Investable Market Index Fund 03/26/08 46,012 116,660 114,341
iShares MSCI United Kingdom Index Fund 03/12/96 54,882 33,311 37,958
iShares MSCI USA Index Fund 05/05/10 1,499 20 34
iShares MSCI World Index Fund 01/10/12 238 N/A 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, 2012.
Fund Issuer Market Value
of Investment
iShares MSCI Canada Index Fund Royal Bank of Canada $ 280,740,751
iShares MSCI EMU Index Fund Deutsche Bank AG $ 9,437,997
iShares MSCI Germany Index Fund Deutsche Bank AG $ 110,691,227
iShares MSCI Switzerland Index Fund Credit Suisse Group AG $ 14,254,395
iShares MSCI USA Index Fund Citigroup, Inc. $ 956,424
  Bank of America Corp 945,361
  Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The) 542,026
  Morgan Stanley 244,470
iShares MSCI World Index Fund Citigroup, Inc. $ 37,732
  Bank of America Corp 37,082
  Royal Bank of Canada 34,605
  Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The) 21,567
  Deutsche Bank AG 14,541
  Credit Suisse Group AG 10,105
  Morgan Stanley 9,780
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, 2012.
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
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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, 2012
Fiscal Year
Ended
August 31, 2011
iShares MSCI Australia Index Fund 9% 9%
iShares MSCI Austria Investable Market Index Fund 13% 12%
iShares MSCI Belgium Capped Investable Market Index Fund 19% 12%
iShares MSCI Canada Index Fund 5% 8%
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Eastern Europe Index Fund 8% 24%
iShares MSCI EMU Index Fund 7% 8%
iShares MSCI France Index Fund 6% 6%
iShares MSCI Germany Index Fund 4% 13%
iShares MSCI Global Gold Miners Fund 11% N/A
iShares MSCI Global Silver Miners Fund 9% N/A
iShares MSCI Hong Kong Index Fund 11% 15%
iShares MSCI Israel Capped Investable Market Index Fund 20% 17%
iShares MSCI Italy Index Fund 14% 16%
iShares MSCI Japan Index Fund 3% 4%
iShares MSCI Japan Small Cap Index Fund 7% 10%
iShares MSCI Mexico Investable Market Index Fund 10% 5%
iShares MSCI Netherlands Investable Market Index Fund 10% 6%
iShares MSCI Pacific ex-Japan Index Fund 7% 10%
iShares MSCI Singapore Index Fund 3% 10%
iShares MSCI South Africa Index Fund 4% 4%
iShares MSCI Spain Index Fund 17% 14%
iShares MSCI Sweden Index Fund 7% 9%
iShares MSCI Switzerland Index Fund 8% 7%
iShares MSCI Thailand Investable Market Index Fund 12% 22%
iShares MSCI Turkey Investable Market Index Fund 9% 12%
iShares MSCI United Kingdom Index Fund 7% 4%
iShares MSCI USA Index Fund 6% 8%
iShares MSCI World Index Fund 3% N/A
Additional Information Concerning the Company
Capital Stock.  The Company currently is comprised of 57 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 Asia/Pacific Dividend 30 Index Fund, iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF, iShares Emerging Markets Corporate Bond Fund, iShares Emerging Markets Dividend Index Fund, iShares Emerging Markets High Yield Bond Fund, iShares Emerging Markets Local Currency Bond Fund, iShares Global ex USD High Yield Corporate Bond Fund, iShares Global High Yield Corporate Bond Fund, iShares Latin America 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 Asia Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Consumer Discretionary Sector Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Eastern Europe Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets EMEA Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Energy Sector Capped Index Fund,
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iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Growth 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 Emerging Markets Value Index Fund, iShares MSCI EMU Index Fund, iShares MSCI France Index Fund, iShares MSCI Frontier 100 Index Fund, iShares MSCI Germany Index Fund, iShares MSCI Global Agriculture Producers Fund, iShares MSCI Global Energy Producers Fund, iShares MSCI Global Gold Miners Fund, iShares MSCI Global Select Metals & Mining Producers Fund, iShares MSCI Global Silver Miners 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, iShares MSCI USA Index Fund and iShares MSCI World Index Fund. The Company has authorized for issuance, but is not currently offering for sale to the public, ten 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 31.85 billion shares of common stock. The following number of shares is currently authorized for each of the funds: iShares Asia/Pacific Dividend 30 Index Fund, 500 million shares; iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF, 250 million shares; iShares Emerging Markets Corporate Bond Fund, 500 million shares; iShares Emerging Markets Dividend Index Fund, 500 million shares; iShares Emerging Markets High Yield Bond Fund, 500 million shares; iShares Emerging Markets Local Currency Bond Fund, 500 million shares; iShares Global ex USD High Yield Corporate Bond Fund, 500 million shares; iShares Global High Yield Corporate Bond Fund, 500 million shares; iShares Latin America 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 Asia Index Fund, 500 million shares; iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Consumer Discretionary Sector Index Fund, 500 million shares; iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Eastern Europe Index Fund, 200 million shares; iShares MSCI Emerging Markets EMEA Index Fund, 500 million shares; iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Energy Sector Capped Index Fund, 500 million shares; iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Growth Index Fund, 500 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 Emerging Markets Value Index Fund, 500 million shares; iShares MSCI EMU Index Fund, 1 billion shares; iShares MSCI France Index Fund, 340.2 million shares; iShares MSCI Frontier 100 Index Fund, 500 million shares; iShares MSCI Germany Index Fund, 382.2 million shares; iShares MSCI Global Agriculture Producers Fund, 500 million shares; iShares MSCI Global Energy Producers Fund, 500 million shares; iShares MSCI Global Gold Miners Fund, 500 million shares; iShares MSCI Global Select Metals & Mining Producers Fund, 500 million shares; iShares MSCI Global Silver Miners Fund, 500 million shares; iShares MSCI Hong Kong Index Fund, 250 million shares; iShares MSCI Israel Capped Investable Market Index Fund, 500 million shares; 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 shares; iShares MSCI Turkey Investable Market Index Fund, 200 million shares; iShares MSCI United Kingdom Index Fund, 934.2 million shares; iShares MSCI USA Index Fund, 500 million shares; and iShares MSCI World 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
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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 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.
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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 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 or its agent, without a sales load, at a price based on the NAV next determined after receipt, on any Business Day (as defined below), of an order received by the Distributor or its agent 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, 2012:
Fund Shares Per
Creation Unit
Value Per
Creation
Unit (U.S.$)
iShares MSCI Australia Index Fund 200,000 $ 4,800,000
iShares MSCI Austria Investable Market Index Fund 100,000 $ 1,534,000
iShares MSCI Belgium Capped Investable Market Index Fund 40,000 $ 502,400
iShares MSCI Canada Index Fund 100,000 $ 2,853,000
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Eastern Europe Index Fund 50,000 $ 1,281,000
iShares MSCI EMU Index Fund 100,000 $3,006,000
iShares MSCI France Index Fund 200,000 $ 4,194,000
iShares MSCI Germany Index Fund 300,000 $ 6,759,000
iShares MSCI Global Gold Miners Fund 100,000 $2,266,000
iShares MSCI Global Silver Miners Fund 100,000 $ 2,411,000
iShares MSCI Hong Kong Index Fund 75,000 $ 1,370,250
iShares MSCI Israel Capped Investable Market Index Fund 50,000 $ 2,013,000
iShares MSCI Italy Index Fund 150,000 $ 1,810,500
iShares MSCI Japan Index Fund 600,000 $ 5,538,000
iShares MSCI Japan Small Cap Index Fund 100,000 $ 4,400,000
iShares MSCI Mexico Investable Market Index Fund 100,000 $6,549,000
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Fund Shares Per
Creation Unit
Value Per
Creation
Unit (U.S.$)
iShares MSCI Netherlands Investable Market Index Fund 50,000 $ 924,000
iShares MSCI Pacific ex-Japan Index Fund 300,000 $13,452,000
iShares MSCI Singapore Index Fund 100,000 $ 1,348,000
iShares MSCI South Africa Index Fund 100,000 $ 6,734,000
iShares MSCI Spain Index Fund 75,000 $ 2,079,750
iShares MSCI Sweden Index Fund 75,000 $ 2,127,750
iShares MSCI Switzerland Index Fund 125,000 $ 3,071,250
iShares MSCI Thailand Investable Market Index Fund 50,000 $ 3,816,000
iShares MSCI Turkey Investable Market Index Fund 50,000 $ 2,803,000
iShares MSCI United Kingdom Index Fund 200,000 $ 3,460,000
iShares MSCI USA Index Fund 50,000 $ 1,546,000
iShares MSCI World Index Fund* 100,000 $ 5,600,000

* The value per Creation Unit information is as of December 14, 2012.
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 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 NAV 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 NAV 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, to 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
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described below) would be restricted under applicable securities or other local 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 or other local 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 fees described below. An Authorized Participant, acting on behalf of an investor, 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 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 or its agent 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 or its agent will notify BFA and the custodian of such order. The custodian will then provide such information to any appropriate sub-custodian. 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. Investors, other than Authorized Participants, are responsible for making arrangements for a creation request to be made through an Authorized Participant. The Distributor or its agent will provide a list of current Authorized Participants upon request. 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 or its agent 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. 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.
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.
Timing of Submission of Purchase Orders. An Authorized Participant must submit an irrevocable order to purchase shares of the Fund generally before 4:00 p.m., Eastern time on any Business Day in order to receive that day's NAV. Creation Orders must be transmitted by an Authorized Participant by telephone or other transmission method acceptable to the Distributor or its agent pursuant to procedures set forth in the authorized participant agreement, as described below. Economic or market disruptions or changes, or telephone or other communication failure, may impede the ability to reach the Distributor or its agent or an Authorized Participant. Orders to create shares of a Fund that are submitted on the Business Day immediately preceding a holiday or a day (other than a weekend) when the equity markets in the relevant non-U.S. market are closed may
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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 or its agent, in their 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 or its agent'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 each Fund's 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 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, as set forth below.
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 or its agent 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 or its agent 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 or its agent and BFA make it impracticable to process purchase orders. The Distributor or its agent 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 sub-custodian and the Distributor or its agent are under no duty, however, to give notification of any defects or irregularities in the delivery of Fund Deposits nor shall any of them incur any liability for 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 applicable Fund of the Deposit Securities and the payment of the Cash Component have been completed. When the sub-custodian 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 sub-custodian or sub-custodians, the Distributor or its agent 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 Fund 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 at any time, in its sole discretion, 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 or its agent. The authorized participant agreement will permit the Funds to buy the missing Deposit Securities at
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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.
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 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. 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 to acquire Fund shares 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 Global Gold Miners Fund 800 3.0%
iShares MSCI Global Silver Miners Fund 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%
iShares MSCI World Index Fund 17,000 3.0%

* As a percentage of the net asset value per Creation Unit.
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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 or its agent 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 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.
Each Fund generally redeems Creation Units for Fund Securities. Please see the Cash Redemption Method section below and the following discussion summarizing the in-kind method for further information on redeeming Creation Units of the Funds.
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 generally redeems Creation Units for Fund Securities, but each Fund reserves the right to utilize a cash option for redemption of Creation Units.
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 to 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 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 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 Fund Securities from a Fund to their account on their order. Investors who use the services of a broker or other financial intermediary to dispose of Fund shares may be charged a fee for such services.
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%
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Fund Standard Redemption
Transaction Fee
Maximum Additional
Charge for Redemptions*
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 Global Gold Miners Fund 800 2.0%
iShares MSCI Global Silver Miners Fund 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%
iShares MSCI World Index Fund 17,000 2.0%

* As a percentage of the net asset value per Creation Unit, inclusive of the standard redemption transaction fee.
Placement of Redemption Orders. Unless otherwise described below, 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 or its agent 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 or its agent 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.
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 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 or its agent 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
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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 or its agent 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.
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 NAV 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 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 or its agent, 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 or its agent 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 at any time, in its sole discretion, 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 sub-custodians in respect of the delivery, maintenance and
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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 Creations 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 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.
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 2013 and 2014, 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):
2013
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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  
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  
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  
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  
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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
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    
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    
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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  
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    
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2014
Australia
January 1 April 21 June 9 November 4
January 27 April 25 August 4 December 25
March 3 May 5 August 13 December 26
March 10 May 19 September 29  
April 18 June 2 October 6  
Austria
January 1 May 1 August 15 December 26
January 6 May 29 December 8 December 31
April 18 June 9 December 24  
April 21 June 19 December 25  
Belgium
January 1 May 29 August 15  
April 18 May 30 November 11  
April 21 June 9 December 25  
May 1 July 21 December 26  
Canada
January 1 May 19 September 1 December 26
January 2 June 24 October 13  
February 17 July 1 November 11  
April 18 August 4 December 25  
The Czech Republic
January 1 October 28 December 26  
April 21 November 17 December 31  
May 1 December 24    
May 8 December 25    
Finland
January 1 May 1 December 25  
January 6 May 29 December 26  
April 18 June 20 December 31  
April 21 December 24    
France
January 1 May 8 November 11  
April 18 May 29 December 25  
April 21 July 14 December 26  
May 1 August 15    
Germany
April 6 December 25    
April 9 December 26    
May 1      
Greece
January 1 April 18 August 15  
January 6 April 21 October 28  
March 3 May 1 December 25  
March 25 June 9 December 26  
Hong Kong
January 1 April 21 July 1 December 24
January30 May 1 September 9 December 25
January 31 May 6 October 1 December 26
April 18 June 2 October 2 December 31
Hungary
January 1 June 9 December 24  
April 21 August 20 December 25  
May 1 October 23 December 26  
May 2 October 24    
Ireland
January 1 May 1 October 27 December 29
March 17 May 5 December 24  
April 18 June 2 December 25  
April 21 August 4 December 26  
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Israel
March 16 May 4 September 24 October 9
April 14 May 5 September 25 October 15
April 15 June 3 September 26 October 16
April 20 June 4 October 3  
April 21 August 5 October 8  
The Israeli market is closed every Friday.
Italy
January 1 April 25 December 8 December 31
January 6 May 1 December 24  
April 18 June 2 December 25  
April 21 August 15 December 26  
Japan
January 1 February 11 July 21 November 3
January 2 March 21 September 15 November 24
January 3 April 29 September 23 December 23
January 13 May 5 October 13 December 31
Mexico
January 1 March 21 September 16 December 25
February 3 April 17 November 17  
February 5 April 18 November 20  
March 17 May 1 December 12  
The Netherlands
January 1 April 30 June 9
April 18 May 1 December 25
April 21 May 29 December 26
New Zealand
January 1 February 6 June 2
January 2 April 18 October 27
January 20 April 21 December 25
January 27 April 25 December 26
Poland
January 1 May 1 November 11
April 18 June 19 December 25
April 21 August 15 December 26
Portugal
January 1 April 25 June 19 December 24
March 4 May 1 August 15 December 25
April 18 June 10 December 1 December 26
April 21 June 13 December 8  
Russia
January 1 January 8 May 9
January 2 February 24 June 12
January 3 March 10 June 13
January 6 May 1 November 3
January 7 May 2 November 4
Singapore
January 1 May 1 August 9 December 25
January 31 May 13 October 6  
February 1 May 15 October 22  
April 18 July 28 October 23  
South Africa
January 1 April 28 December 16
March 21 May 1 December 25
April 18 June 16 December 26
April 21 September 24  
Spain
January 1 April 21 July 25 December 25
January 6 May 1 August 15 December 26
April 17 May 2 September 9  
April 18 May 15 December 8  
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Sweden
January 1 May 1 December 24
January 6 May 29 December 25
April 18 June 6 December 26
April 21 June 20 December 31
Switzerland
January 1 April 21 August 1 December 25
January 2 May 1 August 15 December 26
January 6 May 29 September 11 December 31
March 19 June 9 December 8  
April 18 June 19 December 24  
Thailand
January 1 April 15 July 1 December 5
February 14 May 1 July 14 December 10
April 7 May 5 August 12  
April 14 May 14 October 23  
Turkey
January 1 July 28 October 3 October 28
April 23 July 29 October 6 October 29
May 19 July 30 October 7  
The United Kingdom
January 1 May 26
April 18 August 25
April 21 December 25
May 5 December 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 2013 and 2014, the dates of regular holidays affecting the following securities markets present the worst-case redemption cycles1 for a Fund as follows:
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
Portugal 12/19/13 12/27/13 8
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2013
Country Trade
Date
Settlement
Date
Number of
Days to
Settle
  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
  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
Turkey 10/10/13 10/21/13 11
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2013
Country Trade
Date
Settlement
Date
Number of
Days to
Settle
  10/11/13 10/22/13 11
2014
Country Trade
Date
Settlement
Date
Number of
Days to
Settle
Austria 12/19/14 12/29/14 10
  12/22/14 12/30/14 8
  12/23/14 01/02/15 10
The Czech Republic 12/23/13 01/02/14 10
  12/19/14 12/29/14 10
  12/22/14 12/30/14 8
  12/23/14 01/02/15 10
Finland 12/23/13 01/02/14 10
  12/19/14 12/29/14 10
  12/22/14 12/30/14 8
  12/23/14 01/02/15 10
Hungary 12/19/14 12/29/14 10
  12/22/14 12/30/14 8
  12/23/14 12/31/14 8
Ireland 12/23/14 01/02/14 10
  12/19/14 12/30/14 11
  12/22/14 12/31/14 9
  12/23/14 01/02/15 10
Italy 12/23/13 01/02/14 10
  12/19/14 12/29/14 10
  12/22/14 12/30/14 8
  12/23/14 01/02/15 10
Japan 12/26/13 01/06/14 11
  12/27/13 01/07/14 11
  12/30/13 01/08/14 9
  12/26/14 01/05/15 10
  12/29/14 01/06/15 8
  12/30/14 01/07/15 8
The Philippines 12/23/13 01/02/14 10
  12/26/13 01/03/14 8
  12/27/13 01/06/14 10
  12/23/14 01/02/15 10
  12/26/14 01/05/15 10
  12/29/14 01/06/15 8
Russia 12/27/14 01/09/14 13
  12/30/14 01/10/14 11
  12/31/14 01/13/14 13
South Africa 12/23/13 01/02/14 10
  12/24/13 01/03/14 10
  12/27/13 01/06/14 10
  12/30/13 01/07/14 8
  12/31/13 01/08/14 8
  03/14/14 03/24/14 10
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2014
Country Trade
Date
Settlement
Date
Number of
Days to
Settle
  03/17/14 03/25/14 8
  03/18/14 03/26/14 8
  03/19/14 03/27/14 8
  03/20/14 03/28/14 8
  04/11/14 04/22/14 9
  04/14/14 04/23/14 9
  04/15/14 04/24/14 9
  04/16/14 04/25/14 9
  04/17/14 04/29/14 12
  04/22/14 04/30/14 8
  04/23/14 05/02/14 9
  04/24/14 05/05/14 11
  04/25/14 05/06/14 11
  04/29/14 05/07/14 8
  04/30/14 05/08/14 8
  06/09/14 06/17/14 8
  06/10/14 06/18/14 8
  06/11/14 06/19/14 8
  06/12/14 06/20/14 8
  06/13/14 06/23/14 10
  09/17/14 09/25/14 8
  09/18/14 09/26/14 8
  09/19/14 09/29/14 10
  09/22/14 09/30/14 8
  09/23/14 10/01/14 8
  12/09/14 12/17/14 8
  12/10/14 12/18/14 8
  12/11/14 12/19/14 8
  12/12/14 12/22/14 10
  12/15/14 12/23/14 8
  12/18/14 12/29/14 11
  12/19/14 12/30/14 11
  12/22/14 12/31/14 9
  12/23/14 01/02/15 10
  12/14/14 01/05/15 12
  12/29/14 01/06/15 8
  12/30/14 01/07/15 8
  12/31/14 01/08/15 8
Spain 04/14/14 04/22/14 8
  04/15/14 04/23/14 8
  04/16/14 04/24/14 8
Sweden 12/23/13 01/02/14 10
  12/19/14 12/29/14 10
  12/22/14 12/30/14 8
  12/23/14 01/02/15 10

1 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.
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Taxes
The following is a summary of certain material U.S. federal income tax considerations regarding the purchase, ownership and disposition of shares of a Fund. This summary does not address all of the potential U.S. federal income tax consequences that may be applicable to a Fund or to all categories of investors, some of which may be subject to special tax rules. Current and prospective shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisers with respect to the specific U.S. federal, state, local and non-U.S. tax consequences of investing in a Fund. The summary is based on the laws in effect on the date of this SAI and existing judicial and administrative interpretations thereof, all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect.
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 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.
A Fund may be able to cure a failure to derive 90% of its income from the sources specified above or a failure to diversify its holdings in the manner described above by paying a tax and/or by disposing of certain assets. If, in any taxable year, a Fund fails one of these tests and does not timely cure the failure, that Fund will be taxed in the same manner as an ordinary corporation and distributions to its shareholders will not be deductible by that Fund in computing its taxable income.
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 the 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
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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.
The following Funds had tax basis net capital loss carryforwards as of August 31, 2012, the tax year-end for the Funds listed:
Fund Non-Expiring 1 Expiring
2013
Expiring
2014
Expiring
2015
Expiring
2016
Expiring
2017
Expiring
2018
Expiring
2019
Total
iShares MSCI Australia Index Fund $23,345,303 $ 384,424 $ $ 7,066 $ 529,868 $ 24,006,125 $ 23,348,244 $ 12,127,364 $ 83.748,394
iShares MSCI Austria Investable Market Index Fund 3,424,334 9,795,917 2,587,916 7,102,366 16,657,011 13,826,937 53,394,481
iShares MSCI Belgium Capped Investable Market Index Fund 3,414,294 33,969 1,698,444 5,953,120 10,826,174 19,023,517 40,949,518
iShares MSCI Canada Index Fund 31,451,368 2,931,648 5,363,291 5,107,471 27,886,883 68,928,677 14,903,919 156,573,257
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Eastern Europe Index Fund 243,179 204,914 448,093
iShares MSCI EMU Index Fund 16,675,236 1,873,963 26,644,200 68,035,542 30,230,739 143,459,680
iShares MSCI France Index Fund 436,330 158,472 335,795 3,408,374 7,008,530 2,858,814 14,206,315
iShares MSCI Germany Index Fund 9,227,956 2,241,687 4,227,713 3,394,735 27,790,050 28,490,949 32,215,954 107,589,044
iShares MSCI Global Gold Miners Fund 259,179 259,179
iShares MSCI Global Silver Miners Fund 83,082 83,082
iShares MSCI Hong Kong Index Fund 36,014,089 468,716 425,440 2,899,247 3,185,408 29,235,556 114,836,904 34,565,959 221,631,319
iShares MSCI Israel Capped Investable Market Index Fund 3,141,756 784,479 10,801,191 7,130,249 21,857,675
iShares MSCI Italy Index Fund 3,331,166 527,327 472,268 2,743,650 18,169,627 9,459,662 34,703,700
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Fund Non-Expiring 1 Expiring
2013
Expiring
2014
Expiring
2015
Expiring
2016
Expiring
2017
Expiring
2018
Expiring
2019
Total
iShares MSCI Japan Index Fund 118,947,587 8,733,802 68,122,871 27,817,841 44,443,527 116,295,478 173,577,101 139,228,194 697,166,401
iShares MSCI Japan Small Cap Index Fund 486,584 131,718 541,322 203,697 1,363,321
iShares MSCI Mexico Investable Market Index Fund 6,596,203 12,912 632,766 853,150 8,973,988 2,789,471 22,863,665 42,722,155
iShares MSCI Netherlands Investable Market Index Fund 3,096,503 129,137 403,525 260,715 1,195,162 5,819,153 22,256,170 2,329,005 35,489,370
iShares MSCI Pacific ex-Japan Index Fund 59,368,214 66,207,828 104,799,503 36,600,987 266,976,532
iShares MSCI Singapore Index Fund 12,674,147 2,558,348 807,115 15,680,510 132,420,824 11,588,528 175,729,472
iShares MSCI South Africa Index Fund 5,013,197 260,738 1,607,845 972,024 15,339,464 14,856,365 6,137,142 44,186,775
iShares MSCI Spain Index Fund 5,225,806 5,946,927 15,120,672 8,619,903 34,913,308
IShares MSCI Sweden Index Fund 5,222,903 107,613 100,015 13,686,746 8,483,510 5,244,977 32,845,764
iShares MSCI Switzerland Index Fund 3,464,888 354,252 2,837,786 22,569,380 6,955,758 36,182,064
iShares MSCI Thailand Investable Market Index Fund 2,373,181 555,444 2,321,428 1,304,910 6,554,963
iShares MSCI Turkey Investable Market Index Fund 4,821,444 720,636 5,982,737 3,859,184 15,384,001
iShares MSCI United Kingdom Index Fund 7,758,079 1,517,783 7,063,063 261,754 16,140,312 23,559,917 22,514,433 78,815,341
iShares MSCI USA Index Fund 2,724 2,724
iShares MSCI World Index Fund 19,493 19,493

1 Must be utilized prior to losses subject to expiration.
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 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 net tax-exempt income, 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)
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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). Distributions in excess of a Fund’s minimum distribution requirements, but not in excess of the Fund’s earnings and profits, will be taxable to shareholders and will not constitute nontaxable returns of capital. Each Fund’s capital loss carryforwards, if any, carried from taxable years beginning before 2011 do not reduce current earnings and profits, even if such carryforwards offset current year realized gains. 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, but not limited to, interest, dividends, and net 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 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 net capital loss realized after October and its late-year ordinary loss (defined as the excess of a Fund’s post-October foreign currency and “passive foreign investment company” (“PFIC”) losses and other post-December ordinary losses over post-October foreign currency and PFIC gains and other post-December ordinary income) 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
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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, by, or by an option on, substantially identical shares 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 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
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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, 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
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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 its 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 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 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.
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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 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. The rules laid out in the previous paragraph, other than the withholding rules, will apply notwithstanding the Funds' participation in a wash sale transaction or its payment of a substitute dividend.
A 30% withholding tax will be imposed on dividends paid after December 31, 2013, and redemption proceeds paid after December 31, 2016, 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 (i) 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, or (ii) in the event of an intergovernmental agreement and implementing legislation are adopted, provide local
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revenue authorities with similar account holder information. 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 or agree to provide certain information to other revenue authorities for transmittal to the IRS.
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.
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.
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IS-SAI-08i-0113a


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iShares® , Inc.
Statement of Additional Information
Dated January 1, 2013
(as revised January 2, 2013)
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 All Country World Minimum Volatility Index Fund ACWV NYSE Arca
iShares MSCI Brazil Index Fund EWZ NYSE Arca
iShares MSCI BRIC Index Fund BKF NYSE Arca
iShares MSCI Chile Investable Market Index Fund ECH NYSE Arca
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Asia Index Fund EEMA NASDAQ
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Consumer Discretionary Sector Index Fund EMDI NASDAQ
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets EMEA Index Fund EEME NASDAQ
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Energy Sector Capped Index Fund EMEY NASDAQ
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Growth Index Fund EGRW NASDAQ
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund EEM NYSE Arca
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Minimum Volatility Index Fund EEMV NYSE Arca
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Small Cap Index Fund EEMS NYSE Arca
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value Index Fund EVAL NASDAQ
iShares MSCI Frontier 100 Index Fund FM NYSE Arca
iShares MSCI Global Agriculture Producers Fund VEGI NYSE Arca
iShares MSCI Global Energy Producers Fund FILL NYSE Arca
iShares MSCI Global Select Metals & Mining Producers Fund PICK NYSE Arca
iShares MSCI Malaysia Index Fund EWM NYSE Arca
iShares MSCI South Korea Index Fund EWY NYSE Arca
iShares MSCI Taiwan Index Fund EWT NYSE Arca
The Prospectuses for the above-listed funds (each, a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”) are dated January 1, 2013, 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 (with the exception of the iShares MSCI Frontier 100 Index Fund) 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” or “BRIL”), 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 Fund Advisors (“BFA”) or its affiliates.


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iShares®


The following changes will take effect for the Fund on February 11, 2013 or as soon as practicable thereafter.
Current New
Fund Name iShares MSCI Brazil Index Fund iShares MSCI Brazil Capped Index Fund
Underlying Index MSCI Brazil Index MSCI Brazil 25/50 Index
Investment Policy The iShares MSCI Brazil Index Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the MSCI Brazil Index. The iShares MSCI Brazil Capped Index Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the MSCI Brazil 25/50 Index.
Description of Underlying Index The MSCI Brazil Index consists of stocks traded primarily on the BM&FBOVESPA (the Brazilian exchange). The MSCI Brazil 25/50 Index consists of stocks traded primarily on the BM&FBOVESPA (the Brazilian exchange). A capping methodology is applied that limits the weight of any single component to a maximum of 25% of the MSCI Brazil 25/50 Index. Additionally, the sum of the components that individually constitute more than 5% of the weight of the MSCI Brazil 25/50 Index cannot exceed a maximum of 50% of the weight of the MSCI Brazil 25/50 Index in the aggregate.

If you have any questions, please call 1-800-iShares (1-800-474-2737).


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iShares®


The following changes will take effect for the Fund on February 11, 2013 or as soon as practicable thereafter.
Current New
Fund Name iShares MSCI Chile Investable Market Index Fund iShares MSCI Chile Capped Investable Market Index Fund
Underlying Index MSCI Chile Investable Market Index MSCI Chile IMI 25/50 Index
Investment Policy The iShares MSCI Chile Investable Market Index Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the MSCI Chile Investable Market Index. The iShares MSCI Chile Capped Investable Market Index Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the MSCI Chile IMI 25/50 Index.
Description of Underlying Index The MSCI Chile Investable Market Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization index designed to measure the broad-based equity market in Chile. The MSCI Chile Investable Market Index consists of stocks traded primarily on the Santiago Stock Exchange. The MSCI Chile IMI 25/50 Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization index designed to measure the broad-based equity market in Chile. The MSCI Chile IMI 25/50 Index consists of stocks traded primarily on the Santiago Stock Exchange. A capping methodology is applied that limits the weight of any single component to a maximum of 25% of the MSCI Chile IMI 25/50 Index. Additionally, the sum of the components that individually constitute more than 5% of the weight of the MSCI Chile IMI 25/50 Index cannot exceed a maximum of 50% of the weight of the MSCI Chile IMI 25/50 Index in the aggregate.

If you have any questions, please call 1-800-iShares (1-800-474-2737).


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iShares®


The following changes will take effect for the Fund on February 11, 2013 or as soon as practicable thereafter.
Current New
Fund Name iShares MSCI South Korea Index Fund iShares MSCI South Korea Capped Index Fund
Underlying Index MSCI Korea Index MSCI Korea 25/50 Index
Investment Policy The iShares MSCI South Korea Index Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the MSCI Korea Index. The iShares MSCI South Korea Capped Index Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the MSCI Korea 25/50 Index.
Description of Underlying Index The MSCI Korea Index consists of stocks traded primarily on the Stock Market Division of the Korean Exchange. The MSCI Korea 25/50 Index consists of stocks traded primarily on the Stock Market Division of the Korean Exchange. A capping methodology is applied that limits the weight of any single component to a maximum of 25% of the MSCI Korea 25/50 Index. Additionally, the sum of the components that individually constitute more than 5% of the weight of the MSCI Korea 25/50 Index cannot exceed a maximum of 50% of the weight of the MSCI Korea 25/50 Index in the aggregate.

If you have any questions, please call 1-800-iShares (1-800-474-2737).


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TABLE OF CONTENTS
  Page
General Description of the Company and its Funds 1
Exchange Listing and Trading 2
Investment Strategies and Risks 2
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 6
Regulation Regarding Derivatives 7
Repurchase Agreements 7
Reverse Repurchase Agreements 7
Securities of Investment Companies 8
Short-Term Instruments and Temporary Investments 8
Swap Agreements 8
Tracking Stocks 9
Future Developments 9
General Considerations and Risks 9
Dividend Risk 9
Risk of Derivatives 9
Risk of Equity Securities 9
Risk of Futures and Options Transactions 9
Risk of Investing in Mid-Capitalization Companies 10
Risk of Investing in Non-U.S. Equity Securities 10
Risk of Investing in Small-Capitalization Companies 11
Risk of Swap Agreements 11
Treaty/Tax Risk 11
Volatility Risk 13
Risk of Investing in Africa 13
Risk of Investing in Asia 14
Risk of Investing in Australasia 15
Risk of Investing in Australia 15
Risk of Investing in Brazil 16
Risk of Investing in Central and South America 16
Risk of Investing in China 16
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Risk of Investing in Eastern Europe 17
Risk of Investing in Emerging Markets 17
Risk of Investing in Europe 19
Risk of Investing in India 19
Risk of Investing in Latin America 20
Risk of Investing in the Middle East 20
Risk of Investing in North America 21
Risk of Investing in Russia 22
Risk of Investing in South Africa 22
Risk of Investing in Taiwan 22
Risk of Investing in the Automotive Industry 23
Risk of Investing in the Capital Goods Sector 23
Risk of Investing in the Consumer Discretionary Sector 23
Risk of Investing in the Consumer Goods Sector 23
Risk of Investing in the Consumer Staples Sector 23
Risk of Investing in the Energy Sector 23
Risk of Investing in the Financial Sector 24
Risk of Investing in the Healthcare Sector 24
Risk of Investing in the Industrials Sector 24
Risk of Investing in the Information Technology Sector 25
Risk of Investing in the Materials Sector 25
Risk of Investing in the Media Sector 25
Risk of Investing in the Oil and Gas Sector 25
Risk of Investing in the Real Estate Sector 25
Risk of Investing in the Retail Sector 26
Risk of Investing in the Telecommunications Sector 26
Risk of Investing in the Technology Sector 27
Risk of Investing in the Transportation Sector 27
Risk of Investing in the Utilities Sector 27
Proxy Voting Policy 27
Portfolio Holdings Information 28
Construction and Maintenance of the Underlying Indexes 29
The MSCI Indexes 29
MSCI ACWI Select Agriculture Producers Investable Market Index 32
MSCI ACWI Select Energy Producers Investable Market Index 32
MSCI ACWI Select Metals & Mining Producers Ex Gold and Silver Investable Market Index 33
MSCI All Country World Minimum Volatility Index 33
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  Page
MSCI Brazil Index 33
MSCI BRIC Index 33
MSCI Chile Investable Market Index 33
MSCI Emerging Markets Asia Index 34
MSCI Emerging Markets Consumer Discretionary Index 34
MSCI Emerging Markets EMEA Index 34
MSCI Emerging Markets Energy 25/50 Index 34
MSCI Emerging Markets Growth Index 34
MSCI Emerging Markets Index 34
MSCI Emerging Markets Minimum Volatility Index 35
MSCI Emerging Markets Small Cap Index 35
MSCI Emerging Markets Value Index 35
MSCI Korea Index 35
MSCI Malaysia Index 36
MSCI Taiwan Index 36
Investment Limitations 36
Continuous Offering 39
Management 40
Directors and Officers 40
Committees of the Board of Directors 47
Remuneration of Directors 51
Control Persons and Principal Holders of Securities 54
Potential Conflicts of Interest 62
Investment Advisory, Administrative and Distribution Services 67
Investment Adviser 67
Portfolio Managers 71
Codes of Ethics 77
Anti-Money Laundering Requirements 77
Administrator, Custodian and Transfer Agent 78
Subsidiary Administrator 79
Distributor 79
Financial Intermediary Compensation 80
Brokerage Transactions 81
Additional Information Concerning the Company 84
Capital Stock 84
Termination of the Company or a Fund 85
DTC as Securities Depository for Shares of the Funds 86
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  Page
Creation and Redemption of Creation Units 87
General 87
Fund Deposit 87
Cash Purchase Method 88
Role of the Authorized Participant 89
Purchase Orders 89
Timing of Submission of Purchase Orders 89
Acceptance of Orders for Creation Units 90
Issuance of a Creation Unit 90
Costs Associated with Creation Transactions 91
Redemption of Creation Units 92
Cash Redemption Method 92
Costs Associated with Redemption Transactions 92
Placement of Redemption Orders 93
Taxation on Creations and Redemptions of Creation Units 95
Regular Holidays 95
Redemptions 103
Taxes 109
Regulated Investment Company Qualifications 109
Taxation of RICs 109
Excise Tax 110
Net Capital Loss Carryforwards 110
Taxation of U.S. Shareholders 111
Sales of Shares 112
Back-Up Withholding 113
Sections 351 and 362 113
Taxation of Certain Derivatives 113
Qualified Dividend Income 114
Corporate Dividends Received Deduction 114
Issues Related to India and Mauritius Taxes 114
Excess Inclusion Income 118
Non-U.S. Investments 118
Passive Foreign Investment Companies 119
Reporting 119
Other Taxes 120
Taxation of Non-U.S. Shareholders 120
Financial Statements 121
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General Description of the Company and its Funds
The Company currently consists of more than 55 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 All Country World Minimum Volatility Index Fund
iShares MSCI Brazil Index Fund
iShares MSCI BRIC Index Fund
iShares MSCI Chile Investable Market Index Fund
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Asia Index Fund
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Consumer Discretionary Sector Index Fund
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets EMEA Index Fund
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Energy Sector Capped Index Fund
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Growth 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 Emerging Markets Value Index Fund
iShares MSCI Frontier 100 Index Fund
iShares MSCI Global Agriculture Producers Fund
iShares MSCI Global Energy Producers Fund
iShares MSCI Global Select Metals & Mining Producers Fund
iShares MSCI Malaysia Index Fund
iShares MSCI South Korea Index Fund
iShares MSCI Taiwan Index Fund
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 broad market, market segment, market sector or group of industries. Each Fund is managed by BFA, 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 for trading on national securities exchanges such as The NASDAQ Stock Market, LLC (“NASDAQ”) or NYSE Arca, Inc. (“NYSE Arca”) (each, a “ Listing 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 (other than the iShares MSCI Brazil Index Fund, iShares MSCI Chile Investable Market Index Fund, iShares MSCI Malaysia Index Fund, iShares MSCI South Korea Index Fund and iShares MSCI Taiwan Index Fund, which currently redeem Creation Units of its shares solely for cash). Creation Units typically are a specified number of shares, generally ranging from 50,000 to 450,000 shares or multiples thereof.
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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 and other costs associated with creations or redemptions that include a cash portion may be higher than the transaction fees and other costs 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 management investment 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 a 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.
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 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 of the iShares MSCI All Country World Minimum Volatility Index Fund, iShares MSCI Brazil Index Fund, iShares MSCI Chile Investable Market Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Asia Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Consumer Discretionary Sector Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets EMEA Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging
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Markets Energy Sector Capped Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Growth Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value Index Fund, iShares MSCI Frontier 100 Index Fund, iShares MSCI Global Agriculture Producers Fund, iShares MSCI Global Energy Producers Fund, iShares MSCI Global Select Metals & Mining Producers Fund, iShares MSCI Malaysia Index Fund, iShares MSCI South Korea Index Fund and iShares MSCI Taiwan Index 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 relevant Underlying Index. Each of the iShares MSCI BRIC Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Minimum Volatility Index Fund and iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Small Cap Index Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing all its assets that are invested in Indian securities in a wholly owned subsidiary located in the Republic of Mauritius (each, a “Subsidiary”). The remaining assets will be invested directly by each Fund. Each Subsidiary and Fund will collectively invest at least 80% (for the iShares MSCI BRIC Index Fund) or 90% (for the iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Minimum Volatility Index Fund and iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Small Cap Index Fund) of each Fund’s total assets in securities that comprise its relevant Underlying Index and depositary receipts representing securities of the relevant Underlying Index. Each of the iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Asia Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Consumer Discretionary Sector Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Energy Sector Capped Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Growth Index Fund and iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value Index Fund invests all its assets that are invested in Indian securities in a Subsidiary (collectively, with each Subsidiary listed above, the “Subsidiaries”). The remaining assets will be invested directly by each Fund. Each Subsidiary and Fund will collectively invest at least 80% of each Fund’s total assets in securities that comprise its relevant Underlying Index and in depositary receipts representing securities of the relevant Underlying Index.
BFA serves as investment adviser to both the Funds and the Subsidiaries. Unless otherwise indicated, references made in this SAI to the iShares MSCI BRIC Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Asia Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Consumer Discretionary Sector Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Energy Sector Capped Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Growth Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Minimum Volatility Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Small Cap Index Fund and iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value Index Fund refer to each Subsidiary and/or each Fund, as applicable.
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 the 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. A fund that uses representative sampling generally does not hold all of the securities that are in its underlying index.
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
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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, 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 BRIC Index Fund iShares MSCI All Country World Minimum Volatility Index Fund
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Asia Index Fund iShares MSCI Brazil Index Fund
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund iShares MSCI Chile Investable Market Index Fund
  iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Consumer Discretionary Sector Index Fund
  iShares MSCI Emerging Markets EMEA Index Fund
  iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Energy Sector Capped Index Fund
  iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Growth Index Fund
  iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Minimum Volatility Index Fund
  iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Small Cap Index Fund
  iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value Index Fund
  iShares MSCI Frontier 100 Index Fund
  iShares MSCI Global Agriculture Producers Fund
  iShares MSCI Global Energy Producers Fund
  iShares MSCI Global Select Metals & Mining Producers Fund
  iShares MSCI Malaysia Index Fund
  iShares MSCI South Korea Index Fund
  iShares MSCI Taiwan 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 contracts and options that are traded on a U.S. or non-U.S. exchange. Each Fund will not use futures or options for speculative purposes.
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As a result, 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 each Fund to maintain liquid assets. Generally, each 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,” each Fund maintains liquid assets in an amount at least equal to the Fund’s daily marked-to-market obligation (i.e., each 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 the Fund sets 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.
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 managing the reinvestment of cash collateral.
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. A Fund could lose money if its short-term investment of the collateral declines in value over the period of the loan. Substitute payments for dividends received by a Fund for securities loaned out by the Fund will not be considered qualified dividend income. A Fund may take the tax effects of this difference into account in its securities lending program.
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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, BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A. (“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, the Fund's investment in such stocks may be in the form of American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”), Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”) 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. 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 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 (“GDP”), 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 the Fund upon termination of the futures contract, assuming all contractual obligations have been satisfied. Subsequent payments, known as “variation margin,” to and from the broker will be made daily as the price of the index underlying the futures contract fluctuates, making the long and short positions in the futures contract more or less
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valuable, a process known as “ marking-to-market.” At any time prior to the expiration of a futures contract, each Fund may elect to close the position by taking an opposite position, which will operate to terminate the Fund’s existing position in the contract.
Regulation Regarding Derivatives.  Effective December 31, 2012, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) adopted certain regulatory changes that subject registered investment companies and advisers to registered investment companies to regulation by the CFTC if a fund invests more than a prescribed level of its liquidation value in CFTC-regulated futures, options and swaps (“CFTC Derivatives” ), or if the fund markets itself as providing investment exposure to such instruments. To the extent a Fund uses CFTC-regulated futures, options and swaps, it intends to do so below such prescribed levels and will not market itself as a “commodity pool” or a vehicle for trading such instruments. Accordingly, BFA has claimed an exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” under the Commodity Exchange Act (“CEA”) pursuant to Rule 4.5 under the CEA. BFA is not, therefore, subject to registration or regulation as a “commodity pool operator” under the CEA in respect of such Fund.
A Fund may also have investments in “underlying funds” not advised by BFA (which for purposes of the no-action letter referenced below may include certain securitized vehicles and/or mortgage REITS that may invest in CFTC Derivatives). BFA has no transparency into the holdings of these underlying funds because they are not advised by BFA. To address this issue of lack of transparency, the CFTC staff issued a no-action letter on November 29, 2012 permitting the adviser of a fund that invests in such underlying funds and that would otherwise have filed a claim of exclusion pursuant to Rule 4.5, to delay registration as a “commodity pool operator” until June 30, 2013 or six months from the date in which the CFTC issues additional guidance on the treatment of CFTC Derivatives held by underlying funds. BFA, the adviser of the Funds, has filed a claim with the CFTC for certain of the Funds to rely on this no-action relief.
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 a 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, the 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 (“NRSROs”), 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 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 that are rated in the highest two short-term rating categories by at least one NRSRO or, if unrated, deemed by BFA to be of equivalent quality.
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
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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 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. The use of reverse repurchase agreements is a form of leverage because the proceeds derived from reverse repurchase agreements may be invested in additional securities.
Securities of Investment Companies. Each Fund may invest in the securities of other investment companies (including money market funds) and real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) 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. The iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund, in order to improve its portfolio liquidity and its ability to track the MSCI Emerging Markets Index, may invest up to 10% of its assets in shares of other iShares funds that invest in securities in the MSCI Emerging Markets Index. BFA will not charge advisory fees on that portion of the iShares MSCI Emerging Market Index Fund's assets invested in shares of other iShares funds. 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® Financial Services LLC, a subsidiary of The McGraw-Hill Companies (“Standard & Poor's Ratings Services”), 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.
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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 that 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 the Fund’s investment objective and do not violate any of its 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.
Risk 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.
Risk 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 the 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.
Risk of Futures and Options Transactions.  There are several risks accompanying the utilization of futures contracts and options on futures contracts. 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. Futures contracts, by definition, project price levels in the future and not current levels of valuation; therefore, 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
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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 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 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.
Risk of Investing in Mid-Capitalization Companies.  Stock prices of mid-capitalization companies may be more volatile than those of large-capitalization companies and, therefore, a 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 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 more difficult for the Funds 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.
Risk 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 the 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; restrictions on ownership of Indian securities by foreign entities; 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.
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Risk of Investing in Small-Capitalization Companies. Stock prices of small-capitalization companies may be more volatile than those of larger companies and therefore a 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.
Risk 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).
Treaty/Tax Risk. Each of the iShares MSCI BRIC Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Asia Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Consumer Discretionary Sector Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Energy Sector Capped Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Growth Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Minimum Volatility Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Small Cap Index Fund and iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value Index Fund operate, in part, through the Subsidiaries, which in turn invest in securities of Indian issuers. At this time, the Subsidiaries should be eligible to take advantage of the benefits of the Double Tax Avoidance Agreement between India and Mauritius (“DTAA”). Numerous investors have relied on the benefits of the DTAA to invest in India through Mauritius in the past. However, in the past 10-15 years a number of parties have challenged the DTAA or the interpretation of the DTAA. Circular 789, issued on April 13, 2000 by the Indian Central Board of Direct Taxes (“CBDT”), clarifies that whenever the Mauritius revenue authorities have issued a certificate of tax residence, such certificate would constitute sufficient evidence for accepting the status of residence of Mauritius tax residents for purposes of applying the provisions of the DTAA. The Supreme Court of India in 2003 subsequently held and declared Circular 789 to be valid following litigation regarding Circular 789. As of the date of this SAI, Circular 789 is still valid and in force.
However, recently issued rulings suggest that the Indian tax administration’s analysis may have changed, and that the tax authorities may now focus on a number of factors when assessing whether a foreign entity is eligible for the benefit of the provisions of a tax treaty, including, among others, the place of management of the foreign resident company and the level of substance in the jurisdiction in which it is incorporated. In addition, both the Indian tax administration and Indian courts seem now to be taking aggressive efforts to challenge structures involving offshore funds investing directly or indirectly in India, in particular those from Mauritius. Further, the Finance Act, 2012 (the “Finance Act”) has made the submission of a tax residency certificate (“TRC”) containing prescribed particulars mandatory for claiming treaty benefits. Through the notification dated September 17, 2012, such particulars have been prescribed. Some of the prescribed particulars are: name of the assessee, status, nationality, residential status for tax purposes, period for which the certificate is applicable and address of the applicant for such period. This will only come into force on April 1, 2013. The memorandum to the Finance Act further states that the TRC may not be sufficient for claiming treaty benefits.
It is possible that the governments of India and Mauritius may renegotiate the terms of the DTAA to include, among other things, a limitation of benefit clause. No assurance can be given that the terms of the DTAA will not be renegotiated or subject to a different interpretation in the future. Any change in the provisions of the DTAA or in its applicability to the Subsidiaries could result in the imposition of withholding and capital gains taxes and other taxes on the Subsidiaries by tax authorities in India. This could significantly reduce the return to each of the iShares MSCI BRIC Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Asia Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Consumer Discretionary Sector Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Energy Sector Capped Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Growth Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Minimum Volatility Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Small Cap Index Fund and iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value Index Fund on its investments and the return received by each Fund’s shareholders.
Indian Tax Risk. In 2010, it was proposed that the Income Tax Act (“IT Act”) may be replaced with the Direct Taxes Code. The Parliamentary Standing Committee released its comments on the Direct Taxes Code on March 9, 2012. The Finance Act was thereafter presented by the Finance Minister on March 16, 2012, proposing certain amendments to the IT Act. The Finance
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Minister highlighted that the enactment of the Direct Taxes Code will be made, at the earliest, after considering the recommendations of the Parliamentary Standing Committee.
Given the delay in enacting the Direct Taxes Code, the Government of India, through the Finance Act, which was enacted on May 28, 2012, has introduced certain key changes to the existing tax framework in India. This legislation includes provisions that impose Indian tax and withholding obligations with respect to the transfer of shares in an overseas company that derives its value substantially from assets situated in India. Because certain Funds invest in Indian securities through Subsidiaries, this legislation by its terms subjects shareholder redemptions of Fund shares and sales of Fund investments to Indian tax and withholding obligations, both prospectively as well as retroactively. However, the CBDT issued a letter on May 29, 2012 clarifying the reopening of completed assessments as a result of the retrospective amendments introduced by the Finance Act. Under this letter, CBDT has directed Indian tax authorities to not reopen any assessment proceedings that were completed before April 1, 2012 and where no notice for reassessment has been issued prior to that date. It has also been clarified that any assessment or any other order which stands validated due to the amendments in the Finance Act would be enforced. Given this clarification issued by the CBDT, these Funds do not expect that their respective shareholders or each Fund will become subject to tax or to withholding obligations with respect to this particular provision of the Finance Act.
In addition, the Finance Act introduced the general tax anti-avoidance rule (“GAAR”), which disallows “impermissible avoidance arrangements.” If the iShares MSCI BRIC Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Asia Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Consumer Discretionary Sector Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Energy Sector Capped Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Growth Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Minimum Volatility Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Small Cap Index Fund and iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value Index Fund's use of a subsidiary was considered to be such an impermissible avoidance arrangement, the Funds would become subject directly to taxation in India. GAAR is expected to come into force from April 2013. The burden of proof in enforcing the rule will reside with the Indian government, not the taxpayer, and India’s current double tax treaty arrangements will remain in force. However, GAAR may prevent the Funds from realizing the planned tax benefits of the Subsidiaries, irrespective of existing beneficial treaty provisions, may lead to the imposition of tax liabilities and withholding obligations, and may lead the Funds to modify or disassemble their Subsidiaries structure.
A Committee was established by the Government of India to provide recommendations on the guidelines for implementing GAAR under the Direct Taxes Code. With GAAR provisions having been introduced in the Finance Act, the Committee came out with its report on June 28, 2012.
The Prime Minister’s Office constituted an experts committee chaired by Parthasarathi Shome (the “Panel”) to hold consultations with stakeholders and the general public to rework the draft guidelines on GAAR and create a roadmap for implementation. The Panel submitted its draft recommendations on September 1, 2012. The recommendations have been given on the basis that GAAR is not for the purpose of generating revenue but to deter arrangements to avoid tax. Some of the key recommendations are:
(a) Deferring the implementation of GAAR by 3 years on administrative grounds (e.g., training of tax officers, establishing Approving Panel, etc.);
(b) All investments made and existing on commencement of GAAR should be grandfathered so that on exit GAAR is not invoked;
(c) Where CBDT circular 789 of 2000 is applicable, GAAR should not be invoked; and
(d) Where a treaty has specific anti-avoidance provisions, GAAR should not override the treaty.
This report was submitted to the Ministry of Finance, Government of India on October 1, 2012.
Provisions of the Finance Act and the Direct Taxes Code (if enacted), could change the manner in which Subsidiaries are currently taxed in India and could adversely impact the returns to each of the iShares MSCI BRIC Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Asia Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Consumer Discretionary Sector Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Energy Sector Capped Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Growth Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Minimum Volatility Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Small Cap Index Fund and iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value Index Fund/Subsidiaries and its shareholders. Each of the iShares MSCI BRIC Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Asia Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets
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Consumer Discretionary Sector Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Energy Sector Capped Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Growth Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Minimum Volatility Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Small Cap Index Fund and iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value Index Fund will continue to monitor developments in India with respect to these matters. Investors are urged to consult their own tax advisers with respect to their own tax situations and the tax consequences of an investment in each of the iShares MSCI BRIC Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Asia Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Consumer Discretionary Sector Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Energy Sector Capped Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Growth Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Minimum Volatility Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Small Cap Index Fund and iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value Index Fund.
Volatility Risk.  The value of the securities in the Fund’s portfolio may fluctuate, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably. The value of a security may fluctuate due to factors affecting markets generally or particular industries. The value of a security may also be more volatile than the market as a whole. This volatility may affect the Fund’s NAV. Although the Underlying Index was created to seek lower volatility than the MSCI ACWI Index and the MSCI Emerging Markets Index, there is no guarantee that these strategies will be successful. The Fund's name reflects the name of the Underlying Index as provided by the Index Provider. However, the Index Provider may be unsuccessful in creating an index that minimizes volatility, and there is a risk that the Fund may experience more than minimum volatility. Securities in the Fund's portfolio may be subject to price volatility and the prices may not be any less volatile than the market as a whole and could be more volatile. Events or financial circumstances affecting individual securities or sectors may increase the volatility of the Fund.
Risk 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
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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 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 civil war and political reconstruction 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.
Risk 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 other regions. 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. Many Asian economies have experienced rapid growth and industrialization, and there is no assurance that this growth rate will be maintained.
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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 Korea 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.
Risk 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. Australia and New Zealand are 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 economies of Australia and New Zealand and affect the value of securities held by a relevant Fund. The economies of Australia and New Zealand are dependent on trading with certain key trading partners, including Asia, Europe and the United States. The Australia–U.S. Free Trade Agreement has significantly expanded the trading relationship between the United States and Australia. In 2003, Australia and 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 Southeast 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 economies of Australia and New Zealand are 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 a Fund has exposure.
Risk of Investing in Australia.  A 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. In 2003, Australia and 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 Southeast 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 a Fund has exposure.
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Risk of Investing in Brazil.  Investment in securities of companies domiciled in Brazil involves a high degree of risk and special considerations not typically associated with investing in the U.S. securities markets. Such heightened risks include, among others, a high level of price volatility in the Brazilian equity and currency markets, chronic structural public sector deficits and disparities of wealth.
Brazil has historically experienced high rates of inflation and may continue to do so in the future. An increase in prices for commodities, the depreciation of the Brazilian currency (the real) and potential future governmental measures seeking to maintain the value of the real in relation to the U.S. dollar, may trigger increases in inflation in Brazil and may slow the rate of growth of the Brazilian economy. Inflationary pressures also may limit the ability of certain Brazilian issuers to access foreign financial markets and may lead to further government intervention in the economy, including the introduction of government policies that may adversely affect the overall performance of the Brazilian economy, which in turn could adversely affect a Fund's investments.
The Brazilian government has exercised, and continues to exercise, significant influence over the Brazilian economy, which may have significant effects on Brazilian companies and on market conditions and prices of Brazilian securities. The Brazilian economy has been characterized by frequent, and occasionally drastic, intervention by the Brazilian government. The Brazilian government has often changed monetary, taxation, credit, tariff and other policies to influence the core of Brazil’s economy. The Brazilian government’s actions to control inflation and affect other economic policies have involved, among others, the setting of wage and price controls, blocking access to bank accounts, fluctuation of the base interest rates, imposing exchange controls and limiting imports into Brazil. In the past, the Brazilian government has maintained domestic price controls, and no assurances can be given that price controls will not be re-imposed in the future.
Investments in Brazilian securities may be subject to certain restrictions on foreign investment. Brazilian law provides that whenever a serious imbalance in Brazil’s balance of payments exists or is anticipated, the Brazilian government may impose temporary restrictions on the remittance to foreign investors of the proceeds of their investment in Brazil and on the conversion of Brazilian currency into foreign currency. The likelihood of such restrictions may be affected by the extent of Brazil’s foreign currency reserves, the size of Brazil’s debt service burden relative to the economy as a whole, and political constraints to which Brazil may be subject. There can be no assurance that the Brazilian government will not impose restrictions or restrictive exchange control policies in the future, which could have the effect of preventing or restricting access to foreign currency.
The market for Brazilian securities is directly influenced by the flow of international capital, and economic and market conditions of certain countries, especially other emerging market countries in Central and South America. Adverse economic conditions or developments in other emerging market countries have at times significantly affected the availability of credit in the Brazilian economy and resulted in considerable outflows of funds and declines in the amount of foreign currency invested in Brazil. Crisis in neighboring emerging market countries also may increase investors’ risk aversion, which may adversely impact the market value of the securities issued by Brazilian companies, including securities in which a Fund may invest.
Risk of Investing in Central and South America.  The economies of certain Central and South American countries have experienced high interest rates, economic volatility, inflation, currency devaluations, government defaults and high unemployment rates. In addition, commodities (such as oil, gas and minerals) represent a significant percentage of exports for the regions and many economies in these regions are particularly sensitive to fluctuations in commodity prices. Adverse economic events in one country may have a significant adverse effect on other countries of these regions.
Risk of Investing in China.  Investments in securities of companies domiciled in China involves a high degree of risk and special considerations not typically associated with investing in the U.S. securities markets. Such heightened risks include, among others, an authoritarian government, popular unrest associated with demands for improved political, economic and social conditions, the impact of regional conflict on the economy and hostile relations with neighboring countries.
Military conflicts, either in response to internal social unrest or conflicts with other countries, could disrupt economic development. The Chinese economy is vulnerable to the long-running disagreements with Hong Kong related to integration and religious and nationalist disputes with Tibet. China has a complex territorial dispute regarding the sovereignty of Taiwan that has included threats of invasion; Taiwan-based companies and individuals are significant investors in China. Military conflict between China and Taiwan may adversely affect securities of Chinese issuers. In addition, China has strained international relations with Japan, India, Russia and other neighbors due to territorial disputes, historical animosities and
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other defense concerns. China could be affected by military events on the Korean peninsula or internal instability within North Korea. These situations may cause uncertainty in the Chinese market and may adversely affect performance of the Chinese economy.
The Chinese government has implemented significant economic reforms in order to liberalize trade policy, promote foreign investment in the economy, reduce government control of the economy and develop market mechanisms. But there can be no assurance that these reforms will continue or that they will be effective. Despite reforms and privatizations of companies in certain sectors, the Chinese government still exercises substantial influence over many aspects of the private sector and may own or control many companies. The Chinese government continues to maintain a major role in economic policy making and investing in China involves risk of loss due to expropriation, nationalization, confiscation of assets and property or the imposition of restrictions on foreign investments and on repatriation of capital invested. In addition, there is less regulation and monitoring of Chinese securities markets and the activities of investors, brokers and other participants than in the United States. Accordingly, issuers of securities in China are not subject to the same degree of regulation as are U.S. issuers with respect to such matters as insider trading rules, tender offer regulation, stockholder proxy requirements and the requirements mandating timely and accurate disclosure of information. Stock markets in China are in the process of change and further development. This may lead to trading volatility, difficulty in the settlement and recording of transactions and difficulty in interpreting and applying the relevant regulation.
While the Chinese economy has grown rapidly in recent years, there is no assurance that this growth rate will be maintained. China may experience substantial rates of inflation or economic recessions, causing a negative effect on the economy and securities market. China’s economy is heavily dependent on export growth. Reduction in spending on Chinese products and services, institution of tariffs or other trade barriers or a downturn in any of the economies of China’s key trading partners may have an adverse impact on the securities of Chinese issuers.
The tax laws and regulations in the People's Republic of China (“PRC”) are subject to change, including the issuance of authoritative guidance or enforcement, possibly with retroactive effect. The interpretation, applicability and enforcement of such laws by PRC tax authorities are not as consistent and transparent as those of more developed nations, and may vary over time and from region to region. The application and enforcement of PRC tax rules could have a significant adverse effect on a Fund and its investors, particularly in relation to capital gains withholding tax imposed upon non-residents.
Risk 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 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.
Risk of Investing in Emerging Markets.   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 non-existent 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
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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 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.
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 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
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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 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.
Risk of Investing in Europe.   The Economic and Monetary Union of the European Union (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 among EU member countries may have a significant adverse effect on the economies of EU member countries and their trading partners. Although certain European countries do not use the euro, many of these countries are obliged to meet the criteria for joining the euro zone. Consequently, these countries must comply with many of the restrictions noted above. The European financial markets have recently experienced volatility and adverse trends due to concerns about economic downturns, rising government debt levels and the possible default of government debt in several European countries, including Greece, Ireland, Italy, Portugal and Spain. In order to prevent further economic deterioration, certain countries, without prior warning, can institute “capital controls.” Countries may use these controls to restrict volatile movements of capital entering and exiting their country. Such controls may negatively affect a Fund’s investments. 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 above. In addition, the credit ratings of certain European countries were recently downgraded. These downgrades may result in further deterioration of investor confidence. 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 countries that do not use the euro and non-EU member countries. Responses to the financial problems by European governments, central banks and others, including austerity measures and reforms, may not work, may result in social unrest and may limit future growth and economic recovery or have other unintended consequences. Further defaults or restructurings by governments and other entities of their debt could have additional adverse effects on economies, financial markets and asset valuations around the world. In addition, one or more countries may abandon the euro, the common currency of the EU, and/or withdraw from the EU. The impact of these actions, especially if they occur in a disorderly fashion, is not clear but could be significant and far-reaching.
Risk of Investing in India.  India is an emerging market and demonstrates significantly higher volatility from time to time in comparison to more developed markets. Political, religious, and border disputes persist in India. India has recently experienced and may continue to experience civil unrest and hostilities with certain of its neighboring countries, including Pakistan, and the Indian government has confronted separatist movements in several Indian states, including Kashmir. Government control over the economy, currency fluctuations or blockage, and the risk of nationalization or expropriation of assets offer higher potential for losses. Governmental actions could have a negative effect on the economic conditions in India, which could adversely affect the value and liquidity of investments made by a Fund. The securities markets in India are comparatively underdeveloped and with some exceptions, consist of a small number of listed companies with small market capitalization, greater price volatility and substantially less liquidity than companies in more developed markets. Stockbrokers and other intermediaries in India may not perform as well as their counterparts in the United States or other, more developed countries. The limited liquidity of the Indian securities markets may also affect a Fund’s ability to acquire or dispose of securities at the price or time that it desires or the Fund’s ability to track its Underlying Index.
Global factors and foreign actions may inhibit the flow of foreign capital on which India is dependent to sustain its growth. In addition, the Reserve Bank of India has imposed limits on foreign ownership of Indian companies, which may decrease the liquidity of a Fund’s portfolio and result in extreme volatility in the prices of Indian securities. These factors, coupled with the lack of extensive accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and practices, as applicable in the United States, may increase the risk of loss for a Fund.
Securities laws in India are relatively new and unsettled and, as a result, there is a risk of significant and unpredictable change in laws governing foreign investment, securities regulation, title to securities and shareholder rights. Foreign investors in particular may be adversely affected by new or amended laws and regulations. Certain Indian regulatory approvals, including approvals from the Securities and Exchange Board of India, the central government and the tax authorities (to the extent that tax benefits need to be utilized), may be required before a Fund can make investments in Indian companies.
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Technology and software sectors represent a significant portion of the total capitalization of the Indian securities markets. The value of these companies will generally fluctuate in response to technological and regulatory developments, and, as a result, a Fund’s holdings are expected to experience correlated fluctuations.
Natural disasters, such as tsunamis, flooding or droughts, could occur in India, Mauritius or surrounding areas and could negatively affect the Indian economy or operations of a Subsidiary, and, in turn, could negatively affect a Fund.
Risk of Investing in Latin America.  A number of Latin American countries are among the largest debtors of developing countries and have a long history of foreign debt and default. In 2001, Argentina defaulted on its debt and many investors suffered significant losses.
The majority of the region's economies have become highly dependent upon foreign credit and loans from external sources to fuel their state-sponsored economic plans. Historically, government profligacy and ill-conceived plans for modernization have exhausted these resources with little benefit accruing to the economy. Most countries have been forced to restructure their loans or risk default on their debt obligations. In addition, interest on the debt is subject to market conditions and may reach levels that would impair economic activity and create a difficult and costly environment for borrowers. Accordingly, these governments may be forced to reschedule or freeze their debt repayment, which could negatively affect local markets. Because of their dependence on foreign credit and loans, a number of Latin American economies face significant economic difficulties and some economies fell into recession as the recent global economic crisis tightened international credit supplies. While the region has recently shown signs of economic improvement, recovery from past economic downturns in Latin America has historically been slow, and any such recovery, if sustained, may be gradual.
Substantial limitations may exist in certain Latin American countries with respect to the Fund’s ability to repatriate investment income, capital or the proceeds of sales of securities. The Fund could be adversely affected by delays in, or a refusal to grant, any required governmental approval for repatriation of capital, as well as by the application to the Fund of any restrictions on investments and difficulties in enforcing legal judgments in non-U.S. courts. Legal remedies available to investors in certain Latin American countries may be less extensive than those available to investors in the United States or other countries. In addition, certain Latin American countries may have legal systems that may make it difficult for the Fund to vote proxies, exercise shareholder rights, and pursue legal remedies with respect to its investments. In the past, many Latin American countries have experienced substantial, and in some periods extremely high, rates of inflation for many years. For companies that keep accounting records in the local currency, inflation accounting rules in some Latin American countries require, for both tax and accounting purposes, that certain assets and liabilities be restated on the company’s balance sheet in order to express items in terms of currency of constant purchasing power. Inflation accounting may indirectly generate losses or profits for certain Latin American companies.
Certain Latin American countries have entered into regional trade agreements that are designed to, among other things, reduce barriers between countries, increase competition among companies and reduce government subsidies in certain industries. No assurance can be given that these changes will be successful in the long term, or that these changes will result in the economic stability intended. There is a possibility that these trade arrangements will not be fully implemented, or will be partially or completely unwound. It is also possible that a significant participant could choose to abandon a trade agreement, which could diminish its credibility and influence. Any of these occurrences could have adverse effects on the markets of both participating and non-participating countries, including sharp appreciation or depreciation of participants’ national currencies and a significant increase in exchange rate volatility, a resurgence in economic protectionism, an undermining of confidence in the Latin American markets, an undermining of Latin American economic stability, the collapse or slowdown of the drive towards Latin American economic unity, and/or reversion of the attempts to lower government debt and inflation rates that were introduced in anticipation of such trade agreements. Such developments could have an adverse impact on the Fund’s investments in Latin America generally or in specific countries participating in such trade agreements.
Risk of Investing in the Middle East.  Many Middle Eastern countries have little or no democratic tradition, and the political and legal systems in such countries may have an adverse impact on a Fund. Many economies in the Middle East are highly reliant on income from the sale of oil or trade with countries involved in the sale of oil, and their economies are therefore vulnerable to changes in the market for oil and foreign currency values. As global demand for oil fluctuates, many Middle Eastern economies may be significantly impacted.
In addition, many Middle Eastern governments have exercised and continue to exercise substantial influence over many aspects of the private sector. In certain cases, a Middle Eastern country’s government may own or control many companies,
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including some of the largest companies in the country. Accordingly, governmental actions in the future could have a significant effect on economic conditions in Middle Eastern countries. This could affect private sector companies and a Fund, as well as the value of securities in a Fund's portfolio.
Certain Middle Eastern markets are in the earliest stages of development. As a result, there may be 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 investors and financial intermediaries. Brokers in Middle Eastern countries typically are fewer in number and less well capitalized than brokers in the United States.
The legal systems in certain Middle Eastern countries also may have an adverse impact on a Fund. For example, the potential liability of a shareholder in a U.S. corporation with respect to acts of the corporation generally is limited to the amount of the shareholder’s investment. However, the notion of limited liability is less clear in certain Middle Eastern countries. Each Fund therefore may be liable in certain Middle Eastern countries for the acts of a corporation in which it invests for an amount greater than a Fund’s actual investment in that corporation. Similarly, the rights of investors in Middle Eastern issuers may be more limited than those of shareholders of a U.S. corporation. It may be difficult or impossible to obtain and/or enforce a legal judgment in a Middle Eastern country. Some Middle Eastern countries prohibit or impose substantial restrictions on investments in their capital markets, particularly their equity markets, by foreign entities such as a Fund. For example, certain countries may require governmental approval prior to investment by foreign persons or limit the amount of investment by foreign persons in a particular issuer. They may also limit the investment by foreign persons to only a specific class of securities of an issuer that may have less advantageous terms (including price) than securities of the issuer available for purchase by nationals.
The manner in which foreign investors may invest in companies in certain Middle Eastern countries, as well as limitations on those investments, may have an adverse impact on the operations of a Fund. For example, in certain of these countries, a Fund may be required to invest initially through a local broker or other entity and then have the shares that were purchased re-registered in the name of a Fund. Re-registration in some instances may not be possible on a timely basis. This may result in a delay during which a Fund may be denied certain of its rights as an investor, including rights as to dividends or to be made aware of certain corporate actions. There also may be instances where a Fund places a purchase order but is subsequently informed, at the time of re-registration, that the permissible allocation of the investment to foreign investors has been filled.
Substantial limitations may exist in certain Middle Eastern countries with respect to a Fund’s ability to repatriate investment income or capital gains. A Fund could be adversely affected by delays in, or a refusal to grant, any required governmental approval for repatriation of capital, as well as by the application to a Fund of any restrictions on investment.
Certain Middle Eastern countries 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. In addition, certain issuers located in Middle Eastern countries 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.
Certain Middle Eastern countries have strained relations with other Middle Eastern countries due to territorial disputes, historical animosities or defense concerns, which may adversely affect the economies of these Middle Eastern countries. Certain Middle Eastern countries experience significant unemployment, as well as widespread underemployment. Recently, many Middle Eastern countries have experienced political, economic and social unrest as protestors have called for widespread reform. These protests may adversely affect the economies of these Middle Eastern countries.
Risk of Investing in North America.  The United States is Canada’s and Mexico’s largest trading and investment partner. The Canadian and Mexican economies are significantly affected by developments in the U.S. economy. Since the implementation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (“NAFTA”) in 1994 among Canada, the United States and Mexico, total merchandise trade between the three countries has increased. To further this relationship, the three NAFTA countries entered
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into the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America in March 2005, which may further affect Canada’s and Mexico’s dependency on the U.S. economy. Economic events in any one North American country can have a significant economic effect on the entire North American region, and on some or all of the North American countries in which a Fund invests.
Risk 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 market, 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 the Russian securities market 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.
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.
Risk of Investing in South Africa.  South Africa’s two-tiered economy, with one rivaling developed countries and the other exhibiting many characteristics of developing countries, is characterized by uneven distribution of wealth and income and high rates of unemployment. Although economic reforms have been enacted to promote growth and foreign investments, there can be no assurance that these programs will achieve the desired results. In addition, South Africa’s inadequate currency reserves have left its currency vulnerable at times to devaluation. Despite significant reform and privatization, the South African government continues to control a large share of South African economic activity. Heavy regulation of labor and product markets is pervasive and may stifle South African economic growth or cause prolonged periods of recession. The agriculture and mining sectors of South Africa’s economy account for a large portion of its exports and, thus, the South African economy is susceptible to fluctuations in these commodity markets.
Risk of Investing in Taiwan.  The Fund’s investment in Taiwanese issuers may subject the Fund to loss in the event of adverse political, economic, regulatory and other developments that affect Taiwan, including fluctuations of the New Taiwan dollar versus the U.S. dollar. Taiwan has few natural resources. Any fluctuation or shortage in the commodity markets could have a negative impact on the Taiwanese economy. Appreciation of the New Taiwan dollar, rising labor costs, and increasing environmental consciousness have led some labor-intensive industries to relocate to other countries with cheaper work forces. Continued labor outsourcing may adversely affect the Taiwanese economy. Taiwanese firms are among the world’s largest suppliers of computer monitors and leaders in personal computer manufacturing. A slowdown in global demand for these products will likely have an adverse impact on the Taiwanese economy. The Chinese government views Taiwan as a
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renegade province and continues to contest Taiwan’s sovereignty. The outbreak of hostilities between the two nations, or even the threat of an outbreak of hostilities will likely adversely impact the Taiwanese economy. Such risks, among others, may adversely affect the value of a Fund’s investments.
Risk of Investing in the Automotive Industry.  The automotive industry can be highly cyclical, and companies in the automotive industry may suffer periodic losses. The automotive industry is also highly competitive and there may be, at times, excess capacity in the global and domestic automotive industry. Over the last few years, the U.S. automotive industry experienced a significant downturn; certain automotive companies required stimulus from the U.S. government, while others formed strategic industry alliances in order to weather the substantially difficult market conditions. In general, the automotive industry is susceptible to labor disputes, product defect litigation, patent expiration, increased pension liabilities, rise in material or component prices and changing consumer tastes.
Risk 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.
Risk 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.
Risk 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.
Risk 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 consumer staples sector are also affected by changes in government regulation, global economic, environmental and political events, economic conditions and the depletion of resources. In addition, companies in the consumer 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.
Risk 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.
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Risk 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 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 legislation in many countries that may increase government regulation, repatriation and other intervention. The impact of governmental intervention and legislative changes 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 foreign countries are subject to market specific and general regulatory and interest rate concerns. In particular, government regulation in certain foreign 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 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.
Risk of Investing in the Healthcare Sector.  Companies in the healthcare 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 healthcare 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 healthcare companies are subject to extensive litigation based on product liability and similar claims. Healthcare 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 healthcare 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 healthcare-related companies are relatively small and unseasoned. Healthcare companies may also be strongly affected by scientific bio-technology or technological developments and their products may quickly become obsolete. Also, many healthcare 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 healthcare company or on the healthcare 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 healthcare services, tax incentives and penalties related to healthcare insurance premiums, and promotion of prepaid healthcare plans. No one can predict what proposals will be enacted or what potentially adverse effect they may have on healthcare-related or biotechnology-related companies.
Risk of Investing in the Industrials Sector.  The value of securities issued by companies in the industrials sector may be affected by supply and demand both for their specific product or service and for industrials 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
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of companies in the industrials sector. Companies in the industrials sector may be adversely affected by liability for environmental damage, product liability claims and exchange rates. The industrials 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 industrials 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 industrials 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.
Risk 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.
Risk 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 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.
Risk of Investing in the Media Sector.  Companies in the media 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. Media companies are subject to risks that include cyclicality of revenues and earnings, a potential decrease in the discretionary income of targeted individuals, changing consumer tastes and interests, competition in the industry and the potential for increased state and federal regulation. Advertising spending is an important source of revenue for media companies. During economic downturns, advertising spending typically decreases and, as a result, media companies tend to generate less revenue.
Risk of Investing in the Oil and Gas Sector.  Companies in the oil and gas sector are strongly affected by the levels and volatility of global energy prices, oil and gas supply and demand, government regulations and policies, oil and gas production and conservation efforts and technological change. Prices and supplies of oil and gas may fluctuate significantly over short and long periods of time due to national and international political changes, OPEC policies, changes in relationships among OPEC members and between OPEC and oil-importing nations, the regulatory environment, taxation policies, and the economies of key energy-consuming countries. Disruptions in the oil industry or shifts in energy consumption may significantly impact companies in this sector. Companies that own or operate gas pipelines are subject to certain risks, including pipeline and equipment leaks and ruptures, explosions, fires, unscheduled downtime, transportation interruptions, discharges or releases of toxic or hazardous gases and other environmental risks.
Risk of Investing in the Real Estate Sector.  Companies in the real estate sector include companies that invest in real estate, such as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) or a real estate holding company (collectively, “Real Estate Companies”). Investing in Real Estate Companies exposes investors to the risks of owning real estate directly, as well as to risks that relate specifically to the way in which Real Estate Companies are organized and operated. Real estate is highly sensitive to general and local economic conditions and developments, and characterized by intense competition and periodic overbuilding. Investing in Real Estate Companies involves various risks. Some risks that are specific to Real Estate Companies are discussed in greater detail below.
Interest Rate Risk. Rising interest rates could result in higher costs of capital for Real Estate Companies, which could negatively impact a Real Estate Company’s ability to meet its payment obligations.
Leverage Risk. Real Estate Companies may use leverage (and some may be highly leveraged), which increases investment risk and could adversely affect a Real Estate Company’s operations and market value in periods of rising interest rates as well as risks normally associated with debt financing. Financial covenants related to a Real Estate Company’s leverage may affect the
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ability of the Real Estate Company to operate effectively. In addition, real property may be subject to the quality of credit extended and defaults by borrowers and tenants. If the properties do not generate sufficient income to meet operating expenses, including, where applicable, debt service, ground lease payments, tenant improvements, third-party leasing commissions and other capital expenditures, the income and ability of a Real Estate Company to make payments of any interest and principal on its debt securities will be adversely affected.
Property Risk. Real Estate Companies may be subject to risks relating to functional obsolescence or reduced desirability of properties; extended vacancies due to economic conditions and tenant bankruptcies; catastrophic events such as earthquakes, hurricanes and terrorist acts; and casualty or condemnation losses. Real estate income and values also may be greatly affected by demographic trends, such as population shifts or changing tastes and values, or increasing vacancies or declining rents resulting from legal, cultural, technological, global or local economic developments.
Management Risk. Real Estate Companies are dependent upon management skills and may have limited financial resources. Real Estate Companies are generally not diversified and may be subject to heavy cash flow dependency, default by borrowers and self-liquidation. In addition, transactions between Real Estate Companies and their affiliates may be subject to conflicts of interest, which may adversely affect a Real Estate Company’s shareholders. A Real Estate Company may also have joint venture investments in certain of its properties and, consequently, its ability to control decisions relating to such properties may be limited.
Liquidity Risk. Investing in Real Estate Companies may involve risks similar to those associated with investing in small-capitalization companies. Real Estate Company securities, like the securities of other smaller companies, may be more volatile than, and perform differently from, shares of large capitalization companies. There may be less trading in Real Estate Company shares, which means that buy and sell transactions in those shares could have a magnified impact on share price, resulting in abrupt or erratic price fluctuations. In addition, real estate is relatively illiquid and, therefore, a Real Estate Company may have a limited ability to vary or liquidate properties in response to changes in economic or other conditions.
Concentration Risk. Real Estate Companies may own a limited number of properties and concentrate their investments in a particular geographic region or property type.
U.S. Tax Risk. Certain U.S. Real Estate Companies are subject to special U.S. federal tax requirements. A REIT that fails to comply with such tax requirements may be subject to U.S. federal income taxation, which may affect the value of the REIT and the characterization of the REIT’s distributions. The U.S. federal tax requirement that a REIT distribute substantially all of its net income to its shareholders may result in a REIT having insufficient capital for future expenditures.
Regulatory Risk. Real estate income and values may be adversely affected by such factors as applicable domestic and foreign laws (including tax laws). Government actions, such as tax increases, zoning law changes or environmental regulations, also may have a major impact on real estate.
Risk of Investing in the Retail Sector.  The retail sector may be affected by changes in domestic and international economies, consumer confidence, disposable household income and spending, and consumer tastes and preferences. Companies in the retail sector face intense competition, which may have an adverse effect on their profitability. The success of companies in the retail sector may be strongly affected by social trends and marketing campaigns. Companies in the retail sector may be dependent on outside financing, which may be difficult to obtain. Many of these companies are dependent on third party suppliers and distribution systems. Retail companies may be unable to protect their intellectual property rights or may be liable for infringing the intellectual property rights of others.
Risk 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.
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Risk of Investing in the Technology Sector.  Technology companies face intense competition, both domestically and internationally, which may have an adverse effect on profit margins. Technology companies may have limited product lines, markets, financial resources or personnel. The products of 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 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. The technology sector may also be adversely affected by changes or trends in commodity prices, which may be influenced or characterized by unpredictable factors.
Risk of Investing in the Transportation Sector.  Issuers in the transportation sector 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. Other risk factors that may affect transportation companies include the risk of increases in fuel and other operating costs and the effects of regulatory changes or other government decisions.
Risk 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 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 the company’s long-term prospects. The deregulation of certain utility companies may eliminate restrictions on profits but may also subject these companies to greater risks of loss.
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
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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.
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 BFA 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
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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 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 June 29, 2012, 22 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. REITs in 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
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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%.
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.
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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 Global Minimum Volatility Indexes
MSCI Global Minimum Volatility Indexes are designed to reflect lower volatility or lower risk than the capitalization-weighted indexes on which they are based. The indexes aim to reflect the performance of equity portfolios that have the lowest absolute volatility for a given set of investment constraints. Each MSCI Global Minimum Volatility Index seeks lower volatility than the comparable capitalization-weighted MSCI Global Standard Index.
Historically, relative to the MSCI Global Standard Index, the MSCI Global Minimum Volatility Indexes have demonstrated (i) lower portfolio beta; (ii) lower portfolio volatility; (iii) lower market capitalization bias; and (iv) bias towards securities with lower distinctive risk.
The MSCI Global Minimum Volatility Indexes begin with an existing capitalization-weighted MSCI Global Standard Index for a geographic region, which will serve as the universe of eligible securities for performing total risk optimization. After identifying the investor’s base currency, the optimization is performed by applying a security covariance matrix estimated from Barra’s multi-factor risk model to determine weights for securities in the index that minimizes total risk of the MSCI Global Standard Index for a given set of constraints. The following investment constraints apply in constructing the MSCI Global Minimum Volatility Indexes:
The maximum weight of an index constituent will be the lower of 1.5% or 20 times its weight in the MSCI Global Standard Index;
The minimum weight of an index constituent will be 0.05%;
For countries in the MSCI Global Standard Index with weight greater than or equal to 2.5%, the MSCI Global Minimum Volatility Indexes weight will not deviate by more than ±5% of its weight in the MSCI Global Standard Index;
For countries in the MSCI Global Standard Index with weight less than 2.5%, the maximum MSCI Global Minimum Volatility Indexes weight will be three times its weight in the MSCI Global Standard Index;
Sector weights will not deviate by more than ±5% from its weight in the MSCI Global Standard Index;
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Exposure to risk indices from Barra’s multi-factor risk model, including (i) Momentum; (ii) Value; (iii) Size; (iv) Size Nonlinearity; (v) Growth; (vi) Liquidity; and (vii) Financial Leverage will be limited to ±0.25 standard deviations relative to the MSCI Global Standard Index; exposure to the volatility risk index will be unlimited; and
The maximum one-way turnover will be 10%.
MSCI conducts SAIRs of the MSCI Global Minimum Volatility Indexes at the end of May and November, coinciding with the semi-annual reviews of the MSCI Global Standard Indexes. The security covariance matrix used in the optimization for MSCI Global Minimum Volatility Indexes is taken as of the end of April and October. Generally, the MSCI Global Minimum Volatility Indexes will follow the event maintenance of the MSCI Global Standard Index. Initial public offerings (IPOs) and other newly listed securities will only be considered for inclusion in the MSCI Global Minimum Volatility Indexes at the next semi-annual index review, even if they qualify for early inclusion in the MSCI Global Standard Index. There will be no early inclusion of new securities in the MSCI Global Minimum Volatility Indexes, except when a new security is the result of an event affecting an existing index constituent, such as a merger or spin-off. An index constituent will be deleted from the MSCI Global Minimum Volatility Indexes following a corporate event or following a quarterly review of the MSCI Global Standard Index in which the index constituent is simultaneously deleted from the MSCI Global Standard Index.
MSCI ACWI Select Agriculture Producers Investable Market Index
Number of Components: approximately 158
Index Description. The MSCI ACWI Select Agriculture Producers Investable Market Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization-weighted index comprised of select companies in both developed and emerging markets that are primarily engaged in the business of agriculture at or near the initial phase of agricultural input production. Free-float market capitalization is calculated by taking the security’s price and multiplying it by the number of shares readily available in the market rather than the total number of shares outstanding. The Underlying Index contains companies classified under fertilizers and agricultural chemicals and agricultural products GICS categories. In addition, companies classified under the construction and farm machinery and heavy trucks GICS category are included provided they derive the majority of their revenues from farm machinery and related parts. Finally, companies classified under the packaged foods and meats GICS category are included provided they derive the majority of their revenues from production, based on the following guidelines:
Poultry and Livestock: companies are included only if they are significantly involved in the breeding of animals by themselves or through contract farming;
Dairy: manufacturers of milk and milk products such as cheese and yogurt, are excluded due to the absence of revenue break up;
Sugar: manufacturers of sugar are included even if they do not farm sugarcane. Companies selling sweeteners, sugar free, syrups, etc. are excluded;
Edible oil: companies processing edible oil without cultivating the plantation are excluded;
Confectioneries and snacks: manufacturers of finished products are excluded due to their presence at the lower spectrum of the value chain;
Coffee: coffee companies are excluded due to their reliance on external parties for raw materials; and
Fishing: fishing companies are generally included whether they operate fisheries or receive their catch from the ocean.
Calculation Methodology. The Fund utilizes the Underlying Index calculated with net dividends reinvested. Net dividends means dividends after taxes withheld at the rate applicable to holders of the underlying stock that are resident in Luxembourg. Such withholding rates may differ from those applicable to U.S. residents.
MSCI ACWI Select Energy Producers Investable Market Index
Number of Components: approximately 319
Index Description. The MSCI ACWI Select Energy Producers Investable Market Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization-weighted index comprised of select companies primarily engaged in the business of energy exploration and production in both developed and emerging markets. Free-float market capitalization is calculated by taking the security’s price and multiplying it by the number of shares readily available in the market rather than the total number of shares outstanding. The Underlying Index contains securities classified under oil and gas exploration and production and coal and
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consumable fuels GICS categories. In addition, securities classified under integrated oil and gas and oil and gas refining and marketing GICS categories are included provided they do not derive a majority of their revenues from marketing, storage and/or transportation of oil and gas. Companies classified in those sub-industries which do not separately disclose the refining and/or marketing operations in their financial statements are included. Companies primarily involved in alternative fuels are excluded.
Calculation Methodology. The Fund utilizes the Underlying Index calculated with net dividends reinvested. Net dividends means dividends after taxes withheld at the rate applicable to holders of the underlying stock that are resident in Luxembourg. Such withholding rates may differ from those applicable to U.S. residents.
MSCI ACWI Select Metals & Mining Producers Ex Gold and Silver Investable Market Index
Number of Components: approximately 337
Index Description. The MSCI ACWI Select Metals & Mining Producers ex Gold and Silver Investable Market Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization-weighted index comprised of companies primarily involved in the extraction and production of diversified metals, aluminum, steel, and precious metals and minerals, excluding gold and silver, in both developed and emerging markets. Free-float market capitalization is calculated by taking the security’s price and multiplying it by the number of shares readily available in the market rather than the total number of shares outstanding. The Underlying Index includes companies classified under the aluminum, diversified metals and mining and steel GICS categories. In addition, companies classified under the precious metals and minerals GICS category are included, provided they do not derive less than 50% of their revenues from gold mining or silver mining.
Calculation Methodology. The Fund utilizes the Underlying Index calculated with net dividends reinvested. Net dividends means dividends after taxes withheld at the rate applicable to holders of the underlying stock that are resident in Luxembourg. Such withholding rates may differ from those applicable to U.S. residents.
MSCI All Country World Minimum Volatility Index
Number of Components: approximately 267
Index Description. The MSCI All Country World Minimum Volatility Index measures the combined performance of equity securities in both emerging and developed markets that have lower absolute volatility. Component companies include consumer staples, financials and health care companies. Each security included in the Underlying Index is a current constituent of the MSCI ACWI Index.
Calculation Methodology. The Fund utilizes the Underlying Index calculated with net dividends reinvested. Net dividends means dividends after taxes withheld at the rate applicable to holders of the underlying stock that are resident in Luxembourg. Such withholding rates may differ from those applicable to U.S. residents.
MSCI Brazil Index
Number of Components: approximately 78
Index Description. The MSCI Brazil Index consists of stocks traded primarily on the BM&FBOVESPA (the Brazilian exchange).
MSCI BRIC Index
Number of Components: approximately 320
Index Description. The MSCI BRIC Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization index that is designed to measure the combined equity market performance in Brazil, Russia, India and China (BRIC) and consists of stocks traded primarily on the BM&FBOVESPA, Russian Trading System Stock Exchange, Moscow Interbank Currency Exchange, National Stock Exchange of India, Shanghai Stock Exchange, Shenzhen Stock Exchange and the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong.
MSCI Chile Investable Market Index
Number of Components: approximately 40
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Index Description. The MSCI Chile Investable Market Index consists of stocks traded primarily on the Santiago Stock Exchange.
MSCI Emerging Markets Asia Index
Number of Components: approximately 542
Index Description. The MSCI Emerging Markets Asia Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization-weighted index designed to measure equity market performance in the emerging market countries of Asia. Free-float market capitalization is calculated by taking the security's price and multiplying it by the number of shares readily available in the market rather than the total number of shares outstanding.
MSCI Emerging Markets Consumer Discretionary Index
Number of Components: approximately 81
Index Description. The MSCI Emerging Markets Consumer Discretionary Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization-weighted index designed to measure the combined equity market performance of the consumer discretionary sector of emerging markets countries. Free-float market capitalization is calculated by taking the security's price and multiplying it by the number of shares readily available in the market rather than the total number of shares outstanding.
MSCI Emerging Markets EMEA Index
Number of Components: approximately 140
Index Description. The MSCI Emerging Markets EMEA Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of the emerging market countries of Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Free-float market capitalization is calculated by taking the security's price and multiplying it by the number of shares readily available in the market rather than the total number of shares outstanding.
MSCI Emerging Markets Energy 25/50 Index
Number of Components: approximately 51
Index Description. The MSCI Emerging Markets Energy 25/50 Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization-weighted index designed to measure the performance of energy-related companies in emerging market countries. A capping methodology is applied, which limits the weight of any single component to a maximum of 25% of the Underlying Index. Additionally, the sum of components that individually constitute more than 5% in weight of the Underlying Index cannot exceed a maximum of 50% in the aggregate. Free-float market capitalization is calculated by taking the security's price and multiplying it by the number of shares readily available in the market rather than the total number of shares outstanding.
MSCI Emerging Markets Growth Index
Number of Components: approximately 454
Index Description. The MSCI Emerging Markets Growth Index is a subset of the MSCI Emerging Markets Index. The Underlying Index generally represents approximately 50% of the free float-adjusted market capitalization of the MSCI Emerging Markets Index and consists of those securities classified by MSCI as most representing the growth style. Securities classified as growth style generally tend to have higher forecasted earnings growth rates, lower book value to price ratios, lower forward earnings to price ratios and lower dividend yields than securities representing the value style. MSCI uses a specialized framework to attribute both value and growth style characteristics to each security within the Underlying Index. Each security is evaluated based on certain value factors and growth factors, which are then used to calculate a value score and growth score. Based upon these two scores, MSCI determines the extent to which each security is assigned to the value or growth style. It is possible for a single security to have representation in both the value and growth style indexes; however, no more than 100% of a security’s float-adjusted market capitalization will be included within the combined style framework. Free-float market capitalization is calculated by taking the security's price and multiplying it by the number of shares readily available in the market rather than the total number of shares outstanding.
MSCI Emerging Markets Index
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Number of Components: approximately 819
Index Description. The MSCI Emerging Markets Index is designed to measure equity market performance in the global emerging markets.
MSCI Emerging Markets Minimum Volatility Index
Number of Components: approximately 212
Index Description. The MSCI Emerging Markets Minimum Volatility Index measures the performance of equity securities in global emerging markets that have lower absolute volatility. Component companies include consumer staples, financials and telecommunication services companies. Each security included in the Underlying Index is a current constituent of the MSCI Emerging Markets Index.
Calculation Methodology. The Fund utilizes the Underlying Index calculated with net dividends reinvested. Net dividends means dividends after taxes withheld at the rate applicable to holders of the underlying stock that are resident in Luxembourg. Such withholding rates may differ from those applicable to U.S. residents.
MSCI Emerging Markets Small Cap Index
Number of Components: approximately 1,821
Index Description. The MSCI Emerging Markets Small Cap Index measures the performance of equity securities of small capitalization companies, whose market capitalization represents the bottom 14% of companies in emerging market countries, as measured by market capitalization. The MSCI Emerging Markets Index is designed to measure small cap equity market performance in the global emerging markets.
MSCI Emerging Markets Value Index
Number of Components: approximately 481
Index Description. The MSCI Emerging Markets Value Index is a subset of the MSCI Emerging Markets Index. The Underlying Index generally represents approximately 50% of the free float-adjusted market capitalization of the MSCI Emerging Markets Index and consists of those securities classified by MSCI as most representing the value style. Securities classified as value style generally tend to have higher book value to price ratios, higher forward earnings to price ratios, higher dividend yields and lower forecasted earnings growth rates than securities representing the growth style. MSCI uses a specialized framework to attribute both value and growth style characteristics to each security within the Underlying Index. Each security is evaluated based on certain value factors and growth factors, which are then used to calculate a value score and growth score. Based upon these two scores, MSCI determines the extent to which each security is assigned to the value or growth style. It is possible for a single security to have representation in both value and growth style indexes; however, no more than 100% of a security’s float-adjusted market capitalization will be included within the combined style framework. Free-float market capitalization is calculated by taking the security's price and multiplying it by the number of shares readily available in the market rather than the total number of shares outstanding.
MSCI Frontier Markets 100 Index
Number of Components: approximately 100
Index Description. The MSCI Frontier Markets 100 Index is designed to measure equity market performance of a subset of frontier market countries that meet minimum liquidity standards. The Underlying Index is comprised of a subset of securities from the MSCI Frontier Markets Index (the “Parent Index”). The eligible universe for the Underlying Index consists of all Parent Index constituents that meet certain liquidity and investability criteria. The 100 largest securities are selected from the eligible universe and ranked by free float-adjusted market capitalization. Free-float market capitalization is calculated by taking the security’s price and multiplying it by the number of shares readily available in the market, rather than the total number of shares outstanding. The number of securities in the Underlying Index could potentially differ from 100, depending on the size of the eligible universe. The weight of a single country in the Underlying Index is capped at 50%, and the MSCI 25/50 Indexes methodology is then applied to the resulting securities in the Underlying Index.
MSCI Korea Index
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Number of Components: approximately 105
Index Description. The MSCI Korea Index consists of stocks traded primarily on the Stock Market Division of the Korea Exchange.
MSCI Malaysia Index
Number of Components: approximately 42
Index Description. The MSCI Malaysia Index consists of stocks traded primarily on the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange.
MSCI Taiwan Index
Number of Components: approximately 114
Index Description. The MSCI Taiwan Index consists of stocks traded primarily on the Taiwan Stock Exchange.
Additional Information. “MSCI,” MSCI ACWI Select Agriculture Producers Investable Market Index, MSCI ACWI Select Energy Producers Investable Market Index, MSCI ACWI Select Metals & Mining Producers Ex Gold and Silver Investable Market Index, MSCI All Country World Minimum Volatility Index, MSCI Brazil Index, MSCI BRIC Index, MSCI Chile Investable Market Index Fund, MSCI Emerging Markets Asia Index, MSCI Emerging Markets Consumer Discretionary Index, MSCI Emerging Markets EMEA Index, MSCI Emerging Markets Energy 25/50 Index, MSCI Emerging Markets Growth Index, MSCI Emerging Markets Index, MSCI Emerging Markets Minimum Volatility Index, MSCI Emerging Markets Small Cap Index, MSCI Emerging Markets Value Index, MSCI Frontier 100 Index, MSCI Korea Index, MSCI Malaysia and MSCI Taiwan Index are servicemarks of MSCI Inc. and have been licensed for use by BFA or its affiliates. The Funds are neither sponsored, endorsed, sold nor promoted by MSCI Inc., and MSCI Inc. makes no representation regarding the advisability of investing in any of the Funds.
Investment Limitations
The Board has adopted as a non-fundamental policy the investment objective of each Fund. Therefore, each Fund 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 of the fund.
The iShares MSCI Emerging Markets 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 the Fund may purchase and sell securities that are issued by companies that invest or deal in such assets;
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 the Fund may make margin deposits in connection with transactions in currencies, options, futures and options on futures;
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7. Sell securities short; or
8. Invest in commodities or commodity contracts, except that the 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 All Country World Minimum Volatility Index Fund, iShares MSCI BRIC Index Fund, iShares MSCI Chile Investable Market Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Asia Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Consumer Discretionary Sector Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets EMEA Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Energy Sector Capped Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Growth Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Minimum Volatility Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Small Cap Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value Index Fund, iShares MSCI Frontier 100 Index Fund, iShares MSCI Global Agriculture Producers Fund, iShares MSCI Global Energy Producers Fund and iShares MSCI Global Select Metals & Mining Producers 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 each 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 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 instruments (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 investing in securities of companies engaged in the production, ownership or distribution of commodities or in commodity-related businesses for the iShares Frontier 100 Index Fund, iShares MSCI Global Agriculture Producers Fund, iShares MSCI Global Energy Producers Fund and iShares MSCI Global Select Metals & Mining Producers Fund or from trading in futures contracts and options on futures contracts, including options on currencies to the extent consistent with each Fund’s investment objective and policies).
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, in disposing of portfolio securities.
The iShares MSCI Brazil Index Fund, iShares MSCI Malaysia Index Fund, iShares MSCI South Korea Index Fund and iShares MSCI Taiwan 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
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  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 South Korea 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.
Industry concentration. Each Fund (except for the iShares MSCI South Korea 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 each Fund will comply with the diversification requirements of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to RICs, any underlying Treasury regulations or any successor provision.
The iShares MSCI South Korea Index Fund has the following concentration policy: With respect to the two most heavily weighted industries or groups of industries in its benchmark MSCI Index, a 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, 2012, 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 Emerging Markets Consumer Discretionary Sector Index Fund Auto Manufacturers
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Fund Industry or Industries
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Consumer Discretionary Sector Index Fund Retail
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Energy Sector Capped Index Fund Oil & Gas
iShares MSCI Global Agriculture Producers Fund Chemicals
iShares MSCI Global Energy Producers Fund Oil & Gas
iShares MSCI Global Select Metals & Mining Producers Fund Mining
iShares MSCI Global Select Metals & Mining Producers Fund Iron & Steel
iShares MSCI Malaysia Index Fund Banks
In addition to the investment restrictions adopted as fundamental policies set forth above, each Fund has adopted a non-fundamental policy not to invest in the securities of a company for the purpose of exercising management or control or purchase or otherwise acquire any illiquid security, except as permitted under the 1940 Act, which currently permits up to 15% of each Fund’s net assets to be invested in illiquid securities (calculated at the time of investment).
BFA monitors the liquidity of restricted securities in each Fund’s portfolio. In reaching liquidity decisions, BFA considers the following factors:
The frequency of trades and quotes for the security;
The number of dealers wishing to purchase or sell the security and the number of other potential purchasers;
Dealer undertakings to make a market in the security; and
The nature of the security and the nature of the marketplace in which it trades (e.g., the time needed to dispose of the security, the method of soliciting offers and the mechanics of transfer).
If any percentage restriction described above is complied with at the time of an investment, a later increase or decrease in percentage resulting from a change in values of assets will not constitute a violation of such restriction, 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 of the Underlying Index or in Depositary Receipts representing securities in the 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.
Each Fund may not purchase securities of other investment companies, except to the extent permitted by the Investment Company Act. As a matter of policy, however, a Fund will not purchase shares of any registered open-end investment company or registered unit investment trust, in reliance on Section 12(d)(1)(F) or (G) (the “fund of funds” provisions) of the Investment Company Act, at any time the Fund has knowledge that its shares are purchased by another investment company investor in reliance on the provisions of subparagraph (G) of Section 12(d)(1).
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.
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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) of the Company are referred to as independent directors (“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, a Director of iShares MSCI Russia Capped Index Fund, Inc. and a Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust and, as a result, oversees a total of 284 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, 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 Robert H. Silver as its Independent Chairman. Additional information about the Funds' Directors and officers may be found in this SAI, which is available without charge, upon request, by calling toll-free 1-800-iShares (1-800-474-2737).
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Interested Directors
Name (Age) Position Principal Occupation(s)
During the Past 5 Years
Other Directorships
Held by Director
Robert S. Kapito1
(55)
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); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011); Director of BlackRock, Inc. (since 2007).
Michael Latham2
(47)
Director
(since 2010);
President
(since 2007).
Chairman of iShares, BlackRock (since 2011); Global Chief Executive Officer of iShares, BlackRock (2010-2011); Managing Director, BlackRock (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); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011).

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
Robert H. Silver
(57)
Director
(since 2007); Independent Chairman
(since 2012).
President and Co-Founder of The Bravitas Group, Inc. (since 2006); Director and Vice Chairman of the YMCA of Greater NYC (2001-2011); Broadway Producer (2006-2011); 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); President and Chief Operating Officer of UBS Financial Services Inc. (formerly Paine Webber Inc.) (2004-2005) and various executive positions with UBS and its affiliates (1988-2005); CPA and Audit Manager of KPMG, LLP (formerly Peat Marwick Mitchell) (1977-1983). Trustee of iShares Trust (since 2007); Director of iShares MSCI Russia Capped Index Fund, Inc. (since 2010); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011); Independent Chairman of iShares Trust, iShares MSCI Russia Capped Index Fund, Inc. and iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2012).
George G.C. Parker
(73)
Director
(since 2002).
Dean Witter Distinguished Professor of Finance, Emeritus, Stanford University Graduate School of Business (Professor since 1973; Emeritus since 2006). Trustee of iShares Trust (since 2000); Director of iShares MSCI Russia Capped Index Fund, Inc. (since 2010); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011); 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
(51)
Director
(since 2003);
Securities Lending Committee Chair
(since 2012).
Director of FirstREX Agreement Corp. (formerly EquityRock, Inc.) (since 2005). Trustee of iShares Trust (since 2003); Director of iShares MSCI Russia Capped Index Fund, Inc. (since 2010); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011).
Cecilia H. Herbert
(63)
Director
(since 2005); Nominating and Governance Committee Chair and Equity Plus Committee Chair
(since 2012).
Director (since 1998) and President (2007-2011) of the Board of Directors, Catholic Charities CYO; Trustee (2002-2011) and Chair of the Finance and Investment Committee (2006-2010) the Thacher School; Member (since 1994) and Chair (1994-2005) of the Investment Committee, Archdiocese of San Francisco; Trustee and Member of the Investment Committee (since 2011), WNET, the New York public broadcasting company. Trustee of iShares Trust (since 2005); Director of iShares MSCI Russia Capped Index Fund, Inc. (since 2010); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011); Director, Forward Funds (34 portfolios) (since 2009).
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Name (Age) Position Principal Occupation(s)
During the Past 5 Years
Other Directorships
Held by Director
Charles A. Hurty
(69)
Director
(since 2005);
Audit Committee Chair
(since 2006).
Retired; Partner, KPMG LLP (1968-2001). Trustee of iShares Trust (since 2005); Director of iShares MSCI Russia Capped Index Fund, Inc. (since 2010); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011); Director of GMAM Absolute Return Strategy Fund (1 portfolio) (since 2002); Director of SkyBridge Alternative Investments Multi-Adviser Hedge Fund Portfolios LLC (1 portfolio) (since 2002).
John E. Kerrigan
(57)
Director
(since 2005);
Fixed Income Plus Committee Chair
(since 2012).
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); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011).
Madhav V. Rajan
(48)
Director
(since 2011);
15(c) Committee Chair
(since 2012).
Robert K. Jaedicke Professor of Accounting and Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Head of MBA Program, 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); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011).
Officers
Name (Age) Position Principal Occupation(s)
During the Past 5 Years
Jack Gee
(53)
Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer
(since 2008).
Managing Director, BlackRock (since 2009); Senior Director of Fund Administration of Intermediary Investor Business, BGI (2009); Director of Fund Administration of Intermediary Investor Business, BGI (2004-2009).
Eilleen M. Clavere (60) Secretary
(since 2007).
Director of Global Fund Administration, BlackRock (since 2009); Director of Legal Administration of Intermediary Investor Business, 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).
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Name (Age) Position Principal Occupation(s)
During the Past 5 Years
Edward B. Baer
(44)
Vice President and Chief Legal Officer
(since 2012).
Managing Director of Legal & Compliance, BlackRock (since 2006); Director of Legal & Compliance, BlackRock (2004-2006).
Scott Radell
(44)
Executive Vice President
(since 2012).
Managing Director, BlackRock (since 2009); Head of Portfolio Solutions, BlackRock (since 2009); Head of Portfolio Solutions, BGI (2007-2009); Credit Portfolio Manager, BGI (2005-2007); Credit Research Analyst, BGI (2003-2005).
Amy Schioldager
(50)
Executive Vice President
(since 2007).
Managing Director, BlackRock (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).
Ira P. Shapiro
(49)
Vice President
(since 2007).
Managing Director, BlackRock (since 2009); Chief Legal Officer, Exchange-Traded Fund Complex (2007-2012); Associate General Counsel, BGI (2004-2009).
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, a Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust since 2011 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 has also been 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
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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, President of iShares MSCI Russia Capped Index Fund, Inc. since 2010, and a Trustee and President of iShares U.S. ETF Trust since 2011. Mr. Latham is the 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.
Robert H. Silver has been a Director of the Company since 2007 and Chairman of the Company's Board since 2012. Mr. Silver has served as a Trustee of iShares Trust since 2007, Chairman of iShares Trust's Board since 2012, a Director of iShares MSCI Russia Capped Index Fund, Inc. since 2010, Chairman of iShares MSCI Russia Capped Index Fund, Inc.'s Board since 2012, a Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust since 2011 and Chairman of iShares U.S. ETF Trust's Board since 2012. 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. (formerly Paine Webber Inc.), the registered broker dealer comprising the Wealth Management USA business unit of UBS AG, including the following responsibilities: President of Paine Webber Services, Director of Retail Products and Marketing, Director of Private Client Group Branch Offices, Director of Finance and Controls for Paine Webber, Inc. and Chief Administrative Officer for Paine Webber Private Client Group. Mr. Silver also served on the Board of Directors of EPAM Systems, Inc., a provider of software engineering outsourcing services in Central and Eastern Europe, served on the Board and Executive Committee of the Depository Trust and Clearing Corporation (DTCC), chaired the National Securities Clearing Corporations’ Membership and Risk Committee and served as Governor of the Philadelphia Stock Exchange. In addition, Mr. Silver was a Vice Chairman and a Member of the Board of Directors for the YMCA of Greater New York and chaired its Fund Development Committee from 2001 until 2011 and Co-Founder and Vice President of Parentgiving Inc. since 2008. Mr. Silver began his career as a CPA and Audit Manager at KPMG LLP (formerly Peat Marwick Mitchell) from 1977 until 1983. Mr. Silver has a BS degree in business administration from the University of North Carolina.
George G.C. Parker has been a Director of the Company since 2002. Mr. Parker served as Chair of the Company's Board from 2010 until 2012, Lead Independent Director of the Company from 2006 until 2010 and Chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee of the Company from 2002 until 2010. Mr. Parker has served as a Trustee of iShares Trust since 2000, Chair of iShares Trust's Board from 2010 until 2012, Lead Independent Trustee of iShares Trust from 2006 until 2010, Chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee of iShares Trust from 2002 until 2010, a Director of iShares MSCI Russia Capped Index Fund, Inc. since 2010, Chair of iShares MSCI Russia Capped Index Fund, Inc.'s Board from 2010 until 2012, a Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust since 2011 and Chair of iShares U.S. ETF Trust's Board from 2011 until 2012. Mr. Parker also serves as Director on four other boards. Mr. Parker is the Dean Witter Distinguished Professor of Finance, Emeritus, at the Stanford University 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 previously served as a Director of Continental Airlines and a Director of NETGEAR, Inc. Mr. Parker holds MBA and Ph.D. degrees from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business.
John E. Martinez has been a Director of the Company since 2003 and Chair of the Securities Lending Committee of the Company since 2012. Mr. Martinez has served as a Trustee of iShares Trust since 2003, Chair of the Securities Lending Committee of iShares Trust since 2012, a Director of iShares MSCI Russia Capped Index Fund, Inc. since 2010, Chair of the Securities Lending Committee of iShares MSCI Russia Capped Index Fund, Inc. since 2012, a Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust since 2011 and Chair of the Securities Lending Committee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust since 2012. Mr. Martinez is a Director of FirstREX Agreement Corp. (formerly EquityRock, 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. Mr. Martinez also previously served as Co-Chief Executive Officer of the Global Index and Markets Group of BGI, Chairman of Barclays Global Investor Services and Chief Executive Officer of the Capital Markets Group of BGI. Since
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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, healthcare, 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 University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
Cecilia H. Herbert has been a Director of the Company since 2005 and Chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee and the Equity Plus Committee of the Company since 2012. Ms. Herbert has served as a Trustee of iShares Trust since 2005, Chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee and the Equity Plus Committee of iShares Trust since 2012, a Director of iShares MSCI Russia Capped Index Fund, Inc. since 2010, Chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee and the Equity Plus Committee of iShares MSCI Russia Capped Index Fund, Inc. since 2012, a Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust since 2011 and Chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee and the Equity Plus Committee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust since 2012. She is Director of the Board of the Catholic Charities CYO, one of 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 Investment Committee, Archdiocese of San Francisco since 1992, which she chaired from 1994 to 2005. 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 Chair of the Audit Committee of the Company since 2006. Mr. Hurty has served as a Trustee of iShares Trust since 2005, Chair of the Audit Committee of iShares Trust since 2006, a Director of iShares MSCI Russia Capped Index Fund, Inc. since 2010, Chair of the Audit Committee of iShares MSCI Russia Capped Index Fund, Inc. since 2010, a Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust since 2011 and Chair of the Audit Committee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust since 2011. In addition, Mr. Hurty serves as Director of the GMAM Absolute Return Strategy Fund since 2002, Director of the SkyBridge Alternative Investments 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 the University of Kansas.
John E. Kerrigan has been a Director of the Company since 2005 and Chair of the Fixed Income Plus Committee of the Company since 2012. Mr. Kerrigan served as Chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee of the Company from 2010 until 2012. Mr. Kerrigan has served as a Trustee of iShares Trust since 2005, Chair of the Fixed Income Plus Committee of iShares Trust since 2012, Chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee of iShares Trust from 2010 until 2012, a Director of iShares MSCI Russia Capped Index Fund, Inc. since 2010, Chair of the Fixed Income Plus Committee of iShares MSCI Russia Capped Index Fund, Inc. since 2012, Chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee of iShares MSCI Russia Capped Index Fund, Inc. from 2010 until 2012, Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust since 2011, Chair of the Fixed Income Plus Committee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust since 2012 and Chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust from 2011 until 2012. 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.
Madhav V. Rajan has been a Director of the Company since 2011 and Chair of the 15(c) Committee of the Company since 2012. Mr. Rajan has served as a Trustee of iShares Trust since 2011, Chair of the 15(c) Committee of iShares Trust since 2012, a Director of iShares MSCI Russia Capped Index Fund, Inc. since 2011, Chair of the 15(c) Committee of iShares MSCI Russia Capped Index Fund, Inc. since 2012, a Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust since 2011 and Chair of the 15(c) Committee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust since 2012. Mr. Rajan is the Robert K. Jaedicke Professor of Accounting at the Stanford University 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 University 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.
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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. 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 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 six standing Committees: a Nominating and Governance Committee, an Audit Committee, a 15(c) Committee, a Securities Lending Committee, an Equity Plus Committee and a Fixed Income Plus 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 Chair of each standing Committee is an Independent Director. The role of the Chair of each Committee is to preside at all meetings of the Committee and to act as a liaison with service providers, officers, attorneys and other Directors between meetings. Each Committee meets regularly to conduct the oversight functions delegated to the Committee by the Board and reports its finding to the Board. 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 Independent Director serves on the Audit Committee. The Chair of the Audit Committee is Charles A. Hurty. 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 four times during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2012.
The members of the Nominating and Governance Committee are Cecilia H. Herbert (Chair), Charles A. Hurty, Madhav V. Rajan and John E. Kerrigan, all of whom are Independent Directors. 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
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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 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 nominations recommended by shareholders (acting solely in their capacity as a shareholder and not in any other capacity). The Nominating and Governance Committee met four times during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2012.
The members of the 15(c) Committee are Madhav V. Rajan (Chair), Cecilia H. Herbert, Charles A. Hurty and John E. Martinez, all of whom are Independent Directors. The principal responsibilities of the 15(c) Committee are to support, oversee and organize on behalf of the Board the process for the annual review and renewal of the Company's advisory and sub-advisory agreements. These responsibilities include: (i) meeting with BlackRock, Inc. in advance of the Board meeting at which the Company's advisory and sub-advisory agreements are to be considered to discuss generally the process for providing requested information to the Board and the format in which information will be provided; and (ii) considering and discussing with BlackRock, Inc. such other matters and information as may be necessary and appropriate for the Board to evaluate the investment advisory and sub-advisory agreements of the Company. The 15(c) Committee met four times during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2012.
The members of the Securities Lending Committee are John E. Martinez (Chair), John E. Kerrigan and George G.C. Parker, all of whom are Independent Directors. The principal responsibilities of the Securities Lending Committee are to support, oversee and organize on behalf of the Board the process for oversight of the Company's securities lending activities. These responsibilities include: (i) requesting that certain information be provided to the Committee for its review and consideration prior to such information being provided to the Board; (ii) considering and discussing with BlackRock, Inc. such other matters and information as may be necessary and appropriate for the Board to oversee the Company's securities lending activities and make required findings and approvals; and (iii) providing a recommendation to the Board regarding the annual approval of the Company's Securities Lending Guidelines and the required findings with respect to, and annual approval of, the Company's agreement with the lending agent. The Securities Lending Committee met two times during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2012.
The members of the Equity Plus Committee are Cecilia H. Herbert (Chair), John E. Martinez and George G.C. Parker, all of whom are Independent Directors. The principal responsibilities of the Equity Plus Committee are to support, oversee and organize on behalf of the Board the process for oversight of Company performance and related matters for equity funds. These responsibilities include: (i) reviewing quarterly reports regarding Company performance, secondary market trading and changes in net assets to identify any matters that should be brought to the attention of the Board; and (ii) considering any performance or investment related matters as may be delegated to the Committee by the Board from time to time and providing a report or recommendation to the Board as appropriate. The Equity Plus Committee met one time during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2012.
The members of the Fixed Income Plus Committee are John E. Kerrigan (Chair), Charles A. Hurty and Madhav V. Rajan, all of whom are Independent Directors. The principal responsibilities of the Fixed Income Plus Committee are to support, oversee and organize on behalf of the Board the process for oversight of Company performance and related matters for fixed income or multi-asset funds. These responsibilities include: (i) reviewing quarterly reports regarding Company performance, secondary market trading and changes in net assets to identify any matters that should be brought to the attention of the Board; and (ii) considering any performance or investment related matters as may be delegated to the Committee by the Board from time to time and providing a report or recommendation to the Board as appropriate. The Fixed Income Plus Committee met one time during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2012.
As the Chairman of the Board, Robert H. Silver may participate in each Committee's meetings.
The following table sets forth, as of December 31, 2011, 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:
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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
Robert S. Kapito iShares Dow Jones U.S. Real Estate Index Fund $10,001-$50,000 Over $100,000
  iShares MSCI Australia Index Fund $10,001-$50,000  
  iShares MSCI Brazil Index Fund Over $100,000  
  iShares MSCI Canada Index Fund $10,001-$50,000  
  iShares MSCI EAFE Index Fund Over $100,000  
  iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund Over $100,000  
  iShares MSCI Japan Index Fund $10,001-$50,000  
  iShares FTSE China 25 Index Fund Over $100,000  
  iShares Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund Over $100,000  
  iShares Russell 1000 Value Index Fund Over $100,000  
  iShares Russell 2000 Index Fund Over $100,000  
  iShares Russell Midcap Index Fund Over $100,000  
       
Michael Latham iShares MSCI ACWI ex US Index Fund Over $100,000 Over $100,000
  iShares MSCI EAFE Small Cap 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 2000 Value 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 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. Index Fund $50,001-$100,000  
  iShares Dow Jones U.S. Regional Banks Index Fund $50,001-$100,000  
  iShares High Dividend Equity Fund Over $100,000  
  iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond 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
  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 Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund Over $100,000  
  iShares Russell 1000 Value Index Fund Over $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  
       
George G.C. Parker iShares Core Total U.S. Bond Market ETF $10,001-$50,000 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  
       
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 Russell 2000 Index Fund Over $100,000  
  iShares Core S&P 500 ETF Over $100,000  
  iShares S&P Emerging Markets Infrastructure Index Fund 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
Cecilia H. Herbert iShares FTSE China 25 Index Fund $10,001-$50,000 $10,001-$50,000
       
Charles A. Hurty iShares Dow Jones U.S. 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 Index Fund $10,001-$50,000  
  iShares S&P Global Technology Sector Index Fund $10,001-$50,000  
  iShares S&P North American Technology-Multimedia Networking Index Fund $10,001-$50,000  
       
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
 
       
Madhav V. Rajan iShares Dow Jones Select Dividend Index Fund $10,001-$50,000 Over $100,000
  iShares High Dividend Equity Fund $10,001-$50,000  
  iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond Fund $10,001-$50,000  
As of December 31, 2011, 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.
Remuneration of Directors.  Each current Independent Director is paid an annual retainer of $275,000 for his or her services as a Board member to the BlackRock-advised Funds in the Exchange-Traded Fund Complex, together with out-of-pocket expenses in accordance with a Board's policy on travel and other business expenses relating to attendance at meetings. For the period January 1, 2011 through December 31, 2012, each current Independent Director was paid an annual retainer of $250,000 for his or her services as a Board member to the BlackRock-advised Funds in the Exchange-Traded Fund Complex, together with out-of-pocket expenses in accordance with a Board’s policy on travel and other business expenses relating to attendance at meetings. The Independent Chairman of the Boards is paid an additional annual retainer of $50,000. The Chair of the Audit Committees is paid an additional annual retainer of $40,000. The Chair of each of the Nominating and Governance Committees, Equity Plus Committees, Fixed Income Plus Committees, Securities Lending Committees and 15(c) Committees is paid an additional annual retainer of $15,000. Each Independent Director that serves as a director of subsidiaries of the Exchange-Traded Complex is paid an additional annual retainer of $10,000 (plus an additional $1,765 paid annually to compensate for taxes due in the Republic of Mauritius). Additionally, an Independent Director who travels to the Republic of Mauritius to attend board meetings is paid an additional $12,000 (plus an additional $2,117 paid annually to compensate for taxes due in the Republic of Mauritius).
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The table below sets forth the compensation earned by each Independent Director and Interested Director from each Fund for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2012 and the aggregate compensation paid to them by the Exchange-Traded Complex for the calendar year ended December 31, 2011.
Directors iShares MSCI
All Country World
Minimum Volatility Index Fund
iShares MSCI
Brazil Index Fund
iShares MSCI
BRIC Index Fund
iShares MSCI
Chile Investable Market
Index Fund
Independent Directors:        
         
Robert H. Silver $303 $3,858 $ 368 $287
George G.C. Parker 363 4,630 442 345
John E. Kerrigan 321 4,090 1,174 305
Charles A. Hurty 351 4,475 427 333
Cecilia H. Herbert 303 3,858 1,152 287
Darrell Duffie3 76 965 92 72
John E. Martinez 303 3,858 1,152 287
Madhav V. Rajan4 227 2,894 276 215
         
Interested Directors:        
         
Robert S. Kapito $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0
Michael Latham 0 0 0 0
Directors iShares MSCI
Emerging Markets
Asia Index Fund
iShares MSCI
Emerging Markets
Consumer Discretionary
Sector Index Fund
iShares MSCI
Emerging Markets
EMEA Index Fund
iShares MSCI
Emerging Markets
Energy Sector Capped
Index Fund
Independent Directors:        
         
Robert H. Silver $ 11 $ 1 $5 $ 1
George G.C. Parker 13 2 7 1
John E. Kerrigan 795 786 6 785
Charles A. Hurty 12 1 6 1
Cecilia H. Herbert 795 786 5 785
Darrell Duffie3 3 0 1 0
John E. Martinez 795 786 5 785
Madhav V. Rajan4 8 1 4 1
         
Interested Directors:        
         
Robert S. Kapito $ 0 $ 0 $0 $ 0
Michael Latham 0 0 0 0
Directors iShares MSCI
Emerging Markets Growth
Index Fund
iShares MSCI
Emerging Markets
Index Fund
iShares MSCI
Emerging Markets
Minimum Volatility
Index Fund
iShares MSCI
Emerging Markets
Small Cap
Index Fund
Independent Directors:        
         
Robert H. Silver $ 5 $ 17,898 $ 202 $ 5
George G.C. Parker 6 21,478 243 5
John E. Kerrigan 790 19,756 999 789
Charles A. Hurty 6 20,762 234 5
Cecilia H. Herbert 790 18,683 986 789
Darrell Duffie3 1 4,475 51 1
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Directors iShares MSCI
Emerging Markets Growth
Index Fund
iShares MSCI
Emerging Markets
Index Fund
iShares MSCI
Emerging Markets
Minimum Volatility
Index Fund
iShares MSCI
Emerging Markets
Small Cap
Index Fund
John E. Martinez 790 18,683 986 789
Madhav V. Rajan4 4 13,424 152 3
         
Interested Directors:        
         
Robert S. Kapito $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0
Michael Latham 0 0 0 0
Directors iShares MSCI
Emerging Markets Value
Index Fund
iShares MSCI
Frontier 100
Index Fund
iShares MSCI
Global Agriculture Producers
Fund
iShares MSCI
Global Energy Producers
Fund
Independent Directors:        
         
Robert H. Silver $ 5 $0 $5 $2
George G.C. Parker 6 0 6 3
John E. Kerrigan 789 0 6 3
Charles A. Hurty 6 0 6 3
Cecilia H. Herbert 789 0 5 2
Darrell Duffie3 1 0 1 1
John E. Martinez 789 0 5 2
Madhav V. Rajan4 4 0 4 2
         
Interested Directors:        
         
Robert S. Kapito $ 0 $0 $0 $0
Michael Latham 0 0 0 0
Directors iShares MSCI
Global Select
Metals & Mining Producers
Fund
iShares MSCI
Malaysia Index Fund
iShares MSCI
South Korea
Index Fund
iShares MSCI
Taiwan Index Fund
Independent Directors:        
         
Robert H. Silver $2 $ 491 $ 1,395 $ 1,172
George G.C. Parker 2 589 1,674 1,406
John E. Kerrigan 2 520 1,479 1,242
Charles A. Hurty 2 569 1,618 1,359
Cecilia H. Herbert 2 491 1,395 1,172
Darrell Duffie3 0 123 349 293
John E. Martinez 2 491 1,395 1,172
Madhav V. Rajan4 1 368 1,046 879
         
Interested Directors:        
         
Robert S. Kapito $0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0
Michael Latham 0 0 0 0
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Directors Pension or
Retirement Benefits
Accrued As
Part of Company
Expenses1
Estimated Annual
Benefits Upon
Retirement1
Total
Compensation
From the Funds
and Fund Complex2
Independent Directors:      
       
Robert H. Silver Not Applicable Not Applicable $250,000
George G.C. Parker Not Applicable Not Applicable 300,000
John E. Kerrigan Not Applicable Not Applicable 276,765
Charles A. Hurty Not Applicable Not Applicable 290,000
Cecilia H. Herbert Not Applicable Not Applicable 261,765
Darrell Duffie3 Not Applicable Not Applicable 62,500
John E. Martinez Not Applicable Not Applicable 261,765
Madhav V. Rajan4 Not Applicable Not Applicable 187,500
Interested Directors:      
       
Robert S. Kapito Not Applicable Not Applicable $0
Michael Latham Not Applicable Not Applicable 0

1 No Director or officer is entitled to any pension or retirement benefits from the Company.
2 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.
3 Served as Director through March 19, 2011.
4 Appointed to serve as Independent Director of the Company effective May 16, 2011.
The board of directors of each Subsidiary, which is responsible for the overall management and operations of the Subsidiary, is partially comprised of certain members of the Board of Directors of the Company.
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, 2012.
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, 2012, 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 All Country World Minimum Volatility Index Fund Northern Trust Company/United Nations
Joint Staff Pension Funds
50 South LaSalle St.
Chicago, IL 60675
80.00%
     
iShares MSCI Brazil Index Fund Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.
525 Washington Blvd.
11th Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07310
15.58%
  Deutsche Bank Securities Inc./Cedear
1251 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10020
8.14%
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Table of Contents

Fund Name Percentage
of Ownership
  State Street Bank and Trust Company
1776 Heritage Drive
North Quincy, MA 02171
6.77%
  Citibank, N.A.
3800 Citicorp Center Tampa
Building B/Floor 1
Tampa, FL 33610
6.19%
     
iShares MSCI BRIC Index Fund JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association
14201 Dallas Pkwy
12th Floor
Dallas, TX 75240
16.92%
  Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.
525 Washington Blvd.
11th Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07310
8.99%
  Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
111 Pavonia Avenue
Jersey City, NJ 07310
6.78%
  Citibank, N.A.
3800 Citicorp Center Tampa
Building B/Floor 1
Tampa, FL 33610
6.45%
  Deutsche Bank Securities Inc./Cedear
1251 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10020
5.82%
  National Financial Services LLC
200 Liberty Street
5th Floor
New York, NY 10281
5.82%
  The Bank of New York Mellon
401 Salina Street
2nd Floor
Syracuse, NY 13202
5.33%
     
iShares MSCI Chile Investable Market Index Fund Deutsche Bank Securities Inc./Cedear
1251 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10020
18.10%
  Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.
525 Washington Blvd.
11th Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07310
12.45%
  State Street Bank and Trust Company
1776 Heritage Drive
North Quincy, MA 02171
9.29%
  National Financial Services LLC
200 Liberty Street
5th Floor
New York, NY 10281
8.42%
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Fund Name Percentage
of Ownership
  JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association
14201 Dallas Pkwy
12th Floor
Dallas, TX 75240
8.42%
  The Bank of New York Mellon
401 Salina Street
2nd Floor
Syracuse, NY 13202
5.16%
     
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Asia Index Fund The Bank of New York Mellon
401 Salina Street
2nd Floor
Syracuse, NY 13202
31.79%
  Goldman, Sachs & Co.
30 Hudson Street
16th Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07302
25.32%
  J.P. Morgan Clearing Corp
One Metrotech Center North
Brooklyn, NY 11201
22.49%
     
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Consumer Discretionary Sector Index Fund Citigroup Global Markets Inc.
333 W 34th Street
New York, NY 10001-2402
64.20%
  Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated
101 Hudson Street
9th Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07302-3997
16.22%
     
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets EMEA Index Fund J.P. Morgan Clearing Corp
One Metrotech Center North
Brooklyn, NY 11201
47.01%
  UBS AG Stamford Branch/As Custodian for UBS AG London Branch
1285 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10019
20.20%
  Merrill Lynch, Pierce Fenner & Smith Safekeeping
101 Hudson Street
8th Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07302
8.24%
  Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
111 Pavonia Avenue
Jersey City, NJ 07310
6.46%
  National Financial Services LLC
200 Liberty Street
5th Floor
New York, NY 10281
5.90%
     
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Table of Contents

Fund Name Percentage
of Ownership
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Energy Sector Capped Index Fund Citigroup Global Markets Inc.
333 W 34th Street
New York, NY 10001-2402
81.80%
  Pershing LLC
One Pershing Plaza
Jersey City, NJ 07399
7.74%
     
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Growth Index Fund Citigroup Global Markets Inc.
333 W 34th Street
New York, NY 10001-2402
64.00%
  CP_UMB Bank-National Association
928 Grand Boulevard
Kansas City, MO 64106
10.00%
  Pershing LLC
One Pershing Plaza
Jersey City, NJ 07399
5.79%
     
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund State Street Bank and Trust Company
1776 Heritage Drive
North Quincy, MA 02171
16.65%
  Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.
525 Washington Blvd.
11th Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07310
16.61%
  Mellon Trust of New England, National Association
Three Mellon Bank Center
Floor 1533700
Pittsburgh, PA 15259
5.83%
  The Bank of New York Mellon
401 Salina Street
2nd Floor
Syracuse, NY 13202
5.09%
     
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Minimum Volatility Index Fund Mellon Trust of New England, National Association
Three Mellon Bank Center
Floor 1533700
Pittsburgh, PA 15259
14.72%
  Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
111 Pavonia Avenue
Jersey City, NJ 07310
13.06%
  Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.
525 Washington Blvd.
11th Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07310
11.66%
  Morgan Stanley & Co.
Harbourside Financial Center
Plaza 3, 1st Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07311
7.61%
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Fund Name Percentage
of Ownership
  Merrill Lynch, Pierce Fenner & Smith Safekeeping
101 Hudson Street
8th Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07302
7.39%
  The Bank of New York Mellon
401 Salina Street
2nd Floor
Syracuse, NY 13202
6.24%
  National Financial Services LLC
200 Liberty Street
5th Floor
New York, NY 10281
5.36%
     
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Small Cap Index Fund Goldman, Sachs & Co.
30 Hudson Street
16th Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07302
13.95%
  Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
111 Pavonia Avenue
Jersey City, NJ 07310
11.76%
  Merrill Lynch, Pierce Fenner & Smith Safekeeping
101 Hudson Street
8th Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07302
11.49%
  TD Ameritrade Clearing, Inc.
1005 N. Ameritrade Place
Bellevue, NE 68005
8.87%
  National Financial Services LLC
200 Liberty Street
5th Floor
New York, NY 10281
7.71%
  Pershing LLC
One Pershing Plaza
Jersey City, NJ 07399
7.61%
  J.P. Morgan Clearing Corp
One Metrotech Center North
Brooklyn, NY 11201
7.55%
  Fifth Third Bank (The)
5001 Kingsley Drive
Cincinnati, OH 45263
7.50%
  Knight Clearing Services LLC
545 Washington BLVD
Jersey City, NJ 07310
5.58%
     
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value Index Fund National Financial Services LLC
200 Liberty Street
5th Floor
New York, NY 10281
47.67%
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Table of Contents

Fund Name Percentage
of Ownership
  Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
111 Pavonia Avenue
Jersey City, NJ 07310
26.51%
  Pershing LLC
One Pershing Plaza
Jersey City, NJ 07399
6.34%
  VANGUARD Marketing Corporation
100 Vanguard Boulevard
Malvern, PA 19355
5.27%
     
iShares MSCI Frontier 100 Index Fund Northern Trust Company/United Nations
Joint Staff Pension Funds
50 South LaSalle St.
Chicago, IL 60675
61.54%
  Knight Clearing Services LLC
545 Washington BLVD
Jersey City, NJ 07310
6.51%
  Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
111 Pavonia Avenue
Jersey City, NJ 07310
5.95%
  National Financial Services LLC
200 Liberty Street
5th Floor
New York, NY 10281
5.16%
     
iShares MSCI Global Agriculture Producers Fund Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated
101 Hudson Street
9th Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07302-3997
18.50%
  UBS Financial Services Inc.
1000 Harbor Blvd.
4th Floor
Weehawken, NJ 07087
11.85%
  Merrill Lynch, Pierce Fenner & Smith Safekeeping
101 Hudson Street
8th Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07302
9.30%
  Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
111 Pavonia Avenue
Jersey City, NJ 07310
7.66%
  National Financial Services LLC
200 Liberty Street
5th Floor
New York, NY 10281
7.60%
  Pershing LLC
One Pershing Plaza
Jersey City, NJ 07399
6.75%
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Table of Contents

Fund Name Percentage
of Ownership
  Morgan Stanley & Co.
Harbourside Financial Center
Plaza 3, 1st Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07311
6.57%
  The Bank of New York Mellon
401 Salina Street
2nd Floor
Syracuse, NY 13202
5.71%
     
iShares MSCI Global Energy Producers Fund Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated
101 Hudson Street
9th Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07302-3997
27.18%
  J.P. Morgan Clearing Corp
One Metrotech Center North
Brooklyn, NY 11201
18.78%
  Pershing LLC
One Pershing Plaza
Jersey City, NJ 07399
11.72%
  National Financial Services LLC
200 Liberty Street
5th Floor
New York, NY 10281
8.04%
     
iShares MSCI Global Select Metals & Mining Producers Fund Citibank, N.A.
3800 Citicorp Center Tampa
Building B/Floor 1
Tampa, FL 33610
87.75%
     
iShares MSCI Malaysia Index Fund Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.
525 Washington Blvd.
11th Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07310
15.41%
  First Clearing, LLC
901 East Byrd Street
Richmond, VA 23219
9.11%
  JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association
14201 Dallas Pkwy
12th Floor
Dallas, TX 75240
6.87%
  National Financial Services LLC
200 Liberty Street
5th Floor
New York, NY 10281
6.00%
  Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
111 Pavonia Avenue
Jersey City, NJ 07310
5.75%
  Northern Trust Company (The)
801 South Canal Street
Chicago, IL 60612
5.66%
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Table of Contents

Fund Name Percentage
of Ownership
  State Street Bank and Trust Company
1776 Heritage Drive
North Quincy, MA 02171
5.66%
  Morgan Stanley & Co.
Harbourside Financial Center
Plaza 3, 1st Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07311
5.33%
     
iShares MSCI South Korea Index Fund Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.
525 Washington Blvd.
11th Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07310
16.33%
  The Bank of New York Mellon
401 Salina Street
2nd Floor
Syracuse, NY 13202
8.21%
  State Street Bank and Trust Company
1776 Heritage Drive
North Quincy, MA 02171
7.78%
  First Clearing, LLC
901 East Byrd Street
Richmond, VA 23219
6.48%
  JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association
14201 Dallas Pkwy
12th Floor
Dallas, TX 75240
5.89%
     
iShares MSCI Taiwan Index Fund Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.
525 Washington Blvd.
11th Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07310
22.38%
  State Street Bank and Trust Company
1776 Heritage Drive
North Quincy, MA 02171
13.01%
  JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association
14201 Dallas Pkwy
12th Floor
Dallas, TX 75240
9.30%
  Northern Trust Company/United Nations
Joint Staff Pension Funds
50 South LaSalle St.
Chicago, IL 60675
7.00%
  The Bank of New York Mellon
401 Salina Street
2nd Floor
Syracuse, NY 13202
6.35%
  Citibank, N.A.
3800 Citicorp Center Tampa
Building B/Floor 1
Tampa, FL 33610
5.39%
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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.
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
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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 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
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establish business relationships with its counterparties based on the 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.
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. 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
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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 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.
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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 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.
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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.
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.
BFA is responsible, under the Investment Advisory Agreement, for substantially 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 years noted:
For its investment advisory services to the iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Asia Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets EMEA Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Growth Index Fund and iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value Index Fund, BFA is paid a management fee based on a percentage of each Fund's average daily net assets at an annual rate of 0.68%.
For its investment advisory services to the iShares MSCI Global Agriculture Producers Fund, iShares MSCI Global Energy Producers Fund and iShares MSCI Global Select Metals & Mining Producers Fund, BFA is paid a management fee based on a percentage of each Fund's average daily net assets at an annual rate of 0.39%.
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.
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For its investment advisory services to certain of the Funds included in this SAI, BFA is entitled to receive a management fee from such 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 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, 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.
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 Human Rights Index Fund, iShares MSCI ACWI ex US Index Fund, iShares MSCI ACWI Index Fund, iShares MSCI All Country World Minimum Volatility Index Fund, iShares MSCI EAFE Index Fund and iShares MSCI EAFE Minimum Volatility Index Fund. The aggregate management fee is calculated as follows: 0.35% per annum of the aggregate net assets less than or equal to $30 billion, plus 0.32% per annum of the aggregate net assets over $30.0 billion, up to and including $60.0 billion, plus 0.28% per annum of the aggregate net assets in excess of $60.0 billion.
Fund Management
Fee for the
Fiscal Year
Ended
August 31, 2012
Fund
Inception
Date
Management
Fees Paid
For
Fiscal Year
Ended
August 31, 2012
Management
Fees Paid
For
Fiscal Year
Ended
August 31, 2011
Management
Fees Paid
For
Fiscal Year
Ended
August 31, 2010
iShares MSCI All Country World Minimum Volatility Index Fund1 0.34% 10/18/11 $ 538,193 N/A N/A
           
iShares MSCI Brazil Index Fund 0.61% 07/10/00 55,389,902 $70,082,394 62,208,369
           
iShares MSCI BRIC Index Fund2 0.69% 11/12/07 5,399,206 7,422,667 5,634,510
           
iShares MSCI Chile Investable Market Index Fund 0.61% 11/12/07 3,655,560 5,158,425 2,148,159
           
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Fund Management
Fee for the
Fiscal Year
Ended
August 31, 2012
Fund
Inception
Date
Management
Fees Paid
For
Fiscal Year
Ended
August 31, 2012
Management
Fees Paid
For
Fiscal Year
Ended
August 31, 2011
Management
Fees Paid
For
Fiscal Year
Ended
August 31, 2010
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Asia Index Fund3
0.68%
02/08/12 64,202 N/A N/A
           
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Consumer Discretionary Sector Index Fund 0.68% 02/08/12 31,777 N/A N/A
           
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets EMEA Index Fund4 0.68% 01/18/12 31,766 N/A N/A
           
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Energy Sector Capped Index Fund 0.68% 02/08/12 28,472 N/A N/A
           
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Growth Index Fund5 0.68% 02/08/12 39,428 N/A N/A
           
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund6 0.69% 04/07/03 238,711,967 279,756,799 246,844,312
           
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Minimum Volatility Index Fund7 0.69% 10/18/11 726,408 N/A N/A
           
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Small Cap Index Fund 0.69% 08/16/11 246,547 19,301 N/A
           
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value Index Fund8 0.68% 02/08/12 36,290 N/A N/A
           
iShares MSCI Frontier 100 Index Fund N/A 09/12/12 N/A N/A N/A
           
iShares MSCI Global Agriculture Producers Fund9 0.39% 01/31/12 11,217 N/A N/A
           
iShares MSCI Global Energy Producers Fund 0.39% 01/31/12 10,385 N/A N/A
           
iShares MSCI Global Select Metals & Mining Producers Fund10 0.39% 01/31/12 6,435 N/A N/A
           
iShares MSCI Malaysia Index Fund 0.53% 03/12/96 4,728,077 5,141,467 3,134,564
           
iShares MSCI South Korea Index Fund 0.61% 05/09/00 19,188,641 25,850,014 18,891,270
           
iShares MSCI Taiwan Index Fund 0.61% 06/20/00 14,284,338 19,324,501 19,597,924

1 For the iShares MSCI All Country World Minimum Volatility Index Fund, BFA has contractually agreed to waive its management fees, as of December 6, 2011, in an amount equal to the Fund's pro rata share of the fees and expenses attributable to the Fund's investments in other iShares Funds, “Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses,” through June 30, 2014. Effective May 16, 2012, BFA has voluntarily agreed to waive a portion of its management fee in order to limit the total annual fund operating expenses to 0.20%. For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2012, BFA waived $6,796 of its management fees.
2 For the iShares MSCI BRIC 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 years ended 2011 and 2012, BFA waived $31,041 and $0, respectively, of its management fees.
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3 For the iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Asia Index Fund, BFA has contractually agreed to waive a portion of its management fee for its investment advisory services to the Fund in order to limit Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses to 0.49% of average daily net assets until December 31, 2014. For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2012, BFA waived $17,939 of its management fees.
4 For the iShares MSCI Emerging Markets EMEA Index Fund, BFA has contractually agreed to waive a portion of its management fee for its investment advisory services to the Fund in order to limit Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses to 0.49% of average daily net assets until December 31, 2014. For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2012, BFA waived $8,876 of its management fees.
5 For the iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Growth Index Fund, BFA has contractually agreed to waive a portion of its management fee for its investment advisory services to the Fund in order to limit Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses to 0.49% of average daily net assets until December 31, 2014. For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2012, BFA waived $11,017 of its management fees.
6 For the iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund, BFA has contractually agreed to waive a portion of its management fees in an amount equal to the Fund's pro rata share of the fees and expenses attributable to the Fund's investments in other iShares funds, “Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses,” through June 30, 2014. For the fiscal years ended 2010, 2011 and 2012, BFA waived $1,176,450, $496,608 and $4,168, respectively, of its management fees. Effective June 13, 2011, BFA has voluntarily agreed to waive a portion of its management fee in order to limit the management fee to 0.68%. For the fiscal years ended 2011 and 2012, BFA waived $1,753,488 and $2,966,217, respectively.
7 For the iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Minimum Volatility Index Fund, BFA has contractually agreed to waive a portion of its management fee for its investment advisory services to the Fund in order to limit Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses to 0.25% of average daily net assets until December 31, 2014. For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2012, BFA waived $461,865 of its management fees.
8 For the iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value Index Fund, BFA has contractually agreed to waive a portion of its management fee for its investment advisory services to the Fund in order to limit Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses to 0.49% of average daily net assets until December 31, 2014. For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2012, BFA waived $10,140 of its management fees.
9 For the iShares MSCI Global Agriculture Producers Fund, BFA has contractually agreed to waive a portion of its management fee in an amount equal to the Fund’s pro rata share of the fees and expenses attributable to the Fund’s investments in other iShares funds, “Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses,” through December 31, 2014. The contractual waiver may be terminated prior to December 31, 2014 only upon written agreement of the Company and BFA. Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses are based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year. For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2012, BFA waived $206 of its management fees.
10 For the iShares MSCI Global Select Metals & Mining Producers Fund, BFA has contractually agreed to waive a portion of its management fee in an amount equal to the Fund’s pro rata share of the fees and expenses attributable to the Fund’s investments in other iShares funds, “Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses,” through December 31, 2014. The contractual waiver may be terminated prior to December 31, 2014 only upon written agreement of the Company and BFA. Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses are based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year. For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2012, BFA waived $0 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., BFA or its affiliates 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.
Each Subsidiary has entered into a separate contract with BFA whereby BFA provides investment advisory services to each Subsidiary. BFA does not receive separate compensation from each Subsidiary for providing it with investment advisory services. Each applicable Fund pays BFA a management fee based on the Fund's assets, including the assets invested in each
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Subsidiary. Each Subsidiary has also entered into separate arrangements that provide for the provision of other services to each Subsidiary (including administrative, custody, transfer agency and other services), and BFA shall pay the costs and expenses related to the provision of those services.
Portfolio Managers.  As of August 31, 2012, 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 follows:
Christopher Bliss    
Types of Accounts Number Total Assets
Registered Investment Companies 26 $ 10,800,000,000
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles 161 $392,800,000,000
Other Accounts 150 $278,800,000,000
Accounts with Incentive-Based Fee Arrangements N/A N/A
Rene Casis    
Types of Accounts Number Total Assets
Registered Investment Companies 203 $293,000,000,000
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles 68 $ 51,400,000,000
Other Accounts N/A N/A
Accounts with Incentive-Based Fee Arrangements N/A N/A
Diane Hsiung    
Types of Accounts Number Total Assets
Registered Investment Companies 201 $293,000,000,000
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles 15 $ 8,000,000,000
Other Accounts 4 $ 113,000,000
Accounts with Incentive-Based Fee Arrangements N/A N/A
Jennifer Hsui    
Types of Accounts Number Total Assets
Registered Investment Companies 56 $ 174,400,000,000
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles 26 $162,000,000,000
Other Accounts 40 $ 53,400,000,000
Accounts with Incentive-Based Fee Arrangements N/A N/A
Greg Savage    
Types of Accounts Number Total Assets
Registered Investment Companies 206 $295,600,000,000
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles 83 $ 55,300,000,000
Other Accounts 3 $ 64,400,000
Accounts with Incentive-Based Fee Arrangements N/A 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 BFA’s 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
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investment opportunity. As a consequence, from time to time each Fund may receive a smaller allocation of an investment opportunity than it 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 its affiliates, as applicable, for its advisory services. One or more of those other portfolios or accounts, however, may pay BFA or its affiliates 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 BFA or its affiliates a portion of that portfolio’s or account’s gains, or would pay BFA or its affiliates more for its services than would otherwise be the case if BFA or any of its affiliates meets or exceeds specified performance targets. By their nature, incentive-based fee arrangements could present an incentive for BFA or its affiliates 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 BFA and each of its affiliates 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, 2012:
Christopher Bliss    
Types of Accounts Number of Other
Accounts with
Performance-Based Fees
Managed by Portfolio Manager
Aggregate
of Total Assets
Registered Investment Companies N/A N/A
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles N/A N/A
Other Accounts N/A 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 N/A N/A
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles N/A N/A
Other Accounts N/A 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 N/A N/A
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles N/A N/A
Other Accounts N/A N/A
Jennifer Hsui    
Types of Accounts Number of Other
Accounts with
Performance Fees
Managed by Portfolio Manager
Aggregate
of Total Assets
Registered Investment Companies N/A N/A
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles N/A N/A
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Jennifer Hsui    
Types of Accounts Number of Other
Accounts with
Performance Fees
Managed by Portfolio Manager
Aggregate
of Total Assets
Other Accounts N/A 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 N/A N/A
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles N/A N/A
Other Accounts N/A N/A
The discussion below describes the Portfolio Managers' compensation as of August 31, 2012.
Portfolio Manager Compensation Overview
BlackRock, Inc.'s financial arrangements with its portfolio managers, its competitive compensation and its career path emphasis at all levels reflect the value senior management places on key resources. Compensation may include a variety of components and may vary from year to year based on a number of factors. The principal components of compensation include a base salary, a performance-based discretionary bonus, participation in various benefits programs and one or more of the incentive compensation programs established by BlackRock, Inc.
Base compensation. Generally, portfolio managers receive base compensation based on their position with the firm.
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, Inc. and the individual's performance and contribution to the overall performance of these portfolios and BlackRock, Inc.
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, Inc.'s ability to sustain and improve its performance over future periods.
Long-Term Incentive Plan Awards — 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.
Deferred Compensation Program — A portion of the compensation paid to eligible BlackRock, Inc. employees may be voluntarily deferred at their election for defined periods of time into an account that tracks the performance of certain of the firm's investment products. All of the eligible portfolio managers have participated in the deferred compensation program.
Other Compensation Benefits. In addition to base compensation and discretionary incentive compensation, portfolio managers may be eligible to receive or participate in one or more of the following:
Incentive Savings Plans — BlackRock, Inc. has created a variety of incentive savings plans in which BlackRock, Inc. employees are eligible to participate, including a 401(k) plan, the BlackRock Retirement Savings Plan (“RSP”), and the BlackRock Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”). The employer contribution components of the RSP include a company match equal to 50% of the first 8% of eligible pay contributed to the plan capped at $5,000 per year, and a company retirement contribution equal to 3-5% of eligible compensation up to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) limit ($250,000 for 2012). The RSP offers a range of investment options, including registered investment companies and collective investment funds managed by the firm. BlackRock, Inc. contributions follow the investment direction set by participants for their own
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contributions or, absent participant investment direction, are invested into an index target date fund that corresponds to, or is closest to, the year in which the participant attains age 65. The ESPP allows for investment in BlackRock, Inc. common stock at a 5% discount on the fair market value of the stock on the purchase date. Annual participation in the ESPP is limited to the purchase of 1,000 shares of common stock or a dollar value of $25,000 based on its fair market value on the Purchase Date. Christopher Bliss, Rene Casis, Diane Hsiung, Jennifer Hsui and Greg Savage are each eligible to participate in these plans.
As of August 31, 2012, 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 Brazil Index Fund X            
iShares MSCI Chile Investable Market Index Fund X            
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Asia Index Fund X            
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Consumer Discretionary Sector Index Fund X            
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets EMEA Index Fund X            
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Energy Sector Capped Index Fund X            
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Growth Index Fund X            
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund     X        
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Minimum Volatility Index Fund X            
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Small Cap Index Fund X            
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value Index Fund X            
iShares MSCI Frontier 100 Index Fund X            
iShares MSCI Malaysia Index Fund X            
iShares MSCI South Korea Index Fund X            
iShares MSCI Taiwan Index Fund X            
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 All Country World Minimum Volatility Index Fund X            
iShares MSCI Brazil Index Fund X            
iShares MSCI BRIC Index Fund X            
iShares MSCI Chile Investable Market Index Fund X            
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Asia Index Fund X            
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Consumer Discretionary Sector Index Fund X            
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets EMEA Index Fund X            
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Energy Sector Capped 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 Emerging Markets Growth Index Fund X            
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund X            
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Minimum Volatility Index Fund X            
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Small Cap Index Fund X            
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value Index Fund X            
iShares MSCI Frontier 100 Index Fund X            
iShares MSCI Global Agriculture Producers Fund X            
iShares MSCI Global Energy Producers Fund X            
iShares MSCI Global Select Metals & Mining Producers Fund X            
iShares MSCI Malaysia Index Fund X            
iShares MSCI South Korea Index Fund X            
iShares MSCI Taiwan Index Fund X            
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 All Country World Minimum Volatility Index Fund X            
iShares MSCI Brazil Index Fund   X          
iShares MSCI BRIC Index Fund X            
iShares MSCI Chile Investable Market Index Fund X            
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Asia Index Fund X            
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Consumer Discretionary Sector Index Fund X            
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets EMEA Index Fund X            
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Energy Sector Capped Index Fund X            
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Growth Index Fund X            
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund X            
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Minimum Volatility Index Fund X            
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Small Cap Index Fund X            
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value Index Fund X            
iShares MSCI Frontier 100 Index Fund X            
iShares MSCI Global Agriculture Producers Fund X            
iShares MSCI Global Energy Producers 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 Global Select Metals & Mining Producers Fund X            
iShares MSCI Malaysia Index Fund X            
iShares MSCI South Korea Index Fund   X          
iShares MSCI Taiwan Index Fund X            
Jennifer Hsui              
  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 All Country World Minimum Volatility Index Fund X            
iShares MSCI Brazil Index Fund X            
iShares MSCI BRIC Index Fund X            
iShares MSCI Chile Investable Market Index Fund X            
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Asia Index Fund X            
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Consumer Discretionary Sector Index Fund X            
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets EMEA Index Fund X            
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Energy Sector Capped Index Fund X            
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Growth Index Fund X            
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund     X        
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Minimum Volatility Index Fund X            
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Small Cap Index Fund X            
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value Index Fund X            
iShares MSCI Frontier 100 Index Fund X            
iShares MSCI Global Agriculture Producers Fund X            
iShares MSCI Global Energy Producers Fund X            
iShares MSCI Global Select Metals & Mining Producers Fund X            
iShares MSCI Malaysia Index Fund X            
iShares MSCI South Korea Index Fund X            
iShares MSCI Taiwan 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 All Country World Minimum Volatility Index Fund X            
iShares MSCI Brazil Index Fund   X          
iShares MSCI BRIC Index Fund X            
iShares MSCI Chile Investable Market Index Fund X            
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Asia Index Fund X            
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Consumer Discretionary Sector Index Fund X            
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets EMEA Index Fund X            
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Energy Sector Capped Index Fund X            
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Growth Index Fund X            
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund X            
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Minimum Volatility Index Fund X            
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Small Cap Index Fund X            
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value Index Fund X            
iShares MSCI Frontier 100 Index Fund X            
iShares MSCI Global Agriculture Producers Fund X            
iShares MSCI Global Energy Producers Fund X            
iShares MSCI Global Select Metals & Mining Producers Fund X            
iShares MSCI Malaysia Index Fund X            
iShares MSCI South Korea Index Fund X            
iShares MSCI Taiwan 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 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.
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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,
2012
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
iShares MSCI All Country World Minimum Volatility Index Fund 10/18/11 $ 38,593 N/A N/A
iShares MSCI Brazil Index Fund 07/10/00 2,201,629 $ 3,572,483 $2,856,615
iShares MSCI BRIC Index Fund 11/12/07 327,518 375,650 235,239
iShares MSCI Chile Investable Market Index Fund 11/12/07 1,218,196 1,875,542 795,458
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Asia Index Fund 02/08/12 22,673 N/A N/A
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Consumer Discretionary Sector Index Fund 02/08/12 9,079 N/A N/A
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets EMEA Index Fund 01/18/12 15,028 N/A N/A
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Energy Sector Capped Index Fund 02/08/12 10,666 N/A N/A
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Growth Index Fund 02/08/12 26,886 N/A N/A
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund 04/07/03 11,972,729 11,982,773 8,113,964
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Minimum Volatility Index Fund 10/18/11 91,139 N/A N/A
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Small Cap Index Fund 08/16/11 50,003 10,064 N/A
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value Index Fund 02/08/12 26,686 N/A N/A
iShares MSCI Frontier 100 Index Fund 09/12/12 N/A N/A N/A
iShares MSCI Global Agriculture Producers Fund 01/31/12 11,700 N/A N/A
iShares MSCI Global Energy Producers Fund 01/31/12 12,779 N/A N/A
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Fund Fund
Inception
Date
Custody,
Administration,
Transfer Agency
Expenses
Paid During
Fiscal Year
Ended August 31,
2012
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
iShares MSCI Global Select Metals & Mining Producers Fund 01/31/12 14,747 N/A N/A
iShares MSCI Malaysia Index Fund 03/12/96 354,845 519,684 283,792
iShares MSCI South Korea Index Fund 05/09/00 656,330 1,026,895 715,573
iShares MSCI Taiwan Index Fund 06/20/00 721,934 1,324,096 1,186,654
Subsidiary Administrator.  International Financial Services Limited (“IFS”) serves as each Subsidiary's Mauritius administrator. Pursuant to an agreement with IFS, each Subsidiary pays a fee for administrative, legal, tax and accounting services to IFS, for certain shareholder services and for providing office space, equipment, personnel and facilities required to provide such services to each Subsidiary.
Distributor.  The Distributor's principal address is 525 Washington Boulevard, Suite 1405, Jersey City, NJ 07310. Shares are continuously offered for sale by the Funds through the Distributor or its agent 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 or its agent. The Distributor or its agent will arrange for the delivery of the applicable Prospectus and, upon request, this 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 its affiliates 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 as of April 1, 2012. Prior to that date, SEI Investments Distribution Co. (“SEI”), located at One Freedom Valley Drive, Oaks, PA 19456, served as the 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 From
April 1, 2012
to August 31,
20121
Distributor
Compensation
Paid From
September 1,
2011 to
March 31,
20122
Distributor
Compensation
Paid During
Fiscal Year
Ended
August 31,
2011
Distributor
Compensation
Paid During
Fiscal Year
Ended
August 31,
2010
iShares MSCI All Country World Minimum Volatility Index Fund 10/18/11 $3,318 $5,369 N/A N/A
iShares MSCI Brazil Index Fund 07/10/00 3,318 6,270 $ 11,753 $ 13,367
iShares MSCI BRIC Index Fund 11/12/07 3,318 6,270 11,753 13,367
iShares MSCI Chile Investable Market Index Fund 11/12/07 3,318 6,270 11,753 13,367
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Fund Fund Inception
Date
Distributor
Compensation
Paid From
April 1, 2012
to August 31,
20121
Distributor
Compensation
Paid From
September 1,
2011 to
March 31,
20122
Distributor
Compensation
Paid During
Fiscal Year
Ended
August 31,
2011
Distributor
Compensation
Paid During
Fiscal Year
Ended
August 31,
2010
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Asia Index Fund 02/08/12 3,318 1,712 N/A N/A
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Consumer Discretionary Sector Index Fund 02/08/12 3,318 1,712 N/A N/A
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets EMEA Index Fund 01/18/12 3,318 2,621 N/A N/A
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Energy Sector Capped Index Fund 02/08/12 3,318 1,712 N/A N/A
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Growth Index Fund 02/08/12 3,318 1,712 N/A N/A
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund 04/07/03 3,318 6,270 11,753 13,367
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Minimum Volatility Index Fund 10/18/11 3,318 5,369 N/A N/A
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Small Cap Index Fund 08/16/11 3,318 6,270 948 N/A
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value Index Fund 02/08/12 3,318 1,712 N/A N/A
iShares MSCI Frontier 100 Index Fund 09/12/12 N/A N/A N/A N/A
iShares MSCI Global Agriculture Producers Fund 01/31/12 3,318 1,712 N/A N/A
iShares MSCI Global Energy Producers Fund 01/31/12 3,318 1,712 N/A N/A
iShares MSCI Global Select Metals & Mining Producers Fund 01/31/12 3,318 1,712 N/A N/A
iShares MSCI Malaysia Index Fund 03/12/96 3,318 6,270 11,753 13,367
iShares MSCI South Korea Index Fund 05/09/00 3,318 6,270 11,753 13,367
iShares MSCI Taiwan Index Fund 06/20/00 3,318 6,270 11,753 13,367

1 BRIL serves as the distributor to the Funds effective April 1, 2012. These fees reflected payments made to SEI, acting as an agent of the Distributor.
2 SEI served as the distributor to the Funds through March 31, 2012.
Financial Intermediary Compensation.  BFA and/or its 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
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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”). 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 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.
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 expertise in certain markets or with certain securities, or 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.
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,
2012
Brokerage
Commissions
Paid During
Fiscal Year
Ended August 31,
2011
Brokerage
Commissions
Paid During
Fiscal Year
Ended August 31,
2010
iShares MSCI All Country World Minimum Volatility Index Fund 10/18/11 $ 21,707 N/A N/A
iShares MSCI Brazil Index Fund 07/10/00 745,661 $1,279,030 $1,601,458
iShares MSCI BRIC Index Fund 11/12/07 454,612 97,224 60,875
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Fund Fund
Inception
Date
Brokerage
Commissions
Paid During
Fiscal Year
Ended August 31,
2012
Brokerage
Commissions
Paid During
Fiscal Year
Ended August 31,
2011
Brokerage
Commissions
Paid During
Fiscal Year
Ended August 31,
2010
iShares MSCI Chile Investable Market Index Fund 11/12/07 469,532 96,901 48,961
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Asia Index Fund 02/08/12 5,255 N/A N/A
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Consumer Discretionary Sector Index Fund 02/08/12 1,969 N/A N/A
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets EMEA Index Fund 01/18/12 830 N/A N/A
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Energy Sector Capped Index Fund 02/08/12 1,313 N/A N/A
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Growth Index Fund 02/08/12 2,115 N/A N/A
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund 04/07/03 6,520,213 9,556,194 12,161,035
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Minimum Volatility Index Fund 10/18/11 137,666 N/A N/A
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Small Cap Index Fund 08/16/11 24,118 1,125 N/A
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value Index Fund 02/08/12 2,140 N/A N/A
iShares MSCI Frontier 100 Index Fund 09/12/12 N/A N/A N/A
iShares MSCI Global Agriculture Producers Fund 01/31/12 565 N/A N/A
iShares MSCI Global Energy Producers Fund 01/31/12 272 N/A N/A
iShares MSCI Global Select Metals & Mining Producers Fund 01/31/12 8,990 N/A N/A
iShares MSCI Malaysia Index Fund 03/12/96 286,073 186,798 71,874
iShares MSCI South Korea Index Fund 05/09/00 924,271 290,364 213,823
iShares MSCI Taiwan Index Fund 06/20/00 819,930 274,912 226,077
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, 2012.
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.
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The table below sets forth the portfolio turnover rates of each Fund for the fiscal years noted:
Fund Fiscal Year
Ended
August 31, 2012
Fiscal Year
Ended
August 31, 2011
iShares MSCI All Country World Minimum Volatility Index Fund 22% N/A
iShares MSCI Brazil Index Fund 7% 11%
iShares MSCI BRIC Index Fund 32% 13%
iShares MSCI Chile Investable Market Index Fund 48% 38%
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Asia Index Fund 3% N/A
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Consumer Discretionary Sector Index Fund 54% N/A
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets EMEA Index Fund 5% N/A
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Energy Sector Capped Index Fund 29% N/A
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Growth Index Fund 12% N/A
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund 15% 17%
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Minimum Volatility Index Fund 31% N/A
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Small Cap Index Fund 32% 2%
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value Index Fund 12% N/A
iShares MSCI Frontier 100 Index Fund N/A N/A
iShares MSCI Global Agriculture Producers Fund 6% N/A
iShares MSCI Global Energy Producers Fund 5% N/A
iShares MSCI Global Select Metals & Mining Producers Fund 1% N/A
iShares MSCI Malaysia Index Fund 24% 49%
iShares MSCI South Korea Index Fund 12% 18%
iShares MSCI Taiwan Index Fund 22% 23%
Creation or redemption transactions, to the extent consisting of cash, may require a Fund to contemporaneously transact with broker-dealers for purchases of Deposit Securities (as defined below under Fund Deposit) or sales of Fund Securities (as defined below under Redemption of Creation Units), including any foreign exchange, as applicable. Such transactions with a particular broker-dealer may be conditioned upon the broker-dealer’s agreement to transact at guaranteed price levels in order to reduce transaction costs the Funds would otherwise incur as a consequence of settling creation or redemption baskets in cash rather than in-kind.
Following each Fund’s receipt of an order to purchase or redeem creation or redemption baskets, to the extent such purchases or redemptions consist of a cash portion, the Fund may enter an order with a broker or dealer to purchase or sell the Deposit Securities or Fund Securities, including any foreign exchange, as applicable. The terms of such order may, depending on the timing of the transaction and certain other factors, require the broker or dealer to guarantee that a Fund will achieve execution of its order at a price at least as favorable to the Fund as the Fund’s valuation of the Deposit Securities/Fund Securities used for purposes of calculating the NAV applied to the creation or redemption transaction giving rise to the order (the “Execution Performance Guarantee”). Such orders may be placed with the purchasing or redeeming Authorized Participant in its capacity as a broker-dealer or with its affiliated broker-dealer. The amount payable to each Fund in respect of any Execution Performance Guarantee will depend on the results achieved by the executing firm and will vary depending on market activity, timing and a variety of other factors.
To ensure that an Execution Performance Guarantee will be honored on orders arising from creation transactions executed by an Authorized Participant or its affiliate as broker-dealer, an Authorized Participant is required to deposit an amount with each Fund (the “Execution Performance Deposit”). If the broker-dealer executing the order achieves executions in market transactions at a price equal to or more favorable than a Fund’s valuation of the Deposit Securities, the Fund receives the benefit of the favorable executions and returns to the Authorized Participant the Execution Performance Deposit. If, however, the broker-dealer executing the order is unable to achieve executions in market transactions at a price at least equal to a Fund’s valuation of the securities, the Fund retains the portion of the Execution Performance Deposit equal to the full amount of the execution shortfall (including any taxes, brokerage commissions, foreign exchange or other costs) and may require the Authorized Participant to deposit any additional amount required to cover the full amount of the actual Execution Performance Guarantee.
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To ensure that an Execution Performance Guarantee will be honored for brokerage orders arising from redemption transactions executed by an Authorized Participant or its affiliate as broker-dealer, an Authorized Participant agrees to pay the shortfall amount (the “Execution Performance Offset”). If the broker-dealer executing the order achieves executions in market transactions at a price equal to or more favorable than a Fund’s valuation of the Fund Securities, the Fund receives the benefit of the favorable executions and the Authorized Participant is not called upon to honor the Execution Performance Offset. If, however, the broker-dealer is unable to achieve executions in market transactions at a price at least equal to a Fund’s valuation of the securities, the Fund will be entitled to the portion of the Execution Performance Offset equal to the full amount of the execution shortfall (including any taxes, brokerage commissions, foreign exchange or other costs).
The circumstances under which the Execution Performance Guarantee will be used and the expected amount of any Execution Performance Deposit or Execution Performance Offset for a Fund will be disclosed in the procedures handbook for Authorized Participants and may change from time to time based on the actual experience of the Fund.
Additional Information Concerning the Company
Capital Stock.  The Company currently is comprised of 57 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 Asia/Pacific Dividend 30 Index Fund, iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF, iShares Emerging Markets Corporate Bond Fund, iShares Emerging Markets Dividend Index Fund, iShares Emerging Markets High Yield Bond Fund, iShares Emerging Markets Local Currency Bond Fund, iShares Global ex USD High Yield Corporate Bond Fund, iShares Global High Yield Corporate Bond Fund, iShares Latin America 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 Asia Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Consumer Discretionary Sector Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Eastern Europe Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets EMEA Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Energy Sector Capped Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Growth 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 Emerging Markets Value Index Fund, iShares MSCI EMU Index Fund, iShares MSCI France Index Fund, iShares MSCI Frontier 100 Index Fund, iShares MSCI Germany Index Fund, iShares MSCI Global Agriculture Producers Fund, iShares MSCI Global Energy Producers Fund, iShares MSCI Global Gold Miners Fund, iShares MSCI Global Select Metals & Mining Producers Fund, iShares MSCI Global Silver Miners 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, iShares MSCI USA Index Fund and iShares MSCI World Index Fund. The Company has authorized for issuance, but is not currently offering for sale to the public, ten 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 31.85 billion shares of common stock. The following number of shares is currently authorized for each of the funds: iShares Asia/Pacific Dividend 30 Index Fund, 500 million shares; iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF, 250 million shares; iShares Emerging Markets Corporate Bond Fund, 500 million shares; iShares Emerging Markets Dividend Index Fund, 500 million shares; iShares Emerging Markets High Yield Bond Fund, 500 million shares; iShares Emerging Markets Local Currency Bond Fund, 500 million shares; iShares Global ex USD High Yield Corporate Bond Fund, 500 million shares; iShares Global High Yield Corporate Bond Fund, 500 million shares; iShares Latin America 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,
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200 million shares; iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Asia Index Fund, 500 million shares; iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Consumer Discretionary Sector Index Fund, 500 million shares; iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Eastern Europe Index Fund, 200 million shares; iShares MSCI Emerging Markets EMEA Index Fund, 500 million shares; iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Energy Sector Capped Index Fund, 500 million shares; iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Growth Index Fund, 500 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 Emerging Markets Value Index Fund, 500 million shares; iShares MSCI EMU Index Fund, 1 billion shares; iShares MSCI France Index Fund, 340.2 million shares; iShares MSCI Frontier 100 Index Fund, 500 million shares; iShares MSCI Germany Index Fund, 382.2 million shares; iShares MSCI Global Agriculture Producers Fund, 500 million shares; iShares MSCI Global Energy Producers Fund, 500 million shares; iShares MSCI Global Gold Miners Fund, 500 million shares; iShares MSCI Global Select Metals & Mining Producers Fund, 500 million shares; iShares MSCI Global Silver Miners Fund, 500 million shares; iShares MSCI Hong Kong Index Fund, 250 million shares; iShares MSCI Israel Capped Investable Market Index Fund, 500 million shares; 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 shares; iShares MSCI Turkey Investable Market Index Fund, 200 million shares; iShares MSCI United Kingdom Index Fund, 934.2 million shares; iShares MSCI USA Index Fund, 500 million shares; and iShares MSCI World 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 organizational documents provide that the Board will have the unrestricted power to alter the number of shares in a Creation Unit. In the
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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 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 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.
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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 or its agent, without a sales load, at a price based on the NAV next determined after receipt, on any Business Day (as defined below), of an order received by the Distributor or its agent in proper form. The following table sets forth the number of shares of a Fund that constitute a Creation Unit for the Fund and the value of such Creation Unit as of September 30, 2012:
Fund Shares Per
Creation Unit
Value Per
Creation
Unit (U.S.$)
iShares MSCI All Country World Minimum Volatility Index Fund 100,000 $ 5,668,000
iShares MSCI Brazil Index Fund 50,000 $ 2,701,000
iShares MSCI BRIC Index Fund 50,000 $ 1,897,000
iShares MSCI Chile Investable Market Index Fund 50,000 $ 3,114,500
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Asia Index Fund 200,000 $10,764,000
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Consumer Discretionary Sector Index Fund 50,000 $ 2,547,500
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets EMEA Index Fund 100,000 $ 5,401,000
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Energy Sector Capped Index Fund 50,000 $ 2,147,000
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Growth Index Fund 50,000 $ 2,676,500
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund 450,000 $ 18,697,500
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Minimum Volatility Index Fund 100,000 $ 5,740,000
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Small Cap Index Fund 200,000 $ 9,246,000
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value Index Fund 50,000 $ 2,406,500
iShares MSCI Frontier 100 Index Fund 50,000 $ 1,299,500
iShares MSCI Global Agriculture Producers Fund 100,000 $ 2,612,000
iShares MSCI Global Energy Producers Fund 100,000 $ 2,428,000
iShares MSCI Global Select Metals & Mining Producers Fund 100,000 $ 2,028,000
iShares MSCI Malaysia Index Fund 75,000 $ 1,106,250
iShares MSCI South Korea Index Fund 50,000 $ 2,988,500
iShares MSCI Taiwan Index Fund 200,000 $ 2,696,000
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 (except for the iShares MSCI Brazil Index Fund, iShares MSCI Chile Investable Market Index, iShares MSCI Malaysia Index Fund, iShares MSCI South Korea Index Fund and iShares MSCI Taiwan Index Fund (each, a “Cash Fund” and collectively, the “Cash Funds”), generally consists of the in-kind deposit of a designated portfolio of securities (including any portion of such securities for which cash may 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 NAV 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 NAV per Creation Unit and the Deposit Amount. Payment of any stamp duty or other similar fees and
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expenses payable upon transfer of beneficial ownership of the Deposit Securities are the sole responsibility of the Authorized Participant purchasing a Creation Unit.
Each Cash Fund’s current policy is to accept cash in substitution for the Deposit Securities it might otherwise accept as in-kind consideration for the purchase of Creation Units. A Cash Fund may, at times, elect to receive Deposit Securities (i.e., the in-kind deposit of a designated portfolio of securities) and a Cash Component as consideration for the purchase of Creation Units. If a Cash Fund elects to accept Deposit Securities, a purchaser's delivery of the Deposit Securities together with the Cash Component will constitute the “Fund Deposit,” which will represent the consideration for a Creation Unit of the Fund. The iShares MSCI All Country World Minimum Volatility Index Fund, iShares MSCI BRIC Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Asia Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Consumer Discretionary Sector Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets EMEA Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Energy Sector Capped Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Growth 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 Emerging Markets Value Index Fund, iShares MSCI Frontier 100 Index Fund, iShares MSCI Global Agriculture Producers Fund, iShares MSCI Global Energy Producers Fund and iShares MSCI Global Select Metals & Mining Producers Fund (each, a “Partial Cash Fund” and collectively, the “Partial Cash Funds”) generally offer Creation Units partially for cash. Please see the Cash Purchase Method section below and the following discussion summarizing the Deposit Security method for further information on purchasing Creation Units of the Funds.
For the iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund, the portfolio of securities required for purchase of a Creation Unit may not be identical to the portfolio of securities the Fund will deliver upon redemption of Fund shares (“Fund Securities”). The Deposit Securities and Fund Securities, as applicable, in connection with a purchase or redemption of a Creation Unit, will correspond pro rata, to the extent practicable, to the securities held by the Fund.
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, to 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 or other local 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 or other local laws, or in certain other situations. As noted above, Creation Units of the Cash Funds currently are available only for cash purchases.
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 (Creation Units of the Cash Funds are generally offered solely for cash and Creation Units of the Partial Cash Funds are generally offered partially for cash), 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. The Authorized Participant will also be required to pay certain transaction fees and charges for cash purchases, as described below, and, if transacting as broker with each Fund, may be required to cover certain brokerage, tax, foreign exchange, execution and market impact costs through an Execution Performance Guarantee, as described in the Brokerage Transactions section of this SAI.
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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 fees described below. An Authorized Participant, acting on behalf of an investor, 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 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 or its agent 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. An Authorized Participant must submit an irrevocable order to purchase shares of the iShares MSCI BRIC Index Fund before 3:00 p.m., Eastern time on any Business Day in order to receive that day’s NAV. An Authorized Participant must submit an irrevocable request to purchase shares of the iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund before 5:00 p.m., Eastern time (or by one hour after the close of the Listing Exchange, if earlier) on any Business Day in order to receive the next Business 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 or its agent will notify BFA and the custodian of such order. The custodian will then provide such information to any appropriate sub-custodian. 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. Investors, other than Authorized Participants, are responsible for making arrangements for a creation request to be made through an Authorized Participant. The Distributor or its agent will provide a list of current Authorized Participants upon request. 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 or its agent 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. 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.
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.
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. An Authorized Participant must submit an irrevocable order to purchase shares of the iShares MSCI BRIC Index Fund before 3:00 p.m., Eastern time on any Business Day in order to receive that day’s NAV. An Authorized Participant must submit an irrevocable request to purchase shares of the iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund before 5:00 p.m., Eastern time (or by one hour after the close of the Listing Exchange, if earlier) on any Business Day in order to receive the next Business Day’s NAV. Creation Orders must be transmitted by an Authorized Participant by telephone or other transmission method acceptable to the Distributor or its agent pursuant to procedures set forth in the authorized participant agreement, as described below. Economic or market disruptions or changes, or telephone or other communication failure, may impede the ability to reach the Distributor or its agent or an Authorized Participant. Orders to create shares of a Fund that are submitted on the Business Day immediately preceding a holiday or a day (other than a weekend) when the equity markets in the relevant non-U.S. 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 or its agent, in their discretion, may permit the submission of such
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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 or its agent'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 each Fund's 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 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, as set forth below.
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 or its agent 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 or its agent 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 or its agent and BFA make it impracticable to process purchase orders. The Distributor or its agent 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 sub-custodian and the Distributor or its agent are under no duty, however, to give notification of any defects or irregularities in the delivery of Fund Deposits nor shall any of them incur any liability for failure to give such notification.
In addition, the Company intends to exercise its right to reject any creation order for shares of the iShares MSCI BRIC Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Asia Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Consumer Discretionary Sector Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Energy Sector Capped Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Growth Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Minimum Volatility Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Small Cap Index Fund and iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value Index Fund on any Business Day that is a holiday in the Indian market, but not a holiday observed in the U.S. equity market, and certain other holidays during the settlement cycle for Fund shares, in order to protect Fund shareholders from any dilutive costs that may be associated with the purchase of Deposit Securities in connection with creation orders on such days.
Issuance of a Creation Unit.  Except as provided herein, a Creation Unit will not be issued until the transfer of good title to the applicable Fund of the Deposit Securities and the payment of the Cash Component have been completed. When the sub-custodian 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 sub-custodian or sub-custodians, the Distributor or its agent 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). For the iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Small Cap Index Fund, Creation Units typically are issued on a “T+4 basis” (i.e., four Business Days after trade date). Creation Units for the iShares MSCI Chile Investable Market Index Fund, iShares MSCI South Korea Index Fund and iShares MSCI Taiwan Index Fund typically are issued on a “T+2 basis” (i.e., two 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 or T+4 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 Fund 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 at any time, in its sole discretion,
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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 or its agent. 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.
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, processing and other transaction costs associated with the issuance of Creation Units. The standard creation transaction fee is charged on each Creation Unit created by an Authorized Participant on the day of the transaction. The standard creation transaction fee is generally fixed at the amount shown in the table regardless of the number of Creation Units being purchased, but may be reduced by each Fund if transfer and processing expenses associated with the creation are anticipated to be lower than the stated fee. If a purchase consists of a cash portion, the Authorized Participant may also be required to pay an additional transaction charge (up to the maximum amount shown below) to cover brokerage and certain other costs related to the creation transaction. 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 to acquire Fund shares 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 All Country World Minimum Volatility Index Fund $ 4,200 3.0%
iShares MSCI Brazil Index Fund 2,400 7.0%
iShares MSCI BRIC Index Fund 5,900 7.0%
iShares MSCI Chile Investable Market Index Fund 3,000 3.0%
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Asia Index Fund 16,500 3.0%
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Consumer Discretionary Sector Index Fund 3,500 3.0%
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets EMEA Index Fund 5,500 3.0%
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Energy Sector Capped Index Fund 2,500 3.0%
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Growth Index Fund 14,500 3.0%
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund 7,700 3.0%
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Minimum Volatility Index Fund 6,100 3.0%
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Small Cap Index Fund 19,000 3.0%
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value Index Fund 16,000 3.0%
iShares MSCI Frontier 100 Index Fund 13,600 5.0%
iShares MSCI Global Agriculture Producers Fund 5,100 3.0%
iShares MSCI Global Energy Producers Fund 6,100 3.0%
iShares MSCI Global Select Metals & Mining Producers Fund 8,400 3.0%
iShares MSCI Malaysia Index Fund 5,000 3.0%
iShares MSCI South Korea Index Fund 4,000 3.0%
iShares MSCI Taiwan Index Fund 4,500 3.0%

* As a percentage of the net asset value per Creation Unit.
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If a purchase consists of a cash portion and each Fund places a brokerage transaction to purchase portfolio securities with the Authorized Participant or its affiliated broker-dealer, the Authorized Participant (or its affiliated broker-dealer) may be required, in its capacity as broker-dealer with respect to that transaction, to cover certain brokerage, tax, foreign exchange, execution, and market impact costs through an Execution Performance Guarantee, as described in the Brokerage Transactions section of this SAI.
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 or its agent 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 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.
Each Cash Fund currently redeems Creation Units solely for cash; however, each Cash Fund reserves the right to distribute securities in-kind as payment for Creation Units being redeemed. Each Partial Cash Fund generally redeems Creation Units partially for cash. Please see the Cash Redemption Method section below and the following discussion summarizing the in-kind method for further information on redeeming Creation Units of the Funds.
The Cash Funds generally redeem Creation Units solely for cash, however, the Cash Funds reserve the right to distribute securities in-kind as payment for Creation Units being redeemed. With respect to each Fund 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. The Cash Funds generally redeem Creation Units solely for cash. The Partial Cash Funds generally redeem Creation Units partially for cash.
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 (Creation Units of the Cash Funds are generally redeemed solely for cash and Creation Units of the Partial Cash Funds are generally redeemed partially for cash), 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 to an in-kind redeemer. The Authorized Participant will also be required to pay certain transaction fees and charges for cash redemptions, as described below, and, if transacting as broker with each Fund, may be required to cover certain brokerage, tax, foreign exchange, execution and market impact costs through a Execution Performance Guarantee, as described in the Brokerage Transactions section of this SAI.
Costs Associated with Redemption Transactions.  A redemption transaction fee is imposed to offset transfer, processing and other transaction costs that may be incurred by the relevant Fund. The standard redemption transaction fee is charged on each Creation Unit redeemed by an Authorized Participant on the day of the transaction. The standard redemption transaction fee is generally fixed at the amount shown in the table regardless of the number of Creation Units being redeemed, but may be reduced by each Fund if transfer and processing expenses associated with the redemption are
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anticipated to be lower than the stated fee. If a redemption consists of a cash portion, the Authorized Participant may also be required to pay an additional transaction charge (up to the maximum amount shown below) to cover brokerage and certain 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 to dispose of Fund shares may be charged a fee for such services.
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 All Country World Minimum Volatility Index Fund $ 4,200 2.0%
iShares MSCI Brazil Index Fund 2,400 2.0%
iShares MSCI BRIC Index Fund 5,900 2.0%
iShares MSCI Chile Investable Market Index Fund 3,000 2.0%
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Asia Index Fund 16,500 2.0%
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Consumer Discretionary Sector Index Fund 3,500 2.0%
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets EMEA Index Fund 5,500 2.0%
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Energy Sector Capped Index Fund 2,500 2.0%
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Growth Index Fund 14,500 2.0%
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund 7,700 2.0%
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Minimum Volatility Index Fund 6,100 2.0%
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Small Cap Index Fund 19,000 2.0%
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value Index Fund 16,000 2.0%
iShares MSCI Frontier 100 Index Fund 13,600 2.0%
iShares MSCI Global Agriculture Producers Fund 5,100 2.0%
iShares MSCI Global Energy Producers Fund 6,100 2.0%
iShares MSCI Global Select Metals & Mining Producers Fund 8,400 2.0%
iShares MSCI Malaysia Index Fund 5,000 2.0%
iShares MSCI South Korea Index Fund 4,000 2.0%
iShares MSCI Taiwan Index Fund 4,500 2.0%

* As a percentage of the net asset value per Creation Unit, inclusive of the standard redemption transaction fee.
If a redemption consists of a cash portion and each Fund places a brokerage transaction to sell portfolio securities with the Authorized Participant or its affiliated broker-dealer, the Authorized Participant (or its affiliated broker-dealer) may be required, in its capacity as broker-dealer with respect to that transaction, to cover certain brokerage, tax, foreign exchange, execution, and market impact costs through a Execution Performance Guarantee, as described in the Brokerage Transactions section of this SAI.
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. An Authorized Participant must submit an irrevocable request to redeem shares of the iShares MSCI BRIC Index Fund before 3:00 p.m., Eastern time in order to receive that day's NAV. An Authorized Participant must submit an irrevocable request to redeem shares of the iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund before 5:00 p.m., Eastern time (or by one hour after the close of the Listing Exchange, if earlier) on any Business Day in order to receive the next Business 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 or its agent 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 or its agent 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
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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.
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 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 or its agent 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 or its agent 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.
Deliveries of redemption proceeds by each Fund typically will be made within three Business Days (i.e., “T+3”). For the iShares MSCI Chile Investable Market Index Fund, iShares MSCI South Korea Index Fund and iShares MSCI Taiwan Index Fund, deliveries of redemption proceeds generally will be made within two Business Days (i.e., “T+2”). For the iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Small Cap Index Fund, deliveries of redemption proceeds generally will be made within four Business Days (i.e., “T+4”). 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, the Company 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 NAV of the 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 Company'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 the Fund (whether or not it otherwise permits cash redemptions) reserves the 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.
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Although the Company does not ordinarily permit cash redemptions of Creation Units (except that, as noted above, Creation Units of the Funds generally will be redeemed partially for cash or solely for cash), 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 in which more than seven calendar days would be needed).
To the extent contemplated by an Authorized Participant's agreement with the Distributor or its agent, 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 or its agent 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 at any time, in its sole discretion, 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 sub-custodians 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 Creations 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 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.
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.
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In calendar years 2013 and 2014, 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):
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    
China
January 1 February 14 May 7 October 3
January 21 February 15 May 27 October 4
February 7 February 18 July 4 October 7
February 8 May 1 September 2 October 14
February 11 May 2 September 30 November 11
February 12 May 3 October 1 November 28
February 13 May 6 October 2 December 25
Colombia
January 1 May 1 August 7 December 25
January 7 May 13 August 19 December 31
March 25 June 3 October 14  
March 28 June 10 November 4  
March 29 July 1 November 11  
The Czech Republic
January 1 July 5 December 26  
April 1 October 28 December 31  
May 1 December 24    
May 8 December 25    
Denmark
January 1 April 26 December 24  
March 28 May 9 December 25  
March 29 May 20 December 26  
April 1 June 5 December 31  
Egypt
January 1 May 5 August 8 October 16
January 7 May 6 August 11 November 4
January 24 July 1 October 6 November 5
April 25 July 23 October 14  
May 1 August 7 October 15  
The Egyptian market is closed every Friday.
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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  
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  
India
January 25 April 20 August 10 November 4
January 26 April 23 August 15 November 5
March 27 May 1 August 22 November 14
March 29 May 25 September 9 November 15
April 1 June 29 September 30 December 25
April 11 July 1 October 2  
April 19 August 9 October 16  
Indonesia
January 1 May 9 August 12 December 24
January 25 June 7 August 13 December 25
March 12 August 7 October 15 December 26
March 29 August 8 November 4 December 30
April 11 August 9 November 5 December 31
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    
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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  
Morocco
January 1 May 1 August 14 October 17
January 11 July 30 August 20 November 5
January 24 August 8 August 21 November 6
January 25 August 9 October 16 November 18
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  
Norway
January 1 May 1 December 24  
March 28 May 9 December 25  
March 29 May 17 December 26  
April 1 May 20 December 31  
Peru
January 1 July 29 December 24  
March 28 August 30 December 25  
March 29 October 8 December 31  
May 1 November 1    
The Philippines
January 1 April 8 August 8 December 24
February 25 May 1 August 9 December 25
March 28 May 13 August 21 December 30
March 29 June 12 November 1 December 31
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    
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South Africa
January 1 May 1 December 16  
March 21 June 17 December 25  
March 29 August 9 December 26  
April 1 September 24    
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    
The United States
January 1 May 27 November 11  
January 21 July 4 November 28  
February 18 September 2 December 25  
March 29 October 14    
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2014
Australia
January 1 April 21 June 9 November 4
January 27 April 25 August 4 December 25
March 3 May 5 August 13 December 26
March 10 May 19 September 29  
April 18 June 2 October 6  
Austria
January 1 May 1 August 15 December 26
January 6 May 29 December 8 December 31
April 18 June 9 December 24  
April 21 June 19 December 25  
Belgium
January 1 May 29 August 15  
April 18 May 30 November 11  
April 21 June 9 December 25  
May 1 July 21 December 26  
Brazil
January 1 April 18 July 9 December 31
January 20 April 21 November 20  
March 3 May 1 December 24  
March 4 June 19 December 25  
Canada
January 1 May 19 September 1 December 26
January 2 June 24 October 13  
February 17 July 1 November 11  
April 18 August 4 December 25  
Chilé
January 1 June 16 December 8  
April 18 August 15 December 25  
May 1 September 18 December 31  
May 21 September 19    
China
January 1 February 6 May 7 October 6
January 20 February 7 May 26 October 7
January 30 February 17 July 4 October 13
January 31 May 1 September 1 November 11
February 3 May 2 October 1 November 27
February 4 May 5 October 2 December 25
February 5 May 6 October 3  
Colombia
January 1 May 1 August 18 December 25
January 6 June 2 October 13 December 31
March 24 June 23 November 3  
April 17 June 30 November 17  
April 18 August 7 December 8  
The Czech Republic
January 1 October 28 December 26  
April 21 November 17 December 31  
May 1 December 24    
May 8 December 25    
Denmark
January 1 May 16 December 24  
April 17 May 29 December 25  
April 18 June 5 December 26  
April 21 June 9 December 31  
Egypt
January 1 April 21 July 28 October 6
January 7 May 1 July 29  
January 13 July 1 July 30  
April 20 July 23 October 5  
The Egyptian market is closed every Friday.
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Finland
January 1 May 1 December 25  
January 6 May 29 December 26  
April 18 June 20 December 31  
April 21 December 24    
France
January 1 May 8 November 11  
April 18 May 29 December 25  
April 21 July 14 December 26  
May 1 August 15    
Germany
April 6 December 25    
April 9 December 26    
May 1      
Greece
January 1 April 18 August 15  
January 6 April 21 October 28  
March 3 May 1 December 25  
March 25 June 9 December 26  
Hong Kong
January 1 April 21 July 1 December 24
January30 May 1 September 9 December 25
January 31 May 6 October 1 December 26
April 18 June 2 October 2 December 31
Hungary
January 1 June 9 December 24  
April 21 August 20 December 25  
May 1 October 23 December 26  
May 2 October 24    
India
January 14 April 18 August 15 October 6
February 27 May 1 August 18 October 23
March 17 May 14 August 23 November 4
March 31 June 30 August 29 November 6
April 1 July 1 September 30 December 25
April 8 July 29 October 2  
April 14 July 30 October 3  
Indonesia
January 1 May 15 July 30 December 24
January 13 May 26 July 31 December 25
January 31 May 29 August 1 December 26
March 31 July 28 August 18 December 31
April 18 July 29 October 6  
Ireland
January 1 May 1 October 27 December 29
March 17 May 5 December 24  
April 18 June 2 December 25  
April 21 August 4 December 26  
Israel
March 16 May 4 September 24 October 9
April 14 May 5 September 25 October 15
April 15 June 3 September 26 October 16
April 20 June 4 October 3  
April 21 August 5 October 8  
The Israeli market is closed every Friday.
Italy
January 1 April 25 December 8 December 31
January 6 May 1 December 24  
April 18 June 2 December 25  
April 21 August 15 December 26  
Japan
January 1 February 11 July 21 November 3
January 2 March 21 September 15 November 24
January 3 April 29 September 23 December 23
January 13 May 5 October 13 December 31
Malaysia
January 1 February 3 June 7 October 6
January 14 May 1 July 28 October 22
January 30 May 13 July 29 October 23
January 31 May 15 July 30 October 25
February 1 May 30 September 1 December 25
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Mexico
January 1 March 21 September 16 December 25
February 3 April 17 November 17  
February 5 April 18 November 20  
March 17 May 1 December 12  
Morocco
January 1 July 28 August 20 November 18
January 14 July 29 August 21  
January 15 July 30 October 6  
May 1 August 14 November 6  
The Netherlands
January 1 April 30 June 9
April 18 May 1 December 25
April 21 May 29 December 26
New Zealand
January 1 February 6 June 2
January 2 April 18 October 27
January 20 April 21 December 25
January 27 April 25 December 26
Norway
January 1 May 1 December 25
April 17 May 29 December 26
April 18 June 9 December 31
April 21 December 24  
Peru
January 1 July 28 December 24
April 17 July 29 December 25
April 18 October 8 December 31
May 1 December 8  
The Philippines
January 1 April 18 July 29 December 30
February 25 May 1 August 21 December 31
April 7 June 12 December 24  
April 17 July 28 December 25  
Poland
January 1 May 1 November 11
April 18 June 19 December 25
April 21 August 15 December 26
Portugal
January 1 April 25 June 19 December 24
March 4 May 1 August 15 December 25
April 18 June 10 December 1 December 26
April 21 June 13 December 8  
Russia
January 1 January 8 May 9
January 2 February 24 June 12
January 3 March 10 June 13
January 6 May 1 November 3
January 7 May 2 November 4
Singapore
January 1 May 1 August 9 December 25
January 31 May 13 October 6  
February 1 May 15 October 22  
April 18 July 28 October 23  
South Africa
January 1 April 28 December 16
March 21 May 1 December 25
April 18 June 16 December 26
April 21 September 24  
South Korea
January 1 March 1 August 15 October 3
January 30 May 5 September 7 December 24
January 31 May 6 September 8  
February 1 June 6 September 9  
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Spain
January 1 April 21 July 25 December 25
January 6 May 1 August 15 December 26
April 17 May 2 September 9  
April 18 May 15 December 8  
Sweden
January 1 May 1 December 24
January 6 May 29 December 25
April 18 June 6 December 26
April 21 June 20 December 31
Switzerland
January 1 April 21 August 1 December 25
January 2 May 1 August 15 December 26
January 6 May 29 September 11 December 31
March 19 June 9 December 8  
April 18 June 19 December 24  
Taiwan
January 1 January 31 May 1  
January 28 February 3 September 8  
January 29 February 4 October 10  
January 30 February 28    
Thailand
January 1 April 15 July 1 December 5
February 14 May 1 July 14 December 10
April 7 May 5 August 12  
April 14 May 14 October 23  
Turkey
January 1 July 28 October 3 October 28
April 23 July 29 October 6 October 29
May 19 July 30 October 7  
The United Kingdom
January 1 May 26
April 18 August 25
April 21 December 25
May 5 December 26
The United States
January 1 May 26 November 11
January 20 July 4 November 27
February 17 September 1 December 25
April 18 October 13  
Redemptions. The longest redemption cycle for a Fund is a function of the longest redemption cycle among the countries whose stocks comprise the Fund. In calendar years 2013 and 2014, the dates of regular holidays affecting the following securities markets present the worst-case redemption cycles* for a Fund as follows:
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
China 02/04/13 02/19/13 15
  02/05/13 02/20/13 15
  02/06/13 02/21/13 15
  04/26/13 05/08/13 12
  04/29/13 05/09/13 10
  04/30/13 05/10/13 10
  09/25/13 10/08/13 13
  09/26/13 10/09/13 13
  09/27/13 10/10/13 13
The Czech Republic 12/19/13 12/27/13 8
  12/20/13 12/30/13 10
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2013
Country Trade
Date
Settlement
Date
Number of
Days to
Settle
  12/23/13 01/02/14 10
Denmark 03/25/13 04/02/13 8
  03/26/13 04/03/13 8
  03/27/13 04/04/13 8
  12/19/13 12/27/13 8
  12/20/13 12/30/13 10
  12/23/13 01/02/14 10
Egypt 10/08/13 10/17/13 9
  10/09/13 10/18/13 9
  10/10/13 10/21/13 11
  10/29/13 11/06/13 8
  10/30/13 11/07/13 8
  10/31/13 11/08/13 8
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
Indonesia 08/02/13 08/14/13 12
  08/05/13 08/15/13 10
  08/06/13 08/16/13 10
  12/19/13 12/27/13 8
  12/20/13 01/02/14 13
  12/23/13 01/03/14 11
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
The Netherlands 12/19/13 12/27/13 8
  12/20/13 12/30/13 10
  12/23/13 12/31/13 8
Norway 03/25/13 04/02/13 8
  03/26/13 04/03/13 8
  03/27/13 04/04/13 8
  12/19/13 12/27/13 8
  12/20/13 12/30/13 10
  12/23/13 01/02/14 10
The Philippines 12/23/13 01/02/14 10
Portugal 12/19/13 12/27/13 8
  12/20/13 12/30/13 10
  12/23/13 12/31/13 8
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2013
Country Trade
Date
Settlement
Date
Number of
Days to
Settle
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
  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
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2013
Country Trade
Date
Settlement
Date
Number of
Days to
Settle
  10/11/13 10/22/13 11
2014
Country Trade
Date
Settlement
Date
Number of
Days to
Settle
Austria 12/19/14 12/29/14 10
  12/22/14 12/30/14 8
  12/23/14 01/02/15 10
China 01/27/14 02/10/14 14
  01/28/14 02/11/14 14
  01/29/14 02/12/14 14
  04/28/14 05/08/14 10
  04/29/14 05/09/14 10
  04/30/14 05/12/14 12
  09/26/14 10/08/14 12
  09/29/14 10/09/14 10
  09/30/14 10/10/14 10
The Czech Republic 12/23/13 01/02/14 10
  12/19/14 12/29/14 10
  12/22/14 12/30/14 8
  12/23/14 01/02/15 10
Denmark 12/23/13 01/02/14 10
  04/14/14 04/23/14 8
  04/15/14 04/24/14 8
  04/16/14 04/25/14 8
  12/19/14 12/29/14 10
  12/22/14 12/30/14 8
  12/23/14 01/02/15 10
Egypt 12/31/13 01/08/14 8
  01/06/14 01/14/14 8
  04/14/14 04/22/14 8
  04/15/14 04/23/14 8
  04/16/14 04/24/14 8
  04/17/14 04/27/14 10
  07/21/14 07/31/14 10
  07/22/14 08/03/14 12
  07/24/14 08/04/14 11
  09/29/14 10/07/14 8
  09/30/14 10/08/14 8
  10/01/14 10/09/14 8
  10/02/14 10/12/14 10
Finland 12/23/13 01/02/14 10
  12/19/14 12/29/14 10
  12/22/14 12/30/14 8
  12/23/14 01/02/15 10
Hungary 12/19/14 12/29/14 10
  12/22/14 12/30/14 8
  12/23/14 12/31/14 8
Indonesia 12/23/13 01/02/14 10
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2014
Country Trade
Date
Settlement
Date
Number of
Days to
Settle
  07/23/14 08/04/14 12
  07/24/14 08/05/14 12
  07/25/14 08/06/14 12
  12/19/14 12/29/14 10
  12/22/14 12/30/14 8
  12/23/14 01/02/15 11
Ireland 12/23/14 01/02/14 10
  12/19/14 12/30/14 11
  12/22/14 12/31/14 9
  12/23/14 01/02/15 10
Italy 12/23/13 01/02/14 10
  12/19/14 12/29/14 10
  12/22/14 12/30/14 8
  12/23/14 01/02/15 10
Malaysia 01/27/14 02/04/14 8
  01/28/14 02/05/14 8
  01/29/14 02/06/14 8
  07/23/14 07/31/14 8
  07/24/14 08/01/14 8
  07/25/14 08/04/14 10
Norway 12/23/13 01/02/14 10
  04/14/14 04/22/14 8
  04/15/14 04/23/14 8
  04/16/14 04/24/14 8
  12/19/14 12/29/14 10
  12/22/14 12/30/14 8
  12/23/14 01/02/15 10
The Philippines 12/23/13 01/02/14 10
  12/26/13 01/03/14 8
  12/27/13 01/06/14 10
  12/23/14 01/02/15 10
  12/26/14 01/05/15 10
  12/29/14 01/06/15 8
Portugal 12/19/14 12/29/14 10
  12/22/14 12/30/14 8
  12/23/14 12/31/14 8
South Africa 12/23/13 01/02/14 10
  12/24/13 01/03/14 10
  12/27/13 01/06/14 10
  12/30/13 01/07/14 8
  12/31/13 01/08/14 8
  03/14/14 03/24/14 10
  03/17/14 03/25/14 8
  03/18/14 03/26/14 8
  03/19/14 03/27/14 8
  03/20/14 03/28/14 8
  04/11/14 04/22/14 9
  04/14/14 04/23/14 9
  04/15/14 04/24/14 9
  04/16/14 04/25/14 9
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2014
Country Trade
Date
Settlement
Date
Number of
Days to
Settle
  04/17/14 04/29/14 12
  04/22/14 04/30/14 8
  04/23/14 05/02/14 9
  04/24/14 05/05/14 11
  04/25/14 05/06/14 11
  04/29/14 05/07/14 8
  04/30/14 05/08/14 8
  06/09/14 06/17/14 8
  06/10/14 06/18/14 8
  06/11/14 06/19/14 8
  06/12/14 06/20/14 8
  06/13/14 06/23/14 10
  09/17/14 09/25/14 8
  09/18/14 09/26/14 8
  09/19/14 09/29/14 10
  09/22/14 09/30/14 8
  09/23/14 10/01/14 8
  12/09/14 12/17/14 8
  12/10/14 12/18/14 8
  12/11/14 12/19/14 8
  12/12/14 12/22/14 10
  12/15/14 12/23/14 8
  12/18/14 12/29/14 11
  12/19/14 12/30/14 11
  12/22/14 12/31/14 9
  12/23/14 01/02/15 10
  12/14/14 01/05/15 12
  12/29/14 01/06/15 8
  12/30/14 01/07/15 8
  12/31/14 01/08/15 8
Spain 04/14/14 04/22/14 8
  04/15/14 04/23/14 8
  04/16/14 04/24/14 8
Sweden 12/23/13 01/02/14 10
  12/19/14 12/29/14 10
  12/22/14 12/30/14 8
  12/23/14 01/02/15 10
Switzerland 12/23/13 01/03/14 11
  12/27/13 01/06/14 10
  12/30/13 01/07/14 8
  12/19/14 12/29/14 10
  12/22/14 12/30/14 8
  12/23/14 01/05/14 13
  12/29/14 01/06/14 8
  12/30/14 01/07/14 8
Taiwan 01/24/14 02/05/14 12
  01/27/14 02/06/14 10

* 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.
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Taxes
The following is a summary of certain material U.S. federal income tax considerations regarding the purchase, ownership and disposition of shares of a Fund. This summary does not address all of the potential U.S. federal income tax consequences that may be applicable to a Fund or to all categories of investors, some of which may be subject to special tax rules. Current and prospective shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisers with respect to the specific U.S. federal, state, local and non-U.S. tax consequences of investing in a Fund. The summary is based on the laws in effect on the date of this SAI and existing judicial and administrative interpretations thereof, all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect.
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 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.
A Fund may be able to cure a failure to derive 90% of its income from the sources specified above or a failure to diversify its holdings in the manner described above by paying a tax and/or by disposing of certain assets. If, in any taxable year, a Fund fails one of these tests and does not timely cure the failure, that Fund will be taxed in the same manner as an ordinary corporation and distributions to its shareholders will not be deductible by that Fund in computing its taxable income.
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 the 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
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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.
The following Funds had tax basis net capital loss carryforwards as of August 31, 2012, the tax year-end for the Funds listed:
Fund Non-Expiring 1 Expiring
2013
Expiring
2014
Expiring
2015
Expiring
2016
Expiring
2017
Expiring
2018
Expiring
2019
Total
iShares MSCI All Country World Minimum Volatility Index Fund $ 1,876,800 $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ 1,876,800
iShares MSCI Brazil Index Fund 160,031,183 198,226,310 358,257,493
iShares MSCI BRIC Index Fund 63,224,174 1,540,740 11,268,086 7,760,558 83,793,558
iShares MSCI Chile Investable Market Index Fund 30,504,831 1,886,881 11,712,090 976,991 45,080,793
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Asia Index Fund 97,800 97,800
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Consumer Discretionary Sector Index Fund 769,548 769,548
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets EMEA Index Fund 55,073 55,073
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Energy Sector Capped Index Fund 911,455 911,455
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Growth Index Fund 302,438 302,438
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund 602,564,447 20,296,564 11,239,258 29,973,301 13,844,901 228,196,854 1,201,366,175 873,167,649 2,980,649,149
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Fund Non-Expiring 1 Expiring
2013
Expiring
2014
Expiring
2015
Expiring
2016
Expiring
2017
Expiring
2018
Expiring
2019
Total
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Minimum Volatility Index Fund 1,248,753 1,248,753
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Small Cap Index Fund 62,813 62,813
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value Index Fund 188,505 188,505
iShares MSCI Frontier 100 Index Fund
iShares MSCI Global Agriculture Producers Fund 20,341 20,341
iShares MSCI Global Energy Producers Fund 20,639 20,639
iShares MSCI Global Select Metals & Mining Producers Fund 9,471 9,471
iShares MSCI Malaysia Index Fund 39,171,645 39,171,645
iShares MSCI South Korea Index Fund 60,990,953 226,591,665 78,503,704 366,086,322
iShares MSCI Taiwan Index Fund 4,857,121 12,022,719 14,435,986 64,999,586 16,734,578 343,375,145 363,052,013 19,669,958 839,147,106

1 Must be utilized prior to losses subject to expiration.
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 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 net tax-exempt income, 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.
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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). Distributions in excess of a Fund’s minimum distribution requirements, but not in excess of the Fund’s earnings and profits, will be taxable to shareholders and will not constitute nontaxable returns of capital. Each Fund’s capital loss carryforwards, if any, carried from taxable years beginning before 2011 do not reduce current earnings and profits, even if such carryforwards offset current year realized gains. 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, but not limited to, interest, dividends, and net 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 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 net capital loss realized after October and its late-year ordinary loss (defined as the excess of a Fund’s post-October foreign currency and “passive foreign investment company” (“PFIC”) losses and other post-December ordinary losses over post-October foreign currency and PFIC gains and other post-December ordinary income) 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, by, or by an option on, substantially identical shares 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
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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 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
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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, 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. Dividends paid by a 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.
Issues Related to India and Mauritius Taxes.  The following discussion does not address the effect on investors, including residents of India and citizens of India (whether or not residing in India or other countries, including the United States), of holding shares of the iShares MSCI BRIC Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Asia Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Consumer Discretionary Sector Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Energy Sector Capped Index
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Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Growth Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Minimum Volatility Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Small Cap Index Fund and iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value Index Fund. Investors should consult their own tax advisors as to these issues based upon their own personal situations.
Indian tax matters discussed herein are based on the provisions of the IT Act, the provisions of the DTAA and other laws currently in force as of the date of this SAI. All such laws and the DTAA are subject to prospective and retrospective legislative amendment, administrative rulings and judicial review.
Each of the iShares MSCI BRIC Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Asia Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Consumer Discretionary Sector Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Energy Sector Capped Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Growth Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Minimum Volatility Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Small Cap Index Fund and iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value Index Fund invests in India through its Subsidiary. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, each Subsidiary has elected to be treated as an entity disregarded from its owner. Thus, for U.S. federal tax purposes, any income or loss realized by a Subsidiary will be treated as realized by the applicable fund. Therefore, any investment made by each Fund into a Subsidiary and any distributions received by the Fund from a Subsidiary are disregarded for U.S. federal tax purposes. Furthermore, there is no tax on each Fund's investment in a Subsidiary or on distributions made from a Subsidiary to the Fund.
No investor in the iShares MSCI BRIC Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Asia Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Consumer Discretionary Sector Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Energy Sector Capped Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Growth Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Minimum Volatility Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Small Cap Index Fund and iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value Index Fund will be subject to taxation in India, unless such investor is a resident of India or, if a non-resident, has an Indian source income or income received (whether accrued or otherwise) in India. The taxation of a Subsidiary and a Fund in India is governed by the provisions of the ITA, read with the provisions of the DTAA. As per Section 90(2) of the ITA, the provisions of the ITA would apply to the extent they are more beneficial than the provisions of the DTAA. In order to claim the beneficial provisions of the DTAA, a Subsidiary must be a tax resident of Mauritius. Because each Subsidiary is a tax resident of Mauritius, only the Subsidiaries would be subject to Indian taxes.
The Central Board of Direct Taxes in India in its Circular 789, issued on April 13, 2000, concluded that a valid residence certificate issued by the Mauritius authorities demonstrated Mauritian residency for purposes of establishing eligibility to qualify for benefits under the DTAA. The Circular was subject to judicial challenge in India by those asserting that the standards for establishing Mauritian residency for purposes of obtaining such a certificate were insufficient to establish residency for purposes of the DTAA. The Circular was successfully overturned in certain lower Indian courts but was eventually upheld by the highest applicable court, the Supreme Court of India, on October 7, 2003, accordingly each Subsidiary should be eligible for benefits under the DTAA. However, recently issued rulings suggest that a number of factors are being considered by the Indian tax administration when assessing whether a foreign entity is eligible for the benefit of the provisions of a tax treaty, including, among others, the place of management of the foreign resident company and the level of substance in the jurisdiction in which it is incorporated. In addition, both the Indian tax administration and Indian courts seem to be very aggressive towards structures involving offshore funds investing directly or indirectly in India, in particular from Mauritius.
Each Subsidiary has been incorporated in Mauritius and has obtained a TRC from the Mauritius authorities that establishes its residency in Mauritius under the DTAA. The TRC must be renewed annually. Each of the iShares MSCI BRIC Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Asia Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Consumer Discretionary Sector Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Energy Sector Capped Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Growth Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Minimum Volatility Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Small Cap Index Fund and iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value Index Fund expects its Subsidiary to maintain its Mauritius tax residency, but it cannot be assured that the Mauritius authorities will successfully renew its TRC annually or that it will continue to be eligible to the DTAA benefits, particularly in light of the new requirements that may be introduced if the DTAA is re-negotiated.
Further, the Finance Act has made the submission of a TRC containing prescribed particulars mandatory for claiming treaty benefits. Some of the prescribed particulars are: name of the assessee, status, nationality, residential status for tax purposes,
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period for which the certificate is applicable and address of the applicant for such period. This will only come into force on April 1, 2013. The memorandum to the Finance Act further states that the TRC may not be sufficient for claiming treaty benefits.
Each Subsidiary holds a Category 1 Global Business License issued by the Financial Services Commission of Mauritius. Each Subsidiary is subject to tax in Mauritius on its net income at the rate of 15%. However, a system of foreign tax credits which allows a tax credit against Mauritian taxes for foreign tax on a Mauritian entity’s foreign source income effectively reduces the Mauritius income tax rate to a maximum of 3% because the system presumes, in the absence of evidence, that the foreign tax paid is equal to 80% of the Mauritian tax. Further, a Subsidiary is not subject to capital gains tax in Mauritius nor is it subject to tax in Mauritius on any gains from the sale of securities. Any dividends paid by a Subsidiary to each of the iShares MSCI BRIC Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Asia Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Consumer Discretionary Sector Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Energy Sector Capped Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Growth Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Minimum Volatility Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Small Cap Index Fund and iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value Index Fund will also be exempt from tax in Mauritius.
Each Subsidiary will attempt to abide by the requirements of the DTAA, to maintain its residency in Mauritius, and to ensure that management and control of the Subsidiary remain in Mauritius. It is uncertain whether the terms of this treaty will be renegotiated or subject to a different interpretation in the future. Any change in the provisions of the DTAA or in its applicability to a Subsidiary could result in a Subsidiary and indirectly each of the iShares MSCI BRIC Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Asia Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Consumer Discretionary Sector Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Energy Sector Capped Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Growth Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Minimum Volatility Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Small Cap Index Fund and iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value Index Fund being subject to Indian income taxes, withholding taxes, and other taxes, as well as being subject to administrative or judicial assertion of such tax liabilities by the tax authorities of India. This could significantly reduce the return of a Fund on its investments and the return received by Fund shareholders. Further, it is possible even with renegotiation of the DTAA that the Indian tax authorities may seek to take the position that a Fund is not entitled to the benefits of the DTAA.
Each Subsidiary is expected to have income in the form of capital gains, income from dividends and income from interest. The Indian tax consequences for a Subsidiary on account of the application of the DTAA, read with the provisions of the ITA, would be as follows (the rates are inclusive of applicable surcharges):
Capital gains resulting from the sale of Indian securities (including depositary receipts issued by Indian companies) will not be subject to tax in India, provided the Subsidiary does not have Permanent Establishments (“PE”) in India;
Dividends on shares received from an Indian company on which dividend distribution tax has been paid are exempt from tax in the hands of the shareholders. However, the Indian company distributing dividends is subject to a dividend distribution tax at the rate of 16.223%; and
Interest paid to a Subsidiary in respect of the debt obligations of Indian issuers will be subject to Indian income tax. The tax rate, in the case of rupee-denominated debt obligations, is 42.024%. In the case of foreign currency-denominated debt obligations, the tax rate is 21.012%. For approved foreign currency loans advanced from July 1, 2012 to July 1, 2015, the tax rate on interest is 5.25%. However, if the Subsidiary is a SEBI registered sub-account, the interest from securities will be subject to tax at the rate of 21.012%.
In the event that the benefits of the DTAA are not available to the Subsidiary, or if the Subsidiary is held to have PE in India, taxation of interest and dividend income of the Subsidiary would be the same as described above. The taxation of capital gains would be as follows:
Long-term capital gains (being gains on sale of shares held for a period of more than twelve months) listed on a recognized stock exchange would not be taxable in India provided Securities Transaction Tax (“ STT”) has been paid on the same (as discussed below);
Short-term capital gains (being gains on sale of shares held for a period of twelve months or less) from the sale of Indian shares listed on a recognized stock exchange will be taxed at the rate of 15.759% provided STT has been paid on the same;
Long-term capital gains arising to the Subsidiary from the sale of unlisted securities will be taxed at the rate of 10.506% (without indexation) and short-term capital gains will be taxed at the rate of 42.024%*;
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Capital gains realized on sale of listed equity shares not executed on a recognized stock exchange in India and other securities would be taxed at the rate of 21.012% for long-term gains and at 42.024% in the case of short-term gains;* and
Capital gains arising from the transfer of depositary receipts outside India between non-resident investors will not be subject to tax in India.

* However, if the Subsidiary is a SEBI registered sub-account, the rates will be 10.506% and 31.518%, respectively.
In a ruling issued by the Authority for Advance Rulings in India, gains earned by a private equity fund based in Mauritius were held to be “business income.” It is possible that the Indian tax authorities may take a similar view in the case of each Subsidiary. In that event, such gains will not be taxable in India so long as the iShares MSCI BRIC Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Asia Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Consumer Discretionary Sector Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Energy Sector Capped Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Growth Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Minimum Volatility Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Small Cap Index Fund and iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value Index Fund/Subsidiaries do not have a PE in India. In the event that the Funds/Subsidiaries are held to have a PE in India, gains attributable to the PE would be taxable in India at the rate of 42.024%.
Indian Minimum Alternative Tax
In the event that the benefits of the DTAA are not available to a Subsidiary, or if a Subsidiary is held to have PE in India, the Subsidiary may be subject to a Minimum Alternate Tax (“MAT”). In the event that a company’s tax liability is less than 18.5% of its book profits, then instead of paying income tax at rates provided otherwise under the ITA, the company will pay MAT on the adjusted book profits as prescribed below:
Companies For taxable income exceeding INR 10 million For taxable income less than or equal to INR 10 million
Indian company 20.008% 19.055%
     
Foreign company having a permanent establishment in India (including a branch and a project office) 19.436% 19.055%
Indian Securities Transaction Tax
All transactions entered on a recognized stock exchange in India will be subject to STT levied on the transaction value. In the case of the purchase/sale of listed equity shares which is settled by way of actual delivery or transfer of the equity share, STT will be levied at the rate of 0.1% on both the buyer and seller of the equity share and at the rate of 0.2% on the sale of unlisted shares in an initial public offering. For sale of equity shares settled otherwise than by way actual delivery or transfer of the equity share, STT will be levied at the rate of 0.025% on the seller of the equity share. A seller of derivatives would be subjected to an STT of 0.017%. The STT can be set off against business income tax calculated as per provisions of ITA.
The foregoing is based upon current interpretation and practice and is subject to future changes in the tax laws of India or Mauritius and in the DTAA. Any change in the DTAA's application could have a material adverse effect on the returns of each of the iShares MSCI BRIC Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Asia Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Consumer Discretionary Sector Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Energy Sector Capped Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Growth Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Minimum Volatility Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Small Cap Index Fund and iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value Index Fund. Further, it is possible that the Indian tax authorities may seek to take the position that a Fund is not entitled to the benefits of the DTAA.
The Direct Taxes Code and the Finance Act, 2012
Indian Tax Risk. In 2010, it was proposed that the IT Act may be replaced with the Direct Taxes Code. The Parliamentary Standing Committee released its comments on the Direct Taxes Code on March 9, 2012. The Finance Act was thereafter presented by the Finance Minister on March 16, 2012, proposing certain amendments to the IT Act. The Finance Minister
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highlighted that the enactment of the Direct Taxes Code will be made, at the earliest, after considering the recommendations of the Parliamentary Standing Committee.
Given the delay in enacting the Direct Taxes Code, the Government of India, through the Finance Act, which was enacted on May 28, 2012, has introduced certain key changes to the existing tax framework in India. This legislation includes provisions that impose Indian tax and withholding obligations with respect to the transfer of shares in an overseas company that derives its value substantially from assets situated in India. Because each of the iShares MSCI BRIC Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Asia Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Consumer Discretionary Sector Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Energy Sector Capped Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Growth Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Minimum Volatility Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Small Cap Index Fund and iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value Index Fund invest in Indian securities through the Subsidiaries, this legislation by its terms subjects shareholder redemptions of Fund shares and sales of Fund investments to Indian tax and withholding obligations, both prospectively as well as retroactively. However, the CBDT issued a letter on May 29, 2012 clarifying the reopening of completed assessments as a result of the retroactive amendments introduced by the Finance Act. Under this letter, CBDT has directed Indian tax authorities to not reopen any assessment proceedings that were completed before April 1, 2012 and where no notice for reassessment has been issued prior to that date. It has also been clarified that any assessment or any other order which stands validated due to the amendments in the Finance Act would be enforced. Given this clarification issued by the CBDT, the Funds do not expect that shareholders or the Funds will become subject to tax or to withholding obligations with respect to this particular provision of the Finance Act.
In addition, the Finance Act introduced the GAAR, which disallows “impermissible avoidance arrangements.” If the Funds' use of the Subsidiaries were considered to be such an impermissible avoidance arrangement, the Fund would become subject directly to taxation in India. GAAR is expected to come into force from April 2013. The burden of proof in enforcing the rule will reside with the Indian government, not the taxpayer, and India’s current double tax treaty arrangements will remain in force. However, GAAR may prevent the Funds from realizing the planned tax benefits of the Subsidiaries, irrespective of existing beneficial treaty provisions, may lead to the imposition of tax liabilities and withholding obligations, and may lead the Fund to modify or disassemble its Subsidiaries structure.
Provisions of the Finance Act and the Direct Taxes Code (if enacted), could change the manner in which the Subsidiaries are currently taxed in India and could adversely impact the returns to each of the iShares MSCI BRIC Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Asia Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Consumer Discretionary Sector Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Energy Sector Capped Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Growth Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Minimum Volatility Index Fund, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Small Cap Index Fund and iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value Index Fund/Subsidiaries and their respective shareholders. The Funds will continue to monitor developments in India with respect to these matters. Investors are urged to consult their own tax advisers with respect to their own tax situations and the tax consequences of an investment in each of the Funds.
Excess Inclusion Income.  Under current law, the Funds serve to block unrelated business taxable income from being realized by its 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 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
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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.
With respect to Brazil, a 6% Imposto sobre Operacões Financeiras (IOF) tax, with the rate subject to change, applies to certain foreign exchange inflows into Brazil. Also, a 1.5% IOF tax applies to the creation of new American or Global Depositary Receipt issuances with respect to Brazilian equities and a 0.38% IOF tax applies to the cancellation of American or Global Depositary Receipts if the underlying equities are then issued in the Brazil (local) markets. If incurred by the Fund, an IOF tax would not be creditable against U.S. income tax liability.
Passive Foreign Investment Companies.  If a Fund purchases shares in 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 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
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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. The rules laid out in the previous paragraph, other than the withholding rules, will apply notwithstanding the Funds' participation in a wash sale transaction or its payment of a substitute dividend.
A 30% withholding tax will be imposed on dividends paid after December 31, 2013, and redemption proceeds paid after December 31, 2016, 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 (i) 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, or (ii) in the event of an intergovernmental agreement and implementing legislation are adopted, provide local revenue authorities with similar account holder information. 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 or agree to provide certain information to other revenue authorities for transmittal to the IRS.
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.
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.
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Financial Statements
Each Fund's (with the exception of the iShares MSCI Frontier 100 Index Fund) 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.
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IS-SAI-08ie-0113a