N-CSR/A 1 d583771dncsra.htm FORM N-CSR/A Form N-CSR/A
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM N-CSR

 

 

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT

OF REGISTERED MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

Investment Company Act file number 811-09102

 

 

iShares, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

 

 

c/o: State Street Bank and Trust Company

1 Iron Street, Boston, MA 02210

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

 

 

The Corporation Trust Incorporated

351 West Camden Street, Baltimore, MD 21201

(Name and address of agent for service)

 

 

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

Date of fiscal year end: October 31, 2017

Date of reporting period: October 31, 2017

 

 

 

Explanatory Note:

The Registrant is filing this amendment to its Form N-CSR for the period ended October 31, 2017, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 9, 2018 (Accession Number 0001193125-18-007063). The sole purpose of this amendment is to correct the fund market total returns presented in the Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance and the premium/discount range presented within the Supplemental Information section for the iShares Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF, iShares J.P. Morgan EM Corporate Bond ETF, iShares US & Intl High Yield Corp Bond ETF, and iShares International High Yield Bond ETF within Item 1, Reports to Stockholders. Except as set forth above, this amendment does not amend, update or change any other items or disclosures found in the original Form N-CSR filing.


Table of Contents
Item 1. Reports to Stockholders.


Table of Contents

OCTOBER 31, 2017

 

2017 ANNUAL REPORT

    LOGO

 

iShares, Inc.

 

Ø    iShares Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF  |  EMHY  |  Cboe BZX
Ø    iShares J.P. Morgan EM Corporate Bond ETF  |  CEMB  |  Cboe BZX
Ø    iShares J.P. Morgan EM Local Currency Bond ETF  |  LEMB  |  NYSE Arca
Ø    iShares US & Intl High Yield Corp Bond ETF  |  GHYG  |  Cboe BZX


Table of Contents

Table of Contents

 

 

Management’s Discussions of Fund Performance

     5  

About Fund Performance

     14  

Shareholder Expenses

     14  

Schedules of Investments

     15  

iShares Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF

     15  

iShares J.P. Morgan EM Corporate Bond ETF

     25  

iShares J.P. Morgan EM Local Currency Bond ETF

     35  

iShares US & Intl High Yield Corp Bond ETF

     39  

Financial Statements

     66  

Financial Highlights

     72  

Notes to Financial Statements

     76  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     87  

Tax Information

     88  

Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract

     89  

Supplemental Information

     103  

Trustee and Officer Information

     108  


Table of Contents

Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance

iSHARES®, INC.

 

GLOBAL BOND MARKET OVERVIEW

Global investment-grade bonds posted modestly positive returns for the 12 months ended October 31, 2017 (“reporting period”), reflecting improving economic growth and rising interest rates in virtually all major bond markets. The Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate Index, a broad measure of global bond market performance, returned 1.18% in U.S. dollar terms for the reporting period.

Regionally, European bond markets posted the strongest returns among developed markets for the reporting period. European corporate bonds performed particularly well, benefiting from better economic conditions and stronger corporate earnings throughout Europe. The Eurozone economy expanded for the 12 months ended September 2017, its fastest growth rate in more than six years, and the jobless rate in September 2017 was the lowest since February 2009. The European Central Bank (“ECB”) elected to keep interest rates at historically low levels throughout the reporting period, though the ECB announced late in the reporting period that it plans to taper its quantitative easing program beginning in 2018. Currency fluctuations also contributed meaningfully to European bond performance in U.S. dollar terms as the euro appreciated by approximately 6% against the U.S. dollar during the reporting period.

In the U.S. bond market, economically sensitive corporate bonds performed well during the reporting period, benefiting from improving growth, healthy corporate profits, and strong investor demand for their comparatively higher yields. In contrast, U.S. Treasury securities declined and were the weakest performers among the broad market segments. The poor performance of U.S. Treasury bonds reflected concerns about the expected effect of the new presidential administration’s proposed tax cuts and fiscal stimulus policies. In addition, the U.S. Federal Reserve Bank (“Fed”) increased short-term interest rates by a quarter percentage point three times during the reporting period, from 0.5% to 1.25%, which contributed to higher short-term U.S. Treasury yields. The Fed also started reducing the amount of U.S. Treasury bonds and mortgage-backed securities on its balance sheet in October 2017. These actions were made possible by improvement in the U.S. economy, led by strength in the job market, where the unemployment rate reached its lowest level in more than 16 years.

Bond markets in the Asia-Pacific region rose modestly in U.S. dollar terms for the reporting period, reflecting modest economic growth, low inflation, and accommodative monetary policies in many countries. In fundamental terms, however, conditions were generally supportive of Japanese bond performance, as Japanese economic growth was 1.4% for the year ended in June, while consumer prices rose just 0.7% for the 12 months ended in September 2017. In that environment, the Bank of Japan (“BOJ”) maintained its economic stimulus measures, targeting negative short-term interest rates and zero percent yields on longer-term bonds. However, Japanese bond market performance was hindered by a decline in the Japanese yen, which depreciated by approximately 8% against the U.S. dollar.

The performance of inflation-linked securities during the reporting period was also noteworthy. U.S. Treasury inflation-indexed bonds declined as interest rates rose and inflation was generally modest — the U.S. consumer price index rose 2.2% for the 12 months ended September 2017, well below the long-term historical average. In contrast, European government inflation-linked bonds were among the strongest performers in global bond markets for the reporting period. This reflected a surge in U.K. inflation, where consumer prices rose at their fastest rate in more than five years.

 

MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSIONS OF FUND PERFORMANCE

     5  


Table of Contents

Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance

iSHARES® EMERGING MARKETS HIGH YIELD BOND ETF

Performance as of October 31, 2017

 

     Average Annual Total Returns            Cumulative Total Returns  
    NAV     MARKET     INDEX           NAV     MARKET     INDEX  

1 Year

    7.60%       7.79%       8.04%         7.60%       7.79%       8.04%  

5 Years

    5.02%       4.78%       5.33%         27.74%       26.31%       29.63%  

Since Inception

    6.32%       6.37%       6.69%               40.77%       41.16%       43.47%  

GROWTH OF $10,000 INVESTMENT

(SINCE INCEPTION AT NET ASSET VALUE)

 

LOGO

The inception date of the Fund was 4/3/12. The first day of secondary market trading was 4/3/12.

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. See “About Fund Performance” on page 14 for more information.

 

Shareholder Expenses  
Actual        Hypothetical 5% Return           
Beginning
Account Value
(5/1/17)
       Ending
Account Value
(10/31/17)
       Expenses Paid
During Period 
a
       Beginning
Account Value
(5/1/17)
       Ending
Account Value
(10/31/17)
       Expenses Paid
During Period 
a
       Annualized
Expense Ratio
 
$ 1,000.00        $ 1,030.80        $ 2.56        $ 1,000.00        $ 1,022.70        $ 2.55          0.50%  

 

a  Expenses are calculated using the Fund’s annualized expense ratio (as disclosed in the table), multiplied by the average account value for the period, multiplied by the number of days in the period (184 days) and divided by the number of days in the year (365 days). See “Shareholder Expenses” on page 14 for more information.  

 

6    2017 iSHARES ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Table of Contents

Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance (Continued)

iSHARES® EMERGING MARKETS HIGH YIELD BOND ETF

 

The iShares Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of U.S. dollar-denominated, emerging market high yield sovereign and corporate bonds, as represented by the Morningstar® Emerging Markets High Yield Bond IndexSM (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index. For the 12-month reporting period ended October 31, 2017, the total return for the Fund was 7.60%, net of fees, while the total return for the Index was 8.04%.

Latin American high-yield bonds, which represented approximately 47% of the Index on average during the reporting period, made the largest contribution to the Index’s return. Brazilian bonds were the most significant contributors to performance, supported by a strong balance of trade, the anticipation of interest rate cuts by Brazil’s central bank, and lower inflation, which declined to its lowest level in more than a decade. President Michel Temer’s progress in stabilizing the country’s economy also benefited the Brazilian bond market.

Another key contributor was Argentina, where President Mauricio Macri made strides in his dual pledges to reduce inflation and stimulate economic growth. Argentina issued its first 100-year bond during the reporting period, which was met with strong demand for its 7.9% yield in an environment of low global bond yields.

Europe was another source of strength as the Russian Federation made a significant contribution to the Index’s performance. Russian bonds benefited from lower inflation and anticipation of an interest rate decrease by the Russian central bank. Following months of uncertainty, resolution of sanctions against the country over interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election also helped the Russian bond market rebound. Turkey and Ukraine were other meaningful contributors in Europe.

Indonesia contributed the most to the Index’s performance among Asian fixed-income markets, while the Middle East’s largest contributor to performance for the reporting period was Lebanon.

By sector, sovereign bonds contributed the most to the Index’s return, followed by corporate bonds issued by industrial companies and government agency bonds.

 

ALLOCATION BY CREDIT QUALITY

As of 10/31/17

 

Moody’s Credit Rating 1    Percentage of
Total Investments
 2
 

Baa

     6.08

Ba

     53.63  

B

     24.08  

Caa

     6.66  

Not Rated

     9.55  
  

 

 

 

TOTAL

     100.00
  

 

 

 

 

TEN LARGEST COUNTRIES

As of 10/31/17

 

Country    Percentage of
Total Investments
 2
 

Brazil

     23.56

Turkey

     12.93  

Russia

     9.33  

Argentina

     8.45  

South Africa

     4.25  

Lebanon

     3.89  

Venezuela

     3.68  

China

     3.31  

Ukraine

     2.38  

Dominican Republic

     2.16  
  

 

 

 

TOTAL

     73.94
  

 

 

 
 

 

1  Credit quality ratings shown reflect the ratings assigned by Moody’s Investors Service (“Moody’s”), a widely used independent, nationally recognized statistical rating organization. Moody’s credit ratings are opinions of the credit quality of individual obligations or of an issuer’s general creditworthiness. Investment grade ratings are credit ratings of Baa or higher. Below investment grade ratings are credit ratings of Ba or lower. Unrated investments do not necessarily indicate low credit quality. Credit quality ratings are subject to change.
2  Excludes money market funds.

 

MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSIONS OF FUND PERFORMANCE

     7  


Table of Contents

Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance

iSHARES® J.P. MORGAN EM CORPORATE BOND ETF

Performance as of October 31, 2017

 

     Average Annual Total Returns            Cumulative Total Returns  
    1 Year     5 Years     Since
Inception
          1 Year     5 Years     Since
Inception
 

Fund NAV

    6.14%       3.59%       4.63%         6.14%       19.27%       28.51%  

Fund Market

    5.84%       3.42%       4.66%         5.84%       18.34%       28.74%  

Indexa

    6.55%       4.14%       5.20%         6.55%       22.51%       32.42%  

Morningstar Emerging Markets Corporate Bond Index

    6.29%       4.09%       5.16%         6.29%       22.21%       32.11%  

J.P. Morgan CEMBI Broad Diversified Core Indexb

    N/A           N/A           N/A                   N/A           N/A           N/A      

GROWTH OF $10,000 INVESTMENT

(SINCE INCEPTION AT NET ASSET VALUE)

 

LOGO

The inception date of the Fund was 4/17/12. The first day of secondary market trading was 4/19/12.

 

a  Index Performance through May 31, 2017 reflects the performance of the Morningstar® Emerging Markets Corporate Bond IndexSM. Index performance beginning on June 1, 2017 reflects the performance of the J.P. Morgan CEMBI Broad Diversified Core Index, which effective as of June 1, 2017, replaced the Morningstar® Emerging Markets Corporate Bond IndexSM as the underlying index of the fund.
b  The inception date of the J.P. Morgan CEMBI Broad Diversified Core Index was April 13, 2017.

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. See “About Fund Performance” on page 14 for more information.

 

Shareholder Expenses  
Actual        Hypothetical 5% Return           
Beginning
Account Value
(5/1/17)
       Ending
Account Value
(10/31/17)
       Expenses Paid
During Period
 a
       Beginning
Account Value
(5/1/17)
       Ending
Account Value
(10/31/17)
       Expenses Paid
During Period
 a
       Annualized
Expense Ratio
 
$ 1,000.00        $ 1,031.70        $ 2.56        $ 1,000.00        $ 1,022.70        $ 2.55          0.50%  

 

a  Expenses are calculated using the Fund’s annualized expense ratio (as disclosed in the table), multiplied by the average account value for the period, multiplied by the number of days in the period (184 days) and divided by the number of days in the year (365 days). See “Shareholder Expenses” on page 14 for more information.  

 

8    2017 iSHARES ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Table of Contents

Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance (Continued)

iSHARES® J.P. MORGAN EM CORPORATE BOND ETF

 

The iShares J.P. Morgan EM Corporate Bond ETF (the “Fund”) (formerly the iShares Emerging Markets Corporate Bond ETF) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of U.S. dollar-denominated, emerging market corporate bonds, as represented by the J.P. Morgan CEMBI Broad Diversified Core Index (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index. For the 12-month reporting period ended October 31, 2017, the total return for the Fund was 6.14%, net of fees, while the total return for the Index was 6.55%.

Latin American corporate bonds, which represented approximately 33% of the Index on average during the reporting period, made the most significant contribution to the Index’s return. Bonds from Brazil were the largest contributors to the Index’s performance, benefiting from the country’s strong balance of trade, the anticipation of interest rate cuts by Brazil’s central bank, and lower inflation, which declined during the reporting period to its lowest level in more than a decade. President Michel Temer’s progress in stabilizing the country’s economy also benefited Brazil’s bond market.

Mexico’s corporate bond market contributed meaningfully to the Index’s performance. Although the U.S. presidential election and Donald Trump’s proposed trade policies initially drove Mexican bond yields up and the Mexican peso down, slow progress and softer rhetoric on trade alleviated concerns and helped Mexican bonds rebound.

Within Europe, Russian corporate bonds contributed significantly to the Index’s return. Russian bonds benefited from lower inflation, which declined from 5.8% to 2.7% during the reporting period, as well as expectations of a decrease in interest rates by the central bank. Resolution of sanctions against the country over interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election also helped Russian bonds rebound. China and India were the leading contributors to the Index’s return among Asian corporate bond markets for the reporting period.

 

ALLOCATION BY CREDIT QUALITY

As of 10/31/17

 

Moody’s Credit Rating1    Percentage of
Total Investments
 2
 

Aa

     3.98

A

     17.96  

Baa

     30.31  

Ba

     21.80  

B

     10.50  

Caa

     1.22  

Not Rated

     14.23  
  

 

 

 

TOTAL

     100.00
  

 

 

 

TEN LARGEST COUNTRIES

As of 10/31/17

 

Country    Percentage of
Total Investments
  2

China

     8.80

Brazil

     8.19  

Russia

     5.94  

Mexico

     5.90  

Hong Kong

     5.66  

India

     5.32  

United Arab Emirates

     5.32  

South Korea

     4.75  

Turkey

     4.57  

Israel

     4.48  
  

 

 

 

TOTAL

     58.93
  

 

 

 
 

 

1  Credit quality ratings shown reflect the ratings assigned by Moody’s Investors Service (“Moody’s”), a widely used independent, nationally recognized statistical rating organization. Moody’s credit ratings are opinions of the credit quality of individual obligations or of an issuer’s general creditworthiness. Investment grade ratings are credit ratings of Baa or higher. Below investment grade ratings are credit ratings of Ba or lower. Unrated investments do not necessarily indicate low credit quality. Credit quality ratings are subject to change.
2  Excludes money market funds.

 

MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSIONS OF FUND PERFORMANCE

     9  


Table of Contents

Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance

iSHARES® J.P. MORGAN EM LOCAL CURRENCY BOND ETF

Performance as of October 31, 2017

 

     Average Annual Total Returns            Cumulative Total Returns  
    1 Year     5 Years     Since
Inception
          1 Year     5 Years     Since
Inception
 

Fund NAV

    3.79%       (0.71)%       0.73%         3.79%       (3.48)%       4.47%  

Fund Market

    4.00%       (0.99)%       0.71%         4.00%       (4.84)%       4.38%  

Indexa

    4.54%       (0.18)%       1.19%         4.54%       (0.88)%       7.39%  

Bloomberg Barclays Emerging Markets Broad Local Currency Bond Index

    4.28%       (0.22)%       1.15%         4.28%       (1.12)%       7.13%  

J.P. Morgan GBI-EM Global Diversified 15% Cap 4.5% Floor Indexb

    n/a           n/a           n/a                   n/a           n/a           n/a      

GROWTH OF $10,000 INVESTMENT

(SINCE INCEPTION AT NET ASSET VALUE)

 

LOGO

The inception date of the Fund was 10/18/11. The first day of secondary market trading was 10/20/11.

 

a  Index Performance through May 31, 2017 reflects the performance of the Bloomberg Barclays Emerging Markets Broad Local Currency Bond Index. Index performance beginning on June 1, 2017 reflects the performance of the J.P. Morgan GBI-EM Global Diversified 15% Cap 4.5% Floor Index, which effective as of June 1, 2017, replaced the Bloomberg Barclays Emerging Markets Broad Local Currency Bond Index as the underlying index of the fund.
b  The inception date of the J.P. Morgan GBI-EM Global Diversified 15% Cap 4.5% Floor Index was March 27, 2017.

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. See “About Fund Performance” on page 14 for more information.

 

Shareholder Expenses  
Actual        Hypothetical 5% Return           
Beginning
Account Value
(5/1/17)
       Ending
Account Value
(10/31/17)
       Expenses Paid
During Period
 a
       Beginning
Account Value
(5/1/17)
       Ending
Account Value
(10/31/17)
       Expenses Paid
During Period
       Annualized
Expense Ratio
 a
 
$ 1,000.00        $ 1,027.00        $ 2.55        $ 1,000.00        $ 1,022.70        $ 2.55          0.50%  

 

  a  Expenses are calculated using the Fund’s annualized expense ratio (as disclosed in the table), multiplied by the average account value for the period, multiplied by the number of days in the period (184 days) and divided by the number of days in the year (365 days). See “Shareholder Expenses” on page 14 for more information.  

 

10    2017 iSHARES ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Table of Contents

Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance (Continued)

iSHARES® J.P. MORGAN EM LOCAL CURRENCY BOND ETF

 

The iShares J.P. Morgan EM Local Currency Bond ETF (the “Fund”) (formerly the iShares Emerging Markets Local Currency Bond ETF) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of local currency denominated, emerging market sovereign bonds, as represented by the J.P. Morgan GBI-EM Global Diversified 15% Cap 4.5% Floor Index (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index. For the 12-month reporting period ended October 31, 2017, the total return for the Fund was 3.79%, net of fees, while the total return for the Index was 4.54%.

Latin American sovereign bonds represented approximately 40% of the Index on average during the reporting period and made the largest regional contribution to the Index’s return. Brazil was the most significant contributor to the Index’s performance. Declining inflation, which dropped to its lowest level in more than a decade during the reporting period, a strong balance of trade, and the expectation of future interest rate cuts by Brazil’s central bank supported the country’s fixed-income market. Investor optimism that government reforms would boost economic growth also benefited Brazil’s bond market, despite ongoing political crises. Sovereign bonds from Colombia and Peru were also meaningful contributors to the Index’s return.

Among European bond markets, Russian Federation bonds were strong contributors to the Index’s return. Anticipation of a decrease in interest rates by the Russian central bank drove up bond demand, while rising oil prices helped the Russian ruble. Following months of uncertainty, resolution of sanctions against the country over interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election also helped its bond and currency markets rebound. Polish and Hungarian government bonds were notable contributors to the Index’s return, while Turkish bonds detracted from the Index’s performance as political strain between Turkey and the U.S. weighed on bond markets and caused a sharp decline in the Turkish lira.

In Asia, Indonesian sovereign bonds contributed to the Index’s performance during the reporting period, while Israel contributed to the Index’s return in the Middle East. The African region, which represented only 6% of the Index on average during the reporting period, detracted slightly from the Index’s return.

 

ALLOCATION BY CREDIT QUALITY

As of 10/31/17

 

Moody’s Credit Rating1    Percentage of
Total Investments
 2
 

Aa

     4.57

A

     33.29  

Baa

     33.35  

Ba

     22.84  

B

     4.22  

Not Rated

     1.73  
  

 

 

 

TOTAL

     100.00
  

 

 

 

TEN LARGEST COUNTRIES

As of 10/31/17

 

Country    Percentage of
Total Investments
  2

Brazil

     15.19

Mexico

     11.69  

Indonesia

     8.53  

Poland

     7.92  

South Africa

     6.24  

Thailand

     5.12  

Russia

     4.84  

Chile

     4.57  

Czech Republic

     4.57  

Malaysia

     4.56  
  

 

 

 

TOTAL

     73.23
  

 

 

 
 

 

1  Credit quality ratings shown reflect the ratings assigned by Moody’s Investors Service (“Moody’s”), a widely used independent, nationally recognized statistical rating organization. Moody’s credit ratings are opinions of the credit quality of individual obligations or of an issuer’s general creditworthiness. Investment grade ratings are credit ratings of Baa or higher. Below investment grade ratings are credit ratings of Ba or lower. Unrated investments do not necessarily indicate low credit quality. Credit quality ratings are subject to change.
2  Excludes money market funds.

 

MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSIONS OF FUND PERFORMANCE

     11  


Table of Contents

Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance

iSHARES® US & INTL HIGH YIELD CORP BOND ETF

Performance as of October 31, 2017

 

     Average Annual Total Returns            Cumulative Total Returns  
    NAV     MARKET     INDEX           NAV     MARKET     INDEX  

1 Year

    9.58%       9.49%       9.66%         9.58%       9.49%       9.66%  

5 Years

    4.76%       4.72%       4.91%         26.19%       25.94%       27.07%  

Since Inception

    5.44%       5.49%       5.63%               34.43%       34.77%       35.69%  

GROWTH OF $10,000 INVESTMENT

(SINCE INCEPTION AT NET ASSET VALUE)

 

LOGO

The inception date of the Fund was 4/3/12. The first day of secondary market trading was 4/5/12.

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. See “About Fund Performance” on page 14 for more information.

 

Shareholder Expenses  
Actual        Hypothetical 5% Return           
Beginning
Account Value
(5/1/17)
       Ending
Account Value
(10/31/17)
       Expenses Paid
During Period 
a
       Beginning
Account Value
(5/1/17)
       Ending
Account Value
(10/31/17)
       Expenses Paid
During Period 
a
       Annualized
Expense Ratio
 
$ 1,000.00        $ 1,048.80        $ 2.07        $ 1,000.00        $ 1,023.20        $ 2.04          0.40%  

 

a  Expenses are calculated using the Fund’s annualized expense ratio (as disclosed in the table), multiplied by the average account value for the period, multiplied by the number of days in the period (184 days) and divided by the number of days in the year (365 days). See “Shareholder Expenses” on page 14 for more information.  

 

12    2017 iSHARES ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Table of Contents

Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance (Continued)

iSHARES® US & INTL HIGH YIELD CORP BOND ETF

 

The iShares US & Intl High Yield Corp Bond ETF (the “Fund”) (formerly the iShares Global High Yield Corporate Bond ETF) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of U.S. dollar, euro, British pound sterling and Canadian dollar-denominated, high yield corporate bonds, as represented by the Markit iBoxx® Global Developed Markets High Yield Index (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index. For the 12-month reporting period ended October 31, 2017, the total return for the Fund was 9.58%, net of fees, while the total return for the Index was 9.66%.

High-yield corporate bonds were among the world’s top-performing fixed-income assets for the reporting period. High-yield bonds tend to perform well during periods of strong economic growth, investor optimism, and low default rates, which neatly summarizes the global investment environment during the reporting period. Although interest rates rose in the U.S. and Europe, interest rates remained low by historical standards, which continued to drive strong investor demand for high-yield corporate bonds.

The U.S. dollar weakened compared to most major currencies during the reporting period, depreciating 9% against the British pound, 6% against the euro, and 4% relative to the Canadian dollar. Nevertheless, the U.S. dollar denominated bonds were the largest contributor to the Index’s return and its largest currency weight, at nearly 75% of the Index on average for the reporting period. The U.S. high-yield market moved higher due to a number of catalysts, including initial progress toward corporate tax reform, strong economic growth, and improving corporate earnings. Nearly every European country in the Index contributed to the Index’s return, reflecting the Eurozone’s widespread economic expansion and relatively stable political climate. The Euro-denominated bonds, which comprised about 22% of the Index on average, benefited from low interest rates, low volatility, and robust demand from investors seeking higher yields than those of European government bonds. Among them, Italy, the U.K., and France were the primary drivers of the Index’s performance.

From a sector perspective, industrial bonds contributed the most to the Index’s return, led by communications-related bonds. Several high-profile merger-and-acquisition deals in the communications industry, particularly among cable and satellite operators and wireless companies, were expected to be financed with high-yield debt. The financial sector, led by the banking industry, was another area of strength.

 

ALLOCATION BY CREDIT QUALITY

As of 10/31/17

 

Moody’s Credit Rating1    Percentage of
Total Investments
 2
 

Baa

     0.70

Ba

     45.52  

B

     39.59  

Caa

     9.58  

Ca

     0.27  

Not Rated

     4.34  
  

 

 

 

TOTAL

     100.00
  

 

 

 

TEN LARGEST COUNTRIES

As of 10/31/17

 

Country    Percentage of
Total Investments
 2
 

United States

     65.47

Italy

     6.22  

United Kingdom

     5.11  

France

     4.00  

Canada

     3.56  

Luxembourg

     3.38  

Germany

     2.80  

Netherlands

     2.05  

Ireland

     1.68  

Spain

     1.63  
  

 

 

 

TOTAL

     95.90
  

 

 

 
 

 

1  Credit quality ratings shown reflect the ratings assigned by Moody’s Investors Service (“Moody’s”), a widely used independent, nationally recognized statistical rating organization. Moody’s credit ratings are opinions of the credit quality of individual obligations or of an issuer’s general creditworthiness. Investment grade ratings are credit ratings of Baa or higher. Below investment grade ratings are credit ratings of Ba or lower. Unrated investments do not necessarily indicate low credit quality. Credit quality ratings are subject to change.
2  Excludes money market funds.

 

MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSIONS OF FUND PERFORMANCE

     13  


Table of Contents

About Fund Performance

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. Performance data current to the most recent month-end is available at www.ishares.com. Performance results assume reinvestment of all dividends and capital gain distributions and do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. The investment return and principal value of shares will vary with changes in market conditions. Shares may be worth more or less than their original cost when they are redeemed or sold in the market. Performance for certain funds may reflect a waiver of a portion of investment advisory fees. Without such a waiver, performance would have been lower.

Net asset value or “NAV” is the value of one share of a fund as calculated in accordance with the standard formula for valuing mutual fund shares. The price used to calculate market return (“Market Price”) is determined by using the midpoint between the highest bid and the lowest offer on the primary stock exchange on which shares of a fund are listed for trading, as of the time that such fund’s NAV is calculated. Certain funds may have a NAV which is determined prior to the opening of regular trading on its listed exchange and their market returns are calculated using the midpoint of the bid/ask spread as of the opening of regular trading on the exchange. Market and NAV returns assume that dividends and capital gain distributions have been reinvested at Market Price and NAV, respectively.

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

Shareholder Expenses

As a shareholder of a Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including brokerage commissions on purchases and sales of fund shares and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees and other fund expenses. The expense example, which is based on an investment of $1,000 invested on May 1, 2017 and held through October 31, 2017, is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars and cents) of investing in a Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other funds.

Actual Expenses — The table provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. Annualized expense ratios reflect contractual and voluntary fee waivers, if any. To estimate the expenses that you paid on your account over the period, simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number[corresponding to your Fund under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period.”

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes — The table also provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on each Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in your Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as brokerage commissions paid on purchases and sales of fund shares. Therefore, the hypothetical examples are useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

14    2017 iSHARES ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Table of Contents

Schedule of Investments

iSHARES® EMERGING MARKETS HIGH YIELD BOND ETF

October 31, 2017

 

Security

 

Principal
(000s)

    Value  

CORPORATE BONDS & NOTESa — 41.17%

 

ARGENTINA — 1.14%

 

 

Pampa Energia SA

   

7.50%, 01/24/27 (Call 01/24/22)b

  $ 800     $ 872,160  

YPF SA

   

6.95%, 07/21/27b

    1,000       1,071,270  

8.50%, 03/23/21b

    1,000       1,131,250  

8.50%, 07/28/25b

    1,485       1,723,714  

8.75%, 04/04/24b

    1,828       2,117,738  

8.88%, 12/19/18b

    187       199,170  
   

 

 

 
      7,115,302  

AZERBAIJAN — 0.60%

   

Southern Gas Corridor CJSC

   

6.88%, 03/24/26b

    1,900       2,148,330  

State Oil Co. of the Azerbaijan Republic

   

4.75%, 03/13/23b

    1,600       1,605,592  
   

 

 

 
      3,753,922  

BRAZIL — 16.65%

   

Banco Bradesco SA/Cayman Islands

   

5.75%, 03/01/22b

    1,200       1,284,840  

5.90%, 01/16/21

    1,790       1,895,162  

6.75%, 09/29/19

    200       213,250  

Banco BTG Pactual SA/Cayman Islands

   

4.00%, 01/16/20b

    900       878,850  

5.75%, 09/28/22b

    800       776,000  

Banco do Brasil SA/Cayman Islands

   

3.88%, 10/10/22

    2,000       1,992,500  

5.38%, 01/15/21b

    1,200       1,246,500  

5.88%, 01/26/22b

    1,700       1,791,460  

5.88%, 01/19/23b

    600       636,750  

6.00%, 01/22/20b

    400       425,000  

Banco Votorantim SA

   

7.38%, 01/21/20b

    892       952,210  

Braskem Finance Ltd.

   

5.38%, 05/02/22b

    200       215,560  

5.75%, 04/15/21b

    1,600       1,724,480  

6.45%, 02/03/24

    600       683,190  

BRF SA

   

3.95%, 05/22/23b

    400       399,500  

4.75%, 05/22/24b

    600       615,930  

Security

 

Principal
(000s)

    Value  

Caixa Economica Federal

   

3.50%, 11/07/22b

  $ 450     $ 441,532  

4.25%, 05/13/19b

    2,420       2,462,767  

VRN, (5 year CMT + 5.551%)

   

7.25%, 07/23/24 (Call 07/23/19)b,c

    800       832,905  

Centrais Eletricas Brasileiras SA

   

5.75%, 10/27/21b

    2,300       2,416,380  

6.88%, 07/30/19b

    750       795,938  

CSN Resources SA

   

6.50%, 07/21/20b

    1,300       1,202,760  

Embraer Netherlands Finance BV

 

 

5.05%, 06/15/25

    2,120       2,241,264  

Embraer Overseas Ltd.

   

5.70%, 09/16/23b

    550       601,590  

Fibria Overseas Finance Ltd.

   

5.25%, 05/12/24

    200       215,000  

Gerdau Trade Inc.

   

4.75%, 04/15/23b

    800       827,200  

GTL Trade Finance Inc.

   

5.89%, 04/29/24 (Call 01/29/24)b

    1,150       1,242,747  

7.25%, 04/16/44 (Call 10/16/43)b

    600       657,180  

Itau Unibanco Holding SA/Cayman Islands

   

5.13%, 05/13/23b

    820       845,830  

5.50%, 08/06/22b

    2,100       2,215,500  

5.65%, 03/19/22b

    2,000       2,115,000  

5.75%, 01/22/21b

    1,850       1,954,155  

6.20%, 04/15/20b

    700       741,300  

6.20%, 12/21/21b

    800       866,000  

JBS Investments GmbH

   

7.25%, 04/03/24 (Call 04/03/19)b

    600       594,180  

7.75%, 10/28/20 (Call 11/30/17)b

    1,600       1,627,280  

JBS USA LUX SA/JBS USA Finance Inc.

   

5.75%, 06/15/25 (Call 06/15/20)b

    850       827,688  

5.88%, 07/15/24 (Call 07/15/19)b

    725       714,125  

7.25%, 06/01/21 (Call 11/30/17)b

    1,500       1,529,220  

8.25%, 02/01/20 (Call 11/30/17)b

    300       303,750  

Klabin Finance SA

   

5.25%, 07/16/24b

    500       521,875  

Marfrig Holdings Europe BV

   

6.88%, 06/24/19 (Call 11/30/17)b

    400       413,500  

8.00%, 06/08/23 (Call 06/08/19)b

    800       834,700  
 

 

SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS

     15  


Table of Contents

Schedule of Investments (Continued)

iSHARES® EMERGING MARKETS HIGH YIELD BOND ETF

October 31, 2017

 

Security

 

Principal
(000s)

    Value  

Minerva Luxembourg SA

   

6.50%, 09/20/26 (Call 09/20/21)b

  $ 1,200     $ 1,244,400  

Odebrecht Finance Ltd.

   

4.38%, 04/25/25b

    500       190,000  

5.25%, 06/27/29b

    600       222,000  

7.13%, 06/26/42 (Call 12/26/41)b

    820       307,500  

Petrobras Global Finance BV

   

4.38%, 05/20/23

    3,565       3,534,911  

5.30%, 01/27/25d

    369       370,482  

5.38%, 01/27/21

    3,135       3,295,669  

5.63%, 05/20/43

    1,800       1,622,700  

5.75%, 01/20/20

    850       893,562  

6.00%, 01/27/28d

    326       329,986  

6.13%, 01/17/22

    3,300       3,567,300  

6.25%, 03/17/24

    1,900       2,039,365  

6.75%, 01/27/41

    1,850       1,868,500  

6.85%, 12/31/99

    2,400       2,279,160  

6.88%, 01/20/40

    1,400       1,423,555  

7.25%, 03/17/44

    2,200       2,303,510  

7.38%, 01/17/27

    4,250       4,711,550  

8.38%, 05/23/21

    3,550       4,087,115  

8.75%, 05/23/26

    4,475       5,406,673  

Rio Oil Finance Trust

   

Series 2014-1

   

9.25%, 07/06/24b

    537       582,178  

Suzano Austria GmbH

   

5.75%, 07/14/26b

    600       645,000  

7.00%, 03/16/47 (Call 09/16/46)b

    600       670,200  

Vale Overseas Ltd.

   

4.38%, 01/11/22

    2,016       2,094,443  

5.88%, 06/10/21

    3,100       3,398,375  

6.25%, 08/10/26

    2,000       2,304,500  

6.88%, 11/21/36

    3,045       3,626,899  

6.88%, 11/10/39

    1,650       1,956,817  

8.25%, 01/17/34

    450       579,454  

Vale SA

   

5.63%, 09/11/42

    1,300       1,363,050  

Votorantim Cimentos SA

   

7.25%, 04/05/41b

    1,250       1,335,937  
   

 

 

 
      104,027,339  

CHILE — 0.24%

   

VTR Finance BV

   

6.88%, 01/15/24 (Call 01/15/19)b

    1,400       1,478,750  
   

 

 

 
      1,478,750  

Security

 

Principal
(000s)

    Value  

CHINA — 3.22%

   

Agile Group Holdings Ltd.

   

9.00%, 05/21/20 (Call 05/21/18)b

  $ 400     $ 429,000  

China Evergrande Group

   

6.25%, 06/28/21b

    500       502,175  

7.50%, 06/28/23 (Call 06/28/20)b

    2,000       2,020,816  

8.25%, 03/23/22 (Call 03/23/20)b

    1,700       1,788,648  

8.75%, 06/28/25 (Call 06/28/21)b

    4,766       4,946,380  

9.50%, 03/29/24 (Call 03/29/21)b

    600       646,565  

Country Garden Holdings Co. Ltd.

   

4.75%, 07/25/22 (Call 07/25/20)b

    400       408,979  

4.75%, 09/28/23 (Call 09/28/20)b

    900       911,250  

7.25%, 04/04/21 (Call 11/30/17)b

    700       725,375  

7.50%, 03/09/20 (Call 03/09/18)b

    600       630,000  

7.50%, 01/10/23 (Call 01/10/18)b

    1,000       1,041,250  

Fantasia Holdings Group Co. Ltd.

   

7.38%, 10/04/21 (Call 10/04/19)b

    600       599,373  

Fortune Star BVI Ltd.

   

5.25%, 03/23/22 (Call 03/23/20)b

    1,200       1,204,638  

Greenland Global Investment Ltd.

   

5.88%, 07/03/24b

    1,200       1,220,449  

KWG Property Holding Ltd.

   

8.98%, 01/14/19 (Call 11/30/17)b

    625       645,071  

Shimao Property Holdings Ltd.

   

4.75%, 07/03/22 (Call 07/03/20)b

    600       615,687  

8.13%, 01/22/21 (Call 01/22/18)b

    400       420,000  

8.38%, 02/10/22 (Call 02/10/19)b

    1,225       1,345,712  
   

 

 

 
      20,101,368  

COLOMBIA — 1.12%

   

Banco Davivienda SA

   

5.88%, 07/09/22b

    400       430,000  

Banco de Bogota SA

   

5.38%, 02/19/23b

    400       422,400  

6.25%, 05/12/26b

    1,678       1,818,533  

Bancolombia SA

   

5.13%, 09/11/22

    1,463       1,529,347  

Colombia Telecomunicaciones SA ESP

   

5.38%, 09/27/22 (Call 11/30/17)b

    1,006       1,026,120  

Grupo Aval Ltd.

   

4.75%, 09/26/22b

    600       612,000  
 

 

16    2017 iSHARES ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Table of Contents

Schedule of Investments (Continued)

iSHARES® EMERGING MARKETS HIGH YIELD BOND ETF

October 31, 2017

 

Security

 

Principal
(000s)

    Value  

Millicom International Cellular SA

   

6.00%, 03/15/25 (Call 03/15/20)b

  $ 1,100     $ 1,163,250  
   

 

 

 
      7,001,650  

COSTA RICA — 0.18%

   

Banco Nacional de Costa Rica

   

5.88%, 04/25/21b

    1,050       1,092,405  
   

 

 

 
      1,092,405  

INDIA — 1.15%

   

ABJA Investment Co. Pte Ltd.

   

4.85%, 01/31/20b

    600       617,533  

5.95%, 07/31/24b

    925       987,474  

Bank of India/London

   

6.25%, 02/16/21b

    650       706,349  

Greenko Dutch BV

   

5.25%, 07/24/24 (Call 07/24/20)b

    600       611,411  

IDBI Bank Ltd.

   

3.75%, 01/25/19b

    200       201,366  

JSW Steel Ltd.

   

5.25%, 04/13/22b

    800       824,865  

Vedanta Resources PLC

   

6.38%, 07/30/22b

    800       836,000  

7.13%, 05/31/23b

    1,310       1,411,525  

8.25%, 06/07/21b

    900       1,005,750  
   

 

 

 
      7,202,273  

INDONESIA — 0.95%

   

Majapahit Holding BV

   

7.75%, 01/20/20b

    2,300       2,541,868  

7.88%, 06/29/37b

    300       406,517  

8.00%, 08/07/19

    900       988,347  

Perusahaan Listrik Negara PT

   

5.25%, 10/24/42b

    1,300       1,367,210  

5.50%, 11/22/21b

    600       655,500  
   

 

 

 
      5,959,442  

JAMAICA — 0.84%

   

Digicel Group Ltd.

   

7.13%, 04/01/22 (Call 11/30/17)b

    1,150       1,084,105  

8.25%, 09/30/20 (Call 11/30/17)b

    1,400       1,383,025  

Digicel Ltd.

   

6.00%, 04/15/21 (Call 11/30/17)b

    1,650       1,623,188  

6.75%, 03/01/23 (Call 03/01/18)b

    1,200       1,183,500  
   

 

 

 
      5,273,818  

Security

 

Principal
(000s)

    Value  

KAZAKHSTAN — 1.49%

   

Development Bank of Kazakhstan JSC

   

4.13%, 12/10/22b

  $ 1,050     $ 1,067,062  

Kazakhstan Temir Zholy Finance BV

   

6.95%, 07/10/42b

    1,200       1,344,000  

Kazkommertsbank JSC

   

5.50%, 12/21/22 (Call 11/30/17)b

    900       891,000  

KazMunayGas National Co. JSC

   

3.88%, 04/19/22b

    400       404,594  

4.75%, 04/19/27b

    1,000       1,022,777  

5.75%, 04/30/43b

    200       203,642  

5.75%, 04/19/47b

    1,700       1,711,759  

6.38%, 04/09/21b

    1,100       1,202,795  

7.00%, 05/05/20b

    1,350       1,471,500  
   

 

 

 
      9,319,129  

MEXICO — 1.12%

   

BBVA Bancomer SA/Texas

   

7.25%, 04/22/20

    1,500       1,628,925  

Cemex Finance LLC

   

6.00%, 04/01/24 (Call 04/01/19)b

    1,050       1,110,375  

Cemex SAB de CV

   

5.70%, 01/11/25 (Call 01/11/20)b

    1,200       1,263,000  

6.13%, 05/05/25 (Call 05/05/20)b

    800       853,600  

7.75%, 04/16/26 (Call 04/16/21)b

    1,900       2,151,940  
   

 

 

 
      7,007,840  

OMAN — 0.29%

   

Bank Muscat SAOG

   

3.75%, 05/03/21b

    600       605,250  

Lamar Funding Ltd.

   

3.96%, 05/07/25b

    1,300       1,217,125  
   

 

 

 
      1,822,375  

RUSSIA — 4.26%

   

Alfa Bank AO Via Alfa Bond Issuance PLC

   

7.50%, 09/26/19b

    400       427,100  

7.75%, 04/28/21b

    950       1,072,313  

ALROSA Finance SA

   

7.75%, 11/03/20b

    1,100       1,234,750  

Credit Bank of Moscow Via CBOM Finance PLC

   

5.88%, 11/07/21b

    200       207,000  
 

 

SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS

     17  


Table of Contents

Schedule of Investments (Continued)

iSHARES® EMERGING MARKETS HIGH YIELD BOND ETF

October 31, 2017

 

Security

 

Principal
(000s)

    Value  

VRN, (5 year USD Swap + 5.416%)

   

7.50%, 10/05/27 (Call 10/05/22)b,c

  $ 900     $ 830,250  

Evraz Group SA

   

5.38%, 03/20/23b

    800       825,000  

6.50%, 04/22/20b

    1,150       1,221,875  

6.75%, 01/31/22b

    600       651,750  

8.25%, 01/28/21b

    650       732,875  

Gazprom OAO Via Gaz Capital SA

   

4.95%, 02/06/28b

    600       614,250  

Gazprombank OAO Via GPB Eurobond Finance PLC

   

VRN, (5 year CMT + 6.024%)

   

7.50%, 12/28/23 (Call 12/28/18)b,c

    200       207,500  

GTLK Europe DAC

   

5.13%, 05/31/24b

    800       815,668  

Metalloinvest Finance DAC

   

4.85%, 05/02/24b

    600       611,040  

MMC Norilsk Nickel OJSC via MMC Finance DAC

   

5.55%, 10/28/20b

    1,000       1,063,750  

6.63%, 10/14/22b

    1,200       1,350,000  

Novolipetsk Steel via Steel Funding DAC

   

4.50%, 06/15/23b

    600       620,250  

Phosagro OAO via Phosagro Bond Funding DAC

   

3.95%, 11/03/21b

    700       709,257  

Polyus Finance PLC

   

5.25%, 02/07/23b

    1,000       1,046,250  

Polyus Gold International Ltd.

   

4.70%, 03/28/22b

    400       409,000  

5.63%, 04/29/20b

    800       840,000  

Rusal Capital DAC

   

5.13%, 02/02/22b

    2,000       2,035,000  

Russian Railways via RZD Capital PLC

   

3.45%, 10/06/20b

    200       201,121  

4.38%, 03/01/24b

    1,600       1,630,206  

Sberbank of Russia Via SB Capital SA

   

5.13%, 10/29/22b

    1,600       1,668,000  

Security

 

Principal
(000s)

    Value  

Severstal OAO Via Steel Capital SA

   

5.90%, 10/17/22b

  $ 400     $ 444,000  

VEON Holdings BV

   

3.95%, 06/16/21 (Call 03/16/21)b

    400       402,323  

4.95%, 06/16/24 (Call 03/16/24)b

    600       614,495  

5.20%, 02/13/19b

    400       411,030  

5.95%, 02/13/23b

    1,400       1,515,500  

7.50%, 03/01/22b

    600       690,750  

VTB Bank OJSC Via VTB Capital SA

   

6.95%, 10/17/22b

    1,400       1,522,500  
   

 

 

 
      26,624,803  

SOUTH AFRICA — 1.38%

   

AngloGold Ashanti Holdings PLC

   

5.13%, 08/01/22

    645       676,444  

5.38%, 04/15/20

    1,538       1,612,977  

Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd.

   

5.75%, 01/26/21b

    1,800       1,818,000  

6.75%, 08/06/23b

    1,017       1,039,883  

7.13%, 02/11/25b

    1,460       1,494,675  

Gold Fields Orogen Holding BVI Ltd.

   

4.88%, 10/07/20b

    800       820,000  

MTN Mauritius Investment Ltd.

   

4.76%, 11/11/24b

    600       594,750  

Transnet SOC Ltd.

   

4.00%, 07/26/22b

    600       585,600  
   

 

 

 
      8,642,329  

SOUTH KOREA — 0.27%

   

Woori Bank

   

4.75%, 04/30/24b

    1,000       1,048,390  

VRN, (5 year CMT + 3.328%)

   

5.00%, 06/10/45 (Call 06/10/20)b,c

    600       614,838  
   

 

 

 
      1,663,228  

THAILAND — 0.07%

   

Krung Thai Bank PCL/Cayman Islands

   

VRN, (5 year CMT + 3.535%)

   

5.20%, 12/26/24 (Call 12/26/19)b,c

    400       415,353  
   

 

 

 
      415,353  

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO — 0.21%

   

Consolidated Energy Finance SA

   

6.88%, 06/15/25

    450       475,784  
 

 

18    2017 iSHARES ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Table of Contents

Schedule of Investments (Continued)

iSHARES® EMERGING MARKETS HIGH YIELD BOND ETF

October 31, 2017

 

Security

 

Principal
(000s)

    Value  

Petroleum Co. of Trinidad & Tobago Ltd.

   

9.75%, 08/14/19b

  $ 800     $ 852,554  
   

 

 

 
      1,328,338  

TURKEY — 3.83%

   

Akbank Turk AS

   

4.00%, 01/24/20b

    200       199,000  

5.00%, 10/24/22

    150       149,747  

5.13%, 03/31/25b

    200       193,750  

VRN, (5 year USD Swap + 5.026%)

   

7.20%, 03/16/27 (Call 03/16/22)b,c

    1,100       1,134,375  

Finansbank AS/Turkey

   

4.88%, 05/19/22b

    1,800       1,777,943  

TC Ziraat Bankasi AS

   

4.25%, 07/03/19b

    200       200,054  

4.75%, 04/29/21b

    200       199,375  

5.13%, 05/03/22b

    1,700       1,693,751  

Turkiye Garanti Bankasi AS

   

4.75%, 10/17/19b

    600       609,000  

5.25%, 09/13/22b

    200       202,750  

5.88%, 03/16/23b

    900       925,875  

6.25%, 04/20/21b

    200       210,500  

VRN, (5 year USD Swap + 4.220%)

   

6.13%, 05/24/27 (Call 05/24/22)b,c

    1,700       1,679,486  

Turkiye Halk Bankasi AS

   

3.88%, 02/05/20b

    500       481,875  

4.75%, 06/04/19b

    200       198,500  

4.75%, 02/11/21b

    500       486,250  

5.00%, 07/13/21b

    900       876,375  

Turkiye Is Bankasi

   

5.00%, 04/30/20b

    600       603,000  

5.00%, 06/25/21b

    1,450       1,440,937  

5.38%, 10/06/21b

    1,000       1,000,000  

5.50%, 04/21/19b

    200       203,522  

5.50%, 04/21/22b

    1,100       1,098,625  

6.00%, 10/24/22b

    850       846,813  

6.13%, 04/25/24b

    900       897,817  

Turkiye Vakiflar Bankasi TAO

   

5.50%, 10/27/21b

    800       801,000  

6.00%, 11/01/22b

    200       197,000  

VRN, (5 year USD Swap + 5.439%)

   

6.88%, 02/03/25 (Call 02/03/20)b,c

    1,000       1,003,750  

Security

 

Principal
(000s)

    Value  

Yapi ve Kredi Bankasi AS

   

4.00%, 01/22/20b

  $ 1,000     $ 988,750  

5.13%, 10/22/19b

    1,050       1,065,750  

5.25%, 12/03/18b

    200       203,071  

5.50%, 12/06/22b

    400       387,500  

5.75%, 02/24/22b

    950       958,312  

5.85%, 06/21/24b

    600       592,959  

VRN, (5 year USD Swap + 7.400%)

   

8.50%, 03/09/26 (Call 03/09/21)b,c

    400       424,000  
   

 

 

 
      23,931,412  

UKRAINE — 0.04%

   

MHP SE

   

7.75%, 05/10/24b

    200       216,278  
   

 

 

 
      216,278  

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES — 0.29%

 

DAE Funding LLC

   

4.50%, 08/01/22 (Call 08/01/19)b

    600       607,210  

5.00%, 08/01/24 (Call 08/01/20)b

    1,200       1,225,461  
   

 

 

 
      1,832,671  

UNITED KINGDOM — 0.21%

   

Sable International Finance Ltd.

   

6.88%, 08/01/22 (Call 08/01/18)b

    450       483,188  

Sunac China Holdings Ltd.

   

7.95%, 08/08/22 (Call 08/08/20)b

    600       610,500  

Tullow Oil PLC

   

6.00%, 11/01/20 (Call 11/10/17)b

    200       200,000  
   

 

 

 
      1,293,688  

VENEZUELA — 1.62%

   

Petroleos de Venezuela SA

   

5.38%, 04/12/27b

    3,270       936,855  

5.50%, 04/12/37b

    1,439       413,713  

6.00%, 05/16/24b

    5,510       1,556,575  

6.00%, 11/15/26b

    5,300       1,457,500  

8.50%, 10/27/20b

    2,475       2,045,587  

9.00%, 11/17/21b

    2,755       1,208,756  

9.75%, 05/17/35b

    2,912       1,048,320  

12.75%, 02/17/22b

    3,238       1,460,338  
   

 

 

 
      10,127,644  

TOTAL CORPORATE BONDS & NOTES

 

(Cost: $253,123,505)

      257,231,357  
 

 

SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS

     19  


Table of Contents

Schedule of Investments (Continued)

iSHARES® EMERGING MARKETS HIGH YIELD BOND ETF

October 31, 2017

 

Security

 

Principal
(000s)

    Value  

FOREIGN GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONSa — 56.01%

 

ARGENTINA — 7.07%

 

Argentine Republic Government International Bond

   

2.50%, 12/31/38e

  $ 644     $ 462,070  

2.50%, 12/31/38e

    6,213       4,457,828  

5.63%, 01/26/22

    4,570       4,798,500  

6.25%, 04/22/19

    1,900       1,992,082  

6.63%, 07/06/28

    1,080       1,146,420  

6.88%, 04/22/21

    6,075       6,630,863  

6.88%, 01/26/27

    4,200       4,580,100  

7.13%, 07/06/36

    1,820       1,957,410  

7.13%, 06/28/49b

    2,400       2,461,461  

7.50%, 04/22/26

    6,242       7,053,460  

7.63%, 04/22/46

    2,400       2,691,600  

8.28%, 12/31/33

    1,444       1,655,299  

8.28%, 12/31/33

    477       555,824  

8.28%, 12/31/33

    3,213       3,746,907  
   

 

 

 
      44,189,824  

AZERBAIJAN — 0.11%

   

State Oil Co. of the Azerbaijan Republic

   

6.95%, 03/18/30b

    600       660,386  
   

 

 

 
      660,386  

BAHRAIN — 1.93%

 

Bahrain Government International Bond

   

5.50%, 03/31/20b

    783       811,594  

5.88%, 01/26/21b

    650       680,743  

6.00%, 09/19/44b

    400       342,999  

6.13%, 07/05/22b

    1,200       1,272,269  

6.13%, 08/01/23b

    1,400       1,482,339  

6.75%, 09/20/29b

    1,400       1,396,500  

7.00%, 01/26/26b

    2,200       2,330,765  

7.00%, 10/12/28b

    2,706       2,783,310  

7.50%, 09/20/47b

    1,000       974,094  
   

 

 

 
      12,074,613  

BRAZIL — 6.24%

   

Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento Economico e Social

   

4.00%, 04/14/19b

    400       405,664  

4.75%, 05/09/24b

    2,300       2,325,463  

Security

 

Principal
(000s)

    Value  

5.50%, 07/12/20b

  $ 450     $ 474,647  

5.75%, 09/26/23b

    900       973,125  

6.50%, 06/10/19b

    600       635,106  

Brazilian Government International Bond

   

2.63%, 01/05/23

    2,200       2,128,500  

4.25%, 01/07/25

    5,468       5,563,690  

4.88%, 01/22/21

    3,811       4,073,006  

5.00%, 01/27/45

    5,200       4,838,600  

5.63%, 01/07/41

    2,750       2,795,375  

5.63%, 02/21/47

    1,400       1,423,800  

5.88%, 01/15/19

    900       940,312  

6.00%, 04/07/26

    3,892       4,324,985  

7.13%, 01/20/37

    1,710       2,043,450  

8.25%, 01/20/34

    1,650       2,151,188  

8.75%, 02/04/25

    500       649,222  

8.88%, 10/14/19

    300       340,810  

8.88%, 04/15/24

    1,350       1,728,000  

10.13%, 05/15/27

    600       865,500  

10.13%, 05/15/27

    225       324,563  
   

 

 

 
      39,005,006  

COSTA RICA — 0.57%

   

Costa Rica Government International Bond

   

4.25%, 01/26/23

    400       394,500  

4.38%, 04/30/25b

    400       392,778  

5.63%, 04/30/43

    200       180,686  

7.00%, 04/04/44b

    1,662       1,730,557  

7.16%, 03/12/45b

    800       850,000  
   

 

 

 
      3,548,521  

CROATIA — 1.37%

   

Croatia Government International Bond

   

5.50%, 04/04/23b

    1,300       1,434,875  

6.00%, 01/26/24b

    1,400       1,592,500  

6.38%, 03/24/21b

    2,400       2,646,000  

6.63%, 07/14/20b

    1,350       1,476,563  

6.75%, 11/05/19b

    1,300       1,399,125  
   

 

 

 
      8,549,063  

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC — 2.10%

 

Dominican Republic International Bond

   

5.50%, 01/27/25b

    700       740,250  
 

 

20    2017 iSHARES ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Table of Contents

Schedule of Investments (Continued)

iSHARES® EMERGING MARKETS HIGH YIELD BOND ETF

October 31, 2017

 

Security

 

Principal
(000s)

    Value  

5.88%, 04/18/24b

  $ 1,240     $ 1,348,500  

5.95%, 01/25/27b

    1,075       1,155,625  

6.60%, 01/28/24b

    1,692       1,907,927  

6.85%, 01/27/45b

    2,490       2,770,125  

6.88%, 01/29/26b

    1,700       1,942,250  

7.45%, 04/30/44b

    1,350       1,601,438  

7.50%, 05/06/21b

    1,500       1,655,625  
   

 

 

 
      13,121,740  

ECUADOR — 1.62%

   

Ecuador Government International Bond

   

7.95%, 06/20/24b

    1,065       1,074,319  

8.75%, 06/02/23b

    1,500       1,575,505  

9.63%, 06/02/27b

    800       857,961  

9.65%, 12/13/26b

    2,600       2,801,500  

10.50%, 03/24/20b

    1,300       1,410,500  

10.75%, 03/28/22b

    2,100       2,375,625  
   

 

 

 
      10,095,410  

EGYPT — 1.80%

   

Egypt Government International Bond

   

5.75%, 04/29/20b

    760       788,500  

5.88%, 06/11/25b

    2,590       2,645,038  

6.13%, 01/31/22b

    2,200       2,296,250  

6.88%, 04/30/40b

    800       796,257  

7.50%, 01/31/27b

    2,100       2,323,125  

8.50%, 01/31/47b

    2,100       2,370,375  
   

 

 

 
      11,219,545  

EL SALVADOR — 1.01%

   

El Salvador Government International Bond

   

5.88%, 01/30/25b

    750       740,645  

6.38%, 01/18/27b

    900       895,348  

7.38%, 12/01/19b

    250       259,861  

7.63%, 02/01/41b

    500       520,044  

7.65%, 06/15/35b

    880       915,200  

7.75%, 01/24/23b

    1,325       1,430,402  

8.25%, 04/10/32b

    400       445,207  

8.63%, 02/28/29b

    1,000       1,131,795  
   

 

 

 
      6,338,502  

GHANA — 0.73%

   

Ghana Government International Bond

   

7.88%, 08/07/23b

    1,000       1,080,000  

Security

 

Principal
(000s)

    Value  

8.13%, 01/18/26b

  $ 1,500     $ 1,625,625  

8.13%, 01/18/26b

    200       216,750  

9.25%, 09/15/22b

    400       452,018  

10.75%, 10/14/30b

    900       1,200,009  
   

 

 

 
      4,574,402  

GUATEMALA — 0.45%

 

Guatemala Government Bond

   

4.50%, 05/03/26b

    1,000       1,008,088  

4.88%, 02/13/28b

    1,150       1,186,074  

5.75%, 06/06/22b

    600       651,700  
   

 

 

 
      2,845,862  

IVORY COAST — 0.47%

 

Ivory Coast Government International Bond

   

5.38%, 07/23/24b

    400       404,528  

6.13%, 06/15/33b

    1,600       1,581,218  

6.38%, 03/03/28b

    900       933,750  
   

 

 

 
      2,919,496  

JAMAICA — 0.99%

   

Jamaica Government International Bond

   

6.75%, 04/28/28

    2,400       2,778,000  

7.63%, 07/09/25

    500       605,482  

7.88%, 07/28/45

    1,200       1,490,635  

8.00%, 03/15/39

    1,043       1,297,231  
   

 

 

 
      6,171,348  

JORDAN — 0.41%

   

Jordan Government International Bond

   

5.75%, 01/31/27b

    1,500       1,498,125  

6.13%, 01/29/26b

    1,000       1,035,479  
   

 

 

 
      2,533,604  

LEBANON — 3.78%

   

Lebanon Government International Bond

   

5.45%, 11/28/19b

    300       300,676  

5.50%, 04/23/19

    200       201,031  

5.80%, 04/14/20b

    1,165       1,166,337  

6.00%, 05/20/19b

    300       303,814  

6.00%, 01/27/23b

    550       534,875  

6.10%, 10/04/22b

    1,600       1,578,000  

6.15%, 06/19/20

    350       351,736  
 

 

SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS

     21  


Table of Contents

Schedule of Investments (Continued)

iSHARES® EMERGING MARKETS HIGH YIELD BOND ETF

October 31, 2017

 

Security

 

Principal
(000s)

    Value  

6.20%, 02/26/25b

  $ 700     $ 667,605  

6.25%, 05/27/22

    300       298,447  

6.25%, 11/04/24b

    823       794,456  

6.38%, 03/09/20

    1,800       1,824,750  

6.40%, 05/26/23

    2,750       2,713,923  

6.60%, 11/27/26b

    850       818,125  

6.65%, 04/22/24b

    1,020       1,008,996  

6.65%, 11/03/28b

    1,115       1,061,177  

6.65%, 02/26/30b

    1,740       1,633,425  

6.75%, 11/29/27b

    817       786,363  

6.85%, 03/23/27b

    800       781,009  

6.85%, 05/25/29

    400       382,278  

7.00%, 03/23/32b

    1,890       1,801,524  

7.05%, 11/02/35b

    100       94,902  

7.25%, 03/23/37b

    800       763,400  

8.25%, 04/12/21b

    3,564       3,777,840  
   

 

 

 
      23,644,689  

MOROCCO — 0.38%

 

Morocco Government International Bond

   

4.25%, 12/11/22b

    1,600       1,680,000  

5.50%, 12/11/42b

    600       670,659  
   

 

 

 
      2,350,659  

NIGERIA — 0.47%

   

Nigeria Government International Bond

   

6.38%, 07/12/23b

    700       733,455  

6.75%, 01/28/21b

    400       425,977  

7.88%, 02/16/32b

    1,642       1,800,043  
   

 

 

 
      2,959,475  

PAKISTAN — 0.48%

   

Pakistan Government International Bond

   

7.25%, 04/15/19b

    600       625,456  

8.25%, 04/15/24b

    1,925       2,143,353  

8.25%, 09/30/25b

    200       224,385  
   

 

 

 
      2,993,194  

RUSSIA — 4.81%

 

Russian Foreign Bond-Eurobond

   

3.50%, 01/16/19b

    800       810,776  

4.50%, 04/04/22b

    2,400       2,556,000  

4.88%, 09/16/23b

    3,800       4,137,250  

Security

 

Principal
(000s)

    Value  

5.00%, 04/29/20b

  $ 4,000     $ 4,225,000  

5.63%, 04/04/42b

    3,200       3,531,200  

5.88%, 09/16/43b

    1,600       1,826,000  

7.50%, 03/31/30 b,e

    7,822       9,200,640  

12.75%, 06/24/28b

    2,150       3,767,875  
   

 

 

 
      30,054,741  

SENEGAL — 0.32%

   

Senegal Government International Bond

   

6.25%, 07/30/24b

    400       429,209  

6.25%, 05/23/33b

    1,100       1,137,887  

8.75%, 05/13/21b

    400       463,492  
   

 

 

 
      2,030,588  

SERBIA — 0.85%

   

Serbia International Bond

   

4.88%, 02/25/20b

    2,400       2,501,784  

5.88%, 12/03/18b

    200       206,916  

7.25%, 09/28/21b

    2,250       2,587,500  
   

 

 

 
      5,296,200  

SOUTH AFRICA — 2.74%

   

Republic of South Africa Government International Bond

   

4.30%, 10/12/28

    1,000       922,500  

4.67%, 01/17/24

    2,000       2,025,000  

4.88%, 04/14/26

    1,500       1,488,750  

5.00%, 10/12/46

    1,100       976,250  

5.50%, 03/09/20

    3,068       3,236,740  

5.65%, 09/27/47

    1,900       1,824,611  

5.88%, 05/30/22

    1,050       1,145,812  

5.88%, 09/16/25

    3,310       3,525,150  

6.25%, 03/08/41

    1,901       1,997,633  
   

 

 

 
      17,142,446  

SRI LANKA — 1.71%

   

Sri Lanka Government International Bond

   

5.13%, 04/11/19b

    200       204,997  

5.75%, 01/18/22

    600       636,637  

5.88%, 07/25/22b

    2,109       2,251,357  

6.00%, 01/14/19b

    400       412,945  

6.13%, 06/03/25b

    500       533,538  

6.20%, 05/11/27b

    580       615,650  

6.25%, 10/04/20b

    300       320,250  
 

 

22    2017 iSHARES ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Table of Contents

Schedule of Investments (Continued)

iSHARES® EMERGING MARKETS HIGH YIELD BOND ETF

October 31, 2017

 

Security

 

Principal
(000s)

    Value  

6.25%, 07/27/21b

  $ 2,700     $ 2,912,625  

6.83%, 07/18/26b

    1,050       1,163,820  

6.85%, 11/03/25b

    1,500       1,665,270  
   

 

 

 
      10,717,089  

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO — 0.26%

   

Trinidad & Tobago Government International Bond

   

4.38%, 01/16/24b

    400       407,410  

4.50%, 08/04/26b

    1,200       1,210,500  
   

 

 

 
      1,617,910  

TURKEY — 8.74%

   

Export Credit Bank of Turkey

   

5.00%, 09/23/21b

    450       455,711  

5.38%, 02/08/21b

    400       410,883  

5.38%, 10/24/23b

    600       604,715  

Turkey Government International Bond

   

3.25%, 03/23/23

    1,700       1,604,375  

4.25%, 04/14/26

    900       849,375  

4.88%, 10/09/26

    5,060       4,939,825  

4.88%, 04/16/43

    4,500       3,881,250  

5.13%, 03/25/22

    949       984,587  

5.63%, 03/30/21

    2,050       2,162,750  

5.75%, 03/22/24

    2,300       2,426,500  

5.75%, 05/11/47

    3,400       3,243,167  

5.88%, 04/24/19b

    650       670,466  

6.00%, 03/25/27

    4,329       4,561,684  

6.00%, 01/14/41

    2,816       2,816,000  

6.25%, 09/26/22

    3,200       3,480,000  

6.63%, 02/17/45

    3,050       3,255,875  

6.75%, 05/30/40

    1,975       2,147,812  

6.88%, 03/17/36

    2,020       2,222,000  

7.00%, 03/11/19

    800       843,155  

7.00%, 06/05/20

    2,100       2,273,250  

7.25%, 03/05/38

    1,300       1,495,000  

7.38%, 02/05/25

    2,570       2,952,287  

7.50%, 11/07/19

    2,200       2,378,750  

8.00%, 02/14/34

    1,263       1,540,860  

11.88%, 01/15/30

    1,550       2,410,250  
   

 

 

 
      54,610,527  

UKRAINE — 2.28%

 

Ukraine Government International Bond

   

7.75%, 09/01/20b

    2,526       2,690,190  
    
Security
 

Principal

or Shares
(000s)

    Value  

7.75%, 09/01/21b

  $ 850     $ 906,313  

7.75%, 09/01/22b

    1,514       1,618,466  

7.75%, 09/01/23b

    1,325       1,407,813  

7.75%, 09/01/24b

    2,313       2,422,867  

7.75%, 09/01/25b

    936       973,440  

7.75%, 09/01/26b

    1,252       1,289,560  

7.75%, 09/01/27b

    2,150       2,214,500  

Ukreximbank Via Biz Finance PLC

   

9.75%, 01/22/25b

    650       710,438  
   

 

 

 
      14,233,587  

VENEZUELA — 1.95%

   

Venezuela Government International Bond

   

6.00%, 12/09/20b

    1,780       694,206  

7.00%, 12/01/18b

    800       500,000  

7.00%, 03/31/38b

    1,000       320,000  

7.65%, 04/21/25b

    1,558       510,252  

7.75%, 10/13/19b

    2,979       1,366,919  

8.25%, 10/13/24b

    2,700       897,735  

9.00%, 05/07/23b

    2,037       687,487  

9.25%, 09/15/27

    4,552       1,672,869  

9.25%, 05/07/28b

    2,192       723,360  

9.38%, 01/13/34

    1,410       475,883  

11.75%, 10/21/26b

    3,035       1,236,767  

11.95%, 08/05/31b

    4,600       1,835,400  

12.75%, 08/23/22b

    2,900       1,265,578  
   

 

 

 
      12,186,456  

VIETNAM — 0.37%

   

Vietnam Government International Bond

   

4.80%, 11/19/24b

    1,000       1,071,500  

6.75%, 01/29/20b

    1,150       1,253,393  
   

 

 

 
      2,324,893  
   

 

 

 

TOTAL FOREIGN GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS

 

(Cost: $348,209,283)

      350,009,776  

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS — 1.68%

 

MONEY MARKET FUNDS — 1.68%

 

 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury,
SL Agency Shares

   

1.00%f,g

    10,477       10,476,733  
   

 

 

 
      10,476,733  
   

 

 

 

TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS

 

 

(Cost: $10,476,733)

 

    10,476,733  
   

 

 

 
 

 

SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS

     23  


Table of Contents

Schedule of Investments (Continued)

iSHARES® EMERGING MARKETS HIGH YIELD BOND ETF

October 31, 2017

 

            Value  

TOTAL INVESTMENTS
IN SECURITIES — 98.86%

 

 

(Cost: $611,809,521)h

 

  $ 617,717,866  

Other Assets, Less Liabilities — 1.14%

 

    7,149,406  
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS — 100.00%

    $ 624,867,272  
   

 

 

 

CMT  —  Constant Maturity Treasury

VRN  —  Variable Rate Note

 

a  Investments are denominated in U.S. dollars.
b  This security may be resold to qualified foreign investors and foreign institutional buyers under Regulation S of the Securities Act of 1933.
c  Variable rate security. Security may be issued at a fixed coupon rate, which converts to a variable rate at a specified date. Rate shown is the rate in effect as of period end.
d  This security may be resold to qualified institutional buyers under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933.
e  Step coupon security. Coupon rate will either increase (step-up bond) or decrease (step-down bond) at regular intervals until maturity. Interest rate shown reflects the rate currently in effect.
f  Affiliated issuer. See Schedule 1.
g  The rate quoted is the annualized seven-day yield of the fund at period end.
h  The cost of investments (including short positions and derivatives, if any) for federal income tax purposes was $612,830,130. Net unrealized appreciation was $4,887,736, of which $14,248,187 represented gross unrealized appreciation on investments and $9,360,451 represented gross unrealized depreciation on investments.
 

 

Schedule 1 — Affiliates (Note 2)

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliates of the Fund during the year ended October 31, 2017, for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the 1940 Act, and/or related parties of the Fund were as follows:

 

Affiliated issuer  

Shares
held at
10/31/16

(000s)

   

Shares
purchased

(000s)

   

Shares
sold

(000s)

   

Shares
held at
10/31/17

(000s)

    Value at
10/31/17
    Net realized
gain (loss)
 a
    Change in
unrealized
appreciation
(depreciation)
    Income  

BlackRock Cash Funds:
Treasury SL Agency Shares

    246       10,231 b            10,477     $ 10,476,733     $ 16     $     $ 22,768  
           

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
                                                                 

 

  a    Includes realized capital gain distributions from an affiliated fund, if any.
  b    Net of shares purchased and sold.

Schedule 2 — Fair Value Measurements

Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments. For description of the input levels and information about the Fund’s policy regarding valuation of financial instruments, see Note 1.

The following table summarizes the value of the Fund’s investments according to the fair value hierarchy as of October 31, 2017. The breakdown of the Fund’s investments into major categories is disclosed in the schedule of investments above.

 

      Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Investments:

           

Assets:

           

Corporate bonds & notes

   $      $ 257,231,357      $      $ 257,231,357  

Foreign government obligations

            350,009,776               350,009,776  

Money market funds

     10,476,733                      10,476,733  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 10,476,733      $ 607,241,133      $      $ 617,717,866  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
                                     

See notes to financial statements.

 

24    2017 iSHARES ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Table of Contents

Schedule of Investments

iSHARES® J.P. MORGAN EM CORPORATE BOND ETF

October 31, 2017

 

    
Security
      
Principal
(000s)
    Value  

CORPORATE BONDS & NOTES — 95.92%

 

ARGENTINA — 2.31%

 

Cablevision SA

   

6.50%, 06/15/21 (Call 06/15/19)a

  $ 300     $ 320,250  

Pampa Energia SA

   

7.38%, 07/21/23 (Call 07/21/20)a

    200       218,750  

7.50%, 01/24/27 (Call 01/24/22)a

    150       163,530  

Stoneway Capital Corp.

   

10.00%, 03/01/27 (Call 03/01/22)a

    150       159,750  

YPF SA

   

6.95%, 07/21/27a

    100       107,127  

8.50%, 03/23/21a

    200       226,250  

8.50%, 07/28/25a

    125       145,094  

8.75%, 04/04/24a

    580       671,930  
   

 

 

 
      2,012,681  

BRAZIL — 7.94%

 

Banco Bradesco SA/Cayman Islands

   

5.75%, 03/01/22a

    200       214,140  

Banco BTG Pactual SA/Cayman Islands

   

4.00%, 01/16/20a

    200       195,300  

Banco do Brasil SA/Cayman Islands

   

5.88%, 01/26/22a

    200       210,760  

5.88%, 01/19/23a

    200       212,250  

VRN, (10 year CMT + 4.398%)

   

6.25%, (Call 04/15/24)a,b,c

    200       188,500  

VRN, (10 year CMT + 7.327%)

   

9.25%, (Call 04/15/23)a,b,c

    200       225,490  

Banco Votorantim SA

   

7.38%, 01/21/20a

    100       106,750  

Braskem Finance Ltd.

   

5.38%, 05/02/22a

    200       215,560  

BRF SA

   

3.95%, 05/22/23a

    200       199,750  

Centrais Eletricas Brasileiras SA

   

5.75%, 10/27/21a

    200       210,120  

CSN Resources SA

   

6.50%, 07/21/20a

    100       92,520  

Embraer Netherlands Finance BV

   

5.05%, 06/15/25

    100       105,720  

5.40%, 02/01/27

    150       160,725  

Fibria Overseas Finance Ltd.

   

5.25%, 05/12/24

    50       53,750  
    
Security
      
Principal
(000s)
    Value  

GTL Trade Finance Inc.

   

5.89%, 04/29/24 (Call 01/29/24)a

  $ 150     $ 162,097  

Itau Unibanco Holding SA/Cayman Islands

   

5.13%, 05/13/23a

    200       206,300  

5.65%, 03/19/22a

    200       211,500  

JBS Investments GmbH

   

7.75%, 10/28/20 (Call 11/30/17)a

    200       203,410  

JBS USA LUX SA/JBS USA Finance Inc.

   

7.25%, 06/01/21 (Call 11/30/17)a

    100       101,948  

Marfrig Holdings Europe BV

   

8.00%, 06/08/23 (Call 06/08/19)a

    200       208,675  

Odebrecht Finance Ltd.

   

4.38%, 04/25/25a

    200       76,000  

Petrobras Global Finance BV

   

5.30%, 01/27/25d

    158       158,635  

5.63%, 05/20/43

    150       135,225  

5.75%, 01/20/20

    100       105,125  

6.13%, 01/17/22

    200       216,200  

6.25%, 03/17/24

    225       241,504  

6.75%, 01/27/41

    145       146,450  

6.85%, 12/31/99

    100       94,965  

6.88%, 01/20/40

    175       177,944  

7.25%, 03/17/44

    150       157,058  

7.38%, 01/17/27

    200       221,720  

8.38%, 05/23/21

    400       460,520  

8.75%, 05/23/26

    250       302,049  

St. Marys Cement Inc. Canada

   

5.75%, 01/28/27 (Call 10/28/26)a

    200       211,040  

Vale Overseas Ltd.

   

5.88%, 06/10/21e

    100       109,625  

6.25%, 08/10/26

    200       230,450  

6.88%, 11/10/39

    200       237,190  

8.25%, 01/17/34

    125       160,959  
   

 

 

 
      6,927,924  

CHILE — 4.32%

 

Celulosa Arauco y Constitucion SA

   

4.50%, 08/01/24 (Call 05/01/24)

    200       211,250  

4.75%, 01/11/22 (Call 10/11/21)

    37       39,266  

Cencosud SA

   

4.38%, 07/17/27 (Call 04/17/27)a

    400       400,192  

5.15%, 02/12/25 (Call 11/12/24)a

    200       214,250  
 

 

SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS

     25  


Table of Contents

Schedule of Investments (Continued)

iSHARES® J.P. MORGAN EM CORPORATE BOND ETF

October 31, 2017

 

    
Security
      
Principal
(000s)
    Value  

Colbun SA

   

4.50%, 07/10/24 (Call 04/11/24)a

  $ 200     $ 209,500  

Empresa Electrica Angamos SA

   

4.88%, 05/25/29a

    400       401,280  

Empresa Nacional de Telecomunicaciones SA

   

4.75%, 08/01/26 (Call 05/03/26)a

    200       207,600  

4.88%, 10/30/24a

    200       209,760  

Enel Americas SA

   

4.00%, 10/25/26 (Call 07/25/26)

    200       203,500  

GNL Quintero SA

   

4.63%, 07/31/29a,e

    400       416,520  

Inversiones CMPC SA

   

4.38%, 05/15/23a

    400       412,400  

4.75%, 09/15/24 (Call 06/15/24)a

    200       210,250  

LATAM Airlines Group SA

   

7.25%, 06/09/20a

    400       426,400  

VTR Finance BV

   

6.88%, 01/15/24 (Call 01/15/19)a

    200       211,250  
   

 

 

 
      3,773,418  

CHINA — 8.53%

 

Agile Group Holdings Ltd.

   

9.00%, 05/21/20 (Call 05/21/18)a

    200       214,500  

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.

   

3.60%, 11/28/24 (Call 08/28/24)

    200       206,698  

Azure Nova International Finance Ltd.

   

3.50%, 03/21/22a

    200       202,976  

Baidu Inc.

   

4.13%, 06/30/25

    200       210,399  

Bank of China Ltd./Hong Kong

   

3.88%, 06/30/25a

    200       208,308  

Bank of Communications Co. Ltd.

   

VRN, (5 year CMT + 2.850%)

   

4.50%, 10/03/24 (Call 10/03/19)a,b

    200       205,000  

China Cinda Finance 2015 I Ltd.

   

4.25%, 04/23/25a

    400       414,392  

China Construction Bank Corp.

   

VRN, (5 year CMT + 2.425%)

   

3.88%, 05/13/25 (Call 05/13/20)a,b

    200       203,484  

China Evergrande Group

   

7.50%, 06/28/23 (Call 06/28/20)a

    200       202,082  

8.75%, 06/28/25 (Call 06/28/21)a

    200       207,570  
    
Security
      
Principal
(000s)
    Value  

China Overseas Finance Cayman II Ltd.

   

5.50%, 11/10/20a

  $ 100     $ 108,000  

China Overseas Finance Cayman VI Ltd.

   

5.95%, 05/08/24a

    200       228,589  

CITIC Ltd.

   

3.13%, 02/28/22a

    400       400,752  

6.63%, 04/15/21a

    100       111,592  

CMBLEMTN 1 Ltd.

   

3.25%, 11/29/21a

    200       200,066  

CNOOC Finance 2012 Ltd.

   

5.00%, 05/02/42a

    200       226,447  

CNOOC Finance 2015 Australia Pty Ltd.

   

2.63%, 05/05/20

    200       200,500  

CNOOC Nexen Finance 2014 ULC

   

4.25%, 04/30/24

    200       213,080  

CNPC General Capital Ltd.

   

3.40%, 04/16/23a

    200       203,685  

Country Garden Holdings Co. Ltd.

   

7.50%, 03/09/20 (Call 03/09/18)a

    200       210,000  

Fortune Star BVI Ltd.

   

5.25%, 03/23/22 (Call 03/23/20)a

    200       200,773  

Greenland Global Investment Ltd.

   

5.88%, 07/03/24a

    200       203,408  

Huarong Finance 2017 Co. Ltd.

   

4.75%, 04/27/27a

    200       208,935  

Huarong Finance II Co. Ltd.

   

4.50%, 01/16/20a

    200       205,904  

5.50%, 01/16/25a

    200       217,702  

Industrial & Commercial Bank of China Ltd./New York

   

2.91%, 11/13/20

    250       251,096  

Industrial & Commercial Bank of China Ltd./Singapore

   

FRN, (3 mo. LIBOR US + 0.950%)

   

2.26%, 04/24/22a,f

    400       401,500  

JD.com Inc.

   

3.88%, 04/29/26

    200       203,123  

Kaisa Group Holdings Ltd.

   

8.50%, 06/30/22 (Call 06/30/20)a

    200       200,278  

Nexen Energy ULC

   

7.50%, 07/30/39

    100       147,250  
 

 

26    2017 iSHARES ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Table of Contents

Schedule of Investments (Continued)

iSHARES® J.P. MORGAN EM CORPORATE BOND ETF

October 31, 2017

 

    
Security
      
Principal
(000s)
    Value  

Proven Honour Capital Ltd.

   

4.13%, 05/19/25a

  $ 400     $ 416,199  

Shimao Property Holdings Ltd.

   

8.13%, 01/22/21 (Call 01/22/18)a

    200       210,000  

Tencent Holdings Ltd.

   

2.88%, 02/11/20a

    200       202,500  
   

 

 

 
      7,446,788  

COLOMBIA — 4.37%

 

Avianca Holdings SA/Avianca Leasing LLC/Grupo Taca Holdings Ltd.

   

8.38%, 05/10/20 (Call 11/30/17)a

    200       203,620  

Banco de Bogota SA

   

5.38%, 02/19/23a

    200       211,200  

6.25%, 05/12/26a

    200       216,750  

Bancolombia SA

   

5.13%, 09/11/22

    87       90,945  

5.95%, 06/03/21

    400       435,720  

Colombia Telecomunicaciones SA ESP

   

5.38%, 09/27/22 (Call 11/30/17)a

    200       204,000  

8.50%a,c

    100       106,250  

Ecopetrol SA

   

4.13%, 01/16/25

    300       301,125  

5.38%, 06/26/26 (Call 03/26/26)e

    325       347,263  

5.88%, 09/18/23

    200       225,500  

5.88%, 05/28/45

    400       397,000  

7.38%, 09/18/43

    200       231,500  

Grupo Aval Ltd.

   

4.75%, 09/26/22a

    200       204,000  

GrupoSura Finance SA

   

5.50%, 04/29/26 (Call 01/29/26)a

    200       217,000  

Millicom International Cellular SA

   

6.00%, 03/15/25 (Call 03/15/20)a

    200       211,500  

SUAM Finance BV

   

4.88%, 04/17/24a

    200       213,750  
   

 

 

 
      3,817,123  

GHANA — 0.23%

 

Tullow Oil PLC

   

6.25%, 04/15/22 (Call 11/30/17)a

    200       199,250  
   

 

 

 
      199,250  
    
Security
      
Principal
(000s)
    Value  

GUATEMALA — 0.48%

 

Comcel Trust via Comunicaciones Celulares SA

   

6.88%, 02/06/24 (Call 02/06/19)a

  $ 400     $ 421,506  
   

 

 

 
      421,506  

HONG KONG — 5.49%

 

AIA Group Ltd.

   

3.20%, 03/11/25 (Call 12/11/24)a

    200       199,252  

4.50%, 03/16/46 (Call 09/16/45)a

    200       217,816  

Bank of China Hong Kong Ltd.

   

5.55%, 02/11/20a

    400       425,000  

Bank of East Asia Ltd. (The)

   

VRN, (5 year CMT + 2.700%)

   

4.00%, 11/03/26 (Call 11/03/21)a,b

    200       201,836  

CK Hutchison International 16 Ltd.

   

2.75%, 10/03/26a

    600       576,052  

HKT Capital No. 4 Ltd.

   

3.00%, 07/14/26a

    200       191,872  

Hongkong Electric Finance Ltd.

   

2.88%, 05/03/26a

    200       193,502  

Hutchison Whampoa International 11 Ltd.

   

4.63%, 01/13/22a

    400       429,183  

Li & Fung Ltd.

   

5.25%, (Call 11/03/21)a,c

    200       188,000  

Noble Group Ltd.

   

6.75%, 01/29/20a

    200       82,500  

NWD Finance BVI Ltd.

   

5.75%, (Call 10/05/21)a,c

    200       202,300  

NWD MTN Ltd.

   

5.25%, 02/26/21a

    400       425,710  

OVPH Ltd.

   

5.88%, (Call 03/01/21)a,c

    200       209,652  

PCPD Capital Ltd.

   

4.75%, 03/09/22a

    200       204,052  

Radiant Access Ltd.

   

4.60%, (Call 05/18/20)a,c

    200       195,389  

Sun Hung Kai Properties Capital Market Ltd.

   

4.50%, 02/14/22a

    200       213,703  

Swire Pacific MTN Financing Ltd.

   

4.50%, 10/09/23a

    400       431,250  
 

 

SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS

     27  


Table of Contents

Schedule of Investments (Continued)

iSHARES® J.P. MORGAN EM CORPORATE BOND ETF

October 31, 2017

 

    
Security
      
Principal
(000s)
    Value  

TVB Finance Ltd.

   

3.63%, 10/11/21a

  $ 200     $ 199,432  
   

 

 

 
      4,786,501  

INDIA — 5.16%

 

ABJA Investment Co. Pte Ltd.

   

5.95%, 07/31/24a

    200       213,508  

Adani Ports & Special Economic Zone Ltd.

   

3.50%, 07/29/20a

    200       203,489  

Axis Bank Ltd./Dubai

   

3.25%, 05/21/20a

    200       202,284  

Bharat Petroleum Corp. Ltd.

   

4.00%, 05/08/25a

    200       205,103  

Bharti Airtel International Netherlands BV

   

5.13%, 03/11/23a

    400       428,847  

Delhi International Airport Ltd.

   

6.13%, 10/31/26a

    200       215,060  

Greenko Dutch BV

   

5.25%, 07/24/24 (Call 07/24/20)a

    200       203,804  

ICICI Bank Ltd./Dubai

   

3.13%, 08/12/20a

    200       201,500  

3.50%, 03/18/20a

    200       203,273  

ICICI Bank Ltd./Hong Kong

   

5.75%, 11/16/20a

    100       108,526  

Indian Oil Corp. Ltd.

   

5.75%, 08/01/23a

    200       225,218  

JSW Steel Ltd.

   

5.25%, 04/13/22a

    200       206,216  

NTPC Ltd.

   

4.38%, 11/26/24a

    200       212,680  

Oil India Ltd.

   

5.38%, 04/17/24a

    200       222,982  

ONGC Videsh Ltd.

   

4.63%, 07/15/24a

    200       214,324  

Reliance Holdings USA Inc.

   

5.40%, 02/14/22a

    250       274,245  

Reliance Industries Ltd.

   

4.13%, 01/28/25a

    500       522,109  

Vedanta Resources PLC

   

7.13%, 05/31/23a

    200       215,500  

8.25%, 06/07/21a

    200       223,500  
   

 

 

 
      4,502,168  
    
Security
      
Principal
(000s)
    Value  

INDONESIA — 1.19%

 

Indo Energy Finance II BV

   

6.38%, 01/24/23 (Call 01/24/18)a

  $ 200     $ 201,588  

Listrindo Capital BV

   

4.95%, 09/14/26 (Call 09/14/21)a

    200       202,991  

Minejesa Capital BV

   

4.63%, 08/10/30d

    200       204,277  

5.63%, 08/10/37d,e

    200       212,751  

Perusahaan Gas Negara Persero Tbk

   

5.13%, 05/16/24a

    200       217,250  
   

 

 

 
      1,038,857  

ISRAEL — 4.34%

 

Altice Financing SA

   

6.63%, 02/15/23 (Call 02/15/18)a

    400       419,640  

7.50%, 05/15/26 (Call 05/15/21)a

    600       657,000  

Israel Electric Corp. Ltd.

   

6.88%, 06/21/23a

    200       233,000  

Series 6

   

5.00%, 11/12/24d

    200       214,750  

Teva Pharmaceutical Finance Co. BV

   

2.95%, 12/18/22

    200       187,650  

Series 2

   

3.65%, 11/10/21

    500       491,875  

Teva Pharmaceutical Finance Co. LLC

   

6.15%, 02/01/36e

    200       204,450  

Teva Pharmaceutical Finance Netherlands III BV

   

2.20%, 07/21/21

    300       282,000  

2.80%, 07/21/23e

    400       368,006  

3.15%, 10/01/26e

    600       530,958  

4.10%, 10/01/46e

    250       198,997  
   

 

 

 
      3,788,326  

JAMAICA — 1.35%

 

Digicel Group Ltd.

   

7.13%, 04/01/22 (Call 11/30/17)a,e

    200       188,540  

8.25%, 09/30/20 (Call 11/30/17)a

    400       395,150  

Digicel Ltd.

   

6.00%, 04/15/21 (Call 11/30/17)a

    200       196,750  

6.75%, 03/01/23 (Call 03/01/18)a,e

    400       394,500  
   

 

 

 
      1,174,940  

KAZAKHSTAN — 0.69%

 

Kazkommertsbank JSC

   

5.50%, 12/21/22 (Call 11/30/17)a

    200       198,000  
 

 

28    2017 iSHARES ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Table of Contents

Schedule of Investments (Continued)

iSHARES® J.P. MORGAN EM CORPORATE BOND ETF

October 31, 2017

 

    
Security
      
Principal
(000s)
    Value  

Nostrum Oil & Gas Finance BV

   

8.00%, 07/25/22 (Call 07/25/19)a

  $ 200     $ 208,323  

Tengizchevroil Finance Co. International Ltd.

   

4.00%, 08/15/26a

    200       196,250  
   

 

 

 
      602,573  

KUWAIT — 2.07%

 

Burgan Senior SPC Ltd.

   

3.13%, 09/14/21a

    400       400,000  

Equate Petrochemical BV

   

3.00%, 03/03/22a

    400       396,200  

4.25%, 11/03/26a

    200       205,625  

Kuwait Projects Co. SPC Ltd.

   

4.50%, 02/23/27a

    200       200,500  

5.00%, 03/15/23a

    200       211,500  

NBK SPC Ltd.

   

2.75%, 05/30/22a

    400       395,003  
   

 

 

 
      1,808,828  

MACAU — 1.17%

 

Bank of China Ltd./Macau

   

2.88%, 04/20/22a

    200       200,567  

Melco Resorts Finance Ltd.

   

4.88%, 06/06/25 (Call 06/06/20)a

    200       202,329  

Studio City Co. Ltd.

   

7.25%, 11/30/21 (Call 11/30/18)a

    200       213,500  

Wynn Macau Ltd.

   

4.88%, 10/01/24 (Call 10/01/20)a

    400       406,520  
   

 

 

 
      1,022,916  

MALAYSIA — 1.41%

 

Axiata SPV2 Bhd

   

4.36%, 03/24/26a

    200       212,079  

Gohl Capital Ltd.

   

4.25%, 01/24/27a

    400       414,033  

Malayan Banking Bhd

   

VRN, (5 year USD Swap + 2.542%)

   

3.91%, 10/29/26 (Call 10/29/21)a,b

    200       206,146  

RHB Bank Bhd

   

2.50%, 10/06/21a

    200       197,504  

TNB Global Ventures Capital Bhd

   

3.24%, 10/19/26a

    200       195,796  
   

 

 

 
      1,225,558  

MEXICO — 5.72%

 

Alfa SAB de CV

   

5.25%, 03/25/24 (Call 12/25/23)a

    200       212,250  
    
Security
      
Principal
(000s)
    Value  

America Movil SAB de CV

   

3.13%, 07/16/22

  $ 200     $ 204,253  

5.00%, 03/30/20

    200       212,460  

6.13%, 03/30/40e

    200       248,200  

6.38%, 03/01/35

    200       249,120  

Banco Inbursa SA Institucion de Banca Multiple

   

4.13%, 06/06/24a

    150       150,405  

Banco Mercantil del Norte SA/Grand Cayman

   

VRN, (10 year CMT + 5.353%)

   

7.63%, (Call 01/06/28)a,b,c

    200       217,400  

Banco Santander Mexico SA

   

4.13%, 11/09/22a

    150       155,438  

BBVA Bancomer SA/Texas

   

4.38%, 04/10/24a

    150       157,500  

6.75%, 09/30/22a

    300       339,390  

Cemex SAB de CV

   

6.13%, 05/05/25 (Call 05/05/20)a

    200       213,400  

7.75%, 04/16/26 (Call 04/16/21)a

    200       226,520  

Coca-Cola Femsa SAB de CV

   

3.88%, 11/26/23

    150       157,459  

4.63%, 02/15/20

    100       105,000  

El Puerto de Liverpool SAB de CV

   

3.88%, 10/06/26a

    200       196,750  

Fomento Economico Mexicano SAB de CV

   

4.38%, 05/10/43e

    150       152,130  

Grupo Bimbo SAB de CV

   

4.50%, 01/25/22a

    100       105,750  

4.88%, 06/27/44a

    200       200,774  

Grupo Televisa SAB

   

5.00%, 05/13/45 (Call 11/13/44)

    200       199,700  

6.63%, 01/15/40

    100       121,125  

Mexichem SAB de CV

   

4.88%, 09/19/22a

    200       213,000  

Sigma Alimentos SA de CV

   

4.13%, 05/02/26 (Call 02/02/26)a

    200       199,875  

Southern Copper Corp.

   

5.25%, 11/08/42

    100       108,555  

5.88%, 04/23/45

    150       175,335  

6.75%, 04/16/40

    100       125,500  

7.50%, 07/27/35

    100       132,250  
 

 

SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS

     29  


Table of Contents

Schedule of Investments (Continued)

iSHARES® J.P. MORGAN EM CORPORATE BOND ETF

October 31, 2017

 

    
Security
      
Principal
(000s)
    Value  

Trust F/1401

   

5.25%, 01/30/26 (Call 10/30/25)a

  $ 200     $ 213,260  
   

 

 

 
      4,992,799  

MOROCCO — 0.73%

 

OCP SA

   

4.50%, 10/22/25a

    200       199,750  

5.63%, 04/25/24a

    200       214,750  

6.88%, 04/25/44a

    200       225,500  
   

 

 

 
      640,000  

NIGERIA — 0.48%

 

IHS Netherlands Holdco BV

   

9.50%, 10/27/21 (Call 10/27/18)a

    200       212,000  

Zenith Bank PLC

   

7.38%, 05/30/22a

    200       207,875  
   

 

 

 
      419,875  

PANAMA — 0.72%

 

Banco Internacional del Peru SAA/Panama

   

5.75%, 10/07/20a

    200       218,000  

C&W Senior Financing Designated Activity Co.

   

6.88%, 09/15/27 (Call 09/15/22)a

    200       209,022  

Global Bank Corp.

   

4.50%, 10/20/21a

    200       204,750  
   

 

 

 
      631,772  

PERU — 2.23%

 

Banco de Credito del Peru

   

4.25%, 04/01/23a

    600       634,500  

Banco de Credito del Peru/Panama

   

5.38%, 09/16/20a

    100       108,125  

BBVA Banco Continental SA

   

5.00%, 08/26/22a

    150       163,125  

Lima Metro Line 2 Finance Ltd.

   

5.88%, 07/05/34a

    200       220,000  

Nexa Resources SA

   

5.38%, 05/04/27 (Call 02/04/27)a,e

    200       211,506  

Orazul Energy Egenor S en C por A

   

5.63%, 04/28/27a

    200       196,240  

Transportadora de Gas del Peru SA

   

4.25%, 04/30/28a

    400       412,500  
   

 

 

 
      1,945,996  
    
Security
      
Principal
(000s)
    Value  

PHILIPPINES — 0.48%

 

JGSH Philippines Ltd.

   

4.38%, 01/23/23a

  $ 400     $ 416,000  
   

 

 

 
      416,000  

QATAR — 2.78%

 

ABQ Finance Ltd.

   

3.50%, 02/22/22a

    200       197,250  

CBQ Finance Ltd.

   

3.25%, 06/13/21a

    200       198,000  

Nakilat Inc.

   

6.07%, 12/31/33a

    200       233,500  

Ooredoo International Finance Ltd.

   

3.25%, 02/21/23a

    200       198,000  

3.88%, 01/31/28a

    200       199,700  

5.00%, 10/19/25a

    400       433,000  

QNB Finance Ltd.

   

2.13%, 09/07/21a

    200       191,000  

2.88%, 04/29/20a

    200       198,250  

Ras Laffan Liquefied Natural Gas Co. Ltd. III

   

5.84%, 09/30/27a

    250       283,750  

6.33%, 09/30/27a

    250       288,500  
   

 

 

 
      2,420,950  

RUSSIA — 5.76%

 

Alfa Bank AO Via Alfa Bond Issuance PLC

   

7.75%, 04/28/21a

    200       225,750  

ALROSA Finance SA

   

7.75%, 11/03/20a

    200       224,500  

Credit Bank of Moscow Via CBOM Finance PLC

   

VRN, (5 year USD Swap + 5.416%)

   

7.50%, 10/05/27 (Call 10/05/22)a,b

    200       184,500  

Evraz Group SA

   

8.25%, 01/28/21a

    200       225,500  

Gazprom Neft OAO Via GPN Capital SA

   

6.00%, 11/27/23a

    200       221,060  

Gazprom OAO Via Gaz Capital SA

   

4.95%, 07/19/22a

    200       209,250  

4.95%, 02/06/28a

    200       204,750  

6.51%, 03/07/22a

    100       110,625  
 

 

30    2017 iSHARES ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Table of Contents

Schedule of Investments (Continued)

iSHARES® J.P. MORGAN EM CORPORATE BOND ETF

October 31, 2017

 

    
Security
      
Principal
(000s)
    Value  

7.29%, 08/16/37a

  $ 100     $ 121,375  

8.63%, 04/28/34a

    150       202,688  

Lukoil International Finance BV

   

4.56%, 04/24/23a

    200       208,000  

6.66%, 06/07/22a

    120       135,150  

MMC Norilsk Nickel OJSC via MMC Finance DAC

   

4.10%, 04/11/23a

    200       201,500  

Novolipetsk Steel via Steel Funding DAC

   

4.50%, 06/15/23a

    200       206,750  

Polyus Finance PLC

   

5.25%, 02/07/23a

    200       209,250  

Rosneft Finance SA

   

7.25%, 02/02/20a

    100       108,625  

Rusal Capital DAC

   

5.30%, 05/03/23a

    200       205,106  

Sberbank of Russia Via SB Capital SA

   

5.13%, 10/29/22a

    200       208,500  

6.13%, 02/07/22a

    200       218,750  

VRN, (5 year CMT + 4.023%)

   

5.50%, 02/26/24 (Call 02/26/19)a,b

    200       204,500  

Severstal OAO Via Steel Capital SA

   

5.90%, 10/17/22a

    200       222,000  

VEON Holdings BV

   

4.95%, 06/16/24 (Call 03/16/24)a

    200       204,832  

5.95%, 02/13/23a

    200       216,500  

VTB Bank OJSC Via VTB Capital SA

   

6.55%, 10/13/20a

    100       109,000  

6.95%, 10/17/22a

    400       435,000  
   

 

 

 
      5,023,461  

SAUDI ARABIA — 1.69%

 

Acwa Power Management And Investments One Ltd.

   

5.95%, 12/15/39a

    200       207,021  

Saudi Electricity Global Sukuk Co. 3

   

4.00%, 04/08/24a

    800       831,000  

5.50%, 04/08/44a

    400       436,500  
   

 

 

 
      1,474,521  

SINGAPORE — 3.17%

 

DBS Group Holdings Ltd.

   

VRN, (5 year USD Swap + 2.390%)

   

3.60%, (Call 09/07/21)a,b,c

    200       200,796  
    
Security
      
Principal
(000s)
    Value  

Flex Ltd.

   

4.75%, 06/15/25 (Call 03/15/25)

  $ 400     $ 429,922  

Global Logistic Properties Ltd.

   

3.88%, 06/04/25a

    200       194,296  

Olam International Ltd.

   

VRN, (5 year CMT + 6.290%)

   

5.35%, (Call 07/20/21)a,b,c

    200       203,250  

Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp. Ltd.

   

4.25%, 06/19/24a

    400       417,617  

VRN, (5 year USD Swap + 2.279%)

   

3.15%, 03/11/23 (Call 03/11/18)a,b

    200       200,497  

SingTel Group Treasury Pte Ltd.

   

3.25%, 06/30/25a

    500       508,571  

United Overseas Bank Ltd.

   

VRN, (5 year USD Swap + 2.236%)

   

3.50%, 09/16/26 (Call 09/16/21)a,b

    600       610,418  
   

 

 

 
      2,765,367  

SOUTH AFRICA — 2.75%

 

AngloGold Ashanti Holdings PLC

   

5.13%, 08/01/22

    100       104,875  

5.38%, 04/15/20

    400       419,500  

Liquid Telecommunications Financing PLC

   

8.50%, 07/13/22 (Call 07/13/20)d

    200       210,898  

MTN Mauritius Investment Ltd.

   

4.76%, 11/11/24a

    200       198,250  

5.37%, 02/13/22a

    400       411,500  

Myriad International Holdings BV

   

5.50%, 07/21/25 (Call 04/21/25)a

    400       434,000  

6.00%, 07/18/20a

    200       215,000  

Sasol Financing International Ltd.

   

4.50%, 11/14/22

    200       200,500  

Stillwater Mining Co.

   

7.13%, 06/27/25 (Call 06/27/21)d

    200       205,681  
   

 

 

 
      2,400,204  

SOUTH KOREA — 4.29%

 

Hyundai Capital America

   

3.00%, 10/30/20a

    300       301,248  

Hyundai Capital Services Inc.

   

3.00%, 03/06/22a

    400       396,808  

Korea East-West Power Company Ltd.

   

2.63%, 06/19/22a

    200       197,644  
 

 

SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS

     31  


Table of Contents

Schedule of Investments (Continued)

iSHARES® J.P. MORGAN EM CORPORATE BOND ETF

October 31, 2017

 

    
Security
      
Principal
(000s)
    Value  

Korea Gas Corp.

   

3.50%, 07/21/25a

  $ 200     $ 202,845  

3.50%, 07/02/26a

    400       404,590  

4.25%, 11/02/20a

    100       104,194  

Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co. Ltd.

   

3.00%, 09/19/22a

    200       200,350  

NongHyup Bank

   

2.88%, 07/17/22a

    200       198,668  

POSCO

   

4.25%, 10/28/20a

    100       104,179  

5.25%, 04/14/21a

    200       215,248  

Shinhan Bank Co. Ltd.

   

2.25%, 04/15/20a

    200       197,488  

2.88%, 03/28/22a

    400       398,312  

Woori Bank

   

2.63%, 07/20/21a

    200       197,885  

4.75%, 04/30/24a

    400       419,356  

VRN, (5 year CMT + 3.328%)

   

5.00%, 06/10/45 (Call 06/10/20)a,b

    200       204,946  
   

 

 

 
      3,743,761  

TAIWAN — 0.23%

 

Formosa Group Cayman Ltd.

 

3.38%, 04/22/25a

    200       201,140  
   

 

 

 
      201,140  

THAILAND — 1.80%

 

Bangkok Bank PCL/Hong Kong

 

4.80%, 10/18/20a

    300       318,928  

5.00%, 10/03/23a

    200       221,076  

PTT Global Chemical PCL

   

4.25%, 09/19/22a

    200       211,445  

PTT PCL

   

3.38%, 10/25/22a

    200       204,275  

4.50%, 10/25/42a

    200       203,700  

PTTEP Treasury Center Co. Ltd.

   

VRN, (5 year CMT + 2.724%)

   

4.60%, (Call 07/17/22)a,b,c

    200       203,750  

Thai Oil PCL

   

3.63%, 01/23/23a

    200       205,306  
   

 

 

 
      1,568,480  

TURKEY — 4.43%

 

Akbank Turk AS

 

5.00%, 10/24/22a

    150       149,747  
    
Security
      
Principal
(000s)
    Value  

5.13%, 03/31/25a

  $ 200     $ 193,750  

Finansbank AS/Turkey

   

4.88%, 05/19/22a

    200       197,549  

KOC Holding AS

   

3.50%, 04/24/20a

    200       201,000  

Turk Telekomunikasyon AS

   

4.88%, 06/19/24a

    200       202,300  

Turkiye Garanti Bankasi AS

   

5.88%, 03/16/23a

    400       411,500  

6.25%, 04/20/21a

    200       210,500  

Turkiye Halk Bankasi AS

   

4.75%, 02/11/21a

    200       194,500  

Turkiye Is Bankasi

   

5.00%, 04/30/20a

    200       201,000  

5.00%, 06/25/21a

    200       198,750  

5.38%, 10/06/21a

    200       200,000  

5.50%, 04/21/22a

    200       199,750  

VRN, (5 year USD Swap + 5.117%)

   

7.00%, 06/29/28 (Call 06/29/23)a,b

    200       196,324  

Turkiye Vakiflar Bankasi TAO

   

6.00%, 11/01/22a

    200       197,000  

VRN, (5 year USD Swap + 5.439%)

   

6.88%, 02/03/25 (Call 02/03/20)a,b

    200       200,750  

Yapi ve Kredi Bankasi AS

   

4.00%, 01/22/20a

    200       197,750  

5.50%, 12/06/22a

    200       193,750  

VRN, (5 year USD Swap + 7.400%)

   

8.50%, 03/09/26 (Call 03/09/21)a,b

    300       318,000  
   

 

 

 
      3,863,920  

UKRAINE — 0.80%

 

DTEK Finance PLC

 

5.50% (10.75% PIK), 12/31/24 (Call 12/01/17)g

    257       264,952  

MHP SE

 

8.25%, 04/02/20a

    400       432,000  
   

 

 

 
      696,952  

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES — 5.15%

 

Abu Dhabi National Energy Co. PJSC

 

3.63%, 06/22/21a

    200       203,600  

3.63%, 01/12/23a

    200       202,500  

4.38%, 06/22/26a

    400       412,500  

6.50%, 10/27/36a

    100       126,000  
 

 

32    2017 iSHARES ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Table of Contents

Schedule of Investments (Continued)

iSHARES® J.P. MORGAN EM CORPORATE BOND ETF

October 31, 2017

 

    
Security
      
Principal
(000s)
    Value  

ADCB Finance Cayman Ltd.

 

4.50%, 03/06/23a

  $ 200     $ 210,000  

BOS Funding Ltd.

 

4.23%, 03/07/22a

    400       408,462  

DIB Sukuk Ltd.

 

3.66%, 02/14/22a

    200       203,000  

Dolphin Energy Ltd.

 

5.50%, 12/15/21a

    200       218,250  

DP World Crescent Ltd.

 

3.91%, 05/31/23a

    400       409,500  

DP World Ltd.

 

6.85%, 07/02/37a

    200       247,922  

Emaar Sukuk Ltd.

 

3.64%, 09/15/26a

    200       196,750  

EMG SUKUK Ltd.

 

4.56%, 06/18/24a

    200       208,500  

Emirates NBD Tier 1 Ltd.

 

VRN, (6 year USD Swap + 4.513%)

 

5.75%, 05/29/49 (Call 05/30/19)a,b,c

    400       405,500  

First Abu Dhabi Bank PJSC

 

2.25%, 02/11/20a

    200       198,500  

3.00%, 03/30/22a

    400       400,600  

MAF Global Securities Ltd.

 

4.75%, 05/07/24a

    200       211,750  

Ruwais Power Co. PJSC

 

6.00%, 08/31/36a

    200       234,250  
   

 

 

 
      4,497,584  

UNITED KINGDOM — 0.46%

 

Petra Diamonds U.S. Treasury PLC

 

7.25%, 05/01/22 (Call 05/01/19)a,e

    200       198,000  

Saka Energi Indonesia PT

 

4.45%, 05/05/24a

    200       203,766  
   

 

 

 
      401,766  

ZAMBIA — 1.20%

 

First Quantum Minerals Ltd.

 

7.00%, 02/15/21 (Call 02/15/18)a

    400       415,300  

7.25%, 04/01/23 (Call 10/01/19)a

    600       635,250  
   

 

 

 
      1,050,550  
   

 

 

 

TOTAL CORPORATE BONDS & NOTES

 

 

(Cost: $82,282,712)

 

    83,704,455  
    
Security
  Principal
or Shares
(000s)
    Value  

FOREIGN GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONSh — 1.02%

 

NIGERIA — 0.23%

 

Africa Finance Corp.

 

3.88%, 04/13/24a

  $ 200     $ 202,250  
   

 

 

 
      202,250  

SOUTH KOREA — 0.32%

 

Korea Gas Corp.

 

6.25%, 01/20/42a

    200       279,750  
   

 

 

 
      279,750  

SUPRANATIONAL — 0.47%

 

African Export-Import Bank (The)

 

4.00%, 05/24/21a

    400       410,000  
   

 

 

 
      410,000  
   

 

 

 

TOTAL FOREIGN GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS

 

(Cost: $893,034)

 

    892,000  

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS — 6.92%

 

MONEY MARKET FUNDS — 6.92%

 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional,
SL Agency Shares

 

 

1.31%i,j,k

    3,412       3,412,856  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury,
SL Agency Shares

 

 

1.00%i,j

    2,623       2,623,000  
   

 

 

 
      6,035,856  
   

 

 

 

TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS

 

 

(Cost: $6,035,673)

 

    6,035,856  
   

 

 

 
 

 

SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS

     33  


Table of Contents

Schedule of Investments (Continued)

iSHARES® J.P. MORGAN EM CORPORATE BOND ETF

October 31, 2017

 

            Value  

TOTAL INVESTMENTS
IN SECURITIES — 103.86%

 

 

(Cost: $89,211,419)l

    $ 90,632,311  

Other Assets, Less Liabilities — (3.86)%

 

    (3,363,721
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS — 100.00%

 

  $ 87,268,590  
   

 

 

 

 

CMT

 

—  Constant Maturity Treasury

FRN

 

—  Floating Rate Note

VRN

 

—  Variable Rate Note

 

a  This security may be resold to qualified foreign investors and foreign institutional buyers under Regulation S of the Securities Act of 1933.
b  Variable rate security. Security may be issued at a fixed coupon rate, which converts to a variable rate at a specified date. Rate shown is the rate in effect as of period end.
c  Security is perpetual in nature with no stated maturity date.
d  This security may be resold to qualified institutional buyers under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933.
e  All or a portion of this security represents a security on loan. See Note 1.
f  Floating rate security. Rate shown is the rate in effect as of period end.
g  Payment-in-kind (“PIK”) bond which gives the issuer an option to make coupon payments in cash or in the form of additional bonds. Stated interest rate represents the cash coupon rate.
h  Investments are denominated in U.S. dollars.
i  Affiliated issuer. See Schedule 1.
j  The rate quoted is the annualized seven-day yield of the fund at period end.
k  All or a portion of this security represents an investment of securities lending collateral. See Note 1.
l  The cost of investments (including short positions and derivatives, if any) for federal income tax purposes was $89,231,448. Net unrealized appreciation was $1,400,863, of which $1,887,268 represented gross unrealized appreciation on investments and $486,405 represented gross unrealized depreciation on investments.
 

 

Schedule 1 — Affiliates (Note 2)

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliates of the Fund during the year ended October 31, 2017, for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the 1940 Act, and/or related parties of the Fund were as follows:

 

Affiliated issuer  

Shares
held at
10/31/16

(000s)

   

Shares
purchased

(000s)

   

Shares
sold

(000s)

   

Shares
held at
10/31/17

(000s)

    Value at
10/31/17
    Net realized
gain (loss)
 a
    Change in
unrealized
appreciation
(depreciation)
    Income  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional,
SL Agency Shares

    1,149      
2,263
b 
          3,412     $ 3,412,856     $ 225     $ 105     $ c  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury,
SL Agency Shares

    339       2,284 b            2,623       2,623,000       43             11,668  
         

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
          $ 6,035,856     $ 268     $ 105     $ 11,668  
         

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
                                                                 

 

  a    Includes realized capital gain distributions from an affiliated fund, if any.
  b    Net of shares purchased and sold.
  c    Does not include income earned on the investment of securities lending cash collateral which is not direct income of the Fund and is reflected as a component of securities lending income in the statement of operations.

Schedule 2 — Fair Value Measurements

Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments. For description of the input levels and information about the Fund’s policy regarding valuation of financial instruments, see Note 1.

The following table summarizes the value of the Fund’s investments according to the fair value hierarchy as of October 31, 2017. The breakdown of the Fund’s investments into major categories is disclosed in the schedule of investments above.

 

      Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Investments:

 

Assets:

 

Corporate bonds & notes

   $      $ 83,704,455      $      $ 83,704,455  

Foreign government obligations

            892,000               892,000  

Money market funds

     6,035,856                      6,035,856  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 6,035,856      $ 84,596,455      $      $ 90,632,311  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
                                     

See notes to financial statements.

 

34    2017 iSHARES ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Table of Contents

Schedule of Investments

iSHARES® J.P. MORGAN EM LOCAL CURRENCY BOND ETF

October 31, 2017

 

Security  

    
Principal
(000s)

    Value  

FOREIGN GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS — 96.63%

 

ARGENTINA — 4.08%

 

Argentine Bonos del Tesoro

     

15.50%, 10/17/26

    ARS       83,600     $ 4,935,510  

16.00%, 10/17/23

    ARS       60,440       3,447,820  

18.20%, 10/03/21

    ARS       73,200       4,240,596  
     

 

 

 
        12,623,926  

BRAZIL — 14.68%

 

Brazil Letras do Tesouro Nacional

     

0.00%, 01/01/19

    BRL       20,093       5,665,491  

0.00%, 04/01/19

    BRL       18,700       5,164,574  

0.00%, 07/01/19

    BRL       20,000       5,400,619  

0.00%, 01/01/20

    BRL       13,571       3,487,315  

0.00%, 07/01/20

    BRL       7,850       1,918,750  

Brazil Notas do Tesouro Nacional

     

Series F

     

10.00%, 01/01/18

    BRL       389       119,394  

10.00%, 01/01/19

    BRL       6,862       2,158,216  

10.00%, 01/01/21

    BRL       11,148       3,496,421  

10.00%, 01/01/23

    BRL       26,884       8,353,900  

10.00%, 01/01/25

    BRL       14,215       4,391,497  

10.00%, 01/01/27

    BRL       13,123       4,044,630  

Brazilian Government International Bond

     

8.50%, 01/05/24

    BRL       500       154,753  

10.25%, 01/10/28

    BRL       1,420       468,797  

12.50%, 01/05/22

    BRL       1,633       562,828  
     

 

 

 
        45,387,185  

CHILE — 4.42%

 

Bonos de la Tesoreria de la Republica en pesos

     

4.50%, 02/28/21

    CLP       970,000       1,564,780  

4.50%, 03/01/21

    CLP       955,000       1,539,505  

4.50%, 03/01/26

    CLP       3,365,000       5,309,351  

5.00%, 03/01/35

    CLP       2,300,000       3,685,112  

6.00%, 01/01/43

    CLP       515,000       915,372  

Chile Government International Bond

     

5.50%, 08/05/20

    CLP       390,000       647,649  
     

 

 

 
        13,661,769  
Security  

    
Principal
(000s)

    Value  

COLOMBIA — 4.31%

 

Colombia Government International Bond

     

7.75%, 04/14/21

    COP       496,000     $ 172,328  

9.85%, 06/28/27

    COP       2,058,000       845,623  

Colombian TES

     

5.00%, 11/21/18

    COP       1,300,000       427,393  

6.00%, 04/28/28

    COP       4,535,000       1,404,268  

7.00%, 09/11/19

    COP       2,508,000       850,015  

7.00%, 05/04/22

    COP       9,074,200       3,095,213  

7.00%, 06/30/32

    COP       500,000       163,781  

7.50%, 08/26/26

    COP       5,432,800       1,883,552  

7.75%, 09/18/30

    COP       2,580,000       916,064  

10.00%, 07/24/24

    COP       6,692,300       2,629,280  

11.00%, 07/24/20

    COP       2,525,300       940,832  
     

 

 

 
        13,328,349  

CZECH REPUBLIC — 4.41%

 

Czech Republic Government Bond

     

0.95%, 05/15/30a

    CZK       20,560       841,828  

1.50%, 10/29/19a

    CZK       68,270       3,171,510  

2.50%, 08/25/28a

    CZK       25,700       1,262,602  

3.75%, 09/12/20a

    CZK       10,840       536,804  

3.85%, 09/29/21a

    CZK       15,810       806,493  

4.20%, 12/04/36a

    CZK       10,870       654,318  

4.70%, 09/12/22a

    CZK       44,030       2,377,368  

5.70%, 05/25/24a

    CZK       67,610       3,992,913  
     

 

 

 
        13,643,836  

HUNGARY — 4.35%

 

Hungary Government Bond

     

2.50%, 10/27/21

    HUF       353,000       1,401,633  

3.00%, 06/26/24

    HUF       504,000       2,025,667  

3.50%, 06/24/20

    HUF       364,330       1,475,379  

5.50%, 06/24/25

    HUF       646,050       2,982,424  

6.00%, 11/24/23

    HUF       58,850       278,330  

6.50%, 06/24/19

    HUF       348,980       1,442,892  

7.00%, 06/24/22

    HUF       377,160       1,784,235  

7.50%, 11/12/20

    HUF       454,400       2,049,144  
     

 

 

 
        13,439,704  

INDONESIA — 8.24%

 

Indonesia Treasury Bond

     

5.63%, 05/15/23

    IDR       35,164,000       2,469,504  
 

 

SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS

     35  


Table of Contents

Schedule of Investments (Continued)

iSHARES® J.P. MORGAN EM LOCAL CURRENCY BOND ETF

October 31, 2017

 

Security  

    
Principal
(000s)

    Value  

6.13%, 05/15/28

    IDR       44,000,000     $ 3,010,910  

6.63%, 05/15/33

    IDR       2,000,000       137,106  

7.00%, 05/15/22

    IDR       14,846,000       1,119,169  

7.88%, 04/15/19

    IDR       18,697,000       1,412,647  

8.25%, 07/15/21

    IDR       11,750,000       917,491  

8.25%, 06/15/32

    IDR       22,819,000       1,813,299  

8.38%, 03/15/24

    IDR       25,819,000       2,058,190  

8.38%, 09/15/26

    IDR       34,783,000       2,816,365  

8.38%, 03/15/34

    IDR       29,332,000       2,330,340  

8.75%, 05/15/31

    IDR       24,600,000       2,036,852  

9.00%, 03/15/29

    IDR       22,480,000       1,873,427  

9.50%, 07/15/31

    IDR       13,698,000       1,190,862  

10.00%, 09/15/24

    IDR       3,560,000       307,332  

10.00%, 02/15/28

    IDR       9,815,000       878,544  

11.00%, 11/15/20

    IDR       1,748,000       145,279  

11.00%, 09/15/25

    IDR       10,435,000       958,419  
     

 

 

 
        25,475,736  

MALAYSIA — 4.40%

 

Malaysia Government Bond

     

3.48%, 03/15/23

    MYR       859       197,896  

3.49%, 03/31/20

    MYR       17,037       4,026,491  

3.50%, 05/31/27

    MYR       640       141,930  

3.58%, 09/28/18

    MYR       2,760       655,016  

4.05%, 09/30/21

    MYR       16,322       3,901,014  

4.23%, 06/30/31

    MYR       1,300       297,542  

4.50%, 04/15/30

    MYR       1,840       436,994  

4.94%, 09/30/43

    MYR       3,095       726,749  

Malaysia Government Investment Issue

     

4.07%, 09/30/26

    MYR       13,966       3,232,821  
     

 

 

 
        13,616,453  

MEXICO — 11.29%

 

Mexican Bonos

     

5.00%, 12/11/19

    MXN       40,018       2,009,385  

5.75%, 03/05/26

    MXN       34,362       1,633,092  

6.50%, 06/10/21

    MXN       97,620       5,008,747  

6.50%, 06/09/22

    MXN       40,209       2,053,849  

7.50%, 06/03/27

    MXN       126,304       6,701,002  

7.75%, 05/29/31

    MXN       19,399       1,044,259  

7.75%, 11/13/42

    MXN       49,259       2,621,249  

8.00%, 06/11/20

    MXN       18,742       1,002,347  

8.00%, 12/07/23

    MXN       9,446       515,546  
Security  

    
Principal
(000s)

    Value  

8.00%, 11/07/47

    MXN       5,749     $ 314,384  

8.50%, 12/13/18

    MXN       92,539       4,905,476  

8.50%, 11/18/38

    MXN       20,225       1,163,247  

10.00%, 12/05/24

    MXN       45,516       2,756,717  

10.00%, 11/20/36

    MXN       49,004       3,200,899  
     

 

 

 
        34,930,199  

PERU — 4.40%

 

Peru Government Bond

     

5.70%, 08/12/24

    PEN       1,545       504,133  

6.15%, 08/12/32b

    PEN       700       224,732  

6.35%, 08/12/28

    PEN       4,200       1,391,067  

6.90%, 08/12/37

    PEN       3,971       1,333,533  

6.95%, 08/12/31

    PEN       11,900       4,091,662  

8.20%, 08/12/26

    PEN       16,237       6,065,950  
     

 

 

 
        13,611,077  

POLAND — 7.66%

 

Republic of Poland Government Bond

     

0.00%, 04/25/19

    PLN       2,690       724,245  

1.50%, 04/25/20

    PLN       13,010       3,542,270  

1.75%, 07/25/21

    PLN       10,836       2,912,232  

2.50%, 07/25/26

    PLN       9,991       2,566,933  

2.50%, 07/25/27

    PLN       7,300       1,852,078  

3.25%, 07/25/19

    PLN       4,877       1,379,944  

3.25%, 07/25/25

    PLN       5,617       1,542,554  

4.00%, 10/25/23

    PLN       6,866       1,996,600  

5.25%, 10/25/20

    PLN       3,121       935,918  

5.50%, 10/25/19

    PLN       3,477       1,027,004  

5.75%, 10/25/21

    PLN       5,900       1,823,271  

5.75%, 09/23/22

    PLN       10,778       3,375,143  
     

 

 

 
        23,678,192  

ROMANIA — 4.35%

 

Romania Government Bond

     

3.25%, 03/22/21

    RON       14,515       3,710,344  

3.50%, 12/19/22

    RON       19,645       4,970,916  

4.75%, 06/24/19

    RON       7,115       1,873,977  

5.80%, 07/26/27

    RON       3,750       1,056,596  

5.85%, 04/26/23

    RON       6,520       1,832,779  
     

 

 

 
        13,444,612  

RUSSIA — 4.68%

 

Russian Federal Bond — OFZ

     

6.70%, 05/15/19

    RUB       45,757       776,327  

6.80%, 12/11/19

    RUB       43,838       743,724  
 

 

36    2017 iSHARES ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Table of Contents

Schedule of Investments (Continued)

iSHARES® J.P. MORGAN EM LOCAL CURRENCY BOND ETF

October 31, 2017

 

Security  

    
Principal
(000s)

    Value  

7.00%, 01/25/23

    RUB       274,246     $ 4,630,708  

7.05%, 01/19/28

    RUB       60,500       1,005,982  

7.50%, 02/27/19

    RUB       6,927       118,911  

7.50%, 08/18/21

    RUB       75,350       1,297,137  

7.60%, 04/14/21

    RUB       93,910       1,622,390  

7.70%, 03/23/33

    RUB       24,000       412,741  

8.15%, 02/03/27

    RUB       155,934       2,789,329  

8.50%, 09/17/31

    RUB       58,000       1,074,516  
     

 

 

 
        14,471,765  

SOUTH AFRICA — 6.03%

 

Republic of South Africa Government Bond

     

6.25%, 03/31/36

    ZAR       17,469       855,564  

6.50%, 02/28/41

    ZAR       18,685       902,847  

6.75%, 03/31/21

    ZAR       1,000       67,999  

7.25%, 01/15/20

    ZAR       3,528       246,628  

8.00%, 12/21/18

    ZAR       3,471       246,954  

8.00%, 01/31/30

    ZAR       108,381       6,779,478  

8.50%, 01/31/37

    ZAR       26,080       1,604,346  

8.75%, 01/31/44

    ZAR       20,000       1,233,786  

8.75%, 02/28/48

    ZAR       13,832       854,354  

8.88%, 02/28/35

    ZAR       35,000       2,254,425  

10.50%, 12/21/26

    ZAR       46,950       3,601,398  
     

 

 

 
        18,647,779  

THAILAND — 4.95%

 

Thailand Government Bond

     

2.55%, 06/26/20

    THB       66,000       2,039,072  

3.40%, 06/17/36

    THB       21,600       700,083  

3.58%, 12/17/27

    THB       8,886       293,386  

3.63%, 06/16/23

    THB       58,228       1,908,519  

3.65%, 12/17/21

    THB       85,490       2,774,431  

3.78%, 06/25/32

    THB       13,638       456,804  

3.85%, 12/12/25

    THB       52,949       1,779,713  

3.88%, 06/13/19

    THB       46,650       1,458,715  

4.26%, 12/12/37a

    THB       970       34,024  

4.88%, 06/22/29

    THB       104,500       3,861,164  
   

 

 

 
        15,305,911  

TURKEY — 4.38%

 

Turkey Government Bond

     

8.00%, 03/12/25

    TRY       2,652       577,693  

8.50%, 07/10/19

    TRY       9,408       2,331,835  

8.50%, 09/14/22

    TRY       6,549       1,518,851  

8.80%, 09/27/23

    TRY       7,980       1,844,957  

9.00%, 07/24/24

    TRY       5,629       1,309,190  
Security  

Principal

or Shares

(000s)

    Value  

9.50%, 01/12/22

    TRY       10,280     $ 2,493,135  

10.50%, 01/15/20

    TRY       4,503       1,143,971  

10.60%, 02/11/26

    TRY       3,000       750,682  

10.70%, 02/17/21

    TRY       4,500       1,139,357  

11.00%, 02/24/27

    TRY       1,700       434,075  
   

 

 

 
        13,543,746  

TOTAL FOREIGN GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS

 

(Cost: $305,932,851)

 

      298,810,239  

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS — 0.16%

 

MONEY MARKET FUNDS — 0.16%

 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury,
SL Agency Shares

 

   

1.00%c,d

      490       490,410  
   

 

 

 
        490,410  
   

 

 

 

TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS

 

 

(Cost: $490,410)

 

      490,410  
   

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS
IN SECURITIES — 96.79%

 

 

(Cost: $306,423,261)e

 

      299,300,649  

Other Assets, Less Liabilities — 3.21%

 

    9,916,250  
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS — 100.00%

      $ 309,216,899  
   

 

 

 

Currency abbreviations:

 

ARS

 

—  Argentina Peso

BRL

 

—  Brazilian Real

CLP

 

—  Chilean Peso

COP

 

—  Colombian Peso

CZK

 

—  Czech Koruna

HUF

 

—  Hungarian Forint

IDR

 

—  Indonesian Rupiah

MXN

 

—  Mexican Peso

MYR

 

—  Malaysian Ringgit

PEN

 

—  Peru Nuevo Sol

PLN

 

—  Polish Zloty

RON

 

—  Romanian Leu

RUB

 

—  New Russian Ruble

THB

 

—  Thai Baht

TRY

 

—  Turkish Lira

ZAR

 

—  South African Rand

 

a  This security may be resold to qualified foreign investors and foreign institutional buyers under Regulation S of the Securities Act of 1933.
b  This security may be resold to qualified institutional buyers under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933.
c  Affiliated issuer. See Schedule 1.
d  The rate quoted is the annualized seven-day yield of the fund at period end.
e  The cost of investments (including short positions and derivatives, if any) for federal income tax purposes was $310,800,930. Net unrealized depreciation was $11,500,281, of which $7,978,420 represented gross unrealized appreciation on investments and $19,478,701 represented gross unrealized depreciation on investments.
 

 

SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS

     37  


Table of Contents

Schedule of Investments (Continued)

iSHARES® J.P. MORGAN EM LOCAL CURRENCY BOND ETF

October 31, 2017

 

Schedule 1 — Affiliates (Note 2)

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliates of the Fund during the year ended October 31, 2017, for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the 1940 Act, and/or related parties of the Fund were as follows:

 

Affiliated issuer  

Shares
held at
10/31/16

(000s)

   

Shares
purchased

(000s)

   

Shares
sold

(000s)

   

Shares
held at
10/31/17

(000s)

    Value at
10/31/17
    Net realized
gain (loss)
 a
    Change in
unrealized
appreciation
(depreciation)
    Income  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury,
SL Agency Shares

    600             (110 )b      490     $ 490,410     $ 33     $     $ 5,624  
         

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
                                                                 

 

  a    Includes realized capital gain distributions from an affiliated fund, if any.
  b    Net of shares purchased and sold.

Schedule 2 — Fair Value Measurements

Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments. For description of the input levels and information about the Fund’s policy regarding valuation of financial instruments, see Note 1.

The following table summarizes the value of the Fund’s investments according to the fair value hierarchy as of October 31, 2017. The breakdown of the Fund’s investments into major categories is disclosed in the schedule of investments above.

 

      Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Investments:

 

Assets:

 

Foreign government obligations

   $      $ 298,810,239      $      $ 298,810,239  

Money market funds

     490,410                      490,410  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 490,410      $ 298,810,239      $      $ 299,300,649  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
                                     

See notes to financial statements.

 

38    2017 iSHARES ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Table of Contents

Schedule of Investments

iSHARES® US & INTL HIGH YIELD CORP BOND ETF

October 31, 2017

 

Security       
Principal
(000s)
    Value  

CORPORATE BONDS & NOTES — 98.06%

 

AUSTRALIA — 0.18%

 

FMG Resources August 2006 Pty Ltd.

     

4.75%, 05/15/22 (Call 02/15/22)a

    USD       130     $ 132,425  

5.13%, 05/15/24 (Call 02/15/24)a

    USD       135       138,619  

Origin Energy Finance Ltd.

     

VRN, (5 year EUR
Swap + 3.670%)

     

4.00%, 09/16/74 (Call 09/16/19)b,c

    EUR       100       122,093  
     

 

 

 
        393,137  

AUSTRIA — 0.25%

 

Raiffeisen Bank International AG

     

6.00%, 10/16/23c

    EUR       200       283,370  

VRN, (5 year EUR
Swap + 3.300%)

     

4.50%, 02/21/25 (Call 02/21/20)b,c

    EUR       100       124,814  

Raiffeisenlandesbank Niederoesterreich-Wien AG

     

5.88%, 11/27/23c

    EUR       100       131,482  
     

 

 

 
        539,666  

BELGIUM — 0.24%

 

Barry Callebaut Services NV

     

5.63%, 06/15/21c

    EUR       100       138,299  

Ethias SA

     

5.00%, 01/14/26c

    EUR       100       132,641  

Nyrstar Netherlands Holdings BV

     

6.88%, 03/15/24 (Call 03/15/20)c

    EUR       100       124,490  

8.50%, 09/15/19c

    EUR       100       130,161  
     

 

 

 
        525,591  

BERMUDA — 0.07%

 

Weatherford International Ltd.

     

9.88%, 02/15/24 (Call 11/15/23)d

    USD       150       160,500  
     

 

 

 
        160,500  

CANADA — 3.49%

 

1011778 BC ULC/New Red Finance Inc.

     

4.25%, 05/15/24 (Call 05/15/20)a,d

    USD       275       277,337  

4.63%, 01/15/22 (Call 12/01/17)a

    USD       225       230,242  

5.00%, 10/15/25 (Call 10/15/20)a,d

    USD       225       228,937  

Series OCT

     

5.00%, 10/15/25 (Call 10/15/20)a

    USD       250       254,375  
Security       
Principal
(000s)
    Value  

Air Canada

     

4.75%, 10/06/23 (Call 10/06/19)a

    CAD       25     $ 20,004  

7.75%, 04/15/21a

    USD       75       85,613  

Baytex Energy Corp.

     

6.63%, 07/19/22 (Call 11/30/17)

    CAD       50       37,817  

Bombardier Inc.

     

4.75%, 04/15/19a

    USD       50       50,855  

5.75%, 03/15/22a

    USD       150       149,106  

6.00%, 10/15/22 (Call 12/01/17)a

    USD       200       197,750  

6.13%, 05/15/21c

    EUR       100       125,866  

6.13%, 01/15/23a

    USD       225       224,647  

7.50%, 03/15/25 (Call 03/15/20)a

    USD       225       232,290  

7.75%, 03/15/20 a,d

    USD       175       187,687  

8.75%, 12/01/21a

    USD       250       277,332  

Brookfield Residential Properties Inc.

     

6.13%, 05/15/23 (Call 05/15/18)a

    CAD       50       40,295  

6.50%, 12/15/20 (Call 12/01/17)a

    USD       50       51,019  

Brookfield Residential Properties Inc./Brookfield Residential U.S. Corp.

     

6.13%, 07/01/22 (Call 12/01/17)a,d

    USD       75       78,469  

Cascades Inc.

     

5.50%, 07/15/21 (Call 11/30/17)a

    CAD       25       20,139  

CES Energy Solutions Corp.

     

7.38%, 04/17/20 (Call 11/18/17)

    CAD       25       20,140  

Concordia International Corp.

     

7.00%, 04/15/23 (Call 04/15/18)a,e

    USD       13       1,398  

9.50%, 10/21/22 (Call 12/15/18)a

    USD       75       7,950  

Cott Beverages Inc.

     

5.38%, 07/01/22 (Call 12/01/17)

    USD       125       130,156  

Cott Corp.

     

5.50%, 07/01/24 (Call 07/01/19)c

    EUR       100       127,943  

Cott Holdings Inc.

     

5.50%, 04/01/25 (Call 04/01/20)a

    USD       125       128,906  

Crew Energy Inc.

     

6.50%, 03/14/24 (Call 03/14/20)a

    CAD       50       37,696  

Gibson Energy Inc.

     

5.38%, 07/15/22 (Call 11/30/17)a

    CAD       50       39,453  

Great Canadian Gaming Corp.

     

6.63%, 07/25/22 (Call 11/30/17)a

    CAD       50       40,178  

Iron Mountain Canada Operations ULC

     

5.38%, 09/15/23 (Call 09/15/19)a

    CAD       25       20,275  
 

 

SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS

     39  


Table of Contents

Schedule of Investments (Continued)

iSHARES® US & INTL HIGH YIELD CORP BOND ETF

October 31, 2017

 

Security       
Principal
(000s)
    Value  

Jupiter Resources Inc.

     

8.50%, 10/01/22 (Call 12/01/17)a

    USD       175     $ 125,125  

Kinross Gold Corp.

     

4.50%, 07/15/27 (Call 04/15/27)a

    USD       105       106,006  

5.13%, 09/01/21 (Call 06/01/21)

    USD       50       53,345  

5.95%, 03/15/24 (Call 12/15/23)

    USD       105       116,290  

Lundin Mining Corp.

     

7.50%, 11/01/20 (Call 11/20/17)a

    USD       50       51,953  

7.88%, 11/01/22 (Call 11/01/18)a

    USD       75       81,181  

MEG Energy Corp.

     

6.38%, 01/30/23 (Call 12/01/17)a

    USD       150       136,955  

6.50%, 01/15/25 (Call 01/15/20)a,d

    USD       125       124,375  

7.00%, 03/31/24 (Call 09/30/18)a,d

    USD       175       158,812  

Newalta Corp.

     

Series 2

     

7.75%, 11/14/19 (Call 11/30/17)

    CAD       22       16,051  

NOVA Chemicals Corp.

     

4.88%, 06/01/24 (Call 03/03/24)a

    USD       165       168,094  

5.00%, 05/01/25 (Call 01/31/25)a

    USD       50       50,693  

5.25%, 08/01/23 (Call 08/01/18)a

    USD       125       128,750  

5.25%, 06/01/27 (Call 03/03/27)a

    USD       225       229,286  

Open Text Corp.

     

5.63%, 01/15/23 (Call 01/15/18)a

    USD       50       52,277  

5.88%, 06/01/26 (Call 06/01/21)a

    USD       180       195,075  

Parkland Fuel Corp.

     

5.63%, 05/09/25 (Call 05/09/20)

    CAD       100       77,743  

5.75%, 09/16/24 (Call 09/16/19)a

    CAD       25       19,775  

5.75%, 09/16/24 (Call 09/16/19)

    CAD       50       39,550  

6.00%, 11/21/22 (Call 11/30/17)

    CAD       50       40,290  

Precision Drilling Corp.

     

5.25%, 11/15/24 (Call 05/15/19)d

    USD       75       70,148  

Quebecor Media Inc.

     

5.75%, 01/15/23

    USD       225       243,562  

6.63%, 01/15/23a

    CAD       160       136,064  

Russel Metals Inc.

     

6.00%, 04/19/22 (Call 11/30/17)a

    CAD       25       19,999  

Seven Generations Energy Ltd.

     

5.38%, 09/30/25 (Call 09/30/20)a

    USD       110       111,238  

6.75%, 05/01/23 (Call 05/01/18)a

    USD       75       79,373  

6.88%, 06/30/23 (Call 06/30/18)a,d

    USD       125       132,969  

Superior Plus LP

     

5.25%, 02/27/24 (Call 02/27/20)

    CAD       50       39,684  

6.50%, 12/09/21 (Call 12/09/17)

    CAD       25       20,399  
Security       
Principal
(000s)
    Value  

Teck Resources Ltd.

     

3.75%, 02/01/23 (Call 11/01/22)d

    USD       125     $ 126,103  

4.75%, 01/15/22 (Call 10/15/21)

    USD       150       158,438  

8.50%, 06/01/24 (Call 06/01/19)a

    USD       100       114,500  

Trilogy Energy Corp.

     

7.25%, 12/13/19 (Call 11/30/17)

    CAD       25       19,733  

Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc.

     

5.63%, 12/01/21 (Call 12/01/17)a

    USD       175       159,766  

7.50%, 07/15/21 (Call 12/01/17)a

    USD       300       295,500  

Videotron Ltd.

     

5.00%, 07/15/22

    USD       125       135,000  

5.13%, 04/15/27 (Call 04/15/22)a

    USD       135       141,342  

5.38%, 06/15/24 (Call 03/15/24)a,d

    USD       50       54,010  

5.63%, 06/15/25 (Call 03/15/25)

    CAD       50       41,575  

5.75%, 01/15/26 (Call 09/15/20)c

    CAD       75       62,344  

Yellow Pages Digital & Media Solutions Ltd.

     

9.25%, 11/30/18 (Call 11/18/17)

    CAD       26       20,258  
     

 

 

 
        7,477,506  

DENMARK — 0.17%

 

Nassa Topco AS

     

2.88%, 04/06/24 (Call 01/06/24)c

    EUR       100       118,634  

Norican A/S

     

4.50%, 05/15/23 (Call 11/15/19)c

    EUR       100       118,238  

TDC A/S

     

VRN, (5 year EUR
Swap + 3.110%)

     

3.50%, 02/26/49 (Call 02/26/21)b,c

    EUR       100       121,667  
     

 

 

 
        358,539  

FINLAND — 0.48%

 

Nokia OYJ

     

1.00%, 03/15/21 (Call 02/15/21)c

    EUR       100       117,786  

2.00%, 03/15/24 (Call 12/15/23)c

    EUR       125       148,744  

3.38%, 06/12/22

    USD       125       124,375  

4.38%, 06/12/27

    USD       80       80,200  

5.38%, 05/15/19

    USD       73       75,991  

Stora Enso OYJ

     

2.13%, 06/16/23 (Call 03/16/23)c

    EUR       100       122,468  

Teollisuuden Voima OYJ

     

2.13%, 02/04/25 (Call 11/04/24)c

    EUR       100       116,552  

2.50%, 03/17/21c

    EUR       100       122,403  

2.63%, 01/13/23c

    EUR       100       122,509  
     

 

 

 
        1,031,028  
 

 

40    2017 iSHARES ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Table of Contents

Schedule of Investments (Continued)

iSHARES® US & INTL HIGH YIELD CORP BOND ETF

October 31, 2017

 

Security       
Principal
(000s)
    Value  

FRANCE — 3.92%

 

Areva SA

     

3.25%, 09/04/20c

    EUR       100     $ 123,604  

3.50%, 03/22/21

    EUR       200       249,341  

Autodis SA

     

4.38%, 05/01/22 (Call 05/01/18)c

    EUR       100       120,317  

Banijay Group SAS

     

4.00%, 07/01/22 (Call 07/01/19)c

    EUR       100       122,205  

Burger King France SAS

     

6.00%, 05/01/24 (Call 05/01/20)c

    EUR       100       126,267  

Casino Guichard Perrachon SA

     

1.87%, 06/13/22 (Call 03/13/22)c

    EUR       100       119,630  

3.58%, 02/07/25 (Call 11/07/24)c

    EUR       100       123,968  

4.05%, 08/05/26 (Call 05/05/26)c

    EUR       100       127,278  

4.41%, 08/06/19c

    EUR       100       125,266  

4.50%, 03/07/24 (Call 12/07/23)c

    EUR       200       263,091  

4.56%, 01/25/23c

    EUR       100       132,559  

5.24%, 03/09/20

    EUR       100       130,044  

5.98%, 05/26/21c

    EUR       200       274,051  

CMA CGM SA

     

5.25%, 01/15/25 (Call 10/15/20)c

    EUR       100       118,825  

6.50%, 07/15/22 (Call 07/15/19)c

    EUR       100       125,172  

ContourGlobal Power Holdings SA

     

5.13%, 06/15/21 (Call 06/15/18)c

    EUR       100       122,311  

Elis SA

     

3.00%, 04/30/22 (Call 04/30/18)c

    EUR       100       119,474  

Faurecia

     

3.13%, 06/15/22 (Call 06/15/18)c

    EUR       100       120,054  

3.63%, 06/15/23 (Call 06/15/19)c

    EUR       100       123,027  

Groupe Fnac SA

     

3.25%, 09/30/23 (Call 09/30/19)c

    EUR       100       122,890  

La Financiere Atalian SAS

     

4.00%, 05/15/24 (Call 05/15/20)c

    EUR       100       122,252  

Loxam SAS

     

4.88%, 07/23/21 (Call 11/10/17)c

    EUR       73       87,388  

6.00%, 04/15/25 (Call 04/15/20)c

    EUR       100       127,277  

Mobilux Finance SAS

     

5.50%, 11/15/24 (Call 11/15/19)c

    EUR       100       125,343  

NEW Areva Holding SA

     

3.13%, 03/20/23 (Call 12/20/22)c

    EUR       200       244,626  

4.88%, 09/23/24

    EUR       100       131,252  

Nexans SA

     

3.25%, 05/26/21 (Call 02/26/21)c

    EUR       100       126,204  
Security       
Principal
(000s)
    Value  

Novafives SAS

     

4.50%, 06/30/21 (Call 11/10/17)c

    EUR       100     $ 118,707  

Paprec Holding

     

5.25%, 04/01/22 (Call 04/01/18)c

    EUR       125       151,803  

Peugeot SA

     

2.00%, 03/23/24c

    EUR       100       120,337  

2.38%, 04/14/23c

    EUR       100       123,750  

6.50%, 01/18/19c

    EUR       100       125,558  

Rexel SA

     

2.63%, 06/15/24 (Call 03/15/20)c

    EUR       125       149,623  

3.25%, 06/15/22 (Call 06/15/18)c

    EUR       100       120,092  

3.50%, 06/15/23 (Call 06/15/19)c

    EUR       100       122,520  

SFR Group SA

     

5.38%, 05/15/22 (Call 11/30/17)c

    EUR       200       243,341  

5.63%, 05/15/24 (Call 05/15/19)c

    EUR       200       253,303  

6.00%, 05/15/22 (Call 12/01/17)a

    USD       600       625,500  

6.25%, 05/15/24 (Call 05/15/19)a,d

    USD       200       209,578  

7.38%, 05/01/26 (Call 05/01/21)a,d

    USD       1,000       1,074,474  

SMCP Group SAS

     

5.88%, 05/01/23 (Call 05/01/19)c

    EUR       60       75,907  

SPCM SA

     

2.88%, 06/15/23 (Call 06/15/18)c

    EUR       100       119,319  

SPIE SA

     

3.13%, 03/22/24 (Call 09/22/23)c

    EUR       100       121,837  

Synlab Bondco PLC

     

6.25%, 07/01/22 (Call 07/01/18)c

    EUR       150       185,938  

Tereos Finance Groupe I SA

     

4.13%, 06/16/23 (Call 03/16/23)c

    EUR       100       123,376  

Vallourec SA

     

2.25%, 09/30/24c

    EUR       100       95,824  

3.25%, 08/02/19c

    EUR       100       120,607  

Verallia Packaging SASU

     

5.13%, 08/01/22 (Call 08/01/18)c

    EUR       100       122,988  

WFS Global Holding SAS

     

9.50%, 07/15/22 (Call 07/15/18)c

    EUR       100       127,071  
     

 

 

 
        8,385,169  

GERMANY — 2.75%

 

Bilfinger SE

     

2.38%, 12/07/19c

    EUR       100       120,633  

BMBG Bond Finance SCA

     

3.00%, 06/15/21 (Call 06/15/18)c

    EUR       100       119,678  
 

 

SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS

     41  


Table of Contents

Schedule of Investments (Continued)

iSHARES® US & INTL HIGH YIELD CORP BOND ETF

October 31, 2017

 

Security       
Principal
(000s)
    Value  

DEMIRE Deutsche Mittelstand Real Estate AG

     

2.88%, 07/15/22 (Call 07/15/19)c

    EUR       100     $ 119,285  

Deutsche Lufthansa AG

     

VRN, (5 year EUR
Swap + 4.783%)

     

5.13%, 08/12/75 (Call 02/12/21)b,c

    EUR       100       128,448  

Douglas GmbH

     

6.25%, 07/15/22 (Call 07/15/18)c

    EUR       100       124,663  

Hapag-Lloyd AG

     

5.13%, 07/15/24 (Call 07/15/20)c

    EUR       100       122,584  

6.75%, 02/01/22 (Call 02/01/19)c

    EUR       100       126,742  

HP Pelzer Holding GmbH

     

4.13%, 04/01/24 (Call 04/01/20)c

    EUR       100       121,377  

K+S AG

     

2.63%, 04/06/23 (Call 01/06/23)c

    EUR       100       121,852  

3.00%, 06/20/22c

    EUR       100       123,843  

4.13%, 12/06/21c

    EUR       100       131,135  

LANXESS AG

     

VRN, (5 year EUR
Swap + 4.510%)

     

4.50%, 12/06/76 (Call 06/06/23)b,c

    EUR       100       129,369  

Nidda Healthcare Holding AG

     

3.50%, 09/30/24 (Call 09/30/20)c

    EUR       100       119,244  

Norddeutsche Landesbank Girozentrale

     

6.00%, 06/29/20

    EUR       50       63,790  

Phoenix PIB Dutch Finance BV

     

3.13%, 05/27/20c

    EUR       100       124,375  

PrestigeBidCo GmbH

     

6.25%, 12/15/23 (Call 12/15/19)c

    EUR       100       126,449  

ProGroup AG

     

5.13%, 05/01/22 (Call 05/01/18)c

    EUR       100       121,865  

RWE AG

 

VRN, (5 year EUR
Swap + 2.643%)

     

2.75%, 04/21/75 (Call 10/21/20)b,c

    EUR       100       120,987  

VRN, (5 year EUR
Swap + 3.245%)

     

3.50%, 04/21/75 (Call 04/21/25)b,c

    EUR       100       122,333  

Senvion Holding GmbH

     

3.88%, 10/25/22 (Call 05/01/19)c

    EUR       100       119,547  
Security       
Principal
(000s)
    Value  

thyssenkrupp AG

     

1.38%, 03/03/22 (Call 12/03/21)c

    EUR       150     $ 178,832  

1.75%, 11/25/20 (Call 08/25/20)c

    EUR       100       121,141  

2.50%, 02/25/25c

    EUR       100       126,239  

2.75%, 03/08/21 (Call 12/08/20)c

    EUR       400       497,917  

TUI AG

     

2.13%, 10/26/21 (Call 07/26/21)c

    EUR       100       122,813  

Unitymedia GmbH

     

3.75%, 01/15/27 (Call 01/15/21)c

    EUR       100       121,210  

6.13%, 01/15/25 (Call 01/15/20)a,d

    USD       200       213,580  

Unitymedia Hessen GmbH & Co. KG/Unitymedia NRW GmbH

     

3.50%, 01/15/27 (Call 01/15/21)c

    EUR       100       122,533  

4.00%, 01/15/25 (Call 01/15/20)c

    EUR       200       248,041  

4.63%, 02/15/26 (Call 02/15/21)c

    EUR       100       127,561  

5.13%, 01/21/23 (Call 01/21/18)c

    EUR       73       87,914  

5.50%, 01/15/23 (Call 01/15/18)a

    USD       180       185,021  

5.63%, 04/15/23 (Call 04/15/18)c

    EUR       70       85,732  

WEPA Hygieneprodukte GmbH

     

3.75%, 05/15/24 (Call 05/15/19)c

    EUR       100       121,632  

ZF North America Capital Inc.

     

2.25%, 04/26/19c

    EUR       200       240,237  

2.75%, 04/27/23c

    EUR       200       251,746  

4.00%, 04/29/20a

    USD       150       154,644  

4.50%, 04/29/22a

    USD       150       156,937  

4.75%, 04/29/25 a,d

    USD       300       314,850  
     

 

 

 
        5,886,779  

GREECE — 0.28%

 

Intralot Capital Luxembourg SA

     

6.75%, 09/15/21 (Call 09/15/18)c

    EUR       100       124,916  

OTE PLC

     

3.50%, 07/09/20c

    EUR       200       246,148  

PPC Finance PLC

     

5.50%, 05/01/19 (Call 11/10/17)c

    EUR       100       107,648  

Titan Global Finance PLC

     

3.50%, 06/17/21c

    EUR       100       124,970  
     

 

 

 
        603,682  

HONG KONG — 0.04%

 

Noble Group Ltd.

     

6.75%, 01/29/20a

    USD       200       82,563  
     

 

 

 
        82,563  
 

 

42    2017 iSHARES ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Table of Contents

Schedule of Investments (Continued)

iSHARES® US & INTL HIGH YIELD CORP BOND ETF

October 31, 2017

 

Security       
Principal
(000s)
    Value  

IRELAND — 1.64%

 

Allied Irish Banks PLC

     

VRN, (5 year EUR
Swap + 3.950%)

     

4.13%, 11/26/25 (Call 11/26/20)b,c

    EUR       100     $ 125,741  

Ardagh Packaging Finance PLC/Ardagh Holdings USA Inc.

     

2.75%, 03/15/24 (Call 03/15/20)c

    EUR       150       180,141  

4.13%, 05/15/23 (Call 05/15/19)c

    EUR       100       123,916  

4.25%, 09/15/22 (Call 03/15/19)a,d

    USD       200       205,500  

4.63%, 05/15/23 (Call 05/15/19)a

    USD       200       205,703  

4.75%, 07/15/27 (Call 07/15/22)c

    GBP       100       135,299  

6.00%, 02/15/25 (Call 02/15/20)a

    USD       200       211,969  

6.75%, 05/15/24 (Call 05/15/19)c

    EUR       100       130,158  

7.25%, 05/15/24 (Call 05/15/19)a

    USD       400       439,281  

Bank of Ireland

     

VRN, (5 year EUR
Swap + 3.550%)

     

4.25%, 06/11/24 (Call 06/11/19)b,c

    EUR       200       245,807  

C&W Senior Financing Designated Activity Co.

     

6.88%, 09/15/27 (Call 09/15/22)a

    USD       200       208,779  

eircom Finance DAC

     

4.50%, 05/31/22 (Call 05/31/18)c

    EUR       100       121,254  

Europcar Drive Designated
Activity Co.

     

4.13%, 11/15/24 (Call 11/15/20)c

    EUR       100       119,505  

Park Aerospace Holdings Ltd.

     

4.50%, 03/15/23 (Call 02/15/23)a

    USD       155       155,091  

5.25%, 08/15/22 a,d

    USD       310       322,400  

5.50%, 02/15/24a

    USD       210       218,138  

Smurfit Kappa Acquisitions ULC

     

2.38%, 02/01/24 (Call 11/01/23)c

    EUR       100       122,155  

3.25%, 06/01/21 (Call 03/10/21)c

    EUR       100       126,429  

4.13%, 01/30/20c

    EUR       100       126,743  
     

 

 

 
        3,524,009  

ITALY — 6.10%

 

Autostrada Brescia Verona Vicenza Padova SpA

     

2.38%, 03/20/20c

    EUR       100       123,021  

Banca IFIS SpA

     

VRN, (5 year EUR
Swap + 4.2510%),
4.50%, 10/17/27 (Call 10/17/22)b,c

    EUR       100       118,972  
Security       
Principal
(000s)
    Value  

Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena SpA

     

3.63%, 04/01/19c

    EUR       100     $ 120,963  

Banca Popolare di Milano Scarl

     

7.13%, 03/01/21c

    EUR       100       131,003  

Banco BPM SpA

     

2.75%, 07/27/20c

    EUR       200       244,621  

VRN, (5 year EUR
Swap + 4.1790%),

     

4.38%, 09/21/27 (Call 09/21/22)b,c

    EUR       175       208,959  

Banco Popolare SC

     

3.50%, 03/14/19c

    EUR       300       363,756  

6.00%, 11/05/20c

    EUR       100       127,182  

BPER Banca

     

VRN, (5 year EUR
Swap + 4.910%)

     

5.13%, 05/31/27 (Call 05/31/22)b,c

    EUR       100       121,078  

Buzzi Unicem SpA

     

2.13%, 04/28/23 (Call 01/28/23)c

    EUR       100       123,696  

CMF SpA

     

9.00%, 06/15/22 (Call 06/15/20)c

    EUR       100       120,005  

Cooperativa Muratori & Cementisti-CMC di Ravenna SC

     

6.88%, 08/01/22 (Call 08/01/19)c

    EUR       100       121,269  

Enel SpA

 

VRN, (5 year EUR
Swap + 3.648%)

     

5.00%, 01/15/75 (Call 01/15/20)b,c

    EUR       200       254,027  

VRN, (5 year EUR
Swap + 5.242%)

     

6.50%, 01/10/74 (Call 01/10/19)b,c

    EUR       200       249,462  

VRN, (5 year USD
Swap + 5.880%)

     

8.75%, 09/24/73 (Call 09/24/23)a,b

    USD       200       245,418  

Fiat Chrysler Finance Europe SA

     

4.75%, 03/22/21c

    EUR       300       391,966  

4.75%, 07/15/22c

    EUR       200       267,513  

6.75%, 10/14/19c

    EUR       200       261,801  

Iccrea Banca SpA

 

1.50%, 02/21/20c

    EUR       100       118,174  

1.50%, 10/11/22c

    EUR       150       175,682  

1.88%, 11/25/19c

    EUR       100       119,314  

International Game Technology PLC

     

4.13%, 02/15/20 (Call 11/15/19)c

    EUR       100       124,876  
 

 

SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS

     43  


Table of Contents

Schedule of Investments (Continued)

iSHARES® US & INTL HIGH YIELD CORP BOND ETF

October 31, 2017

 

Security       
Principal
(000s)
    Value  

Intesa Sanpaolo SpA

     

2.86%, 04/23/25c

    EUR       100     $ 120,957  

3.93%, 09/15/26c

    EUR       100       128,995  

5.00%, 09/23/19c

    EUR       150       189,564  

5.15%, 07/16/20

    EUR       300       391,548  

6.63%, 09/13/23c

    EUR       200       294,110  

Leonardo SpA

     

1.50%, 06/07/24 (Call 03/07/24)c

    EUR       150       178,819  

4.50%, 01/19/21

    EUR       100       132,298  

5.25%, 01/21/22

    EUR       100       139,201  

8.00%, 12/16/19

    GBP       100       151,026  

Mediobanca SpA

     

5.00%, 11/15/20

    EUR       100       130,900  

5.75%, 04/18/23

    EUR       100       135,928  

N&W Global Vending SpA

     

7.00%, 10/15/23 (Call 10/15/19)c

    EUR       100       124,974  

Saipem Finance International BV

     

3.00%, 03/08/21c

    EUR       100       124,111  

3.75%, 09/08/23c

    EUR       100       125,864  

Salini Impregilo SpA

     

3.75%, 06/24/21c

    EUR       100       128,444  

Schumann SpA

     

7.00%, 07/31/23 (Call 07/31/19)c

    EUR       100       119,082  

Snaitech SpA

     

6.38%, 11/07/21 (Call 11/07/18)c

    EUR       100       125,467  

Telecom Italia Capital SA

     

7.18%, 06/18/19

    USD       100       107,605  

Telecom Italia SpA

     

2.38%, 10/12/27 (Call 07/12/27)c

    EUR       200       237,602  

4.00%, 01/21/20c

    EUR       200       253,068  

4.88%, 09/25/20c

    EUR       100       132,313  

5.25%, 02/10/22c

    EUR       150       209,096  

Telecom Italia SpA/Milano

     

2.50%, 07/19/23c

    EUR       400       502,630  

3.00%, 09/30/25c

    EUR       200       255,705  

3.25%, 01/16/23c

    EUR       100       130,137  

3.63%, 01/19/24c

    EUR       100       132,612  

3.63%, 05/25/26c

    EUR       100       133,227  

4.50%, 01/25/21c

    EUR       100       132,494  

5.30%, 05/30/24a

    USD       200       215,141  

6.38%, 06/24/19

    GBP       100       143,650  

UniCredit SpA

     

6.95%, 10/31/22c

    EUR       300       435,808  
Security       
Principal
(000s)
    Value  

VRN, (5 year EUR
Swap + 4.100%)

     

5.75%, 10/28/25 (Call 10/28/20)b,c

    EUR       300     $ 392,290  

VRN, (5 year EUR
Swap + 4.316%)

     

4.38%, 01/03/27 (Call 01/03/22)b,c

    EUR       100       127,073  

VRN, (5 year USD ICE
Swap + 3.703%)

     

5.86%, 06/19/32 (Call 06/19/27)a,b

    USD       200       213,165  

Unione di Banche Italiane SpA

     

VRN, (5 year EUR
Swap + 4.182%)

     

4.25%, 05/05/26 (Call 05/05/21)b,c

    EUR       100       121,696  

VRN, (5 year EUR
Swap + 4.240%)

     

4.45%, 09/15/27 (Call 09/15/22)b,c

    EUR       100       122,898  

Unipol Gruppo Finanziario SpA

     

3.00%, 03/18/25c

    EUR       115       137,438  

4.38%, 03/05/21c

    EUR       100       128,820  

Wind Acquisition Finance SA

     

4.00%, 07/15/20 (Call 11/10/17)c

    EUR       400       470,486  

4.75%, 07/15/20 (Call 11/03/17)a

    USD       400       404,760  

7.00%, 04/23/21 (Call 11/30/17)c

    EUR       300       362,219  

7.38%, 04/23/21 (Call 12/01/17)a

    USD       400       415,520  

Wind Tre SpA

     

2.63%, 01/20/23 (Call 11/03/19)c

    EUR       125       146,274  

3.13%, 01/20/25 (Call 11/03/20)c

    EUR       100       116,844  
     

 

 

 
        13,054,617  

JAPAN — 0.70%

 

SoftBank Group Corp.

     

3.13%, 09/19/25 (Call 06/21/25)c

    EUR       250       294,267  

4.00%, 07/30/22 (Call 04/30/22)c

    EUR       200       254,729  

4.00%, 09/19/29 (Call 06/21/29)c

    EUR       125       145,516  

4.50%, 04/15/20a

    USD       400       412,207  

4.75%, 07/30/25 (Call 04/30/25)c

    EUR       200       261,634  

5.25%, 07/30/27 (Call 04/30/27)c

    EUR       100       133,081  
     

 

 

 
        1,501,434  

LUXEMBOURG — 3.32%

 

Altice Financing SA

     

5.25%, 02/15/23 (Call 02/15/18)c

    EUR       100       122,406  

6.50%, 01/15/22 (Call 12/01/17)a

    USD       200       207,246  

6.63%, 02/15/23 (Call 02/15/18)a

    USD       400       421,375  

7.50%, 05/15/26 (Call 05/15/21)a

    USD       400       438,913  
 

 

44    2017 iSHARES ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Table of Contents

Schedule of Investments (Continued)

iSHARES® US & INTL HIGH YIELD CORP BOND ETF

October 31, 2017

 

Security       
Principal
(000s)
    Value  

Altice Finco SA

     

4.75%, 01/15/28 (Call 10/15/22)c

    EUR       100     $ 117,492  

9.00%, 06/15/23 (Call 06/15/18)c

    EUR       100       127,737  

Altice Luxembourg SA

     

6.25%, 02/15/25 (Call 02/15/20)c

    EUR       100       128,718  

7.25%, 05/15/22 (Call 11/30/17)c

    EUR       400       496,227  

7.63%, 02/15/25 (Call 02/15/20)a,d

    USD       200       216,846  

7.75%, 05/15/22 (Call 12/01/17)a

    USD       400       423,500  

ArcelorMittal

     

2.88%, 07/06/20c

    EUR       100       124,827  

3.13%, 01/14/22c

    EUR       300       385,881  

5.75%, 08/05/20d

    USD       150       162,750  

6.00%, 03/01/21

    USD       150       163,924  

6.13%, 06/01/25d

    USD       75       86,569  

6.75%, 02/25/22

    USD       100       114,833  

B&M European Value Retail SA

     

4.13%, 02/01/22 (Call 02/01/19)c

    GBP       100       137,576  

DEA Finance SA

     

7.50%, 10/15/22 (Call 04/15/19)c

    EUR       100       129,140  

Garfunkelux Holdco 3 SA

     

8.50%, 11/01/22 (Call 11/01/18)c

    GBP       100       143,248  

VRN, (3mo. LIBOR GBP + 3.5000%),
3.50%, 09/01/23 (Call 09/01/18)b,c

    EUR       125       145,728  

INEOS Group Holdings SA

     

5.38%, 08/01/24 (Call 08/01/19)c

    EUR       100       126,271  

Intelsat Connect Finance SA

     

12.50%, 04/01/22 (Call 06/01/18)a

    USD       125       118,477  

Intelsat Jackson Holdings SA

     

5.50%, 08/01/23 (Call 08/01/18)

    USD       350       297,062  

7.25%, 10/15/20 (Call 12/01/17)

    USD       450       431,966  

7.50%, 04/01/21 (Call 12/01/17)

    USD       200       190,000  

8.00%, 02/15/24 (Call 02/15/19)a

    USD       250       265,789  

9.50%, 09/30/22a

    USD       100       117,348  

9.75%, 07/15/25 (Call 07/15/21)a

    USD       255       256,594  

Intelsat Luxembourg SA

     

7.75%, 06/01/21 (Call 12/01/17)

    USD       275       173,766  

8.13%, 06/01/23 (Call 06/01/18)

    USD       150       91,392  

Matterhorn Telecom Holding SA

     

4.88%, 05/01/23 (Call 05/01/18)c

    EUR       100       120,249  

Matterhorn Telecom SA

     

3.88%, 05/01/22 (Call 05/01/18)c

    EUR       100       120,182  

Picard Bondco SA

     

7.75%, 02/01/20 (Call 11/30/17)c

    EUR       100       121,224  
Security       
Principal
(000s)
    Value  

Swissport Financing Sarl

     

6.75%, 12/15/21 (Call 06/15/18)c

    EUR       100     $ 124,462  

Swissport Investments SA

     

6.75%, 12/15/21 (Call 06/15/18)c

    EUR       100       124,067  

Telenet Finance VI
Luxembourg SCA

     

4.88%, 07/15/27 (Call 07/15/21)c

    EUR       100       128,770  
     

 

 

 
        7,102,555  

NETHERLANDS — 2.01%

 

Constellium NV

     

4.63%, 05/15/21 (Call 11/30/17)c

    EUR       100       118,963  

5.75%, 05/15/24 (Call 05/15/19)a

    USD       250       251,875  

CSC Holdings LLC

     

6.63%, 10/15/25 (Call 10/15/20)a

    USD       200       218,583  

InterXion Holding NV

     

6.00%, 07/15/20 (Call 11/10/17)c

    EUR       100       120,303  

IPD 3 BV

     

4.50%, 07/15/22 (Call 07/15/19)c

    EUR       100       122,349  

Maxeda DIY Holding BV

     

6.13%, 07/15/22 (Call 07/15/19)c

    EUR       100       122,616  

NXP BV/NXP Funding LLC

     

3.88%, 09/01/22a

    USD       200       207,775  

4.13%, 06/15/20a

    USD       200       208,500  

4.13%, 06/01/21a

    USD       200       208,250  

4.63%, 06/01/23a

    USD       200       214,667  

Samvardhana Motherson Automotive System Group BV

     

1.80%, 07/06/24c

    EUR       100       114,083  

Sensata Technologies BV

     

4.88%, 10/15/23a

    USD       125       131,441  

5.00%, 10/01/25a

    USD       150       159,348  

5.63%, 11/01/24a

    USD       100       110,844  

United Group BV

     

4.38%, 07/01/22 (Call 07/01/19)c

    EUR       100       121,952  

4.88%, 07/01/24 (Call 07/01/20)c

    EUR       100       122,004  

UPC Holding BV

     

3.88%, 06/15/29 (Call 06/15/22)c

    EUR       100       112,520  

UPCB Finance IV Ltd.

     

4.00%, 01/15/27 (Call 01/15/21)c

    EUR       100       123,967  

5.38%, 01/15/25 (Call 01/15/20)a

    USD       200       204,500  

UPCB Finance VII Ltd.

     

3.63%, 06/15/29 (Call 06/15/22)c

    EUR       150       175,366  
 

 

SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS

     45  


Table of Contents

Schedule of Investments (Continued)

iSHARES® US & INTL HIGH YIELD CORP BOND ETF

October 31, 2017

 

Security       
Principal
(000s)
    Value  

Ziggo Bond Co. BV

     

7.13%, 05/15/24 (Call 05/15/19)c

    EUR       100     $ 131,060  

Ziggo Bond Finance BV

     

4.63%, 01/15/25 (Call 01/15/20)c

    EUR       100       124,320  

6.00%, 01/15/27 (Call 01/15/22)a

    USD       150       152,396  

Ziggo Secured Finance BV

     

3.75%, 01/15/25 (Call 01/15/20)c

    EUR       200       244,940  

4.25%, 01/15/27 (Call 01/15/22)c

    EUR       100       124,486  

5.50%, 01/15/27 (Call 01/15/22)a

    USD       350       357,000  
     

 

 

 
        4,304,108  

NEW ZEALAND — 0.23%

 

Reynolds Group Issuer Inc./Reynolds Group Issuer LLC

     

5.13%, 07/15/23 (Call 07/15/19)a

    USD       345       357,937  

7.00%, 07/15/24 (Call 07/15/19)a,d

    USD       125       133,750  
     

 

 

 
        491,687  

NORWAY — 0.06%

 

Silk Bidco AS

     

7.50%, 02/01/22 (Call 02/01/18)c

    EUR       100       121,756  
     

 

 

 
        121,756  

PORTUGAL — 0.06%

 

EDP — Energias de Portugal SA

     

VRN, (5 year EUR
Swap + 5.043%)

     

5.38%, 09/16/75 (Call 03/16/21)b,c

    EUR       100       130,192  
     

 

 

 
        130,192  

SINGAPORE — 0.31%

 

Lincoln Finance Ltd.

     

6.88%, 04/15/21 (Call 04/15/18)c

    EUR       200       245,950  

Puma International Financing SA

     

5.13%, 10/06/24 (Call 10/06/20)a

    USD       200       204,433  

6.75%, 02/01/21 (Call 12/01/17)a

    USD       200       204,970  
     

 

 

 
        655,353  

SOUTH KOREA — 0.06%

 

Kronos International Inc.

     

3.75%, 09/15/25 (Call 09/15/20)c

    EUR       100       121,599  
     

 

 

 
        121,599  

SPAIN — 1.60%

 

Banco de Sabadell SA

     

5.63%, 05/06/26c

    EUR       200       270,909  
Security       
Principal
(000s)
    Value  

Bankia SA

     

VRN, (5 year EUR
Swap + 3.166%)

     

4.00%, 05/22/24 (Call 05/22/19)b,c

    EUR       200     $ 242,853  

VRN, (5 year EUR
Swap + 3.350%)

     

3.38%, 03/15/27 (Call 03/15/22)b,c

    EUR       100       122,383  

Bankinter SA

     

VRN, (5 year EUR
Swap + 2.400%)

     

2.50%, 04/06/27 (Call 04/06/22)b,c

    EUR       100       120,045  

CaixaBank SA

     

VRN, (5 year EUR
Swap + 2.350%)

     

2.75%, 07/14/28 (Call 07/14/23)b,c

    EUR       200       238,286  

VRN, (5 year EUR
Swap + 3.350%)

     

3.50%, 02/15/27 (Call 02/15/22)b,c

    EUR       200       247,254  

VRN, (5 year EUR
Swap + 3.950%)

     

5.00%, 11/14/23 (Call 11/14/18)b,c

    EUR       100       121,475  

Campofrio Food Group SA

     

3.38%, 03/15/22 (Call 03/15/18)c

    EUR       80       95,687  

Cellnex Telecom SA

     

2.38%, 01/16/24 (Call 10/16/23)c

    EUR       100       121,484  

2.88%, 04/18/25 (Call 01/18/25)c

    EUR       100       123,668  

3.13%, 07/27/22c

    EUR       100       128,535  

Cirsa Funding Luxembourg SA

     

5.88%, 05/15/23 (Call 05/15/18)c

    EUR       100       122,711  

Codere Finance 2 Luxembourg SA

     

6.75%, 11/01/21 (Call 10/31/18)c

    EUR       100       121,584  

eDreams ODIGEO SA

     

8.50%, 08/01/21 (Call 08/01/18)c

    EUR       98       123,280  

Gestamp Funding Luxembourg SA

     

3.50%, 05/15/23 (Call 05/15/19)c

    EUR       100       121,989  

Grifols SA

     

3.20%, 05/01/25 (Call 05/01/20)c

    EUR       200       236,576  

Grupo Antolin Dutch BV

     

5.13%, 06/30/22 (Call 06/30/18)c

    EUR       100       122,874  

Grupo Isolux Corsan SA

     

0.25%, 12/30/21 (Call 11/30/17)e,f

    EUR             1  

3.00%, 12/30/21 (Call 11/30/17)e,f

    EUR       28       493  
 

 

46    2017 iSHARES ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Table of Contents

Schedule of Investments (Continued)

iSHARES® US & INTL HIGH YIELD CORP BOND ETF

October 31, 2017

 

Security       
Principal
(000s)
    Value  

Grupo-Antolin Irausa SA

     

3.25%, 04/30/24 (Call 04/30/20)c

    EUR       100     $ 120,898  

Ibercaja Banco SA

     

VRN, (5 year EUR
Swap + 4.551%)

     

5.00%, 07/28/25 (Call 07/28/20)b,c

    EUR       100       119,282  

NH Hotel Group SA

     

3.75%, 10/01/23 (Call 10/01/19)c

    EUR       100       123,383  

Obrascon Huarte Lain SA

     

4.75%, 03/15/22 (Call 03/15/18)c

    EUR       100       115,330  

Repsol International Finance BV

     

VRN, (10 year EUR
Swap + 4.200%)

     

4.50%, 03/25/75 (Call 03/25/25)b,c

    EUR       200       259,526  
     

 

 

 
        3,420,506  

SWAZILAND — 0.05%

 

Transocean Inc.

     

7.50%, 01/15/26 (Call 01/15/21)a

    USD       100       102,950  
     

 

 

 
        102,950  

SWEDEN — 0.54%

 

Intrum Justitia AB

     

2.75%, 07/15/22 (Call 07/15/19)c

    EUR       225       268,227  

3.13%, 07/15/24 (Call 07/15/20)c

    EUR       200       238,715  

Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson

     

4.13%, 05/15/22

    USD       175       176,230  

Series 7Y

     

1.88%, 03/01/24c

    EUR       100       114,409  

Unilabs Subholding AB

     

5.75%, 05/15/25 (Call 05/15/20)c

    EUR       100       120,074  

Verisure Holding AB

     

6.00%, 11/01/22 (Call 11/01/18)c

    EUR       90       112,951  

Volvo Car AB

     

3.25%, 05/18/21c

    EUR       100       126,555  
     

 

 

 
        1,157,161  

SWITZERLAND — 0.30%

 

Dufry Finance SCA

     

4.50%, 07/15/22 (Call 11/30/17)c

    EUR       100       120,618  

4.50%, 08/01/23 (Call 08/01/18)c

    EUR       100       123,783  

Dufry One BV

     

2.50%, 10/15/24 (Call 10/15/20)c

    EUR       125       148,895  

Selecta Group BV

     

6.50%, 06/15/20 (Call 11/30/17)c

    EUR       100       118,642  
Security       
Principal
(000s)
    Value  

SIG Combibloc Holdings SCA

     

7.75%, 02/15/23 (Call 02/15/18)c

    EUR       100     $ 122,903  
     

 

 

 
        634,841  

UNITED KINGDOM — 5.01%

 

Algeco Scotsman Global Finance PLC

     

8.50%, 10/15/18 (Call 12/01/17)a

    USD       200       196,000  

Alliance Automotive Finance PLC

     

6.25%, 12/01/21 (Call 11/02/17)c

    EUR       100       120,237  

Amigo Luxembourg SA

     

7.63%, 01/15/24 (Call 01/15/20)c

    GBP       100       139,813  

Arqiva Broadcast Finance PLC

     

9.50%, 03/31/20 (Call 03/31/18)c

    GBP       100       139,951  

Ashtead Capital Inc.

     

4.38%, 08/15/27 (Call 08/15/22)a

    USD       200       202,735  

Boparan Finance PLC

     

5.50%, 07/15/21 (Call 11/10/17)c

    GBP       100       125,455  

Cabot Financial Luxembourg SA

     

7.50%, 10/01/23 (Call 10/01/19)c

    GBP       100       145,461  

CNH Industrial Finance Europe SA

     

1.38%, 05/23/22 (Call 02/23/22)c

    EUR       100       120,707  

1.75%, 09/12/25 (Call 06/12/25)c

    EUR       100       120,842  

2.88%, 05/17/23c

    EUR       100       129,802  

CNH Industrial NV

     

4.50%, 08/15/23

    USD       75       79,367  

EC Finance PLC

     

5.13%, 07/15/21 (Call 11/02/17)c

    EUR       100       119,449  

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV

     

3.75%, 03/29/24c

    EUR       100       128,129  

4.50%, 04/15/20

    USD       200       207,811  

5.25%, 04/15/23d

    USD       200       212,191  

Heathrow Finance PLC

     

3.88%, 03/01/27c

    GBP       100       131,369  

Iceland Bondco PLC

     

4.63%, 03/15/25c

    GBP       100       128,653  

IDH Finance PLC

     

6.25%, 08/15/22 (Call 08/15/18)c

    GBP       100       123,550  

Ineos Finance PLC

     

4.00%, 05/01/23 (Call 05/01/18)c

    EUR       100       120,436  

Inmarsat Finance PLC

     

4.88%, 05/15/22 (Call 12/01/17)a

    USD       300       306,060  

International Personal Finance PLC

     

5.75%, 04/07/21c

    EUR       100       108,832  
 

 

SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS

     47  


Table of Contents

Schedule of Investments (Continued)

iSHARES® US & INTL HIGH YIELD CORP BOND ETF

October 31, 2017

 

Security       
Principal
(000s)
    Value  

Iron Mountain Europe PLC

     

6.13%, 09/15/22 (Call 11/10/17)c

    GBP       100     $ 138,577  

Jaguar Land Rover Automotive PLC

     

2.20%, 01/15/24c

    EUR       100       118,400  

2.75%, 01/24/21c

    GBP       100       134,809  

3.50%, 03/15/20 (Call 12/15/19)a

    USD       200       201,596  

3.88%, 03/01/23c

    GBP       100       139,028  

4.13%, 12/15/18a

    USD       200       204,000  

Jerrold Finco PLC

     

6.25%, 09/15/21 (Call 09/15/18)c

    GBP       100       138,935  

Lecta SA

     

6.50%, 08/01/23 (Call 08/01/19)c

    EUR       100       123,234  

Merlin Entertainments PLC

     

2.75%, 03/15/22 (Call 12/15/21)c

    EUR       100       122,043  

Miller Homes Group Holdings PLC

     

5.50%, 10/15/24 (Call 10/15/20)c

    GBP       100       136,792  

Nemean Bondco PLC

     

7.38%, 02/01/24 (Call 02/01/20)c

    GBP       100       126,062  

New Look Secured Issuer PLC

     

6.50%, 07/01/22 (Call 06/24/18)c

    GBP       100       80,041  

Noble Holding International Ltd.

     

7.75%, 01/15/24 (Call 10/15/23)

    USD       155       138,353  

Ocado Group PLC

     

4.00%, 06/15/24 (Call 06/15/20)c

    GBP       100       130,126  

Pizzaexpress Financing 2 PLC

     

6.63%, 08/01/21 (Call 11/10/17)c

    GBP       100       129,074  

Premier Foods Finance PLC

     

6.50%, 03/15/21 (Call 11/30/17)c

    GBP       100       135,650  

Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC

     

5.13%, 05/28/24d

    USD       400       427,363  

6.00%, 12/19/23

    USD       375       417,589  

6.10%, 06/10/23

    USD       175       194,613  

6.13%, 12/15/22

    USD       400       443,965  

VRN, (5 year EUR
Swap + 2.650%)

     

3.63%, 03/25/24 (Call 03/25/19)b,c

    EUR       200       241,140  

Stonegate Pub Co. Financing PLC

     

4.88%, 03/15/22 (Call 03/15/19)c

    GBP       150       201,385  

Tesco Corporate Treasury
Services PLC

     

1.38%, 07/01/19c

    EUR       100       119,164  

2.13%, 11/12/20 (Call 08/12/20)c

    EUR       200       245,880  

2.50%, 07/01/24c

    EUR       200       251,148  
Security       
Principal
(000s)
    Value  

Tesco PLC

     

6.13%, 02/24/22

    GBP       100     $ 153,625  

Thomas Cook Finance PLC

     

6.75%, 06/15/21 (Call 01/15/18)c

    EUR       100       121,697  

Thomas Cook Group PLC

     

6.25%, 06/15/22 (Call 06/15/19)c

    EUR       100       127,289  

Travelex Financing PLC

     

8.00%, 05/15/22 (Call 05/15/20)c

    EUR       100       119,157  

Travis Perkins PLC

     

4.38%, 09/15/21c

    GBP       100       140,016  

Virgin Media Finance PLC

     

4.50%, 01/15/25 (Call 01/15/20)c

    EUR       100       123,054  

5.75%, 01/15/25 (Call 01/15/20)a

    USD       200       207,019  

6.38%, 04/15/23 (Call 04/15/18)a

    USD       200       209,000  

Virgin Media Receivables Financing Notes I DAC

     

5.50%, 09/15/24 (Call 09/15/19)c

    GBP       100       138,181  

Series SEP

     

5.50%, 09/15/24 (Call 09/15/19)c

    GBP       200       276,420  

Virgin Media Secured Finance PLC

     

4.88%, 01/15/27 (Call 01/15/21)c

    GBP       100       137,907  

5.00%, 04/15/27 (Call 04/15/22)c

    GBP       100       137,936  

5.25%, 01/15/26 (Call 01/15/20)a,d

    USD       200       207,540  

5.50%, 01/15/25 (Call 01/15/19)c

    GBP       90       125,867  

5.50%, 08/15/26 (Call 08/15/21)a

    USD       200       209,476  

6.25%, 03/28/29 (Call 01/15/21)c

    GBP       100       144,778  

Viridian Group FinanceCo PLC/Viridian Power and Energy

     

4.00%, 09/15/25 (Call 09/15/20)c

    EUR       150       176,149  

Worldpay Finance PLC

     

3.75%, 11/15/22 (Call 08/15/22)c

    EUR       100       129,515  
     

 

 

 
        10,730,443  

UNITED STATES — 64.20%

 

Acadia Healthcare Co. Inc.

     

5.63%, 02/15/23 (Call 02/15/18)

    USD       150       153,916  

Adient Global Holdings Ltd.

     

3.50%, 08/15/24 (Call 05/15/24)c

    EUR       200       245,885  

ADT Corp. (The)

     

3.50%, 07/15/22

    USD       200       199,385  

4.13%, 06/15/23

    USD       100       101,625  

6.25%, 10/15/21

    USD       175       194,054  

AECOM

     

5.13%, 03/15/27 (Call 12/15/26)

    USD       175       180,131  
 

 

48    2017 iSHARES ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Table of Contents

Schedule of Investments (Continued)

iSHARES® US & INTL HIGH YIELD CORP BOND ETF

October 31, 2017

 

Security       
Principal
(000s)
    Value  

5.75%, 10/15/22 (Call 12/01/17)

    USD       125     $ 130,938  

5.88%, 10/15/24 (Call 07/15/24)

    USD       150       165,712  

AES Corp./VA

     

4.88%, 05/15/23 (Call 05/15/18)

    USD       200       204,673  

5.13%, 09/01/27 (Call 09/01/22)

    USD       70       71,815  

5.50%, 03/15/24 (Call 03/15/19)

    USD       150       156,522  

5.50%, 04/15/25 (Call 04/15/20)d

    USD       150       158,135  

6.00%, 05/15/26 (Call 05/15/21)

    USD       25       26,943  

7.38%, 07/01/21 (Call 06/01/21)

    USD       175       199,062  

Aircastle Ltd.

     

4.13%, 05/01/24 (Call 02/01/24)d

    USD       75       76,594  

4.63%, 12/15/18d

    USD       75       76,969  

5.00%, 04/01/23

    USD       100       106,080  

5.13%, 03/15/21

    USD       75       79,609  

5.50%, 02/15/22

    USD       100       107,487  

6.25%, 12/01/19d

    USD       100       107,250  

AK Steel Corp.

     

7.00%, 03/15/27 (Call 03/15/22)d

    USD       75       74,786  

7.63%, 10/01/21 (Call 12/01/17)d

    USD       75       77,802  

Albertsons Companies LLC/Safeway Inc./New Albertson’s Inc./Albertson’s LLC

     

5.75%, 03/15/25 (Call 09/15/19)

    USD       220       193,812  

6.63%, 06/15/24 (Call 06/15/19)d

    USD       210       196,602  

Alcoa Nederland Holding BV

     

6.75%, 09/30/24 (Call 09/30/19)a

    USD       200       220,640  

Alere Inc.

     

6.50%, 06/15/20 (Call 11/02/17)

    USD       100       101,531  

7.25%, 07/01/18 (Call 11/02/17)

    USD       50       50,000  

Aleris International Inc.

     

7.88%, 11/01/20 (Call 12/01/17)

    USD       50       49,914  

9.50%, 04/01/21 (Call 04/01/18)a

    USD       195       207,621  

Allegheny Technologies Inc.

     

5.95%, 01/15/21 (Call 10/15/20)d

    USD       100       103,018  

7.88%, 08/15/23 (Call 05/15/23)d

    USD       75       82,219  

Allison Transmission Inc.

     

4.75%, 10/01/27 (Call 10/01/22)a

    USD       75       75,750  

5.00%, 10/01/24 (Call 10/01/19)a,d

    USD       175       182,077  

Ally Financial Inc.

     

3.25%, 11/05/18

    USD       100       100,755  

3.50%, 01/27/19d

    USD       200       202,440  

3.75%, 11/18/19

    USD       200       204,007  

4.13%, 03/30/20

    USD       100       103,375  
Security       
Principal
(000s)
    Value  

4.13%, 02/13/22

    USD       125     $ 129,666  

4.25%, 04/15/21

    USD       150       156,516  

4.63%, 05/19/22

    USD       75       79,158  

4.63%, 03/30/25d

    USD       100       106,321  

5.13%, 09/30/24

    USD       125       136,875  

5.75%, 11/20/25 (Call 10/20/25)d

    USD       180       199,125  

7.50%, 09/15/20

    USD       25       28,148  

8.00%, 12/31/18

    USD       150       159,094  

8.00%, 03/15/20

    USD       100       112,313  

Altice U.S. Finance I Corp.

     

5.38%, 07/15/23 (Call 07/15/18)a

    USD       200       208,773  

5.50%, 05/15/26 (Call 05/15/21)a

    USD       200       207,738  

AMC Entertainment Holdings Inc.

     

5.75%, 06/15/25 (Call 06/15/20)

    USD       175       170,844  

5.88%, 11/15/26 (Call 11/15/21)d

    USD       90       88,008  

6.13%, 05/15/27 (Call 05/15/22)d

    USD       50       49,442  

6.38%, 11/15/24 (Call 11/15/19)

    GBP       100       136,165  

AMC Networks Inc.

     

4.75%, 12/15/22 (Call 12/15/17)

    USD       100       102,625  

4.75%, 08/01/25 (Call 08/01/21)

    USD       170       169,787  

5.00%, 04/01/24 (Call 04/01/20)

    USD       160       163,000  

American Airlines Group Inc.

     

4.63%, 03/01/20a

    USD       100       103,250  

5.50%, 10/01/19a

    USD       100       104,138  

American Axle & Manufacturing Inc.

     

6.25%, 03/15/21 (Call 12/01/17)d

    USD       25       25,669  

6.25%, 04/01/25 (Call 04/01/20)a,d

    USD       110       112,518  

6.50%, 04/01/27 (Call 04/01/22)a,d

    USD       75       76,594  

6.63%, 10/15/22 (Call 12/01/17)d

    USD       150       155,123  

AmeriGas Partners LP/AmeriGas Finance Corp.

     

5.50%, 05/20/25 (Call 02/20/25)

    USD       125       127,665  

5.63%, 05/20/24 (Call 03/20/24)d

    USD       95       100,344  

5.75%, 05/20/27 (Call 02/20/27)

    USD       100       102,375  

5.88%, 08/20/26 (Call 05/20/26)

    USD       145       150,438  

Andeavor Logistics LP/Tesoro Logistics Finance Corp.

     

5.25%, 01/15/25 (Call 01/15/21)

    USD       175       187,814  

5.50%, 10/15/19 (Call 09/15/19)

    USD       100       105,075  

5.88%, 10/01/20 (Call 12/01/17)d

    USD       50       50,834  

6.13%, 10/15/21 (Call 11/16/17)

    USD       100       103,250  

6.25%, 10/15/22 (Call 10/15/18)

    USD       175       186,156  

6.38%, 05/01/24 (Call 05/01/19)

    USD       75       81,964  
 

 

SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS

     49  


Table of Contents

Schedule of Investments (Continued)

iSHARES® US & INTL HIGH YIELD CORP BOND ETF

October 31, 2017

 

Security       
Principal
(000s)
    Value  

Anixter Inc.

     

5.13%, 10/01/21

    USD       50     $ 53,438  

Antero Resources Corp.

     

5.00%, 03/01/25 (Call 03/01/20)

    USD       125       127,102  

5.13%, 12/01/22 (Call 12/01/17)

    USD       200       204,879  

5.38%, 11/01/21 (Call 12/01/17)d

    USD       125       128,122  

5.63%, 06/01/23 (Call 06/01/18)d

    USD       125       130,938  

APX Group Inc.

     

6.38%, 12/01/19 (Call 12/01/17)

    USD       48       48,840  

7.63%, 09/01/23 (Call 09/01/19)

    USD       58       61,045  

7.88%, 12/01/22 (Call 12/01/18)

    USD       100       108,000  

8.75%, 12/01/20 (Call 12/01/17)d

    USD       175       178,878  

Aramark International Finance Sarl

     

3.13%, 04/01/25 (Call 04/01/20)c

    EUR       100       121,581  

Aramark Services Inc.

     

4.75%, 06/01/26 (Call 06/01/21)

    USD       125       130,766  

5.00%, 04/01/25 (Call 04/01/20)a

    USD       75       79,950  

5.13%, 01/15/24 (Call 01/15/19)

    USD       75       79,406  

Arconic Inc.

     

5.13%, 10/01/24 (Call 07/01/24)

    USD       225       241,057  

5.40%, 04/15/21 (Call 01/15/21)

    USD       250       267,812  

5.87%, 02/23/22

    USD       100       109,153  

6.15%, 08/15/20

    USD       200       217,411  

Ascent Resources Utica Holdings LLC/ARU Finance Corp.

     

10.00%, 04/01/22 (Call 04/01/20)a,d

    USD       275       298,375  

Ashland LLC

     

4.75%, 08/15/22 (Call 05/15/22)

    USD       200       210,896  

Avantor Inc.

     

4.75%, 10/01/24 (Call 10/01/20)c

    EUR       100       118,626  

6.00%, 10/01/24 (Call 10/01/20)a

    USD       260       264,686  

9.00%, 10/01/25 (Call 10/01/20)a,d

    USD       350       353,587  

Avis Budget Car Rental LLC/Avis Budget Finance Inc.

     

5.13%, 06/01/22 (Call 12/01/17)a,d

    USD       75       75,609  

5.50%, 04/01/23 (Call 04/01/18)d

    USD       125       126,869  

Avis Budget Finance PLC

     

4.13%, 11/15/24 (Call 11/15/19)c

    EUR       100       118,852  

Avon International Operations Inc.

     

7.88%, 08/15/22 (Call 08/15/19)a

    USD       100       101,513  

Avon Products Inc.

     

6.60%, 03/15/20

    USD       75       73,858  

7.00%, 03/15/23

    USD       75       62,438  
Security       
Principal
(000s)
    Value  

Axalta Coating Systems Dutch Holding B BV

     

3.75%, 01/15/25 (Call 01/15/20)c

    EUR       125     $ 156,185  

B&G Foods Inc.

     

4.63%, 06/01/21 (Call 12/01/17)

    USD       100       101,846  

5.25%, 04/01/25 (Call 04/01/20)

    USD       90       91,776  

Ball Corp.

     

3.50%, 12/15/20

    EUR       100       127,858  

4.00%, 11/15/23

    USD       175       180,031  

4.38%, 12/15/20

    USD       150       157,192  

4.38%, 12/15/23

    EUR       100       133,576  

5.00%, 03/15/22

    USD       200       215,325  

5.25%, 07/01/25

    USD       175       192,281  

Beacon Escrow Corp.

     

4.88%, 11/01/25 (Call 11/01/20)a,g

    USD       210       212,562  

Beazer Homes USA Inc.

     

5.88%, 10/15/27 (Call 10/15/22)a

    USD       14       13,942  

8.75%, 03/15/22 (Call 03/15/19)

    USD       85       93,917  

Belden Inc.

     

3.38%, 07/15/27 (Call 07/15/22)c

    EUR       100       118,879  

5.50%, 04/15/23 (Call 04/15/18)c

    EUR       100       122,308  

Berry Global Inc.

     

5.13%, 07/15/23 (Call 07/15/18)d

    USD       150       157,154  

5.50%, 05/15/22 (Call 12/01/17)

    USD       50       52,000  

6.00%, 10/15/22 (Call 10/15/18)

    USD       40       42,344  

Blue Cube Spinco Inc.

     

9.75%, 10/15/23 (Call 10/15/20)

    USD       100       119,652  

10.00%, 10/15/25 (Call 10/15/20)

    USD       75       91,098  

BlueLine Rental Finance
Corp./BlueLine Rental LLC

     

9.25%, 03/15/24 (Call 03/15/20)a,d

    USD       200       217,000  

BMC Software Finance Inc.

     

8.13%, 07/15/21 (Call 12/01/17)a

    USD       275       281,832  

Boyd Gaming Corp.

     

6.38%, 04/01/26 (Call 04/01/21)d

    USD       125       136,849  

6.88%, 05/15/23 (Call 05/15/18)d

    USD       125       134,219  

Brand Industrial Services Inc.

     

8.50%, 07/15/25 (Call 07/15/20)a

    USD       200       211,500  

Builders FirstSource Inc.

     

5.63%, 09/01/24 (Call 09/01/19)a

    USD       150       158,233  

BWAY Holding Co.

 

5.50%, 04/15/24 (Call 04/15/20)a

    USD       325       338,812  

7.25%, 04/15/25 (Call 04/15/20)a,d

    USD       225       233,153  
 

 

50    2017 iSHARES ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Table of Contents

Schedule of Investments (Continued)

iSHARES® US & INTL HIGH YIELD CORP BOND ETF

October 31, 2017

 

Security       
Principal
(000s)
    Value  

Cablevision Systems Corp.

     

5.88%, 09/15/22d

    USD       150     $ 154,183  

8.00%, 04/15/20

    USD       75       82,793  

Caesars Entertainment Resort Properties LLC/Caesars Entertainment Resort Properties

     

8.00%, 10/01/20 (Call 12/01/17)

    USD       75       77,063  

11.00%, 10/01/21 (Call 12/01/17)

    USD       100       106,042  

CalAtlantic Group Inc.

     

5.25%, 06/01/26 (Call 12/01/25)

    USD       75       79,969  

5.88%, 11/15/24 (Call 05/15/24)

    USD       75       83,184  

8.38%, 01/15/21d

    USD       100       116,375  

California Resources Corp.

     

8.00%, 12/15/22 (Call 12/15/18)a

    USD       380       250,325  

Calpine Corp.

     

5.25%, 06/01/26 (Call 06/01/21)a

    USD       150       149,790  

5.38%, 01/15/23 (Call 10/15/18)d

    USD       225       218,531  

5.50%, 02/01/24 (Call 02/01/19)d

    USD       100       95,791  

5.75%, 01/15/25 (Call 10/15/19)d

    USD       250       236,850  

5.88%, 01/15/24 (Call 11/01/18)a,d

    USD       75       77,625  

6.00%, 01/15/22 (Call 12/01/17)a,d

    USD       175       180,611  

Calumet Specialty Products Partners LP/Calumet Finance Corp.

     

6.50%, 04/15/21 (Call 12/01/17)

    USD       175       171,321  

11.50%, 01/15/21 (Call 04/15/18)a

    USD       75       86,270  

Carrizo Oil & Gas Inc.

     

6.25%, 04/15/23 (Call 04/15/18)d

    USD       130       132,090  

7.50%, 09/15/20 (Call 12/01/17)d

    USD       25       25,456  

Catalent Pharma Solutions Inc.

     

4.75%, 12/15/24 (Call 12/15/19)c

    EUR       100       125,629  

CBS Radio Inc.

     

7.25%, 11/01/24 (Call 11/01/19)a,d

    USD       100       104,982  

CCO Holdings LLC/CCO Holdings Capital Corp.

     

5.00%, 02/01/28 (Call 08/01/22)a

    USD       410       406,043  

5.13%, 02/15/23 (Call 02/15/18)

    USD       150       155,362  

5.13%, 05/01/23 (Call 05/01/18)a

    USD       225       234,562  

5.13%, 05/01/27 (Call 05/01/22)a

    USD       575       580,031  

5.25%, 03/15/21 (Call 12/01/17)d

    USD       50       51,207  

5.25%, 09/30/22 (Call 12/01/17)

    USD       300       309,000  

5.38%, 05/01/25 (Call 05/01/20)a

    USD       150       155,104  

5.50%, 05/01/26 (Call 05/01/21)a

    USD       275       281,733  
Security       
Principal
(000s)
    Value  

5.75%, 09/01/23 (Call 03/01/18)

    USD       50     $ 51,710  

5.75%, 01/15/24 (Call 07/15/18)

    USD       175       181,903  

5.75%, 02/15/26 (Call 02/15/21)a

    USD       475       496,612  

5.88%, 04/01/24 (Call 04/01/19)a,d

    USD       300       318,995  

5.88%, 05/01/27 (Call 05/01/21)a

    USD       125       130,489  

CDK Global Inc.

     

4.88%, 06/01/27 (Call 06/01/22)a

    USD       105       109,397  

5.00%, 10/15/24 (Call 07/15/24)

    USD       100       106,895  

CDW LLC/CDW Finance Corp.

     

5.00%, 09/01/23 (Call 03/01/18)

    USD       100       104,333  

5.00%, 09/01/25 (Call 03/01/20)

    USD       180       188,100  

5.50%, 12/01/24 (Call 06/01/24)

    USD       75       82,969  

Centene Corp.

     

4.75%, 05/15/22 (Call 05/15/19)

    USD       175       182,797  

4.75%, 01/15/25 (Call 01/15/20)

    USD       185       190,819  

5.63%, 02/15/21 (Call 02/15/18)

    USD       280       290,500  

6.13%, 02/15/24 (Call 02/15/19)

    USD       225       241,794  

CenturyLink Inc.

     

5.63%, 04/01/25 (Call 01/01/25)d

    USD       100       97,057  

5.80%, 03/15/22

    USD       250       254,062  

6.45%, 06/15/21

    USD       225       236,250  

Series V

     

5.63%, 04/01/20

    USD       225       234,476  

Series W

     

6.75%, 12/01/23

    USD       125       129,777  

Series Y

     

7.50%, 04/01/24 (Call 01/01/24)d

    USD       175       185,721  

Cequel Communications Holdings I LLC/Cequel Capital Corp.

     

5.13%, 12/15/21 (Call 12/01/17)a

    USD       250       255,075  

6.38%, 09/15/20 (Call 12/01/17)a

    USD       140       142,594  

7.75%, 07/15/25 (Call 07/15/20)a

    USD       200       218,339  

CF Industries Inc.

     

3.45%, 06/01/23d

    USD       100       98,594  

7.13%, 05/01/20

    USD       200       220,000  

Change Healthcare Holdings LLC/Change Healthcare Finance Inc.

     

5.75%, 03/01/25 (Call 03/01/20)a,d

    USD       165       168,712  

Chemours Co. (The)

     

5.38%, 05/15/27 (Call 02/15/27)

    USD       75       79,838  

6.13%, 05/15/23 (Call 05/15/18)

    EUR       100       124,468  

6.63%, 05/15/23 (Call 05/15/18)

    USD       200       212,500  

7.00%, 05/15/25 (Call 05/15/20)d

    USD       200       223,158  
 

 

SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS

     51  


Table of Contents

Schedule of Investments (Continued)

iSHARES® US & INTL HIGH YIELD CORP BOND ETF

October 31, 2017

 

Security       
Principal
(000s)
    Value  

Cheniere Corpus Christi Holdings LLC

     

5.13%, 06/30/27 (Call 01/01/27)a

    USD       305     $ 314,246  

5.88%, 03/31/25 (Call 10/02/24)d

    USD       230       249,262  

7.00%, 06/30/24 (Call 01/01/24)

    USD       200       228,250  

Cheniere Energy Partners LP

     

5.25%, 10/01/25 (Call 10/01/20)a

    USD       200       206,000  

Chesapeake Energy Corp.

     

4.88%, 04/15/22 (Call 12/01/17)d

    USD       75       69,563  

6.13%, 02/15/21d

    USD       75       75,750  

6.63%, 08/15/20

    USD       75       77,401  

8.00%, 12/15/22 (Call 12/15/18)a

    USD       220       237,050  

8.00%, 01/15/25 (Call 01/15/20)a,d

    USD       160       159,564  

8.00%, 06/15/27 (Call 06/15/22)a,d

    USD       235       227,362  

CHS/Community Health Systems Inc.

     

5.13%, 08/01/21 (Call 12/01/17)d

    USD       175       169,846  

6.25%, 03/31/23 (Call 03/31/20)

    USD       555       534,187  

6.88%, 02/01/22 (Call 02/01/18)d

    USD       525       381,281  

7.13%, 07/15/20 (Call 12/01/17)d

    USD       250       216,875  

8.00%, 11/15/19 (Call 12/01/17)d

    USD       350       332,500  

Cinemark USA Inc.

     

4.88%, 06/01/23 (Call 06/01/18)

    USD       150       152,438  

5.13%, 12/15/22 (Call 12/15/17)d

    USD       75       76,791  

CIT Group Inc.

     

3.88%, 02/19/19

    USD       150       152,250  

5.00%, 08/15/22

    USD       200       215,231  

5.00%, 08/01/23

    USD       100       108,073  

5.38%, 05/15/20

    USD       200       213,705  

Citgo Holding Inc.

     

10.75%, 02/15/20a

    USD       225       242,859  

Claire’s Stores Inc.

 

9.00%, 03/15/19 (Call 12/01/17)a

    USD       100       61,516  

Clean Harbors Inc.

     

5.13%, 06/01/21 (Call 12/01/17)

    USD       200       202,606  

5.25%, 08/01/20 (Call 12/01/17)

    USD       40       40,530  

Clear Channel Worldwide Holdings Inc.

     

6.50%, 11/15/22 (Call 12/01/17)

    USD       100       103,000  

6.50%, 11/15/22 (Call 12/01/17)d

    USD       400       413,500  

Series B

     

7.63%, 03/15/20 (Call 12/01/17)

    USD       300       300,000  
Security       
Principal
(000s)
    Value  

Cleveland-Cliffs Inc.

     

5.75%, 03/01/25 (Call 03/01/20)a

    USD       210     $ 203,700  

CNH Industrial Finance Europe SA

     

2.75%, 03/18/19c

    EUR       100       120,947  

2.88%, 09/27/21c

    EUR       100       128,589  

Colfax Corp.

     

3.25%, 05/15/25 (Call 05/15/20)c

    EUR       125       152,416  

CommScope Inc.

     

5.00%, 06/15/21 (Call 12/01/17)a

    USD       100       102,221  

5.50%, 06/15/24 (Call 06/15/19)a

    USD       125       130,385  

CommScope Technologies LLC

     

5.00%, 03/15/27 (Call 03/15/22)a

    USD       200       195,042  

6.00%, 06/15/25 (Call 06/15/20)a

    USD       230       243,225  

CONSOL Energy Inc.

     

5.88%, 04/15/22 (Call 12/01/17)d

    USD       300       307,080  

8.00%, 04/01/23 (Call 04/01/18)

    USD       100       107,083  

Continental Resources Inc./OK

     

3.80%, 06/01/24 (Call 03/01/24)d

    USD       150       145,857  

4.50%, 04/15/23 (Call 01/15/23)

    USD       300       303,577  

5.00%, 09/15/22 (Call 12/01/17)d

    USD       325       329,062  

Covanta Holding Corp.

     

5.88%, 03/01/24 (Call 03/01/19)d

    USD       75       74,813  

5.88%, 07/01/25 (Call 07/01/20)

    USD       50       49,500  

6.38%, 10/01/22 (Call 12/01/17)

    USD       75       77,048  

CRC Escrow Issuer LLC/CRC Finco Inc.

     

5.25%, 10/15/25 (Call 10/15/20)a,g

    USD       300       301,875  

Crestwood Midstream Partners LP/Crestwood Midstream Finance Corp.

     

5.75%, 04/01/25 (Call 04/01/20)

    USD       100       102,500  

6.25%, 04/01/23 (Call 04/01/18)d

    USD       125       130,161  

Crown Americas LLC/Crown Americas Capital Corp. IV

     

4.50%, 01/15/23

    USD       225       233,966  

Crown Americas LLC/Crown Americas Capital Corp. V

     

4.25%, 09/30/26 (Call 03/31/26)

    USD       50       50,063  

Crown European Holdings SA

     

2.63%, 09/30/24 (Call 03/31/24)c

    EUR       100       120,813  

3.38%, 05/15/25 (Call 11/15/24)c

    EUR       100       124,174  

4.00%, 07/15/22 (Call 04/15/22)c

    EUR       100       130,673  
 

 

52    2017 iSHARES ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Table of Contents

Schedule of Investments (Continued)

iSHARES® US & INTL HIGH YIELD CORP BOND ETF

October 31, 2017

 

Security       
Principal
(000s)
    Value  

CrownRock LP/CrownRock Finance Inc.

     

5.63%, 10/15/25 (Call 10/15/20)a

    USD       175     $ 177,625  

CSC Holdings LLC

     

5.25%, 06/01/24

    USD       125       124,556  

5.50%, 04/15/27 (Call 04/15/22)a,d

    USD       200       205,802  

6.75%, 11/15/21

    USD       175       192,533  

8.63%, 02/15/19

    USD       75       80,344  

10.13%, 01/15/23 (Call 01/15/19)a

    USD       400       456,598  

10.88%, 10/15/25 (Call 10/15/20)a

    USD       336       411,782  

Dana Financing Luxembourg Sarl

     

5.75%, 04/15/25 (Call 04/15/20)a

    USD       75       79,477  

Dana Inc.

     

5.50%, 12/15/24 (Call 12/15/19)d

    USD       75       79,183  

Darling Global Finance BV

     

4.75%, 05/30/22 (Call 05/30/18)c

    EUR       100       121,717  

DaVita Inc.

     

5.00%, 05/01/25 (Call 05/01/20)

    USD       320       315,829  

5.13%, 07/15/24 (Call 07/15/19)d

    USD       275       276,564  

5.75%, 08/15/22 (Call 12/01/17)

    USD       200       205,891  

DCP Midstream Operating LP

     

3.88%, 03/15/23 (Call 12/15/22)d

    USD       100       98,864  

4.75%, 09/30/21 (Call 06/30/21)a

    USD       50       51,307  

5.35%, 03/15/20a

    USD       150       156,040  

VRN, (3 mo. LIBOR
US + 3.850%)

     

5.85%, 05/21/43 (Call 05/21/23)a,b

    USD       125       118,906  

Dell Inc.

     

4.63%, 04/01/21d

    USD       75       77,738  

5.88%, 06/15/19

    USD       150       157,012  

Dell International LLC/EMC Corp.

     

5.88%, 06/15/21 (Call 06/15/18)a,d

    USD       275       287,327  

7.13%, 06/15/24 (Call 06/15/19)a,d

    USD       250       275,547  

Denbury Resources Inc.

     

4.63%, 07/15/23 (Call 01/15/18)

    USD       125       71,250  

5.50%, 05/01/22 (Call 12/01/17)

    USD       125       77,500  

9.00%, 05/15/21 (Call 12/15/18)a,d

    USD       100       97,425  

Diamond BC BV

     

5.63%, 08/15/25 (Call 08/15/20)c

    EUR       100       120,572  

Diamond Offshore Drilling Inc.

     

7.88%, 08/15/25 (Call 05/15/25)d

    USD       80       85,109  

Diamond Resorts International Inc.

 

7.75%, 09/01/23 (Call 09/01/19)a

    USD       100       108,153  

10.75%, 09/01/24 (Call 09/01/19)a,d

    USD       100       107,175  
Security       
Principal
(000s)
    Value  

Diamondback Energy Inc.

     

4.75%, 11/01/24 (Call 11/01/19)d

    USD       150     $ 153,000  

5.38%, 05/31/25 (Call 05/31/20)

    USD       60       62,256  

DISH DBS Corp.

     

5.00%, 03/15/23d

    USD       250       242,214  

5.13%, 05/01/20

    USD       175       179,276  

5.88%, 07/15/22d

    USD       400       403,197  

5.88%, 11/15/24d

    USD       350       350,437  

6.75%, 06/01/21

    USD       300       315,000  

7.75%, 07/01/26

    USD       350       383,250  

7.88%, 09/01/19

    USD       250       270,125  

DJO Finco Inc./DJO Finance LLC/DJO Finance Corp.

     

8.13%, 06/15/21 (Call 06/15/18)a

    USD       150       142,717  

Dollar Tree Inc.

     

5.25%, 03/01/20 (Call 12/01/17)

    USD       150       153,212  

5.75%, 03/01/23 (Call 03/01/18)

    USD       400       420,103  

DPL Inc.

     

7.25%, 10/15/21 (Call 07/15/21)d

    USD       50       55,200  

Dynegy Inc.

     

5.88%, 06/01/23 (Call 06/01/18)

    USD       100       103,185  

7.38%, 11/01/22 (Call 11/01/18)

    USD       275       295,281  

7.63%, 11/01/24 (Call 11/01/19)d

    USD       225       245,812  

8.00%, 01/15/25 (Call 01/15/20)a,d

    USD       150       164,437  

8.13%, 01/30/26 (Call 07/30/20)a

    USD       150       166,406  

Edgewell Personal Care Co.

     

4.70%, 05/19/21

    USD       150       158,106  

4.70%, 05/24/22d

    USD       50       53,088  

Eldorado Resorts Inc.

     

6.00%, 04/01/25 (Call 04/01/20)

    USD       110       116,325  

EMC Corp.

     

2.65%, 06/01/20

    USD       375       370,303  

3.38%, 06/01/23 (Call 03/01/23)

    USD       200       192,683  

Endo Dac/Endo Finance LLC/Endo Finco Inc.

     

6.00%, 07/15/23 (Call 07/15/18)a

    USD       200       162,000  

6.00%, 02/01/25 (Call 02/01/20)a

    USD       200       158,036  

Endo Finance LLC

     

5.75%, 01/15/22 (Call 12/01/17)a

    USD       125       109,427  

Endo Finance LLC/Endo Finco Inc.

     

5.38%, 01/15/23 (Call 12/01/17)a,d

    USD       200       160,898  

Energy Transfer Equity LP

     

4.25%, 03/15/23 (Call 12/15/22)

    USD       175       178,064  

5.50%, 06/01/27 (Call 03/01/27)

    USD       175       185,105  
 

 

SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS

     53  


Table of Contents

Schedule of Investments (Continued)

iSHARES® US & INTL HIGH YIELD CORP BOND ETF

October 31, 2017

 

Security       
Principal
(000s)
    Value  

5.88%, 01/15/24 (Call 10/15/23)

    USD       200     $ 217,375  

7.50%, 10/15/20

    USD       200       225,000  

Ensco PLC

     

4.50%, 10/01/24 (Call 07/01/24)d

    USD       100       81,916  

5.20%, 03/15/25 (Call 12/15/24)

    USD       75       62,941  

Envision Healthcare Corp.

     

5.13%, 07/01/22 (Call 12/01/17)a

    USD       50       50,734  

5.63%, 07/15/22 (Call 12/01/17)

    USD       225       229,641  

6.25%, 12/01/24 (Call 12/01/19)a,d

    USD       135       140,888  

EP Energy LLC/Everest Acquisition Finance Inc.

     

6.38%, 06/15/23 (Call 06/15/18)

    USD       75       44,344  

8.00%, 11/29/24 (Call 11/30/19)a,d

    USD       75       76,144  

8.00%, 02/15/25 (Call 02/15/20)a,d

    USD       180       133,200  

9.38%, 05/01/20 (Call 12/01/17)

    USD       250       210,547  

Equinix Inc.

     

2.88%, 10/01/25 (Call 10/01/20)

    EUR       150       179,159  

5.38%, 01/01/22 (Call 01/01/18)

    USD       180       188,294  

5.38%, 04/01/23 (Call 04/01/18)

    USD       180       186,244  

5.38%, 05/15/27 (Call 05/15/22)

    USD       230       246,962  

5.75%, 01/01/25 (Call 01/01/20)

    USD       150       160,672  

5.88%, 01/15/26 (Call 01/15/21)

    USD       175       189,656  

ESH Hospitality Inc.

     

5.25%, 05/01/25 (Call 05/01/20)a

    USD       255       263,606  

Exela Intermediate LLC/Exela Finance Inc.

     

10.00%, 07/15/23 (Call 07/15/20)a

    USD       200       191,571  

Federal-Mogul Holdings LLC

     

4.88%, 04/15/22 (Call 04/15/19)c

    EUR       175       208,057  

Ferrellgas LP/Ferrellgas Finance Corp.

     

6.50%, 05/01/21 (Call 12/01/17)d

    USD       100       95,000  

6.75%, 01/15/22 (Call 12/01/17)d

    USD       100       94,750  

6.75%, 06/15/23 (Call 06/15/19)d

    USD       75       69,938  

Fifth Third Bancorp.

     

VRN, (3 mo. LIBOR
US + 3.033%)

     

5.10%, (Call 06/30/23)b,h

    USD       100       102,375  

First Data Corp.

     

5.00%, 01/15/24 (Call 01/15/19)a

    USD       290       301,600  

5.38%, 08/15/23 (Call 08/15/18)a

    USD       200       208,297  

5.75%, 01/15/24 (Call 01/15/19)a

    USD       385       402,238  

7.00%, 12/01/23 (Call 12/01/18)a

    USD       575       615,288  
Security       
Principal
(000s)
    Value  

First Quality Finance Co. Inc.

     

4.63%, 05/15/21 (Call 12/01/17)a

    USD       150     $ 151,333  

5.00%, 07/01/25 (Call 07/01/20)a

    USD       45       46,197  

Freeport-McMoRan Inc.

     

3.10%, 03/15/20

    USD       181       181,679  

3.55%, 03/01/22 (Call 12/01/21)

    USD       325       320,951  

3.88%, 03/15/23 (Call 12/15/22)d

    USD       350       345,187  

4.00%, 11/14/21

    USD       100       100,658  

4.55%, 11/14/24 (Call 08/14/24)d

    USD       125       124,751  

6.50%, 11/15/20 (Call 12/01/17)

    USD       150       152,893  

6.88%, 02/15/23 (Call 02/15/20)

    USD       150       163,604  

Frontier Communications Corp.

     

6.25%, 09/15/21 (Call 06/15/21)d

    USD       125       102,417  

6.88%, 01/15/25 (Call 10/15/24)d

    USD       150       111,111  

7.13%, 03/15/19

    USD       50       50,112  

7.13%, 01/15/23

    USD       150       114,865  

7.63%, 04/15/24

    USD       100       76,313  

8.50%, 04/15/20

    USD       150       147,938  

8.75%, 04/15/22

    USD       75       61,875  

9.25%, 07/01/21

    USD       150       133,576  

10.50%, 09/15/22 (Call 06/15/22)

    USD       375       327,802  

11.00%, 09/15/25 (Call 06/15/25)

    USD       625       528,906  

Gates Global LLC/Gates Global Co.

     

6.00%, 07/15/22 (Call 11/16/17)a,d

    USD       175       180,031  

Genesis Energy LP/Genesis Energy Finance Corp.

     

6.00%, 05/15/23 (Call 05/15/18)

    USD       50       50,215  

6.50%, 10/01/25 (Call 10/01/20)

    USD       110       111,368  

6.75%, 08/01/22 (Call 08/01/18)

    USD       150       155,250  

Genworth Holdings Inc.

     

4.80%, 02/15/24

    USD       50       42,563  

4.90%, 08/15/23

    USD       75       63,797  

7.20%, 02/15/21

    USD       49       46,713  

7.63%, 09/24/21

    USD       150       144,521  

7.70%, 06/15/20d

    USD       50       49,105  

GLP Capital LP/GLP Financing II Inc.

     

4.38%, 11/01/18 (Call 08/01/18)

    USD       100       101,025  

4.38%, 04/15/21

    USD       50       52,241  

4.88%, 11/01/20 (Call 08/01/20)

    USD       175       184,438  

5.38%, 11/01/23 (Call 08/01/23)

    USD       100       108,750  

5.38%, 04/15/26

    USD       175       189,219  
 

 

54    2017 iSHARES ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Table of Contents

Schedule of Investments (Continued)

iSHARES® US & INTL HIGH YIELD CORP BOND ETF

October 31, 2017

 

Security       
Principal
(000s)
    Value  

Golden Nugget Inc.

     

6.75%, 10/15/24 (Call 10/15/19)a

    USD       250     $ 253,945  

8.75%, 10/01/25 (Call 10/01/20)a

    USD       150       154,142  

Goodyear Dunlop Tires Europe BV

     

3.75%, 12/15/23 (Call 12/15/18)c

    EUR       100       122,066  

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. (The)

     

4.88%, 03/15/27 (Call 12/15/26)d

    USD       125       127,031  

5.00%, 05/31/26 (Call 05/31/21)d

    USD       150       153,562  

5.13%, 11/15/23 (Call 11/15/18)

    USD       175       180,250  

Gray Television Inc.

     

5.13%, 10/15/24 (Call 10/15/19)a,d

    USD       100       99,720  

5.88%, 07/15/26 (Call 07/15/21)a,d

    USD       105       107,408  

Gulfport Energy Corp.

     

6.00%, 10/15/24 (Call 10/15/19)

    USD       75       75,422  

6.38%, 05/15/25 (Call 05/15/20)d

    USD       135       136,493  

6.38%, 01/15/26 (Call 01/15/21)a

    USD       70       70,613  

Hanesbrands Finance Luxembourg SCA

     

3.50%, 06/15/24 (Call 03/15/24)c

    EUR       100       125,911  

Hanesbrands Inc.

     

4.63%, 05/15/24 (Call 02/15/24)a,d

    USD       175       179,758  

4.88%, 05/15/26 (Call 02/15/26)a

    USD       125       128,594  

Harland Clarke Holdings Corp.

     

8.38%, 08/15/22 (Call 02/15/19)a

    USD       140       147,175  

9.25%, 03/01/21 (Call 12/01/17)a

    USD       125       127,502  

HCA Healthcare Inc.

     

6.25%, 02/15/21

    USD       175       188,096  

HCA Inc.

     

3.75%, 03/15/19

    USD       250       253,878  

4.25%, 10/15/19

    USD       150       154,372  

4.50%, 02/15/27 (Call 08/15/26)

    USD       180       181,394  

4.75%, 05/01/23

    USD       175       183,190  

5.00%, 03/15/24

    USD       300       315,924  

5.25%, 04/15/25

    USD       300       319,875  

5.25%, 06/15/26 (Call 12/15/25)

    USD       290       307,562  

5.38%, 02/01/25

    USD       475       488,841  

5.88%, 03/15/22

    USD       200       218,432  

5.88%, 05/01/23d

    USD       200       213,668  

5.88%, 02/15/26 (Call 08/15/25)d

    USD       325       341,565  

6.50%, 02/15/20

    USD       500       538,651  

7.50%, 02/15/22d

    USD       325       368,875  

HD Supply Inc.

     

5.75%, 04/15/24 (Call 04/15/19)a

    USD       200       215,750  
Security       
Principal
(000s)
    Value  

HealthSouth Corp.

     

5.75%, 11/01/24 (Call 12/01/17)

    USD       175     $ 179,000  

Herc Rentals Inc.

     

7.50%, 06/01/22 (Call 06/01/19)a

    USD       80       86,584  

7.75%, 06/01/24 (Call 06/01/19)a,d

    USD       80       87,610  

Hertz Corp. (The)

     

5.50%, 10/15/24 (Call 10/15/19)a,d

    USD       125       112,715  

5.88%, 10/15/20 (Call 12/01/17)d

    USD       125       124,103  

6.25%, 10/15/22 (Call 12/01/17)d

    USD       100       95,750  

6.75%, 04/15/19 (Call 12/01/17)

    USD       104       104,325  

7.38%, 01/15/21 (Call 12/01/17)d

    USD       100       100,583  

7.63%, 06/01/22 (Call 06/01/19)a,d

    USD       200       208,540  

Hertz Holdings Netherlands BV

     

4.38%, 01/15/19c

    EUR       100       118,105  

Hexion Inc.

     

6.63%, 04/15/20 (Call 12/01/17)

    USD       275       244,750  

10.38%, 02/01/22 (Call 02/01/19)a,d

    USD       105       98,555  

Hexion Inc./Hexion Nova Scotia Finance ULC

     

9.00%, 11/15/20 (Call 12/01/17)

    USD       100       71,067  

Hilcorp Energy I LP/Hilcorp Finance Co.

     

5.00%, 12/01/24 (Call 06/01/19)a

    USD       100       99,215  

5.75%, 10/01/25 (Call 04/01/20)a

    USD       100       102,071  

Hilton Domestic Operating Co. Inc.

     

4.25%, 09/01/24 (Call 09/01/19)

    USD       175       178,597  

Hilton Worldwide Finance LLC/Hilton Worldwide Finance Corp.

     

4.63%, 04/01/25 (Call 04/01/20)

    USD       170       175,171  

4.88%, 04/01/27 (Call 04/01/22)

    USD       75       78,863  

Hologic Inc.

     

5.25%, 07/15/22 (Call 07/15/18)a

    USD       200       208,876  

Howard Hughes Corp. (The)

     

5.38%, 03/15/25 (Call 03/15/20)a

    USD       175       179,812  

HRG Group Inc.

     

7.75%, 01/15/22 (Call 12/01/17)

    USD       175       182,962  

7.88%, 07/15/19 (Call 12/01/17)

    USD       50       50,552  

HUB International Ltd.

     

7.88%, 10/01/21 (Call 12/01/17)a

    USD       200       208,000  

Hughes Satellite Systems Corp.

     

5.25%, 08/01/26

    USD       135       137,880  

6.50%, 06/15/19

    USD       140       148,066  

6.63%, 08/01/26

    USD       140       148,050  

7.63%, 06/15/21

    USD       175       196,437  
 

 

SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS

     55  


Table of Contents

Schedule of Investments (Continued)

iSHARES® US & INTL HIGH YIELD CORP BOND ETF

October 31, 2017

 

Security       
Principal
(000s)
    Value  

Huntsman International LLC

     

4.88%, 11/15/20 (Call 08/15/20)

    USD       125     $ 131,042  

5.13%, 04/15/21 (Call 01/15/21)

    EUR       100       131,014  

5.13%, 11/15/22 (Call 08/15/22)

    USD       100       107,148  

Icahn Enterprises LP/Icahn Enterprises Finance Corp.

     

4.88%, 03/15/19 (Call 12/01/17)

    USD       250       251,037  

5.88%, 02/01/22 (Call 12/01/17)

    USD       250       257,778  

6.00%, 08/01/20 (Call 12/01/17)

    USD       325       334,898  

6.25%, 02/01/22 (Call 02/01/19)

    USD       125       130,729  

6.75%, 02/01/24 (Call 02/01/20)

    USD       100       106,036  

iHeartCommunications Inc.

     

9.00%, 12/15/19 (Call 12/01/17)

    USD       225       165,937  

9.00%, 03/01/21 (Call 12/01/17)

    USD       250       180,113  

9.00%, 09/15/22 (Call 12/01/17)

    USD       150       107,990  

10.63%, 03/15/23 (Call 03/15/18)

    USD       125       89,720  

11.25%, 03/01/21 (Call 12/01/17)a

    USD       75       53,063  

11.25%, 03/01/21 (Call 12/01/17)

    USD       100       72,000  

Infor U.S. Inc.

     

5.75%, 08/15/20 (Call 11/16/17)a

    USD       100       102,827  

5.75%, 05/15/22 (Call 05/15/18)

    EUR       100       121,263  

6.50%, 05/15/22 (Call 05/15/18)

    USD       300       312,478  

Ingram Micro Inc.

     

5.45%, 12/15/24 (Call 09/15/24)d

    USD       100       102,275  

International Game Technology PLC

     

4.75%, 03/05/20c

    EUR       100       127,745  

4.75%, 02/15/23 (Call 08/15/22)c

    EUR       100       131,191  

6.25%, 02/15/22 (Call 08/15/21)a

    USD       250       274,665  

6.50%, 02/15/25 (Call 08/15/24)a

    USD       200       225,000  

IPALCO Enterprises Inc.

     

3.45%, 07/15/20 (Call 06/15/20)

    USD       100       101,406  

3.70%, 09/01/24 (Call 07/01/24)a

    USD       80       80,058  

Iron Mountain Inc.

     

3.00%, 01/15/25 (Call 06/15/20)c

    EUR       100       118,339  

4.88%, 09/15/27 (Call 09/15/22)a

    USD       125       126,641  

5.75%, 08/15/24 (Call 12/01/17)d

    USD       200       205,750  

6.00%, 08/15/23 (Call 08/15/18)

    USD       150       157,637  

iStar Inc.

     

4.63%, 09/15/20 (Call 06/15/20)

    USD       75       76,517  

5.00%, 07/01/19 (Call 12/01/17)

    USD       100       101,010  

5.25%, 09/15/22 (Call 09/15/19)

    USD       75       76,875  

Jack Ohio Finance LLC/Jack Ohio Finance 1 Corp.

     

6.75%, 11/15/21 (Call 11/15/18)a,d

    USD       150       158,881  
Security       
Principal
(000s)
    Value  

Jaguar Holding Co. II/Pharmaceutical Product Development LLC

     

6.38%, 08/01/23 (Call 08/01/18)a

    USD       200     $ 209,167  

JC Penney Corp. Inc.

     

5.65%, 06/01/20d

    USD       75       65,625  

5.88%, 07/01/23 (Call 07/01/19)a,d

    USD       50       47,433  

8.13%, 10/01/19

    USD       25       24,938  

Jefferies Finance LLC/JFIN Co-Issuer Corp.

     

6.88%, 04/15/22 (Call 12/01/17)a

    USD       200       202,656  

K Hovnanian Enterprises Inc.

     

10.00%, 07/15/22 (Call 07/15/19)a

    USD       75       82,031  

10.50%, 07/15/24 (Call 07/15/20)a,d

    USD       105       117,075  

KB Home

     

4.75%, 05/15/19 (Call 02/15/19)

    USD       75       76,781  

7.00%, 12/15/21 (Call 09/15/21)d

    USD       50       56,355  

KFC Holding Co./Pizza Hut Holdings LLC/Taco Bell of America LLC

     

4.75%, 06/01/27 (Call 06/01/22)a

    USD       125       128,281  

5.00%, 06/01/24 (Call 06/01/19)a

    USD       200       211,000  

5.25%, 06/01/26 (Call 06/01/21)a

    USD       200       212,000  

Kindred Healthcare Inc.

     

6.38%, 04/15/22 (Call 12/01/17)

    USD       100       92,259  

8.00%, 01/15/20

    USD       125       126,146  

8.75%, 01/15/23 (Call 01/15/18)d

    USD       100       97,469  

Kinetic Concepts Inc./KCI USA Inc.

     

7.88%, 02/15/21 (Call 02/15/18)a

    USD       150       157,125  

12.50%, 11/01/21 (Call 05/01/19)a

    USD       75       83,408  

KLX Inc.

     

5.88%, 12/01/22 (Call 12/01/17)a

    USD       225       235,209  

Kronos Acquisition Holdings Inc.

     

9.00%, 08/15/23 (Call 08/15/18)a

    USD       165       157,958  

L Brands Inc.

     

5.63%, 02/15/22d

    USD       175       187,381  

5.63%, 10/15/23d

    USD       100       106,713  

6.63%, 04/01/21

    USD       175       192,719  

7.00%, 05/01/20

    USD       25       27,594  

8.50%, 06/15/19

    USD       50       54,609  

Ladder Capital Finance Holdings LLLP/Ladder Capital Finance Corp.

     

5.25%, 10/01/25 (Call 10/01/20)a

    USD       85       84,637  
 

 

56    2017 iSHARES ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Table of Contents

Schedule of Investments (Continued)

iSHARES® US & INTL HIGH YIELD CORP BOND ETF

October 31, 2017

 

Security       
Principal
(000s)
    Value  

Lamar Media Corp.

     

5.00%, 05/01/23 (Call 05/01/18)

    USD       150     $ 155,062  

5.38%, 01/15/24 (Call 01/15/19)

    USD       50       52,500  

5.75%, 02/01/26 (Call 02/01/21)

    USD       75       80,755  

5.88%, 02/01/22 (Call 12/01/17)

    USD       75       76,969  

Lamb Weston Holdings Inc.

     

4.63%, 11/01/24 (Call 11/01/21)a

    USD       150       156,750  

4.88%, 11/01/26 (Call 11/01/21)a

    USD       150       157,500  

Laredo Petroleum Inc.

     

5.63%, 01/15/22 (Call 12/01/17)

    USD       125       127,500  

7.38%, 05/01/22 (Call 11/29/17)

    USD       100       104,125  

Leidos Holdings Inc.

     

4.45%, 12/01/20 (Call 09/01/20)

    USD       50       52,392  

Lennar Corp.

     

4.13%, 01/15/22 (Call 10/15/21)

    USD       155       160,425  

4.50%, 06/15/19 (Call 04/16/19)

    USD       25       25,725  

4.50%, 11/15/19 (Call 08/15/19)

    USD       150       155,062  

4.50%, 04/30/24 (Call 01/31/24)d

    USD       125       128,712  

4.75%, 04/01/21 (Call 02/01/21)d

    USD       140       146,810  

4.75%, 11/15/22 (Call 08/15/22)

    USD       100       105,500  

4.75%, 05/30/25 (Call 02/28/25)

    USD       50       52,125  

4.88%, 12/15/23 (Call 09/15/23)

    USD       80       84,429  

Leucadia National Corp.

     

5.50%, 10/18/23 (Call 01/18/23)

    USD       125       134,890  

Level 3 Communications Inc.

     

5.75%, 12/01/22 (Call 12/01/17)

    USD       150       154,380  

Level 3 Financing Inc.

     

5.13%, 05/01/23 (Call 05/01/18)

    USD       125       127,859  

5.25%, 03/15/26 (Call 03/15/21)

    USD       130       134,086  

5.38%, 08/15/22 (Call 12/01/17)

    USD       175       180,299  

5.38%, 01/15/24 (Call 01/15/19)

    USD       175       181,125  

5.38%, 05/01/25 (Call 05/01/20)d

    USD       150       156,147  

5.63%, 02/01/23 (Call 02/01/18)

    USD       150       154,697  

6.13%, 01/15/21 (Call 12/01/17)

    USD       50       51,006  

Levi Strauss & Co.

     

3.38%, 03/15/27 (Call 03/15/22)

    EUR       100       122,509  

LifePoint Health Inc.

     

5.38%, 05/01/24 (Call 05/01/19)

    USD       75       75,375  

5.50%, 12/01/21 (Call 12/01/17)

    USD       225       229,781  

5.88%, 12/01/23 (Call 12/01/18)d

    USD       65       66,801  

LIN Television Corp.

     

5.88%, 11/15/22 (Call 11/15/17)

    USD       75       78,085  

LKQ Italia Bondco SpA

     

3.88%, 04/01/24 (Call 01/01/24)c

    EUR       100       128,795  
Security       
Principal
(000s)
    Value  

Mallinckrodt International
Finance SA

     

4.75%, 04/15/23d

    USD       100     $ 84,500  

Mallinckrodt International Finance SA/Mallinckrodt CB LLC

     

4.88%, 04/15/20 (Call 12/01/17)a

    USD       150       149,457  

5.50%, 04/15/25 (Call 04/15/20)a,d

    USD       100       89,520  

5.63%, 10/15/23 (Call 10/15/18)a,d

    USD       150       139,962  

5.75%, 08/01/22 (Call 12/01/17)a,d

    USD       150       146,227  

MGM Growth Properties Operating Partnership LP/MGP Finance Co-Issuer Inc.

     

4.50%, 09/01/26 (Call 06/01/26)d

    USD       75       75,307  

5.63%, 05/01/24 (Call 02/01/24)d

    USD       200       215,820  

MGM Resorts International

     

4.63%, 09/01/26 (Call 06/01/26)

    USD       100       100,000  

5.25%, 03/31/20

    USD       100       105,185  

6.00%, 03/15/23

    USD       225       246,402  

6.63%, 12/15/21

    USD       225       251,437  

6.75%, 10/01/20

    USD       200       220,040  

7.75%, 03/15/22

    USD       175       203,119  

8.63%, 02/01/19

    USD       150       160,891  

Micron Technology Inc.

     

5.25%, 08/01/23 (Call 02/01/18)a

    USD       200       209,320  

5.25%, 01/15/24 (Call 05/01/18)a

    USD       100       105,125  

5.50%, 02/01/25 (Call 08/01/19)

    USD       90       95,695  

Molina Healthcare Inc.

     

5.38%, 11/15/22 (Call 08/15/22)

    USD       100       103,975  

MPH Acquisition Holdings LLC

     

7.13%, 06/01/24 (Call 06/01/19)a

    USD       250       268,864  

MPT Operating Partnership LP/MPT Finance Corp.

     

4.00%, 08/19/22 (Call 05/19/22)

    EUR       200       258,847  

5.00%, 10/15/27 (Call 10/15/22)

    USD       175       179,500  

5.25%, 08/01/26 (Call 08/01/21)

    USD       100       104,118  

6.38%, 03/01/24 (Call 03/01/19)

    USD       100       108,205  

MSCI Inc.

     

4.75%, 08/01/26 (Call 08/01/21)a

    USD       100       104,750  

5.25%, 11/15/24 (Call 11/15/19)a

    USD       125       132,471  

5.75%, 08/15/25 (Call 08/15/20)a

    USD       175       189,219  

Murphy Oil Corp.

     

4.00%, 06/01/22 (Call 03/01/22)

    USD       75       74,591  

4.70%, 12/01/22 (Call 09/01/22)d

    USD       100       100,240  
 

 

SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS

     57  


Table of Contents

Schedule of Investments (Continued)

iSHARES® US & INTL HIGH YIELD CORP BOND ETF

October 31, 2017

 

Security       
Principal
(000s)
    Value  

5.75%, 08/15/25 (Call 08/15/20)d

    USD       120     $ 124,064  

6.88%, 08/15/24 (Call 08/15/19)

    USD       100       107,418  

Murray Energy Corp.

     

11.25%, 04/15/21 (Call 04/15/18)a,d

    USD       150       82,500  

Nabors Industries Inc.

     

4.63%, 09/15/21

    USD       100       96,663  

5.00%, 09/15/20

    USD       150       151,500  

5.50%, 01/15/23 (Call 11/15/22)d

    USD       100       96,250  

Nationstar Mortgage LLC/Nationstar Capital Corp.

     

6.50%, 08/01/18 (Call 12/01/17)

    USD       50       50,099  

6.50%, 07/01/21 (Call 12/01/17)

    USD       75       76,149  

7.88%, 10/01/20 (Call 12/01/17)

    USD       50       51,042  

Navient Corp.

     

4.88%, 06/17/19

    USD       200       205,406  

5.00%, 10/26/20

    USD       150       154,500  

5.50%, 01/15/19

    USD       200       206,100  

5.50%, 01/25/23

    USD       175       176,986  

5.88%, 03/25/21

    USD       50       52,563  

5.88%, 10/25/24d

    USD       100       101,750  

6.13%, 03/25/24d

    USD       175       179,944  

6.50%, 06/15/22

    USD       100       106,500  

6.63%, 07/26/21

    USD       150       160,687  

6.75%, 06/25/25d

    USD       100       104,500  

7.25%, 01/25/22

    USD       125       136,250  

7.25%, 09/25/23

    USD       50       54,243  

8.00%, 03/25/20

    USD       275       303,531  

Navios Maritime Holdings Inc./Navios Maritime Finance II U.S. Inc.

     

7.38%, 01/15/22 (Call 12/04/17)a

    USD       100       81,875  

Navistar International Corp.

     

8.25%, 11/01/21 (Call 12/01/17)

    USD       200       200,780  

NCR Corp.

     

4.63%, 02/15/21 (Call 12/01/17)

    USD       150       152,207  

5.00%, 07/15/22 (Call 12/01/17)d

    USD       100       102,112  

5.88%, 12/15/21 (Call 12/15/17)

    USD       75       77,531  

6.38%, 12/15/23 (Call 12/15/18)d

    USD       100       106,143  

Neiman Marcus Group Ltd. LLC

     

8.00%, 10/15/21 (Call 12/01/17)a

    USD       125       73,750  

Netflix Inc.

     

3.63%, 05/15/27c

    EUR       200       238,983  

4.38%, 11/15/26a,d

    USD       240       235,036  
Security       
Principal
(000s)
    Value  

4.88%, 04/15/28a

    USD       270     $ 268,366  

5.38%, 02/01/21

    USD       100       106,688  

5.50%, 02/15/22

    USD       125       134,033  

5.75%, 03/01/24

    USD       50       53,546  

5.88%, 02/15/25

    USD       125       134,794  

Newfield Exploration Co.

     

5.38%, 01/01/26 (Call 10/01/25)

    USD       125       132,813  

5.63%, 07/01/24d

    USD       175       188,820  

5.75%, 01/30/22

    USD       150       161,180  

Nexstar Broadcasting Inc.

     

5.63%, 08/01/24 (Call 08/01/19)a,d

    USD       125       128,125  

NextEra Energy Operating Partners LP

     

4.25%, 09/15/24 (Call 07/15/24)a,d

    USD       75       75,750  

4.50%, 09/15/27 (Call 06/15/27)a

    USD       75       75,361  

NGL Energy Partners LP/NGL Energy Finance Corp.

     

6.13%, 03/01/25 (Call 03/01/20)d

    USD       100       94,603  

7.50%, 11/01/23 (Call 11/01/19)

    USD       100       99,750  

NGPL PipeCo LLC

     

4.38%, 08/15/22 (Call 05/15/22)a

    USD       90       92,250  

4.88%, 08/15/27 (Call 02/15/27)a

    USD       130       135,040  

Nielsen Co. Luxembourg Sarl (The)

     

5.00%, 02/01/25 (Call 02/01/20)a,d

    USD       75       77,719  

5.50%, 10/01/21 (Call 12/01/17)a,d

    USD       150       154,500  

Nielsen Finance LLC/Nielsen Finance Co.

     

4.50%, 10/01/20 (Call 12/01/17)

    USD       75       76,125  

5.00%, 04/15/22 (Call 12/01/17)a

    USD       350       360,069  

Noble Holding International Ltd.

     

7.70%, 04/01/25 (Call 01/01/25)

    USD       100       87,250  

Novelis Corp.

     

5.88%, 09/30/26 (Call 09/30/21)a

    USD       300       309,186  

6.25%, 08/15/24 (Call 08/15/19)a

    USD       200       210,784  

NRG Energy Inc.

     

6.25%, 07/15/22 (Call 07/15/18)

    USD       175       184,187  

6.25%, 05/01/24 (Call 05/01/19)

    USD       125       132,352  

6.63%, 03/15/23 (Call 12/01/17)

    USD       175       181,125  

6.63%, 01/15/27 (Call 07/15/21)

    USD       225       239,660  

7.25%, 05/15/26 (Call 05/15/21)d

    USD       160       173,549  

Nuance Communications Inc.

     

5.38%, 08/15/20 (Call 12/01/17)a

    USD       43       43,742  

5.63%, 12/15/26 (Call 12/15/21)a

    USD       100       106,250  
 

 

58    2017 iSHARES ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Table of Contents

Schedule of Investments (Continued)

iSHARES® US & INTL HIGH YIELD CORP BOND ETF

October 31, 2017

 

Security       
Principal
(000s)
    Value  

NuStar Logistics LP

     

4.80%, 09/01/20

    USD       50     $ 51,985  

5.63%, 04/28/27 (Call 01/28/27)d

    USD       100       105,094  

Oasis Petroleum Inc.

     

6.88%, 03/15/22 (Call 12/01/17)d

    USD       200       205,250  

OI European Group BV

     

3.13%, 11/15/24 (Call 08/15/24)c

    EUR       200       243,701  

6.75%, 09/15/20c

    EUR       100       137,597  

Olin Corp.

     

5.13%, 09/15/27 (Call 03/15/22)

    USD       100       105,125  

OneMain Financial Holdings LLC

     

6.75%, 12/15/19 (Call 12/01/17)a

    USD       75       77,750  

7.25%, 12/15/21 (Call 12/15/17)a

    USD       125       129,949  

Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics Inc./Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics SA

     

6.63%, 05/15/22 (Call 12/01/17)a

    USD       250       251,250  

Outfront Media Capital LLC/Outfront Media Capital Corp.

     

5.25%, 02/15/22 (Call 12/01/17)

    USD       100       103,500  

5.63%, 02/15/24 (Call 02/15/19)

    USD       100       105,750  

5.88%, 03/15/25 (Call 09/15/19)

    USD       100       105,951  

Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc.

     

5.00%, 01/15/22a

    USD       150       158,625  

5.88%, 08/15/23a

    USD       100       109,962  

Pacific Drilling SA

     

5.38%, 06/01/20 (Call 12/01/17)a,d

    USD       100       34,560  

Parsley Energy LLC/Parsley Finance Corp.

     

5.25%, 08/15/25 (Call 08/15/20)a

    USD       75       75,673  

5.38%, 01/15/25 (Call 01/15/20)a

    USD       85       86,275  

5.63%, 10/15/27 (Call 10/15/22)a

    USD       125       129,063  

6.25%, 06/01/24 (Call 06/01/19)a

    USD       100       105,903  

PBF Holding Co. LLC/PBF Finance Corp.

     

7.00%, 11/15/23 (Call 11/15/18)d

    USD       115       119,313  

7.25%, 06/15/25 (Call 06/15/20)a

    USD       125       129,219  

Peabody Energy Corp.

     

6.00%, 03/31/22 (Call 03/31/19)a

    USD       100       102,977  

6.38%, 03/31/25 (Call 03/31/20)a

    USD       75       77,181  

Penske Automotive Group Inc.

     

5.50%, 05/15/26 (Call 05/15/21)

    USD       110       113,300  

5.75%, 10/01/22 (Call 12/01/17)

    USD       100       103,095  
Security       
Principal
(000s)
    Value  

PetSmart Inc.

     

5.88%, 06/01/25 (Call 06/01/20)a,d

    USD       260     $ 226,637  

7.13%, 03/15/23 (Call 03/15/18)a,d

    USD       325       249,437  

8.88%, 06/01/25 (Call 06/01/20)a

    USD       100       78,725  

Pilgrim’s Pride Corp.

     

5.75%, 03/15/25 (Call 03/15/20)a

    USD       30       31,676  

5.88%, 09/30/27 (Call 09/30/22)a

    USD       135       140,252  

Platform Specialty Products Corp.

     

6.50%, 02/01/22 (Call 02/01/18)a,d

    USD       200       207,250  

10.38%, 05/01/21 (Call 05/01/18)a

    USD       50       54,215  

Post Holdings Inc.

     

5.00%, 08/15/26 (Call 08/15/21)a

    USD       300       301,578  

5.50%, 03/01/25 (Call 03/01/20)a,d

    USD       185       191,966  

5.75%, 03/01/27 (Call 03/01/22)a

    USD       275       286,275  

6.00%, 12/15/22 (Call 06/15/18)a

    USD       100       104,785  

Postmedia Network Inc.

     

8.25%, 07/15/21 (Call 11/30/17)a

    CAD       1       426  

Pride International LLC

     

6.88%, 08/15/20

    USD       150       154,740  

Prime Security Services Borrower LLC/Prime Finance Inc.

     

9.25%, 05/15/23 (Call 05/15/19)a

    USD       590       655,431  

PSPC Escrow Corp.

     

6.00%, 02/01/23 (Call 02/01/18)c,g

    EUR       100       122,438  

PulteGroup Inc.

     

4.25%, 03/01/21 (Call 02/01/21)

    USD       100       104,000  

5.00%, 01/15/27 (Call 10/15/26)

    USD       125       131,146  

5.50%, 03/01/26 (Call 12/01/25)

    USD       105       115,106  

PVH Corp.

     

3.63%, 07/15/24 (Call 04/15/24)c

    EUR       100       128,648  

QEP Resources Inc.

     

5.25%, 05/01/23 (Call 02/01/23)d

    USD       100       98,463  

5.38%, 10/01/22 (Call 07/01/22)

    USD       100       99,313  

6.88%, 03/01/21d

    USD       125       132,803  

Qorvo Inc.

     

6.75%, 12/01/23 (Call 12/01/18)

    USD       75       81,246  

7.00%, 12/01/25 (Call 12/01/20)

    USD       100       114,155  

Quicken Loans Inc.

     

5.75%, 05/01/25 (Call 05/01/20)a

    USD       235       248,542  

Quintiles IMS Inc.

     

3.25%, 03/15/25 (Call 03/15/20)c

    EUR       200       241,199  

3.50%, 10/15/24 (Call 10/15/19)c

    EUR       200       244,933  

4.88%, 05/15/23 (Call 05/15/18)a

    USD       150       156,562  

5.00%, 10/15/26 (Call 10/15/21)a

    USD       200       212,500  
 

 

SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS

     59  


Table of Contents

Schedule of Investments (Continued)

iSHARES® US & INTL HIGH YIELD CORP BOND ETF

October 31, 2017

 

Security       
Principal
(000s)
    Value  

QVC Inc.

     

3.13%, 04/01/19

    USD       75     $ 75,847  

4.38%, 03/15/23

    USD       150       155,724  

4.45%, 02/15/25 (Call 11/15/24)d

    USD       50       51,165  

4.85%, 04/01/24

    USD       125       131,545  

5.13%, 07/02/22d

    USD       100       107,315  

Rackspace Hosting Inc.

     

8.63%, 11/15/24 (Call 11/15/19)a,d

    USD       225       236,954  

Radian Group Inc.

     

4.50%, 10/01/24 (Call 07/01/24)

    USD       75       76,875  

Range Resources Corp.

     

4.88%, 05/15/25 (Call 02/15/25)

    USD       100       96,500  

5.00%, 08/15/22 (Call 05/15/22)d

    USD       100       98,875  

5.00%, 03/15/23 (Call 12/15/22)d

    USD       150       148,309  

5.75%, 06/01/21 (Call 03/01/21)

    USD       150       154,708  

Realogy Group LLC/Realogy Co-Issuer Corp.

     

4.50%, 04/15/19a

    USD       75       77,031  

4.88%, 06/01/23 (Call 03/01/23)a

    USD       100       102,970  

5.25%, 12/01/21 (Call 12/01/17)a

    USD       75       77,946  

Regal Entertainment Group

     

5.75%, 03/15/22 (Call 12/01/17)

    USD       125       129,531  

Reynolds Group Issuer Inc./Reynolds Group Issuer LLC

     

5.75%, 10/15/20 (Call 12/01/17)

    USD       400       407,000  

6.88%, 02/15/21 (Call 12/01/17)

    USD       65       66,348  

Rice Energy Inc.

     

6.25%, 05/01/22 (Call 11/11/17)

    USD       100       104,640  

Rite Aid Corp.

     

6.13%, 04/01/23 (Call 04/01/18)a,d

    USD       300       279,013  

6.75%, 06/15/21 (Call 12/01/17)

    USD       75       74,303  

9.25%, 03/15/20 (Call 12/01/17)d

    USD       50       50,847  

Rockies Express Pipeline LLC

     

5.63%, 04/15/20a

    USD       125       132,500  

6.00%, 01/15/19a

    USD       150       154,962  

Rowan Companies Inc.

     

4.88%, 06/01/22 (Call 03/01/22)

    USD       125       117,734  

7.38%, 06/15/25 (Call 03/15/25)d

    USD       100       100,998  

RR Donnelley & Sons Co.

     

7.88%, 03/15/21

    USD       100       105,500  

RSP Permian Inc.

     

5.25%, 01/15/25 (Call 01/15/20)a

    USD       50       50,879  

6.63%, 10/01/22 (Call 12/01/17)

    USD       150       157,631  
Security       
Principal
(000s)
    Value  

Sabre GLBL Inc.

     

5.25%, 11/15/23 (Call 11/15/18)a,d

    USD       100     $ 104,419  

Sanchez Energy Corp.

     

6.13%, 01/15/23 (Call 07/15/18)d

    USD       175       146,490  

7.75%, 06/15/21 (Call 12/01/17)d

    USD       125       116,156  

SBA Communications Corp.

     

4.00%, 10/01/22 (Call 10/01/19)a

    USD       125       126,719  

4.88%, 07/15/22 (Call 12/01/17)

    USD       75       77,458  

4.88%, 09/01/24 (Call 09/01/19)

    USD       195       200,850  

Scientific Games International Inc.

     

7.00%, 01/01/22 (Call 01/01/18)a,d

    USD       400       422,500  

10.00%, 12/01/22 (Call 12/01/18)

    USD       425       468,847  

Sealed Air Corp.

     

4.50%, 09/15/23 (Call 06/15/23)c

    EUR       100       133,367  

4.88%, 12/01/22 (Call 09/01/22)a

    USD       100       106,135  

5.13%, 12/01/24 (Call 09/01/24)a

    USD       75       80,530  

5.25%, 04/01/23 (Call 01/01/23)a

    USD       50       53,716  

5.50%, 09/15/25 (Call 06/15/25)a

    USD       75       82,473  

6.50%, 12/01/20 (Call 09/01/20)a

    USD       50       55,292  

SemGroup Corp./Rose Rock Finance Corp.

     

5.63%, 07/15/22 (Call 11/16/17)

    USD       50       49,205  

Service Corp. International/U.S.

     

5.38%, 01/15/22 (Call 12/01/17)

    USD       50       51,375  

5.38%, 05/15/24 (Call 05/15/19)

    USD       150       158,417  

ServiceMaster Co. LLC (The)

     

5.13%, 11/15/24 (Call 11/15/19)a

    USD       175       180,250  

SESI LLC

     

7.13%, 12/15/21 (Call 12/01/17)d

    USD       125       127,712  

7.75%, 09/15/24 (Call 09/15/20)a

    USD       50       51,688  

Silgan Holdings Inc.

     

3.25%, 03/15/25 (Call 03/15/20)c

    EUR       100       120,924  

Sinclair Television Group Inc.

     

5.13%, 02/15/27 (Call 08/15/21)a,d

    USD       100       94,900  

5.38%, 04/01/21 (Call 11/16/17)

    USD       50       51,250  

5.63%, 08/01/24 (Call 08/01/19)a,d

    USD       100       101,500  

6.13%, 10/01/22 (Call 11/16/17)d

    USD       150       154,612  

Sirius XM Radio Inc.

     

3.88%, 08/01/22 (Call 08/01/20)a

    USD       120       122,250  

4.63%, 05/15/23 (Call 05/15/18)a

    USD       150       153,825  

5.00%, 08/01/27 (Call 08/01/22)a

    USD       285       288,206  

5.38%, 04/15/25 (Call 04/15/20)a

    USD       200       210,750  

5.38%, 07/15/26 (Call 07/15/21)a

    USD       175       183,868  

6.00%, 07/15/24 (Call 07/15/19)a

    USD       225       240,471  
 

 

60    2017 iSHARES ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Table of Contents

Schedule of Investments (Continued)

iSHARES® US & INTL HIGH YIELD CORP BOND ETF

October 31, 2017

 

Security       
Principal
(000s)
    Value  

Six Flags Entertainment Corp.

     

4.88%, 07/31/24 (Call 07/31/19)a

    USD       185     $ 190,319  

5.50%, 04/15/27 (Call 04/15/22)a,d

    USD       90       93,851  

SM Energy Co.

     

5.00%, 01/15/24 (Call 07/15/18)d

    USD       100       95,360  

5.63%, 06/01/25 (Call 06/01/20)d

    USD       100       97,250  

6.13%, 11/15/22 (Call 11/15/18)d

    USD       100       101,125  

6.75%, 09/15/26 (Call 09/15/21)d

    USD       75       76,969  

Solera LLC/Solera Finance Inc.

     

10.50%, 03/01/24 (Call 03/01/19)a

    USD       330       375,413  

Southwestern Energy Co.

     

4.10%, 03/15/22 (Call 12/15/21)d

    USD       200       196,099  

6.70%, 01/23/25 (Call 10/23/24)

    USD       175       178,654  

7.50%, 04/01/26 (Call 04/01/21)d

    USD       100       103,709  

7.75%, 10/01/27 (Call 10/01/22)

    USD       75       77,792  

Spectrum Brands Inc.

     

4.00%, 10/01/26 (Call 10/01/21)c

    EUR       100       123,454  

5.75%, 07/15/25 (Call 07/15/20)

    USD       225       239,051  

6.63%, 11/15/22 (Call 12/01/17)

    USD       50       51,977  

Springleaf Finance Corp.

     

5.25%, 12/15/19

    USD       125       129,004  

6.13%, 05/15/22

    USD       200       211,750  

7.75%, 10/01/21d

    USD       125       140,625  

8.25%, 12/15/20

    USD       175       197,312  

Sprint Communications Inc.

     

6.00%, 11/15/22

    USD       375       393,750  

7.00%, 03/01/20a

    USD       200       217,000  

7.00%, 08/15/20

    USD       300       323,289  

9.00%, 11/15/18a

    USD       275       291,500  

11.50%, 11/15/21

    USD       200       249,056  

Sprint Corp.

     

7.13%, 06/15/24

    USD       450       486,562  

7.25%, 09/15/21

    USD       400       435,302  

7.63%, 02/15/25 (Call 11/15/24)d

    USD       250       275,402  

7.88%, 09/15/23

    USD       775       866,062  

Standard Industries Inc./NJ

     

5.00%, 02/15/27 (Call 02/15/22)a

    USD       100       104,118  

5.13%, 02/15/21 (Call 02/15/18)a

    USD       100       103,125  

5.38%, 11/15/24 (Call 11/15/19)a

    USD       200       210,846  

5.50%, 02/15/23 (Call 02/15/19)a

    USD       100       105,538  

6.00%, 10/15/25 (Call 10/15/20)a,d

    USD       200       216,436  

Staples Inc.

     

8.50%, 09/15/25 (Call 09/15/20)a,d

    USD       180       158,044  
Security       
Principal
(000s)
    Value  

Steel Dynamics Inc.

     

5.00%, 12/15/26 (Call 12/15/21)d

    USD       125     $ 132,478  

5.13%, 10/01/21 (Call 12/01/17)

    USD       50       51,375  

5.25%, 04/15/23 (Call 04/15/18)

    USD       50       51,793  

5.50%, 10/01/24 (Call 10/01/19)d

    USD       100       106,727  

Suburban Propane Partners LP/Suburban Energy Finance Corp.

     

5.50%, 06/01/24 (Call 06/01/19)

    USD       100       99,844  

Sunoco LP/Sunoco Finance Corp.

     

5.50%, 08/01/20 (Call 11/09/17)

    USD       50       51,375  

6.25%, 04/15/21 (Call 04/15/18)

    USD       175       183,356  

6.38%, 04/01/23 (Call 04/01/18)

    USD       150       159,375  

Symantec Corp.

     

3.95%, 06/15/22 (Call 03/15/22)

    USD       50       51,395  

4.20%, 09/15/20d

    USD       100       103,729  

5.00%, 04/15/25 (Call 04/15/20)a

    USD       225       235,125  

T-Mobile USA Inc.

     

4.00%, 04/15/22 (Call 03/16/22)d

    USD       100       103,390  

5.13%, 04/15/25 (Call 04/15/20)

    USD       100       104,625  

5.38%, 04/15/27 (Call 04/15/22)d

    USD       75       80,841  

6.00%, 03/01/23 (Call 09/01/18)

    USD       225       236,854  

6.00%, 04/15/24 (Call 04/15/19)

    USD       200       214,000  

6.13%, 01/15/22 (Call 01/15/18)

    USD       200       207,630  

6.38%, 03/01/25 (Call 09/01/19)

    USD       250       269,571  

6.50%, 01/15/24 (Call 01/15/19)

    USD       175       186,812  

6.50%, 01/15/26 (Call 01/15/21)d

    USD       350       387,159  

6.63%, 04/01/23 (Call 04/01/18)

    USD       350       366,625  

6.84%, 04/28/23 (Call 04/28/18)

    USD       100       105,409  

TA MFG. Ltd.

     

3.63%, 04/15/23 (Call 04/15/18)c

    EUR       100       120,160  

Talen Energy Supply LLC

     

4.60%, 12/15/21 (Call 09/15/21)

    USD       100       91,250  

6.50%, 06/01/25 (Call 06/01/20)

    USD       100       87,000  

9.50%, 07/15/22 (Call 07/15/20)a

    USD       100       103,272  

Tallgrass Energy Partners LP/Tallgrass Energy Finance Corp.

     

5.50%, 09/15/24 (Call 09/15/19)a,d

    USD       50       51,578  

5.50%, 01/15/28 (Call 01/15/23)a

    USD       95       97,375  

Targa Resources Partners LP/Targa Resources Partners
Finance Corp.

     

4.13%, 11/15/19 (Call 12/01/17)

    USD       100       101,012  
 

 

SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS

     61  


Table of Contents

Schedule of Investments (Continued)

iSHARES® US & INTL HIGH YIELD CORP BOND ETF

October 31, 2017

 

Security       
Principal
(000s)
    Value  

4.25%, 11/15/23 (Call 05/15/18)

    USD       100     $ 99,320  

5.00%, 01/15/28 (Call 01/15/23)a

    USD       50       50,250  

5.13%, 02/01/25 (Call 02/01/20)

    USD       95       97,758  

5.25%, 05/01/23 (Call 12/01/17)

    USD       125       128,594  

5.38%, 02/01/27 (Call 02/01/22)d

    USD       75       77,906  

6.75%, 03/15/24 (Call 09/15/19)

    USD       150       161,607  

TEGNA Inc.

     

5.13%, 10/15/19 (Call 12/01/17)

    USD       67       68,126  

5.13%, 07/15/20 (Call 12/01/17)

    USD       150       153,828  

6.38%, 10/15/23 (Call 10/15/18)

    USD       75       79,781  

Tempur Sealy International Inc.

     

5.50%, 06/15/26 (Call 06/15/21)d

    USD       125       128,750  

5.63%, 10/15/23 (Call 10/15/18)

    USD       50       52,749  

Tenet Healthcare Corp.

     

4.38%, 10/01/21

    USD       200       200,169  

4.50%, 04/01/21

    USD       175       177,187  

4.63%, 07/15/24 (Call 07/15/20)a

    USD       475       467,875  

5.13%, 05/01/25 (Call 05/01/20)a,d

    USD       195       189,311  

5.50%, 03/01/19

    USD       50       50,708  

6.00%, 10/01/20

    USD       300       315,724  

6.75%, 06/15/23d

    USD       275       258,156  

7.00%, 08/01/25 (Call 08/01/20)a,d

    USD       155       141,429  

7.50%, 01/01/22 (Call 01/01/19)a

    USD       125       131,875  

8.13%, 04/01/22

    USD       475       477,375  

TerraForm Power Operating LLC

     

6.38%, 02/01/23 (Call 02/01/18)a,f

    USD       175       183,969  

Tesla Inc.

     

5.30%, 08/15/25 (Call 08/15/20)a,d

    USD       300       289,500  

Toll Brothers Finance Corp.

     

4.88%, 03/15/27 (Call 12/15/26)

    USD       85       89,197  

5.88%, 02/15/22 (Call 11/15/21)

    USD       100       110,805  

TransDigm Inc.

     

5.50%, 10/15/20 (Call 12/01/17)

    USD       75       76,125  

6.00%, 07/15/22 (Call 12/01/17)d

    USD       200       207,891  

6.38%, 06/15/26 (Call 06/15/21)d

    USD       200       203,852  

6.50%, 07/15/24 (Call 07/15/19)

    USD       200       206,500  

6.50%, 05/15/25 (Call 05/15/20)

    USD       125       128,682  

Transocean Inc.

     

5.80%, 10/15/22 (Call 07/15/22)d

    USD       100       97,515  

9.00%, 07/15/23 (Call 07/15/20)a

    USD       200       217,500  

Transocean Phoenix 2 Ltd.

     

7.75%, 10/15/24 (Call 10/15/20)a

    USD       90       97,054  

Transocean Proteus Ltd.

     

6.25%, 12/01/24 (Call 12/01/20)a

    USD       95       99,599  
Security       
Principal
(000s)
    Value  

TreeHouse Foods Inc.

     

4.88%, 03/15/22 (Call 12/01/17)

    USD       50     $ 51,547  

6.00%, 02/15/24 (Call 02/15/19)a

    USD       100       106,958  

TRI Pointe Group Inc./TRI Pointe Homes Inc.

     

4.38%, 06/15/19

    USD       50       51,169  

5.88%, 06/15/24

    USD       100       108,250  

Tribune Media Co.

     

5.88%, 07/15/22 (Call 07/15/18)d

    USD       200       208,000  

Triumph Group Inc.

     

7.75%, 08/15/25 (Call 08/15/20)a,d

    USD       17       18,160  

Tronox Finance PLC

     

5.75%, 10/01/25 (Call 10/01/20)a,d

    USD       25       26,125  

7.50%, 03/15/22 (Call 03/15/18)a,d

    USD       150       157,875  

U.S. Steel Corp.

     

6.88%, 08/15/25 (Call 08/15/20)

    USD       150       152,638  

7.38%, 04/01/20

    USD       24       26,103  

8.38%, 07/01/21 (Call 07/01/18)a

    USD       175       191,567  

Ultra Resources Inc.

     

6.88%, 04/15/22 (Call 04/15/19)a

    USD       125       126,320  

7.13%, 04/15/25 (Call 04/15/20)a,d

    USD       115       114,738  

United Continental Holdings Inc.

     

4.25%, 10/01/22

    USD       50       50,188  

United Rentals North America Inc.

     

4.63%, 07/15/23 (Call 07/15/18)

    USD       125       130,341  

4.63%, 10/15/25 (Call 10/15/20)d

    USD       130       132,925  

4.88%, 01/15/28 (Call 01/15/23)

      294       294,735  

5.50%, 07/15/25 (Call 07/15/20)d

    USD       150       160,536  

5.50%, 05/15/27 (Call 05/15/22)

    USD       180       192,672  

5.75%, 11/15/24 (Call 05/15/19)

    USD       175       185,570  

5.88%, 09/15/26 (Call 09/15/21)

    USD       150       163,336  

Uniti Group LP/Uniti Fiber Holdings Inc./CSL Capital LLC

     

7.13%, 12/15/24 (Call 12/15/19)a

    USD       125       114,375  

Uniti Group LP/Uniti Group Finance Inc./CSL Capital LLC

     

6.00%, 04/15/23 (Call 04/15/18)a

    USD       75       75,000  

8.25%, 10/15/23 (Call 04/15/19)

    USD       200       192,500  

Univision Communications Inc.

     

5.13%, 05/15/23 (Call 05/15/18)a

    USD       200       201,981  

5.13%, 02/15/25 (Call 02/15/20)a

    USD       275       273,109  

6.75%, 09/15/22 (Call 12/01/17)a,d

    USD       122       126,423  

Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc.

     

4.50%, 05/15/23 (Call 05/15/18)c

    EUR       225       221,362  
 

 

62    2017 iSHARES ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Table of Contents

Schedule of Investments (Continued)

iSHARES® US & INTL HIGH YIELD CORP BOND ETF

October 31, 2017

 

Security       
Principal
(000s)
    Value  

5.38%, 03/15/20 (Call 12/01/17)a

    USD       350     $ 344,312  

5.50%, 03/01/23 (Call 03/01/18)a

    USD       250       210,442  

5.50%, 11/01/25 (Call 11/01/20)a

    USD       126       128,835  

5.88%, 05/15/23 (Call 05/15/18)a,d

    USD       525       443,521  

6.13%, 04/15/25 (Call 04/15/20)a

    USD       550       462,000  

6.38%, 10/15/20 (Call 12/01/17)a

    USD       260       257,709  

6.50%, 03/15/22 (Call 03/15/19)a

    USD       250       265,312  

6.75%, 08/15/21 (Call 12/01/17)a

    USD       100       96,875  

7.00%, 03/15/24 (Call 03/15/20)a,d

    USD       350       378,875  

7.25%, 07/15/22 (Call 12/01/17)a

    USD       50       48,037  

VeriSign Inc.

     

4.63%, 05/01/23 (Call 05/01/18)

    USD       200       206,194  

4.75%, 07/15/27 (Call 07/15/22)d

    USD       100       103,238  

5.25%, 04/01/25 (Call 01/01/25)

    USD       50       54,212  

Veritas U.S. Inc./Veritas
Bermuda Ltd.

     

7.50%, 02/01/23 (Call 02/01/19)a

    USD       200       212,628  

Vertiv Group Corp.

     

9.25%, 10/15/24 (Call 10/15/19)a

    USD       150       164,552  

Viacom Inc.

 

VRN, (3 mo. LIBOR
US + 3.895%)

     

5.88%, 02/28/57 (Call 02/28/22)b,d

    USD       125       123,444  

VRN, (3 mo. LIBOR
US + 3.899%)

     

6.25%, 02/28/57 (Call 02/28/27)b,d

    USD       100       98,800  

Voya Financial Inc.

     

VRN, (3 mo. LIBOR
US + 3.580%)

     

5.65%, 05/15/53 (Call 05/15/23)b

    USD       100       105,750  

VWR Funding Inc.

     

4.63%, 04/15/22 (Call 04/15/18)c

    EUR       100       120,931  

Weatherford International Ltd.

     

4.50%, 04/15/22 (Call 01/15/22)d

    USD       105       94,894  

7.75%, 06/15/21 (Call 05/15/21)

    USD       145       149,441  

8.25%, 06/15/23 (Call 03/15/23)

    USD       120       120,531  

9.63%, 03/01/19

    USD       100       106,547  

WellCare Health Plans Inc.

     

5.25%, 04/01/25 (Call 04/01/20)

    USD       235       247,827  

West Corp.

     

8.50%, 10/15/25 (Call 10/15/20)a

    USD       141       137,123  

Western Digital Corp.

     

10.50%, 04/01/24 (Call 04/01/19)

    USD       525       615,956  
Security       
Principal
(000s)
    Value  

Whiting Petroleum Corp.

     

5.00%, 03/15/19 (Call 12/15/18)d

    USD       175     $ 176,410  

5.75%, 03/15/21 (Call 12/15/20)d

    USD       150       150,445  

6.25%, 04/01/23 (Call 01/01/23)

    USD       75       74,795  

Williams Companies Inc. (The)

     

3.70%, 01/15/23 (Call 10/15/22)

    USD       100       100,812  

4.55%, 06/24/24 (Call 03/24/24)d

    USD       225       235,267  

Windstream Services LLC

     

6.38%, 08/01/23 (Call 02/01/18)d

    USD       125       91,211  

7.50%, 06/01/22 (Call 12/01/17)d

    USD       100       74,667  

7.75%, 10/15/20 (Call 12/01/17)d

    USD       100       89,875  

7.75%, 10/01/21 (Call 12/01/17)d

    USD       125       94,361  

WMG Acquisition Corp.

     

4.13%, 11/01/24 (Call 11/01/19)c

    EUR       100       123,551  

6.75%, 04/15/22 (Call 12/01/17)a

    USD       75       78,842  

WPX Energy Inc.

     

5.25%, 09/15/24 (Call 06/15/24)

    USD       150       150,375  

6.00%, 01/15/22 (Call 10/15/21)

    USD       175       181,897  

8.25%, 08/01/23 (Call 06/01/23)

    USD       75       84,469  

WR Grace & Co.-Conn

     

5.13%, 10/01/21a

    USD       125       134,233  

Wynn Las Vegas LLC/Wynn Las Vegas Capital Corp.

     

4.25%, 05/30/23 (Call 02/28/23)a,d

    USD       75       77,746  

5.25%, 05/15/27 (Call 02/15/27)a

    USD       175       178,402  

5.50%, 03/01/25 (Call 12/01/24)a

    USD       325       340,979  

XPO Logistics Inc.

     

5.75%, 06/15/21 (Call 12/15/17)c

    EUR       100       120,222  

6.13%, 09/01/23 (Call 09/01/19)a,d

    USD       75       78,844  

6.50%, 06/15/22 (Call 06/15/18)a

    USD       300       314,541  

Zayo Group LLC/Zayo
Capital Inc.

     

5.75%, 01/15/27 (Call 01/15/22)a

    USD       280       294,901  

6.00%, 04/01/23 (Call 04/01/18)

    USD       225       236,704  

6.38%, 05/15/25 (Call 05/15/20)

    USD       155       166,836  
   

 

 

 
        137,454,120  
   

 

 

 

TOTAL CORPORATE BONDS & NOTES

 

 

(Cost: $205,295,621)

        209,951,491  
 

 

SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS

     63  


Table of Contents

Schedule of Investments (Continued)

iSHARES® US & INTL HIGH YIELD CORP BOND ETF

October 31, 2017

 

Security       
Shares
(000s)
    Value  

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS — 17.13%

 

MONEY MARKET FUNDS — 17.13%

 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional,
SL Agency Shares

   

1.31%i,j,k

    35,102     $ 35,109,498  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury,
SL Agency Shares

   

1.00%i,j

    1,574       1,574,493  
   

 

 

 
      36,683,991  
   

 

 

 

TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS

 

(Cost: $36,681,151)

 

    36,683,991  
   

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS
IN SECURITIES — 115.19%

   

(Cost: $241,976,772)l

      246,635,482  

Other Assets, Less Liabilities — (15.19)%

 

    (32,532,859
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS — 100.00%

    $ 214,102,623  
   

 

 

 

VRN — Variable Rate Note

Currency abbreviations:

 

CAD

 

—  Canadian Dollar

EUR

 

—  Euro

GBP

 

—  British Pound

USD

 

—  United States Dollar

 

a  This security may be resold to qualified institutional buyers under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933.
b  Variable rate security. Security may be issued at a fixed coupon rate, which converts to a variable rate at a specified date. Rate shown is the rate in effect as of period end.
c  This security may be resold to qualified foreign investors and foreign institutional buyers under Regulation S of the Securities Act of 1933.
d  All or a portion of this security represents a security on loan. See Note 1.
e  Issuer is in default of interest payments.
f  Step coupon security. Coupon rate will either increase (step-up bond) or decrease (step-down bond) at regular intervals until maturity. Interest rate shown reflects the rate currently in effect.
g  Non-income earning security.
h  Security is perpetual in nature with no stated maturity date.
i  Affiliated issuer. See Schedule 1.
j  The rate quoted is the annualized seven-day yield of the fund at period end.
k  All or a portion of this security represents an investment of securities lending collateral. See Note 1.
l  The cost of investments (including short positions and derivatives, if any) for federal income tax purposes was $242,045,686. Net unrealized appreciation was $4,589,796, of which $7,473,377 represented gross unrealized appreciation on investments and $2,883,581 represented gross unrealized depreciation on investments.
 

 

64    2017 iSHARES ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Table of Contents

Schedule of Investments (Continued)

iSHARES® US & INTL HIGH YIELD CORP BOND ETF

October 31, 2017

 

Schedule 1 — Affiliates (Note 2)

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliates of the Fund during the year ended October 31, 2017, for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the 1940 Act, and/or related parties of the Fund were as follows:

 

Affiliated issuer  

Shares

held at

10/31/16

(000s)

   

Shares

purchased

(000s)

   

Shares

sold

(000s)

   

Shares

held at

10/31/17

(000s)

   

Value at

10/31/17

    Net realized
gain (loss)
a
    Change in
unrealized
appreciation
(depreciation)
     Income  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional,
SL Agency Shares

    21,623       13,479b             35,102     $ 35,109,498     $ 248     $ 683      $ c  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury,
SL Agency Shares

    1,271       303b             1,574       1,574,493       62              10,728  
         

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
          $ 36,683,991     $ 310     $ 683      $ 10,728  
         

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
                                                                  

 

  a    Includes realized capital gain distributions from an affiliated fund, if any.
  b    Net of shares purchased and sold.
  c    Does not include income earned on the investment of securities lending cash collateral which is not direct income of the Fund and is is reflected as a component of securities lending income in the statement of operations.

Schedule 2 — Fair Value Measurements

Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments. For description of the input levels and information about the Fund’s policy regarding valuation of financial instruments, see Note 1.

The following table summarizes the value of the Fund’s investments according to the fair value hierarchy as of October 31, 2017. The breakdown of the Fund’s investments into major categories is disclosed in the schedule of investments above.

 

      Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Investments:

           

Assets:

           

Corporate bonds & notes

   $      $ 209,951,491      $      $ 209,951,491  

Money market funds

     36,683,991                      36,683,991  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 36,683,991      $ 209,951,491      $      $ 246,635,482  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
                                     

See notes to financial statements.

 

SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS

     65  


Table of Contents

 

 

Statements of Assets and Liabilities

iSHARES®, INC.

October 31, 2017

 

     

iShares
Emerging Markets

High Yield

Bond ETF

     iShares
J.P. Morgan
EM Corporate
Bond ETF
    

iShares
J.P. Morgan
EM Local Currency

Bond ETF

 

ASSETS

        

Investments in securities, at cost:

        

Unaffiliated

   $ 601,332,788      $ 83,175,746      $ 305,932,851  

Affiliated (Note 2)

     10,476,733        6,035,673        490,410  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total cost of investments in securities

   $ 611,809,521      $ 89,211,419      $ 306,423,261  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Investments in securities, at fair value (including securities on loana) (Note 1):

        

Unaffiliated

   $ 607,241,133      $ 84,596,455      $ 298,810,239  

Affiliated (Note 2)

     10,476,733        6,035,856        490,410  

Foreign currency, at valueb

                   4,824,909  

Cash

     5,400                

Receivables:

        

Investment securities sold

     7,042,443        831,620        9,947,005  

Due from custodian (Note 4)

     5,846,544               624,791  

Dividends and interest

     9,304,316        950,650        5,085,851  

Capital shares sold

     15,553                
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Assets

     639,932,122        92,414,581        319,783,205  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

        

Payables:

        

Investment securities purchased

     14,772,256        1,687,831        10,356,423  

Collateral for securities on loan (Note 1)

            3,412,448         

Due to custodian

                   4,658  

Deferred foreign capital gains taxes (Note 1)

     40,799        9,938        72,630  

Investment advisory fees (Note 2)

     251,795        35,774        132,595  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

     15,064,850        5,145,991        10,566,306  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

   $ 624,867,272      $ 87,268,590      $ 309,216,899  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net assets consist of:

        

Paid-in capital

   $ 635,050,096      $ 85,605,163      $ 330,123,586  

Undistributed net investment income (accumulated net investment loss)

     1,549,867        238,159        (1,874

Undistributed net realized gain (accumulated net realized loss)

     (17,600,237      14,314        (13,483,575

Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

     5,867,546        1,410,954        (7,421,238
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

   $ 624,867,272      $ 87,268,590      $ 309,216,899  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Shares outstandingc

     12,350,000        1,700,000        6,600,000  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value per share

   $ 50.60      $ 51.33      $ 46.85  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

a  Securities on loan with values of $  —, $3,293,806 and $  —, respectively. See Note 1.
b  Cost of foreign currency: $  —, $  — and $4,920,271, respectively.
c  $0.001 par value, number of shares authorized: 500 million, 500 million and 500 million, respectively.

See notes to financial statements.

 

66    2017 iSHARES ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Table of Contents

Statements of Assets and Liabilities (Continued)

iSHARES®, INC.

October 31, 2017

 

      iShares
US & Intl
High Yield Corp
Bond ETF
 

ASSETS

  

Investments in securities, at cost:

  

Unaffiliated

   $ 205,295,621  

Affiliated (Note 2)

     36,681,151  
  

 

 

 

Total cost of investments in securities

   $ 241,976,772  
  

 

 

 

Investments in securities, at fair value (including securities on loana) (Note 1):

  

Unaffiliated

   $ 209,951,491  

Affiliated (Note 2)

     36,683,991  

Foreign currency, at valueb

     1,579,205  

Cash

     10,344  

Receivables:

 

Investment securities sold

     1,574,511  

Dividends and interest

     3,181,045  
  

 

 

 

Total Assets

     252,980,587  
  

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

  

Payables:

  

Investment securities purchased

     3,698,833  

Collateral for securities on loan (Note 1)

     35,106,351  

Investment advisory fees (Note 2)

     72,780  
  

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

     38,877,964  
  

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

   $ 214,102,623  
  

 

 

 

Net assets consist of:

 

Paid-in capital

   $ 210,702,142  

Undistributed net investment income

     1,939,840  

Accumulated net realized loss

     (3,218,961

Net unrealized appreciation

     4,679,602  
  

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

   $ 214,102,623  
  

 

 

 

Shares outstandingc

     4,200,000  
  

 

 

 

Net asset value per share

   $ 50.98  
  

 

 

 

 

a  Securities on loan with a value of $33,763,311. See Note 1.
b  Cost of foreign currency: $1,568,026.
c  $0.001 par value, number of shares authorized: 500 million.

See notes to financial statements.

 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     67  


Table of Contents

 

 

Statements of Operations

iSHARES®, INC.

Year ended October 31, 2017

 

     

iShares
Emerging Markets

High Yield

Bond ETF

     iShares
J.P. Morgan
EM Corporate
Bond ETF
    

iShares
J.P. Morgan
EM Local Currency

Bond ETF

 

NET INVESTMENT INCOME

        

Dividends — affiliated (Note 2)

   $ 22,768      $ 11,668      $ 5,624  

Interest — unaffiliateda

     18,300,061        3,192,868        16,485,313  

Securities lending income — affiliated — net (Note 2)

            12,688         

Miscellaneous income

                   44,763  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total investment income

     18,322,829        3,217,224        16,535,700  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

EXPENSES

        

Investment advisory fees (Note 2)

     1,471,158        344,993        1,492,677  

Proxy fees

     5,492        1,586        5,351  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses

     1,476,650        346,579        1,498,028  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income

     16,846,179        2,870,645        15,037,672  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

        

Net realized gain (loss) from:

        

Investments — unaffiliatedb

     116,546        704,643        (14,491,062

Investments — affiliated (Note 2)

            225         

In-kind redemptions — unaffiliated

     435,466        19,503        (4,072,287

Foreign currency transactions

                   (208,296

Realized gain distributions from affiliated funds

     16        43        33  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net realized gain (loss)

     552,028        724,414        (18,771,612
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on:

 

Investments — unaffiliatedc

     5,173,447        1,272,915        7,714,572  

Investments — affiliated (Note 2)

            105         

Translation of assets and liabilities in foreign currencies

                   (319,763
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation

     5,173,447        1,273,020        7,394,809  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

     5,725,475        1,997,434        (11,376,803
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

   $ 22,571,654      $ 4,868,079      $ 3,660,869  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

a  Net of foreign withholding tax of $  —, $  — and $417,892, respectively.
b  Net of foreign capital gains taxes of $  —, $  — and $83,830, respectively.
c  Net of deferred foreign capital gains taxes of $40,799, $9,938 and $72,795, respectively.

See notes to financial statements.

 

68    2017 iSHARES ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Table of Contents

Statements of Operations (Continued)

iSHARES®, INC.

Year ended October 31, 2017

 

     

iShares

US & Intl
High Yield Corp

Bond ETF

 

NET INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Dividends — affiliated (Note 2)

   $ 10,728  

Interest — unaffiliated

     9,040,996  

Securities lending income — affiliated — net (Note 2)

     191,478  
  

 

 

 

Total investment income

     9,243,202  
  

 

 

 

EXPENSES

  

Investment advisory fees (Note 2)

     693,810  

Proxy fees

     4,063  
  

 

 

 

Total expenses

     697,873  
  

 

 

 

Net investment income

     8,545,329  
  

 

 

 

NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

  

Net realized gain (loss) from:

  

Investments — unaffiliated

     414,708  

Investments — affiliated (Note 2)

     248  

In-kind redemptions — unaffiliated

     679,954  

Foreign currency transactions

     2,805  

Realized gain distributions from affiliated funds

     62  
  

 

 

 

Net realized gain

     1,097,777  
  

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on:

  

Investments — unaffiliated

     6,256,590  

Investments — affiliated (Note 2)

     683  

Translation of assets and liabilities in foreign currencies

     47,711  
  

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation

     6,304,984  
  

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain

     7,402,761  
  

 

 

 

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

   $ 15,948,090  
  

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     69  


Table of Contents

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

iSHARES®, INC.

 

     iShares
Emerging Markets
High Yield
Bond ETF
    iShares
J.P. Morgan
EM Corporate
Bond ETF
 
     

Year ended

October 31, 2017

   

Year ended

October 31, 2016

   

Year ended

October 31, 2017

   

Year ended

October 31, 2016

 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

        

OPERATIONS:

        

Net investment income

   $ 16,846,179     $ 4,458,156     $ 2,870,645     $ 1,129,020  

Net realized gain (loss)

     552,028       (9,426,759     724,414       (885,163

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation

     5,173,447       13,084,861       1,273,020       1,653,164  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

     22,571,654       8,116,258       4,868,079       1,897,021  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS:

        

From net investment income

     (16,158,680     (4,977,922     (2,731,913     (1,132,294
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

     (16,158,680     (4,977,922     (2,731,913     (1,132,294
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:

        

Proceeds from shares sold

     537,703,198       59,002,370       54,867,601       12,468,983  

Cost of shares redeemed

     (26,679,639     (113,909,444     (2,493,366     (9,404,316
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

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

     511,023,559       (54,907,074     52,374,235       3,064,667  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

     517,436,533       (51,768,738     54,510,401       3,829,394  

NET ASSETS

        

Beginning of year

     107,430,739       159,199,477       32,758,189       28,928,795  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of year

   $ 624,867,272     $ 107,430,739     $ 87,268,590     $ 32,758,189  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Undistributed net investment income included in net assets at end of year

   $ 1,549,867     $ 862,352     $ 238,159     $ 99,385  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

SHARES ISSUED AND REDEEMED

        

Shares sold

     10,750,000       1,200,000       1,100,000       250,000  

Shares redeemed

     (550,000     (2,450,000     (50,000     (200,000
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding

     10,200,000       (1,250,000     1,050,000       50,000  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

70    2017 iSHARES ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Table of Contents

Statements of Changes in Net Assets (Continued)

iSHARES®, INC.

 

     iShares
J.P. Morgan
EM Local Currency
Bond ETF
    iShares
US
 & Intl

High Yield Corp
Bond ETF
 
     

Year ended

October 31, 2017

   

Year ended

October 31, 2016

   

Year ended

October 31, 2017

   

Year ended

October 31, 2016

 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

        

OPERATIONS:

        

Net investment income

   $ 15,037,672     $ 20,092,446     $ 8,545,329     $ 5,362,631  

Net realized gain (loss)

     (18,771,612     (65,625,259     1,097,777       (5,141,727

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation

     7,394,809       74,309,131       6,304,984       5,170,998  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

     3,660,869       28,776,318       15,948,090       5,391,902  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS:

        

From net investment income

                 (7,410,092     (4,092,928
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

                 (7,410,092     (4,092,928
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:

        

Proceeds from shares sold

     84,085,442       157,898,478       127,668,202       18,646,272  

Cost of shares redeemed

     (229,939,836     (255,796,504     (19,650,421     (41,329,406
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

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

     (145,854,394     (97,898,026     108,017,781       (22,683,134
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

     (142,193,525     (69,121,708     116,555,779       (21,384,160

NET ASSETS

        

Beginning of year

     451,410,424       520,532,132       97,546,844       118,931,004  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of year

   $ 309,216,899     $ 451,410,424     $ 214,102,623     $ 97,546,844  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Undistributed net investment income (accumulated net investment loss) included in net assets at end of year

   $ (1,874   $ (8,889   $ 1,939,840     $ 913,435  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

SHARES ISSUED AND REDEEMED

        

Shares sold

     1,800,000       3,600,000       2,600,000       400,000  

Shares redeemed

     (5,200,000     (6,200,000     (400,000     (900,000
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding

     (3,400,000     (2,600,000     2,200,000       (500,000
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     71  


Table of Contents

Financial Highlights

iSHARES®, INC.

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

     iShares Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF  
      Year ended
Oct. 31, 2017
    Year ended
Oct. 31, 2016
    Year ended
Oct. 31, 2015
    Year ended
Oct. 31, 2014
    Year ended
Oct. 31, 2013
 

Net asset value, beginning of year

   $ 49.97     $ 46.82     $ 51.03     $ 50.90     $ 53.62  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from investment operations:

 

Net investment incomea

     2.87       3.03       2.99       2.93       2.97  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)b

     0.77       3.25       (4.11     0.15       (2.91
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

     3.64       6.28       (1.12     3.08       0.06  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Less distributions from:

          

Net investment income

     (3.01     (3.13     (3.09     (2.95     (2.78
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions

     (3.01     (3.13     (3.09     (2.95     (2.78
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

   $ 50.60     $ 49.97     $ 46.82     $ 51.03     $ 50.90  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total return

     7.60     14.02     (2.13 )%      6.24     0.14
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios/Supplemental data:

          

Net assets, end of year (000s)

   $ 624,867     $ 107,431     $ 159,199     $ 199,005     $ 203,604  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets

     0.50     0.50     0.55     0.65     0.65

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

     5.73     6.35     6.29     5.78     5.64

Portfolio turnover ratec

     25     29     39     24     57

 

a  Based on average shares outstanding throughout each period.
b  The amounts reported for a share outstanding may not accord with the change in aggregate gains and losses in securities for the fiscal period due to the timing of capital share transactions in relation to the fluctuating market values of the Fund’s underlying securities.
c  Portfolio turnover rates exclude portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of processing capital share transactions in Creation Units.

See notes to financial statements.

 

72    2017 iSHARES ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Table of Contents

Financial Highlights (Continued)

iSHARES®, INC.

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

     iShares J.P. Morgan EM Corporate Bond ETF  
      Year ended
Oct. 31, 2017
    Year ended
Oct. 31, 2016
    Year ended
Oct. 31, 2015
    Year ended
Oct. 31, 2014
    Year ended
Oct. 31, 2013
 

Net asset value, beginning of year

   $ 50.40     $ 48.21     $ 51.18     $ 50.48     $ 52.93  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from investment operations:

 

Net investment incomea

     2.10       2.19       2.19       2.01       1.92  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)b

     0.90       2.18       (3.02     0.75       (2.49
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

     3.00       4.37       (0.83     2.76       (0.57
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Less distributions from:

          

Net investment income

     (2.07     (2.18     (2.14     (2.06     (1.88
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions

     (2.07     (2.18     (2.14     (2.06     (1.88
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

   $ 51.33     $ 50.40     $ 48.21     $ 51.18     $ 50.48  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total return

     6.14     9.33     (1.62 )%      5.61     (1.07 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios/Supplemental data:

          

Net assets, end of year (000s)

   $ 87,269     $ 32,758     $ 28,929     $ 25,591     $ 35,338  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets

     0.50     0.50     0.53     0.60     0.60

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

     4.16     4.51     4.47     3.99     3.74

Portfolio turnover ratec

     62     22     11     20     33

 

a  Based on average shares outstanding throughout each period.
b  The amounts reported for a share outstanding may not accord with the change in aggregate gains and losses in securities for the fiscal period due to the timing of capital share transactions in relation to the fluctuating market values of the Fund’s underlying securities.
c  Portfolio turnover rates exclude portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of processing capital share transactions in Creation Units.

See notes to financial statements.

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

     73  


Table of Contents

Financial Highlights (Continued)

iSHARES®, INC.

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

     iShares J.P. Morgan EM Local Currency Bond ETF  
      Year ended
Oct. 31, 2017
    Year ended
Oct. 31, 2016
    Year ended
Oct. 31, 2015
    Year ended
Oct. 31, 2014
    Year ended
Oct. 31, 2013
 

Net asset value, beginning of year

   $ 45.14     $ 41.31     $ 48.74     $ 50.66     $ 51.94  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from investment operations:

 

Net investment incomea

     2.29       1.94       2.03       2.26       2.07  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)b

     (0.58     1.89       (8.87     (2.84     (1.92
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

     1.71       3.83       (6.84     (0.58     0.15  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Less distributions from:

          

Net investment income

                       (1.31     (1.39

Return of capital

                 (0.59     (0.03     (0.04
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions

                 (0.59     (1.34     (1.43
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

   $ 46.85     $ 45.14     $ 41.31     $ 48.74     $ 50.66  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total return

     3.79     9.06 %c      (13.99 )%c      (1.14 )%      0.28
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios/Supplemental data:

          

Net assets, end of year (000s)

   $ 309,217     $ 451,410     $ 520,532     $ 584,857     $ 638,342  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets

     0.50     0.50     0.50     0.59     0.60

Ratio of expenses to average net assets prior to waived fees

     n/a       n/a       0.53     0.60     n/a

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

     5.04     4.56     4.63     4.56     4.04

Portfolio turnover rated

     97     59     46     43     41

 

a  Based on average shares outstanding throughout each period.
b  The amounts reported for a share outstanding may not accord with the change in aggregate gains and losses in securities for the fiscal period due to the timing of capital share transactions in relation to the fluctuating market values of the Fund’s underlying securities.
c  The total return disclosed is based on the net asset value (“NAV”) calculated daily for the creation and redemption of shares in the Fund, which may differ from the NAV calculated for financial reporting purposes. Based on the NAV calculated for financial reporting purposes, the total return for the years ended October 31, 2016 and October 31, 2015 were 9.27% and –14.16%, respectively.
d  Portfolio turnover rates exclude portfolio securities received or delivered in Creation Units but include portfolio transactions that are executed as a result of the Fund processing capital share transactions in Creation Units partially for cash in U.S. dollars. Excluding such cash transactions, the portfolio turnover rates for the years ended October 31, 2017, October 31, 2016, October 31, 2015, October 31, 2014, October 31, 2013, were 94%, 33%, 32%, 36%, and 39%, respectively. See Note 4.

See notes to financial statements.

 

74    2017 iSHARES ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Table of Contents

Financial Highlights (Continued)

iSHARES®, INC.

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

     iShares US & Intl High Yield Corp Bond ETF  
      Year ended
Oct. 31, 2017
    Year ended
Oct. 31, 2016
    Year ended
Oct. 31, 2015
    Year ended
Oct. 31, 2014
    Year ended
Oct. 31, 2013
 

Net asset value, beginning of year

   $ 48.77     $ 47.57     $ 52.00     $ 53.50     $ 51.67  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from investment operations:

 

Net investment incomea

     2.45       2.55       2.56       2.84       3.05  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)b

     2.08       0.57       (4.76     (1.28     1.70  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

     4.53       3.12       (2.20     1.56       4.75  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Less distributions from:

          

Net investment income

     (2.32     (1.92     (2.23     (3.06     (2.92
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions

     (2.32     (1.92     (2.23     (3.06     (2.92
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

   $ 50.98     $ 48.77     $ 47.57     $ 52.00     $ 53.50  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total return

     9.58     6.82     (4.32 )%      2.91     9.50
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios/Supplemental data:

          

Net assets, end of year (000s)

   $ 214,103     $ 97,547     $ 118,931     $ 104,002     $ 74,893  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets

     0.40     0.40     0.40     0.40     0.40

Ratio of expenses to average net assets prior to waived fees

     n/a       0.51     0.55     0.55     0.55

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

     4.93     5.44     5.18     5.31     5.82

Portfolio turnover ratec

     22     24     21     21     20

 

a  Based on average shares outstanding throughout each period.
b  The amounts reported for a share outstanding may not accord with the change in aggregate gains and losses in securities for the fiscal period due to the timing of capital share transactions in relation to the fluctuating market values of the Fund’s underlying securities.
c  Portfolio turnover rates exclude portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of processing capital share transactions in Creation Units.

See notes to financial statements.

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

     75  


Table of Contents

Notes to Financial Statements

iSHARES®, INC.

 

iShares, Inc. (the “Company”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as an open-end management investment company. The Company was incorporated under the laws of the State of Maryland on September 1, 1994 pursuant to Articles of Incorporation as subsequently amended and restated.

These financial statements relate only to the following funds (each, a “Fund,” and collectively, the “Funds”):

 

iShares ETF    Diversification
Classification

Emerging Markets High Yield Bond

   Non-diversified

J.P. Morgan EM Corporate Bonda

   Diversified

J.P. Morgan EM Local Currency Bondb

   Non-diversified

US & Intl High Yield Corp Bondc

   Diversified

 

  a    Formerly the iShares Emerging Markets Corporate Bond ETF.
  b    Formerly the iShares Emerging Markets Local Currency Bond ETF.
  c    Formerly the iShares Global High Yield Corporate Bond ETF.

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 its underlying index. The investment adviser uses a “passive” or index approach to try to achieve each Fund’s investment objective.

Pursuant to the Company’s organizational documents, the Funds’ officers and directors are indemnified against certain liabilities that may arise out of the performance of their duties to the Funds. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Funds enter into contracts with service providers that contain general indemnification clauses. The Funds’ maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Funds that have not yet occurred.

 

1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The following significant accounting policies are consistently followed by each Fund in the preparation of its financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Each Fund is considered an investment company under U.S. GAAP and follows the accounting and reporting guidance applicable to investment companies.

SECURITY VALUATION

Each Fund’s investments are valued at fair value each day that the Fund’s listing exchange is open and, for financial reporting purposes, as of the report date should the reporting period end on a day that the Fund’s listing exchange is not open. U.S. GAAP defines fair value as the price a fund would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The BlackRock Global Valuation Methodologies Committee (the “Global Valuation Committee”) provides oversight of the valuation of investments for the Funds. The investments of each Fund are valued pursuant to policies and procedures developed by the Global Valuation Committee and approved by the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”).

 

   

Fixed income investments are valued using the last available bid price or current market quotations provided by dealers or prices (including evaluated prices) supplied by approved independent third-party pricing services. The pricing services may

 

76    2017 iSHARES ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Table of Contents

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

iSHARES®, INC.

 

 

use matrix pricing or valuation models that utilize certain inputs and assumptions to derive values, including transaction data, credit quality information, perceived market movements, news, and other relevant information and by other methods, which may include consideration of: yields or prices of securities of comparable quality, coupon, maturity and type; indications as to values from dealers; general market conditions; and/or other factors and assumptions. Pricing services generally value fixed income securities assuming orderly transactions of an institutional round lot size, but a fund may hold or transact in such securities in smaller odd lot sizes. Odd lots may trade at lower prices than institutional round lots.

 

    Open-end U.S. mutual funds (including money market funds) are valued at that day’s published net asset value (“NAV”).

In the event that application of these methods of valuation results in a price for an investment which is deemed not to be representative of the fair value of such investment or if a price is not available, the investment will be valued by the Global Valuation Committee, in accordance with policies approved by the Board. The fair valuation approaches that may be utilized by the Global Valuation Committee to determine fair value include market approach, income approach and the cost approach. The valuation techniques used under these approaches take into consideration inputs that include but are not limited to (i) attributes specific to the investment; (ii) the principal market for the investment; (iii) the customary participants in the principal market for the investment; (iv) data assumptions by market participants for the investment, if reasonably available; (v) quoted prices for similar investments in active markets; and (vi) other inputs, such as future cash flows, interest rates, yield curves, volatilities, prepayment speeds, loss severities, credit risks and/or default rates. Valuations based on such inputs are reported to the Board on a quarterly basis.

The Global Valuation Committee employs various methods for calibrating valuation approaches for investments where an active market does not exist, including regular due diligence of the Company’s pricing vendors, a regular review of key inputs and assumptions, transactional back-testing or disposition analysis to compare unrealized gains and losses to realized gains and losses, reviews of missing or stale prices, reviews of large movements in market values, and reviews of market related activity.

Fair value pricing could result in a difference between the prices used to calculate a Fund’s NAV and the prices used by the Fund’s underlying index, which in turn could result in a difference between the Fund’s performance and the performance of the Fund’s underlying index.

Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments. Inputs may be based on independent market data (“observable inputs”) or they may be internally developed (“unobservable inputs”). These inputs to valuation techniques are categorized into a fair value hierarchy consisting of three broad levels for financial reporting purposes as follows:

 

    Level 1 — Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;

 

    Level 2 — Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability either directly or indirectly, including quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not considered to be active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability (such as exchange rates, financing terms, interest rates, yield curves, volatilities, prepayment speeds, loss severities, credit risks and default rates) or other market-corroborated inputs; and

 

    Level 3 — Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability based on the best information available in the circumstances, to the extent observable inputs are not available, including the Global Valuation Committee’s assumptions used in determining the fair value of investments.

The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). Accordingly, the degree of judgement exercised in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized in Level 3. The inputs used to measure fair value may

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     77  


Table of Contents

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

iSHARES®, INC.

 

fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, for disclosure purposes, the fair value hierarchy classification is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The fair value hierarchy for each Fund’s investments is included in its schedule of investments.

Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers in or out of an assigned level within the fair value hierarchy. In accordance with the Company’s policy, transfers between different levels of the fair value hierarchy are deemed to have occurred as of the beginning of the reporting period. The categorization of values determined for financial instruments are based on the pricing transparency of the financial instruments and are not necessarily an indication of the risks associated with investing in those securities.

SECURITY TRANSACTIONS AND INCOME RECOGNITION

Security transactions are accounted for on trade date. Realized gains and losses on investment transactions are determined using the specific identification method. Interest income, including amortization and accretion of premiums and discounts on debt securities, and payment-in-kind interest income, are recognized daily on the accrual basis. Dividend income and capital gain distributions, if any, are recognized on the ex-dividend date, net of any foreign taxes withheld at source.

FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION

The accounting records of the Funds are maintained in U.S. dollars. Foreign currencies, as well as investment securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies, are translated into U.S. dollars using exchange rates deemed appropriate by the investment adviser. Purchases and sales of securities, income receipts and expense payments are translated into U.S. dollars on the respective dates of such transactions.

Each Fund does not isolate the effect of fluctuations in foreign exchange rates from the effect of fluctuations in the market prices of securities. Such fluctuations are reflected by the Funds as a component of realized and unrealized gains and losses from investments for financial reporting purposes. Each Fund reports realized currency gains (losses) on foreign currency related transactions as components of net realized gain (loss) for financial reporting purposes, whereas such components are generally treated as ordinary income for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

FOREIGN TAXES

The Funds may be subject to foreign taxes (a portion of which may be reclaimable) on income, stock dividends, capital gains on investments, or certain foreign currency transactions. All foreign taxes are recorded in accordance with the applicable foreign tax regulations and rates that exist in the foreign jurisdictions in which the Funds invest. These foreign taxes, if any, are paid by the Funds and are reflected in their statements of operations as follows: foreign taxes withheld at source are presented as a reduction of income, foreign taxes on securities lending income are presented as a reduction of securities lending income, foreign taxes on stock dividends are presented as “other foreign taxes”, and foreign taxes on capital gains from sales of investments and foreign taxes on foreign currency transactions are included in their respective net realized gain (loss) categories. Foreign taxes payable or deferred as of October 31, 2017, if any, are disclosed in the Funds’ statements of assets and liabilities.

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS

Dividends and distributions paid by each Fund are recorded on the ex-dividend dates. Distributions are determined on a tax basis and may differ from net investment income and net realized capital gains for financial reporting purposes. Dividends and distributions are paid in U.S. dollars and cannot be automatically reinvested in additional shares of the Funds.

 

78    2017 iSHARES ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Table of Contents

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

iSHARES®, INC.

 

LOANS OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES

Each Fund may lend its investment securities to approved borrowers, such as brokers, dealers and other financial institutions. The borrower pledges and maintains with the Fund collateral consisting of cash, an irrevocable letter of credit issued by an approved bank, or securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government. The initial collateral received by each Fund is required to have a value of at least 102% of the current value of the loaned securities for securities traded on U.S. exchanges and a value of at least 105% for all other securities. The collateral is maintained thereafter at a value equal to at least 100% of the current value of the securities on loan. The market value of the loaned securities is determined at the close of each business day of the Funds. Any additional required collateral is delivered to the Funds and any excess collateral is returned by the Funds on the next business day. During the term of the loan, each Fund is entitled to all distributions made on or in respect of the loaned securities but does not receive interest income on securities received as collateral. Loans of securities are terminable at any time and the borrower, after notice, is required to return borrowed securities within the standard time period for settlement of securities transactions.

Cash received as collateral for securities on loan may be reinvested in certain short-term instruments either directly on behalf of a fund or through one or more joint accounts or money market funds, including those managed by BlackRock Fund Advisors (“BFA”), the Funds’ investment adviser, or its affiliates. As of October 31, 2017, any securities on loan were collateralized by cash and/or U.S. government obligations. Cash collateral received was invested in money market funds managed by BFA and is disclosed in the schedules of investments. Any non-cash collateral received cannot be sold, re-invested or pledged by the Fund, except in the event of borrower default. The securities on loan for each Fund are also disclosed in its schedule of investments. The total value of any securities on loan as of October 31, 2017 and the total value of the related cash collateral are disclosed in the statements of assets and liabilities. Income earned by the Funds from securities lending is disclosed in the statements of operations.

The risks of securities lending include the risk that the borrower may not provide additional collateral when required or may not return the securities when due. To mitigate these risks, the Funds benefit from a borrower default indemnity provided by BlackRock, Inc. (“BlackRock”). BlackRock’s indemnity allows for full replacement of securities loaned if the collateral received does not cover the value of the securities loaned in the event of borrower default. Each Fund could incur a loss if the value of an investment purchased with cash collateral falls below the value of the loaned securities or if the value of an investment purchased with cash collateral falls below the value of the original cash collateral received.

Securities lending transactions are entered into by the Funds under Master Securities Lending Agreements (“MSLA”) which provide the right, in the event of default (including bankruptcy or insolvency) for the non-defaulting party to liquidate the collateral and calculate a net exposure to the defaulting party or request additional collateral. In the event that a borrower defaults, a Fund, as lender, would offset the market value of the collateral received against the market value of the securities loaned. The value of the collateral is typically greater than that of the market value of the securities loaned, leaving the lender with a net amount payable to the defaulting party. However, bankruptcy or insolvency laws of a particular jurisdiction may impose restrictions on or prohibitions against such a right of offset in the event of an MSLA counterparty’s bankruptcy or insolvency. Under the MSLA, the borrower can resell or re-pledge the loaned securities, and a Fund can reinvest cash collateral, or, upon an event of default, resell or re-pledge the collateral.

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     79  


Table of Contents

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

iSHARES®, INC.

 

The following table is a summary of securities lending agreements which are subject to offset under an MSLA as of October 31, 2017:

 

iShares ETF
and Counterparty
   Market Value of
Securities on Loan
     Cash Collateral
Received
  a
     Net
Amount
 

J.P. Morgan EM Corporate Bond

        

Barclays Capital Inc.

   $ 1,138,066      $ 1,138,066      $  

Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

     953,100        953,100         

Jefferies LLC

     757,190        757,190         

JPMorgan Securities LLC

     248,200        248,200         

Nomura Securities International Inc.

     197,250        197,250         
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 3,293,806      $ 3,293,806      $  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

US & Intl High Yield Corp Bond

        

Barclays Capital Inc.

   $ 7,275,983      $ 7,275,983      $  

BMO Capital Markets

     376,935        376,935         

BNP Paribas New York Branch

     421,860        421,860         

BNP Paribas Prime Brokerage Inc.

     166,072        166,072         

BNP Paribas Prime Brokerage International Ltd.

     158,579        158,579         

Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

     3,653,782        3,653,782         

Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC

     3,489,381        3,489,381         

Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.

     4,498,042        4,498,042         

Goldman Sachs & Co.

     5,687,940        5,687,940         

HSBC Securities (USA) Inc.

     945,191        945,191         

Jefferies LLC

     1,192,268        1,192,268         

JPMorgan Securities LLC

     3,418,224        3,418,224         

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith

     804,633        804,633         

Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC

     996,370        996,370         

SG Americas Securities LLC

     304,112        304,112         

State Street Bank & Trust Company

     158,537        158,537         

UBS Securities LLC

     215,402        215,402         
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 33,763,311      $ 33,763,311      $  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
                            

 

  a    Collateral received in excess of the market value of securities on loan is not presented in this table. The total cash collateral received by each Fund is disclosed in the Fund’s statement of assets and liabilities.

RECENT ACCOUNTING STANDARD

In March 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update “Premium Amortization on Purchase Callable Debt Securities” which amends the amortization period for certain purchased callable debt securities. Under the new guidance, premium amortization of purchased callable debt securities that have explicit, non-contingent call features and are callable at fixed prices will be amortized to the earliest call date. The guidance will be applied on a modified retrospective basis and is effective for fiscal years, and their interim periods, beginning after December 15, 2018. Management is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance to the Funds.

 

80    2017 iSHARES ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Table of Contents

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

iSHARES®, INC.

 

2. INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

Pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement with the Company, BFA manages the investment of each Fund’s assets. BFA is a California corporation indirectly owned by BlackRock. Under the Investment Advisory Agreement, BFA is responsible for substantially all expenses of the Funds, except (i) interest and taxes; (ii) brokerage commissions and other expenses connected with the execution of portfolio transactions; (iii) distribution fees; (iv) the advisory fee payable to BFA; and (v) litigation expenses and any extraordinary expenses (in each case as determined by a majority of the independent directors).

BFA has entered into a sub-advisory agreement with BlackRock International Limited (the “Sub-Adviser”), an affiliate of BFA, under which BFA pays the Sub-Adviser for services it provides to the iShares J.P. Morgan EM Local Currency Bond ETF and iShares US & Intl High Yield Corp Bond ETF.

For its investment advisory services to each Fund, BFA is entitled to an annual investment advisory fee, accrued daily and paid monthly by the Funds, based on the average daily net assets of each Fund as follows:

 

iShares ETF    Investment
Advisory Fee
 

Emerging Markets High Yield Bond

     0.50

J.P. Morgan EM Corporate Bond

     0.50  

J.P. Morgan EM Local Currency Bond

     0.50  

US & Intl High Yield Corp Bond

     0.40  

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has issued an exemptive order which permits BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A. (“BTC”), an affiliate of BFA, to serve as securities lending agent for the Funds, subject to applicable conditions. As securities lending agent, BTC bears all operational costs directly related to securities lending. Each Fund is responsible for fees in connection with the investment of cash collateral received for securities on loan in a money market fund managed by BFA, however, BTC has agreed to reduce the amount of securities lending income it receives in order to effectively limit the collateral investment fees each Fund bears to an annual rate of 0.04% (the “collateral investment fees”). Securities lending income is equal to the total of income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral, net of fees and other payments to and from borrowers of securities, and less the collateral investment fees. The Funds retain a portion of securities lending income and remit the remaining portion to BTC as compensation for its services as securities lending agent.

Pursuant to a securities lending agreement, each Fund retains 80% of securities lending income and the amount retained can never be less than 70% of the total of securities lending income plus the collateral investment fees. In addition, commencing the business day following the date that the aggregate securities lending income plus the collateral investment fees generated across all 1940 Act iShares exchange-traded funds (the “iShares ETF Complex”) in a given calendar year exceeds the aggregate securities lending income generated across the iShares ETF Complex in the calendar year 2013, each Fund, pursuant to a securities lending agreement, will retain for the remainder of that calendar year 85% of securities lending income and the amount retained can never be less than 70% of the total of securities lending income plus the collateral investment fees.

For the year ended October 31, 2017, the total of securities lending agent services and collateral investment fees paid were as follows:

 

iShares ETF   

Fees Paid

to BTC

 

J.P. Morgan EM Corporate Bond

   $ 3,948  

US & Intl High Yield Corp Bond

     56,550  

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     81  


Table of Contents

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

iSHARES®, INC.

 

BlackRock Investments, LLC, an affiliate of BFA, is the distributor for each Fund. Pursuant to the distribution agreement, BFA is responsible for any fees or expenses for distribution services provided to the Funds.

Cross trading is the buying or selling of portfolio securities between funds to which BFA (or an affiliate) serves as investment adviser. At its regularly scheduled quarterly meetings, the Board reviews such transactions as of the most recent calendar quarter for compliance with the requirements and restrictions set forth by Rule 17a-7.

For the year ended October 31, 2017, transactions executed by the Funds pursuant to Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act were as follows:

 

iShares ETF    Purchases      Sales  

Emerging Markets High Yield Bond

   $   1,915,565      $ 5,961,943  

J.P. Morgan EM Corporate Bond

     470,346        2,828,076  

J.P. Morgan EM Local Currency Bond

     902,728         

US & Intl High Yield Corp Bond

     440,389        975,979  

Each Fund may invest its positive cash balances in certain money market funds managed by BFA or an affiliate. The income earned on these temporary cash investments is included in “Dividends — affiliated” in the statements of operations.

The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. is the largest stockholder of BlackRock and is considered to be an affiliate of the Funds for 1940 Act purposes.

Certain directors and officers of the Company are also officers of BTC and/or BFA.

 

3. INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

Purchases and sales of investments (excluding in-kind transactions and short-term investments) for the year ended October 31, 2017 were as follows:

 

iShares ETF    Purchases      Sales  

Emerging Markets High Yield Bond

   $ 90,126,115      $ 72,674,705  

J.P. Morgan EM Corporate Bond

     60,045,511        40,984,784  

J.P. Morgan EM Local Currency Bond

       275,669,881        309,158,181  

US & Intl High Yield Corp Bond

     88,454,351        37,759,422  

In-kind transactions (see Note 4) for the year ended October 31, 2017 were as follows:

 

iShares ETF    In-kind
Purchases
     In-kind
Sales
 

Emerging Markets High Yield Bond

   $ 505,242,353      $ 26,083,497  

J.P. Morgan EM Corporate Bond

     34,045,596        2,359,777  

J.P. Morgan EM Local Currency Bond

     9,443,343        70,636,094  

US & Intl High Yield Corp Bond

     74,660,478        16,901,442  

 

82    2017 iSHARES ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Table of Contents

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

iSHARES®, INC.

 

4. CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

Capital shares are issued and redeemed by each Fund only in aggregations of a specified number of shares or multiples thereof (“Creation Units”) at NAV. Except when aggregated in Creation Units, shares of each Fund are not redeemable. Transactions in capital shares for each Fund are disclosed in detail in the statements of changes in net assets.

The consideration for the purchase of Creation Units of a fund in the Company generally consists of the in-kind deposit of a designated portfolio of securities and a specified amount of cash. Certain funds in the Company may be offered in Creation Units solely or partially for cash in U.S. dollars. Investors purchasing and redeeming Creation Units may pay a purchase transaction fee and a redemption transaction fee directly to State Street Bank and Trust Company, the Company’s administrator, to offset transfer and other transaction costs associated with the issuance and redemption of Creation Units, including Creation Units for cash. Investors transacting in Creation Units for cash may also pay an additional variable charge to compensate the relevant fund for certain transaction costs (i.e., stamp taxes, taxes on currency or other financial transactions, and brokerage costs) and market impact expenses relating to investing in portfolio securities. Such variable charges, if any, are included in “Proceeds from shares sold” in the statements of changes in net assets.

From time to time, settlement of securities related to in-kind contributions or in-kind redemptions may be delayed. In such cases, securities related to in-kind contributions are reflected as “Due from custodian” and securities related to in-kind redemptions are reflected as “Securities related to in-kind transactions” in the statements of assets and liabilities.

 

5. PRINCIPAL RISKS

In the normal course of business, each Fund invests in securities or other instruments and may enter into certain transactions, and such activities subject the Fund to various risks, including, among others, fluctuations in the market (market risk) or failure of an issuer to meet all of its obligations. The value of securities or other instruments may also be affected by various factors, including, without limitation: (i) the general economy; (ii) the overall market as well as local, regional or global political and/or social instability; (iii) regulation, taxation or international tax treaties between various countries; or (iv) currency, interest rate or price fluctuations. Each Fund’s prospectus provides details of the risks to which the Fund is subject.

BFA uses a “passive” or index approach to try to achieve each Fund’s investment objective following the securities included in its underlying index during upturns as well as downturns. BFA does not take steps to reduce market exposure or to lessen the effects of a declining market. Divergence from the underlying index and the composition of the portfolio is monitored by BFA.

MARKET RISK

Market risk arises mainly from uncertainty about future values of financial instruments influenced by price, currency and interest rate movements. It represents the potential loss a fund may suffer through holding market positions in the face of market movements. A fund is exposed to market risk by its investment in equity, fixed income and/or financial derivative instruments or by its investment in underlying funds. The fair value of securities held by a fund may decline due to general market conditions, economic trends or events that are not specifically related to the issuers of the securities including local, regional or global political, social or economic instability or to factors that affect a particular industry or group of industries. The extent of a fund’s exposure to market risk is the market value of the investments held as shown in the fund’s schedule of investments.

A diversified portfolio, where this is appropriate and consistent with a fund’s objectives, minimizes the risk that a price change of a particular investment will have a material impact on the NAV of a fund. The investment concentrations within each Fund’s portfolio are disclosed in its schedule of investments.

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     83  


Table of Contents

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

iSHARES®, INC.

 

Investing in the securities of non-U.S. issuers involves certain considerations and risks not typically associated with securities of U.S. issuers. Such risks include, but are not limited to: differences in accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards; more substantial governmental involvement in the economy; higher inflation rates, greater social, economic and political uncertainties; possible nationalization or expropriation of assets; less availability of public information about issuers; imposition of withholding or other taxes; higher transaction and custody costs and delays in settlement procedures; and lower level of regulation of the securities markets and issuers. Non-U.S. securities may be less liquid, more difficult to value, and have greater price volatility due to exchange rate fluctuations. These and other risks are heightened for investments in issuers from countries with less developed capital markets.

The economies and markets of European countries are often closely connected and interdependent, and events in one country in Europe can have an adverse impact on other European countries. The European financial markets have experienced volatility and adverse trends in recent years due to concerns about economic downturns or rising government debt levels in several European countries. These events have adversely affected the exchange rate of the euro and may continue to significantly affect European countries. The occurrence of terrorist incidents throughout Europe also could impact financial markets. In addition, the United Kingdom has voted to withdraw from the European Union. The referendum may introduce significant new uncertainties and instability in the financial markets as the United Kingdom negotiates its exit from the European Union.

The United States and the European Union, along with the regulatory bodies of a number of countries including Japan, Australia, Norway, Switzerland and Canada, have imposed economic sanctions, which consist of asset freezes and sectorial sanctions, on certain Russian individuals and Russian corporate entities. Broader sanctions on Russia could also be instituted. These sanctions, or even the threat of further sanctions, may result in the decline of the value and liquidity of Russian securities, a weakening of the ruble or other adverse consequences to the Russian economy. Current or future sanctions may result in Russia taking counter measures or retaliatory actions, which may further impair the value and liquidity of Russian securities. These retaliatory measures may include the immediate freeze of Russian assets held by a fund.

Changes in market interest rates or economic conditions may affect the value and/or liquidity of fixed income investments. Interest rate risk is the risk that prices of bonds and other fixed-income securities will decrease as interest rates rise and increase as interest rates fall. Securities with longer durations tend to be more sensitive to interest rate changes, usually making their prices more volatile than those of securities with shorter durations. Given the environment of historically low interest rates, a fund may be subject to a greater risk of price losses if interest rates rise.

CREDIT RISK

Credit risk is the risk that an issuer or guarantor of debt instruments or the counterparty to a financial transaction, including derivatives contracts, repurchase agreements or loans of portfolio securities, is unable or unwilling to make timely interest and/or principal payments or to otherwise honor its obligations. BFA and its affiliates manage counterparty credit risk by entering into transactions only with counterparties that they believe have the financial resources to honor their obligations and by monitoring the financial stability of those counterparties. Financial assets, which potentially expose a fund to issuer and counterparty credit risks, consist principally of financial instruments and receivables due from counterparties. The extent of a fund’s exposure to credit and counterparty risks with respect to those financial assets is approximated by their value recorded in its statement of assets and liabilities.

High yield securities that are rated below investment-grade (commonly referred to as “junk bonds”) or are unrated may be deemed speculative, involve greater levels of risk than higher-rated securities of similar maturity and are more likely to default. High yield securities may be issued by less creditworthy issuers, and issuers of high yield securities may be unable to meet their interest or principal payment obligations. High yield securities are subject to extreme price fluctuations, may be less liquid than higher rated fixed-income securities, even under normal economic conditions, and frequently have redemption features.

 

84    2017 iSHARES ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Table of Contents

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

iSHARES®, INC.

 

6. INCOME TAX INFORMATION

Each Fund is treated as an entity separate from the Company’s other funds for federal income tax purposes. It is the policy of each Fund to qualify as a regulated investment company by complying with the provisions applicable to regulated investment companies, as defined under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and to annually distribute substantially all of its ordinary income and any net capital gains (taking into account any capital loss carryforwards) sufficient to relieve it from all, or substantially all, federal income and excise taxes. Accordingly, no provision for federal income taxes is required.

U.S. GAAP requires that certain components of net assets be adjusted to reflect permanent differences between financial and tax reporting. These reclassifications have no effect on net assets or NAV per share. The following permanent differences as of October 31, 2017, attributable to net investment loss, the characterization of expenses, foreign currency transactions and realized gains (losses) from in-kind redemptions, were reclassified to the following accounts:

 

iShares ETF    Paid-in
Capital
     Undistributed
Net Investment
Income/Distributions
in Excess of Net
Investment Income
     Undistributed
Net Realized
Gain/Accumulated
Net Realized Loss
 

Emerging Markets High Yield Bond

   $ 411,015      $ 16      $ (411,031

J.P. Morgan EM Corporate Bond

     9,088        42        (9,130

J.P. Morgan EM Local Currency Bond

     (7,268,404      (15,030,657      22,299,061  

US & Intl High Yield Corp Bond

     677,583        (108,832      (568,751

The tax character of distributions paid during the years ended October 31, 2017 and October 31, 2016 was as follows:

 

iShares ETF    2017      2016  

Emerging Markets High Yield Bond

     

Ordinary income

   $ 16,158,680      $ 4,977,922  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

J.P. Morgan EM Corporate Bond

     

Ordinary income

   $ 2,731,913      $ 1,132,294  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

US & Intl High Yield Corp Bond

     

Ordinary income

   $ 7,410,092      $ 4,092,928  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
                   

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     85  


Table of Contents

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

iSHARES®, INC.

 

As of October 31, 2017, the tax components of accumulated net earnings (losses) were as follows:

 

iShares ETF    Undistributed
Ordinary
Income
    

Capital

Loss
Carryforwards

   

Net

Unrealized
Gains
(Losses)
 a

    Total  

Emerging Markets High Yield Bond

   $ 1,549,867      $ (16,579,628   $ 4,846,937     $ (10,182,824

J.P. Morgan EM Corporate Bond

     272,502              1,390,925       1,663,427  

J.P. Morgan EM Local Currency Bond

            (9,107,825     (11,798,862     (20,906,687

US & Intl High Yield Corp Bond

     1,939,840        (3,150,047     4,610,688       3,400,481  

 

  a   The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized gains (losses) was attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales and amortization methods for premiums and discounts on fixed income securities.

As of October 31, 2017, the Funds had non-expiring capital loss carryforwards available to offset future realized capital gains as follows:

 

iShares ETF    Non-Expiring  

Emerging Markets High Yield Bond

   $ 16,579,628  

J.P. Morgan EM Local Currency Bond

     9,107,825  

US & Intl High Yield Corp Bond

     3,150,047  

For the year ended October 31, 2017, the Funds utilized their capital loss carryforwards as follows:

 

iShares ETF    Utilized  

Emerging Markets High Yield Bond

   $ 1,003,671  

J.P. Morgan EM Corporate Bond

     679,122  

J.P. Morgan EM Local Currency Bond

     1,104,215  

US & Intl High Yield Corp Bond

     573,764  

Management has analyzed tax laws and regulations and their application to the Funds as of October 31, 2017, inclusive of the open tax return years, and does not believe there are any uncertain tax positions that require recognition of a tax liability in the Funds’ financial statements.

 

7. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

On June 16, 2016, investors (the “Plaintiffs”) in certain iShares funds (iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF, iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF, iShares Core S&P 500 ETF, iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF, iShares Russell Mid-Cap ETF, iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF, iShares Select Dividend ETF, iShares Morningstar Mid-Cap ETF, iShares Morningstar Large-Cap ETF, iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF and iShares U.S. Preferred Stock ETF) filed a putative class action lawsuit against iShares Trust, BlackRock, Inc. and certain of its advisory affiliates, and certain directors/trustees and officers of the Funds (collectively, “Defendants”). The lawsuit alleges the Defendants violated federal securities laws by failing to adequately disclose in the prospectuses issued by the funds noted above the risks of using stop-loss orders in the event of a ‘flash crash’, such as the one that occurred on May 6, 2010. On September 18, 2017, the Court issued a Statement of Decision holding that the Plaintiffs lack standing to assert their claims. On October 11, 2017, the Court entered final judgment dismissing all of the Plaintiffs’ claims with prejudice. Plaintiffs have appealed the Court’s decision.

 

8. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Management has evaluated the impact of all subsequent events on the Funds through the date the financial statements were available to be issued and has determined that there were no subsequent events requiring adjustment or disclosure in the financial statements.

 

86    2017 iSHARES ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Table of Contents

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Board of Directors of iShares, Inc. and

Shareholders of the iShares Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF,

iShares J.P. Morgan EM Corporate Bond ETF, iShares J.P. Morgan EM Local Currency Bond ETF and

iShares US & Intl High Yield Corp Bond ETF

In our opinion, the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities, including the schedules of investments, and the related statements of operations and of changes in net assets and the financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of iShares Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF, iShares J.P. Morgan EM Corporate Bond ETF, iShares J.P. Morgan EM Local Currency Bond ETF and iShares US & Intl High Yield Corp Bond ETF (constituting funds of iShares, Inc., hereafter referred to as the “Funds”) as of October 31, 2017, and the results of each of their operations, the changes in each of their net assets and the financial highlights for each of the periods indicated, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements and financial highlights (hereafter referred to as “financial statements”) are the responsibility of the Funds’ management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits, which included confirmation of securities as of October 31, 2017 by correspondence with the custodian, transfer agent and brokers, or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies were not received, provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

San Francisco, California

December 21, 2017

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

     87  


Table of Contents

Tax Information (Unaudited)

iSHARES®, INC.

 

For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2017, the following Funds earned foreign source income and paid foreign taxes which they intend to pass through to their shareholders:

 

iShares ETF    Foreign Source
Income Earned
     Foreign
Taxes Paid
 

Emerging Markets High Yield Bond

   $ 18,165,283      $  

J.P. Morgan EM Corporate Bond

     3,060,746         

J.P. Morgan EM Local Currency Bond

     16,948,436        501,722  

For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2017, the Funds hereby designate the following maximum amounts allowable as interest-related dividends eligible for exemption from U.S. withholding tax for nonresident aliens and foreign corporations:

 

iShares ETF    Interest
Related
Dividends
 

Emerging Markets High Yield Bond

   $ 208,775  

J.P. Morgan EM Corporate Bond

     72,104  

US & Intl High Yield Corp Bond

     4,305,219  

 

88    2017 iSHARES ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Table of Contents

Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory

Contract

iSHARES®, INC.

 

I. iShares Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF

Under Section 15(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”), including a majority of Directors who are not “interested persons” of the Company (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act) (the “Independent Directors”), is required annually to consider and approve the Investment Advisory Contract between the Company and BFA (the “Advisory Contract”) on behalf of the Fund. The Independent Directors requested, and BFA provided, such information as the Independent Directors, with advice from independent counsel, deemed reasonably necessary to evaluate the Advisory Contract. A committee of all of the Independent Directors (the “15(c) Committee”), with independent counsel, met with management on May 5, 2017 and May 12, 2017. At these meetings, the 15(c) Committee reviewed and discussed information provided in response to the 15(c) Committee’s initial requests, and requested certain additional information, which management agreed to provide. At a meeting held on May 18, 2017, management presented information to the Board relating to the continuance of the Advisory Contract, including information requested by the 15(c) Committee during its meetings. The Board, including the Independent Directors, reviewed and discussed such information at length. The Independent Directors requested from management certain additional information, which management agreed to provide. At a meeting held on June 19-21, 2017, the Board, including the Independent Directors, reviewed the additional information provided by management in response to these requests. After extensive discussions, the Board, including all of the Independent Directors, approved the continuance of the Advisory Contract for the Fund, based on a review of qualitative and quantitative information provided by BFA. The Board noted its satisfaction with the extent and quality of information provided and its frequent interactions with management, as well as the detailed responses and other information provided by BFA. The Board also noted that the Board and BFA agreed to discuss potential further enhancements to the 15(c) process for the coming year. The Independent Directors were advised by their independent counsel throughout the process, including about the legal standards applicable to their review. In approving the Advisory Contract for the Fund, the Board, including the Independent Directors, considered the following factors, no one of which was controlling, and reached the following conclusions:

Expenses and Performance of the Fund The Board reviewed statistical information prepared by Broadridge Financial Solutions Inc. (“Broadridge”), an independent provider of investment company data, regarding the expense ratio components, including gross and net total expenses, waivers/reimbursements (if any), and underlying fund fees and expenses (if any) of the Fund in comparison with the same information for other exchange traded funds (“ETFs”) (including, where applicable, funds sponsored by an “at cost” service provider) and, in the limited instances where no comparable ETFs existed and the comparison group would not otherwise be reasonable in Broadridge’s judgment, pure index institutional mutual funds, objectively selected by Broadridge as comprising the Fund’s applicable peer group pursuant to Broadridge’s proprietary ETF methodology (the “Peer Group”). The Board was provided with a detailed description of the proprietary ETF methodology used by Broadridge to determine the Fund’s Peer Group. The Board further noted that due to the limitations in providing comparable funds in the Peer Group, the statistical information provided in Broadridge’s report may or may not provide meaningful direct comparisons to the Fund in all instances.

The Board also noted that the investment advisory fee rate and overall expenses (net of waivers and reimbursements) for the Fund were higher than the median of the investment advisory fee rates and overall expenses (net of waivers and reimbursements) of the funds in its Peer Group, excluding iShares funds.

In addition, to the extent that any of the comparison funds included in the Peer Group, excluding iShares funds, track the same index as the Fund, Broadridge also provided, and the Board reviewed, a comparison of the Fund’s performance for the one-, three-, five-, ten-year, and since inception periods, as applicable, and for the quarter ended December 31, 2016, to that of relevant comparison funds for the same periods.

 

BOARD REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY CONTRACT

     89  


Table of Contents

Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory

Contract (Continued)

iSHARES®, INC.

 

The Board noted that the Fund seeks to track its specified underlying index and that, during the year, the Board received periodic reports on the Fund’s short- and longer-term performance in comparison with its underlying index. Such periodic comparative performance information, including any additional detailed information requested by the Boards, was also considered. The Board noted that the Fund generally performed in line with its underlying index over the relevant periods.

Based on this review, the other factors considered at the meeting, and their general knowledge of ETF pricing, the Board concluded that the investment advisory fee rate and the historical performance of the Fund supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Contract for the coming year.

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided by BFA Based on management’s representations, including information about recent and proposed enhancements to the iShares business, including with respect to capital markets support and analysis, technology, product design, compliance and risk management, and other services, the Board expected that there would be no diminution in the scope of services required of or provided by BFA under the Advisory Contract for the coming year as compared to the scope of services provided by BFA during prior years. In reviewing the scope of these services, the Board considered BFA’s investment philosophy and experience, noting that BFA and its affiliates have committed significant resources over time, including during the past year, to supporting the iShares funds and their shareholders. The Board also considered BFA’s compliance program and its compliance record with respect to the Fund. In that regard, the Board noted that BFA reports to the Board about portfolio management and compliance matters on a periodic basis in connection with regularly scheduled meetings of the Board, and on other occasions as necessary and appropriate, and has provided information and made appropriate officers available as needed to provide further assistance with these matters. The Board also reviewed the background and experience of the persons responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund, as well as the resources available to them in managing the Fund. In addition to the above considerations, the Board reviewed and considered detailed presentations regarding BFA’s investment performance, investment and risk management processes and strategies provided at the June 19-21, 2017 meeting and throughout the previous year, and matters related to BFA’s portfolio compliance policies and procedures. The Board noted that the Fund had met its investment objective consistently since its inception date.

Based on review of this information, and the performance information discussed above, the Board concluded that the nature, extent and quality of services provided by BFA to the Fund under the Advisory Contract supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Contract for the coming year.

Costs of Services Provided to Fund and Profits Realized by BFA and Affiliates The Board reviewed information about the profitability of the Fund to BlackRock, based on the fees payable to BFA and its affiliates (including fees under the Advisory Contract), and other sources of revenue and expense to BFA and its affiliates from the Fund’s operations for the last calendar year. The Board reviewed BlackRock’s profitability methodology for the iShares funds, including supplemental information that was responsive to requests of the 15(c) Committee. The Board noted that the 15(c) Committee had focused on the methodology and profitability presentation during its meetings. The Board discussed the sources of direct and ancillary revenue with management, including the revenues to BTC, a BFA affiliate, from securities lending by the Fund. The Board also discussed BFA’s profit margin as reflected in the Fund’s profitability analysis and reviewed information regarding potential economies of scale (as discussed below). Based on this review, the Board concluded that the profits realized by BFA and its affiliates under the Advisory Contract and from other relationships between the Fund and BFA and/or its affiliates, if any, were within a reasonable range in light of the factors considered.

Economies of Scale The Board reviewed information regarding potential economies of scale or other efficiencies that may result from increases in the Fund’s assets, noting that the issue of economies of scale had been focused on by the 15(c) Committee during its meetings and addressed by management, including through supplemental information. The Board and the 15(c) Committee reviewed information provided by BFA regarding scale benefits shared with the iShares funds through relatively

 

90    2017 iSHARES ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Table of Contents

Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory

Contract (Continued)

iSHARES®, INC.

 

low fee rates established at inception, breakpoints and waivers or other fee reductions, as well as through additional investment in the iShares business and the provision of improved or additional infrastructure and services to the iShares funds and their shareholders. The Board and the 15(c) Committee received information regarding BlackRock’s historical profitability, including BFA’s and its affiliates’ costs in providing services. The cost information distinguished, among other things, between fixed and variable costs, and explained how the level of fixed and variable costs, as well as the nature of such costs, may impact the existence or size of scale benefits. The Board noted that the Advisory Contract for the Fund did not provide for any breakpoints in the Fund’s investment advisory fee rate as the assets of the Fund increase. However, the Board noted that should material economies of scale be identified in the future that are not otherwise shared, a breakpoint structure for the Fund may be appropriate, and that it would continue to monitor the sharing of economies of scale to determine the appropriateness of adding breakpoints in the future.

Based on this review, as well as the other factors considered at the meeting, the Board, recognizing its responsibility to consider the Advisory Contract at least annually, determined to approve the continuance of the Advisory Contract for the coming year.

Fees and Services Provided for Other Comparable Funds/Accounts Managed by BFA and its Affiliates The Board received and considered information regarding the investment advisory/management fee rates for other funds/accounts in the U.S. for which BFA (or its affiliates) provides investment advisory/management services, including open-end funds registered under the 1940 Act (including sub-advised funds), collective trust funds, and institutional separate accounts (together, the “Other Accounts”), and acknowledged BFA’s assertion that the iShares funds are fundamentally different investment vehicles from the Other Accounts. The Board noted that BFA and its affiliates do not manage Other Accounts with substantially the same investment objective and strategy as the Fund and that track the same index as the Fund. The Board further noted that BFA provided the Board with detailed information regarding how the Other Accounts (particularly institutional clients) generally differ from the Fund, including in terms of the different and generally more extensive services provided to the Fund, as well as other significant differences. In that regard, the Board considered that the pricing of services to institutional clients is typically based on a number of factors beyond the nature and extent of the specific services to be provided and often depends on the overall relationship between the client and its affiliates and the adviser and its affiliates. In addition, the Board considered the relative complexity and inherent risks and challenges of managing and providing other services to the Fund, as a publicly traded ETF, as compared to the Other Accounts that are institutional clients, in light of differing regulatory requirements and client-imposed mandates. The Board also acknowledged BFA’s expressed business purpose for launching a suite of iShares “Core” ETFs that generally are subject to lower investment advisory fees than iShares non-Core ETFs that may provide a similar investment exposure. The Board also considered the “all-inclusive” nature of the Fund’s advisory fee structure, and the Fund expenses borne by BFA under this arrangement. The Board noted that the investment advisory fee rate under the Advisory Contract for the Fund was generally higher than the investment advisory/management fee rates for certain of the Other Accounts (particularly institutional clients) and concluded that the differences appeared to be consistent with the factors discussed.

Other Benefits to BFA and/or its Affiliates The Board reviewed the “fallout” benefits or ancillary revenue received by BFA and/or its affiliates in connection with the services provided to the Fund by BFA, such as payment of revenue to BTC, the Fund’s securities lending agent, for loaning portfolio securities (which was included in the profit margins reviewed by the Board pursuant to BFA’s profitability methodology), and payment of advisory fees and/or administration fees to BFA and BTC (or their affiliates) in connection with any investments by the Fund in other funds for which BFA (or its affiliates) provides investment advisory services and/or administration services. The Board also noted the revenue received by BFA and/or its affiliates pursuant to an agreement that permits a service provider to use certain portions of BlackRock’s technology platform to service accounts managed by BFA and/or its affiliates, including the iShares funds. The Board noted that BFA generally does not use soft dollars or consider the value of research or other services that may be provided to BFA (including its affiliates) in selecting brokers for portfolio transactions for the Fund. The Board further noted that any portfolio transactions on behalf of the Fund placed through a BFA affiliate or purchased from an underwriting syndicate in which a BFA affiliate participates, are reported to the Board pursuant to

 

BOARD REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY CONTRACT

     91  


Table of Contents

Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory

Contract (Continued)

iSHARES®, INC.

 

Rule 17e-1 or Rule 10f-3, as applicable, under the 1940 Act. The Board concluded that any such ancillary benefits would not be disadvantageous to the Fund’s shareholders and thus would not alter the Board’s conclusion with respect to the appropriateness of approving the continuance of the Advisory Contract for the coming year.

Conclusion Based on the considerations described above, the Board determined that the Fund’s investment advisory fee rate under the Advisory Contract does not constitute a fee that is so disproportionately large as to bear no reasonable relationship to the services rendered and that could not have been the product of arm’s-length bargaining, and concluded to approve the continuance of the Advisory Contract for the coming year.

II. iShares J.P. Morgan EM Corporate Bond ETF

Under Section 15(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”), including a majority of Directors who are not “interested persons” of the Company (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act) (the “Independent Directors”), is required annually to consider and approve the Investment Advisory Contract between the Company and BFA (the “Advisory Contract”) on behalf of the Fund. The Independent Directors requested, and BFA provided, such information as the Independent Directors, with advice from independent counsel, deemed reasonably necessary to evaluate the Advisory Contract. A committee of all of the Independent Directors (the “15(c) Committee”), with independent counsel, met with management on May 5, 2017 and May 12, 2017. At these meetings, the 15(c) Committee reviewed and discussed information provided in response to the 15(c) Committee’s initial requests, and requested certain additional information, which management agreed to provide. At a meeting held on May 18, 2017, management presented information to the Board relating to the continuance of the Advisory Contract, including information requested by the 15(c) Committee during its meetings. The Board, including the Independent Directors, reviewed and discussed such information at length. The Independent Directors requested from management certain additional information, which management agreed to provide. At a meeting held on June 19-21, 2017, the Board, including the Independent Directors, reviewed the additional information provided by management in response to these requests. After extensive discussions, the Board, including all of the Independent Directors, approved the continuance of the Advisory Contract for the Fund, based on a review of qualitative and quantitative information provided by BFA. The Board noted its satisfaction with the extent and quality of information provided and its frequent interactions with management, as well as the detailed responses and other information provided by BFA. The Board also noted that the Board and BFA agreed to discuss potential further enhancements to the 15(c) process for the coming year. The Independent Directors were advised by their independent counsel throughout the process, including about the legal standards applicable to their review. In approving the Advisory Contract for the Fund, the Board, including the Independent Directors, considered the following factors, no one of which was controlling, and reached the following conclusions:

Expenses and Performance of the Fund The Board reviewed statistical information prepared by Broadridge Financial Solutions Inc. (“Broadridge”), an independent provider of investment company data, regarding the expense ratio components, including gross and net total expenses, waivers/reimbursements (if any), and underlying fund fees and expenses (if any) of the Fund in comparison with the same information for other exchange traded funds (“ETFs”) (including, where applicable, funds sponsored by an “at cost” service provider) and, in the limited instances where no comparable ETFs existed and the comparison group would not otherwise be reasonable in Broadridge’s judgment, pure index institutional mutual funds, objectively selected by Broadridge as comprising the Fund’s applicable peer group pursuant to Broadridge’s proprietary ETF methodology (the “Peer Group”). The Board was provided with a detailed description of the proprietary ETF methodology used by Broadridge to determine the Fund’s Peer Group. The Board further noted that due to the limitations in providing comparable funds in the Peer Group, the statistical information provided in Broadridge’s report may or may not provide meaningful direct comparisons to the Fund in all instances.

 

92    2017 iSHARES ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Table of Contents

Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory

Contract (Continued)

iSHARES®, INC.

 

The Board also noted that the investment advisory fee rate and overall expenses (net of waivers and reimbursements) for the Fund were higher than the median of the investment advisory fee rates and overall expenses (net of waivers and reimbursements) of the funds in its Peer Group, excluding iShares funds. The Board further noted that the Peer Group for the Fund contained only four comparison funds identified by Broadridge, excluding iShares funds.

In addition, to the extent that any of the comparison funds included in the Peer Group, excluding iShares funds, track the same index as the Fund, Broadridge also provided, and the Board reviewed, a comparison of the Fund’s performance for the one-, three-, five-, ten-year, and since inception periods, as applicable, and for the quarter ended December 31, 2016, to that of relevant comparison funds for the same periods.

The Board noted that the Fund seeks to track its specified underlying index and that, during the year, the Board received periodic reports on the Fund’s short- and longer-term performance in comparison with its underlying index. Such periodic comparative performance information, including any additional detailed information requested by the Boards, was also considered. The Board noted that the Fund generally performed in line with its underlying index over the relevant periods.

Based on this review, the other factors considered at the meeting, and their general knowledge of ETF pricing, the Board concluded that the investment advisory fee rate and the historical performance of the Fund supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Contract for the coming year.

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided by BFA Based on management’s representations, including information about recent and proposed enhancements to the iShares business, including with respect to capital markets support and analysis, technology, product design, compliance and risk management, and other services, the Board expected that there would be no diminution in the scope of services required of or provided by BFA under the Advisory Contract for the coming year as compared to the scope of services provided by BFA during prior years. In reviewing the scope of these services, the Board considered BFA’s investment philosophy and experience, noting that BFA and its affiliates have committed significant resources over time, including during the past year, to supporting the iShares funds and their shareholders. The Board also considered BFA’s compliance program and its compliance record with respect to the Fund. In that regard, the Board noted that BFA reports to the Board about portfolio management and compliance matters on a periodic basis in connection with regularly scheduled meetings of the Board, and on other occasions as necessary and appropriate, and has provided information and made appropriate officers available as needed to provide further assistance with these matters. The Board also reviewed the background and experience of the persons responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund, as well as the resources available to them in managing the Fund. In addition to the above considerations, the Board reviewed and considered detailed presentations regarding BFA’s investment performance, investment and risk management processes and strategies provided at the June 19-21, 2017 meeting and throughout the previous year, and matters related to BFA’s portfolio compliance policies and procedures. The Board noted that the Fund had met its investment objective consistently since its inception date.

Based on review of this information, and the performance information discussed above, the Board concluded that the nature, extent and quality of services provided by BFA to the Fund under the Advisory Contract supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Contract for the coming year.

Costs of Services Provided to Fund and Profits Realized by BFA and Affiliates The Board reviewed information about the profitability of the Fund to BlackRock, based on the fees payable to BFA and its affiliates (including fees under the Advisory Contract), and other sources of revenue and expense to BFA and its affiliates from the Fund’s operations for the last calendar year. The Board reviewed BlackRock’s profitability methodology for the iShares funds, including supplemental information that was responsive to requests of the 15(c) Committee. The Board noted that the 15(c) Committee had focused on the methodology and profitability presentation during its meetings. The Board discussed the sources of direct and ancillary revenue with

 

BOARD REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY CONTRACT

     93  


Table of Contents

Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory

Contract (Continued)

iSHARES®, INC.

 

management, including the revenues to BTC, a BFA affiliate, from securities lending by the Fund. The Board also discussed BFA’s profit margin as reflected in the Fund’s profitability analysis and reviewed information regarding potential economies of scale (as discussed below). Based on this review, the Board concluded that the profits realized by BFA and its affiliates under the Advisory Contract and from other relationships between the Fund and BFA and/or its affiliates, if any, were within a reasonable range in light of the factors considered.

Economies of Scale The Board reviewed information regarding potential economies of scale or other efficiencies that may result from increases in the Fund’s assets, noting that the issue of economies of scale had been focused on by the 15(c) Committee during its meetings and addressed by management, including through supplemental information. The Board and the 15(c) Committee reviewed information provided by BFA regarding scale benefits shared with the iShares funds through relatively low fee rates established at inception, breakpoints and waivers or other fee reductions, as well as through additional investment in the iShares business and the provision of improved or additional infrastructure and services to the iShares funds and their shareholders. The Board and the 15(c) Committee received information regarding BlackRock’s historical profitability, including BFA’s and its affiliates’ costs in providing services. The cost information distinguished, among other things, between fixed and variable costs, and explained how the level of fixed and variable costs, as well as the nature of such costs, may impact the existence or size of scale benefits. The Board noted that the Advisory Contract for the Fund did not provide for any breakpoints in the Fund’s investment advisory fee rate as the assets of the Fund increase. However, the Board noted that should material economies of scale be identified in the future that are not otherwise shared, a breakpoint structure for the Fund may be appropriate, and that it would continue to monitor the sharing of economies of scale to determine the appropriateness of adding breakpoints in the future.

Based on this review, as well as the other factors considered at the meeting, the Board, recognizing its responsibility to consider the Advisory Contract at least annually, determined to approve the continuance of the Advisory Contract for the coming year.

Fees and Services Provided for Other Comparable Funds/Accounts Managed by BFA and its Affiliates The Board received and considered information regarding the investment advisory/management fee rates for other funds/accounts in the U.S. for which BFA (or its affiliates) provides investment advisory/management services, including open-end funds registered under the 1940 Act (including sub-advised funds), collective trust funds, and institutional separate accounts (together, the “Other Accounts”), and acknowledged BFA’s assertion that the iShares funds are fundamentally different investment vehicles from the Other Accounts. The Board noted that BFA and its affiliates do not manage Other Accounts with substantially the same investment objective and strategy as the Fund and that track the same index as the Fund. The Board further noted that BFA provided the Board with detailed information regarding how the Other Accounts (particularly institutional clients) generally differ from the Fund, including in terms of the different and generally more extensive services provided to the Fund, as well as other significant differences. In that regard, the Board considered that the pricing of services to institutional clients is typically based on a number of factors beyond the nature and extent of the specific services to be provided and often depends on the overall relationship between the client and its affiliates and the adviser and its affiliates. In addition, the Board considered the relative complexity and inherent risks and challenges of managing and providing other services to the Fund, as a publicly traded ETF, as compared to the Other Accounts that are institutional clients, in light of differing regulatory requirements and client-imposed mandates. The Board also acknowledged BFA’s expressed business purpose for launching a suite of iShares “Core” ETFs that generally are subject to lower investment advisory fees than iShares non-Core ETFs that may provide a similar investment exposure. The Board also considered the “all-inclusive” nature of the Fund’s advisory fee structure, and the Fund expenses borne by BFA under this arrangement. The Board noted that the investment advisory fee rate under the Advisory Contract for the Fund was generally higher than the investment advisory/management fee rates for certain of the Other Accounts (particularly institutional clients) and concluded that the differences appeared to be consistent with the factors discussed.

 

94    2017 iSHARES ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Table of Contents

Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory

Contract (Continued)

iSHARES®, INC.

 

Other Benefits to BFA and/or its Affiliates The Board reviewed the “fallout” benefits or ancillary revenue received by BFA and/or its affiliates in connection with the services provided to the Fund by BFA, such as payment of revenue to BTC, the Fund’s securities lending agent, for loaning portfolio securities (which was included in the profit margins reviewed by the Board pursuant to BFA’s profitability methodology), and payment of advisory fees and/or administration fees to BFA and BTC (or their affiliates) in connection with any investments by the Fund in other funds for which BFA (or its affiliates) provides investment advisory services and/or administration services. The Board also noted the revenue received by BFA and/or its affiliates pursuant to an agreement that permits a service provider to use certain portions of BlackRock’s technology platform to service accounts managed by BFA and/or its affiliates, including the iShares funds. The Board noted that BFA generally does not use soft dollars or consider the value of research or other services that may be provided to BFA (including its affiliates) in selecting brokers for portfolio transactions for the Fund. The Board further noted that any portfolio transactions on behalf of the Fund placed through a BFA affiliate or purchased from an underwriting syndicate in which a BFA affiliate participates, are reported to the Board pursuant to Rule 17e-1 or Rule 10f-3, as applicable, under the 1940 Act. The Board concluded that any such ancillary benefits would not be disadvantageous to the Fund’s shareholders and thus would not alter the Board’s conclusion with respect to the appropriateness of approving the continuance of the Advisory Contract for the coming year.

Conclusion Based on the considerations described above, the Board determined that the Fund’s investment advisory fee rate under the Advisory Contract does not constitute a fee that is so disproportionately large as to bear no reasonable relationship to the services rendered and that could not have been the product of arm’s-length bargaining, and concluded to approve the continuance of the Advisory Contract for the coming year.

III. iShares J.P. Morgan EM Local Currency Bond ETF

Under Section 15(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”), including a majority of Directors who are not “interested persons” of the Company (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act) (the “Independent Directors”), is required annually to consider and approve the Investment Advisory Contract between the Company and BFA (the “Advisory Contract”), and the Sub-Advisory Agreement between BFA and BlackRock International Limited (“BIL”) (the “Sub-Advisory Agreement”), on behalf of the Fund. The Advisory Contract and the Sub-Advisory Agreement are referred to hereafter as the “Advisory Agreements”. The Independent Directors requested, and BFA provided, such information as the Independent Directors, with advice from independent counsel, deemed reasonably necessary to evaluate the Advisory Agreements. A committee of all of the Independent Directors (the “15(c) Committee”), with independent counsel, met with management on May 5, 2017 and May 12, 2017. At these meetings, the 15(c) Committee reviewed and discussed information provided in response to the 15(c) Committee’s initial requests, and requested certain additional information, which management agreed to provide. At a meeting held on May 18, 2017, management presented information to the Board relating to the continuance of the Advisory Agreements, including information requested by the 15(c) Committee during its meetings. The Board, including the Independent Directors, reviewed and discussed such information at length. The Independent Directors requested from management certain additional information, which management agreed to provide. At a meeting held on June 19-21, 2017, the Board, including the Independent Directors, reviewed the additional information provided by management in response to these requests. After extensive discussions, the Board, including all of the Independent Directors, approved the continuance of the Advisory Agreements for the Fund, based on a review of qualitative and quantitative information provided by BFA. The Board noted its satisfaction with the extent and quality of information provided and its frequent interactions with management, as well as the detailed responses and other information provided by BFA. The Board also noted that the Board and BFA agreed to discuss potential further enhancements to the 15(c) process for the coming year. The Independent Directors were advised by their independent counsel throughout the process, including about the legal standards applicable to their review. In approving the Advisory Agreements for the Fund, the Board, including the Independent Directors, considered the following factors, no one of which was controlling, and reached the following conclusions:

 

BOARD REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY CONTRACT

     95  


Table of Contents

Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory

Contract (Continued)

iSHARES®, INC.

 

Expenses and Performance of the Fund The Board reviewed statistical information prepared by Broadridge Financial Solutions Inc. (“Broadridge”), an independent provider of investment company data, regarding the expense ratio components, including gross and net total expenses, waivers/reimbursements (if any), and underlying fund fees and expenses (if any) of the Fund in comparison with the same information for other exchange traded funds (“ETFs”) (including, where applicable, funds sponsored by an “at cost” service provider) and, in the limited instances where no comparable ETFs existed and the comparison group would not otherwise be reasonable in Broadridge’s judgment, pure index institutional mutual funds, objectively selected by Broadridge as comprising the Fund’s applicable peer group pursuant to Broadridge’s proprietary ETF methodology (the “Peer Group”). The Board was provided with a detailed description of the proprietary ETF methodology used by Broadridge to determine the Fund’s Peer Group. The Board further noted that due to the limitations in providing comparable funds in the Peer Group, the statistical information provided in Broadridge’s report may or may not provide meaningful direct comparisons to the Fund in all instances.

The Board also noted that the investment advisory fee rate and overall expenses (net of waivers and reimbursements) for the Fund were higher than the median of the investment advisory fee rates and overall expenses (net of waivers and reimbursements) of the funds in its Peer Group, excluding iShares funds. The Board also noted that BFA pays BIL for its sub-advisory services, and that there are no additional fees imposed on the Fund in respect of the services provided under the Sub-Advisory Agreement.

In addition, to the extent that any of the comparison funds included in the Peer Group, excluding iShares funds, track the same index as the Fund, Broadridge also provided, and the Board reviewed, a comparison of the Fund’s performance for the one-, three-, five-, ten-year, and since inception periods, as applicable, and for the quarter ended December 31, 2016, to that of relevant comparison funds for the same periods.

The Board noted that the Fund seeks to track its specified underlying index and that, during the year, the Board received periodic reports on the Fund’s short- and longer-term performance in comparison with its underlying index. Such periodic comparative performance information, including any additional detailed information requested by the Boards, was also considered. The Board noted that the Fund generally performed in line with its underlying index over the relevant periods.

Based on this review, the other factors considered at the meeting, and their general knowledge of ETF pricing, the Board concluded that the investment advisory fee rate and the historical performance of the Fund supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreements for the coming year.

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided by BFA and BIL or their Affiliates Based on management’s representations, including information about recent and proposed enhancements to the iShares business, including with respect to capital markets support and analysis, technology, product design, compliance and risk management, and other services, the Board expected that there would be no diminution in the scope of services required of or provided by BFA (and any services provided by BIL on BFA’s behalf or at BFA’s direction) under the Advisory Agreements for the coming year as compared to the scope of services provided by BFA and BIL during prior years. In reviewing the scope of these services, the Board considered the investment philosophy and experience of BFA and BIL, noting that BFA and its affiliates have committed significant resources over time, including during the past year, to supporting the iShares funds and their shareholders. The Board also considered the compliance program of BFA and BIL and their compliance record with respect to the Fund. In that regard, the Board noted that BFA reports to the Board about portfolio management and compliance matters on a periodic basis in connection with regularly scheduled meetings of the Board, and on other occasions as necessary and appropriate, and has provided information and made appropriate officers available as needed to provide further assistance with these matters. The Board also reviewed the background and experience of the persons responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund, as well as the resources available to them in managing the Fund. In addition to the above considerations, the Board reviewed and considered detailed

 

96    2017 iSHARES ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Table of Contents

Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory

Contract (Continued)

iSHARES®, INC.

 

presentations regarding BFA’s investment performance, investment and risk management processes and strategies provided at the June 19-21, 2017 meeting and throughout the previous year, and matters related to BFA’s and BIL’s portfolio compliance policies and procedures. The Board noted that the Fund had met its investment objective consistently since its inception date.

Based on review of this information, and the performance information discussed above, the Board concluded that the nature, extent and quality of services provided by BFA and BIL to the Fund under the Advisory Agreements supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreements for the coming year.

Costs of Services Provided to Fund and Profits Realized by BFA and Affiliates The Board reviewed information about the profitability of the Fund to BlackRock, based on the fees payable to BFA and its affiliates (including fees under the Advisory Contract), and other sources of revenue and expense to BFA and its affiliates from the Fund’s operations for the last calendar year. The Board reviewed BlackRock’s profitability methodology for the iShares funds, including supplemental information that was responsive to requests of the 15(c) Committee. The Board noted that the 15(c) Committee had focused on the methodology and profitability presentation during its meetings. The Board discussed the sources of direct and ancillary revenue with management, including the revenues to BTC, a BFA affiliate, from securities lending by the Fund. The Board also discussed BFA’s profit margin as reflected in the Fund’s profitability analysis and reviewed information regarding potential economies of scale (as discussed below). Based on this review, the Board concluded that the profits realized by BFA and its affiliates under the Advisory Contract and from other relationships between the Fund and BFA and/or its affiliates, if any, were within a reasonable range in light of the factors considered.

Economies of Scale The Board reviewed information regarding potential economies of scale or other efficiencies that may result from increases in the Fund’s assets, noting that the issue of economies of scale had been focused on by the 15(c) Committee during its meetings and addressed by management, including through supplemental information. The Board and the 15(c) Committee reviewed information provided by BFA regarding scale benefits shared with the iShares funds through relatively low fee rates established at inception, breakpoints and waivers or other fee reductions, as well as through additional investment in the iShares business and the provision of improved or additional infrastructure and services to the iShares funds and their shareholders. The Board and the 15(c) Committee received information regarding BlackRock’s historical profitability, including BFA’s and its affiliates’ costs in providing services. The cost information distinguished, among other things, between fixed and variable costs, and explained how the level of fixed and variable costs, as well as the nature of such costs, may impact the existence or size of scale benefits. The Board noted that the Advisory Contract for the Fund did not provide for any breakpoints in the Fund’s investment advisory fee rate as the assets of the Fund increase. However, the Board noted that should material economies of scale be identified in the future that are not otherwise shared, a breakpoint structure for the Fund may be appropriate, and that it would continue to monitor the sharing of economies of scale to determine the appropriateness of adding breakpoints in the future.

Based on this review, as well as the other factors considered at the meeting, the Board, recognizing its responsibility to consider the Advisory Agreements at least annually, determined to approve the continuance of the Advisory Agreements for the coming year.

Fees and Services Provided for Other Comparable Funds/Accounts Managed by BFA and its Affiliates The Board received and considered information regarding the investment advisory/management fee rates for other funds/accounts in the U.S. for which BFA (or its affiliates) provides investment advisory/management services, including open-end funds registered under the 1940 Act (including sub-advised funds), collective trust funds, and institutional separate accounts (together, the “Other Accounts”), and acknowledged BFA’s assertion that the iShares funds are fundamentally different investment vehicles from the Other Accounts. The Board noted that BFA and its affiliates do not manage Other Accounts with substantially the same investment objective and strategy as the Fund and that track the same index as the Fund. The Board further noted that BFA

 

BOARD REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY CONTRACT

     97  


Table of Contents

Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory

Contract (Continued)

iSHARES®, INC.

 

provided the Board with detailed information regarding how the Other Accounts (particularly institutional clients) generally differ from the Fund, including in terms of the different and generally more extensive services provided to the Fund, as well as other significant differences. In that regard, the Board considered that the pricing of services to institutional clients is typically based on a number of factors beyond the nature and extent of the specific services to be provided and often depends on the overall relationship between the client and its affiliates and the adviser and its affiliates. In addition, the Board considered the relative complexity and inherent risks and challenges of managing and providing other services to the Fund, as a publicly traded ETF, as compared to the Other Accounts that are institutional clients, in light of differing regulatory requirements and client-imposed mandates. The Board also acknowledged BFA’s expressed business purpose for launching a suite of iShares “Core” ETFs that generally are subject to lower investment advisory fees than iShares non-Core ETFs that may provide a similar investment exposure. The Board also considered the “all-inclusive” nature of the Fund’s advisory fee structure, and the Fund expenses borne by BFA under this arrangement. The Board noted that the investment advisory fee rate under the Advisory Contract for the Fund was generally higher than the investment advisory/management fee rates for certain of the Other Accounts (particularly institutional clients) and concluded that the differences appeared to be consistent with the factors discussed.

Other Benefits to BFA and/or its Affiliates The Board reviewed the “fallout” benefits or ancillary revenue received by BFA and/or its affiliates in connection with the services provided to the Fund by BFA, such as payment of revenue to BTC, the Fund’s securities lending agent, for loaning portfolio securities (which was included in the profit margins reviewed by the Board pursuant to BFA’s profitability methodology), and payment of advisory fees and/or administration fees to BFA and BTC (or their affiliates) in connection with any investments by the Fund in other funds for which BFA (or its affiliates) provides investment advisory services and/or administration services. The Board also noted the revenue received by BFA and/or its affiliates pursuant to an agreement that permits a service provider to use certain portions of BlackRock’s technology platform to service accounts managed by BFA and/or its affiliates, including the iShares funds. The Board noted that BFA generally does not use soft dollars or consider the value of research or other services that may be provided to BFA (including its affiliates) in selecting brokers for portfolio transactions for the Fund. The Board further noted that any portfolio transactions on behalf of the Fund placed through a BFA affiliate or purchased from an underwriting syndicate in which a BFA affiliate participates, are reported to the Board pursuant to Rule 17e-1 or Rule 10f-3, as applicable, under the 1940 Act. The Board concluded that any such ancillary benefits would not be disadvantageous to the Fund’s shareholders and thus would not alter the Board’s conclusion with respect to the appropriateness of approving the continuance of the Advisory Agreements for the coming year.

Conclusion Based on the considerations described above, the Board determined that the Fund’s investment advisory fee rate under the Advisory Contract does not constitute a fee that is so disproportionately large as to bear no reasonable relationship to the services rendered and that could not have been the product of arm’s-length bargaining, and concluded to approve the continuance of the Advisory Agreements for the coming year.

IV. iShares US & Intl High Yield Corp Bond ETF

Under Section 15(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”), including a majority of Directors who are not “interested persons” of the Company (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act) (the “Independent Directors”), is required annually to consider and approve the Investment Advisory Contract between the Company and BFA (the “Advisory Contract”), and the Sub-Advisory Agreement between BFA and BlackRock International Limited (“BIL”) (the “Sub-Advisory Agreement”), on behalf of the Fund. The Advisory Contract and the Sub-Advisory Agreement are referred to hereafter as the “Advisory Agreements”. The Independent Directors requested, and BFA provided, such information as the Independent Directors, with advice from independent counsel, deemed reasonably necessary to evaluate the Advisory Agreements. A committee of all of the Independent Directors (the “15(c) Committee”), with independent counsel, met with management on May 5, 2017 and May 12, 2017. At these meetings, the 15(c) Committee reviewed and discussed information provided in response to the 15(c) Committee’s initial requests, and requested certain additional information, which management

 

98    2017 iSHARES ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Table of Contents

Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory

Contract (Continued)

iSHARES®, INC.

 

agreed to provide. At a meeting held on May 18, 2017, management presented information to the Board relating to the continuance of the Advisory Agreements, including information requested by the 15(c) Committee during its meetings. The Board, including the Independent Directors, reviewed and discussed such information at length. The Independent Directors requested from management certain additional information, which management agreed to provide. At a meeting held on June 19-21, 2017, the Board, including the Independent Directors, reviewed the additional information provided by management in response to these requests. After extensive discussions, the Board, including all of the Independent Directors, approved the continuance of the Advisory Agreements for the Fund, based on a review of qualitative and quantitative information provided by BFA. The Board noted its satisfaction with the extent and quality of information provided and its frequent interactions with management, as well as the detailed responses and other information provided by BFA. The Board also noted that the Board and BFA agreed to discuss potential further enhancements to the 15(c) process for the coming year. The Independent Directors were advised by their independent counsel throughout the process, including about the legal standards applicable to their review. In approving the Advisory Agreements for the Fund, the Board, including the Independent Directors, considered the following factors, no one of which was controlling, and reached the following conclusions:

Expenses and Performance of the Fund The Board reviewed statistical information prepared by Broadridge Financial Solutions Inc. (“Broadridge”), an independent provider of investment company data, regarding the expense ratio components, including gross and net total expenses, waivers/reimbursements (if any), and underlying fund fees and expenses (if any) of the Fund in comparison with the same information for other exchange traded funds (“ETFs”) (including, where applicable, funds sponsored by an “at cost” service provider) and, in the limited instances where no comparable ETFs existed and the comparison group would not otherwise be reasonable in Broadridge’s judgment, pure index institutional mutual funds, objectively selected by Broadridge as comprising the Fund’s applicable peer group pursuant to Broadridge’s proprietary ETF methodology (the “Peer Group”). The Board was provided with a detailed description of the proprietary ETF methodology used by Broadridge to determine the Fund’s Peer Group. The Board further noted that due to the limitations in providing comparable funds in the Peer Group, the statistical information provided in Broadridge’s report may or may not provide meaningful direct comparisons to the Fund in all instances.

The Board also noted that the investment advisory fee rate and overall expenses (net of waivers and reimbursements) for the Fund were lower than the median of the investment advisory fee rates and overall expenses (net of waivers and reimbursements) of the funds in its Peer Group, excluding iShares funds. The Board also noted that BFA pays BIL for its sub-advisory services, and that there are no additional fees imposed on the Fund in respect of the services provided under the Sub-Advisory Agreement.

In addition, to the extent that any of the comparison funds included in the Peer Group, excluding iShares funds, track the same index as the Fund, Broadridge also provided, and the Board reviewed, a comparison of the Fund’s performance for the one-, three-, five-, ten-year, and since inception periods, as applicable, and for the quarter ended December 31, 2016, to that of relevant comparison funds for the same periods.

The Board noted that the Fund seeks to track its specified underlying index and that, during the year, the Board received periodic reports on the Fund’s short- and longer-term performance in comparison with its underlying index. Such periodic comparative performance information, including any additional detailed information requested by the Boards, was also considered. The Board noted that the Fund generally performed in line with its underlying index over the relevant periods.

Based on this review, the other factors considered at the meeting, and their general knowledge of ETF pricing, the Board concluded that the investment advisory fee rate and the historical performance of the Fund supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreements for the coming year.

 

BOARD REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY CONTRACT

     99  


Table of Contents

Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory

Contract (Continued)

iSHARES®, INC.

 

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided by BFA and BIL or their Affiliates Based on management’s representations, including information about recent and proposed enhancements to the iShares business, including with respect to capital markets support and analysis, technology, product design, compliance and risk management, and other services, the Board expected that there would be no diminution in the scope of services required of or provided by BFA (and any services provided by BIL on BFA’s behalf or at BFA’s direction) under the Advisory Agreements for the coming year as compared to the scope of services provided by BFA and BIL during prior years. In reviewing the scope of these services, the Board considered the investment philosophy and experience of BFA and BIL, noting that BFA and its affiliates have committed significant resources over time, including during the past year, to supporting the iShares funds and their shareholders. The Board also considered the compliance program of BFA and BIL and their compliance record with respect to the Fund. In that regard, the Board noted that BFA reports to the Board about portfolio management and compliance matters on a periodic basis in connection with regularly scheduled meetings of the Board, and on other occasions as necessary and appropriate, and has provided information and made appropriate officers available as needed to provide further assistance with these matters. The Board also reviewed the background and experience of the persons responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund, as well as the resources available to them in managing the Fund. In addition to the above considerations, the Board reviewed and considered detailed presentations regarding BFA’s investment performance, investment and risk management processes and strategies provided at the June 19-21, 2017 meeting and throughout the previous year, and matters related to BFA’s and BIL’s portfolio compliance policies and procedures. The Board noted that the Fund had met its investment objective consistently since its inception date.

Based on review of this information, and the performance information discussed above, the Board concluded that the nature, extent and quality of services provided by BFA and BIL to the Fund under the Advisory Agreements supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreements for the coming year.

Costs of Services Provided to Fund and Profits Realized by BFA and Affiliates The Board reviewed information about the profitability of the Fund to BlackRock, based on the fees payable to BFA and its affiliates (including fees under the Advisory Contract), and other sources of revenue and expense to BFA and its affiliates from the Fund’s operations for the last calendar year. The Board reviewed BlackRock’s profitability methodology for the iShares funds, including supplemental information that was responsive to requests of the 15(c) Committee. The Board noted that the 15(c) Committee had focused on the methodology and profitability presentation during its meetings. The Board discussed the sources of direct and ancillary revenue with management, including the revenues to BTC, a BFA affiliate, from securities lending by the Fund. The Board also discussed BFA’s profit margin as reflected in the Fund’s profitability analysis and reviewed information regarding potential economies of scale (as discussed below).

Based on this review, the Board concluded that the profits realized by BFA and its affiliates under the Advisory Contract and from other relationships between the Fund and BFA and/or its affiliates, if any, were within a reasonable range in light of the factors considered.

Economies of Scale The Board reviewed information regarding potential economies of scale or other efficiencies that may result from increases in the Fund’s assets, noting that the issue of economies of scale had been focused on by the 15(c) Committee during its meetings and addressed by management, including through supplemental information. The Board and the 15(c) Committee reviewed information provided by BFA regarding scale benefits shared with the iShares funds through relatively low fee rates established at inception, breakpoints and waivers or other fee reductions, as well as through additional investment in the iShares business and the provision of improved or additional infrastructure and services to the iShares funds and their shareholders. The Board and the 15(c) Committee received information regarding BlackRock’s historical profitability, including BFA’s and its affiliates’ costs in providing services. The cost information distinguished, among other things, between fixed and variable costs, and explained how the level of fixed and variable costs, as well as the nature of such costs, may impact the existence or size of scale benefits. The Board noted that the Advisory Contract for the Fund did not provide for any breakpoints in

 

100    2017 iSHARES ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Table of Contents

Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory

Contract (Continued)

iSHARES®, INC.

 

the Fund’s investment advisory fee rate as the assets of the Fund increase. However, the Board noted that should material economies of scale be identified in the future that are not otherwise shared, a breakpoint structure for the Fund may be appropriate, and that it would continue to monitor the sharing of economies of scale to determine the appropriateness of adding breakpoints in the future.

Based on this review, as well as the other factors considered at the meeting, the Board, recognizing its responsibility to consider the Advisory Agreements at least annually, determined to approve the continuance of the Advisory Agreements for the coming year.

Fees and Services Provided for Other Comparable Funds/Accounts Managed by BFA and its Affiliates The Board received and considered information regarding the investment advisory/management fee rates for other funds/accounts in the U.S. for which BFA (or its affiliates) provides investment advisory/management services, including open-end funds registered under the 1940 Act (including sub-advised funds), collective trust funds, and institutional separate accounts (together, the “Other Accounts”), and acknowledged BFA’s assertion that the iShares funds are fundamentally different investment vehicles from the Other Accounts. The Board noted that BFA and its affiliates do not manage Other Accounts with substantially the same investment objective and strategy as the Fund and that track the same index as the Fund. The Board further noted that BFA provided the Board with detailed information regarding how the Other Accounts (particularly institutional clients) generally differ from the Fund, including in terms of the different and generally more extensive services provided to the Fund, as well as other significant differences. In that regard, the Board considered that the pricing of services to institutional clients is typically based on a number of factors beyond the nature and extent of the specific services to be provided and often depends on the overall relationship between the client and its affiliates and the adviser and its affiliates. In addition, the Board considered the relative complexity and inherent risks and challenges of managing and providing other services to the Fund, as a publicly traded ETF, as compared to the Other Accounts that are institutional clients, in light of differing regulatory requirements and client-imposed mandates. The Board also acknowledged BFA’s expressed business purpose for launching a suite of iShares “Core” ETFs that generally are subject to lower investment advisory fees than iShares non-Core ETFs that may provide a similar investment exposure. The Board also considered the “all-inclusive” nature of the Fund’s advisory fee structure, and the Fund expenses borne by BFA under this arrangement. The Board noted that the investment advisory fee rate under the Advisory Contract for the Fund was generally higher than the investment advisory/management fee rates for certain of the Other Accounts (particularly institutional clients) and concluded that the differences appeared to be consistent with the factors discussed.

Other Benefits to BFA and/or its Affiliates The Board reviewed the “fallout” benefits or ancillary revenue received by BFA and/or its affiliates in connection with the services provided to the Fund by BFA, such as payment of revenue to BTC, the Fund’s securities lending agent, for loaning portfolio securities (which was included in the profit margins reviewed by the Board pursuant to BFA’s profitability methodology), and payment of advisory fees and/or administration fees to BFA and BTC (or their affiliates) in connection with any investments by the Fund in other funds for which BFA (or its affiliates) provides investment advisory services and/or administration services. The Board also noted the revenue received by BFA and/or its affiliates pursuant to an agreement that permits a service provider to use certain portions of BlackRock’s technology platform to service accounts managed by BFA and/or its affiliates, including the iShares funds. The Board noted that BFA generally does not use soft dollars or consider the value of research or other services that may be provided to BFA (including its affiliates) in selecting brokers for portfolio transactions for the Fund. The Board further noted that any portfolio transactions on behalf of the Fund placed through a BFA affiliate or purchased from an underwriting syndicate in which a BFA affiliate participates, are reported to the Board pursuant to Rule 17e-1 or Rule 10f-3, as applicable, under the 1940 Act. The Board concluded that any such ancillary benefits would not be disadvantageous to the Fund’s shareholders and thus would not alter the Board’s conclusion with respect to the appropriateness of approving the continuance of the Advisory Agreements for the coming year.

 

BOARD REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY CONTRACT

     101  


Table of Contents

Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory

Contract (Continued)

iSHARES®, INC.

 

Conclusion Based on the considerations described above, the Board determined that the Fund’s investment advisory fee rate under the Advisory Contract does not constitute a fee that is so disproportionately large as to bear no reasonable relationship to the services rendered and that could not have been the product of arm’s-length bargaining, and concluded to approve the continuance of the Advisory Agreements for the coming year.

 

102    2017 iSHARES ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Table of Contents

Supplemental Information (Unaudited)

iSHARES®, INC.

 

Proxy Results

A special meeting of the shareholders of each series of iShares, Inc. (the “Company”) was held on June 19, 2017, to elect five Directors to the Board of Directors of the Company. The five nominees were Jane D. Carlin, Richard L. Fagnani, Drew E. Lawton, Madhav V. Rajan and Mark Wiedman, all of whom were elected as Directors at the special meeting. The other Directors whose terms of office as Directors continued after the special meeting are Cecilia H. Herbert, Charles A. Hurty, John E. Kerrigan, John E. Martinez and Robert S. Kapito.

 

Director    Votes For      Votes Withheld  

Jane D. Carlin

     1,911,835,929        49,339,171  

Richard L. Fagnani

     1,911,725,344        49,449,755  

Drew E. Lawton

     1,911,790,083        49,385,017  

Madhav V. Rajan

     1,902,999,095        58,176,004  

Mark Wiedman

     1,908,143,500        53,031,599  

Section 19(a) Notices

The amounts and sources of distributions reported are estimates and are provided pursuant to regulatory requirements and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources for tax reporting purposes will depend upon each Fund’s investment experience during the year and may be subject to changes based on the tax regulations. Shareholders will receive a Form 1099-DIV each calendar year that will inform them how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes.

 

      Total Cumulative Distributions
for the Fiscal Year
     % Breakdown of the Total Cumulative
Distributions for the Fiscal Year
 
iShares ETF    Net
Investment
Income
     Net
Realized
Capital
Gains
     Return
of
Capital
     Total
Per
Share
     Net
Investment
Income
    Net
Realized
Capital
Gains
    Return
of
Capital
    Total
Per
Share
 

Emerging Markets High Yield Bond

   $ 2.895771      $      $ 0.117058      $ 3.012829        96       %      4     100

J.P. Morgan EM Corporate Bond

     2.038254               0.033488        2.071742        98             2       100  

US & Intl High Yield Corp Bond

     2.324109                      2.324109        100                   100  

Premium/Discount Information

The Premium/Discount Information section is intended to present information about the differences between the daily market price on secondary markets for shares of a fund and that fund’s NAV. NAV is the price at which a fund issues and redeems shares. It is calculated in accordance with the standard formula for valuing mutual fund shares. The “Market Price” of a fund generally is determined using the midpoint between the highest bid and the lowest ask on the primary securities exchange on which shares of such fund are listed for trading, as of the time that the fund’s NAV is calculated. A fund’s Market Price may be at, above or below its NAV. The NAV of a fund will fluctuate with changes in the value of its portfolio holdings. The Market Price of a fund will fluctuate in accordance with changes in its NAV, as well as market supply and demand.

 

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

     103  


Table of Contents

Supplemental Information (Unaudited) (Continued)

iSHARES®, INC.

 

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

Premium/discount information for the Funds covering the most recently completed calendar year and the most recently completed calendar quarters since that year (or the life of the Fund, if shorter) is publicly accessible, free of charge, at www.iShares.com.

The following information shows the frequency of distributions of premiums and discounts for the Funds for the immediately preceding five calendar years (or from the inception date of the Fund, if less than five years) through the date of the most recent calendar quarter-end. Each line in each table shows the number of trading days in which the Fund traded within the premium/discount range indicated. The number of trading days in each premium/discount range is also shown as a percentage of the total number of trading days in the period covered by each table. All data presented here represents past performance, which cannot be used to predict future results.

iShares Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF

Period Covered: April 3, 2012 through September 30, 2017

 

Premium/Discount Range

   Number
of Days
     Percentage of
Total Days
 

Greater than 1.5% and Less than 2.0%

     2        0.14

Greater than 1.0% and Less than 1.5%

     71        5.13  

Greater than 0.5% and Less than 1.0%

     363        26.25  

Greater than 0.0% and Less than 0.5%

     685        49.53  

At NAV

     12        0.87  

Less than 0.0% and Greater than –0.5%

     220        15.91  

Less than –0.5% and Greater than –1.0%

     25        1.81  

Less than –1.0% and Greater than –1.5%

     5        0.36  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     1,383        100.00
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

104    2017 iSHARES ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Table of Contents

Supplemental Information (Unaudited) (Continued)

iSHARES®, INC.

 

iShares J.P. Morgan EM Corporate Bond ETF

Period Covered: April 17, 2012 through September 30, 2017

 

Premium/Discount Range

   Number
of Days
     Percentage of
Total Days
 

Greater than 5.0%

     3        0.22

Greater than 4.5% and Less than 5.0%

     1        0.07  

Greater than 4.0% and Less than 4.5%

     4        0.29  

Greater than 3.5% and Less than 4.0%

     19        1.38  

Greater than 3.0% and Less than 3.5%

     11        0.80  

Greater than 2.5% and Less than 3.0%

     10        0.73  

Greater than 2.0% and Less than 2.5%

     18        1.31  

Greater than 1.5% and Less than 2.0%

     32        2.33  

Greater than 1.0% and Less than 1.5%

     190        13.83  

Greater than 0.5% and Less than 1.0%

     212        15.43  

Greater than 0.0% and Less than 0.5%

     426        31.00  

At NAV

     7        0.51  

Less than 0.0% and Greater than –0.5%

     203        14.77  

Less than –0.5% and Greater than –1.0%

     98        7.13  

Less than –1.0% and Greater than –1.5%

     78        5.68  

Less than –1.5% and Greater than –2.0%

     31        2.26  

Less than –2.0% and Greater than –2.5%

     24        1.75  

Less than –2.5% and Greater than –3.0%

     4        0.29  

Less than –3.0% and Greater than –3.5%

     3        0.22  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     1,374        100.00
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

iShares J.P. Morgan EM Local Currency Bond ETF

Period Covered: January 1, 2012 through September 30, 2017

 

Premium/Discount Range

   Number
of Days
     Percentage of
Total Days
 

Greater than 4.5% and Less than 5.0%

     1        0.07

Greater than 4.0% and Less than 4.5%

     1        0.07  

Greater than 3.5% and Less than 4.0%

     3        0.21  

Greater than 3.0% and Less than 3.5%

     1        0.07  

Greater than 2.5% and Less than 3.0%

     2        0.14  

Greater than 2.0% and Less than 2.5%

     22        1.52  

Greater than 1.5% and Less than 2.0%

     58        4.01  

Greater than 1.0% and Less than 1.5%

     225        15.56  

Greater than 0.5% and Less than 1.0%

     146        10.10  

Greater than 0.0% and Less than 0.5%

     556        38.44  

At NAV

     13        0.90  

Less than 0.0% and Greater than –0.5%

     360        24.90  

Less than –0.5% and Greater than –1.0%

     50        3.46  

Less than –1.0% and Greater than –1.5%

     7        0.48  

Less than –1.5%

     1        0.07  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     1,446        100.00
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

     105  


Table of Contents

Supplemental Information (Unaudited) (Continued)

iSHARES®, INC.

 

iShares US & Intl High Yield Corp Bond ETF

Period Covered: April 3, 2012 through September 30, 2017

 

Premium/Discount Range

   Number
of Days
     Percentage of
Total Days
 

Greater than 2.0% and Less than 2.5%

     4        0.29

Greater than 1.5% and Less than 2.0%

     14        1.01  

Greater than 1.0% and Less than 1.5%

     110        7.95  

Greater than 0.5% and Less than 1.0%

     461        33.33  

Greater than 0.0% and Less than 0.5%

     610        44.11  

At NAV

     8        0.58  

Less than 0.0% and Greater than –0.5%

     112        8.10  

Less than –0.5% and Greater than –1.0%

     50        3.62  

Less than –1.0% and Greater than –1.5%

     13        0.94  

Less than –1.5% and Greater than –2.0%

     1        0.07  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     1,383        100.00
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Regulation under the Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive

The Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive (“AIFMD”) imposes obligations on fund managers established in the European Union (the “EU”). These do not currently apply to managers established outside the EU, such as BFA. Rather, non-EU managers are only required to comply with certain disclosure, reporting and transparency obligations of AIFMD if such managers market a fund to EU investors.

BFA has registered the iShares Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF (the “Fund”) for marketing to investors in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Finland, Sweden and Luxembourg.

Report on Remuneration

BFA is required under AIFMD to make quantitative disclosures of remuneration. These disclosures are made in line with BlackRock’s interpretation of currently available regulatory guidance on quantitative remuneration disclosures. As market or regulatory practice develops BlackRock may consider it appropriate to make changes to the way in which quantitative remuneration disclosures are calculated. Where such changes are made, this may result in disclosures in relation to a fund not being comparable to the disclosures made in the prior year, or in relation to other BlackRock fund disclosures in that same year.

Disclosures are provided in relation to both (a) the staff of BFA; (b) staff who are senior management; and (c) staff who have the ability to materially affect the risk profile of the Fund.

All individuals included in the aggregated figures disclosed are rewarded in line with BlackRock’s remuneration policy for their responsibilities across the relevant BlackRock business area. As all individuals have a number of areas of responsibilities, only the portion of remuneration for those individuals’ services attributable to the Fund is included in the aggregate figures disclosed.

BlackRock has a clear and well defined pay-for-performance philosophy, and compensation programs which support that philosophy. For senior management, a significant percentage of variable remuneration is deferred over time. All employees are subject to a claw-back policy.

 

106    2017 iSHARES ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Table of Contents

Supplemental Information (Unaudited) (Continued)

iSHARES®, INC.

 

Compensation decisions for employees are made based on BlackRock’s full-year financial results and other non-financial goals and objectives. Alongside financial performance, individual compensation is also based on strategic and operating results and other considerations such as management and leadership capabilities. No set formulas are established and no fixed benchmarks are used in determining annual incentive awards.

Bonus pools are reviewed by BlackRock’s independent compensation committee, taking into account both actual and projected financial information together with information provided by the Operational Risk and Regulatory Compliance departments in relation to any activities, incidents or events that warrant consideration in making compensation decisions.

Functions such as Finance, Operational Risk, Legal & Compliance, and Human Resources each have their own organizational structures which are independent of the business units. Functional bonus pools are determined with reference to the performance of each individual function and the remuneration of the senior members of control functions is directly overseen by BlackRock’s independent compensation committee. No individual is involved in setting his or her own remuneration.

Members of staff and senior management of BFA typically provide both AIFMD and non-AIFMD related services in respect of multiple funds, clients and functions of BFA and across the broader BlackRock group. Therefore, the figures disclosed are a sum of each individual’s portion of remuneration attributable to the Fund according to an objective apportionment methodology which acknowledges the multiple-service nature of BFA. Accordingly the figures are not representative of any individual’s actual remuneration or their remuneration structure.

The amount of the total remuneration awarded by BFA to its staff which has been attributed to the Fund in respect of BFA’s financial year ending December 31, 2016 was USD 10.08 thousand. This figure is comprised of fixed remuneration of USD 3.96 thousand and variable remuneration of USD 6.11 thousand. There were a total of 325 beneficiaries of the remuneration described above.

The amount of the aggregate remuneration awarded by BFA, which has been attributed to the Fund in respect of BFA’s financial year ending December 31, 2016, to its senior management was USD 1.39 thousand, and to members of its staff whose actions have a material impact on the risk profile of the Fund was USD 0.34 thousand.

 

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

     107  


Table of Contents

Director and Officer Information

iSHARES®, INC.

 

The Board of Directors 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. Each officer shall hold office until his or her successor is elected and qualifies or until his or her death, resignation or removal. 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 (the “BlackRock-advised Funds”) are organized into one complex of closed-end funds, two complexes of open-end funds and one complex of exchange-traded funds (“Exchange-Traded Fund Complex”) (each, a “BlackRock Fund Complex”). Each Fund is included in the BlackRock Fund Complex referred to as the Exchange-Traded Fund Complex. Each Director also serves as a Trustee of iShares Trust and a Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust and, as a result, oversees a total of 346 funds (as of October 31, 2017) within the Exchange-Traded Fund Complex. Drew E. Lawton, from October 2016 to June 2017, and Richard L. Fagnani, from April 2017 to June 2017, served as a member of the advisory board (“Advisory Board,” members of which are “Advisory Board Members”) for iShares Inc., iShares Trust and iShares U.S. ETF Trust with respect to all funds within the Exchange-Traded Fund Complex. With the exception of Robert S. Kapito, Mark K. Wiedman, Charles Park, Martin Small and Benjamin Archibald, the address of each Director, and officer is c/o BlackRock, Inc., 400 Howard Street, San Francisco, CA 94105. The address of Mr. Kapito, Mr. Wiedman, Mr. Park, Mr. Small and Mr. Archibald is c/o BlackRock, Inc., Park Avenue Plaza, 55 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10055. The Board has designated Cecilia H. Herbert as its Independent Board Chair. Additional information about the Funds’ Directors and officers may be found in the Funds’ combined Statement of Additional Information, which is available without charge, upon request, by calling toll-free 1-800-iShares (1-800-474-2737).

Interested Directors

 

       
Name (Age)    Position(s)   

Principal Occupation(s)

During the Past 5 Years

   Other Directorships
Held by Director

Robert S. Kapitoa (60)

   Director
(since 2009).
   President, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2006); Vice Chairman of BlackRock, Inc. and Head of BlackRock’s Portfolio Management Group (since its formation in 1998) and BlackRock, Inc.’s predecessor entities (since 1988); Trustee, University of Pennsylvania (since 2009); President of Board of Directors, Hope & Heroes Children’s Cancer Fund (since 2002).    Director of BlackRock, Inc. (since 2006); Trustee of iShares Trust (since 2009); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011).

Mark K. Wiedmanb (46)

   Director
(since 2013).
   Senior Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2014); Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (2007-2014); Global Head of BlackRock’s ETF and Index Investments Business (since 2016); Global Head of iShares (2011-2016); Head of Corporate Strategy, BlackRock, Inc. (2009-2011).    Trustee of iShares Trust (since 2013); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2013); Director of PennyMac Financial Services, Inc. (since 2008).

 

a    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. and its affiliates.
b    Mark K. Wiedman 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.

 

108    2017 iSHARES ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Table of Contents

Director and Officer Information (Continued)

iSHARES®, INC.

 

Independent Directors

 

       
Name (Age)    Position(s)   

Principal Occupation(s)

During the Past 5 Years

   Other Directorships
Held by Director

Cecilia H. Herbert (68)

   Director
(since 2005); Independent Board Chair (since 2016).
   Trustee and Member of the Finance, Technology and Quality Committee of Stanford Health Care (since 2016); Trustee and Member of the Investment Committee, WNET, a New York public media company (since 2011); Chair (1994-2005) and Member (since 1992) of the Investment Committee, Archdiocese of San Francisco; Director (1998-2013) 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) of the Thacher School.    Trustee of iShares Trust (since 2005); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011); Independent Board Chair of iShares Trust and iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2016); Trustee of Forward Funds (14 portfolios) (since 2009); Trustee of Salient MF Trust (4 portfolios) (since 2015).

Jane D. Carlin (61)

   Director
(since 2015); Risk Committee Chair
(since 2016).
   Consultant (since 2012); Managing Director and Global Head of Financial Holding Company Governance & Assurance and the Global Head of Operational Risk Management of Morgan Stanley (2006-2012).    Trustee of iShares Trust (since 2015); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2015); Director of PHH Corporation (mortgage solutions) (since 2012); Director of The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. (since 2016).

Richard L. Fagnani (62)

   Director
(since 2017); Equity Plus Committee Chair (since 2017).
   Partner, KPMG LLP (2002-2016).    Trustee of iShares Trust (since 2017); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2017).

Charles A. Hurty (74)

   Director
(since 2005); Audit Committee Chair
(since 2006).
   Retired; Partner, KPMG LLP
(1968-2001).
   Trustee of iShares Trust (since 2005); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011); Director of SkyBridge Alternative Investments Multi-Adviser Hedge Fund Portfolios LLC (2 portfolios) (since 2002).

John E. Kerrigan (62)

   Director
(since 2005); Securities Lending Committee Chair (since 2016).
   Chief Investment Officer, Santa Clara University (since 2002).    Trustee of iShares Trust (since 2005); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011).

Drew E. Lawton (58)

   Director
(since 2017); 15(c) Committee Chair
(since 2017).
   Senior Managing Director of New York Life Insurance Company (2010-2015).    Trustee of iShares Trust (since 2017); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2017).

 

DIRECTOR AND OFFICER INFORMATION

     109  


Table of Contents

Director and Officer Information (Continued)

iSHARES®, INC.

 

Independent Directors (Continued)

 

       
Name (Age)    Position(s)   

Principal Occupation(s)

During the Past 5 Years

   Other Directorships
Held by Director

John E. Martinez (56)

   Director
(since 2003); Fixed Income Plus Committee Chair
(since 2016).
   Director of Real Estate Equity Exchange, Inc. (since 2005).    Trustee of iShares Trust (since 2003); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011).

Madhav V. Rajan (53)

   Director
(since 2011); Nominating and Governance Committee Chair (since 2017).
   Dean, and George Pratt Shultz Professor of Accounting, University of Chicago Booth School of Business (since 2017); Robert K. Jaedicke Professor of Accounting, Stanford University Graduate School of Business (2001-2017); Professor of Law (by courtesy), Stanford Law School (2005-2017); Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Head of MBA Program, Stanford University Graduate School of Business (2010-2016) .    Trustee of iShares Trust (since 2011); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011); Director, Cavium, Inc. (since 2013).

 

110    2017 iSHARES ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Table of Contents

Director and Officer Information (Continued)

iSHARES®, INC.

 

Officers

 

     
Name (Age)    Position(s)   

Principal Occupation(s)

During the Past 5 Years

Martin Small (42)

   President
(since 2016).
   Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2010); Head of U.S. iShares (since 2015); Co-Head of the U.S. Financial Markets Advisory Group, BlackRock, Inc. (2008-2014).

Jack Gee (58)

  

Treasurer and

Chief Financial Officer

(since 2008).

   Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2009); Senior Director of Fund Administration of Intermediary Investor Business, BGI (2009).

Benjamin Archibald (42)

   Secretary
(since 2015).
   Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2014); Director, BlackRock, Inc. (2010-2013); Secretary of the BlackRock-advised mutual funds (since 2012).

Alan Mason (56)

  

Executive Vice President

(since 2016).

   Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2009).

Steve Messinger (55)

   Executive Vice President
(since 2016).
   Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (2007-2014 and since 2016); Managing Director, Beacon Consulting Group (2014-2016).

Charles Park (50)

   Chief Compliance Officer
(since 2006).
   Chief Compliance Officer of BlackRock Advisors, LLC and the BlackRock-advised Funds in the Equity-Bond Complex, the Equity-Liquidity Complex and the Closed-End Complex (since 2014); Chief Compliance Officer of BFA (since 2006).

Scott Radell (48)

  

Executive Vice President

(since 2012).

   Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2009); Head of Portfolio Solutions, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2009).

 

DIRECTOR AND OFFICER INFORMATION

     111  


Table of Contents

Notes:

 

 

112    2017 iSHARES ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Table of Contents

Notes:

 

 

NOTES

     113  


Table of Contents

Notes:

 

 

114    2017 iSHARES ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Table of Contents

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

 

This report is intended for the Funds’ shareholders. It may not be distributed to prospective investors unless it is preceded or accompanied by the current prospectus.

Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal.

The iShares Funds are distributed by BlackRock Investments, LLC (together with its affiliates, “BlackRock”).

The iShares Funds are not sponsored, endorsed, issued, sold or promoted by JPMorgan Chase & Co., Markit Indices Limited or Morningstar, Inc. None of these companies make any representation regarding the advisability of investing in the iShares Funds. BlackRock is not affiliated with the companies listed above.

A description of the policies that the Funds use to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities and information about how the Funds voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve-month period ending June 30 is available without charge, upon request, by calling toll-free 1-800-474-2737; on the Funds’ website at www.iShares.com; and on the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) website at www.sec.gov.

The Funds file their complete schedules of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Funds’ Forms N-Q are available on the SEC’s website or may 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 1-800-SEC-0330. The Funds also disclose their complete schedules of portfolio holdings on a daily basis on the Funds’ website.

©2017 BlackRock, Inc. All rights reserved. iSHARES and BLACKROCK are registered trademarks of BlackRock, Inc. or its subsidiaries. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.

 

iS-AR-1002-1017

 

LOGO    LOGO


Table of Contents

OCTOBER 31, 2017

 

2017 ANNUAL REPORT

    LOGO

 

iShares, Inc.

 

Ø    iShares International High Yield Bond ETF  |  HYXU  |  Cboe BZX


Table of Contents

Table of Contents

 

Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance

     5  

About Fund Performance

     8  

Shareholder Expenses

     8  

Schedule of Investments

     9  

Financial Statements

     18  

Financial Highlights

     21  

Notes to Financial Statements

     22  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     30  

Tax Information

     31  

Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract

     32  

Supplemental Information

     36  

Director and Officer Information

     38  


Table of Contents

Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance

iSHARES® INTERNATIONAL HIGH YIELD BOND ETF

 

GLOBAL BOND MARKET OVERVIEW

Global investment-grade bonds posted modestly positive returns for the 12 months ended October 31, 2017 (“reporting period”), reflecting improving economic growth and rising interest rates in virtually all major bond markets. The Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate Index, a broad measure of global bond market performance, returned 1.18% in U.S. dollar terms for the reporting period.

Regionally, European bond markets posted the strongest returns among developed markets for the reporting period. European corporate bonds performed particularly well, benefiting from better economic conditions and stronger corporate earnings throughout Europe. The Eurozone economy expanded for the 12 months ended September 2017, its fastest growth rate in more than six years, and the jobless rate in September 2017 was the lowest since February 2009. The European Central Bank (“ECB”) elected to keep interest rates at historically low levels throughout the reporting period, though the ECB announced late in the reporting period that it plans to taper its quantitative easing program beginning in 2018. Currency fluctuations also contributed meaningfully to European bond performance in U.S. dollar terms as the euro appreciated by approximately 6% against the U.S. dollar during the reporting period.

In the U.S. bond market, economically sensitive corporate bonds performed well during the reporting period, benefiting from improving growth, healthy corporate profits, and strong investor demand for their comparatively higher yields. In contrast, U.S. Treasury securities declined and were the weakest performers among the broad market segments. The poor performance of U.S. Treasury bonds reflected concerns about the expected effect of the new presidential administration’s proposed tax cuts and fiscal stimulus policies. In addition, the U.S. Federal Reserve Bank (“Fed”) increased short-term interest rates by a quarter percentage point three times during the reporting period, from 0.5% to 1.25%, which contributed to higher short-term U.S. Treasury yields. The Fed also started reducing the amount of U.S. Treasury bonds and mortgage-backed securities on its balance sheet in October 2017. These actions were made possible by improvement in the U.S. economy, led by strength in the job market, where the unemployment rate reached its lowest level in more than 16 years.

Bond markets in the Asia-Pacific region rose modestly in U.S. dollar terms for the reporting period, reflecting modest economic growth, low inflation, and accommodative monetary policies in many countries. In fundamental terms, however, conditions were generally supportive of Japanese bond performance, as Japanese economic growth was 1.4% for the year ended in June, while consumer prices rose just 0.7% for the 12 months ended in September 2017. In that environment, the Bank of Japan maintained its economic stimulus measures, targeting negative short-term interest rates and zero percent yields on longer-term bonds. However, Japanese bond market performance was hindered by a decline in the Japanese yen, which depreciated by approximately 8% against the U.S. dollar.

The performance of inflation-linked securities during the reporting period was also noteworthy. U.S. Treasury inflation-indexed bonds declined as interest rates rose and inflation was generally modest — the U.S. consumer price index rose 2.2% for the 12 months ended September 2017, well below the long-term historical average. In contrast, European government inflation-linked bonds were among the strongest performers in global bond markets for the reporting period. This reflected a surge in U.K. inflation, where consumer prices rose at their fastest rate in more than five years.

 

MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION OF FUND PERFORMANCE

     5  


Table of Contents

Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance

iSHARES® INTERNATIONAL HIGH YIELD BOND ETF

Performance as of October 31, 2017

 

     Average Annual Total Returns            Cumulative Total Returns  
    NAV     MARKET     INDEX           NAV     MARKET     INDEX  

1 Year

    14.21%       14.33%       14.56%         14.21%       14.33%       14.56%  

5 Years

    3.80%       3.80%       3.93%         20.52%       20.52%       21.28%  

Since Inception

    4.57%       4.62%       4.69%               28.35%       28.65%       29.08%  

GROWTH OF $10,000 INVESTMENT

(SINCE INCEPTION AT NET ASSET VALUE)

 

LOGO

The inception date of the Fund was 4/3/12. The first day of secondary market trading was 4/3/12.

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. See “About Fund Performance” on page 8 for more information.

 

Shareholder Expenses  
Actual        Hypothetical 5% Return           
Beginning
Account Value
(5/1/17)
       Ending
Account Value
(10/31/17)
       Expenses Paid
During Period
 a
       Beginning
Account Value
(5/1/17)
       Ending
Account Value
(10/31/17)
       Expenses Paid
During Period
 a
       Annualized
Expense Ratio
 
$ 1,000.00        $ 1,105.70        $ 2.12        $ 1,000.00        $ 1,023.20        $ 2.04          0.40%  

 

a  Expenses are calculated using the Fund’s annualized expense ratio (as disclosed in the table), multiplied by the average account value for the period, multiplied by the number of days in the period (184 days) and divided by the number of days in the year (365 days). See “Shareholder Expenses” on page 8 for more information.  

 

6    2017 iSHARES ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Table of Contents

Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance (Continued)

iSHARES® INTERNATIONAL HIGH YIELD BOND ETF

 

The iShares International High Yield Bond ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of euro, British pound sterling, and Canadian dollar-denominated, high yield corporate bonds, as represented by the Markit iBoxx® Global Developed Markets ex-US High Yield Index (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index. For the 12-month reporting period ended October 31, 2017, the total return for the Fund was 14.21%, net of fees, while the total return for the Index was 14.56%.

From a country perspective, the high-yield corporate bond market of every nation represented in the Index contributed positively to its strong gain for the reporting period. High-yield corporate bonds in the Eurozone made the largest contribution to the Index’s return during the reporting period. A growing appetite for risk led to increased high-yield bond issuance in Europe, which was met by strong investor demand. The Eurozone’s largest individual contributor within the Index, Italy, experienced robust economic growth and an increase in the number of corporate mergers. U.K. high-yield bonds also benefited the Index’s return, as political risks subsided and the outlook for economic growth improved.

The euro-denominated bonds from French, German, and U.S. issuers benefited from low interest rates, low volatility, and robust demand from investors seeking higher yields than those of European government bonds. In the U.S., high-yield bonds were supported by improving economic and earnings growth, declining default rates, and strong investor demand for yield. High-yield bonds issued in Canada, especially those related to commodity producers, also contributed to the Index’s return, as the price of oil and other natural resources increased during the reporting period.

Looking at contribution to performance by sector and industry, bonds issued by the banking and other financial industries helped performance during the reporting period. Banks across the developed world benefited from stronger economic growth and rising interest rates. Communications, consumer cyclicals, and capital goods bonds were significant contributors, while every single industry in the Index posted positive performance for the reporting period.

Currency fluctuations also contributed positively to the Index’s performance during the reporting period, as the euro, British pound, and Canadian dollar appreciated by 6%, 8% and 4%, respectively, against the U.S. dollar.

 

ALLOCATION BY CREDIT QUALITY As of 10/31/17

 

Moody’s Credit Rating 1    Percentage of
Total Investments
  2

Ba

     58.69

B

     25.45  

Caa

     2.66  

Not Rated

     13.20  
  

 

 

 

TOTAL

     100.00
  

 

 

 

TEN LARGEST COUNTRIES As of 10/31/17

 

Country    Percentage of
Total Investments
  2

Italy

     22.75

United States

     13.65  

France

     12.09  

United Kingdom

     11.02  

Germany

     9.26  

Spain

     5.73  

Luxembourg

     5.59  

Ireland

     3.26  

Netherlands

     3.23  

Japan

     2.87  
  

 

 

 

TOTAL

     89.45
  

 

 

 
 

 

  1  Credit quality ratings shown reflect the ratings assigned by Moody’s Investors Service (“Moody’s”), a widely used independent, nationally recognized statistical rating organization. Moody’s credit ratings are opinions of the credit quality of individual obligations or of an issuer’s general creditworthiness. Investment grade ratings are credit ratings of Baa or higher. Below investment grade ratings are credit ratings of Ba or lower. Unrated investments do not necessarily indicate low credit quality. Credit quality ratings are subject to change.
  2  Excludes money market funds.

 

MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION OF FUND PERFORMANCE

     7  


Table of Contents

About Fund Performance

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. Performance data current to the most recent month-end is available at www.ishares.com. Performance results assume reinvestment of all dividends and capital gain distributions and do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. The investment return and principal value of shares will vary with changes in market conditions. Shares may be worth more or less than their original cost when they are redeemed or sold in the market. Performance for certain funds may reflect a waiver of a portion of investment advisory fees. Without such a waiver, performance would have been lower.

Net asset value or “NAV” is the value of one share of a fund as calculated in accordance with the standard formula for valuing mutual fund shares. The price used to calculate market return (“Market Price”) is determined by using the midpoint between the highest bid and the lowest offer on the primary stock exchange on which shares of a fund are listed for trading, as of the time that such fund’s NAV is calculated. Certain funds may have a NAV which is determined prior to the opening of regular trading on its listed exchange and their market returns are calculated using the midpoint of the bid/ask spread as of the opening of regular trading on the exchange. Market and NAV returns assume that dividends and capital gain distributions have been reinvested at Market Price and NAV, respectively.

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

Shareholder Expenses

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including brokerage commissions on purchases and sales of fund shares and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees and other fund expenses. The expense example, which is based on an investment of $1,000 invested on May 1, 2017 and held through October 31, 2017, is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars and cents) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other funds.

Actual Expenses — The table provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. Annualized expense ratios reflect contractual and voluntary fee waivers, if any. To estimate the expenses that you paid on your account over the period, simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period.”

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes — The table also provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in your Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as brokerage commissions paid on purchases and sales of fund shares. Therefore, the hypothetical examples are useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

8    2017 iSHARES ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Table of Contents

Schedule of Investments

iSHARES® INTERNATIONAL HIGH YIELD BOND ETF

October 31, 2017

 

Security  

Principal

or Shares

(000s)

    Value  

COMMON STOCKS — 0.00%

 

SOUTH AFRICA — 0.00%

 

Sentry Holdings Ltd. Class Aa

      25     $  
   

 

 

 

TOTAL COMMON STOCKS

 

 

(Cost: $159,437)

 

       

CORPORATE BONDS & NOTES — 96.51%

 

AUSTRALIA — 0.41%

 

Origin Energy Finance Ltd.

     

VRN, (5 year EUR Swap + 3.670%)

     

4.00%, 09/16/74 (Call 09/16/19)b,c

    EUR       300       366,279  
   

 

 

 
        366,279  

AUSTRIA — 1.04%

 

Raiffeisen Bank International AG

 

6.00%, 10/16/23c

    EUR       200       283,370  

6.63%, 05/18/21

    EUR       200       276,023  

VRN, (5 year EUR Swap + 3.300%)

     

4.50%, 02/21/25 (Call 02/21/20)b,c

    EUR       100       124,814  

VRN, (5 year EUR Swap + 4.840%)

     

5.88%, 04/27/23 (Call 04/27/18)b,c

    EUR       100       119,627  

Raiffeisenlandesbank Niederoesterreich-Wien AG

     

5.88%, 11/27/23c

    EUR       100       131,483  
   

 

 

 
        935,317  

BELGIUM — 0.43%

 

Barry Callebaut Services NV

 

2.38%, 05/24/24 (Call 02/24/24)c

      200       248,081  

5.63%, 06/15/21c

    EUR       100       138,299  
   

 

 

 
        386,380  

CANADA — 1.47%

 

Baytex Energy Corp.

 

6.63%, 07/19/22 (Call 11/30/17)

    CAD       125       94,543  

Bombardier Inc.

 

6.13%, 05/15/21c

    EUR       300       377,597  

Brookfield Residential Properties Inc.

 

6.13%, 05/15/23 (Call 05/15/18)c

    CAD       75       60,442  

Cascades Inc.

 

5.50%, 07/15/21 (Call 11/30/17)d

    CAD       50       40,278  
Security  

    
Principal

(000s)

    Value  

Cott Corp.

 

5.50%, 07/01/24 (Call 07/01/19)c

    EUR       200     $ 255,885  

Iron Mountain Canada Operations ULC

     

5.38%, 09/15/23c

    CAD       100       81,101  

Mattamy Group Corp.

 

6.50%, 10/01/25 (Call 10/01/20)d

    CAD       100       80,482  

Quebecor Media Inc.

 

6.63%, 01/15/23d

    CAD       175       148,820  

Southern Pacific Resource Corp.

 

8.75%, 01/25/18 (Call 11/30/17)a,d,e

    CAD       50       4  

Videotron Ltd.

 

5.63%, 06/15/25 (Call 03/15/25)

    CAD       125       103,936  

5.75%, 01/15/26 (Call 09/15/20)c

    CAD       100       83,125  
   

 

 

 
        1,326,213  

CYPRUS — 0.14%

 

Bank of Cyprus PCL

 

VRN, (5 year EUR Swap + 9.176%)

     

9.25%, 01/19/27 (Call 01/19/22)b,c

    EUR       100       126,700  
   

 

 

 
        126,700  

DENMARK — 0.40%

 

TDC A/S

 

VRN, (5 year EUR Swap + 3.110%)

     

3.50%, 02/26/49 (Call 02/26/21)b,c

    EUR       300       364,999  
   

 

 

 
        364,999  

FINLAND — 1.73%

 

Nokia OYJ

 

1.00%, 03/15/21 (Call 02/15/21)c

    EUR       200       235,573  

2.00%, 03/15/24 (Call 12/15/23)c

    EUR       300       356,985  

Stora Enso OYJ

 

2.13%, 06/16/23 (Call 03/16/23)c

    EUR       100       122,468  

2.50%, 06/07/27 (Call 03/07/27)c

    EUR       100       118,362  

Teollisuuden Voima OYJ

 

2.13%, 02/04/25 (Call 11/04/24)c

    EUR       200       233,104  

2.50%, 03/17/21c

    EUR       200       244,806  

2.63%, 01/13/23c

    EUR       200       245,018  
   

 

 

 
        1,556,316  

FRANCE — 11.67%

 

Areva SA

 

3.25%, 09/04/20c

    EUR       300       370,812  
 

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

     9  


Table of Contents

Schedule of Investments (Continued)

iSHARES® INTERNATIONAL HIGH YIELD BOND ETF

October 31, 2017

 

Security  

    
Principal

(000s)

    Value  

3.50%, 03/22/21

    EUR       200     $ 249,341  

4.38%, 11/06/19

    EUR       200       250,521  

Casino Guichard Perrachon SA

 

1.87%, 06/13/22 (Call 03/13/22)c

    EUR       200       239,260  

3.58%, 02/07/25 (Call 11/07/24)c

    EUR       100       123,968  

4.05%, 08/05/26 (Call 05/05/26)c

    EUR       200       254,555  

4.41%, 08/06/19c

    EUR       200       250,532  

4.50%, 03/07/24 (Call 12/07/23)c

    EUR       400       526,183  

4.56%, 01/25/23c

    EUR       300       397,676  

5.24%, 03/09/20

    EUR       200       260,087  

5.98%, 05/26/21c

    EUR       300       411,077  

CMA CGM SA

 

5.25%, 01/15/25 (Call 10/15/20)c

    EUR       200       237,650  

6.50%, 07/15/22 (Call 07/15/19)c

    EUR       200       250,344  

7.75%, 01/15/21 (Call 01/15/18)c

    EUR       300       368,003  

Europcar Groupe SA

     

5.75%, 06/15/22 (Call 06/15/18)c

    EUR       100       123,054  

Faurecia

 

3.13%, 06/15/22 (Call 06/15/18)c

    EUR       200       240,108  

3.63%, 06/15/23 (Call 06/15/19)c

    EUR       300       369,082  

Loxam SAS

 

3.50%, 04/15/22 (Call 04/15/19)c

    EUR       100       122,458  

3.50%, 05/03/23 (Call 05/03/19)c

    EUR       100       121,606  

4.25%, 04/15/24 (Call 04/15/20)c

    EUR       100       124,799  

4.88%, 07/23/21 (Call 11/10/17)c

    EUR       73       87,388  

6.00%, 04/15/25 (Call 04/15/20)c

    EUR       100       127,277  

7.00%, 07/23/22 (Call 11/30/17)c

    EUR       100       123,337  

NEW Areva Holding SA

 

3.13%, 03/20/23 (Call 12/20/22)c

    EUR       300       366,939  

4.88%, 09/23/24

    EUR       400       525,010  

Peugeot SA

 

2.00%, 03/23/24c

    EUR       275       330,927  

2.38%, 04/14/23c

    EUR       250       309,376  

6.50%, 01/18/19c

    EUR       100       125,558  

Rexel SA

 

2.63%, 06/15/24 (Call 03/15/20)c

    EUR       125       149,623  

3.25%, 06/15/22 (Call 06/15/18)c

    EUR       200       240,184  

3.50%, 06/15/23 (Call 06/15/19)c

    EUR       200       245,039  

SFR Group SA

 

5.38%, 05/15/22 (Call 11/30/17)c

    EUR       300       365,011  

5.63%, 05/15/24 (Call 05/15/19)c

    EUR       500       633,256  

SPCM SA

 

2.88%, 06/15/23 (Call 06/15/18)c

    EUR       100       119,319  
Security  

    
Principal

(000s)

    Value  

Synlab Bondco PLC

 

6.25%, 07/01/22 (Call 07/01/18)c

    EUR       300     $ 371,876  

Synlab Unsecured Bondco PLC

 

8.25%, 07/01/23 (Call 07/01/18)c

    EUR       150       191,840  

Tereos Finance Groupe I SA

 

4.13%, 06/16/23 (Call 03/16/23)c

    EUR       200       246,752  

4.25%, 03/04/20 (Call 03/04/19)

    EUR       100       121,609  

Vallourec SA

 

2.25%, 09/30/24c

    EUR       200       191,647  

3.25%, 08/02/19c

    EUR       100       120,607  

6.63%, 10/15/22 (Call 10/15/20)c

    EUR       200       240,344  
   

 

 

 
        10,524,035  

GERMANY — 8.94%

 

CBR Fashion Finance BV

 

5.13%, 10/01/22 (Call 10/01/19)c

    EUR       100       117,378  

Deutsche Lufthansa AG

 

VRN, (5 year EUR Swap + 4.783%)

     

5.13%, 08/12/75 (Call 02/12/21)b,c

    EUR       200       256,896  

Hapag-Lloyd AG

 

5.13%, 07/15/24 (Call 07/15/20)c

    EUR       200       245,167  

6.75%, 02/01/22 (Call 02/01/19)c

    EUR       200       253,485  

K+S AG

 

2.63%, 04/06/23 (Call 01/06/23)c

    EUR       300       365,555  

3.00%, 06/20/22c

    EUR       200       247,686  

4.13%, 12/06/21c

    EUR       200       262,271  

LANXESS AG

 

VRN, (5 year EUR Swap + 4.510%)

     

4.50%, 12/06/76 (Call 06/06/23)b,c

    EUR       200       258,737  

METRO AG

 

1.38%, 10/28/21c

    EUR       200       242,722  

1.50%, 03/19/25c

    EUR       200       237,018  

Norddeutsche Landesbank Girozentrale

     

6.00%, 06/29/20

    EUR       200       255,162  

RWE AG

 

VRN, (5 year EUR Swap + 2.643%)

     

2.75%, 04/21/75 (Call 10/21/20)b,c

    EUR       200       241,975  

VRN, (5 year EUR Swap + 3.245%)

     

3.50%, 04/21/75 (Call 04/21/25)b,c

    EUR       200       244,666  
 

 

10    2017 iSHARES ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Table of Contents

Schedule of Investments (Continued)

iSHARES® INTERNATIONAL HIGH YIELD BOND ETF

October 31, 2017

 

Security  

    
Principal

(000s)

    Value  

thyssenkrupp AG

 

1.38%, 03/03/22 (Call 12/03/21)c

    EUR       350     $ 417,275  

1.75%, 11/25/20 (Call 08/25/20)c

    EUR       200       242,282  

2.50%, 02/25/25c

    EUR       200       252,477  

2.75%, 03/08/21 (Call 12/08/20)c

    EUR       400       497,917  

3.13%, 10/25/19 (Call 07/25/19)c

    EUR       300       367,930  

4.00%, 08/27/18

    EUR       300       360,737  

Unitymedia GmbH

 

3.75%, 01/15/27 (Call 01/15/21)c

    EUR       200       242,420  

Unitymedia Hessen GmbH & Co. KG/Unitymedia NRW GmbH

     

3.50%, 01/15/27 (Call 01/15/21)c

    EUR       200       245,066  

4.00%, 01/15/25 (Call 01/15/20)c

    EUR       400       496,082  

4.63%, 02/15/26 (Call 02/15/21)c

    EUR       200       255,122  

5.13%, 01/21/23 (Call 01/21/18)c

    EUR       146       175,829  

5.63%, 04/15/23 (Call 04/15/18)c

    EUR       70       85,732  

5.75%, 01/15/23 (Call 01/15/18)c

    EUR       73       88,222  

ZF North America Capital Inc.

 

2.25%, 04/26/19c

    EUR       500       600,592  

2.75%, 04/27/23c

    EUR       400       503,493  
   

 

 

 
        8,059,894  

GREECE — 0.55%

 

OTE PLC

 

3.50%, 07/09/20c

    EUR       300       369,222  

4.38%, 12/02/19c

    EUR       100       124,254  
   

 

 

 
        493,476  

IRELAND — 3.14%

 

Allied Irish Banks PLC

 

VRN, (5 year EUR Swap + 3.950%)

     

4.13%, 11/26/25 (Call 11/26/20)b,c

    EUR       300       377,223  

Ardagh Packaging Finance PLC/Ardagh Holdings USA Inc.

     

2.75%, 03/15/24 (Call 03/15/20)c

    EUR       225       270,212  

4.13%, 05/15/23 (Call 05/15/19)c

    EUR       200       247,831  

4.75%, 07/15/27 (Call 07/15/22)c

    GBP       200       270,598  

6.75%, 05/15/24 (Call 05/15/19)c

    EUR       200       260,315  

Bank of Ireland

 

10.00%, 12/19/22c

    EUR       100       164,446  

VRN, (5 year EUR Swap + 3.550%)

     

4.25%, 06/11/24 (Call 06/11/19)b,c

    EUR       200       245,808  
Security  

    
Principal

(000s)

    Value  

Bank of Ireland Group PLC

 

VRN, (5 year UK Government Bond + 2.700%)

     

3.13%, 09/19/27 (Call 09/19/22)b,c

    GBP       100     $ 131,346  

Europcar Drive Designated Activity Co.

     

4.13%, 11/15/24 (Call 11/15/20)c

    EUR       100       119,505  

Smurfit Kappa Acquisitions ULC

 

2.38%, 02/01/24 (Call 11/01/23)c

    EUR       200       244,311  

2.75%, 02/01/25 (Call 11/01/24)c

    EUR       100       122,819  

3.25%, 06/01/21 (Call 03/10/21)c

    EUR       200       252,858  

4.13%, 01/30/20c

    EUR       100       126,743  
   

 

 

 
        2,834,015  

ITALY— 21.96%

 

Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena SpA

     

3.63%, 04/01/19c

    EUR       300       362,888  

Banca Popolare di Milano Scarl

     

7.13%, 03/01/21c

    EUR       100       131,003  

Banco BPM SpA

     

2.75%, 07/27/20c

    EUR       400       489,242  

4.25%, 01/30/19c

    EUR       100       121,897  

VRN, (5 year EUR Swap + 4.179%)

     

4.38%, 09/21/27 (Call 09/21/22)b,c

    EUR       300       358,215  

Banco Popolare SC

     

2.63%, 09/21/18c

    EUR       100       118,799  

3.50%, 03/14/19c

    EUR       500       606,260  

6.00%, 11/05/20c

    EUR       200       254,364  

6.38%, 05/31/21c

    EUR       100       128,577  

BPER Banca

     

VRN, (5 year EUR Swap + 4.910%)

     

5.13%, 05/31/27 (Call 05/31/22)b,c

    EUR       200       242,157  

Enel SpA

     

VRN, (5 year EUR Swap + 3.648%)

     

5.00%, 01/15/75 (Call 01/15/20)b,c

    EUR       400       508,053  

VRN, (5 year EUR Swap + 5.242%)

     

6.50%, 01/10/74 (Call 01/10/19)b,c

    EUR       300       374,192  

Fiat Chrysler Finance Europe SA

     

4.75%, 03/22/21c

    EUR       400       522,621  

4.75%, 07/15/22c

    EUR       500       668,783  

6.75%, 10/14/19c

    EUR       400       523,602  
 

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

     11  


Table of Contents

Schedule of Investments (Continued)

iSHARES® INTERNATIONAL HIGH YIELD BOND ETF

October 31, 2017

 

Security  

    
Principal

(000s)

    Value  

Iccrea Banca SpA

     

1.50%, 02/21/20c

    EUR       200     $ 236,349  

1.50%, 10/11/22c

    EUR       100       117,121  

1.88%, 11/25/19c

    EUR       200       238,628  

International Game Technology PLC

     

4.13%, 02/15/20 (Call 11/15/19)c

    EUR       300       374,629  

Intesa Sanpaolo SpA

     

2.86%, 04/23/25c

    EUR       300       362,872  

3.93%, 09/15/26c

    EUR       400       515,982  

5.00%, 09/23/19c

    EUR       200       252,753  

5.15%, 07/16/20

    EUR       400       522,064  

6.63%, 09/13/23c

    EUR       500       735,274  

Leonardo SpA

     

1.50%, 06/07/24 (Call 03/07/24)c

    EUR       225       268,229  

4.50%, 01/19/21

    EUR       200       264,596  

5.25%, 01/21/22

    EUR       400       556,803  

8.00%, 12/16/19

    GBP       100       151,026  

Mediobanca SpA

     

5.00%, 11/15/20

    EUR       200       261,799  

5.75%, 04/18/23

    EUR       200       271,855  

Saipem Finance International BV

     

2.75%, 04/05/22c

    EUR       200       241,655  

3.00%, 03/08/21c

    EUR       200       248,223  

3.75%, 09/08/23c

    EUR       200       251,728  

Salini Costruttori SpA

     

6.13%, 08/01/18

    EUR       100       121,653  

Salini Impregilo SpA

     

1.75%, 10/26/24c

    EUR       150       174,493  

3.75%, 06/24/21c

    EUR       100       128,443  

Telecom Italia SpA

     

2.38%, 10/12/27 (Call 07/12/27)c

    EUR       100       118,801  

4.88%, 09/25/20c

    EUR       100       132,313  

5.25%, 02/10/22c

    EUR       300       418,192  

6.13%, 12/14/18

    EUR       100       124,387  

Telecom Italia SpA/Milano

     

2.50%, 07/19/23c

    EUR       200       251,315  

3.00%, 09/30/25c

    EUR       200       255,705  

3.25%, 01/16/23c

    EUR       200       260,273  

3.63%, 01/19/24c

    EUR       200       265,224  

3.63%, 05/25/26c

    EUR       200       266,455  

4.50%, 01/25/21c

    EUR       100       132,494  

5.38%, 01/29/19c

    EUR       200       248,418  

6.38%, 06/24/19

    GBP       150       215,475  
Security  

    
Principal

(000s)

    Value  

UniCredit SpA

     

6.13%, 04/19/21c

    EUR       100     $ 135,706  

6.70%, 06/05/18c

    EUR       100       120,918  

6.95%, 10/31/22c

    EUR       500       726,346  

VRN, (5 year EUR Swap + 4.100%)

     

5.75%, 10/28/25 (Call 10/28/20)b,c

    EUR       400       523,053  

VRN, (5 year EUR Swap + 4.316%)

     

4.38%, 01/03/27 (Call 01/03/22)b,c

    EUR       400       508,292  

Unione di Banche Italiane SpA

     

VRN, (5 year EUR Swap + 4.182%)

     

4.25%, 05/05/26 (Call 05/05/21)b,c

    EUR       300       365,089  

VRN, (5 year EUR Swap + 4.240%)

     

4.45%, 09/15/27 (Call 09/15/22)b,c

    EUR       200       245,797  

Unipol Gruppo Finanziario SpA

     

3.00%, 03/18/25c

    EUR       400       478,047  

4.38%, 03/05/21c

    EUR       100       128,820  

Wind Acquisition Finance SA

     

4.00%, 07/15/20 (Call 11/10/17)c

    EUR       900       1,058,593  

7.00%, 04/23/21 (Call 11/30/17)c

    EUR       700       845,177  

Wind Tre SpA

     

2.63%, 01/20/23 (Call 11/03/19)c

    EUR       125       146,274  

3.13%, 01/20/25 (Call 11/03/20)c

    EUR       100       116,844  
   

 

 

 
        19,794,836  

JAPAN — 2.77%

 

SoftBank Group Corp.

     

3.13%, 09/19/25 (Call 06/21/25)c

    EUR       500       588,533  

4.00%, 07/30/22 (Call 04/30/22)c

    EUR       200       254,729  

4.00%, 09/19/29 (Call 06/21/29)c

    EUR       300       349,239  

4.63%, 04/15/20c

    EUR       300       381,856  

4.75%, 07/30/25 (Call 04/30/25)c

    EUR       500       654,085  

5.25%, 07/30/27 (Call 04/30/27)c

    EUR       200       266,162  
   

 

 

 
        2,494,604  

LUXEMBOURG — 5.39%

 

Altice Financing SA

     

5.25%, 02/15/23 (Call 02/15/18)c

    EUR       300       367,218  

Altice Finco SA

     

4.75%, 01/15/28 (Call 10/15/22)c

    EUR       200       234,983  

9.00%, 06/15/23 (Call 06/15/18)c

    EUR       100       127,737  
 

 

12    2017 iSHARES ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Table of Contents

Schedule of Investments (Continued)

iSHARES® INTERNATIONAL HIGH YIELD BOND ETF

October 31, 2017

 

Security  

    
Principal

(000s)

    Value  

Altice Luxembourg SA

     

6.25%, 02/15/25 (Call 02/15/20)c

    EUR       300     $ 386,156  

7.25%, 05/15/22 (Call 11/30/17)c

    EUR       800       992,454  

ArcelorMittal

     

2.88%, 07/06/20c

    EUR       200       249,655  

3.00%, 03/25/19c

    EUR       300       363,742  

3.00%, 04/09/21c

    EUR       200       253,144  

3.13%, 01/14/22c

    EUR       300       385,881  

Garfunkelux Holdco 3 SA

     

7.50%, 08/01/22 (Call 08/01/18)c

    EUR       100       124,889  

8.50%, 11/01/22 (Call 11/01/18)c

    GBP       200       286,496  

FRN, (3 Mo. Euribor + 3.50%) 3.50%, 09/01/23 (Call 09/01/18)c,f

    EUR       100       116,582  

INEOS Group Holdings SA

     

5.38%, 08/01/24 (Call 08/01/19)c

    EUR       200       252,541  

Matterhorn Telecom Holding SA

     

4.88%, 05/01/23 (Call 05/01/18)c

    EUR       100       120,249  

Matterhorn Telecom SA

     

3.88%, 05/01/22 (Call 05/01/18)c

    EUR       400       480,728  

Picard Bondco SA

     

7.75%, 02/01/20 (Call 11/30/17)c

    EUR       100       121,224  
   

 

 

 
        4,863,679  

NETHERLANDS — 3.12%

 

Axalta Coating Systems LLC

     

4.25%, 08/15/24 (Call 08/15/19)c

    EUR       100       125,439  

Constellium NV

     

4.63%, 05/15/21 (Call 11/30/17)c

    EUR       100       118,964  

SNS Bank NV

     

6.25%, 10/26/20a,e

    EUR       50        

United Group BV

     

4.38%, 07/01/22 (Call 07/01/19)c

    EUR       200       243,903  

4.88%, 07/01/24 (Call 07/01/20)c

    EUR       200       244,008  

UPC Holding BV

     

3.88%, 06/15/29 (Call 06/15/22)c

    EUR       300       337,560  

UPCB Finance IV Ltd.

     

4.00%, 01/15/27 (Call 01/15/21)c

    EUR       200       247,933  

UPCB Finance VII Ltd.

     

3.63%, 06/15/29 (Call 06/15/22)c

    EUR       200       233,822  

Ziggo Bond Co. BV

     

7.13%, 05/15/24 (Call 05/15/19)c

    EUR       300       393,180  

Ziggo Bond Finance BV

     

4.63%, 01/15/25 (Call 01/15/20)c

    EUR       100       124,320  
Security  

    
Principal

(000s)

    Value  

Ziggo Secured Finance BV

     

3.75%, 01/15/25 (Call 01/15/20)c

    EUR       300     $ 367,411  

4.25%, 01/15/27 (Call 01/15/22)c

    EUR       300       373,457  
   

 

 

 
        2,809,997  

PORTUGAL — 0.43%

 

EDP – Energias de Portugal SA

     

VRN, (5 year EUR Swap + 5.043%)

     

5.38%, 09/16/75 (Call 03/16/21)b,c

    EUR       300       390,576  
   

 

 

 
        390,576  

SINGAPORE — 0.68%

 

Lincoln Finance Ltd.

     

6.88%, 04/15/21 (Call 04/15/18)c

    EUR       500       614,875  
   

 

 

 
        614,875  

SPAIN — 5.53%

 

Banco de Credito Social Cooperativo SA

     

VRN, (5 year EUR Swap + 7.591%)

     

7.75%, 06/07/27 (Call 06/07/22)b,c

    EUR       100       112,743  

Banco de Sabadell SA

     

5.63%, 05/06/26c

    EUR       200       270,909  

6.25%, 04/26/20

    EUR       100       129,966  

Bankia SA

     

VRN, (5 year EUR Swap + 3.166%)

     

4.00%, 05/22/24 (Call 05/22/19)b,c

    EUR       300       364,280  

VRN, (5 year EUR Swap + 3.350%)

     

3.38%, 03/15/27 (Call 03/15/22)b,c

    EUR       200       244,765  

Bankinter SA

     

VRN, (5 year EUR Swap + 2.400%)

     

2.50%, 04/06/27 (Call 04/06/22)b,c

    EUR       200       240,090  

CaixaBank SA

     

VRN, (5 year EUR Swap + 2.350%)

     

2.75%, 07/14/28 (Call 07/14/23)b,c

    EUR       400       476,573  

VRN, (5 year EUR Swap + 3.350%)

     

3.50%, 02/15/27 (Call 02/15/22)b,c

    EUR       400       494,508  

VRN, (5 year EUR Swap + 3.950%)

     

5.00%, 11/14/23 (Call 11/14/18)b,c

    EUR       200       242,950  
 

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

     13  


Table of Contents

Schedule of Investments (Continued)

iSHARES® INTERNATIONAL HIGH YIELD BOND ETF

October 31, 2017

 

Security  

    
Principal

(000s)

    Value  

Cellnex Telecom SA

     

2.38%, 01/16/24 (Call 10/16/23)c

    EUR       300     $ 364,453  

2.88%, 04/18/25 (Call 01/18/25)c

    EUR       100       123,668  

3.13%, 07/27/22c

    EUR       200       257,070  

Cirsa Funding Luxembourg SA

     

5.75%, 05/15/21 (Call 05/15/18)c

    EUR       100       122,873  

5.88%, 05/15/23 (Call 05/15/18)c

    EUR       200       245,422  

Grifols SA

     

3.20%, 05/01/25 (Call 05/01/20)c

    EUR       400       473,153  

Grupo Isolux Corsan SA

     

3.00%, 12/30/21 (Call 11/30/17)e

    EUR       141       2,459  

Ibercaja Banco SA

     

VRN, (5 year EUR Swap + 4.551%)

     

5.00%, 07/28/25 (Call 07/28/20)b,c

    EUR       200       238,564  

Liberbank SA

     

VRN, (5 year EUR Swap + 6.701%)

     

6.88%, 03/14/27 (Call 03/14/22)b,c

    EUR       100       124,867  

Repsol International Finance BV

     

VRN, (10 year EUR Swap + 4.200%)

     

4.50%, 03/25/75 (Call 03/25/25)b,c

    EUR       350       454,170  
   

 

 

 
        4,983,483  

SWEDEN — 1.83%

 

Intrum Justitia AB

     

2.75%, 07/15/22 (Call 07/15/19)c

    EUR       600       715,273  

3.13%, 07/15/24 (Call 07/15/20)c

    EUR       300       358,072  

Perstorp Holding AB

     

7.63%, 06/30/21 (Call 11/18/18)c

    EUR       100       126,372  

Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson Series 7Y

     

1.88%, 03/01/24c

    EUR       200       228,819  

Verisure Holding AB

     

6.00%, 11/01/22 (Call 11/01/18)c

    EUR       180       225,901  
   

 

 

 
        1,654,437  

SWITZERLAND — 1.07%

 

Dufry Finance SCA

     

4.50%, 07/15/22 (Call 11/30/17)c

    EUR       300       361,852  

4.50%, 08/01/23 (Call 08/01/18)c

    EUR       200       247,567  

Dufry One BV

     

2.50%, 10/15/24 (Call 10/15/20)c

    EUR       300       357,348  
   

 

 

 
        966,767  
Security  

    
Principal

(000s)

    Value  

UNITED KINGDOM — 10.64%

 

Ardonagh Midco 3 PLC

     

8.38%, 07/15/23 (Call 07/15/20)c

    GBP       100     $ 137,243  

Arqiva Broadcast Finance PLC

     

9.50%, 03/31/20 (Call 03/31/18)c

    GBP       100       139,951  

Boparan Finance PLC

     

4.38%, 07/15/21 (Call 11/30/17)c

    EUR       100       111,374  

5.50%, 07/15/21 (Call 11/10/17)c

    GBP       200       250,909  

Cabot Financial Luxembourg SA

     

7.50%, 10/01/23 (Call 10/01/19)c

    GBP       100       145,461  

CNH Industrial Finance Europe SA

     

1.38%, 05/23/22 (Call 02/23/22)c

    EUR       200       241,415  

1.75%, 09/12/25 (Call 06/12/25)c

    EUR       200       241,683  

2.88%, 05/17/23c

    EUR       200       259,604  

EC Finance PLC

     

5.13%, 07/15/21 (Call 11/02/17)c

    EUR       100       119,449  

Fastighets AB Balder

     

VRN, (5 year EUR Swap + 2.895%)

     

3.00%, 03/07/78 (Call 03/07/23)b,c

    EUR       100       118,387  

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV

     

3.75%, 03/29/24c

    EUR       500       640,643  

Heathrow Finance PLC

     

3.88%, 03/01/27c

    GBP       100       131,369  

Ineos Finance PLC

     

4.00%, 05/01/23 (Call 05/01/18)c

    EUR       300       361,308  

Iron Mountain Europe PLC

     

6.13%, 09/15/22 (Call 11/10/17)c

    GBP       200       277,154  

Jaguar Land Rover Automotive PLC

     

2.20%, 01/15/24c

    EUR       200       236,800  

2.75%, 01/24/21c

    GBP       100       134,809  

3.88%, 03/01/23c

    GBP       100       139,028  

5.00%, 02/15/22c

    GBP       200       291,216  

New Look Secured Issuer PLC

     

6.50%, 07/01/22 (Call 06/24/18)c

    GBP       200       160,081  

Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC

     

VRN, (5 year EUR Swap + 2.650%)

     

3.63%, 03/25/24 (Call 03/25/19)b,c

    EUR       400       482,281  

Tesco Corporate Treasury Services PLC

     

1.38%, 07/01/19c

    EUR       300       357,491  

2.13%, 11/12/20 (Call 08/12/20)c

    EUR       200       245,880  

2.50%, 07/01/24c

    EUR       300       376,722  
 

 

14    2017 iSHARES ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Table of Contents

Schedule of Investments (Continued)

iSHARES® INTERNATIONAL HIGH YIELD BOND ETF

October 31, 2017

 

Security  

    
Principal

(000s)

    Value  

Tesco PLC

     

3.38%, 11/02/18c

    EUR       100     $ 120,408  

6.13%, 02/24/22

    GBP       400       614,501  

Thomas Cook Finance PLC

     

6.75%, 06/15/21 (Call 01/15/18)c

    EUR       100       121,697  

Thomas Cook Group PLC

     

6.25%, 06/15/22 (Call 06/15/19)c

    EUR       300       381,866  

Virgin Media Finance PLC

     

4.50%, 01/15/25 (Call 01/15/20)c

    EUR       200       246,108  

6.38%, 10/15/24 (Call 10/15/19)c

    GBP       100       143,796  

7.00%, 04/15/23 (Call 04/15/18)c

    GBP       100       140,795  

Virgin Media Receivables Financing Notes I DAC

     

5.50%, 09/15/24 (Call 09/15/19)c

    GBP       300       414,545  

Series SEP

     

5.50%, 09/15/24 (Call 09/15/19)c

    GBP       200       276,420  

Virgin Media Secured Finance PLC

     

4.88%, 01/15/27 (Call 01/15/21)c

    GBP       200       275,814  

5.00%, 04/15/27 (Call 04/15/22)c

    GBP       300       413,807  

5.13%, 01/15/25 (Call 01/15/20)c

    GBP       200       280,245  

6.00%, 01/15/25 (Call 01/15/21)c,g

    GBP       100       153,771  

6.25%, 03/28/29 (Call 01/15/21)c

    GBP       200       289,557  

Viridian Group FinanceCo PLC/Viridian Power and Energy

     

4.00%, 09/15/25 (Call 09/15/20)c

    EUR       100       117,432  
   

 

 

 
        9,591,020  

UNITED STATES — 13.17%

 

Adient Global Holdings Ltd.

     

3.50%, 08/15/24 (Call 05/15/24)c

    EUR       400       491,771  

AMC Entertainment Holdings Inc.

     

6.38%, 11/15/24 (Call 11/15/19)

    GBP       200       272,330  

Aramark International Finance Sarl

     

3.13%, 04/01/25 (Call 04/01/20)c

    EUR       100       121,581  

Avantor Inc.

     

4.75%, 10/01/24 (Call 10/01/20)c

    EUR       200       237,253  

Avis Budget Finance PLC

     

4.13%, 11/15/24 (Call 11/15/19)c

    EUR       100       118,852  

4.50%, 05/15/25 (Call 05/15/20)c

    EUR       100       119,100  

Axalta Coating Systems Dutch Holding B BV

     

3.75%, 01/15/25 (Call 01/15/20)c

    EUR       200       249,895  
Security  

    
Principal

(000s)

    Value  

Ball Corp.

     

3.50%, 12/15/20

    EUR       100     $ 127,858  

4.38%, 12/15/23

    EUR       300       400,727  

Chemours Co. (The)

     

6.13%, 05/15/23 (Call 05/15/18)

    EUR       100       124,468  

CNH Industrial Finance Europe SA

     

2.75%, 03/18/19c

    EUR       300       362,840  

2.88%, 09/27/21c

    EUR       200       257,178  

Crown European Holdings SA

     

2.63%, 09/30/24 (Call 03/31/24)c

    EUR       300       362,438  

3.38%, 05/15/25 (Call 11/15/24)c

    EUR       200       248,348  

4.00%, 07/15/22 (Call 04/15/22)c

    EUR       200       261,346  

Darling Global Finance BV

     

4.75%, 05/30/22 (Call 05/30/18)c

    EUR       100       121,717  

Equinix Inc.

     

2.88%, 10/01/25 (Call 10/01/20)

    EUR       400       477,759  

Federal-Mogul Holdings LLC

     

4.88%, 04/15/22 (Call 04/15/19)c

    EUR       225       267,501  

Federal-Mogul LLC/Federal-Mogul Financing Corp.

     

5.00%, 07/15/24 (Call 07/15/20)c

    EUR       100       116,155  

Goodyear Dunlop Tires Europe BV

     

3.75%, 12/15/23 (Call 12/15/18)c

    EUR       100       122,066  

Hanesbrands Finance Luxembourg SCA

     

3.50%, 06/15/24 (Call 03/15/24)c

    EUR       200       251,823  

Hertz Holdings Netherlands BV

     

4.38%, 01/15/19c

    EUR       100       118,105  

Huntsman International LLC

     

4.25%, 04/01/25 (Call 01/01/25)

    EUR       100       131,905  

5.13%, 04/15/21 (Call 01/15/21)

    EUR       200       262,029  

Infor U.S. Inc.

     

5.75%, 05/15/22 (Call 05/15/18)

    EUR       100       121,263  

International Game Technology PLC

     

4.75%, 03/05/20c

    EUR       200       255,489  

4.75%, 02/15/23 (Call 08/15/22)c

    EUR       300       393,574  

Iron Mountain Inc.

     

3.00%, 01/15/25 (Call 06/15/20)c

    EUR       100       118,339  

Levi Strauss & Co.

     

3.38%, 03/15/27 (Call 03/15/22)

    EUR       200       245,018  

LKQ Italia Bondco SpA

     

3.88%, 04/01/24 (Call 01/01/24)c

    EUR       200       257,590  
 

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

     15  


Table of Contents

Schedule of Investments (Continued)

iSHARES® INTERNATIONAL HIGH YIELD BOND ETF

October 31, 2017

 

Security  

    
Principal

(000s)

    Value  

MPT Operating Partnership LP/MPT Finance Corp.

     

3.33%, 03/24/25 (Call 12/24/24)

    EUR       200     $ 245,375  

4.00%, 08/19/22 (Call 05/19/22)

    EUR       200       258,847  

Netflix Inc.

     

3.63%, 05/15/27c

    EUR       500       597,457  

OI European Group BV

     

3.13%, 11/15/24 (Call 08/15/24)c

    EUR       300       365,552  

4.88%, 03/31/21c

    EUR       100       133,081  

6.75%, 09/15/20c

    EUR       100       137,597  

Postmedia Network Inc.

     

8.25%, 07/15/21 (Call 11/30/17)d

    CAD       3       1,838  

PSPC Escrow Corp.

     

6.00%, 02/01/23 (Call 02/01/18)c

    EUR       100       122,438  

PVH Corp.

     

3.63%, 07/15/24 (Call 04/15/24)c

    EUR       100       128,648  

Quintiles IMS Inc.

     

2.88%, 09/15/25 (Call 09/15/20)c

    EUR       200       236,213  

3.25%, 03/15/25 (Call 03/15/20)c

    EUR       500       602,998  

3.50%, 10/15/24 (Call 10/15/19)c

    EUR       300       367,399  

Sealed Air Corp.

     

4.50%, 09/15/23 (Call 06/15/23)c

    EUR       200       266,734  

Silgan Holdings Inc.

     

3.25%, 03/15/25 (Call 03/15/20)c

    EUR       200       241,848  

Spectrum Brands Inc.

     

4.00%, 10/01/26 (Call 10/01/21)c

    EUR       200       246,909  

Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc.

     

4.50%, 05/15/23 (Call 05/15/18)c

    EUR       550       541,106  

WMG Acquisition Corp.

     

4.13%, 11/01/24 (Call 11/01/19)c

    EUR       100       123,551  

XPO Logistics Inc.

     

5.75%, 06/15/21 (Call 12/15/17)c

    EUR       200       240,443  
   

 

 

 
        11,874,352  
   

 

 

 

TOTAL CORPORATE BONDS & NOTES

 

 

(Cost: $86,812,051)

 

      87,012,250  
Security  

    
Shares

(000s)

    Value  

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS — 0.00%

 

MONEY MARKET FUNDS — 0.00%

 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury,
SL Agency Shares

 

   

1.00%h,i

      1     $ 1,489  
   

 

 

 
        1,489  
   

 

 

 

TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS

 

 

(Cost: $1,489)

 

      1,489  
   

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS
IN SECURITIES — 96.51%

 

 

(Cost: $86,972,977)j

 

      87,013,739  

Other Assets, Less Liabilities — 3.49%

 

      3,146,243  
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS — 100.00%

 

    $ 90,159,982  
   

 

 

 

 

CAD

 

  —  Canadian Dollar

EUR

 

  —  Euro

FRN

 

  —  Floating Rate Note

GBP

 

  —  British Pound

VRN

 

  —  Variable Rate Note

 

a  Security is valued using significant unobservable inputs and is classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.
b  Variable rate security. Security may be issued at a fixed coupon rate, which converts to a variable rate at a specified date. Rate shown is the rate in effect as of period end.
c  This security may be resold to qualified foreign investors and foreign institutional buyers under Regulation S of the Securities Act of 1933.
d  This security may be resold to qualified institutional buyers under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933.
e Issuer is in default of interest payments.
f  Floating rate security. Rate shown is the rate in effect as of period end.
g  Step coupon security. Coupon rate will either increase (step-up bond) or decrease (step-down bond) at regular intervals until maturity. Interest rate shown reflects the rate currently in effect.
h  Affiliated issuer. See Schedule 1.
i  The rate quoted is the annualized seven-day yield of the fund at period end.
j  The cost of investments (including short positions and derivatives, if any) for federal income tax purposes was $86,980,242. Net unrealized appreciation was $33,497, of which $3,041,653 represented gross unrealized appreciation on investments and $3,008,156 represented gross unrealized depreciation on investments.
 

 

16    2017 iSHARES ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Table of Contents

Schedule of Investments (Continued)

iSHARES® INTERNATIONAL HIGH YIELD BOND ETF

October 31, 2017

 

Schedule 1 — Affiliates (Note 2)

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliates of the Fund during the year ended October 31, 2017, for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the 1940 Act, and/or related parties of the Fund were as follows:

 

Affiliated issuer  

Shares

held at
10/31/16
(000s)

     Shares
purchased
(000s)
     Shares
sold
(000s)
    Shares
held at
10/31/17
(000s)
     Value at
10/31/17
     Net realized
gain (loss)
 a
     Change in
unrealized
appreciation
(depreciation)
     Income  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

    4               (3 )b      1      $ 1,489      $      $      $ 198  
            

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
                                                                       

 

  a    Includes realized capital gain distributions from an affiliated fund, if any.
  b    Net of shares purchased and sold.

Schedule 2 — Fair Value Measurements

Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments. For description of the input levels and information about the Fund’s policy regarding valuation of financial instruments, see Note 1.

The following table summarizes the value of the Fund’s investments according to the fair value hierarchy as of October 31, 2017. The breakdown of the Fund’s investments into major categories is disclosed in the schedule of investments above.

 

      Level 1      Level 2      Level 3     Total  

Investments:

          

Assets:

          

Common stocks

   $      $      $ 0 a    $ 0 a 

Corporate bonds & notes

            87,012,246        4       87,012,250  

Money market funds

     1,489                     1,489  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ 1,489      $ 87,012,246      $ 4     $ 87,013,739  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
                                    

 

  a    Rounds to less than $1.

See notes to financial statements.

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

     17  


Table of Contents

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

iSHARES® INTERNATIONAL HIGH YIELD BOND ETF

October 31, 2017

 

   

ASSETS

  

Investments in securities, at cost:

  

Unaffiliated

   $ 86,971,488  

Affiliated (Note 2)

     1,489  
  

 

 

 

Total cost of investments in securities

   $ 86,972,977  
  

 

 

 

Investments in securities, at fair value (Note 1):

  

Unaffiliated

   $ 87,012,250  

Affiliated (Note 2)

     1,489  

Foreign currency, at valuea

     3,213,692  

Receivables:

  

Investment securities sold

     727,598  

Dividends and interest

     1,319,546  
  

 

 

 

Total Assets

     92,274,575  
  

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

  

Payables:

  

Investment securities purchased

     2,083,882  

Investment advisory fees (Note 2)

     30,711  
  

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

     2,114,593  
  

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

   $ 90,159,982  
  

 

 

 

Net assets consist of:

  

Paid-in capital

   $ 93,837,479  

Accumulated net realized loss

     (3,701,754

Net unrealized appreciation

     24,257  
  

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

   $ 90,159,982  
  

 

 

 

Shares outstandingb

     1,700,000  
  

 

 

 

Net asset value per share

   $ 53.04  
  

 

 

 

 

a  Cost of foreign currency: $3,239,283.
b  $0.001 par value, number of shares authorized: 500 million.

See notes to financial statements.

 

18    2017 iSHARES ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Table of Contents

Statement of Operations

iSHARES® INTERNATIONAL HIGH YIELD BOND ETF

Year ended October 31, 2017

 

   

NET INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Dividends — affiliated (Note 2)

   $ 198  

Interest — unaffiliated

     3,000,117  
  

 

 

 

Total investment income

     3,000,315  
  

 

 

 

EXPENSES

  

Investment advisory fees (Note 2)

     298,741  

Proxy fees

     1,354  
  

 

 

 

Total expenses

     300,095  
  

 

 

 

Net investment income

     2,700,220  
  

 

 

 

NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

  

Net realized gain (loss) from:

  

Investments — unaffiliated

     (1,784,744

In-kind redemptions — unaffiliated

     (9,153,084

Foreign currency transactions

     41,792  
  

 

 

 

Net realized loss

     (10,896,036
  

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on:

  

Investments — unaffiliated

     14,646,067  

Translation of assets and liabilities in foreign currencies

     43,617  
  

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation

     14,689,684  
  

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain

     3,793,648  
  

 

 

 

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

   $ 6,493,868  
  

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     19  


Table of Contents

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

iSHARES® INTERNATIONAL HIGH YIELD BOND ETF

 

     

Year ended

October 31, 2017

   

Year ended

October 31, 2016

 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

    

OPERATIONS:

    

Net investment income

   $ 2,700,220     $ 6,445,680  

Net realized loss

     (10,896,036     (12,040,585

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation

     14,689,684       9,692,594  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

     6,493,868       4,097,689  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS:

    

From net investment income

     (622,289     (906,680

Return of capital

     (142,861     (2,212,307
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

     (765,150     (3,118,987
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:

    

Proceeds from shares sold

     21,160,679       27,637,363  

Cost of shares redeemed

     (91,525,582     (59,575,641
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets from capital share transactions

     (70,364,903     (31,938,278
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

DECREASE IN NET ASSETS

     (64,636,185     (30,959,576

NET ASSETS

    

Beginning of year

     154,796,167       185,755,743  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of year

   $ 90,159,982     $ 154,796,167  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Undistributed net investment income included in net assets at end of year

   $     $ 13  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

SHARES ISSUED AND REDEEMED

    

Shares sold

     400,000       600,000  

Shares redeemed

     (2,000,000     (1,300,000
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease in shares outstanding

     (1,600,000     (700,000
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

20    2017 iSHARES ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Table of Contents

Financial Highlights

iSHARES® INTERNATIONAL HIGH YIELD BOND ETF

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

      Year ended
Oct. 31, 2017
    Year ended
Oct. 31, 2016
    Year ended
Oct. 31, 2015
    Year ended
Oct. 31, 2014
    Year ended
Oct. 31, 2013
 

Net asset value, beginning of year

   $ 46.91     $ 46.44     $ 52.90     $ 56.84     $ 52.01  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from investment operations:

          

Net investment incomea

     1.77       1.82       1.84       2.43       3.15  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)b

     4.85       (0.47     (6.57     (3.55     4.51  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

     6.62       1.35       (4.73     (1.12     7.66  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Less distributions from:

          

Net investment income

     (0.40     (0.26     (0.05     (2.82     (2.83

Net realized gain

                 (0.02            

Return of capital

     (0.09     (0.62     (1.66            
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions

     (0.49     (0.88     (1.73     (2.82     (2.83
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

   $ 53.04     $ 46.91     $ 46.44     $ 52.90     $ 56.84  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total return

     14.21     2.95     (9.02 )%      (2.20 )%      15.20
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios/Supplemental data:

          

Net assets, end of year (000s)

   $ 90,160     $ 154,796     $ 185,756     $ 142,827     $ 51,153  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets

     0.40     0.40     0.40     0.40     0.40

Ratio of expenses to average net assets prior to waived fees

     n/a       0.51     0.55     0.55     0.55

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

     3.62     3.93     3.85     4.25     5.85

Portfolio turnover ratec

     49     24     28     25     33

 

a  Based on average shares outstanding throughout each period.
b  The amounts reported for a share outstanding may not accord with the change in aggregate gains and losses in securities for the fiscal period due to the timing of capital share transactions in relation to the fluctuating market values of the Fund’s underlying securities.
c  Portfolio turnover rates exclude portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of processing capital share transactions in Creation Units.

See notes to financial statements.

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

     21  


Table of Contents

Notes to Financial Statements

iSHARES® INTERNATIONAL HIGH YIELD BOND ETF

 

iShares, Inc. (the “Company”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as an open-end management investment company. The Company was incorporated under the laws of the State of Maryland on September 1, 1994 pursuant to Articles of Incorporation as subsequently amended and restated.

These financial statements relate only to the following fund (the “Fund”):

 

iShares ETF    Diversification
Classification

International High Yield Bond

   Diversified

The investment objective of the Fund is to seek investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of its underlying index. The investment adviser uses a “passive” or index approach to try to achieve the Fund’s investment objective.

Pursuant to the Company’s organizational documents, the Fund’s officers and directors are indemnified against certain liabilities that may arise out of the performance of their duties to the Fund. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Fund enters into contracts with service providers that contain general indemnification clauses. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund that have not yet occurred.

 

1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The following significant accounting policies are consistently followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Fund is considered an investment company under U.S. GAAP and follows the accounting and reporting guidance applicable to investment companies.

SECURITY VALUATION

The Fund’s investments are valued at fair value each day that the Fund’s listing exchange is open and, for financial reporting purposes, as of the report date should the reporting period end on a day that the Fund’s listing exchange is not open. U.S. GAAP defines fair value as the price a fund would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The BlackRock Global Valuation Methodologies Committee (the “Global Valuation Committee”) provides oversight of the valuation of investments for the Fund. The investments of the Fund are valued pursuant to policies and procedures developed by the Global Valuation Committee and approved by the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”).

 

    Fixed income investments are valued using the last available bid price or current market quotations provided by dealers or prices (including evaluated prices) supplied by approved independent third-party pricing services. The pricing services may use matrix pricing or valuation models that utilize certain inputs and assumptions to derive values, including transaction data, credit quality information, perceived market movements, news, and other relevant information and by other methods, which may include consideration of: yields or prices of securities of comparable quality, coupon, maturity and type; indications as to values from dealers; general market conditions; and/or other factors and assumptions. Pricing services generally value fixed income securities assuming orderly transactions of an institutional round lot size, but a fund may hold or transact in such securities in smaller odd lot sizes. Odd lots may trade at lower prices than institutional round lots.

 

22    2017 iSHARES ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Table of Contents

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

iSHARES® INTERNATIONAL HIGH YIELD BOND ETF

 

    Equity investments traded on a recognized securities exchange are valued at that day’s last reported trade price or the official closing price, as applicable, on the exchange where the stock is primarily traded. Equity investments traded on a recognized exchange for which there were no sales on that day are valued at the last traded price.

 

    Open-end U.S. mutual funds (including money market funds) are valued at that day’s published net asset value (“NAV”).

In the event that application of these methods of valuation results in a price for an investment which is deemed not to be representative of the fair value of such investment or if a price is not available, the investment will be valued by the Global Valuation Committee, in accordance with policies approved by the Board. The fair valuation approaches that may be utilized by the Global Valuation Committee to determine fair value include market approach, income approach and the cost approach. The valuation techniques used under these approaches take into consideration inputs that include but are not limited to (i) attributes specific to the investment; (ii) the principal market for the investment; (iii) the customary participants in the principal market for the investment; (iv) data assumptions by market participants for the investment, if reasonably available; (v) quoted prices for similar investments in active markets; and (vi) other inputs, such as future cash flows, interest rates, yield curves, volatilities, prepayment speeds, loss severities, credit risks and/or default rates. Valuations based on such inputs are reported to the Board on a quarterly basis.

The Global Valuation Committee employs various methods for calibrating valuation approaches for investments where an active market does not exist, including regular due diligence of the Company’s pricing vendors, a regular review of key inputs and assumptions, transactional back-testing or disposition analysis to compare unrealized gains and losses to realized gains and losses, reviews of missing or stale prices, reviews of large movements in market values, and reviews of market related activity.

Fair value pricing could result in a difference between the prices used to calculate the Fund’s NAV and the prices used by the Fund’s underlying index, which in turn could result in a difference between the Fund’s performance and the performance of the Fund’s underlying index.

Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments. Inputs may be based on independent market data (“observable inputs”) or they may be internally developed (“unobservable inputs”). These inputs to valuation techniques are categorized into a fair value hierarchy consisting of three broad levels for financial reporting purposes as follows:

 

    Level 1 — Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;

 

    Level 2 — Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability either directly or indirectly, including quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not considered to be active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability (such as exchange rates, financing terms, interest rates, yield curves, volatilities, prepayment speeds, loss severities, credit risks and default rates) or other market-corroborated inputs; and

 

    Level 3 — Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability based on the best information available in the circumstances, to the extent observable inputs are not available, including the Global Valuation Committee’s assumptions used in determining the fair value of investments.

The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). Accordingly, the degree of judgement exercised in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized in Level 3. The inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, for disclosure purposes, the fair value hierarchy classification is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The fair value hierarchy for the Fund’s investments is included in its schedule of investments.

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     23  


Table of Contents

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

iSHARES® INTERNATIONAL HIGH YIELD BOND ETF

 

Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers in or out of an assigned level within the fair value hierarchy. In accordance with the Company’s policy, transfers between different levels of the fair value hierarchy are deemed to have occurred as of the beginning of the reporting period. The categorization of values determined for financial instruments are based on the pricing transparency of the financial instruments and are not necessarily an indication of the risks associated with investing in those securities.

SECURITY TRANSACTIONS AND INCOME RECOGNITION

Security transactions are accounted for on trade date. Realized gains and losses on investment transactions are determined using the specific identification method. Interest income, including amortization and accretion of premiums and discounts on debt securities, and payment-in-kind interest income, are recognized daily on the accrual basis. Dividend income and capital gain distributions, if any, are recognized on the ex-dividend date, net of any foreign taxes withheld at source.

FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION

The accounting records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. Foreign currencies, as well as investment securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies, are translated into U.S. dollars using exchange rates deemed appropriate by the investment adviser. Purchases and sales of securities, income receipts and expense payments are translated into U.S. dollars on the respective dates of such transactions.

The Fund does not isolate the effect of fluctuations in foreign exchange rates from the effect of fluctuations in the market prices of securities. Such fluctuations are reflected by the Fund as a component of realized and unrealized gains and losses from investments for financial reporting purposes. The Fund reports realized currency gains (losses) on foreign currency related transactions as components of net realized gain (loss) for financial reporting purposes, whereas such components are generally treated as ordinary income for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

FOREIGN TAXES

The Fund may be subject to foreign taxes (a portion of which may be reclaimable) on income, stock dividends, capital gains on investments, or certain foreign currency transactions. All foreign taxes are recorded in accordance with the applicable foreign tax regulations and rates that exist in the foreign jurisdictions in which the Fund invests. These foreign taxes, if any, are paid by the Fund and are reflected in its statement of operations as follows: foreign taxes withheld at source are presented as a reduction of income, foreign taxes on securities lending income are presented as a reduction of securities lending income, foreign taxes on stock dividends are presented as “other foreign taxes”, and foreign taxes on capital gains from sales of investments and foreign taxes on foreign currency transactions are included in their respective net realized gain (loss) categories. Foreign taxes payable or deferred as of October 31, 2017, if any, are disclosed in the Fund’s statement of assets and liabilities.

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS

Dividends and distributions paid by the Fund are recorded on the ex-dividend dates. Distributions are determined on a tax basis and may differ from net investment income and net realized capital gains for financial reporting purposes. Dividends and distributions are paid in U.S. dollars and cannot be automatically reinvested in additional shares of the Fund.

RECENT ACCOUNTING STANDARD

In March 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update “Premium Amortization on Purchase Callable Debt Securities” which amends the amortization period for certain purchased callable debt securities. Under

 

24    2017 iSHARES ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Table of Contents

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

iSHARES® INTERNATIONAL HIGH YIELD BOND ETF

 

the new guidance, premium amortization of purchased callable debt securities that have explicit, non-contingent call features and are callable at fixed prices will be amortized to the earliest call date. The guidance will be applied on a modified retrospective basis and is effective for fiscal years, and their interim periods, beginning after December 15, 2018. Management is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance to the Fund.

 

2. INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

Pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement with the Company, BlackRock Fund Advisors (“BFA”) manages the investment of the Fund’s assets. BFA is a California corporation indirectly owned by BlackRock, Inc. (“BlackRock”). Under the Investment Advisory Agreement, BFA is responsible for substantially all expenses of the Fund, except (i) interest and taxes; (ii) brokerage commissions and other expenses connected with the execution of portfolio transactions; (iii) distribution fees; (iv) the advisory fee payable to BFA; and (v) litigation expenses and any extraordinary expenses (in each case as determined by a majority of the independent directors).

BFA has entered into a sub-advisory agreement with BlackRock International Limited (the “Sub-Adviser”), an affiliate of BFA, under which BFA pays the Sub-Adviser for services it provides to the Fund.

For its investment advisory services to the Fund, BFA is entitled to an annual investment advisory fee of 0.40%, accrued daily and paid monthly by the Fund, based on the average daily net assets of the Fund.

BlackRock Investments, LLC, an affiliate of BFA, is the distributor for the Fund. Pursuant to the distribution agreement, BFA is responsible for any fees or expenses for distribution services provided to the Fund.

Cross trading is the buying or selling of portfolio securities between funds to which BFA (or an affiliate) serves as investment adviser. At its regularly scheduled quarterly meetings, the Board reviews such transactions as of the most recent calendar quarter for compliance with the requirements and restrictions set forth by Rule 17a-7.

For the year ended October 31, 2017, the purchase and sales transactions executed by the Fund pursuant to Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act were $1,150,811 and $756,509, respectively.

The Fund may invest its positive cash balances in certain money market funds managed by BFA or an affiliate. The income earned on these temporary cash investments is included in “Dividends – affiliated” in the statement of operations.

The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. is the largest stockholder of BlackRock and is considered to be an affiliate of the Fund for 1940 Act purposes.

Certain directors and officers of the Company are also officers of BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A. and/or BFA.

 

3. INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

Purchases and sales of investments (excluding in-kind transactions and short-term investments) for the year ended October 31, 2017, were $ 38,487,227 and $37,216,226, respectively.

In-kind purchases and sales (see Note 4) for the year ended October 31, 2017, were $17,927,400 and $87,062,673, respectively.

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     25  


Table of Contents

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

iSHARES® INTERNATIONAL HIGH YIELD BOND ETF

 

4. CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

Capital shares are issued and redeemed by the Fund only in aggregations of a specified number of shares or multiples thereof (“Creation Units”) at NAV. Except when aggregated in Creation Units, shares of the Fund are not redeemable. Transactions in capital shares for the Fund are disclosed in detail in the statements of changes in net assets.

The consideration for the purchase of Creation Units of a fund in the Company generally consists of the in-kind deposit of a designated portfolio of securities and a specified amount of cash. Certain funds in the Company may be offered in Creation Units solely or partially for cash in U.S. dollars. Investors purchasing and redeeming Creation Units may pay a purchase transaction fee and a redemption transaction fee directly to State Street Bank and Trust Company, the Company’s administrator, to offset transfer and other transaction costs associated with the issuance and redemption of Creation Units, including Creation Units for cash. Investors transacting in Creation Units for cash may also pay an additional variable charge to compensate the relevant fund for certain transaction costs (i.e., stamp taxes, taxes on currency or other financial transactions, and brokerage costs) and market impact expenses relating to investing in portfolio securities. Such variable charges, if any, are included in “Proceeds from shares sold” in the statement of changes in net assets.

 

5. PRINCIPAL RISKS

In the normal course of business, the Fund invests in securities or other instruments and may enter into certain transactions, and such activities subject the Fund to various risks, including, among others, fluctuations in the market (market risk) or failure of an issuer to meet all of its obligations. The value of securities or other instruments may also be affected by various factors, including, without limitation: (i) the general economy; (ii) the overall market as well as local, regional or global political and/or social instability; (iii) regulation, taxation or international tax treaties between various countries; or (iv) currency, interest rate or price fluctuations. The Fund’s prospectus provides details of the risks to which the Fund is subject.

BFA uses a “passive” or index approach to try to achieve the Fund’s investment objective following the securities included in its underlying index during upturns as well as downturns. BFA does not take steps to reduce market exposure or to lessen the effects of a declining market. Divergence from the underlying index and the composition of the portfolio is monitored by BFA.

MARKET RISK

Market risk arises mainly from uncertainty about future values of financial instruments influenced by price, currency and interest rate movements. It represents the potential loss a fund may suffer through holding market positions in the face of market movements. A fund is exposed to market risk by its investment in equity, fixed income and/or financial derivative instruments or by its investment in underlying funds. The fair value of securities held by a fund may decline due to general market conditions, economic trends or events that are not specifically related to the issuers of the securities including local, regional or global political, social or economic instability or to factors that affect a particular industry or group of industries. The extent of a fund’s exposure to market risk is the market value of the investments held as shown in the fund’s schedule of investments.

A diversified portfolio, where this is appropriate and consistent with a fund’s objectives, minimizes the risk that a price change of a particular investment will have a material impact on the NAV of a fund. The investment concentrations within the Fund’s portfolio are disclosed in its schedule of investments.

Investing in the securities of non-U.S. issuers involves certain considerations and risks not typically associated with securities of U.S. issuers. Such risks include, but are not limited to: differences in accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards; more substantial governmental involvement in the economy; higher inflation rates, greater social, economic and political uncertainties; possible nationalization or expropriation of assets; less availability of public information about issuers; imposition of withholding or other taxes; higher transaction and custody costs and delays in settlement procedures; and lower level of regulation of the

 

26    2017 iSHARES ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Table of Contents

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

iSHARES® INTERNATIONAL HIGH YIELD BOND ETF

 

securities markets and issuers. Non-U.S. securities may be less liquid, more difficult to value, and have greater price volatility due to exchange rate fluctuations. These and other risks are heightened for investments in issuers from countries with less developed capital markets.

The economies and markets of European countries are often closely connected and interdependent, and events in one country in Europe can have an adverse impact on other European countries. The European financial markets have experienced volatility and adverse trends in recent years due to concerns about economic downturns or rising government debt levels in several European countries. These events have adversely affected the exchange rate of the euro and may continue to significantly affect European countries. The occurrence of terrorist incidents throughout Europe also could impact financial markets. In addition, the United Kingdom has voted to withdraw from the European Union. The referendum may introduce significant new uncertainties and instability in the financial markets as the United Kingdom negotiates its exit from the European Union.

Changes in market interest rates or economic conditions may affect the value and/or liquidity of fixed income investments. Interest rate risk is the risk that prices of bonds and other fixed-income securities will decrease as interest rates rise and increase as interest rates fall. Securities with longer durations tend to be more sensitive to interest rate changes, usually making their prices more volatile than those of securities with shorter durations. Given the environment of historically low interest rates, a fund may be subject to a greater risk of price losses if interest rates rise.

CREDIT RISK

Credit risk is the risk that an issuer or guarantor of debt instruments or the counterparty to a financial transaction, including derivatives contracts, repurchase agreements or loans of portfolio securities, is unable or unwilling to make timely interest and/or principal payments or to otherwise honor its obligations. BFA and its affiliates manage counterparty credit risk by entering into transactions only with counterparties that they believe have the financial resources to honor their obligations and by monitoring the financial stability of those counterparties. Financial assets, which potentially expose a fund to issuer and counterparty credit risks, consist principally of financial instruments and receivables due from counterparties. The extent of a fund’s exposure to credit and counterparty risks with respect to those financial assets is approximated by their value recorded in its statement of assets and liabilities.

High yield securities that are rated below investment-grade (commonly referred to as “junk bonds”) or are unrated may be deemed speculative, involve greater levels of risk than higher-rated securities of similar maturity and are more likely to default. High yield securities may be issued by less creditworthy issuers, and issuers of high yield securities may be unable to meet their interest or principal payment obligations. High yield securities are subject to extreme price fluctuations, may be less liquid than higher rated fixed-income securities, even under normal economic conditions, and frequently have redemption features.

 

6. INCOME TAX INFORMATION

The Fund is treated as an entity separate from the Company’s other funds for federal income tax purposes. It is the policy of the Fund to qualify as a regulated investment company by complying with the provisions applicable to regulated investment companies, as defined under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and to annually distribute substantially all of its ordinary income and any net capital gains (taking into account any capital loss carryforwards) sufficient to relieve it from all, or substantially all, federal income and excise taxes. Accordingly, no provision for federal income taxes is required.

U.S. GAAP requires that certain components of net assets be adjusted to reflect permanent differences between financial and tax reporting. These reclassifications have no effect on net assets or NAV per share. The following permanent differences as of

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     27  


Table of Contents

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

iSHARES® INTERNATIONAL HIGH YIELD BOND ETF

 

October 31, 2017, attributable to foreign currency transactions and realized gains (losses) from in-kind redemptions, were reclassified to the following accounts:

 

Paid-in

Capital

    

Undistributed

Net Investment

Income/Distributions
in Excess of Net
Investment Income

      

Undistributed

Net Realized

Gain/Accumulated

Net Realized Loss

 
$(9,218,328)      $ (2,077,944)        $ 11,296,272  

The tax character of distributions paid during the years ended October 31, 2017 and October 31, 2016 was as follows:

 

      2017      2016  

Ordinary income

   $ 622,289      $ 906,680  

Return of capital

     142,861        2,212,307  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 765,150      $ 3,118,987  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
                   

As of October 31, 2017, the tax components of accumulated net earnings (losses) were as follows:

 

Capital
Loss
Carryforwards
     Net
Unrealized
Gains  (Losses)
 a
       Total  
$(3,694,489)      $ 16,992        $ (3,677,497)  

 

  a    The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized gains (losses) was attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales.

As of October 31, 2017, the Fund had non-expiring capital loss carryforwards in the amount of $3,694,489 available to offset future realized capital gains.

For the year ended October 31, 2017, the Fund utilized $326,171 of its capital loss carryforwards.

Management has analyzed tax laws and regulations and their application to the Fund as of October 31, 2017, inclusive of the open tax return years, and does not believe there are any uncertain tax positions that require recognition of a tax liability in the Fund’s financial statements.

 

7. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

On June 16, 2016, investors (the “Plaintiffs”) in certain iShares funds (iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF, iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF, iShares Core S&P 500 ETF, iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF, iShares Russell Mid-Cap ETF, iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF, iShares Select Dividend ETF, iShares Morningstar Mid-Cap ETF, iShares Morningstar Large-Cap ETF, iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF and iShares U.S. Preferred Stock ETF) filed a putative class action lawsuit against iShares Trust, BlackRock, Inc. and certain of its advisory affiliates, and certain directors/trustees and officers of the Funds (collectively, “Defendants”). The lawsuit alleges the Defendants violated federal securities laws by failing to adequately disclose in the prospectuses issued by the funds noted above the risks of using stop-loss orders in the event of a ‘flash crash’, such as the one that occurred on May 6, 2010. On September 18, 2017, the Court issued a Statement of Decision holding that the Plaintiffs lack standing to assert their claims. On October 11, 2017, the Court entered final judgment dismissing all of the Plaintiffs’ claims with prejudice. Plaintiffs have appealed the Court’s decision.

 

28    2017 iSHARES ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Table of Contents

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

iSHARES® INTERNATIONAL HIGH YIELD BOND ETF

 

8. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Management has evaluated the impact of all subsequent events on the Fund through the date the financial statements were available to be issued and has determined that there were no subsequent events requiring adjustment or disclosure in the financial statements.

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     29  


Table of Contents

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Board of Directors of iShares, Inc. and the Shareholders of the

iShares International High Yield Bond ETF

In our opinion, the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, and the related statements of operations and of changes in net assets and the financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the iShares International High Yield Bond ETF (constituting a fund of iShares, Inc., hereafter referred to as the “Fund”) as of October 31, 2017, and the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements and financial highlights (hereafter referred to as “financial statements”) are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits, which included confirmation of securities as of October 31, 2017 by correspondence with the custodian, transfer agent and brokers, or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies were not received, provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

San Francisco, California

December 21, 2017

 

30    2017 iSHARES ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Table of Contents

Tax Information (Unaudited)

iSHARES® INTERNATIONAL HIGH YIELD BOND ETF

 

For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2017, the Fund earned foreign source income of $2,797,094 which it intends to pass through to its shareholders.

For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2017, the Fund hereby designates $143,038 as the maximum amount allowable as interest-related dividends eligible for exemption from U.S. withholding tax for nonresident aliens and foreign corporations.

 

TAX INFORMATION

     31  


Table of Contents

Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory

Contract

iSHARES® INTERNATIONAL HIGH YIELD BOND ETF

 

Under Section 15(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”), including a majority of Directors who are not “interested persons” of the Company (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act) (the “Independent Directors”), is required annually to consider and approve the Investment Advisory Contract between the Company and BFA (the “Advisory Contract”), and the Sub-Advisory Agreement between BFA and BlackRock International Limited (“BIL”) (the “Sub-Advisory Agreement”), on behalf of the Fund. The Advisory Contract and the Sub-Advisory Agreement are referred to hereafter as the “Advisory Agreements”. The Independent Directors requested, and BFA provided, such information as the Independent Directors, with advice from independent counsel, deemed reasonably necessary to evaluate the Advisory Agreements. A committee of all of the Independent Directors (the “15(c) Committee”), with independent counsel, met with management on May 5, 2017 and May 12, 2017. At these meetings, the 15(c) Committee reviewed and discussed information provided in response to the 15(c) Committee’s initial requests, and requested certain additional information, which management agreed to provide. At a meeting held on May 18, 2017, management presented information to the Board relating to the continuance of the Advisory Agreements, including information requested by the 15(c) Committee during its meetings. The Board, including the Independent Directors, reviewed and discussed such information at length. The Independent Directors requested from management certain additional information, which management agreed to provide. At a meeting held on June 19-21, 2017, the Board, including the Independent Directors, reviewed the additional information provided by management in response to these requests. After extensive discussions, the Board, including all of the Independent Directors, approved the continuance of the Advisory Agreements for the Fund, based on a review of qualitative and quantitative information provided by BFA. The Board noted its satisfaction with the extent and quality of information provided and its frequent interactions with management, as well as the detailed responses and other information provided by BFA. The Board also noted that the Board and BFA agreed to discuss potential further enhancements to the 15(c) process for the coming year. The Independent Directors were advised by their independent counsel throughout the process, including about the legal standards applicable to their review. In approving the Advisory Agreements for the Fund, the Board, including the Independent Directors, considered the following factors, no one of which was controlling, and reached the following conclusions:

Expenses and Performance of the Fund — The Board reviewed statistical information prepared by Broadridge Financial Solutions Inc. (“Broadridge”), an independent provider of investment company data, regarding the expense ratio components, including gross and net total expenses, waivers/reimbursements (if any), and underlying fund fees and expenses (if any) of the Fund in comparison with the same information for other exchange traded funds (“ETFs”) (including, where applicable, funds sponsored by an “at cost” service provider) and, in the limited instances where no comparable ETFs existed and the comparison group would not otherwise be reasonable in Broadridge’s judgment, pure index institutional mutual funds, objectively selected by Broadridge as comprising the Fund’s applicable peer group pursuant to Broadridge’s proprietary ETF methodology (the “Peer Group”). The Board was provided with a detailed description of the proprietary ETF methodology used by Broadridge to determine the Fund’s Peer Group. The Board further noted that due to the limitations in providing comparable funds in the Peer Group, the statistical information provided in Broadridge’s report may or may not provide meaningful direct comparisons to the Fund in all instances.

The Board also noted that the investment advisory fee rate and overall expenses (net of waivers and reimbursements) for the Fund were lower than the median of the investment advisory fee rates and overall expenses (net of waivers and reimbursements) of the funds in its Peer Group, excluding iShares funds. The Board also noted that BFA pays BIL for its sub-advisory services, and that there are no additional fees imposed on the Fund in respect of the services provided under the Sub-Advisory Agreement.

In addition, to the extent that any of the comparison funds included in the Peer Group, excluding iShares funds, track the same index as the Fund, Broadridge also provided, and the Board reviewed, a comparison of the Fund’s performance for the one-, three-, five-, ten-year, and since inception periods, as applicable, and for the quarter ended December 31, 2016, to that of relevant comparison funds for the same periods.

 

32    2017 iSHARES ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Table of Contents

Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory

Contract (Continued)

iSHARES® INTERNATIONAL HIGH YIELD BOND ETF

 

The Board noted that the Fund seeks to track its specified underlying index and that, during the year, the Board received periodic reports on the Fund’s short- and longer-term performance in comparison with its underlying index. Such periodic comparative performance information, including any additional detailed information requested by the Boards, was also considered. The Board noted that the Fund generally performed in line with its underlying index over the relevant periods.

Based on this review, the other factors considered at the meeting, and their general knowledge of ETF pricing, the Board concluded that the investment advisory fee rate and the historical performance of the Fund supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreements for the coming year.

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided by BFA and BIL or their Affiliates — Based on management’s representations, including information about recent and proposed enhancements to the iShares business, including with respect to capital markets support and analysis, technology, product design, compliance and risk management, and other services, the Board expected that there would be no diminution in the scope of services required of or provided by BFA (and any services provided by BIL on BFA’s behalf or at BFA’s direction) under the Advisory Agreements for the coming year as compared to the scope of services provided by BFA and BIL during prior years. In reviewing the scope of these services, the Board considered the investment philosophy and experience of BFA and BIL, noting that BFA and its affiliates have committed significant resources over time, including during the past year, to supporting the iShares funds and their shareholders. The Board also considered the compliance program of BFA and BIL and their compliance record with respect to the Fund. In that regard, the Board noted that BFA reports to the Board about portfolio management and compliance matters on a periodic basis in connection with regularly scheduled meetings of the Board, and on other occasions as necessary and appropriate, and has provided information and made appropriate officers available as needed to provide further assistance with these matters. The Board also reviewed the background and experience of the persons responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund, as well as the resources available to them in managing the Fund. In addition to the above considerations, the Board reviewed and considered detailed presentations regarding BFA’s investment performance, investment and risk management processes and strategies provided at the June 19-21, 2017 meeting and throughout the previous year, and matters related to BFA’s and BIL’s portfolio compliance policies and procedures. The Board noted that the Fund had met its investment objective consistently since its inception date.

Based on review of this information, and the performance information discussed above, the Board concluded that the nature, extent and quality of services provided by BFA and BIL to the Fund under the Advisory Agreements supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreements for the coming year.

Costs of Services Provided to Fund and Profits Realized by BFA and Affiliates — The Board reviewed information about the profitability of the Fund to BlackRock, based on the fees payable to BFA and its affiliates (including fees under the Advisory Contract), and other sources of revenue and expense to BFA and its affiliates from the Fund’s operations for the last calendar year. The Board reviewed BlackRock’s profitability methodology for the iShares funds, including supplemental information that was responsive to requests of the 15(c) Committee. The Board noted that the 15(c) Committee had focused on the methodology and profitability presentation during its meetings. The Board discussed the sources of direct and ancillary revenue with management, including the revenues to BTC, a BFA affiliate, from securities lending by the Fund. The Board also discussed BFA’s profit margin as reflected in the Fund’s profitability analysis and reviewed information regarding potential economies of scale (as discussed below). Based on this review, the Board concluded that the profits realized by BFA and its affiliates under the Advisory Contract and from other relationships between the Fund and BFA and/or its affiliates, if any, were within a reasonable range in light of the factors considered.

Economies of Scale — The Board reviewed information regarding potential economies of scale or other efficiencies that may result from increases in the Fund’s assets, noting that the issue of economies of scale had been focused on by the 15(c) Committee during its meetings and addressed by management, including through supplemental information. The Board and the

 

BOARD REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY CONTRACT

     33  


Table of Contents

Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory

Contract (Continued)

iSHARES® INTERNATIONAL HIGH YIELD BOND ETF

 

15(c) Committee reviewed information provided by BFA regarding scale benefits shared with the iShares funds through relatively low fee rates established at inception, breakpoints and waivers or other fee reductions, as well as through additional investment in the iShares business and the provision of improved or additional infrastructure and services to the iShares funds and their shareholders. The Board and the 15(c) Committee received information regarding BlackRock’s historical profitability, including BFA’s and its affiliates’ costs in providing services. The cost information distinguished, among other things, between fixed and variable costs, and explained how the level of fixed and variable costs, as well as the nature of such costs, may impact the existence or size of scale benefits. The Board noted that the Advisory Contract for the Fund did not provide for any breakpoints in the Fund’s investment advisory fee rate as the assets of the Fund increase. However, the Board noted that should material economies of scale be identified in the future that are not otherwise shared, a breakpoint structure for the Fund may be appropriate, and that it would continue to monitor the sharing of economies of scale to determine the appropriateness of adding breakpoints in the future.

Based on this review, as well as the other factors considered at the meeting, the Board, recognizing its responsibility to consider the Advisory Agreements at least annually, determined to approve the continuance of the Advisory Agreements for the coming year.

Fees and Services Provided for Other Comparable Funds/Accounts Managed by BFA and its Affiliates — The Board received and considered information regarding the investment advisory/management fee rates for other funds/accounts in the U.S. for which BFA (or its affiliates) provides investment advisory/management services, including open-end funds registered under the 1940 Act (including sub-advised funds), collective trust funds, and institutional separate accounts (together, the “Other Accounts”), and acknowledged BFA’s assertion that the iShares funds are fundamentally different investment vehicles from the Other Accounts. The Board noted that BFA and its affiliates do not manage Other Accounts with substantially the same investment objective and strategy as the Fund and that track the same index as the Fund. The Board further noted that BFA provided the Board with detailed information regarding how the Other Accounts (particularly institutional clients) generally differ from the Fund, including in terms of the different and generally more extensive services provided to the Fund, as well as other significant differences. In that regard, the Board considered that the pricing of services to institutional clients is typically based on a number of factors beyond the nature and extent of the specific services to be provided and often depends on the overall relationship between the client and its affiliates and the adviser and its affiliates. In addition, the Board considered the relative complexity and inherent risks and challenges of managing and providing other services to the Fund, as a publicly traded ETF, as compared to the Other Accounts that are institutional clients, in light of differing regulatory requirements and client-imposed mandates. The Board also acknowledged BFA’s expressed business purpose for launching a suite of iShares “Core” ETFs that generally are subject to lower investment advisory fees than iShares non-Core ETFs that may provide a similar investment exposure. The Board also considered the “all-inclusive” nature of the Fund’s advisory fee structure, and the Fund expenses borne by BFA under this arrangement. The Board noted that the investment advisory fee rate under the Advisory Contract for the Fund was generally higher than the investment advisory/management fee rates for certain of the Other Accounts (particularly institutional clients) and concluded that the differences appeared to be consistent with the factors discussed.

Other Benefits to BFA and/or its Affiliates — The Board reviewed the “fallout” benefits or ancillary revenue received by BFA and/or its affiliates in connection with the services provided to the Fund by BFA, such as payment of revenue to BTC, the Fund’s securities lending agent, for loaning portfolio securities (which was included in the profit margins reviewed by the Board pursuant to BFA’s profitability methodology), and payment of advisory fees and/or administration fees to BFA and BTC (or their affiliates) in connection with any investments by the Fund in other funds for which BFA (or its affiliates) provides investment advisory services and/or administration services. The Board also noted the revenue received by BFA and/or its affiliates pursuant to an agreement that permits a service provider to use certain portions of BlackRock’s technology platform to service accounts managed by BFA and/or its affiliates, including the iShares funds. The Board noted that BFA generally does not use soft dollars or consider the value of research or other services that may be provided to BFA (including its affiliates) in selecting brokers for portfolio

 

34    2017 iSHARES ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Table of Contents

Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory

Contract (Continued)

iSHARES® INTERNATIONAL HIGH YIELD BOND ETF

 

transactions for the Fund. The Board further noted that any portfolio transactions on behalf of the Fund placed through a BFA affiliate or purchased from an underwriting syndicate in which a BFA affiliate participates, are reported to the Board pursuant to Rule 17e-1 or Rule 10f-3, as applicable, under the 1940 Act. The Board concluded that any such ancillary benefits would not be disadvantageous to the Fund’s shareholders and thus would not alter the Board’s conclusion with respect to the appropriateness of approving the continuance of the Advisory Agreements for the coming year.

Conclusion — Based on the considerations described above, the Board determined that the Fund’s investment advisory fee rate under the Advisory Contract does not constitute a fee that is so disproportionately large as to bear no reasonable relationship to the services rendered and that could not have been the product of arm’s-length bargaining, and concluded to approve the continuance of the Advisory Agreements for the coming year.

 

BOARD REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY CONTRACT

     35  


Table of Contents

Supplemental Information (Unaudited)

iSHARES® INTERNATIONAL HIGH YIELD BOND ETF

 

Proxy Results

A special meeting of the shareholders of each series of iShares, Inc. (the “Company”) was held on June 19, 2017, to elect five Directors to the Board of Directors of the Company. The five nominees were Jane D. Carlin, Richard L. Fagnani, Drew E. Lawton, Madhav V. Rajan and Mark Wiedman, all of whom were elected as Directors at the special meeting. The other Directors whose terms of office as Directors continued after the special meeting are Cecilia H. Herbert, Charles A. Hurty, John E. Kerrigan, John E. Martinez and Robert S. Kapito.

 

Director    Votes For      Votes Withheld  

Jane D. Carlin

     1,911,835,929        49,339,171  

Richard L. Fagnani

     1,911,725,344        49,449,755  

Drew E. Lawton

     1,911,790,083        49,385,017  

Madhav V. Rajan

     1,902,999,095        58,176,004  

Mark Wiedman

     1,908,143,500        53,031,599  

Section 19(a) Notices

The amounts and sources of distributions reported are estimates and are provided pursuant to regulatory requirements and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources for tax reporting purposes will depend upon each Fund’s investment experience during the year and may be subject to changes based on the tax regulations. Shareholders will receive a Form 1099-DIV each calendar year that will inform them how to report distributions for federal income tax purposes.

 

Total Cumulative Distributions
for the Fiscal Year
    % Breakdown of the Total Cumulative
Distributions for the Fiscal Year
 
Net
Investment
Income
    Net
Realized
Capital
Gains
    Return
of
Capital
    Total
Per
Share
    Net
Investment
Income
    Net
Realized
Capital
Gains
    Return
of
Capital
    Total
Per
Share
 
$ 0.356815     $     $ 0.128974     $ 0.485789       73     —       27     100

Premium/Discount Information

The Premium/Discount Information section is intended to present information about the differences between the daily market price on secondary markets for shares of a fund and that fund’s NAV. NAV is the price at which a fund issues and redeems shares. It is calculated in accordance with the standard formula for valuing mutual fund shares. The “Market Price” of a fund generally is determined using the midpoint between the highest bid and the lowest ask on the primary securities exchange on which shares of such fund are listed for trading, as of the time that the fund’s NAV is calculated. A fund’s Market Price may be at, above or below its NAV. The NAV of a fund will fluctuate with changes in the value of its portfolio holdings. The Market Price of a fund will fluctuate in accordance with changes in its NAV, as well as market supply and demand.

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

Premium/discount information for the Fund covering the most recently completed calendar year and the most recently completed calendar quarters since that year (or the life of the Fund, if shorter) is publicly accessible, free of charge, at www.iShares.com.

 

36    2017 iSHARES ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Table of Contents

Supplemental Information (Unaudited) (Continued)

iSHARES® INTERNATIONAL HIGH YIELD BOND ETF

 

The following information shows the frequency of distributions of premiums and discounts for the Fund for the immediately preceding five calendar years (or from the inception date of the Fund, if less than five years) through the date of the most recent calendar quarter-end. Each line in the table shows the number of trading days in which the Fund traded within the premium/discount range indicated. The number of trading days in each premium/discount range is also shown as a percentage of the total number of trading days in the period covered by each table. All data presented here represents past performance, which cannot be used to predict future results.

Period Covered: April 3, 2012 through September 30, 2017

 

Premium/Discount Range

   Number
of Days
     Percentage of
Total Days
 

Greater than 3.5% and Less than 4.0%

     1        0.07

Greater than 3.0% and Less than 3.5%

     7        0.51  

Greater than 2.5% and Less than 3.0%

     7        0.51  

Greater than 2.0% and Less than 2.5%

     6        0.43  

Greater than 1.5% and Less than 2.0%

     29        2.10  

Greater than 1.0% and Less than 1.5%

     84        6.07  

Greater than 0.5% and Less than 1.0%

     492        35.57  

Greater than 0.0% and Less than 0.5%

     620        44.84  

At NAV

     5        0.36  

Less than 0.0% and Greater than –0.5%

     111        8.03  

Less than –0.5% and Greater than –1.0%

     19        1.37  

Less than –1.0% and Greater than –1.5%

     1        0.07  

Less than –1.5% and Greater than –2.0%

     1        0.07  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     1,383        100.00
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

     37  


Table of Contents

Director and Officer Information

iSHARES®, INC.

 

The Board of Directors 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. Each officer shall hold office until his or her successor is elected and qualifies or until his or her death, resignation or removal. 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 (the “BlackRock-advised Funds”) are organized into one complex of closed-end funds, two complexes of open-end funds and one complex of exchange-traded funds (“Exchange-Traded Fund Complex”) (each, a “BlackRock Fund Complex”). Each Fund is included in the BlackRock Fund Complex referred to as the Exchange-Traded Fund Complex. Each Director also serves as a Trustee of iShares Trust and a Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust and, as a result, oversees a total of 346 funds (as of October 31, 2017) within the Exchange-Traded Fund Complex. Drew E. Lawton, from October 2016 to June 2017, and Richard L. Fagnani, from April 2017 to June 2017, served as a member of the advisory board (“Advisory Board,” members of which are “Advisory Board Members”) for iShares, Inc., iShares Trust and iShares U.S. ETF Trust with respect to all funds within the Exchange-Traded Fund Complex. With the exception of Robert S. Kapito, Mark K. Wiedman, Charles Park, Martin Small and Benjamin Archibald, the address of each Director, and officer is c/o BlackRock, Inc., 400 Howard Street, San Francisco, CA 94105. The address of Mr. Kapito, Mr. Wiedman, Mr. Park, Mr. Small and Mr. Archibald is c/o BlackRock, Inc., Park Avenue Plaza, 55 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10055. The Board has designated Cecilia H. Herbert as its Independent Board Chair. Additional information about the Funds’ Directors and officers may be found in the Funds’ combined Statement of Additional Information, which is available without charge, upon request, by calling toll-free 1-800-iShares (1-800-474-2737).

Interested Directors

 

       
Name (Age)    Position(s)   

Principal Occupation(s)

During the Past 5 Years

   Other Directorships
Held by Director

Robert S. Kapitoa (60)

   Director
(since 2009).
   President, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2006); Vice Chairman of BlackRock, Inc. and Head of BlackRock’s Portfolio Management Group (since its formation in 1998) and BlackRock, Inc.’s predecessor entities (since 1988); Trustee, University of Pennsylvania (since 2009); President of Board of Directors, Hope & Heroes Children’s Cancer Fund (since 2002).    Director of BlackRock, Inc. (since 2006); Trustee of iShares Trust (since 2009); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011).

Mark K. Wiedmanb (46)

  

Director
(since 2013).

   Senior Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2014); Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (2007-2014); Global Head of BlackRock’s ETF and Index Investments Business (since 2016); Global Head of iShares (2011-2016); Head of Corporate Strategy, BlackRock, Inc. (2009-2011).    Trustee of iShares Trust (since 2013); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2013); Director of PennyMac Financial Services, Inc. (since 2008).

 

a    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. and its affiliates.
b    Mark K. Wiedman 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.

 

38    2017 iSHARES ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Table of Contents

Director and Officer Information (Continued)

iSHARES®, INC.

 

Independent Directors

 

       
Name (Age)    Position(s)   

Principal Occupation(s)

During the Past 5 Years

   Other Directorships
Held by Director

Cecilia H. Herbert (68)

   Director
(since 2005); Independent Board Chair (since 2016).
   Trustee and Member of the Finance, Technology and Quality Committee of Stanford Health Care (since 2016); Trustee and Member of the Investment Committee, WNET, a New York public media company (since 2011); Chair (1994-2005) and Member (since 1992) of the Investment Committee, Archdiocese of San Francisco; Director (1998-2013) 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) of the Thacher School.    Trustee of iShares Trust (since 2005); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011); Independent Board Chair of iShares Trust and iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2016); Trustee of Forward Funds (14 portfolios) (since 2009); Trustee of Salient MF Trust (4 portfolios) (since 2015).

Jane D. Carlin (61)

   Director
(since 2015); Risk Committee Chair (since 2016).
   Consultant (since 2012); Managing Director and Global Head of Financial Holding Company Governance & Assurance and the Global Head of Operational Risk Management of Morgan Stanley (2006-2012).    Trustee of iShares Trust (since 2015); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2015); Director of PHH Corporation (mortgage solutions) (since 2012); Director of The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. (since 2016).

Richard L. Fagnani (62)

   Director
(since 2017); Equity Plus Committee Chair (since 2017).
   Partner, KPMG LLP (2002-2016).    Trustee of iShares Trust (since 2017); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2017).

Charles A. Hurty (74)

   Director
(since 2005); Audit Committee Chair (since 2006).
  

Retired; Partner, KPMG LLP

(1968-2001).

   Trustee of iShares Trust (since 2005); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011); Director of SkyBridge Alternative Investments Multi-Adviser Hedge Fund Portfolios LLC (2 portfolios) (since 2002).

John E. Kerrigan (62)

   Director
(since 2005); Securities Lending Committee Chair (since 2016).
   Chief Investment Officer, Santa Clara University (since 2002).    Trustee of iShares Trust (since 2005); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011).

Drew E. Lawton (58)

   Director
(since 2017); 15(c) Committee Chair (since 2017).
   Senior Managing Director of New York Life Insurance Company (2010-2015).    Trustee of iShares Trust (since 2017); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2017).

 

DIRECTOR AND OFFICER INFORMATION

     39  


Table of Contents

Director and Officer Information (Continued)

iSHARES®, INC.

 

Independent Directors (Continued)

 

       
Name (Age)    Position(s)   

Principal Occupation(s)

During the Past 5 Years

   Other Directorships
Held by Director

John E. Martinez (56)

   Director
(since 2003); Fixed Income Plus Committee Chair (since 2016).
   Director of Real Estate Equity Exchange, Inc. (since 2005).    Trustee of iShares Trust (since 2003); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011).

Madhav V. Rajan (53)

   Director
(since 2011); Nominating and Governance Committee Chair (since 2017).
   Dean, and George Pratt Shultz Professor of Accounting, University of Chicago Booth School of Business (since 2017); Robert K. Jaedicke Professor of Accounting, Stanford University Graduate School of Business (2001-2017); Professor of Law (by courtesy), Stanford Law School (2005-2017); Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Head of MBA Program, Stanford University Graduate School of Business (2010-2016) .    Trustee of iShares Trust (since 2011); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011); Director, Cavium, Inc. (since 2013).

 

40    2017 iSHARES ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Table of Contents

Director and Officer Information (Continued)

iSHARES®, INC.

 

Officers

 

     
Name (Age)    Position(s)   

Principal Occupation(s)

During the Past 5 Years

Martin Small (42)

   President
(since 2016).
   Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2010); Head of U.S. iShares (since 2015); Co-Head of the U.S. Financial Markets Advisory Group, BlackRock, Inc. (2008-2014).

Jack Gee (58)

  

Treasurer and

Chief Financial Officer

(since 2008).

   Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2009); Senior Director of Fund Administration of Intermediary Investor Business, BGI (2009).

Benjamin Archibald (42)

   Secretary
(since 2015).
   Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2014); Director, BlackRock, Inc. (2010-2013); Secretary of the BlackRock-advised mutual funds (since 2012).

Alan Mason (56)

  

Executive Vice President

(since 2016).

   Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2009).

Steve Messinger (55)

   Executive Vice President (since 2016).    Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (2007-2014 and since 2016); Managing Director, Beacon Consulting Group (2014-2016).

Charles Park (50)

   Chief Compliance Officer (since 2006).    Chief Compliance Officer of BlackRock Advisors, LLC and the BlackRock-advised Funds in the Equity-Bond Complex, the Equity-Liquidity Complex and the Closed-End Complex (since 2014); Chief Compliance Officer of BFA (since 2006).

Scott Radell (48)

  

Executive Vice President

(since 2012).

   Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2009); Head of Portfolio Solutions, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2009).

 

DIRECTOR AND OFFICER INFORMATION

     41  


Table of Contents

Notes:

 

 

42    2017 iSHARES ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Table of Contents

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

 

This report is intended for the Fund’s shareholders. It may not be distributed to prospective investors unless it is preceded or accompanied by the current prospectus.

Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal.

The iShares Funds are distributed by BlackRock Investments, LLC (together with its affiliates, “BlackRock”).

The iShares Funds are not sponsored, endorsed, issued, sold or promoted by Markit Indices Limited, nor does this company make any representation regarding the advisability of investing in the iShares Funds. BlackRock is not affiliated with the company listed above.

A description of the policies that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities and information about how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve-month period ending June 30 is available without charge, upon request, by calling toll-free 1-800-474-2737; on the Fund’s website at www.iShares.com; and on the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) website at www.sec.gov.

The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the SEC’s website or may 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 1-800-SEC-0330. The Fund also discloses its complete schedule of portfolio holdings on a daily basis on the Fund’s website.

©2017 BlackRock, Inc. All rights reserved. iSHARES and BLACKROCK are registered trademarks of BlackRock, Inc. or its subsidiaries. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.

 

iS-AR-1017-1017

 

LOGO    LOGO


Table of Contents
Item 2. Code of Ethics.

The registrant has adopted a code of ethics, as of the end of the period covered by this report, applicable to the registrant’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions. During the period covered by this report, the code of ethics was amended to clarify an inconsistency in to whom persons covered by the code should report suspected violations of the code. The amendment clarifies that such reporting should be made to BlackRock’s General Counsel, and retains the alternative option of anonymous reporting following “whistleblower” policies. Other non-material changes were also made in connection with this amendment. During the period covered by this report, there have been no waivers granted under the code of ethics. The registrant undertakes to provide a copy of the code of ethics to any person upon request, without charge, by calling 1-800-474-2737.

 

Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.

The registrant’s Board of Directors has determined that the registrant has more than one audit committee financial expert, as that term is defined under Item 3(b) and 3(c), serving on its audit committee. The audit committee financial experts serving on the registrant’s audit committee are Charles A. Hurty, Richard L. Fagnani (began serving on the audit committee effective as of June 20, 2017 and was designated as an audit committee financial expert serving on the audit committee effective as of September 15, 2017), John E. Kerrigan, and Madhav V. Rajan, all of whom are independent, as that term is defined under Item 3(a)(2).


Table of Contents
Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

The principal accountant fees disclosed in items 4(a), 4(b), 4(c), 4(d) and 4(g) are for the five series of the registrant for which the fiscal year-end is October 31, 2017 (the “Funds”), and whose annual financial statements are reported in Item 1.

 

  (a) Audit Fees – The aggregate fees billed for each of the last two fiscal years for professional services rendered by the principal accountant for the audit of the Funds’ annual financial statements or services that are normally provided by the accountant in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for those fiscal years were $79,000 for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2016 and $77,500 for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2017.

 

  (b) Audit-Related Fees – There were no fees billed for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2016 and October 31, 2017 for assurance and related services by the principal accountant that were reasonably related to the performance of the audit of the Fund’s financial statements and are not reported under (a) of this Item.

 

  (c) Tax Fees – The aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for professional services rendered by the principal accountant for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning for the Funds were $18,905 for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2016 and $18,905 for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2017. These services related to the review of the Funds’ tax returns and excise tax calculations.

 

  (d) All Other Fees – There were no other fees billed in each of the fiscal years ended October 31, 2016 and October 31, 2017 for products and services provided by the principal accountant, other than the services reported in (a) through (c) of this Item.

 

  (e) (1) The registrant’s audit committee charter, as amended, provides that the audit committee is responsible for the approval, prior to appointment, of the engagement of the principal accountant to annually audit and provide their opinion on the registrant’s financial statements. The audit committee must also approve, prior to appointment, the engagement of the principal accountant to provide non-audit services to the registrant or to any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the registrant’s investment adviser (“Adviser Affiliate”) that provides ongoing services to the registrant, if the engagement relates directly to the operations and financial reporting of the registrant.

(2) There were no services described in (b) through (d) above that were approved by the audit committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X.

 

  (f) None of the hours expended on the principal accountant’s engagement to audit the Funds’ financial statements for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2017 were attributable to work performed by persons other than the principal accountant’s full-time, permanent employees.

 

  (g) The aggregate non-audit fees billed by the registrant’s principal accountant for services rendered to the Funds, and rendered to the registrant’s investment adviser, and any Adviser Affiliate that provides ongoing services to the registrant for the last two fiscal years were $18,905 for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2016 and $18,905 for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2017. The aggregate non-audit fees for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2016 included in this report are different from those included in the previously filed report covering the 12-month period ended October 31, 2016 as this report excludes non-audit fees for services that were rendered to the registrant’s investment adviser or any Adviser Affiliate that provides ongoing services to the registrant but that were not related to the registrant.

 

  (h) The registrant’s audit committee has considered whether the provision of non-audit services rendered to the registrant’s investment adviser and any Adviser Affiliate that provides ongoing services to the registrant that were not pre-approved pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(ii) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X, if any, is compatible with maintaining the principal accountant’s independence, and has determined that the provision of these services, if any, does not compromise the principal accountant’s independence.


Table of Contents
Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants

(a) The registrant is a listed issuer as defined in Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act of 1934 and has a separately-designated standing audit committee established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Exchange Act of 1934. The registrant’s audit committee members are Charles A. Hurty, Richard L. Fagnani (began serving on the audit committee effective as of June 20, 2017), John E. Kerrigan, and Madhav V. Rajan.

(b) Not applicable.

 

Item 6. Investments.

 

  (a) Schedules of investments are included as part of the reports to shareholders filed under Item 1 of this Form.

 

  (b) Not applicable.

 

Item 7. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

Not applicable to the registrant.

 

Item 8. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

Not applicable to the registrant.

 

Item 9. Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers.

Not applicable to the registrant.

 

Item 10. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

There were no material changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the registrant’s Board of Directors.

 

Item 11. Controls and Procedures.

(a) The President (the registrant’s Principal Executive Officer) and Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer (the registrant’s Principal Financial Officer) have concluded that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) are effective as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report, based on their evaluation of these controls and procedures required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and Rules 13a-15(b) or 15d-15(b) under the Exchange Act of 1934.

(b) There were no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) that occurred during the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Item 12. Disclosure of Securities Lending Activities for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

Not applicable to the registrant.


Table of Contents
Item 13. Exhibits.

(a) (1) Code of Ethics is not filed as an exhibit; please refer to Item 2.

(a) (2) Section 302 Certifications are attached.

(a) (3) Not applicable.

(a) (4) Not applicable.

(b) Section 906 Certifications are attached.


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

iShares, Inc.

By:  

/s/ Martin Small

  Martin Small, President (Principal Executive Officer)

Date: May 4, 2018

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

By:  

/s/ Martin Small

  Martin Small, President (Principal Executive Officer)
Date: May 4, 2018
By:  

/s/ Jack Gee

  Jack Gee, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)
Date: May 4, 2018